Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake

Pumpkin Spice is everything. I am totally in the mood for celebrating the fall, so I tried a new fall recipe I found.This pumpkin spice shake was delicious and healthy! Here's the recipe, I found it on Pinterest!

1/2 banana, frozen (mine wasn't frozen)
1 pinch ginger (I didn't have this, so I left it out)
1/2 c pumpkin, canned or freshly cooked
3/4 c almond milk
1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I didn't have this either, so I left it out)

Put all of this in a blender, blend until smooth, enjoy!!

As you can tell, I left a few things out, and it was still awesome! I added about 4 ice cubes.

Like I said, it's really easy and cheap, so give it a try! :)

What I Love About Sundays

I have always loved Sundays, a lot. I think they are the perfect time to relax and do what you love. I work on some Sundays, but I still have time to start the day off with things that make me happy. Sometimes this is sleeping in, church, working out, cooking, or a combination of those.

This Sunday I dropped my mom off at the airport, which was bittersweet. It will be two months until I see her again, but it was great to have her here. After that I got a chance to go on a run. It was perfect running weather, so I couldn't pass it up. If the weather was like this all the time, I would think I was in heaven. There is something so different from running outside compared to running on a treadmill. It's much more freeing and really clears my mind. I ran 5 miles today, which isn't my best, but I felt really great after.

I also made an amazing Pumpkin Spice Protein Shake. I will post the recipe later, I am in a rush to head to work. But, I loved it, and it was healthy! And I promised to leave you all with more recipes!

One last thing I must tell you all about is my new little book! I spent some time talking with my roommate and reading through a fun little book entitled, 1001 Things Every Graduate Should Know, by Harry H. Harrison Jr. (what a great name.) My mom and I saw this book on clearance at Bed Bath and Beyond yesterday and after reading through it a little bit, I just couldn't resist getting it. There are a lot of funny things, as well as some serious ones, but it's a great quick read for a Sunday. I am going to try to read one tip a day and focus on that tip for the day, please don't be offended if they're not awesome, maybe I'll post one or two every now and then. So since yesterday was day 1, I'll give you tip #2, which is one of my favorites, so far.


"You need to know you're not entitled to a college degree. In fact, you're no longer entitled to anything."


I think many times we all think we are entitled to so much, so this is a great tip to ponder for your Sunday.

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

So, I said in the beginning this blog would be more than just an update about my life. I think I promise recipes and pictures and lots of goodies, but have been slacking. Obviously food is a big part of my life, I have been cooking like crazy out here, and trying to stay healthy! Lots of meal prepping and recipe finding! Here is a great recipe for homemade peanut butter protein bars. They are so easy, and may be the best thing I have ever eaten.

Ingredients:
16 oz peanut butter (any kind you like!)
2 C Whey Protein Powder (again, any kind. I used Jay Robb Vanilla)
1 1/4 C Honey
3 C Old Fashioned Oats
1/4 C Chia Seeds
1/4 C Hemp Seeds
(The seeds are optional, in mine I only used Chia because I didn't have Hemp, but both would be awesome!)

Directions:
Heat peanut butter in microwave for 90 seconds.
Stir in honey
Stir in seeds if you are using them
Stir in protein powder
Stir in oats

Mixture should be really thick, if it's too thick you can always add more peanut butter and/or honey.
Press into 9x13 pan.
Chill for at least two hours, then cut into small pieces.

Sometimes I'm not the best at making things. I literally mixed all the ingredients with my hands and flattened in the pan and stuck it in the fridge and they still turned out amazing. I think I'm addicted to them. I eat them a lot and the pan has lasted me almost a week. Also, they're a great substitute for when you're craving something sweet! Obviously, I am very proud of these, so you must try them!

If you have any questions, feel free to comment! Hope you guys enjoy, more to come!

It's Been Too Long

Gosh, I'm sorry to anyone who reads this, I have been a real slacker. However, I did take some time off from writing on this so you all wouldn't have to hear my rants and raves about wanting to go home, that can get depressing..and well, I want this to be light hearted.

I think I am started to like it here..which is a good and bad thing. I wasn't happy when I didn't like it here, that's for sure. But now that I am starting to like it here I worry I won't want to go back home. (but who am I kidding, of course I will.) The main reason I haven't been writing is because I am so busy. Honestly, what else is new. I currently have two jobs, one at a gym and one at my school and I work a lot of hours with those combined. I also have school. Which is going really well, stressful and hard, but if it wasn't could it really be considered graduate school? I also am volunteering doing some things for the basketball team at my school (so excited) and trying to have a social life and simultaneously trying to get some homework done. For those who know some things about psychology or graduate school, this might make sense.. I have started doing practice assessments and practice therapy. It is a great experience and I am just getting so excited for next year when I have practicum and real clients. I also have made friends!! I know everyone at home is excited. Lol. But what I mean is that I have met some amazing people here who have made my transition here a lot easier and I am so thankful for them. I also signed up for a tough mudder (Oct. 20) so stay tuned for that news.

My mama was in town this weekend! Whooo hooo. So it has been a crazy busy weekend of sight seeing and showing her around, getting lost and trying bourbon. It was good to have some family time. I miss them more than anything. It's weird to think this is like my home now. I can't call it home yet, it doesn't feel right. But it was great to see her and show her the city of Louisville and what my life is like out here. I know this seems rushed, but I'm off to take my mama back to the airport :( I promise, to anyone who reads this, I will be better at updating it with lots of great things.Thank you to everyone who reads this and supports me.

I'll leave you guys with a quote that's been on my mind:
"Life takes you unexpected places, Love brings you home."

Week 1- DONE

I have survived my first week of grad school, meaning I only have 16 more weeks until Winter Break. Some might say I shouldn't start the countdown now, but let's be real, I have a countdown for the day that I graduate. I know I haven't been updating this blog as much as it seems I should, and I wish I could say that it was because I was so busy with life, but in all honesty, it is because I didn't want to say the only things that could come to my mind about life right now.

This past week, or a little over a week, has been very hard. I think the last time I wrote about this good ole life in Kentucky was after the BBQ. After that, the week that followed consisted of job training (which was actually great) and a whole lot of Kaila complaining about being in Kentucky. I have been having a pity party for myself for a week now to anyone who will listen to me, and yesterday I decided I better get over that. It's not that I don't like Kentucky, it's just that five years here is freakin' me out.

Last week we had orientation Thursday and Friday and that is when my little life crisis began. Every question you can think of popped into my head. Why am I here? Is this really what I want to be doing? Should I move home? None of these questions, as you can tell, were very positive. So, after a few mini breakdowns for a week or so, I tried to pull myself together for my first week of classes.

This week was my first week of classes. They actually weren't too bad. Overwhelming? Yes. I am in grad school, and it lives up to the name and reputation it is given. I have tons of readings every night, assignments, meetings, a job and some volunteer stuff I am doing. Plus, I am trying to make friends so I can stop having pity parties! However, if you know me, I would rather stay busy then be sitting at home pondering life's questions. With that said, this first week was nonstop chaos, and I think that made me start to like Kentucky a little better. I have my last class in about two hours and then syllabus week is over and I start the real work, which I am already trying to get ahead on so that I do not fall behind.

Besides school I have had some great times. Last Saturday I did a 5k Mud Run with some girls in my cohort and that was awesome. Then this week I have hung out with some great friends and then last night went to Waterfront Wednesday. It is like a mini concert on the lawn and it was really fun to see the great stuff Louisville has to offer. Tonight is a Zombie Walk Bar Crawl so a few of us are going to go people watch at that. Then this weekend is work and time to buckle down on homework and get ahead. Life is getting hectic, which for me means getting a little easier to be here, day by day.

Busy Bee

It seems that the only time I am sad and realize how far away I am from everyone is when I have free time. So, of course, like the rest of my life I have packed it full with things to do. I started working at the gym and that is going great, I love the job and the people I am with. I have offered to volunteer helping with Spalding Women's Basketball. I am not sure what I will be doing, but am willing to be involved with basketball anyway I can. I miss it, who woulda thought. I start my classes on Monday and my graduate assistance work on this Wednesday. And who would have guessed, I finally made friends! Needless to say I am trying to stay as busy as possible so it leaves as little free time as possible to let my mind wonder. When I am doing these things and surrounding myself with people I actually begin to think I could like it here.

Last Sunday my cohort had a BBQ to give everyone a chance to meet each other before orientation. It was so fun! I love my cohort and I really think we are a good group that could have some fun in the years to come. One of my friends in my class even invited me over after my first day of work and made me dinner (amazing seasoned potatoes, stuffed chicken, salad and HOMEMADE apple pie!!). I am beginning to feel more comfortable, but there still are those times when the thought creeps up that I am 3,000 miles away from everything for 5 years. Then I want to have a break down haha. But I am staying busy and positive and making the best of this and hopefully the time will just fly by.

Things Are Looking Up

I have a lot of goals for myself while I'm in Kentucky. If you talk to me outside of this blog I know you have heard this a hundred times, but that is the best way I know how to explain my mindset right now. I am in no way trying to be selfish, or a loner for that matter (I hate being lonely!) but I want to work on myself and my goals for the next 5 years so that when I graduate from Spalding I am not only Dr. Kaila Smith :) but I also have grown in other areas of my life.

My main goals are:
1. My Fitness. This has always been important to me, but I feel dedicated more than ever. I want fitness to become a big part of my life, not only for my body, but so I feel good. When I am active I am always more positive and I could use all the positivity I could get being in a graduate program!
2. Make Connections- This is important for me to have a future career in many areas. Now is the time to make connections with people. I may not be able to have a dream career right now, but I will soon and these connections will come in handy!
3. Become Financially Stable - well as much as I can while being a student. This is why I want to have a job and work as much on my free time as I can. I want to come out of school somewhat on my feet, not falling on my face. And I want to be able to have fun (and sometimes fun costs money) while I'm out here. Visit other states, fly home if I want, go on adventures! The fun stuff!
4. Learn New Things I've Always Wanted To Try- Fishing, Hunting, Kayaking, Concealed Weapons License! Look at all the fun stuff I can do! I don't want anything holding me back. Now is the time to do it all. That way when I get back to San Diego I already am a pro and can take my dad fishing and hunting and show him up! (I wish).
5. Enjoy My Me Time- This means if I want to relax, I can. If I want to go on adventures, I can. If I want to learn new things, I will. I guess this applies to #4, but I want nothing to hold me back. That means if one day I just want to sleep all day, heck, I will! Indiana is across a river. Ohio is somewhere close like that, Tennesse is a short drive and, well, I'm still learning the others states. But if I want to go to a different state every weekend, I will! What better time than when you're 22 and in a doctoral program.
6. Oh ya- Get My Degree- I guess I just see this happening along the way...accompanied by many sleepless nights, coffees, redbulls, mini breakdowns, and friend making. This is the ultimate reason I am in Kentucky. Don't get me wrong, getting this degree will be no easy task, but I've always kind of liked school, and always done better when I'm busy. I think after 5 years of striving for all my other fun goals I'll be like oh ya, I got my degree, I'm a freakin' psychologist. Whoa.

I'm sure there will be many more goals to come, but this is where I'm at---Day 6 in Kentucky. I'm going to focus on enjoying my time here by accomplishing goals for myself. Yes, I will probably be busy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am already on my way to accomplishing my goals. I have a job, and a possible opportunity to move up in the company if I stick with it. I have a possible coaching opportunity within the next year, which is like a dream come true. I have many places around me where I can try new activities, and many people to help teach me! And I start my PsyD program next Monday!!

It's all about making the best of the situation you are in.