Healthy Eats Week- Day 1: Breakfast.

Hey everyone! Happy Monday. Where did last week even go??

First of all, I have to mention the amazing support I got from you all on my last post. I really appreciate the comments and love I got after writing that. I was really scared to share my story, but I don't regret it. My blogging friends are the best! (:

Over the past few weeks, in my efforts to lose a bit of weight but more importantly just become healthier overall, I've been experimenting with some healthy "swaps" and recipes.

This week I will be sharing my latest eats and fabulous food finds. I'm calling it Healthy Eats Week because I want to. Disclaimer: These are just what I consider healthy. I'm not a nutritionist and I know "healthy" is a matter of opinion! My idea of healthy is as close to natural as possible.

Today I am going to start with breakfast! Most important meal of the day, right?? (:

I tried Sunnie's recipe for Overnight Oats, and I think I'm in love. I have yet to buy chia seeds, but I just make it without, and even though the texture isn't perfect without the chia seeds, it's still delicious! I think this is a new staple in my mornings (;

I just bought these over the weekend. I LOVE homemade oatmeal. So much better than my packets! (although packets are good for quick mornings). I love that this is all natural, and I can add my own toppings. I like adding fruit, protein powder, & always vanilla and cinnamon.

New obsession: Ezekiel 4:9 bread. It has no flour, it's made using the whole grain. I don't know the details, but it is much better than white or even plain wheat bread. It is SO filling, and I really enjoy the taste and texture. I guess I'm weird, but the nutty taste and thicker texture really appeals to me!

My favorite thing to put on my new bread? Chocolate PB2. Pair it with fruit, and we've got ourselves a breakfast!

For breakfast, I tried to swap out the quicker options for more whole & natural options. I also try to eat a bit of fruit with breakfast every day. That seems to help me stay full for longer. Sometimes fruit really doesn't appeal to me until the afternoon, so I'll skip it.

Yesterday I had a lot of fun! I went with Andrew's family to the Michigan dunes. 

We had fun on the mud hike. (:

What are YOUR favorite breakfasts?? Care to share any easy recipes? (:

What changes are you making to healthify your life?

Have a wonderful day.
-Emily

Quick life update: My dad finally moved out and things are better for me! However, he isn't in a very good place right now and is extremely negative whenever I am around him. He acts terribly around my mom and constantly complains about both her and my little sister, who just wants to see my dad more. I only have to see him every other weekend, and I'm really glad all that negativity is, for the most part, out of my life. It's been years since I have lived in a truly peaceful home and I am so thankful for having that now.

Fabulous Friday.

Happy Friday! Are you excited for the weekend? I sure am. Fabulous is.... Having a license! On Wednesday I finally got around to going to the DMV.
I was completely terrified as I waited alone in the car for the instructor! The test ended up being really easy. It was over in like five minutes, and it was just a few turns in a neighborhood.

Horrible picture... But isn't everybody's? (;

Fabulous is... This incredibly hilarious magnet my sister got me for when I drive.

Not the most flattering picture. I guess I shouldn't face the sun and wear baggy shirts... Wednesday was NOT my day for pictures!

Fabulous is.... Freedom!
I feel so adult and stuff when I drive me and my friends around.
I went to dinner & TCBY with Andrew on Wednesday,
and yesterday I drove us to a fair that was in a nearby town.

On the roller coaster!

This morning I drove my Cross Country friend & I to practice. She normally drives me, so it was fun to drive her for a change (:

Speaking of cross country....

Cross country camp is fabulous! 22 miles this week so far, and I have a long run tomorrow and a color run on Sunday.

However, the pains in my shins are not so fabulous. Ice is my besssst friend.

Fabulous is... Tera's Whey!

I got my protein!! I was very happy with how fast it was shipped. I recommend Natural Healthy Concepts for tera's whey.


The only way I have used it is putting one scoop in Almond Milk, and WOW. It was so yummy! I honestly didn't expect it to really taste good, but it did. It was hard to mix though. I had a few chunks even after five minutes of beating with a fork.

I still have to try it in bars/desserts and in oatmeal, but so far I am really happy with it.


I have some fabulosity later today. In a few minutes, my CC friend is coming over with her new doggie! She is a german shepard, and she will get to meet Sophie today. I have no idea how they will play together.

Later tonight, I have skit practice for a freshmen orientation that I am a leader for. I can't believe I'm so old. Two years ago I was a freshmen, now I am teaching freshmen about high school! Scary.


What's fabulous in your friday?
~Emily

5 Things I'm Looking Forward To

Happy Saturday! Just gonna talk about a few things that have been on my mind...

1. My little sister's birthday! Tomorrow is father's day and also my soon to be 12 year-old sister's birthday!

Happy Birthday Erica!

2. Cross Country Camp.

For this one I am just as nervous as I am excited. I made the decision to do Cross Country Camp through my school this summer. It will be mostly girls on the team, plus a few younger girls. One of my best friends is on the varsity team (she is REALLY good!) so she will be driving me to camp. She is the best! Camp is from 7-9 AM Monday-Friday, and sometimes long runs on Saturday. I am so nervous, I have no idea if I will be able to keep up with anyone. 

3. Getting Faster. 

One thing's for sure.. I will definitely get faster after 2 months of running with the team every morning! Right now I only run about 4 days a week. I'm hoping to get my 5k time down to like 27 minutes. Or 26. Or 25 (the ultimate dream...) That's a lot of time to shave off of my 29:33 time, so I'm just hoping for any improvement! (: 

I can run long distances (this one was a 10k!) but I run suuuuuuuuper slow. #turtlestatus

On Friday I had a great run, a 10k, but I ran super slow. Also stopped to talk to my bestie when I ran into her biking home, and stopped at Andrew's house for some water. 

4. Vacation! 

I am going to the BAHAMAS on Wednesday, with my dad and my sister. An entire week! I will get to visit Atlantis, the fancy resort that you see in the commercials. (Not staying there though). Yes, I will miss a week of cross country camp. :( However, I'm pretty sure it will be worth it... (; I can't wait to share tons of pictures!!

5. GETTING MY DRIVER'S LICENCE!

I got all my papers ready today. I just need 7 more hours of practice, 1 at night. I got that doctor's note (for my diabetes) and the letter from the secretary of state and everything else. I can't get it before my vacation because of time, but after I get back from vacation and then camp I'll drive to the DMV....

I'm still super freaked out that I will be able to drive on my own with no adults in a few weeks. Crazy. What will my first drive by myself be??? I'll probably pick up Andrew (won't get his licence until September) and go get ice cream or froyo. Yes, that sounds good. I'll be driving my mom's minivan. Won't I be cool (;

I could have gotten my licence on my birthday, but I just wasn't ready. It didn't really matter because I wasn't getting a car anyways! Now I think I'm almost ready... I'm so nervous though! When can I make a turn on red??? Will I park the right way?? I am so bad at parking.

The next couple of weeks are gonna be really exciting AND scary... Wish me luck! (:

What are you looking forward to? Are you going anywhere this summer? Did you pass your driver's test the first time? 

~Emily

Meet the Boyfriend.

Happy Monday! Today was the "official" first day of summer, how exciting!!

I think it's time to introduce somebody I've been talking about.

 This is Andrew, my boyfriend and my best friend.

Turnabout Dance!

Andrew & I met in science class in 8th grade. We talked non-stop, and became instant friends. It was obvious that he was falling for me. Since he didn't have a cell phone to text on, we would facebook message for hours! Eventually he gathered up the courage to "ask me out" (this is 8th grade, so that is a relative term) and, obviously, I said yes!

Oh dear. We look like we are about three.

So Andrew was a shy little 8th grader and he didn't hold my hand for months and months but I knew he liked me because he lit up whenever he saw me. He still does, to this day (:

Excuse the photo dump. We have done so much together over the past 2 1/2 years and we have become the best of friends. He really is an amazing boyfriend. I couldn't ask for a better guy. 

We split milkshakes and Instagram eachother on dates. 

We were pumpkin pie for Halloween. I know, we are adorable!

Celebrating 2 years together in Chicago!

Our cheesy homecoming picture! Still love it.

Andrew plays the trumpet in pep band (and previously in Jazz). He plays the french horn, and is really good! He is the Drum Major of our marching band- that means he gets to conduct for all of us, as well as being one of the three leaders of the whole band! He gets to wear a pinstripe gangster suit for the marching band show this year. How snazzy is that??

I promise he is actually good at that thing. Despite the funny face.

A few months ago, Andrew raised money and shaved his head for St.Baldricks, a charity that raises money to help kids with cancer and to find a cure.

It tickles!

That's just an example of how loving he really is. And explains why he is bald! (the rest of the pictures were old)

Almost bald!!

Andrew & I are complete opposites when it comes to school. He is wonderful at science and math. He wants to be an engineer someday. Andrew is the kind of person that is naturally really smart and a quick learner. I wish I was as smart as he is! Andrew is super awesome and tutors me all the time (: In math and science, I need all the help I can get, and he always is willing to give it to me.

Bald! After performing on the Chicago Symphony Center stage, we had to grab starbucks!

I like to snap pictures when he is most embarrassed. Sorry, Andrew (: 

Andrew is an absolutely amazing person. I learn new things from him every day. He supports me through everything! He has supported my running, and he reads my blog, and helps me succeed in everything I do. He keeps me sane and tells me I'm special and loves me just the way I am. I mean, what more could a girl want??

Our relationship isn't perfect. No relationship is! But we make each other happy. I don't know what it is, but we complete each other, and we make each other a better person by being together.

Right now he is in Florida, visiting his dad. I miss him! He'll be back in a week though. He really deserves this vacation. 

Have fun Andrew! (: I hope you like my introduction. (:

Well, now you have met my best friend. He will be appearing on the blog a lot more now (:

~Emily

Who is your best friend? What makes you happy? What are your secrets to a great relationship?