Just Do It
First things first, thanks to everybody for all the lovely comments and support you gave me about my end of 2009 goals! You know what, I used to be the person who would say, “Oh, I will start eating good again on Sunday…” Yada yada yada. In reality, why wait until 2010 to write some goals? Everyday is a new day to do whatever the hell you want.
Whether that is running a marathon, reading US Weekly magazine, changing careers, kickin’ ass on college winter finals, committing yourself to losing that last bit of weight, enjoying your honeymoon, moving to a new state, taking an internship in NYC, waiting for winter to arrive, hunting for holiday teas or whatever – just do it. Nike-style.
Since my creativity needs to be channeled into some other writing projects, this post may be bland and quick. That is your warning. Luckily, breakfast wasn’t bland, but it was quick! It took mere minutes to concoct this Pumpkin Oatmeal…
1/3 cup oats
1/3 cup water + 1/3 cup organic skim milk
pinch of salt
1/3 cup organic pumpkin puree
drizzle of agave
cinnamon, nutmeg + ginger
1 spoonful AB
1/4 cup organic dried cranberries
Cranberries + pumpkin = WINNER.
Today was devoted to some catch-up work and organizing at the office. So, twas’ best to go with mini-meals and just graze away throughout the day. Sometimes, I really love knowing I can eat again in just a couple hours 
.
Meal #1: carrots, celery + Edelweiss Aged White Cheddar
Meal #2: 1 cup 2% cottage cheese, 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, 1/8 cup sunflower seeds + Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
Meal #3: apple cider tea (in my new $2 Santa mug) + 7 Candy Cane Hershey Kisses (OMG – BUY THESE NOW!!!)
Meal #4: 1 banana + 1 tbsp. Dark Chocolate Dreams PB
Meal #5: 1/2 cup nonfat organic Greek yog + 1 tbsp. strawberry honey lavender jam
I worked until 5:45pm, then skedaddled to the gym for a 6:05pm 60-minute spin class.
Why the exact timing you ask?
Because I got to class 10 minutes early, so I decided to just warm up my legs for a bit. Then, the clock randomly stopped in the middle of class, so we ended up spinning an additional 10 minutes. In total, that makes for an approximately 80-minute spin class workout. Enter leg fatigue here.
I walked home as fast as my tired limbs would take me while snarfing down an apple. Then, when I got home, instead of making my planned dinner, I dove into this…
That would be 1/2 roasted acorn squash + splash of OJ + cinnamon + cranberries alongside a Breakfast Sunshine Patty + BBQ sauce + egg on top. Two things: squash + OJ tastes delicious, and I may or may not be eating the Sunshine burger + egg combo tomorrow again. Delish.
Agenda for the evening…
- take a bath
- do some cookin’ for tomorrow
- dishes
- freelance writing
- blog reading
- bed
What is one goal you have for yourself RIGHT NOW? I think the most important of my end of 2009 goals is stick to my budget. I am getting excitingly close to paying off my credit cards!
What is the last random combination you tried that totally worked? The acorn squash mashed with orange juice, cinnamon and cranberries was seriously SO GOOD.
Tags: banana, beans, carrots, cheese, chocolate, cranberries, eggs, oatmeal, pumpkin, seeds, squash, veggie patty, yogurt
November 30th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Yes, stick to my budget…..If only I was close to paying off my credit cards. You go girl!
End of 2009 goal: stick to my “diet” and my budget
ummm, pumpkin oatmeal…yes please!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Definitely sticking to my budget in December! November went a little crazy
That acorn squash sounds excellent. The other day I mixed blueberries + monterey jack in french toast (on my blog). It was weird, but awesome!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Saving money is high on my goal list!!! I’m so proud of you for almost payin off those dreaded credit cards, i wish i could say the same!!!!!
i think my latest crazy creation has been my banana salad idea! haha
November 30th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
My goal for right now = GO TO BED.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Cranberries and pumpkin sound like a fab combo! And I love that cute santa mug
Right now, my goal is to get my head back in the “school” game. Even though christmas break is close, I totally need to focus on doing really well on these exams. That means more studying, less procrastinating! I just wish there was a Procrastination 101, cause I would totally ace it! 
Hmm, last random combo? Adding goat cheese to a tuna steak salad worked surprisingly well. Also, cocoa powder to apple oats is ah-mazing, too. Sounds weird, tastes awesome.
November 30th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
80 minute spin? Wow you GO girl..my legs would kill after that! Yay for having goals; I’m aiming to keep myself healthy, not drink to much, and to not be such a grouch in the morning!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I think I shall have pumpkin oats for breakfast tomorrow – thanks for the idea.
1. I am going to get my laundry done this week. ALL OF IT. Seems small, but it’s become a mountain and it’s looming in my mind all the time. Plus, I have nothing to wear.
2. I had hummus and an egg this morning – weird but so tasty!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
In my experience, adding an egg to just about anything results in a pretty spectacular dish. My 2009 goal…keep improving my running…sloooowly but surely right?
November 30th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Oooh good looking combos all round! I am stumbling trying to think of a weird one I had recently that worked but I do love dunking french fries in strawberry milkshakes! Delish!
November 30th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
love all your lil meals throughout the day!
acorn squash with OJ sounds great, defs gonna give it a try!
jenna
November 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Okay, my goal is to NOT spend more than $500 per month. Preferably $400.
80 mins of spinning? Whoa girl! At least you know you got a good workout!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I definitely would agree with the sticking to a budget. I just spent $60 on Christmas decorations… I can use them year after year though, right? My favorite weird combination is peanut butter and pickles. SO GOOD!
November 30th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I definitely agree. There is no reason to not make positive changes TODAY!
November 30th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
My goal is to keep up with proper nutrition and kick a$$ workouts. I have never been at a point in my life where I use both of these tools simultaneously. I’m excited to see where it takes me!
November 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Oh thanks for the shouty mamacita! I’m getting so excited for the marathon! I do adore your kick a$$ end of year goals though. I’ve secretly been trying the 8 hours of sleep one…don’t ask how that’s working out.
December 1st, 2009 at 12:17 am
I’m calling you out on one of your goals: you said you weren’t going to be hard on yourself about blogging, and here you are calling a perfectly glorious post “bland.” i don’t think you could be bland if you tried!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:31 am
Cranberries + pumpkin = WINNER.
And then how you pimped up the acorn squash w/ crannies..awesome!
I am doing good, thanks for your little email my sweet WI friend
And as for yoga…what are you doing with that? I am going to pursue formally getting my RYT500. I have been 200 for the last 8-9 yrs, and have to just formally get my paperwork and such assembled for my 500. But would love to hear what you’re up to on that front…or holding pattern. Sometimes that’s good too 
December 1st, 2009 at 12:44 am
those oats look perfect- i love how melty your peanut butter is! and yoru dinner actulaly sounds awesome to me for some reason
a goal i have is to drink more water, gain a few more pounds & stop resisting it!, take my vitamins, & live more in the present
xoxo
shelley
December 1st, 2009 at 12:49 am
Definitely the big goal right now is to see health as not just appearance and weight but as an overall state of mind and being. And intuitive eating! I love that you make clear that you don’t need to start tomorrow or in 2010, start right now! I think it’s important not to look or dwell in the past but to move forward.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:28 am
i love the mini-meals idea — yesterday i got so freakin’ munchy at work, i wanted to eat my arm off. or someone else’s arm with more meat who i didn’t like. it’s good to have both arms, i should be more selfish.
aaanyway, yeah. goal? get into grad school or devise alternative plan of (life) action if grad school fails.
random combo? my sandwich yesterday: hummus, cheddar and lacto-fermented sauerkraut from the farmer’s market. on whole wheat bread. weird, but good.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:39 am
I love mini meals! They work so much better for me and my tummy than big meals. Love the nana and chocolate pb (mmm). Glad spin went well. Squash is so good- I want to have it for dinner every night. hmmmm most important goal? I choose two: 1. Stress less, 2. complete half marathon
December 1st, 2009 at 5:46 am
The combo I love is warm apples, cinnamon, cereal, and pb!!
December 1st, 2009 at 5:48 am
Hummus, tabouli salad, and tuna turned out real nice on toasted whole wheat bread.
One current goal I have is get back into my size 4 Uniglo jeans. I’ve already whittle myself away into all of my size 6′s, so I don’t have very far until I reach the finish line!
OMG, I have to get those candy cane kisses. Ugh, I love seasonal treats.
December 1st, 2009 at 6:14 am
I used to be that “I’ll do it tomorrow” person too! I still say “there’s always tomorrow” but now I know that if I’m ever going to make changes, they need to start NOW.
Orange juice and squash? Innnteresting. I wonder if apple juice would be just as good?
At this very moment my goal is to whip my apartment into shape. Something I am starting today!!
Hummus on top of eggs. Is there anything hummus does’t taste good with?
December 1st, 2009 at 6:14 am
Pumpkin oats and cranberries are good, but try dried cherries. I think its even better!
Wow, an 80 min spin class! Girl your legs must be jello!
I hope to stick to my budget and run a full marathon next year. We shall see, the first one seems more unrealistic sadly. ;(
Have a great day girl!
December 1st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Goals for now:
Right now–actually do my lesson planning! (The internet keeps calling me away from my work)
Rest of the year–save more money
Rando combo: apples and tvorozhnaya massa–i didn’t think it would work, but it did.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:02 am
Hollllyyyyyyy!!! Missed you! Love your goals, love your meals. The end. Actually , I think my own goal is going to be listening to my body. It’s about time I started doing that. In fact, I started last night when I chose NOT to go to the gym (gasp!) and came home to do an hour of yoga instead. Nice. Love you! xoxo
December 1st, 2009 at 7:10 am
What a fantastic dinner combo! Now I’m craving a veggie breakfast patty even though I’ve never had one. You are going to have some sculpted legs!! Impressive!
My goal? Knock out my bio exam that I’m about to take.
December 1st, 2009 at 8:05 am
I’m a big believer in “why wait til tomorrow”. It’s liberating to get things done and you feel like you have more time! I often dread unpleasant tasks, so getting them done sooner takes away all of those icky feelings.
Random combo? May not be that original, but a few weeks ago I tried raisins with my cottage cheese and I was hooked!
December 1st, 2009 at 8:28 am
Everyday is a new day to do whatever the hell you want.
Here, here!
You are so right, what’s so magical about Jan 1? Nothing! It’s so cliche but today is the first day of the rest of your life!
Thanks for shout out! It’s been a month I’m down 6 lbs and am SO happy I didn’t wait to get started until after the new year.
Way to motivate the masses! Don’t wait! Start now! Go go go!
December 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
My goal is to get all my christmas shopping done and not let the holidays get in the way of my exercise!!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:30 am
80 minute spin class? Girrrrrl my legs would be JELLO! lol
Hmm one of my goals right now is to finish school. I’m pretty comfortable in the job and company I’m with, lot of opportunites and such but I want to finish school for sure and am not too far from it.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:34 am
hope you had a good night!
great point about the goals. I really want to do more yoga. I love how I feel after wards…I just need to get into a routine that WORKS for me and the hard part is figuring that out. But I think it’ll be worth it.
candy cane kisses?!? omg.
December 1st, 2009 at 11:01 am
the last totally random thing I made that worked was the Yam bread I made on Sunday. MMM
one last goal is to keep my exercise consistent during the holidays and try and get off at least 5 lbs.
at least get the wt moving in the right direction!
NIKE STYLE! LOVE IT
December 1st, 2009 at 11:11 am
Awww sugarplum! Thanks for the bossy shout-out! I’m all about just doing tha damn thang!
OK, the food combos here are ridic. I can haz squash? Sooo amaze. And I still need DCD. Damn.
My goals: don’t spend all my money in NYC, workout threex a week, eat everything I want and–as always–love life. I obviously cannot have just one goal.
Amaze food combo: acorn squash and raspberry fruit spread. Want it right nowwww.
LOVE YOU X TRILLIONS!
December 1st, 2009 at 12:57 pm
My goal is to clean my room! It looks like a hurricane.
Best recent flavor combo–acorn squash stuffed with jellied cranberry <3
You should hit up a super target for vanilla cranberry pb, it's amazing on pumpkin oats.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:18 pm
OJ with squash is pretty genius! I love grazing days like that. So much fun!
And that’s a lot of spinning!
I’m currently thinking about my goals – I don’t have any yet… I think my brain is too full
Laughing cow cheese plus hot sauce on bread.
December 1st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I really love your outlook, Holly…you’re right, everyday is a chance for a new start!
I love your Santa mug and I will be on the lookout for candy cane kisses!
December 1st, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Those oats are making my MOUTH WATER! …Not a good thing, as I am at work right now. *wipes off keyboard.*
December 1st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Pumpkin butter + cream cheese. It is pretty much a heavenly combo
December 1st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
wowwza 80 min spin class?!?! I took one 60 min this morning and teaching this evening a 45 min one so I guess this si comporable! great job though, thats amazing!!
that last pic of the eggwhite on the patty loosk like icecream, you can tell what I am craving right now
one goal I have for myself is to try to be less sarcastic!!
December 1st, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Ready for TMI?
THANK YOU for the kick in the pants!!!
I guess it’s the time of year or something, but the cold weather funk made a home with me for the past few weeks. I have to thank you for this
“Everyday is a new day to do whatever the hell you want.”
So simple. So true. SO Helpful and right on time…and it’s now printed and pasted to my comp monitor
Random food combos are what I’m allll about…
miso+tahini+brown rice syrup=yes!
almond butter+tahini+coconut oil=mmmm
Dinner last night was BBQ tempeh, sauteed sweet potatoes, black bean hummus, avocado + TJ’s tomato chutney in a collard wrap. LOVE random fridge clean out meals
December 1st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Hello! I have been following you since your guest post at Danica’s blog
The Edelweiss cheese is calling my name. I think I’ve biked by it possibly if they are in Monticello. I live near madtown. Can you tell me what store I could find the cheese?
TIA!
December 1st, 2009 at 4:18 pm
My goal that’s important to me is keeping up with the meat fee days. I would love to become a vegetarian, but I love chicken and fish, so I am telling myself I can live without meat.
December 1st, 2009 at 4:25 pm
hahah.. how am i supposed to do it? i mean.. i am waiting!!!! but what else can i do?!
loved the pep talk though. seriously, i used to be the “i’ll do it starting tomorrow” type.. but now days i just say STARTING NOW.
UMMMM i did spin class yesterday TOO! twins
mine was not 80 min though, hardcore holly.
love your wacky food combos~i don’t know that i have tried any lately but i think i have to put my open can of pumpkin to use tonight so we shall see what i dream up.
goal as of late? eat less, move more. i will be talking about that tonight!
LOVE YOU!
December 1st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
[...] December is here. Some of us are getting Snow…Some of us have already been getting snow…Some of us are making the last 31 days of the year really count …Some of us are decorated….and I [...]
December 1st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
“just do it” is seriously going to be my mantra for the next week and a half to get me through finals! I’m here with you
And I discovered that pumpkin-craisin combo last season, why in the world is it so freaking amazing?? Great partners I tell ya.
Have a good evening!
December 1st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
What a delicious dinner! I’ve only had acorn squash in fry form.. I may have to try it baked!
December 1st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
cranberries and pumpkin sound really delicious. i just ate cashews that have chocolate on them and man….that’s a good combo.
December 1st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Awesome spin workout, girl! I think I love spinning (almost) as much as running.
One of my fav rando combos? Olive oil granola! I must have made 7 batches of that stuff this summer. I just love salty + sweet
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:03 am
i loved the intro!
my goal is to take care of myself! mentally and physically in every way possible
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:18 am
What a inspiring post. I think one of my goals for 2009 is to find a balance between my eats and my workouts, and I want to listen to my body more when im hungry. Not just eat right on time at the same times everyday just because its a habit.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Yes you are so right Holly . . . that’s my favourite mantra – everyday is a new day and I can reinvent myself everyday
December 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I absolutely love cottage cheese and chickpeas as a combo. I recently discovered it and its so awesome- such power food!
December 2nd, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I vote NIKE just makes a shirt with your face on the front saying “Just Do It” .. I’d buy a mill! amen to ambition
love you!
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Those hershey kisses are making me M E L T.
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December 2nd, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Hi Holly! I’ve got to catch up on your posts so I can find out what the rest of your end of ’09 goals are
My big goal for the rest of the year: find a new place to live!
December 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Ohh my gosh, Holls!! You are too sweet
Highly doubt that I’LL be kicking major ass finals week (more like they’re kicking MY ass… making me study my life away over the next few weeks), BUT THANKS!
Honestly, my goal at the moment is to just BREATHE. As you can tell, these finals are gonna drive me insane and since seeing how intense all the study guides are….this girl’s been doubting her abilities! I can’t do well if i’m not at least positive and optimistic, right?!?!??!?! HAHA, okay….rant over and back to studying…..
BUT, let me lastly say that the cranberry/pumpkin/almond butter combo sounds divine!!!!!!!! And so does that sunshine patty topped with the egg and bbq sauce. MMMMM!
And random combo that worked for me?? Hmm, well today i firstly dipped multigrain FSTG chips into some cottage cheese and then proceeded to have an orange with the rest of it!!!! LOVE YOU, AND REST THOSE LEGS!!!!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 am
[...] seeing Holly’s posts about her goals and the notion of “just doing it”, I realized I don’t need to wait until 2010 [...]
December 6th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
[...] I finished off the evening with the last two Nantucket cookies and some un-pictured candy cane kisses ala Holly. [...]
December 8th, 2009 at 10:31 am
[...] send big thanks to Holly for her ever straightforward and fantastic posts on her blog. And one in particular that said “Everyday is a new day to do whatever the hell you want!” And I [...]