I don’t like to spend time on my hair. Last year, I chopped all of my hair off so I wouldn’t have to deal with it. Since the summer started, all I’ve been doing is spritzing on some Surf Spray, scrunching it up and letting it air-dry. By the end of the day, though, it usually ends up lank and lifeless and all I want to do is throw it back into a samurai bun. Not so hot.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled on this Daily Candy video for creating an easy updo that will stay put. From the front, it looks a little Princess Leia-y…
… but it’s so unfussy, and I don’t have to deal with it for the rest of the day.
Daily Candy has a lot of other tutorials that are simple and really helpful but you probably wouldn’t have thought of yourself. Check it out!
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Despite having the day off work, I was up early yesterday to get some things done for the week while I had the time. I made myself a now-typical bowl of protein oats:
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 T egg whites
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder
- cinnamon
- stevia
- salt
- 1 T Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter
Is it bad that I can’t really remember what I did yesterday? I know there was a workout (11 minutes on the bike, 30 minutes of lower body/abs), a tea date with my friend Hannah, cooking, and a really bad movie screening, but other than that… my mind’s a blank. Not good!
What is good is that I think I’m starting to see some results from the strength training sessions I’ve added to my exercise regimen. I’m strength training 3x a week, alternating upper and lower body work, and while nothing dramatic has happened, I’m feeling more confident and think tI’m gaining a slight bit of definition. So far so good!
Before I went to the gym, I snacked on a Granny Smith apple and a Babybel cheese.
For lunch, I had a bed of spinach topped with the leftover Seared Asian Tofu Stir-Fry from Josie’s, which I added some rice wine vinegar and a blob of hummus to.
My energy bar supply is running low, so I whipped up Mama Pea’s Vegan Energy Bars. Like many of her recipes, I’ve made these more times than I can remember. When is your book coming out, Mama?! I can scarcely wait!
Anyway, as usual, I made some substitutions:
- apricots + pistachios in place of the raisins + chocolate chips (an idea I borrowed from my mom’s friend Leslie)
- 1/4 c. protein powder + 1/4 c. whole wheat flour in place of 1/2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
Warm out of the oven, they were mighty fine! I’ve never been a huge pistachio fan, but I love these.
I got a head start on dinner by doing part of the cooking during the day; in the morning while I was eating breakfast, I had a pot of lima beans and a pot of barley simmering on the stove. When dinner time rolled around, it was all assembled in less than 20 minutes. This is the second time I’ve made Pan-Fried Corona Beans & Kale… instead of coronas I used limas, and instead of parmesan I used nutritional yeast. Still as good as I remember! The lemon zest and juice really amps up all of the flavors.
On the side, we had barley. Have you had barley lately? It’s such a nutritious and tasty grain that’s packed with fiber and protein and loaded with vitamins like selenium, B6, iron, zinc, and potassium.
There was a scant tablespoon of hazelnut butter left in the jar, so I dumped in some Greek yogurt, stevia, and cinnamon and called it dessert.
The rest of my household will be pleased I’ve finished a jar… my nut butter, er, enthusiasm has taken over the entire pantry and caused us to build shelves on the inside of the pantry door. Not to mention the jars that live in the fridge.
I’m on a bean kick. Please share your favorite bean-y recipes below!
OOH fun up-do, no prom date required:)
I love beans:) But I buy a bean dip from Whole Foods that knocks my socks off, not a true recipe but it works!
We have the same hair philosophy – I cannot spend more than a few minutes on mine! If it ends up looking less than perfect I can handle that. But your ‘do is tres cute!
Bean-wise, I really like making my own vegetarian refried beans.
Gorgeous apple/Babybel photo.
hahaha i’ve been on SUCH a bean kick too! well that and a quinoa kick. but i have no idea what to do with beans except rinse them off and throw them in salads hahahaha major fail.
i’m ALL about the twirly bun into an updo espesh with this humid nasty weather we’ve been having!
Shelves on the door = brilliant!
Wish I could put my hair in a Princess Leia bun, too cute! I put black beans on pretty much anything that makes sense, but sorry, no recipes to share
I love the updo! I also love your take on the energy bars. You’ve got until next August to wait for the book
I know. I wish it were sooner too!
Ooh, I love it!!! But then again, I actually have been known to wear my hair in Princess Leia spirals…I guess I have weird hair taste
Your hair looks so cute! I’m slightly jealous of your nut butter collection I must say! x x
Cholent…..is an old European bean dish for Shabbat because you can keep it warm and in the oven all day
They sell packaged cholent beans….I wash and soak them overnight
I chop up a slew of onions
peel and cut up potatoes
add crumbled soy boca meatless hamburger
salt and pepper
cook in oven at 350 for hours……yummm
Cool ‘do! I must admit, I am very clueless when it comes to hair styling, so how-to videos would be helpful!
I want that hairdo! I need to look it up. My hair is long, and I really need a new way to wear it. Boooorrrringgg. Updos are also great if you don’t have time to wash it!
LOVE black bean burgers and quesadilla casserole made with black beans! (McCormick Recipe Inspirations has a great scratch recipe for it!)
Love the updo! You look absolutely adorable with your hair pulled back!
I’ve been on a bean kick too and in all forms, black beans, refried beans, baked beans. I think it comes with the change of seasons.
Great hairdo – it’s really cute.
I like to stick to easy bean dishes, like vegetarian chili, bean and cheese quesadillas, and rice and beans. It’s also nice to add a can of any favorite bean to a soup.
yeahhhh for strength training! i know u look awesome girl!!
you look great w. your hair up too!!
I’m loving beans and will definitely be giving that fried beans and kale recipe a try! I’ve been eating bean salads quite a bit recently. I had a great morrocan chickpea salad the other day, the flavours were amazing. I have a big bag of pearl barley in my cupboard that I should really open and try out! I also need some of those handy cupboard door storage racks you have for your nut butters – such a good idea!
I love that nut butters have taken over your pantry! We have a similar “problem” in my household. I’m beginning to think that nut butter obsession is a staple in the food blogging world!
PS–So glad you’re enjoying strength training sessions. I noticed a huge difference when I started doing Jillian Michael’s strength-training DVD. As you said, it’s a confidence-builder if nothing else!
mm delicious!
have you tried mung bean soup? mung bean is this little green bean that’s really small – smaller than peas.
you boil the mung beans, and then if you want, add sugar or honey and chill (or you can drink it hot, in the winter). it’s usually served as a dessert at the end of a chinese meal.
Love the hair Katie! Soooo cute.
some energy bars are just too sweet for my own taste. is there a sugar free energy bar? .,`
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