I am feeling low on energy today. I don’t know if it’s a “holiday hangover,” the gray day or maybe I’m coming down with something (please God no…) but I am lethargic and blah. I am sure that a workout would energize me and get me moving but I am not sure how likely that is to happen given that I have about zero motivation and a busy schedule for the remainder of the day.
Despite my lack of energy I have been very productive today. I love holing up in my office on days like this. It’s so cozy.
My breakfast this morning was oatmeal with pumpkin and banana. I really loved this bowl of oatmeal for two reasons. First, I used old fashioned rolled oats for the first time in months (I’ve been mostly using steel cut and oat bran). Rolled oats are still my number one choice for oatmeal. Second, I picked up some SoDelicious Coconut Milk Nog at the grocery and it is so delicious. It’s so creamy and much closer to real eggnog in texture than the soy milk nog.
Before lunch I snacked on this Roots spinach hummus with blue corn chips. This was my first time trying this brand of hummus (it was on sale at Whole Foods) and I enjoyed it. Great smooth texture, no strong garlic aftertaste and a short and understandable ingredients list. Roots offers all kinds of interesting hummus flavors and they’re based out of Asheville so what is not to love?
I got a little creative with lunch today. I have been craving smoked salmon lately for some reason so I threw some in my cart when I was shopping. I served it in a big bowl with spinach, leftover baked lemon-thyme risotto, feta and avocado. Risotto + smoked salmon + avocado = food perfection.
Lunch dessert! Just because I wasn’t home for Christmas doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy holiday dessert. I baked a coconut cream pie with gingersnap crust on Christmas Eve. Yummy.
Posted this on Facebook today but wanted to share here as well. The consensus seems to be that most of us can handle 3-5 but 1 and 2 are the tricky ones…especially 2. I couldn’t agree more but I’m trying to focus on taking it one day, one obstacle, one thought at a time. The big picture can be scary but the small details that make up the picture are a little more manageable. Most of the time, at least. Just remember that we are all a work in progress. Just when you have one thing figured out, something else demands your attention and consumes your thoughts. It’s a constant search for a balance of emotions, actions and circumstances that creates contentment. Although I recommend reading this article about the myth of life balance by Danielle LaPorte. It makes me feel a lot better about the cluster F I feel like is my life 99% of the time.
Whether you’re working, relaxing, shopping or traveling…have a good day. Hoping all of you that are snowed in are keeping warm. xoxo
Love those rules for happiness!
Gray days make it hard for me to “wake up” fully sometimes. Feel like I am walking around in a daze. Hope you have a great day!
all your meals look delicious as always! is there a link on your blog to how you make pumpkin oatmeal? i’ve tried a few times in the past and haven’t had any successes so any tips would be greatly appreciated! 🙂
that coconut cream pie looks so good, too!
I think the post Holiday blues are a *very* real thing. I put my Christmas stuff up and, even though I wasn’t 100% in love with the Holiday season this year due to life circumstances, I still got depressed that it was already over! I know that if I can just hang out until New Years Day everything will be much better. I always start off the new year with such optimism and hope!
Sorry you’re feeling blue – but thanks for brightening my day with a post! Every post of yours is like a mini gift. Your positivity, honesty, vulnerability and creativity are inspiring to me (and many others as well)!
It’s perfectly fine to have off days. However, when I have an off day, I’m totally useless! At least you were able to get a ton of work done.
The coconut milk nog is very delicious! I don’t think I’ll ever go back to the other stuff. All your food choices looks so yummy.
It sure doesn’t help that it’s gray and dreary in Charlotte today. After being in NYC for 4 1/2 days, coming home to Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations all I wanted to do this morning was stay curled up under a blanket all day so I know how you feel. Plus, post holiday hangovers are not uncommon. I’m sure after you see your family your spirits will lift!
I’m sort of feeling introspective today too. Just taking the chance to putter around the house and put it in order after the holidays. I’m lucky to have had such a lovely holiday season so am trying to reflect on that.
Coconut cream pie with a gingersnap crust sounds like my dream dessert! YUM. Do you have a recipe or a link to a recipe for that?
I love those rules! That pie looks amazing!
It’s cold, windy, and snowing, and I have positioned myself on the couch after doing all my errands, cleaning up the apartment, and now about to dive into some leftovers. I’m taking a small break from some sweet treats. I ate WAY too many yesterday. 😉 Stay warm!
I love the rules… i just wish someone could tell me HOW you do that. Esp 1 and 2, like you said. I always hope it will someday become easier to live like that… but so far it hasn’t. Does it just come with age?
Cluster F. Ha ha ha! Same here!
Your coconut custard pie looks absolutely dangerous. I would make such short work of that thing!
I love your rules, and I agree with you – the worrying. Ugh. I get overwhelmed and worried when I look at the big picture too, but then I have to remind myself: put the long-term blinders on and just take the step that’s in front of you, right now.
And when all else fails, more pie always helps 😉