Kick Up Your Grilled Cheese

Best Comfort Food

 

Sometimes I am in no mood to cook a big meal. All I want to do is eat and sleep after a night class. What better food to make than an easy-pezy grilled cheese sandwich? But I am also a classy lady, and like to add a little adventure to the classic cheesy goodness. So here's 3 Kicked-up grilled cheese sandwiches that I enjoy!

1. Mushroom & Swiss

It is exactly what it sounds like. Cut up some mushrooms, and use swiss cheese, or any cheese you'd like really. Grill like normal, though be careful when you're flipping. The mushrooms can fall out!

2. Granny-Smith Apple & Swiss

I love this! So much! It's the perfect combination of sweet and savory (I don't really know what this means, but it sounds like I know what I'm talking about, so I'm sticking with it). I haven't tried any other type of apple with it, so I'm not sure how it would taste. Apple and brie is another combination that is delish.

3. Pesto, Roasted Red-Peppers, & Provolone

This was my newest find, and I am actually eating one right now for lunch! If you want to be really fancy you can make home-made pesto and roast your red peppers, but grilled cheese sandwiches are supposed to be fast, so I just bought my ingredients pre-made. 

Well I hope you try one of these and find other ways to make your easy meal amazing!

-Vanessa xo 

Money, Money, Money!

Need Free Financial Advice?

Look no further (well possibly do if you need serious help). Since I started working at the young age of fourteen, I have been extremely smart with my money. I will be graduating debt and loan free. This is not a bragging post (can I brag a little?) but the tips and tricks that have helped me financially!

 1. Have a Savings Account 

Maybe this one seems self explanatory to you, but not everyone uses their savings account if they have one. When I wasn't paying the bills I am paying now, I had an automatic transfer into my savings account that was taken every paycheck. So if you are still living at home and have the luxury to save, DO IT. Pick an amount that seems reasonable for you so that you do not have to access your savings account in-between paychecks. If you need to be more flexible, everytime you get paid, put some amount in your savings, even if it is $50. It's better to put in a reasonable amount, and then put in more at the end of the pay period.

2. Deny Yourself Access to the Savings Account

I can not access my savings account on my debit card which is great for those crazy shopping sprees! This will help limit your spontaneous spending.

3. Put Away Required Money

If you have the money to pay for things in advance, open a separate savings account for that money. I do this with my rent money. While I was working over the summer, I ended up putting away up to January's rent away. This works for expensive goals as well, such as traveling. Put the money away while you have it.

4. Stop Going Out!

Do not become anti-social, but limit your dinners out and the expensive bar trips. I have way more fun having coffee at my house with a friend, or having a board game night with a bunch of people. You can purchase liquor from the store instead of the jacked up prices from restaurants and bars. Along with this - don't buy things you don't need. Just for clarification, needs are water, food, clothing, and housing, not the new Iphone, not games from the Steam sale, and not that $70 sweater in all 5 colours. 

Well I hope one or all of these money saving tips can help you. If you can save enough investing is another great option to make money.

- Vanessa xo   

  

Be Healthy!

Are you looking for ways to increase your health?

Well look no further. No this is not some substance I'm trying to sell you. Just simple tips and tricks that have worked for me. You know when you read magazines and girls that have only ever maxed out at 130 pounds weight wise give all this advice: just work hard, here's my meal plan that no one in real life ever has time to cook, look at my new body that I got in only 1 day while paying my trainer 140 dollars a minute... It's just not realistic for us simple folk. I've gained weight and I've lost weight. So here's my suggestions, coming from an average, not size 6, I love pizza, woman.

1. Be Careful with Diets. 

I've tried some. They don't work. Everytime I start one, I crave real food and fall off the wagon. Now you might be saying "But Vanessa! If you just put your mind to it, anything is possible!" Maybe. But I like food, I mean I really like food! So just take your treats in moderiation. 

2. Homemade Junkfood.

Why not make a homemade pizza? They're really easy and you can put all your favorite toppings on. It's cheaper than delivery and frozen. I've made delicious burgers, chicken wings, chicken strips and fish and chips. Baking them is easy, and even frying is okay if you use just a little oil in a pan. Instead of buying chips, try homemade guacamole and whole wheat tortilla chips, so yummy! I know we're all obsessed with the Internet so use it! Google for favorite junky food and search for a homemade recipe. This way you know exactly what is going in your stomach.

3. Simple Substitutions.

When you are cooking, try substituting common ingredients for healthier alternatives. Use low fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for all your dips. I don't think I've used sour cream once and everything is still tasty. Sweeten your tea with honey instead of sugar. Are you a baker? Top your treats with meringue instead of frosting. There's tons of healthy food substitutions, just google. 

4. Cut out Soda

If there's anything that I noticed a big difference with is cutting out the sweet fizzy drinks. I actually hate the taste of pop now. And if you can't cut it out, try to lessen your intake. Drink lots of water and green tea.

5. Excercise when you can.

There is nothing worse than going to the gym and fighting for machines after work. I've been going for jogs during my lunch hour. And if you're one of those people who create a work of art on your face and head and don't want it ruined... go for a walk. Even 10 minutes, JUST MOVE! If you work in a 20 floor building like I do, go walk a couple flight of stairs for 5 minutes. Seriously, just lift a pencil like a weight, I don't care.

6. Do it for Yourself

There is nothing more difficult than keeping motivated to loose weight just because you saw your boyfriend glance towards that size 4 big boobed girl. Trust me, you'll just end up eating icecream and working out will not help your boobs grow (you're on your own for that one). But if you want to loose weight and be healthy because it makes YOU feel good about yourself, you'll keep up with it. Don't obsess with your weight and size, I went down four pant sizes in 2 months and now I'm staying steady. You'll notice some weight comes off quick and then you'll stay the same for the next month. Focus on staying healthy, that's the most important.

Do something today to benefit your health.
-Vanessa xo

Relationship Advice

A Cheesy Sunday Morning

Good morning all you lovely people. I'm feeling particularly loving this morning and thought I would share with you some relationship advice. I have a pretty good thing going with Jordon and we work really well together, so I can give you insight into why WE work.

Disney 2013

 Our Story

Jordon and I went to high school together. He was a grade higher than I was. The first time I saw him was at our touch of class dance when I was in grade ten, but being as he was the cool older guy, we never talked. We had a ton of mutual friends, so it wasn't hard for me to creep him on facebook and add him. We still never talked. Many years later, I had just gotten out of a brutal relationship and apparently Jordon was going through the same thing. I make one of those attention seeking facebook status (that I judge everyone else for doing, whoops) that said something like "could this day get any worse?" Jordon sent me a message saying things could always be worse, and things will get better. It was just the perfect pick me up. So we started talking and found out we both work for ATCO so I asked him to lunch. He didn't work in the same building though, but took my number as he was moving downtown. I also informed him of my IKEA furniture expertise (which I screwed up on). He asked me to come help me get furniture and build it and the rest is history.

Why We Work:

1. He's my best friend : I've noticed a lot of people having issues dealing with the opposite sex best friend. I feel that if you're with the right person, they should be your best friend. This is really important for long term serious relationships. As your partner, they should be the one you're calling first when something important happens, and the one you can cry and laugh with. Now I get it, sometimes you need an outside opinion and that's fine. But if you have a male (or female, for you men) bestfriend that is being put before your relationship, you're putting yourself in situations that one day can cause a huge blowup. If they opposite best friend thing works for you, then I tip my hat, but trust me when I say it's awesome to have the all in one package.

2. Trust : now we've all heard this. Trust is a major necessity in a relationship. But here's the thing: sometimes we feel uncertain and self-conscious from PAST relationships (this definitely applied to me). I know you shouldn't put stuff that has happened in the past on your current relationship, but if you were with someone unhealthy for a long time (I was in a very unhealthy relationship for 2 1/2 years) those thing stick with you. You can get over it, but it takes time. I communicated this to Jordon right from the get go and he understood. During the unhealthy relationship, the ex would have girls texting him and sending him pictures all the time, so of course I would constantly check his phone. When I started dating Jordon, it was still in the back of my mind, but if I asked to see his phone (usually for the time or something) he handed it over. He had nothing to hide from me and now I trust him 100%. You have to build trust with someone, it's not just there. If either partner is having a problem supporting their partner in building that trust, you really need to have a talk.

3. Communicate: EVERYTHING! Jordon knows about everything in my past, I know his. We know where we've come from, we know our thoughts for the future, we know when the other is getting ansy and needs to be left alone. I had to work on my communication A LOT (doesn't every woman?) If you're feeling mad, tell him. If you're feeling sad, tell him. If you're feeling overwhelmed with joy, TELL HIM. Don't expect him to know everything that's going through your head. Also for men, tell your lady how you're feeling once in a while. 

4. Laugh, as much as you can: there has been times where Jordon and I have spent an hour just goofing off and I always end up on the floor clutching my stomach. Have fun, go on adventures like a two week road trip (for pointers about a road trip click here ), try something new (we're attempting jogging this spring and just enjoy life!

Well as I said, I'm feeling loving so I'm off to make Jordon some coffee and breakfast.

-Vanessa xo 

Saturday Favorites

Post Final Relaxation

After three finals in two days, I'm spending this windy "spring" day cooking chili, doing laundry, and relaxing with some puppies. Here's three favorites of mine at the moment, to brighten this cloudy day.

1. Game of Thrones 

I enjoy anything Game of Thrones related right now. I'm watching season two right now and am reading the fourth book. If you have not been exposed to this excellent series, I highly recommend it. The books will bring out emotions you don't even know you have (I threw the third book across the room after reading THAT part). The show contains incredible actors, gore, action, and tons of nudity and sex (just fore warning). We also own the Game of Thrones broad game which is pretty stressful, but still a good time. There is a cookbook that I want to buy to have a GoT themed dinner.

2. This song:

3. Homemade Guacamole

The thought of guacamole use to disgust me, but once I tried it I couldn't get enough! Making it fresh is super easy and takes no time at all.

All you need:

3 avocados

lime juice

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tsp salt

3 tbps chopped cilantro

1 tsp chopped garlic

a pinch of cayenne

 (you can add tomatoes too, but I'm not a fan)

Mash the avocados,  combine all the ingredients and you're done! 

I hope you can try one of the above favorites!

xo Vanessa

  

Draw My Life

 

Final Procrastination

 This semester has kept me busy, which is why there has been no blogging. What better time is there to make a video and finally update the blog than finals week? Nothing I say. When I was "studying" yesterday, I came across all these Draw My Life videos and I thought man I wish I could make one....so I did.

So without further adue (and because I'm actually studying) here is my Draw My Life video.

Bad Luck Outings

Canmore's Do's and Don'ts

For food that is. We have gone to Canmore numerous times as Jordon's parents have a condo out there. I'm not sure if some witchy woman put a curse on us in the past, but we have had some terrible luck with eating out in Canmore. Luckily, we have also had some excellent meals. With the skiing and snowboarding season in full swing, here's some restaurants you should take a break at or you should try to avoid if you are in the Canmore/Banff area.

Do: Luna Blue

A cozy little Italian style restaurant on Main Street. They serve delicious pasta and soups as well as pizzas. The service is great and it's the perfect lunch spot. I've gone 3-4 times and have never had a bad experience. Their Pad Thai is really tasty

Do: The Iron Goat

The restaurant claims to be a pub & grill, but if you're looking for somewhere to just watch a game and get some wings, I'd suggest The Grizzly Paw. The Iron Goat still serves the classic pub food but with a little upscale twist. Mango duck wings were amazing. So if you are picky and like your wings, nachos, and burgers, but are looking for something a little more date like, this is a winner. 

Don't: Elita Restaurant

Now this may be unhelpful as I have only had breakfast there. It has a great location and view of the mountains, but the price really brought me down. I am willing to pay for good food, but $10.95 got me two Eggos, yes folks, I'm talking about the frozen waffles you buy at the grocery store, some semi-fresh fruit, and potatoes. Definitely was not a fan. 

Don't: The Wood

This was another big disappointment. The place was packed when we got there so assumed it would be great! Well.... the view was great. Also note that this was the first time Jordon had taken me to Canmore and I was still trying to impress him. Anyway, I ordered the Asian Noodle Stir-fry (let's also note how difficult it is to make a non-edible stir-fry) and it was possibly the worst meal I had ever had. I tried very hard to eat it (still trying to impress!) but the chicken was extremely dry and there might have been a teaspoon of sauce in this huge bowl of noodles. Also, noodles are not very appetizing when you can't even get them apart and they just come up in big clumps. The service wasn't too hot either, but I always leave some understanding on busy nights. 

We also had an incident of glass in our food (YIKES) at an Family restaurant, but I don't think they deserve a bad rep due to an accident. Jordon was served hard- cold frozen lamb at Von's Steakhouse as well, but again, everything else was excellent and it could have just been the chef that night.

Needless to say, we are very careful where we eat when taking our trips to the mountains now. 

Hope you can try one of the top two if you're in the area!

-Vanessa xo