Vegetarian 5-Day Meal Plan

1. Day 7 of the ab challenge (if you have been doing it as well, you might know I skipped yesterday because I was so busy) but I'm back on track! I think it's doing something... 2. Episode 7 of OITNB and it is still so good! 

Okay what this post is really about is eating vegetarian. If you've read my blog before you may have read one of the "Vegetarians for Health" posts where I shared some recipes. Jordon and I are not true vegetarians. We eat vegetarian during the weekdays to reduce our red meat in-take and to lower our grocery cost. I thought I would share a 5-day vegetarian meal plan that is quick and easy. The recipes I chose are not filled with tofu and kale, making them meals your meat-loving friends can still eat!

Grocery List

Bell Peppers (5)
Mushrooms (3 handfulls)
Onions (2)
Garlic (1 head)
Lettuce
Carrots
Frozen corn
Various stir-fry vegetables

BBQ sauce
Pineapple jam
Pineapple chunks
Sweet chili sauce
Crushed tomatoes
Banana peppers
Enchilada sauce
Chickpeas
Black beans
Olives
Capers
Salsa
Spaghetti
Rice

Flour tortillas

Mozzarella cheese

Pantry staples I assume you have: flour, baking powder, olive oil, Italian seasoning, S & P

Monday - Spaghetti

-2 cloves of garlic
-1/2 medium onion
-crushed tomatoes
-2 bell peppers
-handful of mushrooms
-olives
-capers
-Italian seasoning
-spaghetti

Start by boiling water with some salt. Cook spaghetti to the correct doneness according to the package. Meanwhile, heat up oil in another pot. Add your chopped onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes (or you can used chopped tomatoes), peppers, mushrooms, olives and capers. Add Italian seasoning and S&P. Combine the two and voila!

Tuesday- Taco Salad
-rice (1 cup cooked)
-black beans

-salsa
-1/2 medium onion
-frozen corn
-lettuce
-nacho chips
-mozzarella

Heat oil in a pan. Cook onion and corn for 3-4 minutes. Add cooked rice, beans and some salsa. Heat through. Add to washed lettuce and top with grated mozzarella cheese and crumbled nacho chips.


Wednesday- Stir-Fry
Okay I'm not making a list or directions for this one. Chop up a bunch of veggies (use ALOT because you don't have any meat in it), put in your favourite sauce and serve over noodles or rice. Got it?

Thursday- Pizza
Dough - 2 1/2 cups flour
2 3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp oil
3/4 to 1 cup water

Sauce- BBQ sauce, pineapple jam, sweet thai chili sauce
Toppings - pepper, olives, banana peppers, mushrooms, pineapple chunks, mozzarella

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine the dough ingredients but don't over knead. Spread dough onto a pizza pan. Combine sauce ingredients and spread onto pizza dough. Put on your toppings and mozzarella and bake for 25 minutes.

Friday- Chickpea Enchiladas
-Flour tortillas
-Medium onion
-chickpeas
-frozen corn
-grated carrots
-enchilada sauce
-mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat oil in a pan. Add onion and corn and cook 3-4 minutes. Add chickpeas and carrots and seasoning of your choice (chili powder is always good). Warm through. Put filling in a tortilla and wrap. Place in a baking tray with enchilada sauce in the bottom and put some on top. Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 20 minutes.


And that's it! They're all quick to make and not tofu crazy. Make one or all!

-Vanessa xo

Cora's - Eating a Healthy Breakfast?

Good morning! I got up too early this morning and am continuing the OITNB binge watching. Luckily I have a lot to do today so I know I'll be getting off this couch at some point. One of those things is going to Cora's for brunch. This place is ridiculously busy and all the rage these days. 

I'm not a calorie counter, but I do like to be able to compare menu items to choose a healthier option some times. I went on their website and there is no nutritional information at all. Even Tim Horton's tells you the amount of calories in a timbit. When you walk in all you see is the fruit that they cut up and the awesome smoothies.... healthy right? I think a lot of people are fooled by their "mission" to have a healthy breakfast. In fact, I think their mission has actually changed to just making sure to eat breakfast. Now you have to be in pretty big denial if you think eating crapes and waffles filled with custard is healthy, but then where are the healthier options? There's the poached egg with toast, fruit and cottage cheese but it's so over priced why would you not go for the egg's benedict or the french toast?

This is not a post hoping Cora's will incorporate healthy options, because their unhealthy options are delicious (you can treat it as your cheat day), but it is a post letting you know that a better healthy option for your brunch is probably staying home. I know when I use to be unhealthy, I would try to justify how these sugary, fatty things were okay. But they are not. So just admit it to yourself that the crepe with chocolate hazelnut spread is calorie filled, eat it anyway and keep yourself in check for the rest of the week. All about moderation people!

-Vanessa xo 

A Morning of Relaxation

First off: Over 1000 views! It's amazing what happens when you use your blog

I received the best grad present today. Yesterday, I got a text from Jordon saying to keep my morning free. I got a location to go to for 10:00 and ending up getting a mani and pedi. Jordon had everything booked and paid for. How awesome is that!? I never get these things done, so it reminded me of the need to take time for yourself and relax.

Unfortunately I don't have the funds to do Mani's and pedis often but you can find cheap and free things to do for relaxation.

1. Go for a walk
It's finally nice out! I love going for a walk during lunch or after supper. Bring some tunes and you'll feel great.

2. Read a book
I am currently reading The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Nothing is better than tea, a rainy day, and a good book.

3. Binge watch Netflix
If you look at the photo in this post you can see OITNB in the background. I'm sure many of you are glued to your couch now that season 2 is out.

4. Take a bath
...with wine of course

Hope you find some relaxing time this weekend!

-Vanessa xo

Top 10 reasons to Work in an Office

I have worked in an office for the last 4 years of my life. When I was talking to the lil' sis, she said she WAS NOT spending her life sitting behind a desk. I get it. Some of you need the adventure and the new challenges and the sunshine, but if you've never worked in an office before, you may want to give it a go before crossing it off your potential career list. Keep in mind this is from the perspective of a clerk.

1. All the coffee you can dream of!

Are you one of those people who looks through their entire purse or couch, scavenging for loose change because you have been craving Starbucks but can not justify putting $3.25 on your debit card? Then an office is the place for you. I can literally have coffee and tea ALL day long and it costs me $0.00. They even brought in these fancy Chi Tea Latte Keurig cups. 

2. Most offices are Downtown.

Edmonton sucks except for in the summer. I love being close to all the summer action in this city. I can go see the festivals during my lunch hour or just sit in one of the parks while eating my lunch.

3. After Work Drinks

You no longer need to wait for Friday or Saturday to get your drink on. Office workers are so close to other office workers so they can all go to their PAW meetings (Problems At Work, I just decided this should be a thing) at the local bar/pub Monday through Friday. Also, you can FINALLY make it somewhere before Happy Hour is over. 

4. Stationary Heaven
I love stationary supplies. Pens, pencils, sticky notes, you name it. Do you know they have these highlighters and pens that erase with friction!? An office provides so many stationary choices for your desk and if they don't have something you need (...or want) there's the big book of stationary items called a catalog that you can spend hours looking through. 

5. Lunch Dates
There is something perfectly quaint about lunch dates. I also love a good soup and sandwich combo. Lunch dates allow you to meet up with that person in a different department that you can only stand talking to for 45 minutes.

6. Lunch Leftovers
There are always meetings taking place, where they order way too much food for the 4 VPs. What happens to all this food that they can order with their company credit cards? It comes down to our kitchens where us lesser folk can fight over the carrot sticks and the chicken sandwich no one wanted. Okay, it's not that bad and usually there is some good finds.

7. Email Etiquette
"Hello. My name is Vanessa Richardson and I use to have bad email etiquette. I couldn't tell the difference between "u" and "you," and periods were of little use to me. But look at me now. Ever since I started working in an office, my emails have gone from "Heyyy u! wat u workin on u no we shud get lunch somtim :DDDD" to "Salutations! What projects are you currently working on? I was thinking that we could get lunch sometime. Thank you for your cooperation." Ask your doctor if working in an office is right for you and start becoming better at writing emails now." .... I don't know why I put this point in a commercial format, but either way, working in an office really helps your communication skills because you literally type twenty emails per day.

8. Taking Breaks because You've been Sitting Too Long
Are you jealous of those smokers that get a break every hour and have even considered starting smoking for the same luxury? Well you don't need lung cancer to get you those breaks anymore. Science has shown us (maybe?) that sitting too long is BAD for you! That's right! You are supposed to, no, REQUIRED to stretch and move every 30 minutes. This is a real thing, just don't tell your boss how you're use to sitting for hours without moving while watching Netflix. 

9. The View
No, not the Whoopie Goldberg kind. If you're lucky enough to get a window office, that's when you know you've made it. 

10. "The Ratio of People to Cake is Too Big"
I know what you're thinking; "But Vanessa! This is a bad thing!" True, but being able to incorporate Office Space quotes into your daily life is not.

And there you have it. Maybe this has convinced you to give an office job a try or maybe it just gave you a laugh.

-Vanessa xo

Graduation & Paying Bills

Officially a Teacher and an Adult

I guess if we are being technical, I was officially an adult at the age of 18. But I have to say, getting a piece of paper from a University, a little teaching certificate and trying to figure out Health Care really brings out the adult feels. In exactly 6 days I will be crying while trying to put on eyeliner, walking across a stage, shaking someone's hand and entering a life with no concrete plan. And it terrifies me. I have all the normal adult plans: get a career, buy a house, buy a car, marriage and kids, but those all seem so far down the line for me. So I'd figure I'd make some short-term realistic plans/goals to occupy me & share my to-do list with you. Maybe you could use some or make your own. 

1. Blog More

I don't think many people read this, and it's probably because I never post or it is not interesting. But that's okay. Whether people read this or not, I enjoy typing it.

2. Complete the 30-Day Abs Challenge
If you go on social media, I'm sure you've seen these fitness 30 day challenges. I am currently on day 4 of the abs challenge and I can tell I have not done a proper sit up in a long time. What I love about this is how quick it is to do. NO MORE EXCUSES!

3. Use Up Frozen Bananas
I have 6 lovely black bananas in my freezer. Every time I look at them, I google all the delicious things I could make...then read the instructions and think: Ain't no one got time for that! Except me now, being an adult and all. 

  

You may not be interested in a single item on my list, but it is more of an encouragement to not get wrapped up in the unrealistic goals and to set some simple things you can accomplish.

-Vanessa xo

Jumping into the Real World - Head First

I just finished University. Since 2:30pm on Wednesday I have been trying to come to terms with never having to write a paper, stress out about a test, or try to get together with a group again. It is almost surreal. For the past five years I have worked towards my Bachelor of Education and just have to complete my nine week APT student teaching. Come May, I'll be done everything and be on the other side of the education fence. In May, my life can finally start and sometimes that terrifies me. If you know anything about teaching in Edmonton, it can be difficult to find a job. What if I can't get a job? What if I run out of money? Are we moving somewhere? Do I need to buy a car for substitute teaching? There's all these questions with no answers yet. There's no program sheet to follow for the next 4 years. Sometimes I have to remind myself that everything will be okay. If you're in the same boat as me, here's some thoughts to pick you up. 

1. Your Job is NOT Your Life

I picked teaching so that my career could fit nicely into the life I want, not the other way around. With the pressure of finding a teaching job, sometimes I loose sight of this. My life will continue to be great with or without a teaching job. My career will never define the quality of my life. I can be just as happy working elsewhere until I can get my foot in the teaching door. 

2. There's Jobs Elsewhere

Even though Edmonton can be tough, there are teaching jobs elsewhere. If you are willing to move, there are positions. As a side note, if you are in a serious relationship like myself, have this talk! Who's moving where when you are trying to find jobs? Are you willing to give up a position to stay with your SO? Are they? It doesn't matter what your answer is, because every couple is different, but you NEED to discuss it!

3. Find What Matters in Your Life

Use this as your motivation. You may not get a call back right away. You may find yourself subbing or working another job for quite some time. You may feel disheartened and feel like you can't do this. It's not meant to be and all that jazz. Stay strong. Use your family, your friends, your love, your hobbies, your passion and remember what you stuck through 4 years of University for.... to have your own classroom. Keep going. It will come. 

It takes a certain kind of person to want to be a teacher. It takes someone who understands that times will be tough, but the effort is worth it. It takes someone who understands the balance between discipline and compassion and to know when their students need either, or both. It takes someone who is willing to stay for intramurals, concerts, staff meetings and numerous hours of prepping, and can still come in the next morning with a smile. You chose this degree for a reason. You know you have these qualities and this passion for children. Keep that in mind. Keep that close to your heart. Keep going. 

I can't tell if I'm tearing up from this or from Father of the Bride, which is my Netflix choice of the day. I hope if you are having any of the same feelings, this post helped you see more clearly. 

-Vanessa xo

Boardgames Review

An Easy & Fun Way to Ruin Friendships

It is so cold today! I am still waiting for blood to return to three of my fingertips from my walk home at 11:30... and yes mom, I have put them into hot water. I'm fine. I had one of my finals today and now I'm procrastinating studying for my last final on Wednesday (did I mention my last final EVER!?) This weekend we had some friends over to play boardgames. We own some awesome ones.....and some heartbreaking ones. Boardgames make for a nice evening in... or can lead to one of you sleeping on the couch. Either way, I thought I would review some of the games we have. 

1. Dominion 

I love this game! There are a ton of expansions to get for it too. It's for 2-4 players. The point of the game is to build yourself a deck of action cards that work off each other. Action cards can let you attack the other players, give you more actions per turn, give you more money per turn, or get more action cards for free. You want to use your action cards in a way that lets you buy coins. Once you have enough coins, you can buy victory points. Whoever has the most points at the end wins!

Pros: Easy to learn, endless card combinations to play with making each game different, and you control your own game (mostly).

Cons: Only has up to 4 players which you may not see as a con but for us it is usually not enough.

2. 7 Wonders

This game is the newest addition to our tiny collection. It is another card game. Each player is given a wonder and the goal is to build your wonder with the resources on the cards. You can also set up science cards, military, extra points, and cards that help you trade with other players. All the different cards give you points that are added up at the end. The card play is a little different in this game. Each turn you choose one card to play in your hand. You then pass your hand to the player next to you and it becomes their hand. You have to be able to build your wonder without helping others build their wonder. 

Pros: Up to 7 people can play, and there's multiple ways to rack up points.

Cons: A bit more difficult to learn, your strategy can be messed up by other players.

3. Times Up

This is a "party" board game that really has no strategy. It is a lot of fun and provides a lot of laughs. It's similar to charades but 3 times the fun (I should be a spokesperson for it). You play in teams and everyone uses the same deck of 40 cards. Once you agree on which side you're playing (we usually just do a vote) you can start the game. There are three rounds. The first round you are allowed to say anything except the word and you cannot skip cards, so if you are having difficulties you are just going to have to keep guessing. The second round you are only allowed to say one word and the third round you can not say anything. You can skip cards in both these rounds. The same deck is used for all three rounds so you want to try to remember what the cards say as they will come up again. For example:

If the card said "Captain Hook"

1st round you would say "Villain from Peter Pan"

2nd round you would say "Pirate"

3rd round you would show a hook with your hand.

Each turn your team has 30 seconds to get as many cards as you can. Points are added up after each round.

Pros: Tons of people can play because you can have however many people on a team, gets people to try and be creative (one of our friends said "Dances around like an asshole" for Frosty the Snowman), there's cards everyone will know and cards with people you have never heard of before which keeps an even playing field, and there's enough cards to play multiple times.

Cons: A lot of people won't let Jordon and I be on the same team as we are too good together :(

One con for all these boardgames is the expense. They are pretty pricey but if you are looking for something that will provide many nights of fun, I would highly suggest these three!

-Vanessa xo