Figure. Spice rubbed grilled steak, caramelized onion mashed potatoes, and broccoli sauteed with garlic and red pepper flakes.
a blog reincarnated
Monday, September 19, 2011
weekend review: love steak
As you know, I've been traveling in Barcelona and returned home last night. When I walked in the door I was greeted by this delicious meal - coordinated and prepared by my thoughtful and much-missed beau. It was photograph worthy and certainly delicious enough to share.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
special issue: in preparation (Barcelona eats)
Dear Readers,
Please forgive my absence, but I am travelling in Barcelona, Spain and in the midst of preparing a special blog issue on what I am eating during my stay here. Although my research is intensive and is requiring me to diligently consume tasty local eats and drinks (some healthy, many not), I am afraid my laptop is not functional and no immediate blogging is possible. I am writing this post from my hotel lobby in hopes that you will patiently and (perhaps) eagerly await my return. I promise great things.
I leave you with this tempting preview.
Figure. Breakfast in Barcelona, Day 1: a single espresso (un cafe) and a buttery croissant drizzled in honey. Fantastico.the skinny belt experiment: long top + skinny jeans
Just like any good researcher would have done, I purchased a new skinny belt for this experiment. My motivation was (of course) purely academic: I didn't want my experiment to be confounded by previous belt-wearing experiences. This belt is never-before-worn unbiased goodness. Ah, the things I do for science.
I dove right into the skinny belt experiment by starting with what I consider an 'advanced difficulty' pairing: a low slung skinny belt with a long top and skinny jeans.
Results. The skinny belt added interest to a simple two-piece outfit that would have otherwise been boring. The key is to choose a longer top, which provides more options on belt placement. I chose a low slung belt, but be careful with this option (see below). Be wary of choosing tops that are too long, especially if you are shorter, as these may throw off your proportions.
Adding the belt to this outfit also added interest, pattern, and texture to two solid pieces. Variations are endless. If your top has a bold pattern, try incorporating a solid skinny belt. A neutral color belt always works well, but you could also choose a belt in another color to make things interesting.
I dove right into the skinny belt experiment by starting with what I consider an 'advanced difficulty' pairing: a low slung skinny belt with a long top and skinny jeans.
Results. The skinny belt added interest to a simple two-piece outfit that would have otherwise been boring. The key is to choose a longer top, which provides more options on belt placement. I chose a low slung belt, but be careful with this option (see below). Be wary of choosing tops that are too long, especially if you are shorter, as these may throw off your proportions.
Adding the belt to this outfit also added interest, pattern, and texture to two solid pieces. Variations are endless. If your top has a bold pattern, try incorporating a solid skinny belt. A neutral color belt always works well, but you could also choose a belt in another color to make things interesting.
Figure. Outfit combination for the skinny belt experiment: skinny jeans + long top + low slung skinny belt.
Note: No ranking will be calculated for this particular experiment as it is not as quantitative as others (i.e., cereal, sock) because the main objective is to simply try out different pairings. But, my mind still craved graphical/tabular representation, so I created a table and figure to keep everything neat and tidy.
What makes this pairing difficult, you ask? Typically, the emphasis of the skinny belt should be on a smaller part of the body, the waist. Here, I moved the belt down towards my hips - which isn't something every body type or outfit calls for. A belt worn this way with a more tightly fitting outfit places the emphasis on the hips, not the waist. As Sal from Already Pretty tells us, beware of your waist-to-hip ratio. If it isn't great, this combination can be dangerously unflattering. If you are unsure, play around with the belt placement and move it higher on the waist. It is all about making the accessory work for your clothes and your body.
What makes this pairing difficult, you ask? Typically, the emphasis of the skinny belt should be on a smaller part of the body, the waist. Here, I moved the belt down towards my hips - which isn't something every body type or outfit calls for. A belt worn this way with a more tightly fitting outfit places the emphasis on the hips, not the waist. As Sal from Already Pretty tells us, beware of your waist-to-hip ratio. If it isn't great, this combination can be dangerously unflattering. If you are unsure, play around with the belt placement and move it higher on the waist. It is all about making the accessory work for your clothes and your body.
Overall, I felt great all day with high confidence in this outfit. Despite any lack of reaction from others, (which isn't surprising considering my daily environment. i.e., most (~97%) of academics don't give a crap about fashion) I liked this pairing and will wear it again. Although I experienced a bit of belt-shifting, this look was perfectly comfortable.
All in all I would say that my first stab at the skinny belt experiment was a brave and successful one.
Have any of you, dear readers, tried this pairing? Or worn your skinny belt in a new way yet? Do tell.
Monday, September 12, 2011
weekend review: anchovies make it better
Figure 2. Boyfriend-requested dessert: carrot cake.
Friday, September 9, 2011
the cereal experiment: Kashi GoLean Crunch! Honey Almond Flax
When I proposed my crazy (yet brilliant) idea for the cereal experiment to friends and family, Kashi GoLean Crunch! was suggested more than once. So, my most recent box of healthy breakfast eats was just that, the Honey Almond Flax variety.
Results. Kashi GoLean Crunch! Honey Almond Flax (hereafter referred to as KGLCHAF, because academics love acronyms) tastes really great. When they say honey and almond they aren't kidding - I taste these flavors in a delicious way. I'm afraid when they say Crunch! they aren't kidding either. And, in my opinion KGLCHAF has a questionable function as a cereal by itself, and may perform better as an addition to yogurt or oatmeal because of its out-of-control crunchiness.
I'm just going to say it. KGLCHAF is too crunchy. After a bowl of this stuff, my jaw is sore and I wouldn't be all that surprised if my mouth was bleeding. For me, it is just too much. Based on others' suggestions I let KGLCHAF soak in milk before eating, which made the texture more bearable. But, I still was not convinced when I had to face several large rock hard balls of scary-cruncy-KGLCHAF.
Despite its unsettling texture, KGLCHAF has pretty fantastic nutritional stats. For a 1 cup serving you intake a healthy 200 calories and a (relatively) high 4.5 grams of fat. With that you get 5 grams of fiber (my minimum fiber limit) and 9 grams of protein (the second highest amount so far). You also intake a high 24% of calories from sugar. I should note that the the basic GoLean Crunch! cereal was above my 25% of calories from sugar limit (at 27%) so I didn't consider it. There is also a Kashi GoLean Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble flavor that contains only 22% of calories from sugar that is probably worth a try. Crisp! versus Crunch! Will this ease my texture woes? (Can any of you Kashi-eaters let me know if it is worth a go?)
These admirable nutritional stats give KGLCHAF a fourth place ribbon, falling below (by a very slight margin) Kashi Golden Goodness.
Results. Kashi GoLean Crunch! Honey Almond Flax (hereafter referred to as KGLCHAF, because academics love acronyms) tastes really great. When they say honey and almond they aren't kidding - I taste these flavors in a delicious way. I'm afraid when they say Crunch! they aren't kidding either. And, in my opinion KGLCHAF has a questionable function as a cereal by itself, and may perform better as an addition to yogurt or oatmeal because of its out-of-control crunchiness.
I'm just going to say it. KGLCHAF is too crunchy. After a bowl of this stuff, my jaw is sore and I wouldn't be all that surprised if my mouth was bleeding. For me, it is just too much. Based on others' suggestions I let KGLCHAF soak in milk before eating, which made the texture more bearable. But, I still was not convinced when I had to face several large rock hard balls of scary-cruncy-KGLCHAF.
Despite its unsettling texture, KGLCHAF has pretty fantastic nutritional stats. For a 1 cup serving you intake a healthy 200 calories and a (relatively) high 4.5 grams of fat. With that you get 5 grams of fiber (my minimum fiber limit) and 9 grams of protein (the second highest amount so far). You also intake a high 24% of calories from sugar. I should note that the the basic GoLean Crunch! cereal was above my 25% of calories from sugar limit (at 27%) so I didn't consider it. There is also a Kashi GoLean Crisp! Toasted Berry Crumble flavor that contains only 22% of calories from sugar that is probably worth a try. Crisp! versus Crunch! Will this ease my texture woes? (Can any of you Kashi-eaters let me know if it is worth a go?)
These admirable nutritional stats give KGLCHAF a fourth place ribbon, falling below (by a very slight margin) Kashi Golden Goodness.
In summary, Kashi GoLean Crunch! Honey Almond Flax has a brilliant flavor but an unfortunate texture that I just can't ignore. When choosing between a tasty morning cereal and a potential jaw injury, I choose my safety. And that is that.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
the sock experiment: Old Navy Mesh Athletic Socks
Today, I get back to the real reason this entire experiment began, to determine if expensive running socks are really better than inexpensive cotton socks. For comparison to the fancy brands I have been wearing lately, I have spent the last 2 weeks wearing newly purchased, inexpensive, cotton athletic socks from Old Navy.
Results. I came across these cotton basics on sale at Old Navy and couldn't pass up the opportunity for this sock experiment 'control group' showdown. I should note that these are 'athletic socks', so they do come with a mesh feature for 'ultimate breathability'. They are composed of 67% cotton, 31% polyester (yikes), and 2% spandex. They come in a pack of 3 for $6.50, which makes each pair $2.17. No fancy fibers, no complex moisture management systems, no specialized cushion zones. Just cotton, polyester, spandex, and my feet.
*Ranking system.
And my feet, apparently, have no qualms with polyester. Although I did notice a slight difference in performance when compared to Balega Enduro, these cotton socks didn't leave me wanting. I was satisfied and my feet were content. If the price were the same between the two, I would choose the Enduro hands down, but at only $2 per pair, my feet and my wallet just can't justify the added expense. When evaluated in my ranking system, which weights prices heavily, these Old Navy athletic socks take first place.
Please forgive my bloody ankle and the streaks of blood down my running shoe. This morning's run, it seems, was not completely injury free.
Dear fancy running socks, I'm sorry, but you just aren't doing it for me.
But, for the sake of completion and a thorough academic comparison, I am giving one more pair of running socks a go. Hold your breath folks, the long anticipated finale to the sock experiment is almost here.
Results. I came across these cotton basics on sale at Old Navy and couldn't pass up the opportunity for this sock experiment 'control group' showdown. I should note that these are 'athletic socks', so they do come with a mesh feature for 'ultimate breathability'. They are composed of 67% cotton, 31% polyester (yikes), and 2% spandex. They come in a pack of 3 for $6.50, which makes each pair $2.17. No fancy fibers, no complex moisture management systems, no specialized cushion zones. Just cotton, polyester, spandex, and my feet.
And my feet, apparently, have no qualms with polyester. Although I did notice a slight difference in performance when compared to Balega Enduro, these cotton socks didn't leave me wanting. I was satisfied and my feet were content. If the price were the same between the two, I would choose the Enduro hands down, but at only $2 per pair, my feet and my wallet just can't justify the added expense. When evaluated in my ranking system, which weights prices heavily, these Old Navy athletic socks take first place.
Dear fancy running socks, I'm sorry, but you just aren't doing it for me.
But, for the sake of completion and a thorough academic comparison, I am giving one more pair of running socks a go. Hold your breath folks, the long anticipated finale to the sock experiment is almost here.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
my less serious day: jeans so perfect, i cried.
This weekend I was a mad woman on a desperate search for jeans. I traveled to another town, went to five stores, tried on countless pairs, and experienced much disappointment and frustration. Then, it happened. I tried on this pair and stood in the fitting room with tear-filled eyes while marveling at their perfection. I am convinced that finding perfect jeans is a perfectly justified reason to cry.
Wearing.
Doing.
My morning workout was a 30-minute run with L (working pace). Two 10-minute walks also happened today, one after lunch and one when I returned home from the gym in the afternoon. My afternoon workout was a 60-minute cycling class (variety ride).
Eating.
Breakfast was a bowl of Kashi GoLean Original cereal, Cascadian Farm Fruit and Nut Granola, agave nectar, blueberries, and almond milk.
Today's lunchbox held a Lean Cuisine, Pink Lady apple, peanuts, and golden raisins.
Dinner was a sweet potato smothered in Greek yogurt and cinnamon and an over-sized spinach salad with tomatoes, carrots, green onions, mushrooms, leftover Brussels sprouts and green beans, and a Morningstar chicken patty.
Dessert was a luxuriously delicious bowl of chocolate pudding and almond butter inspired by Amanda at running with spoons. I died.
Wearing.
Perfect jeans: Gap (real straight); top: Old Navy; belt: Banana outlet; necklace: gift from M; shoes: Tsubos.
Doing.
My morning workout was a 30-minute run with L (working pace). Two 10-minute walks also happened today, one after lunch and one when I returned home from the gym in the afternoon. My afternoon workout was a 60-minute cycling class (variety ride).
Eating.
Breakfast was a bowl of Kashi GoLean Original cereal, Cascadian Farm Fruit and Nut Granola, agave nectar, blueberries, and almond milk.
Today's lunchbox held a Lean Cuisine, Pink Lady apple, peanuts, and golden raisins.
Dinner was a sweet potato smothered in Greek yogurt and cinnamon and an over-sized spinach salad with tomatoes, carrots, green onions, mushrooms, leftover Brussels sprouts and green beans, and a Morningstar chicken patty.
Dessert was a luxuriously delicious bowl of chocolate pudding and almond butter inspired by Amanda at running with spoons. I died.
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