November 2018

November 5, 2018November 5, 2018 BessLeave a comment

When I was in high school, I wrote nearly every day in my LiveJournal. Sure, I might have changed accounts over the years but even now I can go back to that original journal and all the memories come flooding back – good and bad.

Back then, every post title was a line from a song I was listening to. I still remember my favorite line from just about any song. It was by the Ataris, called Takeoffs and Landings.

“The runway lights are the deepest blue like the colors of your eyes…”

That song to this day is still one of my favorite songs.

But every time I hear it, I’m sucked into looking at all of those journal entries and it takes me back to a really tough part of my life. Bittersweet memories mixed with how naive I was.

There are times that I wish I could reach back and comment to old Bess. “It gets better – you don’t have a limit of 5 boyfriends max for your life.” or “This too shall pass” or probably the most important: “In all things, be kind” and to not be such a depressed ball of fluff.

In any case, I’m trying to get back into writing more than only writing with a purpose.

Day 1. Post 1. Done.

I guess when it comes down to it
Being Grown Up – Isn’t half as fun as growing Up
These are the best days of our lives

The only thing that matters
Is just following your heart
and eventually – you’ll finally get it right.

Self-reflection · Work

Changes

October 13, 2014October 13, 2014 BessLeave a comment

Hello!

It’s been such a long time since I have been anything that could be described as active on this blog.

I debated not renewing my subscription because honestly, I’ve been in a funk. A big funk.

So here’s the deal:

I’m no longer an overnight cashier – I have had a complete job overhaul. I am now working 9-5 Monday through Friday at the local Sheriff’s office. It’s been such a huge change that I got completely knocked off my healthy track, and my fit routine. The lack of moving throughout the day also had aided in a bit of weight gain that’s been depressing to say the least.

Back in the saddle though! I’m determined to re-lose the weight and continue on the right track. I just need to workout how to go about it and make adjustments to my eating habits. Avoiding the cookies and breakfast pizza at work wouldn’t hurt either. Cookies, how I love thee.

I’ve started up classes at college again. Well, not at college. I’m enrolled full time at Southern New Hampshire University and about to start my third term. Majoring in Creative Writing and Literature. So far more writing than literature. I can’t wait for literature. Life gets a bit crazy working and studying full time but Southern New Hampshire University has a pretty amazing advising staff and makes classes really manageable. Not paid advertising I swear, just an impressive school and staff.

In February I moved into my own apartment with J. It’s been an adjustment – but one I really do love. There’s something comforting about living with your best friend and knowing there is always somebody who will go down the street and get you a pint of ice cream, watch the bachelor when you don’t feel good, and get you a glass of water every night before bed. He spoils me too much.

I’ll try to be a little more active now that I’ve broken through the major writers block and guilty feeling of being neglectful of this little blog.

I’ve been cooking more! Which is also probably a reason for weight gain. I’ve been reading more, though I seem to go through periods of binge reading. I’ll read a good five books in two weeks or less and then take a break from reading and get obsessed with something else like say….the nine seasons of Criminal Minds that were added to Netflix a month and a half ago. Clearly I haven’t been writing more, though I’ve gotten back into World of Warcrack…opps! World of Warcraft.

So far this fall, I have gone apple picking no less than…four…maybe five times and have plans to go at least twice more. I’m hoping to go to a pumpkin patch next weekend.

One thing I do really miss is all the walks I’d been able to take Sydney on out in the country. My new apartment in the village and I don’t see as many pretty views that don’t involve looking like a creeper and taking a picture of somebody’s house on my phone. Next weekend I’m participating in my first Virtual 5k the Pink Pumpkin Run for BOObies (I admit, I find too much humor in that particular joke).

For now though, I’ll get back to work and hopefully, be back soon!

XOXO

~Nemmie

Fall · Photography · Self-reflection · Summer

Last days of summer

September 20, 2013September 23, 2013 BessLeave a comment

I can’t believe it’s already the last day of summer! The past month and a half flew by! I’ve been so busy and now I’m horribly sick. Let’s see if I can sum up what I’ve been up to with some pictures:

Went to a wedding with my lovie, in New Hampshire.

Then worked about a week and a half without stopping.

And last weekend went to an Aaron Carter concert.

I’ve also been taking an English class to try and slowly complete my degree.

And tomorrow my favorite season begins! Back to the gym as well!

Fitness · Photography · Self-reflection · Summer

Summer Nights

July 12, 2013July 12, 2013 BessLeave a comment

Ahhh finally, the heart of summer. When I drive into work in the evenings, I can still see my way to the car without too much light – smell bonfires and barbeques. It occasionally makes me long for that type of summer in the olden days where people all knew each other, had dinners on picnic tables out in the lawn and spent the whole evening with family. I have two absolute hands down favorite things about summer. Fireflies and S’mores. I can’t really partake in s’mores this year as my program doesn’t allow much gluten or sugar. But I usually give myself one cheat a week so I don’t go insane with cravings – this cheat comes in the form of a Russell Stover S’mores that we sell at the registers where I work. I will be the first to say – I adore Hershey Chocolate. That being said, Russell Stover is a whole other level of Amazing. What this amazing snack is: two small Graham Cracker Squares, with a Marshmallow covered in Russell Stover Milk Chocolate around it. The second the entire combination hits your taste buds I swear there is an inner mind chorus singing “Ahhhhhhhhhh!” in rapture. It’s that good. It’s serious.

The second thing I love about summer is the fireflies – or Lightening Bugs – whatever the people in your area call them. They’re like little magical orbs of light that glitter on and off and make your backyard or garden look just a little more magical in the moonlight. The first night I saw them I think I jumped for joy and actually squealed – it seemed like they came out so late this year! It’s been a strange Summer in central New York, weatherwise.

I’ve been trying to experiment with a camera my dad gave me, one of the Canon Rebels, I’ve been carrying it EVERYWHERE. Literally. I need to read up on aperture and exposure information and investigate tutorials on this nifty amazing cameras. Here’s a few shots I took yesterday!

I’d really love some tips and tricks any of you might know! I don’t have photoshop or anything anymore so I’ve been using Picasa and Instagram for any kind of filters or photo editing I’ve done. I know I should get a tripod or one of those tripods that you can attach to things by wrapping the legs around it, so I don’t have to worry about the long shutter speed of a night time photo. Any other tips?

I am beyond excited to share this next news. I can run. Yes, you read that right. I. Can. Run. I can also jog, but running, oh man, I’m excited. I was starting to worry I might be doing the Run or Dye 5k I signed up for as a Walk or Dye 5k. Now though, I can run! Week 5 of the LiveFit program starts today and I’m so excited! I’m finishing my egg whites and spinach, smelling the chocolate protein bars baking, lunch is a 3-bean organic turkey chili and is all prepped and ready to go, apple slices and almond butter ready as well. It’s going to be an excellent week. Weight Training + Cardio I’m really hoping to start seeing some change in the scale instead of staying the same, but seeing the effects in my muscles. Don’t get me wrong – I love seeing the changes! But I’d also like to see at least a little bit of a change on the scale as well. I can’t wait to hit the gym after work in the morning, what a great start to this week!

Any tips for training for a 5k? How about any clean eating recipes? What do you love about Summer?

Fitness · Self-reflection · Summer · Work

I promise I’m still here!

July 5, 2013July 5, 2013 BessLeave a comment

This has been such an exciting week!

I’m going into my fourth week of LiveFit today when I get up for work – I’ve prepped Jamie’s 3-bean Turkey Chili and I’m hoping to try making my own tortilla chips this week too!

Such a busy week for me at work but I think this past week has gotten me out of my writer’s slump!

Cooking · Fitness · Self-reflection · Summer

A new mini chapter and Protein Pancakes

June 21, 2013June 22, 2013 BessLeave a comment

So, in my journey of weight loss and self improvement, I am starting a new chapter! Today marks the 8th day that I have been following Jamie Eason’s LiveFit program. 72 Days to go! This program is pretty great for me (and this coming from somebody who can’t even do a 30 day photo challenge) mostly because of the meal plans, and it gives me a guide to something I’ve already been thinking of getting into but completely lost on how to start. I shall explain:

I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been going to the gym since January and changed my eating habits since last August. Since doing these things I’ve gone from 195lbs to 167lbs or so and I am so much happier – still have about 30-40lbs to go and lots of toning before I’m wear my height says I should be but I am so happy with the progress that I’ve made. There is only so much that a treadmill can do for you though. I’ve been looking longingly at the weight section in my Planet Fitness for a while now, but had no idea where to start! This program gives me specific exercises on specific days to target two muscles each day, and makes sure to have rest days each week. To read more on those you really should check it out, even if just for your own knowledge! I also have a meal plan to follow – which I normally cringe at! I’m in general the pickiest of eaters – usually a crucial spice or ingredient is something I’m not overly fond of (aka my mortal enemies: Pickles and Celery) But this meal plan is so easy and versatile! I LOVE her homemade protein bars – so far I’ve made the chocolate and carrot cake ones.

So far I’ve made: Turkey Meatloaf Muffins (not a muffin – more like a muffin shaped meatball), Chocolate Protein bars, Carrot Cake Protein bars, Peanut Butter Banana Ice cream, and Banana Protein Pancakes. I’m really looking forward to making more of these recipes! So far I really love clean eating! The only thing I’ve been missing is Raisin Bran muffins and breads. I love eating Turkey and Chicken though! I can’t wait to see where this new lifestyle leads me!

I am the first to admit I have cheated once, no twice. I ate two small squares of a sheet cheese pizza that somebody had left in the office, as well as a half a Russell Stover’s S’more. Those by the way are amazing. I really recommend them if you love s’mores. Which I do. I really really do.

I wonder if there’s a healthy version of salted Caramel gelato. No, that would be too good to be true. Much too good to be true!

I’ll be going to North Carolina soon to see my dad and I really can’t wait. I miss him so much since he moved down there and I am beyond excited to see him. Just need to make sure I stay on track that week and do some exercises while I’m with him.

In completely other news I went to see Man of Steel at a prerelease showing with my friend Susan! It was awesome – not even a little bit disappointed and Henry Cavill being pleasing to the eye didn’t hurt one little bit! I’m not going to say another word as it’s a pretty new movie – and I hate when people spoil things for me – so I promise that you will love it – just embrace the changes that were made, and delight in the delicious man candy that’s in front of you. Amy Adams is also cute.

That’s all for now! I’ll include a recipe down below!

Protein Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce!

Cooking · Fun and Games · jarred · Long Distance · Self-reflection · Summer

Hello, Summer.

June 1, 2013June 1, 2013 BessLeave a comment

I can’t believe it’s already June 1st! I feel like May went by way too fast. Let’s see…to sum up the month: I got to see my love, went to Niagara Falls, and I turned 27.

Ah, 27. I don’t feel any different, but at the same time I don’t feel that old either. Maybe I’ll never feel as old as I actually am. Before you pounce – I’m not saying I’m old, just that however old I imagined 27 to feel like…I don’t feel it. If that makes sense. No? Moving on.
The picture you see to the left is the most delicious thing on this entire planet. Not the healthiest but who cares about health when your taste buds are singing songs about Euphoria and delight. Something about Salty Sweet foods calls to me. I crave them and develop an immediate fondness and addiction to them that I should probably seek further knowledge on what my body is lacking that I crave these foods so badly.

Niagara Falls, this is the fourth time I’ve been and it’s always magical to me. Something about completely natural water with that much power is awe-inspiring. Someday I’ll manage to cross the Rainbow Bridge to Canada and see what I’ve heard is the much better view of the Falls. Or at least a most entertaining one.

Jarred and I went to a concert on my birthday. It was a concert I’d been really looking forward to; Volbeat, Big Wreck, 10 Years, Eye Empire, Wayland and Surrender the Fall. The crowd killed this concert though. It was dead, drunk and less enthused than anything I’ve ever seen in my life. The Bands were great, I just didn’t enjoy myself when they were not playing.

I’m currently sitting in my kitchen typing on my laptop because the house in unbearably hot and my room turns into a heat pod, where heat comes in and never leaves. It’s like a haunted house of heat.

I have never craved an Iced Chai more than I do at this exact moment. I’m going to have to remedy this situation pronto.

So, as I sit, typing…sipping lemon water and smelling deliciousness from the oven (vegetable Lunas!) my little cat, Jack and my behemoth puppy, Sydney are both on opposite sides of the room collapsed on the floor. These two are enemies you see. More on Jack’s side than Sydney who probably doesn’t care about the irate kitten at all.

Upcoming recipes!

I made my own recipe for the first time for a yummy Corn Chowder that is super healthy and only about 160 calories per serving! I also made a creamy chicken and wild rice soup, that is less healthy. I’ve made some Muffins from a recipe I found over at Ambitious Kitchen – Link is in the Blogroll. They are delicious! and Guilt Free! I’ve been watching some food shows on Netflix and Hulu lately and I’ve been dying to try making Thai foods, maybe a Pad Thai, or a curry. Tikka Masala sounds divine. I’m always disappointed in the tofu though. I can’t find the type of tofu in the grocery stores that I get when I order from a thai restaurant. I wish I knew what the difference was or where to get it. The texture is completely different – even from extra firm. WHHHHHHHY can’t I find it? If you have any light to shed on this subject, I will pay you in diamonds and rubies. Just kidding, I don’t have those types of riches. But I would love you forever and promise to post pictures of the results of such advise! That’s enough for now, until my room cools down enough for me to go through the pictures I took for those Muffins.

I hope you’re all having a wonderful June so far and look forward to the rest of the month.

Boston · Self-reflection · Work

Life has been incredibly busy…

April 8, 2013April 13, 2013 BessLeave a comment

Life lately seems to be running me over with a steam roller. Not in a completely bad way, just keeping me busy.

I got home from vacation about a week ago and went directly back into work with split nights off and recovering from being a little piggy about my diet while I was away. There’s a donut shop in Saugus, MA called Kanes that I would gladly give a lung to eat at daily.

For the past week and a half I’ve been dealing with an on and off migraine – mostly on but occasionally off. At first I thought it was because of my poor eating – fatty, heavy foods, when I’m usually a very light and fresh food eater. Maybe even high salt. But no, changing my diet back to normal didn’t help. Then I thought it was perhaps because I had so drastically changed my diet BACK with no time for my body to catch up and recover – so I snuck some salty and lightly sugary foods in. Nope, not that either. So I’ve given up, if it gets unbearable I take some medication, otherwise I just have to tough it out I guess.

Spring is finally here it seems! Flowers are sprouting and we haven’t had snow in a week! Hurrah!

I’m on day 4 of Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30 workout regime and man, she kicks my butt in the short 20 minutes that the workout lasts.

I’ve got a couple recipes to post that I’ve discovered in the past month. So hopefully on Wednesday I can get that done!

Happy Monday lovelies!

Long Distance · Self-reflection

Finally a day off and time to write…

March 21, 2013April 26, 2013 BessLeave a comment

I was hoping to make a post last week, unfortunately on the day when I normally would have time to cook and time to write, I was called in to work the night before and ended up sleeping all day with no time to do either cooking or writing.

Currently, I’m sitting in bed on my laptop watching Bones and contemplating the Noodle dish I plan on making for dinner tomorrow. I bought whole grain linguine, fresh produce like Bell peppers, red onion, mushrooms, scallions, and it will all be combined with chicken breast strips and cajun seasoning for what I hope is a plate of dreamy deliciousness.

Today is or at this point, was the first day of Spring. Here in my area of New York, we welcomed it with a 36 hour Lake Effect Snow watch. Wonderful. I still remain hopeful however that this is the last snow I’ll be seeing this season – after all, April is only about a week away!

Next week I’ll be traveling down to Massachusetts to spend Easter with Jarred and meet most of his family for the first time. In preparation for that I will be making two batches of Oreo Truffles, one with peanut butter oreos, one with regular. I’ll also be making a recipe from the Pioneer Woman that I’ve altered slightly to take out the pecans or nuts, called Knock You Naked Brownies. Hoping to get recipes posted for all of these dishes.

Thursday morning I will be going to the dentist to have a Not-quite-a-cavity-yet tooth filling done. My house has well water and a lack of fluoride, so apparently my molar needs a little extra protection and I have a new fluoride routine.

And lastly! A few questions that I hope some people will have the answer to and leave them for me! I’ve lost a bit of weight probably too fast, my skin in my thighs, breasts and stomach is a little bit loose- not horribly so but enough that it bugs me. I’ve been using Palmer’s Firming Butter to help tighten it up as well as drinking lots of water, any other suggestions? I’m also going to give p90x a try starting this week – anybody have some excellent stretches to do before and after?

I’m also looking for some healthy lunches that don’t involve the bread part of a sandwich or if it does have bread – no cold cuts. Any ideas or tips?

Cooking · Self-reflection

Hot Chocolate Kind of Mornings

March 4, 2013June 1, 2013 BessLeave a comment

Diet or not, some mornings were made specifically for Big Mugs of Hot chocolate. When the wind is blowing against the walls of my house, and the snow drifts across the roads where the fields are, I already know it’s going to be one of these mornings.

Oddly enough, this new outlook on life and my cravings, makes me shut the lid on my Large Hot Chocolate from Dunkin’ Donuts and crave the feeling of a mug of nice green tea. This girl no longer runs on Dunkin’.

Work’s been stressful. So enough of that.

I made a healthy Macaroni and Cheese the other night, and while I was really worried about some of the substitutions I’d made – I was extremely happy with the result.

Macaroni and Cheese – a healthy Makeover!