Much Awaited (and long overdue) Catch-Up On The Mia-verse! (or, “Sorry I’ve Been Terrible At Blogging Lately!”)

Hello dear readers!
Have you missed me yet? I’ve missed y’all! The blog stats are through the goddamn roof this month so far (as of 8:25pm PST, we’re looking at 6,554 unique visitors, 240 comments, and a whole schwack of shares on Reddit, Pinterest and Twitter), and I’d like to take a minute to say a huge THANK YOUto every single one of you who take the time out of your day to read my ramblings. It truly means the world to me, and I’m so excited that if the metrics stay where they lie now, we should hit 10,000 visitors by the first EIB-anniversary! You guys rock my fuckin’ world, seriously.

Seriously, y’all. Thank you so much. ❤

Alrighty, so. Update on my life. So much has happened lately that I barely know where to start! I suppose where I left off would be a good place, no? Freelancing, that’s where I was at. I was ghostwriting a bunch of (rather uninteresting) articles while I was hunting for a job, and that was good practice for a professional writer, let me tell you. It also kept my sanity (somewhat) intact while I underwent the seemingly fruitless and hugely frustrating task of hunting for a job for the first time in a year in a new city. Whoever said that looking for a job is a fulltime job in and of itself was painfully correct. Anywhore, it was a semi-frustrating, semi-badass couple of days writing for 12 hours straight about automotive insurance and pallet racking systems…can’t say that I wrote anything I’m spectacularly proud of; however, I can now officially say that I’ve been paid to write. One step closer to the dream, right? One day. One day I will be an author. At this point, I don’t even care how long it takes; but, that’s a tangent for another day.

This is basically how it feels to have 10,000 words to write within an eight hour window, encapsulated nicely in a hilarious gif for your enjoyment.

Where was I again? my brain is just everywhere today. OH YEAH – job hunting. So, can’t lie, this whole finding employment after not having had to have done so for a year was intimidating, frustrating, and pretty much awful. That said, I did find a job – a mighty sweet job – completely by fluke. I’d stopped into a coffee shop in Chinatown on one of my (many, many, many) “let’s hand out 50 resumes today and see where we get” adventures, and offhandedly left one with the barista after downing my quad short Americano. Lo and behold, the very day I had decided to just give the fuck up, they called me in for an interview! I got the job (woo!), have now passed my probation (WOO!), am learning to use the espresso machine (Woohoo!), and have received my first raise (WOOHOO!). It’s a great little joint in a super eclectic and interesting part of the city, my coworkers are radballs, and I’m officially worth something (monetary, anyways) once again! Such a relief! It’s also 2/3 of the reason why I’ve been failing to update here – it’s been busy. But, I’m working on it, and slowly (but surely) my schedule is once again falling into place. Life is (once again) falling into place. And my habit of using superfluous parentheses is still intact.

Basically how I feel about things right meow.

Also exciting, my passport finally arrived! I am so unbelievably fucking stoked about this I can’t even. Literally everything about the acquisition of said documentation was stressful as all hell – from getting my documents back from my parents, to the fact that I waited until the trip was 8 weeks away, to the seemingly endless waiting game…BUT – it all worked out, I am passport-clad until 2023, and I must say that my photo is rather spectacular (I  look skinny, my hair is rad, and I don’t have my convict face rockin’). I feel so free having this in my hands it is insane! As somebody who used to mean the world to me used to say, “if you do what you’re supposed to be doing, things will fall into place.” She was wrong about a lot of things, but that one was on point. Its these things that make life feel right somehow in a way that very little else can – I mean, the day to day of being with Vega, of being in the 250, that much is easy to see. The bigger things take proof these days for me to accept, and I got a big dose of reassurance that I’m on the right path today. Seriously, I’m just fucking thrilled. And I’m all of an hour from Seattle…I see many a roadtrip in mine and Vega’s futures!

While we’re on the subject of Victoria and all that jazz, I thought I’d take a minute to express my utter glee at being an official resident of the 250. It is spectacular living here, and I draw that distinction because although I made many a trek down here during my club days (that’s a story for another day but whatever), I never got to experience the city for all it’s worth. In the past few weeks, Vega and I have:
-gone for a hike to a gorgeous lake with his coworker on a Friday afternoon (where we said hello to Mary Jane and went for a swim)
-seen a floating symphony orchestra perform during sunset on the harbour, which was a magical and beautiful and wonderfully romantic date night
-discovered the most wonderful path to get to the local grocery store, which takes us through a gorgeous forest (and also, multiple blackberry bushes and plum trees)
-seen a metal show at Lucky’s bar (Torrefy, Vesperia, Crimson Shadows, and Unleash the Archers)
-fallen in love with the vibrant, eccentric, lively, and ever-shifting landscape (both the people and the nature)
Basically, we love it here (I shouldn’t speak for Vega but I’m taking the liberty to do so anyways..haha love yoooou!), and I foresee many a happy day spent here for years to come. There’s something to be said for coastal life!

It certainly is more relaxed a pace than that of Oil Rig Town

Hmm, what else to divulge… OH YEAH. So Vega and I are into our third week of a Whole30, and I’m pleased to announce that I’ve definitely lost a couple inches! I miss beer, but that’s okay – I’ll be able to imbibe a little on the 31st for the UFC fights. I’m thinking that watching the fights at the 4-mile might be a good usage of my time and calories for the day haha 🙂 All the same, it’s been a good few weeks of eating right and moving more. That’s the key folks. A calorie’s a calorie, no matter how small. Healthy mentality + healthy food + move more than you consume = weight dropped. I promise I’m not getting all freaky deaky again; however, I also made a pact with myself to be comfortable in my bathing suit by the time we go vacationing in September. Attainable goal, check. Insert minor freakout induced by pending vacation excitement—>here.

Me right now

 

Also in the “things that Mia is way too excited about” category is this upcoming Saturday. Why, you ask? Welp, it turns out that Mddchild is playing at the Victoria Tattoo Expo (tangent: “Lawnmower Man.” Download it. Right the fuck now. SO GOOD!!). And I’m not working. And I’m going to spend the day ogling tattoos, AND SEEING MY FAVORITE FUCKING CANADIAN ARTIST EVER. I have also become privy to the knowledge that the deposit on my tatt with the artist I want will be max $100.00, so we can all safely assume that come November, my sleeve will be done. We can all also safely assume that I am entirely too excited about the coalescence of these two magical and happy-inducing things. Insert overexcitement—>here.

Basically. My first rap concert ever? Swollen Members, 2001. I think I actually love them more now that I’m older. Always been there for my earholes, they have been!

Besides all of that, I believe that’s a fair 1300-odd word summation of where I’m at and where I’ve been lately. Life’s legitimately good, and that’s still super weird. Slowly though, the fog is lifting–the scars of my past (both mental and physical) are beginning to fade, and things are starting to make sense again. I find myself lost in this strange sense of peace – something that my dear friend MJ described in Endure perfectly – “…peace, like I’d never felt before. I understood what the word meant academically, but I’d never felt it like this.” Truer words, never spoken. I used to find solace in the insanity, and I’m learning with every passing day here on the island with my Vega that it is an entirely possible and attainable thing to find the same solace in sanity. Perhaps this is the cusp of the BHAG finally taking hold over the bullshit. To quote Bukowski, “what matters most is how well you walk through the fire,” and I believe I have made my way through Hell relatively unscathed. If 13 year old me could see how 23 year old me turned out, I think she’d be a little bit more than proud.

 

Gratuitous cute:

D’AWWW!!

For now,

Wallace, out.

 

 

 

Mia’s Perfect Every Time Pork Rib Roast + Parsnip Gravy

Hello readers, happy hump day to you all!

I had an influx of requests for more detailed instructions on how to cook the perfect pork roast, so I took the opportunity yesterday whilst cooking one to take a pile of pictures for a step-by-step breakdown of how I whip this up. It’s easy (I promise) and makes a pretty awesome meal when served alongside veggies. A few easy tweaks, and it’s also W30 approved!

When you’re looking for the perfect roast at the grocery store/butcher, go for something with a nice amount of fat. Rib roasts are awesome as they tend to fit the bill and they stay super tender through the roasting process.

This guy won our hearts. Good amount of fat, and a nice thick cut.

First step is to prep the veggies. I used 2 large parsnips (peeled and coarsely chopped), 1/2 each of a large yellow onion and a large white onion (peeled and sliced), and 1 head of garlic (peeled and minced). Also, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Other things that are tasty additions to a pork roast: carrots, tomatoes, green onions, celeriac…

Next step is to create a braising liquid blend. Yesterday’s was balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, liquid smoke, Sambal paste (omit if W30), curry leaves, fish sauce (make sure compliant if W30), and some soya sauce (sub in coconut aminos if W30). Whisk with a fork and set aside. I also added 1.5 cups of Vega’s homemade mead (omit if W30 and sub in bone broth or water)–you want about 2.5 cups of liquid for this adventure.

 

Next step is to heat 1 TBSP of EVOO (or coconut oil, or ghee. I like the taste EVOO imparts to the meat) in the pot you’ll be using to roast the piggy in. When it’s nice and hot, sear the pork on each side until browned (about 2 min/side). When that’s done, remove the pork and let rest.

Now, add another TBSP of EVOO to the same pot (over med-low heat) and add the onions. Let those simmer away and cook down until translucent. Add the garlic (and a TBSP of Sambal for some extra kick), and continue to cook over low heat.

While the onions are cooking, give the roast a nice rubdown with some garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and oregano.

Then, add the parsnips to the onion mix, give ’em a nice stir, add the liquid, and then return the pork to its tasty hot tub of yummy potential.

Bring this to a boil over high heat, then cover and pop into the hot oven for an hour while you browse the internet and enjoy the delicious smells soon to be wafting through the house.

After an hour goes by, uncover the roast. Continue to cook uncovered for an hour, basting every fifteen minutes.

When the cooking time is up, place the roast onto a cutting board and cover with tinfoil. It’s important to let the meat rest for about 10-15 minutes before you cut into it to trap those tasty meat juices in there.

I took the liberty of snapping a picture before I covered this beauty 🙂

In the meantime, prepare the parsnip gravy by scooping the parsnips and onions into your blender and whirling around until smooth. Add 3 TBSP of coconut milk, whirl to mix.

Return to the pot you cooked the roast in, and mix well with the yummy brown bits on the bottom of the pot. Simmer over low heat for 5-8 minutes to thicken.

While that’s thickening and getting tastier, slice the roast…

…then serve with your choice of side dish (I opted for sautéed cabbage and broccoli) and some parsnip gravy.

OMNOMNOMATHON!!!

Go forth and roast pork 🙂

 

Wallace, out.

 

 

Tomato Braised Pork Roast and Roasted Veggie Gravy (aka Dino Chow Comfort Food)

Hello Blogosphere!

I am back with another amazing pork recipe (we like oink in this house, it seems!)–this one is delicious, savory, hearty, and filling–plus, it’s super easy and 100% W30/W9 friendly. I served it with my favorite veggie side dish, and I gotta say I impressed myself with this one–Vega loved it too 🙂

(disclaimer: not my kitchen, nor my pork!) A roast like this one works the best–small amount of fat, nice and thick, and keep the netting on while you cook it so it doesn’t fall apart!

What You’ll Need (for 2 hungry omnomnomivores + leftovers):
-a 3-5 pound pork roast (we used a boneless rib roast–bonus points for grass fed!)
-1 large can of diced tomatoes (make sure there is no added sugar, sulphites or other nasties), strained (reserve liquid)
-2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
-1 large white onion, chopped
-1 head of garlic, minced
-1 TBSP whole peppercorns
-4-5 Bay leaves
-Salt (to taste)
-Pepper (to taste)
-Garlic powder (to taste)
-Onion powder (to taste)
-Oregano (to taste)
-2 TBSP EVOO (can sub out for ghee or coconut oil; however, it adds a nice depth of flavor to the dish, use your discretion here)
-1/4 of a can of coconut milk (again, full-fat (why pay for light when it’s just watered down? And why cut down on healthy fat?), and make sure there are no added sulphites, carrageenan, sugars, or soy lechiten!)
-Chili powder (to taste)
-Cayenne pepper (to taste)

And what you need to do is:
1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. In a heavy bottomed pot (or Dutch oven), heat 1 TBSP of the EVOO over medium, and sear the pork (about 2 minutes/side, until browned)
3. Remove pork, and add the remainder of the EVOO. Sautee the onions until translucent, about 5 minutes
4. While the onions are cooking, rub the pork with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano
5. Add garlic to onions, cook until fragrant (about 1 minute)
6. Add tomatoes, allow to cook for 3-5 minutes
7. Add tomato liquid + 1.5 cups of water, stir well, then add peppercorns and bay leaves
8. Transfer pork back into pot and bring the entire mixture to a boil. Cover and place into hot oven, allow to cook for 1 hour (and enjoy the yummy smells as they begin to waft through your house…)
9. Remove pork from oven, flip, and baste with liquid. Cook uncovered for another hour, basting every 15 minutes
10. At the end of the hour, place pork on a plate and cover with foil, allowing to rest while you
make the delicious roasted veggie gravy:
1. Place 2/3 of the braising liquid into a blender with the coconut milk, puree until mostly smooth
2. Add chili powder and cayenne pepper, whirl in blender to mix
3. Stir back into remaining 1/3 of braising liquid, simmer on low for 10-15 minutes to thicken

OMNOMNOMATHON!

SERIOUS tasty noms. The braising keeps the pork super juicy and tender–I barely needed my knife, and the gravy is just deeeeelish!

Go forth and roast pork!

Wallace, out 🙂

Obligatory Hump-Day Update + Gains and Losses Part 2

Hello readers, happy hump day to you!

I hope your weeks have been going swimmingly thus far–halfway through, it’s all downhill from here! As predicted, Mr. Vega and I ended up pulling an all-nighter on Tuesday; however, it was hugely productive on both of our parts. Vega got a whole schwack of work done, I got an early morning workout in (attacked the Tough Mudder Mudderling Bootcamp circuit–it was definitely tough, but I’m tougher! And I got my 25 minutes of Iyengar yoga in, too. Felt pretty damned good about that, especially since I got ‘er did at 6:30 in the morning!), and we managed to watch some Battlestar Galactica over brekky, which is always a nice way to start the day.

After we digested our food (and Vega answered a few more emails and I got the dishes…to the kitchen haha), we decided on a nap. I slept until 2, got up briefly to eat some Vindaloo, then re-joined Vega for some more snuggle time. Such a great nap was had, then we woke up at 6:45, as Vega is out at the studio putting some mixing work into the album he’s working on producing right now, and was getting picked up at 7:00. Good timing? I thought so. Anywhore. I was selfishly looking forward to a quiet evening alone on the couch with coffee, puppy snuggles, and the last half of “Vegeucated”; however, Beta is back for the weekend, and it’s somewhat noisy and busy around here at the moment. Now, don’t get me wrong–it’s her place, too (in fact, has been for much longer than it’s been mine!); however, I just don’t have the necessary energy to be 19 again. I just don’t. I suppose it’s a nice reminder of how far I’ve come and all that jazz…but it’s more than kind of an awkward dichotomy here right now. That being said, I am having a pretty amazing internal giggle at a comment Veggie made to Vega a few months back before I’d met Beta, when Vincent and I had been musing in the 506 about what it’d be like when the two of us inevitably did meet. To paraphrase Veggie, “[Mia] will be fine, and Beta will be too as long as she remembers that Mia’s the alpha and she falls into line.” This statement makes me laugh for two reasons, 1) Veggie hasn’t read mine nor Vega’s blog, so the Alpha comment is extra awesome, and 2) being that is exactly how this situation’s working out. I’m not trying to be a mega bitch, I’m really, really not. It’s just a strange situation to be in; especially when Vega’s not here to watch Sci Fi with me and when Beta’s trying to figure me out. I don’t want to be figured out. I’m enough of an enigma that I don’t even have myself figured out yet! I’m starting to sound like a crochety old lady. Perhaps I’m actually getting old? Regardless, the it all end all here is that I am exceedingly happy to have gotten my workout over and done with this morning; as I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have gotten done and over with this evening given the amount of things going on around me right now. But I digress.

Things I’m excited about this week–Vega and I have a date night on Friday to go see Brother Wallace’s band play a gig, which I am unspeakably excited about. Doubly so since my parents won’t be there. I’m excited about the fact that another week down means another week closer to 250-time (and it also means that I should probably get off my lazy hiney and actually start selling some stuff online and all that jazz…). I’m excited about spring time…although I’m really not expecting too much from Calgary by means of weather these days. I’m excited about the amount I’ve written (like physically written with paper and pen) in the past two and a half weeks. I’m excited to plan my workouts for the rest of the week and I’m DEFINITELY excited about rest day on Sunday (seriously, the DOMS I’ve been rocking the past few weeks…phew!). I’m excited about Vega coming home from recording tonight, and doubly excited about snuggles with him over Battlestar or Dexter tonight. I’m especially excited about that last bit.

All over the place thought-wise this evening it seems. No apologies from my end, at least this is keeping my lips zipped. Promised Vega I’d play nice, and to my credit I believe I am doing swimmingly thus far, despite some thoughtless 19 year old “wisdom” and some misplaced comments likely intended to rattle my cage. Jethro Tull is keeping the living room free, so I’m in good company for the time being; the remnants of the blueberry not-ice-cream are thawing on the kitchen counter to be enjoyed when I’m through with this post, and “falling in line” seems to be the modus operandi (smart girl) Beta’s taken to. In fact, it got quiet in here. Thank you, Jeebus, I can once again hear myself think.

Losses and gains, that’s where I wanted to go with this (see, quiet enough to once again think! Yay!). The other half of where this has become exceptionally prudent in my life as of late has been with weight. As y’all know by now, I’ve lost and gained to both extremes of the spectrum in regards to weight (oh ED, how much of my life I allowed you to once define), and for the first time, I’m to a point where I’ve broken up with the scale, the calorie trackers, and the “low fat” frankenfood I once subsisted off of. When I was on the top end of my weight, I wasn’t healthy, happy, or enjoying food. Same goes when I was emaciated and not eating–I was definitely not happy, healthy, or satiated with good fuel (in fact, sometimes I wonder how it is that I didn’t just collapse much, much earlier…I shudder to think of the days when I could list off a week’s worth of food I’d eaten on one hand). When I was put into the refeeding clinic in the ED ward post anorexic collapse, I remember fighting it so viscerally–I was terrified to gain weight, because I was certain that it would commiserate with me losing everything else in my life. The irony here is that when I was released, I was in the worst situation of my life at that point–I’d recently left Sunshine, I was about to move, I was a freaking royal bloody mess. Then, out of the blue, one day I decided to just accept the love that was surrounding me. I started going to lunch and dinner with my coworkers, I let them fill me with good food and amazing conversation and hope that I could be normal in social settings. I furthered my friendship with Dee, and enjoyed girl time over cheesecake and late night conversations, I spent time with Sarge while he was on his furlough and enjoyed dinners and beers and  the long missed company of my best friend. And slowly, as well as weight, I began to gain my happiness back, too. Then, my good friend Aussie introduced me to Whole9Life and I completed my first Whole30. I re-gained perspective on healthy food, gained back some weight in a healthy way, and re-gained my love for all things fitness related. I started working out again, cooking again, and appreciating my body again, even with an “extra” few pounds on it (I use quotations purposefully here, even now with a few more pounds on my frame (muscle I swear haha) I am still well within the healthy weight range for my frame). I’ve lost my sharp as hell collarbones, the hipbones that stuck out at jarring angles, the sallow sunken cheekbones and concave stomach. That said, I’ve gained muscle, and gained a glow to my skin, light to my eyes, energy that doesn’t come from zero-calorie Red Bull and cocaine. I’ve lost my will to die and gained an undying will to live. I also opened up to the world again (pre-recovery, I would never have met with Vega the first time, nor pestered him from afar. The irony that was thinking I looked like hell even when I was at society’s likeness of my “prettiest”), lost some idiotic people I used to believe were friends, and gained the love of my damn life. Was it easy? No. Is it easy now? No. But, I wouldn’t give it up for the world. I’m proud of the fact that I’m strong enough to get through the workouts I do, that I have the goals I do now versus then (for example, nowI want to do the Tough Mudder in 2014, to run an ultramarathon, to learn how to weightlift; whereas then, I wanted to fit into a size 00, and…well that’s about it, and I accomplished that, and it really wasn’t that remarkable), that I’ve been lucky enough to find the man who loves me strong more than he’d love me skeletal. Losses and gains. Like I said, it’s  been on my head for the past few days, and it’s been a good way to weigh (haha, see what I did there?) how far I’ve come. And I have to say, I’ve come a long fucking way. I don’t think I give myself enough credit 99% of the time. Perhaps I’ll start making that a goal and a priority too.

Anyways, I’ve pretty well exhausted what it was that I wanted to say (and more, natch. Me and my verbosity), and I still have some daily personal journaling to do in addition to planning tomorrow’s workout, so I’m going to call this a post.

For now,

Wallace, out.

Sauteed Kale and Spinach–Possibly The Tastiest Side Dish EVER.

Helloooo omnomnomivores 🙂

I’ve had numerous requests for this recipe, and I can totally understand why–it’s freakin’ delicious. I stole this one from Mother Wallace, and every time I make it, I’m filled with warm fuzzy memories of cooking with her as a kid. Simple, delicious, and packed with superfood goodness, this one is a mainstay in my diet, and is totally Paleo, Whole9 and Whole30 approved.

What you’ll need to make a meal-sized serving for 1 hungry omnomnomivore (or 2 side-dish servings for 2 hungry omnomnomivores):
-1 bunch of kale (I like to use 1/2 bunch of broad-leaf green and 1/2 bunch of curly purple), chopped
-1 bag of baby spinach
-8 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
-1/2 of a red onion, finely chopped
-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
-salt and pepper, to taste
-1 large skillet

And all you have to do is:
1. Heat 2 TBSP of the EVOO in the skillet over medium heat, add garlic, and when the smell of garlic starts to fill your kitchen, add the onion
2. Lightly salt the onion and garlic mixture, lower the heat to med-low, and let the onions cook until translucent while you chop the kale
3. Add kale and a few teaspoons of water, turn heat back up to medium, and give the mix a good stir. Pop the lid on the skillet and let the kale cook down slightly
4. When the kale has shrunk a bit, add the spinach, and another teaspoon or so of water. Mix well, re-cover, and allow to cook for 5-8 minutes, or until the greens have shrunk considerably
5. Uncover, and add the remaining TBSP of EVOO. Turn the heat up to med-high, and stir consistently for 3-4 minutes, or until the veg is cooked to your liking
6. Salt and pepper to taste

OMNOMNOMATHON

Kale = Superfood. Spinach = Superfood. Garlic = Superfood. Onions = Delicious. This dish? WIN. So much green, garlicky goodness 🙂

Go forth and make greens!

Wallace, out.

Today is Making Mia Smile

Happy Friday everyone! We have (almost) made it through another week, and this one on my end has been pretty damned kickass. I’m currently mobile blogging from a hot Epsom salt laden bath, which was a brilliant and heavenly idea which Mr. Vega put forth about an hour ago. He is truly the bestest, and sorry ladies–he’s mine 🙂

Yesterday we woke up exceedingly late (4:30 in the afternoon? Eep), and I woke up in a bit of a funk again–no nightmares as far as I can remember, but it took me longer than normal to reach my usual chipper Mia state of being. Regardless, a few cups of coffee and brekky and Buffy with my love solved all that ailed me, and after a smile was once again firmly in place, I rocked a short but brutal cardio circuit, and then got myself ready for dins with Brother Wallace at an old favorite haunt.

A short bus ride and a few minutes later, Vega, Brother and I were all happily mowing down on some of the worlds best hotdogs (DEFINITELY a cheat meal but totally worth every bite) and yam fries and enjoying each others company. It’s always such a strange treat to see my brother; he grows up so much in between our visits these days, and it’s hard to fathom my baby brother graduating high school in a few months. Nonetheless, he has grown into a handsome, smart and funny young man, and has made me an exceedingly proud older sibling. That said, it’s hard not being there physically for him. I think there is a light at the end of this tunnel being that he’s old enough now to start truly understanding why I’ve done what I have and how I have chosen to. Still difficult, still somewhat guilt laden, but I’m seeing as time goes by that it has all been worth it.

After dins, Vega and I came home and rocked a serious Battlestar marathon, and decided on an all nighter since we hadn’t even been awake for twelve hours at that point. That lasted until 8:30 this morning, at which point my lovely love began his workday, and I decided to go for a run.

Best. Decision. Possible. The run was absolutely bloody fantastic. Temp was hovering around three degrees and overcast, there was nobody on the sidewalks, and I managed to personal best myself for the first time since I broke a rib two years ago (I am not proud of how long that took to fully heal; however, happy to officially deem it better!). I hit my stride easily, kept a nice steady 7:00/km pace for the first 7km, rocked some hill sprints for half a kilometer, then took it nice and light for the half kilometer back home. I returned high in endorphins, covered in sweat, and thrilled to be alive. Seriously, there is no better feeling than a runners high and I have been chasing that dragon for two seasons now. Upon my return, coffee was made, breakfast was inhaled, and yoga was done. I’m still reeling from how wonderful that felt–sweaty and happy girl. Love it.

On a tangent here, I just want to take a minute to elaborate a little bit on the body image issue. I think that for me right now, the issue isn’t so much recovery from my ED demons–in fact, my relationship with food is relatively healthy these days–rather, it’s been the mental shift to seeing myself now first, as truly who and what I am physically; and second, coming to terms with the new challenge which I am excited to undertake–that is, to see how fit I can become from this starting point (which my progress pictures today showed me is a hell of a great jumping off point) in a healthy, sustainable way. I had a revelation last night–I’m going to devote 2013 to leaning down to my goal weight (which realistically only requires me to lose 2 pounds per month–peanuts with running daily!), and then take up lifting in 2014. I am over being skinny, been there and didn’t enjoy it (because it wasn’t healthy and I had zero energy to enjoy it with), the new goal is lean, toned, and strong as hell. I think being in the off season for running is actually one of my biggest triggers. It’s one thing to think about what your body can do, and entirely another to show yourself that you can do that and more. I’ve been way too down on myself in the blog lately and thought you’d all appreciate the good perspective too.

In that regard, I’ve also decided to start taking my training more seriously in a way that’s been so far the healthiest and most productive I’ve found so far–I’m thinking like an athlete again, and as such acting like one too. I have started a daily journal consisting of my workout of the day, food (no calories! I am simply trying to track my bad habits and inconsistencies), general mood, how I feel physically, and sleep. If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this right. I know I sound way too fired up over this but truth is, I’m excited–and I’ve also got some more than lovely words of concern from some readers, and it’s important to me that I eloquate properly where I’m coming from.
This is a new frame of mind for me. I’m sure that there are going to be stumbling blocks and challenges, but for the first time I am not afraid of falling into old bad habits; rather, I’m looking forward to seeing what this body is capable of. The right way this time.

I am absolutely on fire right now–I knew it was there somewhere, I guess I just needed to sweat it out. 🙂 I am so excited to be alive it’s just crazy! Between my life with Vega unfolding and my personal demons coming under my full control, I feel pretty fucking lucky and totally unstoppable right now.

It is time for more coffee and to go snuggle my man, more to come soon I’m sure–there always is.

Wallace, out!

Hump Day Happenings

Hello blogosphere!
Happy humpday to you all! I hope the day has been good to all of you so far.

Yesterday was lovely here–after I got vega out of bed and we had brekky, I got suited up for my first outdoor run of the season. It all just felt so right–my favorite running skirt is still just that little bit too big (makes me smile because it was pretty snug when I got it, and it’s comfy as fuck with the little extra room in the waistband), my favorite pink bandana Rambo-style around my head and the neon nikes of glory tied up on my feet; I feel like a runner when I’m all done up in my gear and the weather was definitely cooperating. I can’t remember the last time I went running on a 21 degree day with the wind at my back the whole time. Three kilometers at a nice easy pace, found my stride, felt more alive than I have in a long time. It was blissful, truly.

A very sweaty half hour later, I found my way home. Vega had gone for his workout, so I called Dee and enjoyed a long overdue chat with a good friend, then a quick kickboxing circuit before a much needed shower.

In the late afternoon, Vega and I made a trek over to Safeway for supplies, and to enjoy a walk on a beautiful day. Made it home, then put some ribs in the oven for a late dinner. A few episodes of Buffy later, food was ready (and turned out spectacular) and we switched over to battlestar. Lo and behold it was soon two cups of tea and five hours later, and we hit the sack for some much needed sleep.

Again with the nightmares. My past can fuck off and leave my subconscious alone.

We woke up late this afternoon, and had a somewhat slow start to the day. Did the dishes, made brekky, nommed, downed coffees #1, 2 and 3 for the day, did the brekky dishes, rocked a short ab workout and some yoga, watched battlestar with Vega, and made some blueberry not-ice-cream.

When my love went to the gym for his workout of the day, I got dinner ready and listened to some Tull. He made it back just as the prep work concluded, we had a smoke and then I cheffed up (all modesty aside) a friggin fantastic dinner, which we nommed while watching more battlestar. No better way to kick off an evening in my books!

All the good things considered, I am still in a bizarre and kinda funky mood today. The nightmares, while not really that bad, are still enough that I have some past bullshit on my shoulders. I am blaming this on the sunshine encounter earlier this week. Sigh. 20 year old Mia had so much to learn.

I’m also frustrated with myself today. Having a hard day image wise. I know I’m not any of the less than nice things I’ve been telling myself that I am, and by no means do I want to go back to starving myself and subsisting off of coffee and stimulants…but I miss feeling lighter than air; I miss having clothes get looser on me rather than tighter, I miss my cheekbones sticking out and my stomach not doing so… I feel self conscious and just blah and it would be easy as hell to call up an old buddy and get a little bag of sunshine to help me both not feel the lows and to drop some weight quickly; to go ten days without food, which would of course become twenty, then a month, then a year…to eat right and to exercise and to try to see myself now as pretty versus even how I looked at Christmas… This is hard. This is the hard part. Nobody warns you about this part of recovery. Nobody tells you that being healthy is hardest of all. If it weren’t for vega, I’d be nose deep into some feel good chemistry right now; it’s hard to come to grips with the fact that he actually does love me just as I am right now and that e doesn’t want that for me. More than anything, he wants me healthy and strong. I am trying so damned hard to want that more than I want to be (what I consider) skinny right now. We truly are our own worst enemies, and it’s so unfair. I’m hoping that this feeling too shall pass; that it’s a combination of the weather and the insults I heard on Monday and my jeans fitting a little bit too snug that’s causing this. I am also hoping that running again will be the guiding hand I need in addition to Vega’s love to get me through this.

Sorry to ramble. It’s loud in my head tonight. My insecurities are for the most part chained up in a corner. When they get a chance to rattle the cage they do so rather loudly.

I guess I’m just moving forward in a different manner than that to which I had become accustomed, and I guess that along with that comes both deafening certainty and overwhelming self doubt. I’m not questioning anything–in fact, I’m more certain with very minute that goes by that I am when I want to be–but the part of me that I need to conquer is the little voice that’s always telling me doomsday is coming. That’s almost as hard ad slaying the ED dragons, convincing myself to just shut up and quit looking for the bad in life.

As much as I regret nothing, I lament the fact that I have learned over time to doubt myself as much as I do. I can point the finger of blame at a handful of people for the integration of this broken way of thinking; however, none of them can fix the way I think except me. And I’m trying. Every day that goes by that I don’t give in to my demons, I’m fixing it. I’m fixing me. Vega is beside me right now as I type this and his presence is enough to reassure me that this is the right choice for me to be making. I want a long happy life with him by my side. And I want to enjoy it; all of it, happy and healthy at his side, too.

Rambles aside, mead in hand, I feel better with that off my chest and much more at peace.

And for now, I’m logging off for Buffy and snuggles.

Wallace out!

Chili Turkey Stir-Fry & Sauteed Cabbage

I’m not the biggest turkey fan in the world (I know, I know–it’s a texture thing), but when Sobey’s has 4 pounds of ground lean turkey for 8$, what’s a girl to do (answer: buy the turkey, figure the rest out later)? So there I was, trying to figure out what the hell I was going to chef up, when it hit me–I pretty much like anything spicy, I had a bunch of veggies that needed to be eaten, and a major hankering for chili (which, due to the beans involved, is unfortunately not a Whole9-approved dish); and presto, this delish and easy dinner was born.

What you’ll need to feed 4 hungry omnomnomivores and have leftovers:
-1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
-1.5 pounds of extra lean ground turkey
-1 onion, sliced
-4 cloves of garlic, minced
-6 carrots, chopped
-1/2 bag of frozen veggies (I used green beans, nomnom)
-Any other leftover veg that you might have sitting around that needs to be eaten, chopped (bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower all work exceptionally well)
-1 can black olives, pitted and drained and chopped
-2 TBSP of your favorite paleo-friendly cooking oil (I use cold expeller pressed coconut oil)
-Chili powder, to taste
-Chili flakes, to taste
-Cayenne pepper, to taste
-Garlic powder, to taste
-Sriracha sauce, to taste
-Optional: diced jalepenos, to taste
-Extra virgin olive oil

To prepare this nomtastic dish, you’ll need to:
1. Heat 1/2 TBSP of the paleo-approved oil in a deep skillet over medium heat, and add the minced garlic. Allow to sizzle for a few moments, until the yummy smell of heated garlic begins to come through. Add the cabbage and a few tablespoons of water, stir well and cover. (note: make sure that you check on this every 5 or so minutes, if it’s beginning to stick add a little more water and stir. It should reduce in volume somewhat and get semi-translucent and soft. Remove from heat when it reaches your preferred done-ness.)
2. In a large skillet (or wok), heat the rest of the cooking oil over medium until it glistens, then add the onion. Sprinkle some salt over the onion to help it sweat, then fry until the onions begin to become translucent.
3. Add the ground turkey and cook until no longer pink
4. Add the carrots (plus whatever other fresh veggies), frozen veg and black olives, stir well and allow to sizzle for 2-3 minutes
5. Season with chili powder, chili flakes, garlic powder, sriracha, and jalepenos, and stir well
6. Turn the heat up to high for 2-3 minutes, to brown turkey slightly
7. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes, to allow sauce to thicken
8. Dish out cabbage and drizzle with EVOO, top with turkey mixture

OMNOMNOMATHON!

Spicy and meat-y and easy! Three of my favorite things 🙂

OMNOMNOMATHON!

Happy nomming!

Wallace, out.

Lemon Pepper Haddock Filets

Happy Zombie Jeebus day, everyone! I hope that you’re taking the time to enjoy the ones you love, even if (like me) you don’t commemorate the holiday 🙂

I’ve got a nice and easy fish recipe for ya today, this one is 100% paleo/Whole9/Whole30 approved, so if you’re trying to find something nomnomtasty that won’t blow your plan, takes minimal effort and is really, really hard to screw up, this one’s for you!

What you’ll need to feed 2 hungry omnomnomivores (and have leftovers for the next day):
–4 haddock filets (I got mine frozen and thawed overnight, they’re cheaper if you buy them frozen and I find they cook better thawed) – brownie points if you buy sustainably sourced fish!
-4 TBSP (ish) of your favorite paleo-approved cooking oil (I used expeller pressed coconut oil (warm in microwave to liquefy), but don’t recommend olive oil here, it has a smoke point of 325°, and we dislike setting off the fire alarms in the Casa di Wallace)
-1 lemon
-Salt (I like sea salt, but normal table salt is fine too)
-Black pepper
-Cayenne pepper (if you like your food a bit hotter)

so easy–5 minutes of prep time and you’re ready to go!

And all you have to do is:
1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Cover 2 baking sheets in tinfoil
3. Arrange fish on baking sheets
4. Drizzle each filet with cooking oil (I usually give each one a little rubdown to coat the top sides somewhat evenly)
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
6. Place 1-2 lemon slices on each piece of fish
7. Pop in hot oven for 16-20 minutes, uncovered, or until lightly browned

OMNOMNOMATHON.

 

yum yum yum!

I served mine with steamed green beans, wax beans, and baby carrots; seasoned with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of EVOO.

Happy nomming!

Wallace, out.

Obligatory Hump Day Mia-verse Update

Hellooooo blogosphere!

Happy hump day! I trust you’re all doing well, enjoying the sunshine (finally!), and eating plenty of delicious and (mostly) paleo friendly meals! We’re halfway through another week, and I swear life is in warp speed–wasn’t it Sunday yesterday?!

I don’t know about you guys, but the weather changing for the sunny and beautiful has had a definite and awesome impact on my mood as of late–as if I weren’t already stoked enough on life, it’s almost running and BBQ and tanning season again; which is, of course, only a small portion of the wonderful things that I ah-dore about the summer months. So excited, especially about running outdoors again. Yeah, yeah–there are such things as indoor tracks and treadmills; however, anybody who has ever enjoyed the glory of a long run on a breezy summer day outside is straight up lying to you if they don’t uphold that outside = better. Period, end of story. If the weather app on my iPhone isn’t lying to me (and the 403 weather doesn’t go all schizophrenic), it should be perfect weather for the first run of the season this weekend–I would have gone yesterday; however, there’s still a good bit of ice on the ground that needs a couple more days to melt (and I’m a massive klutz, so I’ll wait until the weekend and avoid skinned knees). I could wax on about running for days–seriously, it’s one of my favorite drugs, the runner’s high, and it’s about time I get my damn fix!

While we’re on the subject, I want to implore you to join me in something near and dear to my heart and well worth your time. On May 4th, one of my good friends is hosting a “virtual 5K” in memory of his son, who passed away far too young two years ago. This isn’t a fundraiser and it isn’t a charity event; rather, we want to raise awareness and commemorate the life of a young man who is dearly missed. The date is also rather significant to me; nine years ago, I lost my “Canadian Gramma” to cancer, and I miss her pretty viscerally to this very day. What I’m asking of you is simple–
1. Dust off your sneakers
2. Lace them up and grab your iPod
3. Wherever you are, hit the ground running (or walking!) and enjoy a 5K
4. While doing said 5K, take the time to remember those that you’ve loved and lost, to enjoy nature, to smile at passersby, and to be grateful to be alive
5. Head over to the I See Fit People page on Facebook and join the event–my friend and his wife are doing this for the 2nd year in a row now, and it would mean the freakin’ world to them if you added another member to the group (there were over 1000 of us from 17 countries around the world last year!)
Please consider it, and if you do decide to take part, please do join the event. I’ve even linked it to y’all above. ISFP is my 2nd family! 🙂

Anyways, enough (for now) about running; onto more unimportant ramblings! This week’s been a great one so far–in-between food blogging (by the way, a big thank you for the huge response regarding my omnomnomivore section! I have been listening! I will continue to post recipes!), I’ve been back into my rather crazy (though still less insane than I’d prefer, but I’m working back up!) workouts, Monday was a brutal kickboxing circuit that I rather enjoyed, Tuesday was cardio abs and legs tabata intervals, and today was some very much needed and well deserved yoga for my DOMS-ridden muscles. I also have been very much enjoying long walks with Visa around the neighbourhood (side note and minor rant: I almost got smoked by some douchebag in a massive truck while crossing the road the other day. I was halfway across the street when he decided to randomly hit the gas and come very, very close (I’m talking 6 inches) from hitting me and Visa. I flipped him the bird, he backed up his truck and started screaming at me about “not knowing who he is,” and how “he should get out of his truck and beat me up” and how “kids like me shouldn’t be out of the house without an adult,” so I promptly called him out and invited him to get out of his truck and solve it as he’d previously mentioned, and tossed in the fact that he couldn’t afford to hit me anyways; with his truck or otherwise, as he clearly doesn’t know who I am. Needless to say he kept on driving (like a total retard); however, from the viewpoint of a conscientious pedestrian, I implore y’all to please not drive like idiots, especially in the coming months–I’m a big girl and I can hold my own (without holding mommy’s hand), but the sunshine is going to bring the kids outside, and I really would hate to hear that any of you were responsible for hitting anyone, let alone a child. End rant). My activity levels are back up to their normal Mia-state of being and I feel much, much more balanced. It’s kind of funny how once you get used to moving more every day, it becomes harder to take rest days (or in my case, weeks up until recently) without feeling both the urge to attack a workout and some guilt attached to not doing so. That said, I needed the time off, and I’m back with a vengeance. I can feel it in my bones.

Besides the healthy stuff, Vega and I have been enjoying a relaxing few days with plenty of quality time spent in the glory of each other’s company. We had a nice early night on Sunday and woke up on time (gasp!) Monday; ready to attack the week with coffee in hand, and indeed managed to do just that. I even managed to vaccuum and get all the laundry done. WIN! Monday evening we watched LOTR (the extended cut. Brilliant and so much win), had a delicious meal (steak and veg stirfry with quinoa and field greens, the recipe is in the omnomnomivore section) with a few too many glasses of mead, and ended up not tired at all when LOTR concluded at 4 in the morning; ergo, we did the Vega & Wallace thing, continued drinking, and watched “Dune” while discussing life. Major life win? We both want to live in a Hobbit hole when we grow up, so there was much planning our future home and lots of laughter to be had. Finally, we called it a night at 6:30 in the morning, and fell into (for me at least) a rather restless sleep. Woke up at 1:30 feeling shockingly human after a cup of coffee, made brekky, and spent the day reading up on new recipe ideas for my next Whole30 challenge, walking Visa, working my wee abs out, and keeping Vega company while he answered emails and did some special orders. We had a delish dinner that my lovely love cooked up for us (salmon, coconut quinoa, and veggies) and watched way too much Walking Dead. Called it a night at 3:00, and I slept like a baby. Or a rock. Or maybe a baby rock? haha. Had a hard time getting out of bed this morning snuggled up tight next to Vega, and we both caved and told the alarm clock to fuck itself when Visa joined in for puppy snuggles. Is there a warmer, more comfortable place in the world than cuddled up with your man and the pooch? I think not! Anyways, got my ass moving at 2:45 this afternoon, made coffee and brunch, and started the day off late but right. Didn’t walk the pooch this afternoon..but totally enjoyed my Yoga sesh while Vega was out enjoying (I use the term loosely when it comes to leg day) his workout. Cheffed us up a friggin wonderful dinner (celery root and sweet potato mash, sauteed onions with broccoli and brussels sprouts, and pork chops with a dijon garlic marinade, recipe to come), and enjoyed it over more Walking Dead and perusal of the W30 forums. Relaxing hump day = win.

I suppose I am really mostly preoccupied with excitement over the pending move out to the coast and a fire under my ass in regards to my eating habits with running season upon me once again; and I suppose that neither one of those things is particularly fascinating to any of you, which is fine and fair. But, all the same, it’s magical to me. I hear all the time that I’m an “idealistic hippie,” and maybe I am, but I’m a happy one. And by the skin of my damn teeth, I’ll be a healthier one by the end of this year, too. BHAG. Not forgotten, not moving backwards (as I’d convinced myself I was about a month ago). I broke up with MyFitnessPal today. No more calorie counting (it’s a totally self-destructive behaviour and it is a LOT of damn work); rather, I’m going back to my eating plan and putting in the work that way. I’m almost halfway (!) through another year already. I’ve made steps, it is time for strides. If I keep on waiting, I can only really expect more of those yucky negative mental-space moments (like the one I had on the couch with Vega that led to a near-relapse last weeken) in the future. I am happy that they are fewer and further between these days, but I will only be truly satisfied when I have none. Again–do I expect anyone out there to find this interesting? Well, no; however, I didn’t start this blog with the intention of making it about anyone except me. So. Mia feels better with her little Wallace pep-talk off her chest.

I’m looking forward to this weekend–Vega and I are both kind of cabin-fevery and I’m pretty sure that we’ll be making an effort to get off the couch and actually do something regardless of what something may be. I’m perfectly thrilled with a walk around the neighbourhood..but I also like surprises. We’ll see where it goes! As long as I’m with my man I’m a happy girl.

For now, I’m going to go read up on bacon (worth a click, she’s wonderful) and enjoy the rest of my evening with Vega and Visa and possibly another cuppa tea.