Like My Blood Type: B Positive

Way back when I was starting college, my mom bought me a positive affirmations book with matching CD. It was one of those gifts that I'd never buy for myself, but my mom sneakily disguise as an "I love you" gift... so, of course, I had to accept. I thought I'd give it a chance. A few more "I can do it"-s couldn't hurt; but, as much as I wanted to have that epiphany, the woman on the CD was too Mary Poppins for my liking. Probably not the best response to a positive affirmations book.

Before you think I'm down playing the benefits of positive thinking, just be patient. I've never written about a book recommendation, but I'm making an exception for this book. In my Sales Management class, we're reading The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. I'm only on the third chapter, but I know this book will already be life altering. Stephen R. Covey is the author and he writes about 7 habits that lead to positive personal change. To put it simply, he's a genius.

He writes a lot about positive affirmations (proactive thinking), but illustrates it in a more interesting and insightful way. Most everything he talks about is common sense, but it's a nice refresher of attitudes and mentalities we forget about during hectic days. It's not always easy to have power over our own attitudes because, honestly, sometimes we just want to be lazy, annoyed or pissed off. But, this book depicts how our moods are ultimately our own decisions; while also describing how proactive/reactive thinking affects our mentality and those around us.

This book is powerful stuff; it's like a How-To Guide on being successful within ourselves.

Has anyone read it? If not, I think everyone could benefit from reading what Covey has to say. It will change your life.

  

Team Continuum: Help Turn Cancer into Can & Win a Free T-Shirt!

This sponsorship is brought to you by Team Continuum 

who I have partnered with for this promotion.

I am so excited for this post; I have teamed up with Team Continuum to raise awareness about their Pixels of Promise. It is an organization that raises money and gives renewed hope to cancer patients. This is a great cause and I'm so excited to be a part of it!

What is Team Continuum? 

Located in New York City, Team Continuum is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families. They work hard to minimize the hardships that many cancer patients' endure, so they can instead focus on crucial medical care. Team Continuum offers personal and practical assistance  moral support, and friendship to these patients and their families. Like the LiveStrong event I participated in, Team Continuum helps raise money by hosting endurance contests (marathons, half-marathons, triathlons, etc.). It's a great way to help kick cancer in the butt while changing lives.

Want to learn more?

Interesting in donating to or learning more about this admirable organization ---> Click HERE! Remember when donating, every little bit makes a HUGE difference and is appreciated.

Want to participate in an endurance contest? 

Interested in participating in a marathon or other event ---> Click HERE! These events are amazing opportunities to meet people and become part of something larger than yourself, plus they're a lot of fun!

Want to win a Team Continuum T-Shirt? 

Of course you do! Leave a comment on this post and I will pick a reader by random! If chosen, Team Continuum will send you a free T-Shirt. Also, a free t-shirt is given to anyone who donates at least $25 to Pixels of Promise! Wear it with pride and show your cancer-fighting support!

Have you ever participated in an event that raised money for a great cause?

   

Giving Blood aka Pumping Iron

I never have had an issue with shots; but I, ironically, absolutely hated finger pricks. I would have chosen 10 shots over one finger prick. Eek..not my thing; but since needles in general never bothered me, I never had a problem giving blood. I actually kinda enjoy it. Here's my equation:

One pint of blood = free juice and cookies (maybe a t-shirt if I'm lucky) plus I help save lives. 

Sounds like a good trade-off to me; I have some blood to spare for a good cause. Sigh, the only thing I don't like about giving blood is, you guessed it, the finger prick prior to the procedure. But, I'll put on my big girl pants, suck it up and endure like a champ.

Not only is donating blooding an awesome gift of life, but it also torches a ton of calories! A person burns about 650 calories for every pint of blood they give. This is because the body is working overtime to replace the blood. Not too shabby, but it's important to fuel and refuel the body before and after donation. So say no to the gym and hello to an iron and protein packed meal.

Because donating blood wipes out a good amount of iron, my roommate and I are making an iron packed dinner the tonight before we go under the needle tomorrow. This dish is called Espinacas con Garboanzos....or in English: spinach with garbanzos beans, but I think the Spanish name gives it a little more pizzazz. We're making this dish along with brown rice...dear rice, beans and spinach, do your thing!

What you'll need:

A bag of dried garbanzo beans

Spinach

Cumin spice

Olive oil

Bread crumbs/croutons

Brown rice (optional)

You can buy pre-soaked beans in a can, but it's cheaper (being a college student this is clutch) to just buy a bag of dried beans and soak them overnight. It's like those little dinosaurs (lizards, horses, what have you) you'd put in water overnight & the next morning they'd be HUGE. It's like magic.

*THE NIGHT BEFORE: SOAK YOUR BEANS* 

Before

After....magic!

Strain the garbanzo beans and set aside. In a giant pan, saute spinach along with some water, olive oil, bread crumbs, and some cumin spice. Next, mix in the beans and stir until the mixture thickens.

Cook the rice (we used good ol' Minute Rice) and set aside until the beans and spinach are cooked. Once cooked, plate, and dive in. This meal is packed with well-needed iron and protein, and it'll pumped me up so I can pump out (give blood) tomorrow! 

The dinner of champions

If you're not deathly afraid of needles, give blood! It may be the easiest way to save a life (or several)! 


Enjoy your week!
  
  

Super Simple Summer Squash Spaghetti Recipe

Just when I thought I've exhausted all possible uses for squash, I had a foodie epiphany. Spaghetti! I love spaghetti and I love squash, so why not! It makes me wonder why I didn't think of this sooner. I wasn't a veggie lover as a kid, but if my mom disguised squash as pasta then I would have dived in face first.

What you'll need:
1 Medium yellow squash
Potato peeler or grater
Jar of tomato sauce


Flavor Booster Add- ins
Onion (check)
Zucchini (double check)
Garlic Powder
Oregano
Basil


Initially my roommate and I were going to use a potato peeler, but that utensil isn't high on the college priority list. So, we used a cheese grater. Genius. Below, Emily is doing a wonderful grating the yellow summer squash (compliments of our landlord). We thought her bright pink nail polish was a nice contrast against the yellow of the squash...really brought out that yellow hue.

Emily grated long squash strands until she reached the core of the squash. We're like Indians with buffalo in the sense we don't like to waste the leftover parts of our food, but we couldn't find a use for the squash core. We couldn't wear it or burn it for fuel, so we tossed it. Sigh. We also grated in a zucchini and onion for flavor and color.

We sauteed the "noodles" on low heat while sprinkling in some spices. Yes, it looks like a giant pan of mush, but it's going to taste fantastic.

Once cooked, plate and finally top off with some tomato sauce! Nom. Nom. Nom.

Ps. It tastes awesome and it's really easy to whip up.
Pss. Try this out before the summer squash get frost bitten!

  

Beer & Salmon: My Birthday Dinner!

Ah! I'm 22 and already feel the hot flashes coming on. Kidding, no need for Fix-a-Dent yet; but, the one thing I do enjoy about 22nd birthdays (and birthdays in general) are....birthday dinners! My wonderful boyfriend took me out to a great brewery nearby. Call me a grandma or "no fun", but I'd pick a bottle of a good, solid beer over a can of water (cough*cough*Keystone) any day. I'm not one to shot gun a case of beer and call myself a champ, but rather sip a beer and appreciate its rich taste. Hence, why the brewery was my perfect birthday destination.

Below are our beers. My beer (right), named Black and Blue, had several plumb blueberries floating in it. My reaction was similar to that of a person discovering tapioca balls in his or her bubble tea for the first time. First, surprised. Second, confused. Third, happy as a pig in mud.

His beer = wimpy; My beer = macho

For dinner, I enjoyed the Summer Salmon. My family always ask if I get sick of salmon because I order it about 99.99% of the time. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I have an unhealthy, healthy salmon obsession and I've accepted that.

After I licked my plate clean, I asked the waiter if they do anything special for birthdays....hinting towards something chocolaty and with a candle. Well, I was 1 for 2; I got the candle but it was in a pint of beer. I should have figure being at a brewery. Which, let me add, the name of the beer I received: the Pantious Droppus....excuse me Mr. Waiter, what are you implying? Nevertheless, I give them a 10.5 (on a 1-10 scale) on creativity.

As my mom said to me: the best years are yet to come. Bring on another great 22 years!