whirlwind of a week

well the first week of junior year (if three days qualifies as a week) has come to an end and i am glad it is over. it has been a whirlwind of a week. thankfully it is the weekend and i am hoping to let myself relax some and rest.

yesterday was a busy day despite having only one class. i would rather have none at all but one at 12:20 on a friday is nothing to really complain about. i did get to spend two hours of my friday afternoon at the genius bar getting them to install windows on my mac (oh the irony). though it took way longer than i expected, they did get my computer to run all the programs i need for class. i was there so long that i lusted over a kate spade phone case so long that eventually i convinced myself i just had to have it.

this morning i woke up and went to power hot yoga at Real Hot Yoga here in knoxville. i love going to hot yoga. not only do you sweat out all your body's toxins, but it also gives you a great strength workout and is a nice break from cardio.

i also made a trip to another one of my favorite places, Trader Joe's. i like grocery shopping at trader joe's because they offer healthy, organic foods at a lower price point than what you find the same products for at larger supermarkets. while they don't have absolutely everything on your shopping list, they do have a great selection of produce and their brand is top-notch. they also sell things that are exclusive to only their stores, such as their infamous cookie butter (which i have yet to try but am going to soon). today, along with many fruits and veggies, i picked up some of their frozen tamales, ravioli and their layered hummus, all of which i have heard are excellent. trader joe's is definitely one of my preferred places to grocery shop.

at the grocery store, i try to buy only what i know i am going to eat. i plan my meals out extensively so i don't waste any food, especially since i buy so much produce that will go bad. meal planning also helps to control your budget and helps with weight management. i find that i spend less because i buy only what i need. meal planning helps to manage weight because you see exactly what you are eating. though it can be time consuming and isn't as flexible, it has more advantages than disadvantages.

today is the last day of formal recruitment and i am quite excited for bid day tomorrow! not only will things get back to normal, but we will get our new pretty little lyres! since i have been on the setup committee i have not seen how the rounds are going firsthand, but i hear that alpha chi omega is a force to be reckoned with! i look forward to seeing who will be wearing our letters!

i made myself breakfast for dinner tonight! this was a quick and easy meal that came together in less than thirty minutes. i didn't want anything too heavy tonight so i fixed zucchini corn cakes with a fried egg, turkey sausage and added a sliced tomato and some watermelon and cantaloupe on the side. the recipe makes just enough for one, but can easily be doubled.

zucchini and corn cakes

1 large egg

2 tbsp + 1 tsp milk

2 tbsp + 1 tsp whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup corn kernels (i used canned)

3/4 c grated zucchini

1/4 c chopped onion

pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, etc. to taste

tabasco, if desired

goat cheese or feta cheese, if desired

1. Stir together all ingredients in mixing bowl until combined. 
2. Drop batter in 1/4 cup measures into heated skillet (sprayed with PAM!). Cook until browned on both sides. 
3. Serve warm, topped with cheese or tabasco hot sauce if desired. 

(adapted from Whole Foods Market)

today is one of my most favorite person in the world's birthday. my sweet, sweet grandmother is celebrating another year of her fabulous life. she, like my mama, is one of people i look up to the most. her life has been nothing short of admirable and i hope i can be half the woman she is. she is the source of my red hair which i am now and forever grateful for.

my mawsie, as she is affectionately known, has always been my biggest fan. the time i spend with her is time that i cherish the most. i know she is always just a call away when i am in knoxville or a five minute drive from my house in murfreesboro. so, happy birthday mawsie and here's to many more years of you! 

xoxo,
clp

p.s. coming tomorrow: favorite september arrivals from j.crew!