Red Pencils and Running Shoes

Good morning friends!

I am SO glad it’s Friday.  Between my [parked] car accident on Monday, and all the late hours we’ve been logging all week, I’m ready for a break.  Unfortunately, the weather man is predicting a “paralyzing” amount of snow for this weekend, so I might be forced into taking a break – we might be snowed in!  Maybe it will be for the best… maybe I’ll finally get to finish Breaking Dawn

Anyway, I have exciting news for you all!  Today, I’m featured as a Guest Bender on one of my favorite blogs: Eating Bender.  Jenn was so gracious to include me as a guest poster this week, and I had so much fun writing a post about my wedding.  I hope you all check it out!

Speaking of weddings, I wanted to show you guys the venue we looked at last weekend.  Robert, my mom, and I drove up to Normandy Farms to have a looksie – and we loved it.  Take a look for yourself:

Cocktail Space

Outside Porch for Cocktails

Silos Ballroom

I love all the little details in the ballroom, and the fact that it was converted from an actual old barn dating back to the 1800′s!  I didn’t take a good picture of the silos, but they were built right into the room and provide little spaces for your coffee bar or wedding cake.  It was so neat!

Last weekend, I also had the opportunity to ask my Matron of Honor to be in my wedding.  We were roommates in college, and so we relived some of our college days with chinese delivery, girl talk, and lifetime movies (the pregnancy pact was actually pretty good!)  Here we are on new years eve:

She’ll be standing up with me, along with my maid of honor (my best friend since 1st grade!)  and 3 of my other best girls.  I can’t wait!

Anyway, gotta get hoppin on this Friday.  Make sure you check out my guest post on Eating Bender!

xoxo,

Cassie

So we had a fire drill yesterday, and on the way back to our desks a coworker said to me “you look thinner, have you been trying?”

I was in shock.  What was I supposed to say to that?  I didn’t know that was something anyone would say to me around so many people.  I mumbled something about how I was trying a little bit, but didn’t think it was noticeable yet.  In reality though, I’m not really trying to lose weight.  I just want to get fit, strong, and be able to run the Broad Street run in May.  If I lose weight in the process, so be it – but that’s not my ultimate goal.

It’s funny to note too that Robert and I had a conversation about this just yesterday morning as we were getting ready for work.  I admit – I had gotten on the scale that morning, and the number was lower than it was before.  I mentioned this to him as we were getting ready for work. 

R:  Oh, that’s good.  How many more are you looking to lose?

(Side note:  we are really open with each other regarding weight.  I feel absolutely comfortable with him, no matter how I’m feeling with myself.  He is my biggest supporter.)

C:  I don’t know how much I want to lose.  I’m not really putting a number on it.  When I stop losing weight, that’s where I’m supposed to be.  I’d rather not lose any weight, so long as I’m toned and healthy.

What I guess I’m trying to say is that I’m trying to get a grip on my life.  I don’t need to lose weight.  I am enough just as I am.  If I can improve my life by eating healthier, excercising more, and setting fitness goals for myself, then things will just fall into place after that.  By setting up my healthy habits now, I hope that I will be able to pass them along to my children, and live a long happy life.  Health shouldn’t be a race to lose the most amount of pounds in the shortest amount of time. 

While I’m glad that obesity and health are in the spotlight now more than ever, I think that we are having conversations about the wrong things.  While I do bring my dinner to work, and I do wake up early to make sure I have time to work out, this isn’t a crash diet.  As a society, we are bullied into focusing more on losing the pounds as opposed to overall health.  Between 100-calorie packs, The Biggest Loser, and co-workers who notice that you are losing weight, it is almost taboo to mention overall health and fitness without sounding like a preacher.  My hope is that one day this will no longer be true.  I am grateful for this healthy blogging community for truly inspiring me to be my best self, and until the rest of the world catches on, check out Operation Beautiful for a fantastic example of a blogger and a community that gets it.

[source]

Is weight loss a big topic where you work?

Yesterday wasn’t a good day. 

(Whoa did anyone just have flashbacks to their 4th grade diary?!)

Yesterday was one of those days that I knew was just going to suck.  Bad hair day, bad commute day, and it was Monday.  Nothing good comes of that combo.

The first part of the day was fine.  I was grumpy, but it was Monday after all.  Then I get an instant message from my Senior Manager: “can you call me at xxxx?” 

Oy.  When I called, he even said “well you probably know by now that a phone call from me is never really a good thing,”  and I think I saw my life flash before my eyes.  But really what he was doing was paying me a “compliment.”  You see, it has been decreed that since I “am such a good staff,” I will be spending the next 6 weeks of busy season splitting my work hours between two jobs in two separate locations.  This will require longer hours, and more stress to get everything done by all of our deadlines.  It’s a very inefficient situation, but one that tends to happen when there are so many jobs going on in the office at the same time.  They don’t call it busy season for nothing! 

This of course caused me stress to think about, but I put it on the back burner to think about after work.

Jump 3 hours ahead to “after work.”  I’m walking back to the parking lot with a friend, and like a 5 year old go “OHMIGOD I PARKED NEXT TO YOU!  HOW FUN!” (note the foreshadowing.)  We walk up to our cars, and they are literally 6 inches away from each other.  (disclaimer: i am a GOOD driver.  i am a meticulous park-er.) 

I’m holding my key in one hand and thinking to myself “if I’m holding my key, how could someone have moved my car?”  when it clicked.  Someone… or something…. must have pushed my car.   

Yes, someone ran into my PARKED car in the lot last night… at what looks to be approx 35 mph!  The guard at the lot said that the man was backing into a parking space, and missed.  Maybe he didn’t miss – maybe he just wanted my spot?  I don’t know!  Either way, this was the last thing I wanted to see at 9:45 last night.  And I might have freaked out a little bit.  But then I had a break through.  This wasn’t the end of the world.  I decided what I needed to do…

I let myself break down in the car a little, enough to get it out of my system.  Then I [wo]manned up, and dealt with it.  I started to look at the positive in things – this new opportunity at work will give me the chance to work on a hedge fund, which I’ve never done before.  I’ll be working with people that I’ve only met once or twice, which will give me the opportunity to develop new relationships.  My car wasn’t totaled, it just had a few dents.  The parking lot attendant had filled out an incident report and gathered the driver’s insurance and contact information.  And I wasn’t in the car at the time – I was alive, and still able to drive home.  These are the things that matter.  Yesterday really put things in perspective for me.  Busy season will be over in a few weeks – it doesn’t matter if I have to work late for a little while.  I need to deal with the things that don’t actually matter, and focus on enjoying my life!

Gratitude Journal 2.2.10

1)  I am grateful for one of my best friends from work who stayed with me while I took pictures and hugged me while I freaked a little, even if it was 17* outside.  And grateful that my car didn’t end up getting pushed all the way into hers!

2)  I am grateful for the parking lot attendant who was able to get all of the driver’s information for me. 

3)  I am grateful for the insurance companies (no, seriously!).  They have handled this whole issue, and made it so easy for me.  I have never been in an accident, and didn’t know what to expect.  This process has been much more efficient than I ever would have guessed.

4)  I am grateful that it was sushi night at work   yum!

p.s. the source for the picture above is this:  artsy fartsy on etsy.  my linking got all messed up, so I didn’t source it above. 

So as I’ve mentioned, I’ve been relying on soups to get me through busy season without consuming a gazillion calories worth of cheese and oil.  On top of this desire to stay healthy, I also got a fun toy for Christmas that I’ve been LOVING – my Cuisinart Immersion Blender.  A pre-requisite for my soups has been a “puree” step

My favorite soup so far has been my Butternut Squash and Carrot Soup.  I adapted the recipe from this one I saw on RhodeyGirl Tests.

Ingredients:
2 packages frozen butternut squash
kosher salt & black pepper
3 tbs olive oil
3 dried bay leaves
lots of garlic  (i used the minced kind from a jar)
2 large yellow onions, diced
4 cups chicken stock
1/4 teaspoon each: cinnamon, thyme, and paprika

Instructions:

1) Add the olive oil to a soup pan over medium low heat.  Add the onions and garlic, and cook until transluscent.

2)  Add the bay leaves, chicken stock, carrots, and frozen squash to the pot, and bring the soup to a boil.  Once at a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes.

3)  Once the squash is defrosted and distributed around the broth, and the carrots are tender, take the pot off the heat and blend the soup with an immersion blender.  (My favorite part!)  Add the herbs, and serve!  (Or separate into tupperware containers and bring to work!)

This soup was delicious.  I served some to my friend at work, and told her to be a harsh critic – but she loved it!  I can’t get enough of it either.  Good thing there’s still some in the freezer for next week

This week I’m bringing a soup I saw on Healthy Eats… Potato and Kale Soup.

I followed the recipe virtually to the T, but Trader Joe’s didn’t have any kale.  I walked across the street to my local farmers market – but don’t you know that it closed at 4, and I walked up at 4:08!  I made do with a blend of Collard Greens, Turnip Greens, and Mustard Greens from Trader Joes.  I hope this soup is as good as it looks – I have 6 servings to eat!

What is your favorite pureed soup to make?

We’re about a month into busy season now, and I wanted to talk about having fun.  This seems like an oxymoron when used in the same sentence as busy season, but I promise it is possible.  Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned a beer pong tournament we were having after work?!  Let me tell you – it was the best idea ever!  I know that sometimes it’s hard to imagine socializing with the same people you spend 60+ hours a week with, but it is different when there is competition+alcohol involved.

We had the best time that day – I was on a team with one of my seniors… and we lost every time we tried to play.  But there was the requisite smack talk, and in between rounds, I got to learn some fun things about my co-workers.  Robert stopped by too, and even joined the fun at one point.  It was the best way to spend the first Saturday in busy season!

Another good example of having fun was this past Friday.  It was a pretty slow day, and we decided to go to a team lunch.  About six of us went, and spent an hour telling stories about pranks we’ve pulled on various staff and interns.  They got pretty bad – one year they hooked up a wireless mouse to a girl’s computer, and told her that she’d have to pay for a new computer since her cursor was broken!

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that busy season isn’t all just no sunshine and spreadsheets.  I met some of my best friends at work, and learning how to laugh with them is key to making busy season fly.  And if all else fails, and no one wants to go out to lunch… start blasting miley cyrus from your computer, and wait for the dance party to start.  Trust me on this one.   Hands up!
Do you ever have fun at work?!

1) I’m grateful for my girlfriends – talking to them about anything makes every day better.  I had a phone date last night with one of my best girls, and another one tonight on the way home from work.  It gives me something to look forward to during my car ride!

2) I’m grateful that it’s staying lighter later… spring is so soon! 

3) I’m grateful for vanilla chamomile tea from Celestial Seasonings… I had to find a new decaf tea to replace my beloved Candy Cane Lane Green Tea from Trader Joe’s, and this hits the spot.  This is something else to look forward to after work tonight!  I love tea time with my fiancee.  <3

Have a great night blog friends!

Yesterday was one of the best days I’ve had all year.  I got up to run in the morning – and wasn’t hobbling around on my high heels for the rest of the day!  I could walk downstairs, I could bend down to untie my shoes, and I didn’t have to spend all day elevating my knee on my trashcan!  (use your imagination for that one if you want a good laugh)  Best of all, my run felt almost effortless, and it was one of my fastest yet.

Yee haw!  I owe it all to my knee brace (which is so stylin, I can’t even handle it!) and the week of rest that I unintentionally took all last week lol.  Now that it helped heal my knee, I’ll just pretend it was a week off for the sake of injury.  Sounds good, right?  I’m glad to be back to running normally, now I just have to get back in the swing of going to the gym more than once a week. 

Anyway, yesterday was a true test of the BYOD method of Surviving Busy Season.  I didn’t have a chance to make a new soup for dinner this week, so I am relying on two servings of Butternut Squash soup or salad for the week.  Last night the whole team decided to eat their chinese take-out family style – all 10 of us gathered around one table to eat dinner.  I had so many people ask “why didn’t you order with us?!”  or “what’s in your salad?!”  And I really really really wanted fried rice.  But I stuck with my salad, and made it through… somehow.  I felt accomplished after dinner – really proud for not caving and eating with my emotions.  Besides – my salad was damn good   I’ve got to channel my inner high-schooler and avoid all this peer pressure once and for all!

On a totally random note…. GO HAWKS!  My beloved Saint Joseph’s Hawks are on a 3-game winning streak, including a thriller against Dayton on Saturday.  Robert and I had so much fun being in the crowd for the game, and I’m so bummed out that I’ll be missing the game tonight.  Nothing beats a great game in a LOUD fieldhouse!

What’s your favorite sports team?  I’ve always been partial to the Phillies, and once I got to college I fell in love with the Hawks (obviously!)  Since dating Robert, I’ve also developed a soft spot for the New York Rangers - not quite a popular stance to take here in Philly!

So it’s Tuesday… but Friday’s dinner is still rolling around in the back of my brain, so I HAVE to share it with you guys!  As I mentioned last week, it is restaurant week here in Philly, and I was lucky enough to follow up my Three Course Thursday with a Four Course Friday! 

My Friday was pretty excellent, if you’d allow me to back up for a minute.  At 4pm, my seniors decided to send us home!  Considering our dinner reservations weren’t until 7 (and the fiancee doesnt get out of work until 6:15…) I did what any normal girl would do with a few hours to kill would do: SHOP!

I started here, at the cutest little second-hand shop on Chestnut Street.  Everything was an additional 50%!  Unfortunately I didn’t find anything in my size, despite my most valient efforts

Next on my shopping tour of Center City was Ann Taylor Loft in Liberty Place.  I may or may not have walked out with this cutie… picture it in black though.

I found banana republic too, and got an olive green turtleneck for $13!!  Fabulous.  No pic though… it was only a turtleneck!

Right outside of Banana was a gorgeous stretch of Broad Street… check out the sights:

The Union League is one of my favorite buildings in Philadelphia.  I attend an SJU dinner there every year, and the history and beauty of the building blows me away. 

Finally, it was time for dinner.  I was meeting Robert at the restaurant we chose – Smokin’ Betty’s on 11th and Sansom.  It was a cute place, with a bbq theme.  While I was waiting for Robert to get there, I sipped on a raspberry lemonade cocktail, which was DELICIOUS!  It was so sweet and light, and it reminded me of summer!

Unfortunately, this was the last picture I took of the evening.  I’m still a  little camera shy, even around my darling fiancee.  Any suggestions for getting over this fear while blogging?!

Anyway, our dinner was ah-maz-ingg!  The whole meal reminded me of my childhood.  My first course was a cheesesteak springroll.  While it wasn’t very bbq-y, it was so good!  The chinese restaurant in my hometown used to make something similar, and it brought me back to the good ol’ days!  It was paired with a yummy tomato jam that gave it a nice tangy flavor.  Robert’s appetizer was enough for a whole meal… 3 bbq sliders.  He didn’t seem to have any problem polishing them off though!  One was pulled chicken, one was beef brisket, and one was pulled pork.  I stole a few bites – I think the brisket was my favorite! 

There was a quick garden salad course, which freshened our palattes for the humongous plate of ribs heading our way.  I have always had a soft spot for good bbq, as my family vacationed in the south every summer of my childhood.  These ribs were perfect – delicious tangy bbq sauce, and the meat just fell off the bone.  Just thinking about them makes my mouth water!   About 6 big ribs were paired with grilled asparagus, and mac+cheese.  I ate all of my veggies (and Robert’s too!), and most of the ribs.  The mac was actually very garlicky, and not what I was hoping for… but I certainly didn’t miss it amongst all the other great food on the table! 

By the time dessert came around, we were both stuffed.  I only had room for a few bites of my chocolate mousse – it was so rich.  It tasted just like chocolate gelato, but it had such a fluffy texture.  It was truly divine.  Somehow I managed to find room for the whipped cream and berries that came with it though  

All in all, our dinner at Smokin’ Betty’s was so much fun, and a great dining experience.  Our server was so happy and enthusiastic, and the service was fast.  Both Robert and I agreed that it was a fun change from the typical italian BYOB that we usually frequent during restaurant week.  I highly recommend it!

I’m still getting in the swing of the bloggie thing… so I admit I’ve been slacking.  Here are some more tidbits that I am thankful for – hopefully this will hold you over until I can get a good post up here

1) I am thankful that Robert and I were able to get season tickets to SJU basketball games this year… or else I wouldn’t have seen SJUbeat Dayton in the fieldhouse, and my Saturday wouldn’t have been nearly as fun

2) I am thankful to have a fiancee who is as encouraging and supportive as Robert.  If it wasn’t for him, I probably would have blown my ‘saving money’ resolution out of the water last night at the outlet mall!

3) I am thankful for my first commenter!  Shout-out to Heather at Side of Sneakers!  Thanks for stopping by – it’s fun to have readers.  I hope everyone that stops by leaves a comment!!

4)  I am thankful for Bob at the Ardmore Apple store.  I had a mini freak out Saturday, when I tried to have a dance party in my bedroom with Lady Gaga, and Lady Gaga didn’t show up.  My ipod just wouldn’t turn on, even though it had been on 20 minutes prior and it was fully charged.  I tried to reset it, I tried leaving it plugged into my computer overnight, and still no response.  My poor purple ipod!  I took it to the doctor (aka genius bar) on Sunday morning, and Bob replaced it free of charge- even though my warranty had expired last month!  (isn’t that typical?!)  I am still in shock by the generosity of the store and the company, and have nothing but good things to say about Apple.  I didn’t even ask for a replacement, he just offered up the exact same beautiful purple ipod for free.  So to Bob and Apple I say “thank you thank you thank you!”

what were you thankful for this weekend?

Hey guys…

I know I’ve been slacking with this lately, so today my gratitude journal gets a special post to get back on track:

Gratitude Journal 1/22/10

1)  I’m grateful for actually listening to myself this morning when I couldn’t sleep.  Instead, I got up and did some yoga – and I am much happier and energetic than I would have been if I stayed in bed and stressed about not sleeping.  Also, my shoulders are resting at their proper place instead of up by my ears like they have been

2)  I’m grateful for my dear friends and their families who have been showering me with lovely cards and texts and phone calls since I got engaged.  They make me smile each day when I go home and see all my cards.  It’s like each one of you is there with me, and I really need that during this long busy season.

3)  I’m so thankful that I got to talk to my family last night, and listened to daddy tell me a story about how he and the dogs ran into an owl on their walk last saturday.  It was an awesome story, and it was awesome catching up with my dad!