Show and Tell

Stuffs I See and Saw. Shown and Told.

Because.

Cheerwine.

Eat ALL the Ferments!!

Eat ALL the ugly foods! (0; (Asparagus, eggs, onions, disorderly amount of seasoning).

Don’t hate me because I’m Floridian.

One of my favorite vineyards. Smoothest Zin ever.

Digging up the (dusty) past.

Rollin’ with my homies. (Seriously. *winkwink*)

Sparkles, cake and my “afro puffs.”

High School Edu-ma-cation.

A doggie Thanksgiving.

Air-drying my hairs because I’ve been swimming again!

       

FYI Fellow swimmer friends: Paul Mitchell Shampoo Three. You need it.  

 

Books. 

Pickle and Peanut Butter “Pizza” on egg “crust.”

Ugly food. Ugly photography. What can I say?

Typical evening. Nashville. Vino.

Thighs.

Read this:

  Marianne Williamson “Illuminata.”

 There is a light that never goes out.

• See anything you like?
• Yes, I still have a big booty TV set. Santa please send Missy some HD love, kay?thanx.

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ommm….

Deep Breath. Inhale….and….exhale. Ahhhhh… Ommmmm…..shanti…शान्ति.

OMMM- On My Mind Monday – Where the breathing is deep, but the thoughts? Not so much.

Here’s what’s what.

Suffice it to say my peanut butter fast is no longer an issue.

Serious pickle and peabee domination went down on Saturday night. #rockingsociallife

I finally broke into that un-opened jar and proceeded to relieve it of over 1/2 it’s contents. A piece of my soul sinks every time I succumb to such peanut butter abuse. Nobody deserves to be taken advantage of like that. Thank goodness it’s such a forgiving friend. It’s all like … “I know, I know. I’m just THAT awesome you can’t help yourself. I’m used to it by now.”

What else…

Thanksgiving came and went …awesome day. Good times with the family. We definitely did not have enough food. Every year- same thing. Will we ever learn? (0;

 

That’s one of those faces you get when you are smiling FOR DAYS and your nephew can’t get the camera to work.

We got my nephew the Celebration roast and my mom baked it up. I tried a bite of the meaty stuff between the breading and the filling and it was delicious. Sausage-y almost.

As for myself I ate …oh probably a pound of shrimp.

 

 

 

My nephew also delivered some shocking news that night – he only told me. It has had me a tail-tizzy ever since and I’m losing sleep over it. I’m just concerned, worried…trying to help etc.

So —as for what’s really on my mind this Monday — it’s that. I can’t help it. It’s very troublesome and I’m giving it up to God … like 80,000 times a day. (0:

That may also explain the 3/4 jar of peanut butter affair.

But actually? That’s just me. (0:

 

• How was your thanksgiving? Try anything new?
• Ever been obsessing over a loved one’s difficulties when you need to be focused on your own?

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I’m a Food Superhero (um..kind-a-sort-a)

Guess what? I’m a Food Superhero!
Or…maybe I’m not a Food Superhero (because of the whole E.D thing)

BUT I play one on the interwebs.

   

Superhero Name: Peanut Butter Pickle Princess

Human Name: Missy
Food Superpower: Snap! I see right through food labels.
Food Kryptonite: Sugar

Weapons of Choice:

 

Oh, SNAP!

After all – I meet the criteria (criterion?).

   

I got an email from FoodCorps saying that Stonyfield will donate $1 to them if I simply gave my super Peanut Butter Pickle Prowess some street cred and went public.

Didn’t have to ask me twice. I loveLoVeLOVE FoodCorps.

It’s, in a way, a dream job. I would apply (really!) however they don’t have a location in Florida yet and I can’t do cold <—and yes, it’s that bad. (Also, I should look healthy if I’m-a preach healthy and people keep telling me I don’t so I must accept that).

Their Vision:

We envision a nation of well-nourished children: children who know what healthy food is, how it grows and where it comes from, and who have access to it every day. These children, having grown up in a healthy food environment, will learn better, live longer, and liberate their generation from diet-related disease.

 

If your jealous – and I know you’re jealous — click here and do something right for the world (if you want).

And while you’re at it join my crusade!
You can come willingly..

Or be taken by force. 

You’re choice. But PLEASE – If you join the Peabee and Pickle Party

——->DO IT RIGHT!!!<—-

 

Half Sours people. Half. Sours.

• I’m curious, do you meet the Food Superhero criterion?

  I am like the dirtiest produce eater EVER<—Ev.Er.
  but I gave myself a check for at least knowing what the EWC list is and being aware of the dirty dozen. I also don’t buy organic usually but I KNOW about it. So be liberal and give yourself credit!

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TGYWT- Cruising Edition

Thank Goodness Yesterday Was Thursday

Or, TGYWT! <—with necessary exclamation point.

Yup. It’s that time again.

It’s Friday.

And you know what? I feel pretty shnazzy.

Allow me to share my good mood, kind-of like in the movie “Friday”

“I know you don’t smoke weed, I know this; but I’m gonna get you high today, ’cause it’s Friday; you ain’t got no job… and you ain’t got sh*t to do.”

Except without the contraband.

Come cruise with me in my mini-van (if you want). Enjoy!

If you’re ever in South Florida I will fo-sure take you for a ride, but I’d make you eat a pickle and peabee with me first.

I’d be nice about it.

      

But if you resisted, I’d get tough.

Thanks so much for your all comments on my last post!

Remarkably, I feel a bit better. There is something to be said for reaching out so special thanks to

these three ladies

I’ve never reached out like that before and I am so amazed at how much it really helps.

• Do you sing in your car?

Of course, you know I do. All the time. I have never videoed it before, though.

• Are you barbequing this weekend?

I haven’t had any invites but you never know. I’m certainly gonna get my fair share of sunshine.

**I think my blog might have graduated to “mature” – the drug reference, curse words, and of course my bra.**

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Caterpillar Eats & Deets

Here are some things I’ve ate, thinks I’ve thunk, happenings that happened and random details about me. (Why? Answer here.)

Can I tell you about the smoosh? It’s like a PBJ sandwich except one thing: it’s totally not like a PBJ sandwich. Still awesome, though.

Apples, Peanut Butter and “Jelly.” I have yet to find a truly sugar-free jelly so I just heat up berries and smash ‘em like it’s hot.

I also tried a new drink:

Which comes complete with an inspiring bottle cap:

“I am Grateful”

You know what? I am grateful for warm comments on –>this post<– where I lamented the well-meaning comments on my weight gain that can really hurt the insane part of me. Thank you!

I am also grateful for some new-to-me shorts in a new-to-me larger size. I am grateful for friends who think I need to show off my enhanced Boot-tay and have plenty of hand-me-downs to assist with that.

 

Speaking of bigger things…. You know the saying everything’s bigger in Texas? I think everything is bigger in Korea.

Like this “Asian Pear”  (aka apple pear) the size of my face. I got it at the Korean mart for half the price you’d pay for one a quarter of it’s size.

It was Huge. (My head is really big!)

I love big shrimp, too. These are not the biggest I’ve had but they’ll do.

Shrimp with roasted kale, asparagus, onion and awful lighting. You are welcome.

Another “dinner par usuelle.” I should call it the Missy special.

Steamed asparagus, peppers, mushrooms, onion, kale and Morningstar Farm’s Grillers Chik’n.

But really? The real-deal “Missy specials” are more unique.

Like Pickles and PeaBee. Of course. Anyone try it yet? <—

And I’d like to introduce:

“Ants on a Log, Missy Style”

I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

Speaking of snacks…leftover Sushi should always be consumed on the same night. Mainly because I cannot sleep with sushi in the house.

This is called Naruto sushi – no rice or seaweed, just the veggies wrapped in cucumber. I am always grateful for leftover sushi.

I’m also grateful for my first sun “reminder” of the season.

Nature’s way of saying “Don’t mess with me, next time I’ll burn ya good!”

And just in case you missed any of these recipes:

Sweet Potato Fiesta Salad (Vegan)

Oodles of Shroom-oodles (Vegan, Gluten-free)

Spreadippity Sunflower Artichoke (Vegan)

Lazy White Vegetarian Girl Bibimbap

That is all.

Peace, blessings and for those of you not in rainy-paradey parts?

Wear sunscreen, okay?

Look! There’s my bra again.

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Must Dos, Pillar Power, Flipping Out, Freaking Out

A girl must do what must be done.

Particularly when one is about to become undone.

Like power up on caterpillar crack.

You know where I am going with this

(–>if not read here now and thank me later <–).

and Nectar of the Gods…

Who says money can’t buy you love?

Go Go Gadget Arm! (Seriously, how weird is this picture?)

Speaking of powerful arms,

I’m flipping out!

Weight Gain = Strength Gain

 

I used to be quite the yogini until 2003 when my body ate all my muscles. I could barely walk let alone do Ashtanga Yoga. Since then I have great difficulty getting back on the mat.

It’s emotionally taxing for me to “inhabit” my body so completely. Now that I’ve gained so much weight, I’m hoping that facing these fears on the mat will help me deal with them in everyday life.

Speaking of ups and downs* there’s this:

*weight, flips, handstands, downdog…etc.

Weight Gain in my Bootie = Weight Gain in my Wallet

(wha…??)

My dad left me some cash and instructed me to “get some decent clothes” (which my mind interprets as “fat clothes”).

I am FreAKiNG ThE FuNK ouT!!!

I’m becoming undone.

My parents have been begging to take me shopping for a while because I complain that none of my clothes fit. I have been quite successful in avoiding it thus far.

Dressing this bigger body of mine, like yoga, is equally emotional (by emotional I mean excruciatingly scary).

PS: You might be a crazy girl if a free shopping spree inspires panic.

But a girl must do what must be done.

Particularly when she’s come undone

• Got any fashion tips for me? I’m on a Target/Old Navy/Gap Outlet kind of budget.
• What are your “power through” foods.

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Peanut Butter & Pickle Tutorial

(this post bought to you by the letter P)

PeaBee and Pickles. It’s a Caterpillar delicacy and prone to making several appearances on this blog of mine.

Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C, and Again

I rest my case. As a proponent of such an adventurous snack, it’s my civic duty to prepare readers who’re inspired to try this culinary oddity with the knowledge they need beforehand.

One should not undertake pickle and peanut butter consumption blindly.

Proper Pickle & PeaBee Preparation

(say it three times fast)

This, my friends, is how it’s really done.

#1. Picking the Perfect Pickle

(three times fast)

DO NOT go and get some slimy soggy pickle off the grocery store shelves. You need fresh, crisp deli pickles.

Get the half-sour variety. More cucumber than pickle, they are pre-pubescent pickles* with a vibrant green color.

*(three times fast)

Check the ingredients. You’re looking for no preservatives – just the basics. These ones are made right in my hometown. You gotta go local on this one.

#2 Persnickety Peanut Butter Preference

(3 times fast)

Select a peanut butter with no added sugar. I prefer to grind my own with dry-roasted unsalted peanuts:

*ahem* This counts, right?

For real though, check your ingredients. Don’t be fooled by labels like “Organic” or “Natural” because most have added sugar. My favorite off the shelf?

A little salt won’t hurt:

#3 Putting on the Peanut Butter

This step requires neither skill nor fancy utensils. Just get the job done using your intuition and whatever you have on hand.

This is actually too much peabee for my pickle palate, but you can spread the excess on the other half. Experiment – you’ll find the ratio that pleases you.

There you have it! All the background you need to develop Peanut Butter & Pickle Prowess.

My parents are probably proud.

Please take a moment to participate in my survey by telling me what you think.

A) Um…Gross. But we can still be friends. 

B) I love pickles and peanut butter.

C) I’m intrigued, but it ain’t gonna happen.

D) I’m gonna get my peabee and pickle swagger on soon.

Do any of y’all eat weirdo snack combos?

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4 Things 4 Fun

Oh, the Games Bloggers Play.

Chelsea tagged me on this post<—the “four things survey”

I added some of my own (I just can’t leave well enough alone) and ridiculous pictures, of course.

Four Words/Phrases I Might Use Too Much

• “like” (<—“I’m all like,” “It was like”…etc.)
• “frickin”
• “I’m fixin’ to” and “Ya’ll”
• “Notta whole lotta” in response to “what’s up?”

PS- I have a Bachelor’s Degree in English.

Four Things I’m Passionate About:

• Back Massages, Books and Music (Totally cheating.)
• Obesity (especially childhood)
• Education
• Produce and Farms

Like my produce-sticker collection? I’m such a dork.

Four Things You’d Discover Upon Meeting Me (in real life)

• I’m a soft-talker
• I am Miss. Moody-Patootie
• There’s a good chance I’ll have hummus breath
• I do enjoy being ridiculous; I really can’t be on time.

Four Things I’ve Learned from the Past

• Never underestimate what your dog is capable of.
• Fear of an experience is usually worse than experiencing it.
• You cannot use dish soap in your dishwasher.
• Life can end in an instant, without warning.

Four Things I Eat that Freak People Out:

• Pickles and Peanut Butter
• Nutritional Yeast
• Salt Substitute
• Carrot Juice

Four TV Shows I Love:

• Parenthood
• Thirty Rock
• So You Think You Can Dance
• Friday Night Lights

Four TV Shows I Loved:

• Gilmore Girls
• Cosby Show
• Roseanne
• John and Kate Plus Eight (dont judge)

Four Things I’m Looking Forward To

• Figuring out what I want to be when I grow up.
• Naps
• Complete and Total Recovery

• Moving out of my Apartment.

I miss the view from my old apartment (above). Now I look at a parking lot, a Walgreens and a McDonalds.

Four Things I Love About Winter

(I really don’t like Winter so this was hard)

• Holidays=Time with Family
• Twinkle Lights
• Celebrating the birth of Jesus and Love.
• Loving life as a Florida girl- I HATE cold.

 

Me on an average December Day, headed to the pool. The heated pool, mind you.

Just in Case you think I’m all fun and Games……

Four Ways Poor Nutrition Destroyed My Body:

• My Skin (I don’t exactly have that healthy glow)
• My Teeth

• Poor circulation and paper-thin skin.

I can bump into a couch cushion and my shins split open, the wounds take a while to heal. My legs look like this most of the time. Attractive, huh?

Grandma Hands.

• Wait…I forgot the fourth one. Oh yeah! My Memory.

I have only myself to blame and all the power to change this and get better. Though I’m making no resolutions, I want to see a lot of changes this year.

If you are reading this TAG YOU ARE IT!

Post your own four things on your blog, or let me know four things about you in the comments. I love to love ya and learn more about ya!

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Caterpillar Eats and Deets

Here are some things I’ve ate, thinks I’ve thunk, happenings that happened and random details about me.

(Why the heck am I taking pictures of food and posting them on the internet? Click here <—- for the answer)

Wanna hear a story?

Saturday I went to see Cats…so spectacular! (Thanks Mom).

Whilst getting ready I had

—>a little moment<—

I’ve let the pictures speak the thousand words, and now I’ll let my fingers do the talking. 

I pulled out my “Black Pants” (we all have them) and discovered they didn’t fit. I don’t squeeze into stuff. I just can’t. I didn’t want to spend my night in ‘Uncomfortable Pantsland.’

I felt hot, messy and bothered. 

I kinda collapsed in my closet. “What am I gonna wear?” I realized these pants don’t fit now and accepting weight gain means accepting they will never fit again.

I needed to get rid of them but… why is that so EFFING hard?

I got angry. I got determined.

I grabbed my camera and prepared to do something I’ve been avoiding for too long.

I quickly snapped ridiculous photos of myself in the mirror, threw on some leggings and headed across the street to the Goodwill drop-off. I couldn’t bring myself to trash them (they’re really nice pants!).

I admit thinking perhaps NO woman should fit into those tiny things, but every body is different…and there are some very tall 12-year olds out there. (0:

Pause: I’m NOT pregnant by the way.

I drove like a mad hatter with just my pants to donate. (The woman in the picture was also holding bags from someone else). I literally squealed up, jumped out of my car and said “please take these.”

Then I asked if I could take her picture because I was having a moment and I like to take ridiculous pictures and post them on the internet. 

Driving away…I felt SO good. Gee.Oh.Oh. Gee. You can see it in my face! I got goosebumps. It was pretty awesome, and by awesome I MEAN awesome.

For the record, I wore jeans.

And heels! (I’m not always in flip-flops)

The end.

• Thank you all for the comments left on that post and all of them. They mean …ah…so much to me. I wish I had a cool blog where I can respond and be sure you got it via email but alas…
• Throw out any “skinny clothes” lately? I have a whole lot more work to do, myself. I should probably throw out many things that still fit but that are sizes not meant for a 32 year old woman.
• Any tips/feedback on my culinary swagger or lack thereof?

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Why I’m not the Next Food Blog Star

A few months back, I wasn’t sure what a blog was – much less a healthy living blog or a food blog. Then I started Beautiful Struggle (which is really about me, myself and I ..and recovery), then I read some blogs, and then I read a lot more. (Now I am hooked.) I started reading healthy living and food blogs. 

At first, I was confoozled. 

 “Why pictures of what people eat every day? What is the deal with all the oatmeal? What is OIAJ? Who’s a Nooch?” 

Confusion quickly gave way to intrigue and appreciation.   

Here were all these beautiful, healthy women taking pride and pleasure in their food. Food that was healthy and nutritious and looked amazing. And they looked Amazing! 

I saw what it might be like to eat without the restraints of an eating disorder. I saw what it may be like to say “what do I feel like eating today?” 

I saw all this and said it was good. 

And in comparison my disordered eating habits were completely exposed. 

My basic days of eating tend to be a variation on a  theme. I assemble, really, rather then “cook.” 

 

Breakfast of egg whites. 

 

Sometimes with hummus and hot sauce. 

Oh, and dinner… 

Dinners tend to be…um…repetitious (understatement of the year). 

 

Veggie Chik’n burger with asparagus, carrots, zucch and onion. 

 

And again… 

 

And repeat… 

 

(Sometimes I switch it up a bit.) 

I DO enjoy my food. But after reading these blogs I was able to see my diet is sorely lacking and um…boring! 

 

Snack of Apples, Yogurt and Cinn-uvia *Truvia and cinnamon. 

 

And…repeat. 

Not only boring…my eats are often…borderline bizarre. 

 

Pickles and Pea-Bee! 

 

Sweet onions and Pea-Bee! 

And let’s face it….pretty unappealing. 

My Nay-Nay and I are bringing Sexy Back.  

I am no stranger to healthy eating and nutritious foods. Trust me. I have all the goods in my cupboards….but that’s where they tend to stay while I play it Safe. 

These healthful living Blogs inspired me to get EXCITED about food. It’s OK to eat! Food is fuel! And I am happy to say I am slowly coming out of my shell! 

 

Roasted Veg and Hum-Cheese sauce (made with…nooch!) 

 

A “Yogurt Mess” with Bloobs, Nay-Nays and some yogurt and “Green Monster” leftovers. (You see?) 

  

Un-pretty but delicious oatmeal creation (carrot juice and almond milk in background) 

 

I even busted out an old sugar-free, flour-free muffin recipe from my nutri. (A fail, but delish) 

My point is…and I DO Have one…. 

With all the buzz around the Next Foodblog Star Challange 

I just wanted to express my gratitude for all these beautiful women who –in such a short time- have given me hope for a better and healthier life.  

Call me a wanna-be. After all, Imitation is the best form of flattery.

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