Healthy cake!?

I have an unhealthy obsession with cake. I cant hide that fact any longer. I would eat cake (almost any flavor) all day long if that didnt result in the need for emergency medical care for a severe case of sugar shock and a buffalo hump for an ass. With that said, I can let go of my fears and eat all the cake I want...now that I've discovered this gem of a meal!!

CAKE BATTER PROTEIN SHAKE

1/2 cup Low fat cottage cheese 1
1 Scoop vanilla protein powder 2
3-5 Drops butter or almond extract
1 tbs Vanilla sugar free instant pudding mix
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3-5 Stevia packets (or sweetener of choice to taste)
1/2 cup-1cup Water (Alter this according to desired consistency)
5-10 Ice Cubes (Depending on how thick you like it, use less for a thinner consistency)
Optional: Sprinkles for topping!

Put everything into a blender and blend until creamy consistency is reached! Top with sprinkles if desired, and Enjoy!


I hope you are as happy as I am with this discovery :)

The Red Tent

When I got the Doula job and fell in love with it, my roommate Lindsey recommended I read "The Red Tent". The description "set in biblical times" turned me off right away but something about it intrigued me. I happened to be at a thrift store digging through the books and found it for .99 cents. Of course I bought it. And loved it. And cried myself to sleep after I finished it.

Ignore the biblical part if youre not that into it. If i can, you can. I really suggest reading it. Incredible, powerful read.

Life is Good

Ive been MIA for a while now due to many changes! 2011 has been the year of new, and I am totally OK with it.

I find myself sitting here...cranky, because its a Sunday and I was up at 7am....but completely content with the point I'm at in my life. I have many things that make me happy right now and I plan to enjoy every second of it.

In October I started my new job. I am still settling in and getting used to the way things work. I struggle with my supervisor because I feel she is poorly trained for her position, but I am trying to be respectful of her position despite my deeper feelings. The paperwork is a Monster that I am still trying to wrangle, but that is the nature of Social Work related jobs. Every day I get a little better :)
The BEST part about my job is being a Doula. A doula is like a midwife but you don't do any of the medical stuff. I work with teenage mothers and prepare them for labor, delivery and motherhood. I even get to be in the delivery room and coach them through the process if they so desire. I did not see this coming, but I really enjoy it. I find myself reading up on the subject in my spare time. Because of that, I just decided to purchase the DONA packet to get officially certified as a Doula. It will take some time to complete the process but I am excited at the opportunities I might be creating for myself in the future.

Speaking of the future, I got into graduate school. I am going to start in the fall to get my MSW in social work and I am excited. Im nervous about the stress and the work...but I am excited about what that will mean as far as job potential once the degree is completed. Once im finished, I think it will be time for me to move on from Pittsburgh. Whether thats back home to Erie or on to Seattle or Boston, two cities I really like, I dont know.

When I move on i'll be taking the new addition with me: my puppy. Just a few weeks ago I finally made a long term commitment to something. Thats a BIG deal coming from the mother of all Gypsies (according to my mother). She is a beautiful chocolate lab purebred and Im completely obsessed.

I finally paid off my car which was another big step in my life. Now I just have to save up some money (so I can give it all to University of Pittsburgh, haha) and work diligently to set myself up for a fabulous career once I graduate.

Life is good.

glass zip lock bag

http://www.uncommongoods.com/product/unzipped-glass-zipper-bag

isnt this cute??

Grown men wear teddy bears

A few weeks back, Lindsey and I were riding up Liberty (a relatively busy street lined with businesses) and a man stars to ride up alongside us on his bicycle...a full grown man...with a stuffed teddy bear backpack on. Seriously.

My New Fav Song

Pumpkin Hunting

As some of you know, one of my favorite flavors is pumpkin. Ever since I discovered the Pumpkin Spice Latte on the menu a few years back at Starbucks, I've relished the fall season and the pumpkin flavored treats that come along with it (As if Fall wasn't already my favorite season!!). SO, this year I have a mission.

I am going to find the BEST Pumpkin Beer around. Im looking for Pumpkin Pie in a bottle...and thats what I will find!

So far:
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale-- Tastes more like your standard Fall Ale than pumpkin. Not it.

Shocktop Pumpkin Wheat-- Tastes like more of a cinnamon spice beer. Not bad, but not it.

Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale--Thicker, rich pumpkin flavor! Like it!

Saranac Pumpkin Ale-- Another "fall ale" flavor...not enough pumpkin!

And the search continues...