So life has been a little crazy lately and I’ve received a few emails about my lackluster posting. While I’ve been upset that I haven’t been posting everyday, I’ve realized that at this time in my life posting everyday is unrealistic. I would love to, and in the near future I hope to start posting more often, but right now I can only do so much. At this time it’s going to be several times per week.

So what exactly have I been up to?

Just to give you an idea, in the past 2 weeks I’ve been doing the following…

• Worked 60+ hour weeks and am typically calling it a night around 2am…Ugh! Terrible,  I know. My sleep schedule is totally screwed up right now.
• Spent 24 hours with a dog that expelled everything he’s ever eaten, or even considered eating. (it’s a toss up on which one of us is more exhausted/disgusted)

• Due to the above item,  I spent an incredible amount of time scrubbing a carpet that they are clearly going to replace when I move out of my apartment
• Bought both spackle and caulking…you know, to spackle and caulk things.
• Turned in my 30 day notice at my apartment (it was a great moment, and not just because the guy working in the leasing office is a total cutie. I’ve lived here for 4 years dude, where have you been hiding???).
• Finished script frenzy with a 105 page script!!!! (Holy Crap, I just wrote an entire script!!!!)

• Packed over 80% of my house for moving day

• Took down all curtains in my house and replaced with verticals (it feels so not homey here now)
• Redesigned and Re-launched the Eco Stella website
• Finished 2 week green monster challenge (Amazing!)

• Lost 5 lbs (Awesome!)
• Became a master napper (which inevitably threw off my sleep schedule even more)
• Realized that I write better between the hours of 9pm and 4am than any other part of the day.
• I also write better when I’m listening to instrumental music, Legend of the Seeker or Moonlight reruns in the background…weird
• Cascadian Farms rocks with organic versions of my favorite ‘bad’ kids food cereals. Seriously, organic Cinnamon Toast Crunch…yes please!

• Dropped off donations at goodwill
• Cleaned the toilet (I hate this chore, so it’s gets it’s own line)
• Purchased a few select decorations for the house that I do not yet own.
• Made plans to decorate several rooms in the house that I do not yet own (Below are just a few of my inspiration pictures)

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• Scheduled moving day with professional movers
• Cursed out my dog when he ate my ‘Design A Bag’ sketches, now I have to do them over. I expect he would have eaten my homework in high school too.
• Made peace with my dog when he laid down next to me and fell asleep on my arm (he never does that)

• Took down all pictures throughout the apartment
• Realized that I have disconnected from my current apartment, it’s no longer a home, just a place where I’m staying.
• Did financial things to make sure I can still afford the new house that I do not yet own (don’t worry, it’s all good!)
• Started HAHD (Hundred Articles in Hundred days challenge)
• Found out that I did not get chosen for spot in the Nike Women’s Half Marathon this year (tear, tear). It’s okay, I’m sure something better will be happening then anyways.
• Created an initial plan to get out of my dead end job within the next year
• Started writing out plans on how I will make a living after I get out of said dead end job
• Started a plan to have 2 credit cards paid off by the end of the year, and possibly buy a car next year
• Brainstorming how to start my own business. I’ve realized that I really need to be my own boss and set my own hours, especially if I want to write between the hours of 9pm and 4am.
• Celebrated my 28th birthday
• Started the Journey to My First Home series over at CherryOrchid
• Made the most amazing Chocolate Chip & Vanilla Coconut Nirvana Cookies.

And since I can’t really top those cookies, I’ll end this list here. I’m beyond exhausted and am off to take a nap…again. I will post the cookie recipe soon.

So it has been over 2 weeks since I started the Green Monster challenge and I have to say that it has really made a huge difference in my day to day.

Overall…

• I have more energy
• I’m sleeping better
• I’ve lost 5 lbs (Whoo Hoo!!)

Those three things alone are enough to make me keep going with the Green Monsters. So things kicked off again this morning with a Chocolate Strawberry Green Monster.

Chocolate Strawberry Monster

• 1% Chocolate Milk
• Fresh Strawberries
• Frozen Banana
• Amazing Chocolate Super Food
• Dark Chocolate Drinking Chocolate
• Crap Load of Spinach

I have to say, I love this smoothie! I’ve been drinking it during lunch which is usually a very stressful part of my day and the smoothie keeps me healthy. When I really want to reach for cookies or some type of sugar to get me going through the tough meeting in the day, I’ve been grabbing a smoothie. With the bit of chocolate, it’s sweet and satisfying.

For dinner I made one of my favorites, Chicken Feta Burgers. I topped the Chicken Feta burger with some string cheese, ketchup, spinach all on a whole wheat hamburger bun.

These are seriously incredible. I’ll post the exact recipe later, but I promise you, it’s life changing. If you need an alternative to a beef hamburger, this is it.

I paired it with some super sweet watermelon (sorry the picture looks like cantaloupe).

…and on a sweeter note I finally cracked into this bomb package that MyBlogSpark sent me from Cascadian Farms.

The kit included a great selection of cereals, granolas, and granola bars. I’ve already eaten most of the chocolate chip granola bars and the Cinnamon Crunch. I promise you the Cinnamon Crunch tastes just like your super sugary Cinnamon Toast Crunch. However, I loved this more since it wasn’t quite as sweet and organic!

I’ve been eating the Cinnamon Crunch for dessert…without milk.

Don’t judge me. It’s just that good.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a fun and tasty Giveaway!!!

I got a little lost on my way to blogging the past few days, but I’m back!

I ventured into Costco today…a foodie paradise, and walked out with a bag of spinach that refuses to be crammed into the veggie drawer…all for less than $4.

Just think of all the Green Monsters you can make from that sucker! Below is the Green Monster from Day 3.

…and speaking of Green Monsters, today is day 6 of the Green Monster Challenge. I’ve even got my mom hooked on these green drinks. I haven’t had my Green Monster today, so I’ll have to blog about that tomorrow.

Thursday was a terrible day. Everything that could go wrong, did, and by 1pm I was in tears. I had taken Wednesday off of work for my Home Inspection and walked into one fire drill after another on Thursday. At the same time I had my realtor telling me to pay escrow fees and my lender needed disclosure forms signed and mailed. Clients were screaming left and right about deadlines that were not in place when I left Tuesday night, and everyone considered their problem my top priority. I just couldn’t take it anymore and was physically and mentally breaking down, so I called my mom. That always helps

With that said, everything seems to turn around on Friday. Actually my mom said she was working on sending all her good energy to me so I had a flood of good vibes coming my way yesterday. Contrary to Thursday, everything was going right on Friday. Calls with my director and legal team went quickly, I received confirmation that my escrow/loan docs were received,and all those deadlines were dealt with. It was a very busy Friday, but overall a great day.

I’m even figuring out the right measurements foe the green monsters. Usually I make too much, but yesterday was just right.

…a little too much (day 4)…

…just right on Day 5…I’ve even started using Chocolate Superfood in the smoothie. I can’t believe how much extra energy I have just 6 days into this challenge.

The goodness spilled into  Saturday when I was running errands. In addition to the monstrous bag of spinach I scored at Costco, I also found my favorite English muffins for $4….

…and my favorite *not entirely healthy* dinner.

I couldn’t wait until dinner so I made it for lunch, so good. Those Milton’s people have got it going on! It’s all about the cream sauce with this meal.

Ok, that’s if for foodie pics. I’m off to pack up my entire house now. I bought a packing kit from Costco too, for $50 it has everything in it to pack up a 1 bedroom apartment. The problem is, how do I get this heavy, awkward packing kit from my car to the apartment. Hmmmm…

I have a new LOVE in my life.

yeah, right…I wish! Oh Ryan, I’ve loved you since Two Guys, A Girl, and a Pizza Place…sigh…

On a more serious note, I have fallen head over heels for these new Copco Eco Tumblers..

According to the Copco website…

Eco-First – Sierra Tumbler Brown

Fill, Drink, Wash, Repeat – The classic To Go Cup becomes a reusable everyday cup.

• Durable BPA free construction
• Dishwasher safe
• Quarter-turn lid sealing mechanism
• Exclusive straw keeps drinks perfectly mixed
• Textured, non-slip grip
• 24 oz. capacity

I picked up 2 of these Cold Beverage To Go Cups today at Bed Bath & Beyond for $10, I had a coupon. I absolutely love the screw top lids and the mixing straw. No more icy bottom beverages or chunky bottom smoothies. The straw is designed in a way to help mix a beverage in the cup. I imagining a hot summer of Starbucks Lemonade Tea’s in my fancy new tumblers.

Sorry, I have terrible lighting in my apartment. I assure you that the tumblers are much better looking in person.

…and no, Copco did not ask me to write this review, in fact I’m pretty sure they have no clue who I am. Hey Copco, let’s hook up!

…and by the way, they also sell great tumblers for hot beverages too.

So why are you still using paper cups when you get your coffee, tea, soda?

I know convenience is usually the reason for most people, they just don’t want to lug around the cups. My suggestion is just to pick up an extra cup and leave it either in your car or at your office. That way no matter where you go, you can save the earth and enjoy a tasty drink. What’s better than that?

Cheers!

I’m not exactly sure why I’m going with the title above, it just clicked in my head.

Today is Day 2 of the Green Monster challenge, and it’s going well. I’ve realized that as long as the drink is smooth and not chunky, I’m good to go. I missed a few banana chunks today and they made me gag a little…(why am I telling you this?!) but all is well. I drank this for lunch and had a Bagel Thin during a conference call for breakfast, no kitchen fires this time.

Around lunchtime I was actually craving this green machine smoothie. I’m still not brave enough to try it without chocolate, so I’m sticking with the amazing Chocolate Cherry recipe for now.

Today was all about getting work done. I’m taking tomorrow off of work, for my home inspection, so I have to get crackin’ today to finish everything that is on my plate right now.

I’ll be packing up and taking off for San Diego right after work so I’ll just leave you with this….

Who do you think is going home tonight on Dancing with the Stars?

I’m more than obsessed with that show and really like this season so far. Who would have thought Pam would be a front runner, she’s doing great! My top vote is still for Nicole to win, but that’s just cause I’d be sad to see Derek go. (BTW he’s a total cutie in person…Swoon!)

I really hope that Kate goes home tonight, I can’t take much more of her (& I feel bad for Tony).