Vegetarian Fajitas

I have recently been inspired to get back to a vegetarian lifestyle. The inspiration probably comes from here.  And, the other part probably comes from working at a cancer institute listening to the experts speak on nutrition and how it's related to disease. 

So, anyways, I've challenged myself to go vegetarian for the month of December, and with any luck maybe I can keep it up?

Tonight's meal was veggie fajitas. It actually worked out quite well. I got home from work, prepped the food, and marinated the beans with the seasoning and lime juice. Then we headed to the gym, and by the time we got back, dinner was practically ready to go.

My recipe is from The Fresh 20, a great resource for me as I am trying new recipes.

Recipe (Adapted)
1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed. Juice of 1 Lime 3 Cloves Garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 teaspoon paprika (I skipped this because I was out) 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Dash of Cayenne 1 Tablespoon Grapeseed Oil 1 Yellow Onion, thinly sliced 2 bell peppers, thinly sliced 8 whole wheat tortillas 1/2 cup Monterey Jack shredded cheese Salsa
1. Marinate black beans in lime juice, garlic, Herbes, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne for one hour. 2. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high to high heat and add in 1/2 Tablespoon of oil. 3. When oil is hot add in onions and bell peppers and cook for about 3 minutes.  Remove from pan and set aside. 4. Add the other 1/2 Tablesoon of oil and add the black beans.  Cook just until warm, about 2 minutes.  Add vegetables back to the pan and turn off the heat. 5. Serve in warmed tortillas, top with cheese, and salsa.

Catch up + December Challenge

I'm not even sure where I left off from the last blog post, but I know the time, it is a flying! I'll give you a brief little update... 1. I have officially lived through the first three months of my fellowship. I have rotated through Stem Cell Transplant, Cardiology, Psych,  and Infectious Disease. They have all been really great experiences and unique in their own ways. 2. I am training for a half marathon with the other two fellows that we are running this coming weekend. It's my first half-marathon, and it's girls only! :) 3. We had a good friend come and visit this past month, Mr. Gabriel Domet. We had a lot of fun, and went to the Houston Aquarium and also to a bar where they were playing the Nebraska game.  We got to cheer them on to a WIN, with the other Nebraskan locals. 4. I went to the Oncology Nursing Society conference in Dallas through work. 5. We got to spend Thanksgiving in the Mountains with my family. 
Here are some pictures from the past few months..

I never knew about this stuff until my pregnant friend was drinking it one day. So delicious.

Houston isn't quite as pretty as Colorado..

Me and Poppa. 

Me and Hubby.

Dad participated in No Shave November. But it's December now...and it's still there?

Twins. 

I love the sun shining through.

He needed a haircut..

Jacket twins. 

I thought this picture was cool. They were making snow and then the sun was shining through it.

We got our Epic Picture taken. Dad asked the photographer for a "fun" pose. 

Homemade Snicker doodle cookies for an impromptu invitation to "Family Dinner" in Houston.

 

At the Aquarium.

Daddy and Puppy snuggles.

Starbucks has cute little Houston Mugs of the skyline. 

Coconut Cream Pie at the Dallas Conference. Amazing.

Now, for the CHALLENGE!!

I was reading the other day on Runner's World, and there was a challenge to do at least one mile everyday during the month of December since, you know, you'll probably be partaking in some holiday treats!  So, today is December 1st, and we were up at 3:00 AM to catch our flight back to Houston, but I did manage to get my one mile and a little more in this evening.

Cheers to all of my family and friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Fighters

The alarm goes off at 5 a.m. I get up to work out before going to work. Check. I thank my lucky stars for my health, because not everybody is blessed to wake up every day with their health. In fact, a lot of people wake up fighting for their lives where I work. Is it sad? Maybe some days. But, not all days. 
I show up to the outpatient clinic eager and excited to see the patients for the day. I check labs, I make note of any abnormalities, check for any new imaging scans, and read up on the patient's histories. We start rounding. Most everyone is doing pretty well considering the circumstances. Like I said, these people are fighters. They don't give up. 
We arrive to one middle-aged man's room where he's receiving fluids so as to prevent other complications related to his treatment. His wife starts crying. But, she's not sad. She's happy. She's very happy. She's happy because while she has been by her Husband's side from day one of diagnosis, helping him fight, not missing a day with him, they both got a day off from coming to the clinic everyday. They got a break from getting poked for blood, waiting for a room, waiting to be seen. So she was crying, because she was so happy and grateful she got to sit and watch a movie with him. She was happy he had energy to stay awake all day. She's happy because she got to walk around one block with him. One block. She's happy because she got a sense of what life used to be like, when it was normal. She is so grateful. 
So, my job isn't always sad. Sometimes, it is quite uplifting. And most days, it makes you a bit more appreciative of every little single thing you have, including having your Husband there to take a walk with you, and watch a show. Remember? I told you, these patient's are fighters, they don't give up.

Stories on Sunday

Kind of a catchy title, don't you think? I thought perhaps if when winding down on Sunday, I could also do a weekly blog post, that might be fun/productive for me. So, we'll see how it goes. The problem is some weeks there's not a whole lot going on, and others there is a lot going on. We'll see if I can find a happy-medium in there to keep you reading/memories preserved for us! Anyways, onward and upward.

Where have I been? Work. Remember, I started my new job?! It has been really, really great. I can not complain about one single thing so far. They have done a fantastic job of getting us any/all resources we'd ever need, and making us feel comfortable and at home. Oh, and my two other fellows? Well, they are pretty great, too. It's really nice to have people to go about this adventure with.  So far, we have done a lot of education, we have more coming up this week, and then we'll be starting our rotations. So, here is our life in pictures recently.

Dave insisted on the classic "First Day of Work/School" picture. I obliged.

This is my "office." I'm in the middle, and the other girls are on each side of me.

Oh, this. This, my friends, is a batch of "Carmelitas." I made them for my Sister-in-Law when she re-did my blog. Good thing I sent them to her, because I had one and wrapped them up to be sent off to her. Click Here for the recipe I used. 

These are a big ole' pan of roasted veggies. I don't always reach for veggies, but know I should, and it was one way I incorporated more into my life. Plus, when working full-time it's easy to make on Sunday and pack in my lunch all week!

Speaking of meal prep...This Pizza Dough is delicious, healthy (it uses some wheat flour), and easy. You just have to make sure you have time to let it rise. Click here for this recipe.

Chicken Parmesan Bake. I made this on a Sunday so all Dave had to do was pop it in the oven. We both enjoyed it, and it was a much lighter version than what you'd get going out. Recipe here. Oh, and I actually just halved this recipe, because when there are only two people, you don't want to eat leftovers for 10 days straight.

This is nothing too exciting, but my old roomie, Amy, got us this Hard Boiled Egg/Poached Egg Maker for our wedding. And, I LOVE it. I use it ALL the time. Oh, and the point of the picture? Good snack, good breakfast, whatever goes with a Hard Boil Egg, this is a great way to make a batch!

 

Mini-Pumpkin-Donut-Muffins. These are to die for. I have the recipe downstairs. So, if you really want it, just ask!

These are new gray flats that I love. I try to pick my outfit just so I can wear them. They feel like I'm walking on pillows, and my feet don't hurt. 

This is a view of The Texas Medical Center from the 21st floor of one of the libraries I believe. 

If you didn't know about this, well now you do. And, I can confirm it's delicious and a great way to start your day!

This is a view from a different spot.

This stuff. Also delicious. And new. Just the perfect hint of Vanilla if you ask me!

This conference was very interesting, and I will definitely go back to my very thick binders when I need to look things up. 

Some Homemade Cherry Granola.

We used these chopped up Veggies to make Cheesesteak Lettuce Wraps. Link is here. We both enjoyed this light/easy dinner!

Spaghetti Soup. This was good, except for when I went to add the "Red Pepper Flakes," I didn't realize the jar was wide open, and I accidently poured nearly 3/4 of a cup in there. I tried to salvage it, but it was still super hot.  I would make again though, because it was yummy. Link here

This is a Fro-Yo Bar at work. I can't make this stuff up!

I went to a painting class one night with some of my new friends, and this is what I came up with. I was going to send it to my Rooms because I was convinced she was having a boy, but she had a GIRL. So, I got something else special cooking up for sweet precious baby ELLA! 

These girls. Love em'. They are fabulous. I hosted the Parenthood watch party for the new season!

Us all cuddled up on the couch, drinking wine, eating crackers/cheese, and popcorn!

They also brought me this sweet mug.

Went to our first Astros game of the season with the girls I work with/their families.

I thought the stadium was pretty cool.

Yes, I know, I'm wearing a Texans hat. But the baseball season is pretty much done, so I wanted to get something that would carry me for awhile ;) Oh, and see that cute Yankees fan? Yep, his team won. Apparently they call the "Astros" the "Disastros" here. 

Waiting for the fireworks to start.

Pretty Fireworks.

New Fall Nail Polish. Don't mind if I do.

Want a business card?

Love this little area, run by it a lot!

Greek Pasta Salad. Click Here.

We took a little walk around Hermann Park Golf Course, so pretty!

Ah, and now we are up to TODAY. We went to a Greek Festival! Super Yummy!

Balklava!!

You know my friends up there? One of them is the one who taught the painting class, and they were having an art fair this weekend where she had a booth! So, we picked up this gem, it has the map of Houston integrated, pretty cool I thought.

She also makes these cute little magnets. Now, rest assured, I haven't joined the "'Y'all" culture, I just thought it was cute. 

Oh, and this? Our local grocery store doesn't make too bad Sushi. So, sometimes we do date night in with H-E-B freshly made Sushi!


If you've made it this far, I'm impressed. Happy Sunday!