Shedding for the Wedding!

Actually, more like toning up for the wedding. And cutting back on unhealthy eating. I don't need to lose any weight, but I could use some work in getting in top shape for the big day.
LiveStrong.com great website to help track nutrition.... because I don't eat meat I really need to make sure I get enough protein.
And my new thing is watching sodium. It's in everything! No wonder why so many of us feel bloated at the end of the day!

So not counting the civil ceremony, which is happening in....yikes...under 3 weeks (need to get my Irishman rolling on his visa/green card paperwork ASAP), we're looking at a more formal ceremony in June. And I need toned arms and a toned back for a strapless gown.

So exciting! And it really does feel good to reward yourself with proper nutrition although I swear I could live off pizza and Reeses miniatures for the rest of my life.

So if anyone wants to get an account on LiveStrong.com, we can encourage each other to be healthy. Add me: DCKatieP

Start your success with the LIVESTRONG.COM calorie counter.

Pinterested?

Pinning!

Check out my latest obsessions here.

Lots and lots of wedding planning.

Oh yeah....cause..... I'm getting married!

New Music - The Twilight Sad

2012 brings a new album from one of my favorite bands. From Bonnie Scotland comes The Twilight Sad (in my opinion the best band you've never heard of). They don't have much a following in the US and I chalk that up to our radio being horrible and the fact that most Yanks have trouble with a thick Scottish accent. But I think James Graham's voice is amazing...unique; a perfect combination of emotional yet totally virile. Their music is haunting and beautiful and I'm very much looking forward to their LP, No One Can Ever Know, set to come out mid February.

And even more exciting- an American tour with the first stop in DC on Feb 23 at the Rock and Roll Hotel.
Tickets are only $12 and the venue is small and intimate so you'll get way more than your money's worth from these guys. They really are amazing.

The Twilight Sad- Sick - off their forthcoming album.

For another sample check out "Kill It In the Morning."

Here's to a New You in 2012!

Happy New Year, everyone!

I love a new year because I am a huge planner. I love to organize, map out, calculate, and check off lists full of to-dos. And a new year is a perfect time to make the greatest of all to-do lists: My New Years Resolutions.

#1: Return to blogging. It's been...nearly a year! Work got slammed around November 2010 and I was working 60-70 hour weeks solidly until August 2011. Then my boyfriend moved here from Ireland in July, we moved into a new apartment in October, the Holidays hit and etc etc etc. Life has been hectic but it's finally calmed down so no excuses. And I miss writing.

#2: Be healthier. Isn't this on everyone's list? More exercise, less carbs, completely cut off soda, get 8 hours of sleep each night, and floss my teeth every day. Oh and cook meals at home at least 5 times a week. Organic meals.

#3: Make a greater effort at mostly everything. Make the bed everyday. Even on days when I work from home, avoid the ease of hanging out in pajamas all day. Try harder at work. Don't take 5 days to respond to social emails and voice mails. Take the dog for longer walks.

#4: Less TV, more life. I love TV. I mean 6-7 hours a day love TV. And to be fair, 90% of what I watch is educational. But still, in relying on the TV to entertain, I'm not getting out and about enough. So le boyfriend and I are going to use at least one day a weekend to go experience something. Museums, shows, live sporting events....maybe I'll even check out living social.

So what are your resolutions? Any tips on how to keep them?

Farewell to Paul Hartley, the Footballer

I havent posted in months. Work is insane and life is busy.
But today's news warrants a bit of an homage.

At 34, Paul Hartley has determined he feels his fitness and age have made playing football at top levels too difficult. It is a sad day for those of us who were fans, and we remember some of his finest moments...with Hearts, with Celtic, playing for Scotland and for half the clubs in Scotland, at Bristol City, and in his early promising days as skipper at Aberdeen.

I am so happy to have had the chance to stalk...errr.... watch Paul play live with Aberdeen at Hearts a few months ago while I was in Edinburgh.

Me. Hartley in the background.

I hope he has a long career in management or commentary or male modeling.

This breaks my heart:

“The realisation hit me over a couple of weeks at the end of January into February. We played Celtic in the Co-operative Cup and lost 4-1. Then we played them in the league and lost 3-0 a few days later.

I felt then I wasn’t able to compete at the level I needed to. Players were running past me and I couldn’t keep up with them.

My mind wasn’t at ease and I was frustrated at players running away from me and getting the better of me.

I spoke to Craig Brown and, although he maybe thought it was a wee dodgy period, I knew it was time to go. I didn’t want to embarrass myself.”

Aging is depressing. And Ryan Giggs is greedy with his secret location for the fountain of youth. I just feel so sad reading this like I feel sad when I see I can't eat 10 cupcakes without gaining weight anymore like I used to be able to when I was 21.

Personally, I think the word got out that I have a boyfriend and have had for many months now and Paul just lost his will to play. Understandable.

All joking aside, Paul, you've been legendary. And you will be missed. Hurry back now....you'd look just as good in a manager's suit and tie.....

Wonder if it was Harters himself who is sending parcels with bullets to Neil Lennon. Hiding under the guise of being old mates, Paul's mother didnt raise a fool. Celtic boss would be a nice post for the man. If Ben Olsen wasnt the messiah of DC United, I'd hope Harters could make moves to this side of the pond. I'll be watching his space, interested to see what happens next.

 

ICC World Cup 2011. Ten of my Favies.

The ICC World Cup is here. And I'll be watching to support some of my favorite cricketers. Here's 10 for you to get to know:

1. Paul Collingwood - England

Age: 34

Playing role: Allrounder

Batting: Right-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm medium

He's the Ryan Giggs of cricket to me. A good leader; leads by example. Not too flashy, keeps his head down and does his job. Oh yeah and very handsome.

Colli announced his retirement from test cricket in January but he will continue playing T20 and ODI.
I may have shed a tear over that.

2. Daniel Vettori - New Zealand (captain)

Age: 31

Playing role: Allrounder

Batting: Left-hand bat

Bowling: Slow left-arm orthodox

Specs. Scruff. And one of the best LBW appeals ever. Dude's HOWZAT is hilarious.

He's a hot family man and a solid leader.

Multi-talented. Taking up football for charity. Bless.

3. Graeme Swann - England

Age: 31

Playing role: Bowler, hilarious tweeter

Batting: Right-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm offbreak

Named 2010 England Cricketer of the Year and one of the top ranked test bowlers in the World, Swanny takes wickets like candy from a baby.

Not to mention the dude has a righteous sense of humor and an excellent taste in music. Follow him on twitter and catch the banter with Jimmy Anderson and Tim Bresnan. Comic gold.

4. Sachin Tendulkar- India

Age: 37

Playing role: Top-order batsman

Batting: Right-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm offbreak

He's the Michael Jordan of Indian cricket. He's a legend on the pitch and a philanthropist off. You can't dislike the man.

5. William Porterfield - Ireland (Captain)

Age: 26

Batting: Left-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm offbreak

Every time an Irishman questions that the country even has a cricket squad, William Porterfield and the baby Jesus cry.
Remember in Invictus when all the black South Africans hated the National rugby team until Mandela made growing grassroots support a priority? Ireland need a Chester. A Catholic cricketer from the Republic. Someone like...oh....I don't know. Eoin Morgan?! (I will cover that later). Most Irish see cricket as a Proddy sport and to be fair, it has been. Maybe there could be an Irish Invictus and Porterfield could be Matt Damon. And I could have a cameo.

6. Eoin Morgan - England. And it should be Ireland because he's fecking Irish. He was born in Dublin. And unless he wants me to reverse sweep his leg he should go back to God's Country. One broken finger is nothing, Eoin.Get thee in Green or perhaps you'll see what two hands full of broken fingers feels like. He makes William Porterfield and the baby Jesus cry more than everyone else combined. Anyway...he's withdrawn due to injury (karma). But I still have love for Eoin. And his batting. And his little Irish brogue.

 7. Chris Gayle - Windies

Age: 31

Playing role: Batsman

Batting: Left-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm offbreak

I love him. I love the fact that he sometimes looks like Eddie Murphy as the lead singer of Sexual Chocolate in Coming to America. He's a personable dude who interacts with fans on twitter and to me, that means something. He is a complete force at bat.and in my opinion he was robbed of the captaincy this year. Infectious smile or what?

8. Morne Morkel - South Africa

Age: 26

Playing role: Bowler

Batting: Left-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm fast

Amid an epic sea of douche of Graeme Smith proportions stand the Morkel brothers, like beacons of hope that South African men are all not basically American fraternity guys with better accents.  What happened to Albie anyway? Both of them are good looking. Like the Lamonts of South African cricket. Google image search "Sean and Rory Lamont." You're welcome.

9. Jonathan Trott - England

Age: 29

Playing role: Top-order batsman

Batting: Right-hand bat

Bowling: Right-arm medium

Trotty has become a recent fave. Serving up tons like it was child's play. I like the guy.

10. Squad USA
Age: The average age is like 65. For real.
God Bless them.
They're like the Jamaican bobsled team from that film with John Candy.

Enjoy the World Cup!

I'm Starting to Rather Like Ana Vidic

 

Love the jacket and tight jeans, love the hombre hair, love the boots, love that the kids are in United tops, love the fact that she and Nemmies make just about the cutest kids on the planet.

Oh my God Luka and Stefan in their little shirts and Winnie the Pooh school bags.

Bless.

 Love the aviators, love love love that jacket, love the belt.

I love that the kids have the same winter coats and same school bags in different photos.
The kids aren't spoiled and shes not a typical WAG. Respect!

 

Love the dress, love the shoes, love the hubby.

Gorgeous! Just gorgeous.

Ana, I'd just like to say you've come a long way.
Remember this?

Not your finest hour. But I give Ana the Most Improved Award for 2010-11.
Looking good!

Valentines Day Dinner: Broiled Salmon and Quinoa Pilaf

For any guys in a Valentine's Day crunch: Forget flowers and candy. Forget monumental gifts. Most girls just want you to cook them dinner (or cook dinner together-even better) and give them something handmade.

So here you go...simple, quick, and really healthy. Your girlfriend won't feel all fatsy after eating this, which works out better for you.

Unless you know how to cook Indian food. Then forget all of this and make some Saag Paneer. Saag Paneer is the business.

For anyone in DC, I recommend making a day of it Sunday and heading to Eastern Market to pick out the ingredients. *It's closed on Monday so you would have to go Sunday* That way, you're buying super fresh locally grown food straight from the vendor. Get dessert from the Fine Sweet Shop bakery...it's amazing.

Anyway.

Valentine's Day Broiled Salmon and Carrot, Tomato, Spinach and Quinoa Pilaf 

Broiled Salmon

Ingredients:

2 tbsp minced garlic
6 tbsp EV Olive Oil
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black ground pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 6 oz wild caught salmon fillets. Don't settle for farm raised salmon. That stuff is nasty. Just like American non-organic meat is nasty and probably the reason why we have 9 year old kids running around with mustaches and bitch tits.*

Directions

1. Mix garlic, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and parsley
2. Place salmon fillets in covered glass dish and marinate for at least 1 hour
3. Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and broil for about 35 minutes
4. Garnish with a sliced lemon and some chopped vegetables

Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach Quinoa Pilaf

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 tablespoons vegetarian chicken-flavored bouillon granules
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon thyme
1 carrot, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 cup baby spinach

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan over medium heat; cook and stir the onion in the hot oil until translucent, about 5 minutes. Lower the heat, stir in quinoa, and toast, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Stir in the water, bouillon granules, black pepper, and thyme; raise heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
2. Stir in the carrots. Cover and simmer until all water is absorbed, about 10 more minutes. Turn off the heat, add the tomatoes and spinach, and stir until the spinach is wilted and the tomatoes have given off their moisture, about 2 minutes.

Accompany with white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Extra sexy if you make a playlist of tunes to listen to while preparing the food. Put some Frank Sinatra, Joao Gilberto, Tom Jobim, and Serge Gainsbourg in a mix. Perfect for cooking and pre-dinner cocktails.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

I'm celebrating mine in March and unless I master saag paneer in the next month, I bet broiled salmon will be on the menu.

Minka Kelly Looks Healthy....and Gorgeous

Last weekend I went to see the film "the Roommate" which is basically just an adaptation of "Single White Female" from 30 something NYC in 1990 to contemporary college life. The film starts Leighton Meester and Minka Kelly; both girls are absolutely gorgeous.

While watching the film I noticed that Minka Kelly is definitely not a stick figure. And watching her interview on a talk show I really noted that this girl has a normal fit and healthy body....and a really gorgeous face.
But anyway, she has been voted "Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire Magazine. Although her recent FHM shoot has obviously been photoshopped to hell, I at least applaud the recognition that a girl who looks like she eats AND works out hard to keep her shape is "sexiest."

So work it, Minka. 

"Meat Lover's" Vegetarian Peach Puppy Bowl Chili

Tomorrow is the Super Bowl. Or in my apartment, The Puppy Bowl.

One of the main reasons I can't get into American football is the frequent breaks and adverts but given the Super Bowl is actually known for debuting the best commercials of the year, maybe I'll watch. The other reason being the enormous lack of good looks (in my opinion) of American football players. Too bulky for me.

But the Puppy Bowl has no shortness of eye candy. The cutest pups ever actually.
Behold the promo for last year:

Seriously. It's like Christmas for Miss Giggs and Miss Busby. Scooby Snacks, Tuna, and for me...anything with cheese.

And one of my favorite winter recipes perfect for cold February and the year's biggest football game:
"Meat Lovers" Vegetarian Chili

I use Smart Ground soy crumbles for a meaty effect. You can use either the original or Mexican style for even more flavor:

Ingredients:
1 package smart ground
1 can light kidney beans, drained. Seriously. Drain them.
1 can no salt added diced tomatoes
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup diced peaches. Yes, peaches. It's delicious.
1 cup water
And I am lazy and just use the Old El Paso chili powder packet

In a skillet, add 1/2 cup water and the smart ground, breaking it apart into crumbles. Add the crumbles and the rest of the ingredients in a pot, bring to a boil, then put to low heat. The longer you let it sit, the better the chili.

Serve in a bowl and add reduced fat shredded cheddar. You're looking at only about 200 calories per serving.

Or go "Cincinnati style" and serve the chili over a plate of whole grain spaghetti. Delicious!

Hope everyone has a great Puppy Bowl/Super Bowl and.......Go Redskins?