New Routines
Well ladies and gents I’m a single lady… for now… and I’m trying to figure out how to pick up all the pieces. My life’s been one way for so long I feel like everything’s a little upside down. The days feel so so long and it’s hard for me to do anything, but not doing anything is worse because my brain takes over and it’s too much to deal with.
To help me get through I’ve made myself a new routine, one that I do every day the same way.
- Wake up 7am
- (optional gym time)
- Shower, coffee, hair, etc.
- Work
- Lunch & blog
- Work
- (optional gym time)
- Basketball, the children’s theater or other social activity
- Home
- Dinner & blog
- tv leisure time
- Bed 11pm
Today I did my gym time right after waking up. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical. It’s not my best but I think for right now it’s enough.
Anyways I do have some fun stuff to show you including a recipe I whipped up this weekend.
Southwestern Stuffed Acorn Squash.
the pics aren’t that great because I decided to get all Emeril at 9:45 at night. But don’t let the photos fool ya… this recipe is awesome!
So there I was Saturday evening feeling a little blue, when I remembered I bought an acorn squash, the awkward acorn squash… So I thought ‘I’ll roast it. That sounds fun.’
I did the basic roasting recipe.
- cut the squash in half
- scoop out all the guts
- place on a baking sheet lined with foil and 1/3 cup water
- bake at 425 for ~30 mins.
Here’s what I did for stuffing (perfect for 1 acorn squash, 2 people).
Ingredients
- 1 roasted acorn squash
- 2/3 cup whole wheat couscous
- 2/3 cup water
- salt to taste
- 1/4 cup diced tomato (mine were adobo flavored)
- 1/4 cup beans (mine were Amy’s baked beans in tomato juice)
- a little grated cheddar for topping
- 1/4 cup salsa
- tapatilo or hot sauce (optional, but recommended)
Directions
Cook couscous as package directs.
Once cooked add the diced tomato, beans, salsa and hot sauce and stir until combined.
Fill the roasted acorn squash bowls with the filling. Don’t be stingy… make sure both halves get even amounts of stuffing.
Top with a little grated cheese and put back in the oven under the broiler. Take the bowls out when the cheese is all melty and gooey.
I added a little hot sauce to the top of the cheese before I broiled it. This way the cheese topping was extra spicy.
I think black beans would be best in this recipe, but I was out. And if you have any cilantro go ahead and sprinkle a little of that on the top.
Put your acorn squash bowl in a bowl and enjoy.
I’m drooling remembering the awesomeness.
What else has been going on around here.
Javier oh how I love you.
I’m not regretting the muy expensive coffee maker purchase of pure joy at all! I’ve bought a bunch of fall flavored K-cups and I’m enjoying each and every cup of coffee.
- Green Mountain’s pumpkin spice (my favorite!!!)
- Kahlua (best with soymilk, yucky without!)
- hot Apple Cider (holy sweet dessert in a cup!)
- Gloria Jean’s butter toffee (perfect with a little stevia for a mid afternoon pick-me-up)
I only bought the kahlua and butter toffee because I found each on Amazon, a box of 18 cups for under 9 dollars. How can anyone say no to that deal?
I was super excited to find this stack of little white mugs that perfectly fit the 8 and 10oz brews Javier makes. It’s a match made in heaven.
It’s my little coffee station.
Tell me about you!!! I want to know…
What’s your sure fire way to cheer yourself or someone else up?
I’m up for just about anything… that’s not illegal, or involves gnomes. Don’t ask.
What is your favorite squash?
I’m loving acorn squash right now.
Would you rather have popcorn or candy when at the movies?
popcorn.
What is your most favorite movie of all time?
White Christmas with Bing Crosby.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Hmmm…I think hanging out with friends helps. I also like to start watching a new show on Netflix so I can really dive into the show and watch multiple seasons in a row…Also going on walks with friends or family, just getting out and about.
My favorite squash is butternut!
I’d def. rather have popcorn, but I’d like both. :)
Yeah you’re right about the netflix. I’ve been watching Vampire Diaries all week. It’s the stupid mindless stuff that works the best. Thanks girl! Great pieces of advice.
Totally agree with Kelli’s comment above about finding a new show! That way if you’re having a night where you’re feeling particularly blue you can just watch a few episodes of your new favorite show to take your mind off things. I went through a really tough break up 2 years ago, and I know this probably doesn’t help right now, but I pinky swear promise that it’ll get better and every day will get a little easier.
I think the only kind of squash I’ve ever had is the yellow summer squash. I really want to try an acorn squash and making spaghetti squash this fall!
And I most definitely prefer popcorn at the movies! It’s the only thing that keeps me awake since I’m such a terrible movie watcher.
I am sorry to hear that girl, but I know you will only come out stronger. I am loving all the squash meals I have been making, I am big into acorn. You should try carnival, very similar but I actually prefer it to acorn. You are a rockstar, sure miss you around here but looks like a routine is perfect for you right now.
Hanging out with friends helps, and I agree with going out. Explore! And diving into a new TV series craze is good too. I also would try something new that I had always wanted to do, but never got around to it. That’s how I got into dancing. Belly dancing, pole dancing (dance studio), Pussycat. It felt good just to move to the music and strengthen my body. :)
I have yet to eat squash, except for zucchini. . . .this fall. whoops.
Popcorn is MUST have when watching movies.
Labrinyth has to be one of my top 10 favorite movies.
BTW, WICKED is coming back S.F in January!!! tickets on sale now!!
It is definitely hard going through a break up, sending you virtual hugs! Yes I agree that spending time with friends, family (and pets!) definitely helps. Time will also help. Love the acorn recipe, can’t wait to try it!
I did the 5k this weekend instead of the half marathon. I am glad that I did because I think I could have potentially hurt myself more. How is your knee doing by the way?
Hugs and welcome to the single ladies club! It’s actually quite fun ;) Things will get better in no time and you will develop new routines! Plus more time for friends! Love this recipe too! Sounds delicious! I’ve been loving squash this fall!
I agree, surround yourself with family and friends. :) Yep, routines and schedules help….a lot. The most important thing is to take care of yourself and talk to someone whenever the need arises. Thank the lord for blogs right?!!
I just bought an acorn squash and was wondering what I could do with it besides just roasting it! Great recipe!
Keep your chin up chica!
Awww girl I’m so sorry :( I’ve been with my current guy for a while, but I remember my last break-up… it was awful. I tore up every picture I had of us and hated life for a LONG time. My freshman year college roommate was a god-send. She helped me figure out how to be single again and was a huge source of support in the months following. She even sent me Facebook messages to remind me how awesome I am and how much my ex sucked. One even involved a detailed description of how she would hypothetically go about mutilating his genitals. She’s awesome.
I guess my advice would be not to obsess over it too much. The break-up STILL bothers me sometimes and I think that that wouldn’t be the case if I had found a way to better come to terms with it in the couple of months after it happened (instead of stewing and fuming). I also think that I moved on way too fast. I didn’t give myself enough of a chance to emotionally get over what happened before starting a new relationship, and that’s something I regret. The biggest piece of advice I can give you, though, is to find a friend that you can rely on and who will remind you how awesome you are (with or without a boyfriend!) and who will be completely okay with sitting next to you while you cry your eyes out and watch way too many episodes of Gilmore Girls.
But anyway… I’m IN LOVE with acorn squash lately. It’s my favorite thing ever. I just bought one today at the grocery store, actually. I put salt, Smart Balance butter, and Splenda Brown Sugar Blend in mine. Soooo tasty!
WHAT!?!?!!!! :( I’m sorry to hear that, but I definitely hope it’s for the best. Break-ups suck, but in my experience have brought me to progressively better places – if that makes any sense.
I would suggest reading Calvin & Hobbes. And looking at pictures of my dogs.
Sorry to hear that Maren, but I think it’s great that you’re developing a routine to keep yourself busy. Breakups can be tough, but keeping your mind off of it will definitely help.
That means make more yummy recipes! :D
anything with melted cheese is a winner in my book :) I’ll have to make this because I adore acorn squash!
sorry to hear about the breakup :( it always cheers me up to keep busy, and treat myself extra special…a little pampering can go a long way!
I had a feeling this might have been the case. Ugh. So tough. All I know is that time heals all wounds. Def distracting yourself helps. It did for me in the past. Popcorn FOR SURE at the movies. Favorite movie of all time is probably Say Anything. Love me some John Cusack.
Sending virtual hugs. You are gonna be good, I promise. Just give it some time. ;-)
oh and I LOVE that idea of keeping your K-cups in that jar. I need to get on that!!