Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Meatless Monday on a Tuesday and Let's Talk Hair Donation!
A few weeks ago, these were featured on Bob's Red Mill Blog for Meatless Monday. Their site was showing a warning, so I didn't feel good about sharing the link until all was safe. Well, it's back up and running! This recipe was so much fun to create! I LOVE chia seeds and they definitely shine in this recipe. Most people think my kids just eat great all the time and that they never give me grief when I serve up exciting foods like cauliflower. While they are getting better, I still have to be creative to get some of the less loved vegetables and nutrients in them.


These were a winner with the boys! These are loaded with high fiber chickpeas, cauliflower and chia seeds, as well as filled with protein!


You know lettuce wraps are just fun too! Tony was bummed they weren't gluten free (Bob's chia are not certified), since they made the house smell so good! If you're looking for a great way to get in some omega 3's definitely get your hands on some chia seeds and start throwing them in your burgers!


These cauliflower baked falafel were super crispy on the outside while being firm and moist (sorry to the moist haters) on the inside. Click here for the recipe! I'm also sharing these on Simply Sugar and Gluten Frees Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.

I know I'm all over the place here lately, but I just realized the other day (when someone asked me in the comments and on FB if I had donated my hair yet) that I never posted a picture of my haircut! I think I'm one of the few bloggers that really hates posting pictures of myself...


This was actually taken the day I got it cut about 2 1/2 weeks ago! I can't believe it's gone by that fast. I sent 19 inches to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths. I chose them because they donate the wigs to women living with cancer through the American Cancer Society. I highly recommend them to you if you are considering doing the same. I mailed the hair in myself since my hair salon only sends to Locks of Love and I did not want them to sell my hair.

Anyway, the first week was hard to get past the phantom hair that isn't there anymore. I still "lift" it in the shower when I'm washing my back. It feels strange, but definitely freeing. Now I'm finally starting to have fun with it. My hair is soooo wavy too! I let it curl the other day and I really liked it. I'm not sure if I want to keep it this short, go shorter or let it grow out to chin length (tapered bob style)? I know, major decisions these days in the hair department. I just feel lucky enough to be able to grow my hair the way I want to. It feels good to know that someone in need will get to have a wig from my hair and that will make their suffering a little less painful and hopefully make them feel beautiful!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   20 comments
Monday, February 27, 2012
NuNaturals Giveaway Winners!
According to random.org, the winners of the NuNaturals stevia giveaway are...

Lena

Liz

Lauren

Kristin

email me your address (sarena at thenondairyqueen dot com) so I can get the sweet stuff to you!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 10:05 AM   1 comments
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Taking time in the kitchen...
Don't forget to enter the NuNaturals giveaway!

How did it turn into Thursday already? This week has been a crazy mess. I'm not complaining though, since great things are happening for me, but it's going to take me a bit of time to get settled. I am now on double time to get my Personal Training Certification, so writing here may be a little on the scarce side for the next couple of months. I have to stay focused and on task. This is not always easy for me, so I am officially practicing the arts of being focused and staying on task. Suggestions are always welcome. I am not on pinterest at this point due to the fact that I know it will be a time suck, but I swear I've considered getting on it just to see new ways to get organized (read pretty ways to motivate me to get organized).

I was lucky enough to spend some time in the kitchen on Monday. People always assume that I eat healthy because it's easy for me. Well, I have a ritual day too of getting myself organized for healthy eating throughout the week. I finally had some time and made some lentil quinoa burgers to load up the freezer! I am so bad at making a batch and then just eating that for the rest of the week as my protein. Not this time, I made a huge batch and have restrained myself from bean burger burnout. I also sadly have a huge batch of chickpeas in the fridge waiting to be made into this and this, but I have not had time to make either. Also, I've been eating them on my salads like crazy this week. Oh well, at least I've been prepared. I will get around to making these treats soon! Luckily I have another bag of chickpeas in the pantry just in case I eat this whole bag. Good thing I stock up on my beans.


The great thing about bean burgers is that you can use them to clean out the fridge, which is exactly what I did! I got a little excited with my new membership to Costco and purchased a 5lb bag of spinach (I think it was anyway-it may have been more-, Tony calls it the "big ass" bag). People, we ate that in a week! I don't know if I should be proud or embarrassed? I'm going with proud since my boys are now eating spinach salads! Their dad is a genius since he was the one to convince them to do so. I love all the veggie eating these guys are doing here these days even when I'm not here to cook!


Anyway, the burgers were really good. The original version is my favorite bean burger or bean ball, but I rarely take the time to make them. I added spinach and simplified the process a bit so these were easier and more veggie loaded. Oh and the side of home fries and ketchup definitely made this meal complete for me!




Quinoa Lentil Balls or Burgers

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa (make sure you rinse quinoa really well!)
1 cup uncooked lentils (rinsed and drained)
4 cups water or vegetable broth

Put all of this in a pot and boil for an hour or until the lentils are done.  The quinoa will officially be over cooked, but that helps the mixture come together.  There should be no more liquid in the pot.  If there is, drain it off.

1/2 cup salsa
3 cups fresh spinach
2 cups chopped mushrooms

Put all of this in a food processor and process until small, but still chunky.

1 TBSP salt
2 TBSP  flax meal
fresh ground pepper

Add all of this and half of the hot quinoa lentil mixture to the food processor.  Process until the mixture comes together.  Still a little chunky.  Make sure the quinoa lentil mixture is still hot so it will activate the flax.

2 cups quick oats (or whole oats slightly processed)

Next, add the oats and the processed mixture to the remaining quinoa lentil mixture in the pot.  Stir it all together and put in the fridge 4 hours to over night.

When completely cooled, line two sheet pans with parchment paper.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

With wet hands scoop out a tablespoon worth of quinoa lentil mixture.  (Wet hands keep the mixture from sticking to your hands) I used a small cookie scoop.  Line them up on the sheet pans.  I used 5 scoops for the burgers.  I got 27 balls and 8 burgers.  Bake the balls for 30 minutes. Bake the burgers 20 minutes on each side (flipping half way between).

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   17 comments
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
NuNaturals Giveaway!
So, you all know how much I love NuNaturals Stevia, right? Well, it's all I use when it comes to alternative sweeteners.

Some of my favorites...







It is my favorite of all of the alternative sweeteners out there! Well, the kind folks at NuNaturals have offered to share some of the sweet stuff with 4 of my readers! 


Four lucky winners will recieve 1 box of NuStevia Packets, 50 count and 1 bottle of NuNaturals Vanilla Stevia Liquid (my favorite and I use it in everything)!


All you have to do is leave a comment here telling me if you use NuNaturals, and if so how you use it or what you will do with it when you get to try it!

You can put in a second entry by "Liking" NuNaturals on Facebook. Leave a comment here telling me you did.

Also, for those that want to go ahead and give NuNaturals a try, they offer a free sample to all of you! All you have to do is send a self addressed, stamped, #10 envelope to:

NuNaturals, INC
2220 West 2nd Ave., #1
Eugene, OR 97402


Plus, NuNaturals is offering special discounts to my readers! When you checkout at their website, enter the code BLG0612 and you will receive free shipping on all orders totaling $35, and over, after the discount. This offer ends June 30, 2012.

Only Continental US residents are eligible for this giveaway and the free samples. Entries will end at 12:00pm EST on Thursday, February 23rd. Giveaway winner will be announce Friday February 24th.

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:00 AM   54 comments
Monday, February 20, 2012
Planters Peanut Giveaway Winner...
Paige from Running Around Normal!

Congratulations Paige, I'm emailing you now for your address!
posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 9:21 PM   0 comments
Friday, February 17, 2012
11 Random Things Times 2
*** I have no idea why my site is not right, but I'm looking into it.

Things are about to change around here for me soon and I'm really excited! More time to cook and bake, as well as more time to work! For now though, since there was not a whole lot of baking or cooking going on and I was tagged two more times by Jessica and Christin for 11 random things, I figured I would share my answers with you for some Friday Fun Facts. If you want my first random post, you can find it here.


Rules 1. Post these rules. 2. You must post 11 random things about yourself. 3. Answer the questions the person who tagged you set for you in their post. 4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. 5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them. 6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Since this is my second time around, I won't tag people (I'm a rule breaker and most bloggers have done this already), but give me some random stuff on you! I've really enjoyed reading about others with these random posts.  

Jessica's Questions
1. Why did you start blogging? I wanted to share my experiences with going dairy free in hopes of connecting with others to help them too. Definitely a support system. Honestly, I have found an incredible support system in bloggers and am so thankful Tony talked me into it!

2. What is one food you could NEVER live without? Oatmeal! I HAVE to have my oats!

3. What’s your biggest fear? Losing Tony and the boys. They are my world and it would end without them.

4. Name 3 things always in your purse. Phone, wallet and chapstick

5. Favorite flower. Gerber Daisy

6. Favorite ethnic food. Mexican. I love pico!

7. 3 bloggers you would love to meet in person. That is so hard! I have too many! Honestly, any one that comments here regularly are considered great friends of mine and I want to meet them all. My list is way more than three!

8. Something we would never know about you. This will not be happy, but I'm going to share it since I think it's important for others to know they aren't alone and I've been thinking about it a lot lately as I read about it happening to others. Tony and I had a hard time having a baby after we had Jay. I miscarried twice between Jay and Max. Once at 12 weeks pregnant and once at 6 weeks pregnant. This was one of the most mentally crippling times in our lives. I, at the time, had no idea this could happen and I felt so alone (as a woman, not from Tony). Since then, while I stay pretty private about it, I feel like it's important to share. It brings back horrible feelings and I will never forget the babies that could have been, but I know there are others that experience these same feelings and they aren't alone. I, luckily, had an incredible doctor that tested my hormones to find that I had no progesterone to sustain a pregnancy. Now we have Max!

9. If you could spend 1 month anywhere where would it be. Greece. I want to go so badly and see where my great grandparents are from!

10. If you could name a nail polish color, what color would it be, and what would you name it? Black and I would call it Rockstar since that's how I feel when I paint my nails black...that reminds me, I need to make time to paint my nails.

11. Favorite recipe you have found on someone else’s blog? Anything Heather cooks. She makes me hungry every time I read about her meals.

Christin's Questions
1. Do you remember your dreams?  Not normally. Unless, it's bad and oddly, I remember that it's bad, but not really the details. It's always weird to wake up with a feeling of fear or anger and not know why.

2. When did you last laugh?  Last night! I live with three boys! I laugh all the time. There are so many fart and "that's what she said" jokes going on regularly. Seriously, my life is a comedy act!

3. What band/album are you most smitten with right now?  That's so hard because I don't really keep up with the latest trends on anything. Adele is probably the one that I can listen to over and over that's a newer album. I refer to Melissa for most of my new music. As for anything older, I'm a huge Sarah McLachlan fan. I also love Mumford and Sons, Dido, Iron and Wine and Damien Rice if I am feeling really sad. My music is really all over the place. We listen to a lot of Journey, Queen, Red Hot Chilie Peppers, oh and the sound track to The Fountain is my zen music. If you need some good relaxing music, listen to that album.

4. What would you do first if you won the lottery? Buy a farm and live off the land in a modern cabin that Tony and I have designed. Then save for the kids' college and travel EVERYWHERE when they are out of the house!

5. What is the last book you read? I'm reading The Help and love it. I've seen the movie, but I wanted to know more about the characters. Does my Nutrition Course Book Count? Oh and I'm currently reading my Personal Training Course Book. Yeah, I'm all over the place with reading too...

6. What is the closest item to your left hand right now (other than your keyboard)? My iPhone

7. Who is your favorite comedian? I would say Bill Cosby. I have Bill Cosby Himself in our Netflix Queue now to show the boys. I remember watching that as a kid and loving it!

8. Do you have any tattoos? Yes, I have a four leaf clover on my right ankle. I am definitely getting another one on my wrist this year! It's in the plan!

9. Do you like your middle name? Originally, Killette.

10. What is your favorite animal? Cats for home, cows otherwise. They just have the sweetest faces and I love how their heads bob up and down when they walk.

11. What is the worst food you’ve ever eaten? Well, last night I made an oatmeal and protein powder concoction that was like concrete. That was unpleasant. I would probably say the worst was liver though. It smells and taste awful.

Ok, enough about me! Now you answer some!

Have a great Friday!

***Don't forget to enter the Planters Peanut Give Away!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 8:22 AM   14 comments
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Anybody Want A Peanut?!
Sorry for the movie reference, I just couldn't help myself. Oh and please tell me you can name the movie! We are huge fans of peanuts here! Needless to say, when the nice folks at Planters offered to share a few of their nut varieties with us, I couldn't pass it up! The funny part is that we already had the Dry Roasted and Unsalted Dry Roasted jars in our pantry. They are a standard pantry item here for snacks!


Planters peanuts contain 6 vitamins and minerals, are a good source of protein with a nice mix of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. The unsalted variety only has 5mg of sodium and is perfect for making homemade peanut butter or for a less salty snack!


Planters peanuts contain Thiamin and Niacin which help convert food into energy! They are also a source of dietary fiber which helps support a healthy digestive system. 


The Planters NUT-rition Bone Health Mix combines the delicious flavors of almonds, granola clusters, yogurt-covered raisins, peaches, raspberries & cashews. The mix provides a good source of calcium and magnesium, which help support bone health.


Sadly, Tony and I could not eat this variety since it has dairy and wheat in it, but the boys loved it! I'm always on the hunt for healthy snacks for them to take on the go and this one is a perfect mix of salty and sweet.

So, would you like to enjoy some nuts too? Planters is offering to give one lucky winner 2 jars of Planters Unsalted Dry Roasted Peanuts, 2 jars of Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts and 2 jars of Planters NUT-rition Bone Health Mix.

All you have to do is tell me if you like peanuts and what is your favorite way to use them (or if you like them as a snack all on their own). 

For an additional entry, you can tweet, post the giveaway on facebook or blog about it. Maximum of two entries per person. 

The contest closes on Sunday, February 19th at midnight. I will announce the winner on Monday, February 20th.  

***Disclaimer: I did receive samples of this product, but my statements and reviews are my own.

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   33 comments
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Max Turned 11!
There are moments in life that you really just want to stand still. I feel like we run around so often to then stop long enough to be sad thinking that those times have passed. I used to be a stay at home mom. I was one of those people that was so happy to be here. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to be here for moments with my little guys. It was never in the plan, but it just happened that way due to crazy unplanned life circumstances. Tony and I actually went back and forth on the stay at home tasks. He loved his turns working from home too with them!

This is what happened on my watch...



This is what happened on Tony's watch....

(yes, he ate a yellow crayon and we have no idea what Jay is doing in the background)

(jumping of a rope swing at Tony's parent's place)

Obviously times with dad are more adventuresome and fun!

Lately, I've realized how grown up they are and I'm really missing these days..

(photo courtesy of Nayoung)
The goofiness is changing from these things...


to "that's what she said" jokes. Sadly, I don't get most of them, but at least Tony is amused. That's part of being out numbered by boys too I guess. 

Max turned 11 on Sunday. I remember going to the hospital to have him like it was yesterday. 

(6+5=11)

If you've been around long enough, you know that Max doesn't do cake for his birthday. 

Tollhouse pie made with whole wheat flour, stevia for the plain sugar and a graham cracker crust.

Fish tacos for lunch with corn salsa and lettuce per the birthday boy's request.
(Not pizza or burgers cause that would be too normal)

Mine were egg white tacos with fresh peppers and corn salsa. 

This is the boys while bowling on Sunday. My how things have changed!

Happy birthday Max! Thank you for 11 years of memories!

Oh and Happy Valentines Day to all! We don't celebrate here since we show appreciation for each other everyday. If you celebrate, I hope you have an incredible day with the ones you love!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:51 AM   17 comments
Friday, February 10, 2012
Chia Jam Addiction...
My brain is officially closing out for the weekend! I have a hair appointment at 9:30 and a new me will emerge. I'm not nervous about getting my hair cut, but I'm a little nervous about going so short. I'm doing it though. I've always wanted to try super short and now is my chance! So, I'm going to leave you all with a little sunshine from yesterday. The chia jam addiction continues...


I wanted figs, but I could not get my hands on any so this was created...


Strawberry Clementine Ginger Chia Jam
(makes 2 cups)

5 oz Clementines or 2 whole, peeled and sections cut in half
8 oz strawberries chopped
3/4 cup water
1/4 - 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 TBSP chia seeds
3 oz strawberries diced
10 drops vanilla stevia (I used NuNaturals) or 1 TBSP sweetener

In a sauce pan, combine the clementines, strawberries, water and ginger. Cook on a medium high temperature for 10 minutes or until the fruit is softened and cooked. Remove the mixture from the heat, add the chia, chopped fresh strawberries and sweetener. Stir and allow to cool. Then refrigerate and serve when chilled.

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   10 comments
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Workout Overload!
I feel kind of bad because I'm really just using my site as a regular everyday journal lately. The recipes are few and far between because I pretty much cook and eat eat everything fast. Which is not good, but I don't have a lot of experimenting time or picture taking time. Also, the interesting foods are pretty scarce too. Seriously, how many times do you want to see egg white omelets with some sort of vegetable and baked potatoes covered in nutritional yeast? I mean, the meal doesn't bore me, but I'm pretty sure the pictures bore the heck out of all of you.

Lately, the focus has been workouts. Fuel too, but my brain is definitely in exercise mode. I think this is due to my studies being focused on exercising. I worked out on Tuesday morning with an interval workout and then strength training. Then on Tuesday night, I worked out with my friend that's studying for her personal training certification too. I LOVE her workouts. We workout differently, but I love the challenge she brings to my workouts. I won't go into the whole workout because it's hers and I don't feel right doing that. She designed it. I will tell you that it started out with a 1 mile run. She is training for a triathlon and running is a breeze for her. She knows I'm working on it. I will tell you, for some this won't mean much, but I ran an 11 minute mile and didn't hate it! No walking! I also ran another mile through the course of the workout, but it was broken up with strength moves, which I really liked. Made it seem a little easier. When we were done, I showed her some Core Fusion moves that she didn't know about. I've never been a heavy weight lifter (not because I'm scared of getting bulky ), but I've found that doing strength training like Core Fusion helps me build up the smaller less worked muscles and helps with my joints. I feel more in control of my movements after I do those types of workouts oh and I love the long lean muscles of dancers. So, it's been fun changing things up and I love sharing things with someone else that has a deep interest in exercise.

Oh then Wednesday was a gym workout morning with the boys. They begged me to go even though I was going to call it a rest day. I had to take them. So, I ran another mile and a half with Jay (a run walk with our 5k trainer), then did a HIIT round with Max (also taught him how to hit the punching bag) and then I helped the boys with some strength moves. It was fun showing them some stuff even though the last thing I wanted to do was workout.

This morning I did a super light dance cardio with the Star Trainers. It was fun and loosened me up. Now, my brain needs to change over to study and work mode.

I am so ready for tomorrow. My hair is coming off first thing in the morning! I am going to feel so light with all this hair gone. I will post pictures at some point. Tony is going to work some photoshop magic so I can make sure I'm getting the cut I want. Fingers crossed it turns out well. I love short hair, but it's been a while...

Have a great Thursday!


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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 7:54 AM   9 comments
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
When Me Becomes We...
I won't lie to you, last week left me exhausted...really over the top warn out. Tony and I actually went to sleep Friday night at 8:30pm. I don't remember the last time we did that. I love that the boys are old enough to stay up and watch a movie while their old fart parents have to go to bed though. Oh and it didn't help that I had to work Saturday. So, early to bed, early to rise...

Sunday was a very productive day for me. I wanted to workout, but instead I cleaned the house from top to bottom. With the way I've been running around lately, a good house cleaner I have definitely not been. So, the house is clean for now and the laundry is done...unfortunately only for now. We also enjoyed an incredible linner with friends. Definitely a great day!

Monday, I was pretty much flying high after my workout in the morning. I got up at 5:50am with two workout buddies. People, I think my "me" time has become "we" time. Jay (13 1/2) is serious about running - this is a new thing. Max (11 this week) is serious about muscle toning - this is a new thing. I offered to workout with them after school yesterday, but they wanted to get up with me and workout in the morning. Since it's too dark to workout outside at 6am, I took them to the gym so Jay could run on the treadmill. I should make it clear to all those that don't like kids at the gym, I work at a small gym that is actually a good place for families to go. My kids are respectful of others at the gym and they clean the equipment better than most of the adults that go there. There were only 4 people at the gym when we got there so it worked out pretty well.

Anyway, Jay needed a treadmill and since there were only 2 left, Max and I did two rounds of HIIT cardio and then I ran a mile with Jay when the treadmills cleared out. People, I did not HATE it. I pulled out my New Balance 760 and they felt a lot easier on the run. I also took my friend Heather's advice and went with a smaller stride and I felt a lot better about how I was running. I'm going to read up on it a little more too. I think Jay would benefit from some information too. He's talking about being interested in track next year when he gets into high school (where has the time gone?). Here's the thing. I don't ever think I will be a runner, but it always feels better working out with someone, especially in the beginning. Jay loves it and I want to be there for him as a partner so he's not at it alone. 

The workout was incredible and left me feeling really great yesterday. The kids were on the ball and things ran smoothly in the morning. You can't beat that! Not only that, they want more! I'm totally loving this! Tony slept...not acceptable!

Now for a highlight meal as of late...


fluffy gluten free peanut butter and grape chia jam pancakes!


Making jams with chia seeds has become an addiction for me. No fruit is safe! This one turned out more like a sauce since I didn't cook it, but it was such a perfect sauce for these pancakes!


The pancakes were not only fluffy when made, but they actually remained fluffy for three days afterwards when Max ate the last two for breakfast reheated. We all loved this recipe! I took my nutmeg muffins, took out the sugar and played with a few things and they turned out exactly how I wanted them to be! Light, fluffy and a little doughy!

Fluffy Gluten Free Pancakes
(makes 15 small)

1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1 1/2 cup Almond Milk
1 cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)
1 cup Brown Rice Flour ( I used Bob's Red Mill)
1 TBSP baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 cup egg whites
20 drops vanilla stevia (I used NuNaturals) or 2 TBSP sugar

Combine the apple cider vinegar and almond milk; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the flours through the xanthan gum. Next add the milk mixture, egg whites and stevia to the flour mixture. Mix just until combined. Cook 1/4 cup at a time on a nonstick skillet until cooked on both sides. 

Grape Chia Jam
(makes 1 3/4 cups)

3 cups red grapes
2 TBSP chia seeds (I used Bob's Red Mill - but they are not gluten free)

Process in a food processor until completely mixed well. Allow to sit in the fridge overnight. 



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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   20 comments
Friday, February 3, 2012
Facts Friday...
This week has left me seriously exhausted. It has been go, go, go all week! A lot of good things going on, a little lack of sleep, a lot of crazy schedule shifts, some serious work and a few workout change ups have left little time for anything else. I'm glad the week is ending even if I do have to work tomorrow. I'm gonna take tomorrow as a serious focus day and really work on studying. Back to the grind!

In the mean time, Nicole from Making Good Choices answered the 11 Random Facts questions and when I commented, she asked me to do one. So, I took the cheater approach and came up with some random facts and since I didn't answer any specific questions, I gave you a couple of extra facts. 

Before we get to the facts, I would like to acknowledge Nicole has done an incredible job changing careers in the last year and great things are happening for her. She truly is an inspiration! Congratulations, Nicole, and you know I wish you so much success!

Random Facts...

1. I hate spending money. So badly that it can really look like I'm a cheapskate. Even taking the leap to get another certification was such a hard decision for me. The trip we took to NY for Christmas with the boys was a practice in me letting things go. I think I'm doing better...

2. I love getting up in the morning to workout. Well, it's not that I love waking up early, but I love starting my day with an accomplishment. At that point, nothing can get in the way of at least one thing getting done for me during the day. 

3. Live classical music makes me tear up. I don't know why but the sound of the instruments makes me overwhelmingly emotional. 

4. I want to get another tattoo so badly. I have it all planned out and I want to get it on my left wrist. Now I just need my artist husband to design it for me!

5. I am a complete and total klutz. Seriously, I walk into walls, trip up stairs, burn myself on a regular basis. This is a concern for me starting to run. Tony actually told me to be careful and not fall the other day when I left. It's that bad. It's also a good thing I have a pretty high pain threshold or I would be in pain all the time. I almost burned my hair the other day too and it was even up in a ponytail. Yeah, it's time to chop it off now!

6. I am part owner in my husbands illustration business. Yes, between working at the gym, getting my nutrition certification, starting to study for my personal training certification and working towards building my own business, I'm supposed to be working with him on his book keeping stuff/marketing...oh yeah, that's why I'm always warn out. 

7. I don't feed most people the way I eat. Don't get me wrong, I always cook with health in mind, but I don't know that people would fully appreciate my nutritional yeast and Marmite concoctions. Tony and the boys are getting more and more into my strange eats, but others would flip out. I love making sneaky healthy treats though and having people think they are more sinful than they are. Dessert at my house is always a healthier treat and people love finding that out after they feel a little guilty about eating them. 

8. I'm a volume eater. Most people can't believe how much food I can eat. The thing is, when you eat fresh vegetables, fruits and lean proteins you can eat so much more! I'm a sneaky sweets eater too! I love my peanut flour peanut butter fudge! There's always room for dessert!

9. I want to live on a small farm some day. I really do want chickens and goats. I want to be more self sufficient and way more off the grid. 

10. I love hearing about what people eat. I normally don't talk about my food unless someone asks me. I love hearing about how people fuel themselves and what they love to eat. I think food provokes a certain feeling in people and I love hearing about old family favorites that peoples' relatives used to make for them. Little Granny's biscuits will forever have a place in my heart even if neither one if us can eat them anymore. 

11. It drives me crazy when people refer to vegetarian food with meat names. They are NOT tofu ribs...it's tofu in a strange shape with bbq sauce on it. Or chk'n wings...really, it's just annoying. Besides, if you don't eat meat, so you really want to relate what your eating to meat products? No!

12. I am what holds me back. I realize now that I'm the one that keeps me from achieving things I have wanted for years. My own insecurities have done me no good all my life. I do think having a strong support system with my husband and boys has helped me see that it's ok to be me and do my thing. So, thanks to them...I'm doing my own thing!

13. I rarely drink alcohol. No, I'm not a prude and I don't think there's anything wrong with it. If you know myself and my husband, you know that. I just never acquired much of a taste for the stuff. I grew up being aloud to have drinks too, so the "getting away with something" factor was completely taken away from me. I make a good designated driver though! Also, my family is not known for their restraint from the stuff, so I choose to be obsessive compulsive with other things...like, oatmeal (I know, lame but true), cooking in general, working out and nutrition. I wish I was more into cleaning and laundry...those would be some better obsessive compulsive traits or at least I'm sure my husband would appreciate that more, maybe not more, but he would prefer a little of that.  

Ok, give me some fun facts!

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 1:59 PM   15 comments
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
I'm Not A Runner...Help!
I got this in the mail yesterday, which made me super excited!


And I finally signed up for my personal training certification course! This is something I've wanted to do for way longer than I even want to think about. I am so excited!

I also went on my first official outside intentional run. Truth be told, I woke up an hour late on Tuesday morning. That NEVER happens. I guess I turned the alarm off and mentally decided to get some extra sleep. So, in my sleepy state, I told the boys that since it was so pretty out (almost 70 degrees) that I would start training for a 5k with them. What in the world was I thinking???

I should tell you that I work out in the morning because that is my most energized time. It works for me. Even in my groggy state, I can wake up in a snap when I start going. When the evening rolls around, the last thing I want to do is workout. The boys were my motivation yesterday. They wanted to go out running so badly...how could I let them down?! So, we walked to the park for our warm up and walk ran according to my couch to 5k running app. I really liked the app. It took us on intervals and it's definitely a good way to get you going. However, I'm afraid that I really just don't know how to run properly. I'm not a runner by any means and really, I don't want the bug. I'm far too infatuated with other types of workouts. I do think that becoming a trainer makes it my responsibility to be able to coach someone if they do want to run. So, I'm going to learn to like it or at least learn to not run like a freak. One or the other will happen.

I'm going to go to a running shop to check out how I run and get some shoes thanks to my good friend, Heather's, suggestion. I'm also going to start reading up on running too.

So, to my running friends...give me some information. What do you like, what do you not like, any books to read or other resources?

By the way, how is it already February 1st? Where in the world did January go?

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posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 6:30 AM   19 comments

Name:
Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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