Snow, snow, snow!
February is going out with a bang, indeed.
I got stuck in the driveway yesterday and had to place some wood planks under the back tires to get out. Fun times!!!
Also broke our brand new shovel while shoveling!
Comfort food was in order this morning…
Choco-cado Pumpkin Speltmeal
I have been wanting to try spelt flakes as a hot cereal. I thought I would give it a whirl this morning not really knowing how they would turn out. The spelt didn’t cook as voluminous as oats, so I bulked it up with some pumpkin. Spelt is rich in Vitamin B3, vitamin B1, manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup spelt flakes
- 1/4 cup pumpkin
- 1.5-2 cups water
- Pumpkin Pie spice, to taste
- Pinch sea salt
Toppings:
- Vegan graham crackers
- Cacao nibs
- coconut
- Pure maple Syrup
- Choco-cado pudding (amazing on this!)
The spelt tasted ‘wheatier’ than the oats and it was also chewier. Overall, I prefer the taste of oats, but with some toppings I could barely notice the difference.
Morning pot of Japanese Sencha..zing, zing.
How old do you feel?
Often, I still feel like a university student. One reason why Eric and I are waiting to have kids is because we both still feel so young ourselves. Many days I still feel like a kid myself!
However, this was not always the case. When I was working in my stressful research job while juggling my full-time Master’s degree and teaching position, I felt OLD, old, old. I was stressed out to the max, I started to get fine lines and wrinkles, and I felt like I was at least 10 years older than I really was. I pictured my life as unhappy and stressed out, working at the same job my whole life.
This all changed when I took my life into my own hands and decided to create happiness in my life. After leaving my job, I was even more stressed out, but the difference was that there was now hope. Before, I didn’t have hope because I accepted that I would always be unhappy in my career.
As the months went by in 2009, I started to get myself back. I started to feel energetic, happy, and back to my old self. I started to feel young! I also started drinking Green Monsters and shifted to a vegan diet. I ran my first race and several races after that. I set goals for myself and enjoyed trying to meet them.
I truly believe that to feel young and vibrant, we need to create happiness in our lives one way or another. It is not something that is done overnight; it often takes months, if not years, to get on the path that you desire.
As you may know, some of my favourite books are Dr. Oz’s YOU books. In his book, YOU: The Owner’s Manual, he has a Real Age test. I was curious last night, so I took the real age test online and this is what I got:
I’m almost legal in the US! ;)
I would say that I now feel about 21-23 yrs old most days. When I was stressed out with my previous job and academic career, I felt about 35-38! I’m NOT saying that is old, but what I mean is that I felt like I had much more responsibility than I should have had at such a young age. While I wouldn’t go BACK to my early twenties (I was much more unstable than I am now), I think it is fun to ‘feel’ younger, energy wise.
I took the test several years ago when I was 22 and my score was about 19, so I have brought my real age down by 3 more years since then.
The test asks questions about your health background, your diet, fitness level, family history, drinking habits, etc. It pinpoints areas where you struggle and gives suggestions on how to improve your health.
My questions to you today are:
1) How old are you?
2) How old do you FEEL?
There is a difference most of the time…
~~~
Updates:
Size Healthy around the Blog World:
- Katie: http://www.healthforthewholeself.com/2010/02/size-healthy-contest/
- Pauline: http://eatplaynlove.blogspot.com/2010/02/size-healthy-contest.html
It’s supposed to be a rest day for me, but I have to go shovel the drive-way! Boo urns.
PS- Super scary + nail-bitter ending to the game last night! Very excited for US vs Canada on Sunday afternoon!!!!
Enjoy your Saturday! :)
I’m 30 and I feel exactly the same as I did when I was 24 or 25. Both maturity wise and physically. It’s a great feeling. Thanks for asking; I wouldn’t have thought of it!
Beautiful tea pot, I love when I have time to drink and serve tea the right way. It tastes so much better that way.
I’m 28 and definitely feel younger. I have two children and own a house, so shouldn’t I feel like an adult?
At 47 I’m probably one of your oldest readers and a fan of your blog. I took that test as well and my ‘real age’ is 41. I contribute it to a happy life with my husband of almost 27 years and two great sons. I have a passion for running (keep using that dreadmill Angela!) that keeps me in shape both physically and mentally. You are doing a fantastic job on your blog with keeping health for life in mind and not just being skinny. I liked your healthy size jean day! Keep up the wonderful and inspiring work that you are doing!
I am 38, and I don’t think that much about the number or my age. I feel healthy and energetic, I feel the same if not better then I did when I was in my twenties. One thing I have noticed is those I work with and know that are in their twenties seem to focus a lot on age, to the point of obsessing ( a few ), it’s crazy, they get concerned over turning 29 or 27 – no matter what – time marches on, and we all get old eventualy. Maybe like the size in our pants – we should answer the same to age…we are as old as we feel.
I’m 22, but I still feel 16. My body doesn’t feel “grown up” or “womanly” yet. Most likely because it’s not- I still look 16! When I meet new people they always think I’m still in high school (unless I’ve dressed up for a nice occasion- then I tend to look my age), which is funny because I’ll be graduation college this spring and heading to medical school in the fall!
so I’m a little creeped out… i put only my email address in the online one. it already had quite a bit of info checked in correctly, height, weight, astigmatism, that i wear glasses for reading, driving and night, that have changed jobs and moved home within the past 12 months, and was nervous about healthcare coverage. haha, what the heck. I used my dummy junkmail email address too!
I’m 20. Sometimes I feel 13, sometimes I feel 30. It’s a confusing situation =]
I’m in my late 20’s and I guess I feel physically like I’m in my early 20’s. (Age is 28.5 and real age is 24.4) but maturity wise, I feel close to my age. :)
I made a recipe today that made me think of you, Angela.
My blog readers probably won’t appreciate it, so I’m not gonna blog it, but I thought I’d pass it on.
Rocky Road Chia Pudding
Soak 1 Tbsp of chia seeds in 4 Tbsp almond milk for 10 minutes.
Mix in 1 Tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder (or chocolate protein powder, but it will be less rich tasting) and drizzle in a little agave (to taste). Top with walnuts and marshmallows!
It was awesome. :)
I am 43 and proud of it!!
I am 23 years old, but the test says my real age is 15! I can’t say I “feel” 15 all the time (thank goodness for no more acne!), but I do enjoy feeling younger in general. I also look young for my age, but I wouldn’t say I look quite 15 haha.
How funny that you brought this up now – I was at a girls school this week for work and one of the teachers mis-took me for a student!! So that made my 34 year old self feel pretty chuffed :) I definitely feel younger than I am and some days that can actually be depressing when I think about what other 34 year olds are doing (kids, careers etc), but we all do our own thing in our own time and we’re all growing and changing at different stages . . . and I am learning that that’s OK!
I am 22 but my quiz age is 14.9! lol
this is a great question! i am 26, but i feel like i’m still in college! i know that i could definitely feel younger, but ever since i started working out consistently again i’ve started to feel younger and younger again :)
Im 24, but sometimes I feel like Im 70. They tell me at work all the time that Im going to make a great senior citizen. Im all about schedules and routine, and get really irritated when I think people are being irresponsible. Im totally a grandma at heart and Ive made my peace with that.
Shoveling totally not what I call fun, I shoveled yesterday for 3 hrs, and woke up today with my arms killing me :(, I suggest mini breaks :) I feel like I’m 80, I’m so beyond stressed at my job and I’m doing work that isn’t even mine to do, and I feel like all the responsibility is on me, but all the credit is given else where…. I can’t wait to find my happiness…
Have a snowtactular day :)
You just solved my latest mystery! I recently bought some extra healthy looking oats at the health food store in Germany and couldn’t find an appropriate translation. I cooked them up and didn’t care for them as they were too chewy. While reading your blog, your photo of the spelt oats looked just like the stuff I’ve been using. I searched for the translation again going English to German this time and low and behold… I’ve been unknowingly using spelt flakes for the last week! Thanks for your help!
Apparently I am 14 years old. haha
Mentally I have always felt much much older. I was never interested in playing silly games or partying. I like cleaning/cooking/learning and taking care of others. Little boring compared to others my age. haha
In terms of my body, I feel incredibly young. People call me tiny all the time. Being tiny always makes you feel like a little girl. I want to look more womanly, but I am not sure it fits me, it definitely would take some time getting used to.
Boo, I’m 24 and the test says I’m 30!! It wants me to get a dog :P I’m definitely in the best physical shape I’ve ever been in, but I’m currently in a job where I have to act a lot older than I really am to be taken seriously. Thankfully, it’s only a contract job to make some money before I move to Toronto. Then I can start acting/feeling my age again :)
Oh no, I’m 36 and the test says I’m 40.8 yrs. I work full-time in a stressful job (that I mostly love) and am the mom of an ENERGETIC 2 year-old. Although I eat super healthy, I definately have let my fitness level slide because I’m always so mentally and physically wiped out. Something’s got to give and I think most moms put themselves last.