The Avocado and Me

Mediterranean food is pretty much the best. I drizzle olive oil on plenty of dishes, and the veggies... mmm! Don't get me started on feta cheese, salmon, or nuts! I especially adore baba ganoush. Primarily composed of eggplant and olive oil, baba ganoush is a Levantine dip with this incredible, smoky, charred flavor. It is seasoned with lemon juice, tahini, and sea salt. You can make it at home, or buy it at the store. Because I'm one busy girl, I tend to do the latter, choosing Falafel King Fire Roasted Eggplant Baba Ganoush. Not only is it low in carbohydrates, but it is made of real, wholesome ingredients. On the other end of the spectrum, there is Mexican food. I love the culture behind Latino and Mexican dishes, but to be honest, they have never been my favorite types of cuisine. Especially now that I don't eat tortillas or masa, I don't hanker for these types of cookery. However, there are ALWAYS exceptions; I enjoy fajitas every now and then, eating the grill...

"Just one more squat!" - Maya Every day, my alarm goes off at 7:00 A.M. Unless it's a weekend, because those are designed to sleep in, do laundry, and meal prep. Every day, I eat breakfast and sip a cup of green tea. Then you'd better watch out, because my power mode turns on. I brush my teeth, tie my hair up, and change into my Under Armour gear (which I bought from an outlet because that stuff is expensive!). I head to the gym in the basement. My finger presses play on my Motivation Playlist and - BAM! We are off! The world turns into sweat and a rush of endorphins and music! Why do I love exercising? Well, for one, it's really empowering. I finish my pull-ups or dead-bugs and feel like I can conquer the world. For another, it gets my day going on the right track. I have found that when I workout, I feel better at school, am more awake, and am overall happier. What more can you ask for than joy? Finally, I know it is good for me. I love the challenge. I love...

Friends are the best, are they not? They extend a hand when you fall down and support you through and through. Unless you do something stupid. In that case, they tell you that you have you've done something stupid, and in doing so, make you a better person. I am so lucky to have so many amazing friends just like that. Today, I am excited to share with you a post by Maddi, who definitely falls into this category of inspirational, fabulous human beings. Enjoy! I  think that I’ve heard the quote, “Not all those who wander are lost” at least a thousand times. I even received a throw pillow for my newly decorated bedroom with this exact phrase in cursive lettering for my 14th birthday. Maybe my Aunt just somehow knew that my favorite word is ‘wanderlust’, or maybe that one hike last summer made her think that somehow… just somehow, I needed a quote to remind me of our short expedition. The throw pillow was stored out of sight and out of mind for a couple of days, that is, until ...

So you may have heard: there have been some pretty epic protests in the United States over the past few months. I mean, if you follow the news at all, they've sort of been impossible to miss. After the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (hat over heart), several student walkouts have taken place. I myself participated in the walkout on March 14th, marching out of my Spanish classroom at 10 AM and releasing 17 balloons over a span of 17 minutes. Together, standing on the track, my peers and I were honoring the Parkland victims. It was incredibly empowering to act upon my constitutional rights and stand up to brutal gun violence. I grew up in wake of the Columbine shooting, and consistently heard about more attacks on television. Rocori High School. Sandy Hook. I remember being at my grandparent's house having lunch when we heard about Arapahoe High School. According to Kara Fox of CNN News, the United States is " Home to liberty, the pursuit of hap...

Ah, asparagus. The nemesis of my childhood. My mom used to steam it and slather it in butter; needless to say, the only reason I ate it (nosed wrinkled) was to earn dessert. The same held true for brussel sprouts. The mention of the green veggie, and 'Lil Maya promptly squealed: ewwwww! Nowadays, my relationship with juniper foods has changed dramatically; in fact, they make up the majority of my diet! The secret, I've discovered, to really good veggies is a really good method for cooking them. Steaming, overall, just isn't my thing. The occasional floret of steamed broccoli is mediocre, but I positively adore roasted vegetables.  If I ever win an Oscar, you can bet that I'll be thanking the creator of the oven, because roasted broccoli... that stuff is the bomb! Don't even mention roasted brussel sprouts with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Or roasted asiago garlic asparagus. In fact, I whipped up a batch of asiago roasted asparagus last night to accompany a deli...

Yesterday, I wrote about mistakes. Today, I will write about purpose. People are fascinating, aren't they? Consider this: we are all searching for happiness, constantly wandering around in the dark, and learning. It's everyone's first time around. We're all newbies. And yet, we always seem to be competing with one another. Each and every person wants to make a mark on the world and to feel special in some way; this is something that both unites and distinguishes us. Personally, I think it is incredible that there are about 7.442 billion people on Earth (although it's kind of odd that we have fractions of humans - I guess you only really need one kidney). Out of these 7.422 billion people, there are 7.422 billion different personalities. Unique dreams. Diverging struggles, fears, hopes, and stories. This is evident everywhere, including within my school. My friend "O" aspires to be a psychiatrist, while "E" wants to pursue a career in aerospa...

In my opinion, the term 'human' is synonymous with 'mess.' Every now and again, we all make a mistake. Perhaps it is something as small as forgetting to put the chicken in the marinade, or something as large as texting a loved one when you're angry. And let's face it: no one really likes mistakes. Sure, FAIL is considered an acronym for first attempt in learning, and FEAR can mean face everything and rise. However, in the moment, messy situations and failure aren't exactly enlightening. In fact, they are rather depressing. Really disheartening. I had my own slip today. As a culminating assignment for the end of the year, my English teacher tasked my peers and me with the exciting Career Research Project. This endeavor requires students to interview an expert in the career field of their choice. I found this aspect both daunting and exciting. Fascinated by Nutritional Biochemistry, I contacted about four nutrition experts at Harvard as well as the Manager ...

Everyone drones on and on about the concept of cheat days while dieting. First of all, if you are eating a Primal diet and engaging in Primal exercise, it isn't diet. It's a lifestyle - you are noshing and moving according to your goals. Secondly, the so-called "cheat day" is the sole incentive for some people to get through the week. They think to themselves: "Okay Kate (Or Tim, or Rasa, or Pranav, or Eleven... whatever your name is). If you eat this limp, kale-and-broccoli salad every day for lunch, you can go whole hog on ice cream and pies this weekend." To that I say - no thank you. I hate raw broccoli, and no amount of chocolate or candy on a weekend will ever make up for this suffering. Bleh . And Kate, or Tim, or Rasa, or Pranav, or Eleven: you're also doing it totally wrong. You shouldn't deprive yourself of delicious food just for a fleeting Saturday indulgence. The healthy foods you consume should never sacrifice on taste or allure (I su...

Readers, I've got to be honest with you. I stopped blogging for quite some time, as I'm sure you've all noticed. But I promise that it was for a good reason. I did not think it was fair that I share wellness tips, recipes, or workout routines to help improve the lives of others when I was struggling to maintain my own health. You see, I have an eating disorder. No, it was not diagnosed by a doctor. No, I was not sent to inpatient. But I think it's pretty clear that something is up when one has gotten down to a BMI of 15.1, has terrible self-esteem, and eats five hundred calories a day. Five-hundred calories of "safe" foods. My nails were brittle, I was freezing all the time, and I isolated myself socially. It'll never truly go away, that thirst for control I denied every waking moment. But guess what? I've re-claimed my health. I am incredibly dedicated to being a girl comfortable in her own skin. I am practicing gratitude. And guess what? It's w...

Okay. I love vegetables, and I don't use that term lightly. I LOVE them. There is nothing better than asparagus baked with parmesan and garlic, or perhaps some lovely creamed spinach. Sure, my friends may think I'm crazy. They show up to lunch with biscottis, banana and Nutella (mostly Nutella) sandwiches on white bread, or some other sugary treat, and I'm over here eating zoodles. I can't be too bothered, though.  I've discovered that when I eat well, I feel well . For me, eating well means no grains or refined foods. Healthy fats and protein are staples in my diet, and I eat primarily low carb because (1) it helps my psoriasis, (2) my workouts are more powerful, and (3) I just feel better in general. As for sugar? I've ditched that stuff completely, unless its a square of 85%+ dark chocolate. Preaching my eating habits is NOT one of my hobbies. Afterall, I am no nutritional expert. I have no clue if what works for my body works for everyone else's. And b...