I’ve Got Good News & Bad News

Posted on March 13, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

So which do you want first?

The way I like to do it, is give me the bad news first…then end on a happy note. Work for you guys? Of course it does!

Bad News?

Last night, after heading to bed around 10:30pm, I had the worst case of insomnia ever…and that was even AFTER I took something to help knock me out for the night. I just could not find a position that was comfortable for my back. I FINALLY ended up falling asleep on the couch around…are you ready for this…4:30am!

Good News?

I had one of the most amazing midnight…er, 1am snacks EVER…

Plain Chobani topped with carob powder, crumbled graham cracker cookies and mini marshmallows. I cannot even BEGIN to tell you how amazing this combo was!

I honed in on my artistic abilities on my new favorite app Draw Something…
If you play, look me up (kissmybroccoli)

C’mon, you can’t tell me that isn’t ELTON John! 😉

And finally, I got caught up on some of my favorite blogs!

Bad News?

I was forced to model some highly UNfashionable attire at the orthopedic’s office

No joke, they totally stood up on their own!

I’d like to think this would be similar to what MC Hammer would wear during the summer.

STOP…Hammer time!

Good News?

The photo shoot went nicely…and I even got some 5×7’s and wallets for myself 😉

It’s totally different being on THIS side of the imaging process!

Bad News?

I’m broken…

Well, not technically, but the doctor pointed out a few things from the x-rays.

The one on the left shows some spondyloysis at the level of my 5th lumbar vertebra. The doctor explained that this could be something I’ve had for years, but it is sometimes caused by stress fractures. I asked him if it could’ve happened while running and he said it was a possibility…which, I’ll admit is a little scary to think about, but he didn’t seem too concerned.

The other image shows the temporary abnormal curvature of my spine. Now, I’m not the best artist (refer to stickman example above) but the yellow line is supposed to represent the way my back SHOULD curve. The only reason it is as straight as it is is due to muscle spasms/tightness in my lower back.

Oh yeah, and I can’t go back to work for a week…I’m gonna go crazy!

Good News?

The doc introduced me to some new “friends”:

Meet Mr. Anti-Inflammatory, Mr. Muscle Relaxer, and Mr. Pain Killer

As someone who rarely takes anything for a headache, I’m a little nervous about my new gang, but at least they’ll keep the crazy down to a minimum.

And even though I had to wait an entire HOUR to get the prescriptions filled, I did hobble around a few aisles and found some simple pleasures:

Since I was a teenager, I’ve always gotten excited about new makeup…and I picked up the facial cleansing wipes so I don’t have to practically take a shower when washing my face at night (kinda can’t bend over the sink…womp, womp!)

Bad News?

The doc also ordered for me to undergo 4 weeks of PT. What? You don’t think that’s so bad? You DO know what that abbreviation stands for, right?

P.T. = Probable Torture!

I’ve done it before, they may make me better in then end, but I swear it’s just a mix of techniques to see how long before you cry out for your mommy! 😉

Good News?

Someone cancelled their appointment for tomorrow, so I was able to get in even sooner!

All I have to do is finish filling out this paperwork before tomorrow at 11am…must they REALLY ask about my sex life? Lol

And with that, I am already starting to feel Mr. Painkiller that I took a couple of hours ago…

Nighty night!

Is it easy for you to follow doctor’s orders and stay put or are you like me and get a case of ants in the pants?
Now I know how my mom always felt when we were little and she got sick…I feel so useless!

Gimme your best yogurt comination!
C’mon, you guys KNOW I need at least a few ideas! 😉

 

Posted in Snacks | Tagged , , , , , , | 21 Comments

The Story of How I Became a Gimp

Posted on March 12, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

I take pride in the fact that I always keep a positive attitude on the blog. I mean, seriously…no one wants to log into and read something where all the author ever does is complain all the time, right? Well, negative things are bound to happen in this life.

The trick is to keep the “glass half-full” mindset.

You see, this weekend, BB and I were having a pretty mellow and chill weekend…we watched a couple of movies, took a long drive that included some picture-taking for me and fishing for him…which I guess is becoming “our thing”…not that I mind! 😉

So I guess you could call it kind of un-eventful…

Until yesterday afternoon.

I had just hit publish on one of the best Pancake Celebration posts ever, and went back to the office to grab a magazine. I bent down on all fours to get the one I wanted and all of a sudden…

BAM!

A sharp pain shot through the lower part of my back like I had just been shot. I went straight to the floor and called out through tears to BB who came running from the living room. He had to pick me up off the floor and help me walk to the couch.

Since then, I’ve been hobbling around like an 80 year old, unable to bend forward past 45 degrees.

My back has been sore since I got off of work on Thursday night but I can’t for the life of me remember any particular incident that would’ve put strain on my lower back. Good news is I have a wonderful and understanding boss and I was able to take today and tomorrow off work.

I have an appointment with my orthopedic doctor tomorrow morning. I’m sure it’s just a pulled muscle, but with me being so young, I’d hate to ignore it and then later on down the road find out it was something more. I’ll be sure to let you guys know how the appointment goes.

In the mean time, take a minute to celebrate with me. Knowing I had absolutely NOTHING in the house in the way of dinner for tonight and not wanting to order in, I shuffled my way into Kroger this afternoon to pick up some steaks for BB and me.

Of course I had to stagger down a few choice aisles…
And you’ll never believe what I found…

Obviously I had to grab a “few” 😉

4 large plain 2%’s, 16 small plain 0%’s, 10 passion fruits, and 5 honeys
all for the lovely price of $29.45 + tax!

Exact quote from BB: “Wow! This should last us….a week!” 😆

Dare I say there was a reason that I was off today??

And as for the steaks?

They’re finishing up a nice soak right now.

Just in time for BB to get here and take over the rest of dinner!

Do you usually go to the doctor right away when you’re sick/injured or wait it out?

When you spot a killer sale, do you grab them all or does the guilt set in that you’re keeping someone else from a deal and you only get a few?
I’ll admit, I usually feel a tinge of guilt, but then I just flick that little angel off my shoulder and say to myself, “Hey, I was here first!” 😉

 

Posted in Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Cookies ‘n Cream Pancakes

Posted on March 11, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Really? Can you honestly say you didn’t see this coming from my last post?

My dear dear, sprinkle-fied, laced-with-crack Oreos…

Meet your destiny!

I’ll take a brief moment to pause and allow you to wipe the drool from your chin…

…….

Cookies ‘n Cream Pancakes

by Heather Powers

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Keywords: fry breakfast coconut flour whole wheat pastry flour

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
  • 4 Oreo cookies, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 tablespoon sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat skillet or griddle to medium heat and coat with coconut oil or cooking spray.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a separate bowl, add egg and whisk until it starts to get frothy (about 2 minutes).
4. Stir together egg, coconut oil, applesauce*, vanilla, and milk.
5. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
6. Fold in chopped Oreos and, if using, add sprinkles.

*I substituted the applesauce in for half the oil to decrease the fat in the base recipe since I was adding in the cookies. Feel free to omit applesauce and use 2 tablespoons of oil instead if preferred.

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It took every bit of restraint in me not to shove a fist-full of cookies in my mouth while preparing these babies!

I was pleasantly surprised that the decrease in oil did end up drying out the pancakes…they were just as…ahem, humid? on the inside as any of my other pancake recipes!

As for the “icing” I simply mixed some coconut flour with almond milk until I got the desired consistency…wait to make until just before serving since it will thicken up the more it sits.

Liz, I’m pretty sure these were MEANT for you! 😉

Happy Cookie Pancake Sunday!

Oh, and before I go…how about a brief celebration for more daylight!!

Woo hoo!!!!

Posted in Breakfast, Pancake Sunday | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments