My Newfound Love... (Healthy Meal #2)

Apparently blogging makes me hungry! And what better time to fit in another Healthy Meal #2 to end the day?!

I have recently discovered the most yummy, guilt-free snack… drum roll please…. Brussels Sprouts! I didn’t even know I LIKED brussels sprouts until about two weeks ago. Heck, I hadn’t even tried a brussels sprout before then, when I decided to take the plunge and taste test the infamous vegetable that people either love or abhor.

What I found? I don’t just like them-- I LOVE them. If you spice them up and roast them just right, they get all nice and crispy and delicious! Who would have thought?

I like to cut them in halves, then toss them in a plastic bag. Tip a little olive oil in there, sprinkle some salt, pepper, garlic and curry powders, zip it right back up and give the bag a few good shakes, and voila! You’ve got some sprouts ready for the oven. It couldn’t be simpler, and it’s nice to have something salty and crunchy without all the guilt of potato chips!

I’m trying to learn to appreciate the process of preparing a meal. Sometimes I get so impatient, especially when I have a craving or I’m especially hungry. But somehow I find that it’s therapeutic to spend a little time working with my hands. Focusing on a repetitive physical task, like chopping, gives my mind a chance to rest after a long day. And frankly, I don’t think there’s any better reward to a job done well (or a meal well-prepared) than to get to eat afterwards!

Now, I never thought I’d be taking glamour shots of brussels sprouts. I’m not sure if it’s even POSSIBLE to make a brussels sprout glamorous, but I sure did try!

Thanks for bearing with me on this two-post day! 

XOXO

Jadi Rae

Strawberries, If You Please (Healthy Meal #1)

Day two of the thirty day challenge is complete!

This morning, I woke up bright and early to wrap my head around the day's schedule. It's not always possible to give myself that cushion in the mornings, but when I'm able to wake myself up and get an extra hour of me-time in the mornings, I find that taking on the day is so much easier. 

I started off puttering around the kitchen, making myself coffee and this awesome greek yogurt bowl! Healthy Meal #1: CHECK. It consists of plain greek yogurt sweetened with stevia, and topped with a dash of cinnamon, strawberries, a few walnut pieces, and chia seeds to keep me full through the morning. I've been trying to decrease my sugar intake this week, but when I went to the grocery store there was a deal on strawberries.... I got a little too excited and bought two containers! At least it's natural sugar, right?! 

This seemed to me like a fresh, spring breakfast (and the morning sunshine was so lovely) so I decided to head out to the porch. It was a little chilly, but sometimes a cool spring morning reminds this Montana girl of home. 

Allowing myself to slow down this morning and enjoy waking up, treating myself to a yummy, energizing, and filling breakfast is something I want to introduce into my daily routine. Of course, sometimes I will need that extra time to catch up on sleep, but this was an excellent jump start to the craziness this day turned out to be! 

I also completed another task for the 30 Day Challenge today, my Daily Practice #2!

I got home from an audition in Raleigh and found, to my delight, that I had the apartment all to myself! It's always nice to practice voice in my own space, knowing I'm not disturbing anyone in the process. 

Minutes: 40

Repertoire: "Black Velvet"

Technique Worked: I spent a good amount of time warming up my chest voice this evening, using exercises we've learned in mix technique. I spent all afternoon utilizing my head voice, so I had to re-balance my placement to prepare for "Black Velvet". Once my lower register felt nice and ready, I ran through the hard mix exercise before focusing on the song. 

Musicality Worked: This song is such an awesome, gritty Southern rock anthem. I want to master the edge, smoke, and power that Alannah Myles has in the original recording, so I played with adding these elements into my own approach. Even though the song is tough and edgy, I also wanted to add the idea of swelling into the sound and really going for those connected lines that make the song so powerful. I'm excited to coach this in Mix class in a few weeks! 

I'd call this a successful and productive Day 2! 

Thanks for checking in!

XOXO,

Jadi Rae