Fluffernutter Fingers and Theme Song Thursday

Wednesday's lunch at the office: flashback to the good ol' days.

I’ve never worked at a place where I actually look forward to the staff meetings until now…and not just because they provide lunch (free food is never a bad thing). I like our staff meetings, because miraculously, I enjoy the company of every single person in my office. And while it might sound a bit cheesy, every time we all get together, I’m reminded that I’m right where I belong.

18 months ago I was considering leaving NYC altogether. I even flew back to Omaha for an interview at a pr firm there. I had one foot out of the door, when I received a call from my company’s HR department. I couldn’t even remember applying for job (I had applied to so many at that point!), but from the moment I walked in the door, I knew it was something special.

And now over a year later, I can say that I was 100% correct. Case-in-point. Yesterday’s staff meeting lunch: a nostalgic trip to the elementary school lunchroom – Peanut Butter Sandwich Bar, complete with Marshmallow Fluff, Nutella, bananas oh AND of course, milk and cookies. Continue Reading →

Cupcake Monday: Yellow Cake Mix Two Ways

Yummy green and orange treats...you must read on to see how I made them both with yellow cake mix!

I know what you’re thinking. How is it already Monday…again? Oh, and how is it that the Sometimes Healthy Living Blog has only posted once since the last cupcake Monday.

Sadly, that little thing called a j-o-b has interfered a bit with my regular 3-4 posts/per week schedule. But, I’ll get back there as soon as things calm down. Until then, you can join my coworkers in looking forward to Mondays…because you get more cupcakes. Continue Reading →

Beef With Sandra Lee

Those of you that are familiar with my recipes might have noticed a common theme: I always take the semi-homemade approach.

I applaud those that make baked goods from scratch and grow fresh herbs in their apartment, but I long ago accepted that truly homemade would never be my thing. I’m way too messy in the kitchen, and if a recipe has more than 5 steps, I will no doubt make a gigantic mistake.

Remember the Friends episode where Rachel Green tries to make a “Traditional English Trifle” for Thanksgiving desert ends up with a wacky food combination that’s a cross of Shepard’s Pie and some fruity dessert?

What's not to like? "Custard..good! Jam...good...Meat....goooood!"

Yeah, that’s me (without the perfect, trend-setting haircut).

So, that’s why I cook out of a box, can or pouch 90% of the time. And I’m not ashamed! The “Semi-Homemade” approach is easy, fun and still gives me that same “look, I baked” feeling of satisfaction. Win, Win.

But, you know what’s drives me crazy… Continue Reading →

Cupcake Monday: Hoppin’ on the Pumpkin Train

It’s that time of the week again!

Hmmmm...what lies inside these delicious-looking treats? Read on...

Cupcake Monday!

As you may recall from last week’s post, I’ve decided to implement a new theme day that will benefit both my coworkers and myself: Cupcake Monday! This theme day is based on the belief that, just as we celebrate with a treat for making it through the week on Fridays, we also need a little something sweet to kick off the week on Mondays! And, nothing brings smiles and cheer like a good ol’ fashioned cupcake. Continue Reading →

Serial Spin-Dating at the Jersey Shore

I don't workout in high heels, but I'm high maintenance with my workouts 😉

I consider myself a low-maintenance girl. (Brother Bear, if you disagree, feel free to let it out in the comments section…)

I’m easily entertained, don’t wear a lot of makeup, enjoy a Subway sandwich as much as a gourmet meal, prefer dive bars to exclusive clubs and can’t tell the difference between a $5 glass of wine and a $50 glass. Oh, and I rarely send back food. For example, during a work lunch the other day, my coworker had to force me to send back my salad, which contained an extremely molded tomato (even the server was horrified).

Low-maintenance, indeed.

But, when it comes to my workout, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I am extremely HIGH maintenance. I workout at a pricey gym, must have music on at all times and can’t stand when my clothes don’t fit just right. If any of the elements are out of sync, my workout is off, thus affecting my entire day. Continue Reading →

Cupcake Mondays – Stuff It!

My gym bag was literally the epitome of Sometimes Healthy Living this morning:

A Sometimes Healthy Gym Bag: Running Shoes, Cupcakes and...Frosting?

Yep, that would be homemade cupcakes (and a can of buttercream frosting) right next to my gym shoes. I toyed with the idea of carrying yet another bag, but I didn’t feel like enduring numerous eye rolls on the subway yet again as I smacked people unknowingly with my 50 million bags. Besides, the cupcakes fit so perfectly in the nook of my gym bag. And, promise they were covered very tightly.

Please don’t think I would ever  infuse my cupcakes with gym shoe flavor. That would be taking healthy living wayyy too far. And it would also be pretty gross. My coworkers would no longer L-U-V me. Continue Reading →

Everyone Loves a Good Comeback

I used to eat 26.2 for breakfast...

Confession: I am jealous of most of you…right now.

If you are able to run 3 miles without gasping for dear life and feeling an immense amount of pain and stiffness in your foot, I’m secretly hating you just a little bit. Gotta keep it real.

Since the foot issue started back in April, I find myself reading running blogs less and less. When I started blogging, I had just come off of my 3rd marathon, having run at least a dozen other 15ks and half marathons. I never really admitted it, but I suppose, back then I would have called myself “a runner.” During marathon training, I ran upwards of 50 miles a week. 12 miles felt like a walk in the park. 6 miles was a short run. Life was good. Continue Reading →

How to be a Bad Influence on Your Parents

My parents read Sometimes Healthy Living blog religiously. In fact, they are probably my most loyal readers (shocker). Whenever I don’t put a post up, my mother calls to make sure I’m not stressed or overwhelmed with some minor issue. She knows how much I love to write about my adventures in Sometimes Healthy Living, so when I don’t, she becomes concerned.

Bless her worried little heart.

Anyway, since they read it so often, they’re well-aware of my love for 16 Handles. Always willing to go the extra mile to please their daughter, they agreed to have frozen yogurt for lunch with me on Sunday.

What a bad influence I am!

I know you never let me have ice cream for dinner...but what about fro yo for lunch?

If you’ll notice, there are only two cups. My father agreed to go along with us for the ride, but insisted on eating a normal lunch. He is on a diet and has already lost over 30 pounds. Please congratulate him in the comments section, because he may be mad at me for sharing this ;-). Nevertheless, it’s an achievement to celebrate! Continue Reading →

A Castle Getaway Over Central Park

When you wake up with a view like this, you’re pretty much disallowed the right of complaining about ANYTHING.

All of New York City...literally right before my very eyes. It's like a castle in the sky!

As mentioned in my last post, my parents are in town for the weekend. So, instead of heading to the beach with the rest of New York City, I’m camping out at my parents hotel room, which, as you can see overlooks all of Central Park.

Now this is what I call a room with a view. Continue Reading →

Healthified Cupcakes for my Intern

Yesterday was my intern, Malia’s, last day at the office, so, as I often do on special occasions, I went overboard. Way overboard.

Here’s what my kitchen looked on Tuesday night.

One intern departure = 24 ginormous cupcakes and pretty cinnamon rolls

I went into the store with intentions of making the ever-popular chocolate + applesauce cupcake couple that was such a big hit with the coworkers last time around. But then, the strawberry cake mix caught my eye, and I just couldn’t resist the idea of some pretty pink cupcakes.

Continue Reading →