June 28, 2012

Things I have been enjoying lately...

This post is not sponsored in any way... I just thought it would be fun to share some things that I've been enjoying recently:

These MorningStar Farms burgers are so good! I accidentally bought this kind (the "prime" ones) instead of the original grillers, of which I had read a good review. I was bummed when I saw I bought the wrong ones, because I've never really found a good veggie burger that I loved.

I've been putting them on a regular hamburger bun, then adding a little mayo, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and a slice of cheese. It is delicious! Not super low-calorie (422 calories total), but very good and filling.




This Michelob ULTRA Light Cider has become my go-to summer drink. You can read my full review (FYI, it's a sponsored post, but the opinions are my completely honest ones).



Baked beans. They are such a summer food, and I've been obsessed with them lately. I've been eating them as a side dish with something just about every day. I think I'll start experimenting with homemade versions in the crockpot, but for now, Bush's will do just fine.



My iPhone. I never realized just how much I was missing out until I got this! I've never been much of a phone person, but I get excited every time I get a text message or Tweet or even just a phone call ;)



I cannot believe my treadmill is making the "things I've been enjoying" list... because you know how much I hate running on the treadmill! But since I haven't had a choice lately (with my kids being out of school, I have to be home with them), I've had to do my running on the treadmill. And I have to say, setting up my laptop to watch movies or TV shows right in front of my face has made it totally bearable (and dare I say a little enjoyable??)



source
The TV show on Lifetime called Drop Dead Diva. I started watching this from the very first episode, and despite the fact that it sounds completely lame, it's actually really good! It has held my interest for four seasons now. The whole concept of the show sounded stupid, but when the first episode aired, I was too lazy to change the channel... and I got hooked in!



My Under Armour Perfect Pants... again, I know that I did a sponsored post for UA, but I am truly in love with these pants!! I wear them way too often because they are so comfortable. My only complaint is that the legs are a kind of long, but the comfort level totally makes up for that. And I just discovered that they have a hidden pocket in the waistband--I have no idea how I missed that!



Twitter. I still don't understand it completely, but I am starting to see the appeal with Twitter. I still get super nervous every time I tweet something, though--lol. And I don't know if I'll ever understand the Twitter "language", but I am having fun trying to figure it out.




This blog. Melisa's use of *disclaimers* makes me crack up when I read. I really enjoy the way she writes, like she's having a conversation with the reader.




Watching my boys play baseball in the evenings. They are at the age now where they really love to play, and they are learning all the rules. The games (well, Noah's games, anyway) are actually exciting to watch, because they keep score at this level, and they play by the rules. (Eli is still playing t-ball, where they don't keep score or follow baseball rules). Eli's games are funny to watch because a lot of the kids are clueless, but they try so hard!



And, I will leave you with that. The boys have a game tonight, so I've got to get ready to watch (in 100 degree heat!).  If you enjoy this kind of list, please make one of your own and link to it here in the comments--I love reading about what everyone else is enjoying, because it gives me ideas or products to try. I got the idea from SUAR.

32 comments:

  1. Katie!!! Oh my gosh! I am sitting in line at the ferry to go home and reading your blog (of course). My heart literally skipped a beat when I saw that I made your list of things you are enjoying lately! I AM SO COMPLETELY HONORED and blown away! You are seriously one of the MAIN reasons I started a blog a month ago - I am such a faithfully daily follower. This just totally made my DAY - no, WEEK! WOW!

    Ok, gotta share my tip on the baked beans thing. I LOVE Bush's too, and my mom taught me how to "doctor them up" so that they totally taste homemade. Here's what she does (and now I do):
    - Can of Bush's (any flavor)
    - 2 cans of any other beans you like (I like to use black and kidney)
    - 1 onion, chopped and sauteed w/ a bit of garlic
    - ketchup, BBQ sauce, mustard to taste
    - Combine everything above together in a crock pot on low or in a pot on the stove.

    Voila! Instant (and SO easy) homemade beans!

    Thanks again for your support of this newbie!!
    Melisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know this was meant for Katie but I'm sneaking in here lol Your recipe looks soooo good and i am totally going to steal it lol Also, because Katie posted it, I checked out your website and it's great! It's not easy to start a blog (I started mine back in April) and you're doing a great job! Keep up the great work and thanks for posting your bean recipe!

      Bridgette

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    2. Thank you so much, Bridgette! On both the beans AND the blog! I'm heading over to check yours out, too. :) I love the supportive community!

      Delete
  2. I love Drop Dead Diva but I miss Fred.

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  3. The Morningstar pizza burgers are awesome, too! They have a little bit of mozzarella in the patty. Really delicious if you're wanting a different twist on the regular veggie burger :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here's my list!
      http://gochelseago.tumblr.com/post/26121089829/a-few-of-my-favorite-things

      Delete
  4. ElisabethJune 28, 2012

    I like the Boca All American Flame Grilled Burgers (good with American or Cheddar cheese) or MorningStar Farms Tomato & Basil Pizza Burgers (good with Mozzarella cheese. Both types are only 120 calories. I'll have to try the prime Morningstar ones.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MorningStar's Spicy Black Bean Burgers are fantastic as well. Add a little mustard and you're good to go!

    http://www.morningstarfarms.com/morningstar-farms-spicy-black-bean-veggie-burgers.html

    Actually, come to think of it, the only thing I've had from MorningStar that I didn't like was their chik'n.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ditto! The Spicy Black Bean Burgers are my favorite as well.

      I also love to make my own- with the "ground beef", a few oats, eggs, black beans and some seasonings, then put them on the grill or in a pan. Yum!

      Delete
    2. Agree! Spicy Black Bean Burgers are AMAZING! I love everything I've tried from Morning star, but those are my favorite!

      Delete
  6. Love Morningstar burgers! They also have really tasty "Buffalo Bites". Taste JUST like chicken wings!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I am with Mrs. K. The Black Bean are my favorite! I don't use a bun, I just top with mexicorn, sour cream & salsa. YUMMY!

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  8. I also love veggie burgers! I like to cut them up in my big salads. I also love Bush's baked beans and my iphone.
    That is so cute your boys are getting into baseball!
    That is such a cute pic of you!

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  9. AnonymousJune 28, 2012

    I recently bought an Under Armour sports bra & it is the best!! Will have to check the pants out.
    I'm a new reader & runner:-)One of my best friends told me about your blog. Its great!

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  10. http://adventuresofarunningnurse.blogspot.com/2012/06/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hey Katie, Thanks for the fun idea of blogging about my favorite things.
    http://ashley-to-awesome.blogspot.com/2012/06/ashleys-favorite-things.html

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousJune 29, 2012

    Oh you're killing me with that beer picture! I need about 3 or 4 right now. I love it when you share food tips/ideas/recipes. Thanks.

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  13. Love the baked beans! :)

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  14. Hey Katie - love this 'favorite things' post! It's so great to get everyone else's ideas too! We use the MOrningstar spicy black bean burgers for tacos...I heat them in the non-stick frying pan and then cut them in slices to go in a tortilla with all the toppings. It's really quick and my husband loves them!

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  15. I haven't had a Mornigstar Farms product in years, but I used to like their chicken nuggets and the corn dogs.

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  16. If I were to spontaneously evaporate, it would be in the form of International Delight Mocha Iced Coffee. I could mainline that stuff, but then I totally wouldn't taste it, so never mind about that. Also? I've been running to Cage the Elephant lately. It just feels so summery. And because I'm 33 and this is the first time in my life I've ever said this, I'm really enjoying the way my arms look, which I credit completely to swimming my brains out. This works out well for summer, so I'm enjoying tank tops as well. Thanks for this post, Katie, and stay cool today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I totally meant that in a physical "there's a heat wave in MI" kind of way, and not a "Be Cool John Travolta" kind of way. Clearly.

      Delete
  17. I personally just LOVE Boca's Original Vegan Burgers. I never thought I would like something vegan, but I could eat one everyday, and I get into spurts when I do have one daily for lunch :)

    I have a question for you. How do you handle running when its humid out? Last night I went for a run at about 8 pm. It was hot and sticky and extremely difficult. Ive been at the point where I can run almost 3.1 non stop. Last night I could barley make it 1.25 before I had to stop. I even had to stop and get some water at one of the restrooms along the way. Last night was very difficult. Your tips would be greatly appreciated.

    BTW- I signed up for my first 5k!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ps. regarding the water- I am usually fine and never need water on my 3 mile runs, except for last night :)

      Delete
  18. Amanda Q.June 29, 2012

    I really enjoyed this post! It was fun to read! :) Maybe you should consider doing a "monthly favorites" sort of thing that you tell us what you've been loving or hooked on each month?!!!

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  19. Okay--gonna post my own favorite things blog later--loved reading your's!

    Had to chime in on the iPhone--I just got mine two months ago and just LOVE it--how did I live without one??

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  20. I think Drop Dead Diva is on Netflix. I'll have to check it out, especially since none of my shows are on over the summer. (Even "Sister Wives" on TLC, whose season just started a few weeks ago is already over!)

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  21. Katie, I love your "things you love" list but particularly about watching your boys play baseball. My son is almost 14 and has been playing baseball since he was Eli's age and it has turned into quite a passion. He eats, sleeps and breathes baseball 24/7/365! If he doesn't at least try to get into the Minors after HS I'd be shocked because he's actually really good-what mother doesn't think that though?? LOL Spring/Summer is our busy time and has been on 3 teams at the same time since February lol My poor daughter always feels neglected until about September when my son actually takes a break until his winter league starts in November lol Now that she's 17 though, she's never home anyway so it's getting easier lol

    I hope you cherish these early baseball games, take lots of pics and videos and I urge you, if you're the scrapbooking/memento keeping type, to start early and keep up with it if they continue in baseball. Just keep pics, team t-shirts, hats, tickets, programs, anything related to their teams. It's really great for them to look back on and I often kick myself for not starting my son's until he was older.

    Bridgette

    PS I'm sooooo going out and getting that cider!!! I've been looking for a new summer "adult beverage" because I'm sick of Smirnoff's lol

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a great list idea. I love seeing what other people are enjoying, too. I'm hooked on the Morningstar burgers - and their corn dogs? OMG. Those things are fantastic and you'd never know they were vegetarian.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Katie, I'm late to add this comment, but hope you read this, because I mentioned you first in my blog about things I'm in love with right now. Thanks for a great idea--that was a fun blog to put together. Let me know what you think.
    http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal.asp?id=MAGGIEROSEBOWL

    Pam/Dupster/Maggierosebowl

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fun entry! Maybe I'll do something like this sometime. You should do an entry like this for each season. Since a lot of these are summery it'd be neat to see your fall faves and winter and so on :)

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  25. Hi, Katie
    I just finished one of these posts myself - and thought of you! A new, super yummy tea find that I think you would love! Sorry -still cannot for the life of me figure out how to link within a comment. Hope you are doing well. xoxo
    http://www.fatgirlwearingthin.com/2012/07/10/things-im-loving-right-now/

    ReplyDelete

I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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