How To Deal With an Existential Crisis

Am I the only person that has an existential crisis practically every other day?! I certainly hope not...and I've been told that these moments are just a part of growing older. Remember our high school and college days?

Younger version of me: "Uhhhhhh yeah pretty much. I'm young. I can eat whatever I want and stay thin. Life. On. Fleek." 
*Fleek: The new version of "on point." A state of completeness. A bastardization of the English language. A combination of the words fly and sleek. A lame attempt to sound younger than I am.


But fast forward to now and most of my days look like this:

FML. 


And since I'm blessed with ample alone time in my cubicle and car, I have plenty of time to question everything. And I mean EVERYTHING.

Am I destined to live out my short existence as that fish?
What is the meaning of life?
Why am I here?
Am I in the right career field? Does it even really matter?
Is humanity inherently good or evil?
Which Friends character am I?!?
    (Find out which Friends character you are here. This is important.)

And while existential crises aren't fun, I think they serve a purpose. They motivate us to improve, evolve, learn about ourselves, and question our own decisions and those of others. So luckily, I've found a few tips that help me work through them:


1. Don't Compare Yourself To Others
Avoid Facebook for a bit. Yes, I love the darn website for keeping me up to speed on funny animal videos, but it can also be taxing on the soul. "Why aren't I married yet? Why don't I have a body like hers? Why haven't I traveled there?" These are all unfair questions, and we all know that social media--the highlight reel of people's lives--omits most of the lame and mundane. We all have our own set of problems. Remember that.

2. Forget About It
Just deny that your existential crisis exists. Perhaps this isn't the healthiest way of dealing with it, but I'm struggling to adult, remember? The next time you find yourself down and out, just humor me for a few minutes. Go to a silent/dark place, sit comfortably, close your eyes, imagine a large box the size of an entire room, slowly put all of your problems and worries into that box, and then visualize the box getting thrown away. 

3. Distract Yourself
Focus on a hobby, project, job. Listen to music. Watch a new movie. Read a book. Create art. Dance. Be with friends. Do anything fun. "Just because we're all doomed doesn't mean we can't have a good time!"

^Channel this chick. I believe in you.

4. Get Grounded
Anchor yourself in something you care about and pay attention to it. Despite the transience of life and the vastness of the universe, you value something. Religion, culture, family, friends...you do you.

5. Be Aware of Triggers
Ermahgerd aggressive drivers. How can people be so rude on the road?! Cue crisis about the nature of humanity! Watching depressing news? Cue crisis! Try to avoid your triggers or at least be aware of them. Let's just say I'll be searching for a place with a shorter commute when my current lease is up.

6. Vent
Venting can help alleviate your tension and stress. Just be careful not to stew in your despair, and be sure to pick the victim of your venting carefully, since habitual offloading on the same person may incur their hatred. Remember: you are not alone. 

And we're all right there with you.

What do you do when you're having an existential crisis?

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed your Leap Day! We spent four years building to that day, so I hope you made the most of it!

Galentine's Tea at the Willard

Last weekend I had afternoon tea with some girlfriends for an early Galentine's Day celebration. I've always tried to avoid being one of those girls who prioritizes work or her relationship and neglects her friends, but sadly this was the first time I had seen them since November (evidenced by their festively-wrapped, two-month-old Christmas gifts I had brought with me).

I recently read an article titled, "Work, Sleep, Family, Fitness, or Friends: Pick 3," that discussed the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance. To quote the article: "Want to see your kids, keep fit, and keep your business going? Forget sleep..." 

I'm childless, and I still find myself unable to pick three of those things without some serious thought! But for better or worse, work has somehow pushed its way to the top. Bottom line: Tea with the girls should have happened a LOOOONG time ago.

Besides, I wouldn't mind making afternoon tea a more regular part of my repertoire. It reminded me of my childhood when I pretended to be a grown-up and had a tea party with my dolls. I actually believed women spent their adult years sipping away the afternoon with tea and fine china? HAH. Except it can become reality every once in a while (IF you're willing to cough up some dough for it...$49 to be exact).

Following some research on the British Afternoon Tea Guild's website, it appears afternoon tea began in the 19th century as a solution to beating the afternoon slump. People typically ate only two meals a day at that time, so some tea and light snacks got them through the afternoon. 

Here's something else I didn't know: The upper class Brits would serve "low" tea around 4pm, whereas the lower and middle classes would serve "high" tea later in the evening. The "high" in high tea referred to the height of the table at which the tea was served (i.e. the dinner table). And I always thought that the "high" in high tea referred to its hoity toitiness... Who knew?!?

My first afternoon tea experience was while I was visiting my brother in London a few years ago. My sister-in-law had been dying to go, so we put on our Sunday best and went to the InterContinental London Park Lane Hotel. It was an amazing experience from what I remember (although I consider myself lucky if I remember what I did yesterday). Smoked salmon, warm scones, clotted cream....NOM. So I decided it was about time to refresh my memory and book a reservation for me and the girls at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in DC. 

Low tea at the Willard takes place in "Peacock Alley." The tables are situated along the sides of a rather elegant hallway, and a live harpist plays classical music in the background. The regal atmosphere, however, was disrupted by hotel guests who used the alley (rightly named) to cut through the lobby. 

The dress code at the Willard for tea is what they call "casual elegance." I decided to wear a skirt and sweater with the ability to expand, as I correctly assumed I would feel at least three months pregnant by the end of the afternoon. If you decide to wear less formal attire, your guilt will quickly subside once you see a woman wearing overly ripped jeans and oversized headphones walk through the middle of your tea fantasy to get to the other side of the hotel...

When did this come into style? You expect me to pay extra for the rips? B*tch, it's freezing outside! Excuse me, I'm at the Willard and am trying to act classy.

Also, had I known sooner, I would have asked to be seated at one of the couch areas as far away from the kitchen doors as possible, where patrons seemed to be a little more relaxed. 

The food was everything one would hope for- beautiful deliciousness. You can choose between over a dozen teas while eating delectable sandwiches, scones, and pastries.

Sandwich selection: smoked salmon club on pumpernickel, chicken mousse on walnut and raisin bread, organic egg with caviar on wheat, cucumber and cherry tomato on a skewer, and shrimp tartlet.

Bourbon vanilla and Chive scones: served with lemon curd, clotted cream, raspberry jam, and basil butter.

Desserts: chocolate mousse, strawberry cheesecake parfait, fruit tartlet, chocolate cremeux (fancy French word for creamy pudding), and raspberry layer cake.

Afternoon tea at the Willard is $49/person (*excluding tip and booze). Reservations are recommended.

"ACT CLASSY!" was all I kept thinking to myself. "Don't spill anything! Don't eat the tiny sandwiches too fast!" This was like a major exam in a class on acting like a lady. Not sure how I did, but considering I didn't trip or break anything, I'm hoping for a B.

So overall...Ladies, this was a nice place to treat yo'self and catch up with friends. And gentleman, you'll score some major points with your S.O. (= significant other)  by "suffering" through the sandwiches, cakes, and booze.


Have you been somewhere fabulous for afternoon tea?

Breakfast Hacks For Us Morning Haters

I keep telling myself that perhaps one day I will be a morning person. I'll look like this when I wake up:

Instead of my usual look:

A friend of mine once made a pretty solid attempt to turn me into a morning person. I woke up one day at 5am to workout with her in the morning. Let's be real. Me and 5am don't belong together.

Sorry, 5am. It's not you. It's me.
No, wait. It's you. You suck.

So despite my friend's attempt to adultify me, my morning routine still consists of waking up 15 minutes before I'm supposed to leave for work, hurriedly brushing my teeth, slopping on some makeup like Jenna Marbles (girl crush alert!!), and grabbing something from the fridge as I run out the door.

She's drunk. I'm tired. Same end result. Watch Jenna here.

In order to perpetuate my morning habit, I breakfast prep. These make-ahead egg muffins and overnight oats help me maintain the allusion that I have my sh*t together. So let's get down to breakfast business.

Mango-Coconut Overnight Oats. There are lots of great recipes for overnight oats out there since you can basically use whatever add-ins you like. I'm in love with this mango-coconut combo, but you can replace the mangoes in this recipe with whatever fruit you'd like- raspberries, blueberries, cherries, pineapple...etc.

  
Another awesome variation of this recipe is to add 2 Tbsp of cacao powder to the oat mixture and just layer with ripe banana slices instead of mango compote. Mmmm...chocolate for breakfast.

I HIGHLY recommend you use full-fat coconut milk. There's nothing that says you can't use low-fat/non-fat (except well, me- JUST DON'T DO IT!). It cuts down on the creaminess and seriously just won't taste as good.

Also, random fact! Did you know that mango skins contain the same allergen found in poison ivy? So don't bite directly into a mango with the skin. If you need tips on mango cutting, look no further than mango.org (legit).

Moving on to Egg Muffins. Like overnight oats, you can pretty much use whatever extras you like (bacon, sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms...the world is your oyster). Although depending on how many you include, you may want to reduce the number of eggs in the recipe, so that you don't end up with a bunch of extra mix.

I used spinach and feta this time around because that's what I found in my fridge. Usually, I like to add some smoked salmon to my spinach and feta egg muffins though (it's delicious!).

 
Take note: SILICONE MUFFIN CUPS ARE KEY. I use these. They are nonstick, dishwasher safe (yeeeesssssss), and will keep your muffins fluffier. You can also use a silicone muffin pan, but I found that the muffins were a bit more dense and less uniform. Don't ask me why; I'm a liberal arts major.

And finally, if you must use a regular muffin pan, grease it to death with a solidified fat like coconut oil (unless your arms are a bit flabby like mine and you could use an extra arm workout). Otherwise, you'll be cleaning that pan for the next 30 minutes. And yes, I'm speaking from experience. FML.

So where my other morning haters at??? You all have got to try these. If you love mornings (ew), I forgive you. 

print recipe

Mango Coconut Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1 - 13.5 oz can can coconut milk
• 1 c quick oats
• 3 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 ripe mangoes (or 1 - 16 oz bag frozen mangoes)
• Juice from half a lemon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

1. Whisk coconut milk in a medium bowl until smooth.
2. Add oats, chia seeds, tsp cinnamon, and maple syrup.
3. Cover and chill for at least an hour, or overnight.
4. For mango compote, peel and dice mangoes into 1/2-inch cubes.
5. Heat in saucepan on medium/medium-low heat until it comes to a simmer. Mix in lemon juice, vanilla, and 1/4 tsp cinnamon.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Mash mangoes with spoon (I use a potato masher!).
7. Once thickened to desired consistency, remove from heat and let cool.
8. Layer oats and mango compote in small containers or jars. Enjoy! These beauties can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

print recipe

Egg Muffins

Ingredients

• 9 eggs
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 8 oz frozen spinach
• 3/4 c feta cheese
• 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray your muffin cups/pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and heavy cream well. *Hint: I like to use a bowl with a lip for easy pouring later.
3. Thaw the frozen spinach and add it to the egg mixture. (Fresh spinach is also great to use! Just cook it in a skillet before adding it to the egg mixture. I use frozen spinach and just thaw it in the microwave. #lazygirl. Also, remember that you can replace the spinach and feta with whatever ingredients you like.)
4. Add feta cheese and pepper.
5. Pour into muffin cups.
6. Bake for 18-20 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool and store in the fridge for up to a week. I take one to work and just heat it up in the microwave for a quick, easy, and healthy breakfast!

Mousse and the Millennium Falcon

How was your week?? My major accomplishment was that I finished my book for this month's book club.

I feel like that deserves some emphasis. I'M. IN. A. FREAKING. BOOK. CLUB. How adult is that?! Nevermind that I didn't read the book for last month's meeting and basically just sat there eating cheese and drinking wine. Woops...

Speaking of wine, I wanted to go to a winery today. I put on my best Han Solo getup...

Where my other Han Solo b*tches at?

If Lando can do it, why can't I?

The Millennium Falcon would be great to have in this DC winter traffic...

"Why did you just make so many Star Wars references? *Sigh. Now you just sound nerdy AND basic." ...she thinks to herself.

But alas, my boyfriend convinced me that driving to a winery in my little compact car on all those country roads (with the giant snow piles that probably won't melt until April) wasn't such a good idea. WEEKEND RUINED.

So I had no choice but to console myself with some healthy chocolate mousse.

Plus I had some overripe bananas lying around, and I don't know about you guys, but I just can't eat them when they're like this (baaaaaarrrrrrrrff):

I adapted this recipe from Deliciously Ella- introduced to me by one of my super healthy besties.

My chocolate mousse, however, is the lazy girl version (see Ella's full recipe here). Ella is a plant-based diet recipe blogger, who avoids meat, dairy, wheat, and sugar. But wait! Don't eat the hater tots if you love meat and dairy as much as I do - !!Ermahgerd cheese!! - cause this recipe is stupid simple and amazeballs.

Just put an avocado, two bananas, some cacao powder, and maple syrup into a food processor. Blend. Proceed to stuff face.

*Note the use of CACAO powder, rather than COCOA powder. I use the one shown below. I bought it from Whole Foods, but you can also find it on Amazon here. Cacao is much less processed and contains more antioxidants. BOOM. HEALTH.

NOW GO TREAT YO'SELF!

print recipe

Healthy Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate doesn't ask questions. Chocolate understands.

Ingredients

• 1 avocado
• 2 ripe bananas
• 3 Tbsp cacao powder
• 1 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

Mix all ingredients in a food processor. You're done!

Details

Prep time: 5 mins Total time: 5 mins Yield: 2 servings (unless you're particularly chocolate crazed = 1 serving)

Introverts Love Snow

So yesterday I watched The Lego Movie while crushing a bottle of red. How perfect is that for a 'struggling to adult' moment? Have you guys seen it? I thought it was entertaining and cute, but I'm definitely biased because I'm in love with kid movies...Kung Fu Panda, anyone?? Finding Nemo?? Harry Potter is for adults too- let's be real!!

Anyways, today marks Day 2 of us DC area folks being stuck inside. I love snow days. Even though Storm Jonas fell on a weekend, there's still something about being unable to go anywhere that sets this apart from other weekends.

I think my love of snow days is compounded by my introverted nature. I have nowhere to be and nothing to do!! Yay! I've struggled to come to terms with the fact that I am more of an introvert in this extroverted world. A career counselor once told me that I am a "situational extrovert," which sounds like some wishy washy horoscope that can apply to anyone. I like being around people sometimes, but other times I don't. Does this not describe almost everyone?! GROUNDBREAKING.

This is not to say that I don't like people; I love people. And if you are one of my close friends, I am loyal like a sheepdog. As a "situational extrovert" though, there are a few things I wish my more extroverted brethren understood about those of us with an introverted side...Below are some highlights from a Lifehack article I recently read:

1. We're quiet, but it doesn’t mean we don’t want to talk.

I would change the latter part of that sentence to "but it doesn't mean we don't like you." I feel like this happens to me a lot. I can be shy or quiet around larger groups of people (or just people I don't know very well), and I fear this often gives them the impression that I'm stuck up or don't like them very much. That is definitely not the case! Don't read into it. I'm just quiet.

2. We like hanging out one on one better than in groups. We’ll listen to you forever.

I feel like those one-on-one conversations are when you really get to know someone. You know?

3. We suck at responding to texts because sometimes we don’t want to talk – to anyone.

Pay attention here, Mom! Don't take it personally. I just don't want to talk to anyone sometimes. Especially now that we live in this world of constant connectedness. Facebook, instagram, snapchat...etc. are all great, but sometimes a girl needs to unplug.

^Story of my life.

4. It’s hard to get us out, but we’ll have a great time when we do.

Sometimes I need to be dragged kicking and screaming out of my apartment on a Friday night. "It's going to be cold outside." "My makeup is just going to come off when I start sweating in the club anyways." "I have nothing to wear." "I could catch up on Netflix." "Sleep sounds more appealing." "I already have wine at home...why would I go out to pay for it????"--> most compelling argument. These are my mantras when I don't feel like going out. But if you can get me out (super kudos to you!), I'll have a great time.

5. We don’t like small talk.

Ugh. Small talk. Let's cut the crap and just get to know one another better, okay?

6. We don’t actually have a staple “group” of friends.

"We often pick and choose one or two individuals from different social groups that make up our closest friends. But we make this handful of best friends our life and we’d do anything for them." This is so true for me! Most of my best friends don't even know one another...  Unless you count these besties of mine shown below. 

Anyways, I know there are lots of conversations out there about introverts/extroverts, but these past couple days have given me time to appreciate where I fall on the spectrum. Where do you fall? Going stir crazy inside yet?

Welcome Snowpocalpyse!

How is your weekend going so far?! I am thoroughly enjoying this snow. If you're on the east coast, you know what I'm talking about. Winter has officially arrived, and apparently it is only going to get worse. All of this 70 degree weather we've been getting recently has been seriously complicating my wardrobe picks anyways. Hopefully, you all are inside, bundled up on the couch, and watching some Netflix (unlike some of these poor souls on my street shoveling snow).

To me, snow days are all about pigging out! And today is no exception. I hope some of you agree. Forget the diet and the health rule that says I can only have one glass of wine a day (if you're a guy, you're allowed two...so unfair). Not that I necessarily follow that rule to a T on a daily basis, but that is besides the point.

 

^Truth. I feel pretty prepared for this snowmageddon. I've got a butane portable stove, plenty of toilet paper, and gallons of water. My fridge is super stocked with food right now- guac, chicken, steak, yogurt, like 20 types of cheese, you name it- so if the power goes out, you can probably expect me to be lying on my kitchen floor stuffing all the food I can into my mouth. Don't judge.

For those of you who know me, you know that my day revolves around my next meal. Food is part of the joy of living, amirite? My commitment to this philosophy is probably why I can't seem to shed these last five pounds to save my life. 

Anyways, tonight is short ribs (cooked sous vide for two days by my wonderful boyfriend) and sweet potato fries. If you're a food nerd, you already appreciate the genius of sous vide cooking. If you aren't familiar and you love meat, you seriously need to get in on this. Google it. My boyfriend uses the Anova cooker. Thank me later. Also, did you know that you have to soak sweet potato fries (or any fries) in cold water for like an hour before you bake them? Otherwise they become sad, soggy, and limp. Ew.  

Well, I hope you are having an amazing day and were prepared for this mess by stocking up on plenty of beer and wine! Any noteworthy food/booze plans?