Thanks for all of your recipe suggestions on my lunch post!! While I love throwing stuff in a pot (as we did tonight!) sometimes recipes are much more fun. I saved many of them to my Springpad for later.
I didn’t do much this afternoon other than write a thank you note to my Grandmother and pack my lunch for tomorrow. I broke my blog at one point trying to make a back-up (finally did figure out that WordPress back-up plug-in that does it automatically). I feel like there is a tidal wave on its way here and I can’t sit still! I’m sure come the middle of this week I will wish for some peace and quiet to relax.
I guess I’m freaking out because I’ve been there, done that with working full time and I was not a very pleasant girl. So the reason I am nervous this time is that now I have a much bigger blog business than I did two years ago and I’m a bit worried about managing my time. I’m sure I’ll figure it out, and of course it IS temporary (just 6 months!) but on the eve of my first day I’m on edge.
***
I never got hungry for a snack this afternoon. Actually, not true. I got hungry for a snack a handful of times, but that hunger was accompanied by lots of thirst. My run must have left me parched! So I had about 3 cups of tea and that kept my stomach from really wanting to eat.
[Runs to get another glass of water now because talking about thirst made me thirsty again!]
We made an early dinner because both of us were ready to eat by 6PM. And what a serendipitous dinner it was!
In the meal plan calendar I only had plans for “Black-Eyed Peas + Collard Greens” (Better late than never, right?) and left the flavor palate and format to our moods and creativity. I cooked a huge pot of dried BEP that I had soaked last night this morning. We have tons of beans!!!
We debated a tomatoey one-pot dish, but I decided I was in the mood for patties, so Matt combined them with about 2 tsp of Creole seasoning (the best!) and 1 tsp of sriratcha hot sauce along with 1 egg and formed them into patties –
Cooked on a skillet until lightly brown.
I was in charge of the veggies – collards cooked with yellow squash, apple and Apple Cinnamon BBQ Sauce leftover from our Great Harvest cookout (I think it came from EarthFare). It has a wonderful smoke to it!!
I added a little ketchup to my pea burgers
We both mmmmed our way through this meal!
To continue my restless leg syndrome, I vacuumed the whole house after dinner. Spiderwebs in the stairwell and all.
I came across this Maple Bacon lolipop whilst sorting. “Man Bait”!! I think it’s from the Foodbuzz Festival, and I’ve been scared of it since I brought it home. However, it was delicious!!! More maple than bacon.
Going to relax in a bubble bath and then do some major reading.
Frogs and Men@ Paris Food Blog says
oh the black eyed pea patties look so delicious.
it’s strange but i just found out this year that black eyed peas are supposed to bring luck for new years. when i was little, we ate 12 grapes to bring in the new year. weird, how traditions form…
Jess. says
It is really hard to make the adjustment to a full time job and still fit the rest of your life in. I have been unemployed and in school for the past year and need to go back to work full time asap and it makes me nervous to be a full time student and employee and still have a life. I have done it before but it takes a lot of planning ahead and organization- both things you are obviously great at, so you should be fine! Good luck!
P.S.- I also love my color coded google calendar.
Amelia says
Haha I think I’d be a little scared of a maple bacon lollipop too!
Good luck with tomorrow. Remember to breathe! 🙂
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
LOVE black eyed peas!
I always feel on edge when I have a lot going on. You’ve done such an incredible job balancing everything so far… I know you will continue to be great 🙂
Sarah says
Love the creativity in making BEP burgers instead of just a one-pot dish.
Tomorrow I also go back to work full time after being unemployed since June. I can definitely relate to the nervous feeling and the silent prayers of there still being time to take care of the other projects I’ve devoted time to over the past few months. Good luck!
Looking forward to hearing about how your first day goes!
Jessica @ Going Off Birth Control Pills says
Life changes are pretty nerve-wracking! 2010 is going to be a crazy year for me with lots of new things, and I’m pretty nervous as well. I guess the only thing that you can do is take it one day at a time. You’re definitely super organized, and I need to be better at that! I’m pretty good, but can always improve.
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
HAHAHA – Man Bait!? That is the BEST name ever.
Kara (@ Kara's Marathon) says
Great dinner idea — I’m going to have to try those bean burgers this week! Think the beans would have a better texture after a few whirls in the food processor, or are they good just smushed together with a fork?
As far as multitasking goes, if anyone can do it, it’s you! I’ve seen your Google calendar tutorials 🙂
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
Working full time and fitting in the rest of your life (let alone a blog!) can be tough. For me, it’s all about priorities and getting up early! I’ve had to start setting my alarm a smidge earlier than I normally would so I can fit in the gym, blog, breakfast, and prepping my lunch in. It’s WELL worth it to have a bit of breathing room at the end of the day! I’m sure you’ll do a rockin job Kath!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I’ve always wondered how you, or some of the other big blogs could maintain a full time a job + blogging. I hope to get there someday!!
Sharon @ What Is Sharon Doing Now?! says
I’m so impressed with your ability to “whip something up.” GIVE ME A RECIPE, PLEASE! Maybe I’ll get there someday.
Yeah, maple and bacon in a lollipop just doesn’t seem right.
Good luck tomorrow.
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Yum, I love bean patties of all kinds! I always have some in the freezer for a quick meal! I will have to get some of those lollipops for my guys. They would all go nuts over them!
Jenna says
That looks like one great dinner! I really want to make that sometime! Bean burgers!!
Maple bacon lollipop?! Idk! Haha.
Jenna
Michelle says
I have never heard of spring pad but I just signed up for an account after reading this post. How do we connect so I can view the various recipes everyone sent? Does anyone else use this? It seems great but I am just now starting to play around with it.
Kath says
I don’t have my personal recipes public – just cause I want them to be a surprise. But it is a great way to share recipes! There is a KERF page, although honestly I’m not sure how to find it!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Man bait…lol.
Good luck balancing your new schedule– you’ll figure it all out, and your readers aren’t going anywhere if there are a few stumbles on the way!
Ashley says
Good luck with the job! I’m looking forward to reading about how you handle everything. You seem so super-organized that I’m sure you’ll work it all out!
sarah (the SHU box) says
i’m on edge too! i don’t deal well with transitions =D
josh would luuuuv man bait
and, here’s a recipe for you! pumpkin black bean soup — a cooking light classic from 2006. super easy and delicious 🙂
Becky says
Good luck with the new opportunity! I know exactly how you feel. I used to work 3-11:30pm, but starting tomorrow I will be working 7-3:30. This is after having 1.5 weeks off for the Holidays. I keep telling myself the same thing I will tell you…it will all work out! Right? Good luck!
Victoria says
I had a nearly identical main dish tonight! Good luck with your orientations and first week back in the working world!
Jordan @ Salt Sweat Sugar says
Hahahha. Manbait. That’s cute.
Erin says
A maple bacon lollypop?! Interesting…?
Danielle (Coffee Run) says
That BBQ sauce looks mightyyyy tasty. The maple-bacon lollipop, however, does not. lol
Don’t stress too much about the time management. You seem very organized & I think you can handle it 🙂
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
I’m sure you’ll do great at managing everything with work and the blog etc. you seem pretty organised :). I’ve added those BEP Patties to my to-do list!!! They look tasty!
Sarah R says
Oh Kath, you’ll be just fine in the coming months. You always have a knack for planning your time, something that I envy. Good luck as you start on the next leg of your journey tomorrow!
amber says
Good luck Missy!!!! You will ROCK it OUT!!! sending you good sleeping vibes!
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) says
Good luck tomorrow. I hope you learn a lot of new things, meet some great people, and enjoy some awesome food your first week back. You’ll be GREAT!
ashleigh says
Good luck tomorrow! I always get antsy on Sunday nights! I have been this way ever since college… at least you were super productive today!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
it seems like a lot of people (even lou diamond phillips!) are eating blackeyed peas today – so it’s definitely not too late!
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen says
it’s definitely hard to go from school to full time job, but you’re going to do great! just take it day by day and enjoy yourself 😉 love the BEP patty idea!
emmy - eatventures says
Good luck tomorrow!!
Lesley Lifting Life says
Delicious burgers, bubble bath, aaaaand a book … sounds perfect! 🙂
Eileen says
Your dinner looks great.
Good luck on the job! And … while your loyal readers will miss you if you’re not around as much, we’ll all understand. Get yourself settled and see what the next stage of your life is like!
Jenny says
I have NEVER thought to serve BEPs in patty form! Leave it to you to have wonderful recipe ideas! I forget you can make “patties” out of just about any bean.
Good luck getting your routine/new schedule figured out. As nervous as you are, I’m sure it will be a lot easier than you expect. I know that each time I’ve had to adjust my routine I’m just a little bit better at it. One of those things that really takes practice 😉
Anne says
Great idea to make your black eyed peas into patties — perfect for a leftovers based meal tomorrow.
Nicole says
The black-eyed peas look wonderful! I know what you mean about time being at a minimum…it is hard to keep up in blogland! It’s not worth it to over-tax yourself. Enjoy that bubble bath!
Carolyn says
Good luck tomorrow!
Morgan @ Life After Bagels says
Don’t worry . . . you’ll figure out the blog thing . . . and besides we’ll still read, even if it’s only one post a day!
mml says
These are my two go-to slow cooker recipes! What a great way to great black-eyed peas!
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/seven-easy-slow-cooker-recipes/?page=6
http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/techniques/slow-cooker-recipes-00400000001046/page3.html
Chelsea says
Good luck tomorrow! You’ll do great. You’ll just have to figure it out like you ALWAYS do!
Leo @ Cupcakes In Paris says
You seem like such an organized person (more organized than I will ever be!). I am sure you’ll do really well.
Good luck!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Oooh, I like the idea of BEP burger patties. They look awesome, and the side dish is so colorful and healthy looking. 🙂
Good luck with your new job!
Jenn
the kitkat says
Change can always be a little unsettling, but I am sure you will manage just fine. Thousands of woman manage a full time career with an entire family to support when they come home at night. Not easy, but it gets done. All about priorities.
Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com says
I think, judging by your amazing organisational skills (I’m still mega impressed by that schedule!) you’ll do fine with the full time work 🙂 slow cooker recipes will definetly come in handy 🙂 Even if it isn’t that easy, you’ll probably learn something from it, so it’d be worth it in the long run!
That dinner looks SO delicious by the way! I made fishcakes the other day, but completely forgot to add the egg – they came out like mush! So you’ve just reminded me, thankyou!!
christie @ honoring health says
Good luck to you with your time management this upcoming six months. I work full time plus commute almost two hours a day and that alone is time consuming. I do blog but my style of blogging is very different than yours and isn’t as on demand like yours, I can’t imagine having to write three posts per day. Some times I only write five per week! But to manage, I get up at the crack of dawn and do a lot of advanced cooking like you do. The problem for me comes in when I feel like I am doing so much planning/packing/cooking for the future that I start to feel like I can’t live in the moment. It is a fine balance and I am sure with your organization skills, you will do just fine.
Good luck today.
Cassie @ A Very Busy Mind says
You’re a very organized, dedicated, and head-on-straight kind of person, Kath. You’re going to do awesome with your new lifestyle! Just chill, you’ll figure it all out!
amanda says
Those pea burgers look awesome!!
Lauren@ Reading and Running says
Mmmmm those pea burgers actually sound good!!! I always have to choke down a spoonful so this may be a good solution for me next year!
Mae says
I lve your organization and motivation- I wish you could infect me with some of it!
Bacon lollypop?! That sounds so good!!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
You’ll do great in the internship Kath! I think it’s totally normal to be nervous about the time scheduling and all of that, but after the first couple weeks you’ll probably feel as if you’ve been doing it all your life. 😀
Kasey says
Good Luck on your first day!
Diana says
Haha! Man Bait – Maple and Bacon! I love it! Good Luck with your first day! You’ll be great!
Diana
Cole says
It’s never too late to get some good luck. Hopefully everything goes wonderfully for you tomorrow!
Spiceaholic says
Good luck with your new internship!
I like how you have everything planned out in Google calendar, I might be stealing that idea from you. One of my goals is to be more active with my blogging, but my job takes a lot out of me. It will be interesting to see how you balance work, your blog, and your life, but I’m sure you’ll do fine.
Miriam says
I’ve been enjoying all your recipes and insights. I made a super simple and healthy soup last night that has kicked off my “New Year’s Sudo Cleanse.” It’s a COCONUT CARROT GINGER SOUP. Let me know if you enjoy the recipe: http://miriambiber.com/recipes/cleansing-begins/
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I have the same worries for when I start working in the real world. This summer, when I worked from 8:30-5:30, I found little time to squeeze in a workout unless I woke up suuuper early or ate later than everyone else. Then, by the time I finished dinner, it was bed time! Yikes. I better live up student life the next couple of months.