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Falling In Love All Over Again!
I mentioned in a previous post that I use to run cross-country in high school and my first year of college, but I have to admit that ever since quitting cross-country my workouts have not been as effective. Fortunately I have my cousin Mel’s Miles as my workout buddy, but during when I am away at school my workouts are almost non-existent. Considering my major is Exercise Science (ironic right?) I felt ashamed and hypocritical that I had stopped working out. Luckily the semester ended about a month ago, and I am proud to say that thanks to Melissa, I have been working out consistently throughout the past, and even survived multiple long runs! I am happy to say that I finally felt the ¨runner’s high¨ after our 7 mile run this past monday, and I am falling in love with running all again! Ok, well nobody actually loves the actual running part because it’s painful but I love the feeling after and the results it gives me. Since I have a rediscovered my love for running, and all fitness/health related things I decided I will start posting summaries of my weekly workouts, and health tips. So for my first fitness related post I will do a summary of last weeks workout:
Monday: went to the gym and did the Stairmaster.
The stairmaster is one of my favorite machines for when I don’t want to run but still want to burn a lot of calories. I felt great after this workout.
Tuesday: nada
Wednesday:
Completed a 6 mile run with Melissa! We ran 6 miles two weeks prior to this one and I was dying the whole time and literally took a two-hour nap after. However, I am proud to say that I felt AMAZING after last weeks run and actually looked forward to the next long run!
Thursday:Went to the gym with Mel’s Miles and did some strength training.
Hip abductor/adductor machine: 3 sets of 10
Lateral and Frontal Arm Raises: 3 sets of 10/each
Bicep curls: 3 sets of 10
Squats: 3 sets of 5 (Squats are my least favorite)
Tricep Extension: 3 sets of 10
Shoulder press: 3 sets of 10
RDLs: 3 sets of 8
*I needed a good strength workout and felt great after this one!
Friday:
Nada
Saturday: I did not do a typical workout but I did do a lot of walking!!
I walked 4 miles from my boyfriend’s house to my parents and then back to his house for work (because my work is a block from his house). I work in retail so I was also on my feet for the entire 6 hours of my shift!! I walked over 20,000 steps according to PACT!
Sunday:
No actual workout but I did walk a lot at work again!
Have you read the latest post on my beauty blog?
Gratitude Friday
Hello,hope you are all doing well!
I finally understand the phrase ¨running around like a chicken with its head cut off¨. The past few weeks have been crazy busy.Despite being overwhelmed, I am still grateful for many things:
I am grateful for the opportunities that I’ve recently been given. Earlier this spring, I found out that the job I thought I had for the summer wouldn’t workout. Knowing that I am not living on campus next semester (and thus have to pay rent) I frantically began searching for a summer job but feared that I was basically out of luck. Right at the end of May, I got in contact with an amazing company that works with individuals with disabilities, and as of yesterday, I am now employed by them! Not only did I get am I employed,but I was lucky enough to find a job within my field of study. Turns out that the door closing for my previous old job, was a blessing in disguise and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity! I am super nervous because this is my first ¨real¨ job, but I am also really excited for this learning opportunity.
I am grateful for my cousin Melissa, from Mel’s Miles for my being my workout buddy. We ran 6 miles Wednesday for the second time this summer, and unlike the previous run where I literally had to take a nap afterwards, I actually felt pretty darn good yesterday. I am really starting to enjoy running again, and am getting back in shape and it feels amazing! I am thankful that Melissa is always willing to workout with me! She’s awesome, everyone go read her blog! 🙂
I am grateful for my cat, Reeses. We adopted Reeses when I was in 6th grade, when she was just 3 months old and it was her birthday this week! This cat is my partner in crime, and I am so thankful for her. It’s amazing how much pets can impact your life, but Reeses definitely brought me a lot of joy throughout the years and I am very,very thankful for that.
I am grateful for my green smoothies, and for my boyfriend because he makes them for me 🙂 Smoothies are amazing, whenever I have them they make me feel like I am canceling out all the bad stuff I ate that day.
Randomness
Hey guys! Hope everyone is doing well! I am finallyyyyy done with my semester and have been enjoying some time off before I have to deal with the real world again. These are some of the things that I have been up to for the past few weeks:
I started a mini garden!!
I don’t know what got into me but I decided that I want to grow my own vegetables this summer.. so my mother who is an avid gardener gave me some plants. I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, and lettuce in my boyfriend’s backyard. I have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to gardening but we’ll see what happens!
I also discovered Mimosas:
I got to try one of these for the first time at my sister’s bridal shower, and I don’t know what I was doing with my life before Mimosas… they’re delicious! Literally my new favorite drink!
I have been working out a ton!
My cousin Melissa, from Mel’s Miles, is my workout buddy whenever I am home from school. Since I’ve started my summer break, we have been working out several times a week. We even did a 6 mile run this past Monday! I’m not going to lie, that run was very difficult for me because it was the longest I’ve ran in over a year, but I am glad that we finished it and I can’t wait to get back into shape!
My hairstylist fixed my botched dye job from earlier this year, and I feel like myself again!
I practiced hairstyling on my cousin!
I am doing the hair and makeup for my sister’s wedding in August, and my lovely cousin let me practice doing her hair. While this isn’t the look I am going to do on my sister, it was still fun!
I also got to play with more makeup!
My sister Rachel, had her bridal shower last weekend and we did a makeup trial run before it! As always, nothing is more fun for me than playing with makeup/beauty related things.
It was a beautiful day out and my boyfriend and I went on a random date!
Fun fact: this location was where we went on our first official date almost 3 years ago!
I also have been preparing to apply to Occupational Therapy school!
The 2015-2016 cycle of applications opens in July so I have been running around trying everything ready. Since I switched career paths this past fall and decided to apply to grad school the same year, I am feeling very overwhelmed however, I am trying to stay calm, and be positive. Hopefully everything will workout (schools please accept me!!!). I also registered to retake the dreadful GRE in June, so not excited for that!
What have you all been up to?
Missed my latest post on my beauty blog?
Gratitude Friday!
So with less than a week left in my semester, things keep piling on and life can get pretty stressful. It’s important to look on the brightside during these times.Fun fact: I am probably the most pessimistic person in the world, but I am trying to work on that. On that note, here are some things that I am grateful for:
1.Obviously, I am thankful that I have only about 3 days left of this semester!
I will be in my last year of undergrad next year and I am beyond excited to graduate and see where my life takes me. I hope that I will be accepted into occupational therapy school, that I can somehow still incorporate makeup,hair and beauty into it all. Even though this year has been stressful and sort of chaotic, I did learn a lot about myself, and I am thankful for that. But really, I am glad that this semester is basically over. I have a ton to do this summer, and am not sure how I am going to manage everything but hopefully it all works out. I’m excited to start running/working out again with my cousin Melissa from Mel’s Miles, because working out is just so much more fun when you have a buddy to do it with. Yay, for summer!
2. I am grateful that there is going to be a spin off of Full House!
I loved that show as a kid, and I am ecstatic that there is going to be a sequel to it. Hopefully it will be as good as the original! Who else loved Full House?
3.I am grateful for makeup/hairstyling and the “beauty world”.
Even though I mentioned my rediscovered passion for makeup, I really love all aspects of beauty. I love cutting my own hair (and occasionally other’s hair), and hairstyling. I love creating different makeup looks, and playing with beauty products. I also love experimenting with fashion, and shoes (omg I love shoes!!). I am grateful that I found a niche, I am grateful for the “beauty world”.
5.I am grateful for animals
Animals are amazing, and nothing makes my day more than looking at animal memes/ or videos on the internet. I can’t say that I am either a “dog person” or “cat person”, I really love both because I am an owner of both. They are different animals so I love them both for different reasons, and I can’t imagine a world with them. My school has a program where some dog owners from our community bring their dogs to our school during finals as “stress relief” for the students. Basically, we get to play with these dogs and it’s so much fun! Nothing makes me happier than animals ( and makeup). Gahhh, they’re just so cute!
6.Rice Krispie Treats
Ironically, I use to hate rice krispie treats up until this year. I just did not understand the hype about them but now I am completely addicted to them. Yum!
7.For Having a Really Awesome Professor for my Anthropology Class this Semester
I was really nervous about taking this course because there were like 10 books when I first looked in required the books & materials, and I did not want to do a lot of reading but honestly this class turned out to be amazing. Not so much the subject (though anthropology is pretty interesting), but I really loved my professor. I had my last class for the semester this past Tuesday and it was the first time in all my years of going to school where I felt sad that a class was over. I guess a really great teacher can make a huge difference.
Missed my last post on my beauty blog? (shameless self-promotion, I know)
Random Favorites from March!
Hey guys!
“Long time no read?” (too corny?) Anyway, sorry I have not posted on this blog in a while:
1) I did not have my laptop charger with me at school last week which obviously made it difficult to post anything.
2) It’s the end of the semester, which means I am living under a rock until beginning of May
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On a higher note, my birthday is in April! Also, here are some of my “lifestyle/random” favorites from the month of March:
1.Running!
After being lazy for several months, I finally forced myself to start running regularly again! I forgot how much I love it! I ran cross country all throughout high school and some of college, and always identified myself as a “runner”. However, after I quit cross country I kind of felt like I lost that identity, and almost did not know how to “workout” anymore. For the past two years, I really have been struggling with find my “niche” when it comes to exercising. Then it started getting warm out again, and I decided to just go for a run/ walk type thing and I realized that running is my “niche”. I am definitely not fast or competitive, but running is the some how the most “enjoyable” form of exercise for me (even though it’s painful at the same time).
2. Guacamole
My boyfriend and I have been putting guacamole on our sandwiches lately and it’s seriously the best and it’s healthy!
3. Pinterest and Buzzfeed
The humor section from Pinterest,and Buzzfeed have been my life this past month. I literally sit at work and look at all of the funny animal memes even though I look ridiculous since I’m constantly laughing to myself, it makes my day and I don’t care if I look crazy. If you haven’t checked out these two websites yet, you need too!
4. Iced Green Tea Latte with Soymilk from Starbucks
Best $5 drink ever! I’ve been trying to cut back on Starbucks coffee (even though I kind of failed in March 😦 ) but I just can’t resist the iced green tea latte with soymilk! Yum!
5. Makeup
I went through a phase in the beginning of the year where I just wanted to get rid of all of my makeup because I felt like I was “not going anywhere” and obviously that is discouraging.However, I recently got asked to do makeup for a wedding this summer,and even though I am doing it as a hobby , it has made me fall inlove with makeup even more (all makeup in general). I’ve loved playing with makeup since I was a little girl, and have been watching YouTube videos since JuicyStar07 was starting out. So,I’ve always known I that I want to work with makeup but never have had the courage to actually try to make my dreams come true. Sometimes feel discouraged because it’s not a “safe” choice for a career, or maybe my skills are not good enough to be a succesful makeup artist. However, I know that if I don’t stop being afraid to go for it, then I really never will succeed.I am thinking about getting a makeup artistry certification, am not sure how to go about that since I don’t particularly want to go to a standard beauty school but I think it would be amazing if my dreams of working in the beauty industry could actually come true. So I guess the first step is to find out how to get a makeup artistry certification/license?
Easy Black Bean Burger Recipe!
* I decided to repost this on this blog, since it’s more of a lifestyle topic than beauty.
Disclaimer: this is not my recipe, (I don’t know who the original chef was of this recipe) I found it on pinterest a couple of months ago, but it’s delicious so I thought It would be fun to share with you all.
I am a vegetarian, but I still like foods that remind me of meat but aren’t actually meat. This black bean burger recipe is one of my favorite things to make for dinner. No I am someone who hates cooking because I just don’t have enough patience for it. So if I can do this recipe, so can you!
This is what they end up looking like. This picture is before I discovered the thin buns.
So here it goes… chef Oksana .. LOL
Key Ingredients:
2 15 0z cans of black beans (try to make sure they’re organic or are not lined with preservatives/bpa) * The black beans can be substituted for chick peas/garbanzo beans.
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 tbsp of ground flaxseed OR 1 egg. The flaxseed acts as the egg if you’re looking for a completely vegan option.
Baking sheet with either parchment paper or olive oil.
Buns these are my favorite kind, and aren’t as heavy as regular ones. 
Optional Ingredients:
Diced Red Pepper
Diced Mushrooms
Diced Zuccihini
Yield= about 6 to 9 burgers depending on how big you make them
Cooking Instructions:
1) Empty the two cans of beans into a large mixing bowl, mash the beans with a masher or a mixer of some sort if you have one. I just use a regular masher that you use for mashed potatoes.
2) Once beans are mashed, add garlic, flaxseed, and breadcrumbs. Mix everything together.
3) Add the vegetables if you’d like to have vegetables.
4) Shaped the mixture into patties and place one to greased baking sheet.
5) Bake at about 400 °F for about 20 minutes, flip burgers half way through so that they cook easily.
50 Random Facts About Me!
Since this is my second blog ( my first blog is othingsbeauty), I thought this would be the perfect time to share some random facts about me. So here it goes:
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope not that I know of.
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
About a week ago
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No, I was cursed with pretty terrible handwriting. It starts out nice but then I get lazy and it turns into a big mess of words.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
I am a vegeterian
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
NOPE!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Umm… Of course?! lol
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
No. Never. Absolutely not. ( 😉 )
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
I’ve thought about it but I don’t know. I’m kind of a baby when it comes to those things. Maybe when I am really old and don’t have much to lose.
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honeynut cheerios!
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Most of the time. Depends on the shoes.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
– Mentally? In some areas yes, I have my weaknesses too though.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
– Vanilla with peanuts. I’m pretty boring like that but it’s delicious!
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
– Other than their looks, probably how they treat other people (service workers).
15. RED OR PINK?
Both, and depends on the shade of each. Never together though.
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
– I stress myself out too much.. I let little things and things that are out of my control stress me out.
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
– My family in Ukraine.
18. WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE TV SHOW?
Scandal!
19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Not wearing any currently.
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Peanut butter m&m’s
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Wonderland by Taylor Swift
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
A dark purple/ burgundy shade.
23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Coffee. Mmmmm!
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My mom
25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Beach house.. it would be cold in the mountains and I hate the cold
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
I don’t really watch sports but If I had to pick one it would be ice skating.
27. HAIR COLOR?
My natural hair color is a mix of strawberry blonde/ brown. It’s gotten darker over the years so it’s hard to say.
28. EYE COLOR?
Green
29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No, I need to get some though because I hate wearing glasses for long periods of time.
30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza.
Vinegrette (beat salad) is a European dish that I could eat forever and ever without getting sick of.
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Depends. I really enjoy watching true crime movies or tv shows but I am not a fan of mainstream scary movies.. so probably happy endings?
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Interview on Demand
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
gray
34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer most of the year, and winter around Christmas time. Fall is favorite season.
35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both?
36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Ice cream!
37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
A combination of both. Though I probably do cardio more often than strength, even though they both are important (exercise science major over here 🙂 ).
38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
I could live without TV cause Computer has TV on it LOL! Plus Youtube is my TV!
39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Not reading anything currently except books for school.
40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Don’t have one (laptop).
41. ANY TATTOOS?
Nope.. have thought about getting one though.
42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Music?
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Both
44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME IN 2013?
Boston, MA
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Lol I don’t know? Makeup related things? Is that a talent?
46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Ternopil, Ukraine
47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Chicago
48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
blue and white!
49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Don’t own a car!
50. ANY PETS?
Two dogs and a cat!
Gratitude Friday!
So It’s been pretty long week. I’ve had lots of early mornings, midterms coming up, personal stuff going on, and all of that can make life overwhelming. I have been trying really hard to make myself happy despite all of it, and I have found that gratitude, even if it’s in the smallest form is helping me achieve that goal. So here are somethings I am grateful for:
I am grateful for coffee. With my early morning classes, coffee has been my lifesaver. I especially love mornings where I have time to sit and enjoy my cup of coffee, it’s my favorite way to start my day. Recently, I have especially been loving Grande Kaffee Chocolate Cappuccino, and The Village Coffeehouse hazelnut flavored coffee I found at Tjmaxx. The chocolate coffee doesn’t taste like chocolate but it does have something special about it and it smells amazing! The hazelnut one also smells delicious and tastes even better! I have to say that even though I am a devout Starbucks lover.. these brands give Starbucks some serious competition!
I am grateful for green smoothies and wedge salads. I am kind of a hypocrite when it comes to being healthy. I strongly believe that nutrition is the key to being healthy, and I always rant at other people to eat healthy but I definitely struggle with following my own advice (at least while I am living the college dorm lifestyle). So green smoothies have been a godsend to me because I finally consume enough vegetables on a daily basis, and I eat kale (a vegetable that I absolutely cannot stand unless it’s in a smoothie). In addition to green smoothies, my boyfriend introduced me to wedge salads a few weeks ago (it’s just lettuce, fetta cheese, a few tomatoes and ranch dressing) and they are my new addiction. I also discovered yogurt ranch that is made with all natural ingredients and while it’s still technically not good for you, it’s better than regular ranch but still tastes delicious!
I am grateful for makeup. Makeup is my sanctuary. Playing with it, is one of the few things that really makes me relax. I can easily spend an hour just playing around with eyeshadow! Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that makeup is something that I need or can’t go a day without wearing.. it’s just something that I really enjoy experimenting with. So I am very thankful to have it in my life. I am also very happy to have my beauty blog, because nothing makes me happier that discussing beauty related things.
I am grateful to be more than half way done with college!! While I am blessed to be able to get an education, school is exhausting and I am excited to be done. I have no idea what the future holds, and I am terrified of the “real world” but man oh man I can’t wait until the day I get my degree!
Last but not least I am grateful for my health and to be able to enjoy my life. This is one is pretty corny, especially for someone as cynical as me, but recent events have really made me aware as to how lucky I am to even be alive, to be healthy, and to be able to live comfortably. It really is a blessing to be healthy.
What are some things you are grateful?
How do you deal with stressful times or what to do you do to find happiness?
A Brief Introduction
Hey guys!
I’m Oksana, some of you may follow me on my other blog (othingsbeauty) where I discuss all beauty related things. However, I decided I want to blog about beauty and life related topics so I made a second blog! I will keep both blogs active but write about all beauty related things on Othingsbeauty, and all life related things like health, fitness, and whatever else is on my mind on this blog.
I just wanted to give a brief explanation and say hello! Hope everyone is doing well 🙂
Othingslife 
