Today I was officially accepted into a master’s degree program in counseling psychology! I’ll most likely be starting the program in January, and my goal is to work towards becoming an eating disorders counselor and/or a middle school/high school counselor. My heart is set on being an eating disorders counselor at this point in my life, but I like to keep my options open. I’m excited and nervous to pursue this dream. I’m nervous about the whole financial aspect of attending school, not the program itself. I think the financial aid process is so daunting and confusing . . . and I’m worried about taking on more loans and paying for books. But I know that, in the long run, getting more education is always a smart choice. And I really want to pursue this career — I believe I can make a difference and I want to start making that difference.
This is a great start to the week . . . now I’m hoping to hear about some job opportunities . . . it would sure make registering for classes easier if I knew if and where and when I’ll be working!
So, as things are starting to take shape for 2010, here’s how I’ve been wrapping up my 2009 — holiday style!
On Saturday, Carter and I made paninis and side salads:

My panini was in wrap form: I filled it with 2 T Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter from Peanut Butter & Co., about 1/3 C pumpkin, and 1/2 banana. After pressing it on our panini press, it was warm and melty and perfect. I highly recommend this combo of ingredients — they go together like “peas and carrots.” Thanks Forrest.



While we ate, we partly enjoyed and partly scoffed at this view out our window:

The snow looks pretty, but I don’t like the cold and the wetness. “Any cold, wet thing I don’t really like.” Thanks Bella (any Twilight fans out there?).
On Saturday night, we went to my favorite restaurant, Seasons 52! I love everything about Seasons 52, from the burning fire when you first walk in, to the classy yet not-too-fancy decor, to the delicious and super-healthy food, to the perfectly-portioned desserts.
I got the baby spinach salad with fresh sliced seasonal pears, toasted pine nuts and crumbled bleu cheese. It was served with a delightfully light white balsamic vinaigrette and it was phenomenal. I also ordered the chipotle shrimp flatbread with grilled pineapple, Feta cheese and roasted poblano peppers. I’ve never tasted anything like it — I think it was my favorite entree I’ve ever ordered from Seasons 52. The flavors just melded together so perfectly.


Though it broke our hearts to skip dessert (one of my favorite things about Seasons 52), we had other dessert plans in mind: cookies! After dinner, we went to my dad’s and step-mom Connie’s house to bake Christmas cookies with her family. Carter and I brought peanut butter milk chocolate dough (and Reese’s Pieces to top it with) and white chocolate macadamia nut dough from Hope’s Cookies. I have yet to eat a cookie that outdoes Hope’s perfectly crisp on the outside, thick and chewy on the inside cookies. You can order them online and I HIGHLY recommend it. I’m willing to bet they’ll be among the best cookies you’ve ever eaten . . . and they make awesome Christmas gifts in Hope’s adorable boxes and tins.


One of Connie’s family members made red velvet cookie dough and another made sugar cookie dough. The requisite chocolate chip cookie dough was also on hand.

Connie attempted to make cherry tarts, but they ended up coming out a bit puffy — delicious though, I’m sure!

We decorated . . .

and baked . . .

and Carter wasn’t afraid to get in on the action . . .

The ladies couldn’t keep their hands off my husband. I can’t blame them. How many guys do you know who will willingly throw themselves into cookie-baking mayhem with a bunch of crazy gals?

I enjoyed a Reese’s cookie, a red velvet cookie, and split a white macadamia cookie with Carter. A year ago, I never could have done that. I either would have avoided the cookies and internally sulked, or I would have binged on countless cookies + whatever other “forbidden” foods I could get my hands on (with the mindset that “I”ll start again tomorrow”), or saddest of all, I wouldn’t have accepted the invitation to the fun get-together. What a difference a year and a Registered Dietitian can make! Woo hoo!!
Best of all, I got to enjoy an evening with wonderful people, including my husband and my dad.


We continued the holiday fun on Sunday. Shanah (my brother’s fiance), my mom, Carter and I took Egg Man (AKA Zane, Shanah’s baby and the coolest kid I know) to visit one of Santa’s reindeer at Waterloo Gardens.

After Zane got his picture with Santa, we each got our picture taken with Zane. I would wait in line to take my picture with him before waiting in line to take my picture with Santa. Zane’s cuter.
Mom with the Egg:

Carter with the Egg, dreaming of his own future Egg:

Me with the Egg. And yes, you can bet I was dreaming of an Egg of my own:

After visiting with Santa and his reindeer, we bought our Christmas trees (yay!) and then met up with my brother at the King of Prussia Mall, where we did some Egg holding and Christmas shopping.


Which of course called for some TCBY. White chocolate macadamia (fat free and sugar free!) with heath bar pieces:

A weekend that starts with peanut butter and ends with frozen yogurt is a winner in my book. And a week that starts with a grad school acceptance ain’t too shabby either!