Spring? It's Practically Summer!

Sorry to post later than usual again. I was having a blast at an annual on-campus festival, Springternational. This event consists of a smattering of international cuisine, plenty of cultural dance presentations, and a small market of vendors selling global goods. I watched a few of the performances and just listened to a few (my room overlooks the main quad where the festival took place). I browsed through the market without buying anything (what do ya know? I do have self-control!), and I skipped the food. The festival fare ranged from the typical junk to the meat-eater's delight: funnel cakes, shaved ice, and Polish sausage. I was tempted to wait in line for a frozen, chocolate-covered banana, but the line was about three days long. The weather was sunny and hot, hot, hot. When i got back to my room, my computer's temperature gauge read 92*! The combination of the festival's laid-back atmosphere and the scorching temperature made me feel like it was summer already! Only two more weeks 'til I am done with exams!!

On another note, I have made a halfway decision regarding veganism. I am going to start phasing out dairy from my diet starting on Monday by buying soy yogurt instead of regular. I don't consume eggs ,really, and cheese only in small amounts, so yogurt is the most prominent source of dairy in my diet. I will call myself an "aspiring vegan" or a "vegan in transition." I aim to follow a meat- and dairy-free diet 75% of the time, for now. I am so excited to try this new lifestyle!

Now you get to see what I have been munching on since my last post:

Wednesday

Wednesday night's dinner was so good. I made tempeh sloppy joes, and I practically licked the plate. I combined organic soy tempeh with tomato sauce, mustard, lots of chili powder, and a little raw sugar. This mixture was piled on some warmed whole wheat bread, and on the side I had one of my famous voluminous salads, plus some raw cashews. So tasty!

Thursday

For breakfast yesterday, I gave my Kashi GoLean waffles one last shot. This time, I spread them with some homemade pumpkin butter and added a dash of cinnamon. A perfectly ripe banana completed the meal. I was left hungry again. I guess I will just have to save waffles for those times when I know I will be eating again soon:(

Thursday's lunch consisted of an Italian Pita, with raw cashews and organic kiwi on the side. This dish used up the last of my organic soy tempeh, but I still have some five grain in the fridge, unopened. Tomato sauce and spinach made this a tasty sandwich, not to mention quite reminiscent of the Italian flag!

Friday

Overnight oatmeal made another appearance this morning for breakfast. This combination featured oats, vanilla almond milk, Stevia, cinnamon, and my favorite, wheat germ. I had some strawberries on the side that were not quite ripe...

I tried something new for lunch today: I went for sweet rather than savory flavors. I was in the mood for peanut butter, but I didn't want the traditional PB&J or PB&banana, so I improvised--with sliced apple! I thinly sliced an organic Golden Delicious apple and placed it atop whole wheat bread and a smear of Justin's organic PB. I warmed the bread an PB before placing the apples in the sandwich, and the result produced a lovely contrast between the melty PB and the

crisp and cool apples. I also had a big salad with--what else?--chickpeas!

As I type this, I am on the brink of breaking a sweat, due to the hot weather and lack of AC in my dorm. Therefore, I am in dire need of a refreshing snack (of course!). What are you favorite cool-down snacks for the summertime?