Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Weird Wednesday

Today's schedule was a bit atypical for me. First, I didn't get to run because it's too darn hot, so I used the stationary bike instead. Then, I went with my mom and sister to get a pedicure and (my first ever!) manicure for the wedding. This small errand took close to two hours! The salon was crazy today! Nonetheless, I am quite satisfied with my newly polished nails, if only for the name of the shade--"Tarts 'n Hearts." Afterward, I grabbed a quick lunch before heading to class. I am so not used to having classes again. Bummer.

I have some cool new foods to show you today, so here goes:


Monday
Strawberry shake ended the day well. This one had organic nonfat plain yogurt, frozen strawberries, strawberry Spirutein, and my favorite granola. Good way to get some vitamin C and fiber, with a little sweetness:)
Tuesday
I was in a rush on Tuesday morning for my 10:20 nutrition class, so I grabbed the first items that appeared in my field of vision: a new canister of Quaker multigrain hot cereal and a Nutiva HempShake mix. The two foods don't really "go" together, but both were delicious and satisfying--no tummy growls in class! I cooked the cereal with unsweetened applesauce and cinnamon; I prepared the shake with almond milk and a few ice cubes. (Next time I'll omit the ice cubes). The shake tasted like a more "nutty" Instant Breakfast drink.
Lunch was a very spontaneous in that I just threw some things in the skillet that needed to be used up. The result was a lentil dish cooked with ginger, tomato sauce, cumin, and garlic. I had an Ezekiel pita on the side, along with a salad and some pistachios.
For dinner, I tried an Amy's Bistro Burger for the first time. I put it on whole grain bread with mashed avocado--perfect combination!! I also had a lot of squash and onions (and I wonder why I turn orange...). Sliced tomato and salad completed the meal.
Wednesday
This was an excellent breakfast: mini whole wheat bagel with TJ's almond butter and plain soy yogurt with blueberries.
After I got my nails done, I prepared a lunch that required minimal chopping, etc--don't want to mess the manicure:) I made a stir-fry out of broccoli, tofu, water chestnuts, soy sauce, and ginger. I also had some whole grain rice cakes and a pear.
Dinner was another quick meal, so I opted for an old stand-by: pita and hummus. The rest consisted of: steamed brussels sprouts, a side salad, and a cherry pomegranate Nectar bar.
Well, I have to pack my lunch, pick out my outfits for tomorrow, and do some reading. Plus, I want to hang out with my sister in these her last days as a Yoder girl:( Happy Wednesday!

18 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Ahh, sorry that your schedule got so mixed up today- it happens.

Great shakes and meals, as always; and I LOVE those cherry-pomegranate Nectar bars!! Yum!!

Little Miss Sunshine said...

wow, everything looks so delicious here! I love your food choices! Just a question, what do you normally have for snacks? or do you just eat three meals a day?! I'm a sick of snack bars for snacks... so looking for inspiration here ^^ Thanks

Jill said...

I adore reading your blog - some blogs make me feel like I eat soooooo much and you eat a lot like me! It makes me feel healthy and strong!

Christie said...

HEy can you include about how much of each ingredients you add with your shakes. I am loving the packets but I am not very good and the add-inS!
I have had the hemp protein before too but i like the spirtina better. When I want to get protein and carbs after a work out I acually mix the protein powder into the oatmeal with fruit too, it is a great way to get both at once
Thanks so much love all your meals

Anonymous said...

question about your bistro burger :) did you think it had a mushroom-y taste to it? i have been dying to try em but i noticed mushrooms (which gross me out) are in the ingredients, so i was wondering if the flavor was strong? thx!

Anonymous said...

What brand mini bagels do you buy? the thomas ones look so small.

Do you typically buy bagged lettuce or wash it yourself? It takes so long to prepare salads and you seem to eat alot of them!

Also, I second cecilia's question, what do you eat for typical snacks? (I am not sure if you do typically eat snacks?). I often find I am as hungry as I was for a meal- do you ever find this? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Hey, from reading your blog, I know that you exercise a lot and also that you're working to maintain a healthy weight... can I ask you, do you count calories? If so, do you have a specific amount that you aim for in each meal/snack? I am trying to gain weight, and feel like I have no idea how to space out my calories. I try to eat a good amount, but always come up short at the end of the day and have to have a huge nighttime snack.

Also, how do you know how many more calories to eat depending on how much exercise you do?

I wish this whole healthy-weight thing weren't so complicated! Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Hungry Hungry Dancer said...

wow! all your food looks great!!! so much variety.. I LVOE IT!!!

Anonymous said...

Just curious are you transferring or just taking summer courses?

How does your family feel about you not "using" your english degree. Both nutrition and English are great fields and it seems like a lot of bloggers are switching from different fields.

Anonymous said...

What brand/where do you buy the mini pitas? I can't seem to find them :(

Anonymous said...

Hi, I have a question I would like to ask you. do you have an email address I could send it to? Have fun at the wedding this week!

ChickPea said...

VeggieGirl: Those cherry-pom bars are definitely a new favorite!
Cecilia: For snacks, I usually go for a combination of nuts and dried fruit, plus some dairy or non-dairy alternative (such as soy yogurt). In the evenings, if I am especially hungry after dinner, I will also have a bowl of cereal such as Kashi GoLean. Hope that helps!
Jill: Sometimes I feel the same way--that I eat WAY more than everyone else, but I realize that all my food is healthy and that my body needs it. Makes me feel strong too!
Christie: Usually the recipe goes like this: 1/2 c yogurt, 1/2 c frozen fruit, 1 1/2 c water/liquid, 1 packet Spirutein. Hope that helps!
Loveofoats: I don't remember a distinct mushroom flavor, but I really love mushrooms, so I might not have noticed it as much as you might. I'll try to take note next time I eat a Bistro burger.
Marcy: I buy the Thomas ones--they look small, but they're actually pretty filling--I promise!
Yes, I definitely snack! You can read my response above for the kinds of things I snack on.
Anonymous: I try not to count calories, but it is a horrible habit I cannot seem to break. I read a book called Intuitive Eating that really encourages feeding your body without math-I strive for that ideal. Anyway, I eat about 400-500 total for breakfast (including pre-workout snack), 400 for lunch, 400-500 for dinner, plus another 400-500 for snacks throughout the day. I usually end up at around 1800-1900. As for days that I don't exercise, I usually dock 100-200 Calories from the total, but if I get hungry anyway, I'll eat my regular amount. I must admit that a majority of my Calories come in the evening, but that's because I am home during that time and have the time to eat. I don't fuss about it, because it doesn't really matter what time of day I eat--as long as I get my Calories in.
Vegan On Stage: Thanks!!
Amanda: I am just taking summer classes, not transferring. I'll finish up the degree over the next few summers and after I graduate. My parents are completely supportive of the decision, mostly because my sisters have gone similar routes in their education. Education is a big priority in my family, so my parents aren't too upset about paying for extra schooling.
Kath: The mini-pitas are by Toufayan bakeries, and I buy mine at Publix. I am not sure if you all have that chain of stores near you, but I would check the deli section of your grocery store.
Renee: You can email me at Carnie87@aol.com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

vegandarling said...

Hi! I love your blog and I was hoping you'd like to check out my online magazine (& maybe link to us=)

vegperspective.com

Thanks!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for your response!!!

Hopefully someday we will BOTH be able to say we're intuitive eaters ;)

Anonymous said...

Good luck with all your courses!

Since you eat so much salad do you buy fresh lettuce or the prewashed kind? I find cutting lettuce to be a very time consuming process, but it taste better to me than the bagged stuff.

Oh and I love that flavor nectar bar.

Anonymous said...

Do you like spaghetti squash? I normally like all vegetables, but found it to have an odd taste- not at all like pasta.

I have to say, when I say your brother in law to be he looks like a personal trainer-very muscular! Haha!

Anonymous said...

Sorry one other question, at home how do you cook your veggies?

I hate doing dishes that's why I ask.

ChickPea said...

vegandarling: I'll be sure to check it out!
Amanda: It kinda depends on prices. A lot of times bagged spinach is 2/$4 at my grocery store, so I'll buy it then, or I'll go to Sam's and get one of those big boxes of organic greens. Otherwise, I just buy hearts of romaine and wash them myself.
Tammy: Spaghetti squash is a food I enjoy more for the novelty than for the taste. It doesn't taste like pasta to me, but I still like it.
My brother in law would be so flattered by your comment!
I cook my veggies either by steaming them in a microwave steamer (bought at Wal Mart) or by sauteing them in cooking spray on the stovetop.