Friday, August 1, 2008

Tech Toys!

Today marked the beginning of a sales tax-free weekend in Birmingham (read about it here). Sooo, after months of shameless begging and hint-dropping (think: leaving Best Buy ads on my dad's pillow), I got a new computer! In case you're curious, I got a Toshiba Satellite M300. Woohoo! I haven't set it up yet since I should be studying for my exams this weekend; I am still using my old computer to type this post. Perhaps I can use the new computer as an incentive to get through these final academic endeavors...While I was at Best Buy, I also got a bigger camera card. Both of my new toys will hopefully serve this blog well:)

My food has been a bit lame these past few days, so I apologize in advance. My creative juices just haven't been flowing lately. Here are the pics anyway:

Wednesday
Berry-Nut Shake! I didn't use frozen fruit this time--my recent nutrition project revealed that I was getting mucho fiber. I had already had a few servings that day, so I decided to replace it with...ice cream! Check out the chunks of almonds and pistachios! This was so...nutty.
Thursday
I woke up 45 minutes later than I was supposed to yesterday, which made for a rushed workout and breakfast. I quickly made a peach smoothie and put Corn Bran in a baggie with Craisins and walnuts. Another thing my project revealed is that I am deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids--hence the walnuts.
Lunch yesterday consisted of a tofu stir fry tossed in ED&BV's peanut sauce, whole wheat couscous, and I also ate a big fat orange. This was a winner! Afterward, I headed over to give my first nutritional consultation. The "client" was actually one of my dad's former co-workers, who is fully aware that I am not yet a licensed RD. Regardless, it was great practice!
Before dinner yesterday evening, I stared into the fridge for a few minutes, completely uninspired. So, I settled on an Amy's Bistro Burger, topped with avocado on a whole wheat bun. I also made some Ian's Sweet Potato Fries with my new organic ketchup (which is HFCS-free!). I should make this dinner when I am stressed--it's quite the comfort meal.
The shake last night used plain hemp protein (rather than vanilla). The consistency was off last night, so that affected my ability to evaluate the flavor. Better luck next time.
Friday
Yes, another muffin parfait/trifle. I seriously don't get tired of these things. Anyway, this one was a little different because I used a new Snacktrition product, the Fruit and Nut Mix with added calcium and fiber (as if I need the fiber...). At first glance, the mix seems high in sugar--15 grams per serving--but then I realized that dried fruit is included in the mix, so it's not as if I were consuming added sugars. FYI, this mix is not vegan, due to the yogurt chips (which look and taste deceptively like white chocolate chips). Nonetheless, I would buy this in the future--the combination of the almonds, cashews, dried fruit, and yummy yogurt nuggets make it a worthwhile oatmeal mix-in or yogurt topper. Beneath the trail mix were layers of crumbled muffins, plain organic yogurt, and fresh strawberries. Quite the decadent breakfast!
Random and boring lunch today--chickpeas cooked in jarred pasta sauce with oregano and basil, toast points, salad, and an apple with almond butter.
Dinner was rather pathetic today too, but oh-so-fresh. Corn on the cob, local tomatoes, steamed asparagus, and a scrumptious Sunshine burger made for quite the summery supper. I also had a glass of chocolate soymilk.
Now, I need to get the motivation to study...any bets as to whether it will happen?

16 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

You know how much I love your shakes, so of COURSE I'm smitten with your latest concoctions - yum!!

Hmm, it's Friday night... don't think the studying will happen, girl, sorry ;0)

Anonymous said...

Corn Bran! Love it.
I can't believe you think your chickpea meal is boring. It's pretty much fancier/more exciting/creative than my fanciest of meals. Haha. I need to take a page out of your food creativity guide.

Anonymous said...

Ohh I love Jasons Deli, they have great vegetarian options for the sandwhiches and the salad bar is great! What kind of whole wheat hamburger buns do you use?
That ketchup has been alife saver for me.. I am very sensitive to foods and ketchup always bothers me but the Organic kind doesnt give me a problem!
Check out my blog for a great recipe to add to your morning parfaits!

Emma said...

mmm I love the look of that stir fry. I tend to always serve mine over wholewheat noodles but I should try cous cous once instead methinks!

Anonymous said...

Haha......too weird that we were typing at the same time. That's cool to have a tax free weekend!

I guess what I meant in terms of differences, what turns me off from greek yogurt is it tastes exactly like sour cream. I am so desperate to find a way to like them due to their great nutritional profile. Any tips how you converted. I can't get over the weird texture.

p.s. what do you order when you go to a restaurant with no veggie options. For example, on road trips, the only places to stop are places like bob evan's which literally don't offer veggie options. I hate when restaurants offer bean soups with beef broth!

Tara said...

Sunshine burgers are my favorite!!! The nurse at my school got me hooked on them. They are yum and so healthy. Caroline, you're even cooler in my book now. heehee

Congrats on your first consult!

Kimberly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kimberly said...

OK, I had to delete and re-post my comment due to a typo (because I'm a nerd like that.) Anyway -

Mmmm, local summer tomatoes. I *so* envy you for those. Growing up in Florida, I used to have tomatoes on toast for breakfast or lunch almost every single day!

And Lauren - in those situations, just don't be afraid to speak up! Bob Evans is actually a bit more veggie-friendly than many other road-trip options, since they have pasta, stir-fries, and salads (all of which you can order without the meat and with extra veggies.) But even at the most horrid Deep South roadside places like Denny's or Friendly's, they should be able to make you some plain rice or a baked potato with a big plate of veggies. What I usually do in those situations is ask for oatmeal or toast with peanut butter for breakfast, and for lunch/dinner, a lettuce and tomato sandwich or baked potato with lots of broccoli and mushrooms on the side (since any diner will have those veggies on hand for omelettes.) Just don't ever stop at Huddle House - that place truly is hopeless ;)

Anonymous said...

yay for a new computer!

your sweet potato fries and tofu stir fry look so good too! 2 of my favorite foodS!

ChickPea said...

VeggieGirl: You were totally right--I didn't study at all...
LighterPortions: Corn Bran is great--perfect snack cereal. Thanks for making me feel better about my kitchen skills:)
SportsNutritionLiving: I use Pepperidge Farms Classic Whole Wheat hamburger buns. I think they actually have HFCS (seems like they all do except for Ezekiel), but I really love the soft texture, especially considering they're whole grain.
I'll have to try that recipe you mentioned!
Emma: Really the reason I use couscous is because it cooks up so quickly. I microwave the water, so I don't even have to wait for water to boil!
Lauren: If you don;t like the Greek yogurts, you don't have to eat them. I happen to love the thick texture (even though I hate sour cream), but if you're not into it, regular yogurt is just as impressive nutritionally. In fact, Greek yogurt has less calcium than regular, and a LOT of protein, a nutrient in which most people are NOT deficient. Stick to what you like!
Kimberly answered your other question pretty well, and I totally agree with her. There have been so many times when I just ask the chef to make me a vegetarian dish. At nice restaurants, they often relish the opportunity for a challenge. At places like Bob Evans, they're still pretty accommodating. I often order an assortment of side dishes. At Outback for example, I ordered a baked sweet potatoes, a starter salad, and a few vegetable side dishes. Sure, it's low on protein, but I think I can handle one low-protein meal.
Tara: I just recently disovered Sunshine burgers after I saw them on other blogs. I can't wait to try the other varieties!
Kimberly: I am the same way about typos...I can't stand them!
Thanks for answering Lauren's question--especially so well! I totally agree about Huddle House--I've been there once, and I am certain that will be the last time I ever visit.
Gliding Calm: You're right--those are two foods you seem to like. Next time I'll make my own sweet potato "fries" but cut them in circles like you do:)

Anonymous said...

yay for the new computer! congrats :)

Allison said...

Hi Chickpea

Thanks for the info on my other comment.

I need major help though now! haha
Apparently the blog we use has changed and I now need to get a google account etc. But it won't even let me sign in to do this. I type in my username and password and it says that I do not exist!

I hope you can help, thanks

Allison said...

Nevermind, turns out they wanted my email now not the username...even though it says username.

But I have a different question now...How do you make links in your posts? Say if I wanted to link the title of a product I bought to the products website, or a recipe I modified from someones blog to their blog URL. Thanks

Danielle said...

Haha, even your "boring" meals make my tummy rumble. Hope you got your studying done this weekend with free time to spare!

Anonymous said...

Ooh I didn't know Heinz had a HFCS-free ketchup now! Thanks for the tip!

Woohoo is right about that new computer! I looove tech toys!

Love the looks of that tofu stir-fry...

ChickPea said...

LoveOfOats: Yep, I'm excited too!
LemonyIsland: Glad you got things figured out. As for inserting a link into the post: when you're writing a post, highlight the text that want to include a link and click on the icon that looks like a globe (it's next to the bold and italics buttons). From there, you can type in the URL that you want to share. Hope that helps!
Danielle: Surprisingly enough, I feel like I have studied enough...that's why I am posting right now instead of hitting the books!
Jenn: Yep, I was psyched about it too. Oh, the wonders of SuperTarget...