Friday, October 24, 2008

Parental Invasion

This weekend is Duke's annual Parents' Weekend, so as of about 1 PM today campus has been swarming with the "50+" population. Everywhere I look, there's a proud dad toting around a bag from the University Book Store, or a beaming mom snapping zillions of pictures. Gotta love it.

My parents arrived this evening, after multiple flight delays, but they landed safe and sound (albeit a little hungry!). We have plans to go to the basketball game tomorrow (my mom's first!), and to make a trip to Banana Republic. Aah, two of my favorite things in the same day: Banana Republic and basketball.

I plan on catching up on some much needed sleep tonight, so I better get crackin' with the last few days' food.

Wednesday
As a study break on Wednesday evening, I decided to take the time for a real meal, rather than slapping together a PB&J as I had been planning. With the help of my trusted friend George Foreman, I grilled some eggplant slices that I had rubbed with garlic. Once adequately charred, I drizzled the slices with tahini and served them alongside a mound of whole grain couscous. I also had a salad which consisted of spinach, chickpeas, soynuts, and sliced mozzarella.
I called it a night with a frozen treat: blackberries, chocolate rice protein, soymilk, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips.
Thursday
When I am in need of a one-bowl breakfast, I consistently turn to CCV's Banana Bread Blender. This time, I used pecans (rather than almonds or walnuts), plus my usual rice milk, vanilla extract, bran flakes, and frozen banana. So yum.
I started out making sloppy Joes for lunch with lentils and tomato sauce, but it took on a decidedly Italian twist when I added wilted spinach, garlic, and oregano. The Italian version still ended up delicious--I enjoyed the mixture atop toasted whole grain bread and served it alongside an apple with cashew butter.
My Thursday nights are now occupied by RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) meetings, so I kept dinner simple last night: Chef Salad with Romaine, Tofurky, carrots, mozzarella, and honey roasted peanuts. I also had a pear and some crackers.
For last night's shake, I used up the last of my strawberries along with cocoa powder, soymilk, chocolate rice protein, and chocolate chips. I apologize for the monotony, but I don't have many options until my shipment of hemp protein arrives.
Friday
I have been having major back pain lately, so I had to do some low-impact cardio today and use the elliptical rather than go for a run. I returned to the apartment for a quick breakfast of a peach-banana smoothie and a bagel with Sunbutter. Afterward, I darted off to campus again to do some promotional stuff for my sorority's "Mocktail Blendoff." Sounds like my kind of event, no?
I also made a Whole Foods run today (of course). Here's a look at the loot:
I needed something to warm me up after my errands in the cold, so I made a bowl of lentil chili for lunch. I combined tomato sauce, water, lentils, corn, garlic, cumin, chili powder, and ground red pepper and let it simmer while I did my laundry. On the side, I had a salad with a new salad dressing (Annie's Woodstock) and a beautiful Fuji apple that was just too pretty to slice.
Once my parents finally arrived, we went to one of our favorite restaurants in town, Taverna Nikos. We ordered an eggplant dip for an appetizer (although it was not labelled baba ghanoush). I thoroughly enjoyed the "herby" flavors that shone through in this dip; plus, my parents let me have the olive:) For my entree, I ordered the Vegetable Souvlaki, which consisted of vegetable skewers served with pita and tzaziki dip, plus a bed of rice. I practically licked the plate on this one.
We made a much-needed Target trip after dinner, and now I plan on settling in to some TLC before bed. Wild and crazy Friday night, right? Hope you're having fun tonight, wherever you are.

I will leave you with a pic of my mom and me at dinner. Love you, Mom!

14 comments:

Maggie M. said...

Your pictures always make me hungry even though I just ate! The pic of you and your mom is cute :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, Banana Republic and basketball and parents in one weekend? That's like the best weekend ever! :o)

Yum, eggplant slices with tahini? That sounds like a great combo!

I still need to try that banana blender cereal! It always looks so amazing!

I buy the same sliced frozen peaches from WF - they are so good! I have yet to put them in a smoothie, but I love munching on them frozen!

The pic of you and your mom is great! I hope you have an amazing weekend!!

Anonymous said...

i've been lurking for a while but never commented and i think it's overdue - i'm in love with all the gorgeous smoothies you make, as well as everything else. sounds like you had a great time!

Agnesss =) said...

HEy!!

Thx for commenting!! Are you still interested in the grocery exchange,Girl?? =)) let me know!!

Well...this chili looks sooo comfty hah!! perfect for a chilly day!!!

The BANANA CREAM on my blog yesterday... I USUALLY use 2-3 bananas and 2 TBSP (brazil)nut butter =D DELICIOUS!! You can add carob or cocoa and vanilla too!! Try it!! :D

Well....hope to "hear" from you soon!! (Pls let me know bout the exchange :D)

Enjoy the day!!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Haha, it's the annual Parents' Weekend at MY university this weekend as well!! :0)

Hooray for Banana Republic and basketball - enjoy!! And I hope your mom likes her first time seeing the game.

George Foreman grills are amazing. Period.

NEVER apologize for monotony with meals/shakes, Miss Chickpea!! I say, if you love a certain food (or foods/beverages), then keep consuming them however often you'd like!!

Whole Foods = second home, as you know.

Aww, lovely photograph of you and your mom!! :0)

Nicole said...

Yum, this all looks too good.

fleur said...

Your lentil chilli looks so so good, I am going to try to make it, hopefully it will turn out as good as yours.
You and your mum are so cute :)

Anonymous said...

Holy shiitake mushrooms, I swear EVERYTHING you have posted is incredibly DROOL WORTHY!

Ruby Red said...

Your lentil meals look so yummy! Lentils are the best, so filling and healthy.

Awww, so fun that your parents got to visit! My parents' weekend was a while ago, but it was a nice way to break up the monotony of the normal school routine. Plus parents can take you anywhere in the city that you want! Yay for going to your favorite restaurant!!! Looks quite delish.

Anonymous said...

awww such a cute picture of you & your mom - hope your fun weekend continues :)

now i want some eggplant!

Green Eyes, Green Heart said...

I posted a recipe on my blog that you'd be proud of!! :)

Anonymous said...

You and your Mom look so pretty (and alike). I think it is great that you have been getting more creative with some of your meals. I remember how hard it was to cook for myself in college because there was such a temptation to just grab something quickly at the food court. I applaud your efforts. I wasn't a vegetarian in college either so it was easier to just eat fast food. You are way ahead of the game in a life of health!

Anonymous said...

HOLY YUM!

ChickPea said...

Magpie: Haha, I am definitely familiar with that phenomenon--the only downside of food blogs!
EatingBender: Def try that Banana Blender--so sweet, easy, and delicious!
I love those peaches too--cheap and versatile.
WholeFoodsWholeMe: Thanks for commenting!! You're so sweet to compliment my blog. I just recently discovered yours, and it rocks my socks.
Agnes: Yep, I am still interested in the grocery exchange--it sounds like fun!
Thanks for the info on the banana cream!
VeggieGirl: What a coincidence! It must have been a weekend ripe for families or something.
SweetPotato: Thanks!
Flower: The chili turned out surprisingly well--it was definitely one of those dishes that I just put together at the spur of the moment. Enjoy!
Wholesome Foodie: Thanks so much!!
Ruby: SO true about parents' weekend--it provides a nice hiatus from normal university life.
Love of Oats: Eggplant is everywhere these days--let me know if you make something with it!
Green Eyes: OMG YUM! Those cookies sound and look fantastic! I can't wait to try the recipe!
Nikki: I keep telling myself that I will be better off in the end with my healthful meals, but it gets difficult to negotiate when it comes to pay at the grocery cash register. Thanks for commenting:)
Shelby: Haha, I could say the same thing about your recent post!