Call Me Even Steven

As we bid adieu to 2008, I look back on the year as one filled with new beginnings for me: I decided to pursue a career as a nutritionist; I became a runner; and, of course, I began writing this blog. 2008 will for sure be a year to remember. What will you remember about 2008?

Milestones aside, I can't help but be a little annoyed that we are moving into an odd-numbered year. Maybe I am just weird, but I simply prefer even numbers. Perhaps 2009 will cure me of my distaste for odd numbers...

Alright enough about my numerical hang-ups. Let's get down to business so the partying can begin!

Monday
Immediately following Monday's post, I settled down to make dinner. The centerpiece of the meal was Lindsay's African Kale and Yam Mash (although I used sweet potatoes). I served the mash alongside some pan-fried tofu, which I had seasoned with garlic powder and cumin. A salad with Woodstock dressing completed the meal.
The shake of the evening featured strawberries, banana, chocolate hemp protein, soymilk, and chocolate syrup. Yummy, as always.
Tuesday
I woke up yesterday craving some scrambled tofu. This version included spinach and green onions...I think I was a little heavy-handed with the turmeric, because this dish was practically glowing yellow. On the side, I had a whole grain English muffin and a few clementines. PS I stocked up on chopsticks at World Market over the weekend:)
I was hungry by the time lunch rolled around, so I kept it simple with a hummus veggie wrap. That's shiitake-sun dried tomato hummus along with steamed kale and baby bellas inside the wrap. I also had a salad with Goddess dressing and an apple.
Speaking of 'shrooms, have you heard about these new vitamin D-infused mushrooms? Somehow the folks at Monterey Mushrooms have managed to grow mushrooms with significant amounts of the sunshine vitamin. Personally, I am excited about this innovation, since most natural food sources of vitamin D are not ones that I include in my diet (egg yolks, cod liver oil, salmon). Supplements and sun exposure are alternative sources, but I prefer to not use supplements, and sun exposure poses the hazard of skin cancer. With the benefits of vitamin D becoming increasingly apparent, these fancy shrooms seem like a perfect solution. Read more about it here.

Whew, I apologize for the tangential nature of this post. Anyway, here's dinner: whole wheat waffles (made with my new waffle maker!) with strawberries, plus a new kind of Greek yogurt mixed with pumpkin.
The shake last night consisted of peach Spirutein, soymilk, peaches, and non-dairy vanilla ice cream. Peaches 'n cream, to the max.
Wednesday
After a very chilly run this morning, I knew I needed a hot bowl of oats to warm me up. I combined vanilla almond milk, oats, cinnamon, pumpkin, and banana, then topped the combination with cashews and chocolate chips. This was my first time combining chocolate with pumpkin...I haven't decided whether I like it or not. I am so accustomed to my usual pumpkin-raisin combination.
I got the chance to visit The Fresh Market this afternoon, where I picked up a few out-of-the-ordinary groceries:
Today's lunch was a simple tofu salad: silken tofu with vegan mayo, paprika, celery, and a tad of whole grain mustard. I stuffed it into a pita and served it alongside a big salad and an apple with my new Mighty Maple PB.
Before I let you go for your evening of celebration, check out what I got in the mail yesterday:
Thanks to Robyn from Gnu Foods for sending me these samples! I am stoked to finally get a chance to try all the flavors!

Happy New Year!

The After-Christmas Gift Fairy

It's a running joke in my family that Christmas never really ends after December 25th. Allow me to explain:

My mother is an expert gift hider as a result of my sister's continued attempts over the years to find and peek at her Christmas gifts. In fact, my mother's hiding skills are so advanced, she often manages to hide them from even herself. Thus, in the days and weeks following Christmas Day, Mom bestows presents as she incidentally finds them throughout the house. Thus far, I have received a green sweater as well as a gray dress and a purple turtleneck.

In addition to my mother's after-Christmas gifts, I also received a few presents in the mail today from fellow food bloggers. My Secret Santa package arrived from Sarah. Judging by the plentiful Z bars, Spirutein packets, and Kashi products, Sarah has got my taste preferences pegged:) Thanks so much, Sarah!
I also found a package from Futter's Nut Butters on my doorstep this afternoon. Inside I found a lovely gift basket from VeggieGirl! I am super-psyched about trying these almond butters. Thank you, VeggieGirl!
I spent my weekend catching up with friends and relaxing, but I managed to create a few tasty dishes along the way:

Friday
I busted out my fave cookbook, ED&BV for dinner Friday. White Bean-Walnut Bruschetta was on the menu for the evening, but I didn't have any bread (!), so I improvised with an Ezekiel pita. I also had broccoli and a salad with pom seeds.
My love of cherries continues to plague my tastebuds with a vengeance. Yep. It's another cherry Spirutein smoothie. Delicious, as always.
Saturday
I went out to breakfast with "the girls" at Original Pancake House on Saturday morning. My mom, sisters, and I met up with some family friends for a morning of chit-chat and pancakes. Since cutting eggs out of my diet, the OPH has limited menu options for me, but I am always happy to order their phenomenal oatmeal. Somehow, oatmeal prepared in restaurants and hotels achieves a wonderful glue-y consistency I can never re-create at home. Anyway, since I have ordered this before, I didn't bring my camera along. Check out pics of other OPH visits here.

We spent the afternoon shopping the post-Christmas sales but returned home empty-handed...and hungry. I made a simple Tofurky-Peach-Walnut Roll Up with vegan mayo; I also had a salad with dried cherries and an assortment of crudites. Recipe for the roll-up is from Rudi's here.
I've had an acorn squash staring at me on my counter for the past few weeks, so I finally put it to good use by creating a squash-kale saute with navy beans and herbs de provence. I also had salad, broccoli, plus an apple with PB for dessert.
The shake of the evening was a chocolate-covered strawberry, in liquid form: strawberries, soymilk, unsweetened chocolate Spirutein, and chocolate syrup.
Sunday
Before heading to church, I gobbled down some overnight oats, topped with Brazil nuts and chopped dates. The travel section made for excellent reading:)
I reunited with an elementary/middle school friend at Starbucks for the afternoon. I am so glad we re-connected--we still are very compatible! Anyway, as a result of our lengthy chat, I didn't eat lunch until 3:30. I scarfed down a taco salad with chili beans, a snack pack of guac, salsa, and corn tortillas; thats a dish of clementines and pom seeds on the side.
In an attempt to use up more of that squash, I made a leftover vegetable casserole with squash, kale, navy beans, low-sodium V8, and a topping made up of bread crumbs and ground walnuts. Delish.
I had another chocolate-covered strawberry shake last night, this time using hemp protein instead of Spirutein. Yummers.
Monday
Following an intense and chilly run this morning, I fired up the griddle and made some vegan banana pancakes. I spread them with chocolate PB--just like chocolate chip pancakes! Check out my awesome winter spatula and my uber-girly polka-dot plates.
Due to a busy day of errands with my dad, I didn't get a chance to eat lunch until nearly 5! Needless to say, I was rather famished. Here's what I gobbled up: black bean burger (from frozen) on whole wheat with guacamole, squash fries with organic catsup, and a clementine with grapes.
I just hopped out of the shower before typing up this post. I used my favorite shower gel ever, Child. I reluctantly retired my Candy Cane body wash (by Philosophy) for the year:( What kind of shower gels do you use?

Ciao for now!

'Tis the Season...for Clif Bars?

After seeing them all over the blogosphere, I finally spotted the ever-elusive bars of the season: Limited Edition Clif Bars. These seasonal favorites are available only during the months of the winter holidays. I first encountered them at an on-campus convenience store in mid-November; more conventional establishments (e.g., Whole Foods or your local grocery store) might have begun stocking them earlier in the year.

Anyway, with the end of the holiday season fast approaching, I figured that I had better post a review of these seasonal bars, pronto! Now is the time to stock up before they disappear for another 11 months.

Iced Gingerbread
Of all three seasonal flavors, Iced Gingerbread enticed me the most. Did someone say icing?! If you recall my birthday's mound of frosting, er, cake, you'll remember that I have a healthy appreciation for all that is fluffy and heavily sugared. Plus, who doesn't like a good gingerbread treat during the holidays?
I opted to sample my bar before a brisk morning run. A half-bar serving provided the perfect mix of protein and carbohydrates to fuel my body, and its intense sweetness satisfied my sweet tooth. The amount of ginger flavor was just right in that I could detect the gingerbread taste without being overwhelmed by its notorious "bite." My one complaint is that the overall flavor experience was a bit too sweet, at least as a first-thing-in-the-morning snack. Perhaps if I had sampled it later in the day, I might have eaten this little brick of sugariness with more gusto.
The Iced Gingerbread variety contains 250 kcalories, 6 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, along with Clif bars' typical array of vitamins and minerals.

In addition to enjoying this as a pre-workout snack, you might also enjoy this bar heated in the microwave, accompanied by a glass of your favorite milk (soy/nut/cow's).

Spiced Pumpkin Pie
Next up on my list was the bar that featured my favorite squash in its name...pumpkin! While this flavor does not include "iced" in its name, rest assured that there is still plenty of the sweet stuff; the icing is merely spread across the bar's bottom rather than drizzled ever so attractively as it was on the gingerbread variety. Once again, this bar was heavily sugared, but its spice combination was not as notable as in the gingerbread variety. I would have appreciated a little bit more clove action. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed this flavor, and it provided just the right oomph for my morning run, as is to be expected of my beloved Clif products.
The Spiced Pumpkin Pie variety contains 240 kcalories, 5 grams of fat, 10 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and a host of vitamins and minerals. I love that Clif bars provide a vegan source of calcium--250 mg (25% RDA) per bar.
This bar was scrumptious enough for me to consider using it as a pumpkin pie substitute when an inopportune craving strikes. Try topping it with regular/soy whipped topping or your favorite soft spreadable cheese spread, such as Laughing Cow or Tofutti.

Pear Apple Strudel
Last among the seasonal flavor lineup was the Pear Apple Strudel. Honestly, I don't think I have ever tasted strudel in its traditional form, so I didn't know quite what to expect out of this flavor. Upon first bite, it was palatable but the flavor was not at all the pear-apple melange I had imagined. Instead, its taste reminded me of...chardonnay. It had a tart sweetness not unlike wine grapes. While this flavor does get points for the pretty icing design, I would rank this variety 3rd out of three. I may revisit it after I try a real strudel:)
The Pear Apple Strudel variety contains 240 kcalories, 5 grams of fat, 9 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, and the usual vitamin and mineral mix.
In honor of its strudel heritage, this bar might also be paired with fruit. Try crumbling it into small pieces as an alternative topping for fresh berries or applesauce.

If you'd like to sample these flavors for yourself, hurry to your local Clif supplier today--they won't be in stores for long! They are also available for sale online here.

Enjoy your last few moments of the weekend!

A Leisurely Celebration

Amidst the chaos of the Christmas season, from frenzied mall adventures to last-minute cookie baking, the peacefulness of Christmas Day always takes me by surprise. I always appreciate the slower pace of the holiday; it gives me a chance to truly enjoy the company of my loved ones, without worrying about the next item on my Google Calendar. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, I hope you all had a chance to enjoy some leisure time yesterday:)

As the family's foodie and health nut, I received several presents related to healthful cooking and fitness. Check 'em out:

Each member of the Yoder clan has a matching stocking, knitted by my Aunt Susan. They're extra large (and stretchy) to make room for plenty of candy, socks, and underpants!
A few books: Simply Organic Cookbook, Mollie Katzen's Vegetable Heaven, and a book about my fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn.
A new pair of Air Pegasus running shoes.
My very own waffle maker!
A Christmas teapot. Also note my lovely apron--the top part reads "Eat Your Veggies"
I also received a heart rate monitor and a Wii Fit. May this year be my healthiest yet!

In this time of festivity, I got the chance to try a few new recipes...Enjoy!

Wednesday
It's a family tradition that we enjoy Stouffer's lasagna for Christmas Eve dinner before attending the evening church service. I had picked out a vegetarian baked penne recipe to prepare for myself, but unfortunately, time slipped away from me, so I relied on my good friend Amy. I heated up the Garden Vegetable Lasagna and served it alongside a salad and my first glass of wine as a 21 year old. The lasagna was perfect--the veggies amazingly retained their fresh taste, and there was just enough cheese. Yum.
When we returned from church, my sisters and I decided to use up some leftover cookie dough by making "Rudolph" cookies:
Before heading to bed, I whipped up another cherry smoothie: frozen cherries, soymilk, cherry Spirutein, and PB granola.
Thursday
My sister prepared quite the indulgent spread for the family on Christmas morning: biscuits 'n gravy (with sausage), bacon, and fruit salad. A crustless tofu quiche was on the menu for me, featuring tofu, tahini, soy sauce, garlic, broccoli, and mushrooms. Essentially, I put all the ingredients I use for scrambled tofu into a blender and baked it in the oven. It turned out delicious!
My brother-in-law Major wanted me to take a picture of him thoroughly enjoying his bacon:
My family takes turns opening presents on Christmas morning to ensure that we all appreciate each gift we're given. With 7 people and 5 dogs, our present-opening session took 4 hours! After that marathon, I needed a little fuel before heading out to see Marley and Me. I opted for "Better Bunny Salad" with a simple salad and whole wheat pitettes.
For the big dinner, I prepared a lentil loaf with lentils, onions, pasta sauce, and oats. I was in charge of the salad again (as I was for Thanksgiving), but this time I used field greens, pomegranate seeds, and Alabama pecans. The salad was served with Annie's raspberry vinaigrette. I also had green beans, cranberry sauce, and a few sips of white wine.
My shake of the evening was particularly festive, as it featured Egg Nog Spirutein (which incidentally includes no eggs). I combined it a frozen banana, soymilk, nutmeg, and a gingerbread man.
Friday
After a fantastic morning run at my high school's track, I refueled with a blueberry-rice milk smoothie and a Rudi's bagel with cashew butter.
My mom and I headed out to do a few returns and check out the sales at Banana Republic. I ended up with 3 shirts for $44! Score! Anyway, when I returned, I was famished and cold...chili it was! I combined diced tomatoes, chili beans, onion, cumin, oregano, and cayenne for a hearty winter stew. I topped it with mashed avocado and served it with greens, whole wheat pitettes, and a plum.
Although today seems strangely like a Saturday, the weekend is just beginning. How are you all spending your time off this weekend?

Enjoy your evening!

A Very Merry Caroline

As of 11AM this morning, I am officially 21 years old! I am very merry today not only due to the holiday activities, but also because I have spent the day enjoying life's simple pleasures: eating breakfast at Whole Foods, taking a refreshing run around the neighborhood, watching Rachael Ray, and reading my new Self magazine. It's been a fabulous birthday:) What have you done to relax today?

As I mentioned in my last post, my family and I celebrated my birthday on Monday evening. We ate dinner at the Silvertron Cafe, and then returned home for cake and presents; I got quite a few "foodie" gifts that you all might appreciate...Here are a few pics:
Check out the new coat!! Oh, how I love colorful outerwear...

Onto the food! We've got a full evening planned!

Monday
At Silvertron, I ordered the black bean hummus appetizer as my entree. I also had a side salad with champagne vinaigrette.
Once home, I snacked on a Christmas cookie while I was waiting on my cake. I don't actually care for cake itself very much...but I love icing. Hence, the heavily frosted cake:) I washed my frosting down with a cup of almond milk, using one of my new glasses. Also note the lovely "Happy Birthday Jesus" plates.
I still had room for a smoothie, although this one was a tad healthier than others due to my birthday indulgences. I had a blueberry hemp smoothie using blueberries, soymilk, and hemp protein.
Tuesday
I tried an oatmeal recipe from my friend Ruby yesterday morning. This bowl featured oats, banana, cocoa powder, cinnamon, almond milk, and maple syrup. I added some chocolate PB to complete the choco-nana theme.
For lunch, I made a simple burrito out of chili beans, avocado, salsa, and a little spinach. I had an apple and a salad on the side.
Dinner consisted of an old favorite: Cashew-Ginger Tofu. I served it alongside some leftover rice, a salad, and pineapple.
My shake of the evening was delish! I combined chocolate Spirutein, frozen banana, strawberries, soymilk, and chocolate syrup.
Wednesday
My dad and I go out for breakfast on my birthday every year. This year, we decided Whole Foods would be the obvious dining locale. I started out with a hot tea, then loaded up on berries and walnuts at their breakfast bar; I supplemented it with a beautiful whole grain roll and a Fage. Perfect.
We tried a new place out for lunch, Maki Fresh. I ordered a veggie roll, which I served alongside some stir-fried veggies and tofu with cashews, and a few clementines. So satisfying!
Now I am off to prepare dinner and get ready for church. I wish you all a happy holiday, and may you all be as blessed as I have been this past year. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

The Kindness of Strangers

Have you ever noticed that sometimes the best compliments come from the mouths of complete strangers? My friends and family can praise me to the high heavens, but it often means infinitely more coming from a person with whom I do not have an intimate relationship. Let me explain:

Last week while on one of my many Christmas shopping expeditions, a woman stopped me as I entered the store. She said, "You know, you have gorgeous hair!" This small compliment may seem trivial to many, but to me bore great significance. Before my struggles with anorexia, I had a long, thick mane. Obviously, as my disease progressed my characteristically voluminous hair disappeared. It may seem petty, but losing my hair was one of the most painful parts of my eating disorder; it was a painfully apparent side effect of the damage that I was uncontrollably inflicting upon my body. Thus, to hear a stranger comment on the healthy state of my hair was especially rewarding, even if it has been 3 or 4 years since my recovery. I guess my obsession with avocados and almond butter has benefits besides satisfying my tastebuds:)

Have you ever had a similar experience? Has a stranger ever paid you a particularly flattering or meaningful compliment?

Alright, I better get to the food--I am headed out tonight for an early celebration of my birthday (it's not until Wednesday). Take a look at my nibbles:

Friday
I was uncertain as to what kind of smoothie I would be able to make with the limited food available in our lake house pantry/freezer. Fortunately, I discovered some frozen strawberries and frozen pineapple--score! I combined them with soymilk and a packet of berry pomegranate hemp protein that I had brought with me. Truly tropical and tasty.
Saturday
Before heading out, I made myself a quick Banana Blender. I didn't have any flaked cereal on hand, so I used my favorite "adult" cereal instead, Kashi GoLean. Fantastic! The finished product had the perfect consistency, close to that of pudding. Yum.
After a run around the neighborhood, I refueled with some Peanut Butter Noodles, to which I added some broccoli slaw. On the side, I had a salad with dried fruit and a drizzle of Annie's Ginger Dressing, as well as some clementines.
For dinner, my family decided to order in Chinese food. I opted for a simple steamed vegetable dish to which I added shelled edamame, cashews, and a sweet agave-mustard sauce. I also had some fresh pineapple (and maybe a fortune cookie...)
The smoothie of the evening featured blueberries. I combined blueberry Spirutein, blueberries, soymilk, and granola. SO fab.
Sunday
I kept breakfast simple but filling, as I was headed to help out with my Mom's Sunday school class. I knew I would be running after 3-year olds all morning! I heated up some almond milk and poured it over crumbled Weetabix; I had a sliced banana with cinnamon-raisin PB.
I scarfed down lunch pretty quick because my family was headed out to see White Christmas at the Alabama Theatre. We have been going every year since I was 11! Anyway, I made a quick Tofurky-avocado wrap with spinach, mushrooms, and whole grain mustard. This was suprisingly delicious! On the side, I had broccoli slaw (dressed with rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and agave nectar) and peaches.
Pizza night! I never made it to the store for a Boboli crust, so I settled for a whole wheat tortilla. I topped it with pasta sauce (Classico), 'shrooms, bell peppers, and reduced-fat cheese. I had a salad with Woodstock dressing and fresh fruit salad as well.
The smoothie last night took on a tropical note again: pineapple, soymilk, vanilla Spirutein, and coconut.
Monday
I had plans to go to the gym with my sister this morning (due to the newly arrived 20* weather!), so I made an easy but fun breakfast--Banana Fingers. I rolled sliced banana in cinnamon-spiked yogurt and crushed GoLean. That's almond butter on the side for dipping.
Once we returned from our workout and errands, I prepared myself a recipe from Vegetarian Express, the "filet" of tofu with mustard-dill sauce. I substituted agave for honey and vegan mayo for regular--otherwise, I stuck to the recipe (for once!). I also had a salad with walnuts, toast, and clementines.
Urgent question for you all: What should I make for Christmas breakfast and dinner?? I have no idea what to prepare! I would rather not rely on packaged meat alternatives (as I did for Thanksgiving). I was thinking of making a tofu quiche for Christmas morning, and Christmas dinner is entirely undecided. Any and all suggestions are welcome!!

I will leave you with some pics of my favorite ornaments. The last one is precisely 21 years old--it's from my first Christmas!
Happy Monday!

Have a Sweet Morning

In case you can't tell, I have a healthy sweet tooth--morning, noon, and night. To satisfy my need for sugar in the morning in a moderately healthful way, I have found a few breakfast items that combine nutrition with a hint of sweetness.

Kashi Autumn Wheat
As a kid, the household "compromise" cereal was always Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats--it has fiber and whole grain to satisfy my parents and plenty of frosting to feed a kid's need for sweet. While the Kellogg's version remains a fine choice, that sugary coating contains gelatin and high fructose corn syrup, two ingredients I would rather avoid.
Fortunately, Kellogg's also owns a little company called Kashi, which provides consumers with the sweetness and health benefits of Frosted Mini Wheats, without the undesirable ingredients. Autumn Wheat provides 6 grams of fiber per cup, along with 5 grams of protein and just 1 gram of fat. There are just 7 grams of sugar in comparison with Frosted Mini Wheats' 12 grams. Autumn Wheat's ingredients list is delightfully short: whole wheat, organic evaporated cane juice, and natural flavor. Whatever that natural flavor is, it certainly delights my taste buds. The cereal's name doesn't lie--it's like autumn in a bowl! Autumn Wheat is available in most supermarkets for $3-4 per 17.5 oz box.
How to enjoy:
-served warm with heated soy/nut/cow's milk
-crumbled into a bowl of yogurt with sliced banana (*Mom's creation)
-dry, alone or in a snack mix with dried fruit and nuts
-the old fashioned way, with ice cold milk of choice

Publix Oatmeal Flakes
If you've been reading my regular blog posts lately, you might have noticed my recent enthusiasm for Publix's Oatmeal Flakes (a part of their Greenwise line). I purchased this cereal strictly for the purpose of making CCV's Banana Blender Cereal; I expected it to taste like a standard bran flake with little to no sweetness or originality. When I absent-mindedly grabbed a handful while preparing breakfast one morning, I was pleasantly surprised by its distinct sweetness. A quick glance at the ingredients list revealed that the geniuses of Publix added a few simple sweeteners: honey, sugar, and molasses. This cereal is also fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals.
Each 3/4 cup serving contains 110 kcalories, 1 gram of fat, 7 grams of sugar, as well as 3 grams of fiber. I purchased this at Publix for $2.99 for a 16 oz box.
How to enjoy:
-with your milk of choice (I recommend almond milk)
-as a topping for cottage cheese
-mixed with Greek yogurt and cinnamon
-layered into a pumpkin parfait (or any other breakfast parfait, for that matter)
-blended into Banana Blender Cereal
-sprinkled atop a fruit smoothie

TJ's Blueberry Flaxseed
While this unique flaxseed blend does not include contain much sweetness on its own, it serves as a lovely accompaniment to sweet breakfast-time treats. The nutritional benefits of both flaxseed and blueberries abound, so what could be better than a product that combines these two superfoods?
Each 2 tablespoon serving contains 90 kcalories, 6 grams of healthy fat, 4 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. For those of you who are interested, this flaxseed blend does contain 2 grams of sugar (from cane sugar); in addition to flax and bluberries, it also contains corn starch, maltodextrin, natural flavors, and soy lecithin. This product is available at your local Trader Joe's. I am uncertain about pricing, as I purchased this product several months ago, and I have no Trader Joe's locations near me.
How to enjoy:
-mixed into yogurt
-sprinkled atop oatmeal or fresh fruit
-layered in a breakfast parfait
-baked into your favorite muffin recipe

Downey's Honey Butter
Alright, this product hardly fulfills the "nutritious" criterion of today's healthful sweets theme, but it sure does taste good, without doing too much damage to your diet. Its name is a bit of a misnomer in that it contains no butter at all; the ingredients list consists of three ingredients: honey, milk, and cinnamon. Honey butter has a consistency similar to that of smooth peanut butter: moist and perfectly spreadable.
One tablespoon contains 60 kcalories, 1 gram of fat, and 11 grams of sugar. Not exactly health food, but it makes a great addition to your morning meal every now and then. You can find this treat at Wegman's or buy online here. Or, you might just stumble upon it in an Amish bakery, like I did.
How to enjoy:
-spread on toast or bagels
-stirred into yogurt or cottage cheese
-mixed with oatmeal
-melted onto soy ice cream

I hope you have enjoyed yet another round of product reviews! Let me know if you try any of these products, and please feel free to recommend some of your favorite sweet treats!

Before I Forget...

I've been meaning to post this information for a while, but somehow it just never made it into one of my already lengthy posts. You might have heard about Boboli's pizza recipe contest from other food blogs, but here are the details anyway:

Every city has a flavor of its own– and Boboli is looking for pizza recipe submissions that reflect your favorite football city. To give you an idea, last year we had submissions like New England “Clam Bake” pizza, Miami “Halftime in Havana” pizza and Tennessee “Coin Toss” fried chicken pizza.

At the conclusion of the entry period, judges will determine up to 4 Semi-Finalist entries which will be posted online for visitors to vote and determine the winners. Online voters will also be entered into a random draw sweepstakes for the chance to win prizes. Some entries, which are not necessarily Semi-Finalists, may be featured on www.boboli.com/football from time to time during the promotion period.

Here are some additional guidelines:
-The recipe must be original
-Entry must include the name of your pizza recipe,
-Entry must include the ingredients, exact U.S. measurements and preparation instructions

For all of the official rules, please visit http://boboli.gwbakeries.com/football/rules.cfm. The contest will end at 11:59 p.m. ET on January 1st – so please get all of your recipes in before then.

The grand prize winner will receive a TV-Room Makeover worth $5,000 and three runner ups will receive a prize package worth $500.

Thanks for sending the information, Rena!

Hmm...I might just have to make pizza for dinner now. I don't think a veggie and tofu-topped pie is especially representative of my football city's cuisine, however:)

Enjoy your Saturday!

Hot 'N Cold

Aside from my recent obsession with Katy Perry (and the super sexy man in the "Hot 'N Cold" video), today's post title was inspired by our wacky Alabama weather. When I went for my run this morning, it was a balmy 63*--yes, I was wearing shorts on December 19th. The cold weather arrives on Monday though, just in time for Christmas:)

In addition to our unseasonably warm temperatures, we've also been having LOTS of rain. My mom and I were greeted by a dark house when we arrived home last night.Ugh. Power outages are such a pain. Not only does it put my precious freezer goodies in danger of spoilage, but it also makes ordinary activities difficult. Have you ever taken a shower in the dark? It's quite a creepy experience.

Alright, that's enough whining from Caroline. Here's what I've been chomping on since Wednesday:

Wednesday
Just before the Duke game on Wednesday evening, I made homemade waffles--for the first time ever! I used a basic recipe that I found here, and let's just say that you may be seeing a lot more waffles at The Broccoli Hut in the future. I can't wait to play with the ingredients (pumpkin? chocolate chips? blueberries? The possibilities are endless...). I think the waffle maker may soon become my new favorite toy. I drizzled these tasty squares with maple syrup and dunked them in a plain yogurt-blueberry combo. Delish.
The shake of the evening featured strawberries and bananas again--but this time with chocolate! I added a chocolate Spirutein packet and soymilk for this creamy nighttime snack. Thursday
When I was reading my Clean Eating magazine on the airplane last week, I came across a tiny sidebar for "English Toffee Oatmeal" which suggested cooking your oats in English Toffee tea. Cooking oats in tea?! Genius! I cooked my oats in gingerbread tea, then added nutmeg, stevia, and cinnamon. After cooking, I added almond butter and dried cranberries.
Amidst more holiday shopping, my mom and I stopped by the house to grab lunch. I made some tofu lettuce wraps with broccoli slaw, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, tofu, and cashews. I had some clemenetines and a handful of garlic herb crackers on the side. By the time our power came back on, I was too hungry to think of anything elaborate for dinner. Hence, I present you with my hummus-salsa baked potato. I had a simple salad with Woodstock dressing and peaches with wheat germ on the side. Yawn.
The smoothie last night was pretty awesome. It's to be expected, considering it featured by favorite flavor combo, mango and vanilla. I used frozen mango cubes, soymilk, vanilla Spirutein, and PB granola. So good.
Friday
I realized today that it has been far too long since I've enjoyed pumpkin, so I made a pumpkin parfait for breakfast. I sweetened up the pumpkin with maple syrup and a few spices, then layered it with plain yogurt, oatmeal flakes cereal, and chopped almonds.
Lunch was pretty simple today: just a veggie wrap, along with a salad and an apple with cashew butter. I sauteed the zucchini and red bell peppers in balsamic vinegar then rolled it up in a wheat tortilla. That's smoked Tofurky on the salad.

My parents and I just arrived at the lake house a few hours ago; we're just here for the night to check on things (and maybe bake some Christmas cookies...). The food situation is pretty limited at the moment, so my dinner was a tad strange: mock tuna melts with veggies and a salad with sunflower seeds. I made the mock tuna the simple way, with just some vegan mayo, mustard, chickpeas, and lemon juice. That's a mozzarella string cheese on top. What do you like to prepare when fresh ingredients are limited?
We finally got around to decorating our Christmas tree this week. Here's a look at the finished product: Now I am off to watch a Christmas movie and perhaps have some fun in the kitchen.

Announcing...Greta!!

Remember when I visited the dog breeder over Thanksgiving? Well, my sister and her husband officially brought home their boxer pup for good on Sunday afternoon, and I have been soakin' up the puppy love ever since. Greta is going to be so spoiled--because her Aunt Caroline is already smitten with her! Here are a few pictures from her first few days at home:
Here's what I've been munching on, between my cuddle sessions with Greta and Christmas shopping:

Monday
I indulged myself a little on Monday by making a Chocolate-Banana Shake with chocolate pudding, frozen banana, soymilk, and chocolate Spirutein. I also had some chocolate syrup on top, which promptly sank to the bottom.
Tuesday
I sampled another variety of Rudi's bagels yesterday morning. This time, I toasted up a cinnamon raisin bagel and spread it with Cinnamon Raisin PB, of course. On the side, I had a peach-blueberry smoothie made with almond milk. Perfect fuel for hittin' the mall!
Amidst my Christmas shopping, I managed to make a stop at Williams-Sonoma, where I got myself a few foodie treats. Oddly enough, I discovered both of these items through food blogs!
For lunch, I made some fajitas with refried black beans, chopped avocado, and salsa. I served those alongside a salad and clementines.
Before heading out for more shopping and a visit with Greta, I made a quick dinner: Coconut Curry Chickpeas from Clean Eating. I made a few alterations, namely the subsitution of broccoli slaw for shredded cabbage. Believe it or not, there are some vegetables I simply refuse to eat, and cabbage is one of them! On the side, I had an Ezekiel pita, salad with Woodstock dressing, and fresh blackberries.
My smoothie last night consisted of a classic combo, strawberry and banana. I combined strawberries, banana, soymilk, and berry hemp protein for a delectable treat.
Wednesday
I was famished this morning after my workout, and nothing fills me up like scrambled tofu. I added zucchini and mushrooms to the usual tahini, ginger, soy sauce, and garlic. I had toast and a clementine on the side. Do you have a favorite meal to prepare when you're really hungry?
Today's lunch was a taco salad, consisting of homemade tortilla chips, lettuce, leftover refried black beans, and Smoky Avocado Sauce from ED&BV. I rounded it out with some mango.
I am off to watch the Duke game on TV with my B-I-L Ryan. Let's go Blue Devils!

Be back soon!

All Wrapped Up

Today has been all about wrapping--my mom and dad have both been so busy this holiday season that they asked me to wrap a few gifts for them today. In addition, I gathered and packaged up my gift for the Food Blogger Secret Santa. After much cutting, taping, and bow-tying, I am pooped. I never thought a day of dressing up packages could be so tiring!

Things are also "all wrapped up" here because my sisters have both graduated! Congratulations to Lea on receiving her MBA and to Katie for her degree in nursing! My dad also walked in graduation due to his position as a professor at UAB. Here are a few pictures from our weekend of academic celebration:
Anyway, here's what fueled me through my first weekend at home:

Friday
My welcome-home smoothie was fantastic! I miss having frozen cherries around--they don't sell them at my Whole Foods in Durham. Anyway, this concoction included cherries, cherry Spirutein, soymilk, and wheat germ. Delish.
Saturday
As I've mentioned before, my go-to breakfast when I'm in a rush is always a smoothie and a bagel with nut butter. Amidst my mad search for my left shoe and frenzied makeup application, I didn't have much time for breakfast...so I had a strawberry-almond milk smoothie with wheat germ, plus a Rudi's sweet wheat bagel with almond butter. (PS You have no idea how excited I was when I finally discovered these bagels at my local health food store...I can't wait to try the cinnamon raisin variety!).
Once home from Katie's ceremony, we barely had enough time to grab lunch. I packed a simple meal to bring along in my purse: a Tofurky sammie with dijon mustard, cherry tomatoes, apple slices, and peanuts.
The whole family had a celebration dinner at a local Italian eatery, Leonardo's. Our party consisted of a whopping 13 people! Nonetheless, the wait staff handled our large party with ease. The rosemary rolls that arrived first were delicious--still warm from the oven and slightly sweet. Everyone was also served a standard garden salad. Among the entrees, there were very few vegetarian options, but I was moderately enticed by what I ordered: angel hair with olives, tomatoes, and basil. The menu stated that the dish would arrive with "a sprinkle" of asiago cheese. Ha! As the picture demonstrates, their idea of "a sprinkle" and mine are quite different. I apologize for the dark pictures--a flash would have ruined the ambiance, for sure!
As you might expect, I saved room for my evening smoothie. This time I combined more cherries, blackberries, berry hemp protein (Nutiva), soymilk, and peanut butter granola.
Sunday
Just before heading off to church, I made a quick breakfast out of Publix Oatmeal Flakes (my new favorite cereal!), TJ's blueberry flax, and rice milk, plus some clementines on the side. I enjoyed reading the Christmas-y Sunday paper as I ate.
I had a lunch that you've all seen before: a lentil veggie wrap. I spread the rest of my delicious lentil dip (which I first ate here) on a tortilla with mushrooms, tomatoes, and carrots. On the side, I had a salad with Woodstock dressing and an apple. Yum!
My culinary skills were markedly absent from dinner as well, as I just had a Sunshine burger on whole wheat with salsa, brussels sprouts, squash, and salad. I agree with VeggieGirl, Sunshine burgers are quite possibly the best veggie burgers on the market!
The smoothie of evening featured one of my favorite flavor combinations: vanilla and mango! I combined mango, vanilla soy protein, soymilk, and peanut butter granola. This was good, but not quite as heavenly as when I use my Living Harvest vanilla hemp.
Monday
One of the luxuries of home is that I can treat myself to Greek yogurt--Fage is often just too expensive for me to buy for myself! I took advantage of my little treat this morning by mixing 0% Fage with flax seed, cinnamon, and stevia. I put a dollop of this mixture and some fresh blackberries atop some Van's waffles.
For lunch, I derived inspiration from Kath's curried chicken salad. Obviously, I made a few substitutions, using tofu instead of chicken, walnuts instead of pecans, vegan mayo for the yogurt/regular mayo, etc. I placed the mixture atop a bed of greens and served it alongside some All Bran crackers, and a sliced apple. For all you vegans out there: the All Bran crackers are far from natural, but they are vegan, unlike Kashi's TLCs.
Tonight's dinner was a new recipe for me from ED&BV. Yes, I actually ventured outside my cashew-ginger tofu obsession. This evening's recipe was the Thai Chick-Un Pizza. Again, I had to make a few substitutions due to ingredient limitations, but the flavors were still delicious! I forgot to add the pineapple on the pizza, so I used it on top of my salad, along with leftover chickpeas and the last of the Thai pizza sauce. I love how unique (and tasty!) this recipe is--I will definitely be making this dish again. PS The Santa salt & pepper shakers wanted a chance to be seen on the blog--cute, no?
I am headed to the mall for some Christmas shopping tomorrow. I still need to buy something for each of my sisters and my dad. Have you finished your shopping yet? Which gift are you most excited about giving this year?

Wishing you all a pleasant Monday:)

Hits and Misses

My typical product reviews feature products that I have grown to like, usually due to exceptional nutritional content or some other unique attribute that strikes my fancy. Today, however, I am going to include a few less-than-stellar products; I don't like every foodie find that passes my lips. What follows are a miss, a hit, and um, a semi-miss.

Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer
Anyone who reads my blog knows that smoothies comprise a large portion of my diet--I have at least one per day! As a result of my infatuation for all things blended, I have sampled a vast array of protein powders. From soy to spirulina to pea to rice protein, I have tasted and enjoyed them all...almost. Recently, the kind people at Vega were nice enough to send me a box full of goodies, including packets of "whole food health optimizer," "whole food vibrance bars," and a sampling of a few other products. The most appealing item to me of the entire assortment was the packet of protein powder, er, "whole food health optimizer." Despite a previous (bad) experience with the berry flavor last summer, I decided to give them another try with the vanilla chai flavor.
Unfortunately, attempt #2 was just as unpalatable. Considering how much I dislike wasting food, it speaks volumes that I poured it down the drain. The taste was chalky, and the plenitude of vitamins and minerals in the mix was very apparent in the flavor. Good try, Vega, but no thanks.
If you're still interested in nutritional stats and product availability, you can visit the Vega website. In addition to the vanilla chai flavor, the whole food health optimizer is also available in berry and chocolate varieties.

Vega Vibrance Bars
Heads up Larabar fans: here's another bar to add to your list! After my experience with their protein powders, I was a little wary about trying Vega's bars. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find them absolutely delectable--and super nutritious! Coincidentally, both times that I sampled the bars were at the airport, as I waited for delayed planes to arrive, and both times, the bars' unique flavors provided momentary relief and distraction from the stresses of holiday travel.
Vega Vibrance Bars are available in chocolate decadence, green synergy, and wholesome original. I first tried the chocolate decadence, and it certainly lives up to its name. It reminds me of Larabar's Jocolat line in that it tastes like a healthful brownie! Organic sprouted almonds, organic hemp seeds, and organic sprouted buckwheat add a pleasant "nutty" texture to the bar. The wholesome original was equally enjoyable with its less rich but still sweet flavor. All varieities contain a wide selection of superfoods including an EFA oil blend, salba, acai, and chardonnay grapes (for their powerful antioxidants and flavonoids). Read more about these ingredients here.
Each bar contains 200-210 kcalories, 9-10 grams of fat (including omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), 5 grams of fiber, and 9-10 grams of protein (from rice and pea protein).

Other serving suggestions might include: crumbled into yogurt or broken into pieces atop oatmeal.

Amazing Grass
In an effort to create a rainbow of oatmeal, I recently purchased a single-serving packet of Amazing Grass in the berry flavor. This packet turned my oats a vibrant shade of green, due to its inclusion of vegetables as well as fruit extracts. While it achieved its purpose of coloring my breakfast, I am not sure I would purchase it again. Its sweetness was a tad overwhelming, and the overall taste was typical of supplements in that its outstanding nutrition (in the form of vitamins and minerals) creates an off-putting aftertaste. An important note about Amazing Grass is that its vitamins and minerals are derived from whole foods, not synthesized.
Perhaps I will give Amazing Grass another chance by using it in its intended form, a smoothie. Each packet carries a hefty price tag, at $1.99 per packet, although it is available in bulk quantities for less. For more information about Amazing Grass products, click here.
Enjoy your evening!

Healthy Habits: Taste the Rainbow!

One of the simplest ways to ensure that you're getting adequate nutrition from the foods you eat is to reach for color. If a food boasts a vibrant hue, chances are good that it contains loads of valuable carotenoids, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals that promote overall health. In an effort to take advantage of all these nutrients (and experiment with some new foods!), I aim to include as much color in my diet as possible. As many of you know, I have chosen my oatmeal bowl as the conduit through which I may "taste the rainbow." Here are a few pictures of my kaleidoscopic breakfast adventures:

Raspberry oats with chopped almonds
Pumpkin oats with pecans, cinnamon, and ginger
Pineapple oats with coconut and cashew butter
"Amazing Grass" oats with chopped almonds
Blueberry oats with almond butter
Pomegranate oats with almond butter and wheat germ
For more information about colorful eating, click here.

Jingle Bells and Gingerbread

Tonight I write to you from the couch, as I sip gingerbread tea and peruse the Williams-Sonoma catalog. Ah yes, life is good.

I had my last exam this morning, and I have been in celebration mode ever since. I finally got to enjoy my little reward that I have been saving all week--the latest issue of Clean Eating. This issue contained plenty of ideas for the next few weeks; I am so excited to get cooking!

Anyway, as a result of waning motivation to study, I've been quite creative in the kitchen these past few days. Check out the goods:

Wednesday
I decided on a tropical smoothie this time: strawberries, pineapple, Nutribody protein, soymilk, and coconut. Delish.
Thursday
After observing my multiple struggles with the pomegranate, my roommate suggested that I try to make purple oats with pomegranate seeds. Genius! I have yet to experience purple oats in my quest to "taste the rainbow" via my oatmeal bowl. Rather than using the pom seeds as a topping, I added them to the oats during the cooking process, in hopes of achieving a vibrant purple hue. The end result was more of a "lavender," but it was a pretty bowl of oats, nonetheless. I also added some almond butter and wheat germ. Lunch yesterday consisted of a "burger salad" and spicy sweet potato fries. I chopped up an Amy's Texas burger and placed it atop a bed of spinach with mushrooms and tomatoes; I used a few tablespoons of Woodstock dressing as well. For the fries, I seasoned some strips of sweet potato with chili powder and garlic salt, then baked them in the oven for about 15 minutes at 375*; I used organic ketchup for dipping. That's a dish of strawberries on the side.
For dinner, I attempted a new flavor combination with my mozzarella-spinach-apple-onion panini. After browning up the onions for a few minutes, I piled all the ingredients on some whole wheat bread and grilled it on my George Foreman. It turned out to be a delicious sandwich! I had the apple remnants and a salad with pecans and more onions on the side. YUM.
The shake last night featured one of my favorite flavor combinations: chocolate and coconut! Into the blender went: frozen banana, strawberries, chocolate rice protein, cocoa powder, shredded coconut, and soymilk.
Monday
I woke up bright and early for my exam this morning and fired up the blender. Banana Blender Cereal! I used almonds this time. I have discovered that I enjoy this dish most when it's not quite pureed--the unexpected chunks of nuts and banana make breakfast so much more enjoyable:)
I packed a lunch for my airport exploits today. I made a simple Sunbutter sandwich and packed it with some carrots and hummus. For a snack, I munched on a big red apple and a Vega bar. *Potential Product Review Alert*
Once I returned home, my stomach was beckoning, full force, so I just made a quick wrap. Remember the Turk'y roast I had for Thanksgiving? I froze the leftovers before I left for school, so I heated that up and wrapped it up with avocado, field greens, and cherry tomatoes. On the side, I had a salad, broccoli, and a bowl of leftover fruit I found in the fridge.
Now I must decide on what to wear for the (multiple) graduations I am attending tomorrow--one sister is graduating from nursing school and one is receiving her MBA. Suggestions? Do you have any favorite outfits lately?
I shall return later on Sunday for another feature post. Enjoy your weekend!

"It's Not Unusual"...or Is It?

I had a rather "unusual" event happen today while at the gym. I was groovin' away on the treadmill listening to my iPod and simultaneously watching the Rachael Ray Show (one of my fave programs). Today was a big show in that Rachael had invited a special guest, whom she was beyond excited to host on the program: she had invited her teenage heart-throb, Tom Jones. Just as he appeared on stage, what song begins to play on my iPod? (I'll give you a hint: it's in the title of this post). What are the odds of that?!

Have you had any strange coincidences lately?

Anyway, I am getting ever closer to the end. I turned in my two papers today, and I have my final in approximately 36 hours. Based on my calculations, I can get a 78 on the exam and still pull out an A in the course. Sweet.

I've got some super-cool grub to share today:

Monday
The smoothie of the evening featured peaches, mangoes, soymilk, and Nutribody protein. Excellent.
Tuesday
Remember my past infatuation with Weetabix? It's back, but this time I've tried it in a new way: HOT! I poured some scalding rice milk over a few broken up biscuits, then added some nutmeg and agave nectar on top. So warm, so soggy, so sweet--just the way I like it. On the side I had an apple with almond butter.
For lunch, I attempted to revamp leftover lentil soup by converting it into a shepherd's pie. I cooked the lentil soup with some sliced mushrooms until it reduced down to a stew-like consistency. Then I added some garlicky mashed potatoes with dill on top. If I were more ambitious I would have actually baked it in the oven, but I was too hungry for such nonsense. On the side, I had a spinach salad with pom seeds and pecans.
Dinner was inspired by the Broccoli Cashew Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry from ED&BV. I used peanuts instead of cashews and changed up the vegetables according to what I had on hand. It was delicious, of course; Dreena never lets me down. I served it alongside some whole grain couscous and an orange.
The shake of the evening was one of my favorite combinations: frozen banana, strawberries, soymilk, chocolate brown rice protein, and special dark cocoa.
Wednesday
I woke up famished today! To fill the void, I decided a protein-y breakfast was best. Scrambled tofu to the rescue! This version featured tahini, soy sauce, ginger, mushrooms, and red onion. I had some toast on the side to soak up the scrambled goodness as well as a sliced apple.
After some intense stat calculation, I broke for a simple lunch. I had a baked potato along with some of Imagine's broccoli soup. I also had some carrots with salsa (a la K) and peaches with pecans and cinnamon. I ended up spooning some of the soup on top of the potato, which ended up being quite a delicious idea.
Hummus pizza was on the menu tonight. I split a pita and smeared each half with a good dose of hummus, then topped them with mushrooms, tomato, basil, oregano, and a few tablespoons of pine nuts. Everything got nice and toasty in the oven. On the side, I had a spinach salad with pom seeds and my homemade lemony sweet dill dressing.
Before I go, I have a quick question for you all: What's your favorite time of day to exercise? My roommate and I discuss this topic a lot, weighing the pros and cons of morning versus evening. I am a morning gal myself, but I was just curious as to what your preferences were and why.

Next time I post, I will be HOME!

Toodles.

Killin' Time

With my final papers complete and just one (non-cumulative) exam separating me from my freedom, I am just killin' time now. Sure, I could be studying hard-core for that stat exam...but what's the fun in that? Today's events included an excellent run in the morning, followed by a trip to pick up my paycheck...and an "accidental" trip to Whole Foods. WF is located just across the street from where the Writing Studio, where I picked up my paycheck; the siren song of organic edibles lured me across the crosswalk. I was good though; I just browsed the aisles and picked up the latest issue of Clean Eating, my most recent magazine addiction. I spent the rest of the day semi-studying...and cooking, of course!

Friday
Strawberry shakes are the epitome of sweet simplicity. Just strawberries, Nutribody protein, and soymilk went into this treat.
Saturday
Continuing my quest to "taste the rainbow" through my oatmeal bowl, I decided to tackle the yellow portion of the spectrum with pineapple. Light coconut milk, shredded coconut, and cashew butter added a complementary tropical element. Yum.
I made some simple chickpea tacos for lunch using chickpeas, zucchini, cumin, oregano, ground red pepper, and salsa. I also had a salad and some applesauce with pecans.
For dinner, my friends and I headed to The Washington Duke Inn to kill off some superfluous food points. The Inn is quite ritzy, so it was brimming with luxe Christmas decorations. We couldn't resist a picture by the Christmas tree:)
Anyway, here's a recap of what I ordered: Bibb lettuce salad with pear, bleu cheese, and toasted hazelnuts. Next came my specially ordered entree. I asked for a surprise vegetarian dish, since the menu's meat-free options were quite limited. As it turned out, the sous chef is a vegetarian himself, so I received quite the stunning meal: layered sauteed vegetables atop a potato-fennel pancake. For dessert, I ordered the pomegranate sorbet with fresh berries. Everything was phenomenal, and it was a great way to spend the evening.
After all that food, I still managed to save room for another strawberry shake.
Sunday
Next up on my oatmeal adventure was GREEN. As you might recall, I attempted to make green oats before (unsuccessfully) with a pistachio Larabar. This time, I definitely achieved a green hue. The magic ingredient was a packet of Amazing Grass, in the berry flavor. Look for a review in the future.
After chapel and a few hours of feverish paper-writing, I took a break for lunch. I made a sweet potato hash with black beans, chickpeas, broccoli, cumin, and ground red pepper. I also had a salad with Goddess dressing and peaches.
I kept dinner simple last night, as my motivation to think was waning after I pumped out page 18 of my paper. I had a salad with soynuts, toast, and an apple with PB.
The shake last night was another Spirutein success. The flavor of choice was cookies 'n cream this time to which I added 1.5 frozen bananas and soymilk. What a great way to reward myself:)
Monday
With so much time on my hands today, I got creative with my meals. I started off with some banana fingers: banana dipped in cinnamon-spiked plain yogurt, then rolled in crushed spelt flakes. I used some cashew butter for dipping.
Upon my return from Whole Foods, I heated up a can of lentil soup and served it alongside salad, toast, and Waldorf salad. My Waldorf consists of diced apple, vegan mayo, currants, chopped almonds, and a dash of nutmeg.
For dinner tonight, I dusted off my copy of ED&BV to create some Orange Sesame Tofu. It was superbly delicious, just as I remember it from the last time I made it. I served it alongside whole grain couscous, ginger-laced zucchini and mushrooms, and a salad with orange slices and peanuts. Whew. Lots of food, lots of satisfaction.
I'll be heading to bed soon, but I'm in need of some good reading material. What are you reading right now? Winter break is one of the rare occasions that I have the time to read for pleasure, so I plan to take full advantage of it! Please send any recommendations my way!

Be back Wednesday.

Edited to add: Check out this awesome giveaway at Eating Bender! You all know how much I love blending things...

A Few of My Favorite Things...

My slacker blogdom has come to a close...it's time for another feature post!

I want to share with you a few of my favorite things, specifically some products that help me make the dishes I eat with the greatest frequency: sandwiches and smoothies!

Sandwiches
Arnold Sandwich Thins
A few months ago, Rena from Arnold Bread was kind enough to send me a few packages of their elusive sandwich thins. These English muffin-sliced bread hybrids make for quite the versatile meal component. You can enjoy them plain, toasted as an accompaniment to a meal, spread with your favorite condiments (almond butter, anyone?), or assembled into your favorite sandwich. They also make a pretty awesome crust for hummus pizza! Arnold's sandwich thins have a subtle sweetness to them, which I find to be a nice complement to savory and sweet items.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy sandwich thins:
Sandwich Thins are available in two varieties, whole wheat, and whole grain white. Each sandwich thin contains 5 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, all for a mere 100 kcalories. Plus, they are free of high fructose corn syrup, which can be rare nowadays in the bread aisle. The suggested retail price is $2.99 for a package of 8. Unfortunately, sandwich thins are available only is select areas of the country

Edited to add: I have been informed that Sandwich Thins contain sucralose, explaining their sweetness. If you would prefer to avoid sucralose, then these might not be the right product for you.

Trader Joe's Reduced Sugar Blueberry Preserves
When it comes to PB & J, are you a strawberry or a grape person? Personally, I am neither--I much prefer TJ's blueberry jam. Why settle for the ordinary when you can have the extraordinary? Although I do not have a TJ's near me, I make it a point to stop in for a jar of this deliciousness whenever I visit Chicago. As the name suggests, these preserves contain less sugar than regular jam...without the addition of artificial sweeteners. It's just berry goodness in this jar (plus a slew of antioxidants!)
While I enjoy this jam in combination with my favorite Sunbutter, you may choose to enjoy it in alternative ways. Consider stirring it into your oatmeal, spreading it on a sandwich thin, or using it as a topper for crackers and soft cheese.
Each tablespoon contains 30 kcalories, all from carbohydrate. You can find this at a Trader Joe's near you.

Smoothies
Nutribody Protein
Anyone who reads this blog knows that I have a particular infatuation with all things blended, specifically evening protein shakes. I am always experimenting with new protein powders so as to avoid boredom in my nightly smoothie-fest. I was fortunate enough to receive a canister of Nutribody Protein a few weeks ago. I'll admit, I was skeptical of this new vegan protein, but after one blended concoction, I was hooked. Nutribody is made from rice and pea protein, so for those of you who limit your soy intake, this provides an excellent alternative.
A generous 4-tablespoon serving provides approximately 120 kcalories and a whopping 26 grams of protein. Yikes! Nutribody is also entirely free of sugars and artificial sweeteners. Although I wish this powder contained some added minerals, such as calcium, overall, I would recommend this to any of my fellow smoothie enthusiasts out there.

Check out the Nutribody Website for more information about the product and about where to buy it. There are some recipes available as well!

Nature's Path Ginger Zing Granola
I'll admit that I was a die-hard pumpkin flax girl in the past, but I think I have been converted to the ginger-y side of granola. Who doesn't love the combination of spicy ginger and crunchy cashews? Ginger granola is a perfect topper to any smoothie of course, but it also makes a great topper for berries, applesauce, oatmeal, and cold cereal. If you're feeling more adventurous, try using it as a topping for spiced pumpkin or pumpkin pudding. Yum!

A 3/4 cup serving contains a 250 kcalories, which is far less than other granola products out there. In addition, there are 6 grams of protein, and 10 grams of healthy fat, along with 4 grams of fiber. I purchased my box at Whole Foods for $4.69. This price may strike you as high, but remember that granola is a food best enjoyed in moderation; a single box will last for an extended period of time.

I hope you enjoyed today's much delayed feature post. What are some of your favorite things?

Just Call Me Aunt Bethany

"I should say hello?"
"Hello everybody!"

Can you guess from which Christmas movie I selected that quote?

Just as Aunt Bethany would, I am dropping in to say hello to everybody...I have been diligently working on my paper that is due on Wednesday. Classes have ended for the semester, so the only things that separate me from Winter Break is this paper and a stats exam on Friday. Woohoo! I wish all you students out there the best of luck during finals week!

Anyway, I better get to it, if I want to be able to take a study break to watch the basketball game later today. Here's a glance at my grub:

Wednesday
Just before the Rockefeller Christmas special came on, I decided to whip up a quick dinner to enjoy while watching all the performances. I was craving cashew-ginger tofu from ED&BV (my favorite comfort food) but realized I had already eaten tofu for lunch, plus I didn't have any cashew butter. So, I improvised and made peanut ginger veggies. I had some couscous and pineapple with wheat germ on the side. Hit the spot!
The smoothie of the evening was fabulous--peach and banana with Nutribody protein and soymilk.
Thursday
I woke up for my last day of classes (on time!) and made an Apple Pie Parfait. I alternated layers of plain yogurt, applesauce, and spelt flakes, then topped it off with wheat germ and almond butter.
For lunch I made a quick mock tuna salad wrap with chickpeas, vegan mayo, a dash of mustard, kelp granules, and some lemon zest. In case you can't tell, I am really into zesting things lately. Check out my spiffy microplane. It's great for finely grating cheese/soy cheese as well. I also had a salad with peanuts and more pineapple.
After lunch, I baked a loaf of pumpkin bread for a sorority study break. Here's what it looked like, fresh out of the oven. The smell of baking pumpkin bread always makes me think of my mom--she used to bake triple batches of the stuff so that my sisters and I could give loaves to our teachers. Do you have any special food memories to share?
For dinner, I went out with the dining committee to an Italian restaurant in Raleigh called Vic's. It was family-style dining, so I chose a little of this and a little of that: Kalamata olives, caprese salad, fresh rolls, an eggplant roll up with ricotta cheese, and some sauteed vegetables. I also had quite a few glasses of wine...perhaps too many. It was a great way to spend the evening! Sorry, no pictures.

Friday
I had a little bit of silken tofu in the fridge just begging to be made into vegan French toast...so you can guess what I had for breakfast...Tofu-Banana French Toast. This time I topped it with banana slices and a few dollops of PB, kind of like a more complex banana-PB sandwich.
After my last trip of the semester to Whole Foods (the Durham location, that is!), I came home and made some coconut black beans. I was so excited to use the coconut milk that I picked up at the store, I couldn't wait to use it. I combined black beans, mango, cumin, garlic, red onion, and coconut milk and served the mixture alongside a pita and a salad with Woodstock dressing.
I was a lame-o last night and worked on my paper. After a little Frosty the Snowman action on ABC family, I decided to make a simple supper: hummus-salsa sammie, zucchini, spinach salad, and an apple with almond butter.
Well, I should get back to work. Ciao for now...be back soon!

Name that Christmas Movie

"We slept in!"

Can you guess from which Christmas movie I selected today's quote?
Anyway, that was what I was thinking this morning. Of all days, I chose the last day of stats class to set my alarm incorrectly. My roommate kindly alerted me to my mistake about a half-hour before class started! THANK YOU KRISTEN! To top it all off, we had a stats paper due today, and the professor had explicitly stated that it was due promptly at 8:30 AM, otherwise points would be deducted. Fortunately, I made it to class in time and turned in my paper without any crisis. Whew!

Here's what I've been munching on lately:

Monday
I've been jonesin' for a grilled cheese lately, so I made one for dinner on Monday. I grilled up a quick sammie with mozzarella, spinach, and tomato on my George Foreman and served it along side salad (with soynuts and Woodstock dressing) and fresh pineapple.
The shake was pretty awesome: strawberries, banana, chocolate rice protein, special dark cocoa, coconut, and soymilk made a delectable dessert.
Tuesday
While at school, I rarely opt for a savory breakfast, mostly because I wake up earlier here than at home; veggies and protein just aren't nearly as appealing at 8AM as they are later in the day. Anyway, yesterday was different for some reason, and I was craving some tofu scramble. I used silken tofu this time, along with the usual ginger, tahini, soy sauce, and turmeric; I added broccoli...well, because I love broccoli. I made it into a breakfast sandwich and served it alongside a big green apple.
I had no idea what to have for lunch, so I pulled a classic Caroline maneuver: let's just dump a bunch of items into a pan and hope it tastes good! I call this a Rainbow Black Bean Hash: I combined spinach, corn, black beans, red onion, chopped tomato, ground red pepper, and chili powder and let it all simmer in its colorful goodness. On the side, I had some peaches with flax, cinnamon, and a touch of stevia.
Dinner was inspired by Lindsay over at the Happy Herbivore. I made her Spicy Teriyaki Chickpeas with Pineapple Salsa. Technically, I didn't have any pineapple salsa, so I just served the chickpeas alongside a pile of chopped pineapple. The other items on the plates are: whole grain couscous, snap peas with pecans, and a spinach-squash salad.
My shake last night was absolutely fantastic. Seriously, it competes with my favorite mango-vanilla hemp combination. I combined 1.5 frozen bananas with soymilk and a cappuccino Spirutein packet, then topped it with a dash of cocoa powder. Something about the Spirutein makes the drink so fluffy and cloud-like; it was almost like eating mousse! It also reminded me of a Starbucks Frappuccino...but much better:)
Speaking of Starbucks, what is your standard coffee shop order? I don't drink coffee, so I always order a grande hot tea, Tazo Passion flavor. Sometimes I'll spring for the seasonal drinks too...pumpkin latte, anyone?

Wednesday
Last night I prepared a breakfast cookie like all the cool kids have been doing in the blogosphere. Mine featured chocolate rice protein, oats, rice milk, almond butter, and mashed banana. Not only was this a tasty treat but also a quite serendipitous breakfast--I never would have made it to class on time if I had had to prepare breakfast this morning!
I made another tofu salad for lunch today, but I put a new twist on today's rendition. This one took on a decidedly Asian flavor with its inclusion of garlic, ginger, orange zest, and cashews. The other ingredients were pretty standard: tofu, vegan mayo, and agave nectar. I stuffed it all into a pita and served it with some field greens and an apple.
Now I am off to settle in for an evening of studying and watching the Rockefeller Christmas Light Up Night!

Temporary Escape

Well, Thanksgiving break has officially come to a close, and I have returned to reality. I fully enjoyed my 6 days of relaxation and recuperation; sadly, it was just a temporary escape. I now have final papers and exams to deal with, but at least I'll be back home f in a mere 11 days, just in time for my sisters' graduations (Lea has earned her MBA, and Katie has just completed nursing school). In addition to celebrating their scholastic achievements, I am sure there will be some holiday festivities as well:)

Here is a culinary perspective of my last few days at home...Enjoy!

Friday
I made a vibrant smoothie on Friday evening: blueberries, strawberries, soymilk, and hemp protein made for quite the nutritious treat.
Saturday
I squeezed in a quick workout and breakfast before heading out to run some errands with my dad. Nothing is quite as quick and portable as a smoothie...so that's what was on the menu for breakfast. I made a simple strawberry-almond milk-almond butter concoction and served it alongside a mini bagel with my new honey butter. WHAT A TREAT! That little tub of spreadable joy was definitely a wise purchase.
Among our multiple errands, we managed to squeeze in a trip to the health food store, where I picked up a tub of lentil dip. I spread about 1/2 cup of this deliciousness onto a wrap and stuffed it with mushrooms, tomatoes, and yellow bell pepper. I also had a salad and an apple with cashew butter before heading out the door for more shopping...
Dinner was a simple affair, but I managed to reinvent my Turk'y roast in yet another fashion. I chopped it up, mixed it with mozzarella cheese and dill weed, and placed it atop a leftover baked potato. On the side, I had a salad with currants, and a bowl of homemade tomato-spinach soup.
My final shake of the vacation was downright delectable. I combined chocolate hemp protein with a frozen banana and strawberries, plus the usual soymilk. I topped it off with some chocolate syrup, but yet again it sank to the bottom before I could get a good picture. Oh well--it made for a nice surprise at the bottom of the cup:)
Sunday
I made a batch of overnight oats on Saturday night so that I could get to church on time yesterday. I soaked 1/2 cup oats in almond milk and added pumpkin and almond butter in the morning. That's a mug of gingerbread tea on the side. Yum.
After being dropped off at the Atlanta airport, I dug into my packed lunch: a Turk'y sandwich, cherry tomatoes, a clementine, and a few cashes. Sorry for all the crotch shots...I was trying to be discreet.
When I finally arrived back home at the apartment, I was starving! My dinner was inspired by a conversation I had earlier in the day with my dad. He told me that one of his favorite "snacks" back when he was at Duke consisted of a hamburger, peanuts, and chocolate milk. Accordingly, I had a Bistro burger (with organic K+M), chocolate rice milk (rice milk with special dark cocoa and stevia), and peanuts...plus a spinach salad and squash for some extra nutrition.
The smoothie last night was another winner: frozen banana, peaches, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and ginger granola.
Monday
Since I was so dissatisfied with my last Banana Bread Blender, I made another attempt today. This time, I used spelt flakes, soymilk, almonds, cinnamon, and a frozen banana of course. Much better.
I had to evaluate an on-campus eatery today for the dining committee. Since this particular location is a nation-wide chain that serves only "chikin" (can you guess which one?), my options were limited. The coleslaw didn't look all that appealing, so I opted for the garden salad and picked off the chicken strips and cheese. When I returned to the apartment I added my own black beans, plus the packet of sunflower seeds that came with it. To round out the meal, I also had a cup of broccoli soup, crackers, and a tangerine.
The soup ended up being quite comforting...What's your favorite comfort food?

Now I must get some work done. It's the end of the semester...hang on tight!

Be back on Wednesday!