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!

End of Summer Blues

As of today, I have a week until I head back to Durham. While I am excited to see my friends and be back on campus, I am always a little reluctant to leave behind the comforts of home. I can say so-long to my relaxed schedule, fully-stocked pantry, and afternoon excursions with Mom. Returning to school means returning to reality and to life as a (semi) adult. Wah.

As a result of my dwindling summer, I have decided to make the most of my access to a full-size kitchen. Check out what I've been whipping up these past few days...

Wednesday
I haven't shared a snack with you all in a while, so I thought I would post one of my favorites: whole grain graham crackers dipped in strawberry yogurt. Yum.
I had some of that split pea soup to use up, but I was really not in the mood for soup again (plus I just can't stand eating the same thing twice in a row). Soo, I made shepherd's pie! I combine the leftover soup with mushrooms, a few tablespoons of TVP, sage, thyme, and garlic. After letting it cook down for a few minutes, I plopped it into a mini casserole dish and topped it with mashed potatoes and parsley for garnish. For dessert I had a piece of toast with Sunbutter.
For my shake, I used another frozen banana. So it was heavenly, of course.
Thursday
Another beer mug smoothie! The drinking receptacle makes all the difference. Anyway, this one had pineapple, almond milk, wheat germ and shredded coconut. I also had a small bowl of GoLean with cashews.
I was still jonesin' for scrambled tofu after my failed attempt a few days ago, so I made it again. This time, I covered the tofu in Smoky Avocado Sauce from ED&BV, and I added some chili powder for some kick. Avocados make pretty much anything edible. I also had some toasted corn tortillas, fresh cherries, and a simple spinach salad.
For dinner, my mom had asked me to prepare some ratatouille for her and my dad to enjoy after they returned from a wine and cheese party. I had to sample my own cooking, of course, so I had a big bowl of that with an Ezekiel pita and a salad (with walnuts). I also had an Oikos yogurt to satisfy my insistent sweet tooth.
The smoothie last night was not so good. Those darn blackberry seeds really detract from my enjoyment of the smoothie.
Friday
I had a doctor's appointment this morning, but I got up early, just so I could fit in my workout and a big bowl of stovetop oats. This morning's mound of goodness included whipped banana, blueberry flax (from Trader Joe's), wheat germ, and pumpkin flax granola. Yep. This spurred a food fugue.
I was kinda wiped after my doctor's appointment (note to self: two Benadryl capsules is too many). So, I was not especially in the mood to cook. I made a simple almond butter and jelly sandwich. I found this Tree of Life jar in the back of the fridge--I am definitely a strawberry girl when it comes to PB&J, none of that grape nonsense for me. What's your favorite way to enjoy a nut butter sandwich? Anyway, I wasn't all that hungry, so I just had some (perfectly ripe) honeydew and a spinach salad for my side dishes.

A long nap seemed to cure me of my grogginess, so I made a dinner that actually requires a recipe: Orange Sesame Tofu from ED&BV. I remembered to cut back on the maple syrup this time, so I enjoyed it much more this time around. I also had a salad with cashews and a mound of veggies. My sweet tooth beckoned again, so I finished off the meal with whole grain graham crackers, almond milk, and a few white chocolate chunks.
Olympic track and field is on...be back Monday.

Dancing Queen

I have been flouncing around the house for the past hour or so after returning from a matinee of Mamma Mia! I am a total dork for musicals, so I have actually seen the Broadway production of Mamma Mia twice, and I *might* even have the soundtrack on my iPod. You would be surprised at what a little Abba action can do for your workout.

I thought the movie was totally over-the-top, as is apt for a cinematic musical. Anyone else seen it? What did you think?

Anyway, I am also especially in the mood for spontaneous song because I am officially done with anatomy lab! No more poking cadavers for hours on end! Life is good. I'll pick up where I left off in my last post:

Wednesday
Amidst my studying on Wednesday, I paused for a quick lunch to refuel: Tofurky wrap with broccoli slaw, Nayonaise, and Grey Poupon; more broccoli slaw with mushrooms, green onions, and rice wine vinegar; and a good ol' banana with PB. Somehow I never tire of the banana-PB combo.
After class I made a recipe from ED&BV, the White Bean and Walnut Bruschetta. This was such a simple but tasty recipe! It just takes a a whizz in the Bullet and a few minutes in the oven. I also had a big pile of green beans and a side salad.
I altered my vanilla hemp-mango combo a bit Wednesday evening and used frozen peaches. Good, but it doesn't compare to the original...
Thursday
Before my day of testing began, I ate a big bowl of cereal with sliced almonds and soymilk, plus some big juicy strawberries. The cereal combination was Corn Bran, puffed rice, and pumpkin flax granola. Check out my new cups from World Market--each one (of 6) has a different animal on it. I think they're meant for children, but I too think they're pretty rockin'.
My last packed lunch of the summer was a bit on the strange side. My brain was like jelly when I packed it (late Wednesday night--the night before my tests), so I just grabbed a few things from the fridge and threw it all together. I mashed white beans with ketchup, mustard, paprika, and a drizzle of agave nectar. It tasted a lot like my mom's baked beans, actually. I plopped it on a sandwich with spinach, and packed it alongside some grapes and veggies with Goddess dressing.
To celebrate my freedom from the chains of anatomy lab, I made a dinner from ED&BV (can you tell what my favorite cookbook is?). Cumin Lime Tofu features not only my favorite spice (cumin) but also one of my favorite seeds--pepitas/pumpkin seeds! I also had some whole wheat couscous, salad, and broccoli with red onions.
The celebration continued last night with my shake--the return of chocolate!! I used a lot more of the ice cream this time, so it tasted more peanut buttery.
Friday
I had planned on making some pancakes this morning, but I didn't have all the ingredients on hand, so I settled for some frozen waffles. I topped them with lots of almond butter and rounded it out with a small orange. Today's cup featured a lovely cow.
The midday meal today consisted of scrambled tofu--in a whole new way. Instead of using my usual tahini today, I scrambled the tofu with the Smoky Avocado Sauce from ED&BV. This was my first time using liquid smoke, but I think I'll be using it a lot more in the future. The avocado mixed with the turmeric-coated tofu makes for a strange color, but I promise it tasted really good! I also had some pita triangles, broccoli slaw, and grapes.
It was past my feeding time when I returned from the movie tonight, so dinner was another "dump and heat" meal. I combined leftover chunky tomato soup with spinach, white beans, pine nuts, garlic, and oregano and served it along with a side salad. I also had a dish of plain yogurt with raisins.
Well, I am off to play with some new goodies that have arrived in the mail this past week--my new cell phone, products to review for VegFamily, and Self Magazine!