Light My Candle

Ever since reading this article in the NYT today, my favorite song from Rent, "Light My Candle," has been playing incessantly in my head. As I walked to the gym, as I waited in the check out line at Whole Foods, even as I was chopping garlic--I could hear Roger and Mimi singing their duet. Quick, someone get a different song stuck in my head! What songs tend to linger in your mind?

Aside from repetitive humming, I have had a busy few days. Here's what I ate along the way:

Wednesday
I looked to one of my Food Network faves for lunch inspiration: Ellie Krieger. Her Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing sounded intriguing to me, so I made my own version for my midday meal. I simply placed chickpeas on a bed of spinach and dressed it with a sauce containing vegan mayo, ground red pepper, cumin, and lemon juice. On the side, I had some corn thins and an apple with almond butter.
I was craving a hearty dinner that day, so I made an Italian Sub: TVP with tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and garlic on a whole grain bun. Messy, but oh-so-delicious. I also had some broccoli, a salad with Goddess dressing, and a pluot.
The smoothie of the night contained strawberries, peaches, soymilk, and Nutribody.
Thursday
Yesterday seemed like a parfait kind of day, so I made a quick layered concoction with Honey Nut Os, TJ's Honey Greek yogurt, cashews, and sliced banana. Not to toot my own horn, but this was pretty fabulous.
For lunch, I made my tasty Asparagus Salad again, since it spawned a pretty intense food fugue the last time I had it. This rendition included mixed greens, orange segments, tofu (cooked in soy sauce, ginger, and garlic), peanuts, asparagus, and mushrooms. YUM. I also had some rice crackers on the side.
Dinner was spent out with my new "little sister" in Chi Omega. We ate at a campus eatery (the 'Dillo) while we watched the Duke basketball game. I ordered the Black Bean Taco salad (with guac, of course!). Here is a recycled picture from the last time I ate there.
I concluded the evening with a peach-pineapple smoothie.
Friday
After facing the frigid temperatures this morning, I was ready for something hot before heading out the door to run errands...so made some warm oat bran. Yep, I, too, have hopped on the oat bran wagon. I made mine with all anti-oxidant rich superfoods: pomegranate (POM juice), almonds (almond butter), and dark chocolate (dairy-free chocolate chips). It turned out to be quite the morning treat. Thanks so much to Janny from POM Wonderful for sending me samples!
Here's the loot from a rather nippy trek to Whole Foods:
Highlights: Greek Gods yogurt (on sale!), bok choy, BBQ sauce (finally, I can try Jenn's humbecue!), baked blue corn chips, and more Odwalla bars!

After getting a little homework done, I took a break for lunch. I combined chickpeas with broccoli slaw, garlic, tahini, and curry powder; I sopped up the goodness with an Ezekiel pita. That's a sliced Golden Delicious apple and a simple salad with mushrooms on the side.

Several errands later, I returned home for a lovely dinner of White Bean and Walnut Bruschetta from ED&BV. I've made this several times before (yep, that's 4 times), and it never ceases to satisfy. I had a salad with red bell pepper and mozzarella on the side, as well as a dish of grapes.
That concludes this evening's post--hopefully next time I type, I will have managed to rid my mind of the Rent soundtrack. Happy weekend!

Spaz on Skates

Now, I've never claimed to be the most coordinated individual. Indeed, I was always the kid in gym class who got hit in the face with the basketball. Anyway, I thought that perhaps my devotion to exercise and fitness in recent years would have afforded me some new-found athleticism...but I was wrong. My friends and I headed to a roller rink this past weekend, where I strapped on a pair of skates for the first time since my 9th birthday party. Let's just say I have a nasty bruise developing on my knee a new respect for anyone who can roller skate. We had lots of fun though!
Here's what I've been eating in between displays of spastic tendencies:

Friday
I used up some leftover bags of frozen fruit for this one: frozen cherries, strawberries, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and granola, of course.
Saturday
After sleeping through my alarm (yes, I do occasionally set it even on Saturdays!), I made it to the gym and back to prepare a pretty fab parfait: plain yogurt with stevia and dark cocoa mixed in, Peanut Butter Pows, sliced banana and a scoop of PB. FOOD FUGUE.
For lunch, I kept it simple: frozen corn with kidney beans, chili powder, garlic salt, and salsa, salad with Woodstock dressing, and an apple.
Dinner was thrown together last minute before heading to the roller rink: Amy's Bistro Burger on whole wheat with organic K+M, salad with wheat germ and raspberry vinaigrette, and green beans with pecans and dill. Nummy.
After skating, we headed back to a friends room for a little party. Hence, no shake for this evening.

Sunday
Before heading to chapel, I prepared my beloved stovetop oats. This bowl included pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a crumbled pecan pie Larabar. Mmm. Pumpkin-pecan hybrids are the best.
For lunch, I just wanted something to warm me up (again!). I combined: frozen veggies, tomato sauce + water, curry powder, kidney beans, and ground ginger to make a tasty soup. On the side, I had a salad with Goddess dressing, crackers, and a blood orange.
I scarfed down dinner super fast before heading to a chapter meeting. I made white bean almond bruschetta (an improvisation of ED&BV's White Bean Walnut Bruschetta), along with spinach and grapes.
The shake of the evening was pretty amazing: peaches, blueberries, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and granola. Surprisingly delicious.
Monday
Breakfast was a simple affair: toast with pumpkin butter and the scrapings of my almond butter jar, plus an apple and a glass of rice milk.
I am interested in trying out some new foodie products...I feel like I haven't made any grocery store discoveries recently. What's your latest food find?

Now I am headed to class. Ciao for now!