Full Friday

I am still beyond perplexed how my Fridays become so busy, even when I don't have any classes. Today alone I had my workout, a dining evaluation at an on campus eatery, a psych experiment to participate in, a trip to Whole Foods, a tutoring appointment, a mega-laundry session, and another Target run. Sheesh. Never mind even trying to get a head start on studying for stats...instead I plan on watching a movie with a friend. A much better use of time, in my opinion:)

I have been on-the-go recently due to more tutoring appointments as of late; the freshmen live on a separate campus, which doesn't leave much time for lengthy meal preparation. Here are the goods anyway:

Wednesday
I got creative with my butternut squash soup again. This time, I baked some tofu slabs in the creamy goodness and topped them with walnuts and cinnamon. On the side, I had some couscous, salad, and cranberry sauce. Quite the fall feast.
The smoothie of the evening featured blueberries, strawberries, acai hemp powder, and soymilk. Love that ginger-y granola on top.
Thursday
More fall flavors appeared on my plate for breakfast the next morning. I made a pumpkin-banana smoothie with ginger and cinnamon and rounded out the meal with a whole grain mini bagel with Sunbutter.
I prepared a quick lunch before heading off to an afternoon of tutoring: baked sweet potato topped with refried beans and salsa, brussels sprouts, and that mess on the side is applesauce with ground flax.
Before heading off to RUF, I made a quick burger out of an Amy's Bistro patty, organic ketchup, mustard, lettuce, and a whole wheat sandwich thin. I served it alongside a salad with veggies and chopped almonds, plus a little dish of grapes.
Last night's shake was phenomenal. I combined chocolate hemp protein, soymilk, banana, strawberries, and a few dairy-free chocolate chips for a big dose of chocolate-y goodness.
Friday
To adequately fuel myself for a busy day, I made a batch up vegan banana pancakes this morning...while listening to Jack Johnson's song "Banana Pancakes." Yes, I am that cool. I topped the hotcakes with agave nectar and chopped hazelnuts.
I stopped by the apartment amidst the chaos for a quick shower and a meal. I tossed some cubed tofu into a pita with lettuce and Annie's Woodstock dressing. On the side, I had a big salad and a perfectly ripe pear.
Once we returned from the mecca of convenience shopping (aka Target), I was too hungry to think of anything creative for dinner. I settled on a Sunbutter and apple butter sammie with broccoli, and some plain yogurt with a fruit cup.
I am off to enjoy a movie (likely a sappy chick-flick). Happy weekend!

Studying Is Such a Nuisance

I am a tad miffed right now, because I have had to miss out on multiple activities tonight due to a pesky midterm tomorrow. The dining committee was going out to dinner at this cool place called Mez, but I had to turn down the invitation. I had intended on getting my studying done early, but Election Day coverage interfered with that--let's just say I spent the evening glued to the TV with highlighter in hand. An exciting exhibition basketball game is also happening tonight,but I really shouldn't attend that either...maybe the second half?

Anyway, I need to get crackin' on the food reporting; my psychology textbook beckons.

Monday
I have at last broken out my Nutiva chocolate hemp protein! I combined it with strawberries, raspberries, soymilk, and dairy-free chocolate chips. Decadence in a big plastic green cup. Classy.
Tuesday
My new-found love of key lime yogurt prompted me to build an entire breakfast around its flavor--I made a tropical parfait! It included: Puffins, key lime yogurt, pineapple, coconut, and chopped almonds.
I had a busy afternoon of meetings and such, so I didn't return to the apartment until late. Translation: the tummy was protesting, LOUDLY. I quickly heated up a cup of Health Valley Split Pea soup and served it with crackers, steamed broccoli, and some applesauce with honey-roasted peanuts. Simple, fast, tasty.PS I've reviewed this soup before here.
In the midst of the election chaos, I broke for dinner...with another meal from a can! I opted for Whole Foods' Refried Black Beans (which I have featured before); I spread a blob on a spinach flatbread and topped it with lettuce, salsa, and olives. It made for quite the substantial wrap! On the side I had salad and some plain yogurt topped with cranberry sauce.
The smoothie consisted of acai hemp protein, blackberries, strawberries, soymilk, and a few tablespoons of Ginger Zing granola...expect a very favorable review of this crunchy goodness in the near future.
Wednesday
I don't think I'll ever tire of CCV's Banana Bread Blender cereal. This rendition featured hazelnuts--definitely a wise decision on my part:)
I had planned on making a veggie pot pie out of my soup leftovers, but I ran out of time before I had to be at the writing studio. It ended up being soup leftovers with a few mushrooms mixed in, plus a big dollop of mashed potatoes. It still tasted good! Alongside it, I had some snap peas and an apple with PB.
Now I am off to tackle some schoolwork. Before I sign off, check out what I received in the mail today:
Nutribody Protein sent me some samples to try for VegFamily, where I am a product reviewer. Anyone heard of it or tried it?

Ta-ta for now.

Buzzing and Blending

So sorry for yet another delayed post today; Friday nights are not always conducive to posting for a college student's schedule. I celebrated Halloween by going out to dinner with friends (Elmo's again!), making a Target run (where I happened to run into a certain someone), and checking out some the Devil's Eve festivities on campus. I buzzed around in the cold as a bumble bee this year, although I ultimately ended up having an hours-long conversation with one of my dear friends. Alas, I have no crazy Halloween partying to report, but I wouldn't have spent my evening any other way:)

This morning was my sorority's philanthropy event, a mocktail blend-off to support Make-A-Wish Foundation. I contributed my beloved Bullet for the contestants' use--it seems to be no worse for the wear. In retrospect, I probably should have participated myself, considering how much I love all things blended!

Here's what I've been chowing on for the past few days:

Wednesday
To be honest, I don't really remember what went into this smoothie. I think it was soymilk, berry hemp protein, blackberries, and banana.
Thursday
Just hours after receiving them, I seized the opportunity to use some of those sandwich thins. I toasted the wheat variety and spread them with a combination of almond butter and agave nectar. On the side I had some grapes and cottage cheese.
Thursday afternoon was packed with things to do and people to see: advising appointment, marketing the blend-off, working out, plus my weekly RUF meeting. As a result, lunch was a tad pathetic: black eyed pea spread (with cumin and hot sauce), zucchini, carrots, crackers, and an apple with PB. Snore.
For dinner, I made another quick hash, using crumbled tofu, spinach, bell peppers, and soy sauce. I also made a quick serving of mashed potatoes (instant--don't judge!), salad with dried cherries, and cranberry sauce with walnuts. YUM.
Again, I am not quite sure what I put in this smoothie (where has my memory gone?!), but I think it was a combination of berry hemp protein, soymilk, blackberries, and strawberries.
Friday
I look forward to Fridays every week, because it means I actually have the time to make a real breakfast. This week, I decided on the Imus Ranch Tofu-Banana French Toast again. I am seriously considering just making a batch of the batter one of these days and eating it straight--it's that good. Anyway, I topped my slices with banana, walnuts, and agave nectar.
After my usual Whole Foods run, I returned home to make another repeat recipe: a Better Bunny Sandwich from the Rudi's Bakery website. Carrots, pineapple, raisins, vegan mayo, and cinnamon make for quite the tasty combination (especially atop a sandwich thin!). On the side I had a "creative" salad: Romaine, mushrooms, wheat germ, and a dressing made up of blackberry preserves and lemon juice. This made for quite the sweet meal.
As I mentioned above, we went to Elmo's Diner for dinner again last night. I ordered the same spinach salad as last time (no mess-up this time), plus a hummus appetizer as my main entree. The menu doesn't lie when it says "spicy!" I love me some pita bread.
My smoothie last night consisted of a frozen banana, acai hemp protein, blueberries, and soymilk.
That's all for now, but before I go, check out my bumble bee get-up:
Enjoy your Saturday!