Good News, Bad News

The good news is that Hanna left minimal damage around here--lots of wind and rain overnight, but nothing too serious. As a result, the Duke football game was not even delayed! The bad news is...we lost. Oh, well. To be honest, I don't go to football games to admire the team's superior athleticism...I go to people-watch! It's almost as good as the airport in that respect; there are so many people from all different cross sections of the population in one place. Anyway, here is a pic of my friends and me in the stands (I'm the one on the left):
I can't wait for basketball season!!

Despite the rain and disappointing outcome of the football game, I managed to eat pretty well over the weekend. Check it out:

Friday
I can't wait until my Living Harvest Hemp arrives--those flavors lend themselves better to creativity. With the berry pomegranate Nutiva, I feel like I must use at least one of the fruits pictured on the package (cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, etc.). I know, it doesn't make sense. Anyway this one included strawberries and banana, plus the usual components.
Saturday
I was a little bummed about the weather on Saturday morning. I attempted to venture to the gym, but the hurricane force winds turned my poor umbrella inside out--I decided the gym wasn't worth risking getting hit my debris. Plus, I could hear my mother's voice inside my head, "You had to get stitches, why?!" Anyway, I used my jump rope and did some strength training in the apartment instead. Afterward, I poured myself a big bowl of Fiber One with dried cranberries, cashews, and soymilk.
Lunch was a bit on the messy side. I cooked up some tofu with leftover pasta sauce and some oregano. I had intended to eat it inside a wrap (as shown), but I attempted my first bite, everything just sort of plopped onto the plate and my hands. Fork and knife will do! I also had a spinach salad, pistachios, and a nectarine.
Here's a fun snack suggestion: French vanilla yogurt with a crumbled graham cracker and a few almonds. Delish.
Before heading out to the game, I need some fast fuel. I wasn't anticipating partaking in the stadium fare: Chick-fil-A and pepperoni pizza. No thanks. Instead, I had a grilled banana-PB sandwich and some raw veggies.
Smoothie was strawberry-mango. Good, but not enough mango action.
Sunday
I had my usual Sunday stovetop oats yesterday morning. This version included oats, whipped banana, almond butter, cinnamon, and a drizzle of agave nectar. So tasty.
Lunch came from the freezer: just a Boca burger in a pita with avocado and salsa. That's an All American Boca burger you see, the only kind available at SuperTarget. I think I still prefer the vegan variety. I also had some cooked spinach and a nectarine.
I wasn't in the mood to cook anything before my meeting last night, so I just randomly threw some staples together: Ak-maks with tahini and ground red pepper, a big salad, and cherry yogurt with wheat germ.
I hate to be boring, but my smoothie time last night was a repeat: just wonderful, sweet cherries.
Monday
I had toast today for breakfast--with a twist. I combined canned pumpkin with cinnamon, agave nectar, and ground flax seed to create a nutty autumnal spread. I also had some plain yogurt with apple slices.
My pre-run snack consisted of PB Puffins and a banana. Can't go wrong with that combination. I had to run on the treadmill today because the track was closed for an event--that was not fun. I like setting my own pace intuitively, not by pushing buttons.
Afterward, I came home to compose an Italian-inspired dip. Using the MB, I combined white beans, spinach, oregano, garlic, and lemon juice.Those are chopped almonds on top. I think I was a bit heavy handed with the spinach in the end (shocker!), but it was still delicious. I spread it on whole wheat pita triangles.
Oh yeah, check out what my guy friend brought me today in statistics class: an apple cinnamon scone! Yeah, that's right: a guy who bakes and isn't ashamed of it. Love it. I might have to enjoy this for an afternoon snack...
I have a dining committee meeting, Bible study, and Jon and Kate Plus Eight tonight, so I better get some work done. Be back Wednesday!

The Vagabond Mailbox

**Thanks to everyone for your kind words of support and wisdom in response to my last post. That stress fest is officially over!**

After the gym today, I decided to go check my mailbox. I am heading down the hallway, on auto-pilot, turning at the third corner on the left where my mailbox is--or is it? This is definitely the area where my mailbox was last year, except now the numbers are all significantly different. How does that happen?! After wandering around for a few minutes and scanning rows upon rows of numbers, I finally found that elusive 97844. Alas, it was empty.

Despite my mailbox being empty, I did receive not one but two packages today. Score! The first was a box from Amazon--I had a $25 gift certificate just itching to be spent. Here's the loot (don't laugh!): HempShake, berry pomegranate flavor, two big tubs of ground flax seed, and a bottle of Primal Elements Grapefruit Body Wash.

In case you're curious, here's a little quote I liked from the Primal Elements website:
"The folks at Primal Elements make their soap from pure vegetable glycerin, creating scents (and looks) that Dial only dreams of." GQ Magazine, December 2002. Hemp, flax, vegetable glycerin. Yes, these are the types of things that excite me.
The second package came as a surprise. My aunt has been e-mailing me for the past few weeks about what I want for Christmas (she usually sends the gifts before October 1!), so I told her a new blender for my apartment might be nice. That's exactly what I got! It's even red, to match the rest of my kitchenware. I'll still use my MB for food processing, but I think my smoothie time has just entered a new era.
Onto the food:

Monday
I'm really getting into this chocolate + fruit thing. I'm still not so sure I would like orange + chocolate. Anyway, this was another chocolate-strawberry concoction--those are whole grain graham crackers taking a dip in the deliciousness.
Tuesday
If you've ever frequented Dairy Queen, you've probably heard of the Peanut Buster Parfait. My Granddaddy used to get it every time we went (he's the one married to my dietitian grandmother--go figure!). I decided to make a healthful breakfast version with PB Puffins, slice bananas, organic plain yogurt, and roasted peanuts. Definitely spawned a food fugue.
For a pre-run snack I packed a string cheese and a whole wheat mini bagel with blackberry jam. The combination of the soft bagel and the jelly reminded me of a jelly doughnut--I think that's demonstrative of how long it's been since I had a jelly doughnut...While tasty, this was not a stellar snack before exercise. Someday I'll get this exercise fueling thing right.
Lunch was another salad bar special: mixed greens, steamed broccoli, snap peas, 'shrooms, and sliced olives. When I got home, I added cubed tofu, chickpeas, and an agave-mustard dressing. I hate to think how far those strawberries traveled to get to my plate, but they were surprisingly tasty.
For dinner, I threw together a simple lentil salad: lentils, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, grated garlic, dill weed, and red wine vinegar. I served it with pita and a salad. I had cottage cheese with crunchy PB for dessert--not a combo I will repeat. The salt from the PB and the cottage cheese seemed to compete--not enough sweet!
Last night's smoothie was a chocolate-blueberry rendition. I wish I had had some cocoa on hand.
Wednesday
Return of the agave-tahini toast! This time I topped the toast with sliced Ginger Gold apples. I washed it down with a cup of almond milk.
I dug into my bar stash again today for pre-run eats: TJ's Fig Bar, plus a few peanuts.
After my post office meandering, I returned home to make a mountain meal: corn and tofu cooked in chili powder and ground red pepper, topped with salsa and mashed avocado.
Using my new flax, I made a snack of Key Lime Pie yogurt and ground flax. At last, I have a way to get my omega 3s again! PS Has anyone ever noticed that the Stonyfield cow has a different "look" for every flavor? The French Vanilla cow sports a dashing beret, while this one tucks a flower behind her ear. Cute.
For dinner, I decided to bring back my lentil bolognese from last year's dorm days. I added basil, oregano, and fresh garlic to a jarred pasta sauce. Salad, broccoli, and almonds filled me up nicely.
That does it for now...be back soon!