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!

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!