Oh, Puffy Coat, How I Miss Thee

During my freshman year, I participated in the Duke tradition of tenting, so I purchased the very necessary "puffy coat." It was big, red, and served its purpose fabulously. I decided not to bring it to school this year for several reasons: 1) It would have required a suitcase of its own...something I am unwilling to furnish considering the baggage fees that are now in effect. 2) It made me resemble a toasty marshmallow that had been aflame a tad too long. 3) I simply didn't think I needed it this winter. Well, it turns out number three was FALSE. Weather.com informed me that it felt like 6* this morning at 9AM. I managed to survive my errands today with some clever layering, but that puffy coat would have been way more convenient. Sigh. Live and learn. How do you keep warm in the dregs of winter?

I've been enjoying plenty of hot eats the past few days to keep me warm as well:

Wednesday
After I signed off last time, I made a simple lunch: Better Bunny Salad (recipe from Rudi's) atop a bed of greens, and a few mini tomato-basil hummus sandwiches.
I went over to a friend's dorm room to watch the Duke-GA Tech game on TV and to hang out with buds. While there, we ordered from Cinelli's. I ordered the Penne Cinelli, which features white beans and escarole. Delish.
Once home, I made a creamy strawberry-peach shake with Nutribody protein, soymilk, and vanilla non-dairy ice cream. Heaven!
Thursday
With plentiful bananas on hand, I decided to make banana fingers for breakfast: bananas dipped in plain yogurt (with cinnamon) and rolled in crushed spelt flakes. That's almond butter in the center for dipping.
Lunch was an old but simple fave: a black bean burrito. Mine included salsa, mashed avocado, and little lettuce for crunch. I also had a salad and a few clementines.
Just before heading out to a church group meeting, I made an Italian-inspired menu: pan seared tofu (seasoned with garlic, basil, and oregano), tomatoes with squash, salad with Woodstock dressing, whole wheat couscous, and a dish of grapes. Yes, I ate the whole thing.
My frozen fruit supply was running low, so I made an odd smoothie last night out of cherries, pineapple, soymilk, Nutribody, and soymilk. It turned out quite sweet and delicious.
Friday
I needed something hot for my morning meal today, so I made a quick tofu scramble with broccoli and the other usual ingredients. I served it alongside a Rudi's English muffin and some more grapes.
I trekked all the way to Whole Foods, amidst the single digit temperatures, and returned with some good loot:
Highlights include a new flavor of Cascadian Farms granola and...a White Chocolate Macadamia Clif bar! There is no joy like that derived from a new Clif bar.

Afterward, I made lunch: baked potato topped with black beans, salsa, and mashed avocado, plus a salad and clementines.
Dinner this evening was another hot one: grilled hummus/mozzarella sammie with sugar snap peas, an apple, and a salad with Goddess dressing.
What are your favorite warm-up foods? I am always in search of new dishes to keep my body toasty:)

Enjoy your weekend! Stay tuned for product reviews on Sunday...

Adding a Little Color

You all know that I am an adamant proponent of eating by color (especially in oatmeal!), but this love of color also extends to my wardrobe, writing utensils, and, most recently, my decorating. My on-campus apartment boasts a nice shade of blah on the walls, floor, and well, on every square foot of the unit. Although I was sure to add plenty of red pizazz in the kitchen as soon as I moved in (as I spend much of my time there!), my roommate and I had not gotten around to infusing the rest of our apartment with color until...last night. Here is a glance at a few new details on the walls, plus a glimpse at my ever-colorful bedding:
I promise my room at home is much more sophisticated...but I'll save that for another post:) How would you describe your decorating style?
This is a food blog, so I suppose I should get to the eats:

Monday
After I last posted, I prepared a delicious and simple lunch out of tofu, veggies, and a cashew sauce I whipped up. On the side I had couscous and clementines. I swear, things taste better when eaten with chopsticks.
I had a busy evening of unnecessarily long meetings, so I satisfied my aforementioned salad craving with a prepared creation on campus. I opted for one of my faves, the Crunchy Broccoli Salad to which I added chickpeas for protein. (There are walnuts hidden beneath all that glorious broccoli). I also had a fruit cup and some pita. I'll try all your creative ideas ASAP!
The smoothie of the evening was a cherry-berry delight consisting of cherries, strawberries, soymilk, and Nutribody protein. I am running low on granola...suggestions for the next box?
Tuesday
I have an early class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I kept the morning meal simple: Fiber One with dried cranberries, and rice milk, plus an apple with cashew butter. Quick tip: Fiber One contains 10% RDA for calcium per half-cup but also contains a small amount of aspartame.
Lunch was a rushed affair, so I just quickly combined spinach, chickpeas, garlic, tahini, and cumin and served it alongside some flatbread and a few clementines.
After a busy afternoon and evening, I relaxed in one of my favorite ways...cooking, of course! I made a simple chili out of TVP, canned diced tomatoes, onions, chili powder, cumin, and ground red pepper. I served this hot pot of goodness with a Rudi's English muffin, a salad with Woodstock dressing, and peaches. This was one of my most enjoyable meals in recent weeks.
The smoothie last night marked the return of my favorite smoothied combo: mango and vanilla! I combined mango, Nutribody protein, soymilk, and topped it with the usual granola. It made my nightly blog reading even more enjoyable:)
Wednesday
This morning's breakfast was a strawberry-banana "waffle tower" as Sarah would say. I topped two waffles with cottage cheese, strawberries, and a broken up Banana Bread Larabar (courtesy of VeggieGirl). Quite delicious, although the banana was not as pronounced as I would have preferred.

I am headed to class now, but I'll leave with you another question to ponder: what's your favorite hot beverage? I just downed a cup of Mighty Leaf orange dulce, and it was pretty amazing.

Be back soon!

Snacks in a Sack

As of 11 PM this evening, the last round of recruitment has come to an end. Tomorrow is Bid Day, so I will be able to return to the blogging world...and I guess return to the world of homework and responsibility.

Anyway, as a result of my crazy schedule these past few days, I have become an expert on packing portable nibbles for between-party snacking. I apologize for the boring nature of my diet this week--I tried to avoid repetition and to maintain a minimal level of nutrition in my on-the-go meals. Check it out:

Wednesday
After I signed off last time, I prepared a quick lunch of scrambled tofu, complete with some of my favorite veggies. Spinach and mushrooms went into this tofu scramble, in addition to the usual tahini, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. I had some toast and a few clementines on the side.
We had the night off from recruitment parties, so I happily used my free time to attend the Duke basketball games. I arrived in line at about 5:30, with a Prana Bar carefully concealed in my pocket (no outside food is allowed, as I discovered here). Not long after I arrived, torrential rain took over campus; the winds grew stronger and hail descended upon us. The temperature was also a toasty 20*F. Oh, the things I do for the Blue Devils. I was one of the last few people granted entrance into the game. Weather troubles aside, we won the game, and I was able to thoroughly enjoy my coconut acai Prana bar. I will be reviewing this in the future! Afterward, sorority duties beckoned for a late-night workshop, so I grabbed a quick Greek salad on campus. A few of my my roomie's Swedish fish assortment *might* have swum their way into my mouth as well...
The smoothie of the evening was delightful--I used two of my favorite things: cherries and Nutribody protein (which I reviewed here).
Thursday
With still limited groceries available in my apartment, I made a simple breakfast out of toast with mashed banana/almond butter and a dish of plain yogurt.
For lunch, I threw together a simple chickpea salad wrap, made with vegan mayo, a touch of mustard, and kelp granules. I also had a salad with pecans and clementines.
I prepared another on-the-go dinner for the evening: a snack mix consisting of GoLean, soynuts, currants, and peanuts; I also had an apple and a Larabar.
It turns out that my sorority provided sandwiches from Panera between parties, so I saved my PB&J for later in the evening. I also grabbed a bunch of grapes.
Friday
After a blissful night of sleep, I prepared an awesome bowl of oats: oatmeal, banana, vanilla extract, a crumbled pistachio Larabar, and dried cranberries all went into this little bowl of heaven.
I then restocked my pantry and refrigerator with a trip to Whole Foods. When I returned, I made a quick tofu hash with mushrooms, corn, and red onion, as well as garlic, oregano, and Bragg's for flavah. On the side, I had a spinach salad with wheat germ and raspberry vinaigrette, and a dish of peaches with flax and cinnamon.
When I returned, I discovered that I had a package waiting for me at the post office:
VeggieGirl was kind enough to send me an assortment of Larabars. She and I arranged a little food exchange, and I requested a few Larabars, selected by the expert herself! Thanks, Liz!

Dinner was yet another "moveable feast." I packed tomato basil hummus to be enjoyed with pita and carrots as well as an apple, PB Bumpers with peanuts, and a string cheese for snackage.
I am headed to bed in a bit--I aim to get about 8 or 9 hours tonight. What is your ideal amount of sleep? In high school, before the academic rigors and social opportunities of college life had entered my life, my body would naturally awake after precisely 9 hours of sleep. Is your sleep schedule consistent? Do you make sleep a priority in your life?

I will update you on the rest of the weekend in Monday's post...ta-ta for now.