Stress Fest, Round 1

How is it that it is just the second week of classes, and I have already managed to have stress out? It all started yesterday afternoon when I realized that I could feasibly graduate early (Dec. 2009 rather than May 2010). This would be a great way to save some tuition dollars and get a head start on my nutrition classes. However, then I considered all the things I would be missing if I skipped out on second semester senior year: sorority formals, walking at graduation, just being with my friends. Just thinking about missing those things makes me tear up as I type. I talked to my parents about it, and they gave me the exact wrong answer: "it's up to you, honey." They're letting me make the decision. How dare they! You mean I actually have to be an adult?! Anyway, I think my strong emotions ought to be heeded; I don't want to look back on my years at Duke with regret.

Academic rants aside, let's turn to a topic that keeps me on an even keel: food...

Saturday
When I was uploading photos on Saturday, I accidentally deleted some of my breakfast photos. I did manage to salvage one (below). I enjoyed a blueberry-soymilk smoothie with a dish of PB Puffins and almonds. Great way to cool down after a morning at the gym.
After a very necessary Target run, I settled down to a lunch of revamped leftovers: spinach salad with (local!) organic cherry tomatoes, kidney beans, and tofu. Another peach and toast points with cashew butter are what you see on the side.
Dinner was another spontaneous creation: sliced zucchini, chickpeas, garlic, red wine vinegar, basil, and oregano went into the pan. I had some couscous and chopped broccoli on the side, plus a yogurt with peanuts for dessert. Odd, but good.
I made a smoothie that evening, using some of that Alive! rice and pea protein powder. I snagged a few pouches of the vanilla flavor to last me until my order of Nutiva HempShake arrives. Anyway, this concoction featured frozen cherries (courtesy of SuperTarget), soymilk, and pumpkin flax granola. SO GOOD. The texture of this protein powder is such that it really puffs up once whizzed in the blender. It's like crazy good-for-you Cool Whip.
Sunday
I woke up bright and early on Sunday morning, thinking I needed to be at Chapel in an hour or so. I had gotten all dressed and made up, when my roommate looks at me and says, "why are you up so early?" I had gotten up an hour earlier than necessary. Oops. I took advantage of the extra time by making some stovetop oats with whipped banana and Target brand crunchy natural PB. I am normally very much a creamy girl, but this crunchy stuff isn't half-bad--it provides a nice change of texture. PS Does anyone know a good trick to get rid of PB smell on your hands? I made quite a mess while trying to stir the jar of PB, and my hands smelled quite peanut-ish for the entirety of the church service.
Lunch came together quick again. Inspired by V-con's Corn Edamame Salad, I combined frozen corn, edamame, cherry tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, and ginger. I didn't have time to chill it, so I just ate it hot. That's a sliced white peach with cinnamon (NOT an apple), spinach salad, and pistachios on the side.
Dinner was on campus, just before my first chapter meeting. We went to The Loop again, so I got my Crunchy Broccoli Salad and a bowl of black bean soup. I have a sneaking suspicion it wasn't vegetarian, but no use fretting over it now.

Another Alive! smoothie last night, this time with frozen mango. Please pardon the green color--I promise it tasted good!
Monday
I made overnight oats for breakfast today. I combined soymilk, oats, and dried cranberries last night and added almonds and blueberries this morning. I had forgotten how good this is--perfect for the girl who likes everything soggy:)
My pre-run snack today was a baggie of roasted soynuts and a local "ginger" apple. It was a tasty snack (especially the unique flavor of the apple), but I am not sure it fueled me well for a run. My pace was good, but I just didn't feel top-notch. Maybe less protein for tomorrow's fuel?
I came home for lunch: Goddess Garbanzos in an Italian Herb flatbread, plus a spinach salad. The herbs in the flatbread and the Goddess dressing complemented each other quite nicely.
I finally tried the snack you all have been raving about: a broken up Z bar in yogurt. My budget does not allow for Greek yogurt, so I just used regular plain yogurt and an apple cinnamon Z bar. Quite the treat!
After a dining committee meeting tonight, I just grabbed a quick salad from the salad bar for dinner: mixed greens, red bell pepper, mushrooms, kidney beans, bulghur wheat, and chopped peanuts, plus a cup of melon. The melon tasted like wood, but the salad (especially the bulghur) was excellent.
Wow. This is really long. I apologize for my excessive verbiage.Enjoy the rest of your evening!

Major Spill

...and no, I am not talking about a cooking accident. I wiped out on the sidewalk yesterday while on my run. These crazy old sidewalks are pretty cracked and uneven. I got scraped up badly on my hands, knees, and my shoulder, of all places. When it happened, two things went through my mind: 1) Is my iPod OK? (sick, I know), and 2) Did anyone see me? Needless to say, I am fine, just a little bruised and bandaged.

Later in the day, I had my anatomy quiz. It was not fun. Nuff said.

As a result of my no good, very bad day, I was looking for a little comfort these past few days. As per usual, I turned to my food!

Thursday
Immediately after my clumsy run, I enjoyed a breakfast of overnight oatmeal. I used instant oats, plain soymilk, and cinnamon; I had a sliced banana with almond butter on the side. As my grandfather would say, "hits the spot!"

Lunch was pretty hurried--I lost track of time while I was reviewing my notes before lab. I whipped up something quick--curried tofu salad (or pseudo-chicken salad). This version consisted of extra-firm tofu, Nayonaise, Grey Poupon mustard, curry powder, raisins, and walnuts. I also gobbled up some Ak-maks and crudites.
For dinner, I dug up one of my favorite cookbooks: The Imus Ranch Cookbook by Deirdre Imus. My uncle gave me this way back in my earlier days of vegetarianism, and I never really appreciated how great it is until now. I decided to make the Mesa Meatballs, which include soy sausage, thyme, fresh oregano, and a few other flavorings. These were stuffed into an oat bran pita and smothered with tomato sauce. Delicious! I need to use this cookbook more often. I also had some some salad, steamed squash, and a blueberry soy yogurt.
The smoothie of the evening was peaches 'n cream: peach Spirutein, plain soymilk, frozen peaches, and Nature's Path pumpkin granola.
Friday
No fancy breakfast dish this morning: just a whole wheat mini bagel with Sunbutter and a strawberry-soymilk smoothie.
After running some errands with my mom and sister, I made a quick lunch out of some freezer staples. I decided to make V-con's ever-popular corn and edamame salad--so simple and tasty! I also had a salad of Romaine, roasted red peppers, rice vinegar, and sliced almonds. Mango cubes balanced it all out.
Back by popular demand, some snack pics. Today I had some of Enjoy Life's trail mix and a small dish of plain soy yogurt.
While we were running errands today, my mom and sister stopped at McDonald's for lunch. Although I'm not a fan of the Golden Arches, being there did spark a craving for a cheeseburger. Truthfully, I've never had a real cheeseburger, even in my meat-eating days. Anyway, this craving inspired my dinner: Boca burger on whole wheat with ketchup, vegan cheddar, and Romaine. I also had some a squash-turnip greens saute and a salad with perfectly ripe avocado. Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed this meal:)
Quick question for you all: would you be interested in a list of my favorite cookbooks? I could add a sidebar listing the contents of my cookbook shelf. Let me know what you think!

Now I'm off to watch an episode of What Not to Wear. Have a good weekend!