"But Mom, It's All for Basketball!"

During a recent phone conversation with my dear mother, I was detailing how amazing the night's basketball game had been and how excited I was for the next game. I also happened to let it slip that I had a quiz the next day (Tuesday) for which I studied a total of 20 minutes. Uh oh.

"Caroline, I think you need to study more than that. We don't pay all this money so that you can blow off your classes."
"No, just think of that money paying for access to Duke basketball games."
"Ugh. I think it's time to get off the phone now so you can study."

She just doesn't understand--it's all for basketball! She won though--I did end up studying for a bit longer:)

Anyway, as a result of games on Monday and Tuesday nights, in combination with a flurry of tutoring appointments, my diet continues to consist of simple favorites. Please pardon the monotony!

Monday
Before rushing out the door to the basketball game, I snagged a Coconut Creme Pie Larabar (but failed to snap a picture). Although I scarfed it down in less than a minute en route to the stadium, it tasted phenomenal! These would be a great stocking stuffer *hint, hint, Mom* When I got back, part B of dinner commenced: a hummus sandwich on an Arnold sandwich thin, plus a handful of carrots.
The shake of the evening was a berry-chocolate delight: strawberries, raspberries, soymilk, and chocolate hemp.
Tuesday
In a last-minute study session for the aforementioned quiz, I quickly toasted up two PomegranPlus waffles and topped them with hazelnuts and agave nectar. I had a delicious pear on the side.
The no-fuss trend continued into lunch: Goddess garbanzos (with tomatoes and kelp granules) in an Italian flatbread, plus a simple salad and an apple.
My friend Ms. Larabar joined me again for dinner. This time I enjoyed the PB Cookie variety--another winner! The only downside is that I tasted PB for the entire night as I cheered on the Blue Devils. I also had a small baggie of soynuts. No pics of this uber-exciting fare.

The smoothie last night featured the last tablespoon or so of my vanilla hemp powder, plus a few scoops of the Nutribody protein powder I mentioned a few posts back. Soymilk, frozen peaches, and ginger granola made this quite a delectable concoction.
Wednesday
I just can't stay away from CCV's Banana Bread Blender very long. This time I used cashews for the nut component.
For lunch, I quickly heated up some leftover butternut squash soup and added broccoli and chickpeas for an extra nutritional boost. I also had some peaches with almonds/cinnamon, plus a handful of crackers.
Tonight, I finally got around to preparing an acorn squash that had been lurking on top of my fridge for the past week or so. I simply baked it in the oven along with some cubed tofu that had been rubbed with agave nectar and cinnamon. (Maple syrup would have been ideal, but, alas, I have none). Once they were finished baking, I stuffed the tofu inside the squash and finished it off with some chopped hazelnuts. I also had a piece of whole grain toast and a small salad.
If you're still reading, here are a few things interesting about yours truly. (I was kindly tagged by Paulina to do so).

1. My favorite color is red. I know, I know a boring fact, but you don't understand the extent of this love. I don't just wear red, but I invest in it. My phone, my iPod, my planner, my dumbbells, my backpack--all red. The one exception is my camera; it dons my second favorite hue, pink.

2. I am currently obsessed with Enrique Iglesias's song "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song). I first heard it on VeggieGirl's dance video, and I have been flouncing to it ever since. Perhaps its appeal lies in the fact that I can relate to its sentiment...or maybe I just like Enrique's intensity. I think I played it only twice today...but the night is still young.

3. I have a "thing" for brightly colored coats. It all started with a turquoise coat I got for my birthday four years ago. Ever since then I have been collecting: a green pea coat, a pink rain coat, a red pea coat, and a magenta swing jacket. I'm always easy to spot in a crowd!

4. I can sing in random languages. Throughout middle- and high school, I took voice lessons and sang in my school's choir. Although cultivating my musical talents was the ultimate goal, I also picked up a knack at singing in foreign languages, including German, Italian, and French. Sometimes I just bust out with "Voi che sapete" or "Gretchen am spinnrade" when the mood strikes.

5. I have an addiction to magazine subscriptions. Ever since I got my first subscription to Self in 10th grade, I have been a mag devotee. At one point, I was subscribed to Women's Health, Today's Diet & Nutrition, Self, Fitness, Vegetarian Times, and Reader's Digest simultaneously. It's totally impractical since I have ZERO time to read them while I am at school, but I just can't bear to give them up--they're rich with such valuable information for my everyday life!

Whew! This post is excessively long. Congratulations if you made it this far. Feel free to share little nuggets about yourself--I'd love to know more about my readers! Ciao for now.

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.