"It's Not Unusual"...or Is It?

I had a rather "unusual" event happen today while at the gym. I was groovin' away on the treadmill listening to my iPod and simultaneously watching the Rachael Ray Show (one of my fave programs). Today was a big show in that Rachael had invited a special guest, whom she was beyond excited to host on the program: she had invited her teenage heart-throb, Tom Jones. Just as he appeared on stage, what song begins to play on my iPod? (I'll give you a hint: it's in the title of this post). What are the odds of that?!

Have you had any strange coincidences lately?

Anyway, I am getting ever closer to the end. I turned in my two papers today, and I have my final in approximately 36 hours. Based on my calculations, I can get a 78 on the exam and still pull out an A in the course. Sweet.

I've got some super-cool grub to share today:

Monday
The smoothie of the evening featured peaches, mangoes, soymilk, and Nutribody protein. Excellent.
Tuesday
Remember my past infatuation with Weetabix? It's back, but this time I've tried it in a new way: HOT! I poured some scalding rice milk over a few broken up biscuits, then added some nutmeg and agave nectar on top. So warm, so soggy, so sweet--just the way I like it. On the side I had an apple with almond butter.
For lunch, I attempted to revamp leftover lentil soup by converting it into a shepherd's pie. I cooked the lentil soup with some sliced mushrooms until it reduced down to a stew-like consistency. Then I added some garlicky mashed potatoes with dill on top. If I were more ambitious I would have actually baked it in the oven, but I was too hungry for such nonsense. On the side, I had a spinach salad with pom seeds and pecans.
Dinner was inspired by the Broccoli Cashew Teriyaki Tofu Stir-Fry from ED&BV. I used peanuts instead of cashews and changed up the vegetables according to what I had on hand. It was delicious, of course; Dreena never lets me down. I served it alongside some whole grain couscous and an orange.
The shake of the evening was one of my favorite combinations: frozen banana, strawberries, soymilk, chocolate brown rice protein, and special dark cocoa.
Wednesday
I woke up famished today! To fill the void, I decided a protein-y breakfast was best. Scrambled tofu to the rescue! This version featured tahini, soy sauce, ginger, mushrooms, and red onion. I had some toast on the side to soak up the scrambled goodness as well as a sliced apple.
After some intense stat calculation, I broke for a simple lunch. I had a baked potato along with some of Imagine's broccoli soup. I also had some carrots with salsa (a la K) and peaches with pecans and cinnamon. I ended up spooning some of the soup on top of the potato, which ended up being quite a delicious idea.
Hummus pizza was on the menu tonight. I split a pita and smeared each half with a good dose of hummus, then topped them with mushrooms, tomato, basil, oregano, and a few tablespoons of pine nuts. Everything got nice and toasty in the oven. On the side, I had a spinach salad with pom seeds and my homemade lemony sweet dill dressing.
Before I go, I have a quick question for you all: What's your favorite time of day to exercise? My roommate and I discuss this topic a lot, weighing the pros and cons of morning versus evening. I am a morning gal myself, but I was just curious as to what your preferences were and why.

Next time I post, I will be HOME!

Toodles.

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!