Bitten by the Racing Bug

As you may know, I ran my first race a few weeks ago. I enjoyed my experience so much that I've signed on for another one...or three. My next race is this weekend (4/4); it's a 5K to support efforts to fight HIV/AIDS. I have two more planned before the end of the semester. They will give me something to look forward to in the midst of my nasty end-of-semester To Do lists. Exercise always makes for a good study break...as do cooking and magazine reading:) How do you keep yourself sane when life gets chaotic?

Due to my aforementioned vicious workload, I spent most of my weekend being lame and preparing for my presentation that I gave this morning. At least my eats kept me entertained...

Friday
Before my evening of relaxation with Alanna, I fueled up with a Taco Salad dinner: refried black beans with guacamole, salsa, and reduced-fat cheddar all atop a bed of greens. I scooped up the goodness with TJ's brand of baked blue corn chips. I might have to do a comparison post in the future of the Guiltless Gourmet variety and these guys. I also had some cantaloupe with strawberries.
My shake of the evening was fabulous: strawberries, banana, chocolate PB Spirutein, soymilk, plus Choco-Cherry granola and PB2. Lots of flavors going on but still delish.
Saturday
After unintentionally sleeping in, I settled in for quite the savory breakfast: Rachel's Sundried Tomato Pesto Cottage Cheese with olives and tomato atop a whole grain bagel. I also had some more luscious melon.
For lunch, I revamped my leftover refried black beans and made black bean hummus. I added lime juice, cumin, cayenne, and almond butter for southwest flavah. I shoveled it in with Ezekiel pita and snap peas. I also had some salad and an apple.
In continuation with Chobani Week, I sampled the peach variety for my snack. As recommended by K, I added lots of cinnamon...plus some cashews.
After far too many hours of staring at a computer screen, I pulled out dinner from the freezer: Gardenburger Chik'n Grill patties. I kept it simple and just sandwiched it between some whole grain bread with BBQ sauce. This concoction tasted eerily authentic. These might even rival Quorn for chicken-ness. On the side, I had some green beans with dill and greens with chopped pear, dates, and raspberry vinaigrette.
My smoothie was a berry-chocolate explosion. I combined raspberries, blueberries, soymilk, chocolate rice protein, and dark cocoa--LOTS of flavor here. I topped it off with coconut and Choco-Cherry granola.
Sunday
Announcing...Alphabet Oats! I started off with A yesterday: applesauce, apricots, and almond butter. I also cooked the oats in a bit of rice milk and cinnamon. An unconventional but tasty combination.
I didn't have much motivation to cook for lunch yesterday, so I just stuck with an old stand-by: sweet potato with hummus. I added a dash of cumin and cayenne to make it appear as if I put forth some effort in this meal. That's the end of the snap peas on the side, plus a salad with almonds and cantaloupe.
I am slipping into my snack rut again...I just had plain yogurt with pumpkin and Dark Chocolate Dreams PB.
After chapter, I came home pretty famished, so I made a quick wrap that I've enjoyed before: Peachy Nutty Tofurky Rollup. You can check out the recipe at Rudi's Bakery here. I used Laughing Cow instead of cream cheese, for the record. I also had a salad and some Brussels sprouts.
My shake was heavenly last night, due to the addition of an ingredient I rarely use: hot chocolate powder. I've had the canister sitting in my cupboard for months, but I decided to use it last night due to its calcium content. Since I am low on protein powder these days, I have been relying on my rice protein, which has no added vitamins or minerals. Thus, I turned to the hot chocolate for a calcium boost; it has 300 mg per serving. Anyway, I combined it with frozen strawberries, soymilk, rice protein, and dark cocoa. I topped it with shredded coconut.
Monday
I was a nervous wreck this morning prior to my presentation, so I just dumped a few items on my plate before heading out the door. I had toast with almond butter and Rachel's Pear Mangosteen Cottage Cheese with chopped pear. I am officially addicted to Rachel's cottage cheese.
One quick reminder before I bid you adieu:

You can still enter your favorite dessert recipe for Jenna's Dessert E-Cookbook. You have until April 1st at 5PM; send entries to HelpJennaRun@gmail.com. I know I'll be sending in my recipe ASAP!

Later, bloggies:)

Another Denim Tragedy

Today I had to say farewell to another pair of well-loved jeans. This particular pair has been with me for while--my mom bought them for me just before I entered my junior year of high school. They fast became the "favorite" pair because of their perfect length and fit, as well as their wardrobe versatility. Indeed, they introduced me to the wonderful world of designer jeans, and I soon realized that Sevens were just made my body. Do you have a favorite pair of pants? How about a favorite brand of jeans?

Anyway, I realized after last wearing these jeans, that they had become paper thin on the left butt cheek, exactly where my last pair jeans wore out...weird. It will be rough, but I'll have to part with my beloved denim somehow...

Aside from busting my pants, I have done some eating too.

Wednesday
Ever since I picked up these blue corn chips last week, I've been itching to make a taco salad...so I did. Black beans, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and salsa went into the bowl, with plenty of corn chips to soak up the goodness. I had a combo of grapes and blueberries on the side.

I had an unexpected assignment to complete that night, so I had mucho work to do and not much time. Hence, dinner was pretty simple: Jamaican Jerk Tofu using this recipe (which is also in my new cookbook), sweet potato with walnuts and cinnamon, and an apple.
The smoothie was a repeat combination that might seem odd but tastes delicious: cherries and peaches. I mixed it with the usual Nutribody and soymilk.
Thursday
When I spotted this Apple Pie Yogurt at Whole Foods, I knew I must try it. After all, I've made several parfaits in hopes of simulating the apple pie taste experience. Clearly, it went into the basket, and clearly, I had to make a breakfast parfait. I used Honey Nut Os, chopped apple, said yogurt, and ground flax. Honestly, Stonyfield, I was a tad disappointed by your rendition of apple pie. I think Cascade Fresh makes a better version--if only it were organic! If you're interested, I reviewed Cascade Fresh here.
For lunch yesterday, I was craving more of that yummy bok choy and adzuki bean combination. This time I just steamed the bok choy and asparagus, then added the beans and topped with peanut sauce. Supah-delish. On the side, I had rice crackers, a nectarine, and a side salad.
I bought a cucumber last week for one reason only: so I could make tzatziki. I combined a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt with grated cukes, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and dill. Voila! I fabulous sauce for pita! I also cooked up some cubed tofu with Bragg's and oregano and stuffed it into the pita with a handful of spinach. Along with it, I had some squash, more Greek yogurt with sliced banana, and spinach with Woodstock dressing.
The shake last night was a combination of chocolate-covered cherries and chocolate-covered strawberries. Yeah, it was pretty amazing. Cherries, strawberries, chocolate rice protein, special dark cocoa, and soymilk made for a tasty treat.
Friday
I found myself with a rather empty schedule today, so I whipped up some vegan banana pancakes. I topped them with that maple agave blend, and a few almonds. I washed it all down with rice milk (in a frog cup).
Whole Foods loot:
Sadly, nothing exciting this week (except for the new issue of VT).

In an effort to find another use for the Jamaican jerk seasoning I bought for the tofu (see above), I made some Jamaican jerk black beans for lunch. I combined the seasoning with black beans, bell peppers, and onion. Pita was there to sop up the goodness; dessert was an apple with white chocolate PB.
I received a suggestion from my girl over at GlidingCalm today for a post devoted to protein powders. I would be more than happy to do a protein powder post in the future, but it got me thinking...what topics would like to see in my Sunday feature posts? I am always open to new ideas!

Enjoy your weekend!