Hey all! This is just a quick post to avoid an excessively long one later this evening. I have been triple tagged by Vegan Nurse, Kristin from Kristin's Nibbles, and Cassie from Fast, Fresh, and Fit. In case you don't know the rules for the survey are as follows:
- link to your tagger and post these rules
- share 5 facts about yourself
- Tag 5 people at the end and list their names linking to them
- let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog
I am going to be a rebel, however, and not tag 5 more people. I am almost certain that most of my blogger friends have already been tagged. If you would like to share some facts about yourself, please feel free to leave a comment!
Anyway, here a few more fun facts about Caroline:
1. I have multiple nicknames, and the list keeps growing. My first nickname was Carnie, which morphed into Crannie, Crannie Puss, Cran, Cran Apple, Frannie, Frannie Pants...seriously, I'll answer to anything.
2. I've had a flickr account for a while; my user name is tofurky1224 (in case you can't tell, I used to be mildly obsessed with Tofurky). I used to post occasionally to the Laptop Lunch group when I had to pack lunches and dinners to take to work. Check it out if you're interested in my past creations!
3. I don't have a Southern accent, even though I live in the Heart of Dixie. I am not a true Southerner--I was born in Pittsburgh, but we moved to Alabama when I was 8. When I went to college, I got a few confused looks when I told people my hometown. "You don't sound like you're from Alabama..." I guess my speech patterns have "neutralized" by living in both the North and South.
4. I love to organize, especially when it comes to food-related items. One of the first things I do when I come home from college is to reorganize the pantry and refrigerator, and I get a bit cranky when people don't follow my "system." Here's the kicker: I love to alphabetize and color code practically anything. OK, I think that's enough info about my obsessiveness.
5. Besides the Food Network, one of my favorite channels to watch is TLC. My favorite shows are Little People, Big World, Jon and Kate Plus Eight, and What Not to Wear.
Those are all pretty random factoids, but I hope you found at least one of them enjoyable. Be back later!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Last-Minute Meals
For the past few days, mealtimes have snuck up on me. Usually, I have a general idea of what I want to make before I get into the kitchen, but recently I have been focusing on my upcoming summer classes and all that they require (textbooks, ID card, proof of immunization...). To begin my journey to RD certification, I will be taking Intro to Nutrition and Human Anatomy. I am pretty psyched for my nutrition class because it is an obvious passion of mine; plus, the course is even using the same textbook I used for my independent study in high school. Hopefully, that means I'll ace the class:) My anatomy class has got me nervous though. I am an English and psychology major at my current university, so I have never taken a college-level science course, much less any course with a 4-hour lab! Yikes! I'll definitely have to bring some snackage for lab days, although I am not so sure I'll be in the mood to eat anything amidst dissected human flesh...
Anyway, as a result of my distractions, my meals have been pretty simple and spontaneous.
Thursday
Thursday morning I tried oat bran for the first time. I prepared mine by cooking them with unsweetened apple sauce; I topped the bowl off with some cinnamon, sliced almonds, and a drizzle of agave. Quite an enjoyable breakfast! I'll be sure to experiment with oat bran in the future.
Yesterday's lunch presented a rare experience for me: I just didn't know what to eat. I stared at the pantry shelves for a good ten minutes before I gave up and made a banana and peanut butter sandwich. It may be simple, but it never fails to disappoint. When I got around to preparing my salad to go with it, my creative juices started flowing a little more freely. I topped my greens and sliced tomato with soy nuts and a dressing made from Grey Poupon, balsamic vinegar, and agave nectar. This meal kept me full forever!
For dinner, I was desperate to get rid of these refried beans. One annoying thing about being the only vegetarian in my house is that it takes me forever to finish a can of beans. Nobody else eats them, so I am stuck with 15 oz. of the same ingredient all week long! Anyway, I decided to make a cheese-less quesadilla (inspired by Cafe VegNews) with refried beans, cumin, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and a touch of garlic, spread on a Rudi's whole grain tortilla. On the side I had some salsa for dipping, steamed broccoli, and a salad. While I was preparing the quesadilla, I got distracted and left it to cook. When I came back I found a big mess! (See below for the evidence). Oops.
My snack last night was a raspberry smoothie, using nonfat organic plain yogurt, silken tofu, raspberry Spirutein, wheat germ, and maple syrup. Totally hit the spot.
Friday
Again, this morning I had no idea what I wanted for breakfast, so I turned to the freezer for inspiration. I dug out a carob muffin top that I had made over spring break. I thoroughly enjoyed dunking it in a glass of almond milk. I also had some berries with wheat germ.
Due to an afternoon of shopping and a grocery run, I didn't get to eat lunch until 4 PM today. Needless to say, my tummy was flat-out yelling at me. I decided to make a Trio Salad Plate, inspired by a restaurant near me called O'Carr's. Amongst other things, they serve chicken salad, garden salad, fruit salad, plus exotic and tasty crackers. My version wasn't exactly exotic, but it was tasty. I had three-bean salad and my absent-egg salad atop greens with Kashis and a red pear on the side.
With a squash in the fridge and a new can of no-salt added tomatoes in the pantry, I decided the time was ripe for ratatouille. I have no idea how to make authentic ratatouille, but I made my version by sauteeing the squash with diced onion and half a can of diced tomatoes. I added a generous dose of herbes de provence and a sprinkle of salt. I let it simmer for about 15 minutes, and I perfect summer meal was born. I enjoyed this dish with a side salad and some pieces of flatbread (yes, I still have wraps and tortillas left!). For a sweet ending to the meal, I had some fresh strawberries and blueberries with sliced almonds and a drizzle of agave (I use a lot of that stuff, don't I?).
Tomorrow I head to the gym of the university I'll be attending this summer. Incidentally, my sister takes her MBA classes from the same university, so we're heading over there together tomorrow morning. I am super psyched because it is a new recreation center, complete with all new equipment, a track, and even a lazy river! Yes, I realize I am a fitness dork.
Afterward, we're headed to the lake again to celebrate Memorial Day. (Sunshine and watermelon, anyone?) Enjoy the long weekend!
Anyway, as a result of my distractions, my meals have been pretty simple and spontaneous.
Thursday
Thursday morning I tried oat bran for the first time. I prepared mine by cooking them with unsweetened apple sauce; I topped the bowl off with some cinnamon, sliced almonds, and a drizzle of agave. Quite an enjoyable breakfast! I'll be sure to experiment with oat bran in the future.
Yesterday's lunch presented a rare experience for me: I just didn't know what to eat. I stared at the pantry shelves for a good ten minutes before I gave up and made a banana and peanut butter sandwich. It may be simple, but it never fails to disappoint. When I got around to preparing my salad to go with it, my creative juices started flowing a little more freely. I topped my greens and sliced tomato with soy nuts and a dressing made from Grey Poupon, balsamic vinegar, and agave nectar. This meal kept me full forever!
For dinner, I was desperate to get rid of these refried beans. One annoying thing about being the only vegetarian in my house is that it takes me forever to finish a can of beans. Nobody else eats them, so I am stuck with 15 oz. of the same ingredient all week long! Anyway, I decided to make a cheese-less quesadilla (inspired by Cafe VegNews) with refried beans, cumin, red pepper flakes, chili powder, and a touch of garlic, spread on a Rudi's whole grain tortilla. On the side I had some salsa for dipping, steamed broccoli, and a salad. While I was preparing the quesadilla, I got distracted and left it to cook. When I came back I found a big mess! (See below for the evidence). Oops. 
My snack last night was a raspberry smoothie, using nonfat organic plain yogurt, silken tofu, raspberry Spirutein, wheat germ, and maple syrup. Totally hit the spot.
FridayAgain, this morning I had no idea what I wanted for breakfast, so I turned to the freezer for inspiration. I dug out a carob muffin top that I had made over spring break. I thoroughly enjoyed dunking it in a glass of almond milk. I also had some berries with wheat germ.
Due to an afternoon of shopping and a grocery run, I didn't get to eat lunch until 4 PM today. Needless to say, my tummy was flat-out yelling at me. I decided to make a Trio Salad Plate, inspired by a restaurant near me called O'Carr's. Amongst other things, they serve chicken salad, garden salad, fruit salad, plus exotic and tasty crackers. My version wasn't exactly exotic, but it was tasty. I had three-bean salad and my absent-egg salad atop greens with Kashis and a red pear on the side. 
With a squash in the fridge and a new can of no-salt added tomatoes in the pantry, I decided the time was ripe for ratatouille. I have no idea how to make authentic ratatouille, but I made my version by sauteeing the squash with diced onion and half a can of diced tomatoes. I added a generous dose of herbes de provence and a sprinkle of salt. I let it simmer for about 15 minutes, and I perfect summer meal was born. I enjoyed this dish with a side salad and some pieces of flatbread (yes, I still have wraps and tortillas left!). For a sweet ending to the meal, I had some fresh strawberries and blueberries with sliced almonds and a drizzle of agave (I use a lot of that stuff, don't I?).
Tomorrow I head to the gym of the university I'll be attending this summer. Incidentally, my sister takes her MBA classes from the same university, so we're heading over there together tomorrow morning. I am super psyched because it is a new recreation center, complete with all new equipment, a track, and even a lazy river! Yes, I realize I am a fitness dork. Afterward, we're headed to the lake again to celebrate Memorial Day. (Sunshine and watermelon, anyone?) Enjoy the long weekend!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Squash Fest!
Once again, upon examination of my photos over the past few days, I noticed a trend. This time it was the frequency with which I cooked different kinds of squash. I need to curtail my carotene intake because I have a tendency to turn orange! My hands turn an unattractive shade of yellow if I eat too many carrots, too much squash, or an excess of pumpkin. My dad likes to tease me by calling me "beta carotene Betty." Very funny.
Aside from the plentiful pumpkin, I have also tried a few new food finds over the past few days. I took pictures of the packaging for your benefit:)
Monday
Just after I signed off from my last post, I treated myself to my nightly shake, although this one was more like a smoothie. I used the "tropical" flavor of Spirutein and added some nonfat plain organic yogurt, some frozen mango I found in the freezer, shredded coconut, and a drizzle of agave. It tasted just like a pina colada (I apologize for the lack of tilde over the "n." I can't figure out how to insert that symbol). I love coconut so much--it's so chewy and, well, tropical!
Tuesday
Breakfast on Tuesday consisted of the last bran muffin top from the freezer, a raspberry smoothie (frozen organic raspberries + almond milk), and a handful of cashews. This was kind of a "ho-hum" breakfast. Seeds always put a damper on my enjoyment of a smoothie.
Lunch was a bit more exciting, at least. I toasted up some more whole wheat tortillas with a sprinkling of chili powder for another serving of tortilla chips, and I added a few more ingredients for a delicious taco salad. I used organic greens, refried pinto beans, lots of salsa, and mashed avocado. That's a sliced Rome apple on the side. 
For a snack I had a bowl of Grape Nut Flakes, my first new food find. These aren't really new to the market or anything, but I had never tried them before. They're my kind of cereal: really short ingredients list, slightly sweet, and they lend themselves to sogginess. Yum! 
My dinner was a tad strange last night but tasty nonetheless. I started out wanting a grilled cheese, but I remembered all those tortillas in the fridge, plus I needed protein, and I wanted to try my soup I had just thawed, yada, yada....So I ended up with a grilled hummus and organic mozzarella wrap and a bowl of homemade butternut squash soup. I also had some dried figs and a side salad (not pictured). 
As predicted, my need for chocolate returned after a short hiatus. Last night's shake was comprised of a frozen banana, chocolate Spirutein, cocoa powder, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. So good. 
Wednesday
I had an excellent breakfast this morning, mostly because of another new food find. I had a whole grain mini bagel with sunflower seed butter and a peach smoothie (frozen peaches + almond milk + cinnamon). I love this new nut butter! It has a host of vitamins and minerals, it has a great texture, and it tastes delicious! Two thumbs up. If any of you suffer from celiac disease or a peanut allergy, this product is gluten- and peanut-free. I really like these mini bagels too, probably just because they are miniature:)
For lunch today, my dad and I made a trip to Johnny Rocket's, mostly because I printed out a coupon for a free "Streamliner," which is basically a souped up Boca burger. We got it to-go because my dad was in his "nasty clothes" (i.e. his clothes for doing chores around the house). Once we were home, I supplemented my burger with steamed spinach and a pear. It was meh. I think I like the texture of wheat buns more than white buns now. Plus, my pear wasn't ripe yet. Bah.
My dinner arose from a combination of spaghetti squash recipes. Lindsay from The Happy Herbivore held a contest a while back for the best spaghetti squash recipe, and Ruby's tomato soup suggestion won. Then I looked at Kath's collection of spaghetti squash recipes and saw her chili. What I ended up with is what Rachael Ray would call a "stoup"--something between a soup and a stew. My concoction had lots of leftover spaghetti squash, diced tomatoes, vegetarian burger crumbles, plus my favorite spices. This was really filling! In addition to what you see here, I had another bowl plus a flatbread for dipping. Whoa. Well,
I'm off to be a slug until this full feeling wears off. Hope you have a restful evening!
Aside from the plentiful pumpkin, I have also tried a few new food finds over the past few days. I took pictures of the packaging for your benefit:)
Monday
Just after I signed off from my last post, I treated myself to my nightly shake, although this one was more like a smoothie. I used the "tropical" flavor of Spirutein and added some nonfat plain organic yogurt, some frozen mango I found in the freezer, shredded coconut, and a drizzle of agave. It tasted just like a pina colada (I apologize for the lack of tilde over the "n." I can't figure out how to insert that symbol). I love coconut so much--it's so chewy and, well, tropical!
TuesdayBreakfast on Tuesday consisted of the last bran muffin top from the freezer, a raspberry smoothie (frozen organic raspberries + almond milk), and a handful of cashews. This was kind of a "ho-hum" breakfast. Seeds always put a damper on my enjoyment of a smoothie.
Lunch was a bit more exciting, at least. I toasted up some more whole wheat tortillas with a sprinkling of chili powder for another serving of tortilla chips, and I added a few more ingredients for a delicious taco salad. I used organic greens, refried pinto beans, lots of salsa, and mashed avocado. That's a sliced Rome apple on the side. 
For a snack I had a bowl of Grape Nut Flakes, my first new food find. These aren't really new to the market or anything, but I had never tried them before. They're my kind of cereal: really short ingredients list, slightly sweet, and they lend themselves to sogginess. Yum! 
My dinner was a tad strange last night but tasty nonetheless. I started out wanting a grilled cheese, but I remembered all those tortillas in the fridge, plus I needed protein, and I wanted to try my soup I had just thawed, yada, yada....So I ended up with a grilled hummus and organic mozzarella wrap and a bowl of homemade butternut squash soup. I also had some dried figs and a side salad (not pictured). 
As predicted, my need for chocolate returned after a short hiatus. Last night's shake was comprised of a frozen banana, chocolate Spirutein, cocoa powder, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. So good. 
WednesdayI had an excellent breakfast this morning, mostly because of another new food find. I had a whole grain mini bagel with sunflower seed butter and a peach smoothie (frozen peaches + almond milk + cinnamon). I love this new nut butter! It has a host of vitamins and minerals, it has a great texture, and it tastes delicious! Two thumbs up. If any of you suffer from celiac disease or a peanut allergy, this product is gluten- and peanut-free. I really like these mini bagels too, probably just because they are miniature:)
For lunch today, my dad and I made a trip to Johnny Rocket's, mostly because I printed out a coupon for a free "Streamliner," which is basically a souped up Boca burger. We got it to-go because my dad was in his "nasty clothes" (i.e. his clothes for doing chores around the house). Once we were home, I supplemented my burger with steamed spinach and a pear. It was meh. I think I like the texture of wheat buns more than white buns now. Plus, my pear wasn't ripe yet. Bah. 
My dinner arose from a combination of spaghetti squash recipes. Lindsay from The Happy Herbivore held a contest a while back for the best spaghetti squash recipe, and Ruby's tomato soup suggestion won. Then I looked at Kath's collection of spaghetti squash recipes and saw her chili. What I ended up with is what Rachael Ray would call a "stoup"--something between a soup and a stew. My concoction had lots of leftover spaghetti squash, diced tomatoes, vegetarian burger crumbles, plus my favorite spices. This was really filling! In addition to what you see here, I had another bowl plus a flatbread for dipping. Whoa. Well,
I'm off to be a slug until this full feeling wears off. Hope you have a restful evening!
Monday, May 19, 2008
I'm ba-ack...
Yep, I've returned from my weekend jaunt down to South Alabama. It was great to meet the groom's side of the family but a tad overwhelming. There must have been at least 60 people at the barbecue on Saturday night, and they were all related. It's kinda cool though, because they all live on one (lovely) street. Grandma, the kids, cousins, grandkids--they're all within walking distance of one another. Part of me is jealous of such a convenient arrangement, but then the other part of me remembers those times when I "need my space" from my family members...
As you might expect, vegetarian options are limited in South Alabama. The bridal shower was held at a place called the Fly Creek Cafe, a local bayside joint that serves fried fish and the like. The view, the weather, and the company were all wonderful, but food was a bit less than stellar. There was a fixed menu for our gathering, and the options were: hamburger, fried fish sandwich, or a shrimp po- boy. Uh-oh. Just as I was about to open my mouth to order, the groom's mother stepped in and asked for a salad for me. I was so grateful to her for remembering my dietary preferences, but this locale's idea of a salad was a small mound of iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, and shredded mozzarella. I am not much of a cheese person, so I attempted to spear just the lettuce and tomato. When it came time for the monogrammed petit fours, I was hungry enough to indulge a bit by having a few bites. I made up for the lack of calories later by eating an apple pie Larabar.
I was pleasantly surprised at the barbecue by a few vegetarian options on the buffet table. Imagine my delight when I found a delicious bean salad with red onion and green bell pepper (I even went back for seconds!). I also helped myself to some sliced tomato and homemade sweet pickles. My self-control apparently took a hiatus this weekend because I also treated myself to the icing from my sister's abandoned piece of coconut cake (she detests anything coconut!). It was delicious!
I got a lot of teasing as a result of my vegetarianism, and a lot of questions like, "you don't even eat fish?!" It's an understandable question considering we were in a city by the Gulf of Mexico, but the whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable. I fear that my diet makes me seem "picky," "snooty," or "attention-seeking," when really I am just trying to make the most ethical, responsible, and healthful choices I can. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you feel alienated because you eat healthfully or because you don't eat certain things?
Onto the food, already! Before I left, I made sure to pack a snack grab-bag which included: Larabars, low-sodium V8, Justin's Nut Butters, vegan jerky, pretzel braids, and a couple Odwalla carrot-raisin bars. I didn't end up needing most of it, but as they say, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Saturday
My only picture from this day is my breakfast, and it's a pretty pathetic picture. In case you can't see through the lovely Christmas themed Ziploc, I had an apple, high-fiber cereal, and some almonds. Picture-taking and riding in the car are not exactly compatible activities.
Sunday
I returned to my own kitchen on Sunday afternoon. After a refreshing run (on which I think I re-injured my ankle...argh!), I refueled with some dried plums and some Thin Cakes spread with cashew butter. I have decided that I love this combination for an afternoon snack. Dried fruit with some nuts/nut butter, and a few crackers keeps my hunger at bay until dinner--which means fewer scoops into the kitchen candy bowl!
We had hot dogs for dinner. On our trip to Publix (very close second to Whole Foods in my estimation!), I picked up some Smart Dogs and a pack of Arnold Whole Wheat hot dog buns. I've decided that I really like Arnold as a brand--whole grain and no HFCS=good buy. After grilling it on my spiffy George Foreman, I dressed my dog with ketchup and mustard (Chi Omega colors!), and I had a side salad with green beans. I also had a strawberry-banana soy yogurt for dessert:)
The evening smoothie consisted of peaches 'n cream: frozen peaches, nonfat organic plain yogurt, vanilla Spirutein, and a generous dose of pumpkin flax granola and agave nectar.
Monday
After much hemming and hawing, I decided to make pumpkin oats this morning. I had a blueberry soy yogurt on the side. Yum!
Lunch was a burrito made with refried beans, mashed avocado, and salsa in a Rudi's Organic Whole Grain Tortilla. I apologize for the poor photo quality--the camera battery was running out. Organic greens and an orange rounded out the meal.
Spaghetti squash was the main ingredient for dinner. I roasted it, then combined it with broccoli, garlic, soy sauce, tahini, and a cut up Quorn cutlet. Delicious! Why did it take me so long to discover tahini? I also had a side salad and some whole grain graham crackers for dessert.
Well, I had promised to write a skimpier post today, but apparently I failed in doing so. I guess I just like to type too much...Be back Wednesday!
As you might expect, vegetarian options are limited in South Alabama. The bridal shower was held at a place called the Fly Creek Cafe, a local bayside joint that serves fried fish and the like. The view, the weather, and the company were all wonderful, but food was a bit less than stellar. There was a fixed menu for our gathering, and the options were: hamburger, fried fish sandwich, or a shrimp po- boy. Uh-oh. Just as I was about to open my mouth to order, the groom's mother stepped in and asked for a salad for me. I was so grateful to her for remembering my dietary preferences, but this locale's idea of a salad was a small mound of iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, and shredded mozzarella. I am not much of a cheese person, so I attempted to spear just the lettuce and tomato. When it came time for the monogrammed petit fours, I was hungry enough to indulge a bit by having a few bites. I made up for the lack of calories later by eating an apple pie Larabar.
I was pleasantly surprised at the barbecue by a few vegetarian options on the buffet table. Imagine my delight when I found a delicious bean salad with red onion and green bell pepper (I even went back for seconds!). I also helped myself to some sliced tomato and homemade sweet pickles. My self-control apparently took a hiatus this weekend because I also treated myself to the icing from my sister's abandoned piece of coconut cake (she detests anything coconut!). It was delicious!
I got a lot of teasing as a result of my vegetarianism, and a lot of questions like, "you don't even eat fish?!" It's an understandable question considering we were in a city by the Gulf of Mexico, but the whole thing makes me feel uncomfortable. I fear that my diet makes me seem "picky," "snooty," or "attention-seeking," when really I am just trying to make the most ethical, responsible, and healthful choices I can. Has anyone else had a similar experience? Do you feel alienated because you eat healthfully or because you don't eat certain things?
Onto the food, already! Before I left, I made sure to pack a snack grab-bag which included: Larabars, low-sodium V8, Justin's Nut Butters, vegan jerky, pretzel braids, and a couple Odwalla carrot-raisin bars. I didn't end up needing most of it, but as they say, it's better to be safe than sorry.
SaturdayMy only picture from this day is my breakfast, and it's a pretty pathetic picture. In case you can't see through the lovely Christmas themed Ziploc, I had an apple, high-fiber cereal, and some almonds. Picture-taking and riding in the car are not exactly compatible activities.
SundayI returned to my own kitchen on Sunday afternoon. After a refreshing run (on which I think I re-injured my ankle...argh!), I refueled with some dried plums and some Thin Cakes spread with cashew butter. I have decided that I love this combination for an afternoon snack. Dried fruit with some nuts/nut butter, and a few crackers keeps my hunger at bay until dinner--which means fewer scoops into the kitchen candy bowl!
We had hot dogs for dinner. On our trip to Publix (very close second to Whole Foods in my estimation!), I picked up some Smart Dogs and a pack of Arnold Whole Wheat hot dog buns. I've decided that I really like Arnold as a brand--whole grain and no HFCS=good buy. After grilling it on my spiffy George Foreman, I dressed my dog with ketchup and mustard (Chi Omega colors!), and I had a side salad with green beans. I also had a strawberry-banana soy yogurt for dessert:) 
The evening smoothie consisted of peaches 'n cream: frozen peaches, nonfat organic plain yogurt, vanilla Spirutein, and a generous dose of pumpkin flax granola and agave nectar. 
MondayAfter much hemming and hawing, I decided to make pumpkin oats this morning. I had a blueberry soy yogurt on the side. Yum!
Lunch was a burrito made with refried beans, mashed avocado, and salsa in a Rudi's Organic Whole Grain Tortilla. I apologize for the poor photo quality--the camera battery was running out. Organic greens and an orange rounded out the meal.
Spaghetti squash was the main ingredient for dinner. I roasted it, then combined it with broccoli, garlic, soy sauce, tahini, and a cut up Quorn cutlet. Delicious! Why did it take me so long to discover tahini? I also had a side salad and some whole grain graham crackers for dessert. 
Well, I had promised to write a skimpier post today, but apparently I failed in doing so. I guess I just like to type too much...Be back Wednesday!Friday, May 16, 2008
Summer Essentials
I spent most of today shopping for summer essentials with my mom. After finally unpacking all of my clothing from school, I realized that I had no white sandals! Considering how many sundresses I wear during the summertime, I decided that I needed to go shoe shopping; as anyone who knows me can attest, shoe shopping is one of my favorite activities! I found some at Aldo for a reasonable price. Afterward, we headed to The Gap, where I was delighted to discover that I can wear their pants!
I plan on wearing my purchases to a bridal shower tomorrow. Friends of the groom have planned a little shindig for my sister (the bride) tomorrow in Fairhope, AL. Fairhope is about 4 hours from Birmingham, so my other sister, my mom, and I are getting up at 6:30 tomorrow to drive down there. The shower is a luncheon, plus there is a barbecue later that evening. I'll bring my camera, but I doubt I'll be able to sneak pictures. I am not anticipating many vegetarian options; the groom's whole family seems to think I am crazy for eschewing animal products. Guess that means I'll have to bring some of my own grub. Introvert that I am, I am a little anxious about the whole day. Mingling with a room full of strangers is not exactly my cup of tea...Luckily, I think I'll have tomorrow afternoon (between the two events) to exercise and recharge my social battery:)
My meals have been full of summer essentials lately as well. Lots of smoothies, picnic food, and fresh produce--love it!
Wednesday
Wednesday's evening shake was a chocolate-peanut butter swirl. Chocolate Spirutein, peanut butter, and nonfat plain yogurt made this tasty treat. For garnish I used this stuff called PB2, which is basically peanut powder. It's supposed to be a peanut butter alternative; you add water to "reconstitute" it. Obviously, nothing could ever replace the real thing for me, so I just use for decoration and extra flavor in my shakes.
Lunch yesterday consisted of picnic foods. I heated up the last of those never-ending baked beans, and I rolled up a Smart Dog in a small whole wheat tortilla with ketchup and mustard (thanks for the idea, lighterportions!). I also had an apple and a side salad.
For dinner I made a green burger wrap using mashed avocado, a cut up Boca burger, and spinach. In addition to the orange, I also had a side salad and lots of sugar snap peas. Sorry for all my bad close ups--when I make wraps, I should really cut it in half and show you a cross section.
Last night, I broke from chocolate routine and made a vanilla-spice shake. I used this time in combination with Herbateinnonfat plain yogurt, agave nectar, cinnamon, and a sprinkling of Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Granola. I got this granola on a whim at Sam's Club last week (two pack), without ever trying it. Fortunately, I love it! There are visible pepitas and flax seeds throughout, both of which are so healthful!
Today's lunch was another wrap, using the other Wildwood Tofu Burger (cut up) with some steamed squash. I also had some almonds and an orange.
Since we're leaving for the weekend, I didn't want to open up another can of beans or another block of tofu for dinner tonight. Instead, I relied on the freezer and found some Quorn Naked Cutlets. In continuing my effort to use up all these tortillas, I made fajitas. I sauteed a green bell pepper with chili powder and garlic and added a cut up cutlet. Mashed avocado and salsa made for the perfect condiments. Although they are not pictured, I also had a side salad and another smoothie (raspberries+almond milk).
Whew! My posts are getting longer these days. Next post might be a little skimpier due to my weekend commitments, so you'll get a reprieve from my epic blabbering. Enjoy your weekend!
I plan on wearing my purchases to a bridal shower tomorrow. Friends of the groom have planned a little shindig for my sister (the bride) tomorrow in Fairhope, AL. Fairhope is about 4 hours from Birmingham, so my other sister, my mom, and I are getting up at 6:30 tomorrow to drive down there. The shower is a luncheon, plus there is a barbecue later that evening. I'll bring my camera, but I doubt I'll be able to sneak pictures. I am not anticipating many vegetarian options; the groom's whole family seems to think I am crazy for eschewing animal products. Guess that means I'll have to bring some of my own grub. Introvert that I am, I am a little anxious about the whole day. Mingling with a room full of strangers is not exactly my cup of tea...Luckily, I think I'll have tomorrow afternoon (between the two events) to exercise and recharge my social battery:)
My meals have been full of summer essentials lately as well. Lots of smoothies, picnic food, and fresh produce--love it!
Wednesday
Wednesday's evening shake was a chocolate-peanut butter swirl. Chocolate Spirutein, peanut butter, and nonfat plain yogurt made this tasty treat. For garnish I used this stuff called PB2, which is basically peanut powder. It's supposed to be a peanut butter alternative; you add water to "reconstitute" it. Obviously, nothing could ever replace the real thing for me, so I just use for decoration and extra flavor in my shakes.
Thursday
As recommended by Romina, I used up one of my many wraps by spreading it with nut butter and banana, then popping it in the oven for a few minutes. This breakfast pizza featured TJ's almond butter, a multigrain flatbread from Target, and a sliced banana. This was delicious! The almond butter got all bubbly and the flatbread was perfectly crispy. It doesn't look very pretty, but it sure hit the spot.
Lunch yesterday consisted of picnic foods. I heated up the last of those never-ending baked beans, and I rolled up a Smart Dog in a small whole wheat tortilla with ketchup and mustard (thanks for the idea, lighterportions!). I also had an apple and a side salad.
For dinner I made a green burger wrap using mashed avocado, a cut up Boca burger, and spinach. In addition to the orange, I also had a side salad and lots of sugar snap peas. Sorry for all my bad close ups--when I make wraps, I should really cut it in half and show you a cross section.
Last night, I broke from chocolate routine and made a vanilla-spice shake. I used this time in combination with Herbateinnonfat plain yogurt, agave nectar, cinnamon, and a sprinkling of Nature's Path Pumpkin Flax Granola. I got this granola on a whim at Sam's Club last week (two pack), without ever trying it. Fortunately, I love it! There are visible pepitas and flax seeds throughout, both of which are so healthful!
Friday
I liked that granola so much last night, that I decided to have some for breakfast. I also made a big smoothie with frozen berries and orange juice. I added a few ice cubes, which turned out to be a mistake. Plus, I think I like it better when I use almond milk or no juice at all--the orange kinda threw off my taste buds.
Today's lunch was another wrap, using the other Wildwood Tofu Burger (cut up) with some steamed squash. I also had some almonds and an orange.
Since we're leaving for the weekend, I didn't want to open up another can of beans or another block of tofu for dinner tonight. Instead, I relied on the freezer and found some Quorn Naked Cutlets. In continuing my effort to use up all these tortillas, I made fajitas. I sauteed a green bell pepper with chili powder and garlic and added a cut up cutlet. Mashed avocado and salsa made for the perfect condiments. Although they are not pictured, I also had a side salad and another smoothie (raspberries+almond milk). 
Whew! My posts are getting longer these days. Next post might be a little skimpier due to my weekend commitments, so you'll get a reprieve from my epic blabbering. Enjoy your weekend!
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