Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

In the midst of this miserably rainy day, I cannot help but channel my inner Jack Johnson; I am sitting, waiting and wishing--for spring break. In precisely 15 days, I will be headed for a weekend of fun in DC (where I will dine at Nora and Rock Creek), plus several days of relaxation at home (where I will participate in this 5K). My motivation for schoolwork is waning, but I've still got two tests and a paper separating me from my freedom. Wish me luck in the upcoming weeks!

What are you looking forward to these days?

At least I have my cooking to distract me from the monotony of classes...

Monday
Although the dining committee had intended to dine out at a local Mediterranean place, that plan somehow crumbled. To be honest, I was a bit bummed. Instead, I grabbed a quick salad from the salad bar to which I added my own navy beans. I also made a pesto potato salad, as inspired by Ellie Krieger. I used that pesto in a tube again, and my love for pesto grows each time I use it. Anyone have a good recipe for homemade pesto?
I opted for a classic combo for the smoothie: strawberry-banana. Never fails to satisfy:)
Tuesday
I found myself with a little extra time yesterday morning before class, so I decided banana fingers would be a good breakfast option. I dipped banana in plain yogurt, then rolled it in crushed Peanut Butter Pows cereal. That's Sunbutter on the side--perfect consistency for dipping!
For lunch, I tried out one of my new TJ's finds, Low-Sodium Butternut Squash Soup. This soup tasted notably sweeter than others that I have tried, likely due to the absence of salt. I played up the sweetness factor by adding a dash of cinnamon and handful of pecans. Along with it, I had a grilled hummus sandwich, greens, and peaches.
Last night was pasta night for me. I made a quick puttanesca sauce out of tomato sauce, basil, oregano, minced garlic, ground red pepper, and olives. I added white beans for protein and poured the goodness all over some whole grain angel hair pasta. I had a salad with red bell pepper strips as well.
Last night's smoothie was a new delicious combination for me: strawberry and mango. Let's face it: I'll eat anything with mango in it.
Wednesday
In contrast to yesterday morning, today I was running short on time, so I whipped up a quick Banana Bread Blender. This rendition included frozen banana, GoLean, spelt flakes, soymilk, cinnamon, vanilla, and cashews. I just love this stuff--it's like good-for-you pudding! You're a genius, Katie.
Given the present weather conditions, all I feel like doing now is changing into my H&M lounge pants and red fuzzy slippers. What's your relaxation uniform? Are you a fan of sweats or yoga pants? We all have our individual lounging preferences, I think:)

Enjoy your Wednesday!

Spaz on Skates

Now, I've never claimed to be the most coordinated individual. Indeed, I was always the kid in gym class who got hit in the face with the basketball. Anyway, I thought that perhaps my devotion to exercise and fitness in recent years would have afforded me some new-found athleticism...but I was wrong. My friends and I headed to a roller rink this past weekend, where I strapped on a pair of skates for the first time since my 9th birthday party. Let's just say I have a nasty bruise developing on my knee a new respect for anyone who can roller skate. We had lots of fun though!
Here's what I've been eating in between displays of spastic tendencies:

Friday
I used up some leftover bags of frozen fruit for this one: frozen cherries, strawberries, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and granola, of course.
Saturday
After sleeping through my alarm (yes, I do occasionally set it even on Saturdays!), I made it to the gym and back to prepare a pretty fab parfait: plain yogurt with stevia and dark cocoa mixed in, Peanut Butter Pows, sliced banana and a scoop of PB. FOOD FUGUE.
For lunch, I kept it simple: frozen corn with kidney beans, chili powder, garlic salt, and salsa, salad with Woodstock dressing, and an apple.
Dinner was thrown together last minute before heading to the roller rink: Amy's Bistro Burger on whole wheat with organic K+M, salad with wheat germ and raspberry vinaigrette, and green beans with pecans and dill. Nummy.
After skating, we headed back to a friends room for a little party. Hence, no shake for this evening.

Sunday
Before heading to chapel, I prepared my beloved stovetop oats. This bowl included pumpkin, nutmeg, cinnamon, and a crumbled pecan pie Larabar. Mmm. Pumpkin-pecan hybrids are the best.
For lunch, I just wanted something to warm me up (again!). I combined: frozen veggies, tomato sauce + water, curry powder, kidney beans, and ground ginger to make a tasty soup. On the side, I had a salad with Goddess dressing, crackers, and a blood orange.
I scarfed down dinner super fast before heading to a chapter meeting. I made white bean almond bruschetta (an improvisation of ED&BV's White Bean Walnut Bruschetta), along with spinach and grapes.
The shake of the evening was pretty amazing: peaches, blueberries, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and granola. Surprisingly delicious.
Monday
Breakfast was a simple affair: toast with pumpkin butter and the scrapings of my almond butter jar, plus an apple and a glass of rice milk.
I am interested in trying out some new foodie products...I feel like I haven't made any grocery store discoveries recently. What's your latest food find?

Now I am headed to class. Ciao for now!

Wintry Wonders

Check out what I found outside my window yesterday morning:
Yes, like any good Southern girl, I whipped out my camera as soon as I realized that the novelty of snow had arrived here in North Carolina. Once I got to campus, I continued my photo shoot at various destinations in the Gothic winter wonderland:
The pristine appearance of the snow has now degraded, however, as the campus is now covered in mounds of icy, gray sludge. OK, I'm ready for spring now.

With all this chilly weather, I've been eating nothing but warm eats (with the exception of my smoothies, of course). Enjoy:

Monday
After my dining meeting (at which we sampled salads from here) I was still hungry for a more substantial evening meal. I combined white beans, green beans, tomato sauce, garlic, and oregano for a tasty Italian skillet dish; that's couscous and applesauce with peanuts on the side.
For my shake, I made another strawberry dream: strawberries, non-dairy ice cream, soymilk, and Nutribody protein.
Tuesday
Although all I wanted to do was to go play in the snow, I first prepared myself a waffle tower breakfast: waffles topped with cinnamon-spiked plain yogurt, blueberries, and almonds.
For lunch, I made a simple tofu salad with my favorite sweet-dill-agave dressing with a few cranberries mixed in. I enjoyed it atop a Rudi's English muffin and served alongside a salad with pecans and a few grapes. After enjoying the day's Inauguration coverage, I settled in for an Indian-inspired meal. I made a curry out of kidney beans, onions, and assorted spices and served it alongside pita bread, green beans, salad with Woodstock dressing, and pineapple.
My smoothie last night was delicious: banana, peaches, soymilk, Nutribody protein, and the last of my ginger granola made for a delectable evening snack.
Wednesday
My morning class was cancelled this morning, so I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast this morning. I devoted this extra time to Banana-Tofu French toast...it never gets old. I topped this batch with cashews and spiced pumpkin. PS Is anyone else as fascinated by Michelle Obama as I am? I really liked this article.
Today's lunch included a Waldorf salad (apple, vegan mayo, almonds, and dried currants) along with a white bean dip and crackers.
I am off to (perhaps) get some work done. What are you up to this evening?

Ciao for now.