It’s about dinner time

Last night I had leftovers of Pumpkin baked Ziti for dinner again.  Now, that is all gone.  I’m going to make something new tonight!!  I snacked a lot last night on nut clusters, pretzels, more mango and a muffin.  I don’t know why because I wasn’t even hungry.  I went to the gym after meeting the family I’m baby-sitting for and did the usual 50 minute workout of 35 treadmill, 5 stairs, and 10 ET.  The three kids are soo cute!  I’m looking forward to watching them.  

So, it’s almost dinner time, and I’m just posting breakfast and lunch!  This morning I was not even hungry because I ate so much last night, but I had a bowl of oatmeal anyways.  1/2 cup Rolled oats, a ton of strawberries, sliced banana, 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal, 1 Tbsp honey, 1/2 cup soy milk, 3/4 cup water, and cinnamon.  

 

Perfect start to my day.  I went back to their house at nine for more “training”.  Afterwards I went to the store to pick up some things for my dad, plus I got some rice vinegar, 2 boxes of red quinoa (they didn’t have any regular and it seems it takes a while for them to restock this, so I got two!), peanut butter (it’s amazing how quickly I go through this stuff), frozen blueberries, and La Tortilla Factory garlic and herb tortillas (they’re low-carb…even though I’m opposed to low-carb I bought these because they were the best nutritionally over all the others..the rest were different not so healthy brands, and I didn’t really like those gluten free ones I bought about a week ago because they’re tough).  I used the tortillas to make lunch when I got home!  I used two of them (they’re 50 calories each and rather small), topped them with more V’con hummus, 1/4 avocado total, cucumber, sliced red bell pepper, 1 plum tomato, and spinach!  I always stuff my tortillas way to much, so I ended up eating these like tacos instead.  After I ate the first one I decided I wanted something else in them, so I put a tablespoon of sunflower seeds in the second one, which I liked better.  I also had a whole mango and the rest of the vegetables that wouldn’t fit in my tortillas/tacos on the side!  

I rearranged my bedroom furniture (how fun) just now and took everything out of my drawers to reorganize everything and get rid of some things.  I moved my furniture because I did not want my bed against the wall anymore due to the fact that I am terrified of thousand leggers (millipedes) crawling into my bed  There was one last night in my room that I spotted in my curtains.  It was huge!  These things seriously freak me out like nothing else!  I get scared just thinking about them sometimes it’s hard for me to even relax to fall asleep!  haha.  Ok, so I’m off to put all of my clothes back into my drawers and work on my take home test for public speaking plus make an awesome (hopefully) dinner!!  

 

Meet Pumpkin Baked Ziti by Veganomicon

Again, I was busy!  About two hours after breakfast I went outside for another walk/run!  It was great  I would say I ran about 3 miles total and walked 2.  Then, I came back and made lunch.  It was the same as yesterday.  Two slices of fiber and flax bread with V’con hummus, spinach, and tomato; the rest of my cabbage, and strawberries.  I took the photo in front of my sister and she thought I was nuts and it was soo funny that I do this.  Haha.  

After I ate, I began cooking dinner.  I made Veganomicon’s Pumpkin Baked Ziti with caramelized onions and sage crumb topping.  This recipe did NOT disappoint!  I loved everything about it!  I halved the recipe this time and ate one quarter of the halved recipe.  Unfortunately I probably ate this in about 5 minutes because I was rushed trying to get out the door to go see a play with the boy.  We went into Pittsburgh and saw Ultima Vez.  It was pretty good.  I didn’t really understand what it was about completely, but I appreciated the dancing as I was a dancer for 18 years.  I miss it  While waiting to go into the play I ate one of my banana bread muffins!!  (sorry no picture again)  So, we had a fun night!  I’ll enjoy another portion today for dinner especially since I won’t have the time to make something else since I am dedicating myself to studying, and well…the gym shortly and this for a bit too of course!  It is not a nice day.  I guess that’s a good thing, so I will not be as tempted to stray from studying.  I won’t mind being in the gym since I enjoyed the past two days with a great outdoor workout!

Fresh out of the oven!  mmmmm

My portion (about 580 calories)…This recipe isn’t exactly photo friendly.  It doesn’t help that my picture is blurry either.

This morning I made myself some rolled oats.  I cooked them with 3/4 cup water and 1/2 cup soy milk, a sliced banana, cinnamon, strawberries mixed and on top, and 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal.  Very good!  

I’m off to study all day long!  (But I will be back to post at some point!!)

 

Breakfast and lunch

This morning I made a pancake with Hodgson’s Mill Pancake mix.  They are not vegan, but I bought it a while ago and am going to finish it up.  I used 1/3 cup mix, 1/4 cup soymilk, 1 tsp oil, (did not use 1 tsp egg like it called for, which probably was the cause of my problem), 1/2 sliced banana, and 1/3 cup frozen blueberries.  I mixed that all together and plopped it into a skillet.  It wasn’t cooking very well, but I flipped it anyways because it was browning.  It did not hold together!!  It was a big pancake scramble sort of although one big chunk stuck together.  It still tasted great!  I topped it with 1.5 tsp PB, 1.5 tsp honey, 1 Tbsp ground flax, 1 Tbsp walnuts, and the remaining half of the banana sliced.  I forgot to take a picture but remembered before it was totally gone.  I made something very similar without the blueberries on April 5, so if you would like to see a much better picture you may look there  

Lunch in the dining hall was better today.  I went over to the section where they serve vegan/vegetarian/gluten free meals.  They were serving Jasmine rice cakes with Asian vegetables, and mediterranean hummus wrap.  Well, the rice cakes were not vegan, and I was sure to steer clear of the wrap!  Instead, I just asked for a big blob of hummus!  haha.  I assembled that onto two slices of  Food for Life brown rice bread with some spinach, tomatoes, onions, and carrots.  On the side I had a delicious apple and some more raw veggies.  I planned ahead this morning in case I couldn’t find enough to eat by bringing a half serving of sunflower seeds and some dried apricots with me! Yum!

You will see a picture of a red apple.  I did not eat that one but bought it along with another green one, an orange, and two 12 oz bottles of water to make a meal pass worth of food, which is the equivalent of almost $10.  I know what you’re thinking…3 pieces of fruit and two small bottled waters for $10!!! What a bargain, right?  NOT!  The cashier looked at me very strangely for only buying fruit and water.  I wasn’t even going to bother asking for a salad again today.  So back to the red apple.  I noticed when I got back to my room that it is somewhat deformed!  It has a lump on its side…interesting!  I just thought I’d share.  

 

Then, I logged onto my e-mail where I have msnbc Health on my home page.  I saw and read this article.  I think it is kind of crazy.  I know it is not good to promote anorexia nor extreme thinness, but some are just naturally thin.  About the media promoting extreme thinness…I think it can have an impact on people, but I feel that the food toxic world we live in is the more important factor IMO.  If there weren’t so many different foods created by food science and we focused on and stuck to our more natural whole foods would this be so much of a problem.  There are so many issues surrounding food it’s crazy.  Like trans fats, low carb, HFCS blah blah blah.  No wonder people are confused and feel overwhelmed.  There is no secret to being healthy, and in turn being at a healthy weight usually.  People just need to eat real foods.  A balanced diet.  and of course EXERCISE!  We are becoming increasingly sedentary as we are sitting down more trying to figure out why we are becoming fatter?  Even at that, most models aren’t really that skinny.  Our society has warped.  When I used to be skinnier at 5′7 and 110 ( I know that was unhealthy) people would say I was too skinny, and my aunt said so what?  That’s exactly what I weighed and how tall I was when I was your age.  Exactly.  A size zero today was a size 4 or 6 back then or something like that.  There are so many overweight people today that it seems like if someone is thin they look anorexic or something.  At risk for making no sense at all I apologize for the rant!  Off to study…

 

Taco salad?

I came home from school today because I have a doctor’s appointment early tomorrow morning, so I got to make my own dinner again!  (I ate a Cherry Pie Larabar about an hour after lunch because I felt like it and knew I wouldn’t make it until 6:30 for dinner!)  Dinner–I had hummus and avocado that needed to get used up, so I kind of made a taco salad, but not really.  I tossed some bagged lettuce into a bowl, added spinach, some baby carrots, cut up plum tomato, cucumber, 1/2 an avocado sliced, all of what remained of my hummus (I’d say about 1/2 cup!), hot sauce!, and salsa!  Very yummy.  I love salsa on my salads  On the side, I had a kiwi and some strawberries.  The strawberries are so nice!  I waited for my food to settle a bit and then set off for the gym to do 30 minutes ET and 20 minutes treadmill.  I ran for about 15 minutes at 6.5 mph, then 8.0 for about 2 minutes?, and then 6.3 at a 4.0 incline, walked 4.0 at 12.0 incline, ran again 6.3 until I reached 2 miles!  Then I cooled down!  (totaled 22 minutes).  I like to watch the distance better than the time though while I run (well more like check it not watch haha).  It seems to be more fun to me.  I injured my ankle a couple months ago, and it is always sore the day after I run but it doesn’t hurt…it’s just stiff.  I have been running a lot more lately in my workouts.  I can’t help it!  I like to run :-/  Came home to another gooey pumpkin muffin with PB and honey.  mmmmm ….Off to write a paper that is due tomorrow.  Only 4 pages and not difficult topic…(what cultures do I subscribe to?)  Okay, cya! …The spinach leaf looks like it’s waving!

 

  

 

  

 

Another rushed blogger

Today has been crazy!  I have been running around nonstop, so this is going to be a quick one.  Looks like I’m not the only one who is rushed today either!  (I just read Kath’s lunch post)!  I stopped in the dining hall for a quick lunch…and I mean quick!  I ordered a Mediterranean Hummus Veggie Wrap.  I asked what was in it, and the chef asked if I was vegetarian, and I said vegan.  I guess there was some mixture with dairy in it, so she gave me hummus, lettuce, and stirfried vegetables that were part of a different entree.  It turned out quite good!  It was on a tomato tortilla.  I ate that in probably 5 minutes and remembered to snap a picture halfway through!  Okay, I really need to study for microbiology!  I have hardly gotten any studying done for this test  See you later for exercise, dinner, and snack (yummy, gooey pumpkin muffin?!)  

 

Class Cancelled

My first class was cancelled today, and I figured I would just stay home and skip the second one since all my professor does is read word for word off of the notes that I already have.  It has been a very relaxing day so far, but I really need to study the rest of it :-(  booo.  Breakfast was pumpkin oatmeal (pumpkin, steel cut oats, whipped banana, walnuts, spoonful of PB, flaxseed, cinnamon, vanilla, soymilk)-yumm!  Lunch I cut up some celery, had baby carrots, a red grapefruit, and a sandwich of Ezekiel bread, hummus, tomato, avocado, and hot sauce!  It was very tasty.  My mouth still wanted something else though and I was really craving PB and honey for lunch, but I have so much hummus that needs to get used up!  So, two hours later I ate a pumpkin muffin topped with honey and PB!  It was delicious!  I had 2 squares of my Supreme Dark Endangered Species Chocolate bar too!  Dark chocolate has definitely been an acquired taste for me because I used to hate it, but now I love it and think milk chocolate is too sweet!  I made chickpea cutlets this afternoon this well, and will be having one with my dinner!  As for the exercise…today is a rest day.   (the first pic is of my sandwich…tomatoes, hummus, and avocado)  I need to work on my photography…

 

Leftovers

My calves are soooo sore for some reason today, but running and ET don’t bother them, so I did 40 minutes ET and 10 minutes on the treadmill at the gym.  (Before the gym I ate some of my leftover Easter candy…peanut butter egg, jelly beans, and a marshmallow peep).  All were yumm, but not vegan.  For lunch I had some of my hummus and tomato on two slices of Ezekiel bread.  I had more hummus on the side with tomato slices (I just loovve tomatoes!), celery, and carrots.  Plus two kiwis!  :-)  So good, so good.  The picture is incomplete due to my blogging forgetfulness.  Dinner was the exact same thing (pasta with beans, spinach, and broccoli in a tomatoey sauce) as last night for me because I loved it so much, and was feeling lazy to think of something else to make.  It wasn’t really leftovers because I cooked it from the beginning again…just the same thing though.  I’m going to drink some hot chamomile tea and cuddle up with In Defense of Food.  I might get some studying in too for my microbiology test on Tuesday :-(  Oh, and I included a picture of my pumkin muffins!  I just may eat one for snack later

 

Hummus!

I walked into the dining hall and was very happy to see there was a hummus bar!!  There were baked pita chips and flatbread, olives, and peppers.  I got a wheat flatbread and put some hummus on my plate…spinach hummus, black bean & cilantro, white bean, and lemon garlic hummus.  I think I liked the black bean one the best, although it was difficult to tell.  There is a lot on my plate because I didn’t realize how many there were before I started piling it on!  I think I ate about 1/4 of a cup worth of hummus.  I had a cup of vegan tomato soup, a small golden delicious apple, and some green grapes.  I got a salad before I found the hummus and ended up not eating it.  I had a couple of the grape tomatoes off of it and one of the peppers.  I’m pretty satisfied  (The apple and tomato soup pictures are from google…I guess my pictures didn’t take or something).      

 

Back to the real world

Yesterday was a crazy day, and I didn’t get to post lunch and on.  For lunch I had a PB and honey sandwich this time toasting the Ezekiel bread first.  It was better!  The crust was not as hard, and I was very pleased Thanks hk!  I also had a delicious orange and a plate of veggies with a blob of my hummus, which I added some more lemon seasoning to for more flavor.  After that I watched two movies with my sister, ate more easter candy than I should have (it was worth it though. haha), and finally, dinner.  Dinner was half a baked sweet potato, fresh green beans, ham, plus a salad w/dried cranberries and balsamic.  Needless to say, I was stuffed!  Yes, I did end up eating some ham.  Sorry, I don’t have a picture of my candy or dinner.  Candy consisted of Peeps, peanut m&ms, starburst jelly beans, and a reeses peanut butter egg all of which are not vegan.  As I said I’m not a strict vegan (for times like these…holidays and family functions), but almost all of the time other than these exceptions I like to eat vegan.  Now I’m back at school and was upset when I went to get milk, but nothing came out .  I asked an employee, and he said the soymilk didn’t come today.  What the heck is that?????  I settled for a bagel (I don’t know what kind it was), with some strawberry preserves, and a banana.  I don’t think this will hold me over very long because hardly any protein, and no fat.  We’ll see.  I have a speech to do today that is due tomorrow!  Will be working on that all day long.  Have a happy Monday!   PS - check out the gooey PB and honey… the best part!!      

 

Leftovers and a snack

For dinner I sauteed two plum tomatoes (chopped), garlic, red onions, and spinach in some EVOO with oregano, thyme, basil, lemon juice, and lemon seasoning.  I added this to my leftovers from last nights dinner, which was about a cup of whole wheat penne pasta, a couple broccoli florets, and not many diced tomatoes.  It was better than last night’s dinner!  I forgot to take a picture of it :-(  I was in a hurry to go to my boyfriend’s house.  I packed some snacks to take with me…3/4 cup Ezekiel 4:9 whole grain golden flax cereal, 3/4 cup almond milk, lots of veggies (cucumber slices, tomato slices, carrots, and celery), 1/4 cup (2 oz) of the hummus I made this afternoon, and 1 square of Endangered species supreme dark chocolate!  The cereal was great.  There is no sugar, so it’s definitely not sweet, but there’s something I love and enjoy about when a food is so wholesome and natural.  It feels so good!  The hummus was okay.  It could use more flavor, but I have a whole jar of tahini to get the recipe down!  Have a Happy Easter everyone!