A weekend full of excitement

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!  

First, I would like to apologize for not posting at all yesterday, but what an exciting day I had!!  I felt like a dog yesterday (sore throat, headache, etc.), but today I am feeling much better!  On Saturday, Brian told me had tickets.  Tickets to what?  Well, the Pen’s game, of course!  They were winning the series 3-1, and only had to win one more game to move on to the next series.  He won them on Ebay!  How amazing is that?!  I didn’t believe him at first.  We went to one last year, and they lost against the Ottawa Senators in the first series  I didn’t want them to lose again!  So, we left Sunday at 10 am, and did not get back home until 6:30.  For those of you who do not know, then Penguins won!   It was the most exciting game I’ve ever been to.  I was so nervous, and it was neat because our seats were on the end, first row in the balcony, which are almost right on top of the net, and every goal of the game was scored at our end!!!  Here we come Philadelphia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We ate dinner and then watched a movie (Rendition-it was very good!), and before I knew, it was time for bed.  I had to get everything ready and my lunch packed for school today, take a shower, and get to bed asap since today was an early start for me.  I woke up at 6 am after getting only six and a half hours of sleep.  I’m feeling fine though!  The first day of the semester was good!  I’m looking forward to my classes.  My work load won’t be terrible because I’m only taking two courses, but they are both pretty challenging.  I went to the gym afterwards, right when I got off of the bus and did the usual 60 minute workout.  35 treadmill, 5 Stairmaster, stretching, abs, pushups, 10 ET.  It felt great and really worked up my appetite!  So, here is what I had for my past seven meals while I was on a blogging hiatus!!  

Saturday night I made a salad (the same salad as Friday) with a pasta dish of about a cup cooked whole wheat penne, 3/4 cup sliced mushrooms, the rest of the V’con broiled tofu I made a while ago, kale, and low sodium soy sauce.  Very quick and delish.  My dinner was 595 calories, 25 g fat, 19 g fiber, and 29 g protein.  

Sunday morning I ate a late (10:30 am) breakfast out of containers at Brian’s house.  I packed food with me!  I had PB and blueberry preserves on TJ’s sprouted wheat, about 3/4 cup plain silk soy yogurt with a Tbsp wheat germ and a Tbsp flaxseed meal, and a banana.  (No pic, sorry).  This meal was rather calorically dense because I knew I’d need the fuel for the game!  It was 645 calories, 24 g fat, 15 g fiber, and 28 g protein.  

Brian and I planned to cookout at the game, so he packed his burgers, some Pepperidge farm whole wheat hamburger buns, and mustard, whereas I brought a Boca burger, 1/4 of an avocado, fresh spinach, and an orange from home for myself.  So, at 12:30 (I know, so close to breakfast, but lunch was small and I was comfortably full!) I put my Boca burger on a bun with the avocado, spinach, and some mustard and my orange on the side.  It was not a good orange  How disappointing, but if that was the worst thing that happened to me all day, that’s not bad at all!!  Lunch was about 350 calories, 9 g fat, 11 g fiber, and 26 g protein.  No picture again, sorry!

And onto dinner…I heated up a frozen portion of snobby joes in the microwave.  I put about half of it in my last La tortilla factory garlic and herb tortilla and had the rest on the side (because it wouldn’t fit) along with an orange bell pepper (I LOVE these!), a kiwi, a salad (spinach, iceberg salad blend, 1/4 avocado, tomato, cucumber, onion, some of the orange pepper, and 2 Tbsp Annie’s Roasted red pepper vinaigrette), and a glass (almost a cup) of plain soymilk.  It was exactly what I was looking for as I was in no mood at all to cook at the time after a long day.  Brian also had some sloppy joe and liked it!    510 calories, 19 g fat, 28 g fiber, and 25 g protein.  

I missed my oatmeal yesterday, and had a nice creamy bowl for breakfast this morning.  I made it the same way I did on Saturday with 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup soymilk, 3/4 cup water, a sliced banana, 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal, 1 Tbsp wheat germ, 1 Tbsp walnuts, cinnamon, a spoonful of PB, and agave nectar.  Perfect.  480 calories, 16 g fat, 15 g fiber, and 17 g protein.  

My packed lunch at school consisted of a pb and blueberry preserves sandwich on TJ’s sprouted wheat, 1/2 cup plain silk soy yogurt, baby carrots, a kiwi, and a orange (this one was nice and juicy!).  I ate with a friend outside.  It was beautiful outside, and added to my enjoyable lunch!  (Another pictureless meal )  587 calories, 21 g fat, 17 g fiber, and 24 g protein.  

After the gym I made myself a mexican style dinner in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo!  This made my decision on what to make for dinner very simple!  I had a burrito and a salad.  I used one of my new Ezekiel sprouted grain tortillas (loved it!) and added sauteed 1/2 cup black beans, white onions, and red bell pepper.  Then I added some chili powder and hot sauce and topped it with tomato, 1/4 an avocado, salsa, and some vegan gourmet cheese.  I decided to add the cheese at the last minute and didn’t feel like messing around to melt it, so it wasn’t melted.  Still good though.  This burrito was difficult to wrap up, and a lot of the filling fell out while I was eating it!  I’m not too good at making wraps, burritos, etc. work.  haha.  It was still great!  My salad consisted of iceberg salad blend, the rest of the red bell pepper, 1/4 an avocado, tomato, onion, and some more salsa!  Great dinner at 571 calories, 23 g fat, 22 g fiber, and 23 g protein.  

I had a banana bread muffin and a cup of unsweetened applesauce with cinnamon for my evening snack.  Yum!  253 calories, 1 g fat, 8 g fiber, and 3 g protein.  

Time to do some reading and get to bed somewhat early tonight!  

 

Cleaning out the fridge

Last night I decided that I am not really going to make any new recipes (well maybe one) until I finish all of my leftover foods in the refrigerator and the freezer first because everything seems to be piling up on me!  I need a clean slate sometimes.  It feels good.  

This morning my dog woke me up.  Well, actually my sister did by putting Kodie in my bed with me!  Kodie is not allowed upstairs, but sometimes we don’t like to leave him downstairs alone and sneak him up with us!  It was a fun way to wake up  I made pumpkin oatmeal for breakfast!  I finished the rest of pumpkin (almost a cup!) that has been sitting in my fridge, so I’m off to a good start already!  I used 2 bananas (I have sooo many banans…not necessarily a bad thing, but I froze them today as I just learned that I can add them to my oatmeal and smoothies that way), cooked them into 1/2 cup rolled oats, 3/4 cup water, and 1/2 cup soy milk (the usual).  I added cinnamon and nutmeg, 2 tsp brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp wheat germ.  This made an excellent bowl of oats!  I thoroughly enjoyed it  I also had a cup of green tea and some water with my pills!  I skipped the flax, walnuts, and pb today because the way I’d planned it I would be having plenty of healthy fats in my lunch and dinner.  The oatmeal didn’t hold me over as well, which wasn’t a bad thing since I had a late (10:00 am) breakfast.  This meal was 535 calories, 7 g fat, 22 g fiber!!, and 17 g protein!  (It amazes me that most people get about half of the recommended daily intake of fiber!  I’m almost there after one meal!  It really isn’t hard at all if you eat a healthy balanced diet)  Pumpkin helps out a lot in this area…I got 10 grams from my almost one cup!)

I made some banana bread muffins again!! I used part of Happy Herbivore’s fat free banana bread recipe and part of Veganomicon’s recipe!  I haven’t tried one yet, but they look and smell delicious!  

I used …

5 bananas

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened applsauce

2 Tbsp molasses

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

I mashed the bananas, creamed in the sugar, added applesauce and molasses..whisked together, added cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg…mixed again.  Then I mixed in the flour, baking soda and powder, and salt.  I poured into greased muffin tins and baked for 18 minutes at 350.  This recipe made 12 muffins.  Each muffin is approximately 153 calories, 1 g fat, 61 mg sodium, 36 g CHO, 16 g sugar, 4 g fiber, and 3 g protein.  Not a bad treat!

I was ready for lunch by 1:30.  I used one of my La Tortilla Factory Garlic and Herb tortillas and put the rest of my Veganomicon hummus and 1/4 of an avocado inside.  I had some vegetable broth leftover from my pumpkin ziti recipe, so I used the rest of that and heated it up on the stove with lots of spinach to make a soup.  I had strawberries, carrots and celery, and the rest of leftover cantaloupe on the side.  (Finished off 3 things in this meal!!!)  Totals for this meal:  460 calories, 22 g fat, 23 g fiber, and 17 g protein.

 

I’m going to the gym now for some good exercise because it looks like it’s going to rain!

 

 

 

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!!)

 

For ChocolateCoveredVegan

I made a yummy bowl of steel cut oats this morning with sliced banana and frozen blueberries (about a cup).  ChocolateCoveredVegan likes purple foods, and this bowl of oatmeal turned purple!    I thought of you when I was making this!  I cooked them with 3/4 cup water first, then added 1/2 cup soy milk.  After that cooked for a bit I added the banana and berries.  Once most of the water was absorbed I added some cinnamon, 1 Tbsp flaxseed meal.  It thickened up, I poured it into my bowl, and topped this delicious bowl of oatmeal with about a Tbsp of walnuts!  It was very yummy and refreshing.  I had a glass of water and a cup of green tea too.  I’m off to study!  

 

Nothing better

This morning I told myself I would do something different for breakfast.  I stood in front of the refrigerator with the door open and stared…nothing.  I did the same thing in front of the pantry and found nothing that I wanted more than oatmeal.  So, oatmeal it was again!  I used 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, what was left of the soymilk (a little less than 1/2 cup), 3/4 cup water, 1 sliced banana that I cooked in half whipped, 1/2 cup libby’s pumpkin, vanilla extract, tons of cinnamon, 1 tsp light brown sugar, 1 Tbsp ground flax (I kept the flax on top this time, which I think I liked better), 1 Tbsp walnuts, and a spoonful of PB that I measured out to be 1.5 tsp!  1.5 tsp is more than I thought, and I never measure my PB, I always just guessed that it’s 1.5 tsp.  I normally don’t use that much, but hey, it was great!  I tend to barely even eat the PB as I eat my oatmeal.  I would rather kind of save the big blob for the last bite with some oatmeal.  Mmmm.  Plus I had a cup of green tea and my vitamins.  I LOVE PB!  I have gotten used to the natural PB I’ve been using it for about 2 years now.  I couldn’t imagine going back to the creamy JIF I used to use.  It’s way too sweet!  eww.  Well, I have a job interview to go to shortly!  I’m excited…I need a job!    

 

Reliable oats

I sometimes think about eating something different for breakfast (like I was pondering the mango/carrot combo that Kath used), but I just love my oatmeal and would miss it to much.  I like it with pumpkin and without pumpkin (both with banana, walnuts, flax, vanilla, cinnamon, soymilk, PB, and sometimes brown sugar) either steel cut or old fashioned…although sometimes I use oat bran or cracked wheat.  I probably don’t get enough variety in my diet, but I enjoy what I eat.  I think it would be easier if I lived in my own house and bought my own groceries though.  So, this morning I had old fashioned oats without the pumpkin and with brown sugar.  Perfect, although I must say I like steel cut much better.  Nothing is better or more satisfying to me than a nice warm, creamy, chewy, tasty, crunchy (i feel like a taco bell commercial) bowl of oatmeal.  

 

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…

 

A quick summary

I haven’t been taking pictures and blogging like I should.  :-(  These past few days have been filled with oatmeal breakfasts and PB and honey sandwiches, so you didn’t miss much!  I bought some yummy things at the grocery store though!  I got kiwi fruit and chili powder…and some other stuff too, but those are my favorites!  I bought In Defense of Food and Veganomicon!!!!!  I haven’t made anything from it yet, but I wanted to make chickpea cutlets yesterday and couldn’t find vital wheat gluten in the store.  :-(  I will have to find it one of these days though.  I can’t wait to start reading In Defense of Food though.  I am almost done with Superfoods Healthstyle.  I wanted to buy Skinny Bitch, but I didn’t allow myself because I already spent enough money!  All of the books I want (those plus Eat, Pray, Love) were on the Bestsellers shelf!  That made me happy!  I told my dad I was going to get another one, and he asked what it was called, and I told him Skinny Bitch.  He got mad, and said don’t be doing that and be one of those bulimics.  I was offended.  It’s not even about that, but he didn’t understand.  Can’t I be healthy and interested in nutrition, as it is my passion, without others thinking I am harming myself?  That makes me think…if someone is trying to be healthy and eat how he or she should, people automatically think that person has an eating disorder or something because everyone is so used to putting junk into their bodies.  Anyways, yesterday I had the usual oatmeal for breakfast, and then went to Pita Pit for lunch and got a hummus pita with avocado and all sorts of other veggies on a wheat pita!  I think I asked for too many veggies because the guy had trouble putting it together, and it started to fall apart!  haha.  Last night I threw a quick tasty dinner together.  I cooked some whole wheat penne, and in a skillet I chopped up garlic, onions, tomatoes, and broccoli and let that cook in 1/2 tsp EVOO.  Then I added spinach, 1 cup tomato sauce, apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 cup great northern beans!…Plus spices and other things..pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, chili powder!, lemon juice, and lemon seasoning.  It was very tasty and hit the spot!  I had kiwi and strawberries on the side.  The kiwi was delicious!  Later, I ate a pumpkin muffin that I got from IntuitiveKitchen’s blog, plus 2 pieces of dark chocolate!  The pumpkin muffins are great and moist, and they were sooo easy to make!  I will take a picture of one later today.  This morning I had a bowl of oatmeal with whipped banana, cinnamon, vanilla, flax, walnuts, and PB.  YuMMMM! :-)  I’m going to the gym now for a nice workout. 

 

Pumpkin Oats

I slept in until 10:20 today! Haha. I feel so lazy compared to those who wake up at 5, but I’m a college student, so it’s okay! I made a bowl of pumpkin oatmeal by cooking 1/2 cup old fashioned oats on the stove with 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup water, and one sliced banana. Once it all thickened up I added 1/2 cup Libby’s pumpkin, a ton of cinnamon, 1 tsp light brown sugar, and 1 Tbsp Bob’s Red Mill Flaxseed Meal. Poured that all into my bowl and topped with more cinnamon, some walnuts, and a spoonful of natural creamy PB! :-p yummmmmm.. I also had a cup of Green Tea Pomegranate and my vitamins! I will be going to the gym in a couple of hours.