Cookie Conundrum

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I got out of Biochem lab early today, which is a good thing because this afternoon is slated to be packed.  We are driving down to Virginia tomorrow to visit my in-laws, but I’ve also got two tests next week so it’s going to be a little crazy.

I took advantage of my extra-time and added a few blocks to my walk home so I could pick up a (much-needed) Cherry Coke Zero and a cup of coffee (to be iced tomorrow).  And then I saw the cookies.

I didn’t grow up eating storebought cookies.  Ever.  I’m pretty sure I’d never even tasted a cookie that wasn’t homebaked before high school.  Even now I’m confused by the grocery cookie store aisle – why would you buy something that would be a bazillion times better if you made it yourself??!?

I have several chocolate chip cookie recipes that are quick and fabulous.  But I don’t know how to make that magical (trans fat laden) cream filling.

I caved.

I’d love to tell you that this was a bad idea, that this wasn’t satisfying, that’d have been much better off with a real foods lunch.

Bull-shit.

Do you prefer storebought or homebaked cookies?  What is your favorite kind of storebought?

Scarlet In The Face

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Boy was I red in the face about skipping a post last night!  Nah, not really 🙂  Actually we got home close to midnight and I knew I had an early morning so I made the healthy living decision to get to bed.  Sometimes I forget to prioritize sleep, which I’m sure relates to the fact that it’s a month later and I’m still coughing.

Back to yesterday.  My test went well.  Not as well as I would have liked, but at least this one I’m sure I passed!  Plus a test meant getting done with class early – I’m a super fast exam taker – which meant I had time to switch my music class to pass/fail (whew!) and get home to visit the husband (yay!).

I had just enough time for a bowl of freshly chopped pineapple before I had to head back to class.

My music class still feels long (at 6-8:40 it is long!), but now that I’m not terrified of what it’s doing to my GPA it feels a little less tedious.

We had to run to Walgreens across town, and I can pull up our Groupons on my phone, so we ended up going out to dinner at 9pm on a whim!

We headed to Scarlet, a cozy little spot that is actually right down the street from our old apartment.

The inside looks fun and inviting, and we always kicked ourselves for not walking over there last year, but after tasting the food it appears we didn’t miss out on much.  The meal wasn’t terrible, and there were highlights, but overall it was disappointing.  Buffalo restaurants all seem to have menus that read like New York hot spots and food that tastes like TGIFriday’s.  But it was fun to have a Wednesday night date with the husband regardless.

Before we realized everything on the menu was fried, we decided to split 4 appetizers.

Adam and I always just eat off of the same plate, so I’m not even going to attempt to show you portion sizes this post.

We started with complimentary bread with flavored butters (tomato, garlic, and honey).

Then Three Cheese Fondue,

Buffalo Shrimp,

Tempura Chicken Tikka,

and Artichoke Francaise.

The buffalo shrimp were a low-point.

The breading was thick and spongy, the sauce spicy in an overpowering way, and if you’re going to go ahead and serve these deep-fried then you might as well use blue cheese dip rather than haphazardly tossing on blue cheese like someone’s eating these with a fork.  We left the shrimp basically untouched and if all the food had been like this we probably would have left, but thankfully other things were a little better.

The chicken – the one thing we knew would be fried – was pretty good.

The peanut sauce had a nice back spice to it.

The artichokes came in a fabulously lemony butter sauce,

but again, we were expecting something that wasn’t fried.  I enjoyed the big, meaty pieces of flesh, but Adam – who usually adores artichokes – wasn’t a fan.

The high point of the meal was the fondue.

We never could identify what the three cheeses were, but this had great texture (no graininess) and paired well with the apple slices.  Adam scooped into the actual bread bowl a bit and declared it nice and doughy.

So overall not the best (or healthiest) meal, but still fun!

This morning I had to be up early to register for my Fall 2011 classes.  I got everything I wanted, yay!  Actually, I should say I got everything I needed; what I really wanted was a forensic psychology class, but it didn’t fit in my schedule.  If I had my druthers I would be able to take forensic psych and forensic anthropology, in addition to my other courses.

Life for the rest of 2011 planned out, I made a nice fruit salad for breakfast.

This was a mix of pineapple, Cara Cara orange, banana, honey, unsweetened shredded coconut, and a few honey peanuts.

The combination of flavors was great.  I almost never eat my fruit with a fork but it’s actually really satisfying.

What classes did you take just for fun in college? 

My first time around in undergrad I switched majors (communication –> education) after a year of taking almost all communication classes so I took the maximum number of credits each semester just to graduate on time.  Back then I was sad I didn’t get to take more English courses (my 2nd major).  Now that I’m back in school I took an Anthropology course just for fun, and plan on doing one again whenever it fits in my schedule.

Way Back Wednesday

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In spite of the title, I’m actually going to start with a bit of prognosticating.  Prognosticate: to predict according to present indications or signs; foretell.

If you knew what that word meant and are offended that I thought you might not, I’m sorry.  If you didn’t know what that word meant and are offended that I think it’s common knowledge, I’m sorry.

Apologies aside, what I’m trying to say is that I posted this lunch in advance.  While you’re reading, I’ll currently be eating leftover roasted green bean fries.

In a baggie for traveling ease.

Plus an eggnog flavored Nutrament.

I used to love these drinks as a kid, they are so tasty and good!  Plus they have the calories/nutrients to count as a meal, and with my big important test following lunch I need a meal I can sip.

Finally, I packed some dried kiwi and hibiscus to snack on during the break before my night class.

This will be my first time eating a Nutrament as a meal (rather than just for funsies because they’re delicious), so I’m hoping that’s enough food to get my through my looong day.

Since Wednesdays are both my long school day and a day I always pack a lunch, it makes sense to do a pre-lunch post.  Pre-posts are a little less interesting to me, so I’ve decided to spice them up with a new weekly blog series – Way Back Wednesdays.  Every Wednesday for the foreseeable future, I’m going to include a few pictures from LBL (Life Before Blogging) for your – and my! – enjoyment.

This week’s WBW, a few fun shots from our senior year of college at University of Miami (the U!).  Like a trip to the zoo on one of my parents’ visits.

Or this shot from Adam’s 21st birthday celebration.

That night was actually back home in St. Thomas, on Christmas break.

Where did you celebrate your 21st birthday?

Test, Testing

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I’ve got my big, important test today (1 of 3 in the next week) so this is going to be a super lame post. 

Mostly I wanted to share with you that 1) When my alarm went off this morning I read notecards in bed and I think this might be my new favorite study technique.

And 2) You should stop by around noon, because I’m debuting a new blog feature with lunch.

Until then, I’ve got Irish Creme Cocoa for the road,

and information to cram.

Where is your favorite spot to study?  Mine’s the treadmill, but in bed isn’t bad either!

Keep on Truckin’

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Another morning, another run in with a truck, or at least that’s what it felt like!  Even though I have a huge test tomorrow, and a meeting scheduled with my department head, the snooze button was definitely pressed!  Adam caught my cold and was too sick to go to his first class so thankfully(?!) he was able to drive me to campus for my meeting later.

I’m not sure what my mega-exhaustion is about, but since I’ve got a slew of important tests between now and next Friday I’m not going to push it.  Returning to the gym would be nice, but after more than a month off, another week really doesn’t make a difference.  Instead I’ve decided to make this week all about strength and stretch moves.  A decision that led me to meet with my department head dressed like this –

I’ve always got the time/energy for at least 10minutes total a day!  Here’s what I accomplished throughout this afternoon (reps) –

After coffee, of course.

Yesterday I grabbed a cup of (unsweetened) butter toffee flavored coffee from the gas station, and this morning I mixed it with Silk Vanilla Almond Milk and maple syrup over ice.

After my housekeeping trip to campus – my schedule next semester looks crazy!  I register on Thursday so please keep your fingers crossed for me – I baked up a plate of green bean fries.

Baked green beans are where it’s at!

You’ll never believe me if you don’t try for yourself, but they’re better than french fries.

I also had a yogurt bowl.

The base was Target brand Archer Farms Fat Free Honey Almond Yogurt.

The Thick and Creamy line is just like Greek, but I wish I’d tasted before I went ahead and bought two, fake-sugar taste city.

Thankfully my toppings made up for it.

A sliced banana, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and some honey roasted peanuts.

Honey roasted peanuts are basically addictive.

I had several handfuls straight from the bag.

Those handfuls didn’t stop my ever-growing hunger though.  Usually we don’t eat dinner before 8pm, but tonight I was ready at 5!  We started with salads –

Studies show that eating a salad before dinner can help you to eat less overall.

This salad was dressed delectably, in a mix of the last of the Stubbs BBQ sauce shaken with a splash of buttermilk.

Other toppings – on a baby arugula base – included dried cranberries and buttermilk blue cheese crumbles.

I think a bbq sauce salad will have to be a repeat in this week’s meal plan.

The main meal was a pretty fantastic idea as well.

Making pressed sandwiches on our George Foreman grill has been our “thing” this year, and this one included roasted asparagus!

Also 1000 island dressing, 99% lean sliced turkey, and 2oz of 50% reduced extra-sharp cheddar.

On cranberry poppy seed bread from a loaf my grandma bought us at The Bakehouse last week.

It was a pretty fantastic sandwich.

But it still didn’t quite squelch my hunger.  Enter 1/2 an Arnold’s Sandwich Thin, topped with pb, marshmallow topping, and chocolate chips for dessert.

Squelched!

And, um, I should probably be sleeping instead of blogging, so – see ya!

What is your favorite type of peanut?  (honey roasted, candied, red skin…)

Playing Catch Up

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I had big plans to go to the gym this morning, but when the alarm went off I felt like I’d been hit by a truck.  I thought I was all caught up on sleep from Saturday’s 4am fun, but clearly not.

Instead, I went back to bed and didn’t get up until 15minutes before I had to leave the house.  Clearly once I got to school coffee was a necessity.

A medium non-fat latte with sugar-free Irish creme syrup.

We got back our pre-Spring break Biochem exams today; my 85 was even more frustrating when I realized that I had circled B (correct) but written A (incorrect) for a key question.

Lunch was random but delicious.  First a Yoplait Key Lime Greek Yogurt.

Sooo thick and sweet, really tasty.  This tasted more like really thick regular yogurt than Greek yogurt (not a bad thing); the tang all came from the lime flavor.

I also had a Revolution Foods tropical fruit packet.

And during my second break I ate this roasted seaweed snack.

This was bought on a whim, but now it’s going on my permanent grocery list!  It was salty and crunchy, and the portion stretched a really long way for only 30calories.

My class didn’t get out until a little late, then Rachel came over to get some notes, and then I went to the gas station for some coffee (looking forward to iced tomorrow), and by the time I was home I was starving.  I made myself  a snack plate while I cooked dinner.

Baby carrots,

and half an everything bagel with pb and low-fat cream cheese.

I think my month of no-hunger is catching up to me, I felt like I could gnaw my arm off all evening!

Thankfully dinner came together in a snap.

Roasted asparagus,

and lobster ravioli (from our trip to Trader Joe’s) tossed in Newman’s Own Roasted Garlic marinara sauce (free via Foodbuzz Tastemakers’ Program).

This was good, but not filling enough.  Honestly the only reason I didn’t eat an after dinner snack is because I was so hungry I couldn’t decide what I wanted.

I wish I could tell you I filled my evening studying for Wednesday’s big, super important test.  But instead I took a much-needed nap.  As soon as a take a quick shower I’m back to bed to catch up on sleep!

What’s your favorite brand of Greek yogurt?

Goodbye, Spring Break

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It hasn’t been the typical spring break – no booze, no babies, and no babes! – but it has been a good one!  I got to visit my grandparents, I got to share my city with my mom, and I got in some quality time with my husband.  I did not get to the massive pile of homework that needed to be done for tomorrow; it’s going to be an interesting week.

I’m not going to blog the last weekend in its entirety, but I will share some highlights –

(1) We had to get up at 3:30am on Saturday to take my mom to the airport.  On the way home, we convinced each other that was essential we go to Wegmans for snacks and then stay up watching tv.  Which is how I came to be perched on the couch, at 4am, eating Thai food leftovers and Cadbury candy, and sobbing about Grey’s Anatomy.

(2) After a full day of volunteering – I served soup at a Rotary event – Adam drove me to the mall for a Toffee Cookie and Caramel Blizzard.

I don’t even know what to say about how good this was.

Do I look a little tired?  See item #1.  I did fancy up my hair about with a half braid.

See, I’m pretty!

(3) This afternoon I made Jenna’s DYI Wal-Mart Crack Cookies, topped with my Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing.

These were delicious, but I probably won’t eat any more because I’m sending most of them to school with Adam.  Decorated Easter-style…

Adam might just be the weird kid whose wife sends him to school with baked goods.  Topped with icing bunnies.  At least everything I’ve sent in has been delicious?!

(4) Tonight we’re going out for a fun dinner.

I’m excited.

Where/when was your favorite spring break?

Often Blogged Activities

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We’ve reached the week’s end, but I suppose the weekend is more exciting to those of you who aren’t on spring break 😉

It’s my mom’s last day here, but we kept things low-key.  We did have fun introducing her to often blogged activities.  Like eating yogurts at home for breakfast.

I went with Greek Gods fig on the bottom.

Soooo good!  I don’t actually like figs that much, but this yogurt is my favorite.

We spent the day running all sorts of fun errands, like going to Target, buying groceries, and hitting up the post office.  We live large like that.  We did at least introduce my mom to the blog fodder that is Wegman’s hot bar.

I got bunches of veggies,

with sweet and sour chicken and a mushroom bun.

The afternoon was low-key, but come 5pm I was still starving!  My hunger has definitely returned.  I made myself a cocoa for the drive to dinner.

Dinner, by the way, was from Spicy Thai, and it was fantastic!  The three of us shared an appetizer plate to start.

Veggie egg rolls, tofu tod, tempura eggplant, and crab rangoon.  Yes, this dinner was rather fried.

For dinner Adam and I split cashew chicken,

and Pad See Eiw with tofu.

The cashew chicken was not our favorite,

but the pad see eiw was ridiculous good.

If you haven’t tried broad rice noodles yet you’re crazy!

And for dessert, we introduced my mom to the awesomeness that is mini ice-creams.

I went with Double Fudge Brownie.

All is right with the world.

Tomorrow we’ve got to head to the airport at an ungodly hour, and then we’ve got brunch plans and I’ve got a volunteering obligation.  I’ll be back another evening 🙂

Have you jumped on the single-serve ice cream bandwagon yet?