Peanut Butter, Pasta, and Peace

by Emily

I’m back! I’m still pretty pissed about my foot, but at least I am calm about it now. It’s not just that my foot hurts, it’s mostly that the hurting is making me unable to walk normally, which is making my knee and hip really hurt. Even if I ignore the pain I physically can’t make myself walk normally and I’m worried that once I can run again I’ll have messed up my hip or knee. Argh! I’m going to take one more day off and then attempt to go to the gym tomorrow.

Moving on. I didn’t sleep well last night (shocking right?!) so I slept in until 9 and then got up and got organized for volunteering. I ate a PB&J Lara Bar on the walk to the hospital.

I love this flavor! When I put my shoes on at home I seemed ok, but by the time I was a block away I knew it wasn’t going to happen. My ward (dialysis) didn’t have anything seated for me to do so I offered to help in the volunteer office. I spent an hour or so on the telephone helping people get appointments for free heart health screenings. There wasn’t much else for me to do so I got home much earlier than usual.

I took advantage of the found time to make dinner for tonight.

I have night class, so Adam can just throw this in the oven when it’s time for him to eat.

Then I got started on noon eats. For lunch I made my Easy Peasy Peanut Noodles (click the link for the recipe).

I used a Justin’s pb packet and added baby arugula and shredded carrots.

Delish. I love reheating pasta in a pan so it gets all nice and crispy.

I have class from 6:30-7:50 tonight but I’ve got to leave before 3:30 so I can go to the pharmacy to pick up my foot medicine. We have our first chemistry quiz (and our first lab!) this week so I’ve got lots of studying to squeeze in today. I’m glad dinner is done with 🙂

There are three reasons for the end of this post: 1) Caitlin’s brilliance this morning reminded me, 2) I’ve been planning on posting some inspiration ever since I found out that today is The International Day of Peace, 3) my attitude has been pretty negative lately, I would like to put out some positivity. That said, here is a list of some of my favorite quotes –

“A man is what he thinks about all day.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” ~Edmund Burke

“People who are sensible about love are incapable of it.” ~Douglas Yates

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life – it goes on.” ~Robert Frost (I actually have part of this one engraved on the back of my i-pod)

“This one step – choosing a goal and sticking to it – changes everything.” ~Scott Reed

“Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing those you hold well.” ~Josh Billings

“For all the sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are those ‘it might have been.'” ~John Greenleaf Whittier

What is your favorite quote?

20Sep2009

No Post Day

by Emily

I kind of can’t discuss the fact that I still can’t walk – and therefore can’t run to train – without being a whiney brat. So I won’t. It’s a good day not to blog anyways, I’ve got a rather busy study schedule.

Be back Monday!

~~Monday Update~~

I am posting today, but it’s a whirlwind, so it won’t be until late(ish) 🙂

20Sep2009

Peppers and Pie

by Emily

My biggest accomplishment this afternoon was getting rid of my headache, but that’s actually a pretty big accomplishment in my book! I finished GhostWorld and I can officially say I’m not a fan 😦

After crappy movie hour I finally did my kitchen to-do’s. I pre-made pasta for lunches this week, made dinner, and…..I made a pie!

Tyler Pie to be exact. I can’t give you the recipe, but it is from Pie, Pie, Pie; Easy Homemade Favorites by John Phillip Carroll. I’ve made things from this book throughout the years and I highly recommend it. Here is the description he gives in the book –

Incredible as it sounds, in the past, it was not uncommon to christen foods, particularly desserts, after political figures. Named for the 10th president of the United States, John Tyler of Virginia, this pie has its heritage in the South. Though the ingredients are simple, the pie has a caramel-like flavor and a smooth texture that combine to give it a soothing quality. It is a suitable for breakfast as it is after a good meal.

More on that later though, dinner was a success! I pulled the recipe completely from my head and it ended up being great 🙂

Stuffed Peppers, serves 4

5oz ww penne pasta
1C chopped broccoli
1T evoo
8oz 99% lean ground turkey
1/2C marinara sauce
4oz log goat cheese
4 peppers, any color (we used red, yellow, and orange)
1/4 shredded cheese (we used 2% cheddar)

Cook pasta, following box directions. In the last 3-5minutes of cooking stir in broccoli. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 475*. Cut the tops off of the peppers. Using a spoon, scoop out the pith and seeds, careful not to break the bottoms of the peppers.
Put pot back on stove, turn heat down to medium and heat evoo. Add turkey meat and cook for 2-3minutes. Pour in marinara sauce and finish cooking meat through. Remove from heat.
Add pasta and broccoli back to pot, along with goat cheese, and stir to mix.
Spoon pasta into peppers. Split cheese ontop of the peppers. Place peppers on a foiled cookie sheet.
Bake for 15minutes.

Notes on the recipe –

* Think anti-Sir-Mix-A lot with the peppers, get ones with flat bottoms (i.e. they will stand alone)

*I did not do this, but I highly recommend preheating the peppers for 5-10minutes

* Each serving has ~400calories

Our peppers were pretty small so I ate some filling on the side.

I took too much though, I ended up leaving most of the extra filling. I needed room in my belly for pie!

It was pretty good, it had a nice eggy taste to it. I got some free coupons for Wholly Wholesome products so I used one of their pie crusts.

We watched “The Open Window” while we ate, which was also a strange movie. And now it is late, and bedtime. Nighty night!

Do you bake?

19Sep2009

Breakfast, Lunch, Junk

by Emily

I’ll be honest, I’m still feeling a bit down. My foot is killing me and I’m pretty pissed about not being able to go to the gym. Plus I’m still feeling a bit under the weather, so I’m all-around blah. This will be quick, and therefore, less whiney 🙂

Breakfast.

Stoneyfield Farms YoKids Lowfat Strawberry-Vanilla and Raspberry yogurts, white nectarine, and Justin’s Almond Butter packet. I also added half a teaspoon of sunbutter.

It was good, but I was still hungry afterwards. I had to drop of a prescription for medicine for my foot so Adam and I set off. During our errands we split a small frozen cappuccino.

Our plan was to get lunch at Wegmans but the selection was pretty disappointing, no tofu! I made do with a small plate.

Broccoli and green beans plus a little bit of general tso’s chicken. I had been expecting tofu and this did not deal with my hunger, I was still starving! We shopped quickly, and I ate this candy on the way home.

Plus I polished off 90% of these nachos from the bar downstairs.

I’m having a love affair with jalopenos.

I’m watching GhostWorld and I’m really not sure what I think of it, but I guess I won’t judge until it’s over. See you for dinner!

19Sep2009

What the Heck

by Emily

I didn’t post last night because my pictures are a bit dark, but this morning I figured “what the heck.” This will be quick though, because it is just a recap, no breakfast has happened here yet!

First, I have to give Saigon Cafe major props: I called at 5 and asked for a reservation for 10 at 7pm and they said “no problem.” Plus a few people were late and the waitress was totally nice about waiting for them. P.S. We went with a group of medical student friends.

I started with the veggie tempura appetizer. Here was my serving.

It was good(ish), but I was a little disappointed, I ordered it because it listed okra and there was none to be found!

For dinner I really did want to try something new, but I can’t help it, I always order Pad See Eiw!

This was delicious, but by far not the best I’ve ever had. We would go back to this restaurant, but not until we’ve tried a few other Thai places in the area.

Afterdinner half of us walked to the bar next door to hang out. I think everyone only got one round, but we were there for more than an hour. I got an Abita Purple Haze.

I adore Abita, so this didn’t disappoint, but I’m a total lightweight so I gave 1/3 to the husband.

On the way home I was either – a. a total fattie; b. a glutton for punishment; c. a little drunker than I thought, d. still rather hungry; or e. all of the above – because we totally got Wendy’s again! I don’t have a picture, but question answered, I can not eat this anymore! I got the same this as the day before (fries and nuggets, although I might have added a frosty), ate less than half of it, and got totally sick again. I didn’t throw up but I was close. We never eat much fast food usually so I’m not sure why we’ve been all about it lately, but we are certainly done!

Recap finished = time to start today!

What is your favorite Thai dish? I really do like them all, but I can’t stop ordering broad rice noodles!

18Sep2009

I Might As Well Be Working Undercover…

by Emily

…because I am wired! But more on that later.

So last night the fun just kept going! About an hour after we ate I threw up 😦 I get really bad gas sometimes (upper stomach, not like farting, ew!), especially after eating junky food, and occasionally I will burp 8million times and throw up. Plus, when I took of my shoe (normally I would be rocking sandals but sneakers are required for lab) we figured out why my foot was hurting so badly; in addition to the sore spots my ring toe is messed up. I dropped a trash can on my foot the other day and my toe was swollen, bright red, and unable to bend! It looks better today, although I still can’t bend it, so I’m hoping to be fine in time for a run tomorrow.

In spite of our “fun” night I woke up around 8:45 and took care of some business calls. Budget still has not paid us for the mattress that they ruined! Then around 10:30 I headed down the street to the coffee house.

I think I’m developing an obsession for egg and cheese bagels.

This was much calmer than the last one, but still quite tasty. Plain bagel, provolone cheese, 1 egg.

I drank a Cherry CokeZero with it (don’t judge me!). And a few hours later I broke for a housemade chocolate chip cookie and a nonfat latte.

I studied at the coffee shop for about 3hours total before Adam came home from school. On my walk hobble home I stopped at the gas station for another coffee (I told you, I’ve really been craving it).

I got Cinnamon Bun, to which I added skim milk when I got home. This finally hit the spot! I love flavored coffee (like flavored beans, not like syrups) and the gas station had lots of yummy looking flavors (snickerdoodle, blueberry crisp!) so I think I’ll be back there soon.

Now that I’m all hopped up on caffeine I’m going to continue my chemistry studying and head to the gym for some strength training around 5. We are meeting some friends for dinner tonight so I have a lot to get done still this afternoon.

What is your favorite flavor of coffee?

17Sep2009

Not As Easy As Pie

by Emily

Oh jeez, I kind of can’t describe this day without the use of explitives. Forgive me for the quick post.

My doctor’s appointment went well this morning, she totally got the urgency of getting rid of the warts for marathon training. Plus she offered a ton of solutions/advice and was totally supportive. That being said, that was the most pain I have ever been in in my life! I could barely make it to my car.

Bleep #1 – When I got to school I had to spend 40minutes finding a parking spot. Boo! After I parked, I realized I had forgotten my notecards, boo again, so I hobbled to the bookstore. My foot was on fire, so notecards in hand, I parked it in the food court for lunch.

BK Veggie Burger, without mayo. I ate one bite on the bun then ate the rest of the patty by hand, dipped into ketchup. It was actually rather good.

I stayed at Burger King for a few hours working on my study notes before I limped across campus to the Natural Sciences Building. Maybe .5mile walk, took me maybe 45minutes. Bleep!

I was in tears, sweating profusely (from pain, it was 65* out), and more than ready for a snack by the time I got there.

Fantastic, all I can say. I knew I loved Lara, and now I love them even more. I also got a coffee.

I’ve been craving coffee like crazy the past few days, but all they had was half and half, no skim milk, so it didn’t hit the flavor note I was looking for. I drank about half.

Lab went pretty well, I met 2 people who were both older too and they seemed very cool. Plus we got out early. Which would have been great. Except that I got lost finding the strange parking lot I resorted to. For 45minutes. On an extremely sore foot. Bleep. Bleep. Bleep.

I might have cried in the car, just maybe. But I tried to think positive once I got home. “I’ll make my pie!” I said to the husband. I love to bake, what a great stress releiver.

Bleep # 5 – I read the ingredients wrong (I was in a bit of a pain haze) and completly ruined the pie. Don’t worry though, I realized that AFTER I spilled the entire thing all over the bottom of the oven. Gaaaah!

We couldn’t cook dinner (because our oven is a festering pit of burnt sugar), so we ended up with Wendys for dinner.

Nuggest, fries, Huge diet coke. Totally not emotional eating 🙂

Good day! (said dismissively, in a Brittish accent)

What have you “bleeped” lately?

17Sep2009

Huevos Rancheros

by Emily

Skipping dinner last night left me ravenous this morning! I knew I needed to remedy that with a big plate of stick-to-your-ribs food.

It was like Huevos Rancheros, but better!

Chop 2 maple chicken apple sausages, heat in a skillet.
Add 1T SmartBalance Light and 1/2black beans, season with salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, stir together 2eggs with a splash of skim milk and a sprinkle chili powder.
Add eggs to skillet and cook through.
At the last minute, add 2oz chopped cheddar.
Remove from pan and top with 2dashes Chipotle Tabasco and 1-2T salsa.

‘Twas good!

The reason I am up so early (for me) is because today is busy busy. I have a doctors appointment at 9:30 (to deal with my ridiculous foot worts that are still there!!!) and then I have my first lab today! It is supposed to run from 5-8:50 but we are taking a safety test, not doing a lab experiment, so I hope we get out early. The doctor’s office is near campus so I’m going to go straight to school from there, it will be a loooong day. I’m going to buy lunch at school and I packed a snack. Have a great day!

What is your favorite way to eat eggs? I adore sunny side up with bread for dipping, but lately I’ve been all about salsa on everything.