Tag Archives: greens

Sweet Sore First Day of Spring Sunday

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Can I tell you guys how sore my legs are?!  Moving around involves lots of lurching and waddling.  My longest runs before I got sick were about 2miles so the 5k was long comparatively.  Speaking of tired things, I kept us up past 3am the last few nights with my coughing, so we’ve both been a little tired.  The cure for that was a nice long, college-style sleep-in until noon.

When we did get up we had some errands to run that took us towards Wegman’s hot bar.

I got a nice mix of veggies,

and a few pieces of sweet and sour chicken.

I also snacked on a Crunchie Bar for dessert.

More candy from England (via Canada), this honey sponge candy is so crunchy and good!

Dinner was easy-peasy, and cheesey.

4-cheesey!  Newman’s Own Four Cheese Pizza.

I was sent a free coupon for the pizza through the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program.

The cheese mix was tasty, but the crust was a little bit squishy.

I ate my serving with some roasted green beans.

It ended up being a tasty meal,

which is good, because I’ve packed the exact thing for lunch tomorrow!

In sweet Sunday spirit, we also made cupcakes.

Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes with Marshmallow Topping.  The recipe came from Shape magazine.

I followed the recipe exactly for a change, except that I made 16 cupcakes instead of throwing some of the batter out.  <– Seriously the stupidest instruction I’ve ever read; why on earth would you instruct readers to throw out part of the batter?  Just say the recipe makes 16 servings instead of 12.  And even with “extra” cupcakes we still had frosting left over, making it even stupider!

Stupid recipe or not, it was a stupendous recipe.  The frosting tasted exactly like marshmallow topping!

I enjoyed one cupcake for dessert.  I was going to have another, but chocolate cupcakes don’t really throw me, so instead I ate a pinch bowl of icing.

Perfection.

What did you do to celebrate the first day of spring (today)?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

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I hope all my readers are out enjoying green beer and Irish car bombs!  No booze for me at the moment.  Anyone who really knows me can tell I’m sick just by looking at me today –

It’s a holiday with a theme color and my nails aren’t painted?!?!

Sickness be damned though, it’s a freaking holiday, I kept 90% of what I ate today green!  Well sort of, I didn’t eat breakfast and I didn’t pack lunch so this non-green tuna packet was kind of a necessity for lunch.

I have no taste buds at the moment, but I’ve had the spicy thai chili variety before and it’s quite tasty.

I sipped on a Green Superfood packet from Amazing Grass after lunch.

And ate a GoGo Squeez applesauce during my break.  <– fruit in a pouch rocks my socks

In the hours between my two classes I totally completed a huge assignment that’s not due for another few weeks; whoop, whoop!

During my late class I snacked on some green jelly beans,

and dried kiwi.

Yuuuuuum.  If you ever see dried kiwi at your stores, buy it!  The chew is perfect and the little seeds pop with the best crunch.

Dinner was tasty and on theme.

We stirred turnip greens into a box of mac and cheese.

Then topped them with poached hard-boiled eggs.

CSN Stores gave me this microwave egg poacher to try,

we haven’t gotten the method quite down yet, but the eggs were tasty and quick at least.

To combat my dead taste-buds I added 1oz of extra sharp cheddar and some sprinkles of Sriracha to my bowl.

Delicious!

How did you celebrate St. Patty’s day this year?

Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls

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Warning – if you make it to the end of this post, you’ll have to pee.

I knew I wasn’t up for the gym this morning but I also knew I wasn’t up for more than one cold walk, so I had Adam drop me off at school on his way anyway.  I made a pitifully small amount of notecards in that time, but some is better than nothing.

It was at school that I had cup of tea #1 (blackberry sage black tea) –

And cup of tea #2 (apple cider black tea) –

When I got home I made a smoothie for lunch, 1 frozen banana + 1 cup frozen spinach + 1 cup oj.

Sadly it was the worst green monster I’ve ever made, but I drank it all anyways to get in the greens and vitamin C.

Popcorn also sounded good,

and you can’t have popcorn without a diet pop.

I also had an onion bun with Smart Balance Light.

Cup of tea #3 (candy cane lane green tea, with honey) –

And finally, cup of tea #4 (eggnog’n with lots of honey) –

Are you feeling sloshy yet?

I should have a fun dinner to post later, if I haven’t floated away yet!

What do you prefer to drink when you’re sick?  Generally I’m more of a ginger ale than a tea person, but today I was feeling the hot liquids (obviously!).

Newman’s Own Vlog

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I got a lot accomplished today, but we are reaching the ‘loopy’ portion of the evening so it’s important that my cold-carrying self keep this quick.

Lunch was a dynamic duo, 0% plain Chobani,

with a Justin’s maple almond butter packet.

I say I don’t like almond butter, but really everyone likes Justin’s Nut Butters!

If you want to see what we had for dinner, you’ll need to watch the most embarrassing video on earth –

It’s a shame that my vlog debut had to correspond with what was supposed to be a professional-ish video for a contest, but that’s life.

Disclosure – Flip Cam and Newman’s Own products were provided by the Foodbuzz Tastemaker’s Program.

Mexican Melee

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I didn’t post yesterday in a last-ditch attempt at today’s three tests.  This was not a successful plan.  Too little, too late.  Let’s just say that I’ve studied more for quizzes than I studied in total for these three exams.  At least my extreme disappointment in myself will serve as motivation the rest of the semester.  In fact, I’m not even going to talk about my tests in today’s recap; let’s keep things positive.

I had Adam drop me off at school early today to study (God, I miss the gym!) and I packed this Ricera vegan yogurt for breakfast.

Bletch!  One bite (and a lot of gagging) later and this was in the trash.  I don’t think I’ve ever tasted something so chemically in my life!  And the texture was indescribably bad, slimy at best.

Thankfully I picked up a tea on my way into the library.

This Republic of Tea English Breakfast Black Tea actually wasn’t half bad.  I need to make tea part of my routine more often.

Lunch was random and quick.  A leftover serving of Asian cole-slaw,

and a baggie of dried kiwi and hibiscus.

Yum, the kiwi was a fresh bag from OhNuts! and it tasted extra fresh.

Halfway through my second nutrition class I realized I made a mistake not packing more food, especially carbs – I was starting to shake!  Some really messy notes and a major headache later we were finally out of class and I tried to remedy the situation in the campus bookstore.  Peanut Butter Cookie Lara Bar,

and a pack of (new!) Rainbow Mentos.

The dose of protein and sugar was just what I needed to get my through my night class/test.

When I finally got home it took mere minutes to whip up a tasty themed(ish) dinner –

Yum, yum, yum.

First, Mexican-style pizza topped with black beans and corn.

This combo was too awesome, the leftovers are going to be great tomorrow.

On side, steamed kale with Stubbs BBQ Sauce and raisins.

Try raisins in your next savory dish, I dare you.

Finally, Mexican hot chocolate.

Serves 2 –

  • 1 cup plain almond milk (we used Unsweetened Silk)
  • 2 unsweetened baker’s chocolate squares
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon extract
  • 4 Tbsp sugar
  • (optional) cinnamon and vegan marshmallows
  1. In a small, thick-bottomed put, heat milk to a low boil.
  2. Chop chocolate and add to milk.  Cover pot and continue to boil 1-2minutes.
  3. Whisk in sugar and cinnamon extract.
  4. Pour into two mugs and top with cinnamon and marshmallows if desired.

The cocoa was so thick and creamy it was more like pudding; I ate mine with a spoon!

We watched House while we ate (glorious!) and now I’ve got to get some beauty rest so I’m ready to conquer tomorrow!

Do you ever put raisins in savory dishes?

Slipping into Grumpsville

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The good news?  Several $100 later, I’ve got my computer back!  The bad news?  I’ve got a major case of the grumps.  I’ll try to keep this quick.

I haven’t been to the gym in a week.  I’ve also been cranky for a week.  I think that is solid scientific evidence that I’m happier when I workout 🙂  In the interest of considering all the data, I should also mention that I haven’t been going because my knee hurts and it’s possible I’m also cranky because I’m pissed about my knee.  <– that is extra-strength ironic, you’ll see why in a minute.

First, a breakfast that didn’t make me cranky.

I didn’t want to use banana so instead I beefed up my normal stove-top oats (1/3 cup oats, 1/2 cup each water and So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk) with 1.5 Tbsp of chia seeds and 2 tsp dark brown sugar.

I topped my chewy-in-the-best-way-ever creation with Trader Joe’s Sun Butter.

Sooo good.

Then I walked to school for lab.  And I slipped on the ice.  And fell.  Into a puddle.

Yeah, I don’t even really know what else to say about that.  I was angry and soaking wet and I wrenched my already hurt knee and bashed my ‘good’ knee into the sidewalk.  And as the day went on I realized my back also is killing me.  Hence the trip to Grumpsville.

After lab I walked home, gingerly, and took advantage of the Subway $5 Footlong promotion along the way.

I ate half today, and have the other half leftover for tomorrow.

I got the veggie sub with lettuce, tomato, spinach, red onion, green peppers, cucumber, black olives, and pickles.  I added a little Stubbs BBQ Sauce when I got home.

Delish.  Also another sandwich that did not miss the cheese.

I also got a large diet coke with ice and dipped pretzels into it.

Heaven.

And then I ate this thing of cashews.

Unfortunately the sandwich and massive snack attack didn’t take care of my other complaint – I was hungry, all day long.  Pretty much all day when I wasn’t complaining about my back I was frantic with hunger; Adam thinks I’m a joy to be with.  I took unphotographed nibbles of pretty much every item in the fridge (chickpeas leftovers, potatoes, peanut butter…).

Happy Sidenote – I was recently sent some Arnold’s 100% Whole Wheat Flax and Fiber Sandwich Thins to sample.  [I like them a lot]  The husband is obsessed with them!  Look at his lunch –

When we got the last-minute call about my computer (yay) we headed out, scrapping our dinner plans and opting for Moe’s instead.

I housed this veggie burrito with rice, pinto beans, sautéed mushrooms and onions, guacamole, and black olives.

I actually still have an assignment to do tonight (and of course I still have to complain about it) so I’ve got to go.  You’ll miss my cheery disposition 🙂

Have you ever slipped on the ice?

Dinner for Breakfast Through Dinner

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Thanks for all the well wishes for my sick laptop, guys!  Adam’s been a sport about letting me use his and for now I’m viewing it as a glass half full situation because it keeps me from wasting so much time on the internet 😉

There was a situation this morning with the applesauce (you so don’t want to know) so my breakfast ended up being a little less breakfasty.

Apparently I like my morning meals spicy and veggie filled.

This vegan Enchilada from Amy’s was pretty great though.

I also had a cup of Eggnog’n tea with a splash of Silk Hazelnut Soy Creamer.

Lunch was random if nothing else.

A plain So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt with some Crofter’s Strawberry Jam,

and a Thai Peanut Primal Strip.

If you’re going to write in and ask “but, Emily, weren’t you hungry after that lunch?” don’t bother.  Yes!  I was satisfied for an hour or so and then I was starving.  I sat through a club meeting after school where everyone was eating pizza and it was pretty torturous.

I was pretty ecstatic that I had time to buy a sandwich before my night class.

I got a 6inch sub with green pepper, red onion, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickles, black olives, and bbq sauce.

One of the things I’m loving about the vegan challenge is that I’m learning that it’s ok to skip the cheese sometimes.  Before I would have automatically ordered a slice of cheddar on this sandwich and it was totally fine without it.

It was a great night because we got out an hour early from my music class, and then it got even better when I walked in the door to dinner.

I set the husband up with the ingredients and recipe for Cooking Light’s Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas, and then he did the rest before I got home.

Go, husband!

The rest of the evening involved the pre-lab due tomorrow and the chocolate-covered strawberries the husband bought for Valentine’s.

Hasta!

Do you automatically put or skip cheese on your sandwiches?  What’s your favorite kind for sandwiches?

I’m Soooooo Hungry

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So the liquid lunch was a bad idea.  It’s possible I said “I’m soooooo hungry” so many times this evening that the husband temporarily stopped loving me.  No worries, I’m sure my complaints about the cold won him back 😉

So far the vegan challenge has been easy breezy, but tonight, surrounded by the chicken wings and pizza logs of Wegman’s hot bar, it felt pretty challenging.  All I can say is thank God was able to find these (vegan) veggie wontons at the sushi counter.

If I hadn’t been able to eat before we started shopping I’m pretty sure I’d still be at the grocery store, wandering around in a haze and whimpering.

But the beast was not squelched, as my hand found its way (again and again) into this bag of tortilla chips while I prepared dinner.

It got so bad I finally took out another, smaller bag of chips so I’d have some built-in portion control.

Adam shared the bag with me, but not by much, and there might have been some growling.

It’s a good thing dinner was tasty.

It’s also a good thing that dinner was low-calorie and full of veggies, but that’s another story.

A few weeks I ago I was sent some Pace Picante Sauce (for free, via the Foodbuzz Tastemakers Program) with a note to create an amazing recipe for a chance to win a Super Bowl party.  Clearly I missed that opportunity, but I did make a tasty recipe –

Vegan Seven Layer Casserole*, serves 4

  • 2 tightly packed cups baby spinach
  • 3/4 cup canned corn
  • 1 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
  • 1 medium avocado, chopped
  • 1.5 cups pre-cooked, chopped veggies  (Use whatever you’ve got leftover, but we used yellow squash and broccoli and that’s what I’d recommend if you’re starting from scratch.)
  • 2 8oz jars Pace Mild Picante Sauce
  1. Preheat your oven to 400*.  Lightly grease an 8×8 casserole with cooking spray.
  2. Carefully fill casserole with 7 layers, spreading each layer out smoothly.  Start with spinach on the bottom followed by corn – onion – chips – avocado – veggies – and finally salsa on top.
  3. Bake 30minutes.

*Note – this will not come out in squares like a typical casserole, it’s more of a spoon out dish.

I’m finally full, and now I’m (finally) going to get in bed with a book!