Tag Archives: leftovers

It Got Away

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Hello, hello!  I swear that I didn’t skip my post/giveaway this morning because I was sulking; the day just got away from me!  First things first though, thank you so much to all of you who offered me advice in the last post.  I blog for me (and my mom and grandma!), but I also blog for you guys, and I always want to do my best.

I mentioned that the day got away from me, and if I’m honest, it started getting away from me last night.  When Adam got in bed at 10pm I so wanted to be the type of person who got in with him and got a good night sleep.  But that’s not who I am.  I’m the type of person that stays up until 2am watching Missing.  I’m also the type of person who eats the last banana split cupcake at 2am.

That’s just me.

I actually woke up raring to go this morning (probably nerves) but I ended up skipping my planned 4-miler anyways because my knee feels funky again.  I’m hoping to double up on cardio tomorrow to make up for the lost day, fingers crossed!

Today was my first training day at work and since I was going to be busy through lunch I knew I needed a big, hearty breakfast.

Yum and yum.

I sautéed a crumbled salmon patty with three tablespoons of spicy corn relish and when I started to get a good char I scrambled in two eggs and ~ 1oz of extra sharp cheddar.

I’m in love with this dish.  I haven’t eaten the corn relish “raw” yet, but it is so darn good in eggs.

I also ate a 0% Fage with soursop.

Which, thankfully, pushed me to enough food to get me through the lunch rush.

— Insert 11 – 2:30 training at the newest restaurant on Elmwood. —

When I got home I had time to split this taffy candy with Adam,

before we had to head to his dentist appointment.  <– ironic, right?

I obviously didn’t have to go, but I’m co-dependent, so I ignored my growling belly and hopped in the car.  I brought a chocolate dipped coconut Luna Bar,

but I had to split it with Adam because it’s too darn good not to share.  Tastes just like a Girl Scout Samosa, I swear!

Unfortunately, I let myself get waaaay too hungry and my food choices have gone a little downhill.  I got a good balance of veggies and protein in my Wegman’s hot bar,

but I shoveled it into my face the minute we got back to the car!

I also bought a pecan pie bar from the Co-op.

I can’t even tell you how much self-control it took not to eat this in the car too.

And now (as soon as I hit publish) I’m going to eat some popcorn.  Boo-yah.  Clearly I need a more effective way of dealing with lunches on work days.

Just for funsies; what are some of your favorite blogs to follow?

Thank You, Friends Up North

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First things first, the winners of today’s giveaway were Jenny and Monica –

Congrats guys, get me your mailing addresses and I’ll send out your coupons.  Everyone else (and Jenny and Monica too, you can enter more than once if you’re feeling extra lucky), don’t forget that another giveaway chance will be posted tomorrow morning.

I feel a little strange writing this post because today felt a little strange.  We haven’t been getting enough sleep and I feel like I’ve been walking through a haze.  I’ve been insanely hungry and I’m sure it’s tied to my lack of sleep.  Though let’s pretend that I’m hungry from my good habits instead of my bad ones, like my workout this morning!

I had 40 minutes of cardio on the agenda so I hopped on the elliptical – level 6 random – for 40 minutes.  I worked up quite a sweat, but my pace was super slow and I knew that I wasn’t really pushing myself so I added 25 minutes on the stationary bike.  I had absolutely no idea what I was doing with the fancy tv-style settings, but I was dripping when I finished so I must have done something right.  As I was getting off the bike, I spotted a fun looking game setting that I’m eager to try out next week.

By the time I got home I was hun-ga-re!  Enter my newest dream team.

I topped a 1 cup serving of Quaker Golden Maple Oatmeal Squares with a serving of Amande strawberry flavored almond milk yogurt and 2 Tbsp of crunchy peanut butter.

I probably won’t buy this yogurt again, the texture was definitely a little “fake” and I’m not too keen on non-Greek flavored yogurts anyways, but I do highly recommend it for any vegans looking for a yogurt fix.  I sent my pb through a spin in the microwave to get it all melty and it became very swoon-worthy.

Unfortunately I didn’t eat “breakfast” until I got home and showered from working out and it was near noon.  My insane hunger coupled with the weird meal times meant I ended up grazing all day.

I had a perfect, crunchy pear.

Two onion rolls with Smart Balance Light.

And a packet of cinnamon roll Oat Revolution with brown sugar, a splash of skim milk, and a big handful of raisins.

Around 2 I did stop stuffing my face long enough to get gussied and leave the apartment – it’s time to find a summer job!  My long stroll up and down Elmwood (in a suit, with a packet of resumes) wasn’t fruitful yet, but at least it got me back off the couch.  I have a couple of prospects I’m feeling hopeful about, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed because the next step will be looking for jobs that aren’t walking distance from the apartment.

Adam picked me up towards the end of my walk home and we split a mini turtle Blizzard.

Then we came home and made a pile.  <– watch “Where the Wild Things Are,” you’ll thank me

I was flying solo for dinner so I went simple.

A leftover Reuben Stuffed Turkey Burger,

with a big plate of baby carrots to get in some veggies.

Notes – 1. I added a slice of cheese to that burger right after I snapped the photo.  2. My hand has been sneaking into the tin of cashews all evening but there’s no pictoral evidence.  3. Those burgers are really good!

And with that, I’m off to watch “Missing” on Netflix Instant Watch.   I rediscovered it recently and it’s rocking my socks.  Is there anything Canadian tv can’t do??!  I also loved “Are You Afraid of the Dark?,” “Braceface,” “Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy,” “That’s So Wierd,” and “In a Heartbeat.”  <– loooove

Did you watch any of those shows back in the day?

A Victory Lap

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I’m free, I’m free; now I’m really free!  I’m finally done with school for the year and it feels go-oood!  I’m sure I scared some of my more studious readers this morning, but I did save myself enough time to get my presentation perfectly prepped.

I had a final exam at 10am so I didn’t leave myself time for breakfast, but I did grab a coffee with skim milk when I got to school.

There were lots of happy-go-lucky feelings when we finished our final; I was the only one in my group of friends who still had to present so they were officially finished with school at noon.  Our friend Rachel brought in goodies and we had a little mini celebration.

Peanut butter chocolate no-bakes,

and sangria!

I had a packed lunch from home too, a final serving of Buffalo Wing Baked Pasta,

and an applesauce GoGo Squeeze.

Then, lisp-inducing retainers far far away from my mouth, I headed off to my final presentation of the semester.  I won’t actually get my grade until the next school year, but I think it went really well.  I was composed, I got in all the important points, I know my PowerPoint was perfect (I met with my teacher a few weeks ago to perfect it)… My voice was definitely shaking, but you can’t win ’em all!

When the clock hit 3:30 and we realized the year was officially done there was some serious excitement.  After a quick trip back home I went with a group of friends to immediately sell back our textbooks.  Why wait, ya know?  While we were out and about we took advantage of the Starbucks half-off frappuccino happy hour.

I ordered a tall coffee coconut frappuccino.

Pretty darn good.  Celebratory even.

We had some trouble getting motivated when I got home, but some pretzels and hummus helped to fuel us up.

I ate about a serving of each.

Around 7:30 Adam and I finally headed out for a victory lap.  We went down to the path at Delaware Park for two 1.75 mile laps.  I ran my clock the entire time (even during a few walking breaks) and in total I did 3.5 miles in 34:50.  We drove home and then took a long stroll around Elmwood.

My knee feels funny again but I’m crossing my fingers and icing.

I was stuck on the kitchen floor for 30minutes so I directed Adam through dinner from there.  I had him bring me the Sharpies too so I could make the birthday card for our niece.

By the time my masterpiece was complete, so was dinner.

We roasted up some white asparagus.

It was meh, a little watery and bitter, nothing like its green cousin.

Plus some Trader Joe’s orange-style chicken,

which was fabulous.  I wish we lived in a real city where I had the option of picking up more of this!

Now I’d like to stay up late on a night when it’s not a terrible idea 😀

Quick and Dirty

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I’m back!  Well, sort of; I’ve got a final exam and an important presentation tomorrow but then I will officially be done with this year of school.  Done with the relentless bad mood.  Done with the only time for once-a-day recaps.  Done with the boring, detail-free posts.  But I’ve got to do one last quick and dirty post tonight.  <– not that I’m working on my presentation yet, it’s just that this is cutting into my “Chicago Code”

As predicted this morning started off with a workout.  I hit up the gym with my notecards for some cramming and cross-training.  I walked (at varying inclines) on the treadmill for 1 hour and 3.5 miles.  Followed by strength/stretching.

Also as predicted, coffee.

A big splash of Silk Vanilla Almond Milk and 16oz of the good stuff.  Buffalo natives – if you are near a Wilson Farms do yourself a favor and buy a cup of the ‘Jamaican Me Crazy’ coffee.  With hints of coconut it is so good, almost sweet!

I did not predict that I would manage to pull together such a cute outfit on this busy day.

The spring wardrobe is sooo much easier than winterwear!

I munched on a yogurt honey peanut Balance Bar on my walk to school.

And then it was down to business.  We had a final exam and a comprehensive exam (covering two courses) today so I met a group of friends for a serious 5-hour cram session.  I’m honesty not sure how I did on the exams – it’s like my mind was Men In Black-style blanked the minute I put down my pencil – but lunch was a winner.

Dinner was another leftover serving of Buffalo Wing Pasta, which gets better and better as it sits.

Plus two mini bags of popcorn with Smart Balance Light. [insert picture here]  <– or just pretend that you know what a bowl of popcorn looks like

I’m definitely going to eat popcorn every day until the box is gone, and it’s running out quickly.  Just like I’m running out quickly on this post… ba-dum-ching!

Time Crunch Tuesday

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I’m not going to tell you about my day.  I’m definitely not going to tell you about how hideously unprepared I am for my two important tests tomorrow.  I am going to stick to my blog-everything-for-30-days goal.  Photo details only to follow…

An everything style Bagel Thin with a slice of 2% Colby cheese.

A small white hot chocolate made with skim milk.

Apple dippers.

A GoGo Squeez applesauce pouch.

A Chocolate Dipped Coconut Luna Bar.  (Oh God, this was good.  It tasted like a Samoa!)

A dulce de leche Skinny Cow mini ice cream.

2 mini bags of popcorn with Smart Balance Light.

Leftover Buffalo Wing Baked Pasta,

with baby carrots,

and a pickle.

A frozen coffee.

Workout = 3 mile run down Elmwood, 28:40.  No stops, yay!

Done and done.

I’m Feeling Wicked

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Congrats to those of you who guessed it; last night Adam and I saw “Wicked” at Shea’s Performing Arts Center!

I’ve seen the show once before in NYC and I have to admit that the Buffalo rendition totally exceeded my expectations!

Gregory Maguire is one of my favorite authors, and Wicked is actually my all-time favorite book.  I tend to read mostly memoirs and non-fiction, but Maguire’s adult fairy tales are totally my jam!  I don’t love all of the changes that the play makes to the story, but the added hilarity definitely allow me to overlook them.  Adam loved the show as well, which was the most exciting thing at all for me.

We bought ourselves a champagne before the show started,

and nibbled on some Smarties during intermission.

It was a glorious date night, thanks Mom and Dad!

This morning’s breakfast was centered around trying out a new vegan yogurt find, Amande is made from cultured almond milk.

I tried the coconut flavor today, atop a sliced banana and topped with a dollop of Smuckers Natural PB with Honey and a sprinkle of shredded coconut.

I didn’t love love the yogurt (nothing can top the tang and thickness of Greek), but I thought it was the best vegan alternative I’ve ever tried.  I wouldn’t buy it regularly, but I am looking forward to trying the strawberry flavor in my fridge.  The bowl was pretty good,

though I have to admit, I was missing my usual crunchy/sweet nut addition.

I had to head to school a bit early because I was meeting with a professor about a project and I needed to go grovel at the financial aid office as well.  Part of the reason I have been feeling wicked is because I have NOT been keeping on top of my work!  <– more on that in a minute

Lunch was all about the leftovers; a piece of corn bread,

and a serving of steamed spinach,

topped with maple turkey sloppy joes.

The “sauce” mixed with the spinach was divine; I’m never eating ‘joes on a bun again!

I also snagged a few bites of free cotton candy from the student union.

Boo-yah for free spun sugar!

I mentioned feeling wicked above, and I think I put that shame to good use.  After classes ended today I headed to the dietetics lab (computers and silence) with a friend and hunkered down there until after 8pm!  I finished a ton of work and I’m on such a roll that I’m planning on making it a late night of studying.  The goal is a 12-1am bedtime alternating 30minutes of tv with 45+ minutes of studying. 

We grabbed lattes – medium, non-fat, half pumps of almond rocca syrup –

before the study session but dinner never really happened.  My stomach has been feeling off all day, hurting and bloated, so nothing ever sounded appealing.  I’ll probably grab a snack at some point this evening and I’ll just blog about it in the morning.

Have you ever seen (or read) Wicked?  What’s your favorite Broadway show?

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?

Lame Leftovers

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I’d like to tell y’all that I went out for a drink to celebrate, but I’m still sick (still!) and frankly that sounds pretty horrific.  Instead I worked on notecards and watched some tv.  And the husband already had poker plans with the boys so I didn’t even get my ice cream!  😦

Instead I ate some lame Ravioli Lasagna leftovers.

I shouldn’t call them lame, my bowl was super tasty and healthy, but it was certainly no ice cream sundae!

I haven’t been eating enough veggies lately so I “beefed up” my bowl by putting down a fresh layer of arugula and marinara sauce before I microwaved.

Not ice cream, but cheesy at least.

My dinner wasn’t super big (each portion of the lasagna has ~360calories), and minutes after eating I thought I was going to die of hunger if I didn’t get more food immediately.  But a few painful minutes on the couch later and I got distracted by MemeBase and totally forgot I was ever hungry.  I think all that coffee messed with my appetite.

I’m off to read a book in bed.  What, isn’t that what everyone does on Spring break?!