Tag Archives: sandwich

Combatting Stress

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Today has been a big day – I had a nutrition final, a break, and then my Organic Chemistry final.  I knew 8am – 3pm was going to be a stressful, so I did my best to combat my lack of cheer.

Like wearing a nice pink shirt (new from Hanukkah).

And having Adam stop at Starbucks on his way to dropping me off at school (grande non-fat eggnog latte).

My first exam went pretty well, 84% at very minimum.  Sidenote – when I take multiple choice tests I always keep a tally of questions I’m not certain of so that I can calculate my lowest possible score.  Does anyone else do this?  Anyway, my class grade before the final was a 100%, so I’m not too worried.

Then I crammed.  Not gonna lie; I did not study Organic this weekend.  I really have no explanation or excuse for my study habits this semester; all I can say is that I’m pretty disgusted with myself.  I quit my job to go back to school, next semester I plan on treating school like it’s my job (because it is!).

For my mid-cram lunch I packed a ‘new things sandwich.’

1 slice 2% Provolone cheese and 3 slices Applegate Farms Turkey Bologna on an Arnold’s Whole Grain White Sandwich Thin.

The star of the show sandwich was definitely the Applegate Farms Turkey Bologna.

I’ve never actually tasted bologna before, but this was delicious!  There was a fabulous smokiness to it.

Does anyone else see that sandwich smile?

I also packed a baggie of baby carrots on the side,

and a 60% Cacao Ghirardelli square.

I probably should have packed more chocolate, because then I headed to Organic 😉  It wasn’t good, but it wasn’t terrible either.  I asked the teacher to look over my test at the end and he said that I wasn’t ridiculous.  Supposedly we can get our grades tomorrow, so I’ll be waiting with pretty bated breath.

Then I headed to the gym to work off the rest of my stress.  I did an intervals session on the treadmill –

  • 1 minute walking / 2 minutes running
  • x 13 (39 minutes)
  • with cooldown = 45 minutes, 4.0 miles

I had to wait on campus for Adam to pick me up (it’s 10* out there!) but as soon as this is posted I’m getting into the shower and then into my baking clothes!

Sweet Tooth

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My goal for today is to get in bed before 10pm.  I have to shower, pack for tomorrow, look over some notecards, and write this blog post.  Go!

My meetings went well this afternoon and I went to my final class of the semester.  All I have tomorrow is labs, with exams and presentations, and then next week is finals.  This semester feels like it flew by, I can’t belive it’s almost Christmas!

In my break I read Organic in the cafe in our bookstore.  I ate a spicy chicken flatbread from the cafe.

These sandwiches are so good!  When I eat while studying I like to use bites to break up the pages, but with these I end up basically shoveling them in.  I go to set the sandwich down and I just can’t bear it!

Then I had a date with the treadmill –

  • 2mile run (19.08minutes), I had to take a few quick breaks but my time is getting faster!
  • 11minutes brisk walking on a slight incline with my notecards

Finally, I went to the quickest lab check-out ever; I was in and out in under 5minutes!  I did stick around long enough to learn that my lab grade ended up being a 100.25%!  Our lab grade gets averaged into our class grade and I definitely need those points 🙂

The husband picked me up from school because we had a date at Sweet Tooth to use up a Groupon.  I had my heart set on peppermint ice cream – I can’t find it anywhere! – but sadly that wasn’t available.  We ended up getting a fun array of goodies though.

Tonight’s selection –

I ate three big bites of this pistachio cheesecake, which was divine.

And three small bites of this cannoli, which was soggy and weird.

I’m excited to taste our other purchases tomorrow.

I realize that I ended up skipping either dinner or lunch (depending on how you look at it, but I only had two meals today) and I am actually a bit hungry, but I think my healthiest option for the evening is honoring my bedtime goal.  Good thing I’m excited about tomorrow’s breakfast!

Have you found peppermint (or eggnog!) ice cream in your area this year?

Nog Makes It Nice

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I love egg nog.  Like, a lot.  If I wasn’t so obsessed with keeping holidays within their “slots” I’d probably drink it year round.  But then there’s also that whole ‘fitting into my pants’ issue.  Which is what makes this product so amazing.

Silk Soy Nog.  95% as tasty as the original, and the nutritional stats are 95% better than the original.

It is so fabulously tasty, and healthfully low-fat that it even works well as a breakfast staple.  Overnight oats anyone?

Soy nog overnight oats are so good that I’ve basically stopped eating regular o.n.o. the rest of the year!

Yesterday evening I stirred together 1/3cup oatmeal and 2/3cup Silk Soy Nog and put them in the fridge overnight.  This morning I stirred in 1 Low Fat Vanilla Stonyfield and a dash of nutmeg.  Topped with holiday sprinkles, of course!

Packed into a go-cup for the car.

I ate in transit so I could cram for my test once I got to school.  I think I did pretty well, ~B, there were a few questions on there that we had not covered at all in class so that was frustrating.

My schedule today was class – break – meetings – break – evening class.  I used my first break to study for my upcoming Anatomy practical.  Fueled by Reese’s Pieces.

ET made me do it!  I ate about half of this bag, or approximately 1.5servings.

Just in case you aren’t sure that I’m a dork, I have to show you that I was taking my notes with a peppermint scented red and green striped pen –

‘Tis the season!

My meeting concerned the application process for the program I’m applying to (due the first week of the spring semester) and gave me major anxiety.  I have a lot to do over Christmas break.

My plan for the second break was to get a veggie sub and study for Orgo.  Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that “a little bbq sauce, please” was code for “please dip my entire sandwich in sauce, thereby making it impossible to eat and work at the same time.”

That messy monster contained green pepper, red onion, lettuce, tomato, pickles, pepperjack, and bbq sauce.

Sidenote on the sandwich – what I really wanted was an enchilada burrito from Taco Bell.  I hate most fast food but, not gonna lie, I sort of love Taco Bell.  But I recently realized that just because Taco Bell isn’t McDonalds (eww), doesn’t mean that their chickens are any tortured.  If I only buy “humane” meat to cook at home then I shouldn’t eat “evil” meat just because I’m not at home.  Obviously there are road trips and restaurants and other people’s houses, but I should probably be done with Taco Bell 😦

My night class went quickly, and then I came home to a quick but random dinner.

Actually, we were both starving, so while we cooked the husband and I split a quicksadilla (that’s a tortilla with sharp cheddar microwaved in it).

When I was at my grandparent’s house for Turkey Day, they served the tastiest brussels sprout dish.  I wrote down the recipe – by Cat Cora for a magazine – to make again when we got home.

3 lbs brussels sprouts
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 Tbsp lemon juice
4 Tbsp capers

Prepare brussels sprouts by peeling off the outside leaves and cutting off the steam.  Using a paring knife, mark the core where the stem was with an X.  Cut the sprouts in half.
In a 4-qt saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.  Season with 1 Tbsp salt.  Blanch sprouts for 10minutes or until fork-tender.
In a 10-inch saute pan, brown the butter and add sprouts.  Cook over medium-high heat until caramelized, 10minutes.
Remove from the heat and add the capers and lemon juice.  Season with remaining salt.
Serves 8.  Per serving: 130calories, 5g protein…

I have to warn you about my entrée – it tasted better than it looked.

There was a serving each left of kugel and hoppin’ john…

…so I put them together!

The sweet and spicy mix was actually very tasty.

I’m almost definitely going to have a repeat of last night’s dessert (vanilla ice-cream with strawberries and homemade caramel sauce) but I have a few assignments to tackle so I’m going to say “goodbye” to blogland now and switch into work-mode.  See you in the am!

***Via random integer generator, the winner of my OhNuts! giveaway is #8 –

Yvonne, please e-mail me (emilyhwaxATgmail.com) so I can get you your prize!

Five Little Words

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Huge Anatomy test tomorrow, hurry!

Five(ish) words per line, go!

Southwest chicken flatbread sandwich, mmmn.

Corn, black beans, melty cheddar.

Baked goods food lab today.

1/3 eaten, cookies = dough balls!

Wegman’s to study, and dinner.

Lots of veggies, a little fun.

1chip per 4slides = study bribe.

Class, study, class, study, bedtime.

Switcharoo

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If the shoe fits, wear it – today I am a flip-flopper.  (Omg, can we talk about how rife with puns that introduction was?! Love it!)

I flipped my breakfast and lunch, I flipped my schedule, and I can predict that I’ll flip out at the husband if he hasn’t put the freaking toilet paper roll up by the time I get home from class.  (Sidenote – I’m fairly sure Adam thinks there is some sort of mystical toilet paper fairy, as he seems completely unaware that regular old humans can get a new roll on the dispenser.)

My bedtime goal was a flop last night; I didn’t get in bed until after 12:00 and I tossed and turned most of the night.  The good news is that I’m extra motivated to try again today.  The bad news is that I was too much of a zombie to make breakfast this morning.  And wouldn’t you know it, I woke up extra hungry today!  Thankfully I packed my lunch yesterday.  Cucumber slices for breakfast, why not?

I also had some Garden of Eatin’ Blue Chips,

and a cheese and jam sandwich (Crofter’s Strawberry and Cabot’s 50% Reduced White Cheddar on Arnold’s WW Sandwich Thin).

Normally the fact that I devoured my lunch before noon would be an issue, but all of my afternoon engagements ended early so I was able to flip my schedule and come home before my night class.

A coconut mini macaroon with cinnamon cream cheese filling made its way into my mouth the minute I got in the apartment.

Followed closely by a coconut oat no-bake.

But then I did make some grown up food for lunch.

This was the best tuna salad I’ve ever made, true story!  I threw some onion in and it took this over the top.

1 can tuna (flaked with a fork) + 1/6 Sweet Mayan Onion (diced) + 3 Tbsp pickle relish + 2 Tbsp Miracle Whip + sprinkle paprika = taste sensation + kicking breath

On the side I had a sliced apple and some Club crackers I stole from the husband.

I’ve got to hurry back to campus for my night class, we have class plus a quiz and I hope both end quickly so I can get home and make dinner and my bedtime goals.  By the way – I got back my last two Nutrition tests; 100% (yay) and 85% (boo).

In other (good) news…. I sent Adam to school with two big containers of cookies and everyone loved them!

What do you put in your tuna salad?

We’re All Winners Here

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I got my baby back, and I don’t mean ribs!  It feels so good to have my laptop back 😀  Although things aren’t quite back  to normal……I’m blogging from Ohio! 

The weekend worked with everyone’s schedules so we drove down to visit our in-laws and niece.

I was running around all morning like a crazy person trying to get things ready for our last-minute visit.  Packing, loads of dishes, clearing out the trash, and more.  I was so busy I didn’t even have time to eat.  Reason #12679459 why I probably shouldn’t be a healthy living blogger – I didn’t have time to eat, but I did make time for this –

And time to set up to take a picture with my chin.

Priorities, people!

I came home in between classes this morning to pack, and thank goodness because this was on my doorstep –

Did you know I won a case of Chobani?  If not you should probably start following me on Twitter.  We had to write an ode to our favorite flavor and I cinched the win with this bit of prose –

I’m so excited to taste so many new (to me) flavors!

Adam picked me up from class this afternoon and we got on the road right away.  The stretch of highway between here and Michael’s house is positively barren foodwise but I finally accepted that it would be McDonald’s or nothing.  Thankfully I remembered that their salads are actually not bad.

I got the Southwest salad with grilled chicken and was totally pleased.

My late lunch held me over well and I’m glad I didn’t wait any longer or I would have gnawed my arm off by dinner time.

The plan was to see a movie tonight so dinner came from a mall food court.  I ended up managing to find a pretty nice little natural burger spot.

I ordered a non-cow (veggie) burger with pickles and bbq sauce.

Nothing gourmet, but it was the best food court meal I’ve ever had.  The pickles were thick cut and fantastically crunchy.

During the movie Adam and I split this box of Crazy Core Skittles.

And the movie?  We saw “Skyline” which I can only describe in one word – no.  Just no, it was baaaaaaaad, please don’t subject yourself to it!

Finally, the winners of my Terra giveaway, via a random integer generator –

Congrats to Paige (#1), Monica (#12), Erin (#23), Katie (#24), and Kristy (#27).  E-mail me (emilyhwaxATgmail.com) with your address guys!

I’m so glad to be back blogging! ❤

Breakfast, Preview, Lucky YOU

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An Early Breakfast

I am so not prepared for today’s exam that breakfast felt more like ‘last meal,’ but it’s a long day and I want to be well-fueled.  I don’t tend to eat much cereal but it is quick and tasty fuel.

1 serving of Barbara’s Vanilla Almond Shredded Oats and 1/2 serving Special K Red Berries with a chopped plum (with plain Silk Almond Milk).

A Lunch Preview

After my exam I’ve got two meetings that will keep me on campus until at least 2:30, so I thought I’d show you my eats early rather than late.

Today’s lunch is a milder form of yesterday’s Monte Cristo.

Arnold’s WW Sandwich Thin, topped with Crofter’s Strawberry Spread, and 1.5oz Cabot 50% Reduced White Cheddar.

I am so jazzed about my sandwich combo that apparently it put me in a jam mood, because I also packed a 2% Fage with Strawberry.

Finally, a serving of Terra Exotic Harvest Sea Salt Chips.

I’m not gonna lie, I gobbled up at least a serving of these chips while I packed my lunch.  I should not have accepted this free sample because as soon as this bag runs out I’m going to blow my whole budget buying more!

This new variety has carrots, blue potatoes, and kabocha squash.  All the Terra chips are extra thick in a way that is so fabulous, and this bag is the perfect variety of salty yet sweet.  They let the veggies’ flavors shine through, but you definitely feel like you are eating chips.  I’m in love….

Lucky for You

….which is good news for you, because I’m doing a giveaway!

Terra heard my raving about the Blues variety and offered to let me share the love with my readers (you guys!).  5 lucky winners will receive a coupon for $$-off a bag of heaven Terra Chips.  To enter –

  1. Leave a comment on this post before noon on Friday (11/12).
  2. For a 2nd entry, link back to this post from your blog and leave another comment letting me know you’ve done so.
  3. For a 3rd entry, link back to this post from Twitter and leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so.

And, just to be nice, you could wish me luck on my test today!  😉

Monte Cristo Monday Creation

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Sorry for going all MIA this weekend, my internet/computer was being slow and I just couldn’t bear it!  I did not get enough school work done, but I did manage to have a lot of (non-tech)fun –

And I infused some fun into this Monday morning in the form of flavored coffee.

Normally I eschew all this Christmas until December 1st, but Gingerbread and Eggnog coffees in November just felt right.  I had a few cups of gingerbread this morning, with lots of skim milk and a little sugar.

Most of my morning was spent study-study-studying.  I have a HUGE test tomorrow!  I did take time to make an exciting breakfast/lunch though.  I was inspired by the Nature’s Pride bread sample I received through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker’s Program.

We decided to try Honey Wheat first (review of Oatmeal is pending).

As soon as I got the bread I knew what I wanted to make – a recreation of the French Toast Monte Cristo I got in Boston a few years ago.

Crisp but chewy, eggy and cheesy, savory and sweet; I’ve been long overdue in having this again.

I spread two slices of Nature’s Pride Honey Wheat with Crofter’s Strawberry Spread,

added 2oz of Cabots 50% reduced fat white cheddar and a few slices of turkey,

dipped in a beaten Eggland’s Best egg, and pan-fried in 1Tbsp Smart Balance Light.

Oh my gosh.

Chewy.  Crisp.  Eggy.  Cheesy.  Savory yet sweet.  Perfection.

This sandwich (if you use the low-fat varieties I used) has ~500calories, perfect for 2-meals-in-1 brunch.  And if I made any changes it would honestly be to healthy this up – there was almost a little too much cheesiness and fried goldenness going on.

I also had a cucumber with ranch dip.

The study-study-study is going to be most of my day, but we do having something super nerdy fun on the agenda for this evening…..

Have you tried any sandwiches french toasted?