Nog Makes It Nicer

It’s Thursday, the week before Christmas break is almost complete!  I have a pt appointment this morning, which is why I’m actually awake for a change.  I don’t have much time though so breakfast was started last night – overnight oats.

  • 1/3 cup oatmeal and
  • 1/3 cup Silk soy nog were stirred together last night and put in a fridge
  • approx. 1/3 cup low fat plain yogurt and
  • dash nutmeg were stirred in this morning and
  • holiday sprinkles!

‘Twas festive and yummy.

I’ve got to scadaddle, have a great morning!

How do you make overnight oats?  Any fabulous mix in ideas?

Breakfast Like a Local

Good Morning!  And for once this post is in the actual morning, not my 11am morning/afternoon hybrid 🙂  I cancelled my pt this morning because my foot is super sore from the doctor’s appointment.  Nonetheless, I got up at 7, I took a nice refreshing shower, and got ready for a tasty breakfast.

A crispy gala apple,

and this amazing local find.

White Cow Dairy is right here in New York.

The apple got sliced,

and the low fat maple yogurt was eaten straight from its adorable glass jar.

Mmmn.  The yogurt was actually a bit tangy, so it was the perfect flavor combination with the apple.

The next week, basically until I go home on the 21st, is going be crazy busy but I’m making it my goal to post at least twice a day.  Hopefully it will help give me some balance.

What is your favorite local find?

Wind Blown

Hello, hello!  I didn’t mean to be gone for the last day or so, I was having computer and camera problems.  The camera was my fault, I misplaced the charger, but it’s a bit concerning that my internet seems to go out whenever the wind blows.

Today is filled with doctor’s appointments, ugh!  I have pt at 7:30 and then a foot appointment at 10:00.  I don’t know how I managed to get myself up at 6:40, but I knew I needed breakfast.

Banana, 0% Plain Oikos, Crofter’s Asia Superfruit Spread, peanut butter.

I’ve got to hit the road, I’ll see you for lunch.

Kicking Off the Season

Let’s see – my house is decorated, I’ve had lots of good tidings and cheer, I’m super busy and stressed – yep, it feels like the holidays!  Due both to some good news and a few mishaps today was jam-packed.

I am one of those people who gets really (really really really) into holidays.  I manage to keep my purchasing under control, but I’ve had my red and green outfits outlined for weeks!  Part of my excitement involves keeping each holiday carefully guarded and away from the other holidays.  I do NOT wear red with green outside of December, I won’t drink eggnog ’till there’s snow on the ground, and I do my damnedest to stay away from Christmas music the day after Thanksgiving.

Today was not only December 1st, it was also the day of our first snowfall in Buffalo, a near perfect time for holiday decorating.  So after I got a few to dos of lesser importance out of the way (registering for classes, calling for pt) decorate I did.

[Thanks for the package mommy!]  Bring on the Jingle Bells!  I even – accidentally – included some snazz in today’s outfit.

Don’t worry, the overall effect was less than elvish.

Why the yoga pants in the snow you ask?  Because I managed to book my first physical therapy appointment!  Fortunately I called right after a cancellation and they were able to squeeze me right in.  I was a bit rushed so I made breakfast to go –

1cup frozen blackberries, Dannon Lite and Fit Blackberry Yogurt, 1/2 scoop Chocolate Amazing Grass, and about a 1/2 cup of water to ease the blending along.

Physical therapy (pt from now on) was everything I could have ever dreamed of!  My doctor was knowledgeable and understanding, and more importantly he says my half in March shouldn’t be a problem!  He watched me walk and twisted my ankles and it took about two seconds for him to see the problem.  I have tendonitis in my right shin.  Most likely from a bad sprain I got in high school, but also because I walk and stand like a duck

The doctor gave me pt moves to start doing at home and I have the green light to elliptisize and start doing cardio again.  I’m getting on the treadmill at his office on Thursday and will figure out the running situation from there.  For now the assumption is that I will go twice a week for pt for the next month or so.  My fingers are double crossed that I can start running again this Friday!

The excitement was majorly lessened on the drive home.  What should have been a 30minute trip to meet Katie for coffee took 2+ hours.  Ugh.  I did get to stop at the post office on the way – and picked up some fun – and I did finally make it for coffee.

Another seasonal must, my first red cup!

A tall nonfat eggnog latte.  I snacked on a Coconut Acai Prana Bar alongside my coffee.

And Katie and I had lots of good chatting.  🙂

Afterwards I picked up Adam and we drove to Wegmans for some kitchen restocking.  Did you miss my Thanksgiving Challenge Recap?  I had big plans to cook a fancy dinner tonight, but my 2hours of fun on the highway ate up that time.  Adam ended up going to a study session until 10:30 anyways so it was for the best.  Instead we got salad bar.

Oh how I’ve missed Wegman’s salad bar!  My excitement was bigger than my stomach, I left several bites of everything on my plate.  And it was pretty clear from my choices that I’m not over the brussels sprouts I was planning on making with dinner!

Curried chicken salad,

barley with brussels and pumpkin seeds,

roasted brussels sprouts and blanched broccoli,

small mac and cheese square.

Normally I would demolish the mac and leave veggies but I was proud of myself for leaving an even amount of everything today.

Adam had to rush out as soon as we got home with the groceries so fridge duty fell entirely to me.  Once I put everything away and cleaned up the kitchen I actually worked up another appetite!  I broke into two purchases that I dreamed about all November –

My onion bagel with reduced fat onion chive cream cheese was everything I’d been thinking of!

While I ate I worked on my Chemistry homework.  And then I kept working long after.  Class is getting hard!  I have a quiz this Thursday that I am in no way ready for and I’m getting a little nervous.

It’s after 11 and I stil have my pt exercises and a shower so I’ve got to scadaddle.  Visions of sugar plums kids!

What’s your holiday celebration mo?  Have you started on Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanza yet this year?  We don’t have any Hanukkah decorations per se, but I usually don’t but the menorah out until it’s time to light it.

Feeling Thankful

Again, I’ll try to keep this quick, but it’s been a great Turkey Day.  I’m thankful for family, good food, and my wonderful husband.

We slept in until 10:30 this morning (I’m feeling sick again, boo!) and then woke up to the world’s tastiest breakfast.

My grandma is so cool, she had Greek Gods’ Honey Greek Yogurt waiting in the fridge for me!  I had a small bowl of fruit,

and honey Greek yogurt with berries and a sliver of homemade coffee cake.

Mmmmmmn!  I was in love with this breakfast!  If it wasn’t Thanksgiving I would have gone back for another bowl!  I think I’ve got my aunt hooked on Greek yogurt now too 🙂

We went to a family friend’s house for Thanksgiving at 1, so we headed out around noon to socialize.  Look how cute my grandparents are!

I’ve gone to Thanksgiving with this family ever year I’ve been with my grandparents and it’s always so much fun.  They have the best decorations, I wish I could have gotten more pictures.

I made a small appetizer plate with pretzels, honey raspberry dip, and crackers with dirty martini dip.

And I had a light beer to drink.

As I mentioned before, I am actually not much of a Turkey Day food fan!  I didn’t even eat any turkey meat!  I tried to just take a small bit of everything.

Clockwise from the top – stuffing and mashed potatoes with gravy, corn casserole, sweet potato casserole, roll, jello mold salad, cranberries.  I finished everything on my plate (except for the roll which I gave away).  I didn’t actually eat very much, but I didn’t do seconds because I knew dessert was coming.

I actually gave away that mini cake in favor of a second cookie!

It was great getting to catch up with people and Adam was definitely stuffed!  He took a fat nap before we even headed home, and hit the couch asap.  My grandmother and I wanted to take a nice walk but unfortunately it was raining.  The other disappointment was that there was nowhere for me to volunteer.  I really wanted to put in some time at a food bank or soup kitchen today but everywhere my grandma called had too many volunteers.

We ate dinner around 7, and I was actually hungry again.

Leftover sweet potato casserole,

and a yumtastic sandwich – turkey, cranberries, cream cheese.

Plus apple and celery salad on the side.

I was still a bit hungry so I went back for more salad.

We played cards after dinner.

I had a coffee with 2% and an amaretto stick,

a mini 7-up,

and a small handful of caramel corn.

We kept my grandparents up past midnight playing cards, I’d say it’s time for bed!

How was your turkey day?

[Superfruit + Goji]x2

breakfast this morning was a mathematical equation.

Stoneyfield Farms Fat Free Superfruit Yogurt + 1T dried goji berries + 1T Crofter’s Superfruit Spread + Apricot and Goji Prana Bar + pb spoon =

I loved the mix of textures, but sadly I think I’m not a goji fan.  It has a strange bitter aftertaste that I can’t get past.  With the help of pb spoon though my enjoyment was not diminished.

I was ready for all that crunch and chew because I was up at 7:30 registering for classes.  I had to register super late because of my non-matriculated status so I am working with professors to be force-registered into two different classes!  I’ll let you know my schedule once it’s all worked out.

I don’t have to be any where until class tonight but I’ve got a (half)full day planned.  My planned distraction cure is to mix in fun and work intervals (with a timer!) so I can keep my focus.  We’ll see how it goes.

What do you think of Goji?

TGI-Cuddle Time

After my last post, I spent the day making all the calls from my to-do list.  Guys, what the heck am I going to do next year?!

I did some work online and had an apple based snack in the late afternoon.  Yogi tea,

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and a Yoplait Light Apple Turnover.

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I love the chunks of apple in that yogurt, so good!

For dinner I threw together a quick but stunning combination.

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I steamed the brocoli in the microwave and then put it on the stove over medium high heat with a little evoo, tamari, salt, pepper, and garlic.  Meanwhile, I cooked the Garlic and Scallion Annie Chun’s Noodle Bowl according to the package directions.  Finally I combined both on the stove, heating for another 5minutes.  Once the everything was nice and crunchy I broke in 2 eggs and scrambled.  Delish.

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Mine looks so dense because I squeezed it onto a small plate.

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The sauce was tasty, the brocolli is always a favorite, the noodles were crispy, and Bear was a fan.

For dessert (#1!) I had a mini So Delicious.

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After dinner we went to the mall to buy a (very late) birthday gift for my mother-in-law.  We shopped quickly but then spent about an hour walking around.  Next up on the young hot couple schedule was a weekly grocery trip.

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Challenge Balence – $58.16

That bill included a cookie to watch while we snuggle on the couch and watch the new Bones tonight.

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Be aware, there will definitly be popcorn and my last Zevia [:(] in this evening as well.

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Have a great night folks!

Your Mom Likes Boston Cream Pie

Happy Hump Day!  This Wednesday is particularly exciting because it is not even the middle of my week; I leave for San Fransisco on Friday!  I am so excited.  This will be my first time meeting the bloggers who are going (none of my new york peeps are making it) and my very first time in California.

Breakfast was quick and easy [like your mom!]

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Yoplait Light Boston Cream Pie, a flavor that I have only ever tasted in yogurt,

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and an 18 Rabbits Nibble a Sultana granola bar.

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It was tasty, even if I did have to Google sultana.

Since not a whole lot took place here yesterday this is a lot to do today.  On the list?

  1. unpack from my last trip
  2. wash/put away 8billion dishes
  3. clean the kitchen
  4. clean the living room
  5. study for my huge test the day after I get back from SF
  6. work on the homework assignment, also due the day after I get back from SF
  7. call Budget for the umpteenth time about the money they owe us
  8. a very very needed shower: I’m still wearing the pumpkin shirt!
  9. class at 6:30-7:50

Wish me productive!

Have you ever had Boston Cream Pie?  What’s it like?