Tag Archives: yogurt

Take-home Test Tuesday

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The husband and I (he was home from school too) had a nice lazy morning today.  Lots of kissing, no rushing, and plenty of staying in bed until 9.  I wish I could relax all day; to bad I’ve got a take-home test to tackle and my most important exam tomorrow!

I knew I needed a breakfast that was healthy, hearty (protein), and a little fun too.

Mission accomplished.

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail asking me if I’d like to try the new yogurts from Yoplait and Fiber One.  I’m pretty loyal to Greek yogurt, but when I stray Yoplait almost never lets me down (their Greek is pretty great too!).  Pretty soon, Vanilla and Strawberry arrived in the mail.

The yogurt is also available in Key Lime and Peach.  Sidenote – I will definitely be on the lookout for key lime, yum!

I was disappointed by the ingredients list (Michael Pollan would not be impressed), but definitely pleased by the nutritionals.

Since 50calories is a little low for breakfast to me, I decided to try both flavors in today’s bowl.

P.S. That meant that my breakfast based had 10grams of fiber and 6grams of protein, booyah!

Eaten atop a sliced banana, under a sprinkle of gingerbread flax granola.

Mmmmn.

I wasn’t expecting to be all that impressed with the flavors – I take my fake sugars in diet soda, thank you – but I was very pleasantly surprised.  The strawberry had big chunks of real strawberry and the vanilla was lushiously creamy.  Plus they were pretty thick, for non-Greek. 

I’d say B+.  If you usually eat plain yogurt (especially Greek) I wouldn’t make a permanent switch.  But if you are a flavored yogurt eater then these are a definite upgrade.

My morning’s also included some Wegman’s eggnog coffee with skim milk and nutmeg.

Fully caffeine buzzed, I’m off to hit the books!

What kind of yogurt do you eat?

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!

Nutella Makes it Bella

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I knew my mother-in-law was a generous lady, but when she sent us home from Thanksgiving with this mostly full (huge) jar of Nutella she sealed the deal.

Yum!  When the family was taste-testing my brother-in-law came up with the perfect description for Nutella: it’s like the inside of a Ferrero Rocher!

This morning I spread ~1T of the good stuff on a toasted Sandwich Thin.

This to-go breakfast felt pretty gosh darn decadent.

In between classes I also had a Peach Chobani.

Then after class I headed the gym.  With finals coming up my goal is to become the queen of the quick workout.  Treadmill : 25minutes: 2.45miles.  Done and done.  I’m going to do some strength training throughout the afternoon as well.

Lunch was an on the spot masterpiece.  Wondering what to do with those thanksgiving leftovers?  Ponder no more.

Leftover rigotoni pasta topped with shredded turkey, cranberry dressing, a bit of parmesan cheese, and a few chopped pecans.

This dish tasted even better than the Turkey Day meal!

I’ve got a lot of work to do today and I’m still feeling hungry so I see a lot of snacking in my future….

What is your favorite thing to do with Turkey Day leftovers?

Highjinks Highlights

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Turkey Day #2 was a success!  This is our last night of family time so I’m going to keep this picture-heavy and words-light.  For accountability’s sake – do be aware that I ate a TON more food than I managed to photograph, I’m just showing the highlights.

When I woke up this morning I looked over to the cutest sight on earth – the husband was holding baby niece on one side and had 5-year-old niece cuddled up on his other side!  #myovarieshurt

Before the gluttony began, Adam and I started the morning with a run.  We did a quick 1.5miles.  I was very glad to get some movement into my day.

Now the food (again, just the highlights).  0% Honey Chobani.

Our contribution #1 was deviled eggs.

I enjoyed one with some *delicious* cocktail shrimp.

Contribution #2 was this Poinsettia Popcorn Tin.

1-800-Flowers.com sent me this to review and I decided to share the wealth with the in-laws.  Butter, cheese, and caramel.

Oh.my.god.  You can assume I had many many handfuls.  Everyone agreed this was delicious, great for the holidays.

My dinner plate – white meat turkey topped with cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and veggies with dip.

My dessert plate – chocolate cake and crock pot cake (a beyond amazing recipe which I will be making on my own and sharing soon).

And lots of kisses.

Applegate Farms Thanksgiveaway Winners

Via random integer generator –

Kristisn (#2), Jess (#4), and MaryBe (#5)

E-mail me at emilyhwaxATgmail.com with your addresses guys!

ThanksGiveaway

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I am thankful –

  • that my busy days really aren’t all that busy in the big scheme of things
  • for my family (and getting to see my grandparents and in-laws this weekend)
  • for my husband
  • for my health
  • for a 2nd season of “Modern Family”
  • for Cherry Coke Zero
  • that there are so many things I’m thankful for that I could probably keep this list going for pages; I am blessed

Today has been a busy day (in the little scheme of things).  My to-do’s have been taking longer than expected and I’ve been running around.  I packed a sliced cucumber to munch on in class and it was a great stress reliever.

Though I have to imagine that my seat-mates were stressed wondering why I was being so crunchy and drippy, sorry guys!

I didn’t get to pick up Adam until 1pm and by the time we got back to our apartment is was after 2:00 and I was starving.  I calmed my growling stomach with a 2% Pineapple Chobani while I put lunch in the oven.

I ended up with feast of dippable delights (all roasted in the oven) –

Green beans,

a small potato,

and some chicken strips,

with ketchup and homemade honey mustard.

The chicken strips were a free sample from Applegate Farms.  They heard me raving about their turkey bacon (so good that I don’t have to miss a thing about not eating mammals and the only kind of “fake” bacon that Adam will eat) and offered me a chance to try another product.

The strips were delicious.  They cook nice and crispy (I oven-baked) and had a nice buttery aftertaste to them.  Plus I approve of the ingredient list and nutritional stats.

And they said I could share the wealth with you guys!

Three readers will win a $1-off coupon for any Applegate Farms product.  All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this post letting me know what you are thankful for.  Giveaway closes Friday (11/26) at noon and winners will be chosen via random integer generator.

Ulterior Motives

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Last night I whipped up a batch of Cooking Light‘s Pumpkin Pie Pudding.

The pudding is tasty, but I have to confess an ulterior motive: wanting leftover canned pumpkin for this –

This is canned pumpkin, 0% Fage, gingerbread flax granola, and honey.

Breakfast of champions.  Not exactly an apple though, as I’m heading to the doctor’s this morning.  I’ve had a rash on the side of my face for months and, of course, the day I’m heading to the dermatologist it’s disappeared!

I spent some time this morning making lunch…

…and now I can’t wait for noon!

It’s a good day in general though, Orgo was cancelled 🙂  I’m going to campus for one class and a gym session and then I’m free for the day!

Do you ever make a recipe just to get your hands on the leftovers?

There Are Some Stupid Questions

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Fact – the universe likes balance.

The last two nights I didn’t get home from school until after 9pm.  That made me frustrated and my response (on both days!) was to order pizza with Adam and stay up even later doing everything/nothing on my computer.  Not a good idea for the bedtime challenge, my health, or the quiz I’m going to fail today.

But as I said, the universe likes balance.  So I wasn’t even a little surprised to get a voicemail telling me that from 9 – 5 today our power – and therefore our internet – would be turned off.  I want to wonder what the heck our power company thinks it’s doing shutting off the power during the winter in Buffalo, but you don’t question fate.

Fact – whenever I think about fate I picture the tapestry weaving goddesses from “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.”  Has anyone else seen that episode?

Anyway, because of the power situation I made sure to get up early and eat breakfast.

0% Raspberry Chobani,

and a big Granny Smith.

Crunchy, creamy, sour, sweet; yup, got ’em all in!

After the doomed quiz I’m off to do some hardcore studying and gyming; you don’t question fate!

What do you picture when you think about fate?

10 Days

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 Our sleep schedule has been out of control lately, and that’s unhealthy for body, mind, and spirit.  In order to get back on track Adam and I made a pact to go to bed as early as possible (whether that’s 8pm some days or 11pm other days) for the next 10 days.  I’m excited to do something healthy for myself, but that does mean this has to be a quick post; go, go, go!

I stayed up so late with the boys last night (3am?!!) that I actually got hungry again!  I ended up pulling out the yogurt that was planned for my car snack as a late-night munch.  Liberte Strawberry.

This stuff is just so decadent and amazing.  The flavor and texture were spot on with 2% Fage with Strawberry; if you want the Greek yogurt experience this is the closest non-Greek gets.  Sadly this is not low-fat, and the 9grams of saturated fat (and 24grams of sugar) mean I can’t eat it as much as I’d like.

This morning felt like it came pretty early 😉  We headed out to one last breakfast with the family before we hit the road.  They took us to the restaurant inside Buehlers.  I was starving (probably actually tired) so I decided to go with the breakfast burrito.

With sauce on the side and fruit subbed for hash browns.

We were pretty impressed.

Even more impressive was the actual grocery store, we did a quick loop for road snacks and ended up finding all sorts of goodies we can’t get in Buffalo.  We ended up piecing together a very tasty lunch, all pieces split 50:50.  1st, Odwalla Pumpkin Protein.

Yuuuuum!  I was obsessed with this drink in Brooklyn, it’s perfectly sweet and creamy.

2nd, Stoneyfield Mango and Honey Fat Free yogurt.

This was actually not that good, sadly, it had almost no flavor and was oddly viscous.

And for dessert, Godiva Dark Chocolate with Extra Dark Ganache.

Pretty gourmet for a road trip if you ask me.

We got back into Buffalo around 6 and I’ve been running around ever since; lots of unpacking and getting of groceries.  While I was out I picked up dinner from the Co-op.

Thai cucumber salad and sweet ginger tofu.

Tasty, tasty.

And 1, 2, 3, Bedtime!

What time do you usually get in bed?