Snack Attack

Thank you all for your comments on my cookie situation.

Thanks to your responses, and my inital thought, these are now sitting on the kitchen countertop and became the victims of my snack attack that happened later in the day.

More on the snack attack later though.

Breakfast

I started off this day wanting to be productive. Over the weekend I read Gracie’s post on 10 Ways: Be Productive and instantly got the craving to finish my unpacking and do a lot of the tasks I had been dreading.

I limited my morning blog reading to 20 minutes so that I wouldn’t get sucked into blog world and more efficient unpacking could commence. After reading Gracie’s post one more time for inspiration I got rid of all the boxes, clear plastic containers and bins that were sitting in my room waiting to be stored or unpacked.

Afterwards, I treated myself to a fabulous breakfast.

Sarena’s PB cereal

I used 1/2 millet cereal and 1/2 Kashi Honey Puffs cereal. Mixed with Justin’s Organic Peanut Butter, 1/3 of an apple and (I hate to say this) Mrs. Butterworth’s maple syrup. I thought that I had brought my real maple syrup with me from college, but apparently I threw it out. I bought some real stuff today at TJ’s though so I won’t be caught with out my real stuff again.

The cereal was delicious! It tasted like granola, but creamier! Definitely making this again.

Thanks for the great recipe Sarena!

Snack

We’re not to my snack attack yet. My mid-morning snack was supposed to be a wonderful green monster creation.

I threw in some frozen cranberries, Vega Infusion, matcha green tea and spinach. I took two sips of it and couldn’t bare the taste. It ended up being thrown out.

Sad day. Instead I munched on some unpictured grapes and crackers dipped into hummus.

Grocery Shopping

For my next task at my productive day, I got to go grocery shopping.

I was supposed to go to three different grocery store, but after going to Walgreen, Michael’s and Barnes ‘n Nobel first I was pretty tired by the end and ended up going to our local healthy grocery store and Trader Joes and just bought the produce at TJ’s.

Some of my more interesting grocery store finds were:

Quinoa Macaroon Cookies, Snapea Crisps, Coconut butter and three bars I’m excited to try

A Lemon Larabar, Chocolate Peppermint Luna Bar and a Go Free Carrot Cake Bar.

I have tried both luna and larabar’s before just not these flavors, and I’m excited to see what these Go Free bars are all about.

I also picked up a huge bag of Chia seeds

Chia seeds are always in such small containers. Definitely not meant for Michelle-buying purposes. I almost emptied the entire jar of chia seeds.

Lunch

Right after grocery shopping I was ravenous. Okay, so I was ravenous while grocery shopping. Obviously my snack didn’t quite hold me.

I made another Veggie Volcano

However this was a controlled veggie volcano. Last time I cut up wayy too many vegetables, made a heaping amount of quinoa and laid on the peanut sauce like it was nobody’s business.

This time I cut the veggies in half, I gave a nice, light base of quinoa and (more or less) portioned out only 2 T of the peanut sauce.

I had enough room in my tummy to try out one of my new grocery store finds, the quinoa macaroon cookie

If you ever have coconut cravings, this baby will fill them and then some. It was delicious and  a possible contender for an oatmeal topper in the future

The Big Snack Attack

This snack attack was so quick that the entire thing went without photos. I first scooped some organic chocolate cake into some Fage greek yogurt and a couple of strawberries. I was satisfied with the snack however the Mexican Wedding Cookies were looming on the kitchen counter. Somehow I ended up with two in my stomach. Don’t know how that happened. One second I was looking at them, the next second I had powdered sugar all over my mouth.

But such is life.

Dinner

The Snack Attack messed up my dinner schedule. I’m usually hungry at 5:30 or 6, however I was still full when my mom said that we should start serving ourselves left overs for dinner. We weren’t eating together tonight, so I passed until I finally gave in at 7:30 when I figured that I should probably eat sometime.

Leftover madness

Sundried tomato pasta (all the sundried tomatoes are hiding)

Baked Beans held in by mashed potatoes

My classic Summer salad–strawberries, blueberries and walnuts on herbed spring mix

I wasn’t very hungry, but it sure tasted good

Whew! It was quite a day. My room is almost completely clean, my bathroom is organized, the Best Guy Friend’s belated birthday present is wrapped and ready (all parts besides the cookies of course) and my my shelf of the pantry is stocked.

No really, it’s overflowing.

Maybe I should go organize that!

Erm, or maybe I’ll leave that for tomorrow…or the next day

Do you love or hate leftovers? I’m a lover <3

Cabin Fever

Although I love the great outdoors, the spectacular views and the sun, I am starting to get a bit of cabin fever. I am going crazy with the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables here and being with out a lot of my own food. Where are my beloved fruit bowls every morning?! Thankfully my mom will be doing a grocery run tomorrow when she is out and about. Can I get a hallelujah chorus?! You outta bet that there are fruits and veggies on the grocery list that I made for her (with a lot of other fresh ingredients for a dinner I will make tomorrow). I’m so excited.

My mom and I did get out of the cabin for a couple of hours and went on a 4-mile hike, okay well it was more of a nature walk.

The hike mostly followed a river

Half way through the hike, the trail got very narrow and a little bit harder, but it was still fun

It suddenly ended at this stunning view.

Lunch

Afterwards my stomach was in need of some vegetable love

The last of the herb salad with a drizzle of poppyseed dressing and Costco’s chicken salad. I’m still not a fan of the lack of salad toppings and the poppyseed dressing is the only dressing at the cabin with out high fructose corn syrup :/

It was alright, I just wish I had more control over what was in the chicken salad.

Snack

After checking blogs, and doing absolutely nothing but sitting on my butt for two hours, I dug into a bowl of cereal for absolutely no good reason.

Kashi puffs, with Kashi Autumn wheat cereal with almond milk

Alright, I did have a reason. I was dehydrated. But this sounded much better than guzzling even more water.

Oi. I will be doing a post on this whole issue later.

I’m going to sleep soon. I swear sunburns really wear me out more than usual. Hopefully it will be better so I can get on the bike for a sweat session. Right now my skin is just so uncomfortable I can’t even fathom hoping on it right now :/

Do you start going crazy with out fruits and vegetables? I am starting to worry that I am becoming a little mental with my need to control what is being prepared for me and always needing to have plenty of fresh fruits and veggies available.

Also, be sure to check out my ASK AWAY page at the top of the blog! I’m going to be answering all of your questions about me in a future post. Or, just click the link here

Why Cereal

So I think I might have a serious problem. I’m in love with late-night cereal.

This. Times two.

Why is cereal so much better when eaten close to midnight?

Why is cereal better when eaten in the kitchen leaning against a counter instead of sitting down?

Why must I always eat two bowls full?

Why cereal…

I will never get your ways, but I do love you.

Dinner

I had a whirlwind dinner last night. Between the hours of 8AM and 10:30PM I was only home for 1 1/2 hours and that was to eat dinner and catch up on blogging.

Leftover Cajun burger on spring salad mix with ketchup and dijon mustard, cantaloupe and a corn mix.

The corn mix consists of corn, diced tomatoes, lime juice and it’s supposed to have Cilantro. But Safeway did not have any cilantro

The spring mix wasn’t very fresh. At all. So that part was pretty disgusting. But other than that it was quite the tasty dinner.

Snack

Right before dinner I couldn’t contain myself and wanted a snack. I was overly exciting to try Great Harvest’s sunflower millet bread.

Toasted a bit and some guava jelly spread on it. It was fantastic! It’s dense but springy. This has got to be my new favorite bread.

What is your favorite bread? Or are you a big late-night cereal eater?

Guilt-Free Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes

Hey bloggies! I hope everyone is getting as much sunshine as we are.

Breakfast

As my weekend usual, I partook in two breakfasts

A small bowl of corn puffs, millet and special K topped with almond milk at 6AM so that I wouldn’t make too much noise in the kitchen and disturb the roommates.

Later I enjoyed guilt-free lemon poppyseed pancakes

In the batter:

• 3/8 c. buckwheat pancake mix (I halved the recipe on the box)
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 c. almond milk
• 1/2 t applesauce (instead of oil)
• 1T poppyseed
• zest of one lemon

While the pancakes were on the frying I put 5 frozen strawberries in the microwave for one minute

And used the leftover lemon in my water

The pancakes turned out beautifully. I topped them with strawberry sauce and one banana

The combination of strawberry + banana + lemon was perfect. I could have used a little less lemon and a little more poppy seeds though.

The best part was that the syrup was just strawberries and the pancakes were whole wheat. I could really eat this beauty with my eyes as well. I also at this baby SLOW, as in my body had been infused with molasses. I could really take my time and devour each of the flavors. I highly recommend this!

Farmer’s Market

It’s a glorious day today so Richard, Cally and I headed out to the Farmer’s Market. I forgot my camera (doh!) but when I saw grass-fed beef I instantly thought of Evan. Cally bought a pound for $3. If the beef gets a good review from her I will definitely pick some up the next time we go!

My findings included some cheese

And a beautiful cribbage board for my brother’s birthday in a couple of weeks.

Richard shared a slice of his chocolate-cherry sourdough which was to die for!

It was infused with both cherries and chocolate chips and tasted like a healthy chocolate cake

Anyone else go to a farmer’s market today? Did you have any good finds?!

My Dear Millet

Good news bloggies, I MADE IT on my goal of Limit the Bill.

I got some great stuff from Market of Choice and Safeway.

Sandwich thins, flatbread, coconut milk creamer, millet, parsnip, red bell pepper, 2 tomatoes, 2 oranges, caesar salad, spinach, pesto, sharp cheddar cheese, bananas

European blend greens, cajun seasoning, WW macaroni elbows, WW hamburger buns, black beans, ground turkey

Now the bill………….

Drumroll please……..

Trader Joe’s (from Saturday)       $12

Market of Choice                              $6 (!!!!!)

Safeway                                              $45

Grand total for the week               $63

I made it $12 under budget! I’m so happy

I’m hoping I can keep it up! I actually was a lot less stressed this week only allowing myself to buy what is on the list. There wasn’t any “well I really want it, but I don’t exactly need it, so is it worth the price” buys.

I was super duper excited to have this guy back in my life

PUFFED MILLET!

I quickly celebrated by eating a bowl of Annie’s Fruity Bunnies, Life and Millet cereal.

Oh baby.

This is my most favorite cereal mix. I’m so glad it back

Looks like I need to pull some blog-action magic and rewind a bit to this morning.

Breakfast was another 2 egg white sandwich on 1/2 a sandwich thin (it was all I had left), with laughing cow cheese and hot sauce

But I ate it before I remembered to photograph it. *Lowers my head in food-blogger shame*

Here is what was left of it though!

Nothing.

I also made my friend and I a smoothie later in the morning. She has been super sick lately, so I promised her a spinach smoothie. Turns out I don’t have any spinach left, but I still made her a smoothie.

Into the mix for 2 smoothies

1 1/2 c. frozen strawberries

2 bananas

2 T flax seed meal

3/4 c. Almond milk

3/4 c. water

4 ice cubes

Look at that color!

Hers went into my travel smoothie mug. Note I got green so I wouldn’t freak people out with my green smoothies. Makes non-green smoothies look icky

I added a spoonful of chocolate protein powder to mine

Voila! Magnifico!

I had to eat lunch in class while watching a movie, but I remember to take a picture of it when I was creating it

I was trying to recreate the stellar sandwich from yesterday.

4 slices deli turkey (one serving was 6 slices)

onion

tomato

red bell pepper

1 tsp dijon mustard

2/3 laughing cow cheese

It was really good! Not quite as fantastic as yesterday’s sandwich, but I think food is always better when prepared by someone else!

I also snacked on a pear

Eh, it was ok. It was an Albertson’s pear though so I really shouldn’t have been expecting anything good.

Off to a yoga and body sculpting class in a little while

Then going for my second goal of Eat It, Not Buy It with what’s hopefully a great dinner.

Question of the day: what do you do when you feel sick?

I try to get as many fruits and veggies in me as possible and rest as often as possible. Ideally my day would be: breakfast- oatmeal with flax, chia seeds & goji berries, lunch- a smoothie, and dinner- a salad.

A Farm Fresh Saturday

Good afternoon bloggies! I hope you are having a spectacular weekend and enjoying my new layout and header!!!

The morning started off with another mixing of the cereals

First started off with the Special K, then followed by Life and Annie’s

and overfilled with puffed Kamut

Only a bit more Kamut left, then I’m back to my beloved millet!

I was soon off to the local farmer’s market with my roommate Richard. We had to run to catch the bus, but we made it.

I came home with some great loot.

Farm fresh Blueberry Ginger Goat Cheese which was snacked on immediately when I got home

A Summer Strawberry fruit wrap eaten at the track meet

Farm-fresh eggs!

I was rushed to get the to the track meet, but on the way had to stop to take pictures of these gorgeous flowers

They are so pretty! I have been seeing them on campus and I was really excited to finally take pictures of them

The track meet was fantastic! A little windy, but great weather overall.

B-e-a-utiful form

Ashton Eaton, world record holder

the beautiful hurdles

I’m really excited for the upcoming meets. I just love watching people attain new PR’s and records. Plus with all the events going on, it keeps my mind entertained.

On the way back I stumbled upon some students playing Quidditch.

I love Harry Potter and I guess they are running around so I approve.

I have a sorority function later tonight. Have a great rest of your Saturday!

What is your favorite part about a farmer’s market? I love all the free samples!

Mixing My Cereals

Aye! Soldiers!

So nothing super exciting to report.

Breakfast was a mixed cereal of Kamut, Life, and my new Annie’s Fruity Bunnies (with the recommendation of Tyler) with almond milk.

I love mixing cereals! I don’t think I can have cereal with out having at least 3 different kinds. I have a super sweet cereal such as Life or Special K, a healthy cereal such as Annie’s or Kashi and a “filler” just as kamut, puffed wheat or millet.  I miss my millet cereal! It’s my favorite out of the filler cereals. When I went grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago they didn’t have millet! *gasp* So I had to buy Kamut. I love the sweetness of millet, and Kamut just doesn’t have that. I just need to get through this bag, then I’m back to my beloved millet. I just can’t waste food. I have to eat through all of it unless its completely awful.

I have this need for fruit in the morning, so an organic pear soon entered the picture

It wasn’t the best pear I’ve had. Not very moist or sweet. Maybe I’m just awful at picking out fruits, or I should just blame all of this bad produce on Albertson’s. I’m never going back to you again.

I *might* have a lunch date today, but communications have been limited, so it may not happen.

I hope everyone has a lovely Thursday! The sun is holding off the rain for at least a little bit here!

Anyone else have to mix cereals? What is your favorite mix or cereal?

Grocery Bill Grawrs

‘Ello puppets! How is everyone doing today?

It’s a pretty gloomy, cold day here. Definitely getting a case of the “blah’s”

Oh well.

Woke up to a beautiful mix of Kamut, Life cereal, an apple and topped with Chobani greek yogurt surrounded by a sliced orange that sorta looks like rays of sun.

The result after carefully mixing an overfilled bowl of cereal

Ta-da!

For some reason it really didn’t fill me up, and a couple hours later I stripped some of this guy…

It’s just string cheese sillies!

Class got out early, so I was able to enjoy this baby

My go-to sandwich of spinach, turkey and cranberries on Buckwheat sourdough bread.

I absolutely love this sandwich, and even got my mom hooked on it, but I’m perhaps getting a bit sick of having it a lot. I think the bread isn’t really fresh anymore, so the crust is harder than usual.

Today is grocery shopping day! I usually love grocery shopping, today didn’t go so well though

I went to Albertson’s instead of my usual Safeway, because our Safeway doesn’t sell cleaning or make up products. Ugh, so I trucked to an unfamiliar Albertson’s and was totally thrown off my game.

1. The produce section was so disorganized

2. The strawberries looked sick!

3. The signs weren’t labeled right! I don’t count brown rice as a “canned food” nor do I count weight-loss supplements as “nutrition”

Ugh. Plus the checker couldn’t stop hitting on his bagger who was rolling her eyes. So it took like 5x as usual to do the shopping which really frustrates me.

I really wanted to check out another healthy food market, so I ventured to it, but naturally my google map directions only gave me 1/2 of the directions to find it, so I had to drive around the streets till it popped up!!!! Grawr.

Anyways. IT WAS WAYYY OVERPRICED! Almond milk does not cost $4 each, Annie’s cereal is not $5, and this little guy cost me $12!!!!

Grawr. I’m such a cheap college student.

Anywho, this is what I came back with:

basil, brown rice, organic marinara, almond milk, mango, raw revolution bar, soy noodles, saffron, avocado, apples, cucumber

Annie’s fruity bunnies cereal, frozen strawberries, strawberries (not from Albertsons), pears, tomato, carrots, acorn squash, deli turkey meat, Chobani yogurt, protein powder, mesquite, mushrooms

I spent way too much money this week on groceries! I did go off the list a bit and buy the pineapple Chobani yogurt, mesquite, soy noodles, and raw revolution bar. All there is left to do is improve for next week and go back to my regular grocery stores and NOT GO OFF THE LIST! Anyone else have this problem?

After all this uber frusterating shopping a PB&J Larabar was consumed.

Thank you Larabar! I loooooove you!

Going to a body sculpting class later today! I’m hoping my body can make it, it’s been hating me recently.

Anyone else have any frustrating grocery shopping stories? Or pet peeves?

I hate it when the clerks put everything but your “feminine products” in the reusable shopping bag, and then put them in a clear one. It just bugs me. I want everyone to know I’m on my period and out of tampons.