Food Allergies

Good afternoon bloggies!

Breakfast

I started off today with a Mama Pea creation, Vegan Greek Yogurt in Papaya with Granola.

Albeit, slightly messy, it was really good! The papaya may need to ripen up a bit but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.

My stomach felt a little uneasy with the yogurt in the middle, so I may fill the other half of the papaya with something else tomorrow. Any suggestions?

Food Allergies

With lots of shopping time and not to mention cleaning-out-the-pantry time, my mom and I have had plenty of time to discuss my new diet and why I don’t get as sick as I used to. My mom believes that I have some kind of food allergy. She’s hopping on the gluten bandwagon, meanwhile my dad just thinks I am sensitive to MSG and processed foods. I agree with my dad, and also think that my body isn’t the biggest fan of dairy.

Here are the foods that my body seems to not agree with:

• all canned foods
• soy sauce
• milk, especially yogurt
• sugary candy
• ice creams including non-dairy ones
• highly processed cheeses
• highly acidic foods such as citruses and peppers

It seems like such an odd ball list! But I need to nail this down since I’m moving into my sorority house next year. I don’t want to be getting sick after eating every meal which always happens when I go over there to eat :/

Any suggestions?

Do you have any food allergies?

Lots o’ Nuts

So I could definitely make some sexual innuendos with my post title today, but I’m going to keep it clean and classy.

Today I’ve definitely consumed my fair share of healthy fats in terms of nuts.

Breakfast

Breakfast actually started out innocent and nut free.

One egg scrambled eggs with red bell pepper, spinach, onion and mushroom wrap

Sunflower and Millet toast topped with cinnamon and truvia

and my usual fruit fix– 1/2 a naner and starfruit

This breakfast gets three stars

Snack

My snack is where nuts came into my life today

Honey Chobani Greek Yogurt with 2 T almond butter.

I only have a little bit too much almond butter left for Oats in a Jar (OIAJ) so I decided to start digging in. Healthy fat, right?

So about 3-4 T of almond butter today. I usually actually try to limit my nut butter intake to 2 T a day just to keep myself in check. I could eat a whole jar if I allowed myself.

But I don’t feel guilty about my sudden surge in nut butter. It’s not going to kill me and it’s not that unhealthy.

Lunch

The lack of guilt over consuming lots ‘o nuts  headed into lunch. Once again, it started off innocent with a homemade pizza.

• organic marinara
• spinach
• pesto
• grilled chicken
• mushrooms
• yellow and red bell peppers
• onion

but ended rather guilty again.

A fresh herb salad (best salad mix ever!) with strawberries, blueberries and walnuts. Dang it. Guilty as charged. I knew that I had already had a surplus of nuts too.

It was definitely yummy though

Snack

Cally was baking a cake (it’s chocolate too!), so to fight my hunger from the lovely aromas coming from the kitchen I went with a berry fresh smoothie

• frozen strawberries
• frozen peaches
• POM juice
• almond milk
• 1/2 a naner
• chia seeds

garnished with shredded coconut

So yummy.

So goals for the rest of the day: layout my portfolio for my architecture class, oh, and don’t eat any more nuts!

The latter goal will be lifted tomorrow

Greek Yogurt is so in

Good evening everyone. I hope all the Americans are having a fabulous Memorial Day weekend (woohoo another 24 hours!) and all the Canadians had a good weekend. I’m going to make this post short, cause I just need to sleep.

Breakfast

I woke up feeling fantastic this morning! I’m so happy to be over this bug! I think the workout last night also really helped.

I just can’t get over this raspberry-coconut oatmeal.

I followed this with a foolproof half a naner dipped in sunflower seed butter.

It was a nice, hearty breakfast for sure.

Snack

I recieved a box of Kardea samples last night, and I was super excited to try one today

I went with the cranberry almond (sorry, no picture) which was really good! I will do a full review later though.

Lunch

After working in studio for a few hours, I was excited to come home for lunch. Since the only veggies I have in the fridge is bell pepper, spinach and salad mix I topped a piece of naan with organic marinara, red, yellow and orange bell pepper, spinach and goat cheese and put it into the oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes for a homemade pizza.

As I was devouring this, I stopped by Tyler’s blog and saw his homemade “Frappe-Tyler”

I seriously could not resist. My blender was currently in the dishwasher, so I patiently waited for it to finish and got to make this.

A chocolate homemade frappe filled with:

• almond milk
• ice
• chocolate protein powder
• chia seeds

Omg, Tyler you are a genius! I have a feeling this is going to be my new summer drink. And I promise to get a better picture, this one truly didn’t do it justice. We just didn’t have any clear glasses left

Dinner

I’m still craving veggie’s after being sick the last couple of days and like I said, I have a very limited amount of veggies so I made a Southwest-inspired salad.

In the salad:

• spring greens
• red, yellow and orange bell pepper
• leftover cheesy rice
• blue corn tortilla chips
• Annie’s Woodstock dressing

I didn’t think that I had enough calories, so I ate this times two.

I then had the worst chocolate craving! The only chocolate I had was MaraNatha’s dark chocolate peanut butter so I just stuck a spoon in there are started to eat. It was soooo good, but I felt a bit guilty. Oh well it was only about 2 tablespoons of it.

Workout

I was debating whether to work out tonight. My body was really sore from the intervals last night, but it felt so good to get into the gym again so I went on the elliptical for 30 minutes and watched Harry Potter. I still don’t know if it was worth it. I am so incredibly beat right now.

Snack

As a post workout snack I devoured some greek yogurt topped with blueberries for some much-needed protein.

This is about 100 calories. Move over 100 calorie packs of Oreo’s, greek yogurt is so in.

What is your favorite post work out snack?

And do you have a favorite summer drink?

Lesson Learned

I woke up groggy this morning, but it quickly turned into a lesson about what you should and should not put into the microwave…

I’ll just give you what you shouldn’t put into the microwave:

This. TJ’s sunflower seed butter.

See the burn on the rim of the container? There was a giant spark that came from that spot. Ok, ok, microwave. Point taken. Lesson learned.

I honestly don’t know what I was thinking. Obviously this is plastic and plastic does funky things in the microwave. I’ve just gotten so used to putting my plastic storage containers in there to reheat food I forgot that those were special plastic. As in not TJ’s sunflower seed butter plastic.

Moving on.

The dark chocolate PB did much better in the microwave, seeing as it is glass so I was able to nicely drizzle it over my oatmeal, and just blob on the sunflower seed butter.

In the mix:

• 1/2 c. quick oats
• 1/2 c. almond milk
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 tsp goji berries
• 1 T chia seeds
• 1 T flaxseed meal
• 1 microwaved banana

Topped with:

• warm dark chocolate PB
• cold TJ’s sunflower seed butter
• a handful of strawberries

AHHH-MAZZZING (despite the little lesson learned in the process)

Lunch

Lunch was eaten in class today as usual, so I packed it up in my usual tupperware.

Firstly, a veggie wrap.

I would love to show you the insides, but I’m afraid once its in there it isn’t coming out with out falling apart (trust me on this one, I tried)

But I will tell you that it contained:

• pesto
• red bell pepper
• green bell pepper
• tomato
• spring mix
• salsa

It definitely needed some umph. Perhaps some brown rice next time?

An orange that was eventually dipped into greek yogurt also came along for the ride.

yummy and nutritious as always.

Well I’m off to feed my hungry-hungry giraffe with some leftovers. Catch you later

Anyone else learned some microwave lessons? Either recently or when you were a kiddo? I remember my siblings and I had these plastic, sparkly Disney cups that we put in the microwave to make some hot cocoa. They started to melt and bubble and my mom had to throw them away

Burned and Sidekicks

So I’m on a burning spree with my foods right now.

Breakfast

It started with this veggie and turkey omelette. Low on the veggies, heavy on the burnt.

Surprisingly with a non-burnt sidekick of grapefruit sprinkled with some truvia

It wasn’t too bad considering the omelette was heavily burnt.

Lunch

While eating my breakfast, I was busy burning lunch

A burnt tuna & quinoa sandwich. The toaster oven didn’t turn off when the timer was done. I knew I always hated that thing.

And a non-burnt sidekick of greek yogurt and oranges

I have recently fallen in love with the orange + greek yogurt mix. I love dipping the oranges into the yogurt. It’s tangy and sweet, and just perfect for summer livin’.

Anyone else been burning their foods recently? I used to undercook my food like a typical newbie, but I think I’ve just gotten way to comfortable in the kitchen (and a little bit too distracted)

Many commenters seemed interesting in my grocery-shopping tactics, so stay tuned for a guide to how I make my grocery lists later today!

An Apple Saves the Day

Hi bloggies! I hope everyone is celebrating mother’s day with their madres

Breakfast

I enjoyed some very chocolate Overnight Oats this morning

In the Oats:

• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 3/4 c. almond milk
• 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
• 1 c. water
• 1 T chia seeds
• 1 T flaxseed meal
• a sprinkle of cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 T chocolate chips

Thrown into the fridge overnight and 1/2 a banana sliced on top.

These were definitely really yummy, but I might like it with out the protein powder, it got a little too choolately.

Snack & Crash

I went into my studio this morning to work on a project and munched on some unpictured trail mix that contained corn puffs, Life cereal, raisins, coconut and lots of chocolate chips. It was at the end of the mix so there was an insane amount of chocolate chips. Apparently this made my blood sugar level spike, then absolutely crash. I started to get dizzy and lightheaded, so I decided to come home for lunch.

Lunch

By the time I got home my limbs were feeling numb and shaky, and it was hard to stand up. I immediately ran to the kitchen and chowed down on an apple.

Though I was still a bit shaky while making my lunch, I started to feel a lot better.

Lunch was inspired by Katie with a quinoa and tuna salad. Thankfully I had quinoa leftover from yesterday, so I just combined that with the rest of the ingredients.

In the tuna salad

• 1/2 c. leftover quinoa
• 1 can tuna
• a couple of blobs of Chobani greek yogurt
• 1/2 a pickle
• onion
• pepper

on top of a bed of spring greens and a chopped organic carrot

It was a phenomenal mix. I’ve never added quinoa to a tuna salad, but it was definitely a winning choice.

Later

Time for an update on my goals from last week and some goals for this upcoming week as well!

Miscellaneous Business

Good Evening everyone! I have a lot of miscellaneous business with lots on the to-do list, a shopping trip, a major assignment due Thursday, and the parents coming in town in just a little bit.

Breakfast

After debating between PB&J oats and toast, I went for the bit more original one of toast. Okay, it’s not really that original. But I did add some strawberries and greek yogurt parfait to it.

One piece of toast covered with Crofter’s Rapsberry Fruit Spread, and the other covered with maca, cinnamon and mesquite.

It was alright, but I missed my PB&J oats. I was also hungry about 10 minutes later and ate an unpictured kiwi.

Lunch

Lunch was eaten during class so I packed it this morning.

A cranberry, arugula (I didn’t have any spinach), turkey and apple sandwich.

Meh, it was alright. The bread was getting a little stale, the arugula wasn’t quite right in the sandwich, and my genius idea of adding apple slices didn’t really work.

I also enjoyed some apple slices.

Shopping

Right after class I ran to go shopping.

I first picked up these!

yes those would be absolutely b-e-a-utiful rock climbing shoes and a really cute chalk bag. I guess I was liking the purple and khaki thing today?

Next I went to the biggest Market of Choice I have ever seen!

omg.omg.omg.

It definitely took longer to navigate a whole new store, but I absolutely LOVED it! I kept seeing all different foods I have seen on the blogworld including VitaTops and a huge stash of Pirate’s Booty. It also had the largest cheese section ever.

I some how made it out alive, barely deviating from my list.

My haul from both Market of Choice and Safeway.

Naan, (a free with coupon) almond milk, organic spring mix, goat cheese, mushrooms, Annie’s Woodstock Dressing, Worcestershire sauce, raisins, a lonely cantaloupe, frozen peaches, brown rice and poppy seeds.

Celery, carrots, bananas, spinach, tempeh, grapefruit, avocado, lemon, apples, red & green bell pepper, papaya spears, orange

The only item that wasn’t on the list was the frozen peaches. I’m excited to make some green monsters with it though!

Oh and you know how frugal I am with my grocery bill with my goal Limit the Bill, so what was my total?

Drumroll please,

Market of Choice       $19.84

Safeway                   $41.22 (almost completely spent on fruits and veggies)

Total $61.06

My totals have been really hovering around the $60 range.

Week 1 $63

Week 2 $64

Week 3 $68

I feel very comfortable at that price point. I think I am going to stick to keeping around that magical number

Snack

I couldn’t wait to dig into Annie’s Woodstock Dressing which is a blend of tomato and tahini, so I cut up a celery stick and dipped.

It was absolutely spectacular. It didn’t go with the celery quite right, but I could see it as the perfect summer dressing.

How often do you go off your grocery list? Week-by-week I’m finding I stay on mine more and have less impulse buys.

And I Still Ate It

Whew I’ve had such a crazy day! I’m really trying to pack a lot of events into one day. Here’s a quickie post.

Breakfast

The day started with overnight oats again, just more of it so I wouldn’t have the 10,000 snacks between now and lunch

In the mix:

• 1/2 c. oats
• 1 1/2 T chia seeds
• 1 1/2 T flax seed meal
• 3/4 c. almond milk
• 1/3 c. water
• 3 T So Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer
• 1/4 T vanilla
• 1 1/2 T 70% dark cocoa chips

Topped with:

• 1/2 a nana
• banana bread crumbles
• cinnamon

It was delicious as usual. I actually love how cold it is.

To make sure I wouldn’t go hungry I also had a slice of banana bread

I also packed some up to give to my friends in studio (and I ate the crumbles that came off of the loaf)

They reallyyyy enjoyed it. I really enjoyed smelling it through class

Lunch

I had to have lunch during class today. I cleaned out my pantry cupboard on Saturday and found a stockpile of tuna, therefore I made a tuna sandwich.

There was some leftover tuna, so I decided to taste some for quality control purposes

and it was disgusting! Probably the blandest tuna I have ever made!

I couldn’t believe it. Until I checked the expiration date on the greek yogurt. April 12th. Oh.

And the worst part about this is? I still ate the sandwich during class. It wasn’t spectacular or anything, but I was hungry!

Later

I have a lot to cram into today: grocery shopping, yoga, intervals, and a super complicated computer assignment. Hopefully I can make it through the rest of today still sane!!!

Do you eat expired foods? It depends on what it is and how far past the expiration date, but generally if it smells fine and tastes fine and there isn’t anything growing on it I’ll still eat it.

A Tale of Three Breakfasts

Good Afternoon bloggies!

So the title of the post originally was going to be “A Tale of Two Breakfasts,” a cute play on the novel A Tale of Two Cities,  but then I was still hungry so I had another breakfast, thus making it 3

I started off with 3/4 of a chopped apple, a dollop of Chobani Greek yougurt, and my beloved puffed millet cereal

Before

After

All mixed up with a sprinkle of cinnamon

Later, when a few of my roomies were awake I was hungry for some eggs

Inside my one egg and one egg white omelette was:

sauteed frozen veggies (red bell pepper, mushrooms and a whole lot of broccoli)

turkey

half of a laughing cow cheese packet

S&P

which created this guy…

Yummy.

I started doing some homework and I was still hungry an hour later! Thus came the third breakfast.

Half of a banana dipped in Maranatha Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

It didn’t stand a chance

The sun started to tease me again so I recruited Richard and went for a walk.

It ended up going for 2 1/2 hours

We followed the river the entire time and saw some gorgeous scenery

Some ducks and geese also joined us.

At the end of the walk my joints were getting pretty sore and my entire body was pretty pooped out. I could really feel the 5K and the elliptical and the walk I went on yesterday.

It was time for some much needed grub:

An amazing turkey sandwich filled with:

2 slices deli turkey

1 slice provolone

tomato

red onion

apple slices

red bell pepper

greek yogurt

dijon mustard

pesto

Tossed into the toaster oven for a couple of minutes. The toasted bread with the crunch of the apple, juice of the tomato, and melted provolone was just perfect!

What is your dream sandwich? Mine is filled with lots and lots of veggies!

Sandwiches and Sports Injuries

How is everyone’s Monday going?!

It’s fairly sunny and warm-ish here so I’m a happy girl…for a Monday at least!

I feel bad that I have to rely on phone pics today. I put my camera battery on the charger last night, but it didn’t actually charge. It’s so frustrating

Breakfast was a two egg-white sandwich with hot sauce and 1/3 of original Laughing Cow cheese. As well as 1/2 a mango, 1/2 a banana and 2 strawberries with a dollop of Chobani greek yogurt on top.

I had already taken a bite into the egg sandwich before I remember that I could use my phone!

Skip ahead to lunch and my friend treated me to lunch on campus.

I had a gigantic sandwich! It had turkey, provolone cheese, dijon mustard, jalepenos, onion, pickles, lettuce, green bell pepper and tomatoes on a 8 multigrain whole grain bread.

It was huge! But SOOO good and filling I think I’m going to need to recreate this stat!

I had my Zumba class soon after which I really worked up a sweat. I was getting super worried how the first two classes made me really sweat, however the past couple of classes haven’t at all! Today was definitely different. I gave it my all, especially with Lady Gaga

My knee has been acting up lately. I’m nervous about doing any kind of workout, especially Zumba where there is a lot of jumping up and down. I had a really interesting read about a doctor’s take on sports injuries and how they treat themselves. Being the daughter of a doctor’s kid I’ve had a lot of “take a pill and tough it out.” I feel like I’m not getting any better by doing that. All of my life I have been plagued by injuries that just add up.

What has been your take on injuries? Do you ice, rest and recover or take a pain killer and wait till it goes away? What did you think of the article?

I’m eating dinner at my sorority tonight, and I’ll try to sneak a picture on my phone so you can see how I eat when I’m there.