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

America Oats

Happy Memorial Day to all the American! I hope you all are enjoying your extra 24 hours to the weekend. And sorry Canadians, happy Monday, but I hope you all had a wonderful Victoria Day last week.

Breakfast

In honor of Memorial Day I wanted to make some America Oats.

Oh yeah. I just went there. An American flag on oatmeal

In the ‘merica mix:

• 1/2 microwaved nana
• 1/2 c. oatmeal
• 1/2 c. coconut milk
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 T flaxseed meal
• blueberries

Topped with:

• So Delicious Coconut Milk
• shredded coconut
• one giant strawberry

So good. I’m thinking I should do this for Independence day too.

Are you doing anything special for Memorial Day?

It’s the last day before my project is due. I’m actually really relaxed about it too! It is such a nice change from my incredible stress earlier in the week.

Dessert of Champions

Hey bloggies! I hope everyone is having a wonderful Hump day!

Breakfast

Our weather is still soppy and wet so I was craving a big bowl of oatmeal. I actually dreamed of eating PB&J oatmeal last night!

I didn’t resist this craving, but topped the bowl with almond butter instead. I’m trying to get through specifically this jar because 1. I had been neglecting it and 2. I don’t want to have to move 4 jars of nut butter, 3 would be much better

In the mix:

• 1/2 c. oats
• 1/2 c. almond milk
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 T goji berries
• 1 T raisins
• 1 T flaxseed meal
• 1 T chia seeds

Topped with:

• Almond butter
• Crofter’s Raspberry fruit spread
• So Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer

I noticed I had a can a coconut milk sitting in the pantry. Since I’m trying to use everything up I went for it a recreated the breakfast the nutritionist made me at camp.

A naner, covered with coconut milk with cinnamon sprinkled on top. It still brings me back to cool, summer mornings

Snack

I packed myself another bowl of microwaved green apple with cinnamon on top and soon-to-be crushed Annie’s Cinnamon Crackers

There was some serious whining going on in the studio when I warmed this up and the aroma filled the air. Everyone wanted a bite of it! I’m not a huge fan of sharing my food, especially with people who tend to get sick a lot (ahem, architecture majors pulling all nighters), so I just lied and said I’m sick so I wouldn’t get their germs. Am I a bad person?

Lunch

I was super-duper excited to go to Holy Cow today. I was trying to decide between the salad bar and the pad thai. I wanted veggies but I wanted food to warm me up. I went with a new dish of theirs called the Veggie Volcano.

I can’t remember exactly what was in it but it was steamed veggies on a bed of quinoa with a pesto sauce and a lentil sauce on top. It was absolutely perfect! I got my veggies and carbs in and it warmed my soul

Dinner

After being at studio for 9 hours total today I was so excited to head back to the apartment for a little bit and make some dinner.

A Southwest inspired wrap and leftover salad

Into the wrap went:

• cheesy rice
• spring mix
• red, yellow and orange bell pepper
• salsa

Wrapped with care.

The Dessert of Champions

This didn’t quite satisfy me. I was craving chocolate but I was out of chocolate bars or ice cream, so I went with an old favorite.

Organic strawberries topped with MaraNatha Dark Chocolate PB.

That right there folks is the Dessert of Champions. Amazing and almost guilt free

Workout

As I mentioned before, it’s going to be difficult to get work outs in this week because I am working on my final review. I noticed that after working for 7-8 hours on Monday and Tuesday that my legs were really sore. So today I decided to stand at my desk (they’re pretty high, so I’m actually not bending over) for about half the time instead of sitting. We pumped some music, so I ended up dancing a bit as I worked. In effect, I didn’t had any leg problems today. I also went to Zumba (which was a sweat session!) and rock climbed today, so I got some cardio and strength there as well.

How do you manage getting your workouts in on incredibly busy weeks? Or if you have a desk job, do you try to do little exercises while at your desk?

Classics

Good Morning bloggies! (Or Good Afternoon to the East Coast folks)

Breakfast

This morning was fabulous simple breakfast of toast and a smoothie

Toasted oatmeal and honey bread spread with Crofter’s raspberry spread and TJ’s flaxseed almond butter with green apple slices

Classic, yet completely hitting the spot.

And one of the simplest, yummy smoothie of:

• frozen peaches
• frozen naner
• coconut milk
• water

Garnished with shredded coconut

I feel like I have left Eugene and headed to the beaches of Hawaii for a while.

Lunch

Lunch is on-the-go today. A tuna and quinoa sandwich filled with onion, spinach, dijon mustard, and apple slices

With a side of very ripe strawberries and carrots with hummus for dipping.

Gotta run off to do a million and one things today

What are some of your classic brfasts from when you were a kid? I actually loved Maple and Brown sugar oats (specifically the dinosaur eggs ones), Eggo waffles and I used to drink a lot of Carnation Instant Breakfasts

A Topless Macaroon

Hey bloggies! I hope everyone is having a glorious Saturday morning. Mine has been very typical.

Breakfast

I couldn’t help but go for my lemon-poppyseed pancakes again. A little less on the lemon, a lot more on the poppy seeds.

Covered with microwaved strawberries and a banana

This time it needed just a bit more lemon. But it was most definitely delicious.

Farmer’s Market

The roommates really wanted to go to the Farmer’s Market this weekend again, and I wasn’t going to resist! I planned out my whole week’s meals around the grass-fed ground beef I knew that they were going to have there.

My loot:

Grass fed beef, zucchini, strawberries and my very first macaroon. I took a bite right when I got it hence why its topless

Two-a-Days

Yesterday I enjoyed a zumba two-a-day. In my first class my teacher is pregnant, so she doesn’t have the spunk she used to used to have and all of the moves have really slowed down (not her fault obviously), but it’s not really a work out anymore. I’ve been getting a little frustrated at this so I went to another class a little bit later with a different teacher. It was a lot more modern and pop than my other zumba class (we even danced to Lady Gaga AND Ke$ha), and boy was I a sweat monster after that class! I later went rock climbing for 2 hours. No overhangs today, but lots of bouldering!

Dinner

Before heading to my awesome work outs I fueled up with some INDIAN FOOD!

It started off with TJ’s Punjab Choley and I threw in some naan and brown rice. I fed it into my giraffe bowl because giraffe’s like Indian right?

Giraffe’s absolutely engulf Indian food

Omigoodness this thing was yummy. I’ve never had naan before and I was absolutely spectacular!!!

Though I was really full, I still wanted dessert. I’m trying to clean out my fridge before moving out, so I went with So Delicious Coconut Milk Chocolate Chip Ice Cream that I’ve had in there for a while with a chopped strawberry and a sprinkle of mesquite.

It didn’t last long

I hope all of you bloggies have a fantastic day! I’ll be back later with a wonderful breakfast.

Do any of you participate in Zumba? What has been your experience with it? I’ve had both good and bad instructers. Usually when there are people that get REALLY into it, it becomes a whole lot of fun.

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?!

I’m Redeeming Myself

I think I can start to redeem my lack of almond butter. I did this by making Almond Butter & Jelly Oats this morning.

Breakfast

In the oats:

• 1/2 c. quick oats
• 1/2 c. almond milk
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 T flax seeds
• 1 tsp goji berries

Topped with:

• 1 1/2 T almond butter
• 1 T guava jelly

Scrumdelioscious! I also had a side of strawberries.

All together now.

A fabulous breakfast. I wonder how long it will hold me over. I’m guessing 3 1/2 hours.

Later

I have a super busy day ahead of me, but tomorrow is Friday!

How long do your breakfasts usually hold you over for? Mine generally lasts about 3 hours, but sometimes I can go the whole morning with out a snack.

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.

Trail Mix and a Hike

Good afternoon everyone!

Breakfast

I wasn’t sure what to eat this morning. Last night I was craving some french toast, but since I had pancakes yesterday I went for some good ‘ole oatmeal

Coconut-Strawberry Heart Oatmeal

• 1/2 c. quick oats
• 1/2 c. almond milk
• 1/2 c. water
• 1 1/2 T of the MIX
• vanilla

Topped with:

• 1 T So Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer
• coconut flakes
• strawberries shaped into a heart

It was delicious as always.

Lunch

Lunch came pretty soon afterwards because I had a hike during my normal lunch time

I made the same pizza I had a couple of nights ago.

The steam fogged up my camera lense!

I love how veggie loaded this thing is with spinach, red and orange bell pepper and onions! It was so amazing.

Hike

My friend invited me for a hike. It was the same one I did last week, but I was definitely not going to turn it down!

This time around the hike was SO much easier. We talked about life and politics instead of complaining about how steep it was. Plus we were actually going at a way faster pace.

I ate about half of some homemade trail mix at the top.

• Corn puffs
• Life cereal
• dark cocoa chips
• coconut flakes
• raisins

It was pretty decent. I need to work on the mix a wee bit more though.

What have you been up to today?