TGIF

The day started great with an early run, hot shower, a bowl of cereal, and some coffee. I wore my favorite new jacket/sweater thing. I got into my car and my hubby left a rosebud on my dash this morning. It. was. awesome.

Then I got to work and everything started sucking. Some of the ladies in the office and I decided that we needed to get outta there, so we went out for lunch. I got a chicken wrap with chicken breast, onions, mushrooms and olives. It was yummy, but didn't quite hit the spot. I might have had a chocolate or two to get through a stressful afternoon.

I came home and got cooking! I made a calzone with green bell peppers, onion, mozzarella and tomato sauce.

So yummy.

I had it with a dark beer and now am sipping some red wine and relaxing.

Some Days are Better Than Others

I kicked the day off with a bowl of cereal and milk. We're almost done with this last box (we had stocked up) and now can look for a more fiber rich cereal. Then it was off to work!

We were out of fruit, so I made some low-fat hot cocoa at snack time to tide me over. I was basically famished by lunch. For lunch, I had a slice a bread with one slice cheese and one slice turkey and some mayo. I had a bowl of last night's vegetable soup over a bit of rice (2 serv grains, 1 serv meat, 1 serv dairy, 1 serv veggies). A neighbor bought me a chocolate cupcake. Yum!

I had 48 oz water at work, which was good. I was ready to go home, though!

I dropped by the store on the way home and got some olive oil, pears, and coffee. I came home and made some Salmon en Papillote with green bell peppers and onions and couscous on the side (1 serv protein, 2 serv veggies, 2 serv grains). So delicious and a great way to end the day. Now we are relaxing with some wine and Grey's.

Grocery Update

Sorry I'm a bit delayed in posting this, but I wanted to get through my test. Time for our grocery total for the week. So... this week we went over... again. But with good reason! We bought some stuff to celebrate Kendall's b-day. We spent a total of $53.13! Not even close.

But we got some yummy goods. Some of our more delectable, extravagant choices...a cheesecake, a block of Gouda, a yellowfin tuna steak, french bread... and we upped the ante on our peanut butter (we went with all-natual finally) and our bouillon (all natural). I feel good about the choices we made. And honestly, we would have spent much more than $14 for a dinner out, eating cheesy pasta, pan-seared tuna, veggies with hummus and cheesecake. I don't feel too guilty.

Which reminds me... we still have Gouda!

This is Only a Test

I woke up this morning and threw lunches together, and then settled in for my bowl of Special K with milk (1 serv grains, 1 serv dairy). I grabbed my black coffee to go and was out the door! Kendall made the coffee this morning, and I'll admit... he makes a better brew.

I got hungry at work and had a banana for a snack (1 serv fruit). It was a bit under ripe for me, but it kept me going until lunch.

I heated up some leftover rice and beans (~3/4 C rice, ~3/4 C beans and veggies). I put the rice on top of the bean mix, so when I heated it, the liquid from the beans steamed the rice a bit. Yum! I had an apple on the side. I am trying to push water, so I had 32 oz at lunch (half while I waited for the microwave to do its job). I had ONE chocolate after lunch.

I started to feel the temptation for another this afternoon, so I opted for a cup of low-cal, low-fat hot cocoa. It hit the spot!

I ran hope and made a quick snack of celery (4 sticks, 2 ribs=~ 2 serv?) with peanut butter (2 Tbsp). That gave me the fuel I needed for my exam. I did a lot better than I thought I would! Hooray!

I came home hungry, so I toasted a piece of Ezekiel bread (1 serv). The bread has protein, whole grains and low salt. So good for you! It wasn't quite as salty as I like, but the margarine (2 tsp) helped and I dipped the crusts in my... soup!

We had leftover rice, so I heated up some stock, threw in 1 rib celery, 1 calabaza squash and 2 rings of onion (1/4 in), all diced. I added some dried basil, parsley, and ground pepper. Then I spooned about 1/2 C of rice into a bowl and ladled the soup over and sprinkled with a little cheese. It was about 1 serv veggies. It was hearty and filling.

So glad the test is over, but November is shaping up to be crazy month at school. I have 3 tests in 1 month--for one class. Crazy!! But life has a funny way of showing you whose boss and what's important. I got 2 great pieces of news this week: my brother and his wife are EXPECTING and then the second couple that we set up are ENGAGED (the first is getting hitched in a few months)! There are things in life so much more important than some ol' measly test.

Top of the Pops!

Today was Kendall's first day of his new schedule, so we decided to start our new AM running routine. It means getting up a little earlier, but I ran for 20 min this morning! I only ran 1.6 miles, but I hope to improve that. It felt so good!

After a shower, I had a bowl of cereal and grabbed my coffee to go. After a bit of a snafu, not finding my prescription that I just refilled, I sprinted out the door and headed to work. I had an apple for a snack.

For lunch, leftover rice (1 C) and black beans with veggies (1 C of mix, so probably .5 C beans, .5 veggies). Then I had 3 chocolates out of the candy bowl! Yeeks!

When I got home, Kendall and I went to vote. He surprised me by saying, "You have to study, so let's go out." We went to Galaxy Cafe. I love that place! I ordered the smoked turkey (2 oz) and brie (1.5 oz) with greens (about 1 C, actually!) on a baguette with apricot preserves! I loved the flavors! But I wished the bread was whole grain, maybe something nuttier. I ordered the sweet potato fries and ate about a third. Kendall had a few, I had some of his fruit cup, and we took the rest home. I sort of wish I hadn't ordered fries with the chocolates, but I wanted the beta-carotene in the sweet potatoes.

After studying, it was time for a snack. How about some popcorn!

I started with 2 Tbsp oil in the pot with two kernels over high heat. You can decrease the oil. I usually poor enough just to cover the bottom of the pot. After the two kernels popped, I added about half of my 2/3 C of corn.

Then cover and let pop!

After, I turned it into a bowl, spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle with popcorn salt. Toss and serve!

Wish my luck on my test tomorrow!

Happy Bundle!

The day started off stressful, but ended with some exciting news!

I started with a bowl of cereal and milk and took my black coffee to go. Monday mornings are always a bit crazy because I have to forward lots of voicemail that's built up over the weekend! I had an apple around 10 am.

For lunch, a turkey and muenster on whole wheat sandwich with a little lettuce. I had another apple and a few chocolates.

Sometimes I get stressed when I have a lot on my plate. I have a test this week, plus some homework assignments I need to work on this week to turn in on time next week. I'm also throwing a bridal shower in 2 weekends and I'm checklist making! On top of that, there's the excitement of the holidays, a few things we want to accomplish around the house by said shower and holidays, registering for Spring semester, etc.

I think this is probably a common feeling around this time of year, so I'm impart some wisdom. Kendall reminded me that health comes first. Physical, mental, and emotional health! For me, that means enjoying a health marriage, keeping friends and family close, getting plenty of sleep and water, exercising regularly, and eating right! Then comes school and work. Then celebrating Eric & Bethany's wedding and the holidays!

For dinner, I grabbed calabaza squash and threw it together with onions, black beans, some garlic and a can of chipotle flavored diced tomatoes. I served over rice. I had 1 C rice (2 serv) with 1.5 C beans and veggies and a corn tortilla on the side. Yum!

After some studying, I got some very good news! I'm going to be an aunt again! My brother and his wife are expecting!! It helps to put everything in focus. Checklists can get long, but it'll all get done. Life has a funny way of showing you what's really important, sometimes!

Now it's time to kick back, watch a little TV, split a beer and get some Nutcracker tickets!

Fun Sunday!

This morning started off with a nice bowl of oatmeal. I added some of our new all natural peanut butter! So much better and Kendall and I feel great that we are eating something more wholesome with a SHORT ingredient list.

I put half of a banana in it while cooking along with some cinnamon and vanilla. I add about 2 Tbsp peanut butter and some honey. I had the other half on the side.

Then we went out to buy some trees for our yard. After that, I studied and we had some lunch. It was time to clean out the fridge. I had a salad (1.5 C veggies) with 3 shrimp and vinaigrette. Then I had some pasta (.5 C) with spicy tomatoes (.5 C). Then I discovered the yogurt had JUST expired the day before. So I finished it (1 C)! I was FULL.

Then we hit the trail and went canoeing for 45 min on Lady Bird Lake. It was beautiful. We grabbed some smoothies (strawberry banana) and later went for a walk in Big Stacy park. Then it was time for Kendall's birthday pie! We went over to his parents' house for a wonderful apple pie. I had one slice with about 1.5 oz of colby jack cheese.

We're still full, so we're sipping a Guinness while we watch TV.

A Wash and a Win

So... Friday was a bit of a wash, nutritionally speaking. I had my normal bowl of cereal for breakfast. At work, it was Halloween Central with lots of treats. We had a potluck, and there weren't any veggie offerings. I skipped the pizza, but had about 1/2 C of spaghetti, about 8 chips with nacho cheese and artichoke dip, a turkey and cheese sandwich in the shape of a pumpkin, a bone biscuit. I added a cup of fruit salad, which was good. Then I had some dessert- 2 cookies! I was STUFFED!

And it was a good thing, because we got to dinner a little later! After work, Kendall and I met up with his parents to go to a lecture by the first female astronaut in space, Dr. Sally Ride. Great lecture and really inspired us to remember to be green! We went out for Thai at Madam Mam's. We love that place! I ordered the Tom Kha, which had about 1 C of mushrooms, some chicken and coconut milk. I had it with 1 C rice. So delicious! I took the soup home, which was all coconut milk.

We got home and had a glass of white wine. Not a lot of veggies today, and the coconut milk, nachos, dip, etc had fat.

Halloween was a win! I had a bowl of cereal with dried strawberries and some coffee. I studies while Kendall cleaned. I pitched in with the floors! Then it was time to shower, lunch and run errands! We had PB & J and split a pear, and I had the coconut milk Thom Kha as a soup.

Then we were off! Bank, Academy, Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy and then the grocery store. We got home in just enough time to carve a pumpkin before trick-or-treaters came knockin'! We made some veggie snacks with hummus and got to cooking Kendall's birthday dinner.

I sipped a Guinness while cooking.

Kendall requested seared tuna, which he cooked, and shrimp with pasta and cheese sauce. We later had some cheesecake on the side. I had a glass of white wine with dinner.

We later had cheesecake and some decaf as we watched a movie and answered the doors to trick-or-treaters.

Before bed, we had a small glass of red wine. Yum!

Quite A Pair

Today started off with breakfast, the usual cereal with milk and coffee. Then it was off to work! The morning flew, and I had a huge Bosc pear for a snack. It grew quite the crowd! People didn't know what it was. I even had a co-worker ask if it was a potato!

Lunch with PB & J on whole wheat and a Bartlett pear with water. I had two chocolates for dessert! So yummy.

I forgot to pull the chicken down today, so I had to improvise protein in tonight's dinner. I tried the new Ronzini pasta with whole-wheat and flax seed... and it's great! It already has 7 g of protein, so we were working with a good base. I chopped up a broccoli crown and grabbed some frozen edamame. I boiled the pasta and threw in the veggies at the last minute.

Meanwhile, I slowly sauteed garlic in olive oil on low heat for a few minutes. Then I added 1 Tbsp of cooking sherry and let it simmer. After a few minutes, I added a little more oil. It was probably a total of 2 Tbsp of oil. Then I drained the pasta and veggies and tossed it with the oil.

After adding a little Parmesan, I dug into a delish dinner! I had two bowls like this one, the second with a little less pasta. It was probably 3 serving veggies and 1 serving pasta, total.

After dinner, we went for a walk, and then it was time to get crackin' on my contribution for tomorrow's Halloween potluck! I made Boney Breadsticks.

I bought a roll of pizza dough and cut it into 6 squares and then cut each square into 5-6 strips. Then I tied each strip at each end to create a bone shape.

When all on the baking sheet, I sprinkled with cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Then into the oven...

And viola!

Not $o Good

Alright, y'all! I went to the store Monday when I got home and stopped by Wednesday evening as well. And I totally went over the $40 goal!

Monday's total came to $45.54... I bought chicken, bread, bananas, tortillas, letuce, pears, cukes, broccoli, blackberries, some salad dressing, oregano, bell peppers, a few cans of diced tomatoes, a few cans of beans, a can of corn for the chili, flour, parsley, chamomile tea, a can of chunk chicken, muenster slices, deli turkey, milk... and some cold pizza dough to roll out and make "Boney Breadsticks" for the office on Friday.

Wednesday's total came to $3.60 for a loaf of bread and a block of cheddar.

On one hand, that bought a lot of food, and the chicken, oregano, flour and diced tomatoes will last well past this week. The tomatoes were on sale and feature spices and flavors, like chipotle, which come in very handy when throwing together beans and rice, etc. On the other hand, sales will happen and I should try harder to budget for them!

I'm totally ready to start making bread again, because we're spending about $4 a week for decent whole-wheat bread! Besides, homemade always tastes better, and I like the fact that it gets stale after a few days because that means there are NO preservatives!

It's Wednesday, which means the flyers are out, so I need to start planning!