Today was an all around feel good day, right from the very start!
Sometimes the hardest part if working out or going for a run, is actually getting out of bed. It is most definitely November in Delaware and my body knew it. My alarm went off at 730 and it took almost 20 minutes to convince my body to get out of bed. It was so toasty and warm!
I finally threw the covers off and ran to my robe. I suited up in pink and black, this morning, and layered up with leggings and tights, as well as gloves and a head band. I knew that preparing for the chill would keep me more motivated. The one negative? My running pants stayed up but the rights underneath kept sliding down… Ha!
At least I was warm. I used my iPod to complete about 2 miles of refrain running to grab some coffee. 2 miles for coffee, Sammy? That must be some good coffee! Oh it is! For the past 3 weeks, I have made it to Fresh Thymes on Friday mornings for their banana fosters coffee! While there, chatting with Jenn and Steph, the fab chicks that run the cute corner cafe, I gave dad a call and he met me for breakfast and coffee.
After browsing the menu, it was hard to decide what to get! Everything sounded amazing! We decided on “The Julian.” I may have been a bit sneaky in this selection. Dad didn’t bring in his glasses and couldn’t read the print and he asked me to read what was in the wrap. I may have just said “sausage” rather than “seitan sausage.” Whoops!
None the less, we ordered “The Julian,” and chatted up the ladies, while sipping on our coffees. The smell of our food cooking was fantastic, and I kept peaking over at the griddle to check out what was awaiting us! The wrap was huge! Thank goodness we split it! Served with a slice of apple and tabbouleh salad, we dug into our breakfast of seitan sausage, sauerkraut, apples, onion, spinach, and spices. Delicious!
After dad raved about the wrap, I announced, “Ladies and gentleman, my father has eaten tofu and seitan in less than 24 hours!!!” which got some smiles and chuckles from the hungry breakfast folk.
I was stuffed for a long time after my half wrap! My day was kicked off with tons of good feelings! I was full and knew it! I had breakfast with my dad! Dad had eaten two healthy meals in less than 24 hours! I had accomplish 2 miles in November! I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the day would bring!
Dad drove me home, after breakfast, and I immediately began to tidy up. Another thing to make me feel accomplished! I met up with Barry at the Farmers Market, where I picked up a bunch of goodies. After the radishes the other night at work I picked up a pack of radishes for snacking, which I pretty much finished off by the end of the night. I also picked up a bunch of orange and red bell peppers! Throughout my shopping, I picked up a few things for Beauty! Yes, Rachel Ray, apparently, makes dog food, and, yes, that is doggie ice cream, both of which, Beauty loved! What a spoiled little pup!
It was a day of smart snacking and tasty treats. Frank, for dinner, whipped up pasta and seafood sauce! How could I resist? I heated up a package of Tofu Shirataki noodles and topped it with the sauce! MMMM! I sliced up a bell pepper and used that to pick up the remained gravy at the bottom of the bowl!
The night is closing with some hot chocolate and ginger snaps- shocker!
My week began with a food mishaps. I woke up and the only thing on my mind was mac n cheese. I had an Easy-Mac-style bowl bowl of low-carb mac n cheese I ordered offline. One bite and Beauty got the bowl. Unfortunately, Beauty wouldn’t even eat it. Ha! I began to think, and a light bulb went off! I have instant grits! Oh and I have apple butter!
So, I originally tried grits for the first time when I was about 10 years old and my mom’s boyfriend at the time took us out for breakfast. Grits were totally new to me. I really wasn’t a fan until my mom asked for apple butter for her biscuit. I tried the apple butter the Cracker Barrel that the waitress brought and it was sweet and even better on the warm biscuit. With this in mind, I placed a bit on my spoon and then tried the grits once more, and ever since then grits and apple butter go hand and mouth in my mind. Get it? Like hand and hand?
Okay, after that drawn out story… you can guess what was for breakfast:
I debated having a can of soup for lunch. Once I heated up this soup that I’ve never had before by a brand that I’ve never tried and it, too, went right into Beauty’s bowl. This, too, Beauty turned her nose up to. I grabbed some crackers and PB to hold me over and the went to Zumba, as I usually do on Monday evenings. I came home with a growling stomach, with every intention of making a shake. After experiencing this first evening of the Fall chill, a shake was the furthest from my mind. I rushed home to warm up and steamed up a Green Giant box of green beans and almonds (one of my absolute favorites), followed by some more steamed vegetables. My food plans didn’t work out the way I planned, but it makes me happy that I made things work.
I changed the sheets on my bed to flannel ones, took a hot shower, and snuggled up under the fresh covers in my toasty pajamas and crashed. I sent this picture to my parents because it reminded me of my childhood anthem:
Tuesday was a relatively early morning of giving. I headed off to the Blood Bank to donate blood. I try to do so as often as I can.
After running a bunch of errands, I was super hungry when I got home. I was so tempted to pick up a donut for National Donut Day, but all I could think about was a Boston Cream Pie protein bowl! Bring it! I topped it with some crumble Gnu Espresso Chip! Then some fresh raspberries! Delicious!
I went off the work around 3pm and , like I’ve said before, being clerk for the evening is hit or miss. Wow! I don’t think that in the two and a half years I have been at the hospital, I have EVER been as busy on the desk as we were Tuesday! It was nuts!
Luckily, I had some savory pumpkin quiche and roasted veggies to power me through the shift, and a chips ahoy cookie for a treat. I headed to Barry’s after work, having a heck of a time kicking a headache and belly ache. I even woke up Wednesday still feeling a bit out of sorts.
To get out of a funk, Barry and I headed off to the mall, again. We have been to the mall so much, lately. Last week, we got hooked on a store called Teavana! Barry has been dying to go back since last week. We went back and grabbed a few flavors to take home and a brew to walk around the mall with. I never thought that I would drink hot tea without sweetener, but Teavana proved me wrong. Last week, I had one that smelled like hot oatmeal, and this trip I combined Zingiber Ginger Coconut and CocoCaramel Sea Salt to make a tea that smelled like an almond cookie fresh out of the oven! Last week, we picked up White Chocolate Peppermint Tea! It smells fantastic and tastes like holiday! Ahh! Its magical!
Before heading home to make lunch (steamed veggies for me and mac n cheese topped with steak-umms for Barry), I came across a few awesome and intriguing coffees. Hot Buttered Rum? Mhmm… Tiramisu? Duh! Candy Corn? Uhhh…….
Has anyone had that??? Fill a sista in!
I took a nap at Barry’s to try to rid of my headache, only to be woken up by a car alarm 3 hours later. On my way home, I stopped by the local Payless store to pick up an order. I had a birthday coupon and ordered a Christmas present my parents will be giving me (some new work shoes), along with a new pair of kicks. With the coupon and BOGO special, I would up paying a little over 10 bucks for these cross trainers! Sweet! I couldn’t wait to break them in!
I killed time before work by sending out more resumes and experimenting with SF syrups. I added white chocolate and creme de menthe to my hot chocolate/coffee mocha, and it was awesome! I attempted to catch a few Zzzs before my night shift, but not even this cuddle buddy could shut my brain down for a nap!
I headed off to work a little anxious about food and finding a job, but like always, work put me in a better mind set. I finished off the very last bowl of Hot and Sour Soup. I must make this, again! Soon! The caf surprised me, also, when they switched up the veggie options. Last night, there were radishes and asparagus! I was a happy camper. Two dum-dum suckers and a coffee also helped power me through my shift.
I must say that the highlight of my shift was at 0500, when one of the nurses asked me if I would mind drawing her labs. One stick and I was in! Sweet! I’m always asking if they have labs they want me to do so I was stoked when she asked me! I was even more excited when I kicked butt on the lab draw!
I came home from work knowing I was hungry and actually eating like a normal person! Yay! While I whipped up a 2 egg white omelet with hot salsa, I snacked on a handful of waffle pretzels and a tsp of the best peanut butter, Peter Pan’s Crunchy peanut butter. Never, ever, have a found another PB with soooo many peanuts! Ahh, its delicious! Once dad woke up, I brewed us some coffee and whipped him up a Higgins breakfast classic.
My grandmother, my mom’s mom, makes stuffing loaves every Thanksgiving, and give everyone in the family one to take home. The next morning, Black Friday, we slice up the stuffing, fry it, put a slice of cheese on it and top it with an egg over-easy. I took out two slices from the freezer, and fried one up for dad, and topped it with scrambled egg whites, fat free cheese, and hot sauce.
After dad left for work, Barry came over, and I whipped him up a similar dish with two eggs, over-easy. I spent the rest of the day waiting at my dads place for a package from DaVinci (you know I love my SF syrups). After a can of green beans and onions, I headed back to moms, battling the rain.
I spent the remainder of my afternoon sending out resumes. I’ll tell you… job hunting is a job in and of itself. Its really a bummer, too, because I’m fully in love with my job and the company I work for, but I need to use this license that I’ve worked so hard to obtain.
I started not to feel so great so I grabbed a shower and dad picked me up to run to the store. Ginger ale to the rescue! When we got back, I found out dad had not eaten since the breakfast I had made him. With the remaining tofu, left in the fridge from the Hot and Sour Soup, I whipped up the following based off a recipe I saw on Everyday Health.
Whisk together the water, peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, syrup, ginger, garlic, and sriracha. Set aside.
Drain the tofu, and slice into 8 slices. Place on paper towels and pat dry. Continue to change out paper towels to remove moisture, about 4 paper towels.
On medium-high heat, spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Break the slices of tofu into about 6 pieces each and lay in the pan in a single layer. Allow the pieces to turn golden brown on the bottom, then toss and brown the other side. Meanwhile, microwave the frozen veggie blend for 4 minutes.
Once both sides have turned golden brown, add spinach, onion, and mushrooms. Carefully transfer the microwaved vegetables into the skillet, and toss with previous veggie and tofu mix. Pour the previously-made peanut sauce over top, toss the contents of the skillet, and lower the heat to medium low.
Serve as is or over brown rice, like dad did.
“I’d eat that, again.” Can I quote you on that? That you want to eat tofu, again? “Oh yeah!”
Ladies and gentleman, dad wants to eat more tofu!
I loved this dish! It had the mild saltiness from the peanut butter and soy sauce, and the slightest kick from the siracha! MMM! I actually grabbed some bell pepper slices and lapped up the sauce left at the bottom of the dish. It was just that yummy!
After my mom had her gastric bypass surgery, she has had a hard time digesting meats. Throughout my cooking, I’ve found that soy products, like tofu, are the only things that don’t upset her stomach. She was eating her meal chanting, “Tofutti!!!! Tofutti!!!”
I guess that means she likes it!
This Thursday evening is ending with a mug of hot decaf mocha, with SF pumpkin spice syrup, and a ginger snap.
Since this is my weekend off from work, its another Brunch Sunday with the family. Barry and I woke up and headed over to my moms house.
I had planned on making Hungry-Girl’s Crustless Pumpkin Quiche Supreme. I though about it, and realized I needed to make two pans. So rather than two of the same, I played around in the kitchen to create a Sweet Pumpkin Quiche to match HG’s savory one!
Sweet Pumpkin Quiche
makes 8 slices
4 Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cream Cheese wedges, room temperature
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp Splenda brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Splenda packets
1 15oz can pure pumpkin
1/2 cup frozen whole cranberries
1 Tbsp chopped pecans
1 1/4 cup liquid egg substitute
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar free pancake syrup
Preheat the oven to 350 F. In the meantime, break up the cream cheese wedges and use the back of a spoon to smooth it out. Add the Splendas, spices, and vanilla. Once combined, mix in the pumpkin. Fold in the cranberries, then mix in the eggs.
Spray a 9-in pie pan with non stick cooking spray. Pour the pumpkin mixture in the pie pan and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, and evenly coat the top with syrup. Place back in the oven and continue to bake for another 30 minutes. Move the pan to the broiler and broil for about 10 minutes, until the top begins to brown and caramelize. Remove from the oven and allow the quiche to sit for a few minutes before slicing into it.
It was like breakfast pumpkin pie!!!
MMM Savory and Sweet!
I put syrup out on the table, but I don’t think it needed a darn thing! I served breakfast up with some breakfast potatoes with garlic, onions, peppers, and spices (sort of like a Potatoes O’Brien).
Brunch was a hot according to my panel! I guess its time to formally introduce you to the panel:
My dad, Tom, Frank, my step-dad, Dom, one of my little brothers, and Barry, my boo 🙂
They all have different taste preferences, except my dad and Barry… they put hot sauce on everything!
The Sunday got even better, when Barry joined dad and I for a post-brunch catch! Luckily, I had an extra glove!
The day was a typical Sunday. Barry and I watched a movie. Since the weather was chilly, Barry and I were in the mood for chili! While he ran to the closest Wendy’s for chili, while I browned up some 97% fat free hot dogs, and onions. I snuck a soy dog on Barry’s plate and he really enjoyed it!
The evening was finished up with some job hunting, hot mocha, gingersnaps, and the Eagles/Raiders game!
Thank goodness I slept until 1 or so because I would have never known what this day would bring. It was most definitely a mischief night [day].
I received a phone call wanting to discuss a rant I had posted about a month ago. I need to make something clear. This blog is a haven. For you, for me, for anyone who needs an outlet, a friend, some encouragement…
I wrote my rant, got it off my chest, and forgot I wrote it.
I am so blessed to live in a country where when I am upset, I can work out, call on a friend, and write on the blog. I can discreetly rant my heart out, express my feelings and opinions and never be wrong. Here’s the thing about feelings and opinions. Everyone has them. Everyone can express them. Everyone is entitled to them. You can never be told what your feeling is invalid.
It reminds me of a quote from the corporate compliance video at work :
“Put yourself in the shoes of the associate… to think through how they may react to how a situation gets handled.”
“Its as much about perception as reality.”
How you perceive and action, may be different from how another does, or even how the action was intended, but it still does not mean that your feelings are wrong.
I want to officially make a statement:
I am whole-heartedly sorry for any feelings that have ever been hurt on this blog. I have never once wrote anything with a malicious intent.
While I can’t apologize for my feelings, I can apologize for how my feelings were stated and how I handled the situation. In addition, I can apologize for the hurt feelings that resulted. I can’t change my actions, now, but only learn from them.
So stressed out about this incident, I never slept anymore before my 12 hour shift at work. I laid in bed, crying for hurting someone’s feelings, stressing about the effects it would have on our relationship, and praying that this nightmare of a day would be over.
Arriving at work and putting on my happy face, it seemed everyone was having one of those days. We got slammed with high acuity admissions, there were tons of misunderstandings, and it seemed everyone was watching the clock for 7am. I have to admit that despite the draining day, my shift was still decent.
Independence Day
Its been a few days now, and I haven’t blogged since the events earlier this week. After some solicited opinions and advice from my girlfriend, who had been in a loosely similar situation made up my mind that I should NOT stop writing. This blog has been medicinal, therapeutic, and an essential piece of my recovery. I can’t let anything take it away from me. When she emphatically convinced me not to stop writing, but to be smarter about how I do it, I could only visualize Bill Pullman’s speech from “Independence Day.” Yeah, she was that emphatic!
And even though days have past, and writing this post is helping, it still eats away at me that I hurt someone, who, in all actuality, has supported me throughout my recovery, simply because I was displeased with a specific situation.
The Natasha Special
I’ve introduced it to you before, but tonight I have officially named it “The Natasha Special.”
I picked Natasha and I up, each, a 20 oz pumpkin spice coffee with Irish Cream creamer and two Splenda. I’m telling you.. you have to try it! Its addicting! Even my father, Mr. Don’t Flavor My Coffee, Cream and Splenda. Thats It couldn’t help but love this coffee.
I slept until 1pm today, thank goodness. After coming home from work, I prepared a Hungry-Girl recipe to end National Apple Month. It combined two favorites: Red Hot candies and Fuji apples!
The end result reminded me of a spiced, chunky applesauce! Dad really enjoyed it! I served it with a dash of allspice on top. I bet it would be fantastic with ice cream! I can feel I just triggered my salivary glands, just thinking about it!
I made a spiced apple shake with the apple mix… not too shabby…
I didn’t sleep much and would up handing out candy. I have a rule, if your a big kid and you put effort into the holiday, you get candy… if not… get off my porch! Hahah! Barry couldn’t believe how blunt I was. But, wow, did we get tons of compliments on our awesome pumpkins! My girlfriend, who I was in nursing school with, came by with our neighborhood muscle man! This is Gabriel’s first Halloween and Erica really got into the spirit and made his little Popeye outfit! She dressed up as Olive Oil. How cute?!?!
We also had an angel present to help give out the candy. She hate this thing… But she got some treats, too…
Me? I just threw on my footie pajamas, threw up some pigtails, and applied some blush… Works for me.
Between the 30th and 31st, I had an array of veggies at work, as well as The Healthy Choice Pumpkin Squash Ravioli meal, that I added broccoli to. I figured pumpkin was only fitting for the occasion. I even did decent on the candy aspect of the holiday, which made me very happy!
After my final shift of the week, I headed right back to Fresh Thymes. After that Banana Fosters coffee, from last Friday, its all I’ve been thinking about all week! In fact, I picked my dad up one, too! I came home and paired that a bowl, to keep me full.
Date Night
Friday night, November 1st, Barry and I had date night with Mike and Lauren, to celebrate our 6 month anniversary! We went to Outback Steak House. I even shocked myself when I did not order steak! I put the idea into Barry’s head about the Sirloin Diablo (the concept of a chili pepper cream sauce made my mouth water), and he couldn’t wait to try it! I took a leap and for the first time ever, I ordered pork at a restaurant. While Mike and Lauren stuck to the classic filets, and Barry, with his sirloin, I went with the Sweet Glazed Pork Tenderloin. I kept dipping my pork into Barry’s chili cream, and he kept dipping his sirloin into the pork glaze. I think that made for a nice trade off. I ordered mine with green beans, and the asparagus was perfectly steamed!
I thought Lauren’s drink was pretty nifty, so I snapped a shot of it. She ordered this margarita trio thing… and it came out served on tiers.
Barry and I, being the exciting couple that we are, ended the night working on a jigsaw puzzle! One weekend we are jumping out of planes, the next we are building a puzzle…
Mike’s Birthday
I mentioned earlier in the week that Mike’s 30th Birthday was coming up. His girlfriend threw him a costume party. She looked great as a pirate! Barry was coming from drill, so I matched him with my jacket and a hat I found. Well, I tried to look like a cute soldier…
Barry and I ate dinner before heading out…
On our way to Mike’s party, we stopped by the liquor store, so we wouldn’t show up empty handed, and I came across this:
The concept of PB&J vodka is blowing my mind, but I was not about to spend 30 bucks on something I might not like… So if you’ve had it, dish…
I finally threw the covers off and ran to my robe. I suited up in pink and black, this morning, and layered up with leggings and tights, as well as gloves and a head band. I knew that preparing for the chill would keep me more motivated. The one negative? My running pants stayed up but the rights underneath kept sliding down… Ha!
It was a day of smart snacking and tasty treats. Frank, for dinner, whipped up pasta and seafood sauce! How could I resist? I heated up a package of Tofu Shirataki noodles and topped it with the sauce! MMMM! I sliced up a bell pepper and used that to pick up the remained gravy at the bottom of the bowl!
Be Well Bundo 