Maternity Leave- Day 1

Yay! I’m on maternity leave! Can I please burn the black maternity pants I’ve been wearing 4 days a week for the past month? (You think I’m kidding, but I’m not.)

 

I know that some women feel that they would go nuts being home all the time waiting for the baby to come, but I’m the opposite. I’m really happy to have this extra time at home and I’ll take whatever days I can get. I’m just soaking up the relaxation and flexibility that I have right now. I know I will meet my little girl soon and I am not trying to rush anything. So you won’t hear about me eating habanero peppers or bouncing on a trampoline to induce labor before it’s time.

 

What I’ve done is to schedule a few small activities for each day this week and leisurely get around to doing them. I also plan to cook nice dinners for Joe and try and keep the house neat.

 

Today’s agenda items we’re:

1. To go to the mall to return a sweater for Joe before the receipt expired and use a $10 rewards card at Pottery Barn Kids that also expires this weekend.

2. To hit up Trader Joe’s for some food and dinner ingredients.

 

Mission accomplished!

 

At Pottery Barn Kids I was excited to find these pacifier holders on sale from $8.99 to $5.99 each. I bought two and they cost me only $2.70.

At Trader Joe’s I picked up a whole bunch of things (and subsequently needed 10 bags to make sure they were light enough).

 

Produce

Snacks

(These I actually got a the regular store yesterday- I’m looking forward to trying the new flavors)

 

Something new

And I also got dinner ingredients. Tonight I’m making turkey tacos and Southwestern Black Bean and Corn Salad on the side.

 

I’m about to sit down and eat some lunch now- a spinach salad topped with lots of goat cheese. I got this 11oz. log at TJ’s for only $4.79. I thought it was a pretty good deal.

I’m also going to have a piece of toast on the side. Have you guys tried this bread? It’s delicious and makes the best toast.

Come to think of it, I’ll be surprised if I even end up with a salad and not just bread and cheese. But we’ll see…

 

Hope you are all enjoying your day! I will be back later with another post. I want to share with you a recipe that we tried last night for dinner that was a real winner!

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Peanut Flour Fairy

Today I was blessed with some peanut flour fairy dust from the lovely Lindsay over at Fresh Eats N’ Tasty Treats. What an awesome way to end my day!

 

As soon as Lindsay saw my panic post about the discontinued PF at Trader Joe’s, she offered to pick me up a bunch to hoard.

 

      She even included some awesome granola!!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much Lindsay for taking the time to help a sista out!

 

In other non-obsessive news….

 

Today I taught my first whole class lesson and it went really well

 

 

What is one product you’d be really upset to live without?

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Meltdown

So I pretty much just had a meltdown at Trader Joe’s.

Normal, right?

 

Well here’s the deal. The past few times I was at TJ’s I didn’t see peanut flour on the shelf. I had enough so I didn’t worry about it too much or bother asking anyone about it.

 

Today, when it wasn’t there AGAIN, I asked.

 

It was almost like a scene from ER as the TJ’s employee told me she’d be right back and disappeared behind the swinging double doors in search of an answer.

source

Deep in my stomach I knew it wouldn’t be good. And I was right.

 

My beloved peanut flour has been discontinued. Apparently due to low sales. WHAT?!?! Do people understand how wonderful this stuff is? How will I go on?!?! I really did ask those questions to the employee. I kid you not.

If you see it at your stores, maybe shoot me an email at FoodIRL@gmail.com and perhaps we can arrange a shipment. (Yes I’m serious).

 

In other news. I am proud to say that I ventured outdoors for a run today. I did a little over 5 miles in about 55 minutes. I walked some, and just took it easy since the terrain was slushy,snowy and a little icy.

 

The day after a blizzard might not be the best for running, but at the same time, it was awesome to be outside when everything is so beautiful and quiet.

 

Here are some tips for running in snowy conditions from someone who is experiencing their first winter running season:

• Dress appropriately. Just because it’s snowy out, doesn’t mean it’s 3 degrees. Don’t dress for skiing, dress for running. You don’t want to overheat. You will warm up.
• Be flexible. Your route and/or distance just might not workout. Be open to running less mileage or even more if you need to go farther to escape bad terrain.
• Run in the road instead of on trails if possible. Seemed to me that the roads were clearer, less patchy, and easier to navigate. Take all of the normal precautions for running in the street. Run facing on coming cars, if you’re wearing headphones make sure you can still hear the traffic, and you know most of this stuff, right?
• Be careful, always tell someone where you are running and walk or stop if conditions are bad. It’s only cool running in crazy weather when you come back alive and uninjured.

I’m off to go cry into my remaining peanut flour and start planning a tribute post.

 

What are your tips for exercising/running outdoors in the winter?

Do you prefer running in the cold or heat?

How are we going to live without peanut flour?

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Secret Santa?

When Joe and I headed out to go buy our new dining room table (yay!) this afternoon,  I noticed something sitting outside our front door.

 

So pretty! And smelled SO good!

 

Attached to the top was a rolled up note.

Hmmm….

We think that it is from our next door neighbors, but we’re not sure! We will figure it out soon though. So cute, isn’t it?

 

Since we’re the only ones in our little neighborhood with no decorations up yet, we figured we should get on it. After the furniture store, we hit up Michael’s craft store to get a few things.

 

I hope we’ll have time to decorate tonight, but schoolwork has been bogging us both down all day.

 

Lunch was quick and yummy.

Trader Joe’s creamy tomato soup (too hungry to clean the bowl rim before i snapped a pic), a sandwich thin with provolone cheese, and an apple with a cinnamon sprinkle.

 

Off to do some work. I have a dinner recipe coming at-cha later though, so stay tuned!

 

Do you decorate for the holiday season (whatever your holiday may be)?

If so, did you do it yet?

What is the last home decor/furnishing item you’ve bought?

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Soupy Outside/Soupy Inside

So… my class at the gym was one-on-one.  I knew it.

 

But I loved it! The nature of the class is bootcamp- so it’s plyo stuff, compound lifting, and core work. The instructor did it with me and it was just like having my own personal trainer.  SCORE!

 

As far as the weather, it’s still pretty rainy and wet outside.  And now it’s getting cold too!

 

When I went back to Trader Joe’s this afternoon to return the corn they sold me that was rotten (gross), I picked up a new item. It was the perfect thing since I was craving some warmth and comfort.

 

I served it up the soup with some egg whites topped with TJ’s corn and black bean salsa, and a side of blackberries.

I also topped the soup with some goat cheese.

 

I thought the soup was delicious! It was flavorful and really thick and creamy. I highly recommend the addition of the goat cheese too.

 

Glad I was able to turn some rotten corn into something fabulous!

 

Another reason I love soup is because it forces me to eat slowly. I’m such a fast eater and soup helps me to take my time and savor my food.

 

Are you a fast eater?
Slow eater?

What about your significant other (if applicable)? - Joe is also a fast eater, so we don’t really help each other out in that department.

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Daily Digest

Finally! I’m back!

It’s been a long but very productive day.

 

It was actually kind of nice to not have access to the computer for the first part of the day. It cut into my "sitting around and drinking coffee while reading blogs time" and helped to get my butt out the door for a run.

 

AND I NEEDED THIS RUN.

 

Here’s WHY:

Last night I realized that I registered for the wrong Praxis test that I need to take in January for teaching certification. I was trying to change it online and because I’m impulsive and was not thinking clearly, I ended up cancelling the test by accident. I should have just waited until today when I could talk to a representative. BUT NO. I  was panicking and felt that I needed to do it IMMEDIATELY.

So now the website tells me that I will only get back $30 of the $120 I spent to register.

I called today but they can’t see it in their system yet, so I need to stew over my stupidity for another few days.

There was crying.

And pillow punching.

I just threw $90 into the toilet. Great.

I really have an issue with being 5 steps ahead of myself sometimes and not being able to see the bigger picture. I felt totally overwhelmed when I realized I registered for the wrong test, that I honed in on that and couldn’t think straight. Lesson learned. I just really hope they will be understanding enough to give me more than the $30 refund. (Since I will be rescheduling a test on the SAME day and SAME time).

 

Run was good- 5 miles/49 minutes.

 

After my run, I hit up Trader Joe’s for a few things. Including some corn on the cob which was rotten and I need to take it back. Gross!

 

Lunch was a loaded sweet potato with black beans, cheese, corn and bean salsa, and greek yogurt.

 

Pre salsa & yogurt

With all the fixins

Dinner was turkey burgers w/pepperjack cheese (grilled the outside in the cold and rain but it was worth it) along with zucchini fries, carrot sticks, and one of those little persian cucumbers. 

Side Note: This picture only shows a small portion of the zucchini fries that I actually consumed. SO ADDICTING AND DELICIOUS!

Now I’m going to unwind a little and catch up on some blog reading!

 

Are you impulsive when you are feeling anxious?
Have you ever lost money on something stupid and just felt sick over it?

Do you grill in the winter?

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Little Pizzas & Little Goals

Today’s lunch really hit the spot!

 

I enjoyed some loaded up little pizzas.

 

The "crust" is a TJ’s low carb whole wheat tortilla. On top is my mom’s tomato sauce, some peppers and onions, TJ’s Meatless Meatballs, and some low fat mozzarella. Sprinkled on some parm, and baked at 350 for about 20 min.

These little pizzas pack lots of protein and fiber so they have great staying power. And they are SO cute too!

Little Goals:

As the next round of holidays approach, it becomes clear that another year will soon be over.

I don’t know about you, but I think that 2010 flew by. It seems like just yesterday I finally got used to saying "twenty-ten" instead of "two thousand and ten".

 

Instead of waiting for the new year to make a bunch of goals, I wanted to start making a few small changes. Little goals, just like little pizzas, are always a good idea

 

My current little goals

• Drink more water - just a few extra glasses that aren’t with meals or during workouts
• Listen better to my hunger- lately I find that my stomach is growling by the time I get into the kitchen, and by that point I am snacking while cooking and it can ruin the meal.
• Start doing some weight training - Now that I’m not training for the half anymore, I am going to be doing more cross training. I’d also really like to start lifting weights again, even if it’s only a little, and not every workout.

And that’s it for now!

 

What are your little goals? (or big goals?)

Do you make new year’s resolutions?

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A Speedy Dinner

Tacos are my #1 weeknight quick dinner. They just come together SO fast!

 

I walked in the door at 8:30 and was eating by 9. You can’t beat that! (except if I was eating at a normal dinner time)

 

Tonight’s taco dinner featured a new component:

This is a great blend. It’s spicy, and it doesn’t contain any funky ingredients. Just spices.

I also tried out some TJ’s refried beans. Cute can, isn’t it?

Layer it up

Tortilla, taco meat, lettuce, tomato, salsa, cheese.

Beans on the side with cheese and hot sauce.

 

Ole!

 

Going to relax and hit the sack early tonight.

 

What is your fastest weeknight dinner?

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Not quite the McRib…

Thank god.

Yesterday I made the easiest recipe ever. Tonight, as leftovers, it’s even better.

Pulled Pork Sandwiches:

1 center cut pork loin roast

About a cup to a cup and a half of chicken broth

Salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Roast in a crockpot for about 8-10 hours on low. Shred!

Joe likes his plain but if you want it BBQ from the get-go, you can add the BBQ sauce in and less broth. Since it cooks for so long, you just want to make sure that the pork stays moist.

I eat mine on a sandwich thin with some provolone and BBQ sauce.  I also sauteed some banana peppers in olive oil. We grow a ton of these in our garden in the summer and then freeze them.

On the side, some TJ’s potato wedges and brussels sprouts.

Last time I checked, they don’t have brussels on the menu at Mickey D’s.

 

Random Funny thing I saw today: A motel with a sign that said, Power Nap Special $39. EW.

Do you like BBQ? – Oh yeah. I could eat BBQ sauce on everything.

Are you a crockpot enthusiast?- Yeah, I’d say so. Although I don’t really like casserole type dishes or things that taste overly boiled. Shredded meats (including my chicken enchilada filling which I am due to make soon) are my favorite thing to make in the crockpot. I also like to transfer things like soup and chili in there so it can cook while I’m not home.

Here are some other crockpot favs you might like:

Roast Beef Sandwiches

Pork and Sauerkraut

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Stick to the Ribs Breakfast and a WINNER

Welcome to day #3 of insatiable hunger.

 

And since I don’t want to spend the whole day feeling hungry, I decided that I need to at least start out with a breakfast that will keep me full for a while.

 

I’m always experimenting with meals and foods to see how they satisfy me. So today I tried a new oat recipe. Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oats.

 

I cooked some old fashioned oats on the stove while I ate 1/2 of a banana and a trader joe’s pomegranate/cranberry muffin.

To the oats I added a pinch of salt, 15grams (1/8th a cup) of peanut flour, 2 splenda packets, and 1 tsp of cocoa powder.

Once they were done I topped them with the other 1/2 of the banana.

These are great! And I feel full and satisfied. (at least for the next 30 minutes).

 

Today is going to consist of packing for my trip to Miami tomorrow and maybe a workout. I’m kind of dragging today, so I’m not sure what I’ll do. Maybe yoga in the living room.

Also, I picked a winner for my giveaway! The winner was selected using Random.org.

Congrats to Jess!

Please email me at FoodIRL@gmail.com ASAP with your full name and mailing address.

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