Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday Mishmash

First, let's start with these super-cute fabric baskets that I recently won in a giveaway from Monica On The Go and Rellaroo, who has the sweetest etsy shop. I got to choose a basket from Rellaroo's shop, and was told to pick an alternate in case the one I picked was purchased before I sent my choices in. Well, color me surprised when I opened my mail to find both of my choices - thanks, Mindi - you are too generous! I love them and have had a lot of fun trying them out in different spots in my house. Currently they are in my closet holding my unmentionables (I know, I just mentioned them ::blush::) - what fun to see these gorgeous baskets every day!
Picture taken outside because the light was better...and look - there's a doggy in the window!

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And now, some down and dirty talk about food (and to clarify - no one sent me any samples; these are just my opinions of stuff I've bought recently at my local grocery store):
  • Kashi GoLean Crisp Toasted Berry Crumble - This stuff is like crack to me. I don't know how to describe it except to say that it pops in my mouth. The other night I measured out a quarter cup for a snack. And then another quarter cup. And another quarter cup...I believe I finally stopped at about a full cup - I have not been this out-of-control over a snack food in a long time. I was seriously going to throw it down the garbage disposal if I went back one more time. I didn't, but my advice: do not buy this very tasty, addictive cereal!
  • Peanut butter from that machine in the grocery store - Back story is that I dropped my nearly full jar of Maranatha Organic Peanut Butter onto my kitchen's tile floor - sadly breaking the glass jar and splattering peanut butter all over. My grocery store doesn't carry that particular kind of peanut butter any more - most of their "natural" peanut butters are the no-stir kind that contains added palm oil and sugar, which I don't want. So I decided to try the "grind your own" peanut butter using the machine that held nothing but dry roasted peanuts (Would you believe one machine contained chocolate chips and peanuts?!? Yum) Anyway, I decanted about a dollar's worth into a little plastic tub, which came in handy when I took it home and promptly dropped it on my kitchen floor - what is up with me and peanut butter? Luckily the tub only cracked a little. Man, this is a long back story! Anyway, I made my pb&j sandwich and darned if that stuff isn't dry! Like, I needed to microwave it in order to get it smooth enough to spread on my sandwich thin. So while it was fun to grind my own peanut butter (really, all I did was flip a switch, but I felt very pioneer-like), this is not for me. I'll have to search for my Maranatha at a different grocery store.
  • Newman's Own Lighten Up Sundried Tomato salad dressing - I never thought I would cheat on my favorite Newman's Own Lighten Up Balsamic Viniagrette, but I am loving the Sundried Tomato dressing! It has a little higher calorie count than the Balsamic (60 per 2 T serving vs. 45), but I always measure it out and really, the extra 15 calories isn't going to make or break my diet. Here is a picture of my super delicious salad that I had for dinner three days in a row this week:
Romaine and Boston lettuces, broccoli, radishes, green onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, bleu cheese, avocado, chicken breast and that yummy salad dressing!
  • And just so you don't think I'm stuck in a food rut of salads (which I mostly am, lol), here's something new that I tried recently...chicken andouille sausage, with grilled asparagus (another food that is like crack to me) and some whole wheat fettuccine topped with Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper (no oil or butter).
Chicken Andouille sausage, 150 calories; 2 oz. whole wheat fettuccine, 210 calories, with half an ounce Parmesan cheese, 53 calories; 15 spears crack grilled asparagus, 48 calories - total for this decadent, delicious meal: 461 calories.

In case you are like me and didn't know what "andouille" stands for - it means spicy! Like hot pepper flake spicy! My mouth was en fuego, but in a good way (Biz, you would love this!).

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Jeff was out of town this week and I've had to be more aware and diligent when it came to my eating...I could very easily go off the deep end with no one watching me - not that he watches what I eat, but I had some pretty bad habits of majorly overeating when he would travel. Knowing my history, I've made a conscious effort to prepare healthy dinners and have lots of fruit around for snacks. Except for cereal-gate one evening (while I was watching The Biggest Loser, ironically), I've done really well. He'll be back home tonight and things will be normal, although we are going to Houston for that 6K run on Sunday, and have a lunch planned with Kelly and her family at a Mexican restaurant - hopefully I will control myself around the chips and salsa!

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P.S. I just realized that I referenced crack twice in this post. It's not like I have a true reference point - I've never tried it. (I would be skinny probably dead if I did.) It's not a joking matter to someone who has struggled with addiction, and I hope I haven't offended anyone by using that word lightly.

21 comments:

  1. Asparagus is like crack to me too! I was laughing at...no, take that back...with you about the PB incident. I drop stuff all the time so I feel your pain. Maybe you're just so excited to eat your PB you can't contain yourself? It's understandable...PB is crack :-)

    Have fun in Houston on Sunday!

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  2. Very interesting mismash Friday stuff.
    Have fun Sunday I'm sure you'll do great. Can't wait to read the race report!

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  3. Ahh, my favorite topic--food!

    I like the big tasty salad too, but can't seem to make myself eat it much during the winter. Looking forward to some this summer, along with my green smoothies, which have also disappeared out of the rotation.

    My brother used to eat that dried out peanut butter EVERY DAY on his sandwich. Yuck. Have you tried almond butter? I found that it tasted just like peanut butter to me. Not that big a deal. I got some with flax seed in it that I like. I used to eat Better 'N Peanut Butter that I got at Trader Joe's. Half the calories. Very yummy.

    Looking forward to the race report. Good luck!

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  4. I had to laugh at your first 2 food comments, because it was like a page lifted from my thoughts. I got a sample of that Kashi, and I am afraid to let it come within a mile of my house! So good.

    Isn't it funny that secret eating is still has such a powerful pull?

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  5. I always look forward to your random posts. Inevitably you make me laugh along the way!

    I am always amazed when an old habit (like the eating thing) comes back to haunt me after I think it's gone.

    I can't begin to tell you how many times I've eaten something ridiculous while watching Biggest Loser - or another show about weight loss. So silly!

    Have a great weekend.

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  6. Peanut butter must make you nervous. ;)

    It is highly addictive and all...I always have a back-up jar. Actually, now that I think about it, I eat more almond butter than peanut butter right now.

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  7. I may try the crack you mentioned- the cereal sounds great. Maranatha peanut butter is the best (organic of course!) but not off the floor. (5 second rule?)

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  8. Your pasta dish looks yummy! And the cereal sounds great, too. But I'll take your advice and stay away from it. Thanks for your reviews, it's always great to know before you buy!

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  9. I love those bags!!! And I am loving the food pics - especially the spicy sausage!!

    And totally agree with you on the plain Greek yogurt, I like sour, but that's a bit much.

    I am watching Glee tomorrow morning with my breakfast! Happy Friday - and you can knock on my door anytime - you have an open invitation! :D

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  10. During my run on Sunday I will definitely think of you, might make me run faster, who knows. Good luck for you too, you are going to rock as usual.

    I love the bags!

    And I don't know any of these products :lol: but I do love the food.

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  11. Holy crack ;) that pasta looks so friggin' good.

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  12. Right there with ya on the crack peanut butter thing... it is a staple of my life.

    Love your site... thanks for the reviews!!

    WeighDownSouth.com

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  13. Hi! So glad you like the baskets!

    I have to agree with you about the Greek yogurt! I bought some Strawberry for my husband because it had higher protein and he took one bite and said...not strawberriey enough! LOL

    And that pasta looks delicious! :)

    Mindi

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  14. I loved the look of that entire meal...especially the pasta.

    I really do enjoy asparagus, even though I'm getting a bit tired of my pee smelling strange afterward. I'm just one of those that have that semi-allergic reaction to it.

    Good luck Sunday!

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  15. ...Hey, did someone say "crack?"
    hehe
    I knew someone who made purses from the "butt" part of denim jean cut-offs. Zipper, pockets, and all. Sewed on a strap and a lining. Called it "Bootie Bag!"

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  16. You hit a million buzzes for me in this post:
    1. husband away, same potential behavior, so far so good
    2. Chips at the Mexican restaurant, they got me last night, everything else was ok. Screw them!!! They are crack!!!!
    3. Read about your cereal on someone's comment and realized I will NEVER buy it.
    Good luck w/ your race.

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  17. adorable bags, esp. the pink one! I have fallen in love with Vera Bradley and Borsa Bella this week. Check out my blog and see the custom bag she made for my Kindle! It's cool; you send her fabric, and she custom bags for you! :D

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  18. I love the fact that you referenced crack. I do it all the time and then sometimes wonder if people really think I'm serious, whatever. I usually say, "step away from the crack pipe" like I would even know what one looks like!

    I totally relate about the kashi crack. I haven't tried that particular one, but sometimes I hook up (another term that means totally different things today) with a "healthy snack" that ends up sending me to a very dark place.

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  19. Fage has the best Greek yogurt of all of them. Worth the higher cost. I also love Stoneyfield's plain regular nonfat yogurt; goes great when you are mixing in fruit yourself, and much less sweet than Yoplait/Dannon etc.

    Have you ever tried Better'nPeanut Butter? As a PB addict I cannot have the real stuff in my house, and BnPB definitely does not taste like peanut butter, but it is a reasonable substitute that gives me the smooth protein without triggering my pb cravings.

    I am going to have to try the Sundried Tomato dressing, thanks for the tip!

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  20. Wow. I didn't realize it until I read your post, but I tend to overeat when my husband is out of town, too! This is something to keep an eye on. Thanks for inadvertently causing my lightbulb moment!

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  21. I tend not to eat as much when my hubs inst around. But I eat crap.

    Dang! Now I want pasta. I know one our sides we're having at dinner tonight.

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