Friday Mishmash - Plus Protein Brownie Review!

I'll start today's mishmash with a review of some protein brownies that I was recently sent to try (FCC alert - I was given these for free! Opinions expressed, however, are totally mine). Being the chocolate-lover that I am, I was intrigued by the idea of protein brownies - sounds like the best of both worlds, right? I have to say that Lenny & Larry's Muscle Brownies did deliver on taste for sure - the triple chocolate flavor was great! However, I made a rookie mistake with these. I saw "20g protein" listed on the front of the package, flipped it over to quickly check the calories - 170, not bad, and proceeded to eat the entire brownie for a snack/treat. A couple of hours later I decided to read the rest of the nutritional stats on the package...and got that sinking feeling when I read "protein: 10 grams" - yep, you guessed it - there were TWO servings in that package. Really??? I hate it when companies do this - I was so mad - first at myself for not being more careful in checking the data, and then at the company for trying to pull one over on the consumer. Come on - this size looks like a single-serving, it's individually-wrapped...very easy assumption for someone to make. And I would not choose to have a 340 calorie snack on a whim - while these are good, you need to know that unless you take the time to cut the brownie in half (AND set one half aside), you will be consuming a fair amount of calories.

That said, I did like the brownies. Their Complete Cookie, however, was a bust - it looked good, and maybe I was expecting something like the homemade cookies you can get at our local deli cafes, but this was really dry and tasteless. Would not recommend...oh, and the cookie clocks in at 400 calories! I'd rather have some Greek yogurt for protein and a real cookie or two for that amount. So caveat eator when it comes to Lenny & Larry's Muscle Brownies. They are available all over - click here for a list of retailers who carry them.

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What's this? Twin shirts? Actually, it's my favorite shirt - and the one on the left is not only getting to be too big, but it's also pretty worn and pilly-looking. It was my first medium that I fit into...you can see it in the June '09 bike picture on the right sidebar. The day has been quickly approaching where I shouldn't wear it out in public anymore - let's just say that the *girls* are a little TOO on display, if you catch my drift.

So you can only imagine my delight when I made a run through Ross the other day and found the twin! In a size small...woohoo, the love affair can continue!!! I swear, the craziest things can just make my day!

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And now, some food pictures...

What do you eat when you're on the run in California? Why, these delicious avocado rolls, of course! Actually, Theresa wanted sushi, so we ran in to Nob Hill while we were out and about and got her the sushi while Barbara and I split this. Avocado, cucumber, carrots and lettuce, all wrapped up in rice paper - SO GOOD!!! Three years ago we would have hit Carls Jr. - I love how much better we are eating now (and believe me, Barbara and I have *quite* the history of making not-so-stellar food choices when we are together)!

My breakfast the first day in California - blueberries, strawberries and a nectarine fresh from the tree growing in Barbara's backyard, on Fage, with Fiber One. The nectarine was so good that for the rest of my time there, that's all I had in my yogurt. YUM!Barbara made me try those tofu shirataki noodles (this is her bowl - I just had a few separately). I have to say that they weren't smelly or rubbery like I've heard - in fact, I might just have to buy a package or two. Doesn't her version of pasta primavera look great?!?

Finally, here's my latest version of orzo with veggies - this time I used asparagus, fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes - I just throw the chopped up asparagus and spinach leaves into the boiling pasta for the last minute or so, drain, add the tomatoes, toss with a little olive oil and the juice of two freshly-squeezed lemons and sprinkle a little Parmesan on top - love it!

You might have noticed that the last three pictures are all in the same Fiestaware gusto bowls - love how versatile they are. I need to get that cool lime green color next for my little collection. Nothing like pretty dishes to spice up your food!

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Alllll righty, boys and girls, it's time for another exciting installment of Fashion Friday! The top and sweater are from Ann Taylor Loft - I love that store! Cute clothes, and very affordable when they are on sale, which of course these were. I rarely pay full-price for anything...I'm cheap frugal that way!

I finally got a tripod so I could move out of my closet! Unfortunately, I cut off the top of my head with this shot...Better camera angle. Tops paired with my Liz Claiborne navy Bermuda shorts and my silver BOC Born sandals. I love the silver (and have the same pair in bronze - I am nothing if not original, lol) and keep finding new things to wear them with. Nice change from my usual black sandal, which is what I would have worn otherwise.

Close up of the pink zebra sweater and ruffled top - have I mentioned how much I LOVE this combo?Unflattering picture to show you all of the ruffles, and also to show how some things work so much better in layers than by themselves. I think I look rather dumpy around the middle with just the ruffled top on, but when the sweater is added, I felt much thinner.

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I can't end this post with that awful picture, so I'll show you what the Safeway in Santa Cruz (yes, I am still milking that trip!) considers natural foods:

Hamburger Helper, anyone?

Have a good weekend!