October 19, 2011

Productive Day!

Today was a great day. I started the day off with a warm bowl of oatmeal topped with apple butter. Then I volunteered in a Kindergarten class for a couple hours, which was a lot of fun.  


One thing I learned: the chicken dance is still as big a hit as it was when I was a kid. I didn't know kids still liked it. They do, and so do. Fun times. 


This pretty much sums up my afternoon. Lots of homework/studying was done. It was a productive day. I have the TV not being turned on all day to thank. It's amazing how much you can get done if you don't turn the TV on, even for a few minutes...because we all know that a few minutes turn into an hour...two...three...Not good.


For lunch I had a chipotle hummus sandwich on ezeikiel bread, made from sprouted grains and lentils. Sounds kinda gross but it isn't, trust me. Orange pepper, tomato, cucumber and grated carrot on top of the hummus. Veggies on the side.


Too bad it's blurry, because it looked and was so good. This picture doesn't make it look very good...


banana with almond butter as my pre workout fuel. I also had an Elevate Me bar in tropical. I went to the completely packed gym tonight for a spin class. Did about 20 minutes on the treadmill while I was waiting. I haven't been to a class in awhile and it was just as good as I remember. The music wasn't fantastic and wasn't loud enough...but overall, I enjoyed it. We also did about 10 mins of abs at the end of class.

When I got home I had some leftover chill I made a few days ago (it's all gone and I'm really sad...) and an edamame salad. For dessert I had a peppermint bark luna bar. SO GOOD! probably one of my favourite things to eat. I don't buy them often, but when I do it is such a treat. They are crunchy, chewy, not too sweet, minty, chocolaty...and a lot more "eee"'s that I can't think of right now... :)


At about 8:30 pm, and I had done all the dishes...I realized I was kinda bored and wanted to bake something. These are Mama Peas (Peas and Thank You) Banana Chocolate Millet Muffins.


Ready for the oven!


This is how they're supposed to turn out....so how did I do?


Well....


They're no mama pea, but they look pretty darn good! They probably would have looked better if I drizzled chocolate over top. Can't wait to have one for breakfast!!! I think I'll go to sleep now so morning will come faster!

I'll post the recipe soon!

Night night!

October 17, 2011

Procrastination...

What better way to procrastinate than to blog? Today is just one of those days where I wasn't really feeling anything I was doing.  I didn't want to get up this morning, I didn't want to go to school, I didn't want to workout, I didn't want to do homework...the list goes on and on (I'm such a complainer today...).  I just couldn't wait for school to be over and to come home and relax.  But before I get into the awesome, exciting details of my day I want to talk a little bit about the wonderful day I had yesterday.  I was lucky enough to have the day off work so I took full advantage of it starting bright and early at 8 am.  Francis and I were up and at em, ready to tackle the day...but first, breakfast!


I made us a couple of smoothies. This one was mine (Francis isn't a huge pumpkin fan - I know, what a crazy!).  Unsweetened almond milk, frozen canned pumpkin, 1/4 cup silken tofu, frozen banana, pumpkin pie spice, which I found finally and lots-o-cinnamon. 


I topped it off with some 5 minute granola, made with steel cut oats. Mmmm...

I made Francis a smoothie with yogurt, milk, banana, berries and chocolate protein powder.  He said it was good!

After breakfast Francis and I cleaned up the apartment in search for our mail key, which we didn't find (BOO!).  After that we went to the SPCA to give some kitties some lovin' (I'm looking to adopt a kitty!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...so excited!!!). After about an hour of obsessing over the kitties, we went to Sidney to try out an organic juice and smoothie bar that I heard about...but it was closed :( A 25 minute drive for a smoothie is pushing it as it is but the fact that it was closed was pretty disappointing. Oh well, there's always next time.  We ended up walking around town a bit and stopped for lunch at a little cafe called the Red Brick Cafe.


It was a beautiful, chilly day out....


heyyyy

so I decided to order a soy latte to start...



followed by a Hugh Jass salad.  It was the Red Brick Cafe salad, with chickpeas, veggies, pecans, feta cheese and a citrus vinaigrette. I ate about half and had the other half as part of my dinner. LOVE leftovers. 


Francis ordered the clam chowder with a side green salad. He really enjoyed it...but said the clam chowder wasn't what it expected. Maybe it wasn't creamy like traditional clam chowder? I have no idea...I'm not a fan of clam chowder so I don't know much about it.

After lunch we went to one of our favourite spots to hang out...


some pumpkins along the way...


I wanted to stop to get a pumpkin but the line was huge...I didn't want to spend my Sunday standing in a line to get a pumpkin. I may have had different thoughts if I didn't have a cute little pumpkin at home right now! Yes, pumpkins can be cute!


Totally staged picture...


and another...


heyyyyyyyyyyy.... (I like to say "hey" a lot apparently...)

After our time at the beach, which was short lived because I was fareeezzzinn' my butt off, we went to London Drugs for a few things and then home just in time to make dinner. 


any guesses?


VEGAN CHILI!



Onions, broccoli, veggie broth...simmerin'


Quinoa...


Chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, oregano...


pasta sauce...



Black beans added...simmerin' away....


and this is a picture of my dinner...half of a nut and veggie burger from Ferris' I had the night before. Didn't want it to go to waste...toasted in the toaster oven!! Yummyyyyyy! I finished off my salad from lunch as well. Francis had the chili and said it was good...but not very chilli like lol! Good feedback, Francis :P

Today was a longgggggg day. It was hard to get up and was hard to keep going. I woke up extremely homesick and didn't feel like doing anything, but I managed to get ready for school and head out the door by about 7:30 am with a warm breakfast of oatmeal in my tummy! 

After what seemed to be an 8 hour school day (which it totally wasn't) I went to my power flow yoga class with a couple friends (we're part of the UVIC yoga club - holla!).  Afterwards, Nicole and I hit the gym for some cardio.  I did about 30-35 mins of intervals, including hills, on the treadmill. It got me nice and sweaty!

After that I came home, had some chili (mmm....it's so good) and started on some homework....started being the key word here....I have you to blame...you distract me (I'm secretly very thankful that you do ;) )

Anyways, I better do some more homework so I feel at least a little bit productive!

Goodnight,
Amy





October 15, 2011

Thanksgiving Withdrawal

Thanksgiving weekend was awesome and I miss it already :( Over the weekend I spent a lot of good quality time with my family! We went on a lovely walk through the woods...


while the sun was beaming down on us...


We heard "ribbiting" so we went searching for it...


...my mom spotted this big guy. 


I'm sure there are a few of you that are grossed out right now, but i'll tell you a little secret...I LOVE frogs. Always have. Always will. No idea why.


When I was little my dad and I used to go frog hunting. We went out at night time with gumboots, buckets, nets and flashlights. It was one of my favourite things to do. My dad STILL asks me if I want to go frog hunting (half joking of course)...but I think I might be a little old for that daddio. Nevertheless, I have very fond memories.


We took quite a few pictures on our nature walk/hike.


Taking a picture of Francis taking a picture :)


Mom, looking all cute for the camera!



I think this is just adorable. I wish I had a porch to put one on :( A girl can only dream...


I picked the last of the apples off of the tree...


Checked out the pumpkins in the garden...


...and the butternut squash (fav squash ever!)


and took a few more scenic pictures...


After our lovely nature walk we went home and started on dinner. Family (minus my Daddio - he was hunting) started to arrive around 5 pm. Dinner was ready and on the table!


From the left: Nicole (sister), Francis, Kyell (cousin), Mom, Henry (Gramma's fiancé), Gramma, Oma, Jeff (Nicole's boyfriend). So happy to see everyone!


Turkey dinner. I put the turkey on there incase I wanted some. Turns out I didn't. I'm still just not into eating meat. I have my reasons :)


Putting leftovers away...


Leelu, my sister and Jeff's dog on the warmest tile floor ever. My mom set it for about 6 am that morning so when we got up and went into the kitchen it would nice and cozy. Oh was it ever!


After all of the chores were done (thank god) it was time for dessert. Mmmmm...Gramma's apple pie, which everyone said was delish.


On the right past the ice cream...is the most delicious pumpkin cheesecake ever made. Ginger cookie crust, creamy pumping filling.  All of the things I love in one miraculous cake. O-M-G it was fantastic. Mom, you're a keeper :) I just don't know why I didn't take a picture of it....I think I was too busy eating/enjoying the pie to remember to. Oh well, I'd rather my tummy remember than my eyes. he-he.

Overall it was a great weekend, but it was still very hard to leave. It always is. But the fact that my mom gave me a nice bowl of borscht to bring home with me made leaving a little bit easier. Just a wee bit.


I ate it alllllllllll week. Topped with plain yogurt and dill. One of my top 3 favourite soups forsure. 


This is a picture of a random lunch I had the other day. Pinto beans, red bell pepper, tomato, salsa, avocado, salt and pepper and plain yogurt with chill powder! Delish!


Last night's dinner. Mango ginger tofu and an edamame salad! I just bought this container and it was clean, so that's why I used it! Plus, it makes it easier to transport and eat on the couch for those of you out there who are a little bit clumsy and spill everywhere :) *cough* me *cough*

Okay, it's time to go and enjoy my glass of wine and put a good movie in...Hocus Pocus anyone? Goodnight world :)