Salad Mountain and Unexpected Breakfast

Happy Friday! I've got a busy day planned and cannot wait to get started!

Today's agenda includes:

• Workout
• Drive back to school
• Clean out my car/pack
• Volunteer at a food pantry
• Drive to the Cities
• Meet some lovely ladies for supper and a show!

I'm going to try to cram some homework in there but as of right now I'm not quite sure when that will happen. 

Supper Recap

Last night I came to visit Al and we went to a fantastic wine and coffee bar. We each had a 2 glasses of wine for happy hour - Him: Cabernet Sauvignon Her: Pinot Grigio and Sangria. Our original plans were to stay for happy hour, catch up, and then go home to make spaghetti with spaghetti squash. Yeah, that didn't happen. We ended up seeing the salad/taco/soup bar at JavaVino and all bets were off. 

I absolutely love salad bars, so there was no question when I got one massive salad mountain!

Tonight's salad was topped with:

• Ham
• Bacon
• Egg crumbles
• Peas
• Onions
• Black olives
• Balsamic vinegar
• Olive oil
• Beets (on the side)
• Strawberries (on the side)

Perfection! 

After supper, Al and I had planned to watch the 2nd Sherlock Holmes movie but we both got distracted, I with making treats for this weekend and Al with catching a mouse in the (detached) garage. When everything was said and done, I was just ready for bed!

Breakfast

I usually bring leftovers from my school residence to Al's when I come visit, but I was in such a hurry yesterday, I forgot to bring anything. So, I wasn't quite sure what I'd find this morning that was gluten-free/dairy-free. Luckily, I found some gluten-free oats and frozen berries. So breakfast was practically decided for me.

To up the flavor ante, I added some coconut palm sugar, coconut oil, and a teaspoon or so of mixed nuts that I "stole" from Al's stash. I don't think I've ever added coconut oil to my oatmeal before but it was quite the taste sensation! I really liked this mix, so it will likely make another appearance in my diet soon.

Time to get this girl's fanny a moving! See you at lunch time.

"Make the Most of Every Moment"

Class

Seminar's two presentations tonight were actually pretty interesting. The first was on iron-deficiency in gastric bypass patients and the second was on whether or not dark chocolate is healthy. Needless to say, I learned a lot. 

I had no idea that gastric bypass (at least the Roux-en-Y method) was permanent. It made me think if the surgery is really healthy or not. I understand it could help certain people but I don't know if having a surgery to purposely make your body not absorb nutrients and permanently having a smaller stomach are such good ideas for the long-term. That's just my opinion.

On to the chocolate. Prior to the second presentation, I knew dark chocolate had "health benefits" but I didn't know that small daily doses could reduce your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Yay! Another reason to eat dark chocolate...in moderation of course!

Supper + Dessert

Tonight's supper was one of my favorite meals, homemade red curry with beef!

I read somewhere that to keep curry traditional you're supposed to match the vegetables to the curry paste your using. For example, if you're doing a red curry you'd add red peppers, sweet potato, red cabbage, etc. Yeah, I totally ignore that rule. My curries have to include broccoli, mushrooms, and a type of hearty green (collards, kale, beet greens, etc.) So, tonight's curry was no exception.

• 5 oz. round steak
• 1 small bunch broccoli
• 4 mushrooms, quartered
• 5 kale leaves, shredded
• 1 teaspoon red curry paste
• 3 tablespoons full-fat coconut milk

I usually add minced garlic and lime juice when I'm steaming everything but I didn't have either. So I made do without and it came out fantastic, very rich and creamy!

 

The presenter on chocolate thought it was appropriate to bring us dark chocolate and cocoa nibs. I think it was just a bribe to get us to give her a good grade ;-) I munched on a couple nibs in class and saved the rest for dessert. It seems like forever since I've had a Dove chocolate. I used to bring two to lunch everyday in high school - one for myself and one for a friend at the lunch table. The quotes are the best little reminders! Today's was "Make the most of every moment". Perfect for me today because I've kind of caught a touch of the procrastination bug. 

Dance + Second Dessert

Belly was fantastic! We started a dance with the option to perform in November. I really, really miss performing and would love to participate if it fits in my schedule (cross my fingers). Per usual, I was pushed out of my comfort zone thanks to improve. We were split into groups of four and then we each took turns leading the group with moves we came up on the spot. Totally not my favorite activity but it's good for me and my crazy self-consciousness!

After belly, I was really craving something sweet so I savored a Pecan Pie Larabar, one of my favorites! It tastes just like pecan pie filling. When I get the food processor back from my dad, I am definitely going to try to replicate these at home!

Now it's time for me to buckle down and study cram for my MNT quiz tomorrow on anemias. Wish me luck!

Out Early

We got out of class four hours early today!!! Could you tell I was excited? I actually don't mind my restaurant class but six hours is a little long when you aren't actually doing anything in the kitchen. Next week that will all change because we actually get to start serving meals to the community, which is pretty exciting!

I always love getting done with that class, too, because it feels like my week is almost over then. For classes, I only have a nutrition seminar class tonight and my MNT class tomorrow morning and then I'm done for the week. Well besides work, but I like my job. :-)

Workout

So you know how I said I was taking the day off from the gym? Well, after I found out we were getting  out of class early I suddenly had the urge to go lift again and "Screw you" to my pending cold. My gym can get pretty crazy at times, so I was a little worried it be packed. When I got there, there were really only two guys in the free weights section. Works for me. 

Before workout, I had a quick snack of carrots and two mini honeycrisp apples. Then I hopped on the elliptical for 10 minutes to warm up while I read the latest issue of Paleo Magazine.

After I felt nice and warm I did the following upper body workout:

Superset (1 minute rest between superset)

• Wide-grip Pulldowns: 3 x 10
• Underhand-grip Pulldowns: 3 x 10

Normal sets (1 minute rest between sets)

• One-Arm Dumbbell Rows: 3 x 10 each side
• Barbell Bent-Over Rows: 3 x 10 
• Tricep-focused Push-ups: 3 x 10 

Superset (1 minute rest between superset)

• Alternating Dumbbell Curls: 3 x 8 each side
• Tricep Extensions with Dumbbell: 3 x 10

The entire workout including the warm-up took me about 40 minutes. Not bad after deciding to skip out earlier this morning. ;-)

Lunch + Caribou

My lunch was not very photogenic so I decided against showing two questionable meal photos in one day. I had leftover pork tenderloin (which I may or may not have forgotten in the oven...oops) and roasted brussel sprouts from the CSA. <--Yum!

After lunch, I made my way over to Caribou coffee where I read a little bit on anemias for my Medical Nutrition Therapy class. While I read, I enjoyed a decaf cinnamon rooibos tea and a small caramel. By the time my tea was gone, I had only read/taken notes on 10 pages (dang you science-based books with small print and minimal pictures) and I was in need of a nap. 

Snack

My lunch just didn't quite fill me up today. So after packing up my gigantic MNT book, I headed home and made a delicious bowl of oats.

• 1/2 cup oatmeal cooked in water
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• Cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. sugar (good but wasn't necessary!)
• Sea salt

All those carbs after reading only made me more tired! It's totally nap time as soon as I hit publish. :-)

Brown Breakfast and No Workout

Breakfast

This morning's meal was not the most eye-appealing but it was simple to make and got the job done appeasing my hunger. I actually woke up not hungry at all but I knew I would need to eat something if I was going to workout (which didn't end up happening, but more on that later). By the time my skillet bowl was done, my stomach was grumbling and I was glad I had made something to eat. 

So, what did I have?

Ground Sirloin, Mushroom, and Leek Skillet

• 5 oz. ground sirloin
• 8 mushrooms (cremini and button), quartered
• 2 Tbsp chopped leeks
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 1 pinch of Penzey's Tsardust seasoning

Like I said not very visually appealing, but it tasted good. I love having mushrooms for breakfast and how they add a rich and satisfying quality to any savory dish.

On the side, I had a sliced Ambrosia apple. If you live near a Kwik Trip gas station, I highly recommend these apples, even more so then the ever-popular honeycrisp variety. They are such a crisp, extremely sweet, and satisfying fall treat.

I also had an un-pictured bowl of pumpkin puree with cinnamon for some added carbohydrates and a small bowl of raw sauerkraut for its probiotic properties since I don't tolerate yogurt well. Dang you lactose intolerance! 

Now I'm enjoying a pumpkin spice rooibos tea from Trader Joe's with a little unsweetened coconut milk while I'm getting ready for my restaurant class.

No Workout

I had every intention to go to the gym this morning and lift but I feel like I may be getting a cold. I'd really rather not get sick right now. So, as a preventative measure, I opted out of going to the gym and chose to study a bit before class instead. I'll get a little workout tonight at belly dancing, so it's not a big deal if I didn't make it this morning. 

Today's Agenda

Here's what's on the plan for today: restaurant class, lunch, study for medical nutrition therapy (test tomorrow!), seminar class, supper, belly dancing (yay!), and more studying (boo!).

My lunch post won't likely be up until after my restaurant class ends at two.

See you then!

Breakfast: Sliced Steak with Fennel and Arugula

Next week I'm starting a Whole-30 (meat, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats) + autoimmune protocol (no eggs, nuts, or nightshades) to hopefully kick a nasty bout of hives I've had since June. So in preparation I had a breakfast...

...that was anything but traditional.

Sliced top round stead with sauteed fennel and arugula.

...served with a side of frozen organic raspberries.

Pure deliciousness. I'm not a fan of black licorice but for some reason I like fennel and with the spicy, bitter arugula, it was perfect. 

Now I'm taking Al to his first ever hot yoga class! I'm really excited because I've been nagging him since I first tried it last winter and he's finally agreed! (Enter a little wishful thinking -->) Maybe he'll love it! 

Wednesday's are Restaurant Class Day! So, that meant all of my meals were thrown together in a matter of minutes and incorporated a lot of leftovers.

I wanted to fit in a workout before class so I opted for a no-cook breakfast. Unfortunately, I committed a major food service no-no and had a very monochromatic (where's the green?!). At least it tasted good!

 Smoked salmon, cantaloupe, carrots, and leftover apple

Today in class we learned how to make three different roux (equal parts of flour and butter) white, blonde, and brown; and three of the French "Mother" sauces: Bechamel, Espagnole, and Red. I couldn't try any of them (thanks to the gluten content) but they sure smelled good!

After kitchen time, my group worked more on our meal. We forecasted yields and costs and drew up a preliminary master timetable with what all 19 people are going to be doing and when. We also worked on all 19 job descriptions for the day. Needless to say it was a busy day!

We breaked midway through and I munched on lunch while catching up on all of the latest blog posts in my Google Reader.

 Ground turkey seasoned with Penzey's Tsardust Seasoning, romaine, and black olives

I also had an apple, coconut flakes, and a couple of Jamie Eason's carrot cake protein bars but felt too awkward whipping out phone in the middle of the classroom to snap some more pics. 

After class I found a lovely present sitting on my windshield. Yep, I got a parking ticket. Oops! It was just the kick I needed to purchase a parking permit. So long, $130. 

Mid-afternoon I munched on some turkey muffins, daikon radish, carrots, and cucumbers with Dijon.

Then I got into Superwoman Homework Mode and didn't feel like making pork fajitas like I had planned for supper. So, I ate some leftover smoked salmon, more turkey muffins, cantaloupe, and of course dark chocolate!

It was the perfect fuel for tonight's belly dancing class, which was awesome because we got to play a lot with veils!

Okay...let's play catch-up!

Thursday

 Breakfast: steak, broccoli slaw, and mushrooms

 local raspberries and Jamie Eason's pumpkin bars

Scenes from my morning run.

 So pretty!

Back with Al! Grilled pork-chops and asparagus + a side of broccoli = Super-dose of greens!

Friday

 Frozen blueberries and Jamie Eason's lemon poppyseed bars

 New to me cashew butter...Yum!

 Jamie Eason's mini turkey meatloaves with avocado, local jicama (so sweet!), CSA cherry tomatoes and spinach.

locally-sourced apple with walnuts and a little Food & Nutrition :-)

Saturday

 Awesome sashimi platter!

 Appetizer platter: Mini meatloaves, homemade gluten-free rosemary crackers, jalapeño poppers with dairy-free, gluten-free "cream cheese" filling (recipe to come), carrots, kohlrabi, and baba ghanouj.

 A little piece of Heaven!

Sunday

No pics...but the Vikes won!!! ;-)

Monday

 Smoked salmon over CSA romaine with CSA cherry tomatoes and some hidden capers

Thai sweet potato soup with lemon-pepper chicken and sauteed mushrooms

Tuesday

 Iowa Girl Eats' Autumn Salad with chicken

New to me club soda...my new favorite bubbly!

It's only Tuesday and I can't wait for the week to be done! Only two more days of school/work then it's time for some crazy Oktoberfest festivities!