Back in action

It takes just one full day of my regular hippie eating to get me back in the swing of things.  Today was perfect. 

I started the day with foamy coffee and a massive bowl tupperware of oats.  Explanation behind the use of tupperware?  Well, I had planned on making overnight oats for work the previous day, but I completely forgot about it in the morning. 

(It’s already a challenge for me to transport my regular pre-packed lunches, so adding another tupperware was the straw that broke the camel’s back my backpack)

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Forgetting the oats worked out better for me anyways, as I had a brekkie all ready for me when I woke up! (Sorta).  Since the apartment was 2 degrees, I was not feeling the cold meal – this hippie likes it H-O-T.  Easy enough solution…micro with extra lactaid, add in cinn/PB/mocha almonds. 

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Perfection.

I was quite pleased with this start to the day, so much so that I even did a few of ExerciseTV’s abs/arms workouts.  Six-pack Jillian-pack comin’ atcha!

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Noon-time came and went and I wasn’t overly hungry, so I did some snackage.  I ate 4 times the number of pretz shown, and I didn’t call it quits on the hummus until the bottom of the tub of hummus was visible.

Which reminds me.  I’m in LOVE with this Cedar’s hummus.  I got it on sale at WFs and I am pretty pleased with it.  16 oz. party size = large and in charge.

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Hummus, pretz, apples, carrots & (2) BBQ saucy sweet potatoes.  What else does a girl need?  Not much in my case.  Spread over a few hours…it ended up being a multi-course meal of sorts.

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Tea time followed by gym time!

After una hora de cardio, I stretched and called it a day.  Then randomly I had the impulse to try something new.  Something I’ve been meaning to try for a while.  The steam room.  Remember the episode of friends in which Chandler sits on Mr. Geller?  Let’s just say, I now understand EXACTLY how that could happen.  It smelled weird and I felt like I couldn’t breathe.  I lasted 45 seconds and then abandoned ship. 

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Even with less than a minute of steam to the face, I left gasping for air with ridiculously flush cheeks – I looked like a whore from the 80’s.

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After returning from the gym I had my first ever green monster.  I have always been skeptical putting spinach in a smoothie, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t taste like a blended salad at all!  Like my other protein shake attempts, this was banana & vanilla flavored, but with a better texture – thanks to the spinach, I think??  Interesting.

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For dinner I had whole wheat couscous with peas and dried cranz.  Then, on the side (side?) I had a plate of sweet potato moons and roasted asparagus. 

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Obviously they were BATHED in BBQ sauce post-photo sesh. Yeah, I’m all about Annie’s sweet & spicy BBQ sauce.  What’s with the stellar A named products?  Amy’sAnnie’sArrowhead Mills

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Would you like more “about me” answers?  There were so many, they’ll be coming at you for post and posts to come…

What is your favorite movie?

Yeah right, like I could choose just one!?  Here are a few I can think of off the top of my head: Pride & Prejudice, Love Actually, Clueless, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Sound of Music, Bridget Jones’ Diary, Kill Bill, Sideways, Donnie Darko, Mean Girls, Little Miss Sunshine, Anchorman, and almost everything else with Will Ferrell

How tall are you?

I’m 5’4” (and a half)

What is one activity that you’re dying to try?

I would LOVE to get into rock climbing.  It’s one of those hobbies that I think I would fall for (pun intended) after my first try.  I’ve looked into it (briefly) but the $$$ is a bit of a deterrent.  Back in the day I tried rappelling and had a blast, so I definitely hope to give rock climbing a try.

Besides food what do you love to shop for?

BOOKS!  I could spend hours in Barnes & Noble.  My to-read list is probably the only thing longer than my to-make recipe list.  I also adore Nike running gear, but Dry-FIT spandex is a more expensive habit than paperbacks.

Do you have any favorite male/female celebrities?

Considering the obscene (and embarrassing) amount of time I spend on perezhilton.com I’m pretty jaded when it comes to celebrities.  I like people who stay out of the paparazzi spotlight and seem fairly normal (as if I could really know that with all the BS that’s reported).  For females, I like Natalie Portman and Tine Fey.  For males it’s a no brainer, as far as I’m concerned, Justin Timberlake can do no wrong.

Why do you live in New York when you are from the West Coast?

I often ask myself this exact question.  Ok, just kidding.  When I was in nursing school in Philly, Kyle was working in San Francisco.  When his group dissolved, he had the opportunity to join a new group in NYC, so we talked about it and decided it would be fun to live it up on the East Coast for a bit.  After I graduated, I moved in with Kyle in NYC and we’ve been living here ever since.  Now, over two years later, we are both getting pretty anxious to move back home.  More than anything, we miss our family, friends, and the nice weather!  Soon enough…soon enough.

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Dessert was crazy decadent.  I melted vegan choc chips on Dave’s Killer Bread (heel piece!) and then smoothed it ovah!

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Holy effing yum.  In case you were wondering if there is anything better than fluffy carbs smothered in vegan frosting, you needn’t ask.  There’s not.  Period.

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Comments (41)

  1. Babycakes

    Once again, loved reading the Q&As! How is it that your food always looks so fab?!

  2. Jenna

    that dessert definitely tops it off!
    jenna

  3. kbwood

    WOW that dessert!!! AMAZING girl. we are like the same height 🙂

  4. Marina

    Mmmm… that’s a great idea with the melted chocolate chips on bread.

    It’s been a while since the blog meet-up. Are you back in NYC yet? Or still in Cali?

  5. Joanna

    Hey from Tokyo!

    Soooo, I’ve been totally enjoying your blog for some time now but (clearly) never comment. However! I’m sitting here drinking MY first green monster so I just had to pipe up. Nice coincidence!

    Man … these are deLISH, right?! Wowwww… totally good! Try THIS hippie combo: half an apple, 2 tangerines, 1/2 scoop hemp protein, 1/2 scoop rice protein, big bunch of spinach, almond milk, stevia, righteous amount of ice. Yum!

    Thanks for the daily, amusing and inspiring read 🙂 Counting down the days until I can move back to the US and buy a bunch of kale for less than 8 bucks! Woooo!

  6. Quinn

    Those were some awesome eats. Love that you listed your height at 5’4″ (and a half). I do the same exact thing! Steam rooms also freak me out. In fact, yesterday a local radio show was talking about how a lot of people get it on in there. Sick. I mean, sitting on potential semen residue while sweating my butt off, no thank you.

  7. kilax

    I have yet to try a Green Monster! I need to!

    I love to shop for books too – so much that I have had to ban myself from doing so! I had a lot on my Holiday List this year though! 🙂

  8. Beth

    Elise…how do you make your sweet taters?

  9. blueeyedheart

    Don’t hate on the East Coast!! (I’m allowed to because it’s kinda like the way you’re allowed to pick on your family, but nobody else can.) ;p

    I’m the same way with B&N … I am not allowed to go in there if I have money or a credit card, because I will come out with books I do not need, and without the money I do need!

    And the chocolate chips? … Genius.

    <3 <3

  10. julie

    don’t leave new yaaaawk!

    haha first off we have the SAME fav movies 🙂 anchorman would be a little further up on my list but p&p definitely ranks in first. minus the sound of musac for me!

    look at you all changin it upppppp! love it! i’ve totally had cedars humdids before and its SO good 🙂

  11. julie

    oh! and btw some dude in my class last night was totally talking about maoz falalfal and it totally made me think of you. and also made me think about how i want to eat there someday hahaha

  12. cmb0096

    My mom and sister totally love the steam room, but I can’t stand it. Ugh–it is basically a big sweaty smelly sweat room and it grosses me out! Blech. And I love that Friend’s episode 🙂

    Your FIRST ever green smoothie?! What kind of a hippie are you, girly?! I think I need to come out there and give you some hippie lessons…green smoothies, baggie dryer stands, co-ops, etc. 🙂 LOVE the roasted asparagus–yum!

    Courtney

  13. Gena

    Oh, sad face. You’re a West Coast Gal, and I’m an East Coast Gal, and perhaps we are destined not to live in the same zipcode forever. We’ll have to hang more on the UWS before you leave me!

  14. ksgoodeats

    I had tupperware oats this morning! My reason – too damn lazy to wash out our bowls 😀

    You are making me so jealous of your sweet potatoes! WHY do I have to be orange?! Are you kidding me with that dessert? Holy deliciousness.

    P&P and Love Actually = siiiiiiiigh, I want to watch those movies now.

    I have a follow up to your ‘why you live in NY’ question. Why did you decide to go to school in Philly?

  15. elise

    I’m back – so yes, we are due for a meet up. Unfortunately my December is crazy busy with visitors from out of town and holiday stuff, but we’ll figure it out…

  16. elise

    HEY Joanna! I think I may be a green smoothie addict now. I’ll keep your recipe bookmarked because I don’t have a juicer (so the apple/tangerine may not work in my blender).
    I just wish there were a warm version for these chilly winter months 🙁 Why oh why did I decide to try this (and subsequently fall in love) in December!?! Doh.

    Anyways, thanks for the sweet comment. I guess I have no excuse to whine about the cost of veggies in the US now, haha!

  17. elise

    ew. seriously. ew.

  18. elise

    I steam them. Wash, slice, throw in steamer, 5-10 minutes later they are done! I tend to steam a ton of veggies at once because I hate washing the strainer thingy. But if you don’t have a steamer pot you can just use a glass container in the microwave (with a plate or other glass container over it)…plastic in the micro scares me!

  19. elise

    ok ok…i dont mean to hate…but look outside right now. can you argue with me with weather like this?

  20. Abby

    Love your facts.. I feel like I know ya know..lol 🙂

    Your din din is perfect.. Im planning something similar this eve. I love how you can make couscous in like 5 minutes.

  21. elise

    i remembered you had tried cedar’s – so thats why i had the cojones to give it a shot. plus, im always a sucker for things on sale.

    ps i was gretel in our school’s performance of the sound of music, so it will always be in my top 5 🙂

    and yes, i was so small i could play a convincing 5 year old (late on the puberty train much!)

  22. elise

    until i have the $$ funds to get a juicer or a vitamix, my attempts at smoothies are generally so poor i am almost embarrassed to show them on the blog. i all but gave up, but then this one turned out so great! imagine the amount of patience required when you are using a magic bullet…

  23. elise

    i love that you are already planning dinner and its not even noon yet – kindred spirit!?

  24. Diana (Soap & Chocolate)

    Nooooo, don’t go back to Cali. NYC wuvs yooo. I hear there’s no hummus in CA anyway. Swear to Bob. You’ll have to stay now.

    😉

  25. Jenny

    so what you’re trying to say is that dessert was really gross and nasty?? 😉 hot damn!

    p.s. your couscous looks like christmas timeeee.

  26. tangerinesandmarmalade

    Dessert looks marv!

  27. Tiffany S.

    Welcome to Green Monsters! I cannot believe you hadn’t had one before! Part of the reason I L-O-V-E my Vitamix. I haven’t had any spinach this week, and I miss it so much. I threw in some over-ripe kale this morning bbut it just wasn’t the same. Spinach and ripe pear is an AWESOME combo!

    In my head I’m 5’4″ but the doctor (liar) says I’m 5’3″.

  28. elise

    the nursing school i went to in philly had the fastest RN program in the country. it was accelerated for peeps who were already bio (ahem, pre-med in my case) majors. sometimes its good to get things done quickly (twss? probz not).

  29. shell625

    that dessert looks so amazzing! & i love pretzels and hummus

    xoxo
    shelley
    http://findinghappinessandhealth.wordpress.com

  30. cmb0096

    Aww….sorry. I have heard that the magic bullets are really good? Are they not all they are hyped up to be (nothing ever is, lol)? Are you not pleased with yours?

    Hmmm…could I ask another question?! Yes, apparently I can 🙂

    Courtney

  31. elise

    i love my bullet, but im still holding out for a food processor. this was just to tide me over until the wedding registry gifts come through – if ya know what i mean 😉

    im hoping a juicer will also make its way into my kitchen…

  32. Missy Maintains

    Yes the steam room takes some getting used to. I make sure to lay tons of towels down if I ever go in there! Love your dessert. I find myself pouring millions of chocolate chips over my dessert every night!

  33. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)

    the peas and dried cranz look phenom!
    Large and in charge = love it
    Whore from the 80s = LMAO
    The vegan choc chip melt=OMefin’g G
    California= the promised land we’re all hoping to get back to

    xoox

  34. Katie

    I ate a sweet potato with hummus today and I totally thought of you…weird?

    Also, thanks for the picture of the 80s whore – it made me laugh out loud. 🙂

  35. carolinebee

    ELISE!! TWO huge things 😀
    1. You MUST stick it out in the steam room, yes it smells disgusting and sweaty and nast….but it feels soooo goood if u stay for like, 10 or 15 minutes and get all the toxins out! haha well i don’t know if it does but it sounds good..
    2. You MUST freeze banana’s for your GM’s!! I don’t know if u tried it, but it makes them 10X more milkshakey and delicious!!

    haha ok done bossing u around 🙂 xoxo

  36. elise

    haha, i appreciate the bossy tips. ill stick it out in the steam room next time i go – but JUST for you! as for teh frozen nanners, im all OVAH it. i worked at jamba juice in high school, so frozen fruit is my middle name. what? my middle name? no, ok, thats just weird. (plus, we all know hummus is my middle name)

  37. elise

    not weird. awesome.

  38. Beth

    Thanks–I usually slice mine and roast them in the oven, but I would rather have them “softer” and I guess steaming is probably the way to go. I’ll try it tomorrow when I pick up some more! Thanks 🙂

  39. plamarie

    Love your frosting. I ma de-lurking 🙂 Anything with will Ferrell and Adam Sandler is great. I to could spend a lot of time in Bookstores. Green smoothies are super huh. I also put kale in mine to.

  40. Sina

    Your delish-looking dessert is just another example for how balanced your diet is. I’m struggling with an ED and wish I had your healthy view on food!!! Hope I’ll be able to enjoy chocolate-covered bread one day!

  41. Nicole

    Hmm, I must try the ww couscous with dried cranz and peas. Not only are the colors amazing, but the flavors together sound out of this world insane! Thanks for the tip!

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