In the words of Stephanie Tanner…

“How Rude!”

The day started off like any other – up and at ‘em with the sun.  I even got up 10 minutes early to do a quickie “rise & shine” yoga (gracias a Exercise TV on demand).  I usually don’t do this for fear of waking up Kyle at 5 am – but since he’s away, I decided to take advantage. 

It felt grrrrrreat!  Even though it was little more than stretching, it definitely got me energized. 

Blood flowing.

Ready for work.

Then things got weird.  Not with me.  Fortunately, the drama on the unit today was NOT nursing related.  The aides on the other hand, were really at each others’ throats!!  I thought there was going to be a throw down – Chris Brown style…there were threats and behind-the-back evil stares, and it was cuhraaazy.  Of course I stayed well out of it, but seriously, what the eff, this is a HOSPITAL people! 

It was MORTIFYING. 

I felt so embarrassed to just be associated with these people.  How unprofessional and inappropriate to argue in front of patients, and in an ICU setting no less!  Horrible.

I was this close (fingers, like, next to each other) to saying something…and for a non-confrontational person, who believes in putting patients first at ALL costs (which includes keeping one’s composure in front of them regardless of how much you are provoked), that’s saying something.

Anyways, it was eventually resolved…after I apologized to my patients profusely for the ridiculous display by my co-workers.

In honor of raw Wednesday, my lunch was full of fresh produce…ok, not FULL of, but there was a lot.

Should “raw” day just be called “avocado” day instead?

I guess the apple is the only actual raw snack.  Dried fruit doesn’t count huh?  Too bad dehydrated fruit isn’t NEARLY as tasty…

I stopped at WF on the way home.  I know I shouldn’t have, but I only spent $10 so it’s ok.

I picked up some tofu balls :)

 

Which I dipped in my home-made edamummus (edamame + hummus) and regular hummus…along with a massive plate ‘o veggies.

Brocc, carrots, shroomies, and green beans.

I heart veggies, and so in honor of my lover pie K (who is in my heart now, even more than usual) I went with the mushroom/hummus combo that she is ever-so-fond-of.

Here’s a little food porn, in case you forgot how amazing these babies were…inside and out.

I also decided salted healthy fats were necessary.  I told you Wednesdays should be called avocado days.

Later, I had to go back for round 2 of hummus (if this is surprising to you, wake up, it’s meeeeee).

 

I’m kicking myself for not making it sooner, it’s that good!!  That’s GOLD Jerry, GOLD!  (Seinfeld anyone?)

As soon as dinner was done, I was already looking forward to dessert.  You would be too if you had gotten the most amazing vegan mousse ever!

Whole Foods could charge an arm and a leg demand my firstborn child for this and I’d still buy it. 

I dipped the fruit in it, and when that was gone, I went to town with a spoon.

:(

Guess what tomorrow is?!

a) no work

b) The Shins concert

c) a + b

Give up?  It’s c!!!!!!!  All good news in my book.

5/5

Happy Cinco de Mayo bloggies!

Five is my fave number, so I have always loved this date, add in Mexican food, and I’m partying like it’s my birthday!

Today was a ridic.  I couldn’t take pics of everything I ate. 

Cliff’s notes: wedding, food, wedding, food, wedding, food, wedding

The day started off rough.  I had frothing issues. 

 

**Side note: I didn’t know there was a difference in Stevia derived sweeteners (Truvia, Rebiana, PureVia, SweetLeaf, etc.), but after one of Gena’s posts, I looked on the back of my NuStevia box and was a little concerned to find the ever dreaded “natural flavors” on the list of ingredients.  So here’s my new and improved Stevia Extract In The Raw…

The only ingredients in here are Dextrose and Rebiana (Stevia Extract). 

I woke up knowing EXACTLY what I wanted – so that’s what I had.  English muffin with PB and an apple.

Right now you guys are probably doing google reader double takes, thinking you accidentally switched over to K’s blog, but it’s still me.  I just decided on a little ABC action this morning because, well, K’s so dang cool, I wanna be just like her (if you think I’m being sarcastic, you’re wrong, I actually am obsessed with the girl)!

I dipped the berries into the chocolate silken tofu pudding love in a bowl.

Even though that berries/pudding dessert was around lunch time, I made this real lunch later on. 

I’m all about the english muffins lately, and since sabra hummus goes with EVERYthing, I tossed some Newman’s Own organic dried cranberries on top for extra texture and a tangy kick.

For the 4th day in a row, I chose cookies over the gym.  Hermits are worth it.  I do feel like a sloth, but I think I’ll get back into my exercise routine next week…I have a lot of work coming up, and I really don’t have any motivation in this dreary weather to trek to the gym.  Plus, I want to get the location of the wedding ceremony and reception set…which is a far more annoying and difficult task than I thought it would be. 

        Iced coffee break.                 Strawbeezies.

I ruined my appetite for dinner :(  So stoopid.

I made a salad with mostly greens (spring lettuce, carrots, cauliflower and Newman’s Own organic dried cranberries) with a few chik’n strips on top.

To be honest, the salad was great, but I just wasn’t hungry, so about half way through I called it quits.  So not like me!?

Oddly enough, less than an hour later, I was hungry.

Smart Balance light, vegan parm, and garlic salt on toasted Alvarado Street bread …

JUST like cheesy garlic bread.

I probably should have called it quits here, I mean I didn’t do ANYthing remotely active today, I certainly expended no kcals.  But, as usual, I gave in to my late night cravings. 

Dates with PB (times 3).  Mmmm…

Random wedding question:  I have a few ideas for songs to walk down the aisle to (Here comes the bride, Pachelbel's Canon in D, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, It’s Tearing up my Heart, etc.), but if you kids have any other ideas, please send ‘em my way!  Something tells me Kyle’s going to veto the Nsync suggestion.

Wait, is this a food blog?….or wedding research site?  Who says you can’t have your egg-free, dairy-free vegan cake and eat it too?!

VeggieGirl, how are your multi-tier baking skills?  Do you see where I’m going with this…hahaha!!!

back on the bike

Ok.  I have been slacking FAR too much in the work out department.  I have a freakin’ half marathon in a week!  What am I doing to myself?  I should be training, not watching the View working and pretending that’s a good enough reason to skip the gym.

I woke up to sun, FINALLY.  Made some java.  Frothed some leche.

Voila!

Prepare to see an endless supply of bridal mags in the background of all my pics now…my future mother-in-law got me a year’s subscription :)

I was researching wedding locations all morning, and totally lost track of time.  For a late brunch/lunch I had home-made hummus on toasted english muffins.

Oh man.  Hummus is like a drug.  Yeah K?

And don’t even get me started on english muffins!  Mmm…so amazing…like warm, fluffy magical carby heaven.  In the words of Carrie Bradshaw “me likey.”

I have been really craving seitan around the clock lately, so later on I made some “eggs” and seitan on the grill.  Protein, yes please.

For those who asked Qs on my last post about the BBQ seitan, it’s definitely a must-try…just lather on the ‘cue sauce before cooking the seitan.  It’s hard to mess it up.

Anyways, the home-made hummus was calling my name (again) and we all know I cannot resist her charms…so I had a teensy bit more.

Mmmm…

Coconut date rolls for lunch dessert.

 

For dinner I decided to get in my daily greens. 

Challenge schmallenge.  Bring it.

I threw a few fists of spinach in the skillet along with some broccoli, cauliflower, green peas, and some soy sauce. 

In another pot I threw together soy noodles, soy-tein (texturized protein) and spinach.

I loved this meal SO much I took about 500 pictures…

Check out all the goodness that is in this salad…I want this every night now for the rest of my life. 

There is just so much variety, I couldn’t get enough.  Each bite had a new flavor because of all the different ingredients.  Eat your heart out salad challenge!

Mmmmm.  Food porn.

Think I liked it or something…here’s the second helping!  HA!!

You would think I’d be full after all that food, but you’d be wrong!

NEW PRODUCT ALERT!!!

I had no idea what to expect.  I guess these are the random kinds of things you come home with when you go grocery shopping while PMSing.  Naturally, like the experienced female that I am, I avoided the frozen dessert aisle like the plague…but, next thing I know I am face to face with chocolate IN THE TOFU SECTION and in a moment of weakness, I pounced. 

Lucky for me, it is relatively healthy.  Here are the stats (per 1/2 cup):

calories	120
total fat	1.5 g (2%)
saturated fat	0 g
cholesterol	0 mg
sodium	45 mg
total carbohydrates	23 g (8%)
fiber	1 g (4%)
sugar	18 g
protein	3 g

**not too shabby huh?

Ok, it looks a little weird, I’ll admit.  BUT – holy freakin’ YUM!

It’s like the best pudding EVER.  I had 4/5 of the container plain…and could barely restrain myself from polishing the entire thing off.  Today’s meals are clearly sending me through the roof.  Try this immediately, you won’t regret it.  In fact, it could be your next obsession (it will likely be mine).

Before I go - HangryPants is giving away yumminess, so check it out!

empty containers

I couldn’t decide on a title for this post.

The real title should have been “how much chocolate and dessert food can you consume in 48 hours”…but that doesn’t really roll off the tongue.

So, instead I decided to post photos of all the containers I’ve managed to polish off (as if wasting food in our move is my biggest concern).

More death by chocolate (vegan) cake…aka the BEST slice of heaven on Earth.  Yuuuummmmmy!! 

And this was only half way through (the original slice was about the size of a brick).

And for those East Coast-ers who know a good thing when they see the box, here’s Kyle’s birthday cheesecake from Junior’s.

Try not to drool on your keyboards.  I doubt your warranty covers saliva induced malfunctioning.  Mine didn’t.

WF’s vegan pudding…my weakness (well, one of them)!

I had to!!  Dried fruit and chocolate are meant to be together.

Scraped clean (obviously we all saw this picture coming).

And the trend continued…at the WF hot bar.

Included in this packed-to-the-brim container: roasted sweet potatoes, baked tofu, “chik’n” salad, TONS of grains (quinoa, millet, bulgar, and barley), steamed brocc, and a fresh slaw salad.

I pounded it like a champ (reference point: freshman year beer bong).

 

More dessert vanishing acts.  This time with (vegan) blueberry vanilla “cheesecake.”

 

English muffin + pounds of Earth Balance (it’s healthy, right Andrea?)

Maybe I go through these too fast…any thoughts?

This is no joke.  Cleaning out the fridge is such a fun job.

 

More dessert: cookies with soymilk.

Oats with soynut butter…going, going…

Gone!

Empty PB jar :(

Ok, you get the point…I’ve been a fat ass chocoholic finishing everything I managed to get my hands on. 

Good for the mouth.  Bad for the tummy.  Somehow the fact that I have to fit into a little dress for my cousin’s wedding this weekend has escaped me.

I think I should get my butt to the gym, stat!

PS  Wanna win some yummies?  I DO!  Head over to Erinbee's site