Smoothie-rific

I was being such a bum this morning!  I woke up around 8, made some coffee, got my laptop, crawled into bed and proceeded to Facebook stalk, catch up on Twitter, read some bloggies, and chat with one of my BBF's on AIM.  And let's not forget the snuggling!

As the minutes ticked away, I could feel my motivation slowly slinking away.  I always find that after I've been sick and therefore haven't ran in a few days, that first run back is always the hardest to start. 

source

Around 10 I realized I wasn't doing myself any favors and proceeded to step away from the addicting little piece of machinery that is a laptop, and got myself geared up.  There were no excuses to not run today.

 true story.

I got in 4 miles at a 9:45 pace... pretty good for me!  Followed up by 20 minutes of yoga.  I was so hungry since my laziness also meant that I did not fuel properly this morning!

Enter the best smoothie ever!  I've seen other bloggers put oats into their breakfast smoothies but I always forget!  Before my run I had put 1/2 cup oats + 1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk in the fridge to soak.  Since my body was craving a smoothie I realized I could finally try the oats in a smoothie!

CHOCOLATE BANANA COFFEE SMOOTHIE

handful spinach
Chocolate Amazing Grass
1 frozen banana in chunks
 1/2 cup oats + 1/2 cup vanilla coconut milk: 
you want the milk soaked in, so leave it in the fridge for at least 10 minutes
1 cup cold coffee

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Pretty good stats for breakfast.  And if you're unfamiliar with Amazing Grass...it's amazing!  It includes real, organic, super food ingredients such as spirulina, alfalfa, wheat grass, and acai in a powder with yummy flavors like chocolate and orange dreamsicle.  You can find it at Whole Foods and at most health food stores.

Ahem, I know what you're thinking.  I said amazing, not pretty...

I did some cleaning/organizing and then met up with the BFF from this mornings chat sesh.  Allison and I did are usual Dunkin Date and of course I was strange and brought my own milk in a little container since DD sadly does not carry dairy milk alternatives.

Our usual corner so we can chat endlessly about whateves

On my way home I stopped for some more bananas to freeze, and I picked up the ingredients for Mama Pea's mmmm sauce.  Dinner was so good thanks to this simple sauce!

Ahhh one of my good friends from high school, Johanna, is getting married tomorrow.  She's the first of our "gang" and I'm pumped!  Gotta get some sleep now!

Peace out cub scouts :p

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the...

WEEK!

Hello there!  Hope everyone had a fabulous Wednesday!  I know my morning was a little brighter when I realized it was WIAW time.  Well minus the fact that I thought I got rid of my weird mid-June cold yesterday, but it was back this morning!  Luckily not as sneezy, runny, or sore; just bad enough that a run was out of the question today.  Darn!!

This morning started off with hot oatmeal.  I know, c-razzy!  

1/2 cup oats

lots o' raspberries

big bunch o' blubes

Whole Foods bulk bin granola

dash of So Delicious vanilla coconut milk <~~ new obsession

Dontcha just love the piggy mug?  And that's an engraving on a wood counter of Scarlett, one of Shane's parents bloodhounds.

Seriously this milk is so delicious!

On Monday, when I thought I could "sweat out" my cold, I ended up with achy lungs and the faucet aka my nose, got turned up to full blast. Ick!  So as much as I wanted to get a run in this morning, I listened to my lungs and passed.  But I didn't take a total rest day like I did yesterday.

Today's workout was quick and easy thanks to ExerciseTV.com!  Free yoga video, don't mind if I do!  After 30 minutes I felt much better than if I had done nothing, and my brain was ready for applications.  A whole bunch of apps later I was starved.

THIS happened again.  I can't get enough of this stuff!

swiss chard 

TJ's broccoli slaw <~~ incredible

dry roasted peanuts

raisins

quinoa

Since my salad was legit in a big plastic tupperware bowl, I decided to put some on a TJ's wrap.  To the wrap I added some hot & sweet mustard.  Very satisfying lunch!

Got my drinks ready to go for errands!  Icy cold water (never leave home without it!) and the rest of my coffee from this morning, iced.

After running to the post office, and basically getting made fun of for being a forgetful, frazzled, albeit cutely dressed mess...but that's another story, I returned home to get some organizing done.  And of course had a little afternoon snacky snack.

Took this lovely picture on the ironing board, and didn't get any ironing done!  Instead I last minute went to the gym with my friend Dani as her guest!  Since I only did 30 minutes of yoga this morning, I figured some weights couldn't hurt.  Plus I needed some girl time!

Speaking of girl time, when I got home me and Natalie, Shane's niece, played with Lincoln Logs!  Do you like our building?  It's not very architecturally sound and could collapse at any moment...

Luckily we made it to dinner unscathed, but it was close!

Dinner included:

3 slices of tofu marinated in TJ's Island Soyaki Sauce

bulgur, steamed kale and chick peas

I used this recipe from Whole Foods as a guide, but mine ended up a bit bland, most likely because I don't have any/didn't feel like balsamic vinegar.  For tomorrow I need to concoct some sort of sauce to add! 

I tried this marinade for the first time tonight.  Go marinate something in this sauce NOW!  I'm not even kidding, it's delicious!

It's 8:30 and I'll prob have another little snack before bed, 

but it probs won't be picture worthy, so...

goodnight!

Bon Voyage

My last day of work was on Monday.  I know, kinda awkward.  Long story short, our car got picked up on Tuesday to get shipped back to NJ.  So the last day I could drive into work was Monday... 

It didn't hit me until I was driving home and realizing that was the last time I'd be driving that route.  Or driving in San Diego.  I was fine the whole day, but driving home I got a little emotional.

The administration, staff, and children that I'm leaving were amazing and I feel so lucky I got the chance to know them this year!  Room 3 made me this awesome hand print painting; doesn't it look like modern art?  Thanks Juli and Pierce!

Some of my cute cards; they made me feel so loved.

And SkinnyGirl Margarita from my girl Allison, which is fitting since we spent many a lunch break watching Bethenny Ever After.

Saturday I had a little BBQ down by the pool.  It was totally Melissa-fied with veggie burgers, spinach salad, grilled corn on the cob/asparagus, cherries, and mangoes.  Nicole and Greg provided the pasta salad and amazing cake from a little known bakery, Vons ;) And  Alvin  brought awesome Claim Jumper pie!!!  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! 

And aren't my flowers purdy?  Thanks Nicole and Greg! 

After some grilling, chatting, and drinking we headed out to meet up with Ildi, Jason and Angela at Wine Steals in Hillcrest.

Wine Steals has a great atmosphere and was the perfect spot for a chill night with friends. 

Enjoying some rather large glasses of wine.

Vino and cake?  Yes please!

Before closing time we managed to snap one group picture! 

  

Leaving the bar we noticed the trees even like to party in Hillcrest!  Or maybe that was the wine talking...

And a night out isn't complete without some late night eating. (I guess the cake wasn't enough...)  We headed to Denny's, oh yes, Denny's.  Along with a bunch of high school-ers after their prom since we're classy like that.

Whole wheat pancakes were the perfect way to end the night!  

Thanks for a great send off, I'll miss you guys!!!

Ketchup Time

When Shane and I moved in together, and we began grocery shopping together, he could not believe how much ketchup I go through.  Really, it's an insane amount.  I used to be a little embarrassed about my addiction to ketchup, but I've come to terms with my ridiculous consumption of this "vegetable".

And since we're on the subject of ketchup, I'm thinking now is an appropriate time to*ketch-you-up* with what's been going on in my life!  These next few posts I am dedicating to KETCHUP :)

Let's start with the insanely awesome L.E.I. Lounge in University Heights.  This place has atmosphere, amazing specialty drinks, and the food is made to perfection...no ketchup required.  

When Leslie, Nicole, and Jamie visited from NJ, like 10 million years ago, I knew I wanted to take them here!  It came highly recommended from my friend Sara, and what do you know; I had also scored a sweet Groupon for it!

Just a little FYI, parking is redonkulous, get there early!  This picture was taken as we were leaving, but I swear I parallel parked!

 

Leslie and I waiting for drinks!

While Leslie and Jamie opted for simple champagne and sangria, both still delicious, Nicole and I had try one of the MANY delicious looking specialty drinks.

Nicole ordered the Pineapple Coconut Mojito: rum, mint, lime, pineapple, coconut juice, simple syrup, topped with soda.

I went with the Hawaiian Mojito: hibiscus juice, rum, mint, simple syrup, lime, topped with a splash of champagne.  *ORDER THIS :)

Next up, the food!  Their dishes are meant to shared, so we each got to try a little of everything.  While I didn't indulge in the steak quesadilla or mini kobe burgers, I was told they rocked.

I have never tried ceviche before, but this ceviche with a twist was absolutely amazing! Coconut Ceviche: "a citrus style ceviche made with the chefs daily creation of fresh seafood marinated and served with a seasonal garnish".  Inside there was mango and shrimp, among other deliciousness.  And dipping with dried bananas was so good!

You can never go wrong with sweet potato fries!

Our waitress was super sweet and answered our bajillion questions.  She also recommended the Crab Mac & Cheese, which L.E.I. Lounge is known for.  A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Now let me get to the decor.  This cute lounge has modern and hip feel to it.

 
Posing in a cabana.

 When you walk in you are in a cozy little bar with warm lighting.  As you walk further back it opens up and you are outside.  Cabanas line the walls and tables with candles wrapped in flowers fill the middle.

Along the wall there are also some open booths with fire pits.

A staple in outdoor seating in San Diego...heat lamps.  You can eat outside year round.  Pretty rad.

So if you're ever in University Heights, get yourself to L.E.I. Lounge!!!

So Delicious, So Not Photogenic: Lentil Sloppy Joes

Pardon the picture.  They may look...unappetizing...but trust me that they are delicious!

It all started when Shane opened up a can Manwich brand something or other.  My brain jumped back to a memory of canned Sloppy Joe's.  Yes, remember them?  That sweet, tangy, beefy sandwich you used to eat as a kid? 

Did anyone else use the name Sloppy Joe as en excuse to throw all table manners to the wind?  I know I did; such a rebellious child!

Vegetarian Lentil Sloppy Joe's *click here for nutritional info*

loosely based on Vegan Dad and Mama Pea's recipes

• 1 1/3 cups Green Lentils
• 1 tsp Extra Light Olive Oil
• 1/2 medium  Yellow Onion
• 1 Whole Carrots
• 1 Celery Medium Stalk (7.5 - 8")
• 2 cups Low Sodium Vegetable Broth
• 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• 15 oz Tomato Sauce, 15 Oz Can
• 1/4 cup Barbecue Sauce Original
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/2 tsp Oregano, Dried
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder

Even while simmering, not photogenic...

- Rinse and drain lentils, set aside.

- Dice onion, carrot, and celery.

- Using 1 tsp of oil, saute vegetables until onions are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

- Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to simmer and cover.

- Simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

- After 30 minutes, my lentils were not soft enough, so I added 1/4 cup of water and simmered about 15 more minutes. Lentils should be soft, but not falling apart.

- Put on sandwich bread, and enjoy!  Or you could put them in a salad...get wild!

"You're just not getting my good side"

No matter how you cut it, or angle it, these Lentil Sloppy Joe's are bad for your eyes, but good for the rest of your body!