productivity
Posted: July 31, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast, Delish Dinners, Mid-Day Yummies | Tags: chicken, corn, kiwi, mango, salad, sour 1 Comment »I had a to-do list that was 10 miles long today…and I managed to cross off every single item, and remember to eat. (To be completely honest, I put “eat breakfast” and “eat lunch” on the list, just to remember that I needed to make some time in my day for meals.
Breakfast:
This sour/yumminess plus and un-photographed piece of toast. The smoothie was:
- 1 mango
- 1 kiwi
- water
- lime juice
Lunch:
Half of a perfectly ripe cantaloupe, cottage cheese and chopped almonds.
Dinner:
First Course:
I heart salad so much. The bowl in the background belongs to Meeker – however, I could have polished both of them off easily.
Second Course:
Grilled chicken tenders, marinated in balsamic vinegar and grill seasoning. I had 2 pieces.
And to finish it all off:
A piece of grilled corn on the cob. So summery. So juicy. So good.
It is amazing the difference that “planning ahead” (as far as food goes) makes in my day. Even if I do have to put it on my to-do list. Happy Friday!
busy, busy bee
Posted: July 30, 2009 Filed under: Mid-Day Yummies | Tags: chicken, puppy, salad, school supplies 1 Comment »Whoo! I have been to almost every “school supply” place I could think of today – The Dollar Store, Beyond the Blackboard, Home Depot, Office Depot, and Wal-Mart – and I think I have everything I need for the upcoming year. However, in my quest for classroom items, I forgot to eat. Something that I need to keep in mind for the upcoming school year…plan ahead. I am going to stash some tidbits and snacks in my desk/bag for days when I am a busy bee like today.
When I returned home, I had a rumbling tummy, and was grabbing at pretty much anything I could get my hands on. But when I finally decided to sit down with a meal, this is what it consisted of:
A fresh salad.
1/2 An open-faced chicken sandwich.
This is what Punky had for lunch. Oh, the joys of being a pet owner.
Now I must tuck into an enormous pile of things that need names written on them: name plates, file folders, behavior chart, job chart, birthday posters, etc. I might need some chocolate to get me through all of the strenuous handwriting I will be doing…(big smile).
colors and hot chocolate
Posted: July 30, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast | Tags: chili powder, hot chocolate, rainy, spicy Leave a comment »So, I’ve talked about how I like my food to be colorful. The same goes with my job…
I mean honestly, who goes to a conference for two days, and then comes home to put those ideas into practice using markers and construction paper. This was my kitchen table late last night.
This morning I woke up to more clouds and gloom…the perfect time for hot chocolate. A few days ago I had seen a show a show on the food network called The Best Thing I Ever Ate – and Giada de Laurentiis was talking about a cup of “Wicked Hot Chocolate” that she once had. Essentially, it was hot chocolate with a little kick. Made with peppers and cocoa. While I didn’t have any peppers, I did have chili powder. I decided to do some “Spicy Hot Chocolate Experimenting” on this rainy morning…while I snacked on this:
(Unfortunately, there was a hint of garlic on this cantaloupe due to my lazy dish washing rinsing of the cutting board last night. Lesson learned.)
The hot chocolate turned out wonderfully. There still may be some “tweaking” (Yes, he said “tweaking”…t-w-e-a-k-i-n-g…huh. You’ve Got Mail, anyone?)
Here is what I have so far:
- 1 mug of milk ( I used 2%)
- 1 1/2 tbs. cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tbs. sugar
- palmful of chili powder
- sprinkle of cinnamon
- spinkle of nutmeg
- 2 pinches of salt
- 1/8 tsp. of vanilla extract
…I think that was all.
The chili powder worked so well in this. I didn’t exaclty taste spicy, but it just had such depth. And the warmth from the cinnamon and nutmeg were so comforting. I think next time I might try adding just a touch of corn starch – I want just a little more “sludge” to the texture. But overall…yum.
Happy Thursday (my favorite day of the week) – stay warm!
BLD
Posted: July 29, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast, Delish Dinners, Mid-Day Yummies | Tags: collard greens, eggs, garlic, huevos rancheros, peanut butter, yogurt Leave a comment »Yesterday, I talked about how everything I ate was so satisfying and filling, and today was the exact opposite. I couldn’t seem to get happy with my food choices today. Additionally, since school has semi-started, I will most likely be reducing my food ramblings to one spectacular and all-inclusive post per day.
This morning I went for a run with my extremely frustrating puppy who kept pulling me into people and embarrassing me by trying to chase every car that went by. Grrr. I need Caesar Milan in my life.
After the run and showering, I had significant hunger pangs, and we delighted to remember that I found Oikos yogurt on sale. But, when I opened the fridge, I discovered that I had accidentally bought BLUEBERRY yogurt. Grossssssss. I hate yogurt with fruit on the bottom. Just – eww. However, it was already purchased, opened, and in my hand – so I did what I could to turn it into something edible by adding granola and strawberries.
While the taste wasn’t quite as bad as I had imagined…it didn’t even put the slightest dent in my hunger – so I filled the little cup back up with cottage cheese and some lovely toppings:
After this I was moderately full, but late for school at this point. I rushed off to the writing workshop day 2, and was again inspired and filled with so many wonderful ideas to use next year. The only question remains…where do I start…?
For lunch, I came home and made quick work of some cherries:
And them made myself a very quick PB and honey sandwich which was incredibly unsatisfying. Although, the home made bread is still wonderful.
When I got home around 5pm, I was starving again and couldn’t bear the thought of another blah-blah meal, so I called Meeker and asked him what he wanted. He said “eggs” and I actually managed to turn them into something WONDERFUL! Huevos Rancheros.
(Eggs poached in tomato sauce. I added fresh garlic, corn, oregano, cumin and chili powder.)
Paired with some collard greens (which I had never made, but now LOVE them).
Finally, food satisfaction.
With my belly full of huevos, and my taste buds satisfied, I am off to do some teacher prep-work at the kitchen table. Adios amigos.
rainy day
Posted: July 28, 2009 Filed under: Delish Dinners, Mid-Day Yummies 1 Comment »It has been an unusually cloudy day here in Colorado, so it was a fabulous day for the great food I had. It always makes me feel warmer to eat well – and that is a very good thing in my book.
Our writing workshop at school was (to my surprise) very good and it made me so excited to get into the classroom again and try out some of the new ideas! We had an hour for lunch, so I ran home to make myself a tasty salad:
It featured: 1/2 zucchini, turkey, Parmesan cheese, and a wonderfully simple dressing that I made from evoo, balsamic vinaigrette, garlic powder, onion juice, and sesame seeds. The dressing really made the salad.
I also had an Amazing Grass packet with milk and some of the heavenly bread from last night with a smear of chunky peanut butter.
Each piece of this meal was so satisfying and I was the perfect amount of full afterwards – something that, for me, is extremely hard to achieve. Plus, it lasted all the way through the afternoon!
For dinner, I made a first…wheat berries! I have been reading about them, and then they were on sale in the bulk section at a wonderful little grocery store called Sprouts here in Parker. So, I soaked them all day (to ensure dinner coming together quickly) then boiled them for about an hour. When they were tender, I topped them with sauteed zucchini, yellow squash and tomato sauce….oh and a bit of queso that melted beautifully under all of the veggies.
This was decidedly a very “fall” meal – which (despite it being July) was perfect for this gloomy, rainy day.
What I learned: I like wheat berries.
Meeker said it well when he described their texture as a mix of “a corn kernel and a grain of rice” – well put, my dear. Well put. However, having never made them before, I wasn’t quite sure what the texture should have been – but I enjoyed them just how they were in this meal.
back to school
Posted: July 28, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized 1 Comment »I think I can safely say that this home made bread is now one of my favorite things on Earth.
This smelled so good while it was baking that I couldn’t even wait 10 minutes after taking it out of the oven before I cut myself a little slice.
It was so good that I had to close my eyes while I ate it. There are no words. Just come over and I will give you a warm slice, and then you will understand.
And this morning, for breakfast I went Kath style and made overnight oats. I had never tried this before, but it was a great thing to have on the morning that I am (sort of) going back to school. It was nice to just open the fridge and have a hearty breakfast just waiting for me!
This bowl consists of:
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- handful of wheatberries
- 3 strawberries
And this morning I added some almonds and a spoonful of granola. Happy belly. The strawberries were definitely my favorite part, so I will have to experiment with more fruit next time.
I am off to a writing training workshop all day today! It is at the school – so that is why I think I am going back today. No kids, though. Happy Tuesday!
Yummy Monday
Posted: July 27, 2009 Filed under: Delish Dinners, dessert, Mid-Day Yummies Leave a comment »I love what I eat on the days that I go grocery shopping. There are just so many options when the fridge is full! Here is the salad I ate when I returned from the store. Lettuce, Boca burger, cucumber, olives, and Parmesan cheese all dressed with salsa. Good eats.
Additionally, I found this little puppy on sale…hallelujah. I had a few bites following the salad and it is good. I mean REALLY good.
Thank you to Emily for the fried rice idea last week. That is what was on the menu at the Unger Cocina this evening. Here are some of the usual suspects.
But the star of the show was this guy:
A present from my brother that is so much appreciated. I know you are thinking…”Really, BBQ sauce with fried rice?” But don’t knock it until you try this stuff. Asian/ Southern fusion has never been so easy or tasty. Thank you Dean Martin.
The final product…
And as I type, I am attempting to make my first loaf of bread. Inspired by The Baker’s Apprentice, I am re-creating La Fouace aux Noix. (and I don’t speak any French…so anyone out there, feel free to spell this out phonetically for me – it would be much appreciated). I will let you know how it turns out en la manana!
I’m off to watch the season finale of The Bachelorette! (I know…I can’t believe I watch such trash either).
A new color
Posted: July 27, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast 2 Comments »My morning smoothies have been lacking in color. In fact…most of them are brown. Ick. I so I tried to enhance the color today – and the taste followed right along with it!
Smoothie Ingredients:
- 1 kiwi ( furry coat and all)
- 5 strawberries
- 1 scoop chocolate protien powder
- 1 cup water
- handful of raw almonds
The other picture is another of my favorite mugs. This one was given to my by a student who decided that I needed a mug without a handle because my hands were always so cold! He told me that I needed something warm that I could completely wrap both hands around. I mean truly, 8 year-olds don’t come more thoughtful than this. Even in the dead of summer…it warms my heart. I call it my “Niko Mug” – (his nickname was “Niko”).
Here is my cat Bagheera checking out the Niko Mug:
Because I ran and did pilates this morning, I had quite the appetite. I followed my coffee/smoothie combo up with an English muffin that I put under the broiler with a little butter and cinnamon. MMmmm.
With my belly full and happy, I am off to a morning full of tutoring and then heading to the grocery store. Happy last day of summer to me!
late night
Posted: July 26, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast, Mid-Day Yummies 1 Comment »After a super fun night playing games at my sister-in-law’s house, I crawled into bed – so ready for sleep – at 2:30am. However, I was awakened at 4am by the sound of my puppy retching. Without going into details, (this is a food blog, after all) I was faced with an enormous clean-up that had me outside with the hose, the dog kennel, bleach and me in my pajamas until around 5am. After heading back to bed and tossing and turning (possibly falling in and out of sleep), I got up and went for a run with the dog – who still wasn’t up to par, so we headed home after a way-too-short 25 minutes.
But, all the while that fruit pizza was just waiting for me to eat it for breakfast and before we rushed off to church, I managed to enjoy a tasty slice (3rd day in a row).
And after church, Meeker was craving Rubios, and so we got food to go and headed back home. I got a nice “Fiesta Salad” that had a lot of promise.
The first few bites were delish, however scenes from last night’s “clean-up” came rushing into my mind somewhere between my 3rd and 4th bite, and I was so repulsed that I couldn’t even look at it and had to put the (almost entire!) salad in the trash can. Sad panda.
Here’s to a better dinner…
such a breeze
Posted: July 25, 2009 Filed under: Breakfast | Tags: amazing grass, broccoli, dessert pizza, dog park 1 Comment »Last night it was so hot in our house, we sat in Meeker’s truck bed trying to find “a breeze” until about 1am. It was unusually fun. Unusual because I am usually incapable of staying up past 10pm. So, we slept in this morning until around 9am and have been lazing around the house – watching the top 20 countdown on the country music channel.
And I had a nice little breakfast:
This wasn’t the best thing I have ever had, but it was just fine. Fairly sweet and filling.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 small straberries
- 3-4 broccoli florets (yeah, I had broccoli for breakfast)
- a whole kiwi – skin and all
- Amazing Grass packet
- some milk (~cup)
Then….whoohoo! Some more dessert pizza! Just as yummy and fresh tasting as last night.
I ate a little more than half of this slice and was full and satisfied. Now it is off to the doggie park – yet again! (This will be Meeker’s first time experiencing the fabulousness of this place!)
