Where do I even begin?!
Thursday, 7/02: My bestie Megan and I decided to workout together today! She rode her bike while I ran. Eleven and a half miles (and less than an hour and a half later!), we were back at my house, soaking up the sun and relaxing by the pool. We made sandwiches and I was SO excited to have my first-time store-bought tofu handling experience. I opted for the soft tofu (against another friend's recommendation for the extra firm) and should have probably chosen a firmer one (considering I wasn't cooking with it). But I managed: I created a yummy tofu sloppy "joe". I took a large tortilla, stuffed it with tofu, lots of tomato sauce and cheese. I wasn't sure what I was making a first so I added a layer of Cedar's Garden Vegetable Hommus (my favorite), which I think I could have done without to create a better meal. Megan created a wrap with hummus, turkey and prociutto. We also took out the sushi and had a few of those!
Friday, 7/03: My parents and I picked up the sisters and their bikes from the city and cargoed them home for the weekend. The injured sis looked much better since the last time I saw her. Her cuts aren't completely healed--but they're getting there!
We had absolutely no time to prepare a dessert dish for the 4th of July, so we decided to makea pit stop at Veneiro's at my recommendation. My family had never been here before; it's a cute, traditional Italian pastry and bakery, which as been open since the 1800s, on 11th Street (in between 1st and 2nd Ave). We picked up an assortment of sugary pastries and decided to try out their carrot cake.
Saturday, 7/04: (Red, off-white, and blue colors for some holiday festivity!)
My sisters and I (being the hyper-active family we are) woke up at 7 AM, had a small grab n' go breakie (we grabbed 6-ounce containers of Chobani Greek Yogurt and mixed in some Kashi Vanilla Island cereal with fresh berries), and were off to practice some open-water swimming in a bay. It was my first experience open-water swimming and, boy, was the current rough! I definitely need more practice--if not in the open-water swim itself, then definitely getting in and out of a wetsuit (another first experience). But, I was happy with myself for not giving up and calling it quits; I stuck it out and swam the same number of "laps" as them. All-in-all, it was well-worth the trip.
We then went to a diner for breakfast part II. I ordered an egg-white ommelet with sliced tomato and fresh mozzerella with a side of whole wheat toast. They also served mini muffins for the table! I was hungry from the swim and gobbled down most of it with a mini muffin.
We carried out the usual fourth of July festivities: took grandpa's new boat out; watched the fireworks; ATE, ATE, and ATE; and devoted the day to family bonding. The carrot cake was such a hit! Everyone (including grandpa, who doesn't even like carrot cake) had a piece. The bread was moist and filled with nuts and the cream cheese was rich and thick. Go ahead; feel free to drool. I also tried edamame for the first time and fell in love! It was definitely be an apartment-must food for next year.
Later that night, I met up with some friends, chatted, ate some more delicious fourth of July desserts and watched fireworks by a canal. It was so good to see everyone and just relax. Cheers to the holidays!
Sunday, 7/05: It is pretty much an (unspoken) known fact that I would race in a local 5k today; this annual race is practically a tradition for my family and me. I fueled up with Chobani yogurt with Vanilla Islands cereal and a banana for breakfast. I loaded PB on a WW bagel for lunch and was ready to race. (Pre-race: I stretched out with my racing rope and saw tons of friends I raced with in HS!)
Haha! Look at me go. SO focused!
Photos, courtesy of dad! :)Monday, 7/06: I was a little sore and neglected to run today. I took the day off. It was completely unplanned but some days you just have to listen to your body. My body was DEFINITELY telling me to rest.
I spent most of the day whipping up some new recipes. I made WW buttermilk biscuits with Hodgson's Insta-bake mix. I followed the instuctions on the back of the box: just add mix, milk, butter and voila! They REALLY are quick and easy to make. (Prep and bake time all under 20 minutes!) They looked a little weird but tasted soft and delicious.
My brother ate about four in one sitting (although I wouldn't recommend it)! I then created a fully-loaded veggie pizza which made for the most amaaaazing, quick dinner. Here's the recipe:
Ingredients:
- WW roll-up/pita
- Tomato sauce
- Veggies: chopped broccoli, carrots, black olives, mushrooms, red peppers
- Shredded cheese
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake roll-up/pita for about 7 minutes (until slightly toasted).
2. Spread tomato sauce across pita.
3. Add vegetables and layer with cheese.
4. Bake in oven for 10 - 15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
5. Slice, serve and enjoy!
Before the cheesy goodness.
After!I also made a full shopping list of items that would be kitchen necessities for my apartment next semester (since I'm finally FREE and off of a yucky meal plan). My list turned out longer than I expected
Tuesday, 7/07- Wednesday, 7/08: So busy! These days passed by VERY quickly. I worked full days (8 AM-6 PM) for my dad and was exhausted after. Mom and I went to the fruit and vegetable market after work to stock up on the goods! I bought these delicious thick WW crackers to snack on and serve with dinner.
Bermudez Crix WW Crackers
Between my brother, my dad (who doesn't care for WW) and I, the bag was gone in a day. They're not the healthiest things ever (contains enriched flour), but they taste great and are a satisfying little snack. They also go great if served with cheese, hummus or just by themselves!
I know, I know. Summer laziness is starting to kick in! I ran neither of these days but swam after work. I felt like it was sufficient training, considering my busy work schedule. I also started to read My Sister's Keeper and simply cannot put it down. I heard GREAT things about both the book and the newly-released movie. So far, the book has lived up to my expectations. :)
Thursday, 7/09: I received some sort of wake-up call telling me to quit being lazy and JUST RUN. I had to be in the city by 11 to meet with an advisor at NYU, then meet for lunch with the injured one ;) so I knew I would be on a tight schedule. I woke up at 6:30 AM! I ran for a quick 3.7 miles in 26 minutes. I then jumped into my pool and did some laps. By the time I finished exercising, it was 7:30. I hopped in the shower, got ready, made myself a quick breakfast of Kashi Go Lean Waffles (topped with Strawberry Chobani Yogurt and fresh strawberries) and did some yoga.
It was a pretty crumby day out. Needless to say, I was wide-awake! My pace certainly did not slow down from here: I ran into a few high school friends (who were also boarding the same train as me) and then two college friends later throughout the day. After my appointment, I had a couple hours to waste before I met with the sister, so I set off for Strand Bookstore (which has an amazing collection of 18 miles of books). I browsed the $1 book selection outside and found a few classics, which I figured my sis might like!
Buying recipe books has also been lingering on my To-Do List. I just kept putting it off! I invested in an large, hard-cover Italian cookbook (only worth 9 bucks) and Rachel Ray's 365 Dishes: No Repeats (for under 6 bucks)! Great buys for cheap. I can't wait to start cooking up some of these delicious trays.
TODAY: I woke up around 9:30 and cleared my mind with an hour "toning yoga" session. I then did a 5-minute core workout after. I felt awake, stretched out and ready to kick start the day.
I checked my e-mail and HOORAY! I received an A in my Economics summer course. :) I was having such a great day! I had never made oatmeal before and felt like it would be a PERFECT time to take out the rolled oats. Experimentation time: I used 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 2 TBSP of half and half, 3/4 cup of water (add more for smoother mixture, less for thicker), 1 sliced banana, 1 TBSP of brown sugar, a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. (Pretty boring mixture, but it was good for a first time!) It was thick, yummy and filling. I would also definitely use a bit less half and half next time. (It felt waaay too concentrated.)
I spent the afternoon reading, swimming and selecting photos my favorite photos for the collage on my Starbux coffee thermal. It was so fun to sit down and sort through old pictures (even though, I am going to have a difficult time selecting them).
Lunch rolled around. I raided my fridge for every type of veggies I could find. Turns out we had lots! I made my own light protein-rich salad for lunch with blackberries and a banana protein shake (1/3 cup of Egg-Beaters All Egg-Whites, 1/8 cup of water, 1/2 banana, a few globs of Chobani Plain Yogurt).
In my salad:
- Fresh leafy greens
- 1/5 box of soft tofu
- 1/3 can of Albacore tuna
- 1/3 cup of scrambled Egg-Beaters
- 3 halved cherry tomatoes
- Chopped roasted pepper
- Lots of green peas
Now off to study some Spanish!
