Cantaloupe Overdose!

I have never been a fan of cantaloupe, but I am starting to learn to like it.

I used 3/4 of one in my juice this morning with a grapefruit:





And what did I do with the rest?







I am pretty sure it had to be done.

Lunch was leftover tortilla soup, a piece of cheese, and an orange.

I am GONE CAMPING for the weekend!!!!!!

I will recap my eats and adventures on Monday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Are there any fruits that you don't like?

I don't really like honeydew and papaya, among others. I love all vegetables though!!

Papaya Pomelo Juice

Papaya Pomelo Juice

- 1/2 a papaya (they actually have very little juice in them)
- 1 Pomelo (Looks like a giant yellow grapefruit, tastes the same but milder)
- 4 Strawberries
- 2 ounces fresh wheat grass
- 1 cup mixed peppers (green, red, orange, yellow)

I enjoyed this juice for breakfast with a small bagel & cream cheese:



Lunch was leftover tortilla soup and 1 cup of strawberries. I also had an ice cream sandwich because someone stuck it in my hand, and giving it back would just be rude ;-)

The hubby BBQ'd a perfect dinner of salmon, sweet potatoes, and asparagus:





Tonight we went shopping for camping food!!!! We also packed our bags, and got things ready so that we can take off after work tomorrow for the long weekend!

Is it a long weekend for you this coming weekend? What do you have planned?

Ch Ch Ch Chia & Java Jolt Oats & Tortilla Soup

In an effort to make my mornings more productive and less rushed I got up 1/2 hour earlier today. If felt really good to be able to slow down in the morning.

But, for an early morning there is nothing better than ...

Java Jolt Oats

1/2 cup of quick oats
1/4 cup Starbucks Chai Tea Mix
1 Pack Starbucks instant coffee
3/4 cup water

Bring liquid and coffee to a boil on stove. Add oats. Cook 1 minute.
Cover and remove from heat.

Stir in 1 T Dark Chocolate Dream PB and top with strawberries.





If these don't wake you up, I don't know what will!

Lunch was a little less caffeinated.

I had 2 slices of veggie pizza (no crusts), 1 pack of edamame beans, and an orange.

Dinner was incredible! I made "John's Tortilla Soup" from THIS RECIPE on Madeline's Blog. I couldn't find hominy so I took Madeline's suggestion and substituted with pinto beans. I also just used 1 large chicken breast, and I thought it was enough. The beans added extra bulk. It was excellent.

This was one of the best soups I have had in a while.
The lime flavour and cilantro make it perfect for summer!

I added obscene amounts of cilantro to mine
(Am I making some of you cringe? Alaina?)

It can be made without the cilantro. Although - that is an abomination. But, if you must.

Just don't tell me about it.

In my world there is no such thing as too much cilantro.
It is a miracle herb.

It makes everything it touches taste like AWESOME.
If awesome had a taste.



This soup was so good, I would order it in a restaurant. For sure.

I also had my favourite spinach salad with it.



Chia Seeds

I have been eating chia seeds for almost a year, and I always get questions about them. Here is some information about Chia seeds and why you should give them a try!!

Chia Seeds ...

- Have 3x more iron than spinach

- Swell up when added to liquid, helping to keep you full longer

- Have 3x more antioxidants than blueberries

- Balance your blood sugar

- Have more fiber than bran (5 grams per T)

- Are one of the highest plant based sources of protein (more than kidney beans!)

- Have 15x more magnesium than broccoli

- 6x more calcium than milk

- 7x more vitamin c than oranges

- Are a member of the mint family. They grow in both black and white colours, which are equally nutricious

- Don't need to be ground, are easily digested, and taste great as a topping on yogurt, oatmeal, in salads, smoothies, etc..

- Can replace an egg in baking! You can make a vegan "Egg" out of Chia seeds!!! - (3T water, 1 t chia seeds = 1 "egg")

- Keep in the cupboard for 2 years!!

- Can be used to grow chia pets :-)

(Source: superseeds.ca)

My snack tonight featured my beloved Chia Seeds!!

Chocolate Chia Pudding

- 2 T chia seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
- 10 drops of vanilla liquid stevia (given to me by NuNaturals - thank you!)
- 1/2 T cacao

Mix the first 2 ingredients for 1 minute. Add the next two and stir for 1 minute until mixed well. Let sit in fridge for approx. 10 minutes or until desired consistency.

Enjoy!





Is there anything "weird" that you eat that others ask about a lot?

Baked Eggs and Deluxe Spinach Salad

Baked Eggs

- Assorted veggies (mushrooms, red, green and yellow peppers, tomatoes, onion) chopped finely
- 1 Tablespoon of cheese
- 2 Eggs
- Bake @ 400 for 16- 20 minutes



I love this breakfast! It is so satisfying.

It is also perfect for someone like me who is terrible at making omelets!

Lunch was 1 slice of veggie pizza and an ice cream sandwich. I had a glo-bar later in the afternoon.

For dinner this evening I had some more veggie pizza (2 slices) with a bowl of my favourite spinach salad:





Deluxe Spinach Salad
(Recipe for 6 as a side dish)

- 1 Bag Baby Spinach
- 1/2 small purple onion - thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup dry curd cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup bacon (crispy and chopped up)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Mix in Bowl.

Dressing:

- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/3 tsp mustard
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp poppy seeds (optional)

Blend in blender. Drizzle as desired over salad and toss, just before serving.

I didn't include the optional ingredients today.



Cheese? Check. Bacon? Check. Sounds like a perfect salad to me!!

What are your favourite salad ingredients?

I am always afraid to add new things to salads, but once I try something different, I like it. I love berries in salad, and I also really like adding green onions.

Survey

The bachelorette party last night was a blast!! I ate some food:



Drank wine and punch:



And had fun visiting and dancing with the girls!!!

When I got home late last night, I wanted PIZZA! I ordered some veggie pizza and had a couple slices:



I definitely had a couple more slices for breakfast this morning :-) (Not cold though, because that is nasty).

For lunch I had a Booster Juice at the mall.

Dinner was some roast, with asparagus, potatoes and pasta salad:



I had 2 homemade cookies for dessert (oatmeal raisin, and PB):





I saw this fun survey floating around in the blogosphere, and thought it would be fun to do!

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?
It is usually open.

2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?
Nope, never. But I do take the shower cap!!

3. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?
Both. I just like to sleep :-)

4. Would you rather be attacked by a bear or a swarm of bees?
Bees because I would probably survive.

5. Do you have freckles?
Nope.

6. What is your biggest pet peeve?
People who air their dirty laundry on facebook, people who talk during a movie at the theater, when people say "seen" inappropriately. Also when people say that something is "addicting" instead of "addictive."

7. Have you ever peed in the woods?
Many, many times.

8. Do you ever dance if there’s no music playing?
Not that I know of ... but perhaps. I definitely dance when there is music!!

9. Do you chew your pens and pencils?
Nope. Sick.

10. Is it ok for guys to wear pink?
Sure but it looks bad on most people. I don't wear it.

11. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Honey!

12. What is your favorite food?
Pasta, soup, Bernard Callebout chocolate, pirogies

13. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
10 things I hate about you, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Forest Gump, Gone in 60 Seconds, Wanted, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Little Mermaid ... and mostly ... Home Alone!!!!!!!

14. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
I was a Girl Guide for 1 year, and I HATED it.

15. Can you change the oil on a car?
I have only done this once and it was in high school, so I probably forget.

16. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?
Yes, once.

17. Ever ran out of gas?
Yes, once.

18. Are you lazy?
Sometimes - when it comes to exercise and cleaning! Not when it comes to work/ cooking etc..

19. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween?
Clown, princess, witch, nothing too exciting.

20. How many languages can you speak?
One.

21. Who is better…Leno or Letterman?
Ellen.

22. Do you sing in the car?
Yes.

23. Ever eat a pierogi?
LOVE them.

24. First concert?
Bush - with Verruca Salt opening.

25. Where would you be able to spend hours and be happy?
Laser Quest, Sitting around a campfire, in the kitchen, on the dance floor.

26. What’s your favorite kind of doughnut?
No fave. I am not a big fan of donuts.

27. Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
One hole in each ear. No tattoos.

28. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My hubby I think.

29. Are you still friends with the people you knew in middle school or high school?
Yes!!

30. What is the last thing you ate?
A cookie

31. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A teacher or actress.

32. Name three things that are close to you:
Camera, magazine, stapler.

33. What was your best subject in school?
In high school it was English. In university it was Cognitive Psychology.

34. What is your favorite restaurant?
I love Korea House in Regina, and Pastis in NY.

35. Any hidden talents?
I am really good at memorizing things ... and I can double roll my tongue (looks like an "m").

36. What is your favorite girl’s name?
I have a few. Can't tell you though because they may be future baby names!!!!

37. Would you rather be a rock star or a famous athlete?
Rock star!!!

38. What are you wearing right now?
PJ's.

39. Did you graduate from college?
Yes, twice. Once with a Bachelor of Education, and again with a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology).

40. Do you have any nicknames?
Jo

41. How do YOU de-stress?
Go for a massage, shop, sleep, watch TV.

42. What’s the longest amount of time you’ve gone without food?
A day or two when sick.

Now it's your turn!! Choose a few of the questions above to answer about yourself!!

Shower and Bachelorette Party!!!!!

Yesterday was the most BEAUTIFUL day!! I woke up bright and early and enjoyed a whole wheat waffle with 1/2 a banana and syrup to dip:



I then packed a lunch (1 turkey sandwich, 1 glo-bar, and another granola bar) for a long day out at the Badlands with my class. We had a GREAT time!!!!





I love field trips :-)

Dinner yesterday was lazy man lasagna (done in the slow cooker - recipe from The BIG Cook):



With an orange for dessert:



This morning I ate some oatmeal and 2 eggs:





A big breakfast to keep my fueled until my friend's bridal shower at 2:00.

At the bridal shower I nibbled on some food, and had a glass or two of punch:



This evening is the Bachelor and Bachelorette party!! The hubby is already gone to the bachelor party. He made the cake all by himself this afternoon.

I think he did a great job!!!!!



I am getting ready to head out with the girls now.

I am enjoying this lovely guy while getting ready:



How are you spending your Saturday?

Wheat Grass

It's what's for breakfast.

I bought this lovely stuff yesterday and thought I would try it out with my breakfast.

I threw the following into my Vita-Mix:

- 1 apple
- 1 orange
- 1/2 banana
- 3 kiwi
- 1 couple tablespoons of wheat grass (I just cut it off)



4-5 fruits for breakfast. Not bad.
It tasted just like kiwi!!

I also had a glo-bar with my coffee on the way to work:



I picked up some sukiyaki beef from Edo Japan for lunch (Beef on top of veggies, and rice):



I also had 1/2 cup of yogurt, with 1/2 cup of strawberries and 1 T granola.

Dinner was full of spinach!

I had a spinach salad, as well as some spinach pizza:




(Dr. Oetker frozen spinach pizza)

Dessert was a spoonful of PB&Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams:



This evening the hubby and I listened to some excellent live music at Starbucks. Fox Elipsus was playing, and he was great!! I had a skinny latte while enjoying the performance. He is touring Canada now, and all his shows are free. He sleeps in his car, and lives off of CD sales. If you get a chance to check him out now in Canada, or later on this year in the US, you should!

What is the best live show you have ever seen? Do you go to a lot of concerts? Do you prefer to sit, or stand? Do you mosh :-)?

One of my faves was Alverstone, a band that opened for Mariana's Trench at the Distrikt in Regina. They were incredible, and I hope to see them again very soon.