Nutrition Nut on the Run

Case of the Mondays

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I’ve got a bad case of the Mondays ya’ll, and I’m really stumped why that is. I woke up wanting banana pancakes; though too lazy to make them, I resorted to a banana mash waffle sandwich.

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2 Van’s All Natural Low-Fat Waffles + 1 small mashed banana + 1T toasted chopped pecans + 1 tsp. coconut + 1 tsp. agave-honey blend

It did nothing to my hunger. I’m missing protein obvi!

After my routine a.m. blogging, I put on a casual, yet cute outfit that screamed: “Hire me!” and picked up my huge stack of freshly printed resumes and list of prospective people that would increase my savings account. Then I got in my car and spent the next two hours stopping in places around town in hopes that the economy was actually allowing business to hire a poor college student. The verdict: s0-so. “We just did a big hire”. “We might hire in the middle of the summer”. That’s convenient – not! The job hunt ain’t over…

How have you successfully found jobs? Any winning resume/interview advice?

With just a couple resumes remaining in my stack, I headed home completely spent. I don’t know what was up, but my Monday morning drained me of all energy. I refilled my tank with a wrap, but unfortunately, it didn’t increase my Monday mojo. It sure was tasty though!

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1/2 whole wheat lavash + 1T organic hummus + 1/4 avocado + organic lettuce + Dr. P Cali Veggie Burger [again!]

I had to run downtown again after eating for a couple more errands. I made a pit stop at Starbucks for a caffeinated beverage – hoping that it would cut the yawning factor – but my soy latte only made me feel 10x worse. Something is surely up when I can not finish a latte. It’s a serious case of the Mondays.

I’ve spent the rest of the evening resting in my bed. I need a magical remedy stat because last night my BFF from high school texted me asking if she and her BF could come to visit. If you know me at all, spontaneity is my antonym, but I couldn’t turn down hanging out with my missed friend. Heck, it’s not like I have a job or anything… yet!

Now I need someone to put away the laundry on my floor, vacuum, and put a batch of cookies in the oven to make the house smell inviting. Anyone? Yeah, thought so… I better get busy.

Jr. Prom

Molly & Me

Junior Prom circa 2006

* * *

Quick Q: Am I making my photos too large for easy viewing? Big or small, people?

Cooking 101: The Muffin Method

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I had a FUNday SUNday. You too? It started off early, around 8:00am – just like I like it – with a quiet house all to myself… perfect for muffin’ makin’! After drooling over Allie’s recent recipe, I made a special trip to the store yesterday to pick up a few ingredients so I could mimic her muffins. I’d been wanting to use the remaining bit of quinoa I had in my cupboard from the last time I cooked with it, and Allie’s recipe sounded right up my allie alley.

Coconut Carrot Quinoa Muffins

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I have always loved making muffins… mainly because the process is a piece of cake. It’s usually one of the first techniques you’re taught in an elementary foods course. If you do not know how to make muffins “properly”, I’ll show you the way…

Cooking 101: The Muffin Method

1. Whisk the dry ingredients together with salt, sugar, leavenings and any spices in a large bowl.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 c. any flour [I used 1 1/2 c. whole wheat + 1/2 c. all-purpose]
  • 1/3 c. shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt

2. In another bowl or a large liquid measure, combine all the wet ingredients – dairy, eggs, liquid fat, and any flavoring.

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3/4 c. shredded organic carrots
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened organic soy milk
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/3 c. agave-honey syrup
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2T oil
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla

3. Pour the wet on top of the dry and fold them gently together. Minimal mixing is key. Fold in any additional ingredients at this step (fruit, nuts, etc.).

Fold In:

  • 1 c. cooked quinoa
  • 1/3 c. toasted chopped pecans

4. Scoop your batter into well-greased (or paper-lined) muffin tins.  Fill the cavities 2/3 to 3/4 full.

Sprinkle with raw sugar.

5. Bake according to recipe directions.

This batch took approximately 26 minutes @ 350*.

  • A well-made muffin has a medium grain and is slightly moist, tender, and light. It has a somewhat pebbled appearance and rounded top.
  • An overstirred muffins has a peaked top and tunnels [excess air is beaten into the batter, stretching the gluten matrix].

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My muffins weren’t as moist as Allie claimed hers to be, but I liked them nonetheless. They’re just barely sweet and I love the added flavor of the quinoa. What’s your favorite type of muffin? Are you a hearty bran, apple cinnamon, or peach blueberry kind of person?

* * *

After my a.m. baking, I washed + vacuumed my car, threw a load of laundry in the washer, and then my roommate treated me to a Starbucks iced coffee before we went shoppin’! My caffeine sensitivity resulted in a coffee buzz all day. Or perhaps it was also the afternoon mocha almond fudge gelato : ) I wish I had captured a photo of the dish of deliciousness, but alas, the camera missed the trip. I promise a picture of the Italian indulgence at some point, as I’m sure there will be many more visits to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe…

Sunday shopping was a success. Hello, watermelon birthday dress!

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Then it was time to exercise, so I can be looking fine on June One Nine ; )

Treadmill Time:
  • 10 minutes @ 6.4mph – 1.0 incline
  • 10 minutes @ 4.4mph – 6.0 incline

[repeat set]

  • 5 minutes @ 4.0mph – 3.0 incline

+ 15 minutes abs, arms & legs

Dinner

028Dr. P California Veggie Burger a la toasted English Muffin + Mustard, Avocado, and Organic Lettuce
Quinoa [Where’d you come from?] + Salt & Pepper

I declare quinoa my new favorite grain – mmm.

Dessert

037 2 Kiwis + 2 Strawberries + Agave-Honey Syrup

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Editing photos is entertaining.

This post has taken much too long to write/edit/design. I hope you enjoyed your muffin making lesson.

Night!

Chef Hillary

P.S. Inspirations are updated.
P.P.S. Remember, you may use the code NUT15 to receive 15% off a box of custom Element Bars!

A Winning Wednesday

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Well, friends…another glorious day has come and gone. Here’s what I was up to on this stellar Wednesday:

  • chem exam
  • geography
  • exercise + lunch
  • nutrition quiz
  • shower + dinner
  • blog!

    • I checked off everything =]

    It’s such a relief to have my 1st O. Chem exam behind me. Besides waking up late and almost missing the bus/missing my exam, it wasn’t a total nightmare. After class #2, I was able to come home for the afternoon since my regular 2:00pm wasn’t meeting. I was thrilled for many reasons: 1) It was absolutely gorgeous outside – 70* status, 2) I was feeling well enough to exercise, and 3) I wasn’t stuck at school from 9:00-5:00! So…I dropped my books, slipped on my shorts and headed out into the blue skies. I hadn’t exercised at all since last Tuesday (when I did an Allie–inspired 60-minute elliptical workout); my body was craving physical activity. I ran for 35 minutes at a comfortable heart rate of 155. My legs were thankful =]

    ***

    For lunch, I refueled with light ‘n’ cheery eats to go along with the bright weather outside:

    I enjoyed this sunny photo shoot.

    1 Piece of Whole Wheat Toast + Hummus, Sliced Cucumber, Red Onion & Baby Lettuces

    2% Greek + Kiwi and Blueberries

    ***

    Before heading back to school for my final class, I made myself an iced latte. As tempting as it was to stop at Starbucks, I’m sticking to the challenge…plus, I’ve got Starbucks at home anyway.

    Iced Coffee + Skim Milk + Agave — mmm!

    I ate half of a granola bar, too. It was a Tropical Treat alright — so yummy, Mom! This one wins =]

    ***

    I made breakfast for dinner tonight with my leftover roasted taters and a couple of scrambled eggs. Seldom do I eat eggs (as a dish), but top ’em with avocado, salsa and chevre, and I can work with it. Anyway…since dessert is 100x better than dinner, let us fast forward…

    Celebratory [chemistry exam #1 is over] baking was in order. Chocolate Chippers, anyone?

    I made a mini batch by halving the recipe on the back of the Guittard chocolate chip bag:

    1 cup + 2 T whole wheat flour

    1/2 tsp. baking powder

    1/2 tsp. salt

    1/2 cup real butter

    1/2 cup brown sugar

    1/4 cup granulated sugar

    1 egg

    1 tsp. pure vanilla

    1/2 cup chopped walnuts

    1 cup Guittard chocolate chips

    1…2…3 chocolate chippers + a jam jar of skim milk = a perfect way to end this wonderful Wednesday.

    Good night!

    I Spy Springtime!

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    The weather forecast did not disappoint today. It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood! I woke up before my alarm from sunshine pouring through my windows – a pleasant surprise in the middle of February.

    My Organic Chemistry lab did not last the full 3 hours today, so I was excited to have the rest of the afternoon to play outside. It was ideal weather for a run, but I thought the smarter thing to do was to give my body one more day of rest. I hope to be back in motion manana!

    Since exercise wasn’t an option, I had to come up with another activity to procrastinate studying for my O. Chem exam that involved soaking up some of nature’s best Vitamin D. Easy enough: give Little Blue a bubble bath!

    All sparkle ‘n’ shine!

    ***

    I worked up quite the appetite washing my little blue rig. I knew exactly what would curb my hunger…a recipe I came across in my PB&Co Cookbook last night while trying to read myself to sleep. It’s a refreshing & simple snack for a “Spring” day.

    …plus, it’s got a protein punch:

    1 cup soy milk

    1 banana

    2 T PB&Co Bee’s Knees

    1 T Honey

    Ice

    ***

    Dinner

    Salad a la: organic baby lettuces, avocado, red onion & balsamic — thrilling.

    Roasted Potatoes a la: olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper + a dollop of “Daisy” (2% Greek)

    I’d love to stay, but I must not procrastinate any longer. Did I mention I have my 1st O. Chem exam TOMORROW!

    Wish me luck (I’ll need it!),

    ~ Hillary

    Plain Jane

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    I felt like Plain Jane in the rain today. Darn rain…I’m ready for Spring already. At least I have my bright bowls to help cheer things up a bit.

    Yellow Bowl Take 1

    1 cup water, 2/3 cup rolled oats, 1/2 banana (cooked Kath style), 1 T ground flax, 1 T walnuts, 1/3 cup almond milk & cinnamon

    Clean

    Can you see my reflection?

    Yellow Bowl Take 2

    Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, 1/4 Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato & Fresh Pepper…for the 100th time.

    Simple School Snack

    Apple & Almond Butter…as if you couldn’t tell.

    Dinner

    Toasted English Muffin, Veggie Burger, 1/4 Mashed Avocado & Greens served on a plain white paper towel.

    ***

    Between Simple School Snack and Dinner, I played around at The Resort:

    • RUN – 1.5 miles
    • WALK – 0.5 miles
    • ZUMBA – 1 hour
    • 3 x 20 stability ball crunches

    ***

    Your Questions Answered

    Shelley asked:

    1) What is your favorite part of college? What do you want to do after college?

    I love college for a lot of reasons. I have attended two different universities and they have each given me two totally different, yet wonderful experiences. I loved living on campus my first two years of college and the lasting friendships that I made with my roommates. I also enjoy the independence that I’ve gained while living away from home. I do not know exactly what I want to do after college (in terms of a specific job), but I am 98% positive I want it to incorporate food & writing. I’d also love to travel around Europe after graduation.

    2) How do you feel about going out on weekends & drinking?

    I enjoy going out on occasion, but I’m not a social butterfly. I do drink occasionally, but excessive drinking/partying and a healthy lifestyle do not exactly go hand-in-hand…so it is not something I do frequently. I have had my share of crazy, college nights though : )

    3) When did you become interested in health?

    Long story short, about 7th or 8th grade. My interest continues to grow each and every day.

    Thank you all for your questions. I will be answering more of your questions soon, but I need to take care of this tired body and achy head…

    Night,

    ~ Hillary


    Going Green

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    It feels like forever since I’ve last posted; yet, I did this morning. I think this is due to fact that this day seems like an eternity. That’s what happens when you sit at your computer for an entire day writing about a fictional religion, I suppose. I just want this day to end so I can put my exams in the past and be d.o.n.e. with studying!

    My Monday in a NUTshell:

    1. write while listening to ‘Winter Song’
    2. eat carbs
    3. write while listening to ‘Winter Song’
    4. eat carbs
    5. write while listening to ‘Winter Song’
    6. eat carbs

    Thrilling, write right? Finally, around 5:30pm I made a break for the gym at my complex and did a record-breaking 20 minutes on the treadmill. I had planned to do more (promise), but when the cubicle of the place that it is suddendly became full of residents, I didn’t hesitate to run home for dinner.

    I knew I needed a “detox” dinner after what I ate today (not going to go there), so out came the greens.  What’s more detoxifying that a big bowl of spinach?

    (raw baby spinach, avocado, cucumber, red onion, olive oil & balsamic + pepper…in a festive red bowl of course!)

    So close to finishing this ridiculous paper…

    Have a nice night,

    ~ Hillary

    A December Summer

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    Hi Friends!

    If you are wondering where I’ve been, the true answer is that I was just living life less connected today (part by choice, part not). Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to blog about my PB & banana on whole wheat toast this morning. I mean, really…did it change your day that much? Didn’t think so. I proceeded to the gym for a 90-minute workout. The breakdown is as follows:

    • 20 minutes stationary bike
    • 20 minutes ARC trainer
    • 20 minutes treadmill
    • 30 minutes strengthening & stretching

    I attended my microbiology lecture – just 4 left! – before coming home…and I’ve been here ever since. I intended on blogging at “lunch time”, but my roommate and I came home to no cable and no internet. So…I slipped on my PJs (at 3:00 in the afternoon) and managed to keep myself occupied without the assistance of my computer. Thankfully, we still had power!

    Although I want to embrace the wonderful month of December as much as possible, I brought a bit of summer to my plate for dinner tonight. (I always think of burgers & beans as summer food, anyway.)

    Dr. Praeger’s All Natural California Veggie Burger (courtesy of TJ’s)

    on a whole wheat English muffin (much less caloric than a regular bun)

    …with mustard, ketchup, Havarti, tomato, avocado & lettuce

    + leftover Walnut Acres Organic Maple & Onion Baked Beans & a crunchy carrot

    This was my first Dr. P’s burger and it was mighty tasty – simple, readable ingredients! Anyway, I did not manage to get much homework done this afternoon, so I have to squeeze that in between SYTYCD (Who’s going home?) and a shower.

    Have a great night!

    ~ Hillary

    ThankFULL

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    T’was another day full of many things to be thankful for…

    I ended up spending the majority of the afternoon baking in the kitchen with my mom. Between the two of us, we made three pies and two tarts – that’s a lot of flour & sugar. I did not get around to climbing into the attic to unveil the boxes of Christmas decorations, but since my travel plans have changed, I’ll be able to conquer that task activity this weekend.

    Back to the baking. Check out my mother’s lovely pies (she’s done this once or twice):

    2 Apple

    1 Pumpkin

    Our usual Thanksgiving group was thinned out this year (just 10 of us), but there was still enough food to feed an army.

    I enjoyed a glass of homemade apple juice (really, everything is homemade in this family) as a pre-dinner “spirit”:

    It’s tradition to have a green salad as a starter. This year was no different:

    (mixed greens, satsuma, red onion, walnuts & simple vinaigrette)

    Can’t forget about the homemade rolls. I managed to contain myself to just one this year:

    Satsuma place “cards” are another commonality in our family:

    My plate…yep, just one : )

    • Turkey
    • Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
    • Gravy
    • Roasted Winter Squash, Beets & Garlic
    • Broccoli with Parmesan
    • Cranberry Sauce

    I couldn’t get enough of my aunt’s amazing veggies!

    I often forget what I have to be thankful for, taking too much for granted. Today I was reminded about the things I am thankful for:

    my mother, my father, my brother, family, supportive friends, running, clean air, education, my health and the health of my family, delicious food, a warm house, coffee, old pictures, sunshine, mornings, rain, hugs & laughter…

    Hope you all were able to share the day with those you love.

    Many Thanks,

    ~ Hillary

    A Mellow Monday

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    Today was a rather uneventful day here on the homefront. Not a lot to share. I did have a piece of leftover galette for lunch, and managed to capture a decent picture. It was scrumptious!

    I can’t visit home without a meal from Sushi Spot – it really has the best sushi rolls in town. So…with a fire crackling in the wood stove, we decided on sushi to go and enjoyed it in the comfort of our warm home.

    I ordered the Dragonfly Roll: tempura prawn, avocado, cucumber, carrot, cilantro, macadamia nuts and sweet chili sauce…and edamame, of course!

    Looking forward to getting my hair cut tomorrow, researching Thanksgiving dessert recipes (slacker), and hopefully crafting with my mom…

    Take care ya’ll!

    ~ Hillary

    Redwood Roots

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    Let’s just say today could not have been a more perfect Sunday at home with my family. After breakfast I headed out to Redwood Roots Farm with my aunt and stomped around through the muddy crops, filling our bucket with whatever vegetables our hearts desired. With more lettuces and leafy greens than a turtle could dream of, we said goodbye to the farm cats and meandered down the street to an indie craft fair, bustling with Humboldt hippies.

    I met up with my mom, and after a little grocery shopping, we came home and I made a latte with Pumpkin Spice soy milk, a seasonal Silk flavor. Thick foam and cinnamon on top…yum yum.

    I picked some apples from the tree outside with the nifty fruit picker and then got to work in the kitchen making Butternut Harvest Loaves (see recipe page). The loaves are bursting with homemade butternut squash puree, pumpkin seeds, walnuts and pecans. I am so anxious to toast a piece in the morning.

    Hmmm…I wonder what’s for dinner? More squash of course! My mom made a gorgeous savory galette with roasted butternut squash, chard, shallots, garlic and sage, and a sprinkling of fresh parmesan. My dad made a very colorful salad to go alongside. There were magnificent aromas coming from the oven all afternoon.

    Morning run with friends, veggie harvesting, craft fair, apple picking, bread baking, dinner with the parents…I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend the day.

    Night,

    ~ Hillary

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