OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING...

I was supposed to take my car in today for servicing but couldn't drag my lazy butt out of bed!!!

Instead, I decided to make Boyfriend a BREAKFAST treat!

I was going to make him Banana Pancakes but Boyfriend was craving Blueberry.  I really wanted to make the Banana ones so that I could play this song in the background:

I opted for a latte because I was still full from last night's late-night Grilled Cheese run.

I FINALLY took my camera to Balboa Park to take play with my camera a bit.  I can't believe it took me so long to do this.  The weather was beautiful as was the park.  I am so luckily to live in San Diego.  It truely is one of the most perfect places in the US.  Here are a few of my favorites:

A COSTCO run the other day left me with like 10 lbs. of calamari and seaweed salad.  Throw in some Miso soup, and DINNER was created.

My gym bag is destroyed.  The zipper fell off a week ago, and yesterday I noticed the strap is hanging by a thread.  It wasn't a cheap bag, but it wasn't expenisve either.  Now is definately the time to replace and upgrade a bit.  I looked around a few websites and fell in LOVE with a bag from Lululemon.

I couldn't help it!!!  It was calling my name!!  I'll be stalking the FedEx website everyday to follow the progression of my new bag.

I have a serious handbag addiction.  It gets VERY expensive.

XOXO

THE VIRTUES OF HOME COOKING

Same thing happens every morning.  I PLAN on waking up early and crushing my To-Do List....instead I roll over, look at the clock, and fall back asleep.  I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON.
So being that I woke up late, breakfast just consisted of a cup o' crack aka coffee.

Because LUNCH was on-the-go, I grabbed one of the Lean Cuisine meals that have been rotting in the back of my fridge for months now.

LEAN CUISINE CHICKEN PARMESAN

It's not that it was terrible, it's just not good. It's hard to believe that I used to eat these things all the time.  It is so much better to actually cook your own meals.  This way you know exactly what is in it.  The Lean Cuisine was really small too.  For the same stats, I could have made myself something twice the size and way better tasting.

DINNER consisted of some much needed comfort food.  I freaked out over a situation that a dear friend was going though, called Boyfriend, and demanded that we go to an all-night dinner for Grilled Cheese.  Sometimes you get these cravings and have to give into them!

Unfortunately, halfway though my meal I got BAD acid reflux and couldn't finish despite my best efforts. 

Even the Strawberry Malt I ordered couldn't subdue the acid.

Oh well, time to call it a night.  I WILL demolish my To-Do list tomorrow!!

XOXO

SALAD BEAST!!

This is an official addiction!!  I have a whole package to use up, and I'm glad to do it.  I wanted a quick, and uncomplicated start to the day today so I whipped me up a quick Chorizo sammy for BREAKFAST!

FLAT OUT + 60 GRAMS TJ'S SOY CHORIZO +

1 LAUGHING COW LIGHT SWISS

 These are new to me and awesome!  I got them at Henry's and they had ONE package left.  I will have to check later on this week and clean out their supply.

TARGET TREATS!

 $6 ON-SALE SHIRT + GUM + EASTER PLATE + SPOTTED PLATE +

MEASURING CUP (for pouring cupcakes!) +

EASTER SOCKS!!!!!

For DINNER it was a BOMB A$$ salad!!!  What usually happens with my salad creations, is that I go though the fridge and throw everything into my salad that is about to go bad.  This is the end result and I have to say that is wasn't too shabby!!

SPINACH + HONEY ROASTED TURKEY + BABY HEIRLOOM TOMATOES + BABY SWEET PEPPERS + WISHBONE RANCH VINAIGRETTE SPRAY

Salad a day, keeps a big-butt away! LOL

XOXO



A PRESENT...FOR ME!!!

I have been lusting after this for years now.  I WAS waiting to get it as an engagement gift, but since Boyfriend is taking his sweet a$$ time, I finally bought it! I'm not really a baker, but I can become one. 

I also bought it because I was dying to make a king cake for Mardi Gras and without a mixer you needed to kneed the dough for 15 minutes. That was not happening.

I wanted the pink, one but practicality took over and i bought the onyx black one.

Very first dough ball!!!

The cake turned out pretty good.  Next time seams on the bottom and more icing. I also bought some baking mats. I don't know why I have never used them before. They are amazing!   Nothing sticks to these puppies and clean up is so easy.

Also went to World Market, one of my favorite stores, and took advantage of a coupon for $10 off $30. 

Isn't this the cutest candy dispenser?

I went downtown for Mardi Gras so DINNER was on the go from a little deli.  It was actually really good.

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD + CREAM CHEESE + TURKEY + SPOUTS + CUCUMBER + LETTUCE + PASTA SALAD + LIQUID CRACK AKA DIET COKE

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY!!

XOXO

ANOTHER TJ MIRACLE

My vitamin regime had become a bit crazy.  I'm still fine tuning it a bit but thus far this is what we have:

Fiber Choice

Immunity Pills

Gummy Sours

Colon Cleaner

Flax Oil

Calcium

I HEART Trader Joe's!!!!!!  I know I'm so late to this party but I just tried TJ's Soy Corizo and it's too die for!!!!!  I made this little creation for BREAKFAST and I was in heaven!

CORN TORTILLA + 60 GRAMS TJ'S SOY CHORIZO + 2 TBSP EL PINTO SALSA + 1 TBSP FF SOUR CREAM

I mad this as a snack a little later.  Easy cauliflower bake!!  Simple and tasty!

CAULIFLOWER + CURRY POWDER + COCONUT OIL

I was feeling a big DINNER today so I threw together a salad with some questionable crab. I knew I hadn't bought it THAT long ago but there was more of a slime then normal...or at least I think. I decided to chance it and luckily my stomach held out.

Keeping the tummy pains at bay just in case...

A little late night "snack"

HAHA...love this picture. And this book! It's really helpful in really understanding what muscles are targeted during various exercises.

RECIPE FAIL

MINI CAT FOR PRESIDENT

I love this picture!  I was playing around with the new camera and went down to the floor to get a picture from the ground up.  This totally looks like a campaign poster.

BREAKFAST today was an oldie, but a goodie.  I made some overnight oats last night and devoured them this morning.  How is something so easy to make, so tasty and good for you!!!  Even Boyfriend has been eating overnight oats quite a bit lately.

I tried a new combination to spice things up a bit and it was 5 stars!!

COFFEE + 3 SPLENDA WITH FIBER + 1/2 CUP OATS + 1 TSP DRIED BLUEBERRIES + 1 TSP PEANUT BUTTER & CO. DARK CHOCOLATE DREAMS

I was feeling a I was so disappointed with what could have been an amazing LUNCH, that I don't even want to blog about it.  However, I will to warn you of a possible colossal disaster.

I found these at Whole Foods the other day and I got excited.  I don't love tofu "noodles," but they will do because I just can't justify having a little serving of pasta when I can have a whole bowl of tofu "noodles."  I'm going for volume here over taste.

Anyway, I thought I'd combine this "fettuccine" with a recipe from Hungry Girl that I've been meaning to try.  She has an Alfredo substitute that I've seen her promoting on all the shows.  The idea that I could have a low-fat, low-cal FETTUCCINE ALFREDO made me giddy...until I tasted it.

YUCK!  It wasn't as amazing as I built it up in my head.  The fettuccine was okay...the sauce was bland and not very "saucy."  I did eat the whole thing because I don't like wasting food, however this is not a recipe that is getting bookmarked!

Not only was the Fettuccine Alfredo not very good, but I found myself hungry again not too much later.  I met up with some friends for DINNER at an awesome restaurant in downtown San Diego called Rock Bottom.  I love the place mainly because I know the bartenders, but they also have a tasty ahi appetizer that is nice and light but yummy!

Sorry for the terrible picture...from the phone.

Seared Ahi (description from website)

Sashimi-grade Ahi tuna seared rare and served with citrus-soy dipping sauce, edamame slaw, pickled ginger and wasabi.

Minor shopping trip led to this purchase...

LBD!

And this little holiday decorative item!

I'm off to go clean the kitchen.  I think I spend my whole life in the kitchen.  I cook in it, and then I clean it.  By the time I'm done cleaning, it's time to cook another meal again.  This vicious cycle never stops!!

XOXO

DO YOU SMELL SOMETHING BURNING?

FIRST OFFICIAL FOOD POST SINCE MY "VACATION"!

Started out the day with some coffee and the new Pier 1 catalog (aka Decorator Porn).  I have such a cute mug collection but I am currently obcessed with this one if you can't tell from my recent posts.

I wasn't very hungry but knew I had to eat something or I'd be ravenous later.  I remembered that I still had some waffles in the freezer so I popped them in the oven...and forgot about them!  They were a bit "crispy" but still rather tasty!

2 VAN'S LITE WAFFLES + 1/4 CUP SUGAR FREE MAPLE SYRUP

I picked up this Luna Protein: Cookie Dough today to give it a try because I heard great things about it.

Verdict: Not too impressed.  It was good, but not great.

For dinner I shoveled down a big spinach salad.  Spinach is quickly becoming my new favorite.  I can't believe that there was ever I time that I would eat iceberg lettuce!!  I threw whatever was going bad into one bowl and added some wonton strips for CRUNCH!

2 EGG WHITES + 20 SPRITZ WISHBONE RANCH VINAIGRETTE + TJ'S WHITE ALBACORE + 2 SERVINGS FRESH GOURMET WONTON STRIPS + TJ'S BABY SPINACH + 3 MEZZETTA SWEET CHERRY PEPPERS

I bought a basil plant from the grocery store today.  I am determined not to kill this one!!  I think I've gone through about 4 or 5 plants in the last year :(  I have a black thumb!  I love fresh basil and I love plants on the window ledge in the kitchen so hopefully I can make this plant last!

xoxo

THE RETURN

So things were going great and then...CRASH!!!  My computer completely died AGAIN!!!  I just got it back from the lovely people at Best Buy's Geek Squad.  Cross your fingers...hopefully it's actually fixed this time.  Good thing my warranty still has another few months on it.

So I thought I'd start out brand new at the start of this month (almost the start).  On the first of every month, I'm going to post some month long goals and try to stick to them.  What's that they say about when you do something 12 times it becomes routine???  Well if I'm a good girl and incorporate these objectives into my daily life, then I should be perfect by the end of the month.  Right??  HAHAHA!!

Here are some foods that were missed in my absence:

1/4 CHICKPEA FLOUR + 1/4 WATER + ROSEMARY + CUMIN + 1/4 CUP FF TJ'S PIZZA SAUCE

SPINACH + CRAB + TOMATOES + ROASTED RED PEPPERS + ANNIE'S LIGHT HONEY MUSTARD DRESSING

DATES + BETTER N' PEANUT BUTTER + CHOCOLATE CHIPS

March's Goals:

1. Drink more water!!!!

2. Make "night time" routine, ROUTINE!!!

3. Church EVERY Sunday!

I think 3 a month is all I can handle.  When I set too many "goals," I usually end up forgetting them! LOL

Well, that's it for this "catch up" post...I'll be back later with a recap of yesterday's eats!

XOXO