Toaster Toasted Tempeh

Afternoon, friends!

Today's lunch featured something I've been wanting to try for awhile: toaster toasted tempeh. I saw Ashley do this several months ago and knew I had to give it a whirl!

I simply sliced half a block of Trader Joe's organic tempeh lengthwise, then placed the two "patties" in the toaster for three and a half minutes. When I removed them, they were hot and slightly golden brown. Then, I put them on an Alvarado St. Bakery sprouted bread sandwich with pear preserves and fresh baby spinach. It was one thick sandwich!

Plus cherries and carrots for some color and nutrients

The verdict? I loved the texture of the tempeh- kinda crispy on the outside and warm on the inside. It's not as good as my favorite Moroccan marinated tempeh, but it worked great in this sandwich. One thing I wasn't crazy about was the jelly/spinach mix. I know lots of people love it, but it's just kinda strange to me!

* * *

Backtracking to this morning, I headed to the gym for cardio + abs. Usually I do this workout at home, but it's been unbearably hot on our garage elliptical recently! I did an easy half hour of the pre-programmed intervals (roughly 2.5 miles), then moved to the mats where I did two sets of this abs circuit:

• 50 crunches
• 50 medicine ball twists
• 25 reverse crunches
• 25 leg lifts

I used to think reverse crunches were the most pointless exercise ever...until I realized I was doing them completely wrong. You can't use your legs or butt to pull yourself up, everything has to come from your abs. They're tough!

And before I go, here's a 'fit pic! I haven't done one in ages, and I actually put on something besides my high school gym shorts and a tank top today...

• White dress: Urban Outfitters
• Brown tank top: Abercrombie & Fitch, circa 2006
• Flip flops: Rainbow (best sandals ever...they're super comfy and durable. I've had these since 2008!)

Off to do some errands and take Miss Maggie-Mags for a long walk in the beautiful sunshine. Hope you're having a wonderful Thursday!

What's your favorite ab exercise? Crunches are probably my favorite because they're the least complicated, but for effectiveness I love medicine ball twists and reverse crunches!

Let Your Shoulder Lean

Though normally I'm more of a group exercise girl when it comes to strength training, this morning I was feelin' some good old-fashioned iron-pumping!

I did three sets of 12 reps of each of the following circuits:

   - squats, 15 lbs
   - bent-over row, 5 lbs
   - overhead press, 5 lbs

   - upright row, 5 lbs
   - tricep kickbacks, 5lbs
   - bicep curl, 10 lbs

   - leg extensions, 80 lbs
   - leg curls, 60 lbs

   - pushups (on my knees...'cause I'm weak)
   - plank, 30 seconds
   - back extensions

   - traditional crunches
   - medicine ball twists, 10 lbs
   - reverse crunches

Whew! I compiled the exercises from my Women's Health Big Book of Exercises, and going into the gym with a plan definitely helped. Overall, it took me about an hour, including a ten-minute easy warmup on the elliptical and a bit of stretching at the end.

* * *

For breakfast, I made myself another bowl of smoothie cereal!

First, I blended a frozen banana with a cup of almond milk, a scoop of vanilla rice protein and a pinch of xanthan gum. I poured it into a bowl, then added some frozen raspberries and a few handfuls of Kashi GoLean cereal.

All mixed up:

It was a nice, cool breakfast for this already hot morning. I'm loving this heat wave! My outfit is warm-weather appropriate, as well:

Awkward pose. Let me see you bounce right to left and let your shoulder lean!

   - Black tank dress: swiped from my mom's closet

   - Black and gold belt: Bebe, also swiped from my mom's closet

   - Black sandals: Sam Edelman from DSW

   - Headband: Goody, from the drugstore

   - Gold necklace: gifted and vintage charms

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Where do you go for workout plans? Magazines, blogs, books, etc?

Monday Morning

Monday morning- welcome to the first real week of spring!

I'm a-okay with April showers, as long as they're accompanied by warm temperatures. Looks like the skirts and sandals are finally here to stay? *knocks on wood*

In honor of today's weather, I'm sporting a girly and colorful look:

   - Yellow skirt with white lace trim: Anthropologie (five-ish years ago)

   - White tank top: Target

   - Coral cardigan: J.Crew

   - Black sandals: Sam Edelman, from DSW

   - Black patent headband: Goody, from a drugstore

   - Pearl earrings and necklace: gifts from my dad

Breakfast was also light and cool: overnight oats!

Last night, I combined:

   - 3 T chia seeds

   - 1/2 c raw rolled oats

   - sliced banana

   - 1 c almond milk

I let everything sit in the fridge overnight, then topped it with a handful of Kashi GoLean and a few cashews this morning.

I've received several questions about exactly how I prep my overnight oats- there's not much to it! I just pour the oats and chias into a bowl together and give them a stir to combine, then add in the sliced banana and finally pour on the milk. The only real advice I have is to really stir the bottom well, because the seeds sometimes stick to the bottom of the bowl and don't distribute evenly. Cover them with tinfoil or a plate to stop the banana from browning, then pop it in the fridge overnight- or at least for an hour or so. Voila! I can also do a picture tutorial, if anyone is interested?

I added  bit more milk to this combo than I usually do, so there were a few pools that hadn't absorbed completely into the chias. I actually liked it that way- it went well with the cereal and nuts. With the gelled chias, soft bananas, crunchy cereal and chewy cashews, this bowl had a whole lot of texture going on.

I'm coming down to the final push with school: exactly three weeks left of classes, and 24 days until the  last paper of my academic career is due. Both scary and exciting!

On that note, off to do the class thing. Have a great start to your week!

Do you eat overnight oats? If so, what's your combination of choice? I know there are about a hundred methods floating around out there. What's your favorite?

Sweet Substitute

This Lenten season, I've been searching for foods that curb my sweet tooth without necessarily being a dessert. Today's lunch was on the money!

A few months ago, Evan's recipe for chocolate chip dessert hummus caught my eye, and since I had half a can of chickpeas leftover from yesterday's lunch, I decided to give it a go.

I followed his recipe pretty closely, but I omitted the chocolate chips and made a few substitutions:
  - about 1 c chickpeas
  - 2 T PB&Co. Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter
  - 1/4 cup peanut flour with a splash of almond milk to thin (for a protein punch)
  - 2 T maple syrup
  - 1 tsp vanilla extract

All dumped in the food processor and blended until smooth...

And served with gala apple slices and carrot sticks for dipping.

It hit the sweet-tooth spot, but that doesn't mean I'm not still excited for Easter :) I actually booked my train ticket home this morning. Woohoo!

Is it just me, or does it not feel like it's officially spring until Easter? It falls late this year- the 24th- and I'm thinking maybe that's the reason the weather has yet to cooperate. That isn't stopping me from breaking out the spring clothes, though:

   - Blue and cream swirl skirt: Anthropologie (I found it on clearance a few years ago)
   - Navy tank top: Target
   - Cream-colored ruffle cardigan: J.Crew Online Factory
   - Brown flip-flops: Rainbow (my favorite brand...they're comfy and last forever)

I actually swapped the flip-flops for Topsiders when I looked outside and saw that it was raining... wishful thinking. Hope you're having a fabulous day!

When does it finally "feel" like spring to you? Is there a certain holiday/month/event, or is it more of a weather thing? Has spring sprung in your area?


PS- Have you entered my favorite things giveaway?

Peanut Butter Pancake Bake

For the past twenty-one-ish years of my life, I've been on a cereal kick. Lately, however, I've been on a baked breakfast kick!

For this morning's peanut butter pancake bake, I drew inspiration from two of my favorite bloggers: Julie's baked pancake, and Chelsey's peanut butter pancakes.

Peanut Butter Pancake Bake


   - 1/4 c whole-wheat flour
   - 2 T peanut flour (available here if you're looking for it)
   - 1 t baking powder
   - 1 T ground flax mixed with 3 T water (flax egg)
   - 1 t cinnamon
   - 1 t vanilla extract
   - 1 T creamy peanut butter
   - 1/4 c non-dairy milk
   - sweetener, to taste (I used a small squirt of maple syrup)
   - banana slices, for garnish (optional)

Preheat oven to 350*F. In a small bowl, combine whole-wheat flour, peanut flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix in flax egg, vanilla, peanut  butter and milk. Add sweetener, if desired. Pour into an individual baking dish and top with banana slices. Bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy.

I actually cooked this last night, then left it covered with tin foil to cool overnight. Though it seems like a pain to prep breakfast ahead of time, I've grown to love it- there's no thinking or dirtying up the kitchen first thing in the AM.

The cake itself was thick and peanut-buttery, and the banana offered a little extra sweetness on top. It's super filling, as well- took me awhile to eat, which is rare!

Several of you have asked where I found my heart-shaped ramekin, and unfortunately I have no idea! I swiped two from the out-of-control dish collection at my parents' house. I think they're actually meant for creme brulee :)

I'm feeling a bit out of it this morning. I stayed up late last night to finish a second, shorter paper that I forgot was due today, as well. Blah. I was honestly very tempted to just blatantly not do it, but decided that ignoring an assignment completely was taking senioritis a step too far. One more month. 

At least the promise of warm weather is really putting a smile on my face...bare legs and toes!

   - Strapless chambray dress: J.Crew Factory online outlet

   - Oatmeal cardigan: J.Crew

   - Gold sandals: Jack Rogers

   - Blue and gold necklace: combination of a vintage and gifted charms

One of my favorite necklaces...antique cameo charm, monogrammed ring from my dad and a tiny globe from my mom

Hope you have a wonderful day- and don't forget to enter my favorite things giveaway if you haven't already!

PS- Reader Hope has entered to win a fairy-tale wedding in Disney World! She asked me to spread the word to all of you, so please vote here to help make her wedding dreams come true :)

Funk Free

This morning I was in a funk. You know, when you just feel kind of irritable and anxious for no real reason? I decided that said funk would not last all day, and sought out a plan of action to change it.

Step 1: Exercise with an awesome playlist.


I headed to the gym and did 55 minutes on the elliptical. Nothing clears my head and cheers me up more than exercise! For the first thirty minutes I alternated 2-minute intervals at level 5 with 1-minute intervals at level 10, and for the second twenty minutes I stayed at level 5 before ending with a 5-minute level 1 cooldown. This playlist kept me entertained:

I call this the "Rhythmless White Girl Daydreams About Breaking It Down" playlist. I'm the worst dancer ever, but sometimes I like to listen to hip hop and imagine that I'm on America's Best Dance Crew. Don't judge me.

Step 2: Leave a few Operation Beautiful notes in the locker room. 

I used to post these quite often, but have forgotten to in the last few months. It really does make me smile to imagine someone finding them :)

Step 3: Eat something tasty.

For lunch, I finally hopped back on the vegetable bandwagon with a huge Mexican-inspired salad. In the bowl: romaine, cucumber, carrots, tomato, seitan, Daiya cheddar cheese shreds and salsa.

On the side, I had the last two slices of Ezekiel bread and two cups of frozen grapes.

Step 4: Wear something that makes you feel special.

I bought this bright watermelon-colored skirt a few months ago and have been dying to wear it. I paired it with some heels, because why not?

   - Skirt: J.Crew Factory Outlet
   - Black v-neck t-shirt: Express
   - Shoes: Cole Haan (gift)
   - Jade bracelet and earrings: gift

Step 5: Remind yourself that you deserve some positive affirmation, too.

Funk-free is the way to be :)

How do you get yourself out of a "funk"? What's your favorite positive affirmation?

Bare Legged

Spring is in the air!

Okay, so low 50s may not be incredibly spring-like weather, but today I decided to embrace the upcoming season with a skirt!

 - Black high-waisted button-down skirt: H&M
 - White tank top: Target
 - Cozy black shrug: Express (makes up for the chilly bottom half!)
 - Black flats: Tory Burch
 - Jade earrings and bracelet: gift

Lunch was rather spring-like as well.

I enjoyed Sunday night's salad so much that I made the exact same thing again. Romaine lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, tofu and Amy's honey vinaigrette dressing.

Along with two sliced whole-wheat pitas on the side.

Plus an apple, cashews and dates for a little something sweet!

How warm does it have to be for you to break out spring clothes? I like to wear them as soon as it's above freezing :) And I'm not one of those people who wears fall clothes in September, either- I like to wait until layers are absolutely necessary!

Don't forget, you have until 8 pm EST to enter the Tropical Traditions giveaway!

March Goals

Though I didn't set any February goals, I'm ready to come back full force for March. I've noticed that when I set too many goals, I'm less likely to completely accomplish them, so this month I'm focusing on just three:

1. Learn to use my camera better. This has been on the list forever, and I've decided that in order to accomplish it I need a plan of action! I'd like to try to spend 15 minutes a day with my guidebook and camera.

2. Experiment with more forms of exercise, especially strength training. Since I'm cutting back on running, I want to replace it with activities that I enjoy just as much, but that are better for my current fitness goals. I want to aim to take at least 3 classes per week- yoga, weights, boot camp, cycling, etc.

3. Try four new savory recipes. One per week. The only way to become a better cook is by cooking. I have a whole folder of bookmarked recipes- it's time to try a few!

That's it! I tried to break the goals down into smaller chunks so that they're easier to track and achieve. We'll see how they go!

* * *

For lunch today, I threw together a simple snack plate with all my favorites.

Two whole-wheat tortillas, plus carrots and a sliced tomato sprinkled with black pepper:

With half a container of hummus for dipping.

Scraping the bottom of the container is just so satisfying to me :)

I also had an apple with sunflower seed butter, dipped straight into the jar.

* * * 

And before I go, the 'fit du jour.

 - black yoga pants- Champion from Target

 - black longsleeved tee- Gap

 - Pale pink sequin cardigan- J.Crew outlet

 - black flats- Tory Burch

 - patent headband- Goody from CVS

I love yoga pants, but if I wear them too often I have a tendency to look sloppy. I feel both comfy and put-together in today's ensemble.

Time for an afternoon of classes. Talk to you later!

Do you have any March goals? If so, what are they? And what's your favorite way to dress up a comfy outfit?

I'm Blue (Da Ba Dee Da Ba Di)

My outfit today has got the blues!

 - Loose cobalt blue top- Gap
 - Navy blue cardigan- J.Crew
 - Skinny jeans- 7 for all Mankind
 - Navy blue wellies- Hunter

Even better? My raincoat is bright blue as well. Talk about a monochromatic color palette! I'm not surprised though- I'd say about a third of my wardrobe is some shade of blue. Pink might be my favorite color, but blue is definitely my favorite color to wear. I'm also a fan of black in the winter, and white in the summer.

* * *

I had packed myself a salad with baked tofu for lunch today, but completely forgot it in my rush to get out the door. Fortunately, convenient and healthy meals are pretty easy to come by in this city!

I picked up another serving of V-Spot's vegan lasagna from a deli, and added a container of pineapple to round out the meal. My Blackberry camera doesn't do it much justice, but this lasagna is really delicious and comes in a generous portion size.

For some reason pineapple just seems like such a special fruit to me. Maybe because I'm too scared of cutting it to buy a whole one for myself?

I was feeling snacky after classes, so I'm currently eating my second handful of walnuts. Then, it's time to buckle down and get to work!

Hope you're having a wonderful start to your week :)

What's your favorite color to wear? Does it differ from your favorite color in general?

Feelin' Edgy

I just joined a new gym!! Woo!! I'm not going to disclose which one for safety reasons, but suffice to say that I'm very excited. I can't wait to take some new classes, and to hopefully get back in the strength-training groove!

* * *

For lunch today, I had yet another toasted bagel alongside some carrots and two dippers:

Roasted eggplant for savory, and a near-empty jar of Dark Chocolate Dreams for sweet.

I had no problem finishing off half a container of hummus. It was amazing :)

And to finish, a sliced fuji apple.

* * *

Though on most days that I don't have class I hang around in yoga pants and a sweatshirt all afternoon, today I decided to actually get dressed and see if it improved my productivity levels at all. Comfy clothes = laziness for me, unfortunately.

 - Gray leggings with zipper detail: Express

 - Black tank top: Target

 - Black knit shrug: Express

-  Charm necklace: Tag You're It Designs (won in a giveaway last spring)

 - Black patent flats: Payless (these are actually my "bar shoes"...aka the flats I wear when I don't want my nicer ones to get covered in sticky beer!)

I have to say, I'm feeling kind of edgy in this outfit. For someone whose wardrobe usually includes lots of classic cuts and pink, the zippers on these pants + the monochromatic color scheme are pretty risque.

Hardcore, no? ;)

Hope you're all having a wonderful day!

Do you find yourself more productive when you actually get dressed for the day? And how would you describe your style?