Brief recap of today: Abby being here > Abby not being here.
I went to the Farmers Market this morning, and I have to admit...I was whelmed. Not overwhelmed, not underwhelmed, just plain whelmed. Nothing jumped out at me, nothing looked great, everyone was sold out of bacon except one farm that was charging outrageous prices (like, double what everyone else was..sketchy) which probably explains why they weren't out of product...not so good. So I went to Central Market since I was in the neighborhood (roughly) and got some good stuff for snacks. More FSTG chips, kettle corn, etc. It redeemed an otherwise worthless morning.
I ended the day (and spent the afternoon...) up at school for our movie night. This time it was Megamind, which I hadn't seen before but actually kinda enjoyed. The first Will Ferrell movie I've liked since...Ricky Bobby? Even that took a few tries. Potentially Elf or Anchorman, whichever came out last. It was a good movie, but the food selection...not so hot. And I didn't plan well.
Prepare for carnage.
Breakfast--Um...didn't happen. Planned on getting Fusion Taco @ the FM, but then the whole experience drained me so much I didn't feel like standing in line and waiting. So I just failed on this part.
Lunch--I had my leftover Pei Wei from the other day, as well as an addition of some diced veggies from CM. I think it had water chestnuts, carrot, celery, onion...not sure what else. It was good though.
Snack--Toastwich (to make up for breakfast?) with chocolate peanut butter and cherry jelly. Very black foresty.
Dinner--I apologize to everyone who cares about the size of my waistline for the next few phrases. Peace be with you. Here's what I ate: three cups of kettle corn, a Snickers, sour belts, a coke, and two cookies. I planned on eating pizza, but with the butter cookie fiasco of yesterday, I figured piling more grease in my system wasn't a good call. So logically I ate my weight in sugar. I suck at this.
Dessert--Really? There was no dessert. READ WHAT I ATE FOR "DINNER." I should eat a salad for dessert, then run 8 miles.
So in review: I miss Abby, my cat is going insane because she loves Abby and hates me (and is therefore very moody and upset), I've eaten TERRIBLY, the movie wasn't bad, and oh yeah, Man U and the Rangers both choked today. Goodbye Saturday...you won't be missed.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Day 96--Experimental Procedure
Today was test day, which is still code for "I sit and answer questions all day." Its a great day...no thinking on my part. Unfortunately, Abby left for Girl's Retreat this afternoon, so I'm here by myself for the weekend. That means two things: hygiene is going to be neglected in unfortunate ways (although I have run the dishwasher and cleaned up after dinner) and I can just screw around in the kitchen without judgment being passed. Let the games begin.
Breakfast--Another toastwich. I had lots of bread going on at once this morning, from my peanut butter and peach-mango toastwich to the sandwich I made for lunch today.
Snack--Officially my last Carman's bar. RIP.
Lunch--A peanut butter and mango-peach (see what I did there for "variety?") sandwich on whole wheat with cracked black pepper chips. Not healthy, but suspect catfish was the other option. I win.
Snack--Beef jerky and some more chips. Less than one serving...but still not the smartest thing I could have done.
Dinner--Here's where things get interesting. I made pizza, except it wasn't normal by any stretch. I put my homemade tomato sauce on whole wheat pita, topped it with mozzarella, then covered it all with bacon and leeks. The sauce, bread, and bacon/leeks were all amazing...cheese still sucks. I don't understand how you people eat that stuff. I scraped it off and enjoyed what became my bacon-leek tart.
Dessert--Baking practice. I found this great recipe in Bon Appetit for honey-cherry lace cookies. Because Abby doesn't like cherries, I subbed pomegranate craisins for the cherries, and my first attempt I misread "heaping teaspoons" for "heaping tablespoons" for the cookie size. Therefore, all the cookies melted into one giant glob of buttery nastiness...I threw it out. The second batch worked MUCH better, although its still got way too much butter in it for my taste. For someone who has attempted to avoid unnecessary fats and junk, my body is SCREAMING at me right now trying to figure out what I did to it. I hope they're better tomorrow when they've dried out, or I'm going to have to tinker with the recipe a bit. Can't handle the buttery slickness.
Hope you all enjoy your weekend like I plan on enjoying mine...stay safe and God bless.
Oh, and Westbury kids--come to the movie night tomorrow. 6 o'clock, Megamind. Boom.
Breakfast--Another toastwich. I had lots of bread going on at once this morning, from my peanut butter and peach-mango toastwich to the sandwich I made for lunch today.
Snack--Officially my last Carman's bar. RIP.
Lunch--A peanut butter and mango-peach (see what I did there for "variety?") sandwich on whole wheat with cracked black pepper chips. Not healthy, but suspect catfish was the other option. I win.
Snack--Beef jerky and some more chips. Less than one serving...but still not the smartest thing I could have done.
Dinner--Here's where things get interesting. I made pizza, except it wasn't normal by any stretch. I put my homemade tomato sauce on whole wheat pita, topped it with mozzarella, then covered it all with bacon and leeks. The sauce, bread, and bacon/leeks were all amazing...cheese still sucks. I don't understand how you people eat that stuff. I scraped it off and enjoyed what became my bacon-leek tart.
Dessert--Baking practice. I found this great recipe in Bon Appetit for honey-cherry lace cookies. Because Abby doesn't like cherries, I subbed pomegranate craisins for the cherries, and my first attempt I misread "heaping teaspoons" for "heaping tablespoons" for the cookie size. Therefore, all the cookies melted into one giant glob of buttery nastiness...I threw it out. The second batch worked MUCH better, although its still got way too much butter in it for my taste. For someone who has attempted to avoid unnecessary fats and junk, my body is SCREAMING at me right now trying to figure out what I did to it. I hope they're better tomorrow when they've dried out, or I'm going to have to tinker with the recipe a bit. Can't handle the buttery slickness.
Hope you all enjoy your weekend like I plan on enjoying mine...stay safe and God bless.
Oh, and Westbury kids--come to the movie night tomorrow. 6 o'clock, Megamind. Boom.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 95--Trashketball
I consider my job to be fairly important. I have about 100 impressionable minds and the task of discussing the gospel of Christ--the greatest news anyone has ever heard. Sometimes things get emotional, sometimes things get funny, and sometimes I think its downright thrilling. That being said, the most excited I've seen any of my kids all year was today when Delvin Dickerson managed to throw a tennis ball into a wicker basket from the other side of the room. It was freaking pandemonium...cheering, hugging, students running around the room. I have no idea what I need to do to get them as excited about Jesus as they are about trashketball, but I've got a month and a half to figure it out.
Breakfast--Peanut butter and peach preserves whole wheat toastwich, prepared by the lovely wife. That's twice in the span of a week that she's made breakfast for me...which may be twice more than the entire time we've known each other. It's exciting!
Snack--Fiber One bar. Of course.
Lunch--Peanut butter and banana sandwich. Unfortunately, the options today involved meatloaf. And something that began with the adjective "buttered." That was enough for me...eating healthy and "buttered" don't work.
Dinner--Jalapeno chip crusted chicken fingers, baked beans, and corn. Those "Food Should Taste Good" jalapeno chips were good to the very end, and made an incredible crust for the chicken without having to deep fry it and gain calories. AND, it was slightly spicy but Abby ate it. So double win.
Dessert--I wanted chocolate cake...I settled for a little less than a cup of mango sorbet. It wasn't a bad trade-off.
Tomorrow's the beatitudes and test day, and then the weekend...glorious, glorious weekend. And the Farmers' Market!
Breakfast--Peanut butter and peach preserves whole wheat toastwich, prepared by the lovely wife. That's twice in the span of a week that she's made breakfast for me...which may be twice more than the entire time we've known each other. It's exciting!
Snack--Fiber One bar. Of course.
Lunch--Peanut butter and banana sandwich. Unfortunately, the options today involved meatloaf. And something that began with the adjective "buttered." That was enough for me...eating healthy and "buttered" don't work.
Dinner--Jalapeno chip crusted chicken fingers, baked beans, and corn. Those "Food Should Taste Good" jalapeno chips were good to the very end, and made an incredible crust for the chicken without having to deep fry it and gain calories. AND, it was slightly spicy but Abby ate it. So double win.
Dessert--I wanted chocolate cake...I settled for a little less than a cup of mango sorbet. It wasn't a bad trade-off.
Tomorrow's the beatitudes and test day, and then the weekend...glorious, glorious weekend. And the Farmers' Market!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 94--Herbs and Peppers
Well, I finally broke down and did it. After years of deliberating and always talking myself out of it, I am now the proud owner of one rosemary plant and one jalapeno plant. They are sitting proudly on an old Omaha Steaks cooler on our apartment "balcony." So at the same time I'm both Green-thumbed and red-necked. Suits me well...and hopefully we'll have some fresh herbs and delicious peppers to spice up the summer's cooking!
Speaking of Omaha Steaks, they called me during dinner for the fifth night in a row, and finally I couldn't take it anymore and asked to be taken off their calling list. The lady seemed annoyed that I asked her to do this...when SHE KEEPS CALLING DURING DINNER. 6:40, every day, like clockwork. I enjoy their products, and the sales are really nice, but not enough to talk to you every day. Or every week. Or even every month...I mean, there's a LOT of food in there. So goodbye Omaha Steaks...I won't miss you disrupting my meals.
Breakfast--Oatmeal! On purpose!
Snack--Fiber One bar. I actually wanted something sweet more than I wanted the fiber or health benefits, but I suppose I got both anyways. So boom.
Lunch--Pulled pork sandwich that actually had recognizable pork in it! Huzzah! I also had some chips. I wanted a mango, but the one I brought had already left for the sweet hereafter.
Snack--Snickers bar. So so good.
Dinner--Taco salad with potatoes instead of beef. I threw some black beans on top to add texture and protein with the sauteed potatoes, jalapeno, and onions. I think it was just as delicious as last time...Abby disagrees. So that will probably be the end of that particular recipe. Feel free to steal it and keep its legacy going. We hardly knew ye.
Dessert--Cherry Fage with honey and chocolate chips. A fitting end to a weird and not altogether pleasant day.
Here's to getting to try again tomorrow.
Speaking of Omaha Steaks, they called me during dinner for the fifth night in a row, and finally I couldn't take it anymore and asked to be taken off their calling list. The lady seemed annoyed that I asked her to do this...when SHE KEEPS CALLING DURING DINNER. 6:40, every day, like clockwork. I enjoy their products, and the sales are really nice, but not enough to talk to you every day. Or every week. Or even every month...I mean, there's a LOT of food in there. So goodbye Omaha Steaks...I won't miss you disrupting my meals.
Breakfast--Oatmeal! On purpose!
Snack--Fiber One bar. I actually wanted something sweet more than I wanted the fiber or health benefits, but I suppose I got both anyways. So boom.
Lunch--Pulled pork sandwich that actually had recognizable pork in it! Huzzah! I also had some chips. I wanted a mango, but the one I brought had already left for the sweet hereafter.
Snack--Snickers bar. So so good.
Dinner--Taco salad with potatoes instead of beef. I threw some black beans on top to add texture and protein with the sauteed potatoes, jalapeno, and onions. I think it was just as delicious as last time...Abby disagrees. So that will probably be the end of that particular recipe. Feel free to steal it and keep its legacy going. We hardly knew ye.
Dessert--Cherry Fage with honey and chocolate chips. A fitting end to a weird and not altogether pleasant day.
Here's to getting to try again tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day 93--Hang You Up
Confession: I am a big Yellowcard fan. Have been since high school, and I'm not ashamed. The first couple of listens, I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of the new album though. The one keeper, at least at an incredibly superficial level, is their single "Hang You Up." The song is great, the video is great, and the acoustic version they recorded for MTV showcases how musically solid they can be. Also, I've had it stuck in my head all day, as does Abby. Whoops.
One of my students, Andrew Dunlap, introduced me to the Warrior Diet today. The main premise is that you eat very little during the day (i.e. a warrior on the hunt...not eating large meals) and then gorge at night (i.e. after you catch/kill something). It sounds a bit like yo-yo dieting to me, but the reviewers on Amazon swear by it. Have any of you used it/heard of it? It's not really an option for me, because I am NOT dieting--just trying to eat healthier as a lifestyle choice--but I'm intrigued by the idea and can of course tailor a lifestyle around it. So how about it readers? Any thoughts?
Breakfast--Chocolate cheerios. My last bowl...sad day.
Snack--Carman's apricot almond muesli bar. Delicious, and I actually thought it was my last one of those too, but then I found one in the pantry. Huzzah!
Lunch--Spicy thai chili tuna on salad greens with a Fiber One bar for some added substance. Great meal, but I'm sort of getting tired of it as a lunch substitute. Looks like PBJ is making a comeback...
Snack--Pomegranate frozen juice bar. Oddly, for pomegranate, it didn't have a ton of flavor. Great for calories, great for texture and temperature...needs more acid perhaps? Oh well.
Dinner--Pei Wei! I had Mandarin Kung Pao vegetables, this time with fried rice (yeah yeah...don't judge. There's a reason.), vegetable spring rolls, and edamame. This may sound like a lot of food, and to be honest--it is. But that was the point. We ate all of the edamame (fiber and protein), and I only ate two spring rolls (leaving four) and half of my entree. Therefore, I've got another meal waiting for me AND I ate relatively healthy food for dinner. Edamame is a wonderful product...I'm a huge fan.
Dessert--A single piece of chocolate peanut butter whole wheat toast.
All in all, a great day. And tomorrow's dinner is going to be excellent...so get pumped!
One of my students, Andrew Dunlap, introduced me to the Warrior Diet today. The main premise is that you eat very little during the day (i.e. a warrior on the hunt...not eating large meals) and then gorge at night (i.e. after you catch/kill something). It sounds a bit like yo-yo dieting to me, but the reviewers on Amazon swear by it. Have any of you used it/heard of it? It's not really an option for me, because I am NOT dieting--just trying to eat healthier as a lifestyle choice--but I'm intrigued by the idea and can of course tailor a lifestyle around it. So how about it readers? Any thoughts?
Breakfast--Chocolate cheerios. My last bowl...sad day.
Snack--Carman's apricot almond muesli bar. Delicious, and I actually thought it was my last one of those too, but then I found one in the pantry. Huzzah!
Lunch--Spicy thai chili tuna on salad greens with a Fiber One bar for some added substance. Great meal, but I'm sort of getting tired of it as a lunch substitute. Looks like PBJ is making a comeback...
Snack--Pomegranate frozen juice bar. Oddly, for pomegranate, it didn't have a ton of flavor. Great for calories, great for texture and temperature...needs more acid perhaps? Oh well.
Dinner--Pei Wei! I had Mandarin Kung Pao vegetables, this time with fried rice (yeah yeah...don't judge. There's a reason.), vegetable spring rolls, and edamame. This may sound like a lot of food, and to be honest--it is. But that was the point. We ate all of the edamame (fiber and protein), and I only ate two spring rolls (leaving four) and half of my entree. Therefore, I've got another meal waiting for me AND I ate relatively healthy food for dinner. Edamame is a wonderful product...I'm a huge fan.
Dessert--A single piece of chocolate peanut butter whole wheat toast.
All in all, a great day. And tomorrow's dinner is going to be excellent...so get pumped!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Day 92--Stepping Out
Every couple of months or so I'll cooking something for dinner that has me asking my beautiful bride "did you every think you'd be eating [fill in food product here] and enjoying it?" Inevitably the answer is no, and so I am able to take great pride in the fact that I've introduced her to something new, delicious, and "adventurous ." However, as I've tackled new culinary challenges and Spring has awakened my sense of passion and fervor, I came to the realization that I very rarely try something new for myself. It's usually something that I had once or twice, or used to eat at home but can't really afford now, but never something that I just look at it and say "someway, somehow...I will cook and enjoy that." Therefore, I've made a conscious effort to try new stuff and see what happens. It may absolutely suck (see: daikon) or it may be delicious (see tonight's dinner), but at least I've got the courage to try and ask myself, "did you ever think you'd make that for dinner?" No, no I didn't. But I'm glad I did.
Breakfast--Oatmeal. I've missed you, old friend.
Snack--Fiber One bar. Not exactly missed, but still nice to get a routine going again.
Lunch--Stupid SAGE dining. The menu for today clearly says "Potato Kale Soup," which loyal followers will note as one of my favorite offerings. However, there is an EXTREME difference between potato kale and potato and leek soup. One is broth, the other cream. One is hearty, the other rich. One I'll eat, the other I won't. Therefore, the backup plan was some asparagus, grilled chicken, and a peanut butter sandwich. Lunches at WCS suck.
Dinner--Here's the awesomeness...so great, I even have pictures.
Breakfast--Oatmeal. I've missed you, old friend.
Snack--Fiber One bar. Not exactly missed, but still nice to get a routine going again.
Lunch--Stupid SAGE dining. The menu for today clearly says "Potato Kale Soup," which loyal followers will note as one of my favorite offerings. However, there is an EXTREME difference between potato kale and potato and leek soup. One is broth, the other cream. One is hearty, the other rich. One I'll eat, the other I won't. Therefore, the backup plan was some asparagus, grilled chicken, and a peanut butter sandwich. Lunches at WCS suck.
Dinner--Here's the awesomeness...so great, I even have pictures.
Leeks, caramelized in bacon drippings, then braised in apple juice and Riesling, topped with crunchy bacon pieces. I've never had leeks before, never ordered leeks before...now I wonder why I hadn't done this sooner! This might be the best side dish I've ever made...it was like candy. I almost ate more standing at the stove than I did on my plate.
Roasted pork loin with a sweet and spicy rub. I finally mastered the art of applying a rub to get it to caramelize into a crunchy crust. And there are leftovers...
Roasted potatoes with salt, pepper, and some ancho chili powder. They added a great silky, smoky flavor to go with the buttery leeks and tender pork. All in all, an incredible meal.
And, because she's my favorite, I bought Abby some flowers. Welcome to Spring everyone!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 91--Sleep and Jesus
I love our Life Group. While we definitely missed the St. Germains, the Smiths, Hamilton, Patrick, Chris, Crysta, and everyone else who couldn't make it tonight, I'm pretty sure its scientific fact that the world is at least 93% better on the weeks we meet. Tonight we discussed James, an amazing book, and I feel reenergized for the week and for my relationship with God.
I also slept about 11 hours today to recover from the weekend, and man I do feel tons better. Softer bed, new pillow, NOT getting up before dawn...in the words of Charlie Sheen, tiger blood. No wait. Winning.
Breakfast--Abby made pancakes! I had like four 4-5 inch pancakes, half of which had chocolate chips. It was a great breakfast...good to be home.
Lunch--Because breakfast was kinda late, lunch just didn't happen. I had cherry Fage with honey about 3...does that count?
Dinner--Wendy's! Ironically, our hotel in Abilene was right next to a Wendy's, but I never went over there to eat. Opportunity lost. Anyways, I had a spicy chicken sandwich, lettuce only, with fries and a Dr. Pepper. Scrumptious (trying out new vocab words...yay or nay?).
Exercise--Throughout the day, I did some squats, some free weights, and then Abby and I took a walk around the complex a couple of times. All about getting the metabolism back online...
School tomorrow. Yeehah? I hope the lunches are manageable!
I also slept about 11 hours today to recover from the weekend, and man I do feel tons better. Softer bed, new pillow, NOT getting up before dawn...in the words of Charlie Sheen, tiger blood. No wait. Winning.
Breakfast--Abby made pancakes! I had like four 4-5 inch pancakes, half of which had chocolate chips. It was a great breakfast...good to be home.
Lunch--Because breakfast was kinda late, lunch just didn't happen. I had cherry Fage with honey about 3...does that count?
Dinner--Wendy's! Ironically, our hotel in Abilene was right next to a Wendy's, but I never went over there to eat. Opportunity lost. Anyways, I had a spicy chicken sandwich, lettuce only, with fries and a Dr. Pepper. Scrumptious (trying out new vocab words...yay or nay?).
Exercise--Throughout the day, I did some squats, some free weights, and then Abby and I took a walk around the complex a couple of times. All about getting the metabolism back online...
School tomorrow. Yeehah? I hope the lunches are manageable!
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