A Winning Wednesday

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!

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

Candy Cane Lane

Now that Thanksgiving is over and fall is quickly turning into winter, the Christmas reins are untied and I’ve turned up the holiday spirit knob to 100%! I ripped off the plastic wrapping of my box of Candy Cane Lane Green Tea first thing this morning, and toasted up a piece of Harvest Bread – mmm…mmm, good!

Celestial Seasonings is going green: “Our unique pillow-style tea bag is the result of our commitment to doing what’s best for the environment. Because these natural fiber tea bags don’t need strings, tags, staples or individual wrappers, we’re able to save more than 3.5 million pounds of waste from entering landfills every year!”

I enjoyed a relaxing morning (no, I did not get up at 4:00am for any remarkable sale shopping) – rising late, taking a break from exercise, and sipping tea with the rain tapping on my window.

Later in the afternoon, my mom and I fought the blustery wind outside and joined the shopping madness at Target. We weaseled in and out of the Christmas isles, finding a few final touches to add to our homemade crafts. I got a Tazo Joy Tea at Starbucks, and then we headed over to our friend’s house for a little post-Thanksgiving catch-up.

Like almost everyone else in the United States, leftovers were on the menu for dinner tonight. My dad turned his creamy garlic parmesan mashed potatoes into crispy potato pancakes. I topped mine with a bit of sour cream and chives. There was color in the form of one of my dad’s classic salads, of course : )

What really made my day was receiving our first holiday card in the mail (someone’s on top of it!). I anxiously await for the mail every day during the month of December, as I love nothing more than seeing red and green envelopes peaking out between the stacks of catalogs in our mailbox.

To the start of another beautiful holiday season,

~ Hillary

ThankFULL

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