WIAW: Summer Staples

I'm 2 weeks into the 4 weeks of working at the Fair and already getting a little sad about it.

In a few weeks, I will be back at work. Not that I don't like work, but summer has been so much fun this year: I went to Austin, Texas for the first time, went hiking multiple times, and oh yeah, worked this cool job.

I also made some food discoveries this summer. I'm no longer eating Frankenfood. I didn't eat a lot of it to begin with, but I'm ditching frozen yogurts, the idea of Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, and fake sugars even if I only add it to coffee, something else I drink very rarely. I'm also not shying away from real sugar and other real food.

I adopted Tone It Up protein pancakes made with Sunwarrior raw protein and bombshell spell, a pineapple juice-based metabolizing drink. Natural sugar.

Today's grocery list was short because I already have the bases for my meals. Xantham gum may not be as natural, or it doesn't sound like it.

What I really ended up buying...

Strawberry fruit spread for protein pancakes and peanut butter & jelly protein bars, a thinkThin bar because I had a coupon (caramel fudge), protein/spicy jalapeno chicken sausage, amaranth even though I have little idea of what to do with it, & the cheapest wine ever: $1.99 Charles Shaw shiraz to make sangria

Cottage cheese, Sprinkelz, and Dr. Oetker organic vanilla pudding mix - it's higher in fat but has a less weird ingredient list - for a Dashing Dish's cake batter protein shake.

I had stevia but didn't put it in, but I added sprinkles. At $1.99, the Sprinkelz are more expensive, however, I figured I liked having sprinkles for photos. :) Just wish it was more colorful.

I brought lentils to eat at work, but since we had a floorset, my manager got us pizza from Z Pizza. This is the slice of an XL Provence pizza with artichokes. I love pizza!

For dessert, my blended failed and couldn't whip up cottage cheese for whipped cottage cheese. I just ate the cottage cheese with some strawberry fruit spread.

Recent staples:

• Sunwarrior protein powder though I'm thinking of trying Perfect Fit protein next. I wish I could afford tropical Shakeology!
• Fage 0% Greek yogurt and Chobani
• Bananas to sweeten things up
• Chocolate and lots of it
• Whole eggs even though sometimes I just eat the whites
• Sweet potatoes to make coconutty sweet potato fries
• thinkThin bars
• ZICO chocolate coconut water

If I get into a bind and I'm hungry, I'll eat Fage with some mix-in.

I actually went home at a decent hour. 

Tomorrow is another work day, but I get off early and then got my other shift covered. I didn't need both though I do want to go to TurboKick tomorrow so it's happening!

Also on the agenda for tomorrow: return library book, find new Chobani Chocolate Chunk, and buy some real ice cream.

Have you tried Chobani Chocolate Chunk?
What do you eat when your tummy is grumbling at night?

July Foodie PenPal: Coincidental

My July Foodie PenPal was Lindsay from Live. Love. Nutrition. and did she know me well!

I love all these nut butters. See how I already ate a little of each one. I do that, all the time. Variation is not a good idea for me.

Local-ish granola, Ola! Granola from Connecticut.

I made The Lean Green Bean's Chocolate Dipped Frozen Yogurt Bites with the granola and Chobani peach. Note: Chobani freezes better than Fage.

I've never had this peanut butter.

And of course, a note, on notebook paper. I do that all the time too!

And guess who Lindsay just met who I didn't see but came to the Fair: Robert Irvine! What a coincidence!

If you're interested in Foodie PenPals...
-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions.
-You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination!
-You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!)
-Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.
-Foodie Penpals is open to US & Canadian residents. Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.

If you’re interested in participating for August, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.

You must submit your information by August 4th as pairings will be emailed on August 5th! You will receive a confirmation email from me within 24 hours if you sign up. IF YOU DON’T GET ONE, send me an email!

Have you ever watched "Restaurant Impossible?" I haven't because I don't have cable. I've only ever seen shows with Gordon Ramsay.

This or That: Health & Fitness Edition + Meal Plan Monday

I admit Marvelous in My Monday is my favorite weekly link-up. I get to talk about whatever I want and share it with people. Though often it's food, it's not the case all the time. Orthorexia be-gone.

This week, Nourish & Flourish shared a questionnaire that I thought was super fun - This or That: Health & Fitness Edition. Give it a go too and link up in the comments! :)

1. Run/workout in the heat and humidity or freezing temps and snow? I prefer the heat. I love dripping in sweat - why I go to hot yoga!

(source)
2. Have washboard abs or flat abs? The easier of the two, but I'll take ANYTHING!*
   *Ryan Lochte is hotter (right)

(source)
3. Dr. Oz or The Doctors? I've only ever seen Dr. Oz.
   
4. Cardio or strength? Eek, I like both but I love strength training more now. I used to be all cardio.

Source: tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest


Cravings: Protein or carbs? Protein! Once I stopped eating so many carbs, I forgot about them.
Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper? Because of her awesome podcasts, Jillian Michaels!

(source)


Frozen yogurt or ice cream? I love frozen yogurt, but I haven't been craving it lately.
To train: upper body or lower body? I used to love training lower body. Now it hurts so bad that I like upper body training.
Protein powder or food with protein? I love protein pancakes so uh, as natural as it gets protein powder.
Check out a new blog I found, Dashing Dish, with all these amazing recipes!

(source)


Lunges or squats? Lunges have always been my favorite even though my hurt toes don't allow it to be as comfortable.



Source: shape.com via Julie on Pinterest



Sweet or salty? Sweet! I still have a killer sweet tooth. Thankfully a little chocolate goes a long way nowadays.
Workout attire: cute or comfy? Comfy and as cute as I can get it to be. Cute stuff has a tendency to ride up.
Body Pump or heavy lifting? I like lifting on my own but really have to get in the mood.
Yoga or Pilates? Yoga all the way. I like the different variations like with hand weights. I go to Pilates once in a blue moon.



Source: tumblrgym.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest



Nike or Adidas? Nikes! I prefer New Balances though.



Source: compare.ebay.com via Julie on Pinterest



Running on the treadmill or outdoors? I like the treadmill for sprint work. I hate running otherwise.
Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? Trader Joe’s has better deals and I only like the hot bar/deli side and chocolate aisle of Whole Foods.
Summer or Winter Olympics? I love swimming and gymnastics so I'm all for summer Olympics though I haven't watched one match yet! :(

(source)


Exercises classes or exercise videos? I love classes! Sometimes I yearn for more, but I love the energy and people.
Steamed veggies or roasted veggies? Roasted veggies, of course.

 Meal Plan Monday

Monday

• m1 TIU protein pancake + bombshell spell
• m2 cauliflower pizza
• m3 cake batter protein shake
  
• m4 pizza (Z Pizza Provence XL slice)
• m5 whipped cottage cheese
• work 3:30-7:30
  
• workout Rest

Tuesday

• m1  TIU waffle + bombshell spell
• m2 cauliflower pizza bites
  
• m3 coconutty sweet potato fries
  
• m4 lentils
  
• m5 cake batter protein shake
• work 10:30-3
  
• workout TurboKick
  

Wednesday

• m1 apple pie pancake
  
• m2 cauliflower pizza bites
• m3 coconutty sweet potato fries
  
• m4 lentils
  
• m5 PB&J protein bar
• work 5-11:30
  
• workout 10:30 Hot Ra 1

Thursday

• m1 strawberry shortcake pancakes
  
• m2 cauliflower pizza bites
• m3 coconutty sweet potato fries
  
• m4 lentils
• m5 PB&J protein bar
• work 5-11:30
• workout 10:30AM BodyPump

Friday

• m1 chia waffle + 1 egg + 1 egg white
  
• m2 egg white bake
  
• m5 PB&J protein bar
• m4 lentils
• m5 cake batter protein shake
• work 10:30-2:30, 5-11:30
• workout Weight training?
  

Saturday

• m1 PB&J protein shake
  
• m2 egg white bake
• m3 sweet potato fries
  
• m4 spaghetti
  
• m5 PB&J protein bar
• work 10:30-1:30, 4-11:30
  
• workout 8AM TurboKick
  

Sunday

• m1 strawberry protein pancake roll-up
• m2 egg white bake
• m3 sweet potato fries
• m4 spaghetti
  
• m5 cake batter protein shake
• work 4-11:30
  
• workout 11 Yogalates

This or that? Answer any or all of the questions above!

MIMM: Day off, or not.

I'm all stressed out! On my day off.

First, the decision to stay in bed or wake up early to go to TurboKick. Then, whether to take a rest day or go to a later PiYo class.

Second, finding coverage for my shift tomorrow. I've resorted to e-mailing my other boss to see if I can get off early so I can work both.

Lastly, how to relax with my day off. Faux day off because I work at my other job today.

I'm a bundle of stress. I can't even figure out what to eat for breakfast! I've had TIU pancakes for a whole week and lentils for dinner all week too.*

Addition to my lunch, summer corn salad made by Chef Zov Karamardian. It was so good - I ate half the 12 serving bowl! She demoed the salad and beef tenderloin of which I also had a piece last night. :)

And now for the fun! As part of our daily closing schedule, we take pictures where we're not supposed to.

Cowgirl dinner

Tea party

BFFs...

Or not.

A new card I got even though our radio doesn't work.

*I ended up making a TIU protein pancake because it was easiest.

Do you get stressed out easily?
How do you stop stressing out?

Inspiring Blogger Award + 7 more things about me

Ashley over at Rhythm of My Mind nominated me for an Inspiring Blog Award, and I haven't done a things-about-me post in a little bit.

The rules for the “Inspiring Blog Award”:

1.  Thank the person who nominated you.
2. Tell 7 things about you that will not come up in your blog entries.
3. Pass this on to 7 other bloggers that you find inspiring.

1. I pluck my eyebrows maybe once a month. They're sparse, thankfully, so I don't look so bad. I'm doing it today!

Source: images.google.com via Julie on Pinterest

2. When I Q-tip my ears, I like to use two, one in each ear and at the same time. Anyone else?

3. As a kid, I wanted to be a basketball commentator. I was obsessed with basketball. I mean, I cried when my teams lost. I researched colleges for broadcast journalism/mass communications. I ended up going to one of those colleges for something completely different, but teaching still lets me talk a lot. :)

Now, I'm no longer a Laker fan.

(source)

4. I have no idea how to style my hair. Though I need to learn.

Source: abeautifulmess.typepad.com via Julie on Pinterest

 For some reason, I never learned a lot of girly things like how to put on makeup. Even now my makeup routine is sometimes powder, eyelash curler without mascara because it gets too messy, sometimes eyeliner and eyeshadow that comes in a pencil together, and never anything on my lips. I think I look ridiculous and unlike hair, I don't care too much about learning how to put on makeup.

5. I hate most things with butterflies. Remember how popular those were? I cringe when I see butterfly tattoos, necklaces, or anything emblazoned with butterflies. I do own a sleeping shirt that's black with butterflies, but it's mute and just looks like a giant crazy design.

Eww... I'm sorry if you have one.

(source)

6. I never doodle because I can't draw. I tried to draw a giraffe and could not get its face right - it looked like half dinosaur/half giraffe. I can't draw landscapes either. I am good with mixed media and DIYs but wish I could draw on the fly better.

Source: sherlonkahkai.tumblr.com via Julie on Pinterest

7. Shopping has never been fun. No matter what size I am, I just suck at putting things together so I'm always confused. I don't know myself well enough to know if I'll wear something for a long time. It takes me forever to buy anything because I'm always looking for a deal. That said, I love Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange and TJ Maxx for cheap clothes.

7 inspiring bloggers you should check out!

• Carlene's Figments
• Sixty Minute Housewife
• Little Tin Soldier
• A Gutsy Girl
• The Militant Baker
• Cookie and Kate
• Matchstick Molly

One last thing I found and wanted to share:

 

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Still on Top of the World

Shoot me. Okay, don't. The night was terrible but the last few moments made it better.

Saturday night was the worst night we've had at work. Everyone was drunk, had bad attitudes, took off their shirts, broke our fake chocolate, ran into our signs, and gave me blank stares.

I don't want to recap much, except to say that my Fair boyfriend made me feel better and I let some drunk guy come in after hours because a) he just wanted a quick picture and b) he was cute. Plus, it lightened things up a little to end our night.

I was also somewhat exhausted. I woke up early and couldn't go back to bed so tossed and turned till hiking time.

We spent an hour driving, 45 minutes getting lost on foot, and only 1 hour actually hiking. Good thing the view was gorgeous at the Top of the World.

View from Top of the World Elementary School. Wouldn't it have been nice to go here?

Walking in a gorgeous Laguna Beach neighborhood.

Chris & Peter have the weirdest conversations.

Top of the World!

The first part of the hike was all downhill, so much so that I just went on my hands and bottom! Haha.

The second part was nicer for me: uphill.

View of the ocean as we waited for Peter... Haha.

Me at the Top of the World

Top of the World and the end of our short adventure.

We ended up having lunch at Ruby's Shake Shack. I got a GoFit Veggie Protein Patty on a gluten-free bun (ate half), without cheese + sweet potato fries (half).

On the way to lunch.

Gorgeous Crystal Cove!

I rushed off to work, and I already told you the rest...

Breakfast was another TIU protein pancake. It has been my go-to breakfast everyday!

Have you heard of The Rim of the World? Michelle Kwan went to high school there in Lake Arrowhead.
What has been your favorite hike thus far? This isn't my favorite hike based on the terrain, but this is the most gorgeous view! We also walked by tons of amazing Laguna Beach homes and vehicles.
How do you deal with crazies at work?

Friday's Letters: Scenes from the Fair

 

Dear 9:30 A.M. TurboKick attendees, I got to class 30 minutes early and the class was already full. You guys are insane.

Dear new-to-me TurboKick instructor, Your music is too slow. You slowed it down for us to get low, but I already get low. I just get annoyed. I'm stickin' to my regular instructors and doing my own thing if their classes are packed.

Dear Joy the Baker, I'm loving Diptic. Check out my photos...

Dear Tone It Up Girls, I finally made your protein pancakes look like pancakes! They stayed together!

TIU protein pancake that looks like a pancake

Dear Xan Chocolates, Your Big Mouth chocolate is my favorite so far. I wonder if I can try it at home.

Xan Chocolates' apple pie & Big Mouth: PB, caramel, & rice crispy! Or, my diet of lentils & chocolate.

 Dear Chef Ray, liked your other creations more than the one you gave me. Then you took it away.

Chef Ray Duey's veggie/fruit bouquet he gave me.

Girl Scouts came to Rock the Fair today.

 Dear Girl Scouts, This is how we felt about you today.

This is how we felt about them...

(source)

Dear Info Desk, I like your location. I can see everything from here.

Info desk boredom

Dear Greggy, I like this cake most.

The Next Great Baker Greggy Soriano's creation

Dear Musicians, You take too long to clean up so we climb on props and take pictures.

Shh... after hours

Dear Night Crew, I love you guys.

Night crew guarding the chocolate. Is it real?

Dear Jasmin, Lila really does love you though.

So much lov

Dear Cousin Joe, You should probably have taken the bigger cart.

Big guy (my cousin), small cart. Small guy, big cart.

Dear Sound Guy, We have a love/hate relationship with you.

And for your eyes, our collective Fair boyfriend, sound guy/Thunder Thighs/Mr. "This is my good side."

*I used a new iPhone app called Diptic, recommended yesterday by Joy the Baker. :)