LUNCH/DINNER
Lunch and dinner are a little trickier. If you’re going to have a heavy meal choose it for lunch so you’re not going to sleep after wards. Eating heavy meals after 8pm can cause weight gain. For dinner go a little lighter with a salad or soup.

So, you can see that there are healthy choices and not so healthy choices. We might have gotten voted as #1 for healthiest on the go eating, but remember than nothing is healthier than brown bagging it, and it saves your money as well.

Pick the healthy choice options when you visit my job and you’ll get to keep your figure. Remember, anything titled “panini, creamy, cheesy, or breaded” tastes great, but is not the best option for you.

Things I Love: Thursday!

Thursday, September 3rd, 2009
Beauty & Fashion, Daily Grind, Food & Recipes, Health & Fitness, School
11 Comments

As of 7:30 this evening, my first week of classes for the Fall Semester of 2009 has been completed. I’m taking 4 classes and really only need 3 to graduate, but took an extra one to remain full time. I’m taking The Teaching of Writing, Special Education, Reading & Literacy, and Ceramics! I can’t wait to be able to snap some photos of the projects I’ll be making. I’m not the most artistic person, but ceramics was something I always loved in high school. Maybe it’ll help to relax me throughout my last semester before I Student Teach? So, with the new school year up and running, I’ve found some new things to love, and some things that will be keeping me happy for this important and bittersweet semester.

I’m at school at really crazy times, so I sometimes need a snack to tide me over during that awkward after lunchtime but before dinner time period. I saw an ad for Ritz Crackerfuls in my US Weekly, and they were referred to as “The Grown Up” version of cheese and crackers. They pack 5 grams of whole grains per serving and are made with real cheese. I’ve tried the cheddar and picked up some of the four cheese flavor today. They really do satisfy you when you need a crunch, and anything with cheese in my opinion automatically gets points for me.

It’s only been two days but so far I’m loving my Ceramics class. I’ve rolled out all four of my slabs for my tile series project and look forward to smoothing them out and starting my carving on Tuesday. The only thing about working in clay for 4 or more hours a week? Dry hands! I constantly wash my hands as it is, and have raved about this lotion before, but if there are any other ceramics students out there, I definitely recommend this! Eucerin is the best product ever! Wash your hands and apply when your hands are still a bit moist. Works like a charm and absorbs quickly.

Since we’re all trying to cut back on expensive purchases I switched from my beloved MAC Green Gel Cleanser to try a cheaper alternative by Neutrogena. My friend Kathleen recommended it to me and I’ve been using it for over a month now. It smells delicious, has fun little beads that refresh and exfoliate, and it truly does wake me up when I’m washing my face in the morning. I still miss my MAC, but during these times, it pays to be frugal where you can.

And last but not least…I love Keith. He’s been keeping me calm throughout the first week, and trust me that is a full time job. Not only does he take me out for dinner, he lets me poke his nose, and is just plain awesome. I never include him in a TIL post, but it should be mentioned that I definitely do love him. <3

Reprieve from Studying

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Food & Recipes, Photos, School, The Media, Uncategorized
8 Comments

It is officially T-Minus 3 days until I take my Praxis II on Saturday at 7:30 in the morning. For those of you who haven’t heard my ranting and freaking out, this is my second teacher certification test. I took my first one two years ago. This test contains 120 multiple choice questions on everything having to do with English and Literature as well as 4 essays which I’ll be writing in a matter of two hours. All together I should be there from 7:30 until about noon. I’ve been studying all summer, but this week is really crunch time. Below are my study books and my massive pile of terms and definitions on index cards. What with all the studying I’ve been doing, if you’re anything like me, you get hungry…

That being said, I’ve had a lot of people ask me some of my favorite school/study snacks. Oddly enough when I’m immersed in school is when I’m on my best behavior regarding snacking, strange, but true. Summer is when I tend to mindlessly eat and smoke my brains out, ha! So, a list of my favorite study snacks, why I love them, and why they’re good for you!

95% Fat Free Popcorn: It’s only 120 calories for 6 cups which is basically the whole bag. I love it because it’s easy to grab when I’m reading, haha. Convenience does not have to be bad for you, right? Plus it has tons of fiber to keep your mind focused and your tummy full.

Pita Chips & Hummus: Again, another great way to stay full and focused! For a chip junkie like myself, NY’s Pita Chips make is easy for me to have some crunch and stay satisfied and focused. I love the Sea Salt flavor!

My Salad: This is my brain food salad, haha. I take fresh romaine lettuce, a few slices of skinless turkey (cold cuts!), cucumbers, carrots, green pepper, and a sprinkle of shredded cheddar and Wishbone’s Balsamic salad spritzer. It packs protein, calcium, and tons of great vitamins from the veggies as well as only 1 calorie per spray of dressing. It’s light without being oily like some salad dressings can be.

Grannysmith Apple w/Peanut Butter: My Mom got me hooked on these when I was a kid. I love the tartness of a Grannysmith Apple, but the PB keeps you full and satisfied. Also, I’ve heard eating an apple in the morning wakes you up better than coffee. I’m not sure what I think about that but it’s certainly delicious.

And when all else fails, my Dunkin’ Donuts medium iced coffee with skim milk and Splenda keeps me going along with a pack of menthols. I didn’t say I’m the perfect health nut, we all have our vices, right?

Things I Love: Tuesday

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
Daily Grind, Food & Recipes, The Media
8 Comments

I haven’t done a “TIL” post in a long time, not to say I haven’t found anything to love, I sure have! What with studying for the Praxis II and going to the gym, and all of the weddings I haven’t had time to devote a post to all of the things that have been making my mood perk up. So, here we go, all of the things from the past few weeks and this week that have been keeping me on top of my happy game:

First of all, Frito Lay has come up with yet another delicious and healthy snack that’s easy to take with you. It’s from the Smartfood family, and they’re called Popcorn Clusters. I tried the honey multigrain flavor and it’s delicious. These are lactose free, have no MSG, and best of all 5g of dietary fiber and only one gram of fat! For you WW girls and guys out there that translates to 1 WW point. I usually eat them after lunch and before dinner to take the edge off of my hunger.

After the last wedding I went to (which Keith and I were in), a lot of us ended up sick, including myself. We chalked it up to someone being sick who was serving the food, but there’s no reason to not prevent spreading of germs. I love BBW’s Foaming Soaps. They’re 100% antibacterial, and clean rinse off rather than leaving a sticky residue if you’re a half hearted rinser like I am, haha. I personally love the Pink Grapefruit which is a light, yummy summer scent.

Last but not least, two new authors to take a gander at if you haven’t already. Pictured at the left is Jodi Picoult’s novel The Pact, which I received as a Christmas gift and just finished. It was a page turner that had me laughing, crying, and wanting more. She’ll be getting some money from me tomorrow when I stop at Barne’s and Noble to pick up some more reads. Also, not pictured but just as important: Christpher Moore. I received one of his books as a present as well, and he is hilarious. I had the pleasure of reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. I was literally hysterical while reading this book. It’s a great mood upper, so go check out his website too. And if you’ve read them already, let me know what you thought!