The pasta salad is actually an adaptation of Ruby Tuesday’s version which you can find in their fresh garden bar. My Momma and I fell in love with it one day at lunch and made our own at home after asking the manager what was in it. Delicious, filling, and refreshing.

Things I Love: Wednesday

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Beauty & Fashion, Family & Friends, Food & Recipes, Health & Fitness, Site Stuff, The Media
13 Comments

It’s the middle of the week, and though I began compiling this blog on the train ride home from NYC, I figured it was time to share with all of you the things that are keeping me cheerful this week.

Last Christmas was when I had the pleasure of trying out Philosophy’s bath and body products. My cousin got me Snowman Body Wash/Shampoo and it was great! This Christmas season they are featuring a “Recipe Box” including Red Velvet Cake and Sweet Creamy Frosting body washes/shampoos. The cool thing about Philosophy’s products is that you can wash your hair and your body at the same time. What a time saver! Plus these two products smell delicious. I purchased mine at Ulta for $18.00, and have been using them every day. My skin is soft, the lather is FABULOUS, and it feels like I’m bathing in cupcake batter. Definitely a great stocking stuffer or gift for your friends! It also comes with two real baking recipe cards!

Next up, Tom Perrotta! I was introduced to his books by my friend Kelly. She let me borrow a book called “Little Children” and I ended up buying it for myself and telling as many people as possible to read it. But this isn’t about “Little Children”, (though that’s a great read) this is about “The Abstinence Teacher.” This book kept me hooked from the beginning. One of the main characters is a teacher, and it just shows what teachers have to go through when the “man” steps into your classroom. The book also gives a look into the world of religion, and what happens when religion and public education mesh together. (It’s disastrous in my opinion–but that is a whole other blog post). To me, the characters were believable, and I loved the flashback style Perrotta used.

Going on with the book theme, my next obsession is Goodreads. I joined it because I’m currently compiling a reading portfolio/unit for a Sarah Dessen novel for my class. I was planning on creating a Goodreads project, but figured I should be familiar with HOW the site works, not just what I’ve heard from fellow bloggers. Needless to say, I’m hooked and I have tons of fun ideas for my future students to use and explore this website. You can add me and I would love that. I especially like the site’s trivia section. It’s infinite!

Finally, exchanging recipes is something else that I’ve recently gotten into. If you remember from Easter I received a recipe box and am currently working on filling it. At my Aunt’s house on Thanksgiving I planned to exchange recipes via snail mail with my cousin’s brother. I sent him a Manicotti recipe and my Taco Dip recipe. The art of letter writing is NOT dead. I love writing letters, and I love getting recipes. Do you have any favorite recipes?

Your best meal options at MY job!

Thursday, September 24th, 2009
Food & Recipes, Health & Fitness
16 Comments

As you probably know by now, I’m a breadslave, that meaning I work at Panera Bread. Panera has been voted the #1 for healthiest eating on the go in my area, but that’s only if you’re INFORMED of what our healthiest choices are. With Panera Bread taking the world by storm (everyone is obsessed for some reason), get informed and make healthy choices. With this information from an Associate Trainer insider, you’ll be on the road to eating healthy on the go at one of the most popular fast food restaurants in the nation.

BREAKFAST
While you want to get energy and a good start to your day, you don’t want to spend a ton of calories to get that boost.

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?