Breakfast for Lunch

Seeing as I had lunch for breakfast, I was actually craving breakfast at lunchtime.

Honey Nut Cheerios, Banana, Almond & Cherry Granola, Chia Seeds, Cinnamon, PB, Skim Milk

Hit the spot.

One of my favorite breakfasts as a kid was cheerios, banana, milk and TONS of sugar.

I will always love the combo of banana & cereal. But no longer with 6 tablespoons of sugar on top. Instead – cinnamon and some naturally sweet ingredients. Wow I am like a grown up or something.

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I really want to go for a run but my legs are aching incredibly bad. Rest it is.

Ta-Ta for now!

Gotta have some heat

For lunch, chicken salad sounded perfect.

Especially after the HUGE sugary brownie I inhaled right before.

I don’t wanna talk about it.

Let’s talk about healthy salads.

• Lots of Spring Mix
• Chicken Salad
• Crushed Kettle Potato Chips
• Chopped Hot Cherry Peppers
• Balsamic Dressing

Of course I needed some heat.

I crave spicy and it’s beginning to take a toll on me.

I honestly haven’t noticed a difference until I started having chest pains while running.

My doctor had me start Prilosec OTC and it’s helping.

Therefore – these chest pains seem to be the result of the increased levels of spiciness in my diet within the past 6 months.

Gahhh I just cannot help myself!!!

Whatever these peppers aren’t that spicy…

Good salad. And I am now eating a clementine…again.

God I need to stop eating too many treats! I am not talking about clementines, but the dang brownies & cookies. Once I get back to school, I will be away from these never-ending snacks. Thank GAWD.

I will attempt to restrain myself from another pumpkin cookie today, but I’m not sure I have the willpower. Someone help me!

***

It’s warm out so I should go for a run, but I’ve been so consumed with packing all day to go back to NYC on Sunday. Once I start being productive, it’s hard to stop. And once I stop – there’s no starting again.

I just found two large bottles of hot sauce I bought to bring back with me…haha…

***

I hope you are enjoying this lovely day!

Playing Catch Up

I feel like I haven’t posted in a while. To be honest, it’s not because I’m too busy. I just kept putting of each post until it got to the point where a week+ went by. Ah!

But don’t worry I haven’t gone anywhere 😉

There’s no getting rid of me!

Lately, I have gone out and enjoyed some adult beverages.

Blueberry Stoli w/Selzer and Lemon & Lime

Saranac Beer. When in Utica...

Along with drinking alcohol, I have consumed slightly healthier options.

Such as Kristen’s Green Monster Smoothie.

Holy Spinach!

I love blenders, especially ones that work very efficiently!

I had the idea to pour this smoothie into a bowl thanks to Kath!

Here is one of her delicious SIAB’s (Smoothie in a bowl).

I’ve also had a bunch of salads.

This one consisted of spring mix, wild blueberries, walnuts, feta, radishes, squeeze of lemon, pepper & balsamic dressing.

I enjoyed this the day after drinking a few too many cocktails, hence the huge jug of lemon water in the back.

***

And finally.

Last but not least!

The recipe I put to use tonight that gave me the push to post:

Pumpkin Iced Cookies.

Just make sure you have people to share them with.

Although it’s hard to let them go, it’s for the best…

Eating three trays of cookies in one night is never healthy.

Crap.

The best part – the icing.

I mean, what does icing NOT taste good on?

The house was smelling like Fall.

The weather is pretty Autumn-like so why not!?

Pumpkin cookies taste great any time of year in my eyes mouth.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Icing

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and white sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and 1 teaspoon vanilla to butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool cookies, then drizzle glaze with fork.
4. To Make Glaze: Combine confectioners’ sugar, milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add milk as needed, to achieve drizzling consistency.

I followed this recipe exactly and there are zero complaints! Well, besides the fact that I cannot stop :X Next time I make them…chocolate chips & maybe oats/pecans will be involved.

They are very soft and fluffy, sort of like muffin tops!

I am SO making these for Thanksgiving/Halloween next year!

***

Oh my gosh! Guess what??? I signed up for my first road race – The 15K Boilermaker! Over nine miles this summer, I can SO do this. I will make my way home from NYC for the weekend to run my heart out.

Motivation to run at its best.

SO excited.

***

Kay well I will try not to disappear again.

Maybe I should make more deliciousness to encourage my daily attendance.

K sounds good 🙂 TTYS

Oh I’m Fancy, huh?

Seriously I’m fancy.

Who eats a salad out of an oversized margarita glass?

THIS girl.

Fancy…to say the least.

Tasty, too!

• Spring Mix
• Tomatoes
• Radishes
• Mushrooms
• The last of Mom’s chicken salad
• Sprinkle of chili powder
• Balsamic Dressing

Izzy did a pilates DVD today.

Just kidding, I did a bit of it before lunch.

It’s from approximately 1990 and I was bored so I couldn’t finish it.

I’ve never yawned so much in a 40 minute time span in my life.

Not even kidding though.

I just didn’t want to go to the gym, but eh bad decision.

Hope you are having a delicious Hump Day!

Keepin’ it Fresh

I have a problem.

I cannot stop eating these vegetable chips.

Clearly…because I demolished them in less than a day.

Polished them off by sprinkling the rest over my salad.

• Spring Mix
• Balsamic Dressing Spritzer
• Tomatoes
• Mom’s Homemade Chicken Salad (uh-maze-ing)
• Veggie Chips

Clemintines on the side.

This bad boy was so juicy. I’m about to eat another.

Is it just me or does my hand look like its a chubby baby hand?

I’ll embrace it.

ANYWAYS – I’d say this salad was a success.

Chicken salad + Crunchiness + Perfect flavors = Happy Casi

I love being home because I have so much to choose from. Usually when I am shopping and cooking for myself, my lack of income tends to hurt me creatively when cooking. It doesn’t help that an oven isn’t always available.

Only 2 more weeks until I’m a struggling college student again!

I’m excited!!! For real though, I am. NYC is calling my name so loudly right now.

So is Whole Foods…my one true love.

***

I hope you aren’t as cold as I am right now.

Have a wonderful evening! 🙂

Just Do It

So I did it. I went to the gym. Thank GAWD! My memory is horrible but it was one of these three girls: Tina , Courtney or Kristen who once said “You never regret a workout.” It stuck with me ever since I read that simple statement. They are all inspirations on a daily basis, no matter who said it. So I give them all credit. Thanks guys 🙂

Seriously, if you are contemplating whether to get up and move or not – JUST DO IT. It will only boost your mood.

What else will boost your mood? A cool shirt to wear at the gym.

Bought this for FIVE DOLLARS in Australia.

Pretty sure it was made for me. Score.

***

Post-workout meal:

Egg white scramble with green peppers, tomatoes, feta & Franks Red Hot Sauce!

I usually have to be in the right mood for green pepps but today they tasted magical. I haven’t had them in the longest time, that’s probably why.

Plus a side of apple w/Natural Chunky PB.

This apple was extra juicy. My favorite.

***

K I should probably shower and get ready for the day. Because I don’t have much going on this break, I’ve become very good at chilliiin. Too good, I’d say.

Eh I’ll take it …next semester is going to be the busiest one yet! Definitely looking forward to it, though (mostly because graduation is right around the corner). NYC is calling my name.

***

Dedicated December is almost over – be sure to finish strong!!!

TTYS.

PICP

Seriously today I ate all meals out. Mostly.

I woke up at about 10am and was hungry of course. My sister, Hannah, texted me at 11am before I even got up out of bed telling me that we were going to Bennu (a nearby wonderful restaurant) for lunch.

I had some yogurt to hold me over…with PUMPKIN!

Mommy bought this for me after I told her I wanted to make some pumpkin oatmeal! How nice she is! Thank you, Sandy. I added it to yogurt and not oatmeal because oatmeal fills me up and I didn’t want to be filled up for lunch, ya digg?

• Oikos 0% Yogurt
• Pumpkin
• Blueberries
• Salted Almonds & Pecans
• Honey
• Packet of Splenda (needed more sweetness)
• Tons of Cinnamon

I like to call this PPY (Pumpkin Pie Yogurt).

Here. Try some.

Then I took pictures of Izzy. Here’s one.

A couple hours pass and it was time for lunch.

Hello, gorgeous.

We ordered Sweet Potato Fries with the amazing zingy dip for the table.

I could live off of this stuff.

I ordered this:

Anything spicy catches my eye. What happened when the waiter brought my food you ask?

“Alright here I have the Hot Tamale.”

I said, “That’s mine, thank you.”

He replies, “You are what you eat!” and then ran off.

Thanks waiter dude.

There she is.

My sister was embarrassed that I kept taking picture of our food. She’s just jealous, obviously.

***

Fast forward to Dinner with my best fraaand, Sarah …Sushi it is!

I ordered a salad to start (not pictured because I forgot, silly me), some random sushi plate (above) along with a Salmon Skin Role (below).

I am so thirsty after this meal, musta been real saltaay!

We had no problem demolishing.

Alas, we always leave room for dessert.

Our favorite: MOCHI ICE CREAM!

Have you ever tried it?

They are like pillowy ice cream pods (PICP???).

PICP…nice one.

You haven’t lived until you have tried this. Next time you got out for sushi, get this. TRUST.

***

I may have had some more snackies later on. I feel as though I consumed too much sugar and salt today. That’s whatchya get for eating out, especially the sodium.

Tomorrow is a new day and I plan on going to the gym & eating well. I want to run so badly but the weather suuuuucks.

***

We bought New Years dresses at the mall today. Who knows where we’ll be, but Sarah and I are determined to find something extravagant to attend…haha. Suggestions?

Alrighty time to start reading The Hunger Games on my Nook.

#Excited

#Goodnight

Back to Normal

Yesterday (the day after Christmas) was definitely a relaxing day. I’ve been hearing that consensus from lots of people. I definitely wanted to make sure I didn’t succumb to all of the holiday leftovers, especially since I had the time to make my own food. The past few days was a huge sugar binge which resulted in tiredness and headaches. Time to get back to normal.

For breakfast I ate an egg white omelet with tomatoes, spring mix, and feta, along with an orange. I let myself digest for about 1.5-2 hours and then went for a run in the cold. My post-workout snack (lunch) was some fat free greek Oikos yogurt.

Green tea on the side to warm me up.

I topped the yogurt with blueberries, canned pineapple, Go Lean Crunch (Kashi cereal), Vanilla Extract (stirred in) and Cinnamon.

I don’t love nonfat greek yogurt, but I loved eating this.

***

For dinner I wanted to incorporate roasted veggies (my favorite).

Butternut Squash & Orange Cauliflower

Never-ending tray of Asparagus

While these cooked I prepared a salad and snacked on dried papaya.

I love this stuff, the texture is addicting.

Salad preparings:

Spring mix with chopped sharp chedder cheese & homemade dressing.

It would’ve been delicious just like this.

But alas, I needed more protein so I added chopped chicken and some veg.

That’s a large plate, people. So yum.

Later on I had more papaya, piece of dark chocolate, hummus & crackers, and nuts. I was starving after not eating any cookies, candy, etc. all day.

***

I should share a few more photos…

Sedgey was begging for food in the kitchen:

Emmy hopped in a box:

Izzy hopped out when my mom was too close for comfort:

K there are some of my pets (minus the other cat, Oscar).

I have too much fun with my new camera nowadays. Any cute moment, I’m there in a flash! Now I feel like I should update my blog a bit and make it less…bloggy and more websitey. Eventually…

K and as for today, it’s time for brekky.

Happy Tuesday!

I don’t like to brag but…

Seriously. I need to share this meal with the world. Yeah, it’s a salad but a damn good salad! It probably is the best salad I have ever created. I’d like to call it: CWS aka Casi’s Winter Salad. HAHA not very unique but it is pretty wintery and I made it, so there it is.

I wish I had better pictures, someone please buy me a camera 🙂

Like…trust me. It was so good, I am SO making it again tomorrow.

• Spring Mix
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Feta Cheese
• Chopped Walnuts
• Roasted Butternut Squash & Orange Cauliflower

When roasting the veggies, set the oven to 425ºF then pop them in after drizzling with EVOO, Sea Salt & Freshly ground Pepper. Cook for about 15 minutes (depending on how crispy you like ’em).

And as for the simple dressing I mixed:

• EVOO
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper
• Whole Grain Mustard

Horrible lighting, but there it is.

I insist you try this. I am not sure if I found this especially delicious because I was especially hungry after a 5 mile run, but you should give CWS a shot. Whether you run before or not.

The feta + butternut squash + mustard = wonderful balance of flavors. Roasted vegetables are delicious any way, but I truly love them in this salad.

And obviously I needed dessert:

Dark Chocolate completes me. Nuff said. My mom bought this for me upon arriving home. It’s love.

(My brother said this picture looks like a condom HA…)

***

Going out tonight for some drinks! Happy Thirsty Thursday 😉

Good News & Bad News

I gotta start with the bad news because I would hate to end on a sour note. This will be my last post for about a week (probably less). I have been using my phone camera for photos and I no longer have a charger so I gotta keep it off. But the next time I post – HOPEFULLY I’ll have real pictures taken from a real camera. And I’ll be back in the wonderful USA (that’s the good news)!

I leave Australia in 3 days. THREE days. I cannot believe that. I am very anxious to get home to some nice crisp weather (unlike this humid hot mess we got goin’ on over here). CANNOT wait to see my family and friends!

I went to the store for some last minute souvenirs and ended up finding a very cheap piece of a pumpkin (to cook haha that sounds weird, but it was not even 60 cents) and a sweet potato. YAY can’t wait to cook those up tonight for a nice comfort dinner. I’m planning on sautéing them together with a little honey and cinnamon (yep, sweet indeed).

OH and (more good news) I also bought my favorite snack in the world: BHUJA SPICY PEAS. I am going to attempt to keep them sealed until at least Wednesday. Ha, let’s see how that goes. They’ll be perfect for the plane(s) though. Along with the newest Cosmopolitan Magazine – it’s the January 2012 (Australian version – good souvenir, too 😉 ) issue and I am definitely refraining from reading it before I get on the plane. Lots to look forward to!

***

So like I said earlier, I was feeling quite ill this morning. I keep trying to figure out why and maybe it’s my iron deficiency? The doctor said it’s not extremely low, but it’s the only thing I could come up with. So I ate my last frozen burger for lunch.

Animal meat has the best kind of iron for your body. It’s the most easily digested, especially red meat. So yes – perfect pick-me-up! I feel better already!

I topped this burger with melty cottage cheese! On the side is two Cos Lettuce leaves with a whole tomato and sauteed onion and garlic. Hearty, me likey.

Then for some more greens:

A salad with yet MORE tomatoes and onions, along with cucumber. Dressed in lemon juice, evoo, salt, pepper & garlic powder.

This meal tasted like I was eating “taco bell”…except not really because nothing compares to Taco Bell. Did you know there are no Taco Bell’s in Australia? I know, I’ve been deprived for over five months….!

Any who, I rolled it up just like a taco, half of burger in each leaf. Holy YUM! Then I slapped on Siracha for some spice. Very satisfying, I think it was exactly what I needed. I’m so not cut-out to be a vegetarian. Meat is too yummy and fuels me so nicely (speaking of which – I haven’t had plain chicken in such a long time. Or salmon, which is not ‘meat’ but I’m getting my hands on some when I get home!).

Okay now I want chocolate.

Catchya on the flip side!!! 😀