This past week the Hubz and I have been limiting our gluten, wheat, soy, alcohol, processed foods and caffeine intake. We had a little bit on our Wednesday date night and a little on Friday night in the form of beer and soy sauce. Then came yesterday and today where we ended up having too much gluten, wheat, soy, alcohol, and processed foods. Lets re-cap the past 24 hours:
Pizza +
Lunch- veggie burger, pop chips and beer
Oh and more beer
Then today I have had bread both for breakfast and dinner and I had a caffeinated coffee. Now my body hates me and I am having majorly awful digestive problems. The Hubz and I have learned our lesson and we are gong to get back on track because I love feeling great and not like this.
This morning the Hubz and I downed two dates with almond butter and then headed to an early morning swim at the Y. The hubz and I both swam tough 500 yards in the lap pool. It has been forever since I swam laps and I forgot about how much of a work out it is! After the Y we headed to Starbuck$ for a decaf iced coffee (to share) and we both picked up an oatmeal before heading to the first summers farmers market of the year.
After coffee and oatmeal we headed to the market where we picked up beautiful greens, purple carrots, rutabaga and some organic plants for our balcony garden.
After the market we had our community work day at our garden where we spent two hours raking and rolling out things. Crazy workout.
After our community work day we headed home for a late lunch before we headed back to our own garden plot to get to work on our plot.
Lunch- veggie burger, pop chips and beer
After lunch we headed back to the garden to get down to work and we even had a wonderful guest; my good friend Allie came for a visit with her furry friends. We did more gardening and snacked on a Bora Bora bar.
After swimming, walking and gardening it was time for a bike shopping and date night out with the Hubz. First we went to look for new bikes for the Hubz and then to American Flatbread for beers and flatbread. Now it’s time to sit and relax and finish our movie.
Good Morning!! The Hubz and I had a busy night and I didn’t get to blog after we finished our shopping trip. So lets rewind to yesterdays lunch which was leftover spicy swiss chard & lentils over quinoa which I ate about half of and an apple which I forgot to take a picture of however I’m sure you all know what an apple looks like and if you don’t google “gala apple”.
After work I headed out to pick up a mothers day gift which I am not going to reveal here because my mom reads the blog- Hey Mom! I also picked up a few plants for our balcony garden and an Honest Tea.
After shopping I picked up the Hubz from work and we headed home for the early bird special (dinner at 4:30pm) before we spent the night running around doing errands and shopping. For dinner I whipped up soba noodles with sundried tomatoes, fennel, mushrooms & garlic with a tahini sauce.
Once we fueled up we did a marathon shopping trip; first stop Fleet Feet to shop for new running shoes for the Hubz.
It was pretty interesting to watch how the guy measured your foot to figure out the right pair of shoes. He brought our two pairs of shoes for the Hubz to try and then he watched him run in them to evaluate how they worked for him. It just happened that the first pair he recommended where the ones that worked the best too; pretty talented shoe fitter. It made me realize that I should probably get fitted for my own pair of shoes since mine just feel a little off and the fact that I have had them for over a year.
We went from shoe shopping to bathing suit and goggle shopping. Since the Hubz and I are going to get a membership at the YMCA we decided that we needed goggles for the pool and were in need of swimming suits rather than sitting by the pool, I may go in to get wet bathing suits. We had a great time trying on all of the different goggles at Dick’s and both found a pair that we liked. However we did not find new swim suits, they were all awful. I did end up finding one at Kohl’s and on sale- WIN!
After goggles came …compost? Yes we headed to pick up compost and potting soil for our garden plot and balcony gardens. After that we ran a few more errands and then came home for a late second dinner of sushi and beer (yes we let ourselves have the night off from the cleanse- more on this in up coming posts).
and we watched a movie (the Hubz picked).
It was really good however we still need to finish the movie because the old man the Hubz was falling asleep.
Now we are heading out to the Y and then the market and then breakfast and then our community garden work day. AHHH! Busy day!
What’s the most recent movie you have seen? How was it?
I hope everyone had a great Earth Day. I was super busy yesterday and didn’t get to posting my intended Earth Day post however I think Earth Day should be everyday! What are you doing to better the planet?
Caress Voile featuring Repreve® Recycled Fibers! Saving an average of 7 plastic bottles from a landfill per panel, the new Caress Voile curtains are made with fabric created from recycled plastic bottles to provide an eco-friendly and fashion forward option for window treatments.
Around the Home:
1. Choose linens and curtains made from eco-friendly materials whenever possible. Over the past few years the Hubz and I have been working to make our home a greener place. Part of that process is being mindful of the products that we purchase and use in our home. We have a few sets of sheets made of organic cotton and just changed out our curtains for these Caress Voile which are made from recycled fibers and are super inexpensive (only $10 per pack).
2. Swap out your chemical cleaners for natural cleaners. I am all over the place with natural cleaners right now. I am testing out a number of different brands to find my favorite. Currently we have Simple Green Naturals, Seventh Generation and Ecover products. Currently my overall favorite is Seventh Gen however the other brands are also good.
3. Clean yourself without the chemicals. Choose natural body products including toothpaste, body wash, lotions, shampoo and conditioner. Just like what you put in your body you should be mindful of what you put on your body. I have had my ups and downs with natural products and there are some that I love and think work really well and others that are just awful. Here is a peak at a few of my favorite products.
Kiss My Face Toothpaste- this is my absolute favorite natural toothpaste it is made with aloe and works so well. Also Kiss my Face body wash, shampoo and deodorant- I really love all these but I do purchase other products such as Jason and even the natural Whole Foods and Trader Joes brands are pretty good. Lastly is a new deodorant for the Hubz it's a manly scented Tom's which he actually hasn't tried yet.
4. Choose recycled paper and plastic products. There are a number of options out there for toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags and food storage products (sandwich bags, aluminum foil, parchment paper,ect). My favorite for toilet paper, paper towels and garbage bags are Seventh Generation. I have tried out a number of other brands and there aren’t any (that I have tried) that really hold up as well as Seventh Generation. My absolute favorite environmentally friendly products that I use in the kitchen are If You Care. They make a number of products including coffee filters, parchment paper, sandwiches bags, and aluminum foil. I use the coffee filters daily and they are wonderful. The parchment paper is my favorite to use when I am baking it helps reduce the amount of oil I use in my cooking and it also means less dishes to wash. If You Care also makes household gloves, fire starters, cheesecloth, baking cups and twine; I have not tried any of these products yet but hope to soon. (p.s. keep reading to win your own box of If You Care goodies).
Travel
1. Drive less. I know that driving is a necessity for some people, myself included, however being mindful of how often you drive is important. When you do drive places pick the most direct route to your destination and make sure to plan well so you only have to make one trip. When possible take advantage of public transportation. The Hubz works downtown and has a bus stop right outside of his work; when he can he takes the bus to work and in the summer he bikes a few days per week.
2. Walk or Bike. Whenever possible walk or bike to your destination. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint but you will be improving your health.
Food
1. Dining out. Choose locally owned restaurants and/or restaurants that focus on local and organic products. When you travel do your research and find places that fit these standards. You’ll find that food that is produced locally and/or organically taste better and provides more energy.
2. Shop locally. Whenever possible purchase your food at local co-ops, health food stores and farmers markets before visiting larger stores. Not only will you be purchasing higher quality food, food that you know where it came from but you will be helping local companies and the local economy.
3. Grow your own food. Take the time to grow your own food; this does not mean you have to create a garden or get alocal garden plot (although both great ideas). you could simple have a pot on your steps or balcony with herbs, greens or tomatoes. Knowing where you food comes from and the accomplishment of growing your own food really makes your food taste better.
4. Eat more plants. Studies show that eating a plant based diet is better for the environment and the world around us.A plant based diet can lead to extra years of healthy living than one that is focused on meats and dairy. Additionally, it also reduces environmental damage and farm animal suffering
Giveaway Time!!
If You Care recently sent me a variety of products to try and to giveaway. For the giveaway I am giving one lucky winner a t-shirt, household gloves, 2 sizes of coffee filters, jumbo baking cups and wax paper. In addition two people will win an If You Care t-shirt. This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only.
The giveaway is open until April 25, 2011 at 8pm EST. You must leave a separate comment for each entry for it to qualify.
Required Entry: 1. Visit the If You Care website and tell me something new that you learned.
Nutrition Tuesday is turning into Food Tuesday this week because I’m really excited to share my recipe from tonight’s dinner. I am tired out tonight and am having a hard time focusing writing a more informative post but don’t worry things will be back on track for next week. Okay so lets talk food; first lets rewind to last nights dinner. Last night the Hubz took over dinner and made VeganYumYum’s Easy Weekend Pancakes as part of the Cookbook Club.
With our pancakes we had a side of fruit (I was too full to eat my dates) and we topped our pancakes with a little almond butter, chocolate chips (for fun) and a homemade blue-raspberry sauce. Overall we thought the pancakes were good but they weren’t our favorite; we probably won’t make them again.
Dinner tonight was all about making a nice restaurant dinner at home. The Hubz and I have been trying to have more date nights in and I am loving it because that means more time in the kitchen; as the Hubz says “I have my groove back.” So tonight I decided to make a delicious Italian inspired meal of pesto manicotti, red wine and raspberry vanilla soygurt parfait.
Presto Pesto Manicotti
Yields 4-5 Servings
Preheat Oven 350F
Cashew-Basil Pesto
3 garlic cloves
1t salt
1/3 cup raw cashews
2T nooch
1 bunch of basil
1/3 C olive oil
1/4 C water
In the bowl of a food processor place the garlic and salt; pulse 5-6 times.
Add the cashews and nooch and pulse 5 times.
Add the basil and process on low; steam the olive oil and then the water in through the feed tube.
Remove from the food processor and set aside- don’t clean the food processor out though use it for your tofu ricotta!
Tofu Ricotta (make in the processor that has the pesto remains, you don’t want to miss out on any yummy goodness)
1 block extra firm tofu
2T nooch
1/3C almond milk
2 garlic cloves
1t salt
1/2t black pepper
1/3 cup shredded vegan cheese (optional)
To the food processor add everything to the bowl and process on low until the tofu mixture is smooth.
10 manicotti shells (cook by directions)
1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese (optional)
Assembly
In a 9×12 baking dish evenly spread a 1/4 cup of pesto on the bottom of the dish. Fill 10 cooked manicotti shells and place in the baking dish in one layer. Top with remaining pesto- spreading it evenly over the manicotti. Sprinkle with shredded vegan cheese, if using. Cover the baking dish with tin foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes. ENJOY!
Now I’m off to watch NCIS with the Hubz! Goodnight!
On February 28, 2011 I posted a review of my 25 thins in my 25th year and a month has passed so lets see how I am progressing- only 5 more months until my birthday!
Run a 5K
Try Bikram Yoga
Do an overnight hike on the Long Trail
Visit Montreal (again)probably not going to happen so crossing this off This IS actually going to happen we are meeting up with friends at the end of April!
Visit Ottawa (again; first time ever with Hubz)probably not going to happen so crossing this off
