Check out my progress on Periodic Liberation
At last, I am free of the periodic table, acids, bases, and everything in between. I had my chemistry final this morning, so I have a few weeks of summer to enjoy before I head back to Duke for the fall semester. My breaks from class may be “periodic,” but they are always thoroughly pleasurable. Thus far, I have spent my new-found leisure time by going for a refreshing swim, watching Rachael Ray, and reading Julie and Julia. I’m a crazy chick, I know. What do you do when you have time to relax?
Onto the fuel:
Sunday
I am seriously low on frozen fruit, which is quite a tragedy for a smoothie enthusiast like me. Hence, an unexpected duo for last night’s smoothie.
peach-cranberry smoothie with soymilk, berry HempShake, & Fiber One
Monday
My final was at 8AM this morning, so I didn’t have much time to dawdle over breakfast. Kinda boring, but always reliable for good brain fuel.
toast with PB & banana/agave; plain yogurt
In a recent issue of Clean Eating, I noticed an interesting combination in one of their weekly meal plans. Although I have never actually followed any of their weekly meal plans, I always enjoy perusing them for creative ideas. Anyway, one of the lunches featured a spinach salad with grilled chicken, blueberries, and chickpeas. Considering my love for three of those four ingredients, I decided to give it a taste, along with some sunflower seeds (for that always necessary crunch). It was a unique and fresh flavor pairing–I plan on playing around with it further in the future.
spinach with chickpeas, blueberries, sunflower seeds, & balsamic vinaigrette; Ak Maks; leftover gazpacho
For dinner, I used a third and final variety of Turtle Island’s tempeh strips. (You can see how I enjoyed the first two here and here). This flavor was delicious too, much better than the lemon Tempeh-tations. Among the three Turtle Island flavors, I’d rank it second behind the sesame garlic. I made a quick dressing for a pasta salad out of white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, and agave.
Lemon Pepper Tempeh Strips
Lemon Pepper Tempeh Pasta Salad; salad; asparagus; melon
Before I go, I want to give a quick shout-out/thank you to Ruth from Plentiful Plants. She sent me a few packets of green tea powder, and she also unexpectedly included one of the missing Clif bars from my Clif bar review. Thanks so much! I love the cute origami note too:)
green tea powder & PB Chocolate Chip Clif Bar
Enjoy your evening!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
Hell yes!! Enjoy your downtime, girl – and maybe use some of it for catch-up time via telephone??
I always love adapting the Clean Eating magazine recipes/meal plans.
When I have time I like to clean, read, dance, and SLEEP!
time to relax=time with the pooches. that clif flavor sounds divine. i have seen ak maks but never tried them~they look really tasty. digging the fruit in your salad~blueberries and strawberries are my faves to throw into salad. oh and peaches.. ok any fruit really. i love the sweet/savory combo. and i dig the wagon wheel pasta!
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I would’ve never thought to put blueberries and chickpeas together. It actually sounds tasty!
hmm, that is an interesting salad. i’m always intrigued by odd pairings! it’s actually not THAT odd when you think about it. why WOULDN’T garbanzos and blueberries be good together?
http://cardiovegsular.wordpress.com
Yes! PB-Banana toast is my #1 “brain power” breakfast before exams
I can’t wait til mine are over… *sob*
And I really like Clean Eating, too, to get ideas. Their photos are so vibrant.
I love fruit in salads! I had blueberries, walnuts and goat cheese last night. So good. The same combo with apple is good in the winter too…
Down time for me means beach time if it’s the summer but Ive only managed it once this year
Otherwise, reading, a glass of wine and movies galore. I’m also a wild child!
If I have any down time you will find me reading!
Clean Eating is such a great magazine…
Hooray for being done with chemistry! I was so happy when I was finished, too! Take a break and relax…you deserve it! I really want to see Julie and Julia when it comes to theatres in St. Louis.
I love reading, going thrifting, and bike riding to relax!
i love the clean eating cookbook- I should really subscribe to the magazine. That salad looks excellent!
Congrats on being done with Chem!! Note to self: buy the sesame garlic tempeh
Yay for Clif bars! I haven’t had a new on in a while – I hope you enjoy taste testing!
yay on finishing school!
Hehe, sometimes I’m so amazed how much we foodies are alike. I like exercising (swim, yoga, gym), reading, baking/cooking, and watching Food Network when I have time to relax. Hanging out with friends/family and shopping is fun too.
I love the cute pasta shape you tend to use for your pasta salads
Awesome goods!
I basically do all of what you said in my spare time… read, tv, movies, I like to cook/bake… ummmm… if I have the opportunity getting out of the apartment and into nature is always fun… but that takes a little more effort.
Food looks yummo! I have yet to try tempeh… what’s your favorite kind? Should I start with basic and then try the flavored? What’s the best way to use it?
Enjoy your tuesday gorgeous!
xo!
do you recommend clean eating as a regular subscription?
i havent been successful with any tempeh yet. maybe we just arent meant to be friends…
congrats on being done with the worst subject on the planet.
hells yea for the choo-choo wheels!!!
[...] I found in plane ride reading material (Vegetarian Times). Considering my recent obsession with gazpacho, this recipe for White Gazpacho sounded delicious; it includes loads of cucumber, Vidalia onion, [...]