Check out my progress on The Little Things
Today was a good day. Why? No particular event stands out as especially thrilling, but rather it was the accumulation of little things that have brought about my elevated mood:
1. I found seasonal Clif bars at an on-campus eatery. You may recall that I reviewed these last December and thoroughly enjoyed the holiday flavor they brought to my tastebuds. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
2. I snuggled into a pile of warm laundry. Despite the 87-degree heat outside today, I never tire of the cozy feeling of fresh laundry.
3. I went to Whole Foods. That in itself is enough to make me chipper, but there was a bonus–I had a cute cashier who gave me credit for 5 bag refunds when I only brought 2:)
4. I discovered that one of my fellow (male) dining committee members has a not-so-secret love of Larabars. Gotta love bonding over bars.
Christmas, warm laundry, Whole Foods, Larabars…these are all things that never fail to bring a smile to my face. What little things make you happy?
Alright, I’ll quit the sentimental fluff…I got some grub to show off!
Sunday
With several almost sickly sweet bananas in the freezer, I knew I had some choco-straw-nana action in my future. The next one will for sure have chocolate chips on top–I picked up a bag of vegan ones as my treat at Whole Foods today.
choco-straw-nana shake with soymilk, unsweetened chocolate Spirutein, & raw oats
Monday
The banana and frozen peaches that went into the smoothie you see below were literally the very last pieces of fruit in my apartment. In fact, my whole fridge was rather bare this morning. Fortunately, I always have the fixins’ for PBJs.
toast with PB & J; banana-peach smoothie with almond milk & wheat germ
Once again, my salad post from yesterday inspired lunch. I adapted the Tofu-Asparagus Salad to the season–the only asparagus available these days is imported from Peru, so I used steamed green beans instead.
It’s Monday, so I had my dining committee meeting as per usual. The vendors we sampled were a BBQ joint and a fried chicken and fish restaurant. Translation: Larabar very necessary.
Key Lime Lara hiding in my Duke-tastic tote
I just finished up dinner a few minutes ago. Although I had intended on picking something up on campus, the lines were far too long for my grumbling tummy. Accordingly, I hurried on home to make up a quick batch of black bean gumbo.The spices included red pepper flakes, chili powder, paprika, and garlic. Delish.
black bean gumbo with couscous, onions, tomatoes, & zucchini; grapes; plain yogurt with Sunbutter
With my stomach content and with a stack of articles waiting for me, it’s time for me to sign off. Good night, lovelies.
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I can’t wait for Christmas! It’s my favorite time of year for sure! Although I actually didn’t care for the seasonal cliff bars.. but I think they all just taste the same!
What little things make me happy…when my kitchen is perfectly clean and no one messes it up
Your black bean, zuke, topped with sunbutter…very creative and sounds really tasty!
the smell of coffee in the morning, warm laundry (too!), dance parties, whole foods, sunshine, lipgloss
i love little things
do you mix the oats in your smoothie? or just on top?
Great eats! I love fresh blankets, sunshine, the smell of fresh bread, the sound of the sea, a good cup of coffee…
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
that black bean gumbo looks delicious~~
I’ve had days like that, simple things can make us so happy.
I’m on the hunt for the s’mores Zbar – loved that flavor! Cute cashier?! Get it girl, maybe you’ll get some discounts
My simple pleasures: cuddling with my puppy, rainy days where I have nothing to do, and the perfect weather day (sunny, low 70s, no humidity).
That black bean gumbo looks so comforting & warm
I’m glad you had such a great day full of the little things!
I love what’s making you happy! Isn’t it great to focus on the positive?
I love the Fall holidays. Family and food, what else could make anyone smile more?
Hints of Christmas definitely make me happy. I LOVE the seasonal clif bars too. I’m gonna go looking for them today now!
Hot coffee (with cinnamon), surfing the internet unintterupted, long hot showers…sunshine
So exciting that seasonal Clif are back! Any new flavours from last year?
I know what you mean….. sometimes it’s the little things in life that add up and make a GREAT day!
I’m loving the looks of your BB Gumbo!
Gumbo? Yumo!
-A
I haven’t been able to find the Spooky Smores Z-Bar – I have got my eyes peeled for it. Christmas is my favorite time of year – I love spending time with my family. I think food wise though, I love the fall – pumpkin and squashes…mmmm!
Stolen wireless signal = I can read blogs without using up my bandwidth! Seriously, though, I really miss the convenience of Lara and Clif bars here in Kenya. Yes, the fresh produce is abundant and cheap, but because I’m running around town all day from dawn to dusk, I don’t always have the time to devote to cooking whole meals. And I can’t eat any fruits or vegis without peeling or boiling them first, so just grabbing a piece of fruit to munch isn’t always an option either. Bars would be so convenient right now!
Hope your semester is going well!
Great post. Today I am having one of those “it’s the little things” days and I am feeling happy because of it. A gorgeous sun shining, a newly cleaned and vacuumed apartment, free produce from the farm I volunteer at, free thai food dinner in my future tonight, and a Netflix just waiting to be watched
Seasonal Clif bars? I must be on the look out for those!
your little things are all great things! i get excited over things my dog does. like when she rubs her nose with her paws. it makes me melt.
the fact that your food still looks so beautiful even when you’re rushed and hungry is amazing! Once I’m past the hangry point- it’s dig straight into the bag, microwave time for me:D
I have to say that I would have been pretty excited about all 4 of those things too. You know I love Whole Foods, LOL! The smell of Autumn, cinnamon, and pumpkin makes me happy too
I even try to get shampoo/condish with those notes!
You have one of the best meals in the blogging community, did you know that?
I never had a gumbo, but I’m sure I’ll like it just by looking at your picture!
Limited edition Clif Bars??? I hope my grocery store will carry them, otherwise I’ll go searching for them in the US (barefoot, if it’s necessary!)
Have a nice week
xxx