Check out my progress on Unplugged
Greetings, blog world! I have missed you over the past few days since my laptop catastrophe. Fortunately, all of my data from Lenny remained intact, and I now write to you happily from my new computer:
While I am delighted to be connected to my beloved bloggigans again, I must admit that a few days of the “unplugged” lifestyle was surprisingly refreshing. This short hiatus afforded me the opportunity to pursue some of my favorite non-Internet activities: baking, reading a few of my stockpiled magazines (ahem, Clean Eating), and simply enjoying the outdoors. Perhaps it was a less-than-optimal way to learn it, but my little computer mishap taught me a valuable lesson in the joys of being “unplugged.”
What are some of your favorite tech-free activities?
As you might expect, I have plenty of pictures to share with you this evening, so let’s get crackin’ on what will inevitably be monster re-cap. Enjoy:)
Thursday
Remember my enthusiasm for PURE bars in this video last summer? Well, I recently rekindled my passion for the wild blueberry flavor.
Goddess Garbanzos make the world a better place. Dreena Burton should get some kind of award for this recipe.
I invoked the ED&BV muse again for dinner by whipping up the sauce from the Cashew Ginger Tofu recipe, but instead of using it as a sauce for baked tofu, I used it as a marinade for grilled tofu; I poured the remaining sauce on top for extra cashew indulgence. ‘Twas heavenly.
Friday
For perhaps the first time this semester, I was able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast on a Friday morning. With no computer or Internet to distract me, I was actually ahead of schedule. Weird.
In between classes, I came home to discover a few interesting packages:
Then I made a quick chopped salad using some Lightlife meatless turkey slices and light cheddar.
By the time dinnertime rolled around, I was one pooped chica. My go-to recipe for times like these? Scrambled tofu. Duh.
Saturday
Yep, another parfait was on the menu for Saturday morning, but this was no ordinary parfait—it featured two products that are completely new to the Broccoli Hut:
I’ll share my thoughts on the Naturally Nutty PB once I’ve had more time to experiment with it, but as for the Yoplait Greek yogurt…mini review time! The texture is perfectly thick, and the taste is the epitome of creaminess. Plus, there are an additional 100 mg per serving than other Greek yogurt brands I’ve tried. The downside? The inclusion of kosher gelatin in the ingredients list. No wonder it’s so thick. Boo.
For lunch, I made one of my simple bean salads, featuring Annie’s Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette, plus a side of “fake Kashis.”
In celebration of Seth’s birthday (April 4th), we returned to Guglhupf for dinner. (My first visit was a few weeks ago as part of a Raleigh-Durham food blogger meet-up). The food was fantastic once again. Even better, due to the persuasive powers of Seth’s charismatic roommate, we scored some surplus hot cross buns at no charge. Schweet.
Sunday
I was up bright and early for Easter services this morning, and true to Yoder family tradition, I busted open my Easter basket:
I also enjoyed my usual Sunday morning treat before leaving for the Chapel: oatmeal, of course.
The afternoon included a continuation of Seth’s birthday celebration, featuring homemade pumpkin pie (as per his request)—and sparklers.
Lunch was pretty standard…but satisfying, nonetheless.
For dinner, Seth and I returned to Green Tango. Once again I say that the chopping of the ingredients is not ideal for food photography:(
Congratulations if you have made it to this, the conclusion of my mondo re-cap post. Have a great evening, and my regular posting schedule shall resume tomorrow!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I definitely do not go unplugged enough. I think I need a hardware malfunction to do that for me.
Gelatin in my yogurt has NO appeal. But that tofu does! It makes me think I should utilize the grill before I go
whoaa so much foodie goodness in one post
Sometimes it’s good to be unplugged but Seymour looks pretty snazzy.
The pumpkin pie looks tasty!
Caroline — I feel simultaneously thankful that I live near you and stupid for never inviting myself over for dinner!!
We MUST have dinner together. I’ll buy the food if you make it.
Helloooo pretty new computer! Nice to “meet” you
Glad you are back, Caroline. I somewhat unplugged this weekend, too, and it was really nice.
Your Easter basket goodies are fabulous! And the homemade pumpkin pie…when can I come over?!
Yummm!
I’m so jealous of your Easter basket!! And naan pizza!? Please do a review when you try it out!
I’m also super jealous of your amazing looking parfaits.. they always look so much prettier than mine haha
I need to go unplugged more – I did it for a while this weekend and absolutely loved it!
Glad you at least got a new laptop. Love the easter treats from your mom!
i survived! actually, it was very helpful passing the time as my emergency dept shift nears to an end very uneventfully (okay, now i’ve jinxed myself).
i am happy to see you enjoying a l’il wine
ps: i don’t know what it is about clean eating magazine, but it makes me so happy as well.
glad to got a new computer… vaio is really good, my best friend has one and I have netbook!
so many packages and good eats! You’ve been having a great time un-plugged!
i love walking outside with friends to catch up!
Lovely recap! I was introduced to Naturally Nutty butters this weekend, and oh my, is life changed for the better. Happy Easter, sweetie.
I try to stay off the computer as much as possible on weekends. I give myself time to have long workouts, read my magazines (they’re stacking up too!), and clean.
Those Naan pizzas sound really good. Can’t wait for the review!
Hi Caroline!
Wow, lots of good stuff on this post. First seymour is so pretty, then all the eats look delish!
Those are my favorite graham crackers, they are so good and hearty, I love them!
What issue of Clean Eating is that you showed? (I cannot see the month on the pic…) Is that a good one? I would like to order some back issues as I have been enjoying the recent ones so much. Just yesterday I found the May/June issue at the bookstore, can you believe that? I was so happy to see it so early, quickly grabbed one for me! (I should subscribe to the mag, so much easier!)
I saw yoplait greek yogurt but passed on trying when I saw the gelatin, I have been reading good reviews on it though.
Dannon also has a new line of greek yogurts (with no gelatin), I tried the plain and liked it a lot. Not organic like the stonyfield farms one, but my favorite: fage, also isn’t.
Glad you had such a nice easter and birthday celebration with Seth!
Have a great week!
Ana
Happy (belated) birthday to Seth!
I need to unplug more often- I am always amazed how much more time I seem to have in the mornings/evenings when my computer is switched off.
welcome to blog land, seymour! dude. you are the ONLY blogger i have seen who enjoyed a hot cross bun over the weekend! i know mama pea posted a recipe for them a few days back.. but as far as weekend recaps go, not a hot crossed bun in sight, until now! good work. your parfaits are always so dreamy!
It is soooo nice to unplug on occasion- with you on that one!! Glad you enjoyed your time at home. I’ve heard mixed reviews on that yogurt so I am going to skip it! Especially given the ingredient add in. The nut butter on the other hand is FANTASTIC! Happy birthday to Seth! And glad the Easter bunny was so good to you
no shame in the people watching game, FYI. and sorry about your laptop.
in brighter news, happy birthday seth! that pic of him with the pumpkin pie is too dang hilarious. you two make a cute couple
in other news, i will take one of everything you have here – including that mayjuh swag. suriously. that all looks too hot and delicious to handle. and tofu scrambles – i recently fell in love with those at a local diner. soooo good!
glad you got to unplug – happy monday girl
Hi,
Such a lot of yummy-looking food! I’m especially intrigued by that bean salad … Did you post a recipe for it already? I’d love to try it!
Sünne
What a lucky girl you are to get a new shiny computer! Im uber jealous
I have such an old lady obsession with POST grape nuts cereal, I eat it all the time. Almost everyday. To me it just tastes so darn delicious.
Oh and Happy Birthday to Same! Even though im a little late.
Eep my cell phones T-9 misspelled Seth! Sorry girl
It must feel great to have a new computer!
I love your new running outfit – the easter bunny has style!
Red is my favorite color (as you can tell by my email address) Please, please ask your mom where she got that cute polka dot shirt and message me back.