HodgePodge

Long, long, long, long time no post.  I have said this before but I really did think that finishing up last semester would mean more time to blog.  It really just means more time to do other things (without documenting them, woops.)  The only thing I have been busy doing is job hunting.  I have had the same summer job for six years now so I didn't realize how tough it can be to find one.  Especially one I might enjoy!  The search continues...

On a better note, I'm signed up for the Healthy Living Summit.  I'm so excited that it's in Chicago this year.  I think it will be a really awesome opportunity to learn and meet a ton of great people.  Hopefully it will give me a kick in the rear to be a better blogger as well.

Foods lately have been a hodgepodge of stuff.  Keefer was here for almost a whole week so we made (and ate out) some great food, some of which I snapped pics of, some of which I did not.

The first morning he was here he made this awesome om with mushroom, onion, tomato and avocado.

We also made Mexican dip which was so good but we ate far too much of it in one sitting.  The rest we used on salads but it def should have lasted us longer than it did.  We layered refried beans, avocado, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, and olives.  The olives were yummy ones from the olive bar however I think I would have liked just plain canned black olives.

Our school had $5 Cubs tix on sale a while ago so we bought some.  It was my first Cubs experience and it was fun but a little too chilly.  I'll go back when it warms up a bit more.  ;)  I love the atmosphere at baseball games!  A bunch of fans enjoying the day while eating hot dogs and drinking beer...even though I skipped on the hot dog.  (Keefer was here too but somehow he snuck out of this.)

(Yes, I did rock my Tigers hat at a Cubs game....I'm new to Chi and have no Cubs gear...yet.)

After the game we headed to http://www.gooseisland.com/.  I loved the beer and the vegetarian chili was good too!  We also split the spinach artichoke dip which was super tasty!

Keefer and I are both on a student budget so we tried to find fun things to do for free/cheap in Chi.  One of the days we went to the Botanic Gardens.  It was SO huge and SO pretty.  Such a nice walk.  We stayed for a few hours and although it would have been nice to have it warmer, it was so nice to see all the plants and flowers!  

After the gardens we went to a small restaurant, Dimitri's which we though would be pricey when we walked in but it turned out to be pretty reasonable.  We both ate for around $24.

I started with a greek salad

and Keefer started with minestrone soup.  We both love minestrone so we are on the lookout for a good recipe!

I ordered a porkchop which I had been craving that came with some veggies.

Mine was good but Keefer's gyro was so much better.

Another free thing we did was hit the Lincoln Park Zoo.  For being free, we thought it was a great zoo.  We had a lot of fun!

Keith is coming again next week to stay for a bit so we are going to try to find more things to do for cheap, cheap, cheap!

Now for more hodgepodge...

I'm moving in a week so I'm not grocery shopping, just trying to eat what's in my cupboards.  It will be nice to not move so much stuff but I'm in need of more food in my fridge!

I laid out for the first time this summer, yesterday and got pretty fried so I'm off to aloe up.  My body looks like a tomato!

Tara (:

Cinco De Mayo!

It's Cinco De Mayo and instead of drinking margs and eating chalupas I'm studying...well not yet but I will be after this post.  I have an overstock of pics so I suppose I'll just post them all so I can get to my studying.  I am jobless for the summer as of now so I'll have more time to post after tomorrow night when my finals are DONE!  (Anyone have any job ideas?)

My fav, grilled with olive oil and parmesan

Homemade pizza with Keefer.  Pesto, tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, mushroom, onion, YUM

First experience with overnight oats.  Verdict?  Not so good.  There was pb in here and as always, I just can't get into pb in my oatmeal.  The strawberries and bananas were the best!

Best part of the salads was the avocado.  I cannot get enough of it lately!

Keefer and I made veggie lasagna but it didn't cut it for me.  I didn't like the cream sauce and I missed the tomatoness, if that's a word.

One of my new fav desserts...banana with choco syrup.  Simple and delishh.

My first LUNA bar experience and I loved it!  So good!  Can't wait to try the other flavors.

More asparagus!

Spinach, cheese, mushroom and onion omelette.  This grapefruit was SO delicious too.  Best part of breakfast!

Sushi craving at the grocery store = mistake.  I really should know better

Before I came back to Chi my parents took me on a big grocery shopping trip and I got a ton of yummy food.  I love having a stocked fridge!

Grilled cheese with tomato and MORE asparagus.  I really think I could eat asparagus at every meal.  Kinda looks like a face doesn't it??

I've been waiting to try this ice cream and luckily it was on sale.  This is 150 calories of delicious goodness.  I'm an ice cream LOVVVVER and now a Skinny Cow Ice Cream lover.  I cannot get enough!  It took all my power not to eat it all and save some.

Kinda looks like yesterday's bfast but with avocado, avocado and more avocado.  I promise there is an omelette under there somewhere!

Off to study for my LAST accounting exam.  YAHOO!

OLE!

Tara (:

Operation Egg White

I can't believe it's already Friday noche!  Where did the week go???  I'm not complaining because I am quite excited to get this semester under my belt but it sure does make me feel like I have a lot more to do in a lot smaller time period and before I know it, summer classes will be starting.

Today I attended the RD registration exam review class.  It was a long day but a LOT of useful information.  The fun continues tomorrow all day as well.  I am glad I still have a year left before I have to take it but I am a bit jealous of those who are going to be RDs in just a couple months!

Lately I've been loving my oatmeal for breakfast!  I've been adding flax seed, whole grain drink, pumpkin, shredded coconut, fruit, and agave.  

The only problem is that it is not keeping me satisfied until lunch!  Tomorrow I'm going to try operation oatmeal egg white.  Hopefully adding a bit more protein will keep me full until lunchtime!  The days I have been eating two eggs and toast are the days that my tummy doesn't start growling until it is actually the right time to eat!

Fruit season is upon us!  I've been loving the fresh strawberries and grapes too!  They are so good to pair with breakfast, to add in a smoothie or just for a snack.

These gala apples are the yummmmmmmiest!

Why oh why did I not grow up putting avocado on my turkey sandwiches???  Really, life changing.  Or at least lunch changing.

Even though I went grocery shopping earlier this week I feel like I ran out so fast!  I don't want to go back because I'm going to The Mitten next week.  I don't like to stock my fridge when I won't be here to enjoy all of the goodies!  I have been doing a lot of salads and tacos + taco leftovers.  I love leftovers...they are so convenient.

I must go rest my brain for another full day of learning, learning and more learning tomorrow.

Night ya'll!

Tara (:

One down...

Paper is done and submitted!  Only a couple more projects and exams stand in the way of having two semesters of grad school under my belt.

Yesterday after I hit the gym for a work out I made a smoothie with a frozen fruit blend.  I love eating smoothies after the gym, I feel cooled off and refreshed.

Before class I made a big salad with a grilled chicken breast.  It was good and it really filled me up!

Today I forgot to snap pics of my breakfast eggs.  I did make some brown rice and a salad for lunch that was so tasty!

When I got home from class I made an open faced tuna melt.  It really hit the spot.

I also grabbed some ice cream after that I had been craving.  It was SO worth it!  Love mint chocolate chip!

Off to bed, I have an evaluation and an interview tomorrow, wish me luck!

Tara (: