Posts Tagged Pasta
Don’t Judge
Yes, that would be a Lean Cuisine. Don’t judge. These were on sale last weekend, and I couldn’t resist. I am not one to eat frozen meals all the time, clearly, but I knew it would come in handy after a long week day. Today was that day. I didn’t end up eating dinner until 8:30pm — whoopsie!
My day was a little hectic, but thankfully flew by! I had a half-caff iced latte around 3:00pm which made me bounce off the wall! I was seriously tweaking out in class and could hardly wait to exert all my energy at the g.y.m. I rushed to The Resort just in time for 1 hour of Zumba. Oh, boy…I think I looked like a 3-year-old on speed. Since an hour of cardio dance wasn’t enough, I then ran on the treadmill for 30 [10 minutes ea. @ 6.0 (2.0 incline ), 6.2 & 6.4mph].
I apologize for the lamest post of all time, but my life is no Harry Potter or Twilight story. Going to listen to Colbie in preparation for tomorrow’s concert – woot woot – and enjoy a cup of green tea…
Later, guys!
10 comments March 3, 2010
Move It in March
Happy MARCH!
Wow, Spring is just around the corner…20 days away, in fact! I think Spring is actually my least favorite of the four seasons, but if it means I am getting closer to completing another semester of college and never having to open my Organic Chemistry book again, then it couldn’t come sooner.
I always love it when the first day of month falls on a Monday because I use it as a marker to set new goals for myself. I already have a list of 10 goals I am aiming to accomplish in 2010, but I figured adding an extra challenge couldn’t hurt.
For the month of March, I want to challenge myself to MOVE as much as possible! I know I am already pretty good at fitting in my physical activity, but I think there is room for more. I’m young, healthy, and injury-free…why not? I will be recording my workouts – including the distance & duration – on my Running Page. Feel free to join me by moving your muscles more this month too!
My Monday schedule is tight – leaving very little time to exercise – but I did want to publicize that I had a glorious 50-minute run in the sunshine yesterday afternoon. I must get moving; after all, my race is two weeks away!
***
Monday’s Munches
Breakfast was cold cereal.
Raisin Bran, Humboldt Honey Granola, Banana & Organic Almond Milk in every bite!
Today’s school snacks reminded me of a Harry & David Box:
raw veggies + dried apricots & dark chocolate almonds + 1/2 of a d’anjou pear
Annie’s Whole Wheat Shells (a first for me) & White Cheddar…with peas and real buttah.
Organic Romaine, Avocado, Cucumber, Carrot, Red Onion & Low-Fat Parmesan Ranch
It was a perfect medley. I’m a fan of the whole wheat pasta, too : )
[No, I didn't eat in bed in case you were curious. It was just for photography sake.]
***
Alright, well I bet 96% of you can guess where I’m rushing off to next: The Bachelor Finale – hello! Hope your month began on a bright note!
Hasta la proxima,
~ Hillary
If you missed the memo, my recipe is featured on Green Monster Movement!
13 comments March 1, 2010
Bittersweet
Hey hey! Monday, oh Monday…what’s your opinion about the often dreaded day of the week? I don’t mind it so much, as I always think of it as a fresh start – to eat mindfully, to erase any negative thoughts, and to make the most out of another week of life : )
I got super excited last night thinking about today’s breakfast; yet, it ended up being bittersweet.
Greek + LAST of my Humboldt Honey Granola (tear) + 1/2 Banana + 1 T Raisins
I tell ya, I did not want this yogurt ecstasy to end!
***
School was school…minus 1. My last class of the day was cancelled – hooray! I hurried home for an afternoon snack.
Whole Wheat Toast with PB&Co Bee’s Knees & 1/2 Banana
***
With a couple extra hours on my hands, I had to figure out my plan of attack for the rest of the night. Since the semester began, Mondays haven’t included exercise; however, I didn’t have a good excuse not to fit in something today:
Mini Monday Moves
Treadmill
0-5 min: 3.5mph @ 5.0
5-10 min: 4.0mph @ 5.0
10-20 min: 6.0mph @ 2.5
20-25 min: 4.0mph @ 5.0
25-30 min: 3.5mph @ 5.0
***
Dinner looks familiar, doesn’t it? You’re seeing leftovers…that’s why.
1 Huge Handful of Fresh Spinach, Avocado, Tomato, Spinach Ricotta Ravioli with Marinara…drizzled with Balsamic
I know some like to keep their salad separate from the rest of their meal, but I’m clearly not one of those people. I’ll eat salad any way, any day!
Homework (a.k.a. The Bachelor – hometown dates!)…
Peace out,
~ Hillary
Question: Anyone know of excess flax causing stomach issues? It’s either that, or I’ve been hitting the fiber too hard. Ok…TMI : )
13 comments February 8, 2010
Blue Skies & Running Highs
Howdy! Hope you had a relaxing Sunday – it is supposed to be a day of rest, ya know. All I can say is that I am much chipper today than yesterday and I know exactly why that is…RUNNING.
Although I accidently slept in again today, a repeat of yesterday’s breakfast and a little Food Network cheered me right up. By the time the gym opened (at the inconvenient hour of noon), sunshine was seeping through my windows and I knew today was not a day to be inside a gym. Nonetheless, I drove to campus, threw my belongings into a locker, and walked right back out the gym doors into sunshine and blue skies. I was a happy girl : )
I didn’t remember to bring my running watch, but that wasn’t stopping me. I turned on my tunes and just ran…for about 30-35 minutes. It was entirely random, and extremely refreshing. You just can’t get the same running high from running around the inside of a gym. I polished off my workout with the following:
- 5 minutes erg (rowing machine)
- 2 x 15 lat pulldown @ 40lbs.
- 2 x 15 seated row @ 40lbs.
- 15 tricep dips
- 15 side dips each side @ 10lbs.
- 15 lunges each leg @ 10lbs.
- 3 x 15 squats @ 10lbs.
Lunch
Low-Fat Cottage Cheese, Avocado, Cucumber, Tomato, 1/2 T Ground Flax, and remaining Multigrain Chips
It was definitely a day for an iced (low-fat) latte. I stopped at the Starbucks down the street before hitting up Target for TP — always a necessity. By the way, Target during the Super Bowl = bliss!
Look at that sky : )
I then finished putting together my giveaway for Friday. Aren’t you excited?
Dinner
TJ’s Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with TJ’s Traditional Marinara
Spinach Salad with Avocado, Chevre, Tomato, Fresh Pepper & Balsamic Vinegar
Dessert
TJ’s 71% Cocoa Swiss Dark Chocolate
***
What I’m looking forward to this week:
- Watching The Bachelor with my roomies
- Seeing Valentine’s Day (the movie)
- Having a 4-day weekend
- …including Tasha’s visit!
***
Happy 21st Birthday, Court!
16 comments February 7, 2010
Recess Is Over
Hey there. Hope your weekend was a good one. I’m still in denial that today was my last day of freedom from homework until mid-May! My 5-week-long recess is over.
After a relaxing, quiet morning unpacking & organizing, I made myself a Green Monster for lunch before heading to campus to play at the indoor playground (also known as the g.y.m.).
1/2 banana, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1 cup fresh spinach
+ 1/4 cup Humboldt Honey Granola
There was a bunch of new “jungle gym” equipment, including 10-15 more cardio machines – there is certainly plenty for all us gym monkeys to play with.
Today’s play date included:
Cardio
- 30 minutes Elliptical (10 minutes each at incline 5, 10 & 15 @ resistance 5)
- 1.5 miles interval running around indoor track
Conditioning
- 20 lat pulldowns @ 40lbs.
- 20 seated rows @ 40lbs.
- 20 glute presses (each leg) @ 40lbs.
- 2 x 15 squats @ 15lbs.
- 45 bicep curls @ 15lbs.
- 15 “pull weights to chin” @ 15lbs.
- 15 tricep dips
Sweaty and pink-cheeked, I went to Target for my “odds & ends shopping”, and resisted stopping by Starbucks for a warm pick-me-up. Instead, I saved a few extra dollars and made myself a soy cafe au lait in my own kitchen, courtesy of my new Aerolatte milk frother. If you’re curious, a cafe au lait (or misto at Starbucks) is made with coffee, while a latte is made with espresso. Unfortunately, I do not have an espresso maker; hence the not as gourmet beverage.
***
I had an early dinner tonight of leftover pesto pasta:
I can sense there will most likely be some snacking later tonight. Not too late though…it’s a school night! ; )
~ Hillary
11 comments January 24, 2010
Hi-ho hi-ho, back to college I go…
Hi Hi Hi!
I’ve missed ya’ll very much these past 36 hours. Every hour in real life is like a month in blog world, wouldn’t you agree? Unfortunately, I don’t have 36 hours of material to make up for my absence (ha…school must be around the corner). I’ll admit it, I am a terrible traveling food blogger. Of course I thought about whipping out my camera and snapping a few pictures, but it just didn’t happen…except during the final stretch of my drive today when I was incredibly bored.
The pretty blue sky was just a tease. I think the storm is sticking around for a while longer.
After unloading my entire car, putting a few items away in their places, and looking through 5 weeks of mail (hello, Christmas cards), I hopped back into my car and headed to the health food sanctuary I’ve missed ever so much – Trader Joe’s! I was so excited to not have to spend a penny out of my own wallet this trip – thank you gift cards. My kitchen is now restocked with the TJ’s usuals, and ready for college “on the run” cooking.
Dinner tonight was pesto pasta:
penne rigate with pesto (locally made in HumCo), organic greens (they’re buried underneath the mound of pasta) and tomatoes, creamy chevre & fresh pepper
…and for dessert:
a homemade (by my mama) espresso cookie & piece of TJ’s Swiss 71% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
Chocolate + Coffee = A Happy Hillary
Well, tomorrow is my final day of Winter Break. I have so much I want to get done before classes start, and I have to tackle 5 new syllabi.
Sunday:
- finishing unpacking
- assemble my new bookshelf
- work up a sweat at the indoor playground
- print syllabi & organize school materials
- odds & ends shopping
- catch up with my roomies : )
Hope you’re enjoying your weekend,
~ Hillary
7 comments January 23, 2010
Live, Laugh & Eat Chocolate.
Warning: You are about to read another “under the influence (of chocolate)” post.
I just zoomed home with my car stereo blasting from a fabulous night with my girls. The effect chocolate has on me is quite hilarious. Anyway, it was awesome to hangout at my friend Shannon’s cozy house with all my gals, eating (too much) fantastic food, playing with her adorable 1 1/2-year-old, and laughing a lot : )
There was a spread of appetizers, including these darling dates:
Shannon made a great salad to go along with our comforting broccoli baked pasta:
The baked pasta is a Martha recipe from the February 2010 issue, I believe, but I can’t seem to find it. Hope you have better luck – it’s tasty!
Even with a pound of pasta sitting in our stomachs, we managed to find room for chocolate. I think it’s safe to say my truffles were a hit…and Laceys, enough said.
Chocolate Crack (a.k.a. Truffles)
- Recipe courtesy of Deep Dark Chocolate
7 oz. premium dark chocolate (I used Endangered Species - 72% cocoa)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 T unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Place (chopped) chocolate in a heat-proof bowl and pour over the warm cream. Let stand 3 minutes, then mix until smooth. Add butter and vanilla. Spread ganache (chocolate mixture) into a shallow baking dish and place in fridge until chilled. Roll ganache into 3/4-inch balls, using a melon baller. Roll in desired toppings – I used cocoa powder and chopped almonds. Store truffles in an air-tight container at a cool room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge for up two 2 weeks…if they last that long!
***
DanceFit in the a.m. to burn off 1/8 of the chocolate calories I consumed today…
Sweet Dreams,
~ Hillary
8 comments January 13, 2010
Cooking Crazy
It must have been the cleanse because I haven’t been able to keep myself out of the grocery store or kitchen all day! All I want to do is cook : )
My mom requested that I make her a batch of her favorite Apricot Oat Bars while I am home. No problemo! After making this recipe several times, I can basically spit it out in my sleep. Oats and apricots were destined to be together, wouldn’t you agree?
Almonds would also be equally delicious!
My friend Daisy came over for the afternoon. We put the bars together as we gabbed and drank Tazo Calm Tea.
Oaty, nutty, chewy & slightly sweet – gotta love these.
I only had a nibble – I am still staying on the “lighter side” – and then delivered the batch of warm bars to my mom at work.
Post Script. Did ya’ll notice how I made progress on Goal #10? “Bake more often and for others”.
***
I have a bunch of lemons left over from the cleanse, so I thought I’d put them to use for dinner tonight. I ended up only using one…any amazing (healthy) lemon recipes out there?
Simple Spinach Salad with Avocado & Red Onion
(Raspberries would have been ideal in this salad, but I can’t get myself to spend $6 on half a pint!)
Whole Wheat Rigatoni with Asparagus, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice & Zest, Toasted Pine Nuts & Parmesan
Light as pasta can be!
…plus a piece of toasted local bread with local chive chevre – yum!
Tomorrow’s Friday! Who’s excited? My grandparents and friend Hannah are visiting this weekend from out of town – yippee!
Peace,
~ Hillary
9 comments January 7, 2010
Mile High Pasta
My brain must have used a lot of energy studying microbiology because I was feeling “famished” by the time I arrived home. I put a pot of water on the stove to boil as soon as I walked through the door, and by the time the water started to boil, I had a salad waiting patiently on my plate. Thankfully, I had angel hair in the cupboard – which takes a mere few minutes – so dinner was ready in flash! It wasn’t anything extraordinary:
- pasta with tomato basil marinara, parmesan & chevre
- organic heirloom lettuce, tomato, avocado, cucumber, more jumbo croutons & low-fat parmesan ranch
I would prefer pesto over marinara any day, but I’ll take what I can get when I’m hungry. I was definitely part of the “clean plate club” tonight. I satisfied my sweet tooth with a few too many chocolate chips after dinner. I almost always have a bag of dark chocolate chips in the freezer, with the intention of baking with them, but somehow they usually disappear before I get around to pulling out a recipe.
Somehow there is still a lot left on my “plate”…
Your on the run nutrition nut,
~ Hillary
5 comments November 16, 2009
