Is it really March already?
I’m so glad that NuNaturals’ vanilla stevia is back in my life. Coffee is definitely my drug of choice, but this stuff is incredibly addicting. It’s like super-crack. Nothing like adding crack to another stimulant.
So, I was seriously buzzzzzzed as I headed to the gym. Yes, oddly enough, I went to the gym today, and in the AM no less! I haven’t been feeling the gym much lately, but I was really pumped today and decided to get in some cardio while the iron was hot.
How cool are the thumb loops in this Adidas zip-up? Almost as cool as my Nike running gloves. They have a tiny pocket in the palm for a house key. So clever.
At the gym I ran a few miles on the treadmill and then set up shop on the mats, stretching like whoa…at the end I felt looser than Octo-Mom’s [edit]. Feels so good.
I stopped by Stabeezies on the way home to grab a soy misto. They spelled my name wrong, but at least they got the right name. For some reason people have SO MUCH trouble with “Elise.” I mean, it’s unique and all, but it’s not that hard. Apparently, it is.
Maple Walnut Dessert Hummus and bread scoopers. Mmmm…
The breakfast of champions. Ok, it was noon at this point, but who’s keeping track?
After brunch I got to work, tackling my to-do prep work for the week.
Since I’m about to start a three-in-a-row set of shifts, I like to have as many eats tupperwared and ready to go as possible, so my lists (on my days off) look something like [the above]. The list usually grows to double that size, though.
First up…lasagna.
Check!
This time I used a different brand of noodles, but stuck with the same vegan “cheese” as my last recipe.
Turned out just as tasty.
Next on the list…beans, squash, and taters.
No pictures of the final products (yet), but you’ll see them in upcoming meals.
All my food prepping got my appetite going, so I decided to make a little PM snack platter.
β-Carotene anyone?
What we have here is a pound of carrots, two kinds of hummus (OG & roasted red pepp), and leftover home-made TVP chili.
Followed by Tazo Chai tea and yogurt covered raisins. These really hurt my stomach, I have no idea why I thought they would be a good idea. I was regretting it BIG time after eating them. Will I ever learn? Bah. I must be some kind of masochist.
Eventually dinner rolled around and I sampled my days work.
Vegan lasag with a side salad (spinach drizzled in the MOST delish balsamic vinegar ever) and then sprinkled with Vegan Parm.
Two things you should know about my dinner: (1) I went back for FOUR servings of lasagna. There was barely half the pan left after Kyle had his (single) serving. So much for prepping for the week? (2) This Compagnia Del Montale Balsamic Vinegar is imported from Italy, but (fingers crossed) it will soon be available in my OpenSky shop.
I had NO dessert tonight (shock!) because I was actually still full from the massive amount of lasagna I inhaled. Wow. I can’t remember the last time I actually got too full for a post-dinner snack. I guess that’s a sign of a good meal, huh. So, uh, yeah, mission accomplished?
My middle name is Elise!!
I think u meant to say choc covered pretzels not raisins 😉
lasagna is my fav-looks great!!
Yummm mAple walnut hummus!!!!
I always stuff my face with lasagna-and yours looks amazing. It’s on our menu for this weekend but I am experimenting with a spinach mushroom sundried tomato lasagna, but would love to try your vegan version soon!
Dessert hummus? I’ve never heard of it. Sounds like something I’d like. I’ll try to find it in my local Whole Foods today 😛
omg three in a row shifts that sounds crazy! good luck!!
haha the ppl at starbucks always spell my name wrong…its always NINA or LINA but never LENA!
I never knew there was a difference in quality and taste of balsamic vinegar until i went to buy it and chose the cheapest one and it was disgusting and definitely didnt taste rite!
First of all, I am ALWAYS doing that–thinking I am prepping for the whole week and then I end up eating more than half of whatever it is I just made. Oops. I chalk it up to us being excellent cooks 🙂
Second of all, I have NEVER been too full for dessert! I don’t think I could ever be…even if I were about to give birth to the biggest food baby in the world, I would still need some sweet apple love after my meal. Always. Not that that is a good thing–stuffing ones self to the gills never is–I’m just sayn’… 🙂
Courtney
PS I didn’t see any yogurt covered raisins in that pick, just pretzels, lol!
Yum, that lasagna looks amazing! I can’t remember the last time I even ate lasagna, which makes me very sad. So intrigued by that dessert hummus! How does it taste?
Holy Italian Festa! That lasagna has me salivating on the other side of the computer screen. And yay for the Chai tea! I only have 1 bag left from my V-day gift from you and I’m saving it for a super special morning 🙂
L-O-V-E the thumb holes in the zipup. I’ve got to update my cold weather running gear. Perhaps I’ll happen upon an unsuspecting end-of-season sale soon 🙂
So funny that your title is “Crack is whack” – I just sent my friend an email with a photo of Coolio holding that sign….tmi? Either way: awesome.
I also just made lasagne! Not vegan, but vegetarian! And I also have no sense of “portion control” and ate three servings the night I made it. Darn.
that lasagna looks bomb.com. i miiight have to make that soon.
also my favorite running pullover has thumb holes, and i wear it around the house just for kicks. were you one of those kids who chewed thumbholes in their sweatshirts when you were little? i so was. my mom hated it but though it was hilarious.
I have some lasagna noodles in the pantry, looks like I finally found a use for them!!
Your lasagna looks amazing. I would have inhaled the whole thing too. I need to get my hands on some of that dessert hummus! Why have they never written my name on a Starbucks up before?
Vegan lasagna…mmmm. Definitely one of the hardest things to replicate, IMO, but yours looks awesome!! Love those running gloves, I need to invest in a pair! Have a great hump day 🙂
I really have nothing else to say other than I wish I ate all of this. Seriously. I’m moving in.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED FO SHO!
by the way, are you a lefty? because my sister – who also happens to be a nurse – has your EXACT SAME handwriting, and she is a lefty.
tres sad about the yog-covered goodies, but i am sure they tasted fab, no?
four servings of lasagna…you are my queen! i bow down to you.
gah, i hope you have a wonderful rest of your week. love ya!
Oh man, this post made me huuuuuungry!
Hot dang… I am craving Italian food like nobody’s business right now. 4 servings = 1 serving IMO. I ignore serving sizes completely…especially with cereal, hummus and pasta (1/2 cup? Are you kidding me?)
I love clothes with thumb holes! I have a bunch of hoodies with them- so awesome 😀
I love your “-isms”. Reading your blog is hysterical and makes me laugh everytime. The bit about Octo-Mom- it pretty much made my day. Thank you!
🙂
um please give your girl the DL on that dessert hummus.. do I foresee a new addiction in my future?
Beautiful lasagna!
ummmmmmm how come there was no leftovers for ME! dude that lasagne looks fabo. hahaha how hilarious though that kyle only had one serving hahahaha.
props for gymmin it dude. its been beastly out!
“…at the end I felt looser than Octo-Mom’s [edit]”
HAHAHA!
And can I just say I love your honesty about going back for 4 servings?! Nothing like pasta meals! mmmm!
oh my goodness that lasagna looks wonderful!
woops! that i did.
P.S. did you not know my name was Elise?!?!? bc i knew it was your middle name
i hate sundried tomatoes, but one of the variations i have been meaning to try is kale and shrooms. lemme know how yours goes…
i dont think its in stores, but you can buy it online and it is DEFINITELY worth it. there are tons of flavors and i didnt meet a single one i didnt love.
thats how i discovered the difference between quality products too…once you try a crappy version of something and subsequently turn to Whole Foods…yeah, it really spoils ya!
yes, we are excellent cooks. also, not having dessert is like a crime for me, so if thats not an indication of how full i was, well, then, i dont know what else to tell ya!
clearly my mind is gone…pretzels – DUH!!
it tastes like maple syrup in pudding form. but not too sweet. its delish. and i dont like nuts at all (espesh walnuts) so that REALLY saying something…
btw, you are SOOO sweet to send me that thank you note. and it makes me soo happy that you like the tea 🙂
we may be freaks. but crack IS wack. haha.
they havent? thats weird. they write my name on my drinks every time i forget my own mug (which is rare, but still)…youre missing out on some fun attempts at illiterate peeps spelling your name
no, but i did cut the bottoms off my sweatpants.
im not a lefty! but i guess your sis and i are writing twins (not as cool as hands twins, but a close runner up…)
you do. find it online now (not in stores).
AH-GREED!
I need to learn some dessert self-restraint from you, me thinks…
Courtney
I have a Gap fleece that has thumb loops like your jacket and it’s love!
“end I felt looser than Octo-Mom’s [edit].” <- that is why I adore you. Well that and your plates of bread and hummus. Good luck with your working bender!
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Sweet jacket yo! Someone REALLY cool must have given it to you.
P.S. Get ready for another guest blog…Thailand is a Vegan’s paradise and I’ve been taking pics (homemade and restaurant goods) 🙂
Eff yeah!!! So excited. 🙂
E! your eats are always so delicious! I really do enjoy lasagna but the lactose kills me! I may have to suck it up if it’s a rainy weekend in la la land and mimic your dish.
p.s. I think pasta gives me gas now…I’m quite sad about that. But it’s just an “I think” not quite confirmed yet. This may be a bad road to go down on like when I found out Fresh year in the dorms that I am forever lactose intollerant…sadness…
That is hilarious that they spelled your name with a “y” instead of “I”. Not once has a barista spelled my name the correct way, yet they finally do for the girl who spells Elise with an “I”!