My Favorite Bowl Of Satisfaction
I missed you all so! I am so sorry for the delay in posting. ..my laptop crashed. It would not even come on. The screen would not come up…nothing. Mallard’s would only go to the main screen but no farther. Both laptops are HPs. But, that may have nothing to do with it. Since my laptop is no longer under warranty, I was freaking out! Mallard was sweet enough to tell me that I need not worry. Our anniversary (of engagement) was a few weeks ago and he had told me that my gift would be available in a few weeks. Well, my gift has been a new laptop all along!! He knew mine was on it’s last leg. The mouse pad on the key board does not work so I have to use an external mouse. The wireless internet switch doesn’t work so I use a wireless usb adapter…the list goes on… Anyway, after the camera fiasco, Mallard was not about to order a new laptop without asking what I had in mind. So, we will go to look at laptops on Sunday. How am I blogging now? Well, my freakshow laptop is working again. I just turned it off and unplugged the power cord and usb wireless adapter. When I turned it back on and plugged all the necessities in, it worked again! I’m still getting a new one though.
Any suggestions?
I had been so engulfed in school that I completely forgot about Sweetest Day. But, Mallard didn’t forget!
‘
Yes, he drew a pic of my Black Iced Tea and labeled it “Swan Drink”. My nickname is Swan. The origin of the nickname is in a previous post .
I do love my Black Tea!
Snuffy even signed my Sweetest Day card.
I am really starting to get into my autumn state of mind. The weather was so crisp last week! I dug out my coat and boots from last year. I wanted a plaid pea coat so bad last year and this was the most economical one I could find. I don’t usually shop at Aeropostale because I feel that their clothes are cheaply made but I thought I would give the coat a try. NEVER AGAIN. I froze all winter! This coat was not warm at all. In fact, I eventually dug out my Columbia ski coat just to keep warm walking around on campus. I suppose you get what you pay for. The Aero coat is okay for autumn weather; but soon I will have to bite the bullet and splurge for a coat that’s warm and cute.
Nope, still cold. Must add scarf.
Much better.
Did I mention I have been studying my butt off!
I have realized that I am going to have to spend a lot more time on campus in order to keep my GPA at a 3.4. I am feeling pretty torn because I want to spend time with Snuffy in the evenings. School and work take me away from her all day and I miss her so…even if she does break my favorite vases…
Once it is time to pick up Snuffy from the babysitter, I am so ready to see her. Lately, I have had a decision to make: Do I be sure that I get to pick up Snuff and feed her, bathe her and play with her until she goes to sleep and then maybe get some study time? Or Do I Let Mallard pick her up so that I can go to campus fro study groups, lab time and library studying? Well, as much as I love and miss Snuffy, I have come to the conclusion that I need to spend more time on campus in order to keep a high GPA which will eventually result in better job offers and a better life for Snuffy.
You may notice Snuff’s outfit. It’s a hand-me-down. Mallard grew up closer to Cleveland, so he is now a Brown’s fan living in a Cincinnati suburb. I was actually going to buy Snuffy a jersey but Mallard told me to wait until next year because apparently the Brown’s aren’t so great this year. I’m usually in the lab or doing homework when the games are on so I had no idea.
I do have an idea about Snuff’s Halloween costume
I had to order a different dress because this one was too big. But, the new one basically looks like this. Of course Pedro will be going as Toto and I’m thinking of making Peanut a lion.
I have met a fantastic study partner who’s interested in health, nutrition and active living. She is my soulmate I swear! We are already planning grocery trips (I have GOT to introduce this lovely lady to the joys of shopping inexpensively at Whole Foods) and vegetarian dinners and lunches! She is transitioning to healthier eating and veganism. I love it when people ask questions about nutrition. I get so excited to share what I ‘ve learned! Since she hadn’t yet learned the loveliness of Natural Nut Butters, I figured I’d start her off slow with Skippy Natural. Although it is not made only of peanuts, the ingredient list isn’t too long and it tastes the most like what she’s used to. I also included one of my fave flavors of PB and Co.
Moving from the hydrogenated oils in commercial PB to natural nut butters is a great start. It’s also a change that can be easily made while living in a dorm. Xavier dorms do provide a community kitchen and freezer for those who prefer to cook.
Do any of you have suggestions on transitioning to a healthier and/or vegan style of eating while living in dorms?
I’m sure any thoughts on healthy dorm living would be greatly appreciated. One of my favorite posts on the subject comes from Angela. I have actually forwarded that link to a couple of girls who have asked about healthy eating on campus. I have had to make some changes to my eats since I have started spending more time away from home.
You may already know that I am not a huge fan of bars in general. I guess I would rather have a mini meal.
But I did break down and try a new bar!
I actually liked it. I could taste the greens but that’s okay with me! The combination of the greens and the chocolate was better than I had thought it would be. I would definitely buy this bar again…but I’m still not into bars.
I do have days when I must go for up to 5 or 6 hours with no time to eat real food. So, I have concocted the perfect weapon for battling hunger. No, not Snickers….no, no, no.
Not so pretty but super yummy….Are you ready for this??
In The Mix
1/4 cup oats cooked in 3/4 cup of water
1/2 frozen banana (using CCK’s melted banana trick)
2 scoops of Naturally More PB
2 scoops of Justin’s Maple Almond Butter
1 container of Vanilla Yogurt ( I use Stonyfield Organic or So Delicious Agave Sweetened)
1/2 cup of Kashi Go Lean cereal
1/2 cup of Puffins
1/2 cup Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (I sometimes use sweetened too)
Yup, I have to put it in a small mixing bowl. As you can tell, you have to be pretty hungry when you eat this but it does keep your tummy full for many hours. I don’t recommend eating huge amounts of food all the time. This is just something that worked for me and I love it for now! I also mix and match nut butters.
I sometimes use Maranatha Dark Chocolate Almond Spread and Chocolate Soymilk in the mix.
What do you eat to keep your hunger at bay for long periods of time?
I really appreciated the Butternut Squash recipes!! I am going to take advantage of many of them…I just haven’t had time!
I leave you with a thought for today:
One of the best ways to show your body love is to feed it what it needs.
J
never tried naturally more- white chocolate wonderful? that was pretty good- but i dig my trader joe’s one a lot more ! =D
Just found your blog! It’s great. I want those nut butters! As for eating in a dorm…well, you seem to be doing great
…I’m not vegan, but PB, breads, oatmeal, beans, lentils, rice, quinoa, Tofurkey(love this!) comes to mind.
As for the food that ‘holds me over’ – hah!! unfortunately I’m always eating – when I’m not hungry – so when I figure that out I’ll get back to you….oh wait, probably insane amounts of chocolate or dessert – then I have to just lie down and sleep it off haha
Check out my blog and add me to your roll if you like it!! I love finding new ones and getting new readers!
Oh the little red shoes! Adorable overload!
Good luck with school. I once had a job when my little one was about 2 1/2 and it only lasted for about a month. I would come home crying at night because I missed her so much!!
Cute costume
~Justine
Snuffy will look so adorable come Halloween.
You are a great mom and she knows you love her wholeheartedly. I can imagine it will be hard not seeing her as much right now, but I’m sure it will be worth it in the end!!! Plus you have Mallard to help you!
Hehe, I like that you are looking at laptops together this time. Do you have a specific type in mind that you want before going in?
That close-up of the oats at the end…. holy yum!!!
Hey girl! Missed you! Your super stay-full concoction looks majorly yummy and FILLING. It’s weird because sometimes the most random things fill me up forevre. But usually if I make some sort of creation with oats, pb and yogurt or cottage cheese, I am good for about 4 hours.
Not really a fan of Aeropostale either. I feel like I always have to get about three sizes larger than normal in everything but their pants. Ew.
Glad to “see” you! xoxo
How cute are your boots! My mission this fall is to replenish my boot supply (mine had to go cause they were super scuffed and too worn) ….ones like yours might fit the bill… Have a great day!!
Her halloween costume is darling!!
Your bowl of oats sounds so filling and delicious with that nut butter! Nut butter is the only thing that keeps my hunger at bay for a long time!
Oooh I LOVE your mirror shot. You are gorge.
I was Dorothy when I was little, too! MamaJ made the costume. Well, she had a lot of time on her hands then, so she was a little overboard. But it was awesome nonetheless.
The bowl of satisfaction–OMG. How incredible does that sound!?! I’m not sure how my tummy would handle it, but I’d try fa sho!
I hope you get to relax a little bit this weekend! I’ll be in da Nati, too!
xoxo
you are adorable! i love your coat + boots. but i think snuffy’s halloween costume takes the cake! and i need to try white chocolate wonderful still. however, my jar of DCD needs to get used up first
oatmeal or oatbran with nut butter hold me for long hours!!!
like your autumn outfit!
Tried to comment 2 days ago right when you posted but there was a random glitch. Anyhoo..you have such a hard thing between time with S and school commitments. Yikes. How does a mom choose? And you’re not only taking into acct the here and now but also the future. Hugs to you as you find balance! You’re doing a wonderful job with a really tricky life situation! And great for you to mentor someone who wants to improve her health, too!
xoxo
that totally sucks bout the computer crash :[ boo technology
love your fuzzy pink scarf
hooray for a new laptop; that’s a great and very practical gift!
i love your gray boots…so cute!
also snuffy’s halloween costume is awesome.
i usually eat a similar breakfast with oats + nut butters for breakfast. it keeps me full for hours, which is definitely necessary for the long hours at my internship.
glad you are back. that is a cute outfit, love the boots!!
I give you such props for being a working mama who goes to school too – I feel your pain and how torn you must be trying to decide to stay and study or spend time with the kiddo. Trying to find a balance must be tricky. I think you’ve got a great approach though – work hard and get it done to be able to provide better for her down the road.
How fun you’ve got a friend at school who’s into healthy living – totally sweet that you bought her some new PB’s to help make transistion to healthier eating!
And Dorothy for halloween! So cute! I have a friend who’s doing a family wizard of Oz theme for halloween. Mama is going as Dorothy, Daddy is going as the tin man, the kids are gonna be the scarecrow and lion!
Love the coat and boots – too bad it didn’t keep you warm. But you’re right, for a fall jacket it will suffice.
Too bad the coats not warm because it’s adorable.
That’s really a tough situation with your daughter, I think you have the best idea possible with trying to provide for her future. Just try to make sure you are making use of every second on campus so maybe 1 or 2 nights a week you can come home and play with her. This is such a precious time in her life
I can sympathize with the technology problems – my computer and camera went down in the same week!
Dorm eating is tough. It depends a lot of what options are available in the cafeterias there. It’s been a while since I have been on campus, so maybe it’s different now. Definitely getting a little fridge that you can stock healthy stuff will be a great help to you.
I love that coat on you, too.
I try to cub my hunger with trail mix or fruit b/c I know I would eat granola bars all the time. Love the new coat, cute colors.
I love the coat, especially the colors. I’m currently on the hunt myself, so may the force be with me. At any rate, your keep-me-full bowl looks like something I concoct myself when I know I need to stay full for awhile. Anything with oatmeal and PB keeps me good for hours–helpful on those days when things are out of your control.
And Dorothy! I always wanted to be Dorothy for Halloween, but it was generally too cold and I ended up being something that I could throw on over layers. Boo. However, I think there will come a year when I do the Oz thing…just waiting for the perfect time
TOO cute!
You are SO pretty and your daughter too!! Grrr broken laptops–I’m just WAITING for the day my laptop dies on me : / Your oats looks like dessert and so jealous/happy you found a buddy to teach healthy tips to!
you are adorable!!!
i love the teeny-tiny dorothy costume. too cute! i was dorothy once when i was little & my parents made my younger sister be toto!
poor little sis…
Snuff is going to be SO CUTE in that Dorothy costume!
When I lived in the dorms, I always kept cans of beans, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, instant rice and bars around. You can usually sneak some fresh veggies back from the salad bar!
Happy anniversary! And sorry it’s not warm enough but that coat is super cute… but I’m with ya, I’m all about function when it comes to shoes and coats… I’ve ALREADY dragged out my mid-winter heavy jacket and it’s barely fall!
Girl, you’ve got the MOST BEAUTIFUL eyes I’ve ever seen. I think I might have mentioned that before. But honestly, you can wear a rat sack and still look gorgeous with those eyes!
And oh..my..god! The CUTEST dorothy outfit ever! I can’t wait to see Snuffy in it!
LOVE the new jacket!
I wear it just about every halloween! It was expensive, I may as well use it as often as possible.
I also love Snuffy’s halloween costume. In fact, I have the exact one at home, in my size
The Skippy extra crunchy pb is my favorite. I was introduced to it about three months ago and have been hooked ever since.
As for a food that keeps me full, it would have to be something with fat and protein, like a nut bar (Kind bar) or some cottage cheese and fruit!
Hi Jenna.. I just came over to your site when I saw your comment about being preggers on your b-day at Burp and Slurp.. honestly for all the food blogs out there, we young mommies are a rare breed i think! i had my daughter when i was 19 – she is now 7 and the light of my life. i also have a step-daughter who is 8, and hopefully in a couple of years am adding onto the brood..
my daughter was Dorothy for halloween when she was that little- SO cute. these are the good times! dont forget to put that little bit of hair she has into pigtails.. lol it really makes the outfit- you two are so cute!!!
Just stumbled upon your blog – I had my daughter when I was 23, so I’ve been there. It’s hard, but as time goes by, you get better jobs, and the older they get the easier (and sometimes harder!) it is. My daughter is now 17 and thriving – I could not be more proud of her if I tried!
Hugs!
That was so sweet of Mallard to give you a Sweetest Day card! How cute:)
Oh, and I looove Snuffy’s Halloween costume!
check out my blog girl…hint, hint: we’ve got a winner on our hands!
How cute are you and your daughter? My gosh, how am I just finding your blog now? Are you surprised to learn that Gigi wanted to go as Dorothy for Halloween at one point?
such a cute coat. Where did you get it. Your outfit is adorable! you are so cute!! great job on studyign so hard..it will pay off!!
You’re such a cutesy. And you have the same stylish swag as my teen daughter. Very kewl.
Me? very little swag. Need to find more
ohh my that dorothy costume is insanely cute!! i love the little red sshoes! i always wanted to be dorothy when i was little-i watched the wizard of oz on repeat all day!
I just tried those amazing grass bars for the first time the othery day they are really good and filling! i was so surprised!!
alsooo my posts are not updating in google reader (so sad about it) but I am updating!!
I didn’t even know there was a Sweetest Day! Oh man. That sounds like fun
And any excuse to get Starbucks sounds good to me.
That is such a cute costume! One of my fondest childhood memories was one Halloween when I dressed up like Dorothy. My Grandpa made the ruby slippers himself! They were awesome!
I love the plaid coat!! I need something warm like that right now. It’s getting colddddd here!
And wow, would loooove to start my day with that bowl of oats!! I may have to soon….