Tag Archives: peanut butter

Chinatown & An Early 9 Miler

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Happy Saturday! I am so glad last week is over with!

To celebrate the start of the weekend, Ian and I went to Chinatown last night. I really should have taken some pictures for you (Chinatown in Chi-town is pretty cool) but I was too distracted by everything to take any serious pictures. I did snap this one though.

Do people still like pokemon?

Anyway you’re lucky and I’ve blogged about Chinatown before, so you can check out that post for some pictures of new-Chinatown.

Our first stop was the Chinatown market for some lychees. They had a lot (score!) so we got two bags as well as some seaweed snacks for me :) . Lychees are a lot more expensive in Chinatown than Whole Foods which surprised me but the quality is sooo much better. I don’t think they’ll be making a regular appearance but they are a nice treat!

Next up was dinner. After yelping numerous restaurants we came across Lao Hunan, a restaurant in old-Chinatown that was supposed to be sensitive to food allergies. It’s also owned by Chef Tony, the owner of Lao Sze Chuan-one of our faves, so we figured it was worth a try.

Upon arriving we were greeted by waitstaff in costumes uniforms. Interesting right?

I was pretty discrete in taking this picture with my phone but I did kind of feel like I was breaking the law.

The menu was very long and had an entire page dedicated to food allergies. It listed foods that contained certain common allergens as well as all of the ingredients that don’t contain gluten. Unfortunately, I overheard a waitress tell someone at another table that they use cornstarch and soy in a lot of dishes and rather than really complicate matters, I ordered steamed veggies and steamed rice.

I also ended up asking for salt and pepper so that my vegetables tasted like something. I’m pretty sure the salt and pepper shakers hadn’t been used in years. I mean, who asks for seasonings at a Chinese restaurant?

I managed to eat all of the above dish (minus the baby corn). It was a big mistake and I definitely had a fiber baby all night, even though I wasn’t completely full.

This morning I woke up at 5 a.m. to knock out this week’s long run. It looked like rain and I almost climbed back in bed but after checking the weather on my phone I realized that I had just missed the storms. My run was on.

My legs were stiff and tired and my stomach was still a little uncomfortable but I managed to push through it. I looped through the medical district and then headed down to the water. I ran along lakeshore for a stretch (buggy/full of CARA runners) and then headed back into the city and home. On my way back I ran past the Old Navy on State Street. I’m guessing today is $1 flipflops day because at 6:45 a.m. the line to get into Old Navy was all the way down the block. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that many people in an Old Navy. Crazy!

I ran 9 miles in total in 1:11. My Garmin lost signal as I headed back into the city (story of my life) so I logged a few slow miles and then quite a few fast ones (sub-5′s and when I stopped my watch said I was running a 3 min/mile). My guess is that this was compensation for the slow miles and that I probably ran about a 7:45 the entire time. I also probably ran farther than 9 miles. Oh well, my Garmin hates Chicago.

When I got home I chugged water and made breakfast that included something I haven’t had in a long time, peanut butter!

I spread half of a slice of brown rice bread with peanut butter (TJs roasted w/ sea salt) and the other half with sunflower butter. I topped the toast with strawberries, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds and had cherries on the side.

I also ended up going back for another half a slice of bread and some lychees. I was trying to keep my breakfast carby and lightish given last nights fiber belly, but I was still hungry.

I thought I was going to be so happy to have peanut butter and it was going to be love at first bite all over again, but I’m surprised to say it tasted just okay. I liked it but I think TJs creamy almond butter with sea salt has won over my heart. It’s taste is richer than peanut butter and I actually prefer it now. Crazy how taste buds can change right?

I’m off to a busy Saturday. Ian and I are meeting my mom to pick up my new bike, visiting family friends, and then maybe stopping by Ian’s brother’s lake house.

Have a wonderful day!

I Want a Snow Day

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When I woke up and looked outside and saw a snowy mess, I really really hoped I would have a snow day today (picture does not do it justice).

However, after checking my e-mail and ABC school closings and doing a google search just to make sure I didn’t miss anything, I was forced to accept that I do in fact have class and work today. Bummer.

So I hit the gym for a 7 mile treadmill run. It’s days like today that I feel lucky to have access to a gym. Unfortunately, I am most definitely fighting some illness so I kept my pace a little above an 8 min/mile and took it easy. My main goal is not to get sick before my 19 miler on Sunday.

Breakfast
For breakfast I reheated the second half of my peanut butter quinoa with apples and honey with some almond milk and walnuts.

The almond milk puffed up the quinoa even more. It was really tasty.

No coffee with breakfast for me this morning. I was feeling dehydrated so I made myself drink water while eating and I plan on stopping off at Dunkin’ Donuts on my way to campus to use a coupon I received for a free coffee at the Blackhawks game.

Did you get snow last night? Do you drink coffee every morning?

WIAW {02-22-2012}

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It’s that time again, here is this week’s what I ate Wednesday post!

Also, today I’m documenting my Wednesday eats and I don’t have class or work on Wednesdays. This means I usually camp out in my apartment on my laptop and do homework all day so my eats are a little atypical in that I don’t have to pack a lunch and I have the opportunity to cook during the day.

If you’re unfamiliar with WIAW, check out Jenn’s blog Peas and Crayons for more information!

{7:20 a.m.} Pre-run snack

I started with a date stuffed with peanut butter and the last dregs of a bottle of plain kefir. For some reason this morning, my usual fuel wasn’t enough so I also had a handful of Love Crunch Carrot Cake granola and chased it with almond milk before heading out the door.

{9:30 a.m.} Breakfast

I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for breakfast for awhile but haven’t had time (or a good recipe) to throw it all together. This morning I tried OhShineOn’s peanut butter quinoa with apples and honey and it was really good! It filled me up in a completely different way than oatmeal.

{12:45 p.m.} Lunch

I’m trying to spice up my veggie life and picked up some different [too many] vegetables at Trader Joe’s last weekend. One of them was cauliflower, it may not be crazy exotic, but for some reason I rarely ever buy it.

To make this salad I roasted some cauliflower at 400 degrees for 30 minutes and then set the broiler on high for another 3 minutes. I added the cauliflower to some arugula and topped everything with tahini and bone suckin’ sauce. I loved every bite of this salad!

I also had half of a warm baked plum with greek yogurt and granola.

{2:00 p.m.} Snack

I planned to have a small lunch so I could make a smoothie this afternoon. I blended 1 small banana (not frozen but would have been better if it was), 3 T oats, 1 cup almond milk, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1/2 tsp vanilla, cinnamon, and a few shakes of pumpkin pie spice. The pumpkin pie spice was a late addition but really made the flavors pop! A smoothie isn’t a smoothie without some crunch, so I added some Love Crunch granola on top ;) .

{6:00 p.m.} Dinner

I made a stirfry with broccoli slaw, mushrooms, carrots, cashews, green beans, and my leftover rice from Le Colonial. I used the normal sauces (soy, teriyaki) but also added in some yellow curry sauce and red pepper flakes. I loved the taste and didn’t need to add siracha like I normally do!

{7:30 p.m.} Dessert

A How Sweet breakfast cookie. I made a few subsitutions but pretty much stuck to the recipe. Very yummy!

And that’s pretty much it [minus the random nibbles of hummus and veggies or pretzels throughout the day...]

Have a great Wednesday night!

What was the best thing you ate today?

What Goes Into My Lunch

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I know a lot of people think that they don’t have enough time to pack a lunch everyday but it is totally possible. All it takes is a little bit of planning, like deciding to pack tomorrow’s lunch before going to bed tonight. It may be inconvenient now but it’s a lifesaver in the morning.

Everyday I pack a lunch. It helps me save money and time (I don’t have to run out looking for lunch) and allows me to eat healthy during the day because I control what goes into my lunch bag. Plus, I honestly think I would get bored eating Subway/Jimmy Johns/Potbelly everyday :P .

note: ugliest lunch bag ever… but it was dirt cheap at CVS

Unfortunately, Ian and I haven’t gone grocery shopping in awhile, so packing lunches has taken a creative side (I’m hoping we can make a trip Wednesday night). On the menu for tomorrow, a peanut butter and raisin tortilla, “baked apples” and yogurt, and 2 clementines.

First up, I spread Bee’s Knee’s peanut butter on a tortilla, added some raisins, and then ground some sugar, chocolate, and coffee beans over everything.

 All folded up and ready to go.

Next  I cut up half of an apple, covered it in cinnamon, and microwaved it for 1:15.

I packed it in a mug with Press ‘n Seal wrap because I need to take a mug to work anyway.

All together.

In total this took me 5 minutes to put together. Not bad right?

What are your lunch go-tos?

For dinner tonight I had a remix of yesterday’s Prickly Pear.

I mixed some corn into rice and then stacked the beans on top of the rice and the relleno on top of the beans. I also poured some Enchilada Verde sauce and Habenero Lime Salsa on top (both Trader Joe’s products).

Dare I say it was better than at the restaurant? ;)

What was your weekend highlight?

WIAW {02-08-2012}

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Today is my first What I ate Wednesday post, I hope you enjoy :)

If you’re unfamiliar with What I ate Wednesday, check out Jenn’s blog Peas and Crayons for more information.

7:30 a.m. Pre-Run snack

A peanut butter stuffed date and about half of a bottle of chocolate coconut water. I ususally eat more before medium-long runs but my stomach felt a little off this morning.

9:30 a.m. Breakfast

I was hungry after running 10 miles, so I dug right into the Baked Banana-Blueberry Oatmeal I made last night (recipe credit to Sarah at The Flying Onion). Baking yesterday saved me some time this morning, so all I had to do was warm it up, top it with sunflower seed butter, and enjoy it with coffee and soy creamer (x2!).

1:00 p.m. Lunch

Breakfast held me over for a really long time today! Lunch was zucchini fries (half with breadcrumbs and half without) and a new-to-me type of fake meat, Lightlife chick’n tenders. They tenders don’t have a lot of scary ingredients (always a plus) but they taste a little weird. I probably won’t buy them again.

 I also had a clementine.

2:30 p.m. Snack

After a quick trip to Target my stomach was growling so I had a brown rice cake with cream cheese and fig jam.

6:00 p.m. Dinner

I’m trying to use up leftovers/veggies before going out of town this weekend so I had some cheeze-y kale with wheatberries and cornbread crumbles for dinner. I also snacked on some unpictured veggies with horseradish hummus while making this.

6:30 Dessert

No yogurt yet today so 2% plain greek yogurt, walnuts, cashews, cinnamon, and warmed blueberries.

I usually like to have dessert right after dinner, a “close the kitchen” type of thing, but it’s early enough that I may go back for another snack later.

But that in a nutshell is what I ate today. Have a great night!