That’s how I feel right now. ^_^ If I didn’t have that very last test feeling to look forward to I’d probably be a little more miffed about my horrible eating today!

I started off fine with a caramel drizzle latte and PB&J toast. Not going to lie, I missed the banana. PB&J toast without banana is just…too PB&J.

My very last A&P test went about how I expected it to go. I felt like I knew a lot of the material very well and then the professor threw things on the test that we never talked about at all. =/ Oh well…It’s done.

My lunch was pretty awful. It started around 10:30am in the library when I got peckish  studying biochem. My school awesomely sets up a table of free snacks during finals week so I helped myself to a small plate of this super amazing rice cracker mix (really not sure what to call it but my goal in life is to find it…maybe at Costco?), a few crackpita chips, and a handful of grapes.

Around 12:30 I apparently waited too long to eat real food and therefore everything nutritious looked revolting. Hell even the ice cream bar looked unappetizing. But it was free and the lady really wanted to give it to me so it didn’t melt! Seriously, I turned it down once but on the way back she talked me into it. I at least turned down all the free candy bars. 

Later, I snacked on more amazing rice cracker mix that I smartly snagged in a plastic baggie before it all disappeared. ^_^ I seriously love this stuff.

I got home around 3pm and since I’d been studying biochem all day I took a break and watched TV. By 5pm I really wanted to eat so I ate the last half of my apple with a slice of cheese while dinner cooked and I waited for Chase to get home.

Dinner was full of failure. No, my roasted red potatoes in Italian spices were delicious as was my sautéed kale, but the salmon burger topped with marinara sauce was just….fishy. I hate fishy. I took two bites and threw it away. -_- I haven’t been able to eat these Costco salmon burgers for awhile now…

Since my protein was a no-go I made myself a big glass of chocolate milk to replace it. ^_^ Total dairy day apparently. I also had two squares of this new Lindt Strawberry dark chocolate that was even Chase-approved!

So what does a girl do when she’s only got one test more and is soo not in the mood to study more of it? Fits in a 60 minute hill stationary bike workout to pass the time of course! ^_^

Ok maybe I’ll peek at my notes again now.

This morning I had an old favorite for breakfast: popped amaranth! With fresh organic blueberries and toasted walnuts that fell right to the bottom. Sadly, I didn’t love this as much as I love Weetabix. =/ Weetabix has ruined it for me! It’s just not the right texture.

After my exam at 8am,  Ilona nicely drove me back home so I didn’t have to lamely wait hours at school for the next bus (3pm!?). Before leaving school though I grabbed some of the free Finals foods. ^_^ I spent the rest of the morning sipping on a caramel drizzle latte and nibbling on this plate while I went over A&P.

I just have to say that I definitely have learned more from YouTube then I ever did from my professor! >.< It’s a shame.

It was pretty darn nice out today so Ophie found her new favorite sun bathing spot.

That’s right. Right on my photo-taking stand! She nicely let me fit my lunch of brown rice, cucumber rice vinegar salad, sesame and salt sprinkle and a ripe(!) nectarine, next to her and snap a photo.

As soon as I moved it she took over the whole darn thing! What a spoiled kitty!

I followed my Dad’s advice today and studied until the drowsiness that I knew was coming hit (sadly it hit early: 1:30pm!). Then I hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride to try and increase my energy. It worked pretty darn well!

Around 3pm I tried to keep myself studying with a snack: plethora of Multigrain Wheat Thins (finished the box…) and three pieces of cheese. Snacks are getting harder and harder to keep in moderation since I don’t feel anything in my stomach and the more I eat the longer I stay awake. =/ I am so ready to go off these pills.

Around 4pm I finally allowed myself to get in bed, watch a little TV to relax, and then drift off for an hour nap. It’s crazy how much my body can sleep and still be exhausted when it’s actually bed time.

Honestly, all I wanted for dinner tonight was DQ soft-serve ice cream because my throat is sooo itchy and hot. But since I’m saving money I made something instead. Whole wheat spaghetti topped with sautéed zucchini, spring onion, and red bell pepper in a tomato sauce with a pinch of parmesan. It was really tasty and yes, much better for me than ice cream. =P 

Well I’m going to force some more studying in. >.< Night!

Waahh. Today was not as productive as I’d hoped. =( In fact, I looked like Vinni most of the day.

I didn’t feel too bad when I woke up. In fact I was well enough to attempt to make blueberry Kodiak Cakes with maple syrup and drizzled almond butter for breakfast. As you can see…I wasn’t so good at flipping them today. >.< Still, they tasted great and I got some studying done after fueling up.

Around 11am, I decided to get my workout in and hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride.

I didn’t really feel like anything for lunch but I knew I needed to eat something. I ended up with Multigrain Wheat Thins, four slices of cheese, cucumber slices soaked in light rice vinegar, and half an apple.

I really tried to keep my studying momentum going but unfortunately my allergy meds are becoming ineffective earlier and earlier these days. =( I got so drowsy I ended up napping for the rest of the day on the couch with the babies.

When Chase got home he made me get up and have dinner. It’s awful, but eating does keep me awake. I had an Amy’s Gluten Free Garden Vegetable Lasagna on a bed of sautéed zucchini. Yum. It was actually pretty darn tasty. Sometimes I really like the chew gluten free products give.

For dessert I munched on more Wheat Thins with peanut butter and jelly. Like I said, I looovee PB&J as long as there’s no bread. ^_^

I hope you all had a happy Father’s Day! I was able to talk to my dad on the phone and am very excited to see him at the start of July!

Finals tomorrow…

The morning started off as usual with a bowl of Weetabix, fresh organic blueberries, and toasted walnuts. I’m officially out of Weetabix. O.O The horror….

After an enjoyable 2 mile walk to work (it was so nice out I left my coat at home so I didn’t overheat and wore my new favorite skirt so I felt good ^_^), I grabbed a Grande nonfat ristretto latte with caramel drizzle. Grande because I had a 50% off coupon and thought “What the hell!”. I did drink the whole thing but I have to admit…my caramel drizzle lattes are better!

We had a pretty busy morning but I was still able to get my lunch a little after noon. I had reheated parsley and spinach millet and lentils topped with sautéed sugar snap peas (the last of them!) and red bell peppers, plus a little bit of feta. I am soooo over this meal. I ate all I could have of it and made sure to eat all the veggies before I tossed the rest. Bleh. I also had a very unripe nectarine. >.< When I bit into it it crunched! I couldn’t bring myself to throw away such an amazing fruit so I ate it anyway though it was not very enjoyable. 

Like I’m sure you’ve noticed, my allergies are a little out of control again. Around 2:30pm my energy was completely depleted and I felt like I was honestly going to fall asleep right at my desk. My coworker, Jaycee, then had a brilliant idea for ice cream! ^_^ Now I wouldn’t have gotten any except that I owed Jaycee some…plus with my energy how it was, a nice cold bowl of sugar sounded good.

I ended up with a scoop of vegan maple something something. ^_^ Last night ruined my memory. Anyway it was really yummy and helped me get through the rest of the day before I could face-plant on my couch at home.

The couch time didn’t last very long though. Once Chase got home we were up and running again to get to a BBQ with our friends Waylon, Joey, Sam, and Jodi! It was there that I ended up drinking two gin and grapefruit Italian sodas. Probably one too many. With my month without alcohol recently completed I’m even more of a lightweight than I was before. >.< This one hurt.

I drank them both before dinner too. >.< We had boiled corn, orzo vegetable salad, mashed sweet potatoes, and I had a TJ’s Veggie Burger. I ended up eating only half the burger and leaving the sweet potatoes. Two things that would probably have helped me feel better but at that moment I was fine.

Did you notice the cute little corn holders? ^_^ Sam loves pigs like I love Hello Kitty.

For dessert I drunkenly grabbed one of these small fruit tarts someone brought from Fred Meyers. Honestly I don’t really remember it…

We then ended up in the hot tub where I started to feel really really ill and really sleepy. Seriously, almost fell asleep in the water! We left at about 11pm and Chase nicely stopped at the store on the way home so I could buy some crackers and cheese (the only food that ever sounds good when my stomach is like this). I ate some in bed before brushing my teeth and zonking out.

Anyway, today is get shit done day! I better get a move on. Later!

It started off right. Woke up before 8am and made an excellent breakfast of applesauce oatmeal with a drizzle of maple syrup and a dollop of crunchy peanut butter.

After getting work done on my final Experimental Foods lab report and a little bit of iPad gaming, I made a small caramel drizzle latte. Holy yum.

I spent the rest of the morning attempting to study biochemistry while I watched TV. Around 11 Chase and I couldn’t avoid having a brownie…you know as study fuel.

I was so psyched when my CSA arrived at my door! Check out this loot! I am so excited to use all this fresh produce.

Around 1pm I started to feel really out of it and dizzy. Even though I felt no hunger, I threw together some lunch thinking it would help. Spinach and parsley pesto millet and lentils topped with sautéed sugar snap peas and organic red bell peppers and a pinch of feta. Half way through this bowl I couldn’t stomach another bite.

I continued to be super dizzy through the afternoon and my eyes stopped focusing correctly. What the hell!?

Around 3pm I tried to fix myself with food again with a delicious fresh apple and peanut butter. Shortly after eating this however I went from dizzy and unfocused to unbearably drowsy. =( I then passed out on the couch for over two hours. Today was a total study bust.

Around 7pm I made myself dinner out of habit. I’ve really been hating this no appetite thing. It’s impossible to be an intuitive eater without one. I still try though. Grilled cheese sandwich with a side of the sautéed veggies I couldn’t eat from lunch and a pineapple juice. Why is it that when I’m not well I crave fruit and juice?

I managed to stay awake through the rest of the evening since Chase and I put on Django Unchained. While we watched we had another brownie. I really need to get these brownie cravings under control. >.< I don’t even like chocolate like this so why are brownies so appealing?!! I think it’s totally a texture thing..

Around 9pm, after the movie, I was tired of my unproductive and lazy day. I hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride and it’s the best I’ve felt all day. Perhaps I should have started with hit. =/

Anyway tomorrow has to be a better day.

This day started out with a delicious breakfast of PB&J&Banana toast with an amazing caramel drizzle latte. Sadly halfway through my latte I knocked it and spilled it all over my desk. >.< Doh. I’m way too frazzled in the morning to be coordinated for a tall glass apparently. Still, I had enough caffeine that I was pumped up and ready to finish this!

During my last A&P lecture, (the professor has gotten so bad that I don’t even listen anymore) I found out that some Antioxidant Frozen Berry Blend sold at Costco was being recalled due to being linked with Hepatitis A infections! O.O This scared the crap out of me because I thought I had that exact same blend in my freezer and had used it! I quickly looked up the symptoms for Hep A: Jaundice (no..), dark urine (no..), muscle pain (well yeah..), abdominal pain (no..), low-grade fever (wait…could that be why I’ve been sweating so much?), loss of appetite (yes…), nausea (yes yes!), fatigue (holy crap yes!).

I got completely freaked out that this whole time I’d been confusing side effects from my allergy pills with symptoms of freaking Hepatitis A! Yeah, it was not a very calm morning.

When I got back home I quickly checked out my bag of frozen berries…to find that they weren’t the same brand! PHEW! Though, for the record, the ones I have still come from Turkey. >.> Relieved, I decided to have some antioxidant berries for lunch with Weetabix and toasted walnuts. ^_^

Clearly not a great lunch because later, after I did some stress-relief baking, I ended up eating two brownies with milk. I really shouldn’t have. It was total stress eating because I don’t even remember what they tasted like. =( Must work on that.

In honor of the completion of my first year at Bastyr (and because I had a Groupon to use before it expired!), Chase and I dined out at Capri Ristorante Italiano tonight. Yes this still works with my money saving challenge because I did not actually spend a cent since the Groupon was purchased back in February and Chase picked up the extra and tip. ^_^

Anyway the restaurant has a nice atmosphere and lovely lighting. I loved that the hostess actually asked us if we preferred the window or a dark, romantic corner. I, of course, chose window for better photo lighting!

After we placed our orders we were given some delicious bread with a balsamic and oil dipping sauce. Mm the bread was thin and toasty. I ended up eating three small slices over the course of the meal.

For my dinner I went with soup and salad. Their small house salad with a side of blue cheese dressing (for fork dipping) was nothing to write home about but at least the produce was fresh and crisp and I liked it enough to eat every bite.

The tomato basil bisque though was pretty delicious! I also ate every bite and loved the chunks of garlic, sundried tomatoes, and parsley.

(P.s. This photo bugs me. I just want to point to that splash on the left and with my best Gordon Ramsey impression yell “Dirty bowl!!”)

Overall, while the food wasn’t outstanding, Chase and I still had a really great time. =) We chatted and laughed and just enjoyed each others company. Afterwards we even went for a stroll around the Mill Creek Town Center since it was such a beautiful night.

When we got back home I hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride! I thought I’d let it slip today but surprised myself! =D Woohoo. This day turned out to be a really great day.

Last night I had a completely bizarre dream where I went to a Joni Mitchell concert (who!?) and birthed a baby kitten. o.O Yeah….

Breakfast was Weetabix, fresh raspberries, and toasted walnuts. My goodness was my throat sore and itchy from allergies this morning and holy cow did this ice cold milk feel good on it. I almost wanted to get more milk just to keep soothing it!

Since I wasn’t interesting in another tuna salad sandwich and I knew that I was not interested in the hot lunch, I brought my own from home. Spinach and parsley pesto millet and lentils topped with sautéed sugar snap peas. Since I knew this lunch wouldn’t fill me up completely and there was a delicious piece of banana bread for sale, I snagged one and savored each bite. ^_^ 

After lunch I had a good time chatting with my sister on the phone outside in the sun while I did a 40 minute walk. Fresh air! Then it was back to the library…humph.

Since my last biochemistry lecture finished an hour early today I was able to get home and have a snack of banana and peanut butter. <3 The Dark Chocolate Dreams is now gone, but it’s reminded me that I will soon have the time to make my own flavored nut butters!

Dinner around 6:30pm was grilled cheese and sautéed sugar snap peas. =P yeah I’m pretty tired of the small variety of choices I have right now. Luckily, my CSA comes on Friday!!

Honestly I’m thinking about buying some pretty darn processed vegetarian meatless products. =/ I’m a bit tired of lentils and beans, eggs are never really my thing, and tofu (in my opinion) only goes with so many things. Then again, maybe I just need to be adventurous and try new things with it.

For dessert I snacked on some mint dark chocolate squares then headed to the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride workout! I almost talked myself out of this with “Oh I’m too tired. Allergies are too tough!” thoughts but in the end I reminded myself how much better I’ll feel if not physically, at least mentally, if I do it! So I did and I 100% don’t regret it.

Yay for the end of classes!!!

After having a really crazy strange dream where I woke up clutching my side, convinced I had a large gaping wound across it, (don’t ask!) I had a lovely breakfast of Weetabix, banana, toasted walnuts, and raisins. (I just realized I’m not 100% sure they even carry Weetabix back in my hometown in MT! O.O I better bring a box when we go on vacation!)

Finishing my final A&P lab practical pretty early this morning, I tucked into lunch around 11:30. I felt like I needed it! Last half of the tuna salad sandwich I purchased yesterday, half the bag of sugar snap peas (They were just tasting off today…) and a little cup of Rainer cherries! Man I could have eaten 20x the cherries!

My friend Desiree and I decided to be good students this very last week of classes, so instead of heading out on adventures we hit the library for more studying. I turned my nose up at the dessert selection today but ended up eating one anyway! Desiree did not like the cookie she bought (too hard) but knew I loved crunchy cookies so gave it to me. >.> Dessersday? Okay, even though it was chocolate I couldn’t turn it down….my body wanted the glucose! It had great texture (in my opinion!) but all the sugar got me feeling a bit bleh.

When it was finally time for our very last Ecological Aspects class at 3pm I cracked into this Strawberry Trio bar. I’m really trying to not arrive home famished so that I don’t scarf down my food and then keep snacking throughout the evening. It did the trick!

Dinner was more spinach and parsley pesto millet and lentils topped with sautéed sugar snap peas and finally topped with a fried egg! Mmm ^_^ I was able to eat this meal slowly and enjoyably.

I still wanted dessert though so I had another banana with peanut butter. <3 The good news is I was able to stop after that and hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride! See, I think I won today yes?

=D Plus my sister reminded me of the big allergy shot I’m allowed to get once a year that handles all my symptoms for 6 weeks so I can stop being a Claritin D popper! I’m trying to set it up so I can grab the shot at my old clinic in Missoula.

Night!

But before I cry about how much my body seems to hate me let me share with you this adorable photo Chase took this morning of the baby. ^_^ Yep, she’s precious.

On a kitty side note: Chase has informed me he’s looking into to toilet training the kittens once we move! O.O I told him good luck with that…

Like every early morning, I had a delectable bowl of Weetabix with fresh raspberries, toasted walnuts, and plump raisins. I know I keep trying to convey to you all how amazing Weetabix is but I won’t bore you. ^.~ I hope by now you all have tried it!

After my two final quizzes of the quarter (which were surprisingly easy!) I my stomach was crying for lunch. I ate half a tuna salad sandwich with a baggie of sugar snap peas then headed down to the last AOM Club Free Body Work room for a free massage. The tension in my neck and head faded away so I could get some work done!

I studied for an hour in the library then decided to get some fresh air on this gorgeous 70 degree day. I walked to St. Edward Park and sat down at a picnic bench to munch on a little Green&Black organic dark chocolate with mint and eventually a blueberry Trio bar while I studied biochemistry. Lately I haven’t been needing these snacks but today I felt exceptionally…weak and rundown.

Sadly, my body did not want me outside. My nose started to run all over and I couldn’t stop sneezing. =( My eyes also became super itchy which hasn’t happened since I had LASIK. I swear I wasn’t even out there for 30 minutes before I was forced back inside.

Inside, the oddest thing happened. I started sweating profusely only on my right side. o.O No I wasn’t hot nor had I exerted myself. It was the oddest thing. By the time it was time for class the fabric on my right armpit was drenched and I was suddenly very nauseous and had a headache.

I’m almost thinking I should see a doctor because this is clearly not natural but first off, I’d have to find a doctor and secondly, I don’t really want to pay for one. =/ Has anyone else had an experience like this?

By the time I got in the door after 6pm my body needed sustenance fast. I reheated some pesto millet and lentils, sautéed some sugar snap peas (can you tell it’s the only veggie I have on hand?), and sprinkled on some feta. It didn’t taste outstanding or anything but I ate out of need.

I wasn’t satisfied so I grabbed a banana and peanut butter for dessert along with a glass of milk. Later while studying for my lab practical (tomorrow!) I munched on a little fat-free popcorn and eventually a piece of cheddar cheese. I don’t know what it is but I’ve been finding myself craving salt in the evening.

Ugh. I know this is my last week of classes but can’t this quarter just be over with already!?! I feel like lying down and never moving.

P.s. Clearly, I made tonight my rest night. My body is just fighting too many allergens at the moment. =/ Chase and I are still going to do arms shortly.

I really just wanted to stay in bed this morning, but since my body is adapting to my allergy pill and thus it’s wearing off faster, I actually felt hungry! I was up and out of bed before 9am because I had some Kodiak Cakes to make! Dressed with a little butter, a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh raspberries and drippy almond butter. (Clearly I put toasted walnuts on first then ended up picking them off and grabbing the AB. I just wasn’t feeling the walnuts.)

After eating, Ophie convinced me to crawl back into bed and almost got me to take a long nap with her but instead I knew I had to get my day going! So I hit the gym for a 60 minute hill stationary bike ride. Yep, woke me right up. My goal is to not slack on any workouts for this last week of classes!

For lunch around 1pm I made the most amazing iced latte with caramel drizzle! Seriously, better than Starbucks. I drank it along with a cold piece of pineapple pizza followed by a banana and Dark Chocolate Dreams. (Why cold pizza? We’re having some oven/stove issues and it was too much of a hassle to go flip the breaker.)

Of course, with that small of a lunch, I was feeling dizzy a few hours later and ended up making a cheddar cheese quesadilla with homemade dill pickles! MMm! I’ve decided I really love my dill pickles even though they have an interesting apple cider vinegar twang.

Again, an hour later I was still feeling a bit weak so I snacked on a packet of Matcha Pocky while I studied for my A&P lab practical.

Dinner tonight turned out surprisingly good! I’m really trying to use what I have on hand (to save money and lessen the amount of stuff we have to move in July) so I cooked up some millet and lentils and tossed them with some frozen spinach and parsley pesto. For my sides I had sugar snap peas (sautéed in EVOO and Mediterranean spices) and the last of the fresh pineapple.

Nom nom. You’ll probably see this dish for dinner all week long. =P (Sadly minus the pineapple!!! T.T)

Ever since I had that caramel in my latte this morning I have been craving more. So tonight I blended up the last frozen banana into creamy banana soft serve, sprinkled some toasted walnuts, and drizzled it on! Holy delicious. Why do I ever bother buying ice cream/frozen yogurt? This stuff is soo good!

Here’s to one last week of caring!!! (about classes that is =P)