There's no place like home

After a few days of indulging and dining out in Vegas, we were ready for a nice home cooked meal. I always get that way after road trips. I have another trip planned for this Tuesday but luckily this time I'll be with family. Meaning more food from a home will be consumed!



This hummus is addicting. I went to Trader Joe's to buy another container and it was GONE! Sold out!



In a pinch, this will suffice.



Both hummus and salsa accompanied by addictive corn chips of course. Organic means they are healthy right? I have a
hard time portioning these out.



Do you have a Great Harvest in your area? We don't--really. I drove 15 miles in the morning to grab one of these strawberry and cream scones. It's delicious but huge. I shared with Andy. I love that it's made with whole wheat flour and isn't super dry like most scones. (I realize they are supposed to be this way.)



Finally after all my snacking, it was time for a home cooked meal. Foodbuzz sent me 3 varieties of buns to try out (FOR FREE as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program) and we went with the whole wheat first.



Dinner was bbq pulled pork, baked beans and watermelon. The most delicious watermelon I have EVER tasted.



Droolworthy. After this blog post, I have a date with this watermelon. So luscious.



Andy had some Full Sail Pale Ale with his. I stole a few sips. This is my favorite pale ale.



And while the baked beans are from a can, I wouldn't discount them. They are delicious and smoky. Trader Joe's can do no wrong in my eyes. I do intend on trying my hand at some homemade baked beans though.



We went out looking for running shoes after dinner and ended up with Pinkberry. Typical. I ordered a mini mango with strawberries, dark chocolate crunch balls and captain crunch.



Andy always gets original with strawberries and kiwi. Always. He is a loyal man. I'm a flirt when it comes to frozen yogurt. Always trying new things.

Kauai in 12 days! I have a ton planned before then so Kauai will feel like a vacation from my vacation. I'm going to Arizona with my mom and brother to visit family. It's over 100 degrees there too. I still intend on running and strength training and I'm slightly nervous about the heat. I think getting up before the sun will be key.

Do you workout in high temperatures? Any advice for me?

Thanks to everyone who commented and gave me their blog addresses. I am slowly building my reader back up. Blog reader update

I am obsessed with J. Crew

I'm going to be 100% honest with you. The reason why I want to lose weight and tone up? So I can shop at J. Crew, Banana Republic and Anthropologie and feel comfortable and cute. I shop at all of those stores now but I don't feel comfortable or cute really.



The other day I went to J. Crew and tried on a million things. First up this beige cardigan and a off-white and gray top. I would never wear them together, I was just being lazy.



Then this pink and white cardigan, which I purchased. It's so cute! I just have no idea what to wear it with. It's more off-white than white.



I tried on this top with the cardigan but felt like a clown. Maybe it's just me but this was no bueno.



I ended up buying the gray & off-white top because I already have a cardigan that matches.

(I own over 10 cardigans. It's an addiction, really.)

Anyway enough with my shopping. Just wait until I start losing more weight...I will annoy you all with my daily shopping excursions. Shopping is so therapeutic for me. I'm actually debating a job at J. Crew in the mornings!



I've discovered the perfect pre-run food. 2 clementines and almond butter & banana toast. YUM.



And half of this Mighty Mango Naked Juice. It's way too acidic for me to finish in one sitting but it's delicious!



Also, I just have to share because it's so cute. I wrote myself a note reminding myself of produce in the fridge that I needed to eat up and Andy wrote, "Kiss Boo." Aw! I love him.

Where do you shop? I'm always open to new places to shop!

Graduation!

I graduate college in 3 weeks. I am 25, so it's been a long time coming. I was talking to some girls in my class today (who are also 25) and we joked about being on the "7 year plan." I joke about it but sometimes I get really stressed out thinking about how I could have a masters degree by now! UGH!

With the graduation coming up, I have a lot of homework. I spent way too many hours at my laptop yesterday. 7:30am-2pm and again after my class from 8pm-10pm. I felt like an insane person. And yet...here I am again blogging and writing a paper. I needed a break from my creative writing. I have no creativity left! Any of you writers out there? How do I cure my writer's block!?!?!?!

Anyway the wedding is coming so dang fast. 82 days!!! I weighed in today and it was NOT pretty. I stayed the same as last week. Bah!

I decided to eat around 1400-1600 calories today since I doubt I will find time to exercise.

Breakfast was a gnu bar and a chobani yogurt.

Lunch was yucky Subway! I do not like subway. ugh.

Dinner was whole wheat pasta with Trader Joe's Rustico sauce and veggies.



I measured 2 dry cups of pasta. This made about 3-4 servings.



Sauteed spinach, red bell pepper, garlic and zucchini with 1 tbsp olive oil.



Stirred in the pasta and rustico sauce.



And served with a small green salad. It was very yummy! I should buy some soy crumbles or lean ground turkey to mix in with pasta sauces for more protein but oh well. I still managed to get 66 grams in today.

I got in 1304 calories today and I feel pretty satisfied. I do want a bite of my chocolate chip banana bread but I think I will avoid.



It's soooo good! I highly recommend adding flax, mashed banana and chocolate chips to a basic banana bread recipe. Fantastic! You don't need a lot of oil or eggs. (really you don't need any! ground flax and water works as an egg substitute and mashed bananas work for the oil.)

But at 200 cals a slice...this banana bread is kind of intense. I'm not hungry and I'm not craving sweets so might as well do without! Plus I had a banana walnut gnu bar today.

Which reminds me....I want to do a giveaway. Look for one tomorrow!