Memorial Day and then some

Hello!

I've missed blogging but I've been sick with a nasty head cold. They aren't kidding when they tell you to wash your hands multiple times a day in elementary school. Working with kindergarteners means TONS of hand-washing for me. (But apparently, I failed.)

My head is congested, nose sniffly and my body is tired. I'm not quite out of the woods yet but getting close. I spend Saturday night sniffling away at Andy's parents house in San Diego. We saw a Padre game and they won! YAY!



Earlier this week, I made some tacos using new product finds from Trader Joe's. I love that this pre-packaged seasoning had no MSG in it. The brand I used before did so I had to toss it.



Yes, I stole Caitlin's shot glass taco holder idea. Worked like a charm. Besides the oozing hot sauce.



We filled the taco shells with lean ground beef, hot sauce, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes and guacamole.



We used this hot sauce. It's FABULOUS!



And had skinny margaritas. (Trader Joe's has an awesome mix and it's light in the sugar department. Check it out.)



Yesterday, I made us green protein smoothies. I figured some spinach might cure me. It was good! I am scared of green smoothies so I only added one cup of raw spinach.



Then it was time for a pool party and food! We heated up these baked black beans.



Brought out these dips.



Turned on the margarita machine. (This only comes out for special occasions!)





And had burgers, beans and margaritas while watching bad tv. Then we laid out by the pool with my sisters and friends. I am hoping to get some color without actually tanning this summer. It probably won't happen. I'm too paranoid about skin cancer, more freckles and weird tan lines.

How did you celebrate Memorial Day?

I Should Have a Fan Club

Amanda tells me people want me to post more. I have a feeling Amanda is up to no good and just wants me to post. In any event, here I am. My name is Andy.

Edit by Amanda: Be nice to Andy and tell him to post more! haha

I am extra stressed this week for no real reason. Maybe it is anxiety. We are almost to spring break (we are going to Vegas, which they should rename Food City). And of course, food is comfort. But Amanda and I are trying to be good, working out and eating relatively healthy. We also have the 5K this weekend. Yikes!

Amanda mentioned that the nice folks at Jayrobb sent us a TON of protein powder, bars, and other goodies. So we tried another one last night. Pina Colada!(As I am writing this, Amanda is making a Chocolate Shake. That is called a teaser in the business).



This stuff is damn tasty. I won't even say it is tasty for a protein shake, it is just good. We mix it with Almond Milk and various fruit. We have frozen bananas(1 in smoothie), strawberries(6), and peaches(half a large peach) with the Pina Colada mix and a cup of Almond Milk. This makes 2 relatively large smoothies.

Here is the nutrition info. Like I said, we make two smoothies with one pack.



Sort of blurtastic, but you get the point. We had these with dinner after a run yesterday. Jay Robb makes the goods.



See? THE GOODS!

The main event for dinner was a quesadilla. We had some whole grain tortillas and some fully cooked chicken from Trader Joes. We added shredded pepper jack cheese, Pepper Plant Hot Sauce, and Spicy Black Bean Dip, again from Trader Joes. Put it in the skillet, split it, added a bit of guacamole(from Joes again! See a trend?) and we had magic. The star was the black bean dip from Trader Joes. It was amazingly tasty, spicy, and full of awesome.

Here is our slightly odd, but ever so tasty smoothie and quesadilla dinner.

Edit by Amanda: It was not odd, it was protein-filled and necessary!



So my chocolate smoothie is ready. But a thought...how amazing is Trader Joes? I really hate regular grocery stores. Mostly because I hate the club card system. I don't like being tracked, and I realize this is odd because I am currently on the internet seemingly being tracked constantly. But the club cards bother me. I don't have any, refuse to get them, and get dirty looks from cashiers who always swipe someones card for me to use. I should do this more and buy just foul combinations of things.... but I don't. Trader Joes is cheap, friendly, and has great quality everything. I made a friend at our local Joes. He always comments on my band shirt/hoodies. We are sort of BFF now.

So...do you love Joes? Ever been? Any club card irrational fear you want to rant about? I'd love to hear.