The first day of autumn ties in just perfectly with the first day of senior year, plus another first that I will tell you about later! It was a busy day, for sure, even without classes. Books were bought (and wallets were heartbroken), organization was attempted (still a work in progress), and there was also plenty more of catching up with friends. I can’t believe it’s already 9:15 pm – where does the time go?
Well, time wasn’t exactly on my side from the get-go this morning. I set my alarm for 8:30 am, figuring I would sleep in, but ended up pressing the snooze button so many times that my alarm shut itself off and I didn’t rise again until 11:00 am! I suppose I’m still a bit jet-lagged from AZ but still – so not the way I wanted to start off the day! Ah well, can’t do much about it at this point!
BREAKFAST…SORT OF
I was planning on meeting my friend for lunch at noon, so I didn’t want to eat something and spoil my appetite. At the same time, my stomach was howling at me to fill it with some grub. So I settled on a small bowl of cereal – Nature’s Path Rice Puffs and TJ’s High Fiber O’s with unsweetened chocolate almond milk.
I knew this combination wouldn’t keep me full for long so that I’d be able to enjoy lunch with my friend. And I wanted enjoy lunch because we met up at Whole Foods!
LUNCH
I was so excited when my friend suggested lunch at Whole Foods. She isn’t even a foodie and yet she appreciates the best of the best 🙂 We decided to bring it back to my place and chat. Of course I headed straight for the salad bar! I got a little of everything: corn salad, sweet potatoes, artichokes, garlic, chickpea salad, roasted potatoes, pepper salad and Greek salad.
I have never been disappointed by a trip to Whole Foods. Ever! It probably helped that I bought some goodies to take home with me, too!
From left to right, we have freshly ground PB, whipped cottage cheese, sesame oil, Greek yogurt, tomato soup, Kashi oatmeal cookies, frozen mango, mini pitas, blueberry frozen waffles, sweet potato fries, English muffins, more Greek yogurt, dark chocolate PB (!!), green grapes and whole wheat couscous. It was a good trip – I really needed to restock my supply of food after being gone for so long!
SNACK
I spent of the rest of the day running errands and psyching myself up for the year ahead. Around 4:00 pm, I decided to do something big – my friend convinced me to go to LA Fitness and try out a free class. We have a gym on campus, but there aren’t that many fitness classes offered, and the ones that are offered aren’t all that great. Plus, you have to pay a lot of money per quarter to enroll in them in the first place.
I decided to try a free spin class and see what it’s all about. Before I left, I fueled up with a container of Fage with a crumbled Apple Cinnamon ZBaR on top.
I was still in need of a little more fuel – I blame it on waking up so late – so I made another small bowl of cereal using the same ingredients as I did earlier this morning.
ANOTHER FIRST
I went to my first spin class at this new gym and LOVED it! Turns out they also offer kickboxing, yoga, pilates and step classes. So…after my wallet shed a couple more tears, I signed up and became a member! I really think this is worth it for me – I get so much more out of group fitness classes than I ever do working out by myself. Plus, I rarely ever spend money on myself because I’m very cheap 🙂 So of course when I do spend it, it’s either on food or fitness – but hey, it makes me happy!
DINNER + DESSERT
I was very hungry once I finally got back from the gym. On the way home, I stopped at Whole Foods again and bought something fresh from the prepared foods section as a treat for the “night before senior classes begin” – you’d be amazed at how many holidays I can come up with 😉 Anyway, I decided on a big container of sesame tofu!!
I’m still salivating just looking at these pictures again! This tofu was SO.GOOD! It was perfectly marinated with sesame seeds and a yummy sauce. I will be buying this a lot this year, I can tell already!!
For dessert, I had a lovely cup of rice pudding topped with blueberry granola. I love this dessert so much – rice pudding and I get along very well.
And a bit later, I munched on some cantaloupe. I always feel better when I end the evening with some fresh fruit. It leaves my stomach smiling 🙂 if that were possible.
TUMMY UPDATE
I heard back from the doc on my tummy test and there’s no official problem. I see this as both good and bad news. I’m very grateful that it’s nothing serious, but it also means I’m back to square one and don’t really have a clue what it is that causes the aches. Fortunately, however, the aches have been nonexistent since I got tested! How weird is that? I haven’t made many huge changes besides cutting back a bit on processed sugars. But really, not enough for it to have really made an impact. Who knows? All I can hope for is that it stays this way! I’ll keep my fingers crossed.
I hope everyone has a wonderful night! I’m sorry I’m a bit behind in blog reading and commenting, but please know I’m still lurking around and that I’ll get there eventually 🙂 How has your week been?
Have a great Tuesday!
BAAAAAAAA whole foods! BAAAAAAAAA tofu!
Double WHAMMY.
Delicious.
Take Care Jenn Bear! * Badungsh! * 🙂
_______________
glidingcalm ~ Hehe, you’re silly. Badungsh!
wow, this just got me hungry again!! amazing day of eats 🙂
_______________
ttfn300 ~ Haha, that’s my goal 🙂
[…] Original post by eating bender […]
Oh, Whole Foods. So delicious, all the time! I just with it was more affordable hahah
Good to hear no big problem with your tummy!
_______________
Olga ~ I wish it was more affordable, too! I think that’s every foodie’s dream…maybe someday!
Sounds like you had a great first day back–I think that’s the best time to be at school, when classes haven’t begun and you can just hang with friends:)
ALL the food looks so good in this post! I really want some of that Whole Foods action, and that tofu looks divine! Yum. Yum. Yum.
_______________
Caroline ~ I agree. And the tofu IS divine. I want it in bulk!
Hey Hey…I recently had to have my gallbladder removed after getting pancreatitis on the fourth of July. My gallbladder, it turns out, was not functioning properly and was giving me horrible stomach aches. If you’d like, you can email me and I will go into more detail…maybe this is an option as to what’s up with your tum???
_______________
twinks ~ Thanks so much 🙂 I emailed you!
there’s so much goodness in this post! from the whole foods salad to the great shopping, to the gym membership (YAY!!) and the sesame tofu….. life can be sweet! i’m so glad you got to try the gym for free, it’s a good tactic for them too of course 🙂 hope you have a great school year!
_______________
wholefoodswholeme ~ Life is DEFINITELY sweet! I have no complaints 🙂
Definitely better that nothing is seriously wrong with you!
Oh, and I think you stole my grocery cart. Please return all food to me asap. 🙂
Heather
_______________
Hangry Pants ~ Oops! My mistake 🙂
All your food looks so great! Have you tried the honey roasted PB from whole foods… it is the best thing I have ever tastes! Let me know how those kashi cookies are.. I sgned up for my free sample the other day!
_______________
Christie ~ I haven’t tried the honey roasted yet! They don’t have it near me but they have it back home so I’ll have to give it a try next time I go back. The Kashi cookies are amazing – I’ve had them before!!
Yeah for a gym membership!
The WF’s salad looks so yummy and colorful!
I like spin classes, but my first class was hard because I did not have a gel seat! UGH!
Yum…rice pudding!
_______________
Megan ~ Ooh yeah, those spin seats hurt my arse 😉 I like it when we stand!! Haha 🙂
Despite the late start, you DID still manage to get a lot done on Monday – no surprise, since you’re a determined person! 🙂
I have 5 unopened boxes of TJ’s High Fiber O’s at home, in my cupboard – I can’t eat them anymore since I’m a “gluten free-er” – lemme know if I can send them to you, seriously.
HOORAY FOR WHOLE FOODS!!! And hooray for a new gym membership!! Thats wonderful!!
Rice pudding = brings back nostalgia.
Fingers crossed that your tummy gets (and stays) fully tamed!
You know how my week’s going 😉
_______________
VeggieGirl ~ I’m definitely going to take you up on those O’s! Do they make vegan and gluten-free rice pudding??
Good luck with your first day!
_______________
Nicole ~ Thanks!
I can’t wait to hear about the great exercise classes you will be taking. I’m glad you enjoyed spin class.
_______________
Aimee ~ Thank you!
Ahh everything about being back at school sounds like it’s going well for you! Good job signing up at the gym, I’m sure you’ll have an awesome time with the exercise classes. I’m not a member at any gym but I ALMOST want to fork out some cash to be one just so I can do a whole bunch of fun classes. I know I would love them. Unfortunately my wallet would be crying a little TOO much to do it right now.
I really want that tofu. A lot.
Sorry to hear about no results on the stomach problems front. I’ve had stomach pains too, and once a crazy intense bout of it that had me completely unable to move, and yet they weren’t able to find anything wrong. Just a tad frustrating…
_______________
Kristie ~ I want that tofu a lot, too! I wish I had all the money in the world to spend on food. I’m sorry to hear about your stomach pains – I have the same deal. Sometimes I have to walk hunched over until I can find a place to rest. Ugh.
sounds like you’re getting back into the school swing of things with no problem (except for the poor wallet, but it will recover haha). your whole foods lunch and goodies look wonderful (are those frozen sweet potato fries?!? amazing) and i’m so glad you liked spin!!! it’s one of my favorite kinds of cardio 😀
that tofu looks heavenly and makes me wish i would have eaten at whole foods when i was there the other day.. guess i’ll have to go back! tragedy 😀
have a wonderful second day back!!
_______________
fitnessista ~ Yes, the poor wallet will recover someday 🙂 And they are indeed sweet potato fries!! I love them!
WF twice in one day-i’m SO JEALOUS! I can’t even get there at all : ( We have one sort of near my school but I don’t have a car so it’s too much of a pain to make the trip. My mom is coming up to visit in a few weeks though so you better believe that’s where our first stop will be!
Yayyy for spinning! I knew you would love it! Again, I’m so jealous because I have nowhere to spin around here. Sad.
Basically, I think I just need to transfer to Northwestern, haha.
Have a WONDERFUL first day of classes. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
_______________
Sarah ~ I think I like the moral of your story 🙂 Too bad you’re already an all-star at your school, so I can’t ask you to transfer. Otherwise I would force you – hehe.
Awww, sorry about the tummy test…kind-of. I know how annoying it is to know something is not right with yourself but no medical doctor can figure it out. It gets frustrating (and sometimes you think you may be going crazy.) but hopefully it’ll improve…what ever ‘it’ is.
Hello tofu–that looks wonderful. Wonder if my Whole Foods has that….wonderful I can pass it off to the husband as something like fish sticks. 🙂
Have a good first day of senior year!
sweets&sweats.wordpress.com
_______________
Fitzalan ~ Thanks so much – you totally nailed what I was thinking. Oh, and you can totally pass off that tofu as fish sticks! They are a million times better, though 🙂
what day of firsts! sounds like so much fun! and it sounds like you’re going to have a great year…joining and new gym and trying out new classes and such…and it seems like there is a whole foods near by so lucky you! i’m jealous!
and great to hear there’s nothing officially wrong w/ your tummy and the aches stay away!
have a great tuesday!
_______________
Melissa S. ~ I am definitely glad to have a Whole Foods nearby! Lucky, indeed!
Glad to hear the news about the tummy – those can be such a bother, I’ve been there!
Thanks for your long post on my blog – that was so sweet! You are too nice… don’t worry about being behind! I’m just glad you can pop over once in a while 🙂 We’re all so busy!
That’s great that your friend wanted to meet at WF… I love when my non-foodie friends surprise me like that.
Happy Tuesday!
_______________
Rose ~ Aw, absolutely – and it’s all true 🙂 Love your blog!
Spin is fun, eh? I’m glad you’ve come over the group ex side. 🙂 It’s only a matter of time until you start teaching yourself. hehe.
_______________
Jenn ~ Yes!! I would love to do that – I really think that my calling was to be a personal trainer or group fitness instructor, but journalism got in the way 🙂
the only time im disapointed after a trip to whole foods is when i check my checking account balance. a girl can go broke there.
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
_______________
Kelly ~ That is a fact!
Yay for awesome Whole Foods loot!
And Double Yay for Brothers and Sisters, it starts Sunday and I can.not.wait.!!
_______________
Christie I. ~ Double yay, indeed!
Haha I love your “create as many holidays as possible” tendency. Holidays are always more fun than regular days! (Of course, if every day were a holiday, I guess they’d lose their special-ness.)
Ooh, and you don’t need a hand-blender for creamy oats/wheatberries/whatever. A food processor works really well too :o).
_______________
CCV ~ Yes, we must keep the holidays to once a week so they don’t lose their flava 😉 And thanks for letting me know about the food processor. It’s about time I cracked open the box.
I’m so glad that your stomach is okay. That would be scary. :/
As for your meals, this is what I thought about each and every picture…
DELISH.
DELISH.
DELISH.
DELISH.
DELISH.
DELISH.
Do I see the word “grocery” in your planner, in that first pic?
_______________
Erin ~ Aw, thanks! And yes, you definitely saw grocery in my planner. It’s of the utmost importance!
Nice WF finds! You’ll have to let us know about that dark chocolate PB 🙂
I LOVE LA Fitness! We’ve been members for about 6 months and it’s my favorite gym by far. Hope you enjoy your membership!
_______________
HeatherBakes ~ I can let you know right now because I am in LOVE with it!! If you ever have the chance to try it, DO IT! And I’m very glad to hear a good review of LA Fitness!!
No worries…read when you have time! I enjoy your posts…good stuff! Thank you…have a great day!
_______________
Mark Salinas ~ Thanks for understanding!
Yay!!! Congrats on your first spin class, I am sooo glad you liked it! They are the best 😉
I’m jealous of your Whole Foods (as usual), looks like you had some fun!
Glad to hear everything is normal with the tummy, but I hope you keep feeling better!! 🙂
_______________
jenngirl ~ They are awesome! And thanks!
I’ve been dealing with stomach problems too the past year, have also gotten an endoscopy with results like yours (nothing big is wrong).
Leaving myself back at square one like you.
Slowly I have come to realize that the following foods make my tummy acid-y , bloat-y and ill (maybe it could be happening to you too!)
– Coffee, processed foods (Bars, Packaged food, pre-made muffins etc…), too much spice, too much fiber (!– who knew too much of a good thing was bad!)
as ive slowly cut back on these and added more protein my symptoms are less!
also- beans are hard to digest as well, and i should cut back, but i love them too much!!
So now I’ve resorted to using all natural products, natural pb ( not Better N’), whole fruits, etc… etc…
hope this helps a bit!
_______________
Saera ~ You are amazing! Thank you so much for all of these tips. I definitely eat PLENTY of all of these and could use a little cutting back here and there. I’m sure it would help! I’ll let you know how it goes!
First off, yayyy whole foods. Second, so glad you found a gym with great classes! I agree, classes make me work sooooo much harder! I can’t wait to hear your reviews on all of the LA classes!
_______________
Erica ~ I can’t wait to give my reviews! First yoga class ever tomorrow morning!
This was a great day of firsts for you. So glad that you enjoyed spinning and that sesame tofu looks amazing. I seriously need to see if mine has it.
_______________
eatingbirdfood ~ I need to go back and buy some more!
I love Whole Foods too! I got dinner there the other night.
That is very strange about your stomach…have you ever been tested for celiac?
_______________
Katie ~ Thanks – I actually had an endoscopy procedure a couple of weeks back. No celiac (fortunately), but also no concrete results, either! Kinda frustrating!
rice pudding was such a childhood comfort food! I should try tossing some single serve Kozy Shack in my cart next time 🙂
Never thought to crumble a bar on top of Fage…nice idea. I bet my Lemon Zest Luna bar would be fab…
_______________
Leslie ~ I love Kozy Shack! The Jello ones are pretty good, too. And crumbling bars on top of Greek yogurt is my new favorite thing!
Interesting that you liken these tests for the Myers Briggs tests, Kerry MB
are beloved by HR departments, but not precisely very
well rated by academics and expert psychologists.