Yesterday, Ashley of healthy ashley straight up DARED me to try something revolutionary by my standards: blend my Coffee Cocoa. So I did 
Basically, I used my regular recipe, added 1/2 cup of unsweetened chocolate milk and 6 ice cubes in a blender, flipped the “on” switch and voila!
These pictures look so indulgent – and it tasted that way, too! Next time I would probably add a bit more cocoa or some other sweet ingredient (simply because of my extra large sweet tooth!), but other than that I was very happy with my new creation. Thanks for the challenge, Ashley🙂
Along with the Blended Coffee Cocoa, I had a bowl of cold cereal – 1/4 cup TJ’s High Fiber O’s, 1 cup Nature’s Path Puffs and 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk, as usual;)
I topped the cereal with a sliced banana and a handful of a new trail mix from Trader Joe’s.
This mix is called Anti-OXidant Nut & Berry. It has almonds and walnuts + dried blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and raisins.
Another winner from Trader Joe’s!
MORNING SNACK
I decided to try to go 3 for 3 today by trying out the last flavor in the Clif Mini box: Crunchy Peanut Butter! I was feeling good about this one given my love for PB!
Turns out my instincts were right – another winner! I enjoyed every bite, and think this one might even be my favorite. I’m going to take this research and apply it to the big Clif bars now, using all of YOUR lovely suggestions of course:)
I especially like the way these bars stay so moist. Although I think Julz of SIMPLE and DIVINE would agree that leaving it out to harden a bit is really the best way to go about it!
LUNCH
The bar held me over a little longer than usual today. Finally around 1:00 pm, I was ready for my juicy peach!
Then I whipped out a new find from the grocery store last weekend.
I absolutely love tomato soup, and this seemed like a good way to enjoy it at work! There are two servings per container, but since it was lower in sodium than a lot of soups are (300mg per serving), I just ate both servings as my lunch! All you have to do it heat it in the microwave for roughly 2 minutes – easy peasy!
It tasted good, too. I wouldn’t have minded a slightly thicker consistency, though. Next time, I’ll bring things to add to it to make it a more well-rounded meal.
DINNER
We chose to eat at a “new” restaurant that I’ve walked by many times before but have never actually eaten at called That Little Mexican Cafe. Yes, that’s actually its name;)
I was feeling a little adventurous, so I ordered a margarita with my mom.
We started out by ordering some guacamole. Little did we know that a woman would soon be coming over to our table with a cart full of ingredients to make the guacamole FRESH for us. Doesn’t get much better than that (right Liz?!):mrgreen:
Here’s my portion with some tortilla chips. The lime juice really made this guacamole the best I’ve ever had. Next time I buy it, I may add some extra lime juice – it gives it a good kick!
For dinner, I ordered the black bean soup. It came drizzled with some sour cream, which I thought looked pretty but tasted just alright (I’m not a big sour cream fan).
I also ordered the Mexican Fire salad, which basically meant mixed greens, carrots, and some spicy red, green and poblano peppers. It was tossed with a cilantro dressing and topped with a little bit of cheese.
It was by far the lightest entree I have EVER ordered at a Mexican restaurant, and I really felt much better afterward. I think all the cheese in some dishes really bothers my stomach, so I’m glad I went this route instead.
After dinner, I went to the gym and did 30 minutes on the Stairmaster + an arm machine workout. Now it’s about that time where I get into bed and fall fast asleep…ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZz
Sweet dreams 🙂
Ya know, as much as I like the Clif Minis, I have never tried I regular Clif bar…I’m interested to see the results of your big Clif research!
I am so jealous of your Mexican meal–it all looks so healthy and fresh. I’d like some of that guacamole right about…now.
I’m not going to lie Jenn… that Coffee Cocoa event was pretty suspenseful!
And I always always always put lime in my quac! It’s the BEST! But that’s so cool she made it AT your table!? Crazy. I need to try the Clif bar Minis…you said I can find them at Tarjeh?
Happy Wednesday girlie!
YAY! I’m glad you tried it! In mine I add cocoa, sugar and sometimes 1/2 a frozen banana. Yours looks like its from a French bakery!
The guac looks SO good! I need to find a place where they make it that fresh. I’m glad you had a better Mexican experience.
Have a great day!
YAY! I’m glad you tried it! In mine I add cocoa, sugar and sometimes 1/2 a frozen banana. Yours looks like its from a French bakery!
The guac looks SO good! I need to find a place where they make it that fresh. I’m glad you had a better Mexican experience.
yup, I commented two times. The first was accidentally with WordPress instead of blogger. Sorry!
wow. that drink looks divine. very professional. i’m going to have to try it sometime, for sure. I really like those Health Valley soups, all the flavors I’ve tried have been really filling and delicious. I really like the lentil one. Mmm, and that salad looks really good too, I’m glad you were able to find something healthy and satisfying at a mexican restaurant, that’s always an accomplishment!
That HAS to be the most captivating coffee drink I have ever seen – gorgeous!!
Okay, I NEED that guacamole – looks insanely delish :0)
Nice! I like the change to the morning drink! Glad you had a fun dinner out! The fresh guac looks amazing! The salad looks awesome too. I love a hot vegi/cold lettuce salad! The contrast is awesome!
your coffee drink looks so professional!
and your mexican dinner…i could eat it off the screen it looks so good!
Oh my GOODNESS, I want to be part of that cocoa-blending revolution!!!
Oh ny gosh I thought I died and went to chocolate heaven when I saw that big giant cup of blended AWESOMENESS!! Perfect for a summer day, that’s for sure! Maybe you should do some more coffee cocoa experiments 😀
Your dinner looks gorgeous and delicious! Too bad about the black bean soup–but it really does look pretty! And the salad is making me crave a big bowl of veggies!
I agree with others. That coffee drink is so scrumptious!!!
I need a mexican restaurant near me that serves salads like that!!! All the one I have found simply serving the standard “taco salad” in that damn shell that I cannot for the life of me avoid eating–so therefore I should have just ordered a different non salad entree.
Your morning beverages always look so fancy too!
Caroline ~ I will be sure to give you a full report 😉 I’m craving that guacamole again…
Em ~ Ah yes, I’m full of surprises – hehe 🙂 And I did get those Clif Minis at Tarjeh – love how you called it (and spelled it!) by its “upscale” name!
ashley ~ Haha, no worries about the extra comments 🙂 Adding frozen banana is a GREAT idea – I will definitely do that next time because I always have extra ripe bananas on hand!
Sarah ~ I saw the lentil version at the store – I will have to try that one out next time I go since you recommended it – thanks!
VeggieGirl ~ Aw, thanks 🙂 I need some more of that guacamole now too!
Erica ~ I love the hot/cold combination too – it really spruces up your average bowl of greens!
Melissa ~ Haha, why thank you! 🙂
CCV ~ You are officially “in” 🙂
Carmen ~ I’m thinking more experiments are definitely in order!
Sharon ~ Thank you! 🙂
sweetsandsweats ~ Yeah, taco salads are no good – too salty for me! And I always pick at the not-so-good-quality shell too 🙂
I like clif minis because you can still enjoy the wonderful taste without all the calories. The peanut butter one is delicious. That Mexican fire salad looks yummy.
that blended coffee looks SO GOOD!!!
thanks for the sweet comment on my blog 🙂 I know, those brownies are heaven.
haha, at first I thought the black bean soup was some sort of vanilla-chocolate dessert! I’m sure it was delicious. and as always, beautiful sunshine-y photography!
I am very, very jealous of your Mexican dinner. And I want that guacamole NOW. Fresh guacamole is the best thing in the world!
Megan ~ That’s why I like them too – the perfect morning or afternoon snack that holds you over until the next real meal 🙂
iameatingtolive ~ I WISH it was a vanilla-chocolate dessert! Haha, thanks 🙂
blueberryhil ~ Mmm you’re right about that! I had some more guacamole at lunch today!
Hmmm…Jen, did you ever see my answer to your question about stopping late night snacking binges?
totaltransformation ~ I just checked Sarah’s post again. Those are some great tips – thanks for sharing 🙂
That salad looks WONDERFUL! What an awesome little Mexican Cafe that is! 🙂 Your enthusiasm always brightens my day, precious Jenn! I hope your Humpday is wonderful!
Julz ~ Aw, thanks – I could say the exact same thing about you! Your excitement is contagious 🙂
[…] definitely on a citrus kick lately. Ever since I had that guacamole, I’ve loved anything and everything orange, lemon and lime. So it should come as no surprise […]