Thank you for assuaging my holiday shopping fears! I know homemade gifts are often the way to go and I will definitely be doing some baking. But I appreciate all of the other tips, too — I’ve got a good list going now.
Now if there is someone out there who is able to help me get my bum into gear and up the number sleeping hours I’m currently getting, I would be forever grateful! As hard as I try to go to bed early, there is always something to do. Whether it be checking through my extra large inbox that I neglect too often or the need to clean my messy apartment, sleep is often the first thing to go when life gets busy! We’ve probably all heard it before, but it’s true. How do you tell yourself to get more shut-eye?
Do I sound like a complainer or what? I love life no matter how many hours of sleep I get — don’t get me wrong. But this blogosphere is great at giving advice so I can’t help but ask 🙂
Let’s talk about some food now, shall we?
When you wake up to a frigid apartment because somebody won’t turn the heat on (not I, said the fly), there’s nothing better than jumping out of bed, running to throw on a robe over the long sleeved shirt and sweatshirt that you are already wearing and making a giant mug of Coffee Cocoa.
Ah, much better. Now I can be more productive. That means catching up on a few emails, reading as many blog posts as possible and snagging a quick workout. Then comes my favorite part of the morning: breakfast! On today’s menu: all-you-can-fit egg wrap.
I combined 2 egg whites + 1 whole egg with feta, spinach and salsa. Served up in a La Tortilla Factory wheat wrap for a delicious start.
Somewhere between that last picture and this next one was a little thing called work 🙂 That usually includes soup from Au Bon Pain and a whole grain baguette for lunch. It’s becoming a dangerous habit — and I kind of like it that way. It’s a good price, saves time in the mornings and allows me to have a chance to walk around for a bit during the day. I still bring lunch when I can, but it’s hard to go wrong with soup in negative windchill weather!
Then again, there’s also nothing wrong with a deliciously chilled smoothie after a long day at the office. I’m bringing back Bender’s Blenders!
The ingredients:
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 5-6 frozen strawberries
- 5-6 frozen peaches (just wrote beaches – I wish!)
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 scoop Maqui Superberry
I received samples of Maqui Superberry to review and post about on the blog recently. I didn’t know this, but apparently Maqui is the highest antioxidant superfruit in the world — two to three times higher than acai, pomegranate, goji berry or mangosteen. I added a serving to my smoothie and this is what I came up with.
Gorgeous, no? It was delicious, too — couldn’t even taste the powder but there’s nothing wrong with adding a little antioxidants where you can 
I will definitely be adding it to more berry smoothies from now on. Thanks for the chance to review!
Finally, I’d like to present the easiest way to fill your fiber quotient for the day…in 5 minutes or less when you get home from work.
It’s simple. Too simple for it to be even considered a recipe! Take one bag of stir-fry frozen veggies, add one skillet and a bit of olive oil. Mix ’em all up and stir in 1 tbsp. teriyaki-soy marinade. Top with crumbled feta cheese. Voila! A filling, warm and fiberlicious dinner. I eat this combination a lot nowadays. Can you tell my new theme is “timesaver” or should I say it again?
Timesaver!!!!! 😉
If I seem a little wacky in this post, it is because I am.
The main reason for my whimsical mood is that, believe it or not, Mama Bender is coming to visit this weekend! I know, it seems insane — first Thanksgiving, then another trip back home last weekend and now Mama Bender comes to Chicago. We probably could have planned to space it out a bit better, but she really wanted to come visit during the holidays and see the Christmas spectacle that is Michigan Avenue during this time of year.
Note: I think she changed her mind once she stepped off the plane and felt the negative windchill!
We’ll be finding fun indoors this weekend 🙂 I can’t wait to see her.
Around-the-Blogosphere
- Vote for Gena in the Best of Raw 2009 Awards! She’s nominated for Best Raw Educator or 2009, Best Raw/Vegan Blog of 2009, and Best Raw Website of 2009. Congrats, girl!
- Check out Foodie’s Knock Knock Giveaway! I may or may not be doing a very similar giveaway soon 🙂
- My cousin Kelli just started her very own blog! Go tell her hi from me 🙂 Here it is: Brain.Guts.Hands.
Looking forward to the weekend! What are your plans?
Abrazos,
The only plans I have are to stay inside as much as possible. So cold in Chicago!
Maybe rent some movies, make soup and relax.
Plans for the weekend… catching up with YOU! 🙂
Aww, thanks so much, girl! I am so honored and would love to take it home. Appreciate the support 🙂 xoxo
I really need to try the coffee cocoa! I have been looking at it for months now.
Welcome to the Midwest Mama Bender! So glad that you get some family time Jenn 🙂
Your eats look super tasty, as usual! Love the stir fry vegetables idea.
Weekend plans include Christmas shopping, cleaning, a bit of packing and studying like a maniac 😀 Should be a blast!
All I see is feta and I love it! I haven’t had that wonderful cheese in far too long!
YAY for Mama Bender being in town!! I hope you guys layer up like Ralphie ala Christmas Story because, assuming we’re having similar weather, it’s FREEZING!
yum. that egg wrap looks awesome! and I love that you’re bringing back bender’s blenders 🙂
soup + whole grain bread doesn’t sound like a bad habit! 😉
How fun that Mama Bender is visiting!!!
Yum on the breakfast wrap. I considered eggs this morning but crawling outta bed was awful hard! Even in my long sleeve pjs, hoodie, and wool sock combo I couldn’t get functioning.
I don’t blame Mama Bender one bit if she doesn’t step off that plane lol!
Hello Chicago, it’s way to early for this negative weather! It better be slightly nicer next week when I’ll be waiting in line at the House of Blues for an hour or so.
Hey Jenn!
Haha so in response to your question about shut-eye, for the last few months I’ve had the same problem! I think it’s a combination of not doing too much about an hour and a half before bedtime, and just sucking it up and going to bed when you should! I just had to keep reminding myself that it would be worth it the next morning. Plus sometimes when you least expect it you find that you’re the most tired, and passing out is a breeze.
Otherwise I’d say read a book, drink some tea, and work out no more than 3 hours before bedtime (that should also help you sleep better). Then just set that alarm and don’t check the clock if you’re not falling asleep! As my friend once said, “Just think that it’ll alllllll be OK”, haha.
This weekend it’s the going-away party for my friend who’s going to Bolivia for a year, so that should be fun. Also going to the gym (Must Needed!) and relaxing with the fam.
Have SO much fun with mama bender this weekend- I know you will! I promise to give you a reply to your email sometime tomorrow 🙂 Don’t ask me about sleep…I STINK at getting enough of it. Your eggy wraps always look so tasty.
OMG stay warm out there girlie!!
This weekend starts Hanukkah…so loads of family time!
Haha, I actually have the opposite problem, sleep will always take priority over other things! Especially homework/studying.
hahha..i’m totally like that in the morning too…dad refuses to turn the heat on either.
hope the shopping goes well!!!
I wish I was sitting in my robe sipping on coffee cocoa right now! 🙂
Have a great shopping spree!
I know exactly what you mean about those moments before bed. I am a mad woman! I tend to clean up the apartment before I go to sleep – just making sure the living room looks OK mainly. I hate waking up to clutter. Then I do all the night prep (wash face, brush teeth, etc.) Talk to Bill, etc. And by the time I *actually* lay down, it’s about 45 minutes later!
My only advice is to get done what you can RIGHT when you get home. If you need to clean, do something small. Pack your lunch for the next day right again if you can. Do you have a laptop? If so, don’t take it to bed with you. That’s what I do sometimes – and I got lost in blogs, Facebook, emails, etc. – which I love but I need to sleep!
Ok, I’m sure that’s more than you wanted to hear.
Hooray for Mama Bender!!
No — that’s EXACTLY what I needed to hear!! Thanks, Rose 🙂
Wow, all your eats look so delicious! Especially that coffee cocoa!
Tonight, Chanukah begins so I plan to celebrate with lots of delicious food over the weekend!
http://www.justflourishing.com
My heater isn’t on either. Robes are a must. That wrap looks great and I love feta with everything so I love that stir-fry.
The wrap look awesome 😀 thanks for the lunch idea! yeah 😀
Yay for the return of Bender’s Blenders! The smoothie looks great! Love the color!
Thanks for the Giveaway shoutout!
Mmm soup and bread – can’t beat it this time of year.
And I too have gone to town on an entire bag of frozen veggies for dinner. You can never have too many veggies right? Gosh, let’s hope not!
ok…. is that a pink vitamix??!??
No — it’s red! That would be awesome if it was pink, though 😉
I hear ya on trying to get to bed earlier but something all pops up that I have to do. Hope you have a great time with your mom!! Stay warm ; )
wrap looks great!
That looks delicious!! I made your banana bread yesterday. I didn’t have applesauce so I substituted canned pumpkin- DELICIOUS!! I must say..I had about 3 slices of it today. That stuff is dangerous.
Mm, love the canned pumpkin substitution! Glad you liked the bread — I agree, it is hard to resist! 🙂
I loved this post and love reading your blog- all your recipes are so simple yet delicious! I’m getting ready to embark on my first semester mealplan=less and am definitely going to snag some of these meals since I am scared out of my mind to cook for myself all of the time!
http://www.cassieinmadrid.wordpress.com
Hi Cassie! Hope all is well for you — thanks for the comment on my blog 🙂 I will definitely check yours out. It sounds so exciting!
LOVE the color of that Bender’s Blender! Yum 🙂
Funny you should talk about sleep habits, because I think FINALLY, I’ve gotten on a schedule that leaves me rested and energized through the day. Now, it’s involved me getting into bed around 9:30 or 10 each night, but I’ve found that when I do that, I’m up earlier (7ish), more rested, and more productive through my day. Maybe try reminding yourself that the more rest you can get, the more you will accomplish during the day, and the less time all of your tasks will take overall! Let us know how things work out.
Mmmm your smoothie bowl looks soooo good! My Sur le table giveaway ends tomorrow at 7 Eastern if you haven’t entered yet!
Super bummed that I missed this! Oh the holidays 🙂 Hope you’re doing well!
Oh my, that breakfast wrap looks darn good. I like the idea of the timesaver dinner…noted. 🙂
kyle refuses to use the heater too…i swear, id rather spend 300$ on energy than lose my fingers to frost bite!!
have fun with your mom!
I like your quick dinner idea. I think I’ve done something along those lines more than once myself. NOTHING but nothing beats frozen veggies in a pinch. I went through a phase where I was trying not to use them, but I’m glad I got over it. 😉
Jenn,
Hope you had fun with your mom this past weekend!
CD won’t turn the heat up either. Makes my morning coffee taste sooo yummy, and I thing your dinner looks perfect. We always eat big bowls of stir-fry at night. Makes my belly full and happy. 🙂
all of your food looks delicious! from coffee to wraps to stirfrys, yum!!
Oh I can go on and on about sleep since that’s what I’m doing my thesis on this year! 😀 But I don’t get enough sleep myself so can’t give any tips XD But just remember–not enough sleep = not enough new brain cells!
I would be the same way about sleep, but I just tell myself that I will get up an hour earlier or something…I’m more productive in the morning with a mug of coffee in my hand after a nice hot shower anyways! 😀 I have to try cocoa coffee!
I received a sample that too but I did not request it or anything. I was so confused when I got it!
[…] in my tone. All of my posts were rushed and lacked my usual level of enthusiasm. Whether it was a lack of sleep or the feeling that I was unprepared for the holidays, I had lost the motivation and perkiness I […]
Big fan of the maqui berry powder, great tasting stuff. I’m also going to make the tortilla wrap you have above, looks like it would taste amazing.
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