Playing Hookie! :)

I played hookie all day today!  Aside from a 40-minute run in winter running gear, I spent the rest of my day in my pj’s.  It was lovely. 😀

Why did I play hookie?

This is why…

There was 5-6 inches of snow on the ground, with icey roads to boot.  I had only one lecture today, and with no more exams left for this particular class, I didn’t feel  too bad playing hookie.  Okay, I felt a little guilty.  But in a fun, crazy sort of way. 😉

In honor of such a cozy morning, I made a bowl of oats!

• 1/4 c. oats
• 1/4 c. oatbran
• 1 c. milk + 1/2 c. water
• cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
• 1 banana
• 1 T. raisins
• 2 T. wheatberries
• 2 T. walnuts
• 2 T. Natures Place Pumpkin Flax

The banana was super ripe and really fluffed up the oats.  Yum!

Last week, I had picked up a container of Oikos, and I couldn’t wait to open it!  It’s so expensive, but I absolutely love it for a special treat.  Sometimes you just can’t beet Greek yogurt! 😀

• 8 oz. nonfat Oikos Greek yogurt
• 1/2 chocolate rice cake, crumbled on top
• 1 T. roasted almond butter with sea salt (from TJ’s)

I decided that I’d have to skip a morning run and see what the weather looked like later on.  The road hadn’t yet been plowed, so unless I felt like hopping over snow banks, it just wasn’t going to happen! 😉

I also decided that sitting down and studying for biochemistry couldn’t happen much longer then 2 hrs. in a row. 

What to do?

Make granola of course! 😀

I’ll post the recipe once I “officially” try it.  Not to say that I didn’t nibble here and there. 😉  Actually, I ended up peeling a carrot and some cauliflower to prevent letting myself get too carried away with the sampling 😉

A snowy day calls for soup.  It was getting a little too late to make any homemade versions, as I worked straight through noon on some homework assignments.  I decided to finally pull out this Amy’s reduced-sodium lentil vegetable soup. 

I also made an ooey gooey grilled cheese, using two slices of TJ’s whole wheat sourdough bread with 1/4 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese and a bit of mozzarella mixed in.

+ with some kale chips on the side. 😀

• 2 handfuls of kale on a sprayed cookie sheet
• cooked for 5-8 minutes in a 425 oven.

This was such a satisfying meal.  I really enjoyed the soup.  It was a bit softer in texture then I normally like my vegetable soups, but I liked the onion-y flavor and the protein and fiber content kept me full for a long time. 😀

My snow day continued in the right direction with a cup of coffee made with whole foods 365 coffee beans and chocolate mint soymilk…I spent another good hour studying, while sipping this coffee nice and slow.  So cozy!  And I got so much more done, since I didn’t have to commute back and forth to school.  😀

The rest of the afternoon was full of fun snow day happenings. 

• Shoveling–okay, you might not think this is a “fun” thing, but it really is for those first few snowfalls.  Plus, I felt as if I was getting a hard-core upper body workout while enjoying the snow and outdoors all at the same time.  I think my arms are going to be sore tomorrow!
• Running–I felt like a kid, slodging through snow and waving to people plowing their driveways.  The 4-mile run felt really good, and it was nice getting fresh air even on a “snow day in.” 😀
• Baking Cookies–This is a great oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe.  It does taste a little less chewy and buttery then your typical cookie, but it’s still full of flavor and sweetness.  I make the recipe–Bev’s Chocolate Chip Cookies–from Eating Well magazine.
• Bubble Baths and Tea—required for any true snow day, in my opinion. 😉

My filling lunch kept me going until dinner at 5:30’ish.  I really wanted a big bowl of greens, so I put together the rest of my spinach and made a tasty salad!

• spinach
• cucumbers and tomatoes
• 1/2 c. kidney beans
• 1/4 avocado
• red onions
• Dressing: 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp. orange juice, garlic powder & dry mustard

This was so satisfying and tasty.  I enjoyed every last bite. 😀

+ 2 chocolate chip cookies for dessert. 😀  I froze the rest after sharing with the rest of the family.  I like having sweets in the freezer.  Out of sight, out of mind.  But they’re still there for when we might want something sweet. 😀

I’ve been enjoying having honey nut cheerios and LIFE for a snack at night lately. 😀  Honey nut cheerios has always been one of my favorite cereals, but it’s simply not filling enough for me in the morning!  It’s perfect for a snack, though. 😀

Today was such an awesome day!  I felt super productive while having fun and relaxing all at the same time.  Tomorrow my plans are:

• 4-mile morning run (as long as the icey rain stops!)
• Biochem exam (LAST chemistry exam…ever!)
• Last Writing in Nutrition class
• Drop off Letter of Recommendations to be filled out by past employers
• Start studying for MNT final next week…eeks!

Busy day!  Better get myself well rested… 😀

G’night!