Snack Dilemma

Yesterday wasn’t as productive as I had planned it to be. While doing some things on my computer around 1:00 p.m. I closed my eyes and didn’t wake up until 5:30 p.m. when David came home and woke me up! I know my body needed it after only getting four hours of sleep for the 15k, but I was still bummed to have so many things unfinished. Luckily I’m off today too!

David and I were planning on going out to dinner for a little date, but I was more in the sleepy, sweat pants kind of mood so we ordered Chinese take-out instead!

I ordered steamed tofu, veggies and brown rice with a gigantic side of sauce. This is a very plain and fresh dish. Sometimes that is best! I had some mixed greens topped with an Asian ginger dressing for even more greens!

I started this morning with a big bowl of Life cereal, Fruit Not Fat granola and water. Yep, I’m out of “milk” so I’m using water :) As long as the water is cold it tastes fine.

Yesterday ended up being an off day since I slept right through my workout. I’m looking forward to getting sweaty today!

Snack Dilemma

I love fresh fruit for snacks, but sometimes I want or need something more substantial. I often find myself in between lunch and dinner with only a piece of fruit and a much larger appetite. I’ve been eating Larabars or KIND bars- which are both great- but my wallet isn’t loving it. I’ve challenged myself to make a simple, substantial and cost-effective bar that I can toss in the lunch box for some mid-day fuel.

Of course Angela was my first stop for a good recipe! After some browsing I’ve decided to make her version of the Banana Bread Larabars. I’ll be back later to let you know how it goes!

What are your favorite snacks?

Better Than Ice Cream?

It's officially summer. Here in Tampa we are hitting the high 90's on an everyday basis. Every afternoon I crave something creamy and refreshing. I just need something to hit the spot. You know- something cool, creamy, sweet, refreshing.. and healthy?

Here is a (growing!) list of some healthy options to turn to when the heat is on! I've combined a few reviews of products I've tried recently in the list.

- Frozen banana w/ smear of PB and cinnamon (peel, slice in half and places bananas in plastic bag in freezer- great pre-workout snack!)
- Club soda with a slice of lime/orange/lemon
- Fage/Oikos w/ blob of fruit preserves
- Fruit smoothie w/ peach, yogurt, ice and splash of milk or juice! (Speaking of smoothies...Just tried Smoothie King's Angel Food today! Perfect!)
- Blended iced coffee w/ 1/2 frozen banana
- 100 cal. Slim-A-Bear Ice Cream Bars (I just tried a box of these. They are a good size and taste exactly like the regular sandwiches! Yum!)
- Handful of frozen peas (seriously addicting)

Please leave your yummy heat-relievers in the comments! Enjoy!

Review- Oikos Greek Yogurt

I've been intertwined in a love affair with Fage 0% the past few months... an expensive, protein-filled, versatile, rich love affair!

So when I found a coupon for Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt, I was skeptical. I mean, I really love my Fage! ... but then my senses kicked in and I realized I am a poor college student about ready to move into her first apartment. SO I cheated.

The first thing I noticed was that Oikos is actually made by Stonyfield Farm, maker of all my normal organic yogurts.


Review:

Taste: Oikos 0% Plain Organic Greek Yogurt is more creamy than other Greek yogurts. It also was a bit more sour. I would use Fage with fruit and this with tacos and chili. It's good!

Nutrition: Basically the same as Fage, although Oikos has double the calcium and 2 extra grams of protein.

Price: The same as Fage. I found mine for %1.89 for a 5/5.3 oz. container. (Wowsa!)

Uses: I love adding Greek yogurt to my meals because it gives me a protein bonus to keep me full. I mix mine with fruit, in oatmeal, in chili, on tacos or by itself. I once mixed it with a bit of cocoa and organic sugar... it tasted like chocolate icing!

Have you tried any other varieties of Greek yogurt? Have any other uses I should add here?

***EDIT: Here are some recipes and here you can get a coupon to try Oikos.
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For Greek-yogurt-virgins:

According to Wikipedia, Greek yogurt "has been strained in a cloth or paper bag or filter, traditionally made of muslin , to remove the whey, giving a consistency between that of yoghurt and cheese, while preserving yoghurt's distinctive sour taste."

I used to only eat sweet, creamy yogurt. When I first tried Fage (Greek yogurt), it took some getting used to. I think of it as a cross between plain yogurt, cream cheese and sour cream. It is much more sour and thick than what I was used to. It just tastes so rich. I usually can't eat it by itself.

After eating it so many different ways, I haven't picked up a normal, sweetened yogurt since. So you might not like it right away, but it just might grow on you.