Obligatory Maternity Leave

Did I get your attention with that title? 😉 No, I do not need to take maternity leave from the blog (everyone say “good one, Jenn!” as you roll your eyes). I have just spent most of my day writing about Polish family policies and their effect on occupational segregation and the gender wage gap 🙂 It’s the last paper of the quarter and I can’t wait to be done with it!

First of all, big shout out to ZestyCook, who officially launched his recipe e-book today! I’m slightly biased because I submitted my ‘Pump’ It Up Muffins, but you really should check it out because there are a lot of really great recipes from some of my favorite bloggers! I am so excited to experiment.

When I wasn’t thinking of corny post titles writing about economics, I was eating some pretty good food. I woke up early this morning to go to work and had enough time to make myself a warm and protein-packed egg wrap for breakfast.

dscn2513

This guy rocked. I think it was the best egg wrap I’ve made yet. Something about the eggs today…they had extra flavor, if that’s possible 🙂 I used 1 whole egg + 2 egg whites, 1/2 cup spinach and 1/4 cup reduced-fat Mexican cheese. So easy and so delicious wrapped up in La Tortilla Factory!

dscn2510

When I finished, I was craving something sweet (go figure!) so I decided to make a little “shot” of 2 oz. POM Wonderful combined with 2 oz. Simply Orange juice. It was a great combination and I highly recommend it – tart + sweet.

dscn2517

I also made myself a mug of Coffee Cocoa to bring in the car with me.

dscn2518

[Breakfast Net Sugar: 7g]

Work was a bit on the slow side today, but I’m not complaining. I edited throughout the morning and then, when I got hungry, pulled out a bar from the lovely Brittany.

dscn2521

I’ve never tried this flavor from Dr. Weil (aka Santa Claus) before. I was excited because I know I like pistachios, and I also saw on the ingredients list that there were some cashews in there as well.

dscn2524

It was SO. GOOD! There were crunchy nut pieces in every bite that balanced the sweetness of the dates just perfectly. Plus, do you see what the packaging says? “No Added Sugars” :mrgreen: I see this as a huge victory because it completely satisfied my sweet tooth in a way that was nourishing my body at the same time with all natural ingredients. Thanks, Miss Brittany!

[Snack Net Sugar: 0g]

After work, I came back and set to work on my paper. It wasn’t long before the hunger bug bit me, and I knew something was fishy. Yeah, fishy as in my lunch.

dscn2527

I’ve never tried these salmon packets before. I’m not a big fan of tuna (I know! Crazy!) so I just associated these lil’ packets with that gross fishy tuna taste. NOT SO! As MizFit I’m sure will attest (we tweeted about it this afternoon), this stuff is the real deal if you like salmon. And I used the entire packet (3 servings = 42 grams of glorious protein) to make this:

dscn2529

Oh, it was as good as it looks 😉 I combined the salmon with 1/2 of a huge cucumber (that’s what she said), 2 tbsp. Bone Suckin’ Sauce and 2 tbsp. chipotle hummus (H-U-M-B-E-C-U-E!!) and stirred it all up until everything mixed together. I topped it with some ground pepper and Goya Adobo. MmHm!

dscn2531

It was filling, too! I’m glad that I found a new lunch that is quick and easy! I will add the detailed recipe to my Lazy Chef page when I go on spring break.

[Lunch Net Sugar: 9g (from the Bone Suckin’ Sauce – it adds up!)]

The rest of the afternoon was spent focused on my paper. However, there may have been another mug of Coffee Cocoa in there somewhere. You be the judge:

dscn2539

Oh, and quite possibly, there was also some Wasa + string cheese “snacktion” – whaddya think?

dscn2541

The answer your looking for is yes 🙂

[Snack Net Sugar: 6g]

While I was working, I received some exciting stuff in the mail! First of all, I was the winner of the Jackson’s World Country Bob’s giveaway. I finally get to try the sauce that took over the blogosphere!

dscn2546

I also received some coupons from Kasey at Better Whey of Life yogurt. I’m going to bring these home with me so that I can enjoy the yogurt over break!

dscn2440

Before I knew it, the afternoon slipped away from me again. I put on my ratty gym clothes and got in a nice sweat session on the stairmaster, then came home and did some Cardio X. And, since I didn’t stock up on food this week because of my impending break, I grabbed dinner at Panera. Yay!

I had the usual YouPick2, with black bean soup, a Greek salad and a French baguette. I go for the refined carbs at Panera because 1) it’s softer and 2) I rarely eat white bread, so might as well get the good stuff!

dscn2284

One thing that’s nice about Panera is that you always know what you’re getting. The salad dressing is listed right on their website, which made figuring out the “added sugar” easy.

[Dinner Net Sugar: 3g]

After dinner, I headed up to the other side of campus to watch Bobby play in his IM floor hockey championship. He plays for both a co-ed and an all-guys team, and they had back-to-back games tonight. His teams won both times, and he scored three of the winning goals! So proud 🙂 The best part is, the winners get t-shirts, so now I get the second one and we can be twins. I love t-shirts.

When I finally got back home, I was feelin’ a little snacky, so I decided to satisfy my sweet tooth the “natural” way one more time for the evening with a bowl of frozen grapes + cherries.

dscn2552

Sorry for the crazy halogen lighting!

[Snack Net Sugar: 0g]

Total Added Sugar: 25g

I didn’t even try to be exactly 25g, it just worked that way! I must say, it really doesn’t take that much extra effort to choose “added sugar-free” foods. Reach for a veggie here, a fruit there, or a nut there instead of something out of package, and your set. It really is motivating for me to continue to get such positive feedback from all of you, so THANK YOU! I’m glad that you’re enjoying my new change!

Around-the-Blogosphere

Also, I may or may not be hosting a little somethin’ somethin’ of my own soon 🙂 Wait and see!

Family policy love,

sig1

48 Comments

  1. I can’t wait to see your give away!!!

    Anyway, I think it’s been really interesting watching your sugar challenge. You haven’t had to make drastic changes to be healthy and that’s awesome.

  2. How about I love your wrap – too bad I already vented on my blog about my not having ANY breakfast supplies aka bread, tortillas etc….GRRR!

    I LOVE seafood, I need to try that wild salmon. Panera’s is always amazing – good for you to treat yourself!

  3. Haha your comment about thinking of post titles while doing other things made me laugh–I find myself thinking about my titles while in class:)

    Love those frozen grapes!

  4. “Reach for a veggie here, a fruit there, or a nut there instead of something out of package, and your set.”

    That, my dear, says it all.

    I see you are in on the Twitter craze too. I’ve been reading/hearing about it everywhere. I’ve never done it before, but am afraid it will just be a big let down. AND THAT is what she said.

    I’ve taught you well, my young friend.

  5. Mixing your POM with OJ eh? It’s all about the straight up POM over here. I’m that hardcore.

    And if you do enjoy pink salmon, you should go for some sockeye next. I personally think it’s superior. I don’t know if it comes in those little vacuum packs (actaully, I didn’t know any salmon did – I’ve never seen it up here), but canned sockeye is awesome.

  6. I don’t care much for tuna, either (at least not the stuff in cans/packets – I can’t get enough of fresh ahi tuna seared rare). Then again, I’m the weirdo who doesn’t really like chicken.

    Your “that’s what she said” thing made me crack up – friend of mine throws that into conversation ALL the time and it always makes me LOL. 🙂

  7. That salmon dish is a great lunch idea! I would never think to pair salmon with hummus but I bet it was delcious.
    Still so impressed with this sugar project. You’re doing a great job with it, Jenn!
    I got the Zesty cookbook and perked up when I saw your contribution! Yay!

  8. I love your silly sense of humor Jenn. 🙂 That looks like a very proteinalicious day. Sometimes refined carbs are just what a woman needs! Nice job on the added sugar intake! I hate that condiments have so much added sugar. Annoying. Way to go Bobby Light! High five!
    I’m excited about your giveaway! Ooh la la!

  9. hahaha….I was like WHATTTTT….I read your blog before any of the others in my to read list 😉 Great Panera meal- that is my favorite combination 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think of yogurt.

  10. Frozen grapes are a favorite warm-weather dessert of mine – so good! I also really like what you did with the salmon. I have a can of it that I’ve been meaning to use – great idea!

  11. Bender…. I am loving the breakfast wrap! Do you find that the tortilla gets soggy? Thanks for the shout out about the e-book.

    zesty

  12. Your title got my attention- glad to see that your not taking maternity leave from the blog.

    I’m happy the Dr.Weil bar had no added sugar.. perfection!

    Your salmon salad for lunch looks awesome and totally full of protein. I might need to try those little packets soons.

    AND, you totally made me laugh with the t-shirt comment.. gotta love matching couples.

  13. I like you bowl…very cute! Where does everybody get this bone-sucking sauce from? I’ve been looking with no results?

  14. I LOVE tshirts too 🙂 He’s quite the sports star, your boy! hahah

    That salmon freaked me out before but I think I’m going to try it now that it passed the Jenn test!

  15. wow, you were just popping out jokes left and right here, haha. i can’t wait to go home for spring break so that i can have PANERA!! haha—i’ve missed it! i saw that dr. weil bar at the store last time i was there but decided against it–i’m definitely picking it up next time though after your good review!

  16. I won some Country Bob’s too! Awesome, can’t wait to try it either! Yuhmala about the salmon I did tuna (your nemesis) last night and have some canned salmon in the fridge waiting for me next week. mmmm
    Sara
    http://eatfabinnyc.wordpress.com

  17. your panera meal is my favorite! also your comments in cross out and parenthesis(is that how you spell that) made me smile/laugh… love it-Lisa D.

  18. Ahhh now you’ve got me craving my eggy wrap again!! Deeeeee-lish 🙂

    I’ve never heard of that yogurt – now I’m interested! Country Bob’s!! Hope you enjoy it!

    Oh Pdiz how I love thee! Okay NOW you’ve got me craving that! Thanks a lot, Jenn!

  19. you definitely caught my attention with the post title- i was like “whaaaaat?!”
    that egg wrap looks incredible– i haven’t made one in forever and might be making one in honor of you tomorrow morning 😀
    i LOVE the look of that salmon dish! i also am not a fan of can/packaged tuna, but if you say the salmon’s good, i might have to give it a whirl 😉
    your comment about dr weil looking like santa claus cracked me up
    PANERA!!! that black bean soup is seriously outta control delicious
    hope you have a wonderful day <3

  20. Nothing like a little Polish gender talk! 🙂

    I loved your salmon lunch creation, and I think I might just have that exact plate for dinner tonight as I am currently experiencing a sugar overload from my lunch. Ugh, I feel gross. At least I know I’m getting used to the unsweetened life!

    Country Bob’s is good, but not nearly as good as Bone Suckin Sauce. However, Chris loves it mixed into his burgers before grilling. I recommend using it as a marinade rather than a condiment…that’s what she said.

    I’m curious about the Better Whey of Life yogurt as I’ve never seen that brand. You’ll have to let us know what you think.

    Frozen grapes – such a great snack when the weather is nice.

    Enjoy the rest of your week Jenn and congrats to Bobby on his winning goals!

  21. Hi Jenn!
    Thanks for the shout-out and for entering my giveaway! 🙂

    I’m so excited about those salmon packets. I hate buying canned salmon, and the packets seem like the perfect size.

    Congrats to Bobby for winning [I love free t-shirts, too]!

  22. Intramural shirts are the best, huh? Tell Bobby I think he is a hockey pro! I bet your cheering helped too. What a nice girlfriend!

    I actually read an article about added sugars in March’s Shape on the bike today at the gym. Did you see it? I will send it your way if I can find it.:)

  23. hey are you moving to arizona?! i am new to your blog, but i live in the phoenix area and always like finding bloggers near me!! love your blog and glad i came across it!

Comments are closed.