This weekend, Mark and I drove from New Jersey up to Boston for my nieces birthday. On the way we stopped at Fresh City and Mark got a Cancun Burrito to get that spring break feel. I didn’t have any because it had chicken in it. It was low carb and it made us wonder, why are low carb products rubbery?

There was delicious food and fun family festivities at Hannah’s party.

 

 

 

 

After the party, we headed to my parents’ house in Rhode Island. Sunday morning I used their treadmill for a wonderful 6.25 mile run (50 minutes).

After, I went with my mom, dad, sister, sister’s man friend and Mark to Bagelz in Wickford, R.I.  I got the wheat bagel and roasted pepper hummus. 

 

Mark got a cinnamon raisin bagel with Taylor Ham, egg and cheese. Don’t get this from Bagelz. They use a microwave to cook the eggs and Taylor ham so the eggs are rubbery and the ham doesn’t crisp up like it should when cooked on a giant greased up griddle.

 

Then, we went for a family walk. It was frigid. 

 

 

After lots of driving, we are back in New Jersey and back to cleaning and organizing the apartment.  There is no end in sight!

Tomorrow, Mark is back to work and I am back to searching for a job in New Jersey. I am nervous about it, but have a plan. Tomorrow I am going to complete my resume and start applying as a substitute to some private schools in the area. At the same time, I am going to sign up to substitute in public schools in the area and work on my paper work for obtaining my teaching certification in N.J. I am not sure what I’ll find, but right now, I’m keeping positive! 

One last thing … 

This was Hannah’s birthday party, but her birthday is January 6th. Tomorrow, January 5th, is my other niece’s (Hannah’s cousin) birthday. 

 

Everyone say Happy 8th Birthday to Isabella (left) and Happy 11th Birthday to Hannah (right)!

What’s up, readers? Like that creative post title? I’m feeling a little spunky today. Student teaching went well all week. I mean, I make mistakes, but I’m not perfect. And, of course, it’s Friday. And it really feels like fall. Woo Hoo.

So. Yesterday, I ate in the cafeteria with the students again (I’ve been doing that a couple times a week) and the hot lunch was breakfast for lunch. I was so jealous of their waffles. Alas, I turned to the the rest of my All Bran Fiber Lemonade to got me through the afternoon. Thank you, Erin.

As I revealed in my previous post, I watched Dr. Weil on QVC while running. I was very hungry after watching all the good Dr. Weil kitchen products being used, so I made a lentil-based dinner. After reading Mark’s post, I really wanted a burrito. Tinga, by the way, is a great local Mexican restaurant in Montclair, N.J. It’s the kind of place where the burritos are huge, so I cut it in half intending to bring half home. Usually what happens is I eat half, then take several bites from the inside of the second half because it’s just so good. Then Mark eats the rest. Good times at Tinga.

Anyway, I made a Lentil Burrito. It was my first time cooking lentils and it was very easy. First, I made some Whole Wheat Wraps (minus the flax this time). They’re very plain and wheat tasting and I thoroughly enjoy them. So easy, too.

Here is how I made the burrito filling.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup lentils

1 cup (or more) water

1/4 cup kidney beans

1/4 cup chick peas

1/2 cup unsalted canned corn

1/2 unsalted diced tomatoes

1 cup of sauteed or grilled red peppers, green peppers and onions

2 t chili powder

1 t cumin

1 t smoked paprika

1/2 t garlic powder

Dash of Salt

To Do:

Sautee (or grill) the peppers and onions and set aside. Put lentils and water in a pan, simmer until lentils are cooked (firm, but cooked and not mushy). Add rest of the ingredients and stir.

And I ask you, how do I not have a cook book with this kind of guidance?

Later, I had another Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookie (or two).

I Have Such a Fat Fab A**

So, after reading your comments about loving your bodies I was encouraged by your positivity, comforted knowing I am not alone, and sad that so many of us have body hang ups. Did you know it’s Fat Talk Free Week? If you have a minute or two, watch this video that I found here. It’s very poweful.