In direct violation of the rules of The Cleaner Life Month I had a second cup of coffee today. It was iced and it as delicious and I don’t feel bad at all. Maybe (probably not) I’ll have none tomorrow to make up for it. I just love iced coffee. I can’t help it. It’s not even for the caffeine, but the smooth creamy cold taste on a hot day that is heavenly.

Subbing was great today. I want the job for the fall so much! It’s such a great school and a lot of the teachers are my age, so I bet I would make some new New Jersey friends too. Did I mention it’s across the street from my house! When I got home from After Care I made a quick scrambled egg dinner. I wish I was better at making omelets, but that’s really Mark’s thing. Mine always crumble.

In my eggs was broccoli and a black bean patty leftover from last night. I had some cold roasted zucchini on the side as well.  I need to get some condiments that do not have sugar – does anyone know any? All I have now is mustard and I’m almost out! Anyway, I wasn’t that hungry because after school and before After Care I snuck home to make a serving of oatmeal and ate it After Care. It was just plain and in Tupperware, so no photo.

On facebook I pondered whether others feel like a dork going to the gym on a Friday night like I do. I am not sure why I care. First, I don’t care what the people at my gym think of me. Second, if other people are at the gym with me, what could they possibly be thinking about me? Anyway, I went to the gym on this Friday evening for a quick elliptical and cardio session. I am counting moving piles of clothes in my closet as my strength for the day.

When I got home I had an intense craving for something very cold. Luckily I’d frozen a Raspberry Pomegranate Healthy Picks Applesauce that Musselmans sent me. 

I ate it like Italian Ice, which was actually quite fun. My biggest problem with individual applesauce containers is that they are gone in an instant. When frozen, however, they take much longer to eat. Double the eating time, double the pleasure. The flavor of these is pretty good, too. Although I would say that the special flavors are pretty subtle, and mostly they just taste like applesauce. I also enjoyed them because they have no added sugar like a lot of applesauce out there. For 70 cals., it’s not a bad frozen treat option. My favorite of the Healthy Picks flavors is the Key Lime Cupuacu, which has a nice tangy flavor. If you, like me, had no idea what a cupuacu was just click here.

Tomorrow is my Girls on the Run 5K and Cupcake Fest! Should be fun as long as the weather stays nice.

Back to cleaning my closest!!!! Maybe I’ll show an “After” shot if it ever gets to the point of being presentable!

P.S. I think Rose is fairing well with The Cleaner Life Month at Bonaroo. She reports Bonnaroo has a Whole Foods and sweet potato fries. And that they stocked up on organic goods beforehand from a store called Green Life in Asheville.

I cannot believe how hard it is raining right now! I know people hate it, but I actually love a storm. It makes me want to hibernate with a warm blanket and mug of tea. It will be blazing hot soon enough!

My dinner was in two parts. Part I was inspired by Meghann’s Eggplant Sandwiches.

• I roasted the eggplant (beating it first to get bitter juices out) and 4 cloves of garlic
• While that was happening, I pureed some pinto beans (w/ 1 T or so of the juices from the can).
• I added the roasted garlic and several pinches of parsley and continued to blend.
• Then I laid out the eggplant and added spinach and tomatoes.

This was one of those meals that was fun to eat! I ate with my hands, but it was hard to get through the skin of the eggplant, so I ended up using a knife and fork. The pinto bean dip was thick, creamy and warm. I ate a lot of it on the side just like mashed potatoes!

Part II was also blogger inspired (I feel a little stalkerish). This time I went for Caitlin’s Black Bean Balls (I guess my deconstructed version didn’t satisfy my craving). I followed the recipe, replacing oat flour for wheat flour. 

In the picture is one patty for the sandwich and one that didn’t quite make it on the side. I was going to put BBQ Sauce on it, but my Trader Joe’s version has sugar – a definite no no for The Cleaner Life Month.

By the way, sometimes people ask if Mark eats the same thing as me. Well, tonight he had this for dinner too, but he also had a chicken breast and his usual cheese and cracker appetizer.

Now I’m just relaxing on the couch contemplating getting up for some yoga. I went to the gym today and did 30 minutes of elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike. I wanted to get in some yoga, but I ran out of time. I know I could use a good stretch. Hmmm.  This could be one of the few times that changing into my yoga pants will motivate me to get moving!

Have a great night everyone!!!!