Ikea was lots of fun! But before we went there, I went to Mark’s gym again. I think I’ve officially been more than Mark has in the last year. Just kidding, he’s been probably ten times. Today I ran a little bit and then used the elliptical to catch up on my People magazine reading. In total I did 30 minutes running (3.35 miles) and 30 minutes ellipticizing.  I don’t know why, but running on this treadmill was very hard! 

When I returned I ate more seeds and nuts. Bumble Bars have really helped me during this move to New Jersey! We’ve had no food in the house until today and I’ve eaten one Bumble Bar/day! I would have starved without them. 

Today I had the Chai Bumble Bar and boy was it good! I promise a full review of all Bumble Bar flavors as soon as they are all gone. 

When we got to Ikea, I kicked off the shopping with a deliciously lopsided frozen yogurt. Only $1 because it’s Ikea.

Have you ever been to Ikea? It’s fabulous. It has everything from plants to Swedish meatballs to kitchen cabinets. I always go in and walk around for hours, with no concept of what time it is when I leave. 

Today we got lots of great things like curtains, red mixing bowls, forks, spoons, a vegetable peeler, ice cream scooper, whisk, etc. 

Then we went to Stop & Shop for groceries and I cooked some dinner. Going grocery shopping with a boy is interesting. You get things like Lean Pockets and Campbell’s Chunky Soups.  Mark would suggest something and I would make a face. Eventually he said, “Ok, so we’re only actually getting things Heather wants on this trip.” I guess I will have to learn to stop making faces at his supermarket picks. 

For dinner, I made Megan’s Black Beans and Rice with Pumpkin Vinaigrette with spinach again. Love it!

While I cooked, Mark whipped up some salsa/Greek Yogurt dip and chips and cheese. It was quite a tasty cooking appetizer even though he says the chips burnt in the super powerful microwave. 

Mark also had a manly beer in our girly glasses. 

Well everyone, I am tuckered. Tomorrow we are going to Boston for my nieces 11th birthday party. On Monday, Mark starts working again and I start looking more intensely for some sort of teaching job in New Jersey. Back to reality I guess!

Oh, we have our next challenge sort of planned out. It’s something that’s definitely necessary for us right now. We’ll work out the details on the drive to Boston and post about it soon!

Have a wonderful weekend! 

I’ve been trying to make blondies for awhile now. They’ve been coming sort of more cakey than I would like. Last night, however, I had an idea for these pumpkin and peanut butter blondies so I got to work. They come closer to the dense, chewy blondies I like, but with a little less butter and sugar than other recipes I’ve tried.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Blondies

Ingredients

• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 3/4 cups light brown sugar
• 1 cup unsalted natural peanut butter (I used Teddie’s Creamy)
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 egg whites
• 2 t vanilla
• 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 t baking powder
• 1 tea pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup white chocolate chips