Hey Hey! Guess what I did at work today? I will give you some hints. First, it’s a science class for 2-4 graders. Second, it’s edible. Third, it involved salt and ice.  Fourth, the answer is mentioned else where in this post. I have nothing to offer the person who guesses correctly, but you will earn my love and acceptance.

Anyway, after work I did a good deed by taking Mark’s car to the Honda Dealership for servicing. I didn’t think to take pictures, but they had a sweet set up – water, soda, muffins, bagels. You know those bagels were calling my name, but I already had lunch, so I sipped some cheater’s green juice instead. 

It was a relatively painless and quick trip. After this I went to the gym for some ellipticizing. I know, boring, right? Then I remembered that my Monday Mini Goal was to do three strength workouts, so I did a Level 2/3 hybrid of Jillian’s 30 Day Shred. I haven’t done this in a couple weeks and it was hard! I hate strength things. It’s boring and hard. I would rather run 8 miles than lift weights.

When I finished Mark wasn’t home yet (I wanted to clarify that ambus.tv is a job Mark does at night and on weekends. He has a much more standard, corporate job during the day), but I was already hungry, so I had dinner at a time my dad would approve of: 5:30. I just threw together lots of things to make a meatless party in a bowl. Here’s what I created.

Warm Lentil Salad

• 1 Cup Cooked Lentils (I previously and froze these)
• 1 can of Organic Garbanzo Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 Medium Zucchini
• 1 Medium Summer Squash
• About 2 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Garlic Powder
• Romano Cheese
• 5 pieces of Fresh Dill chopped
• Red Onion (1/4 Cup chopped)
• 1 Capful of Balsamic Vinegar

1. Slice the zucchini and squash into 1/2 thick circles.
2. Put zucchini and squash on a cookie sheet and drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, garlic powder and Romano cheese.
3. Roast in oven at 425 for about 20 minutes. I broiled for a few minutes at the end as well.
4. This is very simple because I am a simple cook. Put every thing but the zucchini and squash in a big bowl.
5. Pour the olive oil that remains in the cookie sheet into the bowl.
6. Add in the squash and zucchini.
7. Sprinkle with more Romano Cheese.

I was really pleased with this simple dish. It was quite tasty, especially the burnt zucchini bits and fresh dill from my herb plant. If I had a grill I definitely would have grilled the veggies. And although I ate it while the zucchini and squash was still warm, I am sure it would be just as good cold. If there is any left over after Mark eats it, I will let you know tomorrow.

After dinner I had my dessert. I chose plain Oikos with a drizzle of Agave. Looks like ice cream, doesn’t it?

Hi Everyone!

I have a few exciting things to share.

(1) I got a call from the principal of the school I interviewed at a few weeks ago (remember I had the interview, then did a lesson for him and the v.p). Well, I have the last step in the hiring process for the job!!!!! Tomorrow morning I will meet with the superintendant, so please send me more good vibes. It worked last time!

(2) I had a small victory at work today.  The people I work with mean well, but their knowledge of healthy food choices is v. limited. They were all there way before I came on board, so I felt weird pressing the issue of why we choose to give the kids cookies, candy, kool-aid and chips every day for snack. Last week I suggested that we switch it up a little and have the kids make fruit kebobs. They resisted, saying the fruit would go to waste, but I’m the boss (haha), so I won.

The kids loved it!!!! They were truly excited to make the kebobs. I definitely pointed out to everyone that no one ever gets this excited for chips and fruit punch. All the fruit was gone by the end of the day. Yay for small victories.

(3) Greek Yogurt and Nut Butter (here almond butter), might be one of my favorite things to eat. It’s filling, delicious and, in my opinion, 100% healthy.

(4) I ate soy tonight.

I am not sure how I missed the fact that this Trader Joe’s Multigrain Pilaf contained soybeans, but I did. I noticed it for the first time tonight right when I was preparing to eat it for dinner. I thought about making something else, but decided not to.

I know that according to the rules of The Cleaner Life Month soy was a no no, but I’ve thought about it more. My goal this month is to limit my processed food intake and whole soybeans are a completely different thing to me than soy found in dogs, nuggets and other processed foods. So, I guess I am a rule breaker, but I like to consider myself a rule modifier. I am still not 100% sure what to think of soy, but I think whole soybeans here and there are okay (for me).

Anyway, the pilaf was very delicious. A serving was 1/2 the package, but I ate the whole thing with zucchini and summer squash.

(5) Rose reports that Clean Eating on the road is tough!!!

(6) Be sure to check out the Oh She Glows Shop for a Cause tomorrow. You can bid on my Trader Joe’s Fun Pack.

(7) So You Think You Can Dance is so awesome!

(8) Running 5 miles today was such a chore. Can anyone tell me how it’s possible to run speedily and easily one day and want to die the next?

(9) There was some controversy on blogs today. It started as a soy issue, but evolved into something bigger; the issue of “food judgment,” something that both baffles and annoys me. The posts I am referring to are found on Gliding Calm, Chocolate Covered Vegan and Choosing Raw, three wonderful blogs I love written by women I admire.  Each of these bloggers respectfully articulated their points of view. Most of the controversy came via comments. For my part, I just want to say that I doubt anyone ever feels judged by me or Mark. I am laughing thinking about that. Honestly, one reason why we started this blog was to show people that food does not need to be something to stress or obsess about. It is a wonderful part of life that should be embraced and celebrated, not feared or judged. I do not believe there is one right way to eat and everything else is horrible and as someone who has been picked on for not eating the office cake at work, refuse to judge others for their food choices. Moral of the story – Hangry Pants loves you all!!!!!