Surprisingly Homemade
I was pleasantly surprised with today’s homemade salad. To be honest, I prefer the salad bar at the School, which is fresh, colorful, and has a plethora of veggies and other goodies, which change from day-to-day. The salads that I pack for lunch just never compare to ones that I make at the School’s salad bar… mostly because they lack variety in fun toppings. Today’s salad, however, was awe-some! There were so many fun flavors and textures… the excitement never stopped! 
The feta especially added a little something-something to my salad!
From home: Baby spinach, dried cranberries, feta, and pumpkin seeds.
From work: Leftover marinated veggies (asparagus, squash, zucchini, eggplant, red onion, tomato).
And, of course, I enjoyed a Larabar to conclude lunch. Check out my new Larabar reviews, including this bar below….
I guess the Larabar didn’t satisfy my sweet craving… unfortunatley, the 3,000 pound bag of leftover Halloween candy didn’t help either!
Kit Kat #1
Kit Kat #2…
I also had a mini Twix (not pictured). I seriously have no control around Halloween candy!!! Grrrrrrr! Before the candy binge got out of control, I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Thankfully, this trick always seems to work. Once I have clean teeth, I don’t want to dirty them up with sugar again!
Ok, back on track…
My nutritious afternoon snack is a banana with Teddie peanut butter. I hope that the combo will keep my stomach satisfied through my HW shift tonight and until I get home. Dinner on Monday night’s is usually around 9:15pm or so, so my afternoon snack needs some serious staying power!
Interesting article about stretching: Stretching: The Truth
Excerpt from article: “If you’re like most of us, you were taught the importance of warm-up exercises back in grade school, and you’ve likely continued with pretty much the same routine ever since. Science, however, has moved on. Researchers now believe that some of the more entrenched elements of many athletes’ warm-up regimens are not only a waste of time but actually bad for you. The old presumption that holding a stretch for 20 to 30 seconds — known as static stretching — primes muscles for a workout is dead wrong. It actually weakens them. In a recent study conducted at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, athletes generated less force from their leg muscles after static stretching than they did after not stretching at all. Other studies have found that this stretching decreases muscle strength by as much as 30 percent. Also, stretching one leg’s muscles can reduce strength in the other leg as well, probably because the central nervous system rebels against the movements.”
The article goes on to explain the proper way to warm-up and stretch (dynamic stretching and warm-ups). It provides some very interesting new information– definiately check it out!
BIG DAY tomorrow! Please, VOTE!!!!!!!
Posted by: Tina 18 comments
Posted in: Uncategorized, workouts
Tags: banana, feta, peanut butter, spinach
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Wow! That is a late dinner. I hope your snack holds you over. Fabulous salad…so full of flavor!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Fabulous salad, Larabar, and snack!!
Good luck tonight!!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I hate having candy around too, I have no control during certain times of the year that I consider “holidays” because I justify it.
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
SO excited to vote. It will be my first time being able to vote in an actual presidential election (due to age)- I Still have my ‘I Voted’ sticker from the year I turned 18
And those asparagus look amazing! You’ve just reminded me that I actually have some White asparagus in the fridge, so I know what I’ll be having with dinner tonight- thanks!
The stretching article was really interesting- and good luck with your long shift!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
hmmmm, interesting news about stretching. New research is always coming up with something!
I have NO control over Halloween candy either! There is still leftover candy in the office from Friday, and I can’t stop reaching for it! Your salad looks sooo healthy though, good for you!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
You lunch salad looks delicious! Nice work
Its always fun to have good homemade food!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Beautiful first picture!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I’m with you on the control issue regarding Halloween candy! My kids came home with some serious loot and I can’t keep my grubby fingers out of it!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Thanks for the info on stretching. I really think it’s important for me. Sometimes my legs and shoulders feel so tight, which is why I love yoga.
Also, as much as salad bars gross me out, I agree that they are the best! Especially if they are fresh and have lots of variety.
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
great snacks!!!!!! I won’t be able to resist in front of so many leftover candies. So, my strategy is to avoid the temptation…..not buying them at the first place!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 7:03 pm
hey..halloween only happens once a year
i got lots of respect that your treating yourself!!! you go girl!!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I can’t wait to vote! Next time I think I am going to do the absentee ballot so I don’t have to wait in line. One random thought for you Tina….You may have already answered it, but have you considered eating your dinner before going to HW and then having your small snack when you get home, since it’s so late? Your body will process food much more efficiently earlier in the day due to your circadian rhythms. Just a suggestion! ;p
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I got a DVD with Jillian from Biggest Loser and she says the same thing about warm up stretches. Must be fluid motion. Cool down is static stretching, though. Funny that you saw that 2 days after I got the DVD!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Ahh!! New York! I live here!! Hehe…I was trying to think of a place you might like to go and what immediately popped into my head was Peanut Butter and Co! You may be familiar with their products – they make a variety of creative, delicious, and ALL NATURAL peanut butters! I sound like a commercial =)
They are located in Greenwich Village at 240 Sullivan Street, between Bleecker and West 3rd Street. Check out a few things from their menu…
Cinnamon Raisin Swirl™ Sandwich
Cinnamon-Raisin Peanut Butter and vanilla cream cheese, stuffed with crisp apple slices. Cr-runch!
Ants on a Log
Memories of kindergarten will come flooding back as you munch on freshly cut celery sticks, stuffed with smooth or crunchy peanut butter, topped with raisins.
And the website!
http://www.ilovepeanutbutter.com/sandwichshop.html
Hope this helps!!
Casey
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I NEED TO GO TO PEANUT BUTTER AND CO!!!!!
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
[...] – Forgot to add… check out Tina’s salad! Craisins, pumpkin seeds and feta are making the rounds. Try this out – it makes a very tasty [...]
on Nov 3rd, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Salads are always a great meal, especially with great toppings.
I voted through an absentee ballot, so I’m all set!
on Nov 4th, 2008 at 9:23 am
I agree about the Halloween candy!! AH, it’s driving me nuts staring at me