Yikes!!! It’s raining cats and dogs out there! It’s actually raining so hard, I left work an hour early because the parking lot was flooding and my car needed to be moved! 
Lunch
I ate lunch at my desk at NuVal today. I started with a homemade arugula salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, carrots, sprouts, chick peas, and leftover barley salad. It was delicious.
I also enjoyed some Oatmeal Raisin Cookies that I baked last night. This time, I nixed the canola oil in the recipe and added about 1/4 cup of hazelnut milk instead. I like the consistency of this batch much better.
Once I got home from work, I immediately started packing for my trip to New York City. I’m only spending 24 hours in the city, but if you’re a long-time reader of CNC, you know that I get really anxious about packing. I really have no idea why?!? I guess the Type-A/control freak in me gets bugged-out about not being prepared for every possible situation.
But, I’m learning to relax about packing, which has actually helped me get better at it! It took me just 15 minutes to pack up everything and I had a ton of room left in my suitcase, which never, ever happens even if I am just traveling for a short amount of time.
Look at all of that space! Usually, I am struggling to fit it all! However, I sort of feel like I need to pack more?
While getting everything organized, I poured myself a glass of iced coffee and snacked on a few more Oatmeal Raisin Cookies.
Lose the Dough
No check-in today for Lose the Dough. Sorry, guys! Things were just too crazy today to fit in an hour-trip (each way) to Healthworks. But, I’ve already made an appointment with my trainer for next Monday to take my stats, so be sure to check back then to see my progress.
NuVal Buzz
I wrote about my favorite cookbook and how I even got to meet its author on Trading Up Downtown this morning. And, don’t forget about my recipe contest!
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See ya soon!
P.S. You can follow my NYC trip via Twitter. I’ll be tweeting the whole way! 
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s kinda lucky that you got to go home early, but this rain is SO crazy, I just want it to stop! Have a fun trip to NYC!
yay for physique 57! what a good way to make sure you are able to get in a workout!
What impressive packing skills!!! My suitcase this past weekend was over-flowing! And then the shopping I did…glad they didn’t limit my carry-on shopping bag full of goodies! Haha!
Salad looks delicious! I had a Mediterranean Barley Salad for lunch today – mmm!
I would have packed sooooo much more – that is awesome!
Can’t wait to hear the tweets from NYC!
you’re going to have so much fun! i get that way about packing too…you just never want to be without something you might need! i can’t wait to read more about your trip
Can’t wait to read all about it… and see that pic of you and Rocco!
Love how you packed a workout DVD (or so it seems?) They’re such a great way to “pack in”
a workout… So are jump ropes!
I tend to pack on the lighter side. Don’t fret about all the space in your ‘case – you’ll only be there a day… just don’t forget to pack a few oatmeal raisin cookies for the flight ; )
Thats sweet that you got send home!
Have Fun!
Have an amazing time in NYC! I’m so crazily jealous, I’d give my right arm to go there
Wow, sounds like some crazy rain! Good job in keeping packing time down. I always do it last minute and then realize days later I forgot that ONE shirt I needed, etc. haha.
You seriously commute an hour each way to the gym?? That’s insanity.
Have a safe trip to NYC – hope you don’t have any trouble flying in this weather!
Enjoy!
I’m the classic over packer! I would love to be one of those people who just carries on luggage
Have a great trip!
It probably helps that you’re packing for New York, the city where everything is open all hours and if you forget something, you can easily get it! Gosh, I wonder how long it would take you to pack for, say, Uganda or something
But most importantly- have a great trip!!
Definitely leave it empty– that means there’s lots of room for fun prizes to take home
I just keeps raining. Crazy! Welcome to spring
I would think I need to pack more too but leave room for fun little things to bring home.
I love your minimalist suitcase.
I’m a huge fan of traveling lightly. Stay dry and good luck in NYC!
The rain really is nuts! Have a blast in nyc
Haha It’s funny because if I ever have room left over in my suitcase, I make sure to take more!!! If there’s room left, I’m forgetting something!
TINA! I am the same way about packing and in fact am feeling anxious about it right as we speak. I need to pack for a 2 week trip later this week. Throw packing for kids into the mix and YIKES. I really wish you could push a button and fold up your house just so I don’t have to pack. Have an awesome time!
Oh, I could go somewhere for a weekend getaway and I freak too. I’ll bring like 6 outfits for that short of a time.
hahah whenever my suitcase looks little empty I always feel like I should pack more. It’s better to over pack than under pack, right???
Your thinking mcaeths mine – great minds think alike!
Have so much fun in NYC and don’t float away!!
SEE YOU TOMORROW IN NEW YORK! I am excited for the event but no idea what I am wearing!
Arugula is the most underrated green in my mind. Enjoy your trip to NYC!
Hey Tina! I just wanted to tell you that I made your “Skinny Oatmeal Bars” yesterday and loved them! I made some changes to your recipe. I posted a picture and the changes I made on my blog. Thanks for the recipe!
I hate hate hate to pack. This usually means I wait until the last minute and quickly toss everything together! Have a safe trip!
Hey Tina! I remember you saying that you liked Alex Lambert on American Idol. I also think I remember you liking Ellen! Good news for you then, because Alex will be on Ellen on Wednesday!! Tune in
I always overpack, its a terrible habit. But like you, I want to be prepared for every situation…hope you have a great trip!!!
I always over pack! That’s an impressive suitecase packing job. Lunch sounds delish. I’m munching on homemade BBQ zucchini chips as an after lunch snack. So good!
I am a disaster when it comes to packing. I always think, but what if I don’t want to wear that. Such a complicated process!
BTW- Myers + Chang was amazing. I posted about it today.
sheesh, Tina, you weren’t kidding about the bad weather in Boston the past couple days. super extra congrats on your 5k PR yesterday in this!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35854329/ns/weather/
P.S. That story also mentions NYC … be safe traveling today!
It took me a day and a half to pack for my 5 day trip to Spain last Saturday. I have no idea how I manage to take so long!
I don’t see any toiletry items in that bag!!
I travel a lot for work. I keep a list on my computer of things to take on a trip. I add and delete easily as needed for specific trips, but at least I never forget essentials.
Have a great trip.
I am currently packing for an over-night camping trip with my students!! I am very organized about it, but somehow I always end up over packing!!!! I am always nervous about forgetting something!!
Have so much fun in NYC
That lunch looks fantastic!
Have fun in NYC!
I hate packing too! I always packway too much because I never know what kind of mood I will be in when I get there! Have fun!
That’s a lot of rain if you had to move your car, wow.
I hate packing because it temporarily uproots my basic necessities. I like having things in specific places at all times…how’s that for Type-A? Haha.
Your cookies look scrumptious! Thank you for the barley salad recipe link, it sounds like a wonderfully filling salad addition.
Wow girl, great job on the packing!!! I’m the same way as you… MAJOR over-packer!!
Philly has been hit with the rainy weather for the last several days as well. But even that hasn’t killed my excitement for Spring!
And though this has nothing to do with today’s post, I actually did have a slice of carrot cake today. =)
I am such an over-packer – looks like you did a fine job! I’m always afraid that I will be missing exactly the item I need when I get to my destination. Ah well – lucky duck, getting out of work early! I want the rain to stop, but an early day makes it a little better
I was actually going to comment soon asking if you were still doing Lose The Dough! It seems like you’ve been doing really well (especially with your workouts!) *without* depriving yourself, so I can’t wait to see your progress.
Have fun in NYC! I’m a little jealous that you get there more often than I do and I live in NY! LOL Enjoy!
Jenn
Oh wow, I amazed by your packing skills. I need some of those for sure.
I love rain days! We used to get them in school when I was little. That’s because so many people lived down gravel roads and water would flood over the road and the school bus couldn’t get to them… true story.