Double Dose

Ahhh, I almost missed the end of the day!  I need to hit you all with some Friday French don’t I?  And I need to make up for missing it last week.  So here it is, a double dose of language before bed.

Friday French –>

NEW ONES
Phrase: Je suis une étudiante du conseil génétique.
Translation: I am a genetic counseling student.
Story: I figured I should know how to say what I do on a daily basis.  Plus, if I ever counseled in French (haha, right…) this would be part of my opening statement.

Phrase: Tu me manques.
Translation: I miss you.
Story: I say this to quite a few people in my life every week.  I’m here and my parents are back in my hometown, Jack is at his own school, all of my undergraduate friends are various places (most still back at my undergraduate institution), and my extended family is scattered all over the country.  So, basically, this is a much needed phrase in my life.

Question: Who do you miss in your life?

Studying Sunday

Another day of studying my dears.  That’s what today was all about after I woke up nice and leisurely at 10am.  For a late breakfast I decided to make some pancakes.  I wasn’t feeling any of my normal recipes so I decided to make one up. –>

Power-Packed Pancakes
A DNA and Dessert original recipe.

Who is up for pancakes with 20g of protein and 4g of fiber??  Makes two medium pancakes or one whole-pan large pancake.

P.S. This recipe is linked to Foodie Friday.

Ingredients:
2 egg whites
2T protein powder
2T rolled oats
1T wheat germ
1t baking powder
1t vanilla extract
1/2t cinnamon
1/2t nutmeg
1/2t ginger
1/4t all-spice
2t water, if needed

How to:
1. Combine the dry ingredients.
2. Add in egg whites, vanilla, and water if using. Mix well.
3. Drop batter onto a hot pan/skillet.  The batter is thick enough that it will probably not bubble. Flip once it has gelled enough that you can get the whole thing on a spatula.
4. Top with your choice delights.

I topped my two cakes with a mix of pumpkin and Biscoff spread.  On top of that went chia and maple.  Seriously, the pumpkin/Biscoff was incredible.  You should seriously try it!  I worked on Human Genetics and Communications studying all afternoon.  Blah.  Blah.  Blah.  And more blah.  Seriously, I found it incredibly hard to concentrate, integrate, and retain any information.  Aside from studying I had to watch my final role play and write a 2-3 page critique.

It wasn’t as horrible as I thought.  I was actually happy with how it turned out on the whole.  I have come leaps and bounds since the beginning of the semester for sure.  I was pleased.  After I finished I decided lunch was in order.  I made myself a sundried tomato wrap with tuna, green goddess dip, tomatoes, shredded carrots, and cheddar cheese.  I had bold Chex mix on the side.

I also had a cookie bar for dessert.

Later in the day, after more studying, I headed to the gym.  I did 18 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the stationary bike all while studying Communications lectures.  I then did some weights:

• Tricep dips under own body weight
• Around the world with 10lb dumbbell
• Bicep curls with a 10lb dumbbell in each hand
• V-raises with a 10lb dumbbell in each hand
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• Lat pulls with 40lbs
• Medicine ball crunches
• Medicine ball push ups
• Step-back lunges with a 10lb dumbbell in each hand
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• Chest press with 40/35lbs
• Sumo squats with 10lb dumbbell

Dinner followed when I got back in the form of a large salad topped with Old Bay seasoned potatoes and pan-seared, crumbled tempeh bacon.  I dressed the whole thing in sweet and spicy French dressing.

I studied even more after dinner and talked with mom on the phone.  Dessert and a bit of Gossip Girl rounded out the evening.

The ice cream has since motivated me to finish up studying.  I have to be up at 7:30am tomorrow to make my 9am Communications final and then my 2p Human Genetics final.  Wish my luck!

Questions: Do you put hot toppings on your salad?
What’s your favorite flavor of Chex Mix?

Wonderous Waffles

This morning started off with a bang!

When I woke up at 8 I was pretty darn tired but I grabbed an apricot with peanut butter…

…and headed out to the fitness center.  I did 3.77 miles in 35 minutes and then a 5 minute cool down.  It felt really great though honestly working out in the morning kind of threw the rest of my day off because I ALWAYS work out after class. This sort of flipped my whole day on its head.  When I got back to the apartment and had showered I opened up my brand new, thanks to Black Friday and Joshua, waffle maker!!!

It looked super snazzy and was just dying for some batter to cook up. Enter these—>

Vanilla Protein Waffles
A DNA and Dessert original recipe.

A perfect base that can probably stand some add ins.  Great thing about it is the protein content: 12g of protein per waffle! Makes about 2.5 waffles on my iron (maybe 8 inches across).

Ingredients:
2 tbsp protein powder (I used 15g)
3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp flour (I used 105g of a wheat/all-purpose mix)
3/4 tbsp baking powder
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup Stevia (or sugar)
2 tbsp melted butter
1 egg
1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond)

How to:
1. Preheat your waffle iron.
2. Combine the protein powder, flour, baking powder, salt, and Stevia.
3. Add in egg, butter, and milk.  Mix well.  I ended up adding about 2ish tbsp of water to thin out my batter but it really depends on your flour, your protein powder, and your preference.  Your call!
4. Spread batter evenly over your iron and cook until the iron says it’s done!
5. Repeat until all the batter is gone.
6. Top it with all sorts of yummies or eat it plain but either way, ENJOY IT.

I topped my waffle with peanut butter, maple syrup, wheat germ, and chia seeds.  Seriously, it was stellar and I stuffed my face pretty much.  Loved it and I can’t wait to eat my leftover half a waffle this week for breakfast.  Sadly, I only got one and a half usable waffles today because the directions tell you to pitch your first one since the iron was brand new. Oh well.  =D

I worked on homework/role play/presentation prep all morning and then packed up my cookies for the Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap 2011.

I then marched my booty down to the post office and mailed them.  It took a bit longer than expected and was honestly a bit more money than I expected but I suppose it was worth it for the experience.  I will say though I will seriously consider how much money I spent the next time I contemplate participating.  On the subject though, I received two shipments of cookies in the last two days.

Waiting on one more!  I actually had one of each selection for dessert later in the evening.

They were delicious.  Anyways, back to school, right?  I had to hoof it to Metabolism class after the post office and it was of course raining.  Ugh.  Note to self: never walk in the rain in a non-waterproofed down coat.  I was a bit damp on the inside when I arrived at school.  Class was fine and we learned about peroxisome disorders.  More bad news is what it boils down to…please Lord don’t ever let me give birth to a “floppy” hypotonic baby.  Nothing good can come from it, that’s for sure.

In between Metabolism and Human Genetics I had my lunch.  I packed a turkey, baba gannoui, and garlic mayo sandwich along with sesame sticks, bold chex mix, and everything bagel pretzels.

It was the perfect interlude taste-wise though it probably wasn’t good timing.  I honestly fell asleep for a good half hour.  Ooops.  After class I hopped the bus and munched on a cookie bar (made by me for the Cookie Swap!) while heading home.

Because I had worked out early in the day I spent the whole afternoon working on homework, again.  Man, I hate the stressful feeling that creeps up on you when you realize you have some major exams coming on in less than a week.  Blah!  Around 6:30 I realized just how hungry I was so I broke for a bit and made dinner.  I boiled some whole wheat penne rigate and combined it with chicken sausage, peas, tomato & basil pasta sauce, and feta cheese.

Yum.  After my first bite I added some onion powder though because it needed a bit of a kick.  It worked and I scarfed it down while watching Once Upon A Time on DVR.  More work followed, both academic and non-academic.  My extracurricular activities centered around food.  I bought some organic tempeh at Trader Joe’s the other day and decided I should try it out, do something with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So I made up a marinade with soy sauce, liquid smoke, sesame oil, and some spices and brown sugar and I’m going to let it soak overnight and probably a little more.  Presto: tempeh bacon!

Then I think I’ll either bake it or sauté “fry” it.  Any thoughts? Dessert also constituted an extracurricular.  I made a sundae and used it as a reward for working so hard.

Anyways, Tune Tuesday anyone??

Have an awesome night everyone.  I need sleep, yo!  I can’t keep sleeping in class…

Questions: Do you like waffles?
What are your favorite toppings for them?