I heart Costco

So this posts going to be a quickie--I'm SUPER tired and have to do the trash so here it goes....

The last couple days haven't been the most eventful, nothings new since Tuesday... there has been lots of "good eats"....but mainly lots of waking up early...aka, 7am (that's early for me!) due to my volunteering at the VBS kids bible camp I mentioned in my last post.   I haven't been there a lot, though, recently.  Not as much as I've wanted to be there.  Want to know why?  WORK.  Luckily, however, I only had to work two days this week.  But i've had a few appointments, too.  It's not fun to be taken away from VBS-- it's like a whole other "fun" world that only happens once a year at my church.  So today, I worked from 10-3:30...they let me go home early since it got slow.... then I was exhausted so I stayed in for the rest of the night (it goes from 9am to 5 pm).  

I didn't stay in ALL night-- My fam and I took our routinely trip to COSTCO :)  I'm not a HUGE fan of Costco-- their packaged produce sucks (most of it's from another country) along with a few other packaged goods-- but it's gotten a lot better!  They're starting to get a lot more organic and natural goods which I like :)  It makes me happy <3.  Throughout the year i've been noticing more and more organic goods, but more than even on my trip there tonight.  I think their trying to compete with Whole Foods...it just won't happen as much as I love Costco :)  A few pics of the goods I found: 

I <3 Fage

Maybe it's just cuz' I live in Santa Cruz-- the land of hippy town-- but Costco's gotten A LOT better in the last few years.  What do you think-- Is your Costco getting more organic friendly foods?

Now on to the eats, i've got to hurry!  With little time, i've been managing to eat some yummy stuff in a flash....

"Sweet omelet" made with two eggs, vanilla, butter, organic PB, banana (in the inside) and LOTs of cinnamon; local strawberries (I picked um' myself)

Thank you, HEAB, I made the sweet omelet and it was DELISH!  No joke.  I ate the whole thing in a matter of seconds and licked the plate clean.  Mmmm.  Definitely recommend it!  PB inside an omelet it  the best...it melts in your mouth :)

Spinach, avocado egg less salad; ak Maks; nectarine; almonds.

Sorry, the quality in this photo is terrible.  My apologies.  I took it from my camera phone and sent it to my email since i didn't have my camera on me.  Delish meal tho, as always.

Again, my apologies, same thing happened for dinner.  I didn't have my camera, so the quality is bad.

I made lentil loaf last night-- it was delish.  I brought it to work and warmed it up on my break.  Along with it I had zucchini and corn.  YUM.

Oat bran cooked in banana, cinna, and almond milk.  Topped with boysenberries and almonds.  On the side: 1 egg omelet with 1 piece of goat cheese and spinach; micro greens on top.

I got the camera back :)

BBQ (I heart Annie's) tofu sandwich with avocado and spinach; salad with beets and left over avocado and BBQ tofu; cherries

Mondo salad (from one of these nights) with local cherry tomatoes, corn, beets, leftover BBQ tofu, summer squash and Goddess Dressing; almonds

Leftover lentil loaf with organic ketchup; beets; summer squash; Creamy beet hummus; cherry tomatoes; whole wheat pita.  

This was the first time I made "creamy beet hummus"-- it was GREAT.  Thank you, Broccoli Hut.

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera for bfast this morning either.  But i got a glimpse of what a had.  It was a fab. meal, too.  That's too bad the quality isn't good, too.

I had a sweet potato with soy milk, Justin's organic honey peanut butter, cinnamon and a berry Spiru-Tein shake with unsweetened vanilla SpiruTein, strawbs, blueberries, almond milk and wheat germ.  Yum, yum, yum, yum!!!!  Highly recommend sweet potato, soy milk and PB-- it's the BEST

....I started making my lunch for tomorrow.  The rest of the creamy beet hummus, leftover lentil loaf (what's left!) and spinach in a whole wheat wrap.

Well, good night everybody.  I'm off to bed...actually to do the trash.  That's first.  I feel a cold coming on which i'm NOT looking forward to.... I HATE being sick.  Who doesn't though?  Eeks, we'll see.

Some people just DON'T get it!

Hello, hello, hello =)

Happy Monday, everybody!  I laugh as I say that....not because Monday's are odd or anything, although they are, but because I went from not blogging for a whole month and a half....which to some in the "blogging world" is non- existent....to blogging a day later.  I think i'm really starting to get the hang of this "blog" thing.  I'm starting to really like it.  I'm hoping that I'll get more viewers and comments, but i'm assured that it'll get there.  Some day.  It just takes time, that's all. =)

So, this week i'm doing VBS at my Church-- which is "Vacation Bible School", where we teach kids about God in a "FUN" kind of way =)  Many (i'm talking hundreds) of kids and volunteers participate in this fun filled- packed week.  Assemblies (skits, dances, songs), games, events, team time and more are put on for the kids.  The question always remains by the end of the week.... Who has more fun, the kids or adults (who volunteer)?  Haha.  I think the adults!!!!!!

My mom's craft director this year-- she plans on puts on all the crafts activities for the week along with other volunteers who help her.  I caught  her telling somebody about my blog this morning which kinda got me angry.  It went like this:

".....(Mom walking with a lady who's helping her with crafts) (To ME) So, did you take pictures of your lunch today?"

" Mmmmm, yes, why?  (I whisper, silently)  Do we have to talk about this right now?  Can you please not embarrass me in front of everybody?"

" She takes pictures of her meals, Judy. (To ME) I told Judy you have a blog and take pictures of your food.  I told her about the black bean and sweet potato dish you made last night."


They both start laughing....

"(Judy) That reminds me of the pioneer women.  Have you ever heard of her?  She did the same thing....

Why my mom does this I just can't comprehend.  I hope she's not going around telling everybodyyyy; she really embarrassed me today!  Like I said, some people just DON'T get it!  I second what I said above again....it'll just take time. People will accept and get it...some day =)  Have you ever been in that circumstance?  It's not fun, not everybody is a foodie, there's little of us out there =)


Ok, now on to the food pics.  This is what has been keeping me going in the last day (or two):

Cinnamon- raisin- swirl french toast with PB and banana; almonds; Oats in a jar (OIAJ)...almond butta' jar =)

1/2 a' veggie sandwich from Gayle's-- Roasted red pepper and cashew spread, avocado, potato, and sprouts; zucchini fries on the GF (made with garlic salt and pepper); purple Kale; while nectarine.

The zucc', purple kale, micro green sprouts and nectarine are ALL from the farmer's market.  Whoo- whoo!  Gotta love the FM that's just 5 minutes away from me =)

I went Berry- pickin' on Father's Day....it was AMazingggg!!!!!!!  I went to Gizdich Ranch to do the good ol' "pik- you- self" =)  I had a blast.  My mom, dad and I picked olallieberries, boysenberries, and strawberries.  Olallieberries and boysenberries are pretty rare for me so I'm excited to use these babies in some way.

I know i don't look my hottest-- Excuse the day dreaming face in this photo =) It was one of the only ones my dad captured of this berry pickin' day on his iphone.

I did, however, use this beauts in (berries) in one way yesterday.  I made a triple berry shake with ollalies, boysens', strawbs, vanilla almond milk (USVAM), and Rainbow Light Vanilla Rice protein. YUM.  I had a couple dates and nuts to accompany the smoothie =)

Dinner came upon me quick, since I had a late shake.  Thanks to Broccoli Hut, I used her newly- posted- recipe of Black beans and sweet potato with peanut ginger dressing.  MAN. It was SOOOO good.  I licked the plate clean.  For a recipe to this amazing dish, simply look on her site, she just posted it.  Black beans and sweet potatoes definitely DO go together like PB&J.

.....Oh, and I wanted to show you an AMazing breakfast I had a few days ago I forgot to post.  Scrambled eggs with 1 piece of goat cheese, shrooms and salsa in a whole- wheat wrap.  I also had a sliced apple and berries with wheat germ.  'Twas fantastic =)

Okay people, I am TIRED.  Gotts' to be there at 8 tomorrow morning.  Comment away.  Ciao

~Em

Happy Father's Day to all....and all a "good night" =)

Hello, people-- well, the few people that are actually reading this!!!

Happy Father's Day first off.  May all you have a wonderful day with your father and cherish the times you have with him. My parents are currently at church....without me :).  I chose to blog instead, i'm long overdue.  Just kidding. :)

I am SO, SO tired.  I've worked the last few days pretty long shifts at Gayle's and I have not had a lot of time for myself.  So I decided to go to the later service at my church instead of going to the uberrr early one.  I'm on call at 10 am for work, too, so i'm just waiting to call in to see if I have to work, which I probably do since it's Father's Day, and FD is SUPER busy at Gayle's.  So we'll just see if I have to work, I really hope I don't, but most likely I will.

Ok, so i'm keepin' this post short and simple since I have A LOT to do and while typing this, I just burnt two...yes, TWO pieces of Cinnamon- raisin swirl french toast (from Gayle's :).  BUMMER.  Quite disappointing, but I wanted to say a few things about my pops.....

I love my dad.  Through thick and thin, he's ALWAYS been there for me.  Through all my troubles and mishaps, he catches me and never let's me go.  His unconditional love never fails.

He's got a sense of humor like no other; always funny and bright.  He always knows how to make a person to laugh, but at the right times, appropriately.

I love you, dad.  Thanks for always being a graceful, loving, and compassionate dad.  

One more not, my dad ALWAYS corrected my papers and helped me with writing and grammar ever since I learned how to write in grade school.  He's the editor of the newspaper in my county, Santa Cruz, CA. It's called the Santa Cruz Sentinel.  Another factor i'm greatly thankful for-- His gift of being a very wise man.  He's taught me A LOT. 

Ok, on to the eats.  All this work has been taking quite a toll on me.  This is how i've been re-fueling lately.

Whole wheat wrap with avocado and goat cheese puree, spinach; almonds; zucchini fries a peach.

That lunch was AMAZING, by the way.  I put one small avocado and one piece of goat cheese (courtesy of TJs) in the food processor and wha-lah-- An amazing spread for a wrap!

Spinach with kidney beans, corn and bbq baked tempeh.  AMazing. 

Overnight oats (Courtesy of Broccoli Hut) with Honey Greek yogurt, 1/2 c. oats, cinn. vanilla and stevia, bloobs, and a banana; 1 piece of toast with one over- easy egg.

Another AMazing meal.  Greens with black beans, salsa, "sour cream" (Greek yogurt), avocado and blue corn chips; cherry tomatoes. YUM.

TJ's goodies.  I LOVE TJs :)

.....and a peak into my pantry, which I organized recently.  More to come about "my pantry" :)

Mmmm, SO good.  This was supposed to be a vegetarian chili, but it ended up being more like a thick curry.  So I just added a pita and some broccoli and dipped in :). It was yummy, even for being thick. Recipe to come....

I pulled out my GF and made a classic PB- banana sandwich with plain Mountain High yogurt on the side with berries and wheat germ.  YUmage.

I must go....gotta call work.  Have a wonderful day, everybody.  And if your out there, COMMENT.  Talk to you soon....

I'm back, i'm BACK--no, nothing dramatic happened!

Yes, I'm quite aware it's been a month and a half since my last post. I greatly apologize for that-- like said, in my last post, life's been HECTIC. A few new changes that have happened recently: I GRADUATED from high school (whoo- whoo!!!!); got a bakery-rotisseria- sales job, which is not so new (a couple months ago); Went to Los Angeles to move my older sister out of her dorm at UCLA and into an apartment right next to Westwood (walking distance from, like literally right outside of the apartment).... we also (by WE, I mean my family and my sister's friend and I) went to Disneyland for a day and Universal Studios. It was quite fun, I forgot how MUCH I love amusement parks. :)

College stuff has been quite stressful recently, too. Not sure if I've shared yet what I'm doing next year, but I am now :) I'm going to a community college just five [!!!!!!!!] minutes from my house called Cabrillo College for 1-2 years then transferring to a university in or out of state. Not number one on my list of what I wanted to do after high school.... I mean after all, I did work my but off when I was in school and when my health didn't take me out (I was gone a lot due to my health). I did the whole shabang-- Got 4.0s, volunteered around the community (hospital, Red Cross, church, etc.), joined clubs and activities at my high school (and later became president of Red Cross and Tree Huggers Club), spent endless time and money preparing for the SATs and ACTs..... and the list goes on :) So, I was a bit bummed (actually largely bummed!) when my parents and I decided a community college would be the best idea-- it's A LOT cheaper (with my sis at UCLA), 5 minutos from mi casa (I'm going to bike there), adjusts you more to a university.... etc. :) I just can't wait to go away and start on my career which I've been waiting SO patiently to do so!!!!!

Ok, so I finally have a few foodie- pics to display. It's only taken a few months, hahaha. I don't have a camera, so I have to borrow my parent's and it doesn't always cooperate...it's still not, actually, it wouldn't let me load my glorious bfast pic from this morning :( But here there are. Did I mention I've also been spending my time going to the local farmers market (when I can...which translates to when i'm not working) which is at the Cabrillo College-- where i'll be attending next fall-- and just FIVE minutes from my house. I loveeeee the FM-- summer is my favorite produce selection. Some of my favs recently: summer squash, bok choy, cherries, asparagus, fresh almond milk and much, much more. I've also been taking quite a few trips to Whole Foods, New Leaf, TJs, Staff of Life...oh, I loveee natural food stores :)

Black beans, sweet potato, zucchini and bok choy (farmer's market) topped with a peanut ginger dressing and wheat germ.

Peanut dressing= Soy sauce, natural PB, stevia, ginger, garlic and lemon. YUM.

PB/ BBQ sauce baked tofu, sauteed zucc' and shrooms', fruit salad with wheat germ.

I licked the plate clean. Boy do I love peanut butter, BBQ sauce and tofu :)

Scrambled tofu with chard, shrooms and onions, organic Capitola sourdough bread from Gayle's (whoo- whoo), apricots.

Obviously, I started eating before the pics were taken-- that's why it's half eaten. I couldn't resist, I love my tofu!

Mmmm. Oat bran made with banana, vanilla US almond milk, organic coco powder and cinnamon. Topped with local strawberries, raw almond butter and wheat germ.

Veggies-- Summer squash, celery-- guac', roasted red pepper and cashew spread (again, from GAYLE'S) and Mary's Gone Caraway Crackers.

I know, the above pic looks like crap, but it was oh- so- good. I promise. There's nothin' like veggies and hummus (and in this case, Vegan roasted red pepper cashew spread!) on a late night.

Please do post; don't be shy. I'd like to know who's out there :)

My mom and I inside a whale at Universal Studio's. Can't you tell?

I leave you with this.