Well, I made it to Charleston alive! I usually detest driving for any length of time over 30 minutes. After that point, one side of my back starts to get really stiff, and the remainder of the drive is miserable.
Unfortunately for my back, Stephen and I are currently living 3 hours away from each other, so I tend to do a lot of weekend driving.
Usually I just listen to music in an attempt to forget about the pain, but I have recently discovered something far more entertaining.
Books on tape (or cd)!
Has anyone read this one? It’s by no means amazing, but the prose is beautiful, and listening to it lulled me into the driving “zone.”
I found this in the kitchen at work where we have an area with books and magazines that people can borrow if they’re interested. When I saw this, I knew it would be perfect for my long drive to Charleston. From now on, I’m definitely checking out the selection of books on tape at my local library!
On to food! Since I haven’t posted in two days, I’ll just share the highlights.
Thursday
On Thursday morning, I was jazzed to drink my green monster!
I realize this looks revolting. Green monsters usually turn out tasting great, I promise! Except on Thursday morning. It was just a bit bitter tasting-I think because I used too much kale. So, I decided to add a half packet of Stevia to sweeten it up a bit.
HUGE mistake. Do not add Stevia to a green shake! I have nothing against Stevia. I add a half packet to my coffee, and it tastes wonderful, but something about Stevia in this combo was really wretched.
I sat in my gym’s parking lot for about 5 minutes trying to gulp this concoction down while holding my nose. I could only take a few sips before I realized that this was not worth salvaging. Even I, a self proclaimed non food waster, know my limits. I just couldn’t make myself drink it.
I did not go without guilt. Throughout the duration of my workout, I calculated the money that I had just thrown away on the kale, soymilk, frozen mixed berries, flaxseed, and banana.
I was also starving, and I had to cut my workout short. I can’t fathom how people can wake up and exercise before they eat breakfast. My body felt like it was running on empty. So when I made it back to my apartment, I whipped up some oats to satiate my hunger.
Much better! Oats, peanut butter, pear butter, and flaxseed meal.
Lunch and dinner just weren’t that notable. I didn’t even take pictures. Lunch was a Health Valley vegetable and barley soup with some rice on the side, and dinner was Publix sushi.
Dessert was, however, notable.
Stephen treated me to Marble Slab ice cream!
I got amaretto with raspberries. I wanted cherries instead, but they were out. Stephen mixed peanut butter, chocolate, and banana ice cream. He also added Reese’s cups.
Friday
I woke up at 6:30 for my psychology conference. Compared to waking at 5 a.m., this was a breeze! I felt like I had gotten to sleep in.
For breakfast, I made peanut butter banana oats. Inspired by Stephen’s ice cream, perhaps?
I also had some Trop 50 orange juice.
After the conference, I stopped by my old gym for a workout. I ran a mile on the treadmill and did the elliptical for about an hour. I could have stayed there all afternoon! I absolutely loved that gym. Besides Stephen, it’s the number one thing that I miss about living in Charleston.
When I returned from the gym, I had worked up a serious appetite. I scoured Stephen’s pantry and fridge for a quick and easy dinner idea. I decided upon tortilla pizzas!
Tortilla Pizza
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray, then place tortilla on sheet. Cook in oven for 3 minutes.
3) Spread desired about of tomato paste on tortilla. (I actually used Ragu spaghetti sauce.) Optional- sprinkle seasoning on top of tomato paste. (I used basil.)
4) Place desired toppings on pizza.
I put mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, and black beans on mine.
5) Bake pizza in the oven for about 10 minutes.
Here’s Stephen watching to make certain our pizzas don’t burn. He’s very precise in the kitchen! I, on the other hand, am not. Sometimes it’s not such a good idea for the two of us to cook together. 
6) Remove pizzas from the oven, let cool 5 minutes, and enjoy!
Hers and his pizzas. Hmmm…I wonder which one belongs to the man?
Stephen actually made his with a “cheese crust.” He layered two tortillas and put cheese in between them. Then he put sauce, cheese, and pineapple on top.
This was totally yummy. Even Stephen, who was reluctant to try my idea, in the end agreed that it was the perfect dinner!
***
This morning I woke up and went to Body Attack at 8. It was so much fun! Oh how I’ve missed, you Body Attack!
The remainder of the day will probably be rather lazy. Stephen is currently playing video games on his PS3, and once I press post, I will be joining him! We’re total video game nerds. I got him the new Ratchet and Clank game for Christmas, and I can’t wait to try it.
Anyone else a video game junkie? What are your favorite games? Oblivion and Ratchet and Clank are probably our favorites. When I was a child, I could play the heck out of some Super Nintendo. I loved Zelda and the Super Mario games then.
I’ve totally done a little overboard on the kale before not good, but when its right its sooooooo right! x
I’m sorry your green monster was yucky!
I love tortilla pizzas. I think I have them at least once a week.
I really want to try listening to a book on tape… I keep hearing it is great for long drives or commute to work.
I have Jury Duty on Tuesday and need a book.. maybe download one onto my ipod.
That’s so funny he’s sitting there on the floor. Talk about taking pizza seriously!!!!
Ohhh I looved super nintendo. Donkey Kong was the jam! Books on tape have been my savior for my long drives- Bri and I are 9 hours apart. I actually don’t mind long drives (especially by myself- it’s good thinking time!) but the books make it much easier. The his and hers pizza look awesome! Enjoy the rest of your weekend
I started out with adding just a little bit of greens to my green smoothies, and slowly I’ve began adding more and more. I’ve gotten used to the taste, but sometimes it can get a bit “greeny”. The key is adding lots of water so it’s not too thick…but this may require more than one bottle if you’re taking it on the run.
Marble slab looks ah-mazing!
Also…i can’t seem to add your page to my rss feed
Oh wow… your did put a little bit of Kale in that smoothie, did you? haha
I would have to say that Super Mario Bros is a great game on the Wii. . . we just got it and are totally addicted.
I used to LOVE the Sims. Totally addicted, I would stay up the whole night trying to make my characters homosexual and fight each other.
Oh, and dessert looks GOOOD! Esp when you don’t have to pay a single penny for it!
i heart tortilla pizzas. easy, low carb, healthy. BTW your bf and you are uber cute. Have a great rest of your trip! Cold stone is divine! When I was young i could NOT get enough of super mario bros 3. Now I’m addicted to this iphone app game called words with friends, it’s scrabble you play with other cell phone users!
great eats- i love the homemade pizza!! brilliant- i must try
Are you married or dating Stephan? I can’t imagine living 3 hours away from Nick. But, as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I truly believe that. I’m glad you found a good book to help you with your travels.
Thanks for the Stevia tip
I wonder why it didn’t like the Green Monster, I use Truvia in mine and it’s fine. Maybe give it a try?
Love the idea of tortilla pizzas!!
marble slab ice cream?!! HELLOO sounds amazing!! as does your pizza!! I dont play video games when I was younger however, I LOVED my sega and playstation. my fav games were alladin and toy story! i was on that thing for hoursssss
My bf and I do the him and hers pizzas too!! Mine are always veggie and his a meat lovers haha. Your pizzas look great
Also I am having the same problem someone else commented on. I added you to my list of blogs but never get your updates
Gina-Stephen is my boyfriend. For the majority of our relationship, we lived in the same city. But right now, I’m doing an internship in the upstate, and he’s finishing his MBA in Charleston. So we’ve been doing the long distance thing for a few months now.
Keri and anyone else having trouble with my RSS feed:
Try clicking here… http://feeds.feedburner.com/lilyshealthpad/aiuc
Please let me know if that works!!
oh my. I could play online scrabble through yahoo for hours! Love it!
Thanks for visiting my blog Lily! I am glad you did as I love adding more healthy foodies to my Reader.
I was reading some of your previous post and have a question about your juicing spinach. I’ve attempted using spinach but I only get a few drops of juice for what seems like a ton of spinach. Seems like a big waste (and spinach is expensive). How much spinach did you use and how much juice did you get from it?
I love that Stephen watches! I wish things would just not burn on their own! I can’t stand cooking something and checking back to make sure it’s ok!
That green monster does look like it was QUITE green, haha! Hey, you win some you lose some
Like yesterday I completely blew up a bowl of oatbran in the microwave (poor microwave…) and hated to throw it out.
I’m definitely going to have to try that version of a tortilla pizza! Tortilla pizzas are such a great way to make a satisfying yet quick dinner. And I *always* have those ingredients in my fridge!
i CANNOT do Kale green monsters. only spinach. then again, i have never put a banana or a ton of berries in mine….so maybe it is a combination of things!
tortilla pizzas are so yummy! and so cute of Stephen to watch them so closely!!!
i can never workout without eating. even if it is a really easy light workout, i always have a glass of milk or some string cheese and crackers or a bar!
TAKE CARE LILY!
Hahahaha I love the photo of Stephen watching over the pizzas! And while yours is healthier, I looooooove the looks of his man pizza. Nom nom nom.
I don’t remember if I ever answered your one comment but Drama is quite vocal, like you said Beatrice is.
Is Beatrice on Catster? Drama would like to friend her.
the pizza looks great!
we love video games, we love playing the wii together! It’s a good workout too!
Ha! Stephen’s ice cream choice would be mine as well! Love the side by side of the pizzas . . looks like mine and Matt’s!
TASTY!
Anne, how was your a.m. workout attempt??
Just came across your blog. Those Tortilla Pizzas look amazing!
Hello my fellow graduate student
My bf is currently playing PS3 while I type this. We take our time apart to blog (me) & play video games/watch ESPN (Larry)…then we come back together. You guys know how it works.
1) I am dying to try Body Attack
2) Classes start Wednesday & I am not ready
3) My thesis proposal will be in the next few days…aaaahhh!
4) I hope the Stevia in the Raw served you well.
5) A new giveaway is around the corner.
Interesting about the Stevia and the Green Monster. Duly noted! Stephen is so cute checking on the pizzas! Totally something my hubby would do! Not a gamer junkie…I prefer blogs! Haha! Glad you arrived safely, girl! Have a fabulous week!
Yum, the pizzas look great!
And I’ve been listening to audio books as I run. Its great!