Just what I needed
Heyyyy <3 How was your Monday? Hope you had a wonderful day!
After catching up on blogs, news (sending lots of love to Giuliana Rancic, whom I’ve always admired), and waking the Pilot up (he didn’t have to go in super early this morning), I made breakfast using two new-to-me ingredients.
DARK CHOCOLATE almond milk (! <—x 1000) and the new Sun Warrior blend.
The almond milk was an impulse buy at Target, which tends to happen sometimes all the time at that store. I went in to get containers to pack the baby meal in, and came out with chocolate almond milk, a maternity dress (which I’m taking back – I didn’t get to try it on and it’s a disaster), said containers, and a toy for Bella.
As far as the Sun Warrior goes, I’ve been dying to try their new blend since I’m a Sun Warrior fanatic. I love the fact that it has similar nutritional stats, but is based on different types of plant proteins (pea, cranberry and hemp) than the original rice version. It also has a complete amino acid profile. OpenSky sent me a few packs to try, which will last me until the giant bag of vanilla I ordered shows up on the doorstep.
I added the chocolate almond milk and new warrior blend into a little smoothie:
-3/4 C chocolate almond milk
-3/4 C regular almond milk
-1 pack Sun Warrior chocolate Warrior Blend
-handful of spinach
-1/2 frozen banana
-1 C TJs Very Cherry Berry blend
The verdict?
I loved it. I was a little scared with the different types of protein in there –sometimes hemp tastes like biting into a tree branch- but the flavor was extremely mild. Very similar to the original Sun Warrior, but slightly earthier.
This afternoon, I met up with a friend for lunch in between errands. We went to Renee’s Organic Oven, which is always amazing, and the fact that they were out of gluten-free pizza dough forced us to order something different.
Snacks:
Toast with egg, nutritional yeast and fresh salsa
Funky-shaped apple
I just got home from a walk around the base track, diving into this book:
as far as books go, it was just what I needed.
I always like to be reading one *substance* book and one *fluff* book. I’ve been reading a lot of substance stuff lately –baby books get pretty intense and textbooky- and have been struggling to find a fluff book that I enjoy and holds my attention. I started Bossypants a while ago on the Kindle, and couldn’t get into it. I love Tina Fey, but she wasn’t as funny to me in the book as she is on TV and in movies.
After talking with a work friend, who is always reading something, too, and comparing books we’ve read (American Wife, Glass Castle, The Help, Kite Runner, Water for Elephants, etc), she said “Have you read Saving CeeCee Honeycutt?”
I forgot about it until I saw the book on my mom’s table the other night. She said she finished it in a day and I could borrow it [in my family, we rotate books- my mom will read something, give it to my nana, who will give it to my aunt, and so on- I had kind of been kicked out of the club since I started using my Kindle so much]. I’m already sucked in- it was just what I was looking for.
It’s dinner time over here and then we’re talking Bell on her nightly walk.
See ya in the morning!
xoxo
Gina
Something to do: This treadmill workout! It’s short, sweet and sweaty 🙂
58 Comments
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I can’t wait fir my sun warrior to arrive! I ordered it on your open sly and it’s taking forevvvver. I’m a little anxious if you can’t tell. I always notice you adding nutritional yeast to things, especially your eggs. What is the point of it and how does it taste? If you’ve already written on this my apologies!
Woah, excuse all the typos! That’s what happens on an phone!!
it adds protein and b vitamins, and i like the taste!
waiting for mine to get here, too 🙂
WHAT?!? Dark CHOCOLATE Almond Milk!? AHHH! I need to try this! AHHH! ((((((:
right?! i was scary excited
I LOVE that stuff! That is where I started with Almond milk, my kiddos love it too!
hmm I’m going to have to check that book out. We are reading the Historian for my book club (which is in two days and I’m not even halfway through)…it is PAINFUL. I just could not get into it. I feel guilty for not finishing in time but I just have no desire to continue. It’s a huge book too.
I’m always looking for a good book, I’ll have to check that one out!*
Ohh thanks for sharing info about the book! Im always looking for new ones to read!
I have this obsession with hot chocolate lately, so I wonder if the Silk stuff would be good heated up on the stove. It’s worth a shot! =)
ahhh! you may have just created a monster. it would taste fantastic heated up
Or what about if you steeped peppermint tea in it?!?!
i’m totally trying it tomorrow. WOW
Hi Gina – I’ve been a reader for a long time but this is my first comment! Just curious – did you try the dark chocolate almond milk by itself? If so, what did you think? And is the calorie count much higher? I am DEFINITELY looking for this on my next Target trip!
yes and whoooooaaaa was it fantastic. it’s twice the calories (120 per cup) but it tastes like dessert and has twice the calcium of milk. i’m hooked
i am definitely more of a fan of the Silk chocolate soy milk, i dont seem to care much for the almond milk.
I would still like to try this sunwarrior protein though
Target has a way of sucking you in and making you buy way more than you came for! It happens every time.
I’m supposed to be receiving a sample of the new Sun Warrior Blend soon – I can’t wait!
I had no idea about Giuliana Rancic. Thanks for that link. My goodness, my heart and prayers go out to her.
And that almond milk WITH the Sun Warr Chocolate…nice.
Books…what are those? I have a Google Reader. My books the past few years are of the See Spot Run and let’s practice our ABC’s variety 🙂
I love Silk Almond Milk but haven’t seen the dark chocolate stuff yet, I bet it would be good heated up too!
OMG I may just go out and buy Dark Chocolate Almond Milk right now. Wow – crazy excited.
Have you ever made almond milk popsicles? Delish! Just like a healthy fudgesicle.
Oh, yes. I don’t allow myself to buy the dark choc almond milk. I’ll drink it in one sitting. 😉
Oops. Wrong spot. lol Sorry!
i love that idea!! the almond milk would be so easy to freeze into popsicles
Thanks for the review! Now I feel safe ordering a bag. 🙂 And I’m going to have to track down that chocolate almond milk! Just in time for hot chocolate weather…
Poor Guiliana. 🙁 That’s terrible. Sending good vibes her way!
I’m so glad I’m not alone with Bossypants!! I heard such good things about it but just aren’t loving it. I’m 1/4 of the way in and just feeling meh about it. I can’t decide whether to throw in the towel or continue. :/
yay! i just ordered the new sunwarrior and i am glad you gave it a good review!!!!<3
Totally unrelated question for you. When you starting trying to conceive, did you take folate? I read that Nutritional Yeast has about 60% of it in it, and I eat that often – and I’ve heard some mixed things about folate….
yes, i got folate through the prenatal i was taking, and sprinkled nutritional yeast on my food. from what i’ve heard, folate is GOOD, but ask your doc what you should do
Does your Kindle have ‘text to speech’? I walk with it reading to me all the time. It’s a weird machine voice but you get used to it. I was thinking today it’s too bad it’s such a weird voice because you kid have it read to a kid, in a bind!
Have you read The Language of Flowers? I read it a few weeks ago, it’s a pretty unbelievable (and surprisingly powerful) novel that really gets under your skin. http://www.amazon.com/Language-Flowers-Novel-Vanessa-Diffenbaugh/dp/034552554X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318916273&sr=8-1
I feel the same way at Whole Foods that you do at Target. Too funny. Gotta love anything dark chocolate, right!?
I am dying to try sunwarrior!! Yummy smoothie. I just recently tried chocolate almond milk too 😀
I am in LOVE with the dark chocolate almond milk !! I use it sometimes in my overnight oats and smoothies. SO GOOD ! You are going to LOVE that book . One of my very favorites-!!!!
I keep seeing that dark choc almond milk EVERYWHERE!! I really want to try it! I usually roll with unsweetened but I’m curious! So yay or nay?
When Giuliana’s story showed up on my news feed, I was shocked and totally shed some tears (like you, I admire her too). Thank God she caught her breast cancer early. It definitely sends a message to all of us!
Ahem, dark chocolate almond milk?! Definitely need to seek this one out. Your smoothie looks divine.
Love the Silk Dark Chocolate Almond! I tried it a few months ago, it’s so dark! I always mix it with a little plain almond or soy milk though 😛
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE CEECEE!!!!!!!!! The best book I have read in years. Warning though! I boohooed through the majority of the book. Good tears *mostly* 🙂
Thanks Gina! I was looking high and low for a good book rec. I am downloading this one right now!
Ahhh I was in Target two weeks ago looking for the chocolate almond milk but they didnt have any! I’m stopping in there today so I hope they have it(: I bet it’s delicious
I NEED to find that dark chocolate almond milk! Have you tried the chocolate zico coconut water? I was very skeptical at first, but it sort of reminds me of chocolate milk, only lighter. I think it has around the same calories as the almond milk too. Love it after a hard workout. 🙂
I heard about Giuliana too – broke my heart. I just love her (she reminds me of my sister in law). I was in Target last night myself – the dresses out now make me look so frumpy, Frustrating. Your smoothie looks fantastic – really dark. Bless you for sharing your new finds – everything I’ve tried, I end up enjoying as well. Have a good day my friend.
Reading about everyone’s delicious homemade food makes me droooollllll. Dorm food makes me want to vom.
Hi Gina,
I keep making poor food choices and food combos. My lunches always seem ill-combined and too complicated. Like maybe a lunch of a big avocado-veggie-fruit salad with a whole egg, and then yogurt mixed with protein powder and a cup of cereal or something on the side.
I use 2-4 scoops of protein powder per day. Too much maybe?
And if a person eats chicken/fish …how many ounces per day max would you have on a each and every day basis. I feel like I go to eggs/yogurt a lot in one meal cause I have chicken or fish at the opposite meal. I worry about having Chicken or fish twice every day in and out, but then otherwise, I end up with all these yogurt-eggs-protein powder concoctions.
Also, any tips on binging? I used to deprive myself of cereals and bread and chocolate and stuff…and I am out of control every single day and night. I’m going crazy with it.
hey girl,
these sounds like great concerns to bring up to an rd or doctor in your area. i’m sorry i can’t be more help, but since i’ve never met you and don’t have the credentials to give advice on this sort of thing, i have to refer you to a professional that can actually meet with you in person.
thank you so much for reading my little blog <3
I need to get my hands on that dark chocolate almond milk! I bet it would taste really good heated up to make hot chocolate! 😀
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog.
I just had my second daughter four weeks ago..and I am itching to get back to running and yoga, I love your site for tips!
I cant wait to see how you enjoy motherhood! <3
Yum! I love chocolate–especially dark chocolate! Hersheys has a Special Dark Chocolate Syrup that is to die for.
Have you heard of Chew Beads? I just saw another blogger post about them–figured you would still want to be stylish with your jewelry and not worry about your little one choking on it.
http://www.aweddingstoryblog.com/2011/10/chew-beads.html
Thank you! I’m so glad someone agrees with me on Bossypants. I love Tina Fey too – I find her HILARIOUS on TV – but her book was just so meh to me. I couldn’t work out when she was serious or joking…it was just weird.
Phew…felt good to get that off my chest. Really thought I was the only one!
Hi Tina!
I’ve read your blog for a while but have never commented. Love everything you write about and I just wanted to let you know that I’m listening to Bossypants on CD (read by Tina Fey) and I think it’s much better that way. She changes her voice and does a great job at impersonating people. Maybe you could listen to it if you want a laugh!
Typo – meant to say gina obviously!
so glad you finally tried the dark chocolate almond milk! i love it! If I have a simple bowl of cereal I always use the dark chocolate now, it gives it a little boost!
Also thanks for the book recommendation! I need a good pick me up book. I’ve been reading a lot of serious reads lately as well.
Hope all is well with you <3
Gina all of your eats are amazing and are normally exactly what I eat. Unfortunately, I’m just hitting the 7 week mark and the only things that look even relatively good are french fries and pasta. Is this kind of how you felt with the salt and vinegar chips?? I hope this goes away soon! I miss my normal diet (and cooking! the though of cooking is awful for me right now).
I loved loved loved that book! I’ve recommended it many times!
That is a great book! Another great one is “The Secret Life of Bees”! 🙂
Hi Gina!
Is the Sun Warrior protein safe for people with gluten and dairy intolerance?