Good Morning all! We’ve made it to Thursday – doesn’t it feel great? Although I am a bit sad that the rainy weather is moving in. This sunshine and warm air has been positively blissful!
More bliss – getting in a nice 4.5+ run with Katherine and Liz this morning! The temperature gauge claimed it was 47 degrees outside when I left the house, but it sure didn’t feel that warm. However, it was great to see so many other runners out in Central Park – it made it feel like Spring is finally here.
I’ll just do a quick recap of yesterday (Wednesday). I did not run in the morning, so I was up a little bit late and had some Kashi Heart to Heart cereal with blueberries for breakfast.
My morning went by really fast. All of a sudden it was lunch (don’t you love that?) and I broke into my very ripe banana and PB&J on an Arnold Thin.
Little messy, lots of yum.
Afternoon snacks were: Yoplait yogurt with Galaxy Granola (we’re all out of Chobani) and an Apple Pie Larabar.
Human Garbage Disposals
Hubby and I went shopping last week (on Tuesday) when we were out in Staten Island getting our taxes done. It was a big load of food, to say the least. I said to him as we were going through the check-out that it looks like we’re feeding a family of four. We had soo much food. And the thought of carrying it up four flights of stairs frankly scared me. I tried to insist we put some things back. We didn’t.
It seemed ridiculous to me then. But now – I can’t seem to find any food in the house! We’re almost out of fruit, the only veggies we have are frozen, no Chobani, etc., etc. I told him last night that with the way things disappear, I feel like we must eat an incredible amount. And maybe we actually do, the food just happens to be healthy and so we don’t gain weight.
But this only serves to validate the fact that if you want to eat healthy, it’s going to cost you. A person goes through healthy, fresh foods so much faster than processed and packaged foods. I can understand why someone would buy canned goods, and pre-packaged meals and items – they will last them so much longer. I think one of the key goals in fighting the obesity epidemic has got to be to somehow make fresh, healthier foods more affordable and accessible to low-income individuals.
Sorry for that little rant. It just always boggles my mind how much food the Hubby and I go through alone – we are human garbage disposals it seems.
How often do you go grocery shopping? Do you ever feel you run out of food too quickly? Do you buy in bulk to make fewer trips or go as needed?
Anyhow – onto yesterday’s post-work activities. I headed to the gym and knocked out 5 miles in 43 minutes on the treadmill.
Then I headed home and ate a quick leftovers dinner. My Tomato Tortellini Spinach Soup leftovers had absorbed most of the liquid (note this if you decide to make it – add more broth – definitely 6 cups). I decided to eat it anyway and sprinkled on a bit of shredded cheese. It was yummy and very filling. The tortellini were especially flavorful from absorbing the liquid. I also threw a few sun-dried tomatoes on there as well.
After dinner I relaxed and watched Superbad on t.v. for a bit and then headed in to bed to read Angela’s Ashes around 9:00 p.m. I literally laughed out loud at one part and I just have to share:
Frankie is talking about how clean and nice it was in the hospital: “I lie in bed and think of the hospital where the white sheets were changed every day and there wasn’t a sign of a flea. There was a lavatory where you could sit and read your book till someone asked if you were dead.”
I don’t know why this cracks me up s0 much, but it does. The last line and his tone is just hysterical. This is his tone throughout the book. I’m just past page 200 and there’s about 360 pages in the book. Yes, it’s sad in many respects to read about the poverty they endure, but Frankie’s narration is just great. You can’t help laughing despite the terrible conditions and things that happen to this family. So far I really like it – hopefully a book review to come soon.
Have you read Angela’s Ashes – did you like it?
That’s all for Thursdays – have a good one!
Eat, Read, Run 
I always feel like I spend too much and shop too often on food. But I think you’re right–it’s the price of eating fresh and healthy. As to Angela’s Ashes…read it years ago and loved it. He did a follow-up book (can’t remember the name), though, and I wish I hadn’t read it b/c it changed my opinion of him.
Maybe you are thinking of “Tis”? I’ve heard good things about that book though.
Thanks for the fun run this morning!
I too am a human garbage disposal — fresh, delicious produce is big on volume, weight and price but also taste and nutrition, and I always feel great eating it 🙂 Worth the extra dollars, I think!
Great run! It is worth the extra cost – I just wish it didn’t cost quite so much. Haha.
I typically grocery shop once a week…sometimes I make a mid-week run for more produce but I try to stay away because I can seriously splend $$$$ in a grocery store if I had unlimites funds! haha!
Oh yes, I could certainly spend a pretty penny in the grocery store if I had no limit.
I agree with you, it is so expensive to eat healthy. I try to shop the perimeter of the grocery store and buy fresh foods, but they go bad after 5 days or so… so back to the store!!!
When I do buy things in bulk it tends to be things that I can freeze for later, otherwise it just goes to waste since there are only two of us.
I never read Angela’s ashes, but I did read his Teacher Man (another teacher gift) and it was okay.
Yup – I went last night and literally just went around the outside.
I hear ya – organic, healthy food is expensive! This topic was just on Oprah today….SO interesting to me. Basically it’s taken us a long time to get fast food cheap, and healthy food expensive, so it is going to take us a long time to get it back that right way (and that is if only everyone chips in!)
We grocery shop 2x a month. It is certainly a challenge, but I enjoy it. I find joy and planning out the meals and knowing I have to get enough, within budget to feed us for 10-15 days.
Yup, the big chains certainly did a good job of making unhealthy food appealing because of the affordable price.
I definitely need to start planning out my weekly meals – that would probably help.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who feels like I spend a billion dollars on groceries every week. I tend to make frequent trips for just a few things at a time, but it adds up! Granted, my boyfriend and I eat most of our meals at home, and I always pack lunch when going to class or work. I’m sure it balances out, but I can never shake the feeling that I buy too much, even if nothing goes to waste.
It probably does work out if you factor in what you’re saving by not eating out – good thing to remember I guess and help us not feel so bad for spending so much on groceries.
I feel like I eat a crazy amount of food throughout the week! I got to Trader Joe’s at least once a week and the regular grocery store every other week (and that’s just for me!). But then again, I don’t buy a huge amount every time. I think that’s just so I can allow myself to go to TJ’s as often as i do- LOVE that store. It’s like retail therapy…
Oh how I wish Trade Joe’s was closer to my apartment! Great deals – great store.
Frank Mcourt is such an amazing writer. I had the honor and privelage of personally knowing him and he was possibly the funniest person I have ever met. It was so tragic when he passed away last year:(
Wow – that is amazing that you knew him personally! I wish I had read Angela’s Ashes before he passed away.
I have read Angela’s Ashes, “Tis and just finished Teacher Man. I love Frank McCourt’s writing style. The world lost a great writer when he passed. However, the folks in Limerick were not entirely keen on his book that aired some truths that they feel were better left alone. When we were in Limerick, we heard some unhappy people curse his name over their Guinness draughts.
One question. Why isn’t your banana a little more green? Ha ha!
My friend recommended I read Tis – she said she liked it even better than Angela’s Ashes. Hopefully maybe Bill and I will get to visit Limerick soon. I can imagine that they wouldn’t be too happy with the way the town is portrayed – so cool that you were there!
I don’t eat gross green bananas like your brother!! He’s crazy. I bought bananas last night and he actually told me they were too green – I didn’t think that was possible.
I read that book and parts were very sweet and funny, just the way a self-deprecating but clever child would think.
I loved Angela’s Ashes! That book really opened my eyes to how bad it was in Ireland. Frank McCourt has such a great sense of humor despite his difficult past. I found it amazing how he could incorporate his humor into his memories of such hard times–it made for great reading! I also read his book Teacher Man and loved it–definitely recommend it!
Thanks! I think I’ll definitely be adding Tis and Teacher Man to my list of books to read. I’ve heard mixed reviews on both from several people, so I’ll have to just see for myself. 🙂
I totally agree with you on the fresh food price tag. I feel like I’m always grocery shopping, and I’m just one person! Groceries are what I spend most of my income on. It’s a worthy investment, for sure, but not many people are willing to shuck out the extra bucks for fresh produce when there’s so much processed garbage for half the price. In Japan, produce is actually cheaper than the standard grocery supplies.
I read “Angela’s Ashes” in High School and loved it. RIP, Frank McCourt!
Your tortellini dinner looks delicious! Have a great Friday!
What a lovely day of eats. Katherine is such a pleasure to run with. It was great meeting you at Candle!
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