Try this yummy recipe!
Next to each ingredient, I'll put the nutrition info per serving. If you are worried that vegans don't get adequate protein, this just might blow your mind! And it's super low fat, especially if you limit the "cheese" and avocado.
12 oz Smart Ground Original Veggie Protein Crumbles (70 calories, 0g fat, 3g fiber, 12g protein)
15 oz drained and rinsed Light Red Kidney Beans (110 calories, 0g fat, 6g fiber, 7g protein)
1/4 cup Old El Paso Original Taco Seasoning (20 calories, 0g fat, 0g fiber, 0g protein)
4-6 whole wheat pitas (120 calories, 0g fat, 2g fiber, 5g protein)
4-6 oz grated Vegan Gourmet Cheddar Cheese Alternative (50 calories, 4g fat, 2g fiber, 2 g protein) (I actually used less than one oz per pita, but you may have a taste for more)
3-4 leaves chopped romaine lettuce (15 calories, 0g fat, 1g fiber, 1g protein)
1 large sliced tomato (11calories, 0g fat, 1g fiber, 1g protein)
1 sliced or mashed avocado (50 calories, 5g fat, 1g fiber, 1g protein)
Box of Rice a Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice (190 calories, .5g fat, 1g fiber, 5g protein) (I omitted the butter)
Begin by preparing the rice according to the directions and preheating the broiler. While the rice cooks, prepare the lettuce, tomato, and avocado and shred the cheese.
Heat a large skillet. Add 1/3 cup of water to the skillet then add the veggie protein crumbles. Break apart the protein crumbles, stir, and allow to heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the kidney beans, taco seasoning and another 1/3 cup of water, stir, and allow to heat for another 2-3 minutes. Place the whole pitas on a cookie sheet. Scoop a large spoonful of the protein crumble/bean combo on top of each pita and smooth flat. Top with a sprinkle of cheese. Broil until the edges of the pita begin to brown and crisp, about 5 minutes.
Remove pitas from oven. Top with a handful of lettuce and a few slices of avocado. Top it all off with a slice of tomato. Serve with rice on the side.
Ryan easily put down two pitas, and I managed one and a half (I was REALLY hungry)! Ryan really enjoyed it! That means it was good!
Please try it!! It's so good for you!!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Officially Unemployed
Well, yesterday was my last day working at American University. The position I had since October was as the Interim Coordinator of Greek Life. It was the best job I have had so far and I really thought, for the majority of my time there, that it would become permanent. I kind of realized this day would come a couple of months ago, when I spotted my job posted on a national website even though I was told that it was only going to be an internal search. Once I saw it one every higher ed website known to man, I really got the feeling that they wanted me replaced, despite the hard work I did over the year.
Last October, I came into the position after a search a few months prior revealed no suitable candidates. That meant the students had been without a Greek advisor for two or three months and I later came to realize that the previous Greek advisor had basically checked out mentally a few years before he left! He was in that position for over a decade and so many of his programs were stale and he never attended anything unless campus VIPs were going to be there as well! It was tough learning how their Greek community functioned and then figuring out what needed to be changed and how to change it in order to bring them into the right decade without guidance. It seems that maybe I moved a little to slowly? I feel like I changed a lot in the time I had, but maybe I didn't do a good enough job talking about every little thing I changed. Maybe I didn't speak enough about my plans for the future? Even though I spoke in detail about a brand new accountability program I spent the whole spring semester developing that was replacing a program that was the outdated backbone for the Greek community for years. I guess I didn't speak in enough detail about my work with IFC, NPHC and our multicultural Greeks? Even though IFC completely revamped their bylaws under my guidance, finally began accepting NIC resolutions, and actually plans on holding events next year; NPHC finally began to feel like a part of the Greek community because I attended their meetings, the language in the workshops I presented finally included their language, and new policies were developed and programs changed to be amenable to their chapter size; and, I established a Multicultural Greek Association for the multicultural Greeks and encouraged the colonization of an Asian sorority. Apparently I didn't show my authority? I don't like to host parades and press conferences when chapters or individuals are in trouble! I view risk and judicial issues as opportunities for education and seek alternatives as consequences before resorting in probation and suspension. Apparently, one semester of this practice did not show enough results for the committee, but I think there is a lot it can do to change behavior in the long-run while reducing the number of chapters on probation or suspension or being completely unrecognized. I also didn't have enough national experience? As both a new and interim employee, I was never able to secure funding for necessary conferences as well additional conferences that would specifically help with AU's Greek community or my professional development... so I think that is their fault for not supporting the development of their staff or Greek community.
Last October, I was also informed that they would most likely fill the position permanently in April. April and May came and went and nothing transpired in the search because my office was relocating to another area of the division and this meant new location and a new supervisor. My first supervisor explained that when the search occured, it would be a five day internal search because they already had me, a qualified candidate succeeding in the position. Once my office moved, the responsibility of coordinating the search moved to my new supervisor. So, the job was posted and I applied immediately, thinking nothing of it. Three weeks later, after hearing nothing about the search, I checked the AU website and realized the job was still posted. I began to panic because no one told me it was going to be longer than 5 days, but then I also thought, well at least it's only on AU's page. Only, the next day, I learned that it was posted on every higher ed website available. No one ever told me it was gong to be a national search! I really felt I was a part of the AU family and had been doing a pretty good job, but my supervisor never even thought to tell me how badly she wanted to replace me! Just to preserve my own sense of security, I began applying for other positions in student affairs at other universities in the area.
Turns out, 189 people applied for my job! Of the 189, 100 possessed some qualifications, and 10 were interviewed by phone. Of those 10, 3 were selected to come to campus. I was in the top 3. An enormous amount of the student's money was wasted flying candidates in from Maine and San Diego when a perfectly qulaified candidate (me!) was already in the position and only had to walk across the hall to be interviewed. In the end, I was the second choice. I do not have enough authoritativeness or national experience.
I have been under more stress in the last few months than I ever have in my entire life. The last time I had my hair cut I asked if the saw any gray hairs because I was certain I sprouted a few... but I don't have any yet! (Knock on wood.) Now I am officially unemployed. I applied for unemployment benefits this week and also had to apply for medical and dental insurance. With unemployment rates skyrocketing to record levels, this is the absolute worst time to be unemployed. I am terrified I won't find something. I have applied to at least 11 jobs since June 3rd and have already been rejected by 3. At least now I have all the free time in the world to keep searching.
Plus I get to go to California with Ryan next week which I wouldn't have been able to do this time of year. I'll be there from August 28th until September 8th... so call if you want to hang out for some dirt cheap fun cuz I'm unemployed and broke!
Last October, I came into the position after a search a few months prior revealed no suitable candidates. That meant the students had been without a Greek advisor for two or three months and I later came to realize that the previous Greek advisor had basically checked out mentally a few years before he left! He was in that position for over a decade and so many of his programs were stale and he never attended anything unless campus VIPs were going to be there as well! It was tough learning how their Greek community functioned and then figuring out what needed to be changed and how to change it in order to bring them into the right decade without guidance. It seems that maybe I moved a little to slowly? I feel like I changed a lot in the time I had, but maybe I didn't do a good enough job talking about every little thing I changed. Maybe I didn't speak enough about my plans for the future? Even though I spoke in detail about a brand new accountability program I spent the whole spring semester developing that was replacing a program that was the outdated backbone for the Greek community for years. I guess I didn't speak in enough detail about my work with IFC, NPHC and our multicultural Greeks? Even though IFC completely revamped their bylaws under my guidance, finally began accepting NIC resolutions, and actually plans on holding events next year; NPHC finally began to feel like a part of the Greek community because I attended their meetings, the language in the workshops I presented finally included their language, and new policies were developed and programs changed to be amenable to their chapter size; and, I established a Multicultural Greek Association for the multicultural Greeks and encouraged the colonization of an Asian sorority. Apparently I didn't show my authority? I don't like to host parades and press conferences when chapters or individuals are in trouble! I view risk and judicial issues as opportunities for education and seek alternatives as consequences before resorting in probation and suspension. Apparently, one semester of this practice did not show enough results for the committee, but I think there is a lot it can do to change behavior in the long-run while reducing the number of chapters on probation or suspension or being completely unrecognized. I also didn't have enough national experience? As both a new and interim employee, I was never able to secure funding for necessary conferences as well additional conferences that would specifically help with AU's Greek community or my professional development... so I think that is their fault for not supporting the development of their staff or Greek community.
Last October, I was also informed that they would most likely fill the position permanently in April. April and May came and went and nothing transpired in the search because my office was relocating to another area of the division and this meant new location and a new supervisor. My first supervisor explained that when the search occured, it would be a five day internal search because they already had me, a qualified candidate succeeding in the position. Once my office moved, the responsibility of coordinating the search moved to my new supervisor. So, the job was posted and I applied immediately, thinking nothing of it. Three weeks later, after hearing nothing about the search, I checked the AU website and realized the job was still posted. I began to panic because no one told me it was going to be longer than 5 days, but then I also thought, well at least it's only on AU's page. Only, the next day, I learned that it was posted on every higher ed website available. No one ever told me it was gong to be a national search! I really felt I was a part of the AU family and had been doing a pretty good job, but my supervisor never even thought to tell me how badly she wanted to replace me! Just to preserve my own sense of security, I began applying for other positions in student affairs at other universities in the area.
Turns out, 189 people applied for my job! Of the 189, 100 possessed some qualifications, and 10 were interviewed by phone. Of those 10, 3 were selected to come to campus. I was in the top 3. An enormous amount of the student's money was wasted flying candidates in from Maine and San Diego when a perfectly qulaified candidate (me!) was already in the position and only had to walk across the hall to be interviewed. In the end, I was the second choice. I do not have enough authoritativeness or national experience.
I have been under more stress in the last few months than I ever have in my entire life. The last time I had my hair cut I asked if the saw any gray hairs because I was certain I sprouted a few... but I don't have any yet! (Knock on wood.) Now I am officially unemployed. I applied for unemployment benefits this week and also had to apply for medical and dental insurance. With unemployment rates skyrocketing to record levels, this is the absolute worst time to be unemployed. I am terrified I won't find something. I have applied to at least 11 jobs since June 3rd and have already been rejected by 3. At least now I have all the free time in the world to keep searching.
Plus I get to go to California with Ryan next week which I wouldn't have been able to do this time of year. I'll be there from August 28th until September 8th... so call if you want to hang out for some dirt cheap fun cuz I'm unemployed and broke!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Ready for pics?
I have been a photo uploading slacker!! Here are some highlights from our weekend in Ocean City, MD, in July and my trip to visit Jenn (and Ryan) and Jac (and Jeff) in Miami in August!!
In the Atlantic together for the first time!
My first time in the Atlantic! Everyone said it would be warmer, but they clearly lied!
These kites were massive!
Art?
Dinner at Brass Balls... (the ocean is there behind us!)
He never remembers his sunglasses...
Before getting a dozen Maryland blue crab.
During his tasty crab meal. Such a happy Ryan!
Gross.
Now these pics are from my weekend in Miami!
I'm standing in Jenn and Ryan's apartment parking lot and the ocean is just on the other side of those high rise buildings!
Real coconuts!
Jac, me, and Jenn.
The best ocean water ever! We just hung out in the water! Waaay better than Cali beaches because it's just so darn relaxing and clear!
We went on an airboat tour of the Everglades. This guy lives under the dock... Snaggletooth.
I asked the boat driver how deep the water was and he jumped off the boat to show me! It's pretty much one foot deep everywhere!
This is actually a picture of the water. It moves so slow there aren't any waves and it reflects beautifully!
This guy swam out from right under where we were sitting!
I thought these were so gorgeous!
What did it feel like? A purse!
I asked some Germans to take our picture! Love that you can find German tourists just about anywhere!
We just got back from spending a week and a half in Cali. Those pics will be up soon too!
In the Atlantic together for the first time!
My first time in the Atlantic! Everyone said it would be warmer, but they clearly lied!
These kites were massive!
Art?
Dinner at Brass Balls... (the ocean is there behind us!)
He never remembers his sunglasses...
Before getting a dozen Maryland blue crab.
During his tasty crab meal. Such a happy Ryan!
Gross.
Now these pics are from my weekend in Miami!
I'm standing in Jenn and Ryan's apartment parking lot and the ocean is just on the other side of those high rise buildings!
Real coconuts!
Jac, me, and Jenn.
The best ocean water ever! We just hung out in the water! Waaay better than Cali beaches because it's just so darn relaxing and clear!
We went on an airboat tour of the Everglades. This guy lives under the dock... Snaggletooth.
I asked the boat driver how deep the water was and he jumped off the boat to show me! It's pretty much one foot deep everywhere!
This is actually a picture of the water. It moves so slow there aren't any waves and it reflects beautifully!
This guy swam out from right under where we were sitting!
I thought these were so gorgeous!
What did it feel like? A purse!
I asked some Germans to take our picture! Love that you can find German tourists just about anywhere!
We just got back from spending a week and a half in Cali. Those pics will be up soon too!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Nutty Pasta Toss
Ryan and I had this for dinner tonight and it was delicious!!! It's called "Nutty Pasta Toss" and the recipe is adapted from The Garden of Vegan by Tanya Barnard and Sarah Kramer.
The recipe is for 2 people, so just be sure to multiply the ingredients for the number you are serving.
dry pasta for 2 (I used whole wheat penne)
1/4 cup of nuts (your choice, but I used peanuts)
2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley
2 cloves garlic
1 cup vegetable stock
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 small zucchini sliced, then cut the slices in half (recipe calls for half, but we love zucchini)
12 cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp flax oil
Boil the pasta. While it's boiling, in a blender or food processor, blend the nuts, parsley, and garlic. Add the stock, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and blend again. In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, cook the zucchini, tomatoes, and nutty sauce until zucchini is cooked through. Drain pasta and toss with the sauce and flax oil.
If we would change anything at all, we might throw in some canned artichoke. Otherwise it was extremely tasty and very filling! Enjoy!
The recipe is for 2 people, so just be sure to multiply the ingredients for the number you are serving.
dry pasta for 2 (I used whole wheat penne)
1/4 cup of nuts (your choice, but I used peanuts)
2 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley
2 cloves garlic
1 cup vegetable stock
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 small zucchini sliced, then cut the slices in half (recipe calls for half, but we love zucchini)
12 cherry tomatoes
1 tbsp flax oil
Boil the pasta. While it's boiling, in a blender or food processor, blend the nuts, parsley, and garlic. Add the stock, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and blend again. In a large saucepan on medium-high heat, cook the zucchini, tomatoes, and nutty sauce until zucchini is cooked through. Drain pasta and toss with the sauce and flax oil.
If we would change anything at all, we might throw in some canned artichoke. Otherwise it was extremely tasty and very filling! Enjoy!
Monday, August 10, 2009
24 States and 1 District Down, 26 States to Go!
As of the last two weekends, I have been to 24 U.S. states and the District of Columbia! Last weekend I was able to attend a Collegiate Leadership Seminar hosted by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where I learned all about the amazing things St. Jude is doing to eradicate catastrophic diseases and the wonderful way they treat their patients while they work toward developing ways to prevent and cure these diseases and how to help my students put on top-notch fundraisers to provide the funds to treat the patients, house them and their families, and fund research. It very easily became my second favorite philanthropy! (The Ronald McDonald House partners with St. Jude and will always be my number one!) As a bonus to being in Memphis, my student leader (Amanda), and I took a quick tour of Graceland and ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches in the presence of Elvis' greatness. Fabulous!
This weekend, I took a much needed mental health holiday and visited Jacque (and Jeff) and Jenn (and Ryan) in Miami!!! That will require a separate blog with accompanying pics! Stay tuned!
This weekend, I took a much needed mental health holiday and visited Jacque (and Jeff) and Jenn (and Ryan) in Miami!!! That will require a separate blog with accompanying pics! Stay tuned!
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