Yesterday’s impulse buy was a container of Connoisseur Asiago cheese spread, which I purchased for around $3.50.
Since most gourmet cheese costs upwards of $5, I nabbed this little baby on the cheap!
Asiago Cheese Spread
I incorporated the cheese spread in my lunch by making myself an Asiago and tabbouleh sandwich on a Thomas’ light wheat English muffin.
Cheesy Muffin
Topped with Tabbouleh
On the side I enjoyed fresh blueberries, Emerald smoked almonds and a sliced red pepper.
Blubes
All Together
Tasty!
Q & A Fun
I finally got around to answering the anonymous questions you guys submitted to me through my Q & A Page over the past two months. Thanks for submitting questions! I had a fun time answering them and hope I addressed all of your lingering curiosities below!
If I didn’t address a question you have on your mind, feel free to email me, post a question below in the comments section or ask an anonymous question by clicking here.
Alright, let’s get to it!!!
I noticed you add a lot of protein powders to your breakfast. Do you do that daily? Would you recommend anyone working out a certain amount to add whey protein powder to their diet? What kind do you think is best?
I do not consume protein powders daily, but I will add them to a smoothie or to a bowl of oatmeal on occasion to help me feel fuller longer. I like the convenience of protein powder and enjoy the creaminess and flavor the addition of protein powder adds to smoothies. I do not think anyone needs to include protein powder in their diet by any means. I will often go weeks without adding protein powder to any of my meals, but if you’re looking for an easy way to sneak protein into your diet and feel fuller longer, it’s a great option! My favorite protein powder is All the Whey and my favorite flavors are chocolate peanut butter cup, cupcake batter and strawberry.
How much gum do you chew per day?
Apparently someone caught on to my intense love for gum. 😉 I am a gum-a-holic and probably chew 6 to 8 pieces a day. I usually chew two pieces of gum at a time. My favorite flavors are Orbit White bubblemint and Orbit strawberry mint.
How many calories do you usually consume for each meal? Do you count calories? I think one day on your blog you should post everything you eat with calories and fat grams noted.
I do not count calories, but estimate that most of my meals have around 300 calories, though my dinner is generally larger and may have closer to 500 calories. Though 300 calories may not seem like a lot to some people, I eat constantly and typically do not go more than three hours without eating, so I never feel hungry. I’ve actually had a couple of requests for a “day in the life” post that includes all of the food I consume in a day with a nutritional breakdown, so I’ll definitely look into that.
Do you restrict carbs?
No.
Do you snack during the day? It seems like you don’t eat that much in meals with as much as you work out!
Yes, yes, yes. I eat five to six times every day and only post the three meals I consume at breakfast, lunch and dinner. I always eat a morning snack and an afternoon snack and will often eat a little something after dinner as well.
Any advice on slimming legs?
Pssssh, I wish I knew! 😉 My hips and legs are my “thicker” areas, but I am slowly realizing that this is because of my body type and isn’t something I can change. What has worked the best for me is incorporating weights and strength training into my routine to help add tone and strength to my legs. Exercises like squats, lunges, step ups and deadlifts are great for toning the legs. If you’re more interested in fat loss, adding some cardio to the mix is a great way to burn extra calories as well. Also, keep in mind the importance of healthy eating. All the cardio and weight lifting in the world won’t change your body shape dramatically if it’s paired with a diet full of cupcakes and ice cream (though I wish it would 😉 ).
What size jeans do you wear?
I wear size 28 jeans.
Do you exercise every single day?
Nope. I typically workout six days a week. You may see my exercise log here.
Did you have any part-time jobs during college?
Yes. I held various part-time jobs throughout college, including working as a public relations intern, public relations coordinator, marketing intern, UCF tour guide and restaurant hostess.
When did you and Ryan move in together? And any advice on living with a guy?
Ryan and I started dating in February 2004 and moved in together a year after I graduated college in May 2008. My best advice on living with a guy is to constantly communicate. This is something Ryan definitely taught me because I tend to “shut down” when I am upset and try to deal with it myself. I’ve learned that this only allows angry feelings and resentment to fester and it’s so much better to throw any issues or problems out on the table and discuss them immediately.
You seem to have the early morning workout routine down pat. Any tips to streamline the morning and make it easier to do it consistently?
Yep! I actually did a post on this which you may see here.
Where are your workout pants with the pink band from?
I am assuming you’re talking about these pants, which I ordered online from Victoria’s Secret.
What do you think of the Insanity and P90x DVDs?
I’ve never tried them myself, so I do not have an educated opinion about the programs, but I think any workout routine that you enjoy that motivates you to exercise is a good one.
What was your major in college? Did you have a job right after graduating?
I majored in advertising and public relations in college (marking minor) and began working the week after I graduated at the Orlando Museum of Art as a public relations and marketing assistant.
How do you manage stress? You mentioned in an earlier Q&A that you are happy almost all of the time. I usually am… until I get stressed!
Stress is such a difficult thing to control and manage. I find that making a list of everything I have on my plate is helpful. I put everything on the list… even small things like going to the grocery store. Then I take the time to physically cross off each item as it’s done. The list not only helps me see everything I need to accomplish, which helps me prioritize what needs to be done first, but crossing off the items as I finish them really helps me feel like I’m getting somewhere.
When stress is caused by something I cannot simply cross off a list, I ask myself “Will this be an issue in a week? In a year?” More often than not, the answer is “no,” and realizing the issue is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things really helps to calm me down.
In your breakfast barley bowls, how much barley do you use? How much yogurt and how much fruit?
I usually use 1/2 c. cooked barley, 1 c. Greek yogurt and a large handful or two of berries.
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great questions! Always love learning about you!
Random buys are the best 🙂 Glad it turned out to be a good one! Especially on sale, too 😉
Ahh I am a gum addict as well, although ever since I gave it up when I was in Caifornia, chewing it just seems so odd to me now! I can’t keep a piece in for more than a few minutes. So wierd. Anyways, I love your Q&A’s and I definitely wanna read your posts on waking up and working out early, something I KNOW I ‘ll have to do pretty soon 🙂
Have a great evening 🙂
Meg
i think that’s why i go through so many pieces… i spit them out the SECOND they begin to lose flavor.
my problem with gum is that I ALWAYS swallow it and I never mean to. I’ll be going along with my day and realize that I’m not chewing gum anymore, b/c I guess I swallowed it at some point!
I would love to find that asiago spread. That is one of my favorite cheeses!
Fun questions and answers! Oh, and that asiago cheese spread looks absolutely delish!
Fun questions & answers! I always love answering reader questions too 🙂
Love it!
I’m also a gum addict and I hate it when I only have one left in the pack.
My new obsession : 5
Longest gum ever and its a big one, only need one piece 😀
It’s so nice to know there’s another gum addict out there…I chew probably 6 pieces a day…I can’t chew less than two at a time! One is just not enough gum…I’ve tried to cut back…but the Orbit sweet mint beckons me at the checkout
i know what you mean! i like to blow bubbles and one piece isn’t enough for that!
Mmm..cheese spread!
I love the Q&A. It’s always interesting to learn more about bloggers.
I LOVE your comment about handling stress! That is SO important to remember.
These Q & A pages are some of my favorites 🙂
I would also love to know what you eat during the whole day- just so that I could get some snack ideas from you- b/c you always have the most delicious/ creative looking meals (IE- the sandwich above 🙂 )
yay! it’s always fun to get to know other bloggers 🙂
I loved the Q&A!!! I am also a gum-a-holic! My fave is the Orbit Sweet mint! Keith always jokes that he should buy stock in Orbits because I defintiely keep them in business! haha!
oh, i love Q&A! i love gum as well…orbit’s the best!!
it was fun to read the Q&A! i chew a lot of gum, too, but my fiance goes through 2 packs a day, i am not kidding! he chews it for a few minutes and then accidentally swallows it.
i read your posts on my phone over the weekend and really enjoyed them all! sorry you got sick though 🙁
xoxoxo
looks like a fantastic lunch! And I loved reading all of your Q&A’s…it’s probably creepy….but super interesting! haha 🙂
size 28 jeans eh?
yes…
Asiago cheese is one of my all-time favorite cheeses!! I used to be a gum addict too, but now I have a job where I’m on the phone all day, and they kind of frown on chewing gum while talking to clients. 🙂
I love to pop my gum or blow bubbles when I get bored or frustrated – drives my husband crazy!
I would be SO interested in seeing what you eat for a full day, so please consider it! I often wonder if my snacks “measure up”, as I sometimes think they’re either too large or not enough. I realize everyone is different, but I’d still love to see as a baseline. Loved learning more about you, too.
i never realize that you didn’t post ALL your eats, which made me think you didn’t eat a lot haha my bad! I think it would be cool to do a day in the life kind of post because your meals always look SO GOOD 🙂 I have to say your dinners are some of my fav!
I can never chew gum because it makes me feel like I am STARVING. It gets my stomach juices churning and then I must eat real food! I try and stay far away from them anyway because it is basically just a bunch of chemicals.
I actually think it is kinda funny when people think that bloggers post every single thing that they eat in a day. That would lead to insanely long posts! Especially when you eat so often! I eat about five times a day too.
what time do you go to sleep since you wake up so early? I wish I could wake up as early as you! one day….
I actually like that you don’t post every morsel that goes into your mouth. I think it shows that you aren’t obsessed with calories and food intake. I prefer reading about the fun things you do with Sadie and about your wedding. Basically, I like reading about you, not your food. You’re more interesting….I sound like a stalker, but I think you know what I mean 🙂
I agree! While I enjoy reading about your daily eats, I love to read about the other exciting things going on in your life. You are such an interesting and inspirational person and I love learning more about you! 🙂
I am such a gum chewer and also ALWAYS do 2 pieces at a time… however, I go through 3packs a day.. Need to break that habit!
You are so cool! I do not suppose I’ve read something like this before. So great to find someone with genuine thoughts on this subject matter. Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site is one thing that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality!
My partner and I stumbled over here by a different website and
thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
Look forward to looking over your web page repeatedly.