James just developed the film from the best friends photo shoot in Bloomington. Here are two of my personal favorites:

For some reason, I have a goofy smile in the rest!

I’m taking a big gamble by posting this. Mainly because I look ridiculous, and you might make fun of me or laugh.

But, I like making people laugh. So I hope you make fun of me

Here is my costume for the holiday work party:

Do you get it?

It’ may not be easy to see, so here’s another one, and I might add that it’s totally unflattering, but it may be most effective:

I’m windblown woman! 

See it? Maybe? Maybe not? My scarf and skirt are blowing back, and there’s newspaper flying in front of me. My hair is also a total mess.

Super cheese, right?

Unfortunately, because I stole this costume idea from a friend, I can’t wear it to the Halloween Rock n’ Roll Dance Party I’m going to tonight. But let it be known that I’m pairing up with Cat for an even better costume.

That’s right – I’m heading to Pittsburgh for the weekend to spend time with one of my besties. Tomorrow we’re taking the streets of Pittsburgh by storm for a photo research project.

Stay tuned! I’ll be in touch!

Happy Halloween!

I have a secret to tell you. Yes, another one.

It is a little thing called Indian food Wednesdays.

It’s been happening the past two weeks. I get out of class, exhausted, eating my arm off and think about what’s in the house. Usually there is nothing but lentils, some bread and maybe a piece of frozen fish.

Then I hear this voice. And it says, “Chana Masala!”

By the time I get home from class, it is sitting on the counter waiting for me. I eat a little while watching Glee. And then I am filled with glee – and chickpeas.

Oh – and to explain my scarf, I included it because I wanted to tell you all a funny story about Scone (my cat). He is terrified of this scarf. If I throw it on the ground near him, he jumps back all crazy faced. Then he reaches out and tries to touch it. Then he freaks out again.

I’m assuming it’s the color and the texture. Any guesses?

One of my favorite expressions as of late has been “fly by night” (a.k.a. the act of flying by the seat of your pants). I guess you could say I’m trying to live on the edge a little bit, not get caught up in the routine. This idea has been translating to all parts of my life and so it is no surprise that it finally followed me into the kitchen.

You could say that today I was flying by morning. For starters, we’re out of all things related to oatmeal except for oats itself. I decided to improvise by making an oat/grit hybrid with cinnamon.

And, surprise, surprise, we also don’t have any fruit in this house either. So I dug into the freezer and pulled out some berries from the time we went berry picking. Victory! They are still good.

And of course I needed to make this bowl look pretty somehow, so granola and wheat germ it was – to the rescue again.

The result? Interesting and sweet. The thawed berry juice is divine. Someone should bottle that and sell it.

Do you fly by the seat of your pants? Fly by night? Fly by morning?

Welcome to the Worker Bee series – a weekly feature that will highlight food bloggers who are also full-time working professionals.

There are many days where I feel like I can’t fit it in, so I look to other bloggers for inspiration and guidance. This series is a way to see what some of our favorite bloggers do for a living along with how they incorporate healthy living!

This week’s featured blogger is Allison from Green Dog Wine!

1) What is your profession? I’m an Account Manager for the Advertising Department at American Greetings Interactive!

2) Did you always see yourself in that field? Absolutely not!  I went to college and got a degree in Middle Childhood Education, with a Minor in Special Education!  I was positive I would be a teacher for my whole life.  Turns out – I only lasted a year, and started looking for a new job – it didn’t matter where – I just need income!  As luck would have it, I found my way into the business world, and was hired by a small print media company, doing advertising/marketing.  Then in February 2008, I moved on to American Greetings.  After 4 years in the business world – I couldn’t imagine it any other way!

What 10 hours of my day looks like – head buried in Excel – and loving every minute!

3) Does your day job incorporate healthy living? Is “sort of” an acceptable for this?   Sometimes yes, sometimes no.  I work with a great mix of people, who all have different lifestyles.  Some eat out every day, others always pack.  There is the typical cake, chocolate, candy sort of mentality that you find in an office.  But to be honest – my co-workers all know I’m not crazy about it.  For example, everyone has been “Boo-ing” each other for Halloween (where you sneak and leave a bucket of candy & note on someone’s desk while they are gone) – and I’ve yet to be “Boo-ed”.  I’d like to think it’s because they know I wouldn’t want the candy and want to be supportive of my healthy lifestyle, and not just because I’m the office outcast and don’t have any friends!   

4) If so, how? If not, how do you incorporate healthy living into your job? I do several things to incorporate healthy living into my job!  I pack my own lunch, and when I bake healthy treats, I bring them in to share with everyone, in the hopes that they’ll see “healthy” doesn’t need to be lacking in taste!  I also do my best to educate my co-workers on healthy living (but DON’T WORRY – only when they ask!  I don’t go around preaching or trying to push my views on others!  Everyone is entitled to their opinion and NOBODY is perfect!!)

Notice the foam roller…

5) Can you provide readers with any tips on how to balance healthy living and working? What are some tricks you’ve picked up along the way? Absolutely!  I think I’ve gotten pretty good at this over the years!  The best piece of advice – PREPAREDNESS!  The weeks that I feel the healthiest – are the weeks I am most prepared.  The weeks were I cave in and eat all of the candy out of the candy jar, and go get fast food for lunch – are the weeks were I’m scrambling.  When I have the time on the weekend – I like to prepare a large batch of TJ’s Quick Cook Steel Cut oats, so that I have breakfast completely ready for Monday – Friday.  Same things goes lunches.  If I have a fridge full of healthy supplies – I’m able to make awesome lunches for the week.  But if it’s been a crazy weekend and I didn’t have time to get to the store – well – you get the drift.

Another trick/tip I use is bribery!    For example – if there are some delicious looking cupcakes – I’ll say to myself “Sure – you could absolutely have one of those cupcakes…BUT…wouldn’t a glass of wine when you get home be EVEN better?” -  It helps me pass on temptation, and some days – I don’t even have that glass of wine when I get home, so I’ve saved the calories entirely!

My sanity oasis that always makes me smile…

6) Where do you see yourself in 10 years? To be honest – I really DON’T KNOW!  With Mike in law school, everything is such a toss up right now.  I’d love to still be at AG, more established, and in a higher position – but at the same time (in my pretty little dream world) – I’d love to be a professional foodie/chef somewhere awesome.  Hey – a girl can dream, right?

Thanks so much for the opportunity Rose!  I hope you and all the OLP readers enjoyed! 

Sometimes a lunch is packed. And sometimes, a lunch is not.

Sometimes a lunch is wrapped. And sometimes a lunch is not.

Sometimes a lunch is pickle friendly. And sometimes a lunch is not.

Sometimes a lunch is exactly what you want. And sometimes a lunch is not.

FAQs

In terms of my FAQs, a reader asked: What is your favorite meal? 

This is a tough question for so many reasons. I recently asked a person this during an interview, and he answered, “Whatever is in my mouth at the time.” I like that answer, but I’m not stealing it.

I generally eat what I crave, and so my favorite meal is whatever I’m craving at that time. When I first read the question, Chana Masala came to mind, mainly because I find myself craving it often (and eating it even more frequently).

But more than anything, and you probably all know this about me because I’m a sap, my favorite meal is any type of meal that turns into a moment. Food that creates a story. Stories that give me memories.

Halloween Candy

Have you read MizFit’s Halloween Candy post? It’s good and truthful, just like Miz always is. Her advice? Indulge.

When I read it, I realized something funny – and strange.

I haven’t even given a thought to Halloween candy. I haven’t seen any in my office. I don’t have any in my home. Someone mentioned candy corn the other day, and I got a little excited. But still – nothing.

Truthfully? I think this might be the first year in a long time that I haven’t craved Halloween candy. Maybe it’s the out of sight, out of mind thing? Or maybe I am just starting to crave more wholesome foods? I feel like lately my body knows when it’s getting fed a bunch of junk, and it tends to revolt.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. I don’t doubt that I will indulge in a treat or two over the next few days – especially at the work Halloween party. But I feel confident knowing I probably won’t overindulge.

What about you?

There are two things I remember about 6th grade Home Ec: eggs in a frame and a boy named Brad.

I’m not sure whether Brad was ever impressed by my cooking of eggs in a frame, but every day I hoped that he would be. We’d sit close on the counter, elbows almost touching elbows while I cracked open an egg and he carved a hole from the middle with the top of a glass.

We were most definitely graded on the shape of our eggs in a frame, whether the yolk was gooey or not, how perfect the circle was. Looking back on it now, that seems completely ridiculous. But of course – I didn’t care about the grades.

I just worried about swoon-worthy Brad, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks in town. I’d say that I wonder what ever happened to him, but I heard a few years back through the grape vine.

C’est la vie.

Do you ever eat “eggs in a frame”? What do you call them?

I should note that I was reminded of eggs in a frame once again after seeing them appear on Meghann’s blog, though I think she calls them eggs in a basket, which is also appropriate.

Also, a special thanks to Bill who made these for me while I was in the shower getting ready for work. He’s a sweetheart; I know.

Brian and Amy invited Bill and I over for dinner tonight. I think it started what we’ll now call “Esquire Recipe Night.” Brian had this killer recipe for falafels that he wanted to try, and so he gave it a go. I would say the experiment was pretty successful!

I got there earlier than Bill and sipped on some wine while chatting with Amy and Brian. They just got back from a three-week journey in Europe. Obviously, there was much to discuss.

Honestly, I sometimes can’t believe that falafels go from looking like this:

To this:

As if falafels (from scratch) weren’t enough – they also had incredible sides. A signature Brian and Amy salad with homemade dressing:

Greek style roasted potatoes:

And fresh rolls that Amy baked up (again, from scratch – our friends are fantastic):

The big spread, all ready to be eaten…

My plate – I loaded up on salad; it looked delicious. I also decided upon two falafel sliders, which may or may not have been a good idea. Totally worth it – but they expand in your belly. So good. Brian, if you’re reading this, you have amazed me.

Dinner was fabulous! I’m exhausted – time for sleep!

In other news, I think I have a costume for the work party on Friday with the help of brainstorming by Brian, Amy and Bill. Wee!

I have weird food secrets that I haven’t told you. They all involve the way in which I eat or the foods I choose to mix. I’m shy about some of them, so they go under the radar. Others are well known to very good friends.

Today’s secret? I eat leftovers cold. Always. I never reheat food unless I’m cold. I absolutely love cold leftovers.

One of my favorite foods to eat leftover and cold is tofu. I love cold tofu more than most cold things. Especially if it’s dripping in a sweet, savory sauce. 

I look at this way – at least I’m not microwaving this container (which will eventually break down over time). So I think I’m saving myself some life.

Perfect meal. Though I’m craving Sun Chips. Weird. Hum.

FAQs

Thanks to everyone who submitted FAQs over the past few days. I’m going to answer a question a day on the blog at lunch time. Eventually, I’ll compile all the answers and make a tab at the top of my blog.

Today’s question: Do you eat EVERYTHING that goes on your funny face oatmeal?

I figured this was an appropriate question for today because I created a bowl of oatmeal with an asparagus straw. No, I did not eat the asparagus spear. It was for looks and creativity. Sometimes you just do what you do for the sake of food art. I thought about eating it, I did. But I don’t like raw asparagus dripping in cinnamon oats.

It should be noted, however, that most of the time though, I eat everything that appears on the bowl of oatmeal. There have been very few times that I haven’t. I’ve only ever had a bad bowl of oatmeal in which I had to throw most of it away. You can find it on my old blog here. I blame the red candy.

I don’t necessarily advocate drinking in the morning. But there are some beverages you shouldn’t pass up when you need a boost. Like the Oat Cocktail, for example.

The bartender told me that this drink is made with only the “finest ingredients” and sure to “warm you up” at the start of any day, especially if served on a very special lobster placemat.

It is quite the perfect blend of oats and banana with just a slight touch of cinnamon liquor. I sipped it while staring longingly out the window, of course.

One of my most favorite parts? The almond-shaped ice cubes.

What’s your drink of choice in the morning?

Mine is normally OJ