Happy weekend! 
Yesterday morning I slept in until 5:00 (hehe!) and ate an apple with honey almond butter before leaving for the gym.
I did 30 minutes on the stair mill, then a shoulder and back workout, then 15 minutes on the elliptical before I got ready. I had a v. indulgent bowl of muesli while beautifying:
1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup water, mashed banana, and a scoop of chocolate protein powder. Yeah!
My schedule got altered once I noticed that the ABS light was on in my car! Rob and I took it in and I was stuck at home for the rest of the day. It could be worse! 
Lunch:
Lots of romaine with 1/4 cup edamame, a clem, and a T of Annie’s Gingerly dressing, which I loved…
and a toasted Ezekial bun! OH SO GOOD! I love their muffins, but I think I like the hamburger buns even MORE! It was SO doughy and chewy. AAH. Oh I adored this bun.
I’d done a good job working, so I rewarded myself with a siesta. 
When I woke up I was crazy hungry! I just had a couple prunes, a huge carrot, and a mini bag of kettle corn while I worked.
For dinner I made Lindsay’s Channa Palak Masala! I made no changes except I used more spinach. I also used over a teaspoon of chili flakes because we love spicy! I don’t care WHAT happens to my stomach. I’d rather go crazy on the heat and pay for it later. I seriously cannot turn it down.
It makes four servings and I figured a serving to be about 3/4 cup. WE LOVED IT! I dipped a flat-out wrap in the bowl to soak up the broth.
We watched Elf last night! How cute! Made me want to make paper snowflakes.
I got really hungry in the middle of it and had two rickes cakes with White Chocolate Wonderful PB and carob chips.
THEN Rob went to Coldstone. 
I portioned out some of his ice cream into a bowl for me. Probably about a cup. Anyways, it was coffee with fudge and Heath bar! Oh mercy. I never eat regular ice cream and I forgot how creamy it was! A little rich for me actually! I love the candy in there though – adore.
After that – wow. I was TOTALLY DONE DEALIN’!! My stomach felt violated! It was a little disrespectful to put that ice cream on top of my other dessert but I woke up feeling fabu so my stomach forgave me.
I’m gonna take a walk now. I hope you all enjoy your weekend! What are your plans?
Posted by VeggieGirl on December 13, 2008 at 7:07 am
No worries!! It’s a worthy indulgence
**Weekend plans = personal-training sessions and LOOOOOADS of studying.
Posted by caroline f. on December 13, 2008 at 7:19 am
Holy guacamole that Ice cream sounds divine. I totally agree about rich stuff- I just cant handle the shit anymore! It sure is fun to try though!
I also need to try your little rice cakey treat for my snacky- looks to be a good one!
Weekend- hangin wit my brotha from anotha motha! Yay! He’s home from college and I have missed him so.
Also, finish my TT manual! Double Yay!
Oh, and Sacred Music yoga!
oh, and the Farmer’s market!
Posted by zestycook on December 13, 2008 at 7:20 am
Erin… No worries on the desserts
That’s normal for December 
Weekend plans include – staff party, xmas shopping, house cleaning, baking and cooking as well as working on zesty!
zesty
Posted by coco on December 13, 2008 at 7:21 am
hahhaha……… your stomach was “violated”…. I laughed loud in the library
you’re so funny!!!!~~~~
my plan? studying today, yoga tomorrow morning and some leisure tomorrow afternoon (maybe shopping?)
what about you? anything exciting?
Posted by ttfn300 on December 13, 2008 at 7:34 am
ooh, i’ve been meaning to try that recipe!! there’s just to many of those in my “to-try” pile
Posted by Biz on December 13, 2008 at 7:54 am
Glad you added the full teaspoon of chili flakes – I love it spicy too!
have a good weekend!
Posted by Sarah on December 13, 2008 at 8:15 am
i’ve never tried the zeke buns before but i LOVE the english muffins and if you say the buns are even better then i HAVE to try them!
i rarely get real ice cream either so when i do i’m always surprised at how amazing it is. now i want some.
this weekend i’m HOMEEEEEEEEEEEEEE so lots of cooking and relaxing—oh and writing a 15 page research paper? WHAT!
Posted by Jenny on December 13, 2008 at 9:31 am
Mmm I love your bowl of muesli, I’m sure it tasted as good as it looks!
Elf is such a cute Christmas movie, haha I love will ferrell…Glad you stomach forgave you, I mean there was really nothing to forgive
This weekend I’m taking exams…seriously, I have 2 today, on a SATURDAY. WTF, right? Oh well, have an awesome day love!
Posted by Erica on December 13, 2008 at 9:36 am
Yayyyyy for the weekend! I hope your car is ok and not too $$$$. I always feel like car places are ripping me off! I try to bring Josh every time I go because he knows tons about cars!
Elf is a fabulous movie! I’m glad you enjoyed it and your yummy dessert. I haven’t had ice cream in forever ever ever.
I just taught Body Step and went food shopping. I need to paint my toes and clean and then tonight is my companys Christmas party…oh joy?
Posted by Olga on December 13, 2008 at 9:39 am
I’m pretty much in an obsessive relationship with Cold Stone and must avoid it as much as possible because I can’t say no. Their ice cream is just TOO good!
This weekend, I’m writing a 15 page paper (that’s the goal, at the least), playing Cranium and drinking beer, cooking something with polenta for the first time and hanging out with my prof doing some grading.
It would be grand if someone did this paper for me, actually.
Posted by marafaye on December 13, 2008 at 9:46 am
omg… ice cream… drool
Posted by ksgoodeats on December 13, 2008 at 10:00 am
Honey almond butter?! Where on earth did you find that gloriousness?!
Weekend plans: holiday party tonight and then studying
boo
Posted by Lindsay on December 13, 2008 at 10:07 am
that is totally how i felt last night – wayyyyyyyyy too much dessert, now i dont want anything sweet for a while
maybe a day or two haha
Posted by megan on December 13, 2008 at 10:09 am
Hey girl! I love your rice cake snacks- I need to try that asap. And ah, I know what you mean about ice cream and its richness- hurts my tummy too. but it’s good once in awhile
my plans for the day include: work…fun, i know. hold back your jealousy..
have a great day, love!
Posted by Maggie on December 13, 2008 at 10:11 am
Enjoy your walk!
OOh Coldstone… I can never resist creamy ice cream. Glad your tummy was ok this morning!
Posted by recoveringfromedrediscoveringme on December 13, 2008 at 10:12 am
I hope you don’t mind if I add you to my blogroll, you guys have a really healthy mindset when it comes to food, and are REALLY inspiring for me, and helping me with my recovery.
Posted by Pearl on December 13, 2008 at 10:57 am
i loooove your pictures! and oh no, hope your car is OK.
this weekend, i’m going to relax! i spent this past week studying for finals, and amidst my studying, ended up baking some soft ginger cookies for my TA. she’s been such a sweetheart this quarter and so i wanted to show her my appreciation. she squealed when she got them, ‘OHHH! MY FIRST GIFT!!!!!” haha so cute!
Posted by eatingbender on December 13, 2008 at 11:50 am
Mmmm muesli!
I have to tell you that all week long I took a “siesta” as a study break, and I absolutely fell in love. I thought of you and how much you enjoy your naps, and I think I’m going to start incorporating them into my life a lot more
Oh Coldstone! I haven’t had it in so long but I just love it!
This weekend I have plans to do some reading and relaxing – all from the comforts of home!
Posted by Sarah M. on December 13, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Love Elf!!!!! I love when he puts jelly beans and syrup on his spaghetti! Delish!!!
Weekend plans: just did 11 miles for my half-marathon training, am going to make spinach pie tonight (per your recipe…any tips???), xmas shopping and Trader Joe Mama’s tomorrow.
Ice cream is kind of a risky food for me…have you always been able to handle it, or just worked your way up to it???
Oregon news: Damn Blazers lost in double OT last night!!! Its supposed to snow tonight, so all the news channels are freaking out!
Have a good day!
Posted by strongandhealthy on December 13, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Yummy eats! Love your rice cake with WCW PB!!! That ice cream sounds delicious! Have a great day!
Posted by Erin on December 13, 2008 at 12:56 pm
coco – Nothing exciting. I’ll probably just daydream about food and work on my research.
Erica – Yes! I bring Rob too!
K – It’s so amazing! It’s MaraNatha Honey Almond butter and they sell it here – but you can order it online too! Mmm!
recovering – It’s an honor! I’m recovering too actually! Good luck with everything!
Sarah M. – It’s one of those recipes that is totally foolproof! It’s got a real salty flave, so just be aware. You might reduce the salt in the bottom layer and I wouldn’t use pastry flour unless that’s all you have on hand. You are a running machine! I am so impressed! How long have you been running? I’m not sure I understand your question about ice cream – I eat it very randomly, maybe a few times a year, mostly spoonfuls of Robbie’s, and usually my stomach is okay. It’s kind of anxiety provoking though so it’s not really worth it.
Posted by Sarah M. on December 13, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Nope, I’ve just got regular WW flour. Did it work okay with the pumpkin instead? I thought I’d try butternut squash puree. Would you do any oil next time or did your substitution work okay?
I’ve only been running long distance for a few months, but played basketball in h.s./college. Before a few months ago I was a 3 mile/day kind of girl, but I just wanted to kick it up a bit and challenge myself. Hence the half in a few weeks. Its nice to have a sense of accomplishment.
My deal with ice cream is that I’ll overeat and then feel so guilty I’ll want to get rid of it. I know. I know. But I also know that a lot of your readers can relate. So for now I just steer clear of the stuff. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to understand what my body wants and how to handle it. And that will be a REAL sense of accomplishment!
Posted by Katie on December 13, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Coldstone is the devil! But sooooo worth it.
Annie’s Gingerly is the best!!!
Posted by Kersten on December 13, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Your apples look fabu. I may have to give in to the nut butters today at the store! I saw Freddy’s carries PB&Co, but no the cinn raisin one
Saw your sissy, cous, and Megan S. this morning for breakfast. Heard you’ll be at the beach after X-Mas. No shit! I booked a surprise weekend away at the beach with Chris from the 26th-28th. Maybe see you down there?!
Posted by HangryPants on December 13, 2008 at 4:23 pm
The other day I greeted some of my students with “Hello fellas and bellas.” They loved it.
Anyway, glad your stomach forgave your extra dessert. I take that as a sign that it was necessary.
Posted by Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) on December 13, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Mmmm, that ice cream sounds so good!
Posted by Erin on December 13, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sarah M. – Yes! Okay, I thought that’s what you might be getting at but I didn’t want to make assumptions. I understand completely. In this case I just decided to go STRAIGHT to bed to avoid feeling bad. It helped.
Good luck on your progress honey! I think taking it slow and safe is totally the way to go.
Heather – I love when you validate the little oinker in me.
Posted by Melissa S. on December 13, 2008 at 5:21 pm
i so wish i could have ice cream…if only we could switch stomachs/intestines so i could digest the lactose.
looks delish though! yay!!!
Posted by Sarah M. on December 13, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Thanks Erin. I might email you later tonight…
Posted by Hil on December 13, 2008 at 6:32 pm
That lunch salad looks like an excellent idea that I should copy.
Too much dessert in my book is either routine indulgence or tummy-ache inducing indulgence. I agree with Heather that your body seems to be perfectly happy with this amount of treat!
Posted by Aurelie Pare on December 13, 2008 at 6:32 pm
Hopefully your car troubles will clear up! Speaking of ice cream, have you tried making healthy ice cream at home? I make Coconut Pear Ice Cream for my family and me during the summer and we always gobble it up in no time flat. And you can make it without an ice cream maker, too.
Aurelie Pare
aurelie@aurelieshealthycuisine.com
http://www.delectablevegetable.blogspot.com
http://www.aurelieshealthycuisine.com
Posted by ChocolateCoveredVegan on December 13, 2008 at 6:33 pm
muesli looks super creamy! Yumlicious! Ok, I think I’m using the word too much…
Elf = cutest movie ever. Erin = cutest blogger ever ;o)
Posted by glidingcalm on December 13, 2008 at 7:50 pm
dang that dinner and ice cream look bomb sista.
and i didn’t notice that DOPE candy cane header. That ish is fly A and E. Yallz are the hot #$%%. Really.
Posted by Heather Eats Almond Butter on December 13, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Wow, that ice cream does look rich…but yummy. I’ve never tried the White Chocolate from PB & Co. I’ll have to get that flava next time. Oh, and I love your simple salad at lunch. Looked very refreshing!
Posted by All Vegged Out on December 13, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Clementines on a Salad, hmmmm sounds yummy!
I’ve never had Coldstone but that picture is starting to tempt me to try it
Posted by runningwithfood on December 14, 2008 at 7:06 am
I get punished by the real deal as well. My stomach starts to holla. But …. the ice cream splurge is normally worth it!
Happy day!
Posted by Catherine on December 14, 2008 at 10:24 am
OMG I am obsessed with Elf. Looove Coldstone – haven’t had it in forever.
Posted by She Says: A Day of Rest | Hangry Pants on December 14, 2008 at 7:17 pm
[...] got the Ezekial Hamburger Buns upon Erin’s recommendation. Considering I’ve eaten an English Muffin produced by the Good For Life Company everyday [...]