Prepping, Purging, and Packing

Yay for Friday!

I knew that today was going to be rather eventful after looking at my planner. I had a full day of getting all of my preparations done before we leave for the beach tomorrow super early. I am definitely one of those people who needs to take the day before and after your vacation off from work just in order to get myself adjusted.

It all started at 5:30am (yes, I actually slept in for an hour today!) when my alarm woke me for my morning run. Turns out, I was right, the rain came during the night and hasn't stopped since, so I was forced to revert my long run to only 8 miles on the tred. Oh well, it was still a very nice run and I am sure I will be able to get some beautiful outdoor running in at the beach.

I immediately showered (sweat + rain = gross!) and then kissed my dear hard working hubby goodbye. It was the perfect morning for a glorious bowl of oats. Since I don't get a chance to make them on the weekdays, I thought I would share this opportunity with you.

• 1/2 C. Oats
• 1/4 C. Van. Soy milk
• 3/4 C. Water
• 1/2 mashed banana
• Cinnamon and Vanilla

On top= 2 dried apricots, blackberries and blueberries, pinch of coconut, and a little spoonful of Mighty Maple PB! (aka....crack!)

Oh, oats! You are so satisfying and delicious!

After breakkie, I didn't waste a minute and was out the door to run a few errands. First stop...post office to mail out my Pappy's birthday present. We won't be here for his b-day. Aw, Happy BIRTHDAY PAPPY!!! The man is turning 70, it's a big one for him!

Luckily, the nail place is right beside the post office, so I of course, had to pop in a for quick mani/pedi combo. I don't think I have had one since my wedding and let me tell you, it felt WONDERFUL. Especially after running a few hours earlier.

Then off to Wegmans I went. I had a grand time (a little too because I was in there wayyy tooo long) picking up some food items for the beach.

Here is like 1/2 of my loot. Things I purchased included, Fiber One Raisin Bran and Banana Cheerios (I had a coupon that expired today), Almond milk, bananas, Unsweetened blueberry applesauce (again, another coupon), Annies Mac and crack, Jam, Powerade, Amy's Spinach Pockets, Thomas's Whole Wheat Bagles, and an array of bars (kind, cliff, luna..etc.)

I also packed a bunch of other stuff that isn't pictured, such as greek yogurt, cottage cheese, turkey sammies for lunch tomorrow in the car, grapes and apples, and pretzels. I also got my breakfast ready so that we can just get up and go. I made a Green Monster (Spinach, Frozen Cherries, 1/2 a banana, and soy milk) popped it in a water bottle and threw it in the freezer, so that way it will melt to the drinkable consistency by breakfast time tomorrow. I also pulled aside a whole wheat bagel and a banana.

I'm thinking there will be a McDonald's stop at some point for breakfast for everyone else, so I knew I must come prepared.

Lunch was an attempt to continue the purging method of the fridge. I had one wrap left and other random veggies, so I figured a veggie wrap it was! I love being able to make my wraps into "melts" by pressing them in a hot skillet.

In the wrap went, asparagus, roasted red peppers, white bean hummus, spinach and goat cheese.

My wrap runnith over!
Continuing with the purging, I also made a big salad with just about everything else I had left. 1/2 an apple, beets, radish, cucumber, avocado and a couple walnuts.

This lunch was great and the veggie bin is looking pretty bare! (Don't worry, I still have dinner to finish it off)

After all of this, I even had time to bake! Yes, can you believe it, I actually baked something. I am literally awful at baking; however, on a rare occasion, I am able to produce a surprisingly tasty bread or muffin, so long as I have the help with a box to start. (Kind of like making pancakes)

I made Blueberry Muffins starting with the base of a low fat boxed mix. All the mix called for was water, which was perfect, because I fully intended on doctoring this up quite a bit. To the mix, I added a mashed banana and about a 1/4 C of vanilla Chaboni, a teaspoon of vanilla and Cinnamon and of course lots more blueberries. (Come one, can they be serious with that pathetic little spoonful they give you in the box!)

So then I waited anxiously to see if my attempts would be worthwhile. The did smell good while baking.

I of course do not measure and I have no concept of timing things in the oven, which is probably why I am one of the world's worst baker.

Okay, so after, oh I don't know, 20 min maybe, the muffins were done! (I did the toothpick trick my mama taught me)

And then, I had to have a taste....

Verdict.....

YUMMMM!! Some of the best I have ever made!!! So moist and full of blueberry/banana flavor. I think the yogurt does wonders to that crappy little box mix.

Well, I think most of the packing is done and we should be all set to take off tomorrow morning at 5am!

I will keep in touch throughout the week so stay tuned from the Outer Banks.

Have a fantastic weekend!