I think all I need to do is pull up a picture of what I consider “necessary” for a 2-day trip home to show what an overpreparer I am. So naturally, last night while I was watching Brothers & Sisters(seriously, how good was that and isn’t that clif hanger awful to give without even a sneak peek at the next episode?), I finished my oats and started thinking about preparing for my run. Normally, I don’t actively carbo-load any more than my hunger wants, but for some reason I got it in my mind that this would be good to “prepare” for a time-free run.
Peanut Butter Gnu Bar
If you’re going to eat late at night, fiber is totally the way to go to top off energy levels. Not a lover of the peanut butter flavor here, but not a bad bar overall. Well i tried falling asleep right after that but nope. Not happening. Part of it was probably the cold and another part the anticipation, but I was up and out all night over and over. I tried getting a good night sleep but who knows how much I actually slept when I woke up at 6:45, then 6:55, then 7:10(an hour later than usual).
When I got to the gym it was just as I’d hope: practically no one. In fact for the first hour it was just me and my two gym friends who are employees of Brown. All the students have been taking advantage of sleep during reading week. I definitely felt a bit more energized–from my carbo loading perhaps? And I didn’t need an energy bar to keep going, either. All in all I was happy to stop at 12.5 miles in 1:41:47. The .5 might or might not have been to watch a Today Show segment 
When I got back I definitely was in the mood for food, going over 3 hours with nothing but water.
Banana Oatmeal With Banana Peanut Butter And Honey
"Fig Newton" Yogurt
Can you tell I wanted honey? It was a weird craving but it was well honored. For the oats I added 3oz of mushed banana before cooking and microwaved it an extra 2 minutes to boil off moisture. It was too perfect with this peanut butter. And the honey–magnifique! For the yogurt, I added 1/2 a tablespoon fig jam and some honey, topped with vanilla sugar. It was perfect and the crunchy sugar reminded me of a fig newton newman.
At 11 one of the maintenance people came to see if our heat was on: nope. I could have told him that. It seems like it’s fixed and hopefully tonight will be warmer. I think I did just about everything I possibly could besides writing my paper so that I have no excuse later to not do that. I enter about 30 contests online a day–no lie. It’s not very common to win anything but you never win if you never enter, right? For lunch I decided to try out something new and exotic.
Teriyaki Ginger Al Fresco Chicken Sausages
This was another flavor that Al Fresco sent me. I left most at home but grabbed this one and another because I figured teriyaki goes with anything, right?
Honey And Soy Glazed Carrots And Broccoli, Teriyaki Ginger Sausage
Right. This was so simple but delicious. The carrots got very soft in the microwave and the sauce on them was perfect. As for these sausages, I thought they were a bit subtle at first until I dipped the in the honey soy sauce and then it was magic. Seriously, where did that kick come from? Probably the ginger, but wow was it nice. Clearly I’ve become a little honey obsessed over the past day. I’d like to say I have some super cool, local, organic honey, but that’s not quite so.
Honey Bear
Just a cheap, store brand bear that I bought months ago because I thought I should own some honey even if I might never eat it. Now I regret not picking some up while the farmers’ market was here. I’ll have to see what good local honey I can find at Whole Foods next time I’m there to feed this new craving. Now that I’ve blogged, I’ve really done everything I could besides write this paper, so I’ll work on that. Tonight–weather permitting–there’ll be a fun Classics caroling concert on campus I’ll stretch my legs for. And then the first of 3 finals tomorrow morning already! I thought reading week was supposed to be easy?
Here’s a very sweet and nutty Larabar giveaway!
I love your meals. Your yogurt AND oats always look so good. I love your additions!
[Reply]
haha stop procrastinating and go work on your paper!! LOL jk jk, I was teh same way in school when it came to studying and papers, procrastination first, then work right??
good luck with it all! banana oats…DROOL!!!!
[Reply]
I have been craving honey too! weird!
[Reply]
Gnu are the best and shut off the internet… I swear it works!!! Oh well, maybe not for you b/c you have a TV too… hmm I’m out of ideas!
[Reply]
congrats on your run! Thats fantastic. The fig newton yogurt sounds great. I love those cookies! Have a fantastic day!
[Reply]
Haha, overpreparers, unite!
Fabulous run!
Hang in there with those finals!
[Reply]
Glad to know I’m not the only over-preparer out there! I think anyone who reads food blogs is by nature, pretty anal, organized, prepared, type A. The Type B’s are not sitting at their computers! LOL
Good Luck with finals. OMG I remember the misery. At present, I am a highly over-educated mom and yoga teacher with many degrees that I will perhaps never use and WAY too many final exams that I agonized over. I hope yours are painless!
[Reply]
I’m definitely an over-preparer too, especially now that I’m vegan and know I’ll be doing some lonnnnnng car trips! I mean, what if I can’t find anything I want to eat on the way? I better be extra prepared
[Reply]
brrrrrrr hope the heat is on now! it was sooo cold last night! good luck on the finals tmrw
[Reply]
GNUs are my go-to bars.. fiber overload! they sit in my stomach forever, I love it! Have you ever tried the espresso chip flav? I haven’t been able to find it anywhere – it’s killing me!
stay warm!
[Reply]
Evan Thomas Reply:
December 7th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Yep! And I reviewed it here: http://foodmakesfunfuel.com/product-reviews/bars/gnu-foods/espresso-chip-gnu/ I’m seriously convinced that has the caffeine of about 3 Starbucks drinks but I can’t find that info anywhere on their site.
[Reply]
best of luck tomorrow! i forgot all about “reading week.” i seem to remember not doing as much reading as i felt i should.
[Reply]
Good luck on finals!!! I totally overprepare too, I think it comes with foodie territory.
[Reply]
I love AlFresco chicken sausages! They’re so full of flavor and are always so versatile.
[Reply]