Presse by Bobble

The wonderful people at Seventh Generation recently sent me this Presse By Bobble to try.

Here is some info about this fun new product:

• portable coffee brewer and tumbler in one
• brews gourmet coffee in just 3 minutes
• triple layer insulation keeps coffee hot for hours
• micro-filter separates grounds from coffee - no overbrewed bitterness
• no plastic pod or paper filter waste (please compost coffee grounds)

So it looked fun and easy to use (once I borrowed some ground coffee from my mom, this is what happens when Hubby packs up most of your house......) I was ready to go. 

I added my coffee

Then some warm water 

And I let it go!

Pressed and ready to drink. 

While I loved the coffee and the process (super fun) I did find that it keeps the coffee so HOT! I had to wait forever to really drink it. Next time I will not be using as much hot water and add some ice to cool it down. Outside of that, I love the product and can't wait to use is again. 

** No compensation was received for this post, I was sent the product to try all opinions are my own. 

Termini Brothers

So we are still on our bakery adventure at Reading Terminal Market. While having lunch with a co-worker we decide the best way to end lunch was with a trip to Termini Brothers, one of the best South Philly bakeries around. Normally I would just get one of their amazing cannolis and call it a day, but when I saw this little cake, it was just calling to me.

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Black Forest Cake covered with frosting, how could I pass it up? The frosting and the cherries tucked inside this little cake made him amazing (not sure why he is a he, but go with it). The creaminess of Termini Brothers frostings and fillings are just so amazing I have no way to describe them. Check them out online too, especially if you love real Italian desserts!

4th Street Cookies

After my healthy choice, it was time to hit up some bakeries at the Reading Terminal Market! First on the list was the Famous 4th Street Cookies. I passed them each day when I walked into the market, but just did not feel the need to stop UNTIL the day I saw my favorite cookie, The Black and White! I am not sure why I love these cookies so much, I think it is because they are covered in frosting and really I just have an unnatural love of frosting. When I saw my beloved cookies I got right in line to get one. The cool thing about Famous 4th Street Cookies is they sell all the cookies by weight so if you get a smaller cookie it cost less.

My black and white was all I hoper it would be, soft cookie, nice thick frosting, I was in love while eating it. Check them out and you can even buy online.

Smoothies at the Market

One of my days at the conference I was in need of a little afternoon pick me up and did not want to hit up one of the many bakeries at Reading Terminal Market (I will get to them promise – I am a pregnant lady after all ) After a walk around the market I found the Four Seasons Juice Bar. Basically you can make any fruit or veggie mix you want. I decided to keep it simple and so with Strawberry Pineapple.

This smoothie was great and super light. Nothing really added just the fruits. It really filled me up and made me feel good about my choice. They have tons of combos, so if you are at Reading Terminal Market and trying to be healthy (you should not be there..haha) give them a try!

Conference Eating

As I mentioned in my last post I was in Center City for several days helping run a pretty large conference. Which to me meant 1 thing, eating at Reading Terminal Market! So I apologize now, but you will be seeing all the yummy things that I just had to share that I ate while down in the city! My first stop had to be at one of my favorite places in the market, Mezze, the Mediterranean sandwich and salad place. It was a touch choice but I got this veggie sandwich heated up!

Mozzerella, roasted red peppers, eggplant, and artichokes on a nice soft roll. This sandwich was loaded with veggies and really hit the spot, nothing else needed! Later in the week, I got an even better sandwich from them which I also have to recommend even though I did not get a picture of it. The grilled chicken with sharp provolone, artichokes, and mushrooms on focaccia was AMAZING! I tried to get another one a different day but they where out!

If you are at Reading Terminal Market I would said to stop by Mezze they have great food and are super nice!

Store Closing

It is always sad to see a store closing, but that does mean some great buys! I was sad when Mom told me that the Acme by us would be closing. I know I will miss the $1 deals, but I can always go to a different Acme…
So hubby and I hit up the store one last time before they closed. We did pretty good with some pantry staples for $30 (plus some Wegmans buys for another $8)

We got pretzels, 5 Knorr Sides Plus, Red Beans and Rice, 4 Hamburger Helper meals, rolls, Zone Perfect Cookie Bars, bread, Leeky Cheese Dip, Pizzas for One, Yakisoba Noodles, some veggies, and some soup.
This helped finish up our meals for the week and stock up the panty.
What are you stock up items for the pantry?

Also check out my guest post on So Maybe Mom Was Right (leave a comment I might get picked as a contributor!)

Some days work is good….

Over the weekend, we had a carnival at my work. We had all types of fun carnival foods around for people to enjoy. Including a make your own caramel apple station. Now I have never had a caramel apple before (strange I know) and when I saw they had Granny Smiths (my favorite apple) I just knew I had to make one. Over I went and dipped my apple into the hot caramel sauce then rolled him (yes my apple is a him and no I am not sure why) in chocolate chips!
Here he is!

So yummy! Caramel Apple

I am a dork

This is how much of a dork I am. My day was made on Thursday because I was able to have lunch with and get a book signed by one of my favorite authors. Alexandra Robbins has written several books about college students and life on a college campus and I love all her books!
Here is my book

 

Have a great weekend!

Fall Flavors and more good buys

Yesterday morning I decided to try a new tea flavor that I have been saving up for the Fall.

So I think the problem is that I expected this tea to be great because I waited so long to try it. Do you ever do that, wait to try something they it just never lives up to the expectations you have for it? It did not really taste like anything special to me so I guess I was just disappointed it was not more pumpkin like. Oh well I will stick with Starbucks and Whole Foods lattes!

I had to make an exchange from our weekend purchases (I grab 2 of the same Laughing Cows by mistake) so back to Shop Rite I went and found our Barber Foods chicken stuffers on sale (and I had a coupon for them too!)

I got both for only $5. I love these for quick week night meals. Work has been super busy this week so this post is not going to be long, but check out the super cute giveaway that my friend MRM is having right now!

Army of Women

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month! First of all you have to love all the pink items that are all over the place for the month. I love all the pink and that you can shop and support others. As a women who works with young women and runs event throughout the month to raise money for breast cancer research, I felt the need to share information about the Army of Women.

“ The Army of Women campaign is an online initiative, where women can sign up at www.armyofwomen.org. The members are then contacted via E-blast to participate in groundbreaking, breast cancer prevention research studies. They can either sign-up for the studies online, or if they do not qualify, they are encouraged to forward the information to a friend or family member. Every woman over 18 is welcome to participate, whether a breast cancer survivor or someone never affected. In many breast cancer research studies, recruiting women is the biggest obstacle, and our innovative program is working to virtually eliminate this hurdle.

We have over 335,000 women already signed up, and are still eager to reach our goal of ONE MILLION women.”

I got involved with this a few years ago when my Mother-in-law sent me an email about it. Although I have not been able to be part of any studies yet, I still think it is so important to help in any ways we can.

Please sign up as you never know who you can help!

Happy Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Last short week.....

This is my last short week of work for the summer. Oh how I miss these when they are gone....

Breakfast this morning was cottage cheese, dried blueberries and almonds, with a homemade Skinny Caramel Latte.

Lunch was also a bit of a mix because from being away the options at home are a bit limited....

Some veggies, pepperoni for protein, caramel popcorn, an apple, and Food Should Taste Good Sweet Potato Chips!

Hoping to get some more stuff done this afternoon I feel like I have a lot on my mind right now.....

Training day

Last night hubby and I made BLT's and oven fries for dinner. It was quite yummy for a hot night.

Afterward I got in a Bikini Body Revolution. Trying to up the cardio a bit this week...

This morning I was off early to present at a conference at Fordham University (building I was in- would have taken more pics but it was raining on me).

Because I had an early train I took my breakfast with me and got a coffee (with a little skim milk) at the station.

This bar was actually really good and held me until about 2 pm when I had time to eat lunch on the train home. Here is me on the train

And here is my fab Starbucks lunch.

Light frapp (after all my walking around the city I deserved it) and Market Salad both AMAZING (or I was just really hungry).

I am almost home and then it is a busy afternoon of cleaning, laundry, dinner making, another Bikini Revolution and packing to head to the inlaws!

-Jacqui

Sunflowers and blueberries

Last night's dinner was our favorite Irish Bangers from Whole Foods with grilled sweet potato and baked beans.

So yummy and British! Getting ready to go to the inlaws this weekend:)

After dinner I did one of my favorite Exercise TV workouts Bootcamp Calorie Burn. Love the intensity of this workout. Then Hubby and I started work on the DVR that is getting pretty full.

This morning I had another Green Monster with my sunflowers.

Today's Blend
1/2 frozen banana
2 handfuls of spinach
2 handfuls of blueberries
1 cup soy milk

This was ok I think it would have been better colder...but it still was a good breakfast.

I have a staff meeting for most of the day so may or may not be back with more food later:)

Sunlight and Sunflowers

I am so happy to be back to short weeks again, and to be headed to the in-laws in a few days! Breakfast this morning was off to a healthy start. Green monster with coffee by the flowers.

The sunflowers came from my tree that need to be cut down a bit. It was a good project to do last night after the storm with no power.

Green monster:
1/2 frozen banana
5 melon balls
5 cantaloupe balls
2 handfuls spinach
1 cup soy milk

Blend and enjoy.

I had packed my lunch but when the girls in the office mentioned Peace a Pizza I was in.

One slice of Mediterranean Salad I was proud of myself, eaten with a fork and knife to take my time it was just enough.

And maybe a little fudge that was in my packed lunch! Hopefully a quiet night at home tonight....any plans for the week?

Finally some time off

So glad to have the weekend here. I have been working for 12 days straight and am just happy to have time off starting this afternoon. Although I have been very productive at work this morning which is always a great feeling.

Dinner last night was quick because Hubby and I planned on a 365 Value Tour at Whole Foods (the woman had left early so our tour did not happen -insert sad face here ). Back to dinner...I made a quick cucumber salad for us.

Ingredients ready to go. We peeled this 2 cucumbers then sliced them and chopped 1/4 of the onion. Added some salt to drain in a colander. Then mixed the white vinegar 1 TBSP with 1 tsp of sugar and some fresh chives and it was set to go. t

On the side of a Barber Chicken Stuffer it was perfect.

Since we were out and not at Whole Foods, we decided to do some research for a project that Hubby is working on with his amazing wood projects and check out the laptop I wanted. (And yes I know that this laptop is pretty simple but since I just want it for going online and taking with us when we travel it is actually perfect and a great price.) Well after seeing it and liking it Hubby and I left Best Buy with it! The website said our store did not have it but when they did Hubby said to use my birthday money and I could not be happier! Can't wait to play with it this weekend!!!

We got home later then I planned so I gave myself yesterday off or working out but will be all over it when I get home today!

Breakfast was Chobani raspberry and Cheerios with a make at home Vanilla Latte. This was Tassimo Cappuccino and Vanilla Syrup

Lunch was easy as well

Almond butter sandwich again because it was so yummy, an apple, rest of last night's cucumber salad, and a chocolate covered mint cookie. Love my chocolate creations.

Time to head out to clean the house and get that workout in before heading out to dinner with the 'rents!


Any fun weekend plans? Mine are to get organized around the house!

Happy Thursday

I am glad it is Thursday even if I am working Friday this week (I have a lot to do so I am actually happy about it).

Last's night dinner was a freezer meal Shepard's Pie. Shown here in His and Her's sizes. Hubby and I generally eat the same thing, his is normally just much bigger!

I did a Total Body Slimdown, then had some fudge as we relaxed and caught up on some DVR'd shows.

For some reason I was craving cereal this morning. Luckily I had a box of Special K Blueberry in the basement. With a side of Earl Grey and soy milk so yummy!

Lunch today was the chance to use my almond butter (show here).

Just roasted almonds processed until the butter forms, so easy!

In sandwich form with an apple, and some caramel popcorn. I am sure there will be another snack later today.

Something fun planned for tonight but I will tell you more tomorrow...and I think I will be getting a laptop this weekend with my birthday money! So excited:)

It's all over!

Orientation had finally come to it's last day! I am so happy to be back on a normal schedule. I am not going to go over the last few days because really they are quite boring. However, I will share this yummy quesadilla that hubby and I shared on Sunday afternoon.

It was the frozen Wild Harvest Organic Southwest Vegetable quesadilla. It was a random purchase at the store over the weekend but did not look too bad

 Hard to read but only 230 calories for half the box.

This was super easy to just heat up in a pan and the flavor was really great. We both enjoyed it and would love to try more Wild Harvest (hint hint!)

Now skip ahead to today. Breakfast was my favorite Earl Grey with a CFY bowl.

My C was Cheerios, F was pineapple, and Y was Chobani Blueberry. I love that the yogurt actually has real blueberries in it!

Lunch was a salad with hummus and cottage cheese again....

Yes I am loving this combo.

Also to celebrate the last day of orientation was another soft serve!

Tonight's dinner will be a freezer meal and I am thinking a Slimdown workout!

Hope you are having a great week, yay for Wednesday already!!