Tapas (not topless) Party!

Hello! I'm happy to report that my knees are feeling fine today after my 5 mile run last night - woohoo!

This morning started off with plain yogurt, a serving and a half of granola, and coffee. (The banana wasn't eaten until later.)

For lunch I had a can of Amy's minestrone soup along with half of a grapefruit. Like how I bring a cloth napkin and 2 spoons (1 regular spoon and 1 grapefruit spoon) to work? Sometimes I feel like Frances from the book Bread and Jam for Frances...anyone know that book??

My lunch was pretty light, so I wasn't surprised when I got hungry around 3:00. I grabbed the banana from my breakfast and ate it with a pack of peanut butter. It was good - and quite filling.

I almost always pack a snack along with my breakfast and lunch, but just in case I keep some reserves on hand at my desk. I think ever since I became vegetarian I got this fear that I'll be hungry and there won't be anything for me to eat (I used to be vegan, so this fear was much more justified). Whenever I travel, I bring soooo much food with me. I'm glad that I've never been in a situation where I needed to eat 6 granola bars on a flight, but it eases my mind to know I won't starve to death. Heck, I bring snacks to a work meeting if it's scheduled to last longer than an hour! Anyway, I noticed I had collected quite a few things in my snack drawer at work, so I snapped a photo:

Pretty good spread, if I do say so myself! Here we have:

• applesauce
• canned pears
• pistachios, almonds, & peanuts
• craisins, dried apricots, several fruit leathers
• 2 different flavors of Kashi granola bars
• 2 kinds of gum (fruity & minty)
• yucky fruity tic tacs
• 2 kinds of cough drops

Ok, those last 3 aren't really snacks, but they're still good to have on hand. Except the yucky tic tacs. I should just throw those away.

Tonight was birthday night (number one) with my family! My birthday is actually on Friday, but since my family gets together for Family Night Dinner almost every Wednesday (isn't that awesome?!) we celebrated tonight. I say it's the first birthday night, because I actually share a birthday with my youngest brother. As the story goes, at the time I was pretty upset about the fact that he was born on my 7th birthday. However, I got over it and we think it's pretty cool. I mean, how often do you get 2 cakes in the same day?! Anyway, we are celebrating his birthday on Saturday. We get to choose what my parents cook, so I decided on a tapas dinner. My mom did a great job! She made potatas bravas, which was one of my favorite tapas while visiting Spain. She made several other things, and even went out of her way to get Spanish cheeses and Spanish wines to round out the meal.

Mussels (I didn't eat these, but they were pretty!)

Marcona Almonds (seriously good. add rosemary & sea salt - you'll thank me)

Olives, Cornichon, & Grape Leaves

Potatas Bravas (the spicy tomato sauce gets drizzled onto the potatoes)

Spanish Cheese Plate (I drizzled honey on the blue...so SO good that way!)

Fruit & Crackers

Tomatoes Stuffed with Egg Salad (sorry for the blurry pic)

My Plate (times 2...or 3)

It was all so good! What fun - I love themed dinners. Mainly I just like to try new food, and this was a great way to try several things at once. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Well, the birthday celebrations continue tomorrow. My siblings & I (and Katie & Laura) have plans for something pretty awesome!