Not only did I not have today day off, but I had a dentist appointment this morning and had to get up a half hour earlier than I normally would for work. The silver lining, however, is that since the rest of the city had today off, there was no traffic. And also, I didn’t have any cavities.
Even though I only had to get up a little bit earlier, I knew that the day would feel sort of hectic and rushed because of it. I’m easily flustered when my routine is interrupted. So, I took some time last night to prepare some stuff to make Monday a little less painful.
I packed my gym bag ahead of time. I know I should do this every night, but I always find myself scrambling around in the morning packing it and inevitably forgetting something. And yes, I’m aware that my bag screams sorority girl circa 2006. (I was out of college by then and never in a sorority, but that’s neither here nor there.)
I prepped some veggies for tonight’s dinner. By the time I go to the gym, walk Murphy and shower, it’s usually like 7:30 or later so the last thing I want to do is cut a bunch of vegetables for dinner and then have to cook them. This is how meals like frozen pizza happen. But last night, I cut up a pepper, an onion and three jalapenos for tonight’s chili, so I really would just have to throw everything in a pot.
The veggies were cut in preparation for actually making something from Forks Over Knives. I made White Bean Chili with Jalapeno and Lime, only with black beans because Jason said he’d prefer that.
Obviously, un-veganized with cheese. That always seems to happen. This recipe was kind of blah. It was more soupy than a chili should be. I like soups so that wasn’t really a problem, but I had originally intended to put the chili on a sweet potato but this was way too soupy for that. I also added some chili powder (because shouldn’t chili have chili powder?) and it needed a lot of salt too.
Recipes fall into four categories for me:
1. I want seconds…and thirds and fourths
2. I’m looking forward to eating this again as leftovers
3. I’ll eat it as leftovers but I wouldn’t make it again
4. I’m throwing this away
This fell into #3 – I’ll eat the leftovers but I wouldn’t make it again.
So while I did a decent job at doing some Monday prep, Tuesday prep is not so easy. I mean, my guilty pleasure show – The Carrie Diaries – is on. I can’t chop veggies now, can I?
I love your meal categories. I will rarely throw something out… but if I do it’s really really bad.
DARN IT! I meant to TiVo the Carrie Diaries but I totally have missed 2 weeks now! Is the show good? Maybe I can find it on Hulu so I can catch up and then TiVo it starting next week!
PS: You’re so lucky the roads were clear for you today! It seemed like today in LA EVERYONE was out and about and everyone FORGOT how to drive! LOL!!!
I wouldn’t say it’s good, but it’s kind of fun to watch. I wonder how long it’ll stay on for.
Love your meal categories- and your blog:)
Thank you!
I always thank myself for prepping things the night before, but I’ve gotten lazy about it now that I don’t have to be at work as early. But it’s not like I use that extra time to get up and get things done. Nope, I sleep in and then I’m still rushed.
Sorry the chili was a disappointment.
Yeah, EVERYONE around here had off Monday, but I worked 5am-1:30pm!! Oh well, that’s life. I prepped the night before every single night when I was a teacher, for 8 years. I’d spend about an hour every evening prepping meals, gym bag, etc. It was exhausting (but worth it!).
I have similar categories for recipes. I make the hubby weigh in on it too. I’m not cooking something over and over again only to find out later it falls into his #3 or #4!