Today was my first day back at school since spring break started, and let me tell you, it was not pretty having to wake up at 6:00 in the morning once again! I keep having to remind myself that I only have 12 more days of actual classes (!!) to go! I can hardly wait for the summer! Bring it onnn!
Anyway, after I got myself ready, I then proceeded to fix myself an absolutely incredible breakfast sandwich- a peanut butter, banana, and chocolate chip panini on fresh whole foods italian bread! I spread a thick, luscious layer of mighty maple peanut butter on both slices of bread, topped each piece with a super ripe sliced banana and yummy chocolate chips! I fired up my grill pan, and within minutes I had a gourmet, ooey gooey melty sandwich straight from the gods. This was possibly the greatest sandwich of my entire life, no exaggeration! The warm banana slices basically melted into the peanut butter, as did the chocolate chips; it was basically like a giant reeses peanut butter cup, only better! Breakfast of champions, for sure!

Even with such a delicious breakfast in my system, I was exhausted on my subway ride to school, falling asleep along the way. When I arrived, I was greeted by a lovely piece of paper sticking on the door informing us that class had been canceled. I was livid! My next class didn’t start until 12:45, so I had absolutely nothing to do from 8:00 until then. I decided to brave the drizzle and mist (which is hair suicide for me, sadly) to take a stroll through Central Park, Strawberry Fields in particular, just to reflect. As always, I went a bit picture-crazy, so I’ll just give you a little taste of the shots I took.












I had to get back to school by 11:00 to meet with my friend ashley, who was also my acting scene partner, to do a quick rehearsal for our performance that we were scheduled to do today. The premise was that we had to memorize a very simple dialog and create an original scene/scenario that went along with said lines. We decided to do a “talent competition” in which both ashley and I would get to “perform” a short number (I sang, she danced), and I’m glad to say that it went very well! We barely rehearsed, and decided to just do it off the cuff, and not give it too much though so it wouldn’t come off as overly scripted. I guess it paid off! I was so relived!

Anyway, my last class of the day (psych) was also canceled so I got to go home earlier than usual! Yay! For lunch, I heated up a giant bowl of Vegan With A Vengeance’s Chili sin Carne con Mole that I had made and froze about a week ago. I couldn’t get over how hearty and meaty this was! I really bet you could even fool a meat-eater with this one! Not only is the dish protein-packed and extremely filling, but it was absolutely delicious! The flavors combined with each other immaculately, and I especially loved the subtle richness and body provided by the addition of the cocoa powder. As expected, I served my chili topped with a giant dollop of guacamole and a little bit of fage alongside two slabs of my wonderful Jalapeno cornbread. This made for one of the best and most exciting lunches I’ve had in a while!

Tonight’s dinner was yet another success! I had leftover marinade from the other day, so I came up with this meal to use the rest up-

Ginger-Pear Mustard Grilled Tofu and Sweet Brown Rice studded with Raisins over a bed of sauteed Broccoli Raab.
I didn’t want my precious ginger-pear mustard marinade to go to waste, so I used it to create a repeat performance of the tofu I made the other day. As far as the rice was concerned, all I did was toss a handful of raisins into my portion and walla- an instant flavor booster! Served alongside an insanely delicious pile of broccoli raab (I’m a total vegetable dork, listen to me!), this dinner was exactly what my body was craving!
I was really craving a big bowl of greek yogurt for dessert, so that’s what I had! Into my mini bowl went 3/4 cup fage mixed with a packet of truvia (thick and rich vanilla greek yogurt anyone?) on top of a bed of luscious and sweet strawberries, all topped off with a new cereal- Kashi Honey Sunshine! I’ve seen this cereal featured on so many different blogs, so I decided to go ahead and join the honey sunshine bandwagon. Boy, am I glad I did! It tasted basically identical to my beloved captain crunch, only healthier!

It’s currently 3:50 in the morning, and I’m basically pooped. Time for this girl to head into bed! Goodnight guys!

19 comments
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April 22, 2009 at 9:46 am
maya
This post is making my mouth water:) sooooooooooo YUMMY! love your creations, if you were a chef id want to eat your food:)
April 22, 2009 at 11:04 am
Shelby
That is one decadent breakfast sandwich! Wow!
Too bad about your class, at least you got to go take some jawdroppingly beautiful photographs. Only 12 days left?! LUCKY, I still have like 7 weeks =P
I love that chili recipe. It’s so rich and hearty. Mmm and cornbread is the perfect side!
Kashi Honey Sunshine is one of my very favorite cereals, glad you enjoyed it!
April 22, 2009 at 11:38 am
VeggieGirl
That breakfast is INSANELY luscious-looking!! Holy yum.
Wow, you’re just now going back to school??? I’m done with classes on April 30th!!
April 22, 2009 at 11:59 am
Lauren
Ok, Erica – when are you going to a) open your own restaurant and/or b) have a photo exhibit?
I love Honey Sunshine!
April 22, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Yasmin
I am drooling over your b-fast panini!
April 22, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Mara @ What's For Dinner?
What a truly wonderful post… You have me longing for a sandwich like that, AND a stroll in central park!
April 22, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Leigh
hello, so i read this blog but don’t ever comment. sorry. it’s lovely and one of my favorites.
i do, however, have a question for you. i’m going to be in nyc later this month and was wondering if you could give me some restaurant recommendations outside the obvious (candle cafe, angelica kitchen)…i’m looking for healthy, affordable places around the city. i’m going to be going pretty much all over, so i’m not really restricted to a certain area.
thank you thank you!
April 22, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Jordan
OMG, those pictures in Central Park are amaaaaaazing.
April 22, 2009 at 3:02 pm
elise
bummer about the classes…the chili looks DANGEROUSLY close to overflowing :P
as always. yum.
April 22, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Caitlin
I totally think Kashi honey sunshine tastes like captain crunch too! mmmm!
How cool is it that you can just explore Central Park on your down time!!
April 22, 2009 at 3:44 pm
lilveggiepatch
Oh, I can’t wait to go home! Thanks for the photos.
That chili looks SO good. I need that cookbook! I’ve pretty much exhausted Veganomicon.
Good luck getting back into school. You’re so close!
April 22, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Elyse
What gorgeous pics of Central Park. You’re making me wish I were on the other side of the Coast right now. And can we talk about how amazing that panini looks? All oozey goodness…delicious!
April 22, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Marissa
I love jalapeno corn bread!
April 22, 2009 at 8:50 pm
laci
OMG Erica this was such an uplifting post, particularly the Central Park Pics!!!
That panini was out of this world, lunch was veganized and makes the traditional version look pathetic and dinner was like a mock candle cafe meal, so cool!
7 more days!!!???
I have like 7 more weeks!!! :-P
Enjoy your evening! :-)
April 22, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Chloe
I am so glad your blog is back! I love seeing your meals at home so much better than restaurant meals honestly. Good luck with school!
April 23, 2009 at 12:34 am
erica
you’re all too sweet!
Leigh- there are so many fabulous places in the city; some of my favorites (other than the two aforementioned) would be atlas (for the cake!), josie’s west (the tofu salad and pies are outstanding), ’snice, pure juice and takeaway (a bit pricey, but worth every penny), sacred chow, viva herbal pizzeria, lifethyme (the best salad bar to exist), lula’s sweet apothecary, teany, blossom, and cafe blossom. hope that helped a bit!
elise- Haha, it totally was!
April 23, 2009 at 12:58 am
ksgoodeats
LOVE your title as well ;)
Gorgeous pictures form the park and that is one seriously decadent breakfast!
April 23, 2009 at 4:10 am
veggievixen
back to the ol’ grindstone, eh? waking up at 6 am is not my favorite.
did you make that stuff?? it looks beautiful! i’ve been wanting to make veggie meat with mole sauce so badly!! your tofu dish looks fantastic too.
April 23, 2009 at 5:43 am
erica
ksgoodeats- beatles = <3
veggievixen- yes, I made everything! thanks so much. definitely give the chili recipe a try, it’s divine!