Sandwiches Don’t Need Meat. Who Knew?

Growing up I used to think that a sandwich had to include meat. (Unless, of course, it met one of two exceptions: It was a peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese sandwich.)

Today I often make meat-free sandwiches, letting nut butter, cheese or hummus do the talking.

If cheese and meat got into a flavor fight in my mouth, cheese would win every time. I love the strong, creamy taste of a good slice of cheese.

My lunch today featured a smoked Provolone cheese and tomato sandwich, made on a toasted Toufayan everything flavored Smart Bagel.

'Maters

Tomato + Provolone Bagelwich

Cheese, you are delicious.

On the side of my tomato and cheese bagelwich, I enjoyed cucumber slices and a crisp apple for some sweetness.

Cukes

Do Apples Even Have a Nickname? Apps?

Aaand, a little slice of birthday cake may have made it into my mouth as well.

CAKE!

This cake was leftover from a coworker’s birthday yesterday (I pretended it was for my blog’s birthday).

I enjoyed it so much the first time around that I just had to experience its deliciousness again today.

Growing up, marble cake was always my birthday cake of choice! 😀

Winner, Winner, Cookies for Dinner

Thank you to everyone who commented on my one-year of blogging anniversary post. You guys sure know how to make a girl blush!

The winner of the homemade batch of cookies giveaway is…

Number 64, Come on Doooown!

Andrea: Congrats!! I love your blog and can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

Hooray, Andrea! Please email me at pbfingers@gmail.com with what kind of cookies you would like and your mailing address.

Of Possible Interest

• Your Healthy Fall Food Plan (FitSugar.com)
• Dos and Don’ts of Dining Out (FitBottomedGirls.com)
• How to Create Positive Goals (lululemon.com)
• Chocolate Coconut Biscotti Recipe I’m Dying to Try (HeathersDish.com)

Question of the Afternoon

Pick one: Meat, cheese, veggie, or nut butter sandwiches?

Meat Free is Fine By Me

When I was growing up, one of my very best friends would eat a lettuce and mayonnaise sandwich for lunch. Yep, that’s it. Just lettuce and mayo.

At the time I thought it was missing something. No meat? How is that a sandwich without some sliced turkey or ham?

Today I find myself loving veggie-only sandwiches. Adding cheese or hummus for some protein does the trick!

Today my sandwich was another meat-free creation.

Tomato

Goat Cheese

I toasted a Nature’s Own whole wheat sandwich round and topped it with a sliced juicy tomato and melted goat cheese.

On the side I had cauliflower which I roasted last night after tossing it in a bit of olive oil and sprinkling it with garlic salt.

Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

I swear when I roast cauliflower this way it reminds me of popcorn. Call me crazy, but it does!

Lunch Time!

I also munched on a cool, crisp apple.

An Apple a Day...

I didn’t even miss the meat! 😀

Of Possible Interest

• 7 Best Foods for Women (CookingLight.com)
• 4 Simple Moves for Flat Abs (Health.com)
• Is Agave Nectar Healthier than Sugar? (FitSugar.com)
• Delicious Sandwich Ideas (WomensHealthMag.com)

Happy Blog Birthday

Happy blog birthday to MegaNerd Runs!

Onion Overload

Onions are delicious and add so much flavor to any dish that needs a little oomph. Case in point: a boring turkey sandwich.

Throw in an onion bagel and some sauteed red onions and your boring lunch staple is transformed!

Turkey on an Onion Bagel

Today’s lunch was a simple turkey bagel sandwich prepared on a fresh Alternative Bagel onion bagel with red onion, feta cheese, spinach, plum tomato and dijon mustard.

Holy Turkey!

Simple, easy, delicious.

Gemma Ward Quits Modeling Amid Weight Criticism

The latest news on the fashion front? Gemma Ward, the beautiful healthy-looking 22-year-old Australian supermodel, decided to quit modeling this week following attacks from the media about her weight gain.

Here is the picture that spawned the weight attacks:

(Photo from StyleList.com)

Call me crazy, but this looks like a healthy woman… not someone with even a teeny ounce of a weight problem. And we wonder why girls are always questioning their appearance rather than embracing their bodies…

Click here to read more about Gemma in my latest Examiner article.

The Old Standby

When I first entered the working world, my lunches severely lacked variety. I would eat turkey sandwiches or wraps or a pizza Lean Pocket almost daily. I now get sick of the same foods over and over again.

This morning, however, I was craving my old standby: a turkey sandwich. I made my sammie on a whole wheat Arnold sandwich thin with oven-roasted ultra-thin turkey breast.

Old Faithful

I topped it with dijon mustard, mushrooms, spinach and sliced plum tomato.

I forgot just how darn delicious a simple turkey sandwich can be! This throwback meal hit the spot.

Your Good Deed for the Day

In support of breast cancer awareness month,  click here to give FREE mammograms to women. With each click, sponsors will give out one free mammogram. What an easy way to make a difference!

Question: What’s your go-to lunch?

Big Ol’ Salad

The only veggies I ate yesterday were in the light spinach salad I ordered for lunch. My dinner was a bowl of clam chowder and a bag of 100-calorie popcorn… tasty, but not exactly full of nutrients.

Today I made a commitment to incorporate more leafy greens and fresh produce into my meals.

Exhibit A: My lunchtime salad.

Monster Monday Salad

The base of the salad was broccoli slaw and fresh spinach. I added chopped celery, steamed broccoli florets, chickpeas, sliced plum tomato and MorningStar Farms chik’n strips to the mix for additional flavor and variety.

Close Up

I used balsamic vinegar as my dressing and placed the lid back on the Tupperware before shakin’ it up to evenly distribute the veggies and dressing.

All Shook Up

The salad was tasty and filling! The chickpeas were my favorite. I am off to make a hot cup of tea now because I am freezing and cold salads don’t exactly warm ya up.

Question: What’s your favorite way to enjoy chickpeas?