TERRA-ific Things and a Giveaway!

There are some things that immediately boost my spirit without fail. Things such as OIAJ for breakfast definitely fall into that category:

Thursday's Breakfast: Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter, 1/2 Cup Oats, 1 Mashed Banana, 1 Dropper of Nu Naturals Vanilla Extract, 2 TBS Wheat Berries, Bloobs, Coconut Butter

Things like snacking on a delicious Luna Cookie Dough Protein Bar while you rush down to Sacramento to fill out forms for a job that you’re seriously being considered for (I found out Monday what the final decision is!) This little baby did its job in tiding me over until my late lunch:

Things such as receiving a box of Terra Chip samples to review also fall into that spirit-boosting category:

Having been a loyal customer of JetBlue Airways over the years, I’ve become quite familiar and fond of the airlines signature snacks which include a variety of TERRA chips. I’ve already fallen in love with the Blue Potato and Orginal flavors, but was ultra excited to try their new exotic blend which features my favorite veggies:

Kabocha, Carrots, and Blue Potatoes? Um, Yes Please.

The naturally delicious flavor of the selected veggies was further brought to life thanks to the help of a little sea salt. The total result was a serving of chips that was light, packed with vitamin A and fiber, and half the fat of a typical serving of potato chips. The diversity of flavor from chip to chip definitely kept my taste buds on their toes as well! 

Thursday's Lunch: Tempeh, Jam, and Cheddar on Whole Wheat Bread (Toasted), One JUICY Sliced Peach, Side of TERRA Exotic Vegetable Chips

Though I love lots of vegetarian and vegan things, sometimes the thing that pleases my appetite and palate the most is a nice, juicy, medium-rare filet mignon hot off the grill:

Filet Mignon (Medium Rare), Steamed Carrots Drizzled in Agave Nectar

If you haven’t tried steamed carrots with agave nectar or honey, please do yourselves a favor and combine these two delightful things from nature.

The only thing better than a great dinner is dessert, especially when that dessert involved coconut ice cream:

Walking your spastic and directionally challenged dog up and down country hills for 45 minutes prior to dessert is also a thing that keeps the spirit afloat.

One of the few things that’s nice about being unemployed is the total lack of a schedule. The ability to take your time in the morning and utilize your creativity to come up with a delicious new breakfast idea. Today’s idea was an AB&J Quesadilla:

Two Multigrain Tortillas, Almond Butter, Preserves, Slice Banana, Cinnamon

AB&J Quesadillas

Spread almond butter, preserves on two multigrain tortillas. Add sliced bananas and a healthy sprinkle of cinnamon. Coat skillet or cast iron pan in cooking spray or butter (I used PAM).  Sandwich tortillas together and toast over med-high heat in skillet until golden brown on each side.

I wanted two tortillas for mine, but you can easily cut the carbs and calories back by just using one and folding it over while cooking. Also, many thanks to Maya for the initial inspiration for such a sweet, savory breakfast!

Served with Side of Honeydew

Things to do after such an energizing breakfast can definitely include a 60-minute Yoga to the People Podcast on a deck in the glorious countryside.

There are things that can be reused, so you’re free from having to clean a dirty bowl…things such as a Fage yogurt container with about a 1/2 cup of yogurt begging to be turned into a yogurt mess for lunch:

Diced Peach, 2 TBS Wheat Berries, 1/2 Cup Fage Yogurt, 1 Dropper Nu Naturals Vanilla Stevia, 1/4 Cup Galaxy Granola (Granberry Orange), 1 TBS Ground Flaxseed, 1 TBS Sunflower Seed Butter

Despite the enormity of that sunflower seed butter blob, I assure you it was only 1 Tablespoon- measured exactly.

Sometimes the best thing to do when waiting to hear back from prospective jobs is to veg-out on old HBO shows such as The Sopranos (my Dad has the DVD box sets), while snacking on veggie chips:And Red Delicious apple slices with an Ounce of White Sharp Cheddar:

Knowing that your dinner includes 3 of your recommended 5-9 daily servings of fruits/veggies is definitely a good thing:

1 Cup Baby Spinach Leaves, 1 Serving Cubed Wild Wood Tofu, 1 Sliced Carrot, Cucumbers, Goat Cheese Crumbles, TJ's Goddess Dressing, 2 TBS Wheat Berries, and Side of TERRA Exotic Vegetable Chips

Followed dinner with another 30-minute, hilly stroll with Spiggy, the mutt who forces me to keep up with him at a brisk pace. Followed by more (unpictured) Chocolate Hazlenut Coconut Ice Cream.

Generosity is also a thing I greatly appreciate and adore. So you can imagine how pleased I was when the wonderful  folks as TERRA Chips extended an offer to my readers to win a giveaway including four bags of TERRA Chips, TERRA coupons, a martini glass inspired serving bowl and printed Summer Entertaining Guide.

In order to enter this contest, follow these steps:

1. If you have a blog, link back to this giveaway and leave an additional comment telling me you’ve done so.

2. Visit TERRA chips online and leave a comment stating your preferred TERRA Chips variety (or one you’d like to try most), your favorite recipe from the online guide suggestions. (If you also completed step 1 this counts as two separate entries.)

I’ll be choosing a winner Monday evening (8/2), best of luck!