Duty calls and a case of the frees

Rest day on tap for me.  That meant sleeping in as much as I could, which really is only about an additional 30 minutes if I am lucky.  I have an internal clock that always pretty much goes off at the same time.

I filtered the cold brew coffee and got out the bread dough from the fridge to rise.  Then made up some Almond Joy cream of wheat!

  • 10 grams of honey
  • 2 egg whites
  • 32 grams of Whole grain cream of wheat
  • 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon slivered almonds
  • 1 tsp of unsweetened toasted coconut

Cooked the cream of wheat with honey added to the water, stirred in egg whites and did the toppings.  Yum!

Anyone else have these Arby’s glasses with the winter scene on them?  We used to eat at Arby’s a lot!

Then I got to work for Job #1, which was pretty busy.  And watched the Tour.  I don’t know if Andy Shleck has what it takes to beat Contador in the Pyrenees, but I hope so.  Congrats to his yellow jersey today.

Since I was eating early due to no work out, I needed a morning snack because my tummy was grumbly.

One of the only reduced fat cheeses I like.  Cabot brand 50% reduced fat cheddar.  It is quite tasty.

My toaster oven arrived today.

That was fast!  I will do a review on it soon after we do more than just toast in there.  Thank you CSN stores!

<insert lots more typing here>

Lunch time and I was ready to have some fresh baked bread.

It was almost a shame to put tuna salad on this, but boy howdy was this bread good!  From the Healthy Bread in 5 minutes book.

I was able to finish up work early and was FREE for the day.  We had a latte snack before heading out to do our civic duty:

This blood drive was held at the Elk’s Club.  I so wanted to park in this space:

For real? Seriously??

Happy donor post draining:

Happy face because they gave us coupons for FREE ice cream!  1/2 gallon of Friendly’s.  John and I each got a coupon, too.  Sweet.

Plus my post donation snack.  I am liking the raisins.  Go iron!

John asked if I wanted to get dinner out since it was dinner time when we finished donating.  Was I going to say no?  I don’t think so.  He had a coupon for a FREE cheese pizza at one of our favorite places  – East End Eatery.

Started with a bit o’ green:

And then the cheese pizza.

I love John’s hands in the pic.  He could barely wait for me to take a picture LOL.  I had 2 pieces.  I knew one wasn’t going to be enough, so I told myself I could have a 2nd piece, but I didn’t have to eat it all if I was full.  Well – I ate both pieces and felt satisfied and not stuffed, so that was good.

Who knew a plain old Tuesday could end up being so good?

25 thoughts on “Duty calls and a case of the frees

  1. Kimberley

    What a great day, filled with super duper meals!

    The cheese pizza looks really good…I am going to have to make my crustless pizza in a dish soon or go to Boston Pizza for some more gluten free crust.

    Thanks for being a blood donor. Two thumbs up!
    .-= Kimberley´s last blog ..These Boots Were Made for Walkin =-.

  2. Pam

    Its wonderful to have good days and take pleasure in simple things.
    I can’t wait to start donating blood again – I was just about to start up again when I had my medical issue and came close to needing blood myself, it was a nice reminder of how important that can be. Be proud that you contributed!
    .-= Pam´s last blog ..By Design =-.

  3. Tish

    Mmm, Almond Joy breakfast. Definitely goes in my repertoire. Thanks!
    Your day sounded delightful. I’d say you found radiance today. Good meals, time with hubby, civic duty and sleeping late. A winning combination.
    .-= Tish´s last blog ..Birthday Edition =-.

  4. Shelley B

    Your new toaster oven is pretty slick looking! I had one but my son stole it. Ok, it was his to begin with, but he left it at home for a year and I got used to having it!

    Funny, Jeff does the same thing as John with his hands when he’s waiting to eat. Is that the “man pose” or what? 😉
    .-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Sof Sole Review and Giveaway- =-.

  5. debby

    I love a good toaster oven. I have one now that works fine, but has an irritating beep on it. Oh well, beggars can’t be choosers (my mom gave it to me.) That cheese pizza looks fantabulous! I love good pizza crust. and cheese. and tomato sauce. must have pizza soon…
    .-= debby´s last blog ..The Waterfalls =-.

  6. John

    I never understood a cheese pizza. I would have paid a bit extra for them to add a couple toppings. I would have been trying to donate blood every day if they gave out free ice cream here as I was eating ice cream everyday 🙂

  7. Leah

    We used to go to Friendly’s when I was a kid living in PA!!!!!!!!!! I haven’t heard of them since because we moved back out west and where I live now is the closest I’ve lived to PA again since 4th grade.

    Great for doing your civic duty. I’ve never minded donating blood, but my iron has been low a few times. I wonder if my better eating has changed that. I get sad when I have to be turned away…

    Your almond joy cream of wheat looks wonderful. I might have to try that someday when the weather cools. Love the coffee glass, but I don’t have those from Arby’s.

    Anyways, lots of commenting here from me.. LOL Have a nice evening!
    .-= Leah´s last blog ..Maintaining and Goals =-.

  8. Miz

    I love that sentence at the end as it to me is indicative of how I want to live my life.

    finding the YAY THIS DAY FREAKIN ROCKS!! in the seemingly smallness of things.

    The loving of the little things as some day we may look back and realize they were the big things.
    .-= Miz´s last blog ..No Excuses! book update =-.

  9. South Beach Steve

    “Exhaulted Ruler” – Okay, I had to chuckle at this.

    Cold-brewed coffee – tried it, loved it, but had to much trouble with the filtering to enjoy it more than that one time.

    Pizza Pic – I love this!

  10. Fran

    Days like this are the most fun, when you get up you expect that it’s going to be a same old Tuesday and then something unexpected makes it fun.

  11. Joanne

    That’s a toaster fit for work. Great find!
    Good for you on giving blood. I’ve never given blood and I’m ashamed of that but I hate needles SO much. I almost pass out
    when if the Doc schedules anything that requires me giving up my blood.
    .-= Joanne´s last blog ..Sicilian Tomatoes and Mindful Running =-.

  12. Megan

    Your bfast looks so tasty. I’m trying to behave so I haven’t had any choco lately.

    Congrats. I think its so important to give blood. I try to give blood but the people at our blood bank our not skilled enough to handle my rolling fussy viens. The always miss and have to stick me multiple times. Then I end up with huge bruises. I’ve just stopped giving.
    .-= Megan´s last blog ..Training Wk5 =-.

  13. Ang

    I have a couple of those Arby’s glasses! I’m a sucker for fast food glasses. I was really sad about McDonald’s Shrek glass recall! I still have Goonies glasses from the 80s!
    .-= Ang´s last blog ..My New Favorite Thing! =-.

  14. Jody - Fit at 52

    PS Lori.. wondering if you tried to answer my question. When you reply to comments, I get a “SPAM” from your site but no actual reply & I had about 4 of those this morn….. no biggie if it had nothing to do with me! 🙂 I know you are busy with 2 jobs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    .-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Negative CAN Be Good! Marathon Running! =-.

    1. Lori Post author

      That is weird. Wonder why that happens.
      You can toast the coconut in a frying pan. It’s really easy to do, just keep stirring so it doesn’t burn.

  15. Regan Jones RD

    So glad you like the 50% Red fat (it’s one of my faves, too!) And pat on the back for the blood donation from this former “Red Cross Club” president (circa high school in the 90s)… blood donation never goes out of style! ~Regan from Cabot Creamery

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