January 11, 2010 (Updated November 15, 2022)

Attack of the Burned Popcorn

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

13 comments

I was back in an office today for the whole day for the first time since leaving for Prague in October 2008! As I mentioned, I worked at home all during the fall — my school schedule was too random so it just made sense. But now I’m back in the office three days a week and actually… it was nice! I’m very much a people person, so it was great to have some social interaction and not just sit at home by myself in my sweatpants 😉

Also, lunch was delicious.

Last night, I made a huge massaged kale salad (kale, olive oil, lemon juice, cracked pepper, a little salt — the same as the base of this recipe) topped with shredded red cabbage.

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This combo was delicious — the cabbage tasted really good with the olive oil and lemon juice and added a nice crunch. I really like crunchy things. 🙂

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I brought some of it to work today as a side dish. I was really glad I made this last night — made it easy to grab something healthy this morning!

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With my salad, I had a hummus, avocado, and spinach sandwich on pita bread (my fave):

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A tip: toast your bread before you make a sandwich that you’re packing to eat later. This will keep the bread from getting soggy on you (the worst!!)

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And lastly, I packed some nonfat plain Greek yogurt topped with a sliced pear. Love this combo!

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Whenever I finish a container of yogurt, I save it and use it as tupperware later 🙂

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All packed and ready to go! 🙂

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I also had a couple of unpictured clementines… and some popcorn I shared with a coworker this afternoon. 🙂 First, someone else burned popcorn, then, when I tried to make some for us (since the office already smelled and all), I totally burnt it too (it was one of those mini bags and the sensor in the microwave didn’t do it right!). Lol. DOUBLE WHAMMY! I think I still smell like it now 😉

I’m off to class — Nutrition from 6:30 to 9! I just looked at the syllabus online and it looks really interesting. Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint! 🙂

- anne

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13 comments
  • Radha
    What a first day back. And it takes time to get rid of that smell. Love your blog!
    Reply
  • Jessica
    Ohmigosh - burnt popcorn reminds me of college - it would stink up the entire dorm!
    Reply
  • Jessie
    Good luck on being back in the office and heading back to class.
    Reply
  • Evan Thomas
    I think I would fall asleep in a night class. I hope it's worth it!
    Reply
  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    Mmmm...looks like a great crunchy salad! Have fun at your class-- nutrition classes always sound so interesting...but then I remember that I suck at science!
    Reply
  • Jen Robinson
    Be careful re-using plastic that it's not the bad kind that leaches onto your food!
    Reply
  • amanda
    Good luck to you, I just started school online today. Ohhh and now I want popcorn. Maybe I will go make some.
    Reply
  • Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion
    Ugh, two bags of burnt popcorn, you office is going to smell for a week. That smell is so distinctive too! You lunch looks delicious!!!! I always think I would like working from home, but I think I would miss the social interaction as well. 3 in and 2 from home seems perfect to me, lucky girl!
    Reply
  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
    I know how you feel about sitting at home in your sweatpants! Ever since I moved to Germany, and starting taking masters classes online, I feel like I never dress up. There are some days that I don't even bother changing from my pajamas or showering! Shame! It will be totally different when I end up moving back to the states and get a job over there! Great lunch ideas!
    Reply
  • Jackie
    I really want to make all your recipes but I can't find the right ingredients! Damn! Tomorrow I'm going to a "baker's street" I heard about from a friend in search of some cheese or anything else I can use to spice up my cooking. I like Chinese food but I need some variety! I wish I could find some hummus here :(
    Aw man I remember how much we missed hummus in Prague!!! xoxo A
    Reply
  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing
    That lunch looks great!!! I'll have to try the combo of avocado and hummus... love them separately but i've never thought to put them together. And good tip about toasting the bread!!!! Burnt popcorn is the WORST!!!
    Reply