Clean Eating Challenge -- Day 4. I want a cookie.

The idea of eating from the earth is becoming not such a big deal anymore.  Yes, I still have to get creative with my meals, etc., but it's a matter of what should I have, rather than what can't I have.  Snacks aren't a big deal either -- popcorn, almonds, fruit, carrots, etc.  What I'm missing, though, is the bread/baked stuff.  Cookies.  Cereal. 

I need to find a cookie recipe that I can make this weekend.  Any ideas, anyone? 

I didn't run today -- it was a scheduled swim day -- and so I can't really comment on my energy level with my workout.  All day I felt good, so that's a good thing.  I did feel good in the swim, too, but it was cut a little short because of squeezing it in between work and a hair appointment, AND fighting with my new goggles.  I think the real test will be my longer run this weekend.  I have to figure out what to eat before the run... 

So here's what I ate today:

*breakfast -- same smoothie (strawberries, blueberries, spinach, walnuts, banana) but with almond milk instead of skim milk.  It was delicious!  Creamier.  Good.
*lunch -- mixed greens and spinach with apples, grapes, avocado and walnuts. About 2 Tbs of raspberry viniagrette dressing. Cantalope chunks for dessert.
*snacks -- banana and a handful of almonds (pre-swim), popcorn (post-swim)

*dinner -- one grilled portabella mushroom (seasoned with just a little olive oil), a small handful of grilled red pepper strips, leftover cucumber/tomato/avocado/black beans mix (seasoned with a little salt and pepper, olive oil and balsamic vinegar).

Yeah, that portabella doesn't look so great in this pic, but it was delicious! 

*dessert -- couple handfuls of popcorn and a couple juicy strawberries and half an apple.

And now I'm feeling a weird combination of being so tired I can't keep my eyes open (truth: I just fell asleep writing this post) and being a little hungry.  I shouldn't be hungry, 'cause I just ate a couple hours ago, but I sort of feel like I'm always hungry.  I'm just going to go to bed and ignore it, I think.  A cookie or a bowl of cereal would make me feel better, though. 

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Jen - thanks for your perspective on the cow's milk.  When you put it that way, yeah -- I can see why you don't drink it.  While my almond milk says it's vegan, I'm not sure what some of the ingredients are, so I need to research that.   At least now, for the remainder of my current challenge, I'm now completely animal-free. 

Who has some good recipes?  Send them my way, please!