The other day I was contacted by a new reader who had a bunch of questions for me re: IGE. As I was typing the answers to a few questions out, I decided, hey, why not share with everyone?
And so…20 questions with IGE:
1. What type of work do you do? I work in the marketing department at a history museum. I design collateral pieces, event posters, update our website, oversee social media efforts and do pretty anything else that needs done. “Marketing” is code for “we do it all!”
2. Do you have any children or pets? No, and no.
3. What are the kitchen gadgets, tools, or appliances that you couldn’t live without? Here is a list of my must have kitchen items.
4. Where did you get your tofu press? I have a TofuXPress tofu press. You can order one online here.
5. Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult? Absolutely. Growing up, my Mom had a healthy, home-cooked meal on the table every night at 5:30pm, and if I wasn’t sleeping, eating, or in school I was usually dancing, which kept me very active!
6. Are you the saver and bill-payer in your house or is your husband on board, too? I run the finances as far as paying bills, etc., but Ben and I have the same views on saving for our future, as we’d both like to retire young and move to the Amalfi Coast.
7. How long have you been married? 3 years last April, and counting. Here’s my #1 secret to a happy marriage.
8. How old are you? 27. Soon to be 28. Sickening.
9. What brand of pots and pans do you use? I use Calphalon pots and pans, although I have a small skillet from Target that I use for eggs. It’s cheap and thin which makes it heat up quickly and seems to cook them perfectly!
10. Do you count calories? Sometimes. I like Livestrong’s Daily Plate tool for tracking calories in and exercise calories out.
11. Do you ever drink soda? …yes… Efforts at kicking my love for Diet Mt. Dew were well-intended, but futile.
12. What kind of tea do you buy? Blech, I hate tea! I will make an exception for Trader Joe’s Vanilla Cinnamon Black Tea, though. It’s delightful!
13. Do you hate washing dishes? Absolutely. In fact, I was banned from washing dishes when I was growing up. Between my two brothers and I, we each had to pick from either clearing the table, washing the dishes or loading the dishwasher after dinner every night. I backed up the sink trying to stuff too much food down the disposal one too many times, and was only allowed to clear the table or load the dishwasher after that. MUCH easier tasks, if you ask me! 
14. Do you hate the clean-up after cooking? I am a very messy cook, so yes, yes I do.
15. Are you a Type A, B, C, or D personality or a combination of? Total control/clean freak, anal Type A personality here. I’m fun. 
16. What are your thoughts on wasting food? (Are you a member of the Clean Your Plate Club?) Card-carrying member of the clean your plate club here! However I don’t think there’s any point in cleaning your plate if you took too much food and are full before your plate is clear. I use salad-sized plates to avoid this problem!
17. What do you keep on your kitchen counters? Keurig, utensil holder, toaster, knife block, microwave, paper-towel dispenser, banana hanger/fruit basket, TV, food scale!
18. Do you favor a certain brand of spices? Do you have a large assortment of spices? I usually buy Tone’s spices, and have near insane amounts of them.
19. Do you have dessert every day? Oh yes. Every day.
20. Do you have certain skin care and hair care products that you swear by? I usually buy whatever shampoo/conditioner is on sale at the store – making sure to get the volumizing formula of whatever it is.
Here’s my skin routine. Although now that it’s summer, and my skin isn’t as dry aka I breakout less, I’ve swapped the salicylic acid based Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer for Oil of Olay Total Effects Fragrance-Free Daily Moisturizer in the morning. It feels like silk.
I also now use Oil of Olay Total Effects Eye Transforming Cream twice a day. Three cheers for anti-aging!
So there you have it – 20 things you now know about me! Want to know anything else? Just ask.
In other news, the theme of the day has been strange encounters of the rabbit kind. As I poured my morning bowl of Total Raisin Bran (aka rabbit food,)
I noticed that nearly the entire bag was gone! Huh?! Strange, I thought to myself, as I’ve only had one bowl each morning this week…
Turns out Ben has formed somewhat of a nibbling habit and now loves TRB as much as I do! Guess I’ll have have to start buying two boxes a week, ’cause running out of this cereal is not an option. I am hooked!
Later, as I was sitting down for an early lunch of a Veggie Sausage Scramble, toasted Thin Bun and chopped mango on my back deck…
Peter Cottontail made an appearance 10 feet away from me! I actually hate rabbits (I’m still holding a grudge from when they ate ALL the tiger lillies I planted the first summer after buying our house) but it was still kind of cute.
Let’s talk about this scramble real quick. That’d be 1 egg + 1 egg white, 1 cooked chicken veggie sausage link, chopped broccoli and cheddar cheese, all cooked up together. I’m telling you – LOVE that sausage!
Enjoyed with a with a toasted, buttered bun,
and tropical mango chunks.
My rabbit encounters continued this afternoon as Eloise and I were biking up to the gym on a trail by my house. One minute I’m cruisin’ along, the next minute I am dodging right. A big, fat rabbit was sitting smack in the middle of the trail and refused to move! Really, rabbit? Luckily I quickly recovered, dodged left, made it to the gym and ran through this crazy 45 Minute Treadmill Routine:
| Time | Speed | Incline |
| 0-2 | 4 | 1% |
| 2-4 | 6.5 | 1% |
| 4-7 | 7 | 1% |
| 7-9 | 7.5 | 1% |
| 9-10 | 8 | 1% |
| 10-13 | 7 | 1% |
| 13-15 | 7.5 | 1% |
| 15-16 | 8 | 1% |
| 16-19 | 4 | 1% |
| 19-22 | 7 | 1% |
| 22-24 | 7.5 | 1% |
| 24-25 | 8 | 1% |
| 25-28 | 4 | 1% |
| 28-34 | 7 | 1% |
| 34-38 | 7.5 | 1% |
| 38-40 | 8 | 1% |
| 40-43 | 4 | 0% |
| 43-45 | 3.5 | 0% |
| Total | 4.5 miles (ish) |
This started out as a classic 3-2-1 Routine (3 minutes at a manageable pace, 2 minutes at a more challenging pace and 1 minute at a highly challenging pace) but since I decided I was bringin’ inclines back (a la Justin Timberlake) to my treadmill routines, I had to pepper in a few walking breaks in order to survive. Even adding a tiny 1% incline to the routine makes everything SO much more challenging!
Oh, I also say 4.5 miles (ish) because I had to hop off the treadmill to use the restroom about 5 minutes in and forgot to check how far I had gone before leaving. Rabbits Rats!
I hungrily dug into this 18 Rabbits Funky Figs & Cherries Granola Bar after biking home. What did I tell you, rabbits all ovah the place today!
The ingredients list on this bar are AWESOME.
The texture is really cool too. Like a cross between a thick fruit roll up and a chewy granola bar. Plus it’s really seedy, which I love.
This rabbit is much better than the others.
18 Rabbits actually sent me a whole variety package of their products to try. The granola bars and baby “bunny bar” granola bars have been great grab-and-go items to supplement lunches or to split for a pre & post workout snack.
Not only are their ingredient lists top notch, but their products are made with sustainably grown ingredients and sourced from local producers and artisans. Plus they have really yummy flavors like Bananas Foster, Mango Strawberry and Cherry Apricot. Mmm!
18 Rabbits wants to share the yumminess with you too, and is going to send a variety pack of their granola bars to 1 IGE reader! All you have to do is pick out one of my 20 questions above and answer it by 5pm tomorrow, Saturday, June 18th.
Ready? Set. Share! 
Cool Giveaway
I’ll answer the soda one. I used to drink about 8 diet drinks a day, no joke. I’ve cut back to one and I feel SO much better – more energy!
I love my family and my mom’s cooking however, I didn’t really grow up in a healthy food/exercise environment so I’ve had to work a bit to adjust my habits. You’ve definitely helped make some healthier versions of recipes so thanks for that!
Oh, fun! For my job: I work in development for a nonprofit – write grant proposals, design marketing materials, plan events, coordinate social media accounts – very similar tasks as yours!
Do you drink soda? Ummm yes. Diet Coke, for me, please. Usually two cans a day, but more if I am feeling rebellious and McDonald’s is around – I can’t resist the $1 drinks!
I also hate washing dishes…my husband and I have reached an agreement that I cook and he cleans up. Of course, when he cooks that means I have to clean up, or when he’s super busy. I can’t WAIT to have a dishwasher in my next apartment (hopefully).
Also–the 18 Rabbits packaging is super cute!
15. Are you a Type A, B, C, or D personality or a combination of? I’m also definitely an A. I don’t know even what a type B, C, or D is haha
#2–I have two children and two pets and sometimes I don’t know which is which!
#19 – I may have you beat. I have dessert at least twice a day
!
Great giveaway!
I will answer the soda one.
I use to indulege in a diet coke for lunch every day and then occasionally out at dinner. In an effort to be healthier, about 8 months ago I replaced all my beverages with seltzer. I now drink 2-3 liters of seltzer a day and do not crave or miss soda. I had a diet coke on a plane ride a few months ago for the first time and it was way too sweet for me! Seltzer is a great replacement for people and easy way to get in your water requirements. Vintage is my favorite brand and their flavors are the best.
Secrets to a happy marriage:
- Put a good meal on the table
- Frequent sex
- Treat them the way you want to be treated
That’s it!
Thanks for the chance to win!
What type of work do you do?
I work for a bank as a fraud analyst! It wasn’t really what I had pictured myself doing growing up (life takes us in strange directions) but I work with a great group of people, work close to home and have a friendly boss. So it’s all good! The only thing I hate is that I work in an office all day, and there’s alllllllways someone having a birthday, or a farewell, or any excuse for cakes, cookies and treats to be provided. Willpower = not always the strongest!
5. Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult?
I wish! I grew up playing sports but my tendency to break bones ended my sports career. I danced for 18 years but picked up a ton of bad eating habits with ballet, dance team and competitive dance.
Cute post and I want me some bunny rabbits. In the form of granola bars, of course.
17. What do you keep on your kitchen counters? We keep cook books, toaster, fruit and veggie bowl, knife block. We don’t have a ton of counter space, so limit what we keep on them.
11. I’m happy to say that I rarely drink soda now. I used to drink 1/day for sure, but when I switched to a new job in January, I committed to taking a water bottle instead of a soda. So now I maybe have one/week…maybe
14. I don’t hate cleaning up after cooking because I clean as I go along to avoid it!
I hateee cleaning up after cooking!
How long have you been married?
Today is our 16th wedding anniversary! We were married in Columbia, MD in 1995 in my parents’ backyard. Now 16 years later we live in Colorado, have two kids and are running marathons. Times really do change. For the better.
I would LOVE to try these bars and talk about on my blog. Have never had them.
5. Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult? I was a gymnast until I was 19, so I was very fit. However, my mom didn’t cook healthy foods, so I honestly believe the only reason I wasn’t a 200 lb. 9 year old, was the constant activity. Once I retired….I ballooned up! I’ve struggled for 10 years now, learning how to eat, learning how to exercise…it’s exhausting, but I’m not quitting! And my daughters are learning by my example: how important healthy eating AND daily exercise are!
Aw, the baby bunny bars look so cute!
3. What are the kitchen gadgets, tools, or appliances that you couldn’t live without?
I can’t live with out my blender! Without it I couldn’t have my green monsters, smoothies or milkshakes!!
11. Do you ever drink soda? Yes, I used to have a 1 regular Mountain dew a day habit. I do have one every now and again, sometimes you just get a craving!
How old am I, you ask? I just turned 20 this past April. I’m super young for my year–I’ll turn 21 two weeks before finals of my senior year at Iowa (aaah). On the one hand it’s so far away (10.5 months, reeeeally?), but on the other hand I don’t want it to come because I don’t want to think about graduating yet. Scarrifying! (Scary+Terrifying, clever I know).
Question #2- Do you have any children or pets- No kids yet, but we got a small dog together when we lived in a condo 5 years ago (a black and tan miniature pinscher with floppy ears, named Jack.) Then two weeks before we moved to another state (to a house with a yard,) we got a golden retriever mix named Maggie. A year later, while at the 25th anniversary celebration of the movie “Stand By Me” (best movie ever) we got a brother and sister pair of kittens, named Thunder and Lucy. About a week ago I decided it wasn’t enough and got 2 fish….because my boyfriend would kill me if I somehow made us end up with ANOTHER cat or dog. I really love them all though, and the dogs and cats get along so it isn’t a big deal having so many animals.
I definitely drink soda- Coke to be exact it is such an unhealthy addiction- I hate that I feel powerless against it!
I don’t drink soda every day, especially since I’m pregnant right now, but I do drink it occasionally–there is nothing better than an ice cold, full flavored, regular Pepsi (no diet soda for me)!!
How long have you been married?
9 years this past May.
Raised to eat healthy, unfortunately not
Now as an adult trying to break all those bad eating habits is tough work…fortunately blogs like yours filled with awesome recipes and ideas help me out!
Question 13.
I honestly don’t mind washing dishes, and before I had kids, I always washed them by hand. Now with 2 more sticky, messy plates and glasses and silverware, I am VERY thankful for the dishwasher…plus, it saves time, usually.
My work currently is a stay-at-home mother….but I will soon be going back to school to get my Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics. So hopefully someday soon I will be a Registered Dietician! Thanks for the chance to win….I love granola bars!
Kira
I’m a diet sodaholic. There I said it. It needs to end. I’ve tried to stop. But I just can’t break the cycle! Guess it could be worse….
What type of work do you do? I am a Transplant Financial Coordinator… I help transplant patients figure out their insurance benefits as they relate to kidney transplant… along with other various duties at the transplant center. Interesting and rewarding
These look yummy!
I’ll answer the soda question – I used to drink way more soda than a person should in a day. Then in March I decided it was making me feel like crap so I gave it up cold turkey. Since March the only soda I had had was some 7up when I was sick. This last weekend we stopped at Culvers and my hubs had a milkshake but I got a rootbeer as a treat – it was really freaking good! So now soda is just an occasional treat
I use Calphalon pots and pans too and love them! I like your idea of using a cheap pan for eggs…so smart! These bars look awesome. I am always eating granola bars after working out and on the hunt for new brands with good ingredient lists.
#2: Do you have any children or pets? I have three birds and a dog. All boys. I’m way outnumbered!
Sometimes I don’t cook or bake something because I hate cleaning up afterwards because like you I am also a messy cook!!
1. I’m a teacher! I teach high school in a high-risk area on the south side of Chicago! It’s the most rewarding job ever
I have to agree with you, I totally hate cleaning up after cooking. I make messy and try my best to clean up as I go along but in the end they usually sit for an hour before my fiance comes to the rescue!!
Do you drink soda?
On occasion, when I do drink it, I mix half diet, half regular soda- I know, weird!
5. Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult?
I grew up in Wisconsin so my family is a meat-and-potatoes, clean-your-plate family of farmers. Since becoming an adult (weird to say that because I don’t really feel like one!), I’m now a healthy-minded, locally-grown produce vegetarian. I’m not a farmer like my father, but I do support them with a CSA (just got my first share last week and I highly recommend it!)
5. Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult?
Both. My dad was an athlete, so I was taught the importance of staying active at a very young age (Thanks Dad!). My mom had good intentions when it came to healthy eating – for instance we had to eat breakfast, no matter what it was (mmmmmm, chocolate cake for breakfast!!) I’ve taken her good intentions and modified them a bit – breakfast IS important, but now it tends to be lots of protein.
Excellent questions and great answers! Thanks for the opportunity to win some yummy bars.
1. What type of work do you do?
I raise my two year old daughter!
Those bars look amazing!
Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult?
Definitely come from a meat and potatoes household that didn’t understand my vegetarian teenage years! My brother still thinks I’m weird for the things I eat. I did play sports growing up and my parents encouraged that (and by encouraged, I mean forced me into it at first).
Were you raised on healthy eating & exercise or did you develop this as an adult? Raised healthy…my mom made everything from scratch…especially loved her homemade bread with whole wheat flour and wheat germ…yum, so good…also grew up with mom who did Jane Fonda and Jazzercise videos!
Do you eat dessert every day? YES, YES, YES!!! And it must involve chocolate, preferably dark!
First, I LOVE your blog!!
What type of work do you do? I work for a local school disrict with children who have autism. I’m also a full time student, soon entering a grad program in the field of speech language pathology.
14. Do you hate the clean-up after cooking?
Yes! I usually do the cooking and my boyfriend usually does the cleaning up afterwards. He claims he likes it, so it’s a beautiful system for us!
#15, I’m a total Type A as well. Much to my messy husband’s delight
8) Just turned 22!
Okay, I feel like I cheated since that was easy…
1) What type of work do you do? I just graduated last month, so I’m looking for jobs in social media/marketing in Chicago. Actually, I’d LOVE to work for an arts-related nonprofit (museum, orchestra, etc.). I’m moving up there in 2 weeks!
I can’t live without my food processor! I’ve only had it for about 9 months, but could not survive without it now
1. What type of work do you do?
I teach 7th grade science and am beyond excited to be on summer break!
My 2 hair care products that I SWEAR by are BigSexyHair’s Root Pump Plus (I’ve tried several other root lift creams – this one far exceeds any other) and the Teaze brush. Hip hip hooray for voluminous hair!