Weekend Plus - A Recap

I turned into a bit of a slacker late last week and this weekend. I kept telling myself I would post Friday, then Saturday. Then I figured I might as well wait until Monday. So hang on...here we go!

Day two of the conference I knew better and brought my lunch from how so I would have it if/when sent back to the office. Before I left though I met a couple of our presenters - Luis & Roberto Hernandez - winners of Biggest Loser (season 17). They were super nice and I learned they attended my alma mater (a bit after me though). Truth is I didn't watch their season, but wanted to share in case there were any fans out there and who knows when I will have another brush with celebrity, right?

My husband has inspired a new snack...apples with peanut butter. He likes PB2, but I'd rather have less of "real" peanut butter. He also got me started on adding a bit of cinnamon to the peanut butter. It is amazing how a pinch of cinnamon can take a snack up a level of tastiness. Maybe it connects it to all those baked goods that use cinnamon. Cinnamon is my secret ingredient in chocolate chips cookies...but don't tell anyone.

Wednesday's workout was a core workout. Several of the exercises were ones I'd done previously, but there were a couple of new ones. This one was targeting the obliques. I held a 25 pound weight and did side bends. The weight was heavy but the motion felt pretty good.

Another exercise was a lower back raise. It involved me leaning over the arm of our couch. Pictures were taken, but they were clearly NSFA (Not Safe For Anywhere)!

Thursday I worked half a day. I wanted to make my sister from decadent birthday cookies - Easy S'more Cookies from Cookie Rookie. It was a bit of a challenge. You start with a basic chocolate chip cookie. Actually, the recipe calls for the prepared refrigerated dough, but I used my go-to recipe. For some reason my cookies didn't turn out like normal, which made slightly uglier bases than I wanted. The next step was to top the cookies with mini-marshmallows and toast under the broiler. As you can see toasting was a bit uneven. Then you dip cookie halfway in melted chocolate and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. I admit mine aren't nearly as pretty as the originals, but they were delicious. I only kept a couple for myself and gave the rest to my sister.

Turns out, I got involved in the baking, and didn't do that day's workout. I am making it up this weekend - I promise.  ***Update - I lied. Sorry :( 

Dinner was simply a steak and grilled asparagus. I sprinkled the steak with a bit of chopped basil - it was a very nice flavor.

Friday night I had a strength training workout. My trainer asked if I wanted him to do the exercises with me. Of course, I said yes. I suggested a few ways we could make it a "couple's workout". We did the Romanian Dead Lifts (one leg) while holding hands (the ones not holding the weights!)  Usually, I have him stand next to me in case I lose my balance. By holding hands we were able to counter-balance each other. I, also, found something that makes squats a bit more tolerable. We stood face to face and palms together and did synchronized squats while gazing into each other's eyes. Okay, it might have been more like a stare down. It was as close as I was getting to a date night, so I took advantage :)

After my husband went to bed, I had a small derailment. There were leftover chocolate chips in the house and remember those Lime & Sea Salt chips I bought and was saving for an occasion to share...well...  First, there was some salty, then I wanted sweet, then back to salty...you get the idea. I wish I could say I stopped myself sooner, but when my tummy started to ache a bit I did throw both kinds of chips into the trash. Not just in their packages, but I actually dumped the packages out into the trash can. It had to be done.

Last Saturday I didn't make it to the farmers' market, so I was determined to make it this weekend. In fact, I went to two different ones. Both markets have more than produce. I am enthralled with this booth. The lady makes the most incredible stuffed toys.  I wouldn't even know where to begin to choose!!!

Maybe this guy...until my husband said he looks like a big roach that needs to be squished. I still don't see it.

Another booth was a gardener who sells plants (iris and daylilies). She brings a sample of the flowers and you can order plants that she will bring to the market in the coming weeks. When I was in my 20s my mom was very into daylilies and I got sucked into loving them too. Unfortunately, most of mine have quit flowering. I am pretty sure they need to be divided and saved from the weeds I am having trouble fighting the last couple of years.

 Again, I don't know how I could choose.

A display of cards created by a local photographer. I've made many cards with my photos. Most were given as gifts. I have thought about selling some.

I loved this booth of signs.

My farmers' market purchases included some favorites and a couple of new items. I've never had kohlrabi - the seller suggested eating it raw. The cherries are sour, but I am planning to use some in smoothies. I was surprised to see blueberries ripe already...they are so good!

Millie got a bone from the market. A booth that sold beef had a big box of bones for a dollar each. She was a very happy puppy.

I steamed some of the green and yellow beans together - aren't they pretty. I wrapped a chicken sausage in a corn tortilla and added half an apple to the plate. It was a tasty lunch, but ended up not being as filling as I would have liked.

For dinner, I decided to make a veggie lasagna that would double as some lunch prep for next week. My version was based on this Skinny Veggie Lasagna from Pinch of Yum. I used more sauce (an extra cup) and more veggies (close to twice as much) than the recipe instructed. My veggies were onion, broccoli, peppers, zucchini and mushrooms.  I also used kale instead of spinach in the ricotta mixture.

The ricotta mixture was not enough to make an even layer, but it was definitely enough to taste in the finished lasagna.

 It smelled so good when it came out of the oven, my mouth was watering.

I cut it in 8 portions instead of 9 like the recipe. I recalculated the calories because the recipe seemed a little low. My portions came out to about 250 -  not including the veggies. I wasn't exactly sure how much I put in, but I can't imagine it was more than 50 calories per serving.  I was very happy how this recipe turned out and I would definitely make it again. I am looking forward to the leftovers.

You may be relieved to know I am not eating my sweet potato hash everyday. How could I with these beautiful blueberries to put on oatmeal?  They are so delicious. I only have one serving left though to get me through to next market day :(

Sunday was all about a family get together to celebrate my husband's grandma's 95th birthday.  My mother-in-law asked me to make the chicken/veggie kabobs I made a few weeks ago. But since we had to grill them at home and then take the food to the farm (about 20 minutes away) I was concerned they wouldn't hold and would dry out. So I went a slightly different direction. I bought chicken drumsticks for 69 cents a pound (can't beat that) and brined them using this Tyler Florence recipe. Drumsticks are like natural kebabs, right?

I grilled the chciken using my own barbecue sauce....well, a mix of Kraft and Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauces. We grilled the veggies in our new grill basket. 

There isn't much that looks better than BBQ hot off the grill - even that slight charred piece!

I was very pleased with how the veggies turned out too. We had a combo of green and yellow summer squash, red/yellow peppers, red onion and mushrooms.

To transport I put everything into a big crockpot. Miraculously, everyone was on time and the food stayed nice and hot. When we got to the farm we turned the crockpot on warm, just to keep it hot during serving. 

I was a bit nervous how it would turn out. I am sure we will be doing this again :)

What tricks do you have for transporting food?

I am looking forward to a good week....what are your plans?

Veggie Prep and More

I promise today there will be no "naughty" foods (or treats as I should call them) posted. I've been fighting my inner chip monster this week. We have little bags of Ruffles at work, leftovers from an event. Obviously, I have eaten my share (by which I mean more than my share) beause I love chips. However, I have purposely been packing healthy snacks to keep me from giving in every time I want chips. Monday was a chip free day! Let me repeat Monday was a chip free day. Tuesday, however, I didn't have a solid snack plan, so I took the chip option for my snack. Again, I am looking for balance, because realistically I don't see chips being completely eradicated from the rest of my days. I need to figure out how to enjoy them without derailing a healthy lifestyle. I ate one serving (an actual serving) and was done - win! I like this particular mix of nuts (unsalted). I actually bought them about a month ago in Cincinnati for my marathoner and they didn't get opened. They are a satisfying compliment to my apple. Apples sometimes give me a hungry feeling after I eat them, but I think the nuts prevented that feeling.

My husband had already cooked some chicken earlier in the day on Monday, so at dinner time I had plenty of room to grill for all the dinner veggies plus veggies to use later. I didn't do much to prep them just a little salt and pepper.

My dinner plate. I didn't realize I arranged it all like soldiers in a row until I got ready to take the picture. I mixed a little of the jalapeno pesto from last week with light sour cream to dip the chicken in.

All the leftover veggies except the corn were chopped up and added to steamed broccoli to use in my egg muffins.I know I've posted about them many times here and on Facebook, but I can't help myself from touting this go-to healthy convenience food. I prepped the veggies right after dinner an put them in the fridge.

The next morning I made a batch of egg muffins. About a third of a cup of veggies per muffin makes a nice serving of veggies since I usually eat two at a time. .

 Add beaten eggs/egg whites - I usually use 3 whole eggs and 9 egg whites to make 12 muffins. Top with Parmesan. I used to mix the Parmesan with the beaten eggs, but then it all sinks to the bottom of the bowl and is hard to distribute, so now I just sprinkle it on right before baking.

Two went on my plate to eat with oatmeal and raspberries for breakfast.

The rest went into the fridge for breakfasts and snacks later this week (my husband grabbed a couple on his way out the door this morning). They keep all week and warm up very well in the microwave. I've been known to eat them cold in grab-n-go situations

Now about that corn....I think this is the only way we cook corn anymore. Remove the husks and silks and  then just throw it on the grill as is - no butter, no salt, nothing. Turn it a few times. You will notice the little charred spots and the corn gets a deeper yellow as it cooks. We like our corn lightly cooked (crisp tender) - just leave it on a bit longer if you want it more cooked. It is super sweet and delicious. I am serious - nothing on it. I've tried the whole soak the corn in husks and cook it so it steams technique. Frankly, it hasn't worked for me. I can't see how done it is. It actually tends to be drier - probably because I end up cooking it too long. I also like a few little char spots from the grill grates. When I make it, I usually have an ear for dinner and then cut the rest of the kernels off the cobs.

This week I will be eating it as a side for these turkey meatloaves, I made last night after dinner. I can't stress the importance of meal prep for me. When I come home from work ready to chew off my arm it is makes me feel good that I can make a solid healthy choice and eat right away. I enjoy cooking and the variety of individual meals.  However, meal prep is more of an insurance plan for me for the inevitable days that does't happen.  Even if you just make a couple of the components ahead of time it reduces stress.
Some of the corn will no doubt be sprinkled in chicken tacos. In addition to it being delicious, the point is that is prepared and available. I have also been known to eat a serving of corn as a snack...it is sweet corn after all. I found a new Mexican Street Corn Tostada I will be trying soon....need to run it through the calorie calculator first to be sure it is an affordable meal.

Double Light 

Monday 

Romanian Deadlift (one leg) - The dreaded RDLs (we've done them a couple times already). Turns out, I might have a bone to pick with my trainer. I googled Romanian Deadlifts and those people got to use TWO legs. The hardest part of this exercise for me is balancing on one foot. Apparently this exercise works your hamstrings and glutes to get a butt that "pops" according to one video I watched.

Fielder's Curls - I felt pretty good about this one, especially the more I did it and got comfortable with the move.

I know you just watched a video, but I liked this still picture too. It makes me feel powerful.

Marching Plank - Start in plank position and alternate raising legs. I could really feel it in my core, but unfortunately could only do a couple at a time so I never got in a rhythm. Again, I say this is going to go so much better when I am fighting a whole lot less body weight. I am trying to remember that when I eat. I am a bit mortified how hard I know I am working and it looks like I am hardly off the floor cause my body is so "thick" - I am trying to focus on where my spine is to get a more accurate perspective.

No need to elaborate on my feelings about marching planks.  This picture pretty much sums it up.

Tuesday

5-10-5: - I was somewhat excited about doing this one because it was the same as a workout we did the first week. I was very curious if I would be better than the first time around.  The first time we did this workout, we did it in the hallway at home. I thought I was going to do so much better that I wanted more room to really run. So we went to a local track.

I did't get a side view picture, but I am pretty sure it would have looked like this...

Oh wait there is video...you decide.... (please excuse the wardrobe malfunction - I need some better fitting pants).

I would like to say, I felt like the picture of my trainer, but I did't.  By the end of the first set of five my legs were total jelly and I was sucking wind. I seriously felt like I could not move my gigantic cement legs.(very much like I feel in a bad dream when when I am trying to escape some crazed murderous maniac and I am stuck in slow-mo). That all being said, I know I did better than the first time. At no time did I feel like I was going to throw up...and I never begged my trainer to stop. Definitely could not say that about the first time we did it.

I will close up with a exciting news from the garden...the tomatoes are starting to bloom like crazy.

 And I finally discovered two little babies on the Sun Gold (our favorite!) plant. Sorry about the focus  - I could not get the camera to focus on the babies for anything.

And finally, if tomatoes took selfies....

Yes, I did switch to the forward facing camera, stick my hand in the tomato bush and snap a picture. I know, I have inanimate object personification issues.

Hope your week is going well!!!

Garden Goodies

This deliciousness is exactly why I love my garden. Seriously it makes me wonder how I survived the winter. I made this Lo Mein tonight for dinner. It is one of our go-to meals based on Eating Well's Edamame Lo Mein. I have made it several times as the recipe is written. Then over time we have adapted it to our taste. I have replaced the edamame with chicken. I figured out how many calories for the edamame and then used the same calorie amount of chicken. I switch out the veggies as I have available. For the record we loved this recipe even before we were counting calories.

From our garden, tonight's version featured broccoli, zucchini, snap peas and green onion. It was perfect! We didn't plant any sweet peppers this year so these came from the store. If you like Chinese food this is a recipe you must try. As written the recipe is 417 calories.  I bulk up the veggies a bit and add those additional calories.  A serving is 2 cups!!  (Plus an additional cup of veggies per serving.)

Eating Well's Edamame Lo Mein (without edamame + chicken and more veggies)

After dinner I picked a few more things:

The last of the lettuce being washed.  I am sad to see it go, but the weather is too hot. It is getting a little bitter and trying to go to seed. I have never replanted for a fall crop but I am going to try it this year. I think I will plant around mid-August.

Broccoli was picked last night. I only had 4 plants. I got them on a whim and wasn't sure there were would be enough time for it to develop. It doesn't like the hot either. Fresh broccoli is tastier than store bought...who knew?

I also picked cilantro, zucchini, a couple jalapenos and the rest of the beans and snap peas. Most importantly....2 tomatoes!!!  Tomatoes are our most anticipated crop. This year I inadvertently bought 19 plants. The nursery I go to has so many varieties and you can get two-packs for less than a dollar. I just kept shopping.  The tomatoes are going slow but hopefully I will have pictures of all the varieties to share in a few weeks.

These zucchini plants are out of control, but not producing as much as I would like. Hopefully they are just getting a slow start. Somewhere I saw a recipe for a zucchini boat using spaghetti/lasagna flavors.

Okay, enough gardening. Our walk was good this morning. I didn't go as far as I wanted. I think Millie was too warm - her tongue was down to her knees. Then she started coughing a bit. I stopped about 1/2 mile short of my goal. Thankfully, Millie was fine when we got home. I guess we will try again tomorrow :)

I don't feel too badly about not finishing my walk. Today at work I was moving offices so there was plenty of exercise in moving furniture and all my other stuff.  Tomorrow I have to try to get it all organized again.

When we got home we went to my sister's house for a quick dip in the pool.  My poor husband ended up hitting his face on the edge of the pool...didn't realize he was so close to the edge when he popped up from swimming underwater. He got a pretty good scrape on the bridge of his nose...OUCH!