I Live My Love
Forget what I said about the weather earlier. I ate lunch outside today and it was perfect! Sunshine + guac + a good book = an awesome lunch!
Say It, Do It (week of 4/8)
After spending last week nursing a oblique/hip/upper IT band (where it meets the hip bone/iliac crest) injury, which meant lots of rest and little exercise, I’m cleared to run/do yoga/cross train again, in moderation (which means as long as it doesn’t hurt).
This week, I plan on running 4x, 3x days yoga, and doing a cross training/strength session, with lots of hamstring and core work. I can’t wait to run tonight - my body and mind need it (and it’s gorgeous out)!
And, since it’s Monday, and on Mondays I plan (although as the week goes on, the plans fall apart), here are some of the things we’re eating this week:
- Chili (adapted from this recipe)
- Thai Red Curry with Toasted Cashews
- Peppered Duck Breast with Red Wine Sauce with sauteed kale
- Spinach, Prosciutto, and Mozzarella Stuffed Pork Loin with grilled asparagus
- Big salads - using leftover protein(s)
Hope your week is off to a great start!
Misc. Things I May Eat This Week:
- Creamy Avocado Pasta
- Wild Mushroom Pasta
- Giant salads - inspired by the Redemption Salad
- Baked sweet potatoes
- Trader Joe’s chicken sausage
- Chicken Curry Stir-Fry with Green Beans
I’m being very non committal with my meals this week, but my fridge is stocked with ingredients to make these things, so let’s hope I’m in the mood for them!
Guys, meet my new favorite snack. Golden Oreos. I’m sure they’ve been around for awhile - but they’re new to me and I can’t get enough! My boss seems to always have a stash of these (or the even more delicious Vanilla Joe-Joe’s from Trader Joe’s) laying around. Today I’m saving these for a mid-afternoon treat amd I’m already drooling over ‘em.
What we’re eating this week:
(Meatless) Monday: Polenta with Spinach and Tomato Sauce
Tuesday: I’m meeting one of my ex-coworkers for dinner, but I’ll throw a pork shoulder in the crockpot for the husband (loosely based on this recipe, which is one of his favs)
Wednesday: Redemption Salad (one of my favorite Asian chicken salads, and given the gluttony that occured this weekend: dinner at Emeril’s Chop House! Super Bowl Party!), I’m in need of redemption. And a salad.
Thursday: Steak with Mushroom Sauce and Cauliflower Puree
Friday: leftovers
Things I’ve been eating recently:
- HonneyBell tangelos - I recieved a voucher for these as a Christmas gift and since they’re only available for a short time in January, the shipment arrived last week. I’ve been enjoying them in my green juice (kale + HoneyBell tangelo + apple + carrot is a delicious mix) and eating them plain. The husband and I have been eating ‘em daily - let’s hope the extra Vitamin C helps us ward off all the bugs going around!
- Rachael Ray’s Cheeseburger Meatloaf - It was the husband’s birthday last weekend and instead of a cake, he wanted me to make him a meatloaf. Not being a big meatloaf fan, I didn’t have a go-to recipe, but this one turned out pretty well. I added sauteed portabello mushrooms and celery and a few splashes of Worchestire sauce to my mashed potatoes and omg, it was so good.
- Trader Joe’s crab cakes - these things are guaranteed to be picked up every time I go to TJ’s. They’re quick and easy to make (if you add wasabi mayo and corn salsa, they’re extra delicious) and frozen, so they’re a good meal when the fridge and cupboards are bare.
Have you made One Pot Mac and Cheese yet? If not - get on it!
It honestly couldn’t be simpler. Slowly cook half a pound of noodles in 2 cups milk, stirring often, until the noodles are soft. Dump lots of cheese in and eat.
I always use half milk and half chicken broth, and whatever types of cheese I have on hand. It’s super rich, so I usually add some sort of veggie or protein.
Yesterday’s version included cheddar, brie, and parmesan, with broccoli rabe added in during the last few minutes of cooking. I roasted some tomatoes on the side, and viola! a super easy (and super comforting) dinner.
Tonight’s wine, meet tomorrow’s juice (kale + grapefruit + parsley + apple).
Life’s all about moderation right?
(I usually juice the day I plan to drink it, but with a planned 5:45am spin class tomorrow - and since I’m going from the gym straight to work, I had to make it tonight.)
These Quaker Real Medleys have become my go-to breakfasts at work. I stash ‘em in my desk drawers and when I don’t have time to grab breakfast before I walk out the door, I just add some hot water to these, let them sit for a few minutes, and then eat. Yum!
It’s a bit sweet for an everyday indulgence, but completely delicious once in awhile. I haven’t yet ventured out to try the other flavors (Cherry Pistachio, Peach Almond, or Summer Berry) - but I can surely vouch, the Apple Walnut is great!
This week’s meals are based around what we have in the house, instead of planning them ahead of time and shopping/buying groceries accordingly. I have an abundance of asparagus, butternut squash, and portobello mushrooms, so I’m hoping they these meals will use ‘em all up!
What we’re eating this week:
- Monday: Pasta with Butternut Sauce, Spicy Sausage and Baby Spinach
- Tuesday: Pancetta Fried Rice (+ extra veggies thrown in for good measure)
- Wednesday: Trader Joe’s carne asada with Loaded Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Thursday: Thai Red Curry with Toasted Cashews (with mushrooms and served over rice)
- Friday: out. sushi. yum.
And so the start of season with the gifts from vendors begins.
My coworker calls this platter a fruit salad. I appreciate her sentiment, since it sounds so much healthier than chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, pineapples, and grapes.
I had (at least) one of each. But it’s only a fruit salad, right?
- Monday: Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls and Roasted Broccoli (make this broccoli - it’s delish! And don’t skip the lemon. It totally makes a difference.)
- Tuesday: Steak with roasted brussel sprouts (we didn’t have this last week)
- Wednesday: I’m out of town, so the husband will need to forage for himself
- Thursday: Trader Joe’s chicken sausages with green beans
- Friday: Goat cheese and sun dried tomato ravioli, with roasted tomatoes and spinach and turkey meatballs
I’m trying to incorporate more protein in my life, to juice more (you should see our fridge and counters - they’re overflowing with produce!), and stop relying on carbs for all of my nutritional needs). I’m excited to cook most of these meals (but maybe that’s just the fact it’s lunchtime and I’m starving!)
After traveling all last week (I was in a different city each day), I’m ready for a few home cooked meals this week, so here’s what I plan to cook:
- Monday: Roasted asparagus, baked sweet potatoes, and lemon and herb crock pot chicken
- Tuesday: Steak with maple balsamic brussel sprouts (with bacon!) and
- Wednesday: work function dinner
- Thursday: fancy mac with spinach
- Friday: faux Bang Bang Shrimp and lo mein with whatever protein we have left over
