It officially feels like fall! With gaining an hour for Daylight Savings, I feel well rested and I have also been enjoying this gorgeous weather. I have built a little onto my usual running route and I hope to keep building on to my distance.
I am getting excited about the upcoming holiday season! Of course, it has already felt like the holidays at work. We have had our Christmas shop up since the end of September and I have been interviewing for our seasonal help nonstop. This is the time of year that will make or break us as far as sales and I want this to be the best year ever! I also have my own Christmas shopping on my mind, I already am making a mental list.
We already have plans for Thanksgiving with Michael's family and I am so happy that I am participating in the Turkey Trot this year! I am doing the 5K, not the 8 mile race, but it is amazing to me that a year ago I never would have thought I could participate in a race. This will be my fourth 5K this year, next year I hope to be able to build up to a 10K!
I am also participating in a Holiday Season fitness challenge, started by my buddy Kelsey. I think it is a great idea, I am already having fun keeping track of my points!
I know we won't get a chance to see everybody we want to see, but know that we wish everyone a healthy and happy holiday season!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wish List Wednesday
What a great idea! I saw this on Clean Eating Mama's blog (see links). This Wednesday's wish list: travel!
I would love to go back to Rome. I went when I was 17 and just fell in love.
Sightseeing...
Shopping...
Food...
One place I would just love to visit is Paris. It's top on my wish list!
What destination is on your wish list?
I would love to go back to Rome. I went when I was 17 and just fell in love.
Sightseeing...
Shopping...
Food...
One place I would just love to visit is Paris. It's top on my wish list!
What destination is on your wish list?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Oktoberfest 2009
Ahh, the most wonderful time of the year. Addison Oktoberfest!
I kicked off the festivities by participating in the Oktoberfest 5K to benefit Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. I was so excited to participate in my third 5K this year. I was disappointed in my time (31:23), however. I was hoping to break 30 minutes, but it didn't happen. I had a few things go wrong during my run, but the bottom line is that I finished and only took a short walk break.
Afterwards there was free beer available but we decided to head home and rest up. We returned that evening and met up with a bunch of our friends. We enjoyed lots of beer, soft pretzels and great company! Too bad I left my camera at home!
I kicked off the festivities by participating in the Oktoberfest 5K to benefit Wipe Out Kids' Cancer. I was so excited to participate in my third 5K this year. I was disappointed in my time (31:23), however. I was hoping to break 30 minutes, but it didn't happen. I had a few things go wrong during my run, but the bottom line is that I finished and only took a short walk break.
Afterwards there was free beer available but we decided to head home and rest up. We returned that evening and met up with a bunch of our friends. We enjoyed lots of beer, soft pretzels and great company! Too bad I left my camera at home!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Herbed Chicken Parmesan
Another great Cooking Light recipe! The only thing I did differently was use olive oil instead of butter to cook the chicken, and melted mozzarella on top instead of provolone.
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups bottled fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded provolone cheese
Preparation
Preheat broiler.
Combine 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Place egg white in a shallow dish. Dip each chicken tender in egg white; dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Set aside.
Combine 1/8 teaspoon salt, pasta sauce, vinegar, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave sauce mixture at HIGH 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Pour the sauce over chicken in pan. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining Parmesan and provolone cheese. Wrap handle of pan with foil, and broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Nutritional Information
Calories:308 (30% from fat)
Fat:10.4g (sat 5.7g,mono 3g,poly 0.6g)
Protein:35.9g
Carbohydrate:16.2g
Fiber:1.8g
Cholesterol:88mg
Iron:2.3mg
Sodium:808mg
Calcium:249mg
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 cups bottled fat-free tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded provolone cheese
Preparation
Preheat broiler.
Combine 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Place egg white in a shallow dish. Dip each chicken tender in egg white; dredge in the breadcrumb mixture. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Set aside.
Combine 1/8 teaspoon salt, pasta sauce, vinegar, and pepper in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap; vent. Microwave sauce mixture at HIGH 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Pour the sauce over chicken in pan. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining Parmesan and provolone cheese. Wrap handle of pan with foil, and broil 2 minutes or until the cheese melts.
Nutritional Information
Calories:308 (30% from fat)
Fat:10.4g (sat 5.7g,mono 3g,poly 0.6g)
Protein:35.9g
Carbohydrate:16.2g
Fiber:1.8g
Cholesterol:88mg
Iron:2.3mg
Sodium:808mg
Calcium:249mg
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Let's call them "crunch patties"
I have been craving falafel the last couple weeks. I found a recipe in Cooking Light that was quick, easy and delicious! I didn't make the yogurt sauce to go with, instead I spread the pitas with a little bit of hummus. We didn't have any ground coriander on hand, so I left it out and it still tasted fine. I might add a little bit of lemon juice next time, just to add a little extra flavor to the patties.
Falafel Pitas
If you don't have time to make the sauce, use commercial hummus thinned with lemon juice.
Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed pita)
Ingredients
Sauce:
1 cup 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
2/3 cup chopped peeled cucumber
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1 garlic clove, minced
Falafel:
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
Remaining ingredients:
2 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas, cut in half
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped plum tomato
2/3 cup thinly sliced peeled cucumber
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Preparation
1. To prepare sauce, combine the first 4 ingredients; set aside.
2. To prepare falafel, drain chickpeas in a colander over a bowl; reserve liquid. Place chickpeas, 3 tablespoons liquid (discard remaining liquid), breadcrumbs, and next 5 ingredients (through cumin) in a food processor; process until minced. Divide chickpea mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Spread about 1/4 cup sauce into each pita half. Fill each pita half with 1/2 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup tomato, about 2 tablespoons sliced cucumber, 1 tablespoon sliced onion, and 2 patties.
Nutritional Information
Calories:303 (0.0% from fat)
Fat:10.8g (sat 2.2g,mono 5.4g,poly 1.8g)
Protein:14.4g
Carbohydrate:40.6g
Fiber:7.4g
Cholesterol:3mg
Iron:3.3mg
Sodium:569mg
Calcium:133mg
Falafel Pitas
If you don't have time to make the sauce, use commercial hummus thinned with lemon juice.
Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed pita)
Ingredients
Sauce:
1 cup 2% reduced-fat Greek yogurt
2/3 cup chopped peeled cucumber
1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill
1 garlic clove, minced
Falafel:
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
Remaining ingredients:
2 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas, cut in half
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped plum tomato
2/3 cup thinly sliced peeled cucumber
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Preparation
1. To prepare sauce, combine the first 4 ingredients; set aside.
2. To prepare falafel, drain chickpeas in a colander over a bowl; reserve liquid. Place chickpeas, 3 tablespoons liquid (discard remaining liquid), breadcrumbs, and next 5 ingredients (through cumin) in a food processor; process until minced. Divide chickpea mixture into 8 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.
3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Spread about 1/4 cup sauce into each pita half. Fill each pita half with 1/2 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup tomato, about 2 tablespoons sliced cucumber, 1 tablespoon sliced onion, and 2 patties.
Nutritional Information
Calories:303 (0.0% from fat)
Fat:10.8g (sat 2.2g,mono 5.4g,poly 1.8g)
Protein:14.4g
Carbohydrate:40.6g
Fiber:7.4g
Cholesterol:3mg
Iron:3.3mg
Sodium:569mg
Calcium:133mg
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
La Vie Francaise
My mom, sister and I had a great evening! We went to see Julie and Julia. I read Julie Powell's book as well as My Life in France by Julia Child this summer. I thought the movie was a really great combination of both. I love Meryl Streep, she was fabulous as Julia!
Afterwards, we went to dinner at Toulouse to continue on the French theme. I had never been before and it was amazing! We started with a goat cheese tart which was delicious. I ordered the poulet roti, which came with sauteed spinach and grape tomatoes as well as pommes frites.
We were so stuffed we didn't even look at dessert! I didn't order a drink but I did notice they had a couple of champagnes you could order by the glass, so I will have to remember that next time. I love champagne and it's not often I can order just a glass-- just one is usually all I need!
Ahhh, now all I need is to go to Paris! Laissez les bonnes temps roulez!
Afterwards, we went to dinner at Toulouse to continue on the French theme. I had never been before and it was amazing! We started with a goat cheese tart which was delicious. I ordered the poulet roti, which came with sauteed spinach and grape tomatoes as well as pommes frites.
We were so stuffed we didn't even look at dessert! I didn't order a drink but I did notice they had a couple of champagnes you could order by the glass, so I will have to remember that next time. I love champagne and it's not often I can order just a glass-- just one is usually all I need!
Ahhh, now all I need is to go to Paris! Laissez les bonnes temps roulez!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Yikes!
Sorry about the lack of posts! I have been buried alive in work and I fear that I may not be able to claw myself out. Michael has been plugging away at summer school and it looks like he will be able to transfer into UTD this spring. I am so excited that we will have the same alma mater!
I have also been reading like crazy. I just finished Julie and Julia and My Life in France in anticipation of the movie coming out next week. I also just re-read Middlesex and I think I liked it even better the second time around!
Working out is still going well. My work schedule has been really erratic so I have been doing different things every week. (I went running outside yesterday for the first time since Race for the Cure and I will not do that again until the weather cools off!)
Well, we were hoping to get away for a little vacation but school and work schedules have unfortunately gotten in the way.
I have also been reading like crazy. I just finished Julie and Julia and My Life in France in anticipation of the movie coming out next week. I also just re-read Middlesex and I think I liked it even better the second time around!
Working out is still going well. My work schedule has been really erratic so I have been doing different things every week. (I went running outside yesterday for the first time since Race for the Cure and I will not do that again until the weather cools off!)
Well, we were hoping to get away for a little vacation but school and work schedules have unfortunately gotten in the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
