Dinner Times Two (12.11.2008)

First, thanks for all your tips and well wishes regarding my hamstring injury. They were very helpful and everyone is so supportive!

My hamstring wasn't really hurting after the run on Tuesday, which is a good thing. However, my hip flexers were definitely sore. I figure that just means it has been awhile since I had a good run.

Last night (Wednesday) I made it to the gym for a 40 min workout on the arc trainer. My legs felt tired and I was sweating profusely, but I pushed through. Tonight (Thursday), I am resting at home - no workout!

Getting back to food...last night, I made a dish out of the Top Chef cookbook! This is the first recipe I have made out of it, only because alot of them seem pretty complicated. I enjoy just reading the recipes and learning more about the show and contestants. If any of you are a top chef fan, I would definitely recommend it.I decided on the Turkey and Pork Meatballs with Orecchiette Pasta and Spinach-Almond Pesto made by Casey and Dale on Season 3. I felt like I was participating in a Top Chef challenge because it said 2 hours prep time and I was trying to get it all done in 1 hour, so we could eat before 9pm! And before I took a bite out of Kevin's finger.Link to the recipe can be found here. I did make a few ingredient changes - all turkey in the meatballs, no pork. I also substituted whole wheat pasta that just arrived in the mail! I ordered some after reading MacDuff's post HERE. You should check it out.Overall, the recipe was good, but didn't blow me away. It was extremely garlicky, maybe too much for my taste. The meatballs took forever to make and most of them fell apart as I was cooking them. The ww pasta was great - so I am looking forward to trying some of the other varieties! (My picture looks exactly like the one in the cookbook, right? almost. I tried.) Will I make this recipe again? Yes. Although I will use less garlic in the Spinach-Almond Pesto and more almonds. Maybe even throw in some basil. I will also use pre-made turkey meatballs because those things took the most time and made a mess.

Thursday

Breakfast was broccoli, yellow squash, egg whites, and mozzarella with toasted ww bread w/ almond butter and a drizzle of agave nectar. This breakfast held me over really well!Getting home from work today, I was pumped to find the Smoothie King coupons that I won in Healthy Ashley's Smoothie King Giveaway contest. She also sent a sweet card - thanks so much Ashley! :)Skipping on to dinner tonight - it was a long overdue pizza night. I found some whole wheat boboli crust and wanted to give it a try.I introduce you to the best pizza sauce in the entire world. This stuff is incredible. I eat it with a spoon.Pour some sauce on the crust, then top with sauteed onions, yellow squash, red pepper, and spinach. I feel like something is missing.CHEEEEESE makes everything better. Especially fresh mozzarella cheese. man-oh-man.Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 mins. I broiled it for 3 mins at the end to make sure the cheese was nice and bubbly.Two slices later, I was full. But my sweet tooth is currently screaming at me, so I am going to have to find something in a few minutes!

One more thing. I am long overdue with product reviews from my Trader Joe finds, but I need to show you one thing immediately. Edamame Hummus.
Go buy this right now. If you live in Maryland - go quick, because it took us 2 days to get through this and next time - I plan on stocking up.

Good night!