Copycat (2.06.2009)

Is copying someone the best form of flattery? When it comes to food, I say YES.

Since going to b-Bistro, I have been dreaming about the salad I had there. It was just the perfect combination of ingredients. As soon as I saw these little guys at Trader Joes, I knew I wanted to try and re-create my experience.

I had to use up the remainder of my Boston Butter Lettuce before it went bad, so I chopped that up and paired it with 2 sliced baby beets, a spoonful of goat cheese (a.k.a. chevre), and candied walnuts. I also whisked together a splash of EVOO and White Wine Vinegar to top my lettuce.

To candy the walnuts, I used a tsp of smart balance, a tsp of brown sugar, and about a 1/4 c of walnuts, which I added to a small frying pan over medium heat. Once it started to get caramelized, I pulled them off and let them cool. The candy coating on the walnuts hardened during the cooling process.

oh. my. goodness. It was close enough to the original for me - I loved it.

I also had some roasted butternut squash on the side.

And then another Skinny Cow Caramel Cone for dessert. I am not a huge ice cream fan, but the inside of these cones are chocolate-lined, and the bottom is solid chocolate. Mm. Mm.

Happy Friday from one of my furry friends!

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Working for the Weekend (2.05.2009)

Wednesday Night

I am sorry to say that we didn't end up going to Mezze last night. Our friends weren't able to make it because one was sick, so we decided to lay low.

I made it to the gym for my run, but I only managed to run a 5k (3.1 miles) because my butt and upper thighs were so tight and fatigued from my workout last night. I have decided that I am not going to worry about the key runs for this week and just do what I can. I will repeat this training week next week.

I finally tried Laura's Wholesome Junk Food - Chocolate Chip Bite-lettes last night and I am addicted. These things are incredible. I am really going to have to ration these out so I don't overindulge.

I also roasted a spaghetti squash to have for lunch today. I like when it gets the caramelized color seen below... Its amazing how it comes out looking like spaghetti...I topped mine with 3 turkey meatballs and spicy tomato sauce for lunch today. This is one of my favorite work lunches.

Thursday

Oatmeal this morning contained:

• 3/4 c oats
• skim milk (enough to cover the oats)
• handful blueberries
• tsp brown sugar
• few white chocolate/pb chips
• sprinkle of cinnamon
• spoonful of almond butter

Wow, I am boring today. Sorry about that. I am excited about having my new dishwasher installed tomorrow because I am working from home in the afternoon! So I feel like my weekend is starting early...

I just realized that the fact that I am excited about my new dishwasher makes me officially OLD. Man-oh-Man.

Saturday is my friend's baby shower and Saturday night I am having dinner with my family for restaurant week. Lots to look forward too. :)

What are you all looking forward to doing this weekend?

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Tough = Good for Me (2.04.2009)

Whew! I hadn't mentioned it before, but I have been stressing about a presentation I had to give at work for the past few days. Its over and I think I did OK. I despise giving presentations in front of people, but since I am forced to do it sometimes in my job - it is slowly getting a little easier each time.

Tuesday

I was supposed to go run last night and guess what? It didn't happen. I need to get back on track immediately.

I did do the 2nd week workout of "I Want Six Pack Abs" at home. Last week, I managed to do first week's exercises twice.

My workout included:

• A1: Dive Bomber Pushup - 3 sets of 15
• A2: Jump Squat - 3 sets of 15
• B1: Chin up or pull up - don't have a pull-up bar, so I just danced around in place with Oscar during the time I was supposed to do that. "Get it from her mama" by Juvenile came on. ;)
• B2: Alternating Split Squat Jump - 3 sets of 30
• C1: Double Crunch - 3 sets of 30
• C2: Single Leg Plank Pose - I just did a regular plank, 3 sets, 45 secs.

This workout was really hard. I turned the heat in the house off and had to go outside to get fresh air.

In my book tough = good for me, so I am happy that my gluteus maximus and the upper back part of my thighs are killing me today. I guess this same saying could be applied to my presentation fear I mentioned earlier? hmm.

Dinner appetizer was steamed edamame w/ sea salt.

The main course was Stir-Fry Vegetables with Baked Tofu and Peanuts. I sauteed the frozen stir-fry veggies from Trader Joes in a little toasted sesame oil while my tofu was baking. Then I just mixed it all together with some Soyaki from Trader Joes, which I recently picked up and is great! Also threw some dry-roasted peanuts into the mix.

YUM. Dessert was a Skinny Cow Caramel Ice Cream Cone.

Tuesday is my favorite TV night: Biggest Loser and Real Housewives of the OC! Although I do think Biggest Loser gets drawn out too much, so I switch around a lot during that. Not into their commercials for Cheerios during the show.

Wednesday

I was running late, so breakfast was a quick bowl of Peanut Butter Puffins in skim milk. I also picked up a Green Tea Latte at my corner coffee place. I tried a new flavor today - Acai Green Tea.

They use the Republic of Tea brand and the new flavor was awesome with steamed skim milk and a little honey. (picture take from the Republic of Tea website)

Tonight, I am planning to head straight to the gym for my Key Weekly Run Workout #1 and then Kevin and I have plans to go out to dinner with friends for Restaurant Week. They extended it until Feb 8, so we had to take advantage of it while it lasts.

We are headed to Mezze in Fell's Point. They serve Mediterranean Tapas, so, we will just be getting little plates of a bunch of stuff. Here is their restaurant week menu:

Dinner (All of the following are included)

• Hummus: Pureed chick peas and tahini sauce seasoned with garlic and cumin
• Tzatziki: Farm stead yogurt mixed with roasted garlic, cucumber, dill and imported olive oil
• Village Salad: Tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onions, cubanelle peppers, capers and imported feta cheese tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette
• Grape Leaves: Stuffed with aromatic rice, pine nuts, parsley and onions, topped with tzatziki sauce
• Falafel: Traditional ground chickpea and fava bean cake with tahini sauce, chopped tomato and parsley
• Spinach Pie: Spinach with imported feta cheese and fresh herbs, wrapped in phyllo
• Stuffed Peppers: Stuffed with aromatic rice, mushrooms, onions and a variety of Mediterranean cheeses
• Chicken Kabob: Mediterranean style grilled marinated chicken and vegetables
• Baby Lamb Chops: Served with garlic potato puree
• Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes: Broiled hand picked crab meat cakes

Third Course (choice of one)

• Baklava
• Kataifi
• Baked Custard

Makes my choices easier, but I definitely need to make it to the gym before this meal tonight!! I will do a full recap tomorrow. Have a good one!

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Oscar's Time to Shine (2.03.2009)

Monday

Last night, I had planned to do one of the "Six Pack Abs" workouts at home and then head to spin class at 7pm. As I drove home from work, I knew none of that was going to happen. I needed a day of rest. The 10 miler really took it out of me and my legs were just plain tired.

I did manage to take Oscar for his regular evening walk in the park. Mainly because he starts jumping for joy as soon as I get changed into comfy clothes. If I take too long getting ready, he starts doing this sad cry. He really knows how to "work" me.

Dinner was simple, but extremely tasty. I had picked up some Black Refried Beans at trader joes after seeing them on Itzy's Kitchen and wanted to make Grilled Quesadillas, inspired by some of Erica's creations.

I used whole wheat tortillas, courtesy of Trader Joes also.

Toppings included Black Refried Beans w/ jalapeno peppers, green chiles, sauteed red peppers and red onions, and grilled chicken.

Missing something? uh...yeah. CHEESE and lots of it. Mild 2% Cheddar to be exact.

Grilled in a little smart balance and then served with 0% Fage (to act as sour cream) for dipping.

Tuesday

I whipped up a Breakfast Smoothie using my Vita-Mix 5200.

• 1 banana
• 1/4 c blueberries
• 1 clementine
• 2 spoonfuls of 0% greek yogurt
• splash of skim milk
• 1 cup ice

The greek yogurt really added to the creaminess factor.

Pets on Wheels

"Pets on Wheels is a not for profit volunteer organization which provides friendly visits from volunteers and their pets to those requiring the support of an institutional setting. "

A friend of mine recently told me about the Pets on Wheels organization and I immediately said, "Where do I sign up?". I have been wanting to do something like this with Oscar for a long time.

I was just contacted this morning to schedule a screening for Oscar to ensure that he isn't an attack dog and obeys simple commands. I am so excited for the screening because Oscar and I will get to show off all the things he learned in his Puppy Kindergarten and Basic Obedience Class!

The screening will happen a month from today, so we have lots of time to practice. Oscar is pumped.

I love when his lips get stuck on his teeth.:)

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Weekend Recap (02.01.2009)

This weekend was great. I accomplished a ton of household stuff. The most exciting thing was that I finally bought a new dishwasher. Mine has been out of commission for at least 5 months and I hate washing dishes. Cant wait for it to get here on Friday!

Workouts

Friday: Key Running Workout #2 (2 mile warm-up, 3 mile tempo, 1 mile cool down)

Saturday: Day Off

Sunday: 10 mile easy run. (start and finish at my parents house)

I feel so good to have finished a 10 miler today. I haven't run that long since the Harrisburg Marathon back on November 9th. It was a tough course with a ton of rolling, country hills.

At one point, I became agitated because we passed the turn to go back and went on a long out and back that I wasn't expecting. Plus there were more hills. I got through, but definitely had something to say about it. oopsie. We'll call it my runner's low. The high came when we were finally done!

Food

Its not everything I ate, but the best stuff is highlighted below.

Saturday Oatmeal. Oatmeal, skim milk, blueberries, white chocolate and peanut butter chips, almond butter, agave nectar.Saturday Carb Load. We took a trip over to DiPasquales in Highlandtown to get some stuff for our carb load dinner. It is a great italian market, deli, restaurant. Roasted Red Pepper Ravioli. Spicy tomato sauce. Fresh Baked Italian Bread. Good Olive Oil. Mini Packet of Nutella.Orangina.Dinner was the ravioli with spicy sauce and fresh parm. The pasta was incredible and HUGE. I could only eat three ravioli.Grilled garlic bread.Italian Bread w/ nutella. An amazing combo. Can you see Oscar begging in the background?Sunday Pre-Run Oatmeal. Oatmeal, skim milk, bananas, white chocolate chips, agave nectar, almond butter, a peanut somehow slipped in.Sunday Post-Run Brunch. Since the run began at my parents house, my mom ran a 3-miler and then came back to put together this awesome spread! The freshest, sweetest strawberries. Oranges. Muffins. Toasted Fruit & Nut Bagels with whipped cream cheese. Coffee. Juice. (not pictured)

Sunday Superbowl Dinner. Grilled Steak, Mashed Parsnip, Mushroom/Shallot/Garlic/Red Wine/Rosemary sauce, Roasted Fingerling Sweet Potatoes.It was Deeeeelish. A little Woop Woop Shiraz to wash it all down.Found the fingerling sweet potatoes at Trader Joes. Love that place. How good was the Superbowl halftime show?! Bruce was AWESOME.

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

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