Food, in Instagram

Lemon Chicken and Spinach Parmesan Crepes. I followed this recipe for all intents and purposes but due to my failure to take a grocery list to the store and need for multiple meals out of one chicken, I made a few changes.

• I am too cheap to buy ricotta so I pureed cottage cheese. I like the texture of cottage cheese better, anyway. 
• I didn't add lemon to the slow cooker since the chicken also served for stir-fry and barbecue sandwiches. When I pureed the cottage cheese, added in True Lemon and dried sage to the food processor.
• Roasted red peppers. In the crepes. Do it.

By the way, I was the only one who ate these. Mark ingested two out of pure hunger (his words) and Miles ate just broccoli, and both of them requested "something else" as I cleaned up. However, I liked them - though I shouldn't have skimped on the salt - and ate them twice.

Overnight Oats in a Jar. How the judgmental have fallen. Really, I saw Chobani pineapple on sale at Kroger and couldn't resist. And, my jar of homemade peanut butter was to the scraping stage. I had 1/3 cup oats, a container of Chobani 2% pineapple, half a very ripe banana and what ever almond milk I could fit in the jar. I loved how it sort of bubbled up.

Avocado Egg Sandwich. My other breakfast this week has been an open-face dippy egg sandwich with avocado and "grilled" tomatoes. On plain, non-wheat bagels that Mark bought for himself but didn't eat. Insanely good and filling.

Food Friday: Eating, lately

I've done something magical: I've trained (nearly) for a marathon, and I haven't gained weight. In fact, I've even dropped a couple pounds.

OK, it's really not all that magical. Weight loss is about calories in and calories out. Simple as that. There's plenty of calories out during training but there's also the tendency to put a lot calories in. The trick is to make the calories good stuff as the gorgeous Kim (the other one) pointed out.

Van's Lite Waffles with Razzle Dazzle PB Crave and blackberry jam. Love Van's. Love PB Crave.

Taco Lentils with Garden of Eatin' Sweet Potato Corn Tortilla chips, red onion and just a sprinkle of cheese - it's like nachos gone healthy. The chips were sent to me for review, and I am loving them. I like them more as just a snack, a few in the afternoon to quell the salt fix, but there are nice with both my lentils and black bean chili.

Unreal candy. Have you guys seen this in the store? They have it at my CVS (yes, it's mine), and it's candy without the "junk" or so they say. There's no corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, artificial ingredients, GMOs or preservatives. So, obviously, it is healthy. Duh. OK, maybe not but it is better for you and the varieties I've tried (UN 54, UN 5, UN 8, UN 77) all tend to have fewer calories than their "junked" counterparts.

Pad Kai Mao. I had a rare evening by myself last night, and I decided to treat myself to dinner. I couldn't decide what I wanted, though, and I randomly found myself at Ma Hnin Asia Restaurant, a local place that serves Burmese and Thai food.

Fun fact: Fort Wayne has one of the largest, if not largest, populations of Burmese people outside of Myanmar.

I've always wanted to try Ma Hnin but the place is a bit suspect looking. Then again, all the best places are. I got a chicken-noodle dish that featured fresh, handmade noodles and lots of veggies. I got just a little bit spicy, which was more than enough (especially after I bit right into a pepper). It was delicious and I loved ... all the bites I could eat. It's all about portion control, my friends.

Ice cream. So I skip dairy ... most days. On long run days, though, once the miles are logged, I have a treat or two.

I'm apparently unable to enjoy time by myself because after I painted my nails and watched two episodes of "Grey's Anatomy," I called Mark to see if he and Miles wanted to meet me for ice cream before coming home. It was probably the last warm night of the year and the last time we'll visit for the season. Baby cone for Miles, black raspberry shake for Mark and chocolate sundae for me.

It's hard to believe that Miles couldn't hold the cone or sit on the bench like a big boy for our first trip this year.

What have you been eating lately?

Friday Love

Workout: 3.0-mile run on the treadmill

Good afternoon, graham crackers! Is everyone having a lovely Friday?

I sure hope you are because, well, I am. I slogged through another 3-mile run, finished the audiobook I borrowed from the library (“Best Friends Forever” by Jennifer Weiner) and got to eat lunch with my favorite boy.

Note: This photo is from Chicago and not from lunch today. I look like a bum today and Mark needs a hair cut.

How did I get so lucky?

Well, folks, it’s spring break! Get out the bikinis, grab your parents’ credit card and let’s go to Florida! Or, take the week to bask in lunch dates with your husband, a clean house and responsibility-free workouts. Denali – I’ll be seeing you on the 11th. As long as it’s above 30 degrees.

Who’s ready for some Friday love?

Food. Yesterday, my friend and I had lunch at the Cuban restaurant (mostly because of it’s proximity to my house, allowing me to give Denali a pee break). I usually get the Cuban but decided to go crazy with the Elena Ruz. The pressed sandwich had cream cheese, guava jam, turkey and lettuce. Delish! It probably wasn’t the healthiest of sandwiches but you could easily healthify at home. Just be sure to use real turkey breast and not the sliced stuff from the deli counter.

Fitness. Did I mention that Mark was on spring break and I can do whatever I want next week because I won’t have to factor in Denali? Oh, I did. OK. Nevermind then. I’m looking forward to some warmer weather next week that might open up the possibility of post dinner family walks.

Life. Mark and I have bought very few necessities for baby boy. And by few, I mean none. There is no crib … no diapers … nothing. He does have some fetching outfits with monkeys on them, which he’ll have to wear in the laundry basket that he’ll be sleeping in. Thankfully, as of yesterday, the laundry basket will at least be comfortable because someone picked up sheets and a pad. Three cheers for Grandma!

I hope everyone has a fantabulous weekend. Who’s doing something fun?

We’re hosting a teacher friend of Mark’s, along with his wife and 18-month-old daughter. I’m making gumbo and banana trifle. Should be a good time as long as Denali doesn’t eat the toddler.

Use your noodle

Pre-workout breakfast: Cinnabon cereal with 1% milk

Workout: 25 minutes toning, 15 minutes abs and 2.2-mile walk with Denali

Source

I made this for dinner last night. It’s Mushroom, Sausage and Spinach Lasagna. It was good. Mark liked the way the mushrooms complemented, ummm, something. He likes to act like he’s a foodie when he eats. It might be mean but I think it sounds kind of phony, especially when I used a jar of Ragu instead of the crushed tomatoes and fresh basil the recipe called for. But that’s history. In the present, I’m telling you that you should make it.

Now.

Mushroom, Sausage and Spinach Lasagna

8 ounces whole-wheat lasagna noodles

1 pound lean spicy Italian turkey sausage, casings removed (see Variation)

4 cups sliced mushrooms (10 ounces) (I only used 8 ounces)

1/4 cup water

1 pound frozen spinach, thawed

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably chunky (Nope. Try Ragu.)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (See above)

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

1 pound part-skim ricotta cheese (2 cups)

8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 2 cups), divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray (I didn’t do this). Put a large pot of water on to boil.

Cook noodles in the boiling water until not quite al dente, about 2 minutes less than the package directions. Drain; return the noodles to the pot, cover with cool water and set aside (I didn’t do this, either).

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray (Again, I didn’t do this) and heat over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook, crumbling with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add mushrooms and water; cook, stirring occasionally and crumbling the sausage more, until the sausage is cooked through, the water has evaporated and the mushrooms are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Squeeze spinach to remove excess water, then stir into the pan; remove from heat.

Mix tomatoes with basil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. (Thanks, Ragu. You saved me a step.)

To assemble lasagna: Spread 1/2 cup of the tomatoes (Ragu) in the prepared baking dish. Arrange a layer of noodles on top, trimming to fit if necessary. Evenly dollop half the ricotta over the noodles. Top with half the sausage mixture, one-third of the remaining tomatoes and one-third of the mozzarella. Continue with another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta, the remaining sausage, half the remaining tomatoes and half the remaining mozzarella. Top with a third layer of noodles and the remaining tomatoes.

Cover the lasagna with foil and bake until bubbling and heated through, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes (or 55 minutes if you are really hungry). Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on the lasagna. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is just melted but not browned, 8 to 10 minutes (5 minutes if you are really, really hungry). Let rest for 10 minutes before serving (or don’t let it rest because “Wheel of Fortune” is about to start).

By the way, did you know a Blow Pop has 60 calories? And eating one to curb your sweet tooth and avoid raiding the vending machine doesn’t always work?

Yeah, me neither.

Let me hear you scream

Pre-workout breakfast: Oikos Honey Greek yogurt with banana slices and crushed Quaker True Delights Toasted Coconut Banana Macadamia Nut bar
Workout: "Personal Training with Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training" and 2.2-mile walk with Denali

You wanna know a secret. A big, juicy, delicious secret ...


I eat ice cream every day. Every. Single Day. Kind of weird, right? Yet totally awesome, too.

I knew that when I embarked on this journey that deprivation was not the key. I had done that before and all it got me was four years of playing with 25 pounds. Now, I make calculated indulgences - Vitatops, low-fat pudding, Skinny Cows, Weight Watcher frozen treats and pumpkin fluff.

Oh, and a delicious concoction of Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice cream, graham cracker crumbs, caramel and whipped cream.


Yeah, that happened to me last night. I heard an ad for Cold Stone Creamery on Pandora, which led me to check out their website ... which led me to dream of it as I sweltered in the office ... which led me to e-mail my mother-in-law to see if they wanted to meet Mark and me for an ice cream-Barnes and Noble date.

She said yes. Cold Stone was on. Yay!

Now, I will say that I could have gotten sinless sweat cream ice cream with berries and blah, blah, blah BUT sometimes you just gotta have what you want and like it.

And I did.

What's your favorite indulgence?

Mine is definitely ice cream, especially this time of year - pumpkin, peppermint, egg nog ... yeah. Yeah!

(Belated) Friday love

(Friday) Pre-workout fuel: Peanut butter and jelly on whole wheat bread
(Friday) Workout: Ran 5.25 miles in 44 minutes, 52 seconds; average pace, 8:33.

I had no love for Friday. Despite my best efforts, I just couldn't find it in me. Sad but true. If it gives you any indication, though, my day started off with a visit to the dentist's office. It was there that I found out that I have not one but two cavities - on either side of my mouth - and more than likely will have to have them filled separately. Boo!

It's not all gray skies and ugly puppies in Kim-ville. There are still things making me happy.

Food. I was just sort of staring blankly in the frozen food aisle on Monday, tired from our trip to Louisville. (Note to self: Taking a day off to recover from vacation was the best idea ever.) I had selected Mark's meals/lunches for the week and was trying to see if anything appealed to me. While they might not have been the M&M cookie ice cream sandwiches that looked so good, I decided to give the Morningstar Farms Grillers California Turk'y burger a try. Let me tell you - it was a good decision. I've enjoyed them all week on sandwich thins with a wedge of Laughing Cow Light Queso Fresco & Chipotle and lettuce, tomato, onion and red pepper slices.

Fitness. It seemed like such a splurge but I bit the bullet this week and ordered the Brooks Nightlife Infiniti Half-Zip to wear on my early-morning runs. It ended up being $53.95 at Running Warehouse after clicking to the site from Skinny Runner and using the 10 percent discount. The pullover seems a bit ridiculous - I think I look like a bug in it - but it is bright. And visible in the dark. Safety first, I guess.

Life. I borrowed "Wicked" on audio book from the library to listen to on the way down to Louisville (I hate flipping through stations trying to find something decent.) I was a bit surprised at the raunchiness of the prose but have since found myself hooked on the story. After growing up to hate the Wicked Witch of the West, it's a bit odd to find this more likable side.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Enjoy your meal

Pre-workout fuel: Cinnamon raisin English muffin with peanut butter
Workout: 55 minutes "Biggest Loser: Boot Camp" and two walks with Denali, totaling ~4 miles.

I planned everything to the "T." Lunch at Ramsi's Cafe, dinner at Lynn's Paradise Cafe. Breakfast at Wild Eggs, lunch in Bardstown, dinner at P.F. Chang's. And, rounding out the trip would be breakfast at Toast on Market.

I was on vacation, and I was going to enjoy it.

But as I stared at the menu at Mammy's Kitchen in Bardstown, I ran through unhealthy option after unhealthy option. Bourbon hot dogs, salads with cheese and potato sticks. There were hot browns and patty melts. Fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese sandwiches. Some - not all - of it sounded good. I just couldn't bring myself to order any of it - even though I had day-dreamed about trying a BLT with fried green tomatoes.

So I sat. And stared. I let the server take Mark's order and insisted that she give it to the cooks. I gave serious thought to grabbing a latte down the street and eating the almonds in my purse as a make-shift lunch - just enough to take the edge off.

As if to read my mind, Mark asked me if I was going to eat. He told me that I had to eat. After all, this wasn't the first time I had been in the middle of an internal struggle at a restaurant. The first time I left without eating and ended up a cranky mess, writhing on the kitchen floor, unable to select anything from the fridge.

I had no "kitchen floor" option today. And Mark didn't want cranky on the list, either.

He did his best to pull me out, reminding me that I was on vacation. He pointed out menu items that he thought I would like. I think he might have offered to split his food (a bourbon dog) with me.

No need, I told him. I'll suck it up. I selected three items - a tuna melt, grilled cheese with bacon and tomato and a bourbon burger - and asked the server to pick one. She said they were all good but the grilled cheese was her favorite.


I still couldn't shake the feelings of guilt as the sandwich came out. Thick, buttery bread. Crispy bacon and plenty of cheese. A plate full of potato chips. I quickly put half the chips on a separate plate and blotted the grease off the sandwich. Then I ate. I ate the sandwich, a pretty delicious one, because I was hungry and I needed it.

Did I enjoy it, though, as I hoped? I wish I could say yes. I wish I could say that I was able to walk away from my fears for just a moment and trust myself. But I can't. I can only say that I'm trying to win this struggle - learning to relax I balance weight loss, maintenance and healthy eating. I want to get there. Really, I do. I just don't know how.

Any advice?

Thin pickings

Today's lunch was brought to you by Operation: Clean Out the Pantry.


Tuna salad on Thomas Everything Bagel Thin with a slice of cheese and a side of cut vegetables. (Sorry about Feisty Fiona. She forced herself into the photo and tried to steal the sandwich.)

The other day, I found myself waist-deep in the bottom cabinet looking for a box of pasta. I pushed aside a can of garbanzo beans, a can of white beans, two cans of tuna and myriad other items - all of which were purchased with a dish in mind, dishes that were never made. It's a bit ridiculous to have so much food and just let it sit there.

And so Operation: Clean Out the Pantry was born.

Canned tuna, packed in water, is the easiest item for me to use. I decided to whip up a quick tuna salad made with:

• 1 can water-packed tuna
• 1/2 rib celery, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped squash-zucchini mix
• 1 egg white, diced
• 1 tablespoon garlic-herb mayonnaise (I received this as a sample in the mail)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

I toasted an Everything Bagel Thin from Thomas in the toaster oven at work, added a slice of cheese and topped it with my tuna salad and sliced tomato. A side of cut veggies along with a Kashi oatmeal raisin cookie rounded out the meal. It was a tasty lunch that looked like I actually put thought into it.

Thanks, Operation: Clean Out the Pantry!

Eggs-elent choice

The chicken was thawed, and I was all ready to make the Bruschetta Chicken that I had planned for the evening. But Mark was going to the baseball game, and I would be cooking for just me. Yes, I could make the dish for me but the more I thought about it, the less effort I wanted to put into dinner.

I ran through my options: frozen meal, picking up Panera, another hot dog, egg sandwich ... eggs ... eggs and hash browns.

My mind began to spin around the idea of eating actual eggs and not just egg whites. An over-medium egg sounded fantastic. I also knew that I had potatoes, green peppers and onions - all of which would make a terrific hash.

It was an amazing breakfast for dinner. The hash had a ton of flavor, seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. The sprinkling of cheese didn't hurt, either. I put two over-medium eggs right on top, added more pepper and had a wheat English muffin on the side.

I felt so spoiled eating the eggs that it made me forget about my crock of a lunch and enjoy a relaxing night on the couch, just me and the pup.

Do you cook differently when your significant other isn't home?