Salt & Humor

Last weekend I bought some drunken garlic black bean sauce made by Secret Aardvark.  I cooked up some veggies with udon noodles and seasoned with the sauce.

The sauce is fantastic!

TGIF!

I think I am hooked on hemp seeds.  The little sample bag I picked up the other day is almost gone I have been trying to ration it, hmmm, I think I will just have to pick some up! After my walk at the golf course and yoga yesterday, I made a pretty tasty salad.

red leaf lettuce, red cabbage, sprouts, red pepper, edamame, marsala veggie burger, jalapenos and Greek feta dressing

I get the Greek feta dressing at Trader Joe’s and I will just say it is my current favorite.  I say current because no, single dressing stays my favorite for very long.  It always seems to change.  I used to LOVE Best Foods- creamy ceasar when I was younger.  I don’t think they make it anymore.

I went to the store to pick up some things for Jason. (he is sick ) and look at what I found!!

I was so excited because the place where I get these seemed to not carry them anymore.  I was bummed.  I kept checking the spot where they used to be for at least the last month, no luck.  So, when someone asked my if I needed any help, I asked if they carried the Synergy drinks anymore.  Oh yes! They were moved to their own end cap with twice the flavors to choose from! So, 2 new flavors for me to try.  Didn’t hurt that they were on sale either.

For dinner, I did a little girly BBQ-ing.  I say that because I could never picture Jason putting zucchini and red onion on his grill.  Takes a girl I suppose.

Remember when I Had that gift card for Safeway? Well, I still had those eggplant meatballs to use.

I simply cooked some quinoa and warmed some marinara:

I must admit, I am really hooked on Mezzetta’s red sauces.

Twas delightful!

In case any of you were curious, for the poppers we made the other night… It was super easy.  I just sliced the peppers open on one side and scooped the seeds and white part out, filled with cream cheese and them wrapped each one with a strip of bacon.  I put a toothpick through it to keep it all together.  We bbq’d them on low heat for maybe 15-20 minutes. They are crazy good, be careful.

Have a wonderful night!

Have you entered  the GIVEAWAY!? You still have until midnight tomorrow!

I think we all know that time flies! Sometimes, I can barely keep up! I only have some random posts of bites I have snacked on the last few days.  Sunday night I made a very interesting “casserole.” I really wasn’t in the mood to fix dinner, although I was hungry. I searched through the cupboards, fridge and freezer.  I came up with four items…

I cooked the pasta and combined the rest of the items in a casserole dish and baked in the oven for 45 minutes.  Turned out pretty good I might add.

Of course, some mozzarella shreds didn’t hurt.

I am still not tired of my favorite smoothie.  It has been a real treat in the mornings!

Dinner tonight was rather simple.  Cooked, plain barley with veggies.

I cooked, zucchini, onion, garlic, red cabbage, and sweet peas in coconut oil and added some lemon pepper, soy sauce and agave syrup. Pretty simple dinner but great taste.

Check out the GIVEAWAY! I am off to get some reading done.  I am thinking about doing a detox cleanse.  I will keep you posted.

I am just going to show you what was the best thing I have eaten in a while!

This was some easy, peasy pre made polenta (roll) baked in oven, black bean burger, pico de gallo, avocado, cheese, sour cream and Cholula.  Wow, that was a mouth full! The pico de gallo was cherry tomatoes, jalapeno, corn, onion, lime juice and salt.  The easy black bean burgers were:

1 can black beans-well rinsed

1 egg white

1 clove garlic

2 t chopped onion

fresh jalapeno~ according to your spice preference

1 T tomato paste and 2 cherry tomatoes

1 t dried cilantro (because I was out of fresh)

1 t chili powder

1 t cumin

*5 T bread crumbs and 1 T buckwheat flour (experimenting with the flour)

1/2 t black pepper

I blended all ingredients except for the bread crumbs and about 1/3 of the beans. Here is where I forgot a few of the ingredients.

Once it was all blended, I slowly added the bread crumbs *(amount of bread crumbs always varies) and watched for the consistency that I wanted. I added the rest of the beans last so some would stay chunky. Then I formed them into patties on a parchment lined cookie sheet. They were too sticky to really form, so I just shaped with a spoon.

Cooked at 425 for maybe 20 minutes on each side.

Fairly easy dinner.  The only problem was that I went back for seconds.  It was that good!

Last night I roasted some veggies and topped with the rest of the Mezzetta marinara! Forgot to take a photo because I was on the phone. You get the picture though.

So, ever since I hurt my back and wasn’t able to exercise I really got out of the habit.  I have learned that I want to be so much more careful, as to prevent injuries. Not only because they hurt, but because of how bad it stops be from exercising.  It takes a lot for me to make exercise a regular habit, then dedication to stay motivated. Slowly, I am working on making it regular again. I did Jillian’s Boost Your Metabolism yesterday, but at only 1/2 strength I did the 30 day shred tonight and made up for it.  I will be leaving for Reno Wednesday night and have to get in as much exercise as possible.  I will be honest, I don’t usually do the best at working out when I travel. Excuses, excuses, right?  I guess what I am trying to say, is that I plan on working very hard on this little issue as soon a I return.

Valentine’s Day dessert=SUCCESS!!! I have been wanting to try the coconut ice cream like crazy.  I don’t seem to justify the price though. Jason picked up the hints and picked some up in his way home from work last night.  ”Did I mention how much I love him!!?”

I also made Averies’s cookie dough balls!

Dinner tonight, was no where near as exciting as that dessert.  It was still good though. It was Ezekial pasta, Mezzetta sauce, roasted veggies, and Trader Joe’s veggie, “meat-balls.”

Perhaps, some parmesean cheese for good measure

I am really feeling better today! I was diligent with my stretches, icing and enzymes. My back feels much better,  No more excuses! Planning a good workout for tomorrow!

You know those days when you don’t get up in time to properly get ready for the day…Well, that was me on Wednesday.  My back was so dang sore that everything I did, just happened at a slower and more painful rate.  I did not fix a lunch for work the night before and told myself I would do it in the morning. HA! Well, I didn’t even manage to make much of a breakfast.  So, it was a “lunch out day.”
It just so happens, there is an amazing Thai food restaurant down the street.  Green curry it was!  I have a hard time ever ordering anything else when I go there, it is that good!  I asked for their black rice which is so good and nutty.  The tofu was fried, whoops! I forgot they do that.  The eggplant was the best part!

I made breaded-baked chicken tenders the other night.  I haven’t made chicken in a while.  The cats were going nuts! I wasn’t as into it as I thought.  No worries, J loved it! I did like the oat groat pilaf though.  Simple recipe on the back of the Bob’s Red Mill bag.

Buffalo chicken wraps inspired by Danica!
tempeh for me, chicken for J.

Let’s just say this was one of our new favorite dinners!!

Lunch today was more like a late breakfast. I started the day late and before you know it, it was 3:00! Just taking the day easy today.  Those can be the best days!!

oats with almond milk, Jay Robb vanilla rice protein powder, walnuts, raisens and cinnamon

topped with black cherry jam and cinnamon raison swirl, peanut butter!

2 eggs and cheddar all wrapped up!

YUM!

That lunch is still keeping me full! I think some chocolate and popcorn might be in order! Do you like popcorn? What is your favorite way to fix it?

**GIVEAWAYS**

MINE ENDS TONIGHT! So hurry and get your entries in!

Living Fit has a giveaway of your choice!

Eating Bender has a ICBINB giveaway!

I was so happy when I left the chiropractor’s office today! I was in a hurry to get back to work and walked very fast to my car.  Then I noticed that I was walking easier and my posture was a little better.  YAHOO! I had heat, electro stimulus, Graston, minor adjustments and massage.  I think the massage made all the difference.  It was all deep tissue and pressure points.  All I can say is I love Hawthorne Chiropractic!!!

I have some catching up to do! Let start with a picture, shall we.  I figured out a setting in my WordPress profile that made all the difference.  I can post photos again!!

Killer wrap last Saturday: hummus, kidney beans, sprouts, red pepper, cucumber, tomato and avocado.

Mushroom raviolis and salad

Banana soft serve with walnuts and chocolate sauce.

Monday night Jason made dinner for me! That was one of the most sore days for my back and I had just come home from the chiropractor and was told to rest and ice.  I actually sat in the kitchen and guided Jason as to how I would like the dinner made. Also, he took all the photos.  Well except for this one…

Check out my sweet view! xoxox

zucchini, brussels, tempeh and kale

special sauce: tahini, dijon mustard and water.

All served over quinoa and millet.  It hit the spot.  I loved the tempeh and the sauce.  He used a juiced lemon to cook the veggies and added some of the avocado/lemon oil.  That stuff is AMAZING! It is pretty darn special that he did that.  It is safe to say, that he pretty much doesn’t like any of it! He did try the tempeh though.  He “thinks” he likes it!!

THANKS J!!

If you haven’t entered the giveaway, what are you waiting for?

**Remember to link to your blog. **

Yes, Happy.  I hope you are all happy.  I can complain and find negative in the everyday…whatever, whoever.  Gal, why do we do that! Lets just all be happy.

We have so much to be happy about.  I will not bore you with all that I am happy for.  I did get this sweet thank you card from my brother though, and came home to home-made salsa and “dinner in progress.”  Jason is making tacos for dinner. <3

Prost to my brother!  I love him so much! eddddddddddddddsw (cat walking across keyboard-appologies) I miss my brother like crazy.  This past summer we went to Seattle with him and his girlfriend for a vacation and had the best IPA at Pike brewing Company. Gal, it was a hot, muggy August day and we had the best tasting, fresh IPA. I picked this one up at Cost Plus while Christmas shopping. I only had one and I dedicate it to my brother.  Sorry, Paula, beer is not on the meal plan.

Moving along.  I had a green smoothie and Dave’s Killer bread toast with Sunbutter for breakfast.

green smoothie: last of the Silk Nog, 1/2 banana, 1/2 scoop of Jay Robb chocolate protein powder, cinnamon, 2 huge handfuls of spinach

I had veggies and the white bean hummus for lunch.  Dessert was the squash.  
To be honest, I only ate half of the squash and half of the veggies and dip.  It is more filling than it looks.  I don’t mind leftovers, so no loss.

Back to the coming home to home-made salsa.  Jason LOVES to make salsa and loves it more if friends and family enjoy it.

Vaaay Nice Gypsy, vaaaaay Nice!

Tacos to be continued….

I leave with sloppy iphone photos that I took while driving to work.. No joke.  Hey the sunrise was breathtaking! Imagine my sloppy photos x 10!

It was sunny and dry today, so the sunrise rocked!! Made my day, made me HAPPY!

These last few days have gone fast.  It is official! Happy 2010 everyone!

New Year’s Eve was my cousin’s birthday! We had a great celebration for her Thursday night. Homemade sushi and cake! My only sushi picture is blurry, sorry.

The food was great and the company even better.  Happy Birthday Brie!

Friday, we took off to Union, WA for a birthday celebration weekend.  We stayed at Alderbrook.  Let me just tell you, “this place is beautiful!”

Oh, good heavens! We snacked on cheeses, wine, smoked salmon and salami.  We enjoyed the beautiful indoor pool and soaked in the jacuzzi.  Then we woke up to room service breakfast.  Brie and I had wonderful hot stone and aromatherapy massages in the spa and sat in the steam room after! For dinner I had lobster bisque and Alaskan salmon and Jason had the jumbo prawns.

On the drive back to Portland we made a very necessary stop at Port of Subs. Words cannot explain how much Jason loves these sandwiches.  They are good, I must admit.  We do not have them in Portland, so it is a treat when we go!

Now, just to back-track a little, as I got behind the last few days.  I just wanted to share the grilled veggies I had with my flatout sangwich on Wednesday.

That is all for now.  After a few days away, I must spend time with my kitties that have walked across this keyboard at least 30 times while I worked on this post, do some laundry and watch a movie on this relaxing Sunday. I am going to see what all the Twilightfuss is about.