Grilling & Lighter Pasta Filed under ( chicken, grill, Healthy, Italian )

The whirlwind of a week continues! Here are a few pictures from our BBQ din din last night- My plate with tempeh (I enjoyed the taste of the tempeh, but the texture got a little funky when I was getting near the end), grilled squash, peaches, peppers and tomatoes:

Josh’s plate with bbq chicken, grilled peaches and squash:

He also tried the butternut squash bread and gave it a thumbs up! He said it is SUPER dense and moist (again, I think it will be better with applesauce vs. oil).

Work today was busy and I finally got my laptop back (hooray for the IT guys!!). After work, I did the usual dinner prep. I made a pasta mixture loosely based on this recipe with whole wheat spaghetti, asparagus, white beans, walnuts, parmesan cheese, fresh lemon juice and olive oil:

Now, I’m finishing up some house work and then heading out to teach step. We have another wedding (last one this season!!) this weekend but I am hoping to fit in posts between activities. I do apologize if I go a little MIA again. What are your weekend plans?

Chicken Parm, Marinutta, Dress Help! Filed under ( chicken, Healthy, Italian, Vegetables )

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback and support regarding my goals that I posted yesterday. You are fabulous! After the usual work business, I came home and did a few things around the house and then prepped up our dinners. For Josh, I made my healthier chicken parm and made it into a sammy. On the side he had steamed veggies and an orange (note: since it was going into the fridge, I didn’t put the chicken on the bun to prevent sogginess):





For myself, I was inspired by Heather and Meghann and finally tried Heather’s Marinutta sauce. I cut up some eggplant and roasted it in the oven. I mixed the roasted egg plant with some additional steamed & fresh veggies:



And then I topped the bowl with a combination of marinara sauce, nut butter, and flax. The result…

But before I could enjoy my dinner, I had to run out and teach Body Attack. Class was good, but my participants seemed like they were dragging!! Everyone must have had a busy weekend. When I got back, I finally got to dive into my bowl of veggies. Seriously guys, even YUMMIER than it looks. Heather- you are a genius!!



OK- I need your help. We’re going to wedding number 819023456 this summer and I’m having trouble with what I should wear! Here are three of my choices? Any preference? Thank you in advanced!

Gray:

Brown:

Multi:

Or Option 4- new dress time ;)

poll by twiigs.com

Crockpot Chicken Marinara & Attack Filed under ( chicken, Italian )

Thank you for the encouraging comments on my goals post and for sharing your own! I will give you an update on my progress in about a month.

On Tuesday afternoon/night, I did two awesome things:

1. I taught my first post partum class- Body Attack! It felt SO good to teach again! I was actually really nervous that I would forget how to teach. This lovely lady came and it was fabulous to see her too.

2. I made an EASY and tasty dinner- crockpot chicken marinara. I saw the recipe on Anne Marie’s blog and knew I had to make it! All I did was take 1 1/2 lbs of chicken breast and place them in the bottom of my crockpot. I placed a regular size container of marinara sauce on top, turned the crockpot on high, and let it cook for 2 1/2 hours (time will vary based on your crockpot, so check to make sure your chicken is cooked through and is easily pulled apart). Once the chicken was done, I shredded it with two forks. I ate mine as is with sides and Josh had his on top of pasta with mozzarella (excuse the yucky pictures, I was in a hurry!):

I will DEFINITELY be making this again! Thanks Anne Marie!! What is your favorite crock pot meal? Links welcome!

Italian Baked Acorn Squash & Birthday (first half) Filed under ( Food List, Healthy, Italian, Restaurant Review, running, vegetarian )

First off, we had our first Acorn Squash of the season last night! I made it up Italian style with buffalo meat for J and beans for me. Josh had a side of pineapple (I stole a piece) and I had a side of cantaloupe:

    

Thank you all so much for the wonderful birthday wishes! My day so far has been fabulous!!! I started off with an 6 mile run:

Hung out with my favorite bulldog (Chewing on his new toy courtesy of Josh’s Mom):

 

Got my first pumpkin spiced misto of the season

 

Got a pedicure

 

and went to Liberty for a birthday lunch with my parents. I got the fruit and goat cheese salad (so so good):

 

I’ve also received some fabulous gifts that I must share with you. Bulldog PJ pants from my friend Mandi:

An awesome watermelon bowl from my Aunt & Uncle (I’m obsessed with fruit shaped plates and bowls):

Lots of goodies from my MIL including TJs Peanut Flour! I can’t wait to make pancakes a la Julie!!

I got lots of new Vera too including this cute bag (from my Mom) and matching wallet (from my adorable sister in law, Jenny). Great minds think alike on the pattern!!       

The rest of the day? Up in the air! Josh is getting out of work early and we’re going to do dinner or something downtown. Maybe some Fresh Berry!!

Melty Mozzarella Sammies Filed under ( group fitness, Italian )

Thank you all for your yucca suggestions!

Hope you had a nice Tuesday. Mine went pretty well!! I worked, did a little bit of light cleaning & laundry, and headed out to teach Body Attack. I have received a lot of questions about the Les Mills group fitness classes I teach & take, so I wanted to insert this video of a portion of a Body Attack class I found on youtube.

Hope you enjoyed it! When I got home, I made up an easy dinner for Josh and I. Josh had a toasted Arnold thin topped with WFs pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, spinach, a little marinara sauce and a shake of S&P. On the side he had some more mozzarella, steamed green beans and an orange:

I had the same thing minus the pepperoni, plus sliced tomato. On the side I also had tons of steamed green beans and cantaloupe (addict):



Question- Do you all have any general healthy eating rules that you try to stick to on most days? I try to eat a fruit and veggie with every meal (even if it is just a little lettuce on a sammie). I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Pita Pocket Pizza Filed under ( chicken, Italian, Vegetables )

Today was filled with a very productive morning and a lazy afternoon :). In the morning, I taught Body Step, went food shopping, did lots of laundry, ironed and caught up on blogs. This afternoon I.....have been relaxing!

For din din tonight, I made up little pizzas on whole wheat pita pockets. For Josh's pizzas, I combined marinara and buffalo sauce and topped it with mozzarella and buffalo chicken breast lunch meat. He ate his pizzas with a side of pineapple:

For me, I used marinara, cheese, and tons of veggies (peppers, onions, broccoli). I had a side of pears and more veggies topped with a little marinara (I am tomato sauce obsessed!):

I baked the pizzas at 375 for probably 12ish minutes. It was a great, easy dinner. Josh requested a coffee dessert so I just brewed some up! I never say no to coffee haha. We will probably hang in and watch movies tonight. What are you up to?

Shrimp, Veggie & Mozzarella Pasta and a Night Out Filed under ( Family, group fitness, Italian, Restaurant Review )

Phew! I am tireeed ;). This week has been a little crazy busy, but there have been three things that made it much much easier:

1. Josh’s Mom being in town until Tuesday morning. She was a HUGE help in terms of taking care of Josh. He is starting to feel better. Yayy!

2. Easy Meals. I made Josh and his Mom a Shrimp, veggie and mozzarella pasta on Sunday night. I heated up a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet and sautéed the yellow squash. I removed the squash to a separate bowl and then cooked up the shrimp with garlic and red pepper flakes. Meanwhile, I cooked the pasta according to the package directions. I drained the pasta and then added it into the bowl with the squash, added the shrimp, fresh mozzarella chunks, a small amount of additional olive oil and the juice from half of a fresh lemon. Easy peasy:

3. Meals out. Although I usually prefer to cook and eat at home, it is nice to have a good meal out when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. I saw Christina’s post on La Pizzeria earlier this week and happened to stumble across the restaurant with Josh and his Mom on Monday night.  The restaurant definitely does not have a glamorous location, but you can never judge a book by its cover.

 

We started with the garlic knots with fresh marinara. Although the garlic knots were tasty, the sauce is what really made this appetizer amazing. The waiter informed us that they import most of their ingredients from Italy. Next up, I ordered a Greek salad. I love Greek salads from hole in the wall spots, they’re always the best and this one did not disappoint. The feta dressing was amazing. Simple!

Josh and his Mom both got the chicken parm and really liked that dish as well.

Afterwards, we had to get dessert ;) We took a quick hop over to Fresh Berry. I got the no sugar added vanilla with kiwi, cherries and pineapple (my sugar add ins). Deliciousness.

And since its workout Wednesday, my schedule for the week:

• Monday: Taught Body Pump & Step
• Tuesday:  Taught Body Step
• Wednesday:  Not sure…maybe some ET and a light jog? Or I may pop in a Body Attack DVD
• Thursday:  Teach 45 minute Step, 45 minute Pump
• Friday: Off
• Saturday:  Teach Step
• Sunday:  Off

What is your schedule looking like? Have you made any good desserts lately? I’m looking for some ideas- links are welcomed!!

Newman’s Own: Chicken Caesar Four Cheese Pizza Filed under ( Italian, product review )

Recently, I was given the opportunity to put together a recipe using some of Newman’s Own products (disclaimer: I received all products for free from FoodBuzz and Newman’s Own). Since having the baby, finding time to put together a delicious and easy meal has been a little bit tougher! Luckily, Newman’s Own makes some great products that make this task much easier. For my recipe, I used two Newman’s Own products: Four Cheese Thin and Crispy Pizza

 

and Lighten Up Caesar Dressing.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 Four Cheese Thin and Crispy Newman’s Own Pizza
• 1/4 cup Newman’s Own Lighten Up Caesar Dressing
• 1/3 to 1/2 lb thinly sliced, uncooked chicken breast

Directions:

Place chicken breast in a plastic sandwich or freezer bag and add Caesar dressing. Let chicken marinate in the dressing in the refrigerator for ~4 hours (or overnight).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place chicken on aluminum foil (non stick) on top of a cookie sheet. Bake for ~ 12-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Dice chicken into bite sized pieces.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Place chicken on top of the pizza. Place pizza directly on center oven rack. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

Total Recipe Time: 5 hours (4 hours is inactive)

Serving Size: 1/3 Pizza (3 servings per recipe)

Easy, peasy! Not so much a recipe as a semi-homemade idea.

Easy, Lightened Up Stuffed Shells & Updates Filed under ( Family, Healthy, Italian )

Phew! This has been quite a week . Thank you all for the wonderful comments on Kaylin! We returned home on Wednesday and have been enjoying every minute with her:

Aside from celebrating the birth of Kaylin, Josh and I also celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary. Isn’t he a cutie?

 

My Mom & Josh’s Mom have been a HUGE help all week. My Mom stayed with us for a few days and whipped up an incredible dinner- easy, lightened up stuffed shells.

She used a recipe from Better Homes and Gardens that uses cottage cheese in the mix. I couldn’t find the exact recipe online, but this one is similar. We used a few Newman’s Own products in dinner including this sauce (disclaimer: I received these products for free from Food Buzz and Newman’s Own):

And these salad dressings (the light Caesar is my FAVORITE!):

A couple of the shells:

Plus salad:

And Bread:

Delicious dinner! Thank you Mom!

As a side, I started the Organic Activia challenge yesterday! A review and giveaway to come!

And I’m going to try to get a VLOG together for Sunday! What have you been up to?