A Boozy Monopoly Night

Happy Saturday!

Look who we’re babysitting for the weekend:

Adam’s friend recently got this 10-week old Bulldog and had to go out of town this weekend, so we are watching him for a few days. I can’t even deal with the way Hogan wiggles his cute little body around!

Hanging in his little bed

We were interested to see how Harley would act with Hogan here. She’s gotten a little territorial with him, but last night they were rough housing with each other like old buddies. Harley is typically really submissive and kept rolling over and letting him get on top of her to play. He is just this little goofball who was flopping around and doing his miniature bark and it was pretty entertaining!

Moving onto food, check out what I baked this morning:

Banana cinnamon muffins from the Skinny Bitch cookbook. One of my first blog posts talked about this recipe (here) – they are SO yummy!

Now for this week’s edition of “What this Vegetarian Eats in a Day,” here is a rundown of my Friday eats –

Breakfast was a cinnamon apple sandwich: a Granny Smith apple cut into thick chunks with cinnamon peanut butter, Kashi Go Lean Crisp Cinnamon Crumble cereal, and sprinkled cinnamon in the middle.

When my stomach started growling for lunch, I whipped up some homemade hummus…

…and spread some on whole wheat toast with sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato, and a slice of cheddar cheese, along with some strawberries:

I liked this lunch so much I just might repeat the same exact combo this afternoon.

Later on in the day, I snacked on a Chobani apple cinnamon yogurt. I’m kind of obsessed with Greek yogurt. It’s high in protein, low in fat and calories and delicious. I think this may be my new favorite flavor!

For dinner last night, Adam and I used a Groupon we had for a restaurant in Hillcrest called Fig Tree Cafe. First we share an appetizer of roasted tomato, onion, basil, and goat cheese bruschetta:

And then my entree was a mixed greens salad with goat cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries and lemon-poppyseed dressing:

[Easy healthy living tip: always order your dressing on the side. I usually don’t wind up using all the dressing and save myself some unwanted calories by doing this!]

San Diego has so many great areas and things to do and see, and I love getting deals for places I’ve never been to and trying them out. Sure, some deals wind up working out better than others (I got a pretty weird massage recently with one), but I adore exploring our city. And who doesn’t like to save some bucks?!

After dinner, for a reason I’m not sure of, Adam decided that he really wanted to play Monopoly. Once we picked up the game at the store and returned home to hang with the dogs, it turned into a boozy game night at our place.

It became my “cheat” night and I enjoyed a bottle couple glasses of Gewurztraminer wine and some pretzel crisps while Adam and I got into our game of Monopoly. Hey, we all deserve to indulge sometimes right? 😉

We were laughing at how we used to play this game as kids, but probably had little concept of what it was all about. Mortgages? Rent? Utility bills? I’m pretty sure as a 10-year old I wasn’t too in the know on these things, but I distinctly remember having drawn-out games of Monopoly with my older brother. They lasted for days, and we would take our money and pieces to our rooms when we were done playing for the night, in fear that the other person would cheat and steal some of the other’s assets.

It was also pretty comical because at the start of the game I said, “One of the biggest things I remember about Monopoly is that whoever lands on (and buys) Park Park and the Boardwalk first always wins in the end.” I was right, and unfortunately, that person was Adam! No worries though, I have plans to coax him into playing cards sometime in the near future and redeeming myself (…but we aren’t competitive with each other!).

Question: What were your favorite games to play growing up? 

Besides Monopoly, I also remember loving Life, Uno, Candy Land and Sorry.

Balsamic Portobello & Goat Cheese Panini

I think I’ve found a new favorite way to eat portobello mushrooms:

As soon as I whipped up this panini, before I even tasted it, I knew I’d love it. I definitely will be making this deliciousness again very soon!

Balsamic Portobello & Goat Cheese Panini

Serves 2 

Ingredients:

• 2 panini rolls (Trader Joe’s)
• 2 large portobello mushroom caps
• 2 vine ripe tomatoes, sliced
• 2 oz creamy goat cheese
• 1/2 c balsamic vinegar
• 1 TBSP light brown sugar
• 1/2 TBSP soy sauce
• 1/4 onion
• 1 TSP olive oil
• Sea salt

In a large saucepan, bring the balsamic vinegar, light brown sugar, and soy sauce to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 10 minutes until it begins to become thick and syrupy.

Meanwhile, cut the portobello mushrooms and onions into thin slices. Once the balsamic mixture thickens a bit, add the veggies to the saucepan. Simmer the mix over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.

Heat your grill up. Slice the panini rolls in half, then spread 1/2 of the goat cheese onto each roll. Layer the tomatoes over the goat cheese, and sprinkle sea salt on top.

Once the mushroom mixture is done cooking, spoon evenly onto each panini. Brush each top and bottom of the panini bread with olive oil, then cook on the grill until browned.

Nutrition stats per panini: 350 calories, 10 g fat, 12 g protein, 63 g carbs

I’m All About the Produce

Growing up a vegetarian, I’ve always eaten a lot of fruits and veggies, but recently, I decided to be even more conscious of what I’m eating on a daily basis. I made it a rule to make sure to eat at least one fruit or veggie every time I ate. The exception to this is snacks, as I’ll have a protein bar, dessert, or other nosh that sometimes won’t involve any produce.

I’m constantly throwing a piece of fruit into or on the side of everything and anything, and I definitely feel like incorporating as much produce as I can to my meals fills me up more and provides me with an ample amount of vitamins and antioxidants. In this week’s installment of “what this vegetarian ate today,” my Monday eats are a typical example of this rule:

Breakfast: A frozen berry bowl

Lunch: Kashi 7 grain waffles + a Justin’s maple almond butter squeeze pack + sliced strawberries

This was the first time I’ve tried the maple almond butter flavor. I also recently tried Justin’s chocolate hazelnut butter, and I’m a big fan of both. YUM!

Pre-Workout Snack: TJ’s chocolate yogurt + blueberries + a Special K protein snack bar

Dinner: A mega salad of romaine lettuce + avocado + goat cheese + Lightline roast turkey veggie protein slices + sea salt + balsamic vinegar, with a TJ’s baby baguette on the side

When I was younger, I used to eat soy meat products all the time. In recent years, I’ve shied away from eating processed soy products all that often, but I do still incorporate products like these veggie slices into my diet occasionally. They’re a good source of protein and low in calories and fat – 1 serving has 100 calories, 4 g fat, and 14 g protein:

 Nighttime snack: a few dried peaches

And lookie what I got today…

My five-months-down-in-this-deployment-sneakers! After trying on a bunch of pairs, I went with the same brand as my last pair (Brooks) with a very similar style because they’re just so damn comfy. For anyone living in the San Diego area, I highly recommend going to Road Runner Sports   to get assessed for your next pair of sneakers. Last year when I went there for the first time, I found the assessment to be very interesting. They have you run on a treadmill to determine what kind of runner you are, measure your feet, and mold you a custom sole. I tore my calf muscle a few years ago and found out that I unconsciously compensate and run differently on my injured side, landing a lot more on the ball of my foot. This explains why running makes my calf so sore still and sometimes gives me blisters.

I have a sneaker rotation method that goes like this:

1.) My newest pair that I use for my regular workouts

2.) My second newest pair that I use for hiking or other activities where I need decent traction, but that might get dirty

3.) The last pair that I often wear in situations where I don’t care if they get ruined (i.e. a walk on a super muddy trail after it rained)

My hiking pair is getting old and is starting to not feel so great (I’m blaming them for my constant tripping over rocks lately… not my clumsiness!), so I’m happy to knock them back in the rotation. When I told Adam about my sneaker usage, he thought I was a little nuts, but when I was talking to my mom about it, she knew exactly what I was saying because she does the same thing. Guess I know where I get it from!

The pair getting knocked down to spot #2

Question: Do you typically have multiple pairs of sneakers at any given time for different activities, or do you tend to have 1 pair that you use for everything? 

Eating Pizza Before Noon

Today I ate breakfast early due to a conference call first thing this AM. Because of this, I found my stomach growling around 11 AM for lunch. I had pizza on my brain… and not just any pizza, leftovers from a new pizza recipe I came up with last weekend!

Instead of using tomato sauce as I usually do, I came up with a healthy pesto to spread onto the dough. Though I’m a big cheese lover, I let veggies take the center stage with this tasty pizza.

Veggie, Goat Cheese & Arugula Pesto Pizza

Makes 8 slices

Ingredients:

• 1 ready to bake whole wheat pizza dough (I use Trader Joe’s)
• 2 c arugula
• 1/4 c fresh basil
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 3 oz goat cheese
• 1 c zucchini, sliced
• 1/2 c cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 c purple cabbage, shredded
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 TBSP water
• salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 400. Roll out your dough on a flour-dusted surface with a rolling pan. Place on a pizza pan (I lightly spray mine with cooking spray beforehand).

In a food processor, combine arugula, basil, garlic cloves, lemon juice, oil, the water, and a pinch of salt & pepper. Pulse until a thin paste forms, then spread onto the pizza crust using a butter knife or spoon.

Evenly place zucchini, tomatoes, and cabbage onto the pizza. If you’re using creamy goat cheese as I did, spoon bite-sized chunks onto the pizza. If you’re using crumbles, simply sprinkle them evenly on top.

Lightly season salt & pepper on top, then pop into the oven until lightly browned, around 15 minutes.

Per slice: 190 calories, 8 g fat, 7 g protein, 27 g carbs

Where I was on this day… 

Sometimes when I realize the date, I start thinking about what I was doing on that day in past years. Today is the wedding anniversary of my brother and sister-in-law. Here are a few pictures from 3 years ago today:

with the lovely bride

Adam (my then boyfriend) and me

with my family

with my mama

The biggest changes since then: Adam and I were just dating. I obviously didn’t know it at the time, but he had already bought a ring and was just waiting for the right time to pop the question. 🙂 I had just finished my degree, and was still living in Jersey. I’m now a military wife, public relations professional, and mother to a very spoiled dog living in California. Plus we welcomed a new addition to my family last year, and I now have a little munchkin of a nephew. So much can happen in 3 years!!

Question: Do you ever think of what you were doing on that date in past years? 

Off to volunteer at the Humane Society!

Kale & Ricotta Ravioli

Hi there!

My Sunday shaped up to be a pretty good one. I spent the morning taking Harley for a long walk and cleaning my place. This afternoon I had a much needed date with my friend Jackie, where we had lunch together and got our nails done. Then the highlight of my evening was making this fabulousness…

I’m just not a big kale fan. Kale chips? Bleh. Sautéing it with garlic and oil? No thanks. But knowing that it’s such a big superfood, I wanted to find a way to somehow like it.

A quick overview about why kale is a superfood: Recognized as a protector of many kinds of cancer, kale boasts high amounts of heart-healthy antioxidants, fiber, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, lutein and potassium. Over 45 different flavonoids have been identified in kale, offering a variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. See why I want to make myself enjoy eating it?

As a big carb lover, I decided that if I didn’t like kale stuffed in ravioli, I’m never going to like it in any way, shape or form. Well my friends, it’s safe to say that I have found a way to thoroughly enjoy kale! This is also the first time that I’ve ever made homemade ravioli, and I’m convinced  it might be my new obsession. I’m already eyeing the sweet potatoes in my kitchen and thinking of creating a ravioli recipe with them. Oh the ravioli possibilities! But I digress…

Kale & Ricotta Ravioli

Adapted from Skinny Bitch 

Makes 20 ravioli/4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 c finely chopped kale, with hard spine removed
• 1 c finely chopped purple cabbage
• 3 TBSP grapeseed oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 shallot clove, minced
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 20 wonton wraps (I used Nasoya brand)
• 1 c light ricotta cheese
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 c water

Heat 1 TBSP of the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the kale, cabbage, garlic, green onion, and shallot, and cook for 5 minutes.

Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. Add ricotta, salt, and pepper, and mix everything together well. 

Place a spoonful of the kale mixture in the center of each wonton wrapper. Fold the wraps in half, then seal the edges with moistened fingers.

Heat 1 TBSP of the oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add 10 ravioli to the pan and cook on both sides until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes on each side. Add 1/4 c water, cover, and steam until the water has evaporated (about 4 minutes). Keep a close eye and promptly remove ravioli from pan once water is evaporated, to prevent them from sticking to the pan. Repeat this process once more.

Top ravioli with butter, or enjoy them plain in all their yummy glory.

Stats per serving: 275 calories, 13 g fat, 10 g protein, 27 g carbs

I’m so happy I have leftovers!

The Best 20 Minutes Ever

This afternoon when I took Harley to a nearby park to get some of her energy out, a photo shoot ensued:

She played fetch…

Made a new friend…

Rolled around like a maniac..

Quenched her thirst…

Relaxed…

And in typical Harley fashion, put on a sad face when she realized it was time to go…

I’m fairly confident I’m not the only person who does this (and if I am… guess I’m just a nutty dog owner), but every time I take Harley for a walk or on an outing, I picture the things she’d be saying if she could talk: “This is AWESOME!” and “Best day EVER!” frequently pop into my head, because my dog gets crazy excited every. damn. time. Her enthusiasm really makes me laugh. Today was no different, and after her 20 minutes of afternoon playtime, as she kept looking at me like the happiest puppy on the planet on the way home, I was imagining her saying, “THAT WAS THE BEST 20 MINUTES EVER MOM!”

What I Ate Today

This week’s “what this vegetarian ate today” recap follows. It was a busy day and I didn’t make anything fancy, but it was healthy nonetheless:

Breakfast: a light english muffin with cinnamon peanut butter, banana, & sprinkled cinnamon

Lunch: a chocolate yogurt, almonds, and a chopped apple

Pre-Workout Snack:  a chocolate mint Balance bar

Dinner: Post-workout, I came home feeling famished and wound up inhaling a granola bar and a few dried peaches right before dinner.

By the way, Cascadian Farms granola bars = deliciousness!

Dinner tonight was a mini “pizza” – spinach, tomato, zucchini, and Italian shredded cheese on a whole wheat pocket bread, with edamame on the side:

Snack: some cut up cantaloupe, which I’m munching on now

That’s all I got for ya friends, good night!

What I ate this Wednesday

Recently I was talking to someone who thought it’d be interesting for me to blog about what I eat throughout the day. Her take on it was that she knows there are so many kinds of recipes out there, but what she finds most intimidating about a different diet is wondering what would be eaten from meal to meal.

She’s got a point. The first question I get when people find out I’m a vegetarian is, “So just what do you eat?”

I think that people find it hard to picture what my meals typically look like because meat is such a big part of most Americans’ diets, so it’s what we’re used to often seeing. While I don’t have a desire to post everything I eat everyday, I think I’m going to post all of my eats for the day on a weekly basis. After all, if it gives someone a better idea of what being a vegetarian could be like, provides a reader with a healthy meal idea, or even inspires someone to eat meat-free for just one day a week, I’d be happy with that!

Today’s Eats

Breakfast: a plain Chobani yogurt with 2 TSP of honey and a cup of fresh cantaloupe

Lunch: chocolate peanut butter protein shake (still my favorite smoothie after having it about 227 times!)

Dinner:

• Portobello mushroom sandwich – mushroom topped with sliced tomato, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and shredded cheese, baked in the oven for about 20 minutes, with whole wheat toast

• A kiwi

• One date truffle 

Snack: Trader Joe’s Stilton cheese with apricots, multigrain crackers, and a chopped apple with sprinkled cinnamon

With the exception of my smoothie combos and eating yogurt a lot, I’m not a person who eats the same thing day in and day out. I like to switch it up to keep things interesting!

In a Funk

Today I was just feeling blah and couldn’t seem to snap into high gear. After an early morning conference call, I spent the rest of my morning attempting to get work done and stay focused, but I found myself zoning out, thinking about taking a nap and getting a massage for my super sore muscles. All of a sudden, I had a moment where I thought I need to pull myself out of this! and decided to go for a lunchtime hike with Harley. It looked like it could rain outside, but I risked being caught in a downpour to get some fresh air, exercise, endorphins and newfound energy.

Within minutes of starting our hike, I already felt better. We all have things that uplift our spirits, and for me that includes being outdoors, exercising, and seeing my spastic happy dog in her element, running around outside and trying to eat any & everything we pass (Yes, I might have caught her putting a piece of dried poop in her mouth today! Nastiness.) My heart was pumping, the cool breeze felt great, and it was certainly time well spent. I still might not have had crazy high energy levels the rest of the day, but hiking definitely helped me not feel quite so blah and more like my usual self.

I also like to read inspirational quotes I have stuck around my place to give me some oomph when I need it. I’ll leave you with my favorite new quote that I keep reading in the morning to start my day off in a motivated mindset:

Be amazing.