Curds and Whey

by Emily

For breakfast, we ate what I can best describe a porridge.

I didn’t intend to make porridge (and since I didn’t bother to Google I’m not even sure that’s what I made!) but that’s what I ended up with. Adam agreed to eat a bowl of stove top oats if I left out the banana and as I upped the measurements on everything to accommodate his serving, I ended up dumping way too much liquid into the pot. The oats took forever to ~~boil into oblivion~~ cook and what finally helped with the extra liquid was whisking an egg yolk into the pot.

The “porridge” was delicious.

I don’t have exact measurements for my serving, but my bowl had some combination of oats, milk, water, and egg yolk. Plus 1/6 a cup each of low-fat cottage cheese and ricotta, and 2 tsp of browns sugar.

I’ll never be sure what factor caused this bowl to be so great – the extra liquid and cooking time, the ricotta, the egg yolk – but I will definitely try to create it again soon. Honey, do you want oatmeal for breakfast tomorrow?

20Jan2012

Berries and Cream

by Emily

Strawberry shortcake would be better.

But this will do.

1/2 cup each skim milk and water, 1/4 cup oats, a pinch of salt, 1 small banana, 1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese, blackberries, a sprinkle of milk chocolate chips, and a drizzle of light half and half.

14Jan2012

I. C. U. P.

by Emily

Today has been (and is going to be, it’s only 2:00 for gosh sake) a good day. But this morning did not have the most promising start. More embarrassing than promising really.

I had planned to go to an 8am yoga class but as I flip-flopped around the idea in bed it got later and later. At 7:40 I decided I did want to go, which meant I had to scurry to make it on time. I got dressed, gathered my stuff, and was halfway down the block when it hit me … I hadn’t gone to the bathroom! I knew that I could neither a) use the bathroom at the studio and still make it to class before the cut-off time, nor b) hold it for the next hour+. So I sadly went home. It sucks to miss a planned day within my unlimited month, but even a Groupon’s not worth risking having an accident on the floor like a dog during my downward dogs!

Since the school gym doesn’t open until 10am on weekends I had to replan my day a bit, but I think it all worked out. I went home (and peed!), did the dishes, made my grocery list, and ate a wonderful breakfast.

This oatmeal bowl had the best mix of textures.

I brought 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup skim milk, and 1 small thinly sliced banana to a simmer in a small pot. Then I added 1/4 cup oats, a pinch of salt, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, and 2 Tbsp raisins and stirred, stirred, stirred. When the oats were cooked I took the pot off of the heat and stirred in 1/4 cup reduced-fat cottage cheese.

It was delicious. Though you can barely call it oatmeal, of the bowl’s ~ 375 calories only 75 calories actually came from oats!

After breakfast I finally got to workout. A bit later than planned though because this was happening in my lap and I couldn’t bear to move him.

I actually waited so long (11:30) that I ended up getting hungry again.

That’s 3/4 of a Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte LaraBar topped with a schmear of Justin’s Maple Almond Butter.

Once I digested for the 2nd time, I set out for the gym on foot.

Trudging through the snow was basically a workout in and of itself, but I did 40 minutes on the elliptical, random level 6 too.

My multiple layers and shoe changes made the whole process take forever. Now that I’m finally home, I’m putting off the grocery store for later so that I can get some lunch!

Do you have to use the bathroom the minute you wake up or can you hold it? I normally can wait, so I get up and deal with the dog before I even think about the bathroom, but holding it through a yoga class would have been too much for me.

13Jan2012

We Don’t Need No Stinking Plates

by Emily

We’ve been warned about inclement weather and woken up to 40+ degree days so many times this winter that lately when the forecast calls for snow, I just chuckle.

Dear Weather Gods – I am so sorry I scoffed. Please make it stop.

This morning I woke up to this –

I also woke up to this,

but that is beside the point.

Actually, I woke up to pitch black because when the husband left the house at 4:30 a.m. I got up with him. Well, not got up necessarily, but woke up and pulled my laptop into bed with me. I spent an hour or so doing computer work things, an hour or so doing computer fun things, and finally an hour or so finishing sleeping (we got in bed after midnight!).

When I woke up for good at 8:40 I took one look at the window and decided to skip the gym for the day. Unfortunately, by the time I realized that I had to go outside and move my car it was too late to change into workout gear without getting a ticket. But it was just as well in the end because when I drove past school the main road that leads to the gym was totally untouched by both snow plows and tire tracks. Since I had to circle the block to repark my car I took a quick detour to Wegmans and came back with goodies.

I’ve had an intense craving for creamy drinks lately; my fingers are crossed that it’s not a sign that I’m getting sick!

Speaking of which, has anyone tried the International Delight Iced Coffee yet?

I’ve been obsessing over it for days but I can’t bring myself to shell out 5 bucks without knowing if it’s good.

Breakfast was waiting in the fridge for me at home.

What do you do with an almost empty jar of Biscoff?

~~Quietly weep until you buy more~~ make overnight oats.

Last night I combined 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup skim milk, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, and 1 dash cinnamon with the last 1 Tbsp or so of Biscoff left in the jar.

Before serving this morning I stuck it in the microwave for 30 seconds and the Biscoff got all perfect and melty.

My drink was also served in a jar.

I chilled the coffee, then put it in a big jar with the So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk and 2 tsp of sugar, and shook shook shook. Plus ice and a straw.

I’m thinking shaken coffee might be my “thing” until this creamy beverage craving is licked.

In another meal without a plate, lunch was consumed straight from my mini casserole dish.

Into the dish, baked at 450 degrees Farenheit for 30 minutes, went layers of –

1 sliced zucchini
1/2 cup marinara sauce
1/4 cup parmesan cheese

It was similar to my cheesy eggplant bake, but this got a little bit watery.

Still good though.

I’m hoping to continue my productive streak with work on school stuff and my binders project, but with new episodes of Grey’s and Bones available we’ll see how it goes!

9Dec2011

Banana CheeseQuake

by Emily

I was really hoping we’d have a bit longer before this happened –

But the snow did hold off until December 9th, so I guess we’re pretty lucky.

I parked my (snow-covered) car on the wrong side of the street last night in the hopes that having to get up to move it would get me to the gym. And it did! I hopped on the treadmill and did 10 minutes walking – 10 running – 5 walking – 5 running – 5 walking. 2.7 miles and 35 minutes total. Followed by a short strength and stretch session on the mats.

After the gym I had to make an emergency trip to the store (we are out of soda and I’ve got 5 exams to study for!) and I came home to one of the biggest messes the dog’s ever created. It’s possible I sat on the floor and cried. But then I picked myself up (cleaned up) and ate two oatmeal cookies while I waited for my oatmeal to cook.

I should have just waited though, because this was one of the best bowls of oatmeal I’ve ever made.

Cooked: 1 cup water, 1 medium banana, 1 pinch salt, 1/3 cup oats

Stirred in: 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese

Topped: 1 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, 1 tsp light brown sugar

There was more dairy than oats in this oatmeal! And it was perfect. Like a slice of banana cheesecake, except not sickingly sweet and rich (just sweet and rich enough!).

7Dec2011

Better Late Than Never

by Emily

Yesterday I got productive and created two fabulous, must-share recipes … and then I feel asleep (fully dressed, on top of the covers) at 8:45pm. I’m not going to recap blog but I will share those two important recipes; better late than never!

I was well-rested this morning, but it didn’t keep me from packing food for school that was sort of strange. Like cooked zucchini.

I ate it, cold, at 8am and loved it.

I also packed a baggie of red grapes,

and two Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies.

Those were fabulous dish#1, but I’m actually not going to share the recipe until tomorrow (it’s been a busy day). Adam says they are the best oatmeal cookies he’s ever had and I promise they are worth check back for tomorrow.

My packed food proved inadequate for getting me through 8:00 – 2:00, and I ended up eating these Cheez-Its.

I also ate two more cookies when I got home,

plus these candies from a birthday package Adam opened (he turns 26 on Sunday!).

He also opened some birthday $ and decided that we are going to dinner at Moe’s! I’m not going to blog dinner because I’ve got to get some school work done, but I will share yesterday’s dinner, aka fabulous dish #2.

Pineapple Upside-down Chicken, serves 4

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, divided into 4 even pieces
20 oz can pineapple rings canned in pineapple juice, juice drained and reserved
4 slices 2% provolone cheese
4 maraschino cherries
2 tsp light brown sugar
2 pinches salt
1 tsp tamari soy sauce
2-3 dashes hot sauce (I used Sriracha)

Place chicken in a large, flat container and cover with pineapple juice. Cover and place in the fridge for 2-3 hours to marinate.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Prepare a casserole dish with baking spray.
Remove chicken from juice (return the juice to the fridge) and place into the casserole dish. Bake 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from oven and top each piece with one slice of cheese and one pineapple ring. Place a cherry in the center of each ring. Sprinkle rings evenly with brown sugar and salt. Return to oven and continue to bake for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, pour juice into a small skillet over high-heat. Add tamari sauce and hot sauce.
Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by half. ***Because the juice was in contact with raw poultry it is essential that you keep it at a boil for at least 5 minutes!
Pour sauce evenly over cooked chicken.

I’ve never actually had pineapple upside-down cake (I know!) but the flavor profile has always sounded appealing to me. So why not apply it to dinner? We learned in food chemistry that pineapple contains Bromelain, a protease that is used commercially to tenderize meat. As soon as I heard that I spent the rest of the class brainstorming ways to cook chicken with pineapple. I’m glad I did too, because Adam and I both loved this recipe! The chicken was very tender and there was a good balance of flavors. The sauce was scrumptious, but be sure to remember to boil it for at least 5 minutes.

Are you a pineapple upside-down cake fan?

1Dec2011

Welcome, December

by Emily

The official month of snowmen, gingerbread men, eggnog, candy canes, and good cheer is finally here!

I rung in the season with a festive oatmeal bowl.

Stovetop: 1/2 cup each water and skim milk, 1 large banana, 1/3 cup oats

Stirred in: 1/3 cup 1% cottage cheese

Topping: 1 Tbsp Biscoff Spread, 1 Tbsp light cream, a sprinkling of sprinkles

Delicious times delicious times delicious!

Gingerbread, peppermint, or eggnog; what’s your poison?

25Nov2011

Lincoln On South Beach

by Emily

The day’s not yet done, but I can already tell that I won’t feel like blogging after dinner so I wanted to get a post in now. This vacation is tiring me out, whee!

We started the morning with complimentary breakfast. I made oats to eat, and stole a pear and some granola for later.

I topped my oats with skim milk and peanut butter.

Plus had a cup of hot chocolate.

And then we went to the gym! I realize the first morning of a vacation is an odd time to break my months’ long gym hiatus, but what can I say? There was one in-house, Adam could go with me, and Sleepwalk with Me by Mike Birbiglia was begging to be read. I actually extended my workout so I could finish the book; 45 minutes on the stationary bike.

Our first stop of the day was Lululemon for an exciting Christmas gift. I also grabbed a piece of candy.