Be Back in a While...

Hello wonderfuls...

I recently obtained a wonderful third grade class of 20 students.  Long story short, I have a LOT going on with the full-time job, the part-time job, applying to grad school, babysitting.  Oh yeah, and spending time with my fiance and family.  Whew.  I will be returning to posting recipes when I get re-adjusted to my new schedule with my 3rd graders.  Anyone who knows anyone who's a teacher knows it takes a lot of lesson planning in the beginning!  I will continue to read your blogs---can't stay away from that!!

Thanks
Amanda

Chobani Winner, Exciting News and a Delicious Meal!

Whew!  What a weekend!  First, my personal exciting news: Personal Trainer Josh and I are engaged!  Yesterday was our two year anniversary, and Josh proposed on Friday.  We could not be happier.

Newly engaged

Secondly, I had an interview for a long-term position in a third grade classroom.  Here's me, dressed my best thanks to Healthy Mom on the Run, ready to go. 

I got the position!  I am very excited to start a new position with a new group of students tomorrow morning.


Finally...the winner of the Cho-case is AnneMarie!  YAY I love your blog!  Email me at pens26@gmail.com with your contact info so I can let Shari at Chobani know.  Congrats, AnneMarie!


Finally, tonight's dinner is a delicous recipe is NOT weight watchers..Shocking I know.  I borrowed the recipe from a fave blog of mine: A Kitchen in Brooklyn.   You can find the recipe here.


Orzo with Turkey Sausage and Broccoli Rabe  8 points

Yum steamed broccoli rabe...love the color!

I like using whole grape tomatoes...cut em up if you like, or use cherry tomatoes!

The finished product...Josh and I will be eating this for dinner after work later..can't wait!

Quick post and run

Two things to tell you all!

1) Check out my guest post on a favorite blog of mine: Namaste Mari

2) Don't forget to enter my Chobani giveaway!


I am working tons this weekend so I don't know if I'll get to post.  My new part-time job is at Michael's Crafts.  Do you have any crafty hobbies?

Chobani Giveaway

Chobani was nice enough to send me a sample pack...AND you can get one too!!

Why Chobani?

The thick texture leaves you satisfied and filled.  Also, the plain and vanilla flavors are great in cooking and baking!  I made a yogurt bread with chobani...the moistness was unbelieveable! ALSO, most of the flavors are fat free!

Here's how to get your CHO-case:

1) Be a follower of Train Your Life

2) Post about this giveaway on your blog

AND

3) Visit Chobani's website and tell me what recipe you are most likely to make and why.

I will randomly pick a winner on Monday, April 26th!

Have a fantastic day!

Manic Monday

Hello all!  My schedule is all mixed up this week because school is on vacation, so instead I am nannying for a family I regularly babysit for.  I only had a half day today, so afterwards I went out to lunch to Chili's with my mom and niece. 

I was happy to see Chili's offers to switch any of their burgers to a black bean burger!  Since I knew I was making steak tonight, that's what I did. 

Josh's brother gave us these beautiful steaks...a great gift!

Before cutting steak, I cut slits into them and rub with garlic and sprinkled with lime juice.

I paired it with a salsa from WW. 

1/2 avocado

1 cup corn
1 cup black beans
2 TB fresh cilantro
4 tsp lime juice
salt and pepper


3 1/2 oz steak and 1/2 cup salsa is 6  points..not bad!

Upside Down Pizza

After a hectic week, upside down pizza is fitting for our weekend lunch!  Before I get to the recipe, I wanted to show you all something.  Last night Personal Trainer Josh and I indulged in some chinese food.  We both got out of work after nine, and I was not in the mood to cook! 

Josh had General Tso's with pork fried rice

I had chicken with cashews with the sauce on the side.

Seeing these two dishes side by side amazed me.  Looks how healthy chinese food looks without the sauce!  The sauce of General Tso's totally depletes all the good stuff out of broccoli.  Not that it isn't delicious :)  Oh how I miss pork fried rice!  But, I did feel good about my choice.  The restaurant gave me about 2 cups of sauce to go with my dinner.  I used only 1/4 cup and still felt satisfied and had the "being naughty" take-out feeling!

Onto the pizza..this recipe instantly attracted me because I LOVE peppers and onions on pizza.  This recipe is adapted from WW...5 points per slice

Thinly chop 2 peppers, any color you like.  I chose red and green because they were on sale this week.  Love the colors!  Also thinly chop a small onion. 

In a large skillet, sprayed with nonstick spray, cook peppers and onion, about 5 minutes.  Just until tender.  Take off heat and sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups low-fat mozzarella. 

Roll out 1 lb of pizza dough. I used whole wheat dough because it's healthier and I like the taste.  The recipe called for regular dough, so use whatever you'd like!  Roll it out to your skillet size.  Place on top of peppers and prick in several places with a fork.

Put in bottom of 450 degree oven for 20 minutes.

When done, take out and flip upside down onto plate.  Sprinkle with parm cheese if you'd like.

My mouth started watering when I saw out this came out...SO DELICOUS.

What's your favorite pizza topping?

Chicken Pad Yum

Tonight's post is gonna be a quick recipe and run...got lots to do around the house!


Chicken Pad Thai (adapted from WW) 7 points


6 oz rice noodles
1/3 cup ketchup
1 TB sugar
1 TB fish sauce
2 tsp dark sesame oil

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 cup shredded cooked chicken
4 scallions, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, micned
2 TB finely chopped unsalted peanuts


1. Cook noodles according to package directions and drain.  Run under cold water

2. Meanwhile, stir together ketchups, sugar, hoisin sauce together in small bowl.

3. Heat 1 tsp of oil in large nonstick skillet over med-high heat.  Add egg and cook, stirring occasionally, until set, and transfer to bowl.

4. Heat remanining 1 tsp of oil in skillet.  Add chicken, garlic, and cook, until scallions sodten.  Add noddles and cook until heated through, 1-2 minutes.  Stir in ketchup mixture and the egg, tossing until heated through.  Sprinkle 1/2 TB peanuts over 1 1/4 cups of the noodle mixture.

I love when I can slim down a favorite food.


What's your favorite Asian dish?  Do you have a way to make it healthier?

NO EXCUSES

I have had a lot going on with trying to find a long-term sub position and starting another part-time job.  Also, the warm weather does not make me wanna sit typing on my laptop :)  I feel like I have been neglecting all of your blogs!  I apoligize, I just have to get re-adjusted to my new schedule!

This weekend I was able to get  a hilly walk in on my parents' properties.  Yesterday, between jobs, I did a mile run.  Some people are surprised with me when I tell them I fit in exercise between jobs, they think I am overdoing it.  The way I see it, if I said I am too busy to exercise because I work multiple jobs, I would just be making excuses. You can fit in anything you want to fit in...and exercise is crucial to fit into even the most hectic schedule! I still have a lot of weight to lose so it's NO EXCUSES for me :)

Tonight's dinner was pork chops and kale.  Adapted from WW- 6 points

I like the small ones...they cook quicker!

Take 24 oz of pork chops and seasons with salt and pepper.  Heat a tsp of evoo in a skillet over med-high heat.  Brown the chops, about 5 minutes then transfer to a plate.

Add one thinly sliced onion and 1/4 cup water to the skillet and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat and simmer, with the cover until onions are tender (12-15 mins).

Sprinkle the onions with 2 tsp flour and stir constantly for one minute.  Add 1 cup broth, 1 tsp mustard and 1 tsp ground thyme.  Bring to a boil and stir until sauce bubbles and thickens.  Return chops to skillet.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until chops are heated through again.


This sauce smelled so good once it started bubbling!







I served with steamed kale...just steamed and sprinkled with some crushed red pepper and some lemon zest.

I LOVE pork.  I like making porkchops like these, and also stuffed porkchops.  How do you prepare pork?

Eating Less

Due to some emotional eating lately, my weight has been flucuating the past couple weeks.  One way I am going to help get my weight back down is Portion Control.  Josh and I love munching on these rice cakes from Aldi:

They are so yummy!  However, we sometimes found ourselves consuming the whole bag rather quickly.

My solution?  Separate the rice cakes into suggested serving size right when I get the bag home!

Each serving is about nine rice cakes.  So when I get home from the grocery store, I take all snacks that are in a bag like this, and separate them into serving sized bags.

This way, Josh and I are not tempted to overeat.  If you are wondered about bag use like I am, just resue the bags!

What's your favorite snack?

Chicken Florentine

I must have been craving cheese when I menu planned for the week because this is the second of three meals for my week with tons of cheese!  Must be the Italian in me :D

This recipe is adapted from WW Momentum (9 pts)

In  a large skillet heat extra virgin olive oil and toasted a chopped small onion.  Add 20 ounces frozen spinach that has been drained.  Season with salt and pepper.  When most of the water is out, put in a square 8 inch dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.

Next, wipe out the skillet and heat another tsp of olive oil over high heat.  Cook 4 (5 oz) chicken breasts for 2 mins on each side.  It doesn't have to be cooked through.  Place on top of spinach mixture.

Top with 1 cup of low-fat mozzarella and 2 TB parm cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.  About ten minutes in, boil water and cook 4 oz whole wheat pasta.  Top the pasta with 1/2 cup tomato sauce when done.  Serve with spinach casserole.

Smelled delicous.  Looked delicious.  TASTED delicious.  and was nutritious :) I love getting protein and veggies in, in one shot!

What did you make for dinner tonight?

Whirlwind...and POPCHIP winner

As you may know, I am a certified elementary teacher looking for a classroom.  This school year, I have had THREE long-term positions and consider myself a good, no great teacher.  The time has come to find another long-term position for the end of the year and also apply to positions being posted for the upcoming year.

Also, I have some other things coming on in life equaling to me being very bad.  I haven't had time/motivation to plan really good meals, just making whatever I can scrounge up!  The summer weather does not equal me wanting to be in the kitchen.

Time for me to get back on track!  Tonight, besides going for a long walk with Healthy Mom on the Run, I made black bean burgers courtesy of Sandra Lee from Food Network.  I am not a big fan of her because she uses a lot of processed products but this recipe is good! You can find it on the food network recipe. 

Black Bean Burger with Alexia Sweet Potato fries.

Now announcing the winner of PopChip giveaway:

Jumpin' Jess!  Please email me at pens26@gmail.com with your name and contact info so I can have Corinne at PopChip!  send you your package!


Back to applications...I am determined to be a regular classroom teacher by August 2010!!

Don't Forget!

Just a quick note to remind all of you to enter my PopChip giveaway!  The last day to enter is TOMORROW!
 TO ENTER:

Follow me and invite friends to read train your life


OR

Leave a comment telling why you love Popchips

OR

Link this giveaway in your own blog.

Burger Night

YAY! The weather in CT has been fantastic!  Nothing goes with good weather than summer food!

If you are like me, sometimes you get a craving for a juicy, delicous BURGER.  Since WW, I have made the switch to ground turkey instead of beef but still love to have a good burger once in while.  I couldn't resist this recipe because the burger is stuffed with cheese! 

Adapted from WW Momentum  5 points per burger

Take 1 lb of ground turkey and add 3/4 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp black pepper.  Mix together.  Then form the turkey into 8 small patties.

Put about 2 TB feta cheese on top of four of the patties.  Then top with another patty.  Like a little sandwich!

Put 2 tsp olive oil in a large skillet and heat over med-high heat.  Add the patties and cook to your doneness choice! 

One thing I have learned is once you set meat in the pan, leave it alone!  Otherwise it might fall apart or not cook evenly.

The finished guys

I put the burgers on low cal whole wheat buns and  added lots of lettuce for a crunch.

Don't forget to enter my popchip giveaway!  (details in Popchip giveaway post)

Later tonight I will be headed to my parent's home to celebrate Easter.  I will be making Chocolate Walnut Biscotti which I make every year.  Do you have a special Easter or springtime food??

PopChip! GIveaway!

I know many of you loves PopChips as much as I do!  The light airy taste of potato chips with less calories is absolutely irresistible!  Here is your chance to win a free 24 pack of single serving of PopChips! 

How to enter: (make sure you leave a comment about which you did)  Each one you complete counts as one entry.

1) Follow TrainYourLife and Add it to your blogroll

OR

Invite 5 friends to read TrainYourLife (have them leave comments)

OR

Follow TrainYourLife and leave a comment telling why you LOVE popchips

OR

In your next post, post a link to this giveaway

I will choose a winner April 7th, 2010

Good Luck and happy snacking!

Breakfast on the run

Some mornings are harder than others for all of us.  Because Personal Trainer Josh and I work so much, we like to eat breakfast together most mornings but I rarely have time to make anything that requires lots of time.

We recently discovered a delicious treat with lots of fiber and is so quick to prepare...just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds!  That's it!

I am talking about delicious Vitatops!

VitaTops (and VitaBrownies!) are frozen, so you can store them for a long time! 

When you ready to enjoy one, just pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds or leave at room temperature for 30 minutes depending on your preference.

These great muffins come in great flavors like CranBran, BlueBran, Corn, and lots of Chocolate flavors too! 

My favorite was the Chocolate Mint, but I love anything chocolate mint flavored!

The brownies are delicious too!  My family, who is not at all into health foods or low-cal things, loved the brownies!  Tasted just like a regular brownie!

If you are like, VitaTops are hard to find in your area.  Check out http://www.vitalicous.com/ to buy online or find a retail store!