Hot Hot Hot!

***sorry for no pictures!  I made an error when uploading the pics and lost them!

On swelterting hot days like today I do not feel like eating anything but ice cream and water! The thought of standing in a noiling kitchen is exhausting.  But, I did not let this stop me from preparing a nutrious dinner!  Last night we had leftover burgers.  To add extra flavor I topped mine with homemade guac.

Tonight I changed it up and made pasta with peas and sausage. (adapted from Family Circle)

I started with al fresco chicken sausage, roasted garlic flavor.  I cut the whole package into about 1/2 inch rounds.  Then I browned them up in a little evoo and set aside.

In the same pan, I mixed together about 2 cups pasta sauce, a cup frozen peas, and 1/2 cup chicken broth.  Heat through, then add to your favorite pasta!  I used penne.

Hope everyone's staying cool!  I am off to prepare for an interview I have tomorrow morning.

I missed you!

Hello blog world; I am BACK!!!  I realized how much I missed blogging and communicating with you all on my recent vacation.  I visited with my sister and brother-in-law who live in the Northwest.  I love that part of the country!  It is so advanced in "being green" and healthy that I knew when I got home I had to get back to blogging!

Not much is knew...Josh and I have not gotten very far on the wedding plans aside from the year (2012).  I had a great end to the school year and now a great vacation where I got to climb Mount Saint Helens and see the Pacific coast!  It is such a beautiful area...you are truly lucky if you live out there!

I have given myself two challenges this summer.  First, Josh and I are going to visit and hike as many state parks in the area as we can.Here are a few pics from our first hike:

Also, I am giving myself a challenge of Eating Well. You may be familar with the magazine and cookbooks.  I am going to only prepare Eating Well recipes for dinner this summer.  Tonight I made Cornmeal Crusted Nuggets with Blackberry Mustard Sauce.  I was kinda weary of blackberry and mustard together but the end result was delicious!

Here is the link to the recipe

Along with it I prepared fried zucchini with garlic powder and scallions, and salad.  I made a quick dressing with mustard, balsamic vinegar and honey...yum!

Here is the complete meal

Are you trying anything new this summer?

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!