A Very Rewarding Saturday

Happy Saturday lovelies! Hope you are all having a great weekend!

I spent pretty much all day indoors since it was storming off and on today annnnnd it only got up to 48 degrees! So long near 80 degree temps…hello redbud winter!

Good news is that I got mucho packing/cleaning done today! So much so that I rewarded myself with a little trip to Sam’s Club! πŸ˜‰

I have wanted to try the 30 Day Shred since seeing it on Elise’s blog like forever ago! And check out that price tag! $8.88? Can’t beat that with a stick!

Jillian stepped in for J. Dubb for this afternoon’s workout.

Verdict? I liked it, but compared to the Timesaver’s workout, it seemed a little less intense. I started with Level 1 and I did all the moves unmodified (well, except for the pushups because I’m a complete wimp!). My heart rate was up and I got a little schweaty, but I didn’t that I-just-got-my-butt-handed-to-me-and-I-handed-it-right-back feeling…know what I mean?

What do you think? Should I give Level 2 a try tomorrow or stick with Level 1 for a bit?

Oh, and while I was at Sam’s, I was swooned in the produce section!

Now, I know what you’re thinking…isn’t this a little counterintuitive to the Clean Out the Fridge/Pantry Challenge?

I say no…it is a measure of the self control I have not to have bought one of EVERYTHING in the produce section!

I finally broke down and paid the 3 bucks for my ONE pound of spinach after nearly a month and a half without it. I’m all for working this challenge to the best of my ability, but when the only fresh produce you have in your house is some yellowed celery that is on death’s door, a spinach intervention is absolutely necessary!

And the steebies? They were $3.98 for TWO pounds! How could I pass up such a deal? And look at them…they’re HUGE!

Of course I had to “check for poison” upon arrival at la casa!

FYI, they are EXTREMELY deadly…but I happen to have built up an intolerance to the poison! πŸ˜‰

And of course the spinach HAD to make an appearance…though I will be rationing savoring it over the next four days.

Today’s lunch featured Double Spinach Ravioli purchased many many MANY months ago (found in the back of the freezer) from Whole Paycheck Foods topped with Trader Joe’s vodka sauce, fresh ground black pepper, and parmesan cheese over a bed of my new greens.

Spinach ravioli eaten on top of a bed of spinach…too much? Nahhhhhh! πŸ˜‰

For dinner tonight, I had another Luscious Bowl, this time using up some of the leftover Vegan Broccoli ‘n Cheese Sauce.

Spinach, wild rice, and cranberry beans topped with broccoli ‘n cheese sauce, nooch, and black pepper.

I busted out the dried beans today guys! I am the world’s worst about meal planning. I have at least 4 different varieties of dried beans in the cupboard as we speak you read, but I NEVER remember to soak them overnight and usually I’m too impatient to wait the hour it takes to cook them. Well, I was reminded with this dish how much I prefer dried beans to canned ones. Fresh taste and zero sodium…love it!

I made a deal with myself today, even after the move, I will not buy any more canned beans until I’ve used up ALL of the dried ones that IΒ have. Beans are so versatile…instead of trying to always plan a meal around the beans, I’m going to start adding them to various meals.

Hmm, maybe I’ll cook up a big batch of chickpeas tomorrow…wait, I WILL cook some because I just got back from the kitchen and now they are taking a little dip in the pool! πŸ˜‰

Do you cook with dried beans? Do you think it’s worth the extra time?
It’s certainly worth the money! You can get almost 3 times the servings by buying dried beans for a fraction of the cost of canned ones!

What have you rewarded yourself with lately?

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23 Responses to A Very Rewarding Saturday

  1. Ma Ma Megan says:

    Those strawberries are GORGEOUS.

    I always cook with dry beans. I can always tell a difference from canned.
    Whenever I forget to soak them overnight I just boil them for two minutes then take off the burner and let them soak for 2 hours (that’s the quick soak method)
    It takes planning ahead but its totally worth it to me πŸ™‚

    • It IS worth it! I just tasted the chickpeas that I cooked from dry and they are soooo much better than canned! Hopefully I can stick with this new found motivation and save myself some precious moolah!

  2. I just discovered dried beans in my pantry too! I used to cook them all the time and never buy canned, but my family always complained about how nasty they smell when they cook. I’m out of canned though, so those pintos are gonna have to be cooked soon πŸ™‚

  3. I completely agree; there’s no way you can go without spinach – under any circumstances!
    I’ve got dried beans, I just never remember to soak ’em… going to put some to soak now πŸ™‚

  4. lindsay says:

    i hear on the beans. Totally worth the $$, just gotta put in the time! Lovin’ the cleaning out your pantry dishes.

  5. Canned beans always. I am just so freaking lazy.

  6. Amanda says:

    We eat beans all the time, but I usually use canned ones. I never remember to soak them, either and I’m always making dinner at the last minute! Maybe when my kids are older, I’ll be able to plan ahead!

  7. I can’t stand canned beans after eating dried beans for so long. When I come over, people will open up a can of beans for me for a salad, which is super nice, but I can taste the metal from the can. I eat them, but I definitely prefer dried beans. I don’t always remember to soak them over night either, so I do the quick soak method sometimes and it works well too. Your eats look perfect! I hope you weather gets better in the next week since we are coming to TN for spring break. I want some nice TN Spring time when I get there…I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.

    • I just checked the 10 day weather report and it looks like it’s going to start warming up a little. Not like what we had last weekend, but definitely better than mid 40’s! Brrrr!

      Depending on how I serve them, sometimes I do taste a little metallic aftertaste in the canned beans, but the main thing for me is the gloopy (I am making that a word if it’s not one already) liquid in the can…it’s so gross looking! I always drain and rinse them unless I’m making chili and then I just stir them into the other ingredients really quick so I don’t have to think about the slimy looking liquid! Yuck!

  8. Mmmm those strawberries look so good; I haven’t had them in forever! And I’ve been wondering what to do with the leftover broccoli cheese sauce; a luscious bowl is such a great call. πŸ™‚ With Jillian, I say just move up to level 2 and 3 right away and go with what’s most challenging! I definitely jump around.

  9. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Strawberries! I can’t wait til they get to the prime of their season! Then I am going to STOCK UP! πŸ˜€

    Lately, I’ve been enjoying PEANUT BUTTER! πŸ˜‰

    xoxox
    Kathleen

  10. I love nutritional yeast and it looks so yummy in that bowl! Ohh and those strawberries get me super excited for summer time πŸ™‚

  11. We use dried beans sometimes, but not as often. It definitely takes more planning ahead of time to do it.

    And by the way, those strawberries just look fabulous!

  12. YAY! i had a luscious bowl for lunch today!! oh gosh i used canned.. the whole bean process is WAY too complicated!! sometimes i do levels 1 and 2 together and thats a great workout!!!

  13. I prefer dried beans but I always have canned on hands in case I want them last minute! You totally deserve those beautiful berries beautiful girl!

  14. elise says:

    are you at all sore today after level 1? if not id say kick it up and do level 2, but ive found that i see the results even though i dont always feel them. you could always opt for level one followed by a jog. anyway, im glad you finally broke down and got some spinach. those strawbz look like MONSTERS they are so huge. im guessing they arent organic πŸ˜‰

    • Yeah, big fat negative on the organic front…but I’m happy to say the pesticide filled beauties taste wondermous! Haha! Guess I better up my turmeric consumption! Gotta cleanse that liver! πŸ˜‰

      Actually, I noticed this morning that my back is a little sore…not sure if it’s from the DVD or the moving boxes though. I think I’ll try level 2 today and if it totally kicks my rear then I’ll go back to 1 and add in some jogging like you said!

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