“Falling” Into Good Habits

Posted on September 4, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Hey guys!

Well, I’ve already been at it for a couple of days, but now that the long weekend is over, it’s time you guys joined me in getting back to the grind! But don’t dread it…think of it this way…we’re just THAT much closer to another weekend!

And so close to another WIAW that it’s ALREADY HERE!! 😉

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Jenn anymore, she has to go and pick another FABULOUS theme for our weekly celebrations!

This month, the theme is “Falling” into Good Habits where we can all share our delicious eats but also get ahead of the whole New Year jazz and set a few healthy goals/resolutions for fall! Perfect timing Jenn, because there just so happens to be a few things I’ve been wanting to aim for, like…

Giving foods a second chance…

While I’ve ALWAYS been a fan of dried figs, I’ve never really had that “wow” moment with a fresh one, but after seeing Ashley’s DELICIOUS-looking figgy smoothie the other day, when I saw some at the store the other day, I felt compelled to give them another shot.

I think it’s all about the combo…on their own, I just don’t find them flavorful enough, but mixed in a bowl of plain Greek yogurt, with a crumbled oatmeal raisin cookie and a little cinnamon?

Folks, we have ourselves a winner!

I’ve still got a few more left, but have a plan for them…I’ve been told to stuff them with goat cheese, wrap them in prosciutto, and barbecue them…now THAT I have to try!

Eating more fish….

The other night, I whipped up a fantastic dinner of pan-seared scallops (just coated them with spices and threw them in a skillet), sauteed greens, and roasted veggies and was reminded of how much I’ve missed eating fresh seafood.

Mmmm, scallops!

I don’t usually buy a lot of  fish because since I prefer to buy only fresh/wild caught, it can get a bit pricey. There are occasions that I can find such things around here, but it’s rare so while I was in Nashville this weekend, I picked up these beautiful scallops and a few other fine fishy specimens, wrapped them up and stuffed them in the freezer!

Now, to just remember that they are in there! 😉

Reaching for more veggie snax… 

With the eminent close of summer in the air, I’ve been eating my weight in blueberries, cherries, peaches, nectarines…I think you know where I’m going with this.

While fruit is most definitely a heathy snack, I want to keep balance in mind and remember that there are delicious veggies I could be nibbling on too!

Last night, we had a small potluck at work and I whipped up a batch of “throw together” hummus and served it with organic celery, carrots, and cucumbers…

Add some red bell pepper, crackers, and a side of meaty chili (that was totally regarded as another dip) and call it dinner!

Welcoming fall flavors…

Speaking of potluck, there was NO WAY I couldn’t talk about this AMAZING cookie!

Dried apple pieces, chunks of cinnamon sugar, and rich white chocolate chips…and you know enriched flour, preservatives, and probably a couple of UCI (unidentified cookie ingredients).

I’m not much of a baker, so I don’t know if I’ll try to go the cookie route, but I CAN’T wait to get in the kitchen and whip up something with this amazing flavor combo!

Maybe you’ll see them soon in the form of pancakes? 😉

And lastly, PR Planking…

After a GREAT workout on my favorite piece of cardio equipment at the gym today, I felt like I still needed a little something more so I figured I’d do a plank or two, but I’ll admit after seeing all of Calee’s plank #proof on Instagram over the last week, the competitive side came out in me…

4:29

Officially, the LONGEST plank I’ve ever held!

My arms were shaking, my abs were screaming, and there may or may not have been a puddle of sweat beneath me…but it felt SO GOOD and now? Now, I want MORE!

Hmm, think I could do 8? 😉

Do you have any goals you’ve set for yourself recently?

What’s the longest you’ve ever held a plank?
Don’t be shy, when I first started, a minute seemed like a YEAR!

Now, head on over to Peas & Crayons to see how everyone else plans to “fall” into some good habits this season…who knows, maybe you’ll get an idea or two! 😉

Posted in Breakfast, Desserts, Entree, Snacks, What I Ate Wednesday, Workouts | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

A Marvelous Labor-FREE Weekend

Posted on September 3, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Happy Labor Day!

While I know we technically still have [only] three more weeks until the first day of fall, I can’t help but associate Labor Day with the end of summer. The sun is setting sooner, the temperatures are cooling off, leaves are starting to change…that’s right folks, pumpkin season is right around the corner!

But before we start pulling out the carving knives and candy corn (ick), it’s nice to enjoy those last few weeks of summer that we have left?

I know most of you have today off from work and/or school and will be enjoying family time, BBQ’s, and maybe even some fireworks, but as of last night, it’s back to the grind for me…but please, save the pity…I’m getting time and a half!

Chaaaaaa-CHING! 😀

And besides, my weekend started on Friday, and I did my best to make the most of it!

Be sure to hop on over to Healthy Diva Eats and check out everyone’s marvelous link-ups…maybe, just maybe their weekend rocked as much as mine! 😉
 

It all began Friday morning with a GREAT lower body workout in an almost EMPTY gym…gotta love holiday weekends to give you more space in the weight room! After that, there was just enough time for a shower, breakfast, and a quick post before making my way out for a little road trip!

Any guesses as to where I ended up?

Ohhhh, yes…it’s been TOO long!

But I didn’t drive all the way to Nashville just to stuff my face with a trough of Whole Foods salad bar options or to load up Elvira until my wallet started to whimper…oh no, I had an even BETTER reason!

Love this girl!

And these two little munchkins!!
Totally stole this pic from Heather’s Instagram feed!

After a MARVELOUS lunch filled with delicious food (omg, so many levels of YUM in that box) and LOTS of catching up, Heather headed home to feed the babes, and I began the mission to murder my wallet in broad daylight!

Stay tuned for a post later in the week for pictures of the carnage! 😉

But the fun (and deliciousness) didn’t stop there…

Saturday I woke up early, made my weekly trip to the farmer’s market, whipped up a quick summery salad

And headed off to my parents house for something special.

…Hmmm, I wonder WHO could that be for?…

Daddy Broccoli’s Birthday!

We made it a nice stress-free afternoon, creating a quick and easy lunch of fresh corn on the cob, my cucumber, tomato, and onion salad, and smoked chicken from my dad’s favorite local BBQ joint.

Now if that plate doesn’t scream SUMMER, then I don’t know what does!

The rest of the afternoon was spent lounging on the couch and chit chatting while drooling over shows on The Cooking Channel and Food Network…yeah, my parents know how to get me to stay awhile! 😉

Then it was time to dig into that cake!

I’m not usually big on cake (must I remind you of my cookie love lust?) but holy mother of fluff…this was one of THE BEST cakes ever! I can still taste the perfectly creamy, sweet, but not too sweet icing! And thankfully, I packed my Lactaid, because that ice cream was the icing on the….oh, you know what I mean! 😉

While I’m not typically a cake person, PANCAKES are of course a whole other story!

In the final hours of my fantastically labor-FREE weekend, BB and I got up early and went to our favorite place for celebrating Pancake Sunday…

BB ordered the “Fluffy Pancakes” stuffed with crushed Oreo cookies topped with powdered sugar while I went plain with the silver dollar pancakes…

But that was just the beginning…those pancakes were but a blank canvas…

Ahh, yes…topped with a dollop of peanut butter and a fresh nectarine that I totally brought from home and then drizzled with just enough maple syrup…it was enough to [almost] make me swoon!

But there was something missing…so halfway through my plate, I made a request of our waitress…

Cinnamon makes everything better!

DELICIOUS!

Good food, good company, and NOT a single hand lifted toward chores around the house…not THAT is what I call a successful Labor Day weekend!

What fun and delicious things did you get into this weekend?

What are you looking forward to in the upcoming fall months?

Posted in Breakfast, MIMM, Pancake Sunday, Shopping | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

It’s Like Foodie ESP!

Posted on August 31, 2012 by kissmybroccoli

Happy Friday loves!

I hope you all had a GREAT end to the week and have lots of fun and exciting things planned for this holiday weekend. I know a lot of people, including BB, are off through Monday, but unfortunately, I go back in on Sunday and work through the week. I’m gonna do my best to make the most of the time I DO have off until then though, so I hope you guys will forgive me if I’m MIA this upcoming Pancake Sunday…

Just gives you time to try some of the deliciousness I’ve been throwing your way lately!
😉

Now onto that post title…

It’s FINALLY  Foodie Pen Pal reveal day!

After being a little bummed about June’s melt-erific package, I decided to take a little break from Foodie Pen Pals, but after seeing everyone’s delicious looking goodies last month, I just couldn’t stay away.

Well, this month proved to be ANYTHING but a disappointment!

I was totally siked when I found out I’d been matched up with The Lean Green Bean herself! Having met Lindsay at the Blend Retreat back in May, I already knew we had similar tastes so I trusted her completely in picking out some goodies that I would love.

But seriously? It’s like she read my mind!

I received my box-o-yum a couple of weeks ago and I’m telling you people, I LITERALLY squealed with every item I unwrapped!

Not only did she send my FAVORITE peanut butter, and (one of my favorites) mustard, but I had JUST run out of my 21 Seasoning Salute two days before…how did she know?!

And you see that little zip-top bag in the corner? Those would be her very own
Cranberry Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies!

They weren’t sweet at all (which I can TOTALLY appreciate since I’m a bit sensitive to sugar) and each bite was like a little surprise…one bit you get tart and tangy cranberry…the next, rich dark chocolate!

She also sent some Australian-born muesli and two packages from her local bakery…spelt crackers and beet and ginger tofu pasta! The crackers have been DELICIOUS compliments to my Greek Tuna Salad (still working on the recipe). I haven’t tried the pasta just yet, but I’m thinking this weekend…a little sauteed spinach, some pan-seared tofu, and a drizzle of cashew cream sauce is in order!

As for the muesli…

Hazelnuts, cacao, orange, coconut, cinnamon? So many terrific flavors in ONE package!

And I knew EXACTLY what to do with it!

Crumbled overtop a bowl of  Greek yogurt + peanut flour along with a perfectly ripe banana. I sprinkled a bit of cinnamon and TJ’s chocolate coffee bean grinder over the whole thing and mmm’ed at EVERY single bite!

Thank you SO much Lindsay for one of the BEST packages EVER!

And now, I bet you’re wondering HOW you can get in on this whole Foodie Pen Pal thing…it’s SO easy!

Here are a few details:

-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. 
-You have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail.
-On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal! 
-The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things,
local food items or even homemade treats!
-Spending limit is $15.
-Open to blog readers AS WELL as bloggers.
-For US & Canadian residents only.

If you’re interested in participating for September, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions.

And who knows, maybe next month you’ll get ME as your match!

Head on over to Running Peanut to see the deets on the package I put together for Victoria! 😀

What’s the last thing you received in the mail (that wasn’t a bill)?

Any big plans for the holiday weekend? Do tell!

Posted in Breakfast, Foodie Pen Pal, Snacks | Tagged , , , | 26 Comments