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! 😉

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! 😉

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! 😉

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 I 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! 😉

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?