Day 253: Another new Recipe - WOO, 6 New Dresses - YES, and 1 Sick Pupper - BOO

Today was a pretty good day! Started out slow… Reuben has a BAD ear infection. He kept us up all night… I felt awful for him, and awful when I woke up on very little sleep. Sigh. We had to transfer our vet up to Alpharetta and Austin worked it out and got him in during the afternoon. It made for a stressful day between worrying about Reuben and getting everything scheduled, coupled with roof stuff (we’re getting a new roof - more on that later). During lunch I had every intention of working out… but I wanted to shop. And my walking co-workers weren’t in, so I headed to the mall! Macy’s sales weren’t good enough yet (good = they’re paying me to have Max Studio dresses) but I found some great deals at Forever 21. I got 6 dresses for the low, low prices of $74 including tax – woo! Check them out!

After work I felt guilty… but I didn’t want to go to the gym. I was tired. It was raining. But I went. I walked 4 miles. I didn’t do legs though but WILL do them tomorrow. When I left I headed to the grocery store (blah) and got home at 8 – just in time to make a new recipe – Ultimate Sausage Cheese Pizza! This was given to us by Austin’s co-worker, Matt, whose girlfriend Nina found it on Lifetime’s Cook Yourself Thin. We adapted it a bit – but here’s the recipe for one pizza/one serving – SO GOOD!!!

4 ounces Trader Joe’s pizza dough
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
¼ cup organic tomato sauce
1 link precooked Italian style chicken sausage, diced
2 pieces jarred roasted red pepper, diced
1 tsp reduced fat parmesan cheese
½ cup mushrooms, diced
30 g fat-free mozzarella cheese
15 g fat-free feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Set two medium sized saucepans over medium heat, spray with olive oil cooking spray. For one pan, heat oil, add garlic and cook for one minute. Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper, and simmer for 4 to 5 minutes. For the other pan, place sausage and bell pepper in pan. Cook 7 to 8 minutes until sausage is browned. Spray a pan with olive oil cooking spray, set dough in the center, and use your hands to stretch the dough into an 8” circle. Spread dough with sauce, layer on cheese, sausage/pepper mix, mushrooms and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until edges are crisp and lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Let pizza sit 2 to 3 minutes before eating.

We LOVED it – very filling and yummy. The crust was crispy, the mushrooms and sausage mixed well. I also liked how the olive oil blended in. Yum! One pizza/one serving comes out to 507 calories, 62 carbs, 14 fat grams and 31 protein grams. This is a little high for me, so I may only do ½ of a sausage link to take off 50 calories next time!

After dinner I got online and ordered a bunch more stuff from Forever 21! I’ll post pics once the clothes get in!! I’m excited. :) I love new clothes! I’ll give you a preview: 1 jacket, 4 dresses, 1 pair of shorts, 1 top and 3 adorable tote bags for $100.58 delivered to my door! Woo! Me and Austin also settled in with our drugged up poodle to watch an episode of Castle, a L&O and a Daily Show with Tom Hanks – love him! What’s not to like? Best guy ever. Perception IS reality, right? I ended the day EXHAUSTED at 1,694 calories, 242 carbs, 33 fat grams and 101 grams of protein. Great day! Here’s what I ate.

Keep your fingers crossed for Reuben – I so hope little buddy is better tomorrow (he’s super tired because one of his ears was so swollen they couldn’t pluck his ear hairs because the area was too sensitive so they had to put him under to pluck his ears so they could clean them well so the ear infections will heal quicker – POOR BAYBAY!) He's been sacked out in this little ball all night. I feel like the worst puppy mom EVER. :(