Day 254: Two Product Reviews, Another New Recipe (I’m on a roll!!), a Better Pupper and Lakebound!

Yesterday was a great day! I got to sleep in until 7:30 then I got to work! I had EVERY intention of working out… but didn’t. I took a late lunch and got to cooking for this weekend – we’re going to the lake! I was told it would be “a very unhealthy weekend with lots of pork… you might want to bring your own food.” I opted for option B and spent the hour cooking breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, and weighing snacks, etc. After lunch I wrapped up my work, got a shower, and hung out with Austin & Reuben! I also made a new recipe with another Trader Joe’s product: Cheese Tortellini! The recipe was adapted from For the Love of Cooking – we call it Cheese Tortellini in a Lemon butter Sauce.

Marinade:

8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced

1 tbsp olive oil, divided

1 clove of garlic, minced

3-4 leaves of basil, chopped

Zest of one lemon, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients:
1/2 cup mushrooms, diced

2 servings artichoke hearts

10 grape tomatoes, chopped

1 clove of garlic, minced

2 tsp Reduced Fat Parmesan cheese

2 servings Trader Joe’s Cheese tortellini, prepared per instructions

Juice of 1-2 lemons (to taste)

salt and pepper to taste

Place chicken into a large zip lock bag and add 2 tsp olive oil, minced garlic, chopped basil, lemon zest, sea salt and pepper. Mix so the chicken is evenly coated with marinade. Let it marinate for at least 1 hour. After an hour, heat 2 tsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove from heat. Cook tortellini per instructions. While pasta cooks, add mushrooms to the hot skillet you cooked chicken in. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Add artichoke hearts, tomatoes and minced garlic to the pan then stir frequently for 60 seconds. Add tortellini, chicken, lemon juice, spray butter, Parmesan, basil salt and pepper to taste.

It was really good! Not my absolute favorite, I felt like it was missing something but I can’t put my finger on it. Austin really liked it though! Knowing me it was probably just more salt! Nutritional info came in at 505 calories, 48 carbs, 18 fat grams and 38 protein grams. So pretty high – but not bad because I had a very light lunch and was HUNGRY! After dinner we had another new product: Chocolate VitaMuffins!! LOVED THEM. Even more than the brownies – so moist, chocolatey and flavorful. I will definitely be eating these for desserts from here on out – GREAT! Now I just need to find vita tops – haven’t seen them yet!

Great News!! Reuben is 100% again!

He popped up this morning bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with his normal high energy level! He ate up breakfast, took well to his morning medicine, and was a good pup all day. He even got excited when he saw rabbits in our backyard (I swear – there are always at least 2-3 rabbits out there!) Thanks for sending good thoughts his way – he looks great and I’m so happy to report this news!! He even napped like regular – not all passed out! After dinner and dessert the three of us just packed up the car and passed out! I ended up at 1,536 calories 1,536 calories, 188 carbs and 44 fat grams. Here’s what I ate.

So.... what the heck happened on Grey's???? I'm confused....