Days 245-246: New Recipe, Two New Product Reviews, Cinco de Lamo, Stonyfield & Granite Sneak Peek!

This is a little backwards but I want to start this post with today!! It’s going so well you guys. The granite is about to be installed, I went to Trader Joe’s during lunch and got ALL KINDS of new stuff – woo! For lunch I made this – Trader Joe’s Artichoke ravioli.

Um, are you kidding me?! So good. We made the whole package and added 8 oz. chicken + 1 cup of naturally preferred organic mushroom sauce. YUM. It makes two servings – each at only 454 calories, 49 carbs, 10 fat grams and a great 42 protein grams. So good.

I followed this up with another new product (for me) – VITA BROWNIES. I’m such a fan. Where were they before today? Sadly enough, not in my tummy! I totally think vita brownies will be my no. 1 source of fiber from here on out. Just kidding! (kind of). Okay – tracking back….

Tuesday was probably the lamest cinco de mayo ever. I just worked hard, came straight home from work and got in bed. Haha I did get in 3 miles… didn’t go back after work but that’s okay. I was sore from Monday’s 5.5! And my abs were SO sore. Wow – they must have gotten out of shape! Austin had work stuff that night so I just chilled. I DID make a new recipe and Austin was at home in time for dinner and we both LOVED IT. It’s adapted from For the Love of Cooking’s Chicken in Tomato Sauce with Feta:

1 tbsp + 1/2 tsp olive oil (divided)

8 oz. chickenSalt, Pepper and Oregano to taste

2 cloves of garlic, chopped1 tsp fennel seeds

1 14 oz can of Hunt’s diced tomatoes

1/4 cup of fat-free chicken broth
4 oz. barilla macaroni

15 g fat-free feta cheese
15 g fat-free mozzarella

parsley, garnish

Heat 1/2 tsp of olive oil in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Once hot, add garlic and fennel seeds. Stir constantly for 60 seconds, then add tomatoes, broth, salt, pepper and oregano, to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes. While simmering, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large pan sprayed over medium heat. Season each piece of chicken with salt, pepper and oregano, to taste. Once hot, add chicken and brown for four minutes then flip and brown for an additional 2-3 minutes. Now add tomato sauce to the chicken pan, lower heat to medium low and simmer for 10 minutes. While simmering, boil water and cook macaroni. Then taste and re-season sauce with salt, pepper and oregano if needed. Drain macaroni and divide into two servings. Pour sauce and chicken over top of macaroni and add cheese and parsley on top.

WE LOVED IT! But forgot to take a photo. Sad. No worries though because we’ll be cooking it again soon! After dinner I blogged, watched TV and ended up at 1,671 calories, 231 carbs and 33 fat grams. Here’s what I ate.

Wednesday was a great work day. It was super quiet in the office so I got so much work done! And I did 3.5 during lunch and 2 + legs after! Again – legs were SUPER sore. I had so let the ST go…. But that’s okay – I’m BACK! After work I went to Kroger and it was AWFUL. It took me an hour. I hate new grocery stores – I couldn’t find anything. It was so depressing. I got home to an empty house (Austin had another work thing) and cooked that lemon pepper artichoke chicken and rice again (I’m addicted to artichokes now apparently) and watched the biggest loser and called it a day. I was SUPER hungry. Like I needed to eat more than 1,700 calories so I did. I had 1,971 calories, 307 carbs and 39 fat grams. Frightening amount of carbs – eek!! But I was SO FREAKING HUNGRY. Here’s what I ate.

Exciting News: A sweet girl at Stonyfield organic sent me some coupons for Oikos yogurt! Yes - me, the new yogurt lover, gets to try out their fabulous yogurt for free- i'm so super excited. She even sent the CUTEST little yellow recyclable bag - I used it at TJ's!!
Can't wait to try it. How cute is it? Even Reuben loved it! Have you guys tried oikos yogurt?? I'm sure you all have and i'm the big loser/last to try!

Today I’m going to try to go walk 4 miles after work and do some ST. I’m trying a new gym (same chain; new franchise) so I’m excited to see how I like the vibe (they all have different vibes in my humble opinion). I’m MORE EXCITED to see how this granite turns out. And, since we don’t have a sink tonight in the kitchen, I’m not cooking. But I will be trying two more products from Trader Joe’s – can’t wait to share – hope we love them! Have I told you how glad I am to be back in the blogosphere?! I spent a solid few hours last night backreading your blogs – glad you’re all doing so well – I’ve missed you! :)

And in case you're interested... here is a sneak peek at the granite! woo! Note: it still needs LOTS of work (hasn't been cleaned, grout line hasn't been filled, etc. but i'm PUMPED)