Monday, July 6, 2009

Day 306: 2 New Recipes + Book Review + June Assessment

Sorry – this post will likely be a bit packed – eek! So like I mentioned I woke up HUNGRY and feeling mucho crappy yesterday. Grrrrr. Regardless of my pounding head, I wanted to make new recipes damn it. So I started off with a frittata. Austin says it was good. I had to pass as it took so long to cook that I ate leftovers. Here’s the Ham, Mushroom & Cheddar frittata recipe straight from For the Love of Cooking!


8 eggs
2 Tbsp fat-free milk
3/4 cup fat-free cheddar, shredded (divided)
1/2 cup of ham, diced
1/2 cup white mushrooms, sliced
1/4 sweet yellow onion, diced
1 tsp olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Green onion for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms and saute until tender, remove from heat & set aside. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and milk together. Add 1/2 cup of cheese, ham, mushrooms, onions, salt and pepper to taste. Coat a tart or pie pan with cooking spray and add the egg mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top the frittata with the remaining 1/4 cup of cheese and return to the oven for 10 additional minutes. Remove from the oven cool for 5 minutes before cutting into 4 servings.
Nutritional Information: 266 calories, 16 carbs, 12 fat grams and 23 grams of protein.

Then me and Austin settled in to the upstairs den for Movie Day! Gotta love a rainy Sunday following a busy weekend! After a couple of movies it was time for lunch so I headed down to surprise Austin with Spaghetti & Meatballs! I had never worked with ground turkey before so this was a good time! Here’s the recipe modified from For the Love of Cooking’s for 2 servings:


Meatballs:
8 oz. of ground turkey
1/8 cup of mushrooms, chopped finely
2 tbsp Reduced Fat Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp sweet yellow onion, diced finely
½ clove of garlic, minced
¼ tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
½ egg
Other:
½ tbsp olive oil
4 oz. pasta of your choice (I used spaghetti)
1 tsp Reduced Fat Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Trader Joe’s organic mushroom pasta sauce
6 basil leaves, chopped

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine ‘meatballs’ ingredients in a large bowl and mix gently with your fingers. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Roll the turkey mixture into small balls. Once the pan is hot, cook the meatballs for 2 minutes on each side then remove from skillet and place on the baking sheet. Place in the oven and cook for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through. Set a large pan on medium-high heat and add tomato sauce. After a few minutes, place the meatballs in tomato sauce for 2-3 minutes to soak up the flavors. Cook the pasta per instructions. Once the noodles are cooked and drained, spoon them into the marinara and meatball mixture then stir until thoroughly coated. Serve with fresh basil sprinkled on top as well as grated Parmesan. Enjoy. Nutritional Information: 550 calories, 52 carbs, 20 fat grams and 41 protein grams. We loved them!! I thought it would be more difficult but it was actually super easy! Next time I will add more salt to the meatballs and she recommended 1/8 cup breadcrumbs but I didn’t have them on me so maybe next time. Also – I want to leave out the egg. I don’t know why but I just don’t think it needs the egg!

After lunch we split up – Austin playing video games and me blogging/watching Gilmore Girls/doing laundry/etc. GREAT afternoon/evening. We got together again for dinner and I threw together an Angel Hair Pesto with mushrooms – yum – then it was back to doing nothing!! Loved it. Even with all of the yummy, fab pastas I ended up at 1,515 calories, 202 carbs, 47 fat grams and 78 protein grams. Not too bad, friends! Here’s what I ate. Unfortunately I could not get to bed so I ended up being up well after midnight then “slept” horribly. Blah.

And to give Indelible it’s due… I loved it! It was no Karin Slaugther’s Triptych, but it was definitely better than her A Faint Cold Fear and completely restored any faith I may have lost in the Grant Park series. I liked this one because it was 2 stories in 1 – one from the present and one from the past – it solved several murders and the past and present merged in an unexpected way. I was THROWN the whole way through it and loved the twists and turns. Definitely a pageturner and I read it QUICK. Can’t wait to read more in the series!

Now for My Tenth Month: June 2009 Monthly Assessment

By the Numbers

Pounds Lost: -1 (115 to 116)
Highest Weight: 116.5
Lowest Weight: 112.5
Pounds left to Lose: 3 (would like to be at 113)
Posts: 15
Days Worked out: 19
Miles of cardio: 100
Great Nutrition Days: 15
High Nutrition Days: 15 (eeek…)
Injuries: none!
Days out for injury: 0
Vacations: 1 weekend in VA
Days out for vacation: 2
Day worked out during vacation: 0

Interesting Charts
Click on charts to make them larger!

June Weight


June Calories, Fat Grams and Carbs



This was another tough month for me. After last month’s 5-pound gain I gained another 1. And to see that carb chart – WHOA. I’ve got to get it under control and track the day before instead of the day after. I’ve GOT to get on the HRM thing and see what’s going on. And the whole foods need to happen too – and lower-carb foods. Sigh. I think July is going to be a tough one but I’m ready to give it a go and walk another 100 miles and hopefully get a handle on these carbs!

A Look Back: June Goals

1. Figure out how many calories I need. Experiment – try to stay around 1,750 to 1,850. This is quite the work in progress for me…. Still on it.
2. Walk 100 miles!!! DONE
3. Do strength training 3 days/week. I did better, but wasn’t as consistent as I need to be.
4. Introduce 3 new recipes and 3 new healthy, whole snacks. DONE
5. Update the home blog 4 days/week AND fitting back in 4 days/week DONE
6. Read 2 books. DONE
7. Get dining room painted; hang fan in guest room; install lights in hallway upstairs. Didn’t happen at all! Eek! Hoping to take care of this in July!
8. Research HRMs – maybe get one – and research CFW ideas. I DID research HRMs and am going to get one in July. I did not look into CFW but will in July along with researching lower carb snacks.
9. Take measurements! I want to start taking measurements every Thursday morning. No Excuses! 1st and 15th just wasn’t working – I never know what the date is! I did better with this but am still not hitting every Thursday. :(

A Look Ahead: July Goals

1. Keep calories at or under 1,750 5 days/week (or 20 days this month) – track BEFORE not after
2. Walk 100 miles
3. Do strength training 3 days/week
4. Introduce 10 new recipes. (yes, I want to cook A LOT this month)
5. Update the home blog 4 days/week AND fitting back in 4 days/week
6. Read 3 books.
7. Get dining room painted; hang fan in guest room; install lights in hallway upstairs
8. Get an HRM.
9. Research CFW ideas and low-carb snack ideas
10. Take measurements every Thursday!

These are very similar to last month’s but I need to get better at this fo sho!! I think out of the 10 goals the biggest challenge for me is going to be the 3 day/week strength training and the calories (tracking before and not after). Wish me luck bloggie friends! And tell me your goals for this month!

16 comments:

april said...

Thanks for the meatball recipe.. I LOVE meatballs!

Mica said...

Mmm, the spaghetti and meatballs look delicious! I am always on the lookout for good meatball recipes to try.

Awesome job on June, even if you seem a bit disappointed with your goals. I hope July is a good month for you!

Paige@ Running Around Normal said...

Hi there! Your blog is really cool. I love the graphics! I need to get on that. Anyway, I posted a comment on my blog about the Polar F6 HRM, but I figured I'd respond here, too, in case you didn't see it (and since he's getting it today!):
I really like the F6, fittingbackin. It does everything I want it to do. Plus, it comes with a chest strap, and it's coded, so I know I'm getting my heart rate and not the person a couple treadmill's down from me. Plus, it's great on outdoor runs, as it times you as you work out."

HTH!

Andrea@WellnessNotes said...

I just found your blog, and I really enjoyed what I've been reading so far. I'm so impressed with all the new recipes you are trying out! Awesome!!!

Big Pissy said...

Both the frittata (sp?) and the spaghetti and meatballs look delicious! YUM!

Who knew you would turn in to such a cook?!?!? :)

Anonymous said...

If anyone can do it, it's YOU! I love reading your assessment and goals. You are on top of things and can accomplish whatever you put your mind to, obvi. :)

Those recipes look great and I love reading your book review!

Keep on truckin!

Oh, I have the Polar FT40 and I love it! Feel free to ask me questions if you're interested in it.

Kaneil, balanceisbest

BoopsyGirl said...

Good luck with all of your goals this month!

Anonymous said...

OH and is today your BIRTHDAY?!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BDAY if it is!!!! YAY!!!!

Sarah W. said...

I'm betting part of why you slept horribly Sunday is because the last 2 meals of your day contained PASTA! eeeeek. shockingly pasta usually induces a food coma/carb coma where you feel lazy but I think it can also just make you feel ick.

whole foods include:

protein - low fat dairy, chicken breast, turkey breast, lean ground meats, eggs, egg whties, egg beaters etc., fish

whole grains - oatmeal, brown rice, millet, quinoa (try brown rice or quinoa instead of pasta), barley, etc.

fats - nuts, veggie oils, avocado

fruits & produce

try to cut out pasta for a week and focus on WHOLE GRAINS :) maybe mix up the proteins with some fish - the omegas and fats are great for you!

hope this helps!!!

if you read my blog you'll see that my dinners don't usually have a ton of carbs and pasta is usually reserved for the week leading up to a big race :) i love pasta as much as the next gal and I know its so hard to give up, but you will feel better eating less of it I think!

i hope my unsolicited comments/advice help!

Nerd Girl said...

i have no doubt that you can accomplish your july goals :) You are such an inspiration to me because you have stuck with this for SO long and you always seem to pick yourself up if you fall. Also i know i might be an idiot but what is CFW? lol

Stephanie said...

I love the new layout!

fittingbackin said...

April: Definitely! I love 'for the love of cooking!'

Mica: They were SO good - my first turkey meatball experience!! Thanks, Mica - I am a little disappointed but yes, July will hopefully be better. :)

Normal Gal: Thanks! haha I JUST upgraded after almost a year - it's just not a priority! Thanks for posting about the F6 - that's really helpful info! I'm so nervous about it so this helps so much!

Andrea: Yay - thanks for stopping by! I'm a recipe-trying machine lately - I just can't get enough (so random!).

Pissy: I know it! I don't know where it's coming from but i'm just very into trying as many new recipes as possible! Figure i'll embrace it while I have the motivation. :)


Balanceisbest: Thanks so much - you're such a great supporter! I am definitely trucking! Glad the recipes sound good - and that book - SO good! ooooh I will - thanks! That one sounds super high tech!

Boopsygirl: Thanks so much!!

BIB: Yes - today IS my birthday! Thanks!!

SarahW: You are so cute with your 'unsolicited advice' - I DO very much appreciate the break down and yes - I so envy your dedication to whole foods. I just don't know if i'm ready!! I think that's why i'm going to research the 'CFW' and try one but cutting out all of that (pasta, white rice, packaged, stuff, etc.) and just see how I feel. I'm SOOOOO nervous.(of what? That i'll starve? I know it's crazy but I am!) Thanks for your support though - i'll likely be writing you for advice once I start creating a menu - eeeek!!

NerdGirl: thanks so much for your encouragement!! I appreciate it - i'm definitely trying to hold myself accountable and really think the blog helps so much! YOu are not! It's a 'crap free week' - something i'm considering trying (you have CFWs for life, girl!)

Stephanie: Thank you so much! I enjoyed updating it and am so much happier visiting a fresh site! :)

Monica said...

Hey girl! Good job this month...the frittata and meatballs look awesome!

Just FYI - I saw you mentioned in your meatball recipe that you would leave the egg out next time. I just wanted to let you know not to because the egg is what binds the meatballs together! That's why egg is often used in recipes...it binds things together that are usuaully low- to fat-free.

Sam said...

Thanks for the recipes. Spaghetti and meatballs is one of my favourite meals!

Tasty Health Food said...

That's a delicious looking frittata. I made spaghetti with ground turkey in the sauce for dinner tonight. I'm lazy and don't feel like actually making meatballs, so I just put the ground turkey in the sauce. :D Just as good.

fittingbackin said...

Monica: Thanks, girl!! They were honestly super yum and thank you, thank you, thank you for the egg tip – makes perfect sense so I will def not leave it out!

Sam: Of course! They’re quickly becoming a favorite of mine!

Tasty Health food: Thanks – I love For the Love of Cooking’s meals! Haha sounds just as good! (and quite the time saver) great idea!