3 Recipes from Yesterday's Eats, New Chest/Shoulder/Tricep Workout and Leftovers

First of all thanks for all of your sweet comments on my new clothes! I do love to shop, but I don't like to not spend a lot. :) It's just so fun to put stuff together - and shopping in my closet is free - woo! I commented on your comments in the comments section of the last post! Thanks again!!

So yesterday I ended up not eating anything else after all! I had 1,446 calories, 157 carbs, 55 fat grams and 82 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. The new recipes are below as promised!! Today was pretty 'blah' to say the least. Just worked, walked 4 miles during lunch. Then worked some more. I had EVERY intention of walking 1 more mile and doing the workout below.... but there was a major accident on 400 so I talked to Austin and we decided it was best for me to go ahead and get on the road or it would be WAY late before I would be able to get home. So I skipped the gym and will do this workout tomorrow!

Instead of working out, it took me an hour to get home. I arrived cranky and immediatley got in sweats, folded clothes and made a new recipe: Tex Mex Sloppy Joe's! (from Monica!). I'll post it tomorrow, but in the meantime... here are yesterday's recipes and for the record, I had the same breakfast and lunch today at work (reheated) and I can confidently say they make GREAT leftovers.

Breakfast

English Muffin Breakfast Pizza from Monica’s Clean Eating Magazine
Makes 1 Serving

1 English muffin, split
2 slices tomato
1 tsp olive oil
2 slices turkey bacon cut into 1” strips
20 grams shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (less than ¼ cup)
Chopped fresh basil for garnish

Preheat oven to 450. Line a small baking sheet with foil. Place English muffin halves cut-side up on the baking sheet. Top each with tomato and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle bacon over tomatoes, then top with mozzarella. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and beginning to brown. Sprinkle with basil. Nutritional Information: 303 calories, 27 carbs, 17 fat grams and 13 protein grams.

Lunch

Taco Soup from Monica’s friend Beth
Makes 6 Servings

1 pound lean ground beef (96/4)
½ onion (simmer with beef)
1 can tomato sauce (14.5 oz)
1 can rotel
1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes, do not drain
1 can corn
1 can black eyed peas, drained
1 can light kidney beans, drained
1 can dark kidney beans, drained
1 packet dry ranch dressing
1 packet taco seasoning
3 tbsp Cilantro
Optional: ¾ cup fat-free cheddar cheese and 60 grams of Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Chip Dippers.

Put large pot over medium heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Add onions and cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Add all drained vegetables and season packets. Once everything is combined and stirred up good, add cilantro, then turn heat to medium-high. Once it comes to a boil, knock it back to simmer for 10 minutes and then serve topped with cheddar cheese and corn chips. Nutritional Information per serving (including 1/8 cup fat-free cheddar cheese and 10 grams of Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Chip Dippers): 399 calories, 49 carbs, 8 fat grams and 30 protein grams.

Dinner

Beef and Ricotta Manicotti from Eat Better America
4 uncooked manicotti pasta shells
4 oz. ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tsp garlic
½ cup fat-free ricotta cheese
½ tsp Italian Seasoning
½ box organic cut spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
¾ cup pasta sauce
1 tbsp parmesan
Salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Heat oven to 375. Spray bottom and sides of 1-quart glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook pasta shells as directed on box, omitting salt. Rinse with cool water; drain well. Spray 10-inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is no longer pink. Remove from heat. Stir in ricotta cheese, Italian seasoning and spinach. Spoon beef mixture into shells; arrange in baking dish. Spoon marinara sauce over shells. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Nutritional Information (per serving = 2 shells): 333 calories, 44 carbs, 6 fat grams and 25 protein grams.

I can also confidently say that all 3 of these recipes will be staples at our house! I can't get over how yummy delish the breakfast is (it tastes like it's "bad"!), how hearty, filling and flavorful the soup is (gotta love 3-beans!) and how low calorie and tasty the manicotti is! I'm definitely going to "play" with the manicotti and try other mixes (mushrooms, etc.). I'm just loving how those two stuffed shells were so filling (thank you, spinach). Good stuff.

On to TV: I watched Vampire Diaries and LOVED! Anyone else watch it? Love it?

Also -what is your take on leftovers? Yay or nay? If yay, which of your favorite meals reheats the best?!

Today I ended up at 1,807 calories, 212 carbs, 65 fat grams and 100 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. I’m super happy that my carbs were UNDER for the first time eva! But the fat was too high and I really wish I hadn’t caved on those cupcakes during my 3 – 4 p.m. meeting. Sigh. I’m such a giver-inner!

K- off to read blogs. Just finished True Blood - wowza - that show is just CRAZY. Crazy good! Now i'm watching Gossip Girl - LOVE!!

P.S. Short N Sassy brought up the idea of an email address specifically for your blog. I thought it was super smart and so i've added kellyfittingbackin@gmail.com if you want to shoot me an email! Thanks for hte idea, SLJ!