 Breakfast – Nontraditional, at least for me. Leftovers from dinner: roasted chickpeas, grape tomatoes, arugula and orzo
Snacks – Almonds & baby carrots (not pictured)
Lunch – More mango black bean salad, strawberries & a kiwi
Dinner – Italian sausage with veggies (red bell pepper, red onion & sweet potato)
After Dinner – Kevita Daily Cleanse Lemon Cayenne: This stuff is spicy, sour and sweet… and delicious!
What did you guys eat this week?    Have I ever told you the one about how I made grilled cheese for dinner? Oh no? Well let’s reminisce, shall we?
This whole crazy notion of taking a staple from a kindergartner’s diet and turning it into an adult-worthy meal struck me while I was trying to come up with a meatless dinner option and I was tired of making some form of pasta or veggie pizza. Don’t get me wrong, those are both tasty options, but it’s true what they say, variety is the spice of life. Also, if I was going to keep pulling this no meat business without my husband noticing, I was going to have to get creative (Editor’s note: He’s since noticed, but he’s humoring me and going with it.) And so after some creative searching I stumbled on a recipe for grilled cheese that incorporated apples. Not being one to back down from such culinary challenges, I embraced the idea… and then it grew. A quick trip to the grocery store yielded a loaf of sourdough bread, a brick of sharp cheddar cheese and a few Braeburn apples. The arugula was already waiting in the fridge at home. I was feeling confident, but at the same time, a little uneasy if this experiment was going to work.
Luckily for all those involved, this “recipe” took a turn for the delicious. The sweetness from the apples was contrasted by the cheddar and the arugula offered a nice bite. I personally love sourdough bread, so I thought it was by far the best option, but you really could use any bread you’d like… and really any ingredients you’d like for that matter. Just don’t skimp on the cheese. Never skimp on the cheese.
What’s your favorite way to make grilled cheese? 
Yes – I didn’t think of it that way, but it definitely fulfills that sweet craving as well. 
Yummy a grilled cheese with apple. Sort of like dessert wrapped up in dinner. I love a plan old aged cheddar grilled cheese. Perhaps with some salty Tempeh or turkey bacon thrown on it. 
Oh yum! I never make them, so I don’t know my favorite. I think a gouda cheddar blend would be good though, esp with apples!
You’re right! Never too old. Let me know if you make a vegan option – that would be great! 
This looks and sounds absolutely AWESOME! You are never old for a grilled cheese sandwich, right? Plus, this is definitely a more adult version. I will have to try this, and I may even try making a vegan version When’s the last time you allowed yourself to just sit in the sun (with SPF!!) and soak it all in? Lucky me – I’m doing it right now. Being outside is something we take for granted as a child and then all the sudden, college is over and you’re stuck in a windowless, drab gray cube for 40+ hours a week — even in the summer. I know. Terrifying. This weekend, I challenge you to do something your 10-year-old self would appreciate. Ride your bike, play tag, I don’t care, but get outside and enjoy some sunshine. I bet it’ll feel good. Somehow I’m finding it hard to believe it’s already Friday, but hey, no complaints here. I’m ready to enjoy a few days of relaxing, celebrating the 2nd birthday of my friend’s son and watching the Blackhawks win another game! Playoff hockey – there’s certainly nothing like it. What have you been up to all week? Here’s what I’ve been reading: 1. I know I stick to my workout routine better when I have a goal in mind. Just in time for summer, Julie over at PB Fingers compiled this list of fitness goal ideas. There’s bound to be something you’d like to try. 2. For the past few weeks, I’ve eyeballed the rhubarb at the Farmers Market, unsure what to even do with it. So I pass it along. I finally found a solution to the problem – this recipe. 3. This quote: “Surround yourself with healthy, active people who share your passions. It’s a lot easier to thrive around people who are thriving.” Yes. Please do. Say goodbye to all those who bring you down or don’t make you a better person. Selfish? Kinda, but uplifting others is one of life’s gifts. Do the same for others. Have a happy & healthy weekend!
Thank you, thank you! Good luck with those roller blades… 
NEW look is freaking amazing!! LOVE it!! Now off to find some roller blades, lol.
Great to hear from you & thanks for stopping by! I appreciate it. I think we all could use a reminder to take that “me” time between all the craziness now and then.
new to your blog… But thanks for this post. Its sort of what I need to remember to do from time to time. I struggle to remember to keep stressful thing out of my life. Some you can’t avoid ie work family problems but some you can!
Photo Credit: PinterestI’d guess most of us hope every summer is full of sandy toes, sunny skies and warm, clear nights spent with friends. A byproduct of the education system no doubt. Even though we may not all get three months off to soak up all of this season’s splendors, if we try hard enough, we can make memories of the longest days of the year that are sure to warm us up even in winter’s coldest moments. This year, due to the fact it’s still June, I feel I have a solid amount of time ahead of me to plan a whole host of activities worthy of summer break. Who knows, maybe I can even start up show and tell at work so I can tell everyone about my new seashells. 2013 Summer Bucket List- Attend an outdoor concert - Grow and eat my own vegetables - Run my second half marathon - Eat brunch outside on a patio - Visit somewhere I’ve never been - Ride my bike to do errands more often - Read a good book (or two) - Take an outdoor yoga class - Spend a lazy day at the beach - Go on a hike - Watch 4th of July fireworks - Make a new recipe & bring it to a BBQ - Eat a funnel cake at a festival - Visit a new Farmers Market What’s on your list?
Yes – I agree. I can only imagine how peaceful it must be to do yoga surrounded by nature.
Thanks – it will be quite the summer if I can fit it all in.
Proud of you! Don’t think I could do it!
Yes you should! There’s so many fun things you could do in Madison.
I hope you get to that outdoor yoga class! I still have to track one down, but I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult.
Haha – yes! I love to see someone with as much enthusiasm for funnel cakes as me! 
I would LOVE to take an outdoor yoga class. Definitely on my list. 
I love your summer bucket list! I hope you get to accomplish it all! 
Also started bucket list of things out of my comfort level. Going on a week long canoe/camping trip to the boundary waters of Minnesota and Canada . 
Love this idea! My sister just did one, I guess I’ll have to follow suit. How fun! =)
Several of these are on my list, as well!! I REALLY want to do outdoor yoga, which is offered here in Omaha, and I also cannot wait to visit our local Farmer’s Markets!
Funnel caaaaaakeeeee! It’s been forever since I’ve tried one of those.  My first rule of snacking is to only eat when you’re truly hungry. Most mornings I need a little something around 10:00 a.m., but I always try to remember to check for hunger cues prior to digging in to make sure I don’t eat food I don’t need just out of habit. This is especially true at work. It can be so easy to mindlessly munch while sitting at a desk. The second rule I try to abide by is a little tougher for me – but I’m working on it. When choosing a snack, try to pick something that offers nutritional benefits aka steer clear of chips, cookies and many other processed foods. Okay so that’s not the hard part. I love me a piece of fruit even a carrot stick or two, but incorporating protein into my snacks is something I tend to struggle with. However, I know it’s important to help keep me fuller longer. A few of my go-to snacks are: trail mix, string cheese, apple & peanut/almond butter, edamame, mixed nuts, bananas These are a few tips that work well for me, but I recognize that doesn’t mean they’ll work for you. Try a few things out and see what keeps you feeling energetic and healthy. If you’d like even more guidance, I’d suggest speaking with a nutrition professional (Registered Dietitian) in your area. Now on to this week’s eats! I recorded what I ate on Tuesday – a pretty typical day. Enjoy! Breakfast: Greek yogurt with fruit & walnuts (missed the photo, but who really wants to look at yogurt anyway?) Morning Snack: Edamame & a few baby carrot sticks
Lunch: Mango black bean salad with a Naked juice smoothie
Pre-Yoga Snack: Banana & a few dark chocolate-covered almonds
Dinner: Bruschetta chicken pasta & fresh bread
What are your go-to snacks? What’s your favorite thing you ate this week?
Me too! It’s one of my favorite flavors.
Thanks! I wish I had a personal chef too – even just for a day. How cool would that be?
I love Mango Naked! Yum!
All that looks seriously yummy. Mmmm. I wish I had a personal chef.
You know it!! For some reason, a salad is infinitely better with avocado in it.
Your lunch looks SO darn good!! I definitely see some avocado in there |
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Chickpeas as a pre-breakfast snack happen quite often around here. And having them in the delicious-looking leftovers you did? Sounds good to me.
Agreed. Chickpeas made a fine breakfast actually. The dinner veggies were kind of a fridge clean out thing, but turned out quite tasty.
I am loving the idea of your nontraditional breakfast. I am pretty much obsessed with chickpeas, so I figure, why not eat them for breakfast too??
The veggies that you served with your dinner look super tasty, too!