What I Ate Wednesday {WIAW}

It's that time of the week again! WIAW = What I Ate Wednesday!

Last week over 100 bloggers shared what they ate with Jennifer over at Peas and Crayons! As always, if you need meal inspiration click on the logo below to drool over lots of appetizing photos and recipes!





My body has decided to reject the idea of coming home from the beach... I am now sick, but taking every precaution to get well before I return to OCMD this weekend! I have been taking medicine, drinking lots of orange juice (the more pulp the better) and resting (days off from the gym - boo).

I always have the strangest urge to work out when I am sick, but I made a promise to myself that I would take three days off so I could heal. Hopefully I will be back to spin class tomorrow!

Before I talk about the boring breakfast and lunch eats I have to share with you last nights dinner!!

Shrimp "Fried" Rice loaded with veggies!

1 medium red pepper sliced
1 cup brocolli
1/2 cup peas
1/2 eggplant sliced
1/4 cup sliced carrots
1/2 pound shrimp (cooked and peeled)
1 cup rice (brown or white - i add fiber when using white)
1 egg, 2 egg whites
1 teaspoon fish oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce (more or less to taste)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:
Cook your rice (1 cup rice, 2 cups water) and set aside. In a large pan add all veggies and olive oil and cook until soft (with some bite left). I always add in the peas last since they cook faster! Add fish oil, sesame oil and soy sauce to pan with rice. Crack your eggs and mix in a separate bowl (no egg shells in my food!). Add to the rice and veggie mixture. Cook over medium high heat, mixing until eggs are fully cooked. Top with shrimp, a couple extra shakes of soy sauce and pepper!

I love making this dish when I have tons of veggies left over and hardly anything else in my pantry! So delicious and easy!

In other news...

I have been having a packet of this for breakfast:

With this for lunch:

Told you it was boring!! I also had half of a light ceasar salad with my soup. Yup, still boring.

Since I am headed to the beach again this weekend and had no time to shop I am going to write out my shopping list so someone please hold me accountable!!

-New bathing suit
-Easy cover up
-Black and white shorts
-Bronzer
-Eyeliner
-Wine (sangria and jazzberry)
-Flip flops
-Snacks and lunches

Tomorrow/Friday I am preparing lots of snacks and lunches we can take with us on the beach, so stay tuned and suggestions are always welcome!!

The Grown Up Easter Basket

you have never really lived, until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.

Hi! I am in such a great mood today! It's my Friday at work, it's gorgeous outside and I just ate the best black bean burger combo I have ever made (no joke)!

When I first started this blog I had no idea I would have so much fun cooking and finding healthy recipes and running - I was NEVER a runner growing up. So I figured I would go back to my roots and try to incorporate more fun posts involving date ideas, fashion and things I love!

Easter baskets are not just for kids! I love finding reasons to do something special for CL, especially since he takes me out and spoils me often!

Here are a few of my basket stuffers: 

 chocolate

starbucks gift card

yellow button up or polo

mini white zinfandel wine bottles

The possibilities are endless - but this boy loves chocolate, coffee and wine. Plus, he looks mighty handsome in yellow which happens to be a fabulous Easter color. 

Peeps aren't just for eating anymore.

What a cute idea to use peeps and jellybeans to decorate your centerpiece. I think if I took these to my grandma's she would love it!

Make Easter Bunny Smore Jars to give to your cousins/friends.

Ingredients and Directions:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.

Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
(Makes 9 to 12 bars.)

Our First Easter

2008-2011 and still going strong! I can't wait to dye some Easter eggs tomorrow! Now in all seriousness I need your guys opinions. Tomorrow I am thinking of cutting my hair. I need all of your honest opinions.

Should I keep it long?

or cut it short?

I would really appreciate your guys feedback!!

xoxo,
Cara

Garlic Cilantro Aioli

 no one can ruin your day without your permission.

And I'm back! Whew, I hadn't realized I haven't written a post since Friday? The weekend flew by and ran off with my Monday. Not to worry, my stack of Chobani has almost disappeared and I found yet another way to put one flavor to use!

Luckily, I was too paranoid about missing another hair appointment I woke up 4 hours before mine on Saturday morning. Mission accomplished. Afterward my momma bear met up with me at the salon with my pup and we stopped to get some lunch. I love sandwich shops {especially healthy ones} that allow me to try a new spin on a sandwich I would normally hate. I hate lunch meat. I almost dread eating a sandwich when I pack myself one for lunch. Until I met the berry brie turkey sandwich. So delicious and so simple. It had spinach, whole wheat bread, turkey, brie slices and berry preserves and was exactly what I needed to fuel me up for some shopping.

How cute is this stuff? I love shopping in small town's main streets because they always have the best stores! I hit up Retro Metro where my mom picked me up a serving tray with matching cheese knife and napkins, adorable porcelain measuring spoons and some chill pills {ice tray} for Chris haha. Just in case I need to prescribe him some extra strength ones! I also got a bud vase for my kitchen and a vintage lace hook for my kitchen towel at The Hive. I was a happy girl. One day I want a black and white kitchen and dining room. Similar to these, but really it was so hard finding images for black and white dining rooms. Go figs!

Saturday night was movie night. After being out at the bar 3 times in the past 7-8 days, we needed a break. So, I rented two movies {knowing I was only going to stay awake for Toy Story 3} and made some snacks for Chris and I to munch on.

pre-oven

cooked and crispy!

Spicy Baked Fries:

4 medium red potatoes sliced into "fries"
olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon cumin
salt and pepper

Directions:

Wash and slice your red potatoes. Cover a baking sheet with foil and spread out your fries so that they each have their own area to get nice and crisp. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with spices. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30-35 minutes, depending how crispy you like them. Serve with a cool garlic cilantro aioli.

Garlic Cilantro Aioli:

1 package of 0 or 2% Chobani plain greek yogurt
bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together, reserving some cilantro for garnish. Serve with spicy baked fries and quesadillas.

What's in my quesadilla?

Chicken

Spinach

Jalapeno

Corn

Tomatoe

Chili Powder

Reduced fat Mex cheese

Delicious. I also popped some natural chocolate chip cookies in the oven for Chris to snack on knowing I don't like chocolate so that saved me some miles on the treadmill :) I cheated on the gym all weekend with family, friends and good food so I am not feeling the usual amount of guilt. I am returning today with a vengeance so don't you worry!

Yesterday's breakfast and lunch were oh so colorful! I picked up some edamame at the grocery store and added them to my salad. Hello colors of the rainbow! My salad was so bright and cheery I loved digging in! An apple and thin bagel was my snack and of course I had to have some Chobani and granola for breakfast. Stay tuned til tomorrow when I give my last greek yogurt recipes and review!

If you, your dog, your boyfriend, your friends have Facebook please take 2 minutes out to vote for me and Chris to win a free photography session. We are so neck and neck with another couple and it makes me nervous! Here's what to do:

Step One: Like Misa Me Photography on Facebook

Step Two: Click on the 2011 Lovebirds Giveaway photo album

Step Three: Like Chris and Cara (photo one) to help us win!

So easy and so simple. If you vote for me, I'll vote for you in the Woman's Health Mag's Blogger Contest! Hope you guys have a fabulous Tuesday!

xoxo,
Cara

Fish Burrito!

 Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Who else saw Selena Gomez on the E! grammy pre-show? LOVED everything about her outfit!! If you missed it she had cascading curls, soft makeup, a gorgeous champagne gown and amazing shoes! Not to worry, I know my descriptions are vauge so here are some pics!

Okay, enough obsessing... on to my weekend. I seriously live for relaxing weekends, is there anything better? Friday night I rushed to the gym to make it to cycle class. I like how each night there is a different teacher. New music and new routines make me one happy girl. Dinner was tilapia and half of a spinach, corn and black bean wrap.

Saturday Chris and I spent the day with his family. {I'm so lucky to have met an amazing guy with an equally amazing family.} I love each and every one of them as if they were my own! Lucky for us they have two adorable dachshunds, Hazel and Ruby, that Chance loves playing with. His grandmother, Nan, gave me a gorgeous bouquet of irises for Valentine's Day - which have now made my kitchen table so happy that it is no longer naked! It was definitely my day of rest, on eating and working out. We had breakfast burritos and I made a spinach, onion and pepperoni pizza for dinner.

how cute does he look riding in the backseat?!

Today my handsome man washed all the dishes. I love when that happens! It gave me time to pack his lunch and brew some coffee... which I am quickly growing out of. I need to start drinking tea for my caffeine fix - iced passion fruit tea from Starbucks please!

Breakfast was yogurt and oatmeal and lunch was 1/2 of an almond butter, banana protein shake. I just couldn't get all of it down! I headed to the gym to run off those slices of pizza!

I like to refer to my running on the treadmill as rogging {jogging+running}. I envy all you girls who can run 6+ mph, I really do. I like to stick to a 5.8 pace which is just right for me and my booty. I always pick the treadmill next to someone who is running, it gives me extra motivation. Little do they know I am secretly having a competition of who can run the longest. haha!

I rogged 3.5 miles in 38 minutes. Here is a play by play of my treadmill fun.
0-5 minutes: 3.5
5-20 minutes: 5.8
20-25 minutes: 3.5
25-35 minutes: 5.8
35-38 mintues: 3.5

I kept thinking about tomorrow and taking our 4th annual Valentine's Day photo for inspiration. I swear I am the only person who isn't more energized after they get done the gym? After rogging, doing abs and weights I wanted to pass out in the parking lot. If someone would have tossed me a blanket and pillow I probably could have. BTW - I think we need a new scale. When I weigh myself at the gym it always weighs me 5-8 pounds lighter than my scale at home. I am not the first person to notice this either, I think Chris is playing tricks on me! I'll use the gym's scale for my info from now on. :)

Dinner was tilapia burritos. Our kitchen was looking bare and I had to concoct something delicious with the little we had left in our fridge.

Ingredients:

2-3 fillets of tilapia depending on their size
2 wraps
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 bag spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil
old bay seasoning
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 cup shredder reduced fat cheese
1/2 cup red onion half moon slices

Directions:

Spray a pan on medium heat with cooking spray. Season tilapia with Old Bay and cook fully. Set aside and top with lime juice. Add olive oil, spinach and garlic powder and cook fully. Set aside. Reduce heat to medium-low and place one wrap in pan. Layer cheese, spinach, corn, black beans, red onion and tilapia. Leave for 3-5 minutes until you can see the cheese has melted. Roll up like a burrito and enjoy!

I made reservations to our favorite "secret hide-out" restaurant for Valentine's Day. Now I just have to worry about getting ready at work because silly me made reservations for 6! Here are some photos of inside the restaurant. See if you can guess where we are going and what type of food we will be having!

Pretty easy to tell, but I love the painted windows and lighting... {AND} the food is amazing! I have been craving for months! They also have the best margaritas in town!

I have {SO MANY} fabulous giveaways to tell you guys about!
The Fitness Apple is giving away homemade trail-mix, nut butter, larabars and more! Enter here.
Shelby is giving away Raw Crunch Bars in 4 different flavors! Enter here.
Oats and Spice is giving away a Peeled Snacks giveaway! Enter here.
Livin' with Heather is giving away a book and starbucks giftcard! Enter here.
Cait is giving away a Coach bangle! How fab! Enter here.

I am sure there are more I am forgetting because honestly every awesome blog is giving away something right now! I am plotting of what I want my first giveaway to be!

Keeping up with my blog challenge!

Day 15: Bible verse

I think this is entirely fitting of my blog...
Proverbs 15:17
A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.

Day 16: Dream house
I would love to own a house with a big wrap around porch, lots of windows that reach from the ceiling to the floor {love natural light}, and a balcony coming out of the master room. I have been praying to the God of Homes to win the HGTV Dream Home!

Day 17: Something you’re looking forward to
Tomorrow! It is Valentine's Day and that means just another day to remind ourselves that we are lucky to have love in our lives! I'm looking forward to a big burrito and homemade chips!
I am also looking forward to my tax refund - this girl needs her hair cut and highlighted and Friday I am lucky to have my best Brittany come over to make oatmeal bars and homemade pizza!

I have been thinking of things I want to make this week. Homemade pizza with whole wheat crust, oatmeal snack bars, asian lettuce wraps and more! You will have to stay tuned and see how they turn out!

Hope everyone has an amazing Valentine's Day! I have already prepped our breakfast!

my sleepy little bear!

xoxo,
Cara

Sore

 Aerobics:  a series of strenuous exercises which help convert fats, sugars, and starches into aches, pains, and cramps.

Coming back from kickboxing class I can honestly say I am whooped. My body was saying "please don't go", but my heart was saying "it's kickboxing night!!" All in all, I am so glad I went - especially since I am making tomorrow my day of rest after working out 4 days in a row.

I made it to cycle class 30 minutes early, signed up (#3 on the list of 35) and of course there were empty bikes in the class yesterday. Typical. I loved the class though! It definitely does give you a good wedgie - I picked mine a couple times. No shame. It is now my second favorite class and I will be returning.

 
I bet you guys are wondering how my black bean burgers turned out. Umm... amazing! Not only was it my first time making a black bean burger, but also my first time eating one. I had to convince Chris that it is okay to have a vegetarian meal every now and then and he ended up finishing his way before me! Sorry the photo quality stinks, I was trying to make it quick since we were starving!

uncooked

finished product!

Just an FYI - I sprayed my hand with cooking spray, the mixture was mega sticky! I had a side of guac and the burger was ginormous. I went out and bought two more cans of black beans just so I can always have a meal even if the fridge is empty!

If I had 100 extra dollars laying around I would totally buy these cute workout pants! Until then I'll stick to marshalls.

Today I had a yummy protein breakfast smoothie and a tuna sandwich and guac for lunch. I added some Old Bay to my tuna and it was amazing. I could eat that stuff on anything. I love putting it on my eggs in the morning. Sooo good!

Walking out of the gym it was snowing! I wish Spring would hurry up and get here fast. Since it is cold and wet outside I decided I needed to warm up with some chicken chili. You can find the recipe on my Recipe tab ;-)

That is one good looking pot!

I love corn in my chili! and extra onions please!

I am going to top my lunch salad with some of this good stuff tomorrow! I'm looking for some good homemade granola bar recipes - so if you know of a good one leave the link in my comments section!

Day 13: Goals

There are so many goals I have in life - short term and long term. A couple that come to mind (without mentioning I want a fabulous wedding and amazing kids in the long long term future). oops!

Short: 

1. Continue to expand my workout class selection. I would love to wake up one Sunday at 8:30 and make it to bootcamp class.
2. Be able to run for longer than 30 minutes.
3. Continue to find new healthy recipes and continue my healthy eating habits.
4. Make plans for a girls dinner party at my place.
5. Go snowboarding.
6. Make homemade granola bars.

Long:

1. Lose 15 pounds.
2. Travel somewhere new.
3. Grow in my career.
4. Win the HGTV Dream House (hey, a girl can wish)
5. Continue to grow in myself and my relationship.
6. Travel abroad. Greece? Rome? France? Australia? 

What are your goals? Alyssa made an inspiration board and I think that is an amazing idea! No goals/dreams are out of reach as long as you keep working towards them.

xoxo,
Cara

Tandoori White

My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.

It's a snow day here in Maryland! It's days like this where I ask myself, "why didn't I become a teacher?". Then snow days would actually mean more than driving slow and wearing rain boots to work. But, we closed the agency at 3 so that was a little bit of bright news!

If you are looking for a good pair of rain boots that don't fit the cookie cutter image try out Laila Rowe. Their online selection, quite frankly, stinks but if you are in the Annapolis area hit up the mall and check them out! They are all under 30 dollars and have at least 20 different styles! PLUS they ALWAYS are having killer sales on shoes, accessories and jewelry.

My Sperry Rain boots

The time has come. The holiday that is as equally loved as it is hated; Valentine's Day. It is just around the corner! Geez where has the time gone?! If you are looking for the perfect dress for a night out with that special someone, try lulus.com. They have links upon links of dresses that are easy on the eyes AND your wallet. Who doesn't love an excuse to go shopping?

Welp, the snow got in the way of my kickboxing class. I couldn't be more bummed so I am going to attempt to do a pilates sesh in my living room. Thankfully, I just found out they have kickboxing on Fridays also :-)

I finally made my banana walnut oatmeal this morning... and it was fabulous. Think of banana nut bread without feeling guilty. I added a tablespoon of brown sugar, half of a sliced banana and a handful of chopped walnuts to my 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal. I highly suggest! Plus, it is mega filling!

Last night we hit up the grocery store! I picked up all the necessities for my tandoori shrimp, plus we found ridic sales on fresh wild salmon. Safeway is going crazy on sales right now... I suggest you go... and before you do check out their website where you can add coupons to your club card ;-) 

Chris' family is amazing at cooking fresh Indian style meals and I never realized how healthy they truly are until I started looking at the nutritional facts. This tandoori shrimp meal is only 122 calories, 1 gram of fat and 21g of protein. Holy moly! You definitely won't feel bad about having seconds!!

Tandoori Shrimp for Two:

1/2 pound of fresh/frozen deveined shrimp

1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt

1/2 tablespoon lime juice

1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon minced garlic 

1/2 onion thinly sliced

Directions:

Pat your shrimp dry. In a bowl combine shrimp, yogurt, lime juice, curry powder, garlic and salt to taste.  Cook onions on medium heat (add a little vegetable oil or non-stick spray) for about 8 minutes, or until they are lightly brown. Move your onions to a serving bowl. Add shrimp to your pan and sauté until fully cooked. About 2 to 3 minutes. Add on top of onions in your serving bowl.

I bought some fresh zucchini that I am going to grill with olive oil and garlic. Serve with brown rice as a healthy and delicious side. Who said cooking healthy had to taste bad and take extra time. This whole process will only take you 20 minutes tops! (well, only if you can multi task). 

Non-Fat Greek Yogurt. Use for marinade and also for dipping!

Toss all ingredients together.

While shrimp are hanging out in the bowl, slice your veggies thin.

DONE! Easy meal in under 20 minutes. Healthy and simple.

I added half of a chicken breast to the pan after the shrimp cooked. (I bought teeny tiny shrimp!)

Photos are now up! If you missed it - I added photos to my better burger post! Check out how delicious everything turned out! It honestly tasted like a taco burger with the cumin and chili powder.

Happy Snow Day Bloggets!

xoxo,

Cara