Healthiest yet...

Wednesday Recap:

9:30am:  Breakfast- 2 slices Easter sweet bread

Let's not even begin to discuss the EPIC disaster that was my attempt to create a 'new, spring-y' protein pancake that turned into burnt, inedible 'crepes' that barely flipped on the skillet yesterday morning.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.  By then I was SOMAD that turning to Katie's breakfast of sweet bread for the day was my only 'happy option.'  ...although I can't say I didn't enjoy itJ

10:30-11:45am:  Power Yoga
Not sure if it was the fact that I had no protein with breakfast or that the room felt like it was jacked up to 85% humidity for some reason, but this class was HOTTTTTT.  Sweat was POURING off of me.

You're welcome for the visual.

12:30pm:  Lunch- Cherry Cake Batter Smoothie

As soon as I spied frozen cherries for under $3.00 a bag at the grocery store, I just KNEW this was going to be my lunch de jour...and it was a SWEET reunion.  Katie INHALED her portion and just kept saying "Smooth!  Smooth!"J

2:00pm:  "Snack #1"- Hot Lemon Water

3:00pm:  Snack #2- Salad with almonds

Even though I knew we eat EXTREMELY early on Wednesdays, by 3:10pm I knew I wasn't going to make it till dinnertime without being a raging animal.  This small salad with a sprinkle of slivered almonds held me over perfectly.  It's ALWAYS a good idea to spoil your appetite with something so nutritious.  You'll save yourself quite a few calories (plus setting yourself up to feel satisfied and not deprived by a 'small plate' of dinner) by using this little trick.  It seems counter productive, but it really works.

5:00pm:  Dinner- SUPER HEALTHY Garlic sauce smothered fries!

So you KNOW I love my fair share of 'healthier cheese fries' swaps (Texas Chili Cheese fries & Garlic goat cheese fries with chicken & peppers, anyone??) but this version might just be the healthiest one yet, since the Garlic sauce is from the infamous "Garlic Cauliflower sauce!" 

I made the sauce nearly the same way as last time, whirling up the boiled cauliflower in the blender with the tablespoon of butter & toasted garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg and the chicken broth cooking liquid...

90 seconds or so later... 

I poured it back into the pan with a little non-fat milk and kept it warm while I worked on the rest of the meal.

Which started like this...

The veggies add both bulk + lots of nutrition to your ground meat layer, so doctor it up with whatever veggies you want!  We just happened to LURVE peppers & onions.

Start by sauteing them for about 5-10 minutes or so on medium heat until softened... 

Then make a small well in the center and add a pound of ground turkey breast, breaking it up as it cooks.  Once it was almost finished, I seasoned it up with salt, pepper and a few generous shakes of Worcestershire for good measureJ  

Let that all cook together until the turkey is cooked through.

OH YEAH!  And the fries!!!!  (I forgot that part!)  All while you're making the sauce & meat, have these cooking at 400 degrees for about an hour.  These were diced and tossed with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkled with salt & Montreal steak seasoning for a little KICK.  Then it's time to layer your fries... 

...a layer of your ground turkey + peppers... 

...and that hearty and creamy garlic sauce! 

In full disclosure, I had completely skipped the additional tablespoon of olive oil and used about 1/4 cup non-fat milk in an attempt to keep these calories at a MAX low and see how it affects the outcome.  But next time I think I'll add the oil and a bit more 2% milk until it's 'sauce' like.  It thickened up quick a bit while it was on the fries, but it was still delicious.  Ya kinda can't beat it once you realize the meal's most 'naughty layer' is made of CAULIFLOWER!  Def will be trying these again....maybe with a little extra addition of CHEESE in the 'cheese sauce'...hahahahahahhahaJ

5:30-6:30pm:  Body Jam Class

I officially think the air condition was kaput in the gym last night as this class was SUPER hot too!  I think I walked directly from my car into the shower when I got home because I was DRENCHED.

Again, you're welcome for that visual.

8:00pm:  Dessert + SurvivorJ

One of the last 2 pieces of Pastia for the season....and it took a WHOLE lotta willpower not to go back for the FINAL piece last night.  This one was just SOOOOGOOD!

Well, it's before 10am and my child has already asked me 62 times 'outside???  outside????' despite the wind WHIPPING outsideJ  My girl don't careJ  The more the wind whips in her face, the happier she isJ  We'll see if we make it out today.  Me getting a 3-mile walk snuck in there is always an extra good reason to GETOUT.  

Anyways...Have a great Thursday!J