Today was another great day… I’m really on a roll here! It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this great. I think a huge part of it is that I’ve really switched up how I’m eating. Lots more whole grains (instead of breads), less sugar, more fruits and veggies… all components of a healthy lifestyle. I’m on my way!
I went to Jazzercise again today! I was excited to see my friend Mindy again, and even more excited to burn tons of calories! My calorie burn wasn’t quite as great as Tuesday but it was still nothing to turn my nose up at (except for the fact that I now STINK):
Duration: 1:03
713 Calories
Max HR: 187/97%
Avg. HR: 159/83%
Yep… still good! When I got home, I was thrilled to heat up some of my Bolognese sauce from Tuesday, except today, instead of pasta, the sauce was on top of some creamy parmesan polenta. I’m such a HUGE fan of polenta, and I found a single-serve microwave method on making homemade that its easier than dealing with the rolls!
I swear that's polenta, not cheddar cheese
Simple How-To: Microwave Creamy Polenta
In a microwave safe, fairly large bowl, mix 1/4 c. polenta cornmeal with 1 c. water or milk. Microwave on full power 1 minute. Stir. Microwave another 2 minutes, stir. Mix in 1 Tbsp. grated or shredded parmesan cheese, and stir well. Eat alone, or top with your favorite sauce.
Sometimes, I’ll make the polenta but instead of cheese, I’ll add cinnamon and vanilla for a sort of rice pudding taste.
In any case, creamy polenta made my leftovers exciting!
I’m going to leave you with a random Question of the Day:
What’s your favorite kitchen gadget/appliance/utensil? Mine has to be either my new cast iron skillet, my Keurig coffee maker, or maybe my Wüsthof knives… it’s so hard to decide! I do have one thing that I just like looking at… my mom got this for me for Hanukkah a couple years ago, and it never ceases to crack me up! It’s called “The Ex”:
I don't know what he did to deserve this punishment!
Don’t forget to enter my chocolate giveaway, and in more chocolate news, the lovely Katie is giving away a WHOLE box of Jocolat bars on her blog and you can enter here!
Have a wonderful night!
xoxo,
Thanks for the shout-out! Consider yourself entered, my chocolate-covered friend!
chocolatecoveredvegan´s last blog post..So what about this Chocolate Giveaway?
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LOOOOVE polenta!!
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..So, How About Those Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Pretzels??
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Haha! I love “The Ex.”
Pearl´s last blog post..There should be a new genre
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YUM! I love Polenta. What a great way to enjoy it!
Meg´s last blog post..Holy Yum! Award Chocolate Heaven
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My new favorite kitchen toy is my wok…and I also love my food processor. Both were Hanukkah presents too!
Hallie´s last blog post..Soup and Dessert (and maybe Carne Asada)
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My cast iron skillets (yes, I have five of them, don’t judge!) are my favorite kitchen staple!
Love your polenta!! I never had it before I met my husband, but I love it!
Biz´s last blog post..Chicken Saltimbocca
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Hahaha, the ex cracks me up! My favorite kitchen appliance is my Vita-Mix
I need to use it more often, though.
By the way, LOVE the new blog design!!
eatingbender´s last blog post..Eyes Wide Shut
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OMG I LOVE that knife set! Thats hilarious!
By the way, I made your Zuppa Toscana tonight and it was amazing! Great recipe!
Elizabeth (thelongweigh)´s last blog post..From AZ to OG
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so easy to make the polenta.. I’ve never tried this method, always on stove and never found the perfect water measurement. This one seems really simple, i’ll try that.
my fav. kitchen utensil? mmmmm……I don’t know…all of them!!!
coco´s last blog post..How was yout hump day? Mine was moody~~
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how sad is it that I ve always wanted the ex
seriously!
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LOL – I LOVE THE EX! That’s hysterical!
AlliJag´s last blog post..The influence of others
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the ex is hilarious! i’ve never seen anything like that
*crossing my fingers* for the chocolate – or I’ll just have to find a whole foods!
brandi´s last blog post..Breakfast of Champions
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Mara @ What's For Dinner? Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at 7:44 am
You might just need a care package
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that knife holder is the BEST!!
For the Love of Peanut Butter´s last blog post..Blazin’ Foods
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I love polenta too. I’m going to have to try that single serve method because there is always some leftover when I make it…and then I keep going back for more when I’m full.
Becca A´s last blog post..Tense Tummy
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Your blog looks beautiful Mara!
Erin´s last blog post..Erin:
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Hoooray!! I am so proud of you!!
I make grits the same way you made your polenta, I need to try that.
That knife block is THE CUTEST!
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday´s last blog post..No Real Post Today
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ok im seriously in love with your knife block! thats hilarious
Kelly Turner
http://www.everygymsnightmare.com
Kelly Turner´s last blog post..I Was Very Bad…
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Heee, I LOVE the Ex!! Thanks for the polenta tip, I haven’t made it in a while.
As far as my favorite kitchen thingy . . . that’s a very good question. I think right now it’s my grill pan.
Spiceaholic´s last blog post..Just a quick hello
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I LOVE that knife holder!!!!!!!!!
Carol Green´s last blog post..Eeeek!!!!
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I love anything that is in a single serving!! Thanks for the polenta tip! I’ll be making that for sure. I love it too. The rolls are annoying… especially when I only need enough for one person at a time.
Nicole (Sweetie Pie)´s last blog post..Friday Weigh-in, My Weekly Snack Idea, A Celebratory Contest and a BSI Reminder!
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yum, polenta!! and that is the most amazing knife-holder i have ever seen!
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog post..Exhaling
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YUM! Polenta is the best! : )
That knife holder is TOO funny! I love it!
-C
caroline´s last blog post..Spicin it up!
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My current favourite kitchen appliance is my immersion blender, since I have to make most of my food pretty smooth right now in order to eat. I’m also a big fan of my Foreman grill and mandoline slicer. If I had a good set of knives though, that would definitely take top spot!
Lovely new blog design. I’m jealous of all the fancy custom design popping up everywhere!
Marianne´s last blog post..Chew, Chew, Chew
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[...] Weight Watchers weigh-in yesterday, and with all the excercise I did this past week on Tuesday and Thursday, I was expecting some weight loss. I got on the scale, and was completely bummed to see that [...]
Wow that looks delicious… and that knife holder is amazing, gotta get me that
Marlon Reed´s last blog post..When NOT to Approach Women
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[...] dinner, I made a batch of spicy baked tofu and creamy polenta and sauteed some mushrooms and stirred them into the polenta… IT WAS SO GOOD!!! I love [...]
[...] breakfast and lunch, and was REALLY hungry before I finally got to making lunch. I made some creamy parmesan polenta and topped it with some leftover bolognese sauce from last night. It looks like a TON of food [...]
Oooh, creamy polenta is one of my favorite foods on earth. Thanks so much for this recipe! And: AWESOME calorie burning there!! I have to see if there are any Jazzercise classes around here.
Foodie McBody´s last blog post..My Pattern (it seems)
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[...] has to be said. BAM! Yes, inspired by Mara, I whipped up some quick polenta for one, and it made this one of the best quickie dinners [...]