*There’s a giveaway at the end of this post. Feel free to skip the cute pictures of animals and the delicious recipe to get to it*
Have you ever had one of those days where you swear that you were not dry for one minute of that day? No? Try this:
- shower at 5:10 a.m. and leave hair to air dry with product
- spend 6 hours outside in the rain at the zoo
- sit in a seat on the bus ride back with a broken window, have rain drip on you the whole hour ride.
- have to wear a wet sweatshirt until warm enough to take it off
How’s that sound? I was so soaking wet today ALL day due to the 6 hours of being out in the rain that my fingers were pruny! BUT… it was still a fantastically fun day!!!
We met some camels:
2 camels, 4 humps
Some bison (though I eat them, I still think they’re amazing!)
NOT buffalo. Bison.
A zebra:
The kids named him ZeeVee
The most beautiful “teenage” giraffe:
SUCH great eyelashes!
An orangutan, just hangin’ out:
He was quite chill
A baby gorilla:
Cute, huh?
And a dinosaur:
No, not real... animatronic!
It was quite an eventful, tiring, and wet day! When I got home, I was quite hungry, and decided to “MacGyver” a meal out of the ingredients we had in the house… I’m calling this one:
Lentil Confetti Chicken
This recipe made a TON!
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breasts, cut into chunks
1 orange pepper, diced
3 small tomatoes, seeded and diced
1/2 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. dried lentils
4 c. water
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. red pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
S&P to taste
Directions
In a large pot, heat the olive oil and garlic. When the garlic is lightly browned, add the bell pepper, onion, and tomato and cook a few minutes. Add the chicken and brown, mixing well with the vegetables. Add lentils, water, and seasonings. Cover and simmer about 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Serve and enjoy!
I served mine on brown rice, and ended up topping it with a bit of low fat cheddar cheese and it was delicious and satisfying!
Now, on to the reason you’re actually here: to win something!
I mentioned in my post on Sunday that I’d made some delicious cookies with coconut flour, and many of you mentioned that you’d never had coconut flour, or even heard of it! Well, the lovely folks over at Tropical Traditions have offered to give you, one lucky What’s For Dinner reader, a 2.2 lb. bag of their delicious coconut flour! So far, it’s been a fantastic addition to my baking and breakfasts, and I can’t wait to use it in sauces, and as a breading for some coconut shrimp. Want to win some?? It’s easy! Just leave a comment below!!! For a bonus entry, sign up for the Tropical Traditions Newsletter, and email me to let me know you’ve done so. Winner will be announced Sunday evening!
There’s more love from Tropical Traditions to come soon… so stay tuned!
The camper quote of the day made me fall over in my seat laughing today… we were eating lunch near the rhinos and hippos. One girl turned to another and said “You know whats the difference between those 2? One’s head is soft and one’s head is hard. Kind of like you and me. My head is soft and your head is hard, so don’t poke my head!”
THEY KILL ME!!!!
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I’ve never heard of that either but I LOVE coconut so it sounds pretty exciting!
.-= emily´s last blog ..Sweet, Spicy, Sesame, Tangy =-.
love those babies…. and coconut flour!!.. and YOU!
YES! I was totally intrigued by your coconut flour – I would LURVE a chance to try it!
.-= Kristin @ Iowa Girl Eats´s last blog ..Pizza + Pedicures = Perfection =-.
Coconut flour is a new one on me but I’m positive I can find some delish ways to use it.
Thanks for the giveaway and great quote from the kids. They seriously do say the darnedest things.
.-= Brittany´s last blog ..Sour, Sweet, Salty & Seedy =-.
I would just love to try coconut flour!
.-= Annabel http://www.feedmeimcranky.com´s last blog ..The Things You Learn in the E.R. =-.
The zoo pictures are awesome! And your campers are still the best…
I would love to try some coconut flour; it sounds very interesting!
.-= Andrea@WellnessNotes´s last blog ..Staying Motivated =-.
nice giveaway!
Animals! Yay
No penguins though? Booooo. I guess I’ll forgive you this time, cuz that giraffe is pretty cute too.
And obviously, I’d be all over some coconut flour. Yum coconut!
.-= Marianne´s last blog ..Bites + French Fries + Bowls =-.
so cute!
.-= Pearl´s last blog ..Racism as Marketing =-.
Would love to give it a try
so many cute animals!
coconut flour? so interesting!!!
.-= coco´s last blog ..NYC recap part 2: first pinkberry, fireworks and city views =-.
Too funny, it almost looks like my blog!! Zoo’s are so fun!!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..July 4th Weekend Part One =-.
I actually meant to leave you this comment the other day….I really do LOVE your blog. I read it faithfully everyday! I’ve tried many of your recipes and they are quite a hit in my house. I, too, am on a weight loss-for-life-but-getting-married-soon journey and you’ve been quite and inspiration to me.
Love your blog! I’d love to try the flour!
Shower at 5:10am? Girl – I give you credit! That is NO time to be out of bed!
What a great quick dinner!
Coconut flour sounds pretty interesting!
.-= Krista´s last blog ..Garden’s First =-.
that stinks about the rain, but it looks like you guys saw some cool animals
i would love to try the coconut flour!
.-= brandi´s last blog ..Addicted =-.
I just received “Skinny Bitch in the Kitch” as a gift and some of the recipes call for coconut flour! I would love to try it out!
The gorillas are my favorite at the Brookfield Zoo. We go every summer and spend like an hour alone just at their exhibit. They’re fascinating to watch!!
And I’ve never heard of coconut flour either, sound vewy vewy interesting!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Quinoa Salad =-.
You’ve got me totally interested in the coconut flour! It would be neat to try!
And you’ve also got me wanting to hit Brookfield Zoo again! Do they still have the Stingray Bay? That was really fun to pet them!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Random ramblings =-.
I would like to win. Sounds interesting
.-= Rose´s last blog ..Great Sage =-.
I LOOOOOOOOOVE the giraffe!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..GRILLED VEGETABLES =-.
I have definitely never baked with coconut flour, or seen it for that matter.
Also, zebras are so pretty, aren’t they?
.-= Hangry Pants´s last blog ..She Says: Cherry Chocolate Chip Granola Bars =-.
hahahah that camper comment is hysterical!
Thanks for a chance to win some coconut flour, i have NEVER heard of it and my mom is a huge coconut fan!
.-= Olga´s last blog ..I’d rather be at the beach =-.
I like that chicken recipe! Chicken and lentils go great together
I have never heard of coconut flour, either. Would love to try some!
.-= Marisa (Trim The Fat)´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Baby!! =-.
I’ve never heard of coconut flour, but I sure would love to try it!
.-= Sarah L´s last blog ..The dip I’m obsessed with. =-.
Never heard of coconut flour. I would love to try it. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I love coconut so I think it would be fun to try coconut flour and I’ve heard great health benefits too! thanks.
Hi Mara! Sorry I haven’t been here in a little bit!
I too have never heard of coconut flour!! Have you been to a fruitful yield health food store. I go to the one in North Riverside, but I think there is one in Glen Ellyn. Anyway, they have about 15 different varieties of flour! I’ve tried the quinoa flour, oat flour, whole wheat pastry flour, etc… so good!!
.-= Jenn@slim-shoppin´s last blog ..Taco salad! =-.
I want to get to Brookfield sometime this summer. I love your animal pictures. So adorable!
.-= Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog ..Weekly Weigh In: July 8 =-.
I haven’t had it but I’d love to try, thanks!
Didn’t know about this site – looking forward to looking around. Can’t wait to try the Lentil Confetti Chicken, but will have to use wild rice or quinoa instead of brown rice. I deal with lots of food sensitivities, including gluten. But this recipe would be good for me, and looks quite simple – the only kind of recipes I will make. Yay! (Coconut flour? Count me in!)
Cute pics, I haven’t been to the zoo in ages. Glad you had a good time. I live Mounds bars, so your coconut chocolate chip cookies were right up my alley. Would love to make some, Thanks for the give-away!
Coconut flour? Awesome!!!
And that is a wonderful MacGuyver meal! I think after that day and the state of my kitchen, it would have been a beef jerky and Amy’s indian meal night..
.-= Quix´s last blog ..Random Recipes: Summer Salads =-.
I love coconut of all kinds, would love to try the flour!
I want to win this one!! I am super curious!
.-= jen (@bwJen)´s last blog ..2009 Halfway Point/Goals Check In =-.
Coonut flour seems interesting. Never heard of it. Would love to win!!
Coconut flour sounds pretty cool. I’ve spent many mornings at the zoo when it was raining, and it wasn’t even for work. Rainy Days and icy snow cold days are fun at the zoo, because hardly anyone is there and you can have the day to yourself.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..Summertime Gadgets – Fun and Functional =-.
I love coconut! Coconut flour sounds amazing!
Love those cute lil babies! Coconut flour sounds fab!
.-= Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog ..Daily Delish – Blueberry muffins are my ticket to becomming a domestic goddess =-.
Fun zoo pics. Sorry about being wet all day, as long as it wasn’t too cold.
Mmm, coconut! The flour sounds awesome.
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..TWD–Tribute-to-Katharine-Hepburn Brownies =-.
You lucked out. I went to Brookfield last week and saw barely any animals. All the exhibits were being “cleaned” or “remodeled”. I was so irritated because they don’t tell you that when you purchase your admission. You have to walk around and find out at each exhibit. Was definitely not worth the time.
I hope I am not too late to enter! I would love to try the coconut flour, simply because it’s gluten free!
.-= holly´s last blog ..End of an Era =-.
I have never tried coconut flour, but my sister and her husband I think use it all the time.
I almost feel guilty trying to win this, because I’m already well acquainted with coconut flour. But not TOO guilty, because this stuff is fairly pricey and I know I’ll use it!
I make coconut flour pancakes every week to use as a substitute for chapatis or naan when I have curry dishes. (I avoid grains.)
I’ve been wanting to try coconut flour out!
I’ve tried the oil, I would like to try the flour too
Oooo, I’ve tried Bob’s Red Mill coconut flour but am almost out, and it’s impossible to find around here. Plus, I am all eager to make those chocolate chip cookies you posted about…
.-= jennk/cinnamonquill´s last blog ..Perfect Sweet Cherry Pie =-.
did I enter this yet? hmmmmm well I’ll retweet for you too
and YES to what you emailed me about I’ll email you back and we’ll hammer out the details soon.
.-= laura´s last blog ..The BFF-Best Foodie Foto =-.
did I miss the contest?? Coconut flour has me curious!
.-= jen (@bwJen)´s last blog ..summer’s just getting started! (UPDATED) =-.
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