What's For Dinner?

I have to brag for a minute.

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I did NOT want to go to Jazzercise tonight. I was tired, it was gorgeous out, and all I wanted to do was sit outside and read a book. But, JUST in time, I saw a message from Stephanie at Back In Skinny Jeans that said something like “if you don’t want to exercise, make a deal with yourself: Just 10 minutes. Bet you’ll do more!” So I got in my car and drove to class, saying “I might not stay the whole class.” We got started, and I got into it, and I even did some of the routines “high impact” instead of the wussed-out versions I normally do. When we finished the class, I had sweat dripping down my back, my face was beet red, my legs were shaking… and when I got to the car I checked my Polar F6 as I always do, expecting to see my usual 620 calorie burn. Oh no. It was not 620. It was not even 720. I burned 760 calories in an hour! I don’t know what was so different about this class… maybe it was the new routines, maybe the self-challenge, but I rocked it!

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Now, onto dinner. This meal looks so much like so many other meals I’ve made, but I guarantee you it tasted different. I took the chicken method from my mock KFC bowl last week, and made more normal-sized pieces of chicken. At the produce market, I found for $4.40 a pound of chicken cutlets, which were whole chicken breasts cut widthwise into thin slices. They were GREAT! I got to eat 3 pieces of chicken for the “damage” of one! I also used panko crumbs instead of regular bread crumbs to save on calories even more.

So there’s the mustard chicken. Here’s the sweet potato (we shared this plate):

It was a great, simple dinner, and I’m perfectly satisfied. I do WANT something sweet, but I’ll probably have a small bowl of cereal later. Now, a little bit of rewinding is necessary…

Last night, after reading on Thinspired about the BSI being bananas, I immediately set to work making something. I had no idea what I was doing, but luckily I used measuring cups and spoons! I call them:

Mini Choco-Coco-Banana Tea Cakes

makes 6 mini-cakes

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

2 Tbsp dry chocolate PB2

1/2 c. light vanilla Silk soy milk

1 banana, cut into pieces

6 tsp. shredded coconut

Directions

Combine ingredients in a blender, food processor, or, like I did, a cup that fit my stick blender. Blend all ingredients thoroughly until a thick batter forms. Allow to sit about 10 minutes while you pre-heat the oven to 200*. Spoon the batter onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle each with a teaspoon of coconut. Bake until dried out a bit, about 40 minutes. The inside will still be moist and cakey. Enjoy!

Now, while still in rewind mode…last night, I got an email from Brandi about a fun dinner she made!! She was my first un-provoked Guest for Dinner! I met Brandi a couple years ago on the Weight Watchers message boards, and she’s been my “beach” and friend ever since! So, Brandi, pull up a chair, have a seat at my table, and tell us about your meal!

Spaghetti Bowl

Sauce:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 6 oz. cremini mushrooms
• 1 large (28 oz.) can of crushed tomatoes
• 1 14 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 tsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• oregano
• garlic powder
• chopped onion
• italian seasoning
• crushed red pepper
• salt
• pepper

1. Heat pot over medium heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook until browned. Add in onions now, if using and let cook until softened.
3. Add in ground  beef/other protein source of choice and let brown.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and water. Stir together.
5. Add in all spices to taste and let simmer 10 minutes.

I made a layered pasta bowl for dinner and it was good! 1.5 cups spinach on the bottom 1/2  cup green beans 1 cup whole wheat angel hair pasta 1/2 cup of so of the sauce Sprinkle with a pinch (or handful!) of parmesan and enjoy!

Thanks Brandi!! That really does look like a fantastic meal, and I love all the veggie layering action going on there!
Would YOU like to be my guest for dinner? Send an email to mara@imadedinner.net outlining a dinner you’ve made (or eaten at a great restaurant!) with photos, a recipe, and description, and I’ll post it!

In other (EXCITING!!!) news, the “really cool thing(s)” arrived today! You only have to wait about a week to find out what it/they are! AND I absolutely cannot contain myself because tomorrow, I’m having a blogger dinner with Jenn from EatingBender, Michelle from LuckyTasteBuds, Shannon from The Daily Balance, and another foodie friend at a fabulous Cuban restaurant!! I CAN’T WAIT!!!

QOTD: What are you excited about? Do you have anything youn are looking forward to soon? For me, its the blogger meet-up, the end of the school year, the start of my summer job, and FARMERS MARKETS!

TGIAF!

Technorati Tags: BSI, chicken, Guests for Dinner, simple recipe