Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Day After the Storm


Hello my dear friends and family! How was your weekend?

I really can't believe its over already, but at least it was quite an enjoyable one.


I am so happy that we spent all day cooped up yesterday, because I was able to get so much done around the house and today, the roads were clear which meant I was able to get out and run my errands. It's so nice to have 2 days without any plans, although it was kind of a bummer that our fun stuff got cancelled. Oh well, life is all in order. Cleaning is done, wrapping is done, grocery shopping is done, weekly prep is done.


This morning, the sun was shining and the snow had stopped. We woke up to about 12 inches of pure white fluff covering our back yard. Thankfully, the fluff is not hard to shovel or plow so getting around wouldn't be too messy.


I woke up, started the pot of coffee and relaxed with a mug reading the paper until my hubby awoke for Sunday morning breakfast.


For some reason I have been in the mood for eggs, which really doesn't happen too often so I thought I would go with it.


I made scrambled eggs and egg whites topped with rosemary, dijon, and avocado.


Some of the best grapefruit!


And a Whole Wheat Cin. Rasin Muffin with Pumpkin Butter and Cream Cheese.

I finished my jar of TJ's Pumpkin Butter, but luckily had this guy on hand. Okay, I will probably go to hell for saying this, but this is ONE product that I think triumphs over Trader Joe's. I think McCutcheon's has the best Pumpkin Butter ever! There I said it.

(sorry for the sideways pic. I'm still trying to figure out this ECTO thing)

After breakfast, I moved on to grocery shopping, which was quite a lengthy event today. Maybe I was feeling cabin fever, but for some reason, I spent 2 hours leisurely shopping. It was nice actually. The past few shopping trips, I have felt so rushed and grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do. I like to take my time, browse, compare prices..you know how most normal people shop at the mall. To me, the grocery store is my mall!


Look at what I found today! Good Belly! I hear great things about this, especially from this girl. Apparently it's loaded with billions of probiotics and all things that aid in a healthy digestive system. I am hoping it helps with my tummy issues.



When I got home 2 1/2 hours later, I was starving!


In a rushed attempt to multitask, I put everything away, while working on this salad creation.


This was one of the best salad's I have made in a long time.


Romaine, Purple Cabbage, Cucumber, Red Pepper, Roasted BN Squash, Mango, Cranberry Goat Cheese, and Spiced Cranberry Pecans tossed in a Cranberry Dijon Balsamic.

Delish!

Continuing on with my multi-tasking, I cleaned up lunch while prepping for dinner.

I pulled out Mr. Crock Pot and started to load him up with all kinds of good things. Kristin would be proud!


This is a Moroccan Vegetable Stew with just about every single veggie and spice you can think of. Along with a few other random ingredients.


Chop Chop Chop, and with a click of a button, dinner would be ready in a few hours.


With the magic of computer time travel, this was the outcome.


I decided to serve the stew on a bed of spinach and cous cous.

Added some pineapple, greek yogurt and green olives.

OMG this stew was unbelievable!!!! First, it was so heart and thick, that I could eat it with a fork. You all know how much I adore eating foods out of bowls with forks.

I am so happy that I made enough to feed a third world country, because I only imagine this stew gets better with age.

Well, that's about as exciting as this weekend got for us. How about you? Do anything fun and crazy?

Night everyone!


14 comments:

  1. Definitely didn't do anything "crazy" this weekend - I had to finish typing up my sixty page script for my Screenwriting class!! :)

    Have a fabulous Sunday evening!!

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  2. Mmmm! That stew sounds fabulous .. aren'ts crock pots the greatest??? Easy and delicious!

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  3. I agree--McCutcheons pumpkin butter is better than TJ's. Too bad I have an unopened TJ's jar to use up before I can even think about McCutcheons! Your brekkie looks perfect!!

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  4. yum.. that Moroccan stew looks soo super yummy!!

    I'm so jealous you guys have pumpkin butter... I can't find it anywhere!!! boo for no trader joes!

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  5. Yay for a productive day after an unproductive one. Today was very unproductive for me due to snow, so hopefully tomorrow will be productive! Haha!

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  6. that grapefruit does look quite perfect! love crock pot stews....

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  7. EVERYTHING looks delicious!!! So nice that you got to get in some leisurely shopping time. Being rushed is such an unpleasant feeling. By the way, have you tried Kefir? That has probiotics and good for the belly. I really enjoy those Goody Belly drinks - the watermelon one is soo yummy. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your Sunday night!!

    XOXO

    p.s. McCutcheon's IS the BEST pumpkin butter out there. No shame ;)

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  8. Hello! My name is Ariel and I am part of the GoodBelly crew in Boulder, CO. I'm so happy to see that you discovered us. Just wanted to let you know that we have a 12 day challenge, so if it DOESN'T improve your tummy issues, we will absolutely refund you for the 12 day supply. Our probiotics are clinically substantiated, though, so I'm sure you will feel the effects. If you or any of your viewers want to sign up for the 12 day challenge, here is the link to do so: http://www.goodbelly.com/community/12-day-challenge

    Best Regards,
    Ariel Scott at GoodBelly
    P.S. We're always here if you have any questions: info@goodbelly.com. Be well!

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  9. Hey girlie :) Glad to hear you had such a nice weekend. It does feel SO good to get things done. I haven't tried that pumpkin butter- I will be on the lookout for it. Both your lunch salad and dinner stew look amazing! I love the crock pot! I actually just sent Josh to work with a crock pot full of black bean chili that he will cook in his office all day until their holiday lunch- so easy! Have a good Monday

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  10. Sometimes I just really love being snowed in! :D I can light candles, turn on christmas lights and make everything really cozy.

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  11. Thanks for the shout out! I do love my goodbelly. :) I think if you go to their website there's more info, but I think that if you do a 12 day trial (once a day for twelve days) and you don't notice a significant improvement, they'll reimburse you 100%! I know it helps me when I remember to use it often!

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  12. Get out - all of those eats look so scrumptious!! Perfect meals for a wintry day. I don't get the egg craving that often either but when I do and I follow through on it, they just hit the spot! Yum :)

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  13. OOOOOOOOOOOO I would love some of that stew. I just may have to come over :) ! and that lunch balsamic squash dish looks pretty insane. Insanely delicious. not to mention your adorable breakfast and perfectly placed fruit!? Who am I kidding! We all knew Miss Lauren ate good food!!

    yay for getting lots done! I still have some wrapping to do, but this present needs to get in the mail........so hmmmmm....ya... i think it is going to be late!! oops! ;/

    i adore your flashing photo widget on the side of your page!! how did you make that?! through photobucket?! it's insanely cute!!!

    anywhoooooo, love you sooo!
    HAPPY MONDAY!

    (AND why aren't we facebook friends? do you have one? shoot me an email, lovaaaaah!)

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  14. ohhh wow that crock pot creation looks amazing!! you are so clever! and the dijon + avo on eggs sounds dynomite. glad you got lots done and sorry i am a week behind. ack!

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