Thursday, August 26, 2010

Teenage Dream



Every morning, I run.  On the weekdays, I run at our complex gym on the treadmill since it's extremely early and still dark outside.  This is the only time in my entire day that I watch television and I'll admit, my selection of TV is not something enriching like World News or CNN (although it probably should be).  When I run, it's mindless, cheesy, old on Nick at Night such as The Nanny, The Cosby Show and Family Matters.  During commercials, I switch over to MTV and catch a few new tunes to keep up my beat and usually there is always one song that comes on that revs me up.  This song ends up sticking in my head all day long. 

Today's mid run jam: Teenage Dream by Katy Perry.  (Yeah Brian!  Shout out for Katy Perry!!! :) 

Wow, am I loving this song right now.  I remember when I first heard it and hated it but now I can't get enough.  The lyrics remind me so much of that high school head over heels crush.  The one that gave you butterflies every time you thought of him.  Anyways, I rocked to this song and actually started dancing a bit while running. 
Anyone ever do this? 

After my dance party, I came home and braced myself for the day. 

Starting with this lovely cereal/yogurt bowl. 

1/4 Cup Kashi Cinnamon H2H, 1/4 Cup Barbara's Shredded Oats, 1/2 Banana, Blackberries, Blueberries,  Stoneyfield Peach Yogurt, Granola, White Chocolate Wonderful PB



Now this was a dream. 

The first half of the day at work was stressful so I came home to regroup and mentally prepare myself for a better second half. 

Last of the Gazpacho! 



The soup is fantastic on its own, but what really makes this meal are the homemade garlic croutons, the diced ripe avocado, the salty green olives, and the fresh basil incorporated throughout every savory bite. 


Farewell Gazpacho.  You will be missed but not forgotten.  I foresee this soup in my favorite recipe collection. 



Fruit and Veggies on the side. 

The second half of my workday turned out much better than the prior.  But the whole thing wore me out and I was ready to be home and happy when I was. 

I wasn't quite sure what I would be making for dinner tonight.  There were a few ideas in my head, but when I dug through the freezer and found a few frozen sea scallops that I had forgotten about, my craving suddenly hit. 

I also wanted a big salad so I put my mind into one of the most delicious salads I have ever made. 

Coconut Crusted Sea Scallops over Fruit Nut and Asparagus Salad


First, let's talk about the scallops. 


I made a wash with one egg white, splash of OJ, dash of vanilla and hot sauce (trust me this works).  I seasoned the scallops with salt, pepper, chili powder and dipped in wash and then dredge in shredded unsweetened coconut. 

I sprayed these with coconut cooking spray and baked at 450 for 10 min.  The last 2 min, broil to get that golden brown crust. 

The salad was a bed of arugula and cabbage with shredded zucchini, roasted asparagus, dried cherries, blueberries, walnuts, goat cheese and avocado in a homemade dressing.  Mango and POM juice, White Balsamic, and Agave.

I told you, one of the very best salads I have ever made or eaten.  There was not so much as a cabbage shred left in this bowl. 

TGIF!!!! It's almost the freakin' weekend and I am sooo ready! :) 

What current top 40 song are you loving right now? Aside of Katy Perry, I'm also loving B.O.B Magic, Eminem, Love the Way You Lie, and Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are.





Photobucket

17 comments:

  1. I had started dancing while I was running ;)

    AWESOME looking dinner! I wish I was at your place tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  2. oh i always break out in dance while i run. it's inevitable, embarrassing and fantastic.

    :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. um totally just book marked this! Josh <3's scallops and coconut!What a perfect looking dinner. Glad lunch helped you re-group and that the second half of the day was much better. I totally watched the nanny the other day when I was running. I used to love that show...I guess I still do now ;) . And I dance at the gym when no one is looking ;) I am loving all of eminems new stuff

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good music can totally give me a huge energy boost on my runs! I am totally loving the new Katie Perry song as well - sometimes I'll just burst out singing when my runs are especially hard and I want to get my mind off it!
    You have to hear the new Flo Rida song - Club Can't Handle Me! SO good! :) xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. OMG I love scallops, but never tried to make them. I should try this because I love coconut shrimp, this would be better!

    ReplyDelete
  6. hahaha I've done a few jigs on the treadmill before. But especially while taking rests in between weight lifting sets. I'll add in the lip singing, too!

    Those coconut scallops look sooo good! I've never seen them crusted before..always just seared. What an awesome idea! :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. i love that song girl! i just heard it in the shower hehe i adanced alittle! its so catchy and amazing1 i love dynamite by taio cruz, i know youve probbaly never heard of this artist but its a really popular song on every station and a great running song! try it pleasee!
    eats look amaaaazing! have a great night <3
    Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am currently rockin' to that new song "Cooler Than Me"

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, what a delicious meal! It's neat how quickly you pull together so many different flavors into one dish.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I run every morning too...well, almost because I didn't run today. I opted to sleep in...but I still only got about 4 hours of sleep. Heh.

    I've been listening to the old SClub7 music as of late. I still really like their catchy songs!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Those scallops look so good!! I'm currently LOVING Love the Way You Lie. I listen to it like three times during every workout :) Happy Friday love!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. that dinner sounds incredible!

    I'm not a big fan of most pop music/top 40, but now I have that Katy Perry song stuck in my head :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I dance while running all the time :-) Glamorous by Fergie is a good one, same for Sugah by Flo-Rida :-) Get my bum wiggling for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Girl kudos to you for running every morning! I have to switch up so that running doesn't become a chore. I love it too much to risk that! :D

    Never considered coconut scallops but those look amazing! Might have to give that a try soon!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I always dance when I run! I can't help it. I move my head my hips and my feet lol. I also love coming home to a delicious breakfast. Ohhhh cereal and yogurt is soo good. Granola + Greek yogurt = AMAZING. And homemade croutons! I don't know why more people don't make them because they're easy and taste so much better (plus they're bigger!) My parents would really dig those scallops! My dad likes to make shrimp stir-fries with shredded coconut. Speaking of stir-fries you should try that next time you make one--the shredded coconut. It adds so much flavor. I love making a sweet-n-sour stir fry with red cabbage, onions, garlic, ginger and throwing in some shredded coconut at the end. SO GOOD!

    Hmm.. I think is a Top 40 hit anymore but I loved Shakira's Waka Waka song. Listening to that while running is so empowering.

    XOXO happy Friday!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is so embarrassing, but since I don't drive everyday anymore, I don't know any of the top 40 songs! I thought "California Gurls" was KP's most recent... I totally sing and dance on the treadmill, too. Love when songs get me excited to exercise!

    Those scallops look SO GOOD, Lauren! As soon as I eat up the shrimp in the fridge, scallops are next on my list.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love me some Katy Perry! Thanks for the shout out!!

    ReplyDelete