You're BERRY Welcome! (Healthy, Delicious, SIMPLE Berry Filling)



It's Berry Season.

If you read my weekend recap then you know about the amazing trip to the supermarket I had where I left with berries galore!

Well, What's a gal to do with so many succulent berries?!

MAKE DELICIOUS BERRY FILLING.

So I stepped into the Kitchen and went all TOP CHEF...

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Watching cooking shows has left me feeling inspired in the kitchen and I decided to create a culinary masterpiece:  The Berry Pastry.

Why a 'Pastry'??  Because pastries are fluffy, delicate, and I knew I had Puff Pastry in the freezer.

This filling was so good I'm sure you could use it on a piece of toast, in your oatmeal, in some OverNight Oats, on crackers... just about anything you could think of.  That would keep the calorie count low, but I was ready to splurge.

Place those Shells on a tray in your oven according to the directions on the box (425 for 20 minutes - although mine were done after 18) and gather the supplies for your delicious filling!

You're going to need

2 Green Apples peeled & finely chopped

6 - 8 oz container Fresh Blueberries

3 packets Truvia (or natural sweetener of your chocie)

~3 oz Sparkling Strawberry Kiwi Water

That's it!!

I pick green apples simply because I love their inherent tart flavor.  Additionally, anytime you are cooking fruit it becomes sweeter so starting with a green apple captures more flavors.

I chose to use Sparkling Water because it is low calorie but adds a bit of additional sweetness/flavor.

To Begin, set your small sauce pot on the stove on Med/High heat (I had mine on a level 8) and quickly spray with a bit of Olive Oil Pam.  Pour in some Sparkling Kiwi Strawberry water until the level is approximately a centimeter high.  Add in your three (3) packets of sweetener and stir.

Now add in the blueberries.

As the mixture heats, quickly peal and finely chop your two (2) green apples adding them into the pot as you go. 

The mixture should turn a dark velvety red from the blueberries and the apple pieces should plump with the same color.

Just continue to Stir.

That's all you do. 

As your pastries are baking away, you'll stir every minute or so and watch the mixture in the pot thicken.  Your kitchen is going to smell DIVINE!

Here's a picture of my filling as it was nearly done! 

::that smoke is steam rising from my sauce::

You know your mixture is done when it starts to form a jelly-like consistency.

Surprisingly, my sauce took the same amount of time to perfect as my pastries did to bake.

The kitchen lords must've been smiling down upon me!

Take the pastries out of the oven (with a pot holder -- the tray is HOT!) and use a fork to carefully remove the circular tops of the pastries.  Spoon the filling into the pastries and then place the 'top' back onto the pastry (unless you have already eaten the flakey buttery goodness that was the 'top')

VOILA!!

Actually maybe it would've looked prettier without the top... but it didn't last like that for long anyways!!!!

MMmmmmmm!!!!

Now I'm sitting here in Berry Heaven.

And the BEST PART?!  Don't feel guilty when you eat this filling!!

It's made of two apples, blueberries, truvia, and a bit of sparkling water!!!!

Questions for the Day:

What's your favorite Berry?

What food do you feel should NEVER be left berry-less???

Weekend Recap and BETTER than the $1 (Dollar) Menu

So Friday afternoon I sped outta work because THIS is what the weather was like:

75 degrees in January?!  CRAZY SAUCE!

It was so gorgeous I threw on my LuLuLemon Run Speed shorts as soon as I got home and raced out the door.

I tried to run my Challenge Nature Run and completed the 6.4 miles in 1:04 (9:55 avg pace).

Apparently I needed to eat more, I'd only had oatmeal and berries for breakfast plus coffee then 2 Gu Chomps before the run... I run better when I don't work through lunch... Still, the weather was gorgeous!  I was also slightly slowed down because they were doing construction on the trail and I had to 'limbo' under caution tape a few times.  There was no stopping me.

I hurried in the door after my run to have a quick shower and change for a dinner with several couples from work.

So fresh and so clean!!!

We went to Buca Di Bepo which has Family Style dining so you order a few entrees and it feeds the whole table. 

Thank GOODNESS they brought out some salad first because I was famished!!

For our entrees the group ordered two versions of spicy pasta (one with sausage, one with chicken) and the Eggplant Parmesan.  I had the eggplant which was AMAZING.  I am not a fan of spicy pasta...

Afterwards most of the couples went home, but M & I joined another couple for a few drinks at a local bar - we felt like being young and crazy since it was Friday night.

Saturday we woke up and hit the gym - I managed a 3 mile run on the treadmill but it was rough after my longer run the day before, and my legs felt like lead.

I also managed to get in a pretty good strength session with some Tone It Up Sunset moves.  I've been doing a great job so far this year at continuing to work strength into my workout plan!  2012 Week I = complete!!

We ended up meeting a bunch of friends at Top Golf for lunch.

I'm just a beginner, but Top Golf is still a lot of fun for me.  They have 'bays' that remind me of nice bowling alleys where there are tables and TV touch screens with your 'score' and of course additional TVs with sports playing.  There are different colored flags in front of you and you simply shoot at the different flags and depending on how close your ball lands that's how many points you get - simple, right??

I only shoot at the closest flags because I don't have any sort of a long shot yet.  I also get bored easily so I like to be on a team and take turns swinging :)

The food isn't bad either - especially for a sports venue:

M & I split the chicken wrap and Asian Chicken Salad.

Oh, and a few light beers - mine with lime :)

After spending 4-5 HOURS at Top Golf, we headed back to Mikesta's Casa and placed a few card games before our friends went on their merry way leaving us to decide how we wanted to spend our Saturday night.

We decided the GROCERY STORE was the best call.

WERE. WE. RIGHT!!!!

If you are one of those people who is excited by the DOLLAR MENU try these specials on for size!!!

FIRST the produce aisle greeted me with

$1 Raspberries or Blackberries

and then the frozen vegetable aisle followed up with

$1 Mixed Veggie Bags

in a million styles!  The Bell Pepper and Onion Blend is one of my favorites but I also stacked up the cart full of Broccoli, Spinach, and Tuscan Style Mixed Veggies.

You can't beat $1... and although I love fresh vegetables, I always keep some frozen in my freezer to heat up last minute and add to pasta dishes and rice.

I told Mike it was like a very belated Birthday gift -- Thank you Kroger :) :) :)

After returning home from our successful grocery store date we decided to get fancy and pull out the Lobster Tail meat we'd bought from Costco the previous weekend. 

Lobster Tail Meat + Veggies + Smart Noodles + Tomato Basil Sauce

That's Mike's plate -- his always looks nicer than mine because I just throw everything in a cereal bowl since that way I'm less likely to spill over the sides.

We watched a few episodes of Dexter we have on Net Flix and called it a night!

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I'm still not caught up with the current season so don't spoil it for me!! We're at the point where he has befriended Julia Stiles (ya omg remember her from Save the Last Dance?!)

The show is a little bit dark for me... but I do appreciate how good typically wins over evil :)

Sunday I started my day out VERY HAPPY.

Doesn't that look like a HUGE smiley face to you?!?!

Egg White and SUPER VEGGIE omelette with toasted artisan bread.  YUM.

I also added a slice of Munster Cheese which was DELISH.

A big lunch fueled another workout at the gym - but I stuck to a sweaty elliptical session to give my running muscles a bit of a break.

The rest of our Sunday was spent researching a few things that I will talk about on the blog ONCE they actually happen, that way I don't jinx anything ;)

I hope everyone has a fabulous Monday!

(lol)

Questions for the Day:

How's the weather where you are?

was gorgeous all weekend - but super rainy and 40's today! blech

Do you have anywhere like 'Top Golf' near you?  Do you golf?

Still very new to golf!  I am working on my swing using a 7 iron and refuse to try any more until I get this one down - I'm a bit of a perfectionist.  And also, I don't go but once every few months.

Have you ever had 'Date Night' at your local grocery store?



Itching to Run...

OMGoodness WHAT time is it?!

Puzzled by that clock?  Don't worry.. the numbers are still in their typical locations, just using Nerdy Math terms ;)

That clock was a graduation present from my parents when I graduated with a BS in Applied Mathematics.

::NERD ALERT::

It's roughly 10:50am according to my clock now hanging in my cubical here at work... and I am simply itching to run!!!

Surprisingly there were no Cartoons on Google that had to do with a Runner fidgiting frantically at the office... so I drew that one up myself then added text via FotoFlexer.

That's ME right now.

I have barely been able to focus all day, I just keep thinking about the GORGEOUS weather outside!!

Friday, January 6th

70 | 47 °F

Partly Cloudy

Umm... high of 70 in January?!  WONDERFUL!

This is still slightly a strange feeling to me, because a year ago I had never even run a race nor had I felt any strong feelings for running. ::gasp::

Since discovering a love of running I've found confidence, pride and happiness in my workouts.  That doesn't mean that they're all wonderful cherry topped sundaes or easy by any means, but it means that each and every day I'm learning to be happier with myself, my body and my health.

Running is like a Box of Chocolates.

Not every Run is going to be your favorite, and each one is a surprise - but all in all, you'd rather have the box of chocolates, right??

Anyways part of this dying to run today is probably due to my REST DAY yesterday.

I went with K and M to Middle-Of-Nowhere where Ash lives now to bring her and Jax her FAVORITE Burger from this tiny diner out there.

I was skeptical to say the least, but this place was pretty awesome!

and PACKED.

It's a 50's ish Car themed Diner - "MG's" - where every burger on their menu is named after a car (e.g. Chevy, Ford, Thunderbird, etc)

Retro JukeBox

M & K waiting for the Burgers

I went with the T-Bird (Turkey Burger) on their HomeMade Bun with Lettuce, Tomato, Swiss and Mushrooms.  It was HEAVEN.

And then the four of us split these....

I cannot remember the last time I let myself eat a tater tot.  Those puppies are dangerous.  So much for being healthy I probably ate half the tots myself!  Oh well, we're allowed an indulgence every now and then, right?

I just justified it by saying it would fuel my run TODAY.

Speaking of indulgences, the Grey's Anatomy premier was AMAZING SAUCE!!!

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What that girl goes through just makes you really appreciate your life and the people around you! 

At least with all the sadness and heartbreak 

(still upset they killed off another of my favorite men - Henry)

there was a Happy Ending :)

And I made sure to start off this morning back on the right track...

From the Cafe at work -- Oatmeal with Strawberries, a few raisins, cinnamon and Truvia with a Black Coffee - YUM.

That Oatmeal was gone like the Flash.

Questions for the Day:

BEST thing you got for graduation?  Go.

How long can you go between workouts before you start getting 'antsy' and unable to concentrate? 

If you're an avid Grey's watcher (like me), what do you think about Mark's new love interest?  Do you feel bad for Lexie or think she made her choice?

 



Back To Work

Hello on this Beautiful! {but very chilly} Tuesday!

 

 

 

 

It was only 24 degrees when I woke up at 6am for my first day of work for the New Year!

 

I wanted to bundle up like this...

 

 

 

 

 

And sure enough, as soon as I stepped outside it gave me flashbacks to my Icicle Bike Ride last Saturday..

 

 

 

It's really quite cold! Thank goodness for Ear Warmers, Mittens and Leg Warmers! 

 

oh yes and... FUZZY SOCKS!

 

 

 

 

 

I've been wearing super fuzzy Aloe infused socks EVERYWHERE in the cold... my sneakers can't even contain them.  These ones were a lime green mess haha

 

Today's are a bright pink and white stripe... but don't worry, you can't see them under my knee high boots ;)

 

 

 

First Work Place Fashion Photo of the New Year!!!

{I'm seriously sick of the awful flourescent lighting - yuck! hello SHINE on my forehead!}

Dress was a total find at Ross!  Love when that happens! 

Black Tights from Express

Black Boots from BCBG Maxazria outlet 2 years ago

 

 

So this morning it was EXTRA hard to motivate myself to wake... especially knowing I was out of coffee...

 

 

 

 

LUCKILY I ran to the Cafeteria here at work after catching up on a few emails and got the necessary warm coffee fix.  I think the thermostat hadn't been touched here at work all Holiday break because it was FREEZING all morning and I wished I could type better in fuzzy gloves.. I would've kept them on!

Getting up at 6am had me starved by 12 o'clock lunch time.. luckily all I had to do was heat up some leftovers from last night's dinner:

Brown Rice, Veggies and Red Pepper Sausages

Rice and Veggies cook up SO SIMPLY in a Rice Cooker... invest if you don't have one!

Here's the basic outline I use to make my rice and veggies:

Ingredients (Makes 8 servings)

2 cups (dry) Brown Rice

2-3 cups Frozen Broccoli

1 package Frozen Spinach (10oz)

2 cup Frozen Mixed Vegetables of Choice

6 fl oz Tomato Juice

**Seasoning**

  

 

Directions

1.

Place 2 cups brown rice in Rice Cooker with 4 cups hot water + 6oz can tomato juice

 

2.

Add your favorite seasoning directly to the water and stir - try adding Vegetable Buillon cube or Salt and Pepper to taste

 

3.

Microwave any frozen vegetables according to directions on package and add to Steam Tray on top of Rice Cooker (good to use a light olive oil spray on steam tray before adding veggies so they don't stick as they cook)

 

4.

Once Rice is DONE dump the veggies into the pot and mix it all together.

 

5.

This meal is great because it makes several servings you can pack up and save for later during the week - it reheats very well!

 

6.

Set Rice Cooker to 'Brown Rice' setting and it will cook the rice and veggies at the same time!

 

 

Read more: http://caloriecount.about.com/basic-brown-rice-veggies-cooker-recipe-r854680#ixzz1iQWWM7rV

 

 

The sausages we used were the Red Pepper & Spinach ones I got at Costco the other day which are made with chicken and absolutely delicious!

 

120 calories per link and 15g protein!!!

Followed up with a nice hot tea.

Tea just makes you feel so warm inside!!

Kinda like this next picture....

  

My Godson is so so precious!!!

That's his grumpy face... he doesn't like being moved when he's so snugly, Ash had just moved him to his new carseat!!

 

 

 

Questions for the Day:

 

What is 'Cold' to you??

Here in Texas I'd say anything below 40 is cold... and definitely scarf/mitten territory.

 

What workout gear do you add whenever it gets 'Cold' outside?

Ear warmers, Leg Warmers, Gloves.... and I try to drink a hot coffee or tea before venturing outside!!

 

 

 

 



Cheers to a Brand New Year!

Happy New Years Everyone!!

I finally decided what my New Years Resolution will be...

Apparently last night as I was leaving the party <very late and very tired> I snatched one last Cake Ball my sister made (they were absolutely delicious!) and said to Mike that I had to have one to-go.

Well, I guess I brought it in the car and left it there.  Uneaten.

When I then inquired as to its whereabouts this morning after hearing the story he says he threw it away.  RUDE.

So... My resolution is that this year NO CAKE BALLS GO WASTED!!!!

{Mari's Balls}

Honestly, I've been working to be healthier all year so I think that I don't necessarily need a resolution to be healthier, maybe just to keep it up and continue to grow as an athlete :)

My new favorite way to start the morning?  Best Cereal Combo EVER:

1/2 Cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch

1 Cup Fiber One Honey Squares

Almond Milk

Strawberries and Blueberries

Speaking of New Years Resolutions... Mike's is to cancel the Sunday Paper.  He started getting the Sunday paper last month and this is pretty much what we used them for:

Placemats.

What?  It's way easier to read the news online or watch it on T.V. Newspapers are just large and cumbersome.  The cartoons weren't even that funny.  Catching up on blogs is just a better use of my time.

That's my chicken salad featured above -- tons of spinach underneath, but it wasn't my favorite salad.  I'm really picky with my deli meat and the chicken just wasn't that great.  I prefer Rotisserie Chicken pulled and fresh to the sliced sandwich meats. 

So RECOVERING from a New Years Eve full of Cake Balls and Drinking was best with an Egg Sandwich and Egg White Omelette!

Too tired this morning to do dishes hence the Dixie paper plate. 

Pretty impressive Omelette, no?  I'm getting better!!  

OH and for all you COSTCO shoppers out there... GO buy some of their Chicken Red Pepper and Spinach Sausages -- too good!  I broke one up and paired it with Spinach, Sliced Red Bell Pepper, Feta and made an Egg White Omelette with a piece of wheat toast the other day and the flavors were so incredible.

Let me tell you.. an Omelette like this would seriously cost you like $10 at a restaurant, I'm saving so much money with my new culinary skills.  Yes... that's another section of the Sunday paper.  Waste not want not.

Favorite thing that happened in 2011?

Probably this little guy being born!!!  

Umm this is the CUTEST outfit ever!  it says 100% Organic... and on his tummy it says 'Made With Love' LOL

And it's been BEAUTIFUL weather here in Texas even though it's now January it's 60 degrees outside -- perfect weather to be outdoors!  

Went running with Mike yesterday and clocked in 3.2 miles before his knee started really bugging him... Looked it up online and seems he has Iliotibial Band Syndrome - all his symptoms are exactly that. 

Anyone else suffered from this?  Any tips/tricks to dealing with it?  

So to stay off the knee, we're going on an extra long bike ride here as soon as I get off the computer!!! 

Happy First Day of 2012 Everyone!! 

Questions for the Day:

What's your New Years Resolution?

Anyone dealing with Iliotibial Band Syndrome?  Any suggestions on stretches?

Favorite Cereal Combo?!