After this photo was taken, I poured in the mixture of flour, eggs, parmesan cheese, and spices to the mix. This gave the dish a more “pie-like” vibe after it baked, which only took about 30 minutes.

Now I’m just wondering what I can pair this dish with so that it will be filling. Any ideas for a side that will pack a punch? All-vegetable meals that don’t include beans tend to leave me a touch unsatisfied.

It felt good to create a vegetable-based meal from scratch again. This, paired with a ridiculously easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole, puts this week off to a good cooking start. Exactly what I need as I continue the last month of half-marathon training before the big race.

How’s your eating been lately?

Over the weekend I finally put to use a seed starter that’s been lying around since last year. With the help of my gentleman friend, I got an early start – planting tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower and beets. Now I need to keep an eye on these over the next few weeks, eventually transferring them to the backyard. I’ve had bad luck in the past with spinach especially so I’m hoping this jumpstart helps.

Will it ever be spring? If we will it to be, perhaps it will come sooner. One can only hope.

I’ve been drinking Shakeology as a breakfast meal replacement since my order shipped. After trying a sample I procured from my Beach Body coach, I decided to take the plunge and buy a month’s supply. Honestly, my coach was integral in this process. She answered every question I had and provided me with some of the best Shakeology recipes. She’s STILL answering all my questions – and that helps oh so much.

So, let’s get to the review. What do I think of Shakeology thus far?

Pros

• Energy level. This has changed exponentially since I started Shakeology. I no longer crash around 3 p.m., and I’m able to wake up every morning at 7 a.m. (a huge feat for me – I hate mornings). This even sees me through my Insanity workouts in the evening around 6 p.m.
• Easy. It takes me five minutes to blend my morning shake, and I drink it during my 20-30 minute commute to work. Bam, nutrition.
• Cost. My shakes cost $4/day for breakfast. When I totaled up how much I was spending on my old fruit smoothies, it was nearly that much – and not as healthy or protein-packed.

Cons

• Digestion. Okay, there’s no other way to say this. Shakeology makes you have to go. And if you already suffer with IBS-like symptoms, it’s a little unpleasant, especially the first week or so. If you eat clean, everything is great. But if you veer of course, Shakeology will try and clear you out. You can read between the lines. While this is unpleasant, at least I know it’s trying to get the bad stuff out of me.
• Cost.  I’m putting this in two columns because yes, while it is only $4/day, it is $120/month being taken out of your account at once. Lucky for me, I only get paid once a month and put all my “bills money” into a separate account that I don’t touch. But still, depending on that month’s financial situation, it can be a bit tricky.
• Customer service. My Beachbody coach is fantastic, and it probably helps that I knew her before she became a coach. However, I’m not a fan of the company’s customer service via phone. I called to change credit cards with them, it took nearly 20 minutes (yes, that long to just change a credit card number) and then the wrong card was charged nearly two weeks later. Perhaps I didn’t make it into the system in time, so I’m waiting to see what happens this month. If it happens again, a slightly irritated customer is going to call. This one isn’t a big deal because it’s just charging my credit card – but I’m hoping to close that card this month.

I can’t see myself drinking Shakeology for all of time (I’m sure other products will be introduced, etc.) but for now it’s working really well for me. As far as weight loss, I haven’t noticed a dramatic change, but I also did not participate in the Shakeology Cleanse (and don’t plan on doing so, either). I’ll follow up in another month or so with another review.

* I was in no way compensated or asked to write this review. These are my own opinions, and I am not affiliated with Beach Body.

I’d been dealing with a chronic stomach ache and heartburn all day (probably need to see a doc about this), and this po’boy hit the spot. I thought the chile and other spices in the “breading” would hurt my tummy, but I felt fine–if not better–after eating this late-night dinner. Combined with a homemade coleslaw and sandwich pickle, this sandwich was well worth the carb-loaded french bread I consumed. In fact, I’m still thinking about it now.

The night of cooking in reminded me that I need to go back to meal planning. So often I rely on the same dishes over and over again to sustain my body, but I’m starting to tire of those. I actually miss cooking: using my hands in the kitchen, the anticipation while something simmers. I’m hoping to scour my magazines and cookbooks and jot down a few recipes this week. I’m also very much looking forward to planting a garden in the coming weeks.

I’m so swoony for this tofu. I am going to buy 3-4 containers and make a batch weekly. Healthy living, yes!

Next up on the cucumber-making list was homemade pickles! My good friends Matt and Erica recommended checking out  Food in Jars. I ended up using this recipe. This is my first try at homemade pickling!

Matt suggested using white cider vinegar instead of apple. He also suggested adding more dill seed. Well, I didn’t have dill seed at all (fail). So, I used dill weed. I’m sure this isn’t going to turn out well, but I was too far into the process to turn around at that point.

Look at how green and fresh those cukes are! I wish I could give all of you one to cradle.

I’ll post my thoughts in about two weeks after they refrigerate for a while. Fingers crossed the dill weed isn’t a major faux pas.

I was feeling a serious need for “me time.” I’d been running myself ragged since the beginning of July, eating on the fly and hardly moving my body. So, I wandered into the backyard garden to see what had popped up: beans were in abundance, and I picked them in the exact manner I did when I was a child on the farm, tearing off the ends right there in the backyard.

The swiss chard was also out of this world, stretching its leaves across the right side of the garden, almost overtaking the fencing. I picked what I thought would be enough, but wilted greens never produce as much as I hope. I gathered them both into my metallic bowl, admiring my neighbor, who was preparing her own meal on the grill just beside me. I decided to channel Cafe Gratitude in San Francisco and make some sort of vegetable bowl.

In the mix: olive oil for healthy fats, the chard, beans, and some smoked almonds. I also used an all-purpose seasoning (was feeling lazy) and a few pinches of cumin. On the side, I cooked up a cook of couscous and added that to the pan toward the end. For protein, I cooked a Jennie O Turkey burger, slicing up half of it into bite-sized pieces. I’m trying to be more conscious of my protein intake these days.

A meal for me. A lunch for the next day. The night progressed from home cooking to a long walk by the Pittsburgh rivers and an eventual grocery store run for fruit. I made myself a fruit and yogurt parfait, eating while I read a new book.

See what I mean about falling in love? Sometimes, there is no better way to spend an evening than completely alone.

I don’t remember the last time I stayed in on a Saturday, by myself. I haven’t been feeling well lately, and I knew that if I went out – I’d just end up feeling miserable today. So, I took myself on a solo date, at home. This included: cooking myself dinner, baking, laundry (ugh, necessary), and watching a terrible rom-com that no one would want to watch with me. Thankfully, The Vow lived up to my lower expectations.

Cat had mentioned that some items in the garden looked ready for picking. I found myself putzing around the backyard last night, checking on some of the plants. This zucchini must have grown three times in the past week as last Sunday, it was just a little baby. I immediately consulted the Smitten Kitten for a Zucchini Bread recipe. This one was perfect. No butter. I reduced the amount of sugar. Delightful.

I hope my coworkers are ready for a boatload of zucchini bread this summer.

I feel so remarkably better today. I hope you do, too.

There was one place that particularly captured my heart in terms of food. It was nestled in a town in Sonoma Valley, and we stopped there amidst several winery tours and tastings. Apparently, it’s a San Francisco favorite. Meet Cafe Gratitude, where you order based on how you feel.

The minute I walked into this place, I felt warmth. The waitress introduced herself to me, asking what my name was. I liked that Ash cared about us, why were there, and how we needed sustained. The restaurant was a hobby shop of goodness: handmade crafts, Buddhist mementos, books and jewelry. Though I do not dress the part, I feel more connected to this type of culture than others out there.

I’ve never been to a place where you order based on how you feel. I like this idea, very much. I feel all sorts of ways, and I’m never sure what type of food matches my mood. At Cafe Gratitude, it was easy. That day, I was feeling particularly Whole. The dish looked like it would not only sustain me but tickle my belly as well. You know I’m all for some belly hugs via foods.

The “I AM WHOLE” Bowl was so.freaking.big.and.good. I finished about half of it. The kim chee was out of this world, probably the best I’ve ever tasted. I absolutely love sour cabbage. I also enjoyed the few almonds that found their way into the bowl, and I tried the sea vegetables (which differed from seaweed salad). All in all, I felt complete with this meal. It was the perfect thing to eat after much, much wine. And later, more, more wine.

And, of course, there was this. A way for you to say how you felt about your experience at the restaurant. I loved looking through this book and reading the different responses. There are some very creative souls out there, and people really appreciate a good lunch or dinner experience. It seems, above all things, being comfortable is a number one priority. I would have to agree with that sentiment.

A great find in a great city. I wish I could go back there, now.

Admittedly, she did most of the work for these meals in terms of food preparation. It’s nice that she gets home earlier than me because then we’re ready to start when I get home. The process seems to go faster that way, though not in this case (as this soup needed to simmer for “hours.”)

Roasted Tomato & Rosemary Soup with Kale & Potatoes

While we got that soup heated up, we prepared ingredients for a crockpot recipe. Two items at once: perfect! I’ve found this method of cooking to be quite effective because I’m never hungry (something is always, usually available), and there is variety to it. Plus I can eat upon getting home at 6 p.m., which is always when I’m most hungry. I can’t believe I used to cook something each and every single day when I was a healthy living blogger. Wow. I mean, don’t get me wrong – I still missing cooking something on the fly (like tofu, for example). But making meals ahead of time really saves me & Cat time throughout the week.

Crockpot Turkey White Bean Sweet Potato Chili

This is a really hearty meal, especially after a run. It hits the spot.

I am a bit behind on my “restaurant a month” challenge. I visited some new places in February but didn’t end up documenting them. I’ve been trying to save money because I’m heading to CALIFORNIA next week. I’m sure a week there will more than make up for the lack of restaurants I’ve written about on the blog. Stay tuned.

One year, I wasn’t able to be there, so I sent her an inedible “flower cake.” Another year, I was short on time, so I bought a cake from a local bakery. This year, I decided to step it up and for the first time ever, I gave her homemade cupcakes: Banana Cupcakes with Honey-Cinnamon Frosting. 

I’m pretty sure I could make cupcakes forever. It really is in the piped icing. All I want to do is master that technique. I can’t believe how many years I went using store-bought icing + cake mix. All preservatives. What I’m doing now is healthier and seems to impress my friends + family.

These banana cupcakes turned out great; they almost had a muffin consistency. I accidentally forgot to add in the 1/2 stick of butter into the mix, so perhaps that’s why. Mom said she couldn’t tell at all. There was certainly enough butter in the icing to cover it up.

Next on my list are brownie cupcakes, or perhaps chocolate caramel cupcakes. I also have my eye on some sort of “espresso cupcake” in the future.

It’s times like these when I wonder why I’m not a baker. I enjoy this above all else. Perhaps even crafting (!).

Feel free to share your favorite cupcake recipes in the comments! I’ll make anything at this point. Glad I have a boyfriend who will consume anything that’s free.