Tag Archives: quick and easy meals

Thursday Things

Posted on June 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

Has this week flown by for anyone else? I chalk it up to packed days with tons of meetings but that’s great because I just realized tomorrow is Friday. Hooray!

I thought I’d share some fun little Thursday things since today threw me a little curveball.

  • Curveball = a lovely migraine that emerged early this afternoon. I popped an Advil as soon as the blind spots started and luckily it disappeared completely ~2.3-3 hours later. It’s quite the experience to sit at work with blind spots and half of your body numb and tingly!
  • Spin kicked my butt this morning. I went to a different instructor than my first class and she made us work really hard. I was toast by the end of class and it felt great.
  • In my post-migraine haze I watched X-Men on Netflix and it kinda made me smile.

So after my afternoon excitement I wasn’t in the mood to do much but lay on the couch. When I got hungry for dinner, I whipped up a quick meal of chicken fried rice using various items from my fridge and freezer.

5 minute Fried Rice

  • 1/2c frozen broccoli florets
  • 1/2c bell pepper strips
  • 1/3c total frozen peas and corn (half and half)
  • 3oz chicken breast
  • 1/2c cooked brown rice
  • 1.5T liquid egg whites
  • garlic powder
  • 1T teriyaki sauce
  • 1/2T soy sauce

In a non-stick sprayed skillet cook up the vegetables until defrosted. Season with garlic powder and stir. Add chicken, rice, and sauces and stir until liquid is all absorbed. Create a well in the middle of your pan and add egg whites. Let sit for a minute to firm up and then scramble egg and mix with rice mixture. Cook one more minute (or to desired texture) and serve. I topped mine with some almond slices and sriracha.

This was a quick and easy comfort food meal on a night where I really didn’t want to cook!

I’m forseeing a little more couch time and then an early bedtime in my future so ensure I don’t get a repeat headache tomorrow. G’night friends!

 

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Posted in dinner

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Gearing Up for 1 in 133

Posted on May 4, 2011 | 1 Comment

Today there is a big event taking place in DC – the Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit 2011. Folks are descending upon the Capitol to lobby for the passing of gluten free food labeling standards. Can you believe it’s been 7 years and FDA still hasn’t implemented uniform standards?! I’ve finished college and have been working for ~4 years in that amount of time. I’ve been gluten free even longer!

To draw even more attention to today’s event the biggest gluten free cake ever is being constructed, Food Network competition style. Here’s a press release with more details. After work today I’ll be heading over to the reception to mingle with other GF folks, talk with GF companies, and maybe even score some cake! If you see me, please come say hi!

On to more ordinary things for a few minutes, the week is flying by! As usual when I’m away for the weekend I’ve been playing catch up after work and getting things done that I ignored in the spirit of fun and friends. I did make it to the grocery store over the weekend but my inspiration for meals is definitely lacking!

I’ve been enjoying my typical spring breakfast of fruit, an egg white, and Food for Life English muffin. Half gets topped with PB and the other half with jelly. Today I used some neufchatel cheese and strawberry jam which tasted *just* like the strawberry pie my grandmother used to make for my birthday every year!

Lunches have been junk salads. Monday’s salad contained a ridiculous amount of vegetables, even for me: black beans, carrots, beets, carrot, olives, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, cauliflower, romaine, and spinach. I’m probably forgetting a couple of things too!

Yesterday’s salad had carrots, red onion, baked chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes.

Snack has been Greek yogurt with fruit and peanut butter.

Even though it would be easy to throw some veggies in the oven for roasting, that’s seemed like a bit too much of an effort the past couple of days. Instead I’ve either been making use of a pre-made soup I purchased at Whole Foods – Vegan White Bean that I’ve bulked up with kale or other veggies or using one of my favorite pantry staples – Trader Joe’s Cuban black beans.

Tonight I’m going out for dinner with friends and am hoping my desire to cook returns soon. Until then I’ll be enjoying simple meals!

What do you eat when you’re in a food rut or lacking motivation to cook?

Are you attending the 1 in 133 event? Come say hi!

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Posted in breakfast, DC experiences, lunch

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I’m Lovin’ It

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 4 Comments

Between my challenge to clear out my pantry before Passover, make good use of the produce in my fridge, and eat healthfully I’ve been eating a lot of similar meals this week that aren’t too exciting. Instead of a daily digest of the fruits (apples and pears), snacks (fruit leather, veg, hummus), and repetitive meals I want to share three meals I’ve been loving this week.

Butternut squash risotto with spinach and white beans. This has made for easy lunches where I can combine everything in tupperware and get out the door on time for work.

Kitchen sink (or fridge…) salads! My cravings for salads have increased with the return of spring. This week’s favorite mix is a combination of romaine and spinach, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, carrots, and sauerkraut. My current favorite salad dressing is Annie’s Green Garlic Dressing.

Food for Life English Muffins and fruit for breakfast. Fruit has been a mix of berries, pineapple, and pear and I either have PB&J or an egg with red pepper spread, sriracha, and some cheese on the English muffin. It’s delicious, filling, and something I wake up excited to eat!

What meals are you loving this week? Do you eat similar things every day or like a wide variety throughout the week?

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Posted in breakfast, dinner, lunch

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Accidentally Amazing Pasta Salad

Posted on March 25, 2011 | 1 Comment

One morning I needed to throw together a healthy lunch to bring with me to work. After surveying my options in the fridge, I decided to throw together this pasta salad. The serving is for one person as a meal but you could expand it to fit your needs as a perfect spring meal or side dish. I had it warm because I used frozen vegetables but it would be equally as delicious served cold!  Feel free to utilize whatever vegetables you have on hand!

Spring Pasta Salad

  • 1 serving cooked brown rice pasta
  • 1/2c black beans
  • 1c frozen spinach
  • 1/3c frozen bell pepper strips
  • 1/8c peas
  • 1T Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1T Annie’s Green Garlic salad dressing
  • salt and pepper to taste

Combine the pasta, beans, and vegetables and stir. Heat mixture in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Top with salad dressing, salt, and pepper and mix again. Top with a sprinkle of cheese (optional). Enjoy!

This was the perfect meal to refuel from an intense workout at the gym – it’s full of healthy carbs, fat, and protein! It also didn’t leave me searching for something else after my meal. All around, this was one accidentally amazing lunch!

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Posted in gluten-free, lunch

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