Monday, May 18, 2009

The Best BBQ Burgers & More Bake Fun

Today was one of those days where I was running all around solving problems, yet, I ended the day feeling like I hadn't quite accomplished very much. Oh well, it's only Monday and I still have 3 1/2 days left to get things done. 1/3-1/2 a day because we are having a big BBQ to kick off Memorial Day weekend at work on Friday (then, they send us off after stuffing us) - yahoo! But, more on that later this week, let's get down to today.

This morning before our walk, I snacked on 3 Kavli Thin Crisps (probably my favorite flavor yet!) with 1 Tbsp freshly ground organic almond butter and all natural apricot preserves.

Photobucket

Check out thin they are - so crispy and light, but, flavorful. I made a mini almond butter sandwich with my odd ball 3rd one since 3 make up a 50 calorie serving.

Photobucket

We went for a nice hour long 4 mile power walk today at lunch and it felt great. Not too hot and with a slight breeze. It was the perfect way to mix up the day and get outside. When I came back, I dug into my prepack lunch. I took my pictures this morning before leaving with the intentions of auto-posting (um, ya, it never happened :o)

Photobucket

I made up a Big Jump Start Chef Salad that included:

1 oz lean ham (instead of roast beef)
3 c organic romaine
1/4 avocado
1 sliced scallion
a few cherry tomatoes
2 Tbsp Newman's Own Lighten Up Cranberry Walnut

Along with 1/2 c watermelon - I promise, it's all gone now so I'll move onto some other fruit. For dessert, I couldn't resist my co-worker's offer of the BEST CHOCOLATE EVER. Dove Creamy and Smooth Dark chocolate - I had 2 squares and savored each bite as I read the cheesy "promise" quote on the inside. I swear I LOVE candies that speak to me!

Photobucket

My afternoon snack was 2 oz lean turkey with spinach & spicy mustard on a slice of Ezekiel bread.

Photobucket

Now are you all prepared to laugh! I LOVE The Husband and his "style". We are in the process of having our driveway and city sidewalks redone in concrete. I came home to his super cool look with work boots and ALL. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS?!

Photobucket

He was supposed to let the people we were paying do the work, but, being the good helper he is (see he learned well in school), he was out there helping out! I tried telling him that is why we PAY the people, but, he couldn't take just watching and not helping LOL.

The 30 day Jump Start called for a funky dinner that I honestly was just not feeling ~ Lebanese Kabobs. You can click HERE to get the recipe which sounds good, but, I think you have to be in the mood. Plus, in all honesty, I have been waiting for the book to make my favorite Biggest Loser Recipe of all time - The Almost Fast Food Burger. Since it wasn't part of the book, I decided to make up my own menu tonight for about the same calories all together.

Photobucket

I used Trader Joe's 96% Lean Ground Beef and seasoned it with garlic salt, onion powder, freshly ground pepper and nonstick spray before grilling them up. Topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumber chips and a special sauce. The special sauce includes lowfat mayo, ketchup, spicy mustard, hot sauce all whipped together. I do NOT like Mayo at all, but, you cannot taste it in this recipe - it's like a spicy, creamy sauce.

Photobucket

On the side I made up an awesome Cucumber, Tomato, Avocado Salad.

Photobucket

2 Persian Cucumbers, sliced
handful of cherry tomatoes halved
1/2 avocado, cubed
sprinkled with garlic salt & freshly ground pepper
Drizzled with ~ 2 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 Tbsp White Balsamic, 1/4 tsp honey

This dinner completely hit the spot! After dinner, I made up the Banana Raspberry Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting for tomorrow. You will remember when I made it HERE for Rachel's birthday. I owed my co-worker a real baked cake and let her pick what she wanted. This is such an easy and great recipe - you all really need to try it for your next occassion - it's the perfect guilt free treat!

Speaking of treats, I didn't want The Husband to feel left out so I made up a batch of my famous Chocolate Chips Walnut Cookies.

Photobucket

Not quite as healthy as the cake, but, honestly - sooo addictive and delicious. I get requests to make these all the time so I know I will have to share some tomorrow too. Let me know if you want me to post the recipe and I'll be glad to share.

While all my goodies were baking, we visited with The Husband's sister, planned out our Vegas Vacation - Can't Wait! and I prepped food for tomorrow.

Phew ~ that was a long night and a long post! You seriously rock if you made it through all of that and still want more :) LOL.....

I am off to catch some zzzzz's! Tomorrow is day 30 - the final day of the 30 day Jump Start and Farmer's Market Tuesday....yahoo! Too bad The Biggest Loser will not be on, but, I guess it will give me a chance to work on my BL 30-day Jump Start Book Review.

See you all l8r!

7 comments:

  1. Your burger looks perfect! YUM!

    Congrats on 30 days !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now your making me crave burgers!! I think I have some ground turkey around the house..

    ReplyDelete
  3. yum, that food looks great! I love the salad, and those cookies look delicious :D

    Haha your husband is too funny :) Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. hahahha girl i had so much to say to this post about your burgers and chocolate but i cant even remember because im too busy laughing my butt off at that picture of your boy - HILARIOUS!

    ReplyDelete
  5. wow already the end of the 30 day jump start? that flew by. what will you do next??

    your hubby is too funny in those boots! tell him to take a load off! what is with guys always wanting to get their hands dirty?

    those cookies look amazing.. maybe it is in my best interest if you do not post the recipe!! (but still go right ahead.. ;)

    and YUM to the burger & salad! that looks enticing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I used to eat Kavli crackers all the time! My lunch would consist of Kavli crackers, spread with cottage cheese, a few layers of tomato, and then just a pinch of salt or garlic salt. SO GOOD! (I would eat them "open-faced.")

    ReplyDelete
  7. Marisa ~ thanks - the 30 days went by fast, but, slow too LOL.

    Kitchenpanda ~ I LOVE burgers of all kinds - they rock. This recipe is so easy and so tasty.

    Anne ~ I made sure to sample the cookies today - they are awesome! Wish they were healthy. I LOVE The Husband's style - wish I got the picture with his little red wagon he was towing the concrete away in :D ha!

    Jenny ~ OMG - you are a hoot! Seriously, I am sure he will kill me for posting the picture, but, it was too cute not too.

    Janetha ~ I think just focus on healthy eating and working out. I haven't picked a next yet...any ideas? I know I'll work WW as I always do. I'll make sure I post the cookie recipe just for you - probably tomorrow night or the next.

    Kirwin ~ Do you know I never tried Kavli til the Eat Clean Diet? I am so glad I did - they are my favorite cracker. I LOVE your idea, think I'll have to try that!

    ReplyDelete