Field Trip to the Public Market

Yesterday I took a trip to...

It was an absolutely beautiful day.

I strolled down produce filled lanes.

Admiring the bright colors.

Celebrating the low prices.

Comparing vendors.

Smiling because it seems like spring is finally here to stay.

Don't you just want to lay down in this beautiful bed of herbs?

Oh no? That's just me? Pshh, whatever.

I got really excited when I saw this:

Too bad I don't have a need for sparkly scrunchies or drill bits. They had an abundance of those.

After picking up my produce, I checked out the shops and cafes surrounding the market.

Next time I come hungry.

Lots of character.

Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed. Like this one.

Don't you worry. I'll be back for the big show on Saturday to feed the cheese monster.

My other inner demon ("the bread beast") caught a waft of fresh baked goods and led me to this lil' beaut'.

"Ahhhhh!" (Angels singing)

I. Love. Fresh. Bread.

I'll take one of each, please.

It was at this point that I decided it was time to go before I got out of control. (Next time I must bring a friend to hold my drooling-self back from the poor store clerks.)

My prizes:

All of this for only $5.50!!!

Later that day...

A BLT with the tomatoes I bought, plus some cantaloupe and kale chips on the side. (The Tempeh bacon was EXCELLENT, by the way!)

I topped my kale chips off with a little Nutritional Yeast. It's a great source of B Vitamins for all you vegetarians out there. Plus, it tastes like CHEESE! (Oh my god, I need help.)

And for dinner...

Salmon burgers on the buns I purchased, a side of roasted summer squash tossed in a little Wegman's Basting Oil, corn topped with parmesan cheese and Cholula Sauce, and cantaloupe.

DELISH!

Everything was so fresh, juicy, and full of flavor. I love buying local.

I encourage all of you to check out your hometown farmer's market!

Un-Boring Chicken Tenders

After a long day at school, all I want to do is relax and eat a good meal (and maybe enjoy a big glass of wine too!).  Being uncreative tonight, I found a recipe on The Healthy Apron, for Baked Parmesan, Basil and Garlic Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce. Doesn't your mouth start watering just at the sound of that? Mmmm. :)

So, I grabbed a few frozen chicken tenders out of the freezer and let them begin to thaw as I ran to the grocery store for a few ingredients.

Here's your shopping list:

• 1/4 C Hellman's Olive Oil Mayonnaise
• 1/4 C Honey
• 1/4 C Dijon Mustard
• Dash of Cayenne Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1/2 tsp Dried Rosemary
• 1/4 tsp Cumin
• 1/4 tsp Salt Sense
• 1 1/2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Tbs Fresh Basil, minced
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• 2 Tbs Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1/4 tsp Salt Sense

 The first thing you want to do is mix up your Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce so the flavors have time to blend (30 - 60 minutes will do the trick).

Add 1/4 C Honey, 1/4 C Olive Oil Mayonnaise, 1/4 Dijon Mustard, Dash of Cayenne Pepper, and Salt and Pepper to taste. Mix well and Refrigerate. (P.S. The extras will make for a GREAT salad dressing or sandwich spread tomorrow)

In a small bowl combine 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano, 1/2 tsp Dried Rosemary,1/4 tsp Cumin, and 1/4 tsp Salt Sense.

Place your chicken tenders on a baking sheet using my tinfoil trick and top with your seasoning mix.

Pop the tenders into the oven at 425 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.

While your chicken is baking, whip up your Parm-Basil-Garlic Topping.

Mince 1 Clove of Garlic and 1 Tbs of Fresh Basil.

Add that to 1 1/2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 2 Tbs of Parmesan Cheese and 1/4 tsp Salt Sense.

Once your chicken is done, top each with a little of your Parm-Garlic-Basil mixture.

Yum! 

I straight-up poured the Honey Mustard Dipping sauce right on top of the chicken, but you can be civilized and put it on the side in a little cup. :)

I added a couple slices of bread and butter.  (I found a loaf of bread at Wegmans called Marathon Bread. How could I resist?!)

And a Spinach salad with Strawberries, Chia Seeds, Sesame Seeds, and Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Makes for a delicious meal AND easy clean up, which I love.

Now, time for bed so I can get up to run 9 miles tomorrow morning.  Sweet dreams!

Weekend Eats and Treats

Oh boy, do I have some catching up to do!  You know those weekends that are really busy, but you don't really know with what?  Well, that was my weekend.

It began with a trip to Fleet Feet for new running shoes! Yay!! My knees were starting to bug me, and I was definitely over due.

These bad boys have seen better days.

Now I have these great little babies.

I think I am going to really like the dark gray.  Won't show the dirt as much. :)

Later that evening, we dug out the ole' charcoal grill from Collin's storage and had The First Grill Night of Nicer-ish Weather!  (I say "nicer-ish" because its only maybe gotten up to 60--But hey! For upstate New York, that's a heat wave!)

 

The burgers were delish, as were the bakery-fresh rolls and the grilled asparagus.  I love grilled asparagus.  Toss in a little olive oil, sprinkle on some seasoning of your choice, roll them around on the grill for a couple of minutes and BAM! Done. :)

Saturday evening, we headed over to the McCormack's for a little post-St. Patrick's Day Celebration.  Collin's mom made traditional Irish cabbage, cooked vegetables and ham.  So good! Juicy and delicious.  Yum!  I had a huge plate, plus cornbread, AND soda bread. Oh my.  I am full just thinking about it.  On top of all that, Katie made Bailey's cheesecake. Needless to say, I left stuffed to the max.

Sunday morning we had fresh pineapple and scrambled eggs with salsa verde. 

Do you live near a Wegmans?  If you do, pick this up!

 I really can't get enough of it.  

Sunday was grocery shopping day.  I got lots of yummy stuff.  

I think I need a bigger basket...

Here's a tip for you:  Clean and cut a few fresh veggies.  That way it's easier to throw together a quick salad or healthy snack.

Store them in tupperware and you're ready to go!

I also made a big pot of Quinoa (pronounced Keen-Wah).

For those who may be unfamiliar with this grain, quinoa is a complete protein, meaning in contains all of the essential amino acids.  It's also high in dietary fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.  Also, it's gluten-free!

It's super easy to cook.  Just like rice.  I put this in tupperware too.  I have some delicious meals in my future!

Speaking of delicious meals, check out this breakfast.

I die.  Every bite was heaven.

This is my Superhero Oatmeal topped with:

• 1 Tablespoon of Chia Seeds (soaked with the cereal)
• 1 Tablespoon Nutella
• A handful of raspberries
• Sprinkling of Shredded Coconut

Certainly a great way to start my week off!  Hope you are having a great Monday too!