Oh boy, where did we leave off last? . . . oh yeah that’s right birthday cake, pasta, cupcakes, nutella waffles and . . . oh my, and this post is continuing the streak of decadent eats. I’m not going to say they are much ‘healthier’ since I used 1% fat milk and reduced fat such and such, but I will say these recipes are pretty darn good!
I’ve fallen off the fitness bandwagon this week as well. After the long ride on Sunday I was greeted by that time of the month and have been ‘blah’ and dragging ever since. Just haven’t felt like a spring chicken, but more like a bloated couch potato. I’m also working longer hours this week and am out in the community so I can’t bike to work . . . majorly bummed 🙁 But those extra hours are so I can attend the SCAN Symposium! I’m looking forward to learning some interesting topics on sports nutrition, and this year many of the presentations are focused on eating disorders/disordered eating.
I’m trying a new omega-3 supplement that is ocean safe from CardioTabs and I like it so far. It does make me burp up slightly, but it’s a nice citrus berry flavor and not that noticeable. It is environmentally friendly and has 1100mg of omega-3s + 100% Vitamin D.
I’ve also been munching on some new LUNA bars, that were graciously sent to me from LUNA recently.
I like the cookie dough flavor out of the other protein bar flavors, but they are still pretty chewy and I think I prefer the regular LUNA bars.
My favorite LUNA flavor has always been Toasted Nuts and Cranberry. I like it because it’s crunchy, chewy and not too sweet, full of nuts and dried fruit. They have about 180 kcals, 3 g of fiber and 9g of protein in each bar. I’m looking forward to trying the other flavors!
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On Sunday Chris and I made grilled pizza, then I’m not sure what I was thinking on Monday when I decided to make a big batch of macaroni and cheese AND banana puddin’, but oh my gosh it sure has been some good leftovers! I’m not even sure the last time I’ve made either one of these, but it’s sure a treat and totally ok in my opinion every once in awhile.
I guess I will start off with the grilled pizza! We took the easy way out and bought some WW pizza dough and rosemary focaccia dough from Fresh and Easy. It was actually really good! Then we topped them with various ingredients like sauce, spinach, roasted red peppers, meatballs, roasted zucchini, parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheese.
When grilling pizza make sure to grease the grates, not make the pizzas too big and cook both sides of the dough before putting toppings on.
It’s fun to get the nice grill marks.
Here is my plate . . . I had about 3/4 of the WW pizza because my eyes were bigger than my tummy.
Oh yes, I almost forgot about this one . . . We also decided to roast an apple in the oven with the zucchini for some reason and then Chris had the ingenious idea of making a dessert pizza with roasted apples, butter and cinnamon, um . . . yes please? So I had to have a sliver of that. I’m sure you can see where this post is going . . .
Next up was ooey gooey mac and cheese! I kind of just threw this recipe together with ingredients that I had on hand and what sounded good 🙂 I’m pretty sure this one would serve 8-10 very well. Chris and I have been eating off of it for awhile now. In fact I will probably be having it for lunch tomorrow.
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1.5 cups chopped morel mushrooms (or any of your favorites)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 cups 1% milk + 12 oz lowfat evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup leftover meatballs, chopped
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese + 1/2 cup mozzarella + 1/2 cup grated parmesan (save a little extra for sprinkling)
- 12 oz of your favorite pasta, cooked
- various spices like Mrs. Dash, thyme, pinch of cayenne and cinnamon
Melt the butter in a large saucepan, add mushrooms and cook until browned; add garlic and cook for a minute. Add the milks and whisk until nice and thick, reduce heat to low and add meatballs, cheese and pasta. Add to a large pan and cook at 350 for about 20-25 minutes. Then turn on the broiler for 5 minutes to get it browned on top.
As I waited for it to bake, I perused the many bike options there are to choose from. It’s really tough! I appreciate all your comments and recommendations for bikes. I like getting as much information as I can and then make a solid decision after that. I’m kind of stuck in my price point (a.k.a. how much debt I want to go into) of deciding between a full carbon bike with Shimano 105 components, which aren’t quite as good, or getting a aluminum frame with some carbon and Ultegra components which are better. I’m thinking it will be best to get better components because a carbon frame won’t make much weight difference for me. I just need something that will help with hills and be responsive! So far I’ve been thinking about the Specialized Roubaix, BH Speedrom (a bit too pricey, but I liked this one) and I also just love the look of Cervelo. So many out there! I have a lot more to think about. I still don’t have a clue!
There is just nothing like home-cooked mac and cheese!
Now I’ve saved the best for last . . . yes, this is THE best banana pudding I have ever made and tasted at home and oh my gosh I’m in bliss every time I eat it! (which has been far too many times this week) I can’t even explain the emotions I feel with this pudding, it’s like heaven in a bowl. I’d say, yes I even dare say this may just be one of my favorite desserts ever! I can’t take all the credit for this one because CookingLight is just amazing, but I am wanting to experiment with a ‘healthier’ version in the future to at least offset my obsession with this beloved treat.
Best Banana Pudding
(from CookingLight)
10 servings (serving size: 3/4 cup)
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup AP flour
- Dash of salt
- 2.5 cups 1% low-fat milk
- 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (I added the seeds of 1 vanilla bean for extra vanilla flavor)
- 3 cups sliced ripe banana, divided
- 45 reduced-fat vanilla wafers, divided (I only used about 1/2 since we practically ate the whole box of nilla wafers before I got the chance to make this!)
- 4 large egg whites (at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup sugar (I would use less next time)
Preheat oven to 325°.
Combine flour and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milks and yolks; stir well. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and vanilla bean if using.
Arrange 1 cup banana slices in bottom of a 2-quart baking dish. Spoon one-third of pudding mixture over banana. Arrange 1/3 wafers on top of pudding. Repeat layers twice, arranging the last wafers around edge of dish. Push cookies into pudding.
Oh my gosh Chris and I are addicted to vanilla wafers and can’t have these in the house! I also bought the Whole Foods brand vanilla wafers to try so we would have enough, but they just weren’t the same.
Beat egg whites at high speed of a mixer until foamy. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue evenly over pudding, sealing to edge of dish.
Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until golden.
Note: Banana Pudding may be a bit soupy when you first remove it from the oven. Let cool at least 30 minutes before serving. I like my pudding cold, so I let it sit in the fridge overnight.
Heaven!!!!
Can you see the itty bitty vanilla beans?
Well, as you can see I’ve been eating fairly well this week and need to get back on track. I’ll be working on that goal while also traveling out of town, so we’ll see how well I can keep on track 🙂 I’m excited to leave for San Diego and the SCAN Symposium this weekend! I hope to take lots of pictures, gain some great knowledge and hopefully I’ll get a little time by the beach 🙂
What’s your favorite, all-time indulgent food? Any bike suggestions?
that grilled pizza and banana pudding look scrumptious!!!! 😀 I love vanilla wafers in dessert, like this one or in tiramisu! Yeah~ tiramisu would be my favorite indulgent food… need to make some! 😀
Comment by coco — March 25, 2010 @ 3:34 am
Great pizza ideas! I need to try grilling pizza. And a dessert pizza? I will definitely have to make that!
My favorite indulgent treat is a gooey, fudgy brownie with ice cream on top!
Comment by Shannon — March 25, 2010 @ 3:40 am
Grilling pizza? That sounds awesome!!
Comment by Jessica @ How Sweet — March 25, 2010 @ 3:54 am
hooray for SCAN… wow, this is a seriously loaded post. I just loved every bit.. or bite.. haha.
I always make the Southern Living recipe for naner puddin… but I would definitely try this cooking light version- i know they can be usually trusted and yours looks fabulous.
homemade mac n cheese is awesome… sorry you have been feeling blah- me too. not sure what exactly it is but hope we get over it quickly!
Comment by bhealthier — March 25, 2010 @ 7:59 am
That dessert pizza looks amazing! Now I am going to have to make one!! haha!
Comment by Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly — March 25, 2010 @ 9:55 am
I also like the cookie dough best. The others taste odd to me! MMM your pizza looks good and I love vanilla wafers, so yummy!
Comment by Samantha — March 25, 2010 @ 10:11 am
great eats for sure especially the pizza…..
let’s get down to business about the bike 🙂
first check out my frame today i posted a pic at the end of my post-she is a beauty.
do you guys ever travel to so cal? if you did Trevor who owns the bike shop i always rave about is the best and would give you a great deal on a beauty of a carbon. just saying……plus we could see you 🙂
anyway, of couorse you are tired with a lto of work and alot of miles.
Have a good day!
Comment by kalli@fitandfortysomething — March 25, 2010 @ 11:26 am
I love all your eats. The grilled pizza looks like it came out great. We have a place here (I blogged about it last weekend I think) but it is called pizza grill and they do their to go pizzas all on the grill. It is a very cute concept.
My all time indulgent food is super chocolate cake, with choc frosting and chocolate chips too. Just a few bites and I am stuffed, but I love chocolate.
Comment by Melinda — March 25, 2010 @ 11:55 am
I love the fact that it is grilling season again! I grill almost anything this time of year: pizza, fruit, veggies, I don’t discriminate. 🙂 I’ll have to try the banana pudding, that looks yummy, and I am sure Mo and Mason will like it. Enjoy your trip!
Comment by Allen — March 25, 2010 @ 12:22 pm
Figure I would respond here rather than the older blog posting.
I lucked out on my S1 since it was last years model so I ended up getting 30% off, which made it a no brainer. 😉 Especially went with that one since it has a dual position seat post — meaning I can ride it like a normal road bike or move the seat up to get into the aero (triathlon) position.
Whatever bike you end up picking just make sure you get a good fitting with it. A lot of shops include it with a new bike purchase, but if you go used I’d highly recommend looking for a good fitter. It wont be cheap – I think they charge $150-200 around here but it is so worth every penny. I’d even say I’d rather ride a walmart bike with a good fitting than a bike that is too big/small that I don’t fit on! Endurance vs race is mostly marketing terms, the race bike would be just a more aggressive frame.
And don’t get too hung up on Dura ace vs ultegra. The main difference between them is the weight… and I think it’s under 8oz. Needless to say I have a lot of dura aces to lose in my belly before I’d consider upgrading my ultegra components! haha.
Comment by Sean — March 25, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
This post is making me wish I had access to an outdoor grill!
PS Love the dish you served your pudding in:)
Comment by BroccoliHut — March 25, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
grilled pizza sounds so good!!! and that banana pudding?!?! AHHH I WANT SOME!
Comment by Naomi (onefitfoodie) — March 25, 2010 @ 3:43 pm
Oooh the dessert pizza and the pudding look so inviting!!!
Comment by Sweta — March 25, 2010 @ 4:03 pm
I just did a little blurb about those cardio tabs on my blog. I read about them in Today’s Dietitian Magazine. I thought they sounded like a great product!
The pizza and banana puddings look fabulous. I LOVE banana pudding with the vanilla waffers. My aunt makes a dish VERY similar to that and whenever she makes it I can never get enough!
Have great weekend Kristen!
Comment by The Candid RD — March 26, 2010 @ 4:44 am
Delicious looking treats! I, too, love grill marks. They make the food so much prettier 😉
9 weight loss
Comment by Stephanie — March 26, 2010 @ 10:28 am
Holy moly dessert pizza? That is the stuff that dreams are made of! 🙂 I hope you have a nice weekend
Comment by Michal — March 26, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
Wow, you’ve had some decadent eats lately, especially that banana pudding – yum! We all need to have a little of this in our lives. One of my favorite decadent foods is chocolate chocolate chocolate cake. Have it every year for my birthday 🙂
Can’t wait to hear about the SCAN Symposium! I wish I was going!
Comment by Jessie — March 27, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
Your little grilled pizza are so cute! I’ve never tried grilling a pizza before but totally want to… next time it’s going to happen.
I completely understand the monthly couch potato feeling, it makes motivating myself to exercise turn into the hardest thing. The upside – you’ll be ready and refreshed when your energy gets back up and hit your workouts hard!
Comment by Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — March 28, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Wow, where to start- so many delicious eats in this post! First of all I have not thought about vanilla waffers in years but now I want one!
Also, do you know i’ve never made grilled pizza and i really should, it looks amazing! Also I love the dessert pizza idea, yum!
Comment by Kelly — March 28, 2010 @ 4:00 pm
omggggggggeeee….this entry has sooo much deliciousness.
My fave has gotta be the mac n cheese. holy. moly. but everything else looks delicious too.
Don’t have a bike idea since I don’t own a bike myself–wish I did though. However, my all-time indulgent food would probably have to be….hmmm I am going to think of something later on that is a better answer but that mac and cheese has me in the cheesey zone so my answer will be my mom’s homemade au gratin potatoes. HOLY crap they are good, but they are made SO awful. with velveeta out of a box. Yah. ridiculous.
Comment by Kelly at Local Foodie Fight — March 29, 2010 @ 7:27 am
I love the idea of placing pizza on the grill. I bet it has a nice, smoky flavor that way. Favorite indulgent food? Definitely a brownie sundae with lots of toppings.
Comment by lisa — March 29, 2010 @ 8:39 am
That looks wonderful, Kristen! I’m definitely saving that recipe to make for a group. It’d be perfect for Easter, too!
My favorite indulgence is carrot cake or toffee…yummm!
Comment by Nicole, RD — March 29, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Grilled pizza? What a great idea!… The Mac & Cheese also looks good… and I can definately use some banana pudding just about now.
Comment by Gelareh @ Nutritious Foodie — March 29, 2010 @ 12:03 pm
The dessert pizza is genius! I love grilled pizzas and your’s look fantastic.
My favorite indulgence – soft and gooey chocolate chip cookies, or cake with lots of frosting!
Comment by Mo@MommyRD — March 29, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
SCAN SCAN SCAN!!! 😀 😀
Comment by bhealthier — March 29, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
You had me at Pizza, Pasta, Puddin. 🙂 I am so glad that I found your blog. It’s great to read from an RD. Plus you’re a dancer! I took ballet, tap, jazz from age 7, then at 18 opened my own dance school and had about 100 students. I had the school for 5 years, then I got married and moved for my husband’s work. I miss all of my students, but it was the right timing. I look forward to reading more from you!
Comment by Jennifer — March 29, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Jennifer, Hi! I miss dance so much too. That’s awesome you had your own studio! Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Comment by Kristen :) — March 31, 2010 @ 8:24 am
My dad makes the best grilled pizzas, YUM!
Comment by Tricia — March 30, 2010 @ 1:00 pm
I wish we would have connected at SCAN!
My all time indulgent food–chicken fried steak, w/mashers (potatoes) & hush puppies or biscuits! Salivating already!
Comment by Wendy Jo Peterson — March 31, 2010 @ 8:12 am
Wendy Jo Peterson, You were at SCAN? dang, we should have! Wasn’t it great?
Comment by Kristen :) — March 31, 2010 @ 8:21 am
@Kristen 🙂,
It was great! I actually live in SD. A couple of my friend’s came in for it and we had a blast sight-seeing and partaking in festive activities while attending the conference! ;o) We should have a group of us get together in Boston for FNCE–all the foodie bloggers!
Comment by Wendy Jo Peterson — March 31, 2010 @ 8:22 am
Wendy Jo Peterson, oh that’s awesome! I was actually staying with a friend in Mira Mesa. We should, I’m going to try my best to save up and get to FNCE this year 🙂
Comment by Kristen :) — March 31, 2010 @ 8:25 am
@Kristen 🙂, Quick tip–join a DPG executive committee/board and you will have it paid for! Great opportunity to network and get involved. Don’t miss it! Are you a member of NEDPG? If not, you should be! http://www.NEDPG.org
Comment by Wendy Jo Peterson — March 31, 2010 @ 8:28 am
Wendy Jo Peterson, that is a good idea 🙂 actually I was wanting to join this year, esp with renewal coming up! I was thinking about joining the behavioral DPG as well. Thanks!
Comment by Kristen :) — March 31, 2010 @ 8:43 am
Love the idea of getting all the foodie bloggers together at FNCE this year. It’s in my backyard so it will be fun being close to home. I’m hoping my book will be ready by then so may do a book release party for all my RD pals. I’ll keep you posted. Love the grilled pizza by the way. I’m ready to fire up the grill- finally a break in the weather here in Boston. Let’s hope the rain is gone for awhile. Crazy flooding. Happy eating!
Comment by Meal Makeover Mom Janice — April 2, 2010 @ 8:56 am
Wow that pud looks amazing! x x
Comment by Tamizn — April 2, 2010 @ 2:08 pm