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January 24, 2011

Happy Pho makes my tummy happy

Filed under: Comfort foods,Reviews — Tags: , , , — Kristen :) @ 8:51 pm

Since being sick my appetite has been waaaay off, and I know when I’m not interested in eating there is something way wrong!  I always seem to be interested in food!  Hence the name, right?  Hopefully this virus that has taken over my body will part ways soon and I can get my normal energy back.  In the mean time, I’ve been trying to find food that sounds appetizing and I haven’t had much luck.  I stand in front of the fridge pondering and waiting, just waiting to see if a good craving will pop up.  Nothing but a small, ‘meh’ emerges, along with a painful cough.  I just eat because I know that’s what I should do.  But, alas!  I actually found a great product that soothed my sore throat and chest and was pretty much the only thing that has made my tummy happy.   (more…)

January 14, 2011

frugal eats + a confession

Filed under: Dinner,Fitness/Health,Reviews — Tags: , , , , — Kristen :) @ 8:55 pm

Alright, alright, I confess!  So I had a slip-up with the Eat In Month Challenge last weekend and it wasn’t a mistake 😉  With Chris being away for work, I needed some socializing and I couldn’t help NOT going out with girlfriends!!  I hadn’t hung out like that in awhile and it was fun!  A nice dinner and then a round of cosmic bowling left us so tired there was no room left for dancing, just yawning.  I think I’m getting old when 9:30 rolls around and I’m pooped!  But I do sport those bowling shoes well . . . hehe   (more…)

January 7, 2011

Beef Stew + wedding news!

Filed under: Comfort foods,Party — Tags: , , — Kristen :) @ 3:29 pm

Hey there eat in month-ers!  How has the challenge been going?  And if you’re not participating in the challenge this year, how are your goals and planning for the new year coming along?

I truly believe that large goals may seem unattainable at first, but with small, measurable, and realistic steps, it can be done!  Dream big, but start small.  In other news and dreaming big . . . I actually reserved our wedding spot!!! eeeek!  I can’t believe after 4.5 years, it’s actually for real now.  Talk about planning, but I love to plan!   (more…)

January 2, 2011

looking ahead in 2011 + a challenge

Filed under: Fitness/Health,Holidays — Tags: , , — Kristen :) @ 10:32 pm

Hey all! Hope you had a fun and safe New Year’s!!! 2011. Wow. What were you up to this new year’s? Parties? Quiet night at home watching the ball drop? . . . Me? well, we pretty much sat on our butts, watched ’24’ on Netflix, and then fell asleep around 11pm with the faint boom of fireworks in the distance. Boy, we are sure party animals, eh?   (more…)

December 10, 2010

stay healthy this holiday season

Filed under: Fitness/Health,Holidays — Tags: , , , , , , — Kristen :) @ 12:34 pm

We all know that the holidays are fast approaching!  Every store we go into is blasting festive, cheery music, lights are twinkling, and for some, everything is blanketed in that white stuff that’s wonderful to look at but not so fun to drive in. While we’re scrambling to get every last task accomplished, all the gifts wrapped, the house cleaned, cookies baked for the cookie exchange, and still find the energy to make it to the gym or train, the last thing on our minds is our own sanity and health!   (more…)

August 23, 2010

happy campers in mt. charleston

Filed under: Fitness/Health,My Travels — Tags: , , — Kristen :) @ 9:00 pm

Hello!  Chris and I made a bee line for Mt. Charleston last Friday to get in some good ol’ camping and biking.  We kind of got everything together last minute, and it was a pretty short trip, but we had fun!  It was nice to get out of the Vegas heat and not have cell phone service for a little while.  Sometimes it’s just nice to sit out in nature with a book in hand, a cool breeze at your back, and nothing but whispering trees and chippers climbing up your leg wanting more pistachios.   (more…)

January 29, 2010

soups on!

Filed under: Comfort foods,Dinner — Tags: , , , — Kristen :) @ 10:10 pm

When Chris and I both got home tonight we were pooped!  Chris was feeling less than stellar from a crazy day at work, and we were really contemplating just grabbing something to eat out, but with a few days still left for the Eat In Month Challenge we just decided it would be better to stay in.  Plus, I had ingredients ready to go for some (more…)

November 2, 2009

thesis drama & a nice bike ride

Filed under: Blog,Comfort foods,Dinner,Fitness/Health,Sports Nutrition — Tags: , , , — Kristen :) @ 4:35 am

IMG00029-20091101-0945 (2)With the time change I can’t believe it’s getting dark so soon.  Even though this inevitably happens every year, I never can quite adjust.

It just seems so darn late now and all the wonderful, precious sunlight dwindles faster and it’s harder to get good food pictures!

Anywho, the weekend for me was pretty unproductive.  Several projects/presentations are fast approaching the due date and I’m trying to find the time and motivation to get them done.

I also had some disappointing news with my thesis . . . First, the professor who first told me she would be my chair and help form my committee pretty much blew me off and I just found out that she eagerly said she would chair another student’s thesis that isn’t even related to sports nutrition.  I’m trying to not take it personally, but I can’t help it.  Then, ever since I sent my research outline to my chair (twice) over a month ago, he hasn’t responded to me at all.  I spoke to the graduate coordinator about it and he said that he could be my chair, but he doesn’t really do lab work.  What?  I was really wanting to work in the lab, but now I guess I have to come up with a whole new idea and it has to be more like survey research.  Any ideas???  At this point I’m just desperate for anything, very disappointing. *sigh*

Other than that we made some yummy dinners!

IMG_5303Since I had Friday off, I spent most of the day running errands and getting ready for dinner.  I made fresh pasta manicotti and fettuccine too.  Fresh pasta is so cheap to make and you get a butt load of it!  The whole drying rack was full by the time Chris was done rolling/cutting it in the mixer.

I stuffed the manicotti with a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, spinach, chicken sausage, and Italian spices.  I also made a homemade tomato sauce in the crock-pot which is very easy.

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Did you have a good Halloween?? We didn’t even get dressed up this year!  Terrible.  We did hand out some candy and fruit snacks to the few kiddies that came in our neighborhood.  We bought waaaayy too much and now we must get rid of it asap!

I spent most of the night trying to find research articles and a new thesis topic (with no luck) and went to bed pretty early even with the time change.  I’m so glad we didn’t forget, which is unusual!

Sunday morning Chris and I went with the Green Valley Cyclists on the Lake Mead Loop trail.  It was just about 50 miles with 2300 ft of elevation change.  This is the longest I’ve done so far and boy my legs were sure letting me know it by the end of the ride!  My legs weren’t used to all that climbing.

At this point in the ride I was still feeling pretty strong and there were some awesome views of Lake Mead . . .

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I also did a little calorie calculation experimentation with an equation I found from an RD.  I’m not sure where this equation was developed or if it’s reliable, but I love playing with numbers 🙂  It did seem pretty accurate with what my HR monitor says.

118 lbs x 0.0561 (15mph) = 6.6198

6.6198 x 60 x 3 hours = 1,191 kcals

2300 ft gained/100ft x 22 = 500 extra kcals  = 1,691 total kcals

Min – x 0.3/3 = 170kcals/hour         Max – x 0.5/3 = 281kals/hour

I went with about 200kcals/hour to try to match, which seems about right.  I think they multiplied the total by .3 or .5 because of actual absorption of what’s expended?

Let’s see if I matched this . . .

  • Breakfast: big bowl of cereal, 1/2 banana, 10oz H20 – 500 kcals
  • On the Ride:
    • luna moons – 100 kcals
    • Power Bar Energy Chews – 300 kcals
    • Gatorade (42oz I think) – 180 kcals
    • 1 L of H20
  • Post Ride:
    • Smoothie – milk, 1/2 banana, strawberries, blueberries, scoop whey protein, honey, chia seeds, flax, wheat germ, peanut butter – 500 kcals
    • leftover 1/4 omelet, hash browns and 1/4 pita – 300 kcals
    • 1 L of H20
  • Dinner:
    • Beef and Barley Soup and cheesy bread – 650 kcals
    • glass of milk and 1 TJ’s cookie – 160 kcals

total kcals for the day –  2,690 kcals  (net gain of 1,000 kcals)

I’d say I didn’t do too bad, but still 1,000 kcals net gain isn’t really enough, but I’d also say I have a few extra kcals in storage since my mom came 🙂  It is important for athletes and active individuals to maintain proper nutrition throughout training and off days to make up for potential losses.  I’m no athlete, but it’s just fun to try things and see.  I usually wear an old HR monitor, but I guess my data capacity was full so it didn’t even work 🙁  Calorie expenditure is just fascinating to me.

This smoothie was amazing and I added a huge heaping spoonful of peanut butter so I could really taste it, yum!  Funny it’s in a beer glass 🙂

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aaaah, cheesy toast is a great dipping vehicle for soups.  I think fontina is my favorite cheese, next to goat cheese.

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Soup is great for post-workout replenishment.  It gives extra fluids, veggies, a bit more iron from the beef, fiber and carbs from the barley and even a bit more salt for electrolyte losses.

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Do you track your calorie expenditure and how? Hope you have a great week!  I’m counting the days till the holidays and a little winter break, woo-hoo!

October 7, 2009

quickest back-up dinner

Filed under: Blog,Comfort foods,Dinner,Recipes in a Flash — Tags: — Kristen :) @ 11:05 pm

IMG_4963Usually in my meal planning I like to include an easy prep meal that I can fall back on if something comes up during the week, or if I get home later and just don’t feel like putting something together.

Well, it was one of those days yesterday and I love having something for plan B that is simple, healthy and filling!

It has finally started to cool down somewhat here, well, it’s still in the 70s during the day which is like summer for many of you.  I am enjoying being able to open the windows and having a considerably lower power bill.  Another great thing about the cool down that I absolutely adore is starting to make more soups and casseroles again!!!!  Yay!  I think those are my favorites to make because they are so easy and can be adjusted based on what ingredients are on hand.

On to the easiest recipe in the world. . .

  • TJ’s Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup (I get the low-sodium version)
  • 1/2 box low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2 cups frozen veggies and big handfuls of torn spinach
  • 1 cup grilled balsamic-marinated chicken or you could sub chickpeas/beans
  • Various spices, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, cinnamon (gives it some warmth)
  • 2 cups cooked pasta, or some rice, quinoa, etc.

In a pot place all the ingredients and warm to your liking.

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These are also great if you don’t have fresh basil on hand.  It’s not as flavorful as fresh, but it works.  I used about 8 cubes for the soup.

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That’s it!  I like to serve it with a nice grilled cheese or cheesy naan for dipping (fontina with oregano).  I am addicted to naan with pretty much anything at the moment.

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What’s the easiest back up meal you like to make?

June 30, 2009

refreshing twist and some experiments

Filed under: Blog,Breakfast,Dinner,Lighter Fare — Tags: , , , , — Kristen :) @ 4:01 am

100_3476 I cannot wait for my car to get done at the auto shop; it seems like it’s been forever!  I returned the rental car on Friday because I didn’t want to keep paying for it, but now I feel bad bumming rides from people.  It’s tough not having a car here.  I would take public transportation, but that is pretty much non-existent here in Vegas.  When we went to Portland, their public transportation system was amazing and we could get pretty much anywhere in the city really quick.  It normally only takes me about 20 minutes to get to work, but if I took the bus system here it would take 2 1/2 hours!  No thank you!

I made some granola bars this weekend with the recipe from Angela at Oh She Glows.  I just love her blog, and she has some great, healthy baking recipes.  She also just opened up her own bakery (how cool!) in Canada, and is working on getting her products distributed here in the US.  While I can’t reveal the recipe, all I can tell you is that I can’t wait to order some of her goodies!  I didn’t have some of the ingredients, so I substituted and added some other things.  I also baked them for a bit to help harden ‘em up.  Wow, they are sooo good!  Really just like granola bars you would get at the store, chewy and yummy.  I foresee I’m going to be tweaking my own recipe again 🙂  Thanks Angela!

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I also made another batch of Gina’s Granola.  I just can’t get enough of this stuff!  I tweaked it a little bit too just for fun to experiment.  Here’s what I put in this time . . .

  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 cups oats
  • ¼ cup ground flaxseed
  • ½ t. baking soda
  • 1 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tbsp canola oil
  • 3 tbsp peanut butter
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 3 tbsp brown rice syrup (you can also use honey)
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • ½ cup chopped mixed, roasted nuts
  • if you want to add dried fruit, add it after baking

Simply combine the first 6 ingredients, through the spices in a large bowl.  Combine the last 5 ingredients (except the nuts) in a microwave safe bowl or small pot, and heat slowly until melted.  Combine the dry with the wet; mix well and stir in the nuts.  Place on a flat cookie sheet and press down.  Bake at 325 for approximately 20-25 minutes (I like mine crunchy!).  Let cool and break apart to enjoy on pretty much anything!  Yum!

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During the summer there is nothing like a refreshing dinner to make you feel satisfied, yet not overly stuffed.  Gazpacho is just the thing!  It’s surprisingly filling because it is mostly fluid and packed full of nutrients.  Not to mention it is so easy to make and only about 100 kcals per serving!

Watermelon Gazpacho

(adapted from CookingLight)

Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 6  cups cubed seeded watermelon, save 1 cup for the end
  • 1  cup chopped peeled English cucumber
  • 1/2  cup chopped bell pepper
  • 1/3  cup chopped green onions
  • 3  tbsp chopped fresh mint
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1  tbsp olive oil
  • 3/4  tsp salt
  • 2 small shakes of cayenne (careful, this can be hot!)
  • 1  garlic clove, minced100_3505
  • 3/4 cup cranberry juice
  • 1/4 cup sweet Riesling, optional (we had a glass with dinner too!)
  • greek yogurt or goat cheese for topping

Preparation

Combine first 10 ingredients. Place half of watermelon mixture in a food processor or blender, and pulse 3 or 4 times or until finely chopped.  Or you can use an immersion blender to blend to desired consistency directly in the bowl (such a good tool!).  Add the blended soup back to the rest of the soup.  Stir in cranberry juice, Riesling and last 1 cup of diced watermelon.  Chill well.  Top with yogurt or goat cheese when ready to serve.

100_3507Oh man, this was really good and refreshing!  There was a nice kick from the cayenne and all the contrasting flavors blended very well.  It filled me up pretty good surprisingly.  I also decided to have some sautéed chicken potstickers on the side with the help of good ol’ TJ’s.  I definitely want to make this again because I don’t think our weather is going to be cooling down anytime soon ha!  I think it’s already gotten to 106.

I like my soups chunky.  I was wishing I had some avocado too, because I think that would work very well 🙂

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On top of the potstickers I drizzled some peanut satay sauce.  It was about a tsp of peanut butter, tbsp of hoisin, tbsp soy sauce, glug of rice wine vinegar and a tinzy bit of toasted sesame oil, yum!

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Is public transportation accessible where you live, and if so, do you use it?

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