Time to Try Something New

Since we used the lean ground beef I initially planned to use tonight in our favorite recipe for BBQ meatloaf in tacos last night instead, I was forced to reevaluate my dinner plans. 

Though I’m sure the lean ground turkey we had on hand would probably taste delicious in that BBQ meatloaf recipe, I figured it might be a good time to try out a different meatloaf recipe that specifically called for lean ground turkey. 

Em (of HomecookedEm) saved the day! 

She posted a recipe for meatloaf that she found on The Newlywed Chef’s blog, and I was smitten. 😉 

Homestyle Turkey Meatloaf

 

The recipe was very simple and came together quickly. 

While the meatloaf was a-cookin’, we took Sadie on a walk to enjoy the gorgeous weather. Hooray for spring! 

Sadie Lovin' the Sun

 

We swung by my office on our walk because I forgot my USB cord. Who knew they locked the building after 5:30 p.m.!? You can get out, but you can’t get in! 

After sweet-talkin’ the security guard, I managed to get escorted up to my office. Phew! I thought I might have to post without pictures tonight… And what fun is that!? 

When we got home from our walk, the smell of the meatloaf filled our apartment. 

Ryan and I immediately started snapping the ends off some green beans to enjoy with the loaf. 

Beans, Beans They're Good for Your Heart...

 

Yay Beans!

 

 The meatloaf was hot, hot, hot when it came out of the oven. I sliced us each several pieces to let cool down for a couple of minutes before digging in. 

Looooaf

 

The addition of the vegetable soup mix and the salsa added such a neat flavor dimension to the meatloaf. Ryan and I both really liked this recipe and decided it is definitely a keeper! 

Meatloaf + Green Beans

 

My Plate

 

As I was packing up the meatloaf leftovers, I couldn’t resist snacking on another slice. This baby is GOOD! 

Are you a meatloaf lover? 

I’ve always loved meatloaf! It’s like a casserole and delicious meat dish in one! A win, win in my book. 

Homestyle Turkey Meatloaf (Adapted by Aly from the Eating For Life Cookbook) 

  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey

1 onion, chopped

4 egg whites

1 cup salsa

3/4 cup Old Fashioned Oats, uncooked

1 pkg vegetable soup mix

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 cup ketchup

 

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and coat a loaf pan with cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, combine the turkey, onion, egg whites, salsa, oats, soup mix, and black pepper. MIX WELL.
• Press mixture into prepared loaf pan and spread ketchup on top.
• Bake for 60 minutes or until meatloaf is no longer pink in the middle. 

Deconstructed Tacos

…Also known as taco salad! 😀

I always look forward to taco night for two reasons:

1. Tacos are delicious
2. Taco leftovers make for an awesome taco salad for lunch

Right after I licked my plate clean finished dinner last night, I used the remaining lean ground beef taco meat, salsa and shredded lettuce to make today’s taco salad.

Taco Salad + Salsa

I added two large handfuls of frozen corn kernels to the salad to thaw overnight.

Note: Frozen corn is surprisingly delicious straight outta the bag!

Thursday's Lunch

I closed the Tupperware lid on this bad boy and shook it up until the salsa coated every last inch of lettuce.

Tossed Up

Darn good eatin’.

Wanna know what else was darn good eatin’?

My dessert.

Enter, Reese‘s peanut butter cups!

Reese's

A coworker and I split a pack of this chocolate + peanut butter deliciousness and I enjoyed every last bite!

My PB Cup

I’ve been eyin’ Reese’s since I saw the Easter Reese’s eggs on the shelves at the grocery store this week.

I ❤ Easter candy!

What’s your favorite Easter candy?

I can’t get enough of those Cadbury mini eggs. They’re the best!

My mom loves Peeps… but she likes them a little stale and removes them from their packaging for a day before eating them. 🙂

Belly Bulge

I don’t think there’s a food more beautiful than fruit.

Apple + Strawberries

Fruit Bowl

The vibrant colors simply call to me… “Eat me. Eat me.”

Of course, I always oblige. 😉

For breakfast this morning I enjoyed a cup of fruit salad that included one large Pink Lady apple and lots of freshly sliced strawberries.

I planned to stir some of the fruit into my Greek yogurt, but I ended up eating it on its own. It was just too tasty!

Fruit + Yogurt

The crisp, coolness of the fruit was the perfect post-workout breakfast.

Workout

Do you ever have those days at the gym where your workout feels unusually difficult? That was my workout today! I didn’t do anything particularly challenging, but I felt like my legs were as heavy as rocks!

Today’s cardio included:

• 5 min. incline walking
• 10 min. stair master
• 10 min. elliptical
• 10 min. arc trainer
• 15 min. run outside with Sadie

The weather in Florida is warmin’ up! This makes me very happy because I should be able to enjoy more outdoor morning runs again without freezing my patootie off.

Belly Bulge Blunders

Are you constantly scrutinizing your lil’ muffin top or a softer belly?

First, embrace your pretty figure because you’re likely much harder on yourself than anyone else.

Second, check out the list that FitSugar compiled of reasons many people carry a little extra belly fat. A little change here and there can make a big difference!

Five Reasons You May Have Belly Fat:

1. You’re doing crunches, not cardio.
2. Your cardio isn’t intense enough.
3. You’re skipping breakfast.
4. You follow the three-meals-a-day rule.
5. You’re kicking back more than a few alcoholic drinks.

Do any of these apply to you?

I think the one I fall victim to the most is number two. I do cardio, but I naturally gravitate toward steady-state cardio, which doesn’t challenge me as much as interval training.