Go With What You Know

As usual, Ryan and I spent the first few hours after work entertaining Little Miss Sadie. We always do something active with her, whether it is a long walk or a trip to the dog park, so she can expend some of her never-ending energy.

Today we opted for a trip to the bark park, as Ryan calls it.

Loving Dog Park Time

Sadie had a ball and ran around like the mad dog she is!

Dinner

After watching Sadie burn all those calories, Ryan and I felt the need for some food! Wouldn’t it be nice if watching someone workout was an actual workout? 😉

On the menu for tonight: Monterey Pasta Company’s spinach ricotta ravioli.

A little less than a month ago Ryan and I attempted to veer from our beloved Monterey Pasta Company in favor of Whole Foods ravioli and experienced an extreme flavor failure. Tonight we stuck with our old stand by and enjoyed every last bite!

Ravioli Bowl

I guess sometimes it’s a good idea to go with what you know! 

I paired my ravioli with steamed broccoli for added veggies and volume. The addition of copious amounts of veggies to my pasta dishes really helps me feel satisfied on less pasta, which helps prevent the feeling of pasta belly bloat.

Of course everything was topped with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese.

Ravioli + Cheese + Sauce

Veggiefied

Delish.

Wedding Planning

This weekend really thrust me into wedding planning mode. I seriously want to figure everything out now!

Today I made an appointment for Saturday to meet with a potential DJ. Also on my to-do list for this weekend is meeting with possible officiates and hammering down our save the dates. Once those decisions are made, I’ll feel much better!

New Addition

I added a “Wedding Planning” tab to the top of the blog with links to several of my wedding-related posts. Check it out if you’re interested!

Modified McMuffin

I owe my lunch today to my mama.

Whenever I was really nervous about a big test or a diving meet in high school, my mom would make me a hearty and delicious breakfast as a special treat.

I’d come downstairs, ready to heat up a packet of instant oatmeal or throw a Toaster Strudel in the toaster, and be wonderfully surprised by a homemade breakfast. It was the best!

One of my favorite breakfasts was her take on a McDonald’s Egg McMuffin®.

She made her own version of the fast-food breakfast staple by toasting an English muffin and adding a slice of Canadian bacon, reduced-fat cheese and an egg on top.

I paid tribute to her modified McMuffin at lunch today.

My lunchtime breakfast sandwich included a Thomas’ light multi-grain English muffin, a wedge of Laughing Cow light original Swiss cheese, an egg and a slice of Canadian bacon.

Thomas' Light Multi-Grain English Muffins

Canadian Bacon + Egg

This breakfast sandwich is so easy to make and definitely takes a lot less time to construct at home than it would to drive through a fast food restaurant and place an order.

Open-Faced McMuffin + Green Pepper Slices

Modified McMuffin

By making my own Egg McMuffin, I saved loads of sodium (the original has 820 mg!) and didn’t ingest the “liquid margarine” or “pasteurized processed American cheese” that may be found in McDonald’s version.

On the side I snacked on freshly sliced green pepper and a small banana.

Selecting a Wedding DJ/ Officiant

This weekend Ryan and I would like to schedule some appointments to meet with potential DJs and possible wedding officiants.

If any of you are from the St. Pete/Tampa/Sarasota, Florida area and have any recommendations, please send ’em my way!

For those of you who are married or have been to several weddings, please share your advice with regard to selecting a DJ or wedding officiant!

I must admit, I feel a little clueless about the whole process!

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PB & P

I’m sure it won’t surprise you to know that I am a big fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

After all, I eat several peanut butter fingers a day…

Looove PB

Peanut Butter Fingers Make Me Smile

When I was in middle school I used to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with mint jelly. My mom served mint jelly when she would make lamb and I fell in love with it. I figured mint jelly shouldn’t be reserved for special occasions involving lamb, so it became a staple in my lunches. Don’t knock it ’til ya try it! 😀

I didn’t have jelly on hand today, but I did have a big, juicy pear and figured a couple of slices of the fruit would make a yummy (and more nutritious) jelly substitute.

Pear Slices

I topped half of a Thomas’ light multi-grain English muffin with the pear slices and spread creamy peanut butter on the other half.

Spreadin' PB

Open-Faced PB & P

Tuesday's Breakfast

My pb & p breakfast sandwich was delicious!

I’ve made this same sandwich with apple slices before, but I think the softer texture of the pear worked better as a jelly substitute. YUM.

Workout

Today’s workout was a doozie!

I started with 30 minutes on the treadmill, following this workout:

30 Minute Treadmill Workout

The gym felt like it was 5,000 degrees today, so I was a sweaty mess by the end of that workout! I finished up my cardio session with 20 minutes on the elliptical.

Questions of the Day

Are you a fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Are you a creamy or chunky peanut butter lover? What kind of jelly is your favorite?

I love all kinds of peanut butter. I refuse to limit myself to just one choice (but if I really had to pick, I’d say chunky). As for jelly, I’ve always loved grape or blackberry jelly.