What a wonderful day yesterday was – I had the day off in observance of Yom Kippur. Even though I’m not Jewish, the organization that I work for is and I’m fortunate enough to get a few extra days off this fall. It was so nice to have a slower day to catch up on errands, take a mid-morning yoga class and get a mani/pedi ($28!).

Breakfast: Ok, this is CRAZY but I had seen it a few times online and was so intrigued, I needed to try it. “Bulletproof Coffee” is a blended mix of coffee, butter (grass-fed) and coconut oil. You are supposed to use “mold -free” coffee beans, but I used my regular, old coffee beans from Trader Joe’s. Blended together, it creates a frothy latte-like drink. It was wonderful and I want to drink it every day. :) Obviously it is mainly fat, which my body does very well on but I’m not sure if it would be enough substance for normal days. On the weekends when I tend to eat more of a “brunch” meal than breakfast it just might work…

 

Workout: 75 minute yoga class. I initially wasn’t a huge fan of the yoga classes offered at the spinning/yoga studio that I belong to, but I think it might have been because they push me in ways that I’m not used to. I grew accustomed to the classes I used to take and now I’m forced into practicing headstands/handstands (which I don’t love), but know I should be doing. :) That was a really long way to say, I really enjoyed the class and I’ll be making more of an effort to get there on a regular basis.

Lunch: greens + olive oil + smoked trout salad (3 oz smoked trout + mayo + raw sauerkraut) + carrots. I’ve had two cans of smoked trout in the cupboard for months and finally decided to try it out. I’ve always been a little nervous for some reason, but it was a great change from tuna and I’m sure I’ll use that next can soon!

Evening Snack: olives + salami + raw gouda + red wine with a side of computer work and The Real Housewives (favorite guilty pleasure).

 

Dinner: chicken breast + spaghetti squash + green beans. Earlier today I saw a tweet from my local Whole Foods that they were having a 1-day sale on whole chickens for $.99/pound. Since  I’ve been obsessed with cooking whole chickens lately, I stocked up and bought one to freeze and had the butchers cut up the other one for meals for the next few days. I ate about 2/3 of the chicken breast and saved the rest for lunch.

I finished off the evening with 3 dark chocolate peanut butter cups. I. am. addicted.

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

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I was really glad that one of the outcomes of my little poll was that you are interested in more of the healthy & simple meal ideas.

For many reasons, but partly because it seems that everyone can use more simple meals ideas, and partly because it is challenging for me. I tend to either go overboard and spend hours in the kitchen preparing gourmet meals, or, pop in a frozen dinner from Trader Joe’s. Simple, healthy and quick meals are the inspiration I want to share!

So onto the food.

The packets allow you to cook vegetables and protein in one step and only take a few minutes to put together. I microwaved the sweet potatoes for the sake of time, but you could certainly bake or boil if you prefer.

Pesto Fish Packets with Garlic Butter Sweet Potato Mash

by Emily Dingmann

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20-30 minutes

Keywords: bake entree gluten-free high protein

 

Ingredients (2 servings)

For the Fish

  • 2 small zucchini, sliced
  • 2 filets of firm white fish
  • 2 Tbsp prepared pesto
  • juice from 1/2 lemon
  • salt & pepper

For the Sweet Potato Mash

  • 2 small sweet potatoes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1-2 Tbsp butter
  • salt & pepper

Instructions

For the Fish

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.

Tear off two sheets of aluminum foil or parchment paper, so you have 12 inches squares.

Stir together lemon juice and pesto.

Layer zucchini on foil, top with fish and drizzle with pesto.

Season with salt and pepper.

Seal packets and place on baking sheet.

Bake for about 20 minutes, until fish is cooked through.

Carefully open pouch and serve.

For the Sweet Potato Mash

Pierce potatoes with fork.

Microwave until soft, about 7 minutes.

Heat butter in small pan and add garlic to pan.

Season with salt and pepper and saute for 2-3 minutes.

Mash sweet potatoes and stir in butter mixture.

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