Dinner

Love Your Freezer

It’s a good thing I always maintain such a well-stocked freezer! I remembered that I had made an extra chickpea cutlet a few weeks ago and stashed it in the freezer for times such as these. Perfect! I heated it up in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes or so and topped it with the same agave-dijon sauce that I made with the original. All the sauce is is equal parts agave nectar and whole grain dijon mustard and, man, does it ever taste good! I also steamed up some cauliflower and sugar snap peas and made brown rice for a complete and balanced meal. I’m glad I spent my money today at the store to buy more fresh veggies instead of novelty items. You can do so much with veggies and, as my mom used to tell me growing up, you always should have something green on your plate at night! It’s funny how that always stuck with me! Buying a variety of veggies also eases mid-week boredom with the same old salad. I can’t wait til I am able to plant my own vegetable garden in my future house so I can really eat with the seasons and enjoy fresh veggies all year round!

I’m bringing a Kashi cookie (happy trails) with me to school tonight to have for a snack later. I used to eat a ton of these in college and really like them…especially the dark chocolate variety. They make for a healthy treat that actually is pretty satisfying because of the protein and whole grains used. I’m not exactly sure what is on tap for baking tonight so I guess tomorrow’s pictures will be a surprise!

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  • VeggieGirl
    March 3, 2008 at 10:29 pm

    I agree – it’s wonderful to freeze foods fresh, and then have them on-hand for a quick, delectable meal :0)

    Looking forward to seeing what you bake – I’m sure it will be worth the surprise, as always!!

  • Annie
    March 3, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    I was actually going to ask you how those cutlets froze, I made them last night but everyone in my family is afraid of them, so I put three in the freezer and was just hoping everything would be okay when I went back to them.
    Have a good night at school!

  • Meghan
    March 3, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Jenna! I tried the whole run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 and it works FABULOUSLY! I usually run about 3 miles nonstop (and end up exhausted!) but today I ran 6, discovered an AWESOME place by the water to picnic and I wasn’t so incredibly tired that I had to sit around for awhile afterward (like usual…!) Wowza! I can’t say that I’ll use this method all the time, because sometimes I’m crunched for time and I just need a super intense, quick workout, and sometimes I go running with my friends, but when it’s just me and I have time to spare I will definitely be using this method! Thanks!

  • Cara
    March 3, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    My freezer is also well stocked. The other day I tried to make a list of everything I could make with the items in it, so I could start making room for more items. hahha.

  • Romina
    March 3, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    I know exactly what you mean! It’s awesome to have a stocked up freezer when you’re in a pinch. I have so many veggies frozen I don’t even think I need to buy any fresh stuff (but that would be dumb).

    I want to freeze some chickpea cutlets, but then I eat them all… something I just can’t do, hehe.

  • Emma
    March 3, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    yum yum ! veggies are delicious, I could eat them all day long!

  • Meghan
    March 3, 2008 at 11:46 pm

    True, Emma! My friends are amazed with how many vegetables I eat a day. Sometimes I go as far is pumpkin with my breakfast, salad with a TON of different veggies for lunch, vegetable-based dinner. YUM! But of course, it’s always important to incorporate other proteins and carbs or else I wouldn’t be gettin’ proper nutrition!

  • Kelly
    March 3, 2008 at 11:51 pm

    Hi everyone and Jenna!

    My pilates studio just sent out a newsletter and in it was a link to this website that is REALLY COOL! You sign up for a free newsletter and it’s all about healthy brands and imposter (fake healthy foods). I just started browsing and it is really neat. Check it out!

    http://www.ebrandaid.com/index.html

  • Betsy
    March 3, 2008 at 11:55 pm

    my freezer is chock full of easy dinner leftovers. I have tons of soup, tofu and frozen veggies. On a night when I’m tired, it makes life so much easier!

  • Lori- the pleasantly plump vegan
    March 4, 2008 at 12:22 am

    agave + mustard = greatness but i <3 maple syrup + dijon mustard. soooo good on the cutlets

  • Annie
    March 4, 2008 at 1:00 am

    Hey Everyone,
    I was wondering if anyone has tried any of the Ezekiel english muffins. Ive searched 4 different stores to find them, with no luck, so I thought I would try to order some online. I dont know which kind to get though (Original, Sprouted grain, or 7 Grain). Has anyone tried them and has a preference? I love all the ezekiel breads and after seeing Jenna eat these al the time Im dieing to try them.
    Thanks!

  • Evey
    March 4, 2008 at 1:29 am

    Yum, Jenna, your dinner looks delish!

    Hey girls, does anyone have a good chili recipe (preferably vegetarian)?

    Thanks!

  • jenn
    March 4, 2008 at 2:08 am

    Annie, have you tried WF or TJ, and have you looked in the freezer case?? At WF, it’s in the freezer next to all the other frozen breads, tortillas, english muffins, etc; and at TJ it’s just in the regular (fresh) bread section. I like the Genesis sprouted and cinnamon raisin, mmm! crap, now I want one… 😛

  • pinklilly
    March 4, 2008 at 2:26 am

    Emma & Meghan- I’m obsessed with veggies too! I usually use them in my lunch, snack and dinner! Carrots are my absolute favorite – raw and cooked! Ahhh … they’re just so tasty!

  • Natalie
    March 4, 2008 at 2:58 am

    Annie- I recently bought the cinnamon raisin and I love them! Not to sweet, but raisiny- so good!

  • Victoria
    March 4, 2008 at 3:12 am

    Annie, I eat one of the sprouted grain english muffin nearly every workday. Those are the only type I’ve tried, but I love them!

  • Betsy
    March 4, 2008 at 3:37 am

    pinklilly
    i buy a 5 pound of carrots from Whole Foods every week (it is the best deal i’ve found) and eat the ENTIRE bag in a week. I would marry carrots if I could. I’ve always loved carrots like this, all my life. And, you know how they say carrots are good for your eyes? Well, I’m the only one in my family who doesn’t need glasses and still has 20/20 vision.

  • erica
    March 4, 2008 at 4:26 am

    hey guys, this is a really random question regarding a serving size of canned beans. when it tells you a 1/2 cup serving is 130g, is the serving for the beans once they’re drained?

  • Courty
    March 4, 2008 at 6:19 am

    Hi,

    I am just curious, how do most people season their veggies? There aren’t many that I like (it is mainly a texture thing-weird, I know, but lettuce makes me cringe) but I know they are super good for you, and I really want to try eating more! Any tips on how to makes veggies more palatable (and how to be brave when trying new things!) would be much appreciated 🙂 Thanks!

  • nicole r.
    March 4, 2008 at 6:20 am

    Annie–

    I have the Ezekiel plain sprouted grain kind and they’re SO good!! I actually don’t like english muffins usually, but these are so soft and chewy. I found them in the freezer of Shaw’s natural foods section, but my WF didn’t have them. They did have the Food For Life sprouted grain ones though, i THINK.

  • Elizabeth
    March 4, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Related to saving $$ at the grocery – try paying in cash! I think you take much more notice of what you’re spending. I always pay in cash and it forces me to pay attention to what I’m grabbing – I even keep a little tally as I’m shopping so I know how much I’m spending. Fruit & veggies are almost always the best bang for your buck, along with beans. It’s an eye-opener when you actually shop on a budget how you can still make healthy balanced meals for less. it just takes paying attention 🙂

  • Lindsay
    March 4, 2008 at 1:07 pm

    That is a great idea about paying with cash – i almost never do that, except for when i go to my local produce shop… Great tip! Jenna those sugar snap peas look so crisp & delish!