Iowa Girl Eats

Now Go Mop the Floor

Mar 11th, 2010 by admin

I am the luckiest woman aliiiiiive.

Ben only had to work a 1/2 day today, so he played the roll of kept man the rest of the day and did all my bidding muwahahaha! Just kidding, he only had to run one errand for me and the rest of the stuff he did all on his own! Stuff like…

Surprising me with jelly beans and white chocolate truffles!

It’s true! I walked in the door and was greeted by a big bowl of Starburst Jelly Beans and Lindt White Chocolate Truffles on the kitchen counter.

Two of my absolute FAVES!

Organizing one of my cookie making drawers!

This afternoon I sent him to pick up baby blue ribbon for a cookie order I’m working on, and while he was at the craft store (bonus points for him going to a craft store) he stocked me up on some other colors of ribbon, then came home and organized the drawer they go in!

Setting up a workout area for me in the basement!

On the way home from work I told him I was going to shred in the basement before dinner and asked if he could setup the DVD for me on the Playstation since I don’t know how to work it…

Not only did he set the DVD to the start of the workout, but he also moved the coffee table out of the way and set out my weights! I proceeded to knock out Levels 1 & 2 – brutal!! (what, you don’t workout in white socks, ankle biter pants and the shirt you wore to work?)

Making dinner – Apricot Soy Chicken!!

Thaaaat’s right – IBE got down in the kitchen tonight and knocked it out of the park!

He quickly marinated two chicken breasts in a mixture of apricot jam, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic & onion powder and hot sauce.

Cooked on the stovetop and served with some steamed asparagus.

This was awesome!! A little salty, a little sweet – a lot FABULOUS and much appreciated.

Let’s hear it for IBE huh?!

Now I’m going to go snuggle with said Iowa boy and watch our favorite Thursday night shows together. See you in the a.m.!

ps – only a few hours left to enter the Nasoya/Swanson Vitamin giveaway!!

~~~~~

Do you try and do special little things for your significant other?

Right after Ben and I got married, I read somewhere (or maybe my Mom told me?) that you should always be thinking about what else you can do for your spouse or significant other. That has always stuck with me for some reason. Try and outdo each other on what you can do for the other person. It’s fun!

Tags: 30 day shred, asparagus, ben, chicken, IBE

Posted in Dinner, Work Out | 15 Comments »

IGE Takes San Francisco!

Mar 11th, 2010 by admin

I had an oatmeal breakthrough this morning!

I didn’t end up making 3-minute chocolate mousse last night, but still wanted to find a way to eat some of my ricotta cheese. As I was making my morning oatmeal, I thought to myself – hmmmm, I wonder what it would be like in there… So, I scooped some into the pot and hoped for the best. Umm, it was AMAZING! Here’s my Whipped Ricotta Banana Oatmeal!

In the mix:

1/3 cup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup water
1 banana
1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
cinnamon
vanilla
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
almond butter

Creamy and dreamy!

Instead of slicing half of the banana into the pot while the oats cooked and the other half on top, I sliced the whole thing in while it was cooking and whipped, whipped, whipped so it was nice and fluffy.

Adding the ricotta cheese at the end took whipped to a whole new level! As I stirred it in, you could see it making the whole mixture light as air – like a whipped pudding almost!

Dripping with almond butter…WoW. This was amazing – you’ve got to try it!!

Lunch may not be quite as spectacular – but it’s still a winner in my book! Tofu & Veggie Mixed Salad.

In the mix:

Mixed greens
Broccoli
Baked tofu (mist of olive oil, sprinkle of garlic & onion powder, baked @ 425 for 15 mins)
Carrots
Dried cranberries

This.salad.rocks. ‘Nuf said!

Oh, I found Annie’s Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette at Super Target for a fraction of the price it usually costs at my regular grocery store! I was SO jazzed.

So, yesterday a good friend of mine’s little boy had his first birthday (shout out to Mason!) which got me thinking about what I was doing one year ago. Well, as it turns out, Ben and I were traipsing around San Francisco at this time last year!

Both Ben and I LOVE California. Like, love, love, love it. If it weren’t for the California economy, housing prices and the San Andreas fault – we might be out there right now! (Not ruling it out in the future!)

We’re well traveled in Southern Cali – that laid back lifestyle and unbeatable weather has us smitten. Last year, though, we decided to give Northern Cali a chance and headed out to San Francisco for a week! Plus, we had some great friends to visit out there.

During our trip we drove along the coast line to soak up and explore the deserted beaches, cliffs and tide pools dotting the highway.

We also walked 1 million miles every single day! We stayed right in Fisherman’s Wharf which was a great central location to see all the sights that San Fran has to offer. Here’s the view of curvy Lombard Street from Coit Tower.

Aaaaand, here’s the view of Coit Tower (top right) from the top of Lombard Street! We were POWER WALKERS, going it least 9+ miles every day. It was awesome. I think you really get to know a city by seeing it on foot!

San Fran wouldn’t be San Fran without the cable cars (and a peek of Alcatraz Island!)

The Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory was life changing. ‘NUFF SAID!

And hiking through the quaint and artsy island of Sausalito was so peaceful.

It gave us breathtaking views of the bay…and the Golden Gate Bridge!

Our friends who live out there work under the Gap/Banana Republic/Old Navy umbrella and they took us to see their offices. Don’t worry – THIS IS THE VIEW FROM THEIR ROOF TOP CAFETERIA!!!!!!

Can you imagine eating at work with this view everyday?! This is the Bay Bridge - the Golden Gate Bridge is off to the left.

While in SF, we ate at some incredible resturarants. One of our favorites was the classic Fog City Diner. Retro on the outside, bistro-like on the inside, and I can still taste the Pad Thai Salad that was one of the best I’ve ever had!

Being the nature lovers that we are, we couldn’t leave town without going to Muir Woods which has the tallest redwood trees in the world. It was a humbling experience.

Of course we had to have fuel to get there!

Tree huggers kissers!

We ended our trip with a quintessential San Francisco activity…

A trip to Alcatraz Island.

I could go on and on about this place – you truly have to go and explore it for yourself though. There’s SO much history and SO much to learn about it. It’s SO cool!

The prisoners often said the worst thing about Alcatraz was the incredible views of the city and the bay. It just reminded them that they weren’t free to go and explore it.

This is when we told Ben he would have to spend the night in one of the cells.

San Francisco was one of the best vacations of our lives – we miss it so much and can’t wait to return one day. Next time, we’ll be sure to visit some of the surrounding wine country!!

Have you ever been to San Francisco? What did you think?

If money was no option, where would you move to tomorrow?

Tags: oatmeal, ricotta, salad, san francisco

Posted in Breakfast, Lunch, Recipes, Travel | 44 Comments »

Warm, Crispy, Crunchy Dinner!

Mar 10th, 2010 by admin

Gosh I hate coming up with post titles sometimes!

Glad you guys are pumped about the giveaway(s)! I am pumped about my daffodils – do you even recognize them as the same ones from last night?!

They spent all day basking in the sun on the bump out window in the kitchen (jealous) and bloomed magnificently. Smile inducer!

Well, so far this week we’ve been to Jamaica and Italy for dinner, and tonight I thought we’d head South again – this time to Cuba! Cuban “Cubano” Sandwiches were on tap for dinner!

I once again consulted my trusty 1001 Foods To Die For book to get the low-down on the Cubano.

“The Cubano originated in the early 1900s when vendors and cafeterias began selling them to sugar mill employees and other workers. Big enough to be eaten with two hands, a bun is split and filled with roast pork, ham, pickles, cheese and mustard. The now bulging bun is heated and pressed on a plancha (like a panini press) making it easier to handle and eat on the go, crisps the shell of the bread and warms the filling.”

Yep, that’ pretty much sums it up! My “bun” was half a loaf of this Demi Wheat French Bread I got from Super Target.

PS the Super Target in my area has the most amazing bakery bread section! I’m talking dozens and dozens of different types of rolls, loafs and specialty breads like focaccia and Naan. I’m hitting that section up more often!

Like I said, I cut this loaf in half for myself (I bought Ben a regular French loaf)

then scooped out the insides. Not only will this help make the sandwich get super flat and crispy when pressed, but it also saves calories! Well, it does if you don’t eat what you took out…which is what I ended up doing. It was too fresh, soft and squishy to resist, I tell ya!

The first layer was some leftover Jamaican Jerk Pork.

Followed by a few slices of low-sodium deli ham.

Next goes some pickle slices,

and a slice of swiss cheese.

Top it off with a drizzle of dijon mustard, baby!

Yum, doesn’t that look good?

The lid goes on,

and my “panini press” gets put to work. Yep, my homemade contraption is back!

I pressed down as hard as I could so the bread on the bottom, side “A”, could get really crispy.

After side A was done, I sprayed the top with some olive oil, flipped and placed a folded up piece of foil on the bread, so the pan I was using for my press wouldn’t get dirty.

Side Bs turn on the bottom!

DONE! Look how crispy the outsides got! You can see what a difference taking out the middle of the bread made. This would still be pretty doughy and thick on the inside if it was still there. You can really taste the ingredients this way.

These sandwiches are a great way to use up extra deli meat or leftover ham. They’re so inexpensive, quick and easy to make!

I gobbled, natch. Love these!

Oh, alongside, I made some Mashed Sweet Potatoes. They were so good the other night, that I was powerless to resist making them again!

That’s one small sweet potato, microwaved until soft, then mashed with 1 teaspoon of butter and dash of cinnamon. Out of this world, I’m telling you!

I feel as though some 3 minute chocolate mousse might be making an appearance later tonight…it GREAT stuff guys. Oh, gosh, and I’ve got to get in my 20 minutes of movement at some point tonight too. This rain is making me feel so blah and lethargic! I know exercise is the answer to kicking those feelings, but it’s those feelings that’s making it hard to exercise! What a vicious circle. I’ve just got to do it and I think Jillian will be more than willing to show me how.

Don’t forget you’ve got 3 ways to win either a Nasoya tofu press + coupons or a Swanson Vitamin goodie bag by tomorrow evening. Enter now, ya’ hear?

G’night!

~~~~~

Are you a “bread” person? What kinds do you like the best?

I don’t eat bread all that often, but I can totally appreciate a good piece of chewy focaccia, or warm naan. And WHO can forget about CORNBREAD! Which, I suppose is more like dessert, but still…

Tags: 1001 foods to die for, cuban sandwich, sweet potato

Posted in Dinner, Recipes | 20 Comments »

Open Letter to Rain + Giveaways!

Mar 9th, 2010 by admin

Dear Rain:

Can you please stop gently falling from the hours of 5-6am every day? It makes getting out of bed really hard when you make staying in it so cozy. Thanks.

Love,

IGE

Seriously, I cannot get out of bed these days! Darn rain makes me want to burrow under the covers and stay there all morning long. But, Momma’s gotta work, so we know that isn’t happening!

The thing that finally DID get me out of bed was Almond Butter & Jelly Oatmeal!

In the mix:

1/3 cup old fashioned oats
2/3 cup + additional splash of water
1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
Cinnamon
1 banana (half cooked in w/ oats, half on top)
1 Tablespoon almond butter
1 Tablespoon sugar-free raspberry jam

Last night I laid all my ingredients out on the stove so this morning I could whip my bowl of oats right up! For full, stove-top oatmeal directions, click here.

Oooo, I can’t decide what I like more. Just the jam and oatmeal. Just the almond butter and oatmeal. Or a combo of the AB + J and oatmeal…

Ok, I like the combo. Suuuper good!

I’m happy to report that last night I managed to pry myself away from the 4 Cheese Pasta long enough to pack half of it for lunch today!

Seriously, this pasta is ah-mazing. To be honest, the nutritional stats for the sauce aren’t great – 110 cals and 10g of fat per 1/4 cup – but it’s 5x better for you than if you got it at a restaurant and, imo, it’s worth the splurge!

Besides, it’s nothing a fresh and crunchy apple can’t cure.

Or a 100 Calorie bag of Popcorn. This stuff is a long afternoon’s saving grace!

Alrighty, I promised you excitement, and here it is. It’s…

Giveaway Time!

We’ve got loads of stuff to giveaway – to THREE winners! First up we’ve got TWO…

Nasoya Tofu Press + Coupons Packages!

You guys totally flipped for this tofu press when I featured it awhile ago. So much so, that Nasoya is giving away TWO of these babies, which come with Nasoya coupon books!

This gadget is incredible. Not only does it firmly press your blocks of tofu, but it comes with a lid, so you can store it in there too!

OK, that’s two prize packages. The third prize package comes from the always helpful and friendly Ben from Swanson Vitamins!

Ben and I hand picked some amazing and delicious goodies specifically for YOU. Check ‘em out!

AND, Ben’s throwing in the Swanson “Bringing Wellness To The Kitchen” cookbook, with over 150 healthy & yummy recipes.

Oh yeah!

~~~~~

Ok, you can enter up to 3 different ways by Thursday, March 11th @ 9pm central. Here’s how:

1. Leave a comment telling me which package you are entering for. EITHER the tofu press + coupons OR the Swanson Vitamins package.

2. Post about this giveaway on your blog and leave a comment letting me know.

3. Tweet “@IowaGirlEats is giving away @Nasoya & @SwansonVitamins goodies – enter by 3/11! http://tinyurl.com/yjmjtva ” and leave a comment letting me know.

~~~~

Press or eat – take yo’ pick. Good luck!

Tags: 100 calorie popcorn, giveaway, pasta, peanut butter & jelly oatmeal, swanson vitamins

Posted in Breakfast, Giveaways, Lunch | 398 Comments »

Best Day Ever + 3-Minute Chocolate Mousse!

Mar 9th, 2010 by admin

This has been the best day ever!

In honor of the Spring-like weather we’ve been having, today I donned a light jacket that I hadn’t worn since the Fall. I put it on, reached my hand into the pocket and pulled out $3! I LOVE finding money in clothes you haven’t worn for months!

I took my new found treasure, went to Starbucks and ordered a Toffee Nut Latte! I was pleasantly surprised when a reader emailed me last week to tell me they do, in fact, exist and that I wasn’t crazy. The verdict? So rich and delicious – like butter pecan ice cream. A new fave for sure!

The fabulousness continued when I got home and was greeted by this beautiful bouquet of daffodils sitting on my front porch from my Mom! I mean…!!

Isn’t that the nicest thing ever? Luck and kindness is just overflowing today, I can hardly stand it.

Did you perform a random act of kindness today? Tell us about it! I loved hearing about all the things you described this morning. Warmed my heart.

The happy mood continued over dinner – I seriously scarfed this down is was so incredible. 4 Cheese Pasta!

Ingredients:

Serves 2.

2 servings whole wheat penne pasta

2.5 cups broccoli florets

2 servings tofu, pressed & cubed

Garlic salt, onion powder, pepper

1 cup Bertolli Four Cheese Rosa sauce

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Add broccoli florets to water when pasta has 2-3 minutes left to cook. Drain.

2. While pasta and broccoli are draining, sauté tofu with garlic salt, onion powder and pepper in some nonstick spray until light golden brown.

3. Add pasta sauce to the pot with the tofu and heat.

4. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir and serve!

Whoopee, this was incredible!

Let me just start out by telling you that I hate cream sauces. They freak me out and make me feel really icky. I received this Bertolli Four Cheese Rosa sauce from Foodbuzz and, with some hesitation, decided to give it a try.

I’m SO glad I did – it tastes so gourmet! I would have never guessed that it came from a jar. You can really taste the parmesan and romano cheeses, and a hint of fresh tomato. I’ve never recommended a jarred sauce besides Gino’s, but I would recommend this sauce. It was that good.

Paired with sweet sun dried tomatoes, chewy tofu and tender broccoli – I happily ate this allll up!

SUPER YUM!

Since Girl Scout cookies have been dominating my life recently, I recognize the need to have some portion controlled desserts in my life. I jumped with I came across this easy, 3 Minute Chocolate “Mousse” idea!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon agave nectar

Berries

Directions:

1. MIX!

That’s it. That’s all you need to enjoy this little chocolaty cup of pure Heaven. So creamy and decadent – you’ve got to try it! **Edited to add – what if you added mint extract?! Thin Mint Mousse, anyone?!***

My random act of kindness for the day? Printing out this picture of my Grandma from Ben and I’s wedding for my Mom. Isn’t she beautiful? Hi Grandma!

Have a great night, folks – and come back for an exciting post in the a.m.!

Tags: chocolate, dessert, flowers, luck, pasta, random acts of kindness

Posted in Dinner, Recipes | 33 Comments »

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Iowa Girl Eats

Now Go Mop the Floor

IGE Takes San Francisco!

Warm, Crispy, Crunchy Dinner!

Open Letter to Rain + Giveaways!

Giveaway Time!

Best Day Ever + 3-Minute Chocolate Mousse!

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