Wow, what an absolutely beautiful day! I took a short walk at lunch and got so inspired to run – I couldn’t WAIT for the proverbial work bell to ring! After a quick clothes change, I cruised out to my trail and completed a 5.12 mile run that was really enjoyable. 74 degrees + a great little breeze + the sun shining down = a runner’s paradise 
My legs were still a little tight from Ben and I’s attempt at Tennis on Sunday, so the last half mile was slightly brutal. What do I do when I feel like I want to quit? Well, I usually run an 8:45-9:00 minute mile and when I know I only have a half mile or so left to go, I tell myself “you have less than 5 minutes to go – anyone can run for five more minutes!” Works every time!
I’m surprised, yet happy, to report that my Churro Pancakes kept me full until around 11, at which time I ate my banana. The frittata saladwas so good you guys – I just had to mention it again! I would make that frittata just to put in a salad!
Continuing the Cinco de Mayo theme, I made Tostadas for dinner! Tostadas are fried corn tortillas often served with beans, meat, cheese, onions, lettuce, tomatoes and guacamole. Well there was no frying going on in this household – nosiree! I picked up a package of corn tortillas at the store and baked them directly on the rack of a 350 degree oven for ~6 minutes, or until they were crispy. I honestly have no idea why people fry tortillas when baking them in the oven produces the exact.same.result. Literally – you would think these were fried because the crunch is the exact same!
So the crunchy corn tortilla is the base of a tostada – but what really makes them fun, is the assortment of goodies you get to put on top! I had the following to choose from:
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1 can black beans (drained and rinsed) combined with a little veggie broth that I had in the freezer from a previous dinner + green chilis + a little chili powder, cumin and oregano – warmed through in a sauce pan.
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1 avocado that I mashed up with a fork
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Chopped tomatoes
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Chopped lettuce
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Shredded Cheese
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Green Tabasco sauce
I used my mashed avocado as the glue to hold the black beans on the tortilla, piled everything on top and microwaved for about 30 seconds to melt the cheese. Not too long though, hot lettuce is just the worst.
These were so much fun to eat – tons of flavors and textures going on. A hit for sure!
Peeeerfectly crunchy and tasty! I had two.
I broke up one of the extra corn tortillas to dip in the avocado 
So I wanted to share something with you: I absolutely love going out to eat. I mean really, who doesn’t? But as we all know – dining out is expensive. If we would have gone to a restaurant tonight and gotten the same exact meal, we’re looking at it least $8.99 a person + any drinks that dining out usually encourages Ben and I to have + tip = we’re talking about it least $40.00. Ummm, this whole meal cost me – get this – approximately $4. FOUR DOLLARS. Not $4 a person – $4 total! True, I already had the black beans in my pantry and the veggie broth, salsa, Tabasco sauce and spices on hand – but the rest of the ingredients, when broken down for what we used tonight, cost a mere fraction of what it would have cost in a restaurant. Seriously people – when you see cost savings like this, it makes it really hard to justify eating out!!
Ok , little tangent over
I’m feeling like I want a dessert, but I just don’t know what I want. Hmmmm…I’ll let you know what I scrounge up in the morning 
What do you guys think about the cost savings of cooking for yourself vs. dining out? I know people that literally refuse to go out to eat because of the cost, but I also know people that eat out it least 10 times a week! Where do you fall on the scale?
I have been trying to save money lately so we rarely eat out and we’ve saved SO much money! I am a vegetarian too and I just can’t justify a $14 salad, without the chicken, when I could make it for $1
Great meal!
I’m the same way about eating out. We have a really tight budget all the time, so we really have to track when/where we spend money. I love going out to eat, but it is SO much cheaper to make the same stuff at home!
Hi!
I love your site–just stumbled upon it from another foodie blog. I like how you showcase not *just* food but a little exercise and some “life” stuff, too. Makes it more interesting!
Also, I like that you make healthy stuff using yummy, normal foods instead of some funky, can’t buy anywhere but a specialty store!
Anyway, had to weigh in on the going out to eat question. My husband and I go on kicks–we will eat out a ton for a few weeks, then not go out for a month, then the cycle starts over again. It also depends on how busy we are, too; the busier we are, the less we cook. If we lived in DSM though, we’d probably go out all the time. Right now, we can’t justify the hour drive + gas + food cost to drive there just to eat out. (live an hour sw of the area)
Keep up the awesome posts! Love your blog! And go Hawks!
I don’t know if it’s the quality of your pictures or because the ingredients are so delicious, but that dinner was one of the best looking meals I’ve seen!
Smoothies around here cost up to $5 each, but by making them myself, they only end up costing about $1.75!
[...] Published May 5, 2009 Uncategorized 0 Comments Did you see the Cinco de Mayo dinner that Kristin at Iowa Girl Eats made?! I’ve been craving Mexican food recently and this is [...]
Hey there!
I just came across your blog by seeing your comments on all the blogs I read.
I just wanted to tell you how great I think your website is. You are such a beautiful girl and your life seems so blessed. I am also in my first year of marriage and feel that we have many of the same interests and passions in life (cooking, running, traveling…etc.)
I look forward to reading your page some more. Hope you had a wonderful day and take care!
Oh yum!! Have I told you how much I love your blog!?
We don’t eat out a lot and we have had to tell our friends that it’s just not in the budget.. Of course we still do on occasion, like last week we had Mexican and the bill was $60 after tip! Ugh!
Those tacos look muy muy delicious!! I know..going out to eat is such a waste of money! I only do it on the weekends for special occasions..however I do love it because I love the atmosphere of being out and about and with friends!
We had fish tacos and guac for Cinco de Mayo!!!
Things have been difficult with Mots’ cholesterol and my nursing son. (He won’t take onions, beans, garlic, or spicy food.) But we splurged a little bit:)
[...] week, of course, because of cinco de mayo! But, I waited to make my mexican dish tonight! I saw Kristin’s recipe for bean tostadas and they looked so delicious that I had to make my own as well. I love adding [...]
Yep, nothing but normal, everyday ingredients here! Go Hawks indeed!