I used again tonight…
My legs, that is! I went for a nice, 3 mile jog after work today. 
It’s was tough, but nowhere near as tough as yesterday…THANK GOODNESS! My running spirits and confidence are slowly rising. I also needed the exercise after the junk food bonanza that occurred at work today. I had:
![158520729_ea2cbed87d[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/158520729_ea2cbed87d1.jpg "158520729_ea2cbed87d[1]")
![100g_bags_20_flavour[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/100g_bags_20_flavour1.jpg "100g_bags_20_flavour[1]")
![1151_17212_Goldfish_Grahams_Chocolate_d7c815331f18_zoom[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/1151_17212_Goldfish_Grahams_Chocolate_d7c815331f18_zoom1.jpg "1151_17212_Goldfish_Grahams_Chocolate_d7c815331f18_zoom[1]")
![Caramel-Apple-Pop-2-290x300[1]](http://iowagirleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/CaramelApplePop2290x3001.jpg "Caramel-Apple-Pop-2-290x300[1]")
- half a Panera Cinnamon-Crunch bagel (the best kind, imo) w/ cream cheese
- Jelly Bellies
- Chocolate Graham Goldfish
- Caramel Apple Sucker
Nauseous. My department has a standing, weekly meeting that we decided to jazz up a bit with some snacks. I may have gone a little overboard, so the run tonight actually had a dual purpose – lift spirits and burn off buckets of sugar!
So whenever I eat a lot of sugar, I get full for a long time but find myself absolutely starving later on. Not normal, ‘oh it’s time to eat dinner’ hunger – we’re talking ‘I must eat this minute or…else!’ It’s got to be my blood sugar raging, then dropping when the sugar high wears off. At any rate – I was ready for dinner tonight! Steaks & Fresh Artichokes.
First I followed my instructions for how-to prepare a fresh artichoke.
Pretty, no? I love naturally occurring patterns and symmetry
Then I simply seasoned up some Bacon Wrapped Sirloin Steaks with grill seasoning and let them cook on my flat-top skillet for about 6 minutes a side, on medium-low.
After the steaks were done, I let them rest for ~5 minutes to let the juices redistribute, discarded the bacon (I only use it for flavor) and dug in!
I also melted ~1/2 tablespoon of butter with a clove of garlic to dip my artichoke leaves in. To be honest though, they were so fresh tasting, I didn’t use much – love that!
I have been a serious carnivore this week…perhaps next week I’ll take a walk on the meatless side for a couple meals. Ben will be thrilled… 
Oh, so remember that house cleaning I told you I had to do tonight? Ben had the day off and did it all!! Ugh…nicest guy ever. So instead, I get to give myself a nice pedi and bake a special dessert for a fun day trip tomorrow. Here’s a hint…it involves this…
Can you guess what it is?!
~~~~~
Any fabulous weekend plans out there?
It’s the Edge Baking Pan- it makes all corner brownies- my hubby wants me to get one so I can make him brownies!
Lol the all corners brownies, my arch nemesis
I love the edge baking pan! I also love your method for cooking artichoke. Artichokes are one of my favorites.
sometimes i feel like artichokes get a bad wrap, but i love them so much. I’ve never seen a whole one like that and its beautiful!
i bet you it tasted just as good as it looks!
You got your edges only brownie pan!
BROWNIES!!!! Ekkk! Love it
I hope you are taste testing the batter!
I will second your statement about there not being a better bagel than the Cinnamon Crunch from Panera.
Everybody has those days where they go overboard with the suga’. I find that I am the same way though, it is like the sugar runs out and then my stomach freaks out for food!
Have a lovely evening!
just read your how to on artichokes very interesting. I had some in a sandwich today and they just felt overpowering to me, but good.
hate those meetings where suddenly i’ve snacked and just not even realized it almost
How nice of him to do all the cleaning!!! Gotta love those kinda surprises
Yummy dinner – I really need to get onboard the artichoke train – never made them before! Can’t wait to see the dessert, corner brownies anyone 
mmm steak. looks SO good!
My mom actually used to make this exact meal for us when we were little…I need an artichoke now like a bad habit. Those things are addicting!
Wow! I have never had artichokes before but they look beautiful!
And I definitely recognize that pan – corner brownies!
oooh! its the all corners baking pan!!!!
BROWNIES!! bake brownies!!
I love artichokes but have never made them – I need to watch your video ASAP!
I am muy impressed with your artichoke skills! I have always loved artichokes, but I am too scared to try making them myself!
panera cinnamon crunch bagels are a gift from the heavens. no lie. yay for the mystery treat – i think i know what it is
hey! it’s that edge brownie pan!!!