I’m fairly certain I could make a million dollars by making running/yoga pants that fit like they’re supposed to.
See, I’ve been genetically cursed blessed with the dreaded “belly pooch”. All the women in my family have one and no matter what I eat, how much I exercise, or how much I weigh, it never goes away. My friends used to call it my little “Buddha Belly” in high school.
Haha. Ha.
Anyways, I’ve accepted the buddha and the fact that I will never have a super flat stomach, and thus enjoy a good pair of high-waisted pants. You know – the kind that are uber-satisfying to perform the up-and-over maneuver with? Ladies, please tell me you’re nodding your head?
Well the last 4 pairs of running/yoga pants/capris I’ve bought (admittedly from Target) have claimed to be high waisted, but sure enough – the minute I start exercising, the waistband drops down and my buddha pops out. This is SO uncomfortable and especially irritating when it’s highly windy, like on my run this afternoon, and the gusts flatten my shirt against the pooch, exposing it to the world.
Is this TMI?
I hope not. At any rate, I would surely appreciate a pair of high-waisted workout pants that STAY high-waisted while I’m actually working out! If there exists such a pair, please tell me. If not, I shall design one myself – and that is how I’ll make my millions! Muwahahaha! 
There’s no appropriate way to go from the previous topic to the next, so I’m just going to go for it…
Tonight’s dinner was my absolute favorite of the week – Thai Chicken Burgers!!
The inspiration for these burgers came from my Thai Tofu Pizza and I seriously went crazy for them! I started with 1lb ground chicken breast. PS after a tip from a reader, I asked the meat counter guy at my grocery store to freshly grind up some chicken breasts for me. While he couldn’t send them through the grinder due to health regulations (mixing poultry & beef) he COULD send it through the tenderizer a zillion times, which ground it up just the same!
To the chicken I added ~2 Tablespoons each green onion and chopped cilantro and 1/2 a batch of Peanut Sauce.
I mixed it all up with a spoon and formed 4 patties.
The patties will be pretty loose, but it’ll be ok!
I sprayed the tops with non-stick spray and headed to the grill, where I placed the patties sprayed-side down.
4 minutes on each side, on medium-high heat, spraying the tops again with non-stick spray before flipping, and I got…
THESE!!! Gosh they smelled so good! The peanut sauce in the burger totally caramelizes and makes this insane, crunchy crust on the outside!
To assemble my burger, I laid down a large lettuce leaf. I forget what this was – anything will do, really. 
Then I added 1/4 of the leftover peanut sauce (remember, the first 1/2 of the batch went into the burger,)
placed the burger on top,
(YES!)
then finished it off with fresh Mango Salsa!
Thai Chicken Burgers with Mango Salsa
Serves 4
Ingredients:
For the peanut sauce:
3 Tablespoons smooth peanut butter
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon water
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (could use siracha)
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
For the mango salsa:
1 Mango, cubed
1/2 jalapeno, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
handful cilantro, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt & pepper
For the burgers:
1lb ground chicken
2 Tablespoons green onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 peanut sauce recipe (see below)
1 head lettuce like romaine or butter
Directions:
- For the peanut sauce: Mix all ingredients together.
- For the mango salsa: Mix all ingredients together.
- For the burgers: Preheat the grill to medium-high. Mix together chicken, green onion, cilantro and 1/2 the recipe of peanut sauce. Form into 4 patties. Spray each side generously with non-stick spray, then grill for 4 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Place lettuce leaf on a plate, spread on a dallop of peanut sauce, then place burger on top. Spoon mango salsa on top.
I wrapped the lettuce leaf around the burger and salsa, then stuck a fork in it. Literally! 
The mango was perfectly ripe and nearly melted over the hot, Thai-flavored burger.
The peanut sauce, though, TOTALLY made it! It melted too, under the hot burger, and was luscious and thick.
All my favorite Asian flavors, wrapped up in a light and crispy package. This would be great as a salad too. Just break the patty up over some greens, toss in some mango salsa and drizzle on the peanut sauce. YES!
Ok – I am off to watch “our shows” with Ben. Can you believe tonight is Steve Carell’s LAST OFFICE??? I’m so sad. Will Farrell wasn’t as funny as I thought he was going to be as the interim boss – more awkward than anything – so I’m excited to see who the new one’s going to be. I’m hearing rumblings that Will Arnett will take over. Now THAT would be good!
Have a great night everyone!
~~~~~
What do you wear to workout in?
On a scale of 1-5 (1 low, 5 high) how excited (or not) are you for tonight’s Royal Wedding? Anyone having a viewing party?
Up until 3 weeks ago, I couldn’t have cared less. Something has happened though, and I am totally a 5 at this point! I LOVE Kate (especially her hair – can I have it?!) and can’t wait to see her dress!
I got these at Kohls and really like them:
http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/womens/athleticapparel/bottoms/capris/PRD~569304/Tek+Gear+Shapewear+Capris.jsp
Have those, too! Love them!
I have these tight Nike running pants that go to about my calf. They are so comfortable and don’t move. You would probably like them.
I’m not understanding people’s interest in the royal wedding so I guess i’d be a 1.
Gawd, those look good! That mango on my counter has just found a purpose.
I’m new to your blog and so happy I found it! Can’t quite remember how, but it happened. I totally hear you on the exercise wear. I have this nice pair of yoga pants that sit so low that every time I shift into some contorted pose my stomach is being showcased. Not fun. And those burgers look heavenly for both my stomach and waistline
Red Leaf Lettuce YAAAAAAY! I love you! Try belly dancing for the pooch – you will crack up laughing while you do it! Betcha it works!
But.. words of wisdom… little pooches turn into muffin tops, which turn into meno-pots! Especially if it is hereditary. Just ask your mom!
Do all that you can to stay fit now to minimalize it! Then nobody will know but you and Ben! Shhhh!!!
This recipe looks amazing! Can’t wait to make these burgers. Also, please makes those pants ASAP! I would single handedly make you a millionaire
i’m the same as you…up until this week i couldn’t be bothered, but watching all the specials, and reminiscing of my London trip years ago has gotten me obsessed with all things royal wedding! I dvr’d it and plan on watching tonight
I have that same belly pouch! I can lose weight in my arms and legs, but the little pouch is always there. It’s a frustrating body type:)
I’ve found Nike running capris are best for me to work out it. They come up plenty high and stay there! Check ‘em out!
I workout in these cheap Champion dri-fit t-shirts I get at Target. They are cute and fit me well, but they aren’t very absorbent. I also have some shorts (with built in underwear) made by New Balance that I really like. Workout wear can be so ridiculously expensive.
OMG I went to the Drake Relays pole vaulting competition, and I have never seen women with abs like that in MY LIFE. These women had totally ripped mid sections. I felt pretty poochy after watching that!
I’ve bought all my workout apparel at the Nike outlet or Marshalls/TJ Maxx/Ross. I love finding a good deal!
I’m a huge fan of Helly Hansen stuff, too!
i know lululemon is insanely expensive – and i typically wouldnt spend the money on anything there but i had this same issue and a friend convinced me that their running crops (mine arwe the inspire running crops but all of the running crops do this) DONT MOVE AN INCH when you run. just make sure the name of the pants has the word RUN in it. their wunder unders fall down on me and give me the worst buddha belly ever!
I second the lululemon opinion, kristin! Super expensive, but so worth it. All my lulu wear has held up for so many years…the reason I keep buying more is for new colors and styles! I have to also agree with the wunder unders. I bought my first pair this spring and would rather wear them as leggings than workout pants. Love the run inspire crop!
I have had two babies, so my pooch is sadly not going anywhere no matter how well I eat and work out.
I have some Nike capris with a high waist, and I LOVE them. They dont go anywhere. I got them at Kohls on sale last year.
I have the same problem. It’s in my genes too. I remember asking my mom about my tummy a long time ago, probably in junior high, and she just smiled and said it’s just part of being a Cook (my last name). Anyway, I run in Nike capris. They are tight, but they go no where. I ran my last marathon in them and they were wonderful.
[...] full of tasty-lookin’ meals this week. This latest dinner might make it on my weekend [...]
old navy yoga pants! I’m starting to show my pregnancy and they DO NOT MOVE an inch during yoga class. the downside, they only have them in black…
I generally wear cheap workout clothes and I love it. Target, Tek Gear from Kohls, Old Navy and the like. I prefer shorts, a wicking tank and another tank over that…ya know, hide that Buddha!
I wasn’t so excited for the wedding but after seeing Kate, errr, Princess Catherine I was totally excited. Gorg!
I agree, Will Ferrell on “The Office” has been kind of a let down. Steve Carrell has been awesome. I’m such a sap–I cried at the end of the episode
My fingers are crossed for Will Arnett–loved him on “Arrested Development”
I love that you are so honest in this post while bringing humor to the situation, I was laughing in the beginning
I hate the dreaded pooch too, and I totally feel ya on when the wind blows the wrong way, “exposing it to the world” perhaps a bit gross, but true tehe
I usually find good high-waisted workout pants at Marshalls and TJ Maxx and for a good price too
lululemon. Seriously, the running capris cover the pooch and just make me generally happy. they are expensive but better than 4 pairs from Target!! And, I think you could probably tell the hubbs that it’s a “research cost”!
Fellow belly poucher in the housee!!!! haha.
Seriously, even when I was at my lowest weight I still had a lil pouch! We’re the cute ones I assume
OMG I would love to be at your weight (again). want to trade lol
Lucy also makes amazing work out pants. They’re pricey (and are similar to Lulu Lemon) but worth it. My favorites are the Perfect Core crops, which fit amazingly, don’t move at all while running or doing yoga, and they’re a nice material, so I wear them while running errands too.
Have a good rest of your weekend!
I totally have the pooch! Funny you said buddha because a guy I was dating once dubbed it that hahahaha. But seriously I am in freaking good shape and it never goes away. You need to go to walmart and pick up a couple pairs of their tummy shaping capris…for $15 I said what the heck, I’ll try them out and they are SO flattering. Walmart…I kid you not! I found you a link — they have them in black and grey at the two walmarts near me and I went back and bought 3 more pairs after I tried the first! http://www.walmart.com/ip/Danskin-Now-Women-s-Shaping-Capri/15160964
Let me know if you try them out!
Fareway has super yummy ground chicken too. white and dark/white mixed. That is what i get for my taco’s. Also, for my runny pants i use fold down yoga pants which work great… high wasted and i dont have to eep pulling them up
I love the Champion line at Target, but Wal-Mart now carries Danskin, which is a really good brand. They sell ones that are high-wasted AND have a belly flattening band. Super comfy, fit like Lululemon, which makes me angry for spending $90 on LLL when I got Danskin at Wal-Mart for like, $14!
NIKE dry-fit “Be Fast” capris. They are higher waisted, super cute, and don’t lose their shape after many wears/washings. Best. Ever.
I’m so glad someone else has been genetically “blessed” with this affliction. Well, not glad…but relieved
I love all these workout pants recommendations! Especially the $15 WalMart one… will definitely try it!
This may sound weird but small maternity clothing has worked for me…. but I’m not pregnant!
Also, we made these tonight… AMAZING.
[...] And today I put the cilantro to good use, whipping up IGE’s Thai burgers with Mango Salsa! [...]
[...] buddha belly is really hoping he realizes sharing is caring sometime [...]
[...] clothes (the cheap stuff never fits right,) name brand chunky canned soup (my brother learned this the hard way,) beer (’nuff said,) [...]
If it’s still helpful, I bought these on sale and I looove them. They’re nice and tight so they stay up. I wear a medium and you seem much smaller than me, so I’d say order at least a small, then hopefully you won’t have the tummy issue (which, by the way, I totally know what you’re talking about). http://www.victoriassecret.com/ss/Satellite?ProductID=1265724329794&c=Page&cid=1327029232782&pagename=vsdWrapper
Just ran across you on pinterest last night and I’m sitting here drinking my green smoothie now! Great recipie! I have the same problem with my workout pants. Try the lululemon pants. You can fold the top up while you work out and then folder down when you leave the gym so our don’t feel like Urkel. They are very pricey but I buy them in eBay and save a bit. I wear a size 6 in Ann Taylor or Banana Republic etc and I wear an 8 lulu pant. Thanks for your great food ideas!
[...] For four burgers, you’ll need 1lb ground chicken. I used Smart Chicken ground chicken which has 5% fat, so if you’re looking for a leaner alternative, ground turkey would also work. OR, you could ask your grocery store’s butcher to grind some chicken breasts for you, similar to what mine did for Thai Chicken Burgers! [...]
Just made these….O…M…G!!! So Good!
[...] Mango Salsa Slightly adapted from Iowa Girl Eats [...]
[...] Favorite sweet side: Mango salsa [...]
Thai chicken burgers with mango salsa must be wonderful.
Hey Kristin! Just discovered your blog today and I love it! I also enjoy a good pair of high waisted pants (my prob is more a larger booty) and I have to agree with the comments on Lulu pants. I have the Groove crops and absolutely love them. Yes, they are expensive, but they feel great, look great and are really durable pants. Love your stuff and excited to keep reading!