Posts tagged ‘budget meal’

August 1st, 2012

WIAW for Energy

by Tiff

Jen’s WIAW theme for this week is “Summer Staples”  My fitness Monday was a quick run, and my fitness yesterday was swimming laps.  Yes, the Olympics totally had something to do with that.  I guess pool time is kind of a summer staple, eh?

wiaw 008
Don’t judge a girl at 5 a.m…

The food involves summer staples too (blackberries, kale, etc.), so let’s move onto the food.
Pre-swim: Wasa Rye Light cracker
Breakfast: sandwich thin with natural pb and blackberries
wiaw 003
Snack: MRM natural vanilla protein in water and McCafe black coffee (best drip coffee!)
wiaw 011 wiaw 012
Lunch: sweet potato & broccoli topped with nutritional yeast (tater n’ broc cooked in microwave at work)
wiaw 013
Snack: first snack came too early… stress is bad, but trail mix is gooooooood
wiaw 006
Snack: since first snack came too early, I had one of these babies too before leaving work
wiaw 014
Dinner: rice, kale, ginger, soy sauce, and shrimp
wiaw 017 wiaw 019
First one to finish your veggies wins!
Dessert: totally unnecessary, but super tasty

Action Shot

Despite a stressful day at work, I managed to maintain high energy levels all day.  I think the morning protein shake (ahem… and coffee), healthy fat from the trail mix, and the slow-burn carbs of the sweet potato all contributed to this.  The beer?  Maybe not.

 

  • What’s your favorite spot for coffee?
  • What’s your favorite protein powder?

Posted in Food | 15 Comments »

Tags: , , , , ,
December 20th, 2011

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

by Tiff

I’m not good at keeping secrets. I’ve never been very good at hiding my emotions. In fact, I’m sure every one of you knows by now that I’m a married woman with an affair. I have a love affair with my slow cooker.

crock pot

When I need a helping hand, the slow cooker is there. While I clean the house, prepare my lunch, or finish up the laundry, I don’t have to worry about dinner. The slow cooker says, “Take a load off Tiff. I’ll cook dinner tonight.”

chicken

When I need to save money, the slow cooker is there. I may worry about cooking a quality meal on a budget. The slow cooker says, “Buy dried beans or a cheaper cut of meat; it’ll come out delicious. Spend the money a pedicure instead.”

shred

This love affair would be scandalous, but Kevin knows about it. In fact, he supports the relationship. Kevin also loves the crock pot because it makes beautiful love children like this.

dinner

I bring you my Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken.

Ingredients:

  • 1 – 1.5 lbs of chicken breasts, trimmed (thighs would be good too)
  • 8 oz Franks Red Hot (usually packaged in 12-oz bottles)
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup low-sodium broth, light beer or water
  • 5 oz fat-free plain Greek yogurt
  • 4 small-to-medium sandwich buns (I think it would also go well on a baked potato or buffalo chicken pizza.)

Directions:

  1. Pour broth/water in slow cooker and add chicken in a single layer. Pour 2 oz of hot sauce over chicken.
  2. Turn on “low” for about 7-8 hours.  (High for 3-3.5 hours also works but isn’t as tasty.)
  3. After 8 hours, remove chicken, and drain most of the juices. While chicken is out of the slow cooker, shred it with two forks.
  4. Add chicken back to reserved juices, and mix in the yogurt. Add the remaining hot sauce (specific quantity depends on your taste). Keep the mixture in the slow cooker until heated through, which should take only a minute or two.
  5. Serve atop rolls. I clearly had a sandwich thin, but Kevin bought two larger dinner rolls.
leia likes chicken

What’s your favorite use for buffalo? Wings, burger, pizza, something healthier?

Posted in Food | 44 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , ,
September 8th, 2011

I’m a Prep

by Tiff

I’m a total prepster.  I’m not saying this because I adore cardigans, cable-knit sweaters, and Lily Pulitzer dresses.

Cleo got in the way of my cable!

but I forgave her

I’m not even saying I’m a prep because I’m obsessed with all things nautical, think retrievers are the best dogs on Earth, and not-so-secretly idolize Martha Stewart.

His & Hers Sperry

Nope. I’m a prepster (prep-star?) because I prep everying!  I’m mainly into prepping lunch, and y’all know I’m the queen of leftovers.  Just check out my “veggie bowls” for examples.

I may not do it weekly, but on a regular basis, I make a big pot-o-goodies on Sunday with the sole intention of eating it for lunch all week at work.  I am motivated to do this because pre-packed lunches take less of my time in the morning, and they usually tastes pretty darn good.

Big Quinoa Bowl

Lean Cuisine and other frozen entrees aren’t expensive, but if cost is your thing, this is definitely cheaper This is also a great way to eat more natural foods.  Prepping lunch for the entire week is also waaaaay cheaper than eating out at a restaurant.  (All this obviously depends on your ingredients, but you get the idea.)

Divide & Conquer

Making your own Healthy Choice or Smart Ones-style meal probably tastes better too.  You can add whatever you want.  I happen to love quinoa and radishes.  You don’t usually see those in the frozen section!

I have to admit, sometimes you can flop… like I did Monday.  My dish is good, but it was supposed to have edamame that I forgot to add.  It was also supposed to have a wonderful kale puree.

the kale was pretty enough to put in a vase

Yeah, that didn’t turn out for me.  The bowl is actually really good without it though.  Just throw on a TBS of soy sauce, and you’re good to go!  This week’s bowl has a wee bit of kale, sweet white corn, zucchini, radishes, quinoa, 2 TBS balsamic dressing, and canned tuna (packed in water).  Yum!

Do you prep your food for the week, or do you make everything fresh to order? Or do you let Healthy Choice or nearby restaurants do the cooking (and cleaning!) for you?

PS: Last night’s book club was lovely!  We all met at a frozen yogurt shop, and you can read more about it on Caitlin’s post.

Frozen Yogurt with the Girls!

Posted in Food | 33 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
July 18th, 2011

I need another weekend…

by Tiff

This weekend wore me the heck out!  I’m tired.  I need coffee.  Okay, work coffee is bad.  I actually need chia tea.  Despite working really hard on the house yesterday (and not even finishing), I still got up and hit the gym bright and early this morning.  I bonded with the stair climber and worked on my arms, per my July workout.

Friday was fun.  Projects are always fun when you first start them… and when you add champagne and a good dinner at home.

Saturday was moderately productive as well – except for that trip out to the lake.

Sunday was hard!  I’ll spare you the complaining and will share dinner details instead.  I used the guardian angel of dinner (crock-pot) to cook dinner while I sanded and painted cabinets. 

Slow n’ Simple Salsa Chicken

I put a bell pepper, two jalapenos, half a tomato, and half an onion in the bottom.  I wish I had added corn and used an entire onion, or just two bell peppers.  I like veggies; what can I say?

vegness

Then I topped that with skin-on, bone-in (aka: more flavorful) chicken thighs.  Add 3/4 jar of salsa.  I used a yummy roasted-style of salsa with a good smokey flavor, but any would work.  Cook on high for 4-4.5 hours.

salsa

This produced a lot of liquid, so you will need a slotted spoon.  Take out your chicken thighs, and remove skins, bones, and extra fat.  Discard.  Use two forks to pull apart your chicken.  Place chicken on tortilla (or on rice or a salad – I think it’d be terrific on salad).  Fish out your veggies and place them on top of your pulled chicken.  flatout

Add more salsa, lettuce, or other toppings as desired.  (Cheese is recommended though I skipped it.)  I used the leftover shredded lettuce to make a black bean n’ salsa side salad.  This was a simple, yummy, very affordable dinner – just my style!

dinner

I might have also had two servings of strawberry cheesecake ice cream after painting…

ice cream

How was your weekend?  Do you ever need a break after your weekend?

Posted in Food | 33 Comments »

Tags: , , , , , , , ,