Hey there. I’m currently at The Art of Living Retreat Center in Boone, NC and I’ve had the most wonderful stay so far. I can’t wait to tell you all about it next week! I’m currently showered and in bed at 8 p.m. after a day of yoga, meditation and spa. I’m heading back to Charlotte tomorrow.
Another thing, the biggest thank you for all of your insight on what to bring to the hospital. It was super helpful. I don’t know what I’d do without the guidance you guys have given me on so many things pregnancy and baby related. I am so appreciative!
Moving on to what I’ve been cooking and eating lately!
BREAKFAST
Yogurt bowl with plain greek yogurt (full fat Fage), honey, banana, strawberries, granola, sunflower seed butter and chia seeds.
Smoothie bowl with granola.
Half of an egg bagel with butter and cream cheese, scrambled eggs, blueberries and grapefruit.
LUNCH
I’ve been eating more salads! Arugula, cashews, feta, dried cranberries, avocado, blueberries, tomatoes and a veggie burger.
Soup and salad. Trader Joe’s organic tomato red pepper soup with a salad with all sorts of fruits and veggies on top.
Soup and sandwich. Same soup as above but OMG this sandwich was amazing. Sourdough with mayo, fig preserves, avocado, turkey, bacon and white cheddar.
Another salad with arugula, spinach, avocado, canned wild Alaskan salmon, strawberries, grapes, shredded cheddar, dried cranberries and pistachios.
DINNER
I made the yummiest stuffed spaghetti squash last week. It was a creamy chicken and broccoli stuffing and I topped it with cherry tomatoes, cheese and italian seasoning. Based on this recipe.
Here’s a pic of the inside. SO good!
Trader Joe’s cauliflower stuffed ravioli (the pasta is regular, it’s not gluten-free) topped with marinara sauce, satuteed garlic mushrooms and parm. This was a great 10 minute meal!
Shepherd’s pie with cauliflower topping. If you haven’t tried this recipe, you must! It’s Paleo and Whole30 friendly but you’d never know it. I used ground turkey this time instead of beef or lamb.
Here’s a peek at the inside. Not pretty to look at but tastes great and leftovers reheat really well.
I don’t eat salads often for dinner but one night I made a big one with arugula and rotisserie chicken.
More rotisserie chicken with a warm pita, hummus, sliced tomatoes and green beans.
ETC.
PSA. BUY THESE!
I made Ina Garten’s Lemon Yogurt Loaf Cake last week and it was easy (no mixer required) and really good. Actually ran out of lemon for the syrup you pour over the cake and the glaze and used grapefruit instead and it totally worked.
I pretty much ate the whole loaf on my own. Cue the song, “baby I’m sorry…I’m not sorry!” 🙂
Tea and oatmeal, raisin and butterscotch cookies.
And that wraps up this edition of recent eats. Hope I gave you some good food ideas. If nothing else, make Ina’s lemon cake. You won’t regret it.
Favorite loaf cake recipe? Or best thing you’ve baked lately? Give me ideas! 🙂
Favorite uses of rotisserie chicken? I’ve been buying one a week on average and I’d love some creative new ideas for how to use it.
What have you been eating for lunch lately?
ohhh I love that tomato soup from Trader Joe’s! I always have a few cartons in the pantry. So good!
I am curious what brand of deli turkey you buy. I love turkey, and I usually buy Applegate because I try to watch the sodium levels. I would love to know what brand you prefer. Thanks!
Hey Jen, what kind of vegetable oil did you use in the lemon cake? Do you think coconut oil would work?
I used coconut oil! 🙂 Worked beautifully!
Oh, that lemon loaf cake looks amazing! I might have to make that for a brunch I’m hosting next weekend.
I’ve been on a salad kick for lunch lately, too. My current favorite is a version of the massaged kale salad you’ve shared before, but with baby kale instead of regular so I don’t have to massage it. 🙂 Baby kale and/or arugula, quinoa, roasted chickpeas, pepitas and homemade balsamic vinaigrette.
Wow, all of this looks great! I bought a huge tub of full fat yogurt this week for an Indian curry marinade and that lemon loaf will be the perfect use for the rest of it.
I am also in the middle of finally getting my act together and making that delicious sourdough! The timing of it is intimidating, though. How long do you think I could go from getting the starter fed to using it in a loaf? I purchased the KAF starter and am using their instructions. Is it ok to get it through its feedings and let it sit in the fridge a day or two, or do I need to re-feed after putting it in the fridge? Thanks for all your helpful posts on the process! Enjoy the rest of the retreat 🙂
Hi Jen! I have loved following your pregnancy and seeing how your balancing health, fitness, and work while growing a human! I would love to see a post solely on pregnancy workouts…I’m in the VERY early stages and there aren’t a ton of good resources online about what exercise you can and can’t do by weeks/trimester (I can’t figure out if I should already avoid core work?). Anyways, just if you’re looking for content ideas, it would be awesome to see a guide on activities and what to avoid during pregnancy. Congratulations to you on the final weeks!
Favorite loaf cake recipe? Or best thing you’ve baked lately? Give me ideas! ?
Now you have me craving that loaf! I’ll be making it this weekend I think. I always love making pumpkin chocolate chip or brownie breads. Chocolate is alwas a good idea 😉 . I’ve been eating the new Greek-Style Kite Hill almond milk yogurt with the Chocolate Walnut Brownie Perfect crumbled in it and veggies or sometimes an apple on the side. Such an easy packed lunch for this busy week.
xxMeah
Grapefruit glaze sounds delish!! Ina knows her way around the kitchen…
I like that snickerdoodle stuff too!
I use rotisserie chicken for almost every recipe that calls for chicken because it’s so easy! I put it in my enchiladas, on top of a baked sweet potato (with other toppings), and this probably doesn’t sound good to most people but I’ve been putting it in a bowl with massaged kale, quinoa and some shredded Parmesan cheese and it’s super simple and yummy!