Meals and Projects

It's been almost two weeks since I started this staying at home thing and I have had many mixed emotions, but I'm starting to get used to it and really enjoy my time off. I found a pretty good groove the first week, but had a hard time at the beginning of this week. I have a huge list of projects that I'd like to do around the house and really just want to get our lives more organized, but every time I thought about doing a project, I then thought that I should be doing something for teaching. After lots of prayers and emails/calls, I am feeling much much better. I actually had an interview Tuesday afternoon and yesterday morning and have one on Monday morning. I am super excited to have the ball rolling and feel like I can relax a little now. 

One rainy morning I accomplished two exciting things - first, I made a calendar for our kitchen out of a picture frame and then, I went on a 6 mile run! I'm still debating whether or not to decorate the outside of the frame, right now it is a pretty gray color, but love seeing it every time I walk into the kitchen. Project #1 down, about 100 more to go! The 6 mile run was also pretty exciting because it was my second one in less than a week and my knee didn't bother me at all. My knee has been really bothering me even when I'm not running or working out, so I've been trying to play it safe, but these runs really made me happy!! 

Another thing that I am truly loving is the meals! I love being able to cook dinner when we're home and actually take my time. I don't feel rushed and I actually want to be in the kitchen again. It wasn't my favorite thing after a long day at work, but I am loving it again. Even the breakfasts and lunches are fabulous! I love being home and making whatever I want! 

I meal plan on Sundays and have been including lots of new recipes on the agenda. The first recipe that I was excited about was stuffed peppers. The recipe I used was for turkey stuffed peppers, but we have a lot of venison (deer) in our freezer, so I made great use of that. I wasn't sure whether I actually liked peppers, I always remove them from wraps and salads, but I really liked these. I wouldn't say that peppers will be making an appearance in my typical diet, but these were delicious. The stuffing was amazing!! I actually ate it in a salad the next day for lunch. 

Probably my favorite recipe so far was this Crock Pot Cilantro Lime Chicken and the Black Bean Crema I made to go alongside it. Holy smokes - black bean crema will be making a big appearance in my diet from now on! It is absolutely amazing! Ben thought that this was one of the best meals that I have ever made. 

This last recipe was also deemed "a keeper" by Ben. Broccoli grape salad has been one of my favorite recipes for a long time and this one is just kicked up a notch. I still have some in my refrigerator that I have been picking away at all week for lunches. It is so so good with tons of flavor! I added craisins and sunflower seeds to this recipe that I used. 

One of my new all-time favorite breakfasts is waffles with Greek yogurt and berries. I am obsessed! This was my first time buying Vans waffles and I have to say I don't think that I am a fan. Is it weird that I really like my Eggo waffles way way better?! I always toast my waffles, layer the yogurt and berries and throw them in the microwave for about 15-30 seconds. I just like everything to be warm instead of warm waffles and cold yogurt. 

I am so enjoying trying many of the flavors of Chobani. I used to not buy it because it was more expensive than the regular yogurt, but I'm trying hard to add more protein in my diet and greek yogurt is a great way. I am absolutely loving Chobani! I'm still dying to try the new Orange Vanilla flavor, but haven't found it yet. Anyone know where I can find it? 

Apple Cinnamon is absolutey delicious! 

It sounds kind of silly, but I love not having to pack my lunches! They are 10X better now! I used to wait until the morning when I was typically running late to throw a lunch together, so they were inevitably a little lackluster. Being able to genuinely decide what I want to eat is so fabulous! One of my new favorites it a bagel with turkey, cheese, sprouts and chive and onion cream cheese. The cream cheese makes this sandwich! I was trying to think what would make a turkey sandwich better and thought about one of my favorites from Einsteins. They always use cream cheese and are to die for! 

I could seriously eat pickles all day long!

I'm looking forward to many more good meals and finishing lots and lots of projects!