when you're pooped and can't poop #PreggoProbs

DSC_0101-01.jpeg

i sat here and laughed at my post title for waaaay too long. but uhhh, fit friends, there is absolutely nothing funny about constipation, preggo or not.  it can be incredibly painful, draining, and helloooo hemorrhoids :( .  if you're pregnant and experiencing sickness on top of that, double whammy, right!?  what's going on? your pregnancy hormones (progesterone) weaken your bowel muscles making them sluggish and slow to do their job, and your expanding uterus is taking up the room your bowel would normally use to do its thing. it's a lot going on in there! what makes this process easier on you?  start with adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, something you can totally control.  you don't want to go from 0 - 100 though as that could bring on bloating and gas;  you've got to pace yourself with fiber.  you can do it!  you need 25-35 grams of fiber daily, so quick, read these examples and tips of what you can eat to get you there.

  • 1 cup of raspberries = 8 g fiber

  • 1 cup split peas = 16g fiber

  • 1/2 cup lentils = 8g fiber

  • 1/2 cup black beans = 8g fiber 

  • 1 cup cooked sweet potato = 6g fiber

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats = 5g fiber

  • 1 medium artichoke = 10g fiber

  • 10oz of spinach = 8g fiber

  • 1 medium pear = 6g fiber

  • 1 cup sweet corn = 4g fiber

  • 1/2 cup shredded wheat cereal = 6 grams fiber

  • 3/4 cup bran flakes = 5g fiber

  • 1/2 cup of edamame = 9g fiber & 11g protein!

  • half an avocado = 5g fiber

  • 1 cup cooked broccoli = 5g fiber

  • 5 prunes = 3g fiber 

  • 1 medium apple = 4g fiber

DSC_0101-01 here's a fiber rich snack i've been enjoying lately!  i don't even want to chance belly bloat by eating dairy, so unsweetened cultured coconut milk has been my go-to instead of plain, greek yogurt. i top it with fresh, sweet summer berries and *bran flakes.  it's a plus that the berries are on sale around this time of year, and the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present are wonderful for baby and i.DSC_0104-01there is always a hungry visitor lurking around my food shoots...always!DSC_0107-01no kisses, no fruit!! :)

4 more ways to keep things moving along:20160614_160133hydration. keep chugging water and don't let up.  it's no secret that i've never been great in this area but this pregnancy has given me no choice but to keep water bottles everywhere!  i wake up in the middle of the night sometimes craaaaazy thirsty. i fill up my tumbler above before heading to workout and i've started adding fruit to my sparkling water again; it helps.  upping my water keeps me running to the bathroom twice as much, but it's worth the sacrifice.  whatever i can do to escape constipation, i will.  down 8 full glasses per day, and more if needed if you're active and moving.  also, a little 100% prune juice in your sparkling water works as a great, mild laxative, as well as real prunes. IMG_20160614_074232keep moving.  regular exercise encourages regular bowel movements.  even a 10 minute walk counts; just do something, mamas.  prenatal yoga, step aerobics, water aerobics, zumba, spinning...just go!  if you're not moving around, chances are your system ain't either!  i'm currently 15 weeks and counting and feeling GREAT again, thank God.DSC_0871-01keep it clean.  your diet of course!  now, my 1st tri definitely wasn't the cleanest. most days started with a breakfast of eggs and toast, but everything after that? crackers, sparkling water, and a 5pm bed time.  i was just trying to get through the day without making my evening sickness worse or come faster and literally nothing sounded or looked appealing.  except Mexican food, haha.  do your best and realize the cleaner (low-no process foods) you eat though, the smoother your system will run. it's that simple. your 'plumbing' is already being reworked to house your baby; don't make it have to work so much harder.DSC_1155-01pace yourself.  not only should you eat slower, you should also eat more frequently.  at one point in my first trimester if i ate too little, i made myself sicker.  if i ate too much, i was completely miserable. you gotta get it just right but one thing you do not want to do is overeat.  as i stated above, the pregnancy hormones slow our digestive systems way down so it takes even longer for our food to travel on through.  i repeat, do not overeat!  overloading your system is not cool at a time like this! plus, if you're ingesting a ton of highly processed food at that? trust me on this one.  don't do it.  5 to 6 meals a day with plenty of water in between is your best bet, not 2 or 3 large ones.  remember, this too shall pass. :)  


 thank you for weighing in on some of your favorite Trader Joe's finds via Instagram recently! i find a new, cool, must have item every single time i go.  this mini haul we got:20160613_220012Tandoori Naan - i pay upwards of 3 dollars for 2 pieces of naan elsewhere but found 4 in a pack for 1.99 at TJ's! super STOKED about that!  my boys love them with cheese and turkey pepperoni on top. cooks right up in 8 minutes under the broiler (these come frozen so thaw them first).

Cookie Butter Ice Cream - this was aaaaaall Chiso (5) yall, lol!  instead of stopping by Chick-Fil-a like i planned for a single serving, a pint seemed like a better idea.  i told him to pick out a flavor and this is what he chose. that's my boy, hahahaha

Sunflower Seed Butter - ever tried it?  if your kids have nut allergies, then this, my friends, is their 'peanut' butter right here!  it's simply roasted sunflower seeds blended up until super smooth and creamy.  we are allergy free over here; we just love this stuff though. 

*Bran Flakes - i go to TJ's JUST for this cereal!  inside is exactly what you expect-- bran flakes. nothing more, nothing less. no bells or whistles needed. it has a pinch of sweetness and the crunchiness of the flakes paired with some cold, unsweetened vanilla almond milk? a 1st trimester woman's dream breakfast, lol. i used to eat it dry after first waking up to keep sickness at bay for a while and it helped a ton. 5g of fiber per 3/4 cup serving, remember!

Mac and Cheese - guys, i picked up the wrong box of mac and cheese!!! i meant to get their Reduced Guilt Mac and Cheese instead, whoops. next time, next time. anyway, Dego and i still killed this entire box in one sitting.  

Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk - a dairy-free staple in our home.  i enjoy this variety and Silk the most. 

Roasted Plantain Chips - what can i say... Grazers R US :P 

Q: keep it going! what other TJ's items are so awesome you have to tell somebody else about them?? i overheard a woman basically command and shout at her friend to, 'get the orange chicken!!!' while in the frozen foods aisle, ha.  it must be that good; have you tried it?

K E E P   U P   W I T H   U S !

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAMTWITTERPINTERESTAND SNAP CHAT (FITFOODIELE).

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54493_267_38EEDA794ECC9B61FC9DE0E61757D91B

 

 

 

 

mini Trader Joes haul + healthy travel snack tips

IMG_20150910_184538.jpg

TJ's is such a fun specialty store!  they walk to the beat of their own drum.  i stopped by there yesterday and picked up a few healthy travel snacks ( hellooooo wedding anni #8!) and also some things that looked too interestingly tasty to pass up:

IMG_20150910_184538

boo-yaaaaah! i exercised a little restraint and didn't get any chocolate. yet.

  1. PhotoGrid_1442027550671Trader Joe's Roasted Plantain Chips - one of my guilty pleasures!
  2. Trader Joe's Pineapple Salsa - salsa + eggs = :)
  3. Creamy Sun Butter - hey there, portion control!  both my boys eat this stuff right off a spoon. it's basically roasted sunflower seeds. so yummy.  it's nut-free if you or any of your loved ones have nut allergies.
  4. Trader Joe's Freeze Dried Raspberries - so i picked up every single pack of freeze-dried fruit they had and the raspberries had the lowest amount of sugar per serving @ 12 grams.  the serving size is one whole bag  though and how about that fiber count-- 11 grams per serving!

PhotoGrid_1442027649667

  1. Trader Joe's Wild King Salmon Jerky - high protein, non-refrigerated snack.  turkey jerky is great too.
  2. Organic Sriracha Ranch Dressing - i knew my hubby would FLIP once he saw this!  two of his fave things combined in one.
  3. Coconut Oil Spray & Olive Oil Spray -  i don't normally use oil to cook, so these are perfect.

 healthy eating travel tips:

  • a lil' planning goes a long way.
  • never let yourself get too hungry between meals! keeping snacks on you saves money and keeps your hunger attitude at bay.
  • they never give you enough snacks on the plane anyway!
  • are you even hungry.... or just thirsty?  guzzle your water every chance you get.
  • protein rich, non-refrigerated, and/or nutrient rich snacks that won't leak or get smashed in your bags are best. examples:
    • low sodium turkey, salmon, beef jerky
    • roasted, unsalted raw mixed nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts)
    • single serving nut butter packets
    • Modern Oats for a healthy breakfast
    • fresh or freeze-dried fruit (apples, bananas, raisins, avocados, halos),
    • raw veggies (carrots, red bell pepper, broccoli)
    • rice cakes
    • Quest Bars
    • Stevia packets
    • Magic Pop
    • whole grain, air popped popcorn
  • take a cooler bag (or actual cooler) for refrigerated snacks like:
    • babybel / string cheese
    • unsweetened applesauce
    • pre-cut fruit
    • hummus/pretzel combo single serving
    • greek yogurt

20150909_193928-01

found some new mustard i'm lovin' on!  they are from HEB and were 2 for 3 bucks.  the whole grain one is DELISH on top of fish.

IMG_20150909_214937

 

so i made some for dinner!  fresh steel head trout was on sale as well and came home with us.  i used South African Smoke seasoning & coconut aminos from Trader Joe's on it, and i bake it the same way i bake salmon-- high heat (450 degrees) @ 5-7 min per lb.

IMG_20150911_183336

someone missed their first official day of school!  my hubby is very proud of the fact that he had perfect attendance from preschool through high school. crazy!! anyway, apparently there's a stomach virus going around that got the best of him. we sure do miss the Sprout channel's Summer Family Movie Night, but we watched his fave shows while he ate Trader Joe's (how many times can you say Trader Joe's in one post :D) turkey corn dogs, Go-Go Squeeze applesauce, and strawberry magic pop on the couch. enjoy your friday night too, fit friends!

Q:  the very last trip you took on a plane....where did you go?

http___signatures.mylivesignature.com_54493_267_38EEDA794ECC9B61FC9DE0E61757D91B

starter grocery list + Paleo Roast Pork with Apple Chutney & Butternut Squash

'i want to be healthier.'

you do? ok, read!

first off, breathe. don't over-complicate things.  this process does not go from 0-60 in 3 seconds and you won't either. it's a gradual thing. a lifestyle thing.  one that you will see and feel the effects of if you just stick with it.  little by little, a little becomes a lot.  we know by now that proper nutrition and physical fitness is a package deal. can't have one without the other.  i will be focusing on the nutrition part of the equation for now as this is where your journey begins:

supermarket

here is a staple starter grocery list to save, print out, and take with you to the grocery store.  i go into detail about each section below and provide some of my favorite brands and where to get'em. keep reading.

fflstartergrocerylist

key:

WF = Whole Foods

SFM = Sprouts Farmers Market

WM = Walmart

TG = Target

TJ = Trader Joes

HEB = HEB Pantry (local)

K = Kroger (local)

ALL = available at all listed stores

grains / cereals / breads

  • Ezekiel brand breads and tortillas WF, SP
  • Ezekiel cereal varieties WF, SP, WM, K, HEB
  • Alvarado Street Bakery brand bread WF, SP
  • La Tortilla Factory tortillas & wraps WF, SP, WM, K, HEB
  • Nature's Own Double Fiber Wheat Bread WM, K, HEB, TG
  • Sara Lee 45 Calories & Delightful brand bread HEB, WM, K, TG
  • Trader Joe's whole grain breads TJ
  • Sprouts Farmers Market whole grain breads SFM

???????????????????????????????

i find that rolled, quick oats, oat bran, rice, quinoa, and couscous are cheapest when bought in bulk.  whip out your calculator and do the math if you must and compare the price per lb to whatever way you previously purchased these items.  yeah, those Uncle Ben's single serving rice pouches are DELICIOUSLY easy to prepare and taste so good, but they just aren't cost-effective and you know it! buy your rice in bulk and season it yourself.

flours / nuts / oils

  • Bob's Red Mill flour varieties  WF, SP, HEB, K, WM, TG
  • flours & nuts from the bulk bins of WF, HEB, or SP
  • choose unrefined, virgin, and cold-pressed oils ALL
  • roasted & unsalted mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, pecans)  in bulk WF, SP, HEB

starchy veggies 

  • fresh & frozen are best. if you must do canned, look for a low/no sodium option. these are veggies that are carbohydrate rich, higher in sugar content, have an adverse affect on blood glucose levels, and load you with energy. any on the list above will do; pick your fave. if unsure about how to classify a particular veggie, use this helpful list of starchy veggies. ALL

madewithOver (28)

non-starchy veggies

  • fresh & frozen are best. if you must do canned, look for a low/no sodium option.  these are veggies that contain fewer calories and carbs, lower sugar content, and have little to no effect on blood glucose levels and are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals. any on the  list above will do; pick your fave. if unsure how to classify a particular veggie use this helpful list of non-starchy veggies. ALL

fruit

  • fresh & frozen are best.  beware of packaged and canned fruit which can contain crazy high amounts of sugar. read your labels!  don't forget avocado is a fruit and high and good fat. we know fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and natural sugar, but the sugar content does vary per fruit, so choose wisely.  here's a chart of some of the most popular and available fruit choices that gives you an accurate depiction of the sugar content for a 1 cup serving. ALL

sugarstack.35 PM copy

here's a more detailed list:

fruit-chart

dairy

  • Lactaid brand milk & cottage cheese ALL
  • Greek yogurt brands: Fage, Chiobani, Oikos, Trader Joes ALL
  • Laughing Cow Spreadable Cheese Wedges ALL
  • Mini Babybel light cheese ALL

non-dairy

  • Blue Diamond, Silk unsweetened vanilla and original almond milk ALL
  • Lisanatti Almond Cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella) WF, SFM
  • Tofutti non-dairy cream cheese spread WFM, TJ, SFM, HEB, K
  • Trader Joe's canned light coconut milk TJ

meat / seafood  / protein

  • boneless & skinless turkey and chicken breast ALL
  • 97-99% extra lean ground turkey, chicken, and beef ALL
  • choose  cuts of beef with the least marbling
  • leanest beef cuts: eye of round, sirloin tip and steak, top & bottom round roast & steak ALL
  • shellfish: scallops, mussels, lobster, shrimp, crab ALL
  • choose low sodium canned beans and rinse beans under cold water before cooking: navy, kidney, black, lima, chick peas, pinto, black-eyed peas. ALL
  • HEB & Crystal Farms egg whites ALL, HEB
  • fish: cod, salmon, tilapia, flounder, trout,  halibut, mahi mahi, perch, snapper, sole, tuna (canned and packed in water) ALL

seasonings / sauces / sweeteners

  • Bragg's Liquid Aminos WM, WFM, SFM, K, HEB
  • Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar WM, WFM, SFM, K, HEB
  • all fresh herbs (sage, cilantro, oregano, basil, dill)  ALL
  • any salt-free standalone spice or seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash, McCormick, Trader Joes, Generic brands ALL
  • use fresh lemon / lime just for natural seasoning, flavoring & marinating ALL
  • liquid smoke WM, TG, K, HEB
  • Heinz low carb ketchup ALL

so do you just go buy the entire list at once? no! remember, i spoke with Tiara in HEB the other day and here's that grocery shopping advice i gave her in a nutshell: 'depending on how ambitious you feel, pick 2, or 3 recipes you know you'll be making in the next 2 weeks or so and do your grocery shopping based on those ingredients.  else, there's a good chance you may not use everything you purchased and have to throw it away.  we know some items have longer shelf lives of course, but the majority of what is thrown away is spoiled produce.' i try to limit my store visits to 2-3 times a month.  i make large batches of a recipe at a time, and we have those meals/leftovers for the next 2-3 days before switching to something new.  sometimes i'll cook two large batches of two different recipes at a time and alternate those meals for more variety.

 grocery shopping tips:

  1. buy fresh AND frozen produce
  2. only buy produce in-season and on sale to save $
  3. make a list first and stick to it
  4. don't shop when you're hungry
  5. set a monthly or bi-weekly budget and don't go over it
  6. buy meat in bulk and freeze what you don't use immediately
  7. buy generic brands whenever possible
  8. shop the perimeter of the store (fresh meat, bread, produce, dairy).  processed foods tend to rule those isles.

*********************

Q: questions?  FIRE AWAY!  what would you like to see MORE of? what wasn't covered or covered in enough detail?  i need your feedback. email me or comment below.

*********************

my featured FITzee meal of the week:

image (47)

Paleo Pork Roast with Apple Chutney and Butternut Squash

all natural, dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo friendly & smells and tastes like FALL.

place your FITzee Foods order to be shipped right to your doorstep now.

le

TJ's visit + my 1st SETX Cluster Conference

Happy Veterans' Day to you all! today we honor all  US veterans and victims of all wars.

i couldn't help but to stop by TJ's this past friday, you know, since i was in the area and all.

1383864306706_1

i was greeted with all things FALL! the smell of Fall, the look of Fall, the taste of Fall.  the warm apple cider and pumpkin pie samples were the icing on the cake. there was no cake though; i looked.

20131107_104454_1

i came out with a handful of specialty items:

  • TJ's reduced guilt popcorn
  • Envirokids Peanut Butter Panda Puffs
  • bananas
  • Fig Spread
  • TJ's 0% greek yogurt

and THIS.

madewithOver (25)

ok this is what i really stopped by TJ's for, i'll be honest. it had been taunting me on IG for way too long. in short, all you need is a spoon. i have yet to spread it on a thing. CYMERA_20131111_101230

saturday, my sorority sisters and i attended our very first South Eastern Regional Conference for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated!

CYMERA_20131111_092600

i even got a chance to meet and take a pic with our gorgeous South Central Regional Director, Chelle Luper Wilson.  She is a very busy mother of four, wow. CYMERA_20131111_093928

attendance was outstanding - we were everywhere!  successful event indeed.

we are on a budget (especially with the holidays coming up) so my debit card was restricted from buying any paraphernalia this time.

20131109_125038_1-1and the food was great :lol:.  of course it was great- the conference was held on my alma mater's campus.  GO COOGS! we had lightly breaded & butterflied chicken breast with a lemon caper sauce, yellow rice, carrots, green beans, and a wheat roll.  a spinach salad preceded our meal, but i couldn't wait yall.  

on sunday we hit up early service at church as usual.  man daylight savings time has been my saving grace this past week!  i've gotten more rest than i have all year.  i've been popping up an hour earlier than usual so i've been able to get more stuff done. i didn't want to exercise at ALL yesterday but since i skipped saturday (i crashed when i got home after the conference) i had to get on out there.

logoutgorun

so i did.  1 hour of walking/jogging/running in my neighborhood, 3 sets of walking forward & back lunges down the side-walk and i called it quits.  something IS better than nothing!  thank you to my Instagram #fitfam for the motivation. never fails.

are you off today!? and are you staying in town for Thanksgiving or going to visit family this year?

le

fit eggplant parm

foodisfuel-2

same concept when you apply it to your body, aka, your temple. put great stuff in, get great results right on out!

20130415_084116

yesterday i had vanilla oat bran with banana slices, Walden Farms syrup, and Trader Joes cinnamon sugar,

20130415_084834

and this morning it was rolled oats cooked in unsweetened vanilla almond milk, pure vanilla extract, and some cinnamon and granulated stevia stirred in.  some days i flip a coin! they are both great starts to the day.  this bowl was sooooo creamy.  i topped it with one strawberry cause that's all i needed since they are so dang GIANT this season.  and a small tsp of Justin's chocolate hazelnut butter. so, so good.

20130415_084120

today's eggs weren't pretty at ALL so i didn't take a pic.  these were from yesterday and were topped with some alfalfa sprouts and pineapple salsa from Sprouts.  i love getting a little bit of charr mixed in with my eggs from the skillet- gives them extra flavor.

who's got some core exercises for you? I DO!  did'em this morning after teaching my total conditioning class!

IMG_20130416_144210

i'm sure you're familiar with the basic high plank on your palms and toes. right? yeah you can do that one in your sleep.

IMG_20130416_093936

but when you mount up on a medicine ball (any solid ball will work really) then you really put that core to work.  this is one of those exercises that looks uuuuber easy until you do it yourself.  so, grab yoself a medicine ball and do these semi-advanced core exercises that promote core strength and stability!

 ★1st things 1st- engage your core by sucking your belly button to your spine, but DON'T hold your breath!★

  • high plank (top pic) - start on your knees. grip the ball on either side and press your palms into it as you elevate your body up into a straight high plank balancing on your toes.  maintain a neutral spine while keeping your head and chest lifted.  even if you don't add the variations, you are still working to balance yourself without even moving! you'll see!  hold for 30-60 secs or for as long as you can take it. ***you can also go down a level and perform this on your knees keeping your body flat and pushing your hips and glutes towards the floor***

****

  • high plank + leg lift (bottom pic) - keep your hips square, squeeze the heck outta your glute, and lift that leg up off the ground and hold it for 30-60 secs. repeat on the opp side.

****

  • high plank + pendulum leg lifts - while that one leg is in the air, take it out to the side from right to left in a controlled swinging motion going no wider than shoulder width. repeat on either side for 30-60 seconds or until burnout.

what a :shock: BURN :shock: !

 this exercise works glutes, core, and your shoulders & back definitely feel the wrath of supporting your bodyweight the entire time. try'em at the gym or at home during commercial breaks.

IMG_20130416_185420

well hello there, fit eggplant parm.  i whipped up a crazy good fit chicken parm that will be going into the you-know-what!  for now, enjoy this healthier classic, fit foodie le style.

fit egg plant parm

the stuff:

  • 1 large raw eggplant, sliced into 1/2 in rounds (you can peel them if you'd like- i kept the skin on)
  • 2 egg whites
  • 3 tbsp Bragg liquid aminos
  • 2 tbsp  unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely shredded
  • 1 cup Lissanati almond cheese, shredded
  • 3/4 - 1 cup homemade breadcrumbs*
  • 28 oz Sprouts all natural low sodium crushed tomatoes with basil & garlic
  • 1 tsp basil, dried
  • 1 tsp oregano, dried
  • 1 tsp thyme, dried
  • 1/2 tsp parsely
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • olive oil cooking spray
  • 5 baby portabella mushrooms (optional!)
  • fresh basil leaves for garnish

*homemade breadcrumbs: toast 4 slices of Sara Lee 45 Calories & Delightful Whole Wheat with Honey bread until crispy, and toss them in your food processor.  pulse until breadcrumb-like consistency.*

do this: * important S/N* this can totally be dairy-free if you use only almond cheese, (or rice cheese, or your fave vegan cheese) throughout the recipe. but then you'd have to call it fit eggplant almond.  or whatever. you know me- i needed some nutty, creamy parmesan in my dish cause cheese is my thing, so i added it.  just a little.  and you can too. if you want. also if you don't have the same brands i'm using and naming, no big deal!

1. lay the eggplant slices flat in a shallow baking dish and pour the liquid aminos all over them. let it soak in real good, about 10-15 minutes or so.

2.  in a shallow dish, combine the egg whites and unsweetened almond milk; mix.

3.  grab another shallow dish and pour in your breadcrumbs.  add: the finely grated parmesan cheese, pepper, basil, thyme, oregano, and parsley;  mix.

IMG_20130416_195251

4. dip each eggplant slice into your egg mixture with one hand, then immediately drop it into your breadcrumb mixture. i only coated one side with breadcrumbs cause i was lazy and didn't want to have to flip them halfway through. lol. spray a flat baking pan with the olive oil spray and bake your slices for about 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

IMG_20130416_195215

5. when the eggplant is almost done, go ahead and start the first layer of the dish by spooning some of the crushed tomatoes in the bottom of your olive oil coated baking pan. eyeball it.

IMG_20130416_195140

6. when the eggplant is ready and cool enough to handle (surprise, i didn't wait), create the second layer. i know mushrooms are untraditional in this recipe, but so am i!  and come on- melted cheese and mushrooms just go together. so i added a few sliced baby bellas for the 3rd layer,

IMG_20130416_215351

7.  top with 1/4 of the almond cheese. or more. way more.  

IMG_20130416_195018

8. and finally, top that with more sauce and repeat until you run outta ingredients.  the last layer should be CHEESE! and lots of it.  now don't put those fresh basil leaves on there yet cause you will torch them in the oven. i put them there cause it looked pretty.

IMG_20130416_1949359.  back into the oven on 400 degrees for about 20 more minutes, or until the cheese is nice and melty and brown and stuff.

this made about 6 servings; stats are for 1:

eggpp

we killed the pan but there are certainly a couple things i'll be doing differently from here on: take note!

  • NOT burning the breadcrumbs in the toaster smh - it made the eggplant darker and harder on the eyes. i didn't want to waste it and used it anyway
  • using the small side of the grater for the parmesan cheese cause the large shreds don't stick to the eggplant as easily
  • pan frying the egg plant instead of baking (however i'm not sure the cheese in the breadcrumb mixture would hold up in the hot skillet...i'll just have to see)
  • OR, roast the eggplant solo first,  assemble the dish, and save the breadcrumb mixture for the topping only. <------i really like that idea!!!!! if you try it this way, upload a pic to the Fan Page or tag me on IG (#fitfoodiele #fitclean2013).  i'd LOVE to see your creations.

cooking is ALL about having fun and trial & error for me. get in there and make your own masterpiece!

IMG_20130415_115402

i'd like to give a big THANK YOU to Bragg for sending me a few samples of their seasonings recently!  i'll be testing the nutritional yeast, the sea kelp delight seasoning, and the 24 herbs and spices seasoning this week.  idontcare-2

ooooh the joys, blessings, and lessons of good ol' parenthood :lol: it was just one of those days.

20130415_214144

thank God for electronic devices!!!!!

le

p.s., if you haven't entered to win some FREE FOOD, then click there and go see what's up! contest ends this saturday.