Happy Wednesday all! You all are just AWESOME!!! I LOVE that you played along in my “I LOVE My CROCKPOT Because…..” So fun to read your responses ~ it made today go by fast as I read each comment.
This morning I was up with my usual Protein Power Up 5 am breakfast. I DID manage to take a picture…..don’t worry, tomorrow will be something new because I am out of hard boiled eggs 
(2 points+)
My train ride this morning was much better than yesterday….I hopped on the treadmill as soon as I got in and pounded out a 30 minute interval walk/jog.
Post workout snack ~ my latest addiction ~ Lemon Meringue Pie (5 points+)
1/2 c TJ’s 0% Greek Yogurt + 2 tsp TJ’s Lemon Curd + 1 crumbled LF Cinnamon Graham Cracker.
I absolutely LOVE the new spoons we have at work?! Am I weird that it makes me smile whenever I see one and I ALWAYS have to grab the circle spoons versus the regular ones now that we have them?
Today my co-worker and I made the Executive Decision that we NEED to get out to explore Berkeley and try all the new places around us at least once a week.
We randomly just started walking and ended up stopping to eat at this super cute Café….it was the outside seating that drew us in.
CAFÉ M ~ Another place after my heart since they use local organic ingredients whenever possible.
They serve breakfast all day as well as salads, sandwiches, soups, quesadillas and just a ton of deliciousness.
Sun Tea only seemed appropriate since we were dining outside.
I LOVE my co-worker because she likes to share like me. Whenever you want to try anything on the menu, ALWAYS share ~ you get to try more that way.
First Up ~ their homemade herbed turkey burger with fries (by choice, you could get salad or soup).
I have never had a turkey burger with so much herb flavor that you really didn’t need anything else. Their bread was fantastic – crispy yet doughy.
I had half with ketchup, mustard, and all the veggies for 4 points+ (estimate)
I am proud of myself for portioning these out and the fact that we left some fries behind! 5 Points+ estimate for my handful
2nd entrée ~ A HUGE Asian Chicken Salad
Shredded romaine hearts, crunchy Asian Veggies, Crispy Rice Noodles, Sweet Sesame Dressing
I had 2 big scoops, about 2 cups ~ 7 Points+
MMMMM ~ I was totally thinking I LOVE our New Digs as I ate this….so many good food places. The one thing I have wanted that we never had in Napa was a GOOD salad place and in two days, I’ve found too! I am definitely coming back to Café M!
I had WAYYYYY too many choices in mind for dinner and none of them sounded good. The Husband decided he wanted Flat Out Amazing Pizzas and built his own.
Sauce + peppers, onions, mushrooms and olives.
Turkey pepperoni
Baked until crispy, crunchy and cheesy good.
I had already picked out what I wanted for dinner as he built his pizza, but, when his pizzas were done, I had total pizza envy and had to have a slice.
I miss these and NEED to make them more! (2 points+ for my slice)
So what exactly did I pick?! Totally random and totally not on the menu plan but when I opened the freezer, it just sounded good.
Trader Joe’s Sans Vegetable Fried Rice
I honestly LOVE this Chinese Fake Out Recipe more, but, I can’t beat 4 Points+ per cup and 1 minute to cook.
My all time FAVORITE Orange Chicken ~ in my opinion it’s better than Panda Express and you save 8 points+ per serving by making your own.
Trader Ming’s (aka Trader Joe’s) Mandarin Orange Chicken
5 Points+ per serving ~ I measure 125 grams on my scale because you get more than trying to fit those shapes into a cup.
Topped with sesame seeds to make it look fancy ~ Delicious! Sometimes you just gotta have it….when the craving hits, make a “healthier” version in less than 25 minutes!
Dessert started as this small bowl, but, ended up with The Husband and I taking the big bowl into the living room as we watched TV I was genuinely hungry too!
This picture makes me want to do it all over again.
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* What music makes you "Move More"? Check out these play lists & share yours to motivate each other ~ Click HERE.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!!
If you LOVE bread and want to win some ~ head over to Shannon’s to enter her bready giveaway ~ Click HERE
Night all!
Flat out question: How do you get it crispy? Do you bake it first w/o topping? Or do you just put it in the oven at a high temp and it crisps? HELP please 🙂
I love your upside down reflection in your round spoon. You’ll have to wave next time ;0)
TJ’s orange chicken is really good. Got me thinking its time to plan a trip to NJ to buy some!
I love love how your pizza look like! 😀 I’d definitely have a pizza later. 😀 And that orange chicken looks pretty delicious, too 😉
That Mandarin chicken is the BEST in the world. We have it all the time with TJs rice medley and the skinny frozen green beans. Our family’s favorite meal (or at least mine).
Note to self: Don’t read Danica’s posts on an empty stomach, because it’ll make you REALLY REALLY hungry. Great photos Danica, thanks!!! (I can’t wait until its warm enough to eat outside here!)
(love the new spoons too!)
Have a great day.
Hi Gail,
Guess what?? There is a “secret” that is SO EASY for making Flat Breads crispy. You preheat your oven to 450 and put your cookie sheet in there for 5 minutes to preheat with nothing on it. Remove and spread 1/2 tsp – 1 tsp olive oil for 1 or 2 flat breads. Bake for 2 minutes. Remove pan from the oven, flip your flat breads, top and bake for another 7-8 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is toasty.
My FAVORITE flat bread and the only one The Husband will eat is Multi-Grain Flax – it doesn’t taste “diety” like the others.
Good luck!
Danica
No way! I freak out when I see the round soup spoons in the dining hall. I use it to eat granola and milk and I swear that it just tastes better that way.
I think I need to move back to CA and live near you so we can eat together LOL! You always have the best meals 🙂
I love that Orange Chicken from TJ’s, too! YUMMY!
man your flat outs look awesome!
i saw so many places in Berkley that i wanted to go to when i was in oakland running my race…vegan/vegetarian mecca!
I absolutely LOVE that mandarin chicken from TJ’s and you know what? i put some toasted sesame seeds on top of mine too! Recently at costco, I found a huge bottle of sauce from Panda Express for orange chicken….2p+ per serving…so I have been making my own with boneless chick breasts! so yummy!
I LOVE the TJs Orange chicken! I have a question for you. The package states that there are five 1 cup servings in the bag. Since you’ve weighed it out, do you find that to be accurate?
My friend and WW buddy says she only measures about 3 cups total in the whole bag and doesn’t think the package stats are accurate. What do you think?
Since I don’t have a food scale, I just take TJs word for it!
Thanks!
HI Lisa,
When I have made the recipe in the past, I have divided it into 5 servings after cooking and counted it that way. I think that it can very with each bag because the pieces of chicken come in all different types of sizes. This is why I weigh it – to get the most for my serving and to ensure I am getting the actual serving size by weight. I will have to buy another bag to check out if I get 5 cups as I have not checked that out in a awhile.
Hope that helps a bit.
Danica