Happy Wednesday all! This morning at 5 AM I was actually craving something (versus usually just trying to find something to eat when I am half asleep).
* I knew I wanted a mango! (funny fact ~ I used to NEVER like them because I thought they tasted like Christmas Trees ~ not that I’ve ever eaten a Christmas Tree).
* Then, I thought, ohhh, a banana mango bowl….
* I ended up turning that into a fantastic smoothie!
1 tsp Coconut+ Banana + Mango + Orange + ice & water all together with a Morning Star Veggie Sausage for some protein (2 points+) because I CHOOSE to not count my fruit when it’s blended.
I ROCKED My workout this morning and I am super proud to report that I did a 27 minute run/walk maxing out at 7.1 MPH! I followed that up with crunches and push-ups until my muscles fatigued.
Post Work Snack involved this Trader Joe’s Mango Butter that I picked up awhile back.
1 Points+ per Tablespoon!
The Verdict ~ I don’t like it. I mean, it’s ok, but, it sorta reminded me of baby food, but, the flavor isn’t bad.
1 Tbsp Mango Butter with 1 c 0% Greek yogurt & 1 crumbled cinnamon graham (6 points+)
I actually brought TWO lunches today because I couldn’t decide which one I wanted.
Option 1 ~ Leftover Pasta with Roasted Tomatoes & Almond Pesto
Option 2 ~ Taco Salad from our Nacho Night.
The SALAD won because I LOVE Mexican-Asian Fusion & I CANNOT get enough greens and fruit lately which is a good thing!
* Organic Mixed Greens
* Organic Carrots & Broccoli Slaw
* 2 oz Turkey Taco Meat (2 points+)
* 1/4 cup Organic Corn (1 points+)
* 1 oz RF Sharp Cheddar cut into cubes (2 points+
All topped with 2 Tbsp of the BEST DRESSING in the world!
I didn’t think I’d need an afternoon snack but on my train ride home I was suddenly really hungry. I snacked on a light string cheese and would’ve snacked on my watermelon if I had a fork. I figured people on the train might find me a little odd using my fingers to eat watermelon….I did totally consider that!
The Husband surprised me at the train stop by showing up, telling me he took my car home and we were biking home!
Built in EXERCISE ~ Love it!
The Bike Ride actually made me pretty happy to come home to an iced cold bottle of Cavit Pinot Grigio that I received for tonight’s Wine Tasting and Food Paring event hosted by Bertoli.
I had two choices that I could use for my pairing.
1. The Easy Way Out Chicken & Mushroom Ravioli’s in a Marsala Mushroom Sauce
2. The Long Way Out ~ Baked Turkey Ziti or Raviol’s
We pondered while sharing a glass of wine (I had 4 oz for 3 points+)
I picked EASY and because I sorta have a thing for stuffed pasta.
Their boxed scanned with my Droid at 14 points+ ~ it’s a higher points+ meal, but, honestly, I do not need to eat half a box of ravioli’s.
SUPER SIMPLE ~ you boil everything!
I had 1/3 of the ravioli’s with sauce for 9 points+. Tasty ~ the marsala sauce would be awesome over steak, the chicken, mushroom and cheese in the ravioli’s made them seem really decadent.
Mainly because I wanted my two slices of Alexia Garlic Bread (3 Points+)
MORE GREENS! The Husband prepped our salad while I cooked dinner. I topped mine with 1 Tbsp TJ’s Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette (2 points+, includes 1 pp for 6 olives, sliced).
NEW AT FRIENDS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
* Put this recipe for Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas in the Crock Pot for your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta tomorrow night!
Q’s
What is your favorite type of ravioli? No ravioli choice, tell me your favorite wine 
I actually LOVE circles over squares, but, hands down, these Homemaid Butternut Squash Ravioli’s are my FAVORITE!
Wine ~ umm, I learned today I should start using it for more than just cooking 
OHHHHH ~ The FARMER’S MARKET SEASON starts tomorrow!!!! I cannot wait and will probably buy everything at the market!
Night all!
My favorite ravioli may be the lobster kind from TJs! So, so good!
I love any type of seafood filled ravioli. yum.
Mmmm… love ALL ravioli!!! And wine 😉
Great job on biking home, Danica! That was an awesome idea the husband had!
I don’t eat ravioli very often but when I do I get ones with spinach in them.
How nice to bike ride home! I love that TJ’s dressing and have been using it a lot to make super simple Chinese chicken salads and side salads with broccoli slaw.
I’m relatively new to your site, and I just love it! You have turned me on to several of your favorite things, that are now my favorites too. Like the Trader Joe’s Chocolate Crisps, and their Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup along with Trader Joe’s Social Crackers.
Although I do shop at Trader Joe’s weekly, I had never noticed any of those and so glad you pointed me in their direction.
Another thing you mentioned that I bought is the Alexia Garlic Bread.
But the one I bought figures out to 4 points for 2 pieces. Mine is the Alexia Garlic Baguette. What is the one you buy? Does it just say Garlic Bread on the package? I’d like to look for it since yours is 3 points for 2 pieces.
Thanks for the great website!
I love butternut squash ravioli, I’m off to check out that recipe now. And I’m so sorry I didn’t make the event last night, I’m still bummed about it 🙁
Why do our avatars not show up in here?
“The Verdict ~ I don’t like it. I mean, it’s ok, but, it sorta reminded me of baby food, but, the flavor isn’t bad.”” – I totally agree, I won’t be buying it again.
“The Husband surprised me at the train stop by showing up, telling me he took my car home and we were biking home!” – What a nice surprise!! Now how did he get your car home and both bikes to the train station ??
I love stuffed pasta. My favorite has to be lobster rav with cream sauce. Def not figure friendly, but it’s the BEST. I’ve never made it at home… after I get this dang muscle healed and I get back to blogging, I need to get some wonton skins and make some of my own!
I can’t wait to see what you get at the Farmer’s Market!! I bought some of that mango butter when we went to TJ’s a couple of weeks ago. Uh oh!!
Have a great day Danica.
Favorite ravioli is probably butternut squash, but favorite wine is any Mollydooker! Also LOVE your husband’s shirt: GO HEAT!!!
My favorite ravioli is asiago cheese filled!
HI Kathy,
Here is a link to the Alexia Site for the Baguette I buy ~ it is 3 points+ per serving (did you include the fiber when you calc’d it?). It is delicious and one of my favorite breads around.
http://www.alexiafoods.com/products/artisan-breads/garlic-baguette
Thanks for reading,
Danica
P.S. I buy my Alexia at Raley’s, our local grocery store.
HI Denise,
You know, I am not sure….do you have an avatar that you have loaded?
Danica
HI Mary,
He is crazy. He actually rode one bike to the bike station and drove my car back. Then, he biked on my bike back to the station. Although he mentioned jogging so maybe he jogged up then got the bikes?! I will need to ask him again. I would definitely bike to/from the station each day, but, there is one area on the ride where the jail/bail bonds places are that you have to pass to get to the bridge that is sorta sketchy so I don’t for that reason alone. He knows this so it made it even more awesome because I want to bike and/or walk.
Danica