Wednesday, August 20, 2008

An eggplant creation!

I walked home from the Metro yesterday (it was hot outside too) and did 10 minutes of arm exercises and 5 minutes of ab exercises. I thought about doing a bike ride but I was still so hot from walking home that I couldn't even fathom going back outside. In fact, I did my strength workout in my bra and panties with 2 fans pointed right on me. But I cooked up a delicious dinner. I took my eggplant and sliced into 6 thick slabs. I salted the eggplant on both sides and let it sit for 30 minutes to take the bitterness out while I took a shower. Once I was cleaned up I started a chunky marinara sauce (garlic, olive oil, and 1 can of drained diced tomatoes). I grilled the eggplant on my indoor grill pan and cooked up 1 serving of whole wheat penne. Once the eggplant was grilled I placed 3 slices in an 8 x 8 baking dish, then placed a layer of marinara sauce, some mozzarella cheese, the whole wheat penne, another layer of eggplant, marinara sauce, cheese, and topped it with a few panko bread crumbs for some crunch. I put the dish into the oven for 10-15 minutes until it started to brown on top. I toasted up two mini whole wheat buns and spread them with a laughing cow garlic cheese wedge. And that was my dinner! I could only eat 1/4 of the eggplant dish so I've got some great leftovers (I think I'll put a couple in the freezer). It was delicious and healthy! I thought about taking a picture but I was so hungry and it looked so yummy.

For dinner tonight I'm thinking about broccoli, a side salad, baked sweet potato fries, and summer squash coated in panko bread crumbs and baked. We'll see what I feel like having once dinner comes around.

I walked to the Metro again this morning (I actually LOVE doing this b/c it's cooler in the mornings and starting my day off with some exercise makes me feel like the day is going to be a success) and I plan on walking home today too because I have a coupon for a free gallon of milk that expires today so I want to stop by the grocery store and pick it up. Side note: I'm wearing a wrap dress today and since it's a mile to the Metro I wore my tennis shoes walking this morning and changed into my cute shoes at work--yes I know it's very 1980s-Working Girl but they're comfortable and I know the chances of me walking if I don't have on comfortable shoes are slim to none. I plan on doing a 7 mile run at lunch and a bike ride, ab exercises, and yoga once I get home.

Sorry I'm babbling so much...with Stephen gone I don't have anyone to talk to so I "talk" to you all a lot. I'll shut up now.

8 comments:

SeaBreeze said...

Your exercise plan for today is really inspiring. Walking to work, running at work, and then biking after. Awesome. I keep putting off walking to work because its raining recently, but I should really suck it up and do it. Good for you. :D

Jen said...

*laughs* poor Marissa!!! I talk to myself a LOT when I home alone...sometimes I think I just like the sound of my own voice!!!

Good for you for getting exercise in BEFORE work! You are so awesome!!

I always wear my dirty "work" shoes (I work amidst a gravel yard) and then change at work...sometimes I look so strange if I have to stop for coffee or something before work!!!!

Jaime said...

haha, it's your blog you can talk as much as you want!!

Your eggplant dish sounds great! and I don't even really like eggplant. haha. I could do it with zucchini though. Yum!

And who cares if you look silly with your sneakers on. Ruining your feet by wearing inappropriate footwear would be even sillier.

Sara said...

no need to shut up!! I'm like Jen I talk to myself all the time (whether I'm alone or not!).

I've been wanting to make eggplant parma for some time now! I wonder how it freezes, please let me know!

Yay for walking to and from in runners!

Heather said...

Wow! That sounds like a great dinner and leftovers to boot!

LOL @ 80s Working Girl.

Great post.

Cat said...

awww...you're the cutest ever! I'm a self-talker too, so don't worry! And that's why I show up every day to read your blog, 'cause I always want to know what you're thinking about!

Great job on the exercise Marissa! You're doing such a great job.

Amy said...

Keep talkin' young lady... I love to listen!

Fatinah said...

crap - it's only 7:30 in the morning and now I'm craving grilled eggplant!!! Man, that sounded good!!!