We’ve had quite the turnaround in terms of weather in the past few days. It went from freak snowfall to short sleeve golfing weather in a span of two days! We headed to the course early this morning and enjoyed 18 holes in nothing but sunshine. Much better.
Before I left, I made myself a filling breakfast: 1 cup of TJ’s Greek yogurt + 1 cup Kashi Go Lean + 1/2 large sliced banana.
I also grabbed a Coffee Cocoa for the road – don’t worry, my mom was driving so it was totally safe to take the picture 😉 That’s her toast in the background, too.
We had a pleasant round of golf – although some of the greens were still rock hard thanks to the snowfall and shade of the mountains – but I was ravenous by the time we finished. We decided to have lunch at the clubhouse, which of course meant another deliciously fresh soup! Today I was excited to find out that it was split pea – wow, so good! I had a cup of the soup with 1/2 of the sandwich special: grilled chicken panini with portabella mushroom and pesto on thick Italian bread.
Once we got back home, I also had a handful of chocolate covered pecans (another leftover Christmas treat) and was finally full.
I spent the rest of the afternoon watching various football games with my dad and brother. I can’t wait for the playoffs to start! I also nearly finished New Moon – I’ve got about 20 pages left and will finish once I’m done typing this post 😉 Reading the books for a second time is really fun because now I’m able to pick up on all the little details and foreshadowing that I tend to gloss over the first time through.
Dinner tonight was another Papa Bender work of art: mushroom “crusted” steak with a baked potato and salad on the side.
The steak was very tender and well marinated. Again, I think I am able to appreciate red meat more because I don’t have it very often. In fact, as I mentioned with alcohol in my last post, I eat more red meat at home than I do anywhere else. The baked potato was perfectly soft and melt-in-your-mouth good. I topped it with light sour cream and a little Smart Balance.
And, as you’ve probably gotten used to by now, a little vino was also involved.
Finally, I ate about 1/2 of this salad. The meat and potatoes really filled me.
After dinner, I got the urge to do some cardio, so I brought New Moon and did 60 minutes on the elliptical. (My goal tomorrow is to get that workout tab up and running) The time went by so fast reading the book, and when I got off I had worked up a nice sweat. I mentioned this with the magazines, but I really do enjoy distractions when I do cardio. Running outside is great because the surroundings are constantly changing. But when I’m stuck on a machine, you can bet I will have reading material with me!
To cap off the night, I had some of Sarah’s Hanukkah gelt. These were my ideal milk chocolates – really rich so that you only need to eat a little to feel satisfied.
Random question time! I am so enjoying reading everyone’s responses to these, and they are easy enough to find so I think it’s going to become a mainstay on the blog.
Who is your favorite athlete?
There are a lot of great, inspiring athletes. It’s hard to narrow it down, but if forced to choose I would have to pick Tiger Woods. Golf is hands down my favorite sport and if I ever had the chance to meet arguably the best golfer of all time, I would be a very happy girl.
Happy Monday! Oh, and GO WILDCATS!! KICK MIZZOU’S @$$!
Dean Karnazes.
Because, really, who else is crazylovable enough to run 262 miles in one stretch? Silly boy.
Extra credit: Edward Cullen, for BEAUTY and SPARKLINESS.
Golf? Nice! I wish we had splendid weather here!
Hey girl! The weather has been nutso. It was freezing half the time we were in Nashville and hot the rest. We got back to Charleston and it is already 62 this am (at 6:20 am!!). Food looks great- love the chocolate covered nuts- yum yum!
agree on the freaky weather! it was kinda warm yesterday!
and papa bender does it AGAIN. lovin that baked potato….and yayer for steak! get that iron in !
happy monday lovely lady!
I hear you on the weird weather! It was 80 degrees here, and the next day was in the 20s. Talk about mood swings!
Our weather sucked here – but this food is enough to lift my spirits.
*going to get a plate*
-DTW
http://www.everydaycookin.com
Cereal + Grilled Portobello Panini = YUM!!!
I loved reading the Twilight books again, for that very same reason..and p.s. I stayed up late last night reading Wuthering Heights! 😉
That steak/baked potato dinner looks amazing!! I haven’t had steak in so long, I’m requesting it from my dad now!
I’m so bad with athletes, I really don’t know too much about anyone, but I really admire Lance Armstrong, and his determination. Being in the cycling world, per se, he really gets talked about a lot.
Jason Witten currently but Emmitt Smith will always be my all time fave!
Crazy weather; but lovely eats!! 😀
**Favorite athlete = David Beckham (gee, wonder why… 😉 ).
HAPPY MONDAY!!
yummy – looks like a great dinner made by papa bender!
our weather has been SOOOOO wacky too… we’ve had 30 degree weather for a while but yesterday we hit 63 and today it’s back to the 40’s… so weird 🙂
andre agassi 🙂
Love Split Pea Soup! Such a great winter soup!
Gah – CRAZY WEATHER!!! That sammy at lunch looks amazing! Love those portobellas!
My favorite athlete…hmmm that’s tough…Henrik Zetterberg or Tayshaun Prince
everything looks so good, like always! isn’t being home the best : )
I LOVE Hines Ward!
Yes go Wildcats! I can’t believe they’re playing Mizzou – my home state vs. my alma mater!
The Arizona weather has been wild, but I am so glad it’s warming up this week!
Your dad’s steak looks awesome. I love anything involving mushrooms.
Hmmm, favorite athlete – I love watching Kara Goucher run, and she seems to have a really down-to-earth personality. I always think we would be good friends if we knew one another. My husband always laughs and tells me I have a girl-crush on her 🙂
Steak and potatoes looks SO good! The weather has been CRAZY lately! While in Chicagoland over Christmas it was raining and like 60 degrees at one point!
ahhh…glad to hear it’s warmer in AZ…i was afraid it was going to be freezing!
dad’s dinner sounds AWESOME!
and i don’t know that i have a favorite athlete…during the olympics it was obv michael phelps…but now…i don’t really think i have one. oh yeah, and did you know tiger woods went to school down the street from me and his parents still own a house 1 mile from mine!? hehe!
chocolate covered pecans!?! that sounds really good.
favorite athlete? wow – good question. I am going to have to think about that one!
Fun question…I’d have to go Steffi Graff. I loved her when I was growing up, and now that she’s married to Andre Agassi it’s just perfection! 🙂
Bread with grill marks is always appealing 🙂 love panini!
I don’t really have favorite athletes, but watched “Blades of Glory” the other day and Sasha Cohen is in one scene and it reminded me of how much I love her, so she’s my favorite right now!
I’ll go with Paula Radcliffe.
You have such a nice variety of chocolate in your house 🙂
http://www.seejessrun.wordpress.com
Guess what – Costco now sells Chobani!! Just saw it there in a 12-pack with Strawberry, Blueberry and Peach for only $11.69! I live in Florida, but I know that most stores carry the same products. I love your blog and just wanted to share this exciting find!
Your weather sounds like typical crazy Texas weather!
I would have to pick Tiger Woods too!
Dang your pops needs a food blog :D! That’s so funny about your indulgences at home rather than school, I’m like that too with going out to dinner- on my own, never..but at home I ask to go out all the time! I think I’ll second Veggie Girl’s answer with some David Beckham action, i’d want to meet Posh too!
That’s so great that your fam all goes golfing together- how fun!
Favorite athlete? Hmm. Probably Paula Radcliffe.
Yum, steak and potatoes! Always a good dinner!
The weather has been amazing these last few days! I’m so used to it being way below freezing that I’m not complaining 😀
I should try reading on cardio machines again.. I stopped a while ago because I felt that I wasn’t pushing myself as hard but sometimes when I don’t have a good podcast to listen to a good book would be great!
As for a favorite athlete? Back in the day I used to admire Nadia Commanichi, so I suppose I’ll go with her.
I wish I could play golf hubby would love me more! lol..I too have to have something with me when I am on a cardio machine, I think I will take my book tomorrow to they gym:) I love the steak, haven’t had that in FOREVER!!!! As far as the athlete question, I would have to say Micheal Jordan!!! or Brett Favre even though everyone hates him now…lol
Oh Jenn, I am so jealous. It is cold here! Your food looks amazing! You really can’t beat steak and potatoes in zestyland.
Oh how I would love to be in short-sleeve weather right now! I miss running outside but the sidewalks here still are not clear of snow 🙁
My favorite athlete would have to be Rafa Nadal — he is so talented and his love for the game is so obvious in how he plays and how emotional he is with every win. Plus, let’s be honest, he is soooooooooooooooooooooooo good-looking. And I don’t even like guys with long hair! 🙂
We’ve had crazy weather here too. From PILES of snow to warm(ish) weather and tons of rain… most of our snow has been washed away now. It’s straight up bizarre!
I’m not a steak fan but I think I’d be willing to “Bend” and try a bite of that fancy Papa Bender dish!
I think the rando questions are awesome and fully support their presence. I’m lame though and don’t really watch sports so I don’t have a favourite athlete. This kind of makes me sad! 🙁
Good choices for favorite athletes, everyone!
Tracey ~ Thanks so much for the tip!!
Jenny ~ I will have to check out Wuthering Heights 😉
Kristie ~ Love the pun!!