Posts tagged trader joes
First Foodie Swap!

Helllooo there!  Today I'm sharing something new - a foodie swap! What the heck is a foodie swap? Well, if you're into blogging, you may have found that it's really about growing your community, growing a following and connecting with other bloggers. However, what I think a lot of us fail to do on the reg (I am totally guilty,) is blog in our own little bubbles - not quite connected with the other talented and unique bloggers. So Georgie created this fun concept called a "foodie swap" where a group of us bloggers are paired up with another (blindly) and we go out and put together a fun little food care package. 

Packages are fun, and so are letters - especially when they include surprises! I couldn't wait to find out who my foodie pen pal was and eagerly checked my mail every single day after work until my package came!

My Swap Box:

My foodie swap buddy was Liv, from healthy-liv.com! I was so happy to open my package to find it filled with a few of my favorite things plus an adorable note. Trader Joe's caramel cheddar popcorn is kind of amazing, and I'm SO happy she included it because I would usually go for the plane Jane popcorn and not buy this kind. As you can see from the photo, I couldn't even wait to take a photo without tasting it...

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I'm also so happy Liv re-introduced me to Trader Joe's fruit bars. The only ingredients are fruit. In fact, I picked up like ten more today when I went shopping! I also received some Larabars, Kind Bars and Trader Joe's Brownie Crisp (amazing!!!)

THANK YOU Liv!! I hope you enjoyed your swap box! 

You can check out what I sent to Liv in her post. You should also take some time to check out her blog - she's a college student at UNC, an inspirational runner and she makes delicious recipes!

XO - Rach

 

 

Recent Eats + Weekly Workouts

Hello! Happy hump day :) Just wanted to check in before I head to work! Wednesdays are always a nice reminder that the weekend is only two days away. It's also nice because it means that most of my long days are over. On Tuesdays after work I head down to a City Fitness gym on the other side of the city to workout before I teach from 7-8. I don't get home until about 9:30 because the trains run every hour and I catch it at 8:52. Womp long day. But I can't complain because I do get paid to workout and do what I love so I'm very lucky for that!

Monday was also a long day and I couldn't wait to get home and relax. Relaxing turned to cooking in the kitchen for about an hour and a half, although cooking is very therapeutic to me.

Dinner was roasted veggies with sautéed ground beef and kale. Topped with Parmesan cheese and sriracha (always sriracha.) ground beef and roasted veggies I also whipped up my lunch for yesterday and today. A big hearty salad that I add chicken to at work. It has Trader Joe's sweet leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, feta cheese, chick peas and fresh dill. lunch saladAlong with this salad, I bring many snacks. I like to nosh all day so I make sure I have plenty of healthy snacks ready to go. I brought some leftover ground beef & veggies, an apple and these protein balls (except made a new batch with peanut butter instead of almond butter and they're way better!)

Last week I managed to sneak in some quick workouts despite it being a busy week (who am I kidding, that's every week.)

Sunday - 4.35 mile run after my family left. This was a good one!

Monday - REST :)

Tuesday - This workout from peanutbutterrunner.com

Wednesday - HUMID 3 mile run. This one sucked a little.

Thursday - 3x15 reps of the following exercises: Dumbbell deadlift + squat jump, lunge with pulse (15 each side), single arm dumbbell row (15 each side), pullover with sit-up, heel tap bicycle crunches on bench, row 2 minutes.

Friday - 5x10 reps of the following exercises: Band assisted pull-ups, lunge jumps (10 each side,) deadlifts, thrusters, push-ups, burpee box jumps. This one was great and can be done in under an hour!

Saturday - REST :)

Sunday - 5 mile run. This was great except for the last mile when my earphones stopped working.

What's your favorite way to sweat?

Rach

 

Burger & Salad: Red, White & Blue Style

I've got two recipes to share! A burger with melted mozzarella and bacon paired with a spinach, berry and beet salad with an olive oil honey glaze for the dressing. Sounds fancy? It's really not. With the 4th of July coming up this weekend, I'm feeling rather festive lately and wanted to make something fun and different than I usually make for dinner. I stopped by Trader Joe's after work today (note to self: avoid going to Trader Joe's Monday afternoons at 5:45 p.m. at all costs) and the cheese section was calling my name. I have been craving cheese like crazy lately and I never splurge and buy fresh mozzarella, so it happened.

Burger1

Burger Ingredients (for one serving):

  • 1 lean ground beef patty
  • Hearty slice of mozzarella cheese
  • 1 slice of bacon (cooked)
  • Lawry's seasoning salt (to taste)

Directions:

  • Spray small pan with cooking oil
  • Season patty with seasoning salt
  • Cook on medium heat for about 4-5 minutes each side
  • Place mozzarella on burger once flipped
  • Let cheese melt, remove from heat and garnish with crispy bacon

Salad

For the salad:

  • Toss together spinach, sliced strawberries, beets and blueberries (EASY!)
  • I suggest adding walnuts or pine nuts to this as well. I loved it as is, but an extra little crunch would be delicious.

Dressing (makes 2 servings):

  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp greek yogurt (I use full fat)
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Directions:

  • Heat oil and honey over medium heat in a small saucepan
  • Once oil starts to bubble, take the saucepan off heat and whisk the mixture
  • Pour oil and honey into a bowl and add the yogurt and salt
  • Whisk until you get a creamy consistency

Plate everything and enjoy!

Burger2

I think I'll have to make these burgers again on Saturday!

- Rach