Pushing the Limits

Written by on in Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, Snacks, Tidbits and Treats

I may or may not have made an “error” in my Salad Challenge today. After reading Leng’s last post, it would appear that my attempt to rename smoothies and, as you’ll see today, stir-fries as “blended” and “cooked” salads may not be exactly what she was intending 😳 So Leng, I apologize in advance if it isn’t what you originally were looking for! I really liked what you said about having it fit our own needs and preferences, though, so perhaps it’s all good.

This morning I was able to wake up early and get in a morning workout at the gym. Since I did my P90X Legs + Back workout yesterday (yes, I finally posted links to all of my P90X reviews!), I took it easy today and did 50-minute Elliptical Intervals. I came back, showered and made myself some Coffee Cocoa (sans whip).

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I did a little accounting homework (no more procrastination, here!) while trying to decide what I most wanted for breakfast. Eventually, I decided to make a bowl o’ blue.

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I bought some fresh berries over the weekend. This bowl contained:

  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1 tbsp. ground flax
  • Topping: handful of blackberries

When the oats were cooked, the blueberries were still pretty solid, so I pulled out the hand blender and made everything creamy. This bowl was naturally sweet and filling!

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After breakfast it was back to the books. I worked pretty much all morning long (give or take an hour that may or may not have been spent napping) and before you can tell me the difference between financial and managerial accounting, it was time for lunch.

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Looks a lot like a breakfast, doesn’t it? I was debating between this and oatmeal for breakfast, so I decided to have both 😉 I combined the usual 2 egg whites + 1 whole egg with about a cup of spinach in a pan and, once it was scrambled, placed 1/2 of it on a plate and the remaining on top of an Ezekiel muffin. I also microwaved a Morningstar sausage patty for the English muffin, and topped the whole sandwich with some hot sauce and Goya. It was SO good!

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This kept me full for a while, which was good since I had to run a bunch of errands during the afternoon. It was good to get outside – my day’s off from classes usually turn me into a hermit, but since the weather is supposed to get nicer later this week, I’m hoping to spend more time outdoors. Once I got back from all the walking around, I was ready for dinner. Here’s where the “salad” comes in!

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I brought back the gigantic blue bowl for those of you who liked it 😉 I got two of them from my local grocery store for $2 each last spring! I decided that my “salad” would be in the form of stir-fry tonight. Technically, it follows the rules of the challenge, but whether or not it’s a salad is still up for debate.

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  1. At least 1 cup of raw green leafy vegetables (I used 2 cups of spinach)
  2. At least 1 serving of 1 other vegetable of a different color (I used carrots and mushrooms)
  3. A source of protein (tempeh!)
  4. Dressing is optional (I used a light blend of 2 tbsp. peanut dressing)
  5. One serving of something else you’re feeling at the moment (pea pods and broccoli)

The star of today’s “salad” was tempeh, since it was the first time I had ever tried it.

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I used 1 serving (about 4 ounces) and threw everything into a large pan with 1 tsp. sesame oil. I heated the pan on medium-high until everything “looked done” – yeah, not the most accurate approach, but it worked for me.

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I added 1 tbsp. of the peanut dressing near the end, and then another tbsp. once I had put everything into the bowl to provide a little flavor in every bite. I rarely if ever make my own stir-fry – I guess I just saw it as time consuming. Um, not so much. This took maybe 10 minutes tops, and tasted amazing!

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Nutrition Information (per serving):

  • 425 calories
  • 15g fat
  • 42g carbohydrates
  • 21g fiber
  • 31g protein

After dinner, I caught up on this week’s episode of 24. Can you say intense?! I snacked on an apple + cinnamon while watching because, clearly, I had not gotten enough fiber yet 😉

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Then Bobby came over and we finally got completely caught up with Lost (minus tonight’s episode, so shhh don’t tell me!) 🙂 We like to DVR and then watch it commercial-free later. Since he left, I’ve been doing some blog reading and more accounting. Yes, it has taken over my life! While working, I got a little snacky, but decided to settle it with some Spring Blend coffee + almond biscotti.

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56 Comments

  1. I recently tried tempeh for the first time too! Surprisingly I LOVED it! It even made me contemplate becoming a vegetarian for a minute or two. Then I regained my senses and remembered how much I love lamb! lol 😛

    PS: I am working on gathering all the goodies to send to you and I should have the package shipped this weekend!

  2. I’ve been loving having berries in my oatmeal lately… so summery and fresh!
    Check out my latest post, I’m doing a low-sugar challenge and gave you (and Angela) a shout-out!

  8. Oh that stir fry “salad” looks so good Jenn!!! Everything in it sounds amazing, I loveee tempeh but rarely get to enjoy it!! I’ll have to experiment with it more over summer, but definitely want to re-make your dinner!

    When I’m home I ALWAYS dvr shows with my mom so that we can fast-forward through all the commercials, it’s the only way to go!

  11. I LOVE that you made your dinner “salad” in the form of stir-fry! I would never think that a stir-fry counts as a salad, but, you know what? I think it does! Favorite food ever.

  12. I’d replicate your meal… everything looks so pretty and appetizing!
    oh…I missed out 24 last night! grrrrrr……. Love intense series! 😀

  15. Seriously….your meals always make me CRAVE certain things! I think I will be having eggs for lunch today 😉

  19. I have a package of tempeh sitting in my fridge waiting to be used, and a stir-fry just might be the way to go!

    Hooray for DVRs! We record most of our faves as well. Commercials are an annoyance of the past 🙂

  20. I am loving your lunch today. Egg, spinach, and “sausage” on an Ezekiel is one the best combinations… perfect for any time of the day!

    So glad that you tried tempeh. Did you love it?

    And, I like your idea to change up your “salads” for the challenge. Rules are meant to be broken, right?

  21. What a fantastic day of food. Did your teeth turn blue after your breakfast? I am loving tempeh now that I’ve learned how to flavor it.

  22. i’m all about commercial-free tv 🙂 that stir-fry salad looks amazing!! and i love those ezequiel buns! glad you got outside, i know what you mean about accidentally becoming a hermit when you don’t have to go to work/skool 🙂

  25. I’m loving the blended blue oatmeal… and you reminded me that I have some blackberries in the fridge!

    And I’m glad you tried that tempeh and have good things to say – I’ve been eyeing it in the store for a couple of weeks but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

  31. i love that blue plate! I think we need a DVR in the near future. Although, commercials give me time to pack my lunch and mix up dough, like last night!

    LOST was good and crazy as normal. I have no clue what is going on in that island, but I still love it 🙂

  33. I do love that bowl – I thought it was a fish when I first saw it, haha. I think that was the exact first kind of tempeh I ever tried too! Still not sure how I feel about it, but I think I like it…def. good in a stir fry! Even if it doesn’t count as salad (I think it should!)

  34. aw i think your smoothie salad was fab! should definitely count in the salad category 😀 i’m loving those crinkled carrots! the shape makes them so fun 🙂 i have only tried tempeh once and it was gross…. i don’t know what i did to it but it was just disgusting!! i really need to give it another go but i’m scared….

    thank you so much for your lovely comment – it’s so nice to hear other bloggers’ thoughts about it all, especially if they go through similar things, even though at the same time i really wish other people didn’t have to have the same kinds of problems, if you know what i mean. <3

  35. When I read about your blue oatmeal, first thing that popped into my head was “You’re mah boy blue!” from Old School…hahah

  38. i’ve been afraid to make tempeh at home this entire time– you’ve convinced me to do it 😀
    i love elliptical intervals– such a great workout!
    have a wonderful day and thanks so much for linking to my contest!! <3

  40. bowl of blue looks great. what did you think of the tempeh? how did you decide on the 3 grain flavor. im not the hugest fan of tempeh but i also havent given it many chances. i think i got the soy flavor last time (also lightlife)…just curious since im always looking to expand my horizons.

    oh ps, ezek muffins = heaven

  41. I’ve been tempeh obsessed lately. It’s good stuff! And I would call that a salad, I call most things in a bowl with vegetables a salad 🙂

  43. I love that salad! I say it counts 🙂 The tempeh sounds delicious, too.

    I’m the same way on days off from classes- I tend not to venture out too much. There’s too much work to be done!

    I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

  44. 24! Wow, I am still mourning Bill’s death 🙁 he was one of my fav’s! But I think Jack is great – I never get tired of that show!

  46. i personally LOVE your creative salad spark 😀
    But i’m missing a v. important component- WHAT do you think of tempeh?? was it good?? I’m still totally freaked by it, but i do trust your judgment! Let me know ha, and yes i can’t wait to discuss Jessica..i loved it!

  48. Jenn,
    I still think your smoothie met all the Salad Challenge requirements. So you ate from a glass instead of a plate or bowl. No biggie.

    Oh my gosh, I cannot get over that beautiful bowl of blue goodness. I just ate breakfast, but I know I could still down that entire bowl in a heartbeat. Yum!

    Lost was really good. Love Hurley. Can’t wait for you to watch.

    Tempeh – love that nutty goodness!

    Have a good Friday…hope it’s not filled with accounting. 🙂

  50. Jenn, I’ve missed you! I’m so glad to be back and reading your blog now that some of my school stuff is out of the way. I hope you’re getting through yours well too! Accounting… oh boy.

    Stir frys ARE so easy aren’t they?! I love em. I don’t know why I don’t make them practically every day! And first try at tempeh! Epic moment. I just started trying it not too long ago and I’m so hooked. Unfortunately I have the hardest time finding it so it’s only an occasional treat for me. SIGH!

    Keep on keepin on with all of that school stuff and have a lovely (perhaps not super school filled?) weekend!

  51. That bowl is oh so blue! I like that blending method. I might have to give that a try – I don’t always like it when blueberries are still in their natural form after cooking in oatmeal. The insides are hot!

  52. I LOVE Lost! It is getting so exciting.

    I can’t wait to try P90X! I heard its great and challenging. I’m going to be starting Chalean Extreme in a few weeks. Can’t wait!

  53. I am loving your eats! That blue bowl with berries looks beautiful! I have never had peanut sauce!? Sounds good!

  54. Hi Jenn! Don’t worry too much about meeting all of the requirements. Your salad looks great. I’m loving blueberry oats and your signature mugs!

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