One quick fun note: Because of the HUGETASTICK excitement about the Quantum Scale Giveaway, my friends over at Quantum Scale decided they better pick TWO lucky winners. Remember – one entry per person, deadline to enter is today at 7pm CT. I’ll announce the winners tomorrow.
Now, onto some good news – I think I am getting the hang of this magic bullet. Although on a side note, be careful when you are using google to search for images of “magic bullet” because apparently it isn’t just the name of a kitchen gadget. **blushess**
Yesterday morning, I made another attempt at a green monster. I’m still without juice but someone mentioned using an apple so that is what I did:
3/4 apple, strawberries, spinach & grapes with 1/2 tablespoon of sugar.
I left the apple peel on which ended up being a little chunky but I liked it. The apple added a lot of flavor. I only used a 1/2 tablespoon of sugar {which I probably could have left off} vs. the one I made on Tuesday, I used a full tablespoon.
A breakfast you'd pay mega bucks for at the mall!
Seriously – do you know how much these shakes cost at the mall? Anywhere from $4-7 and I made it at home for a fraction of that! And, I controlled what I put in it which is a huge benefit! The downside of my breakfast was two hours later, I was starving again so I pulled out a snack.
Mid-morning protein booster!
ooohhh – has anyone else tried Justin’s Nut Butter? They have these fancy little single-serving packets to prevent abusers like me from overdosing on the tricked out nut butter. After my stomach settled down, I got some serious work done and didn’t look up until it was lunch time!
I opted to not bring a lunch today (or…we are running out of food) so I ran to a small corner spot that sells soup. Serious soup. It’s like a soup bar. They have 10+ different soups every day. They also have a small selection of sandwiches & salads so I opted for a bowl of soup and 1/2 sandwich combo.
Chicken pot pie soup = love
YUM! This place also has to-die-for bread sticks. You know, like the ones they have at the Olive Garden? I shoulda skipped them but I grabbed three.
Shoulda backed away from the bread sticks!
And I ate three. So delish, so heavenly, so not “healthy.” The soup & bread sticks filled me up so I decided to hold off on eating my 1/2 sandwich until later. Instead, I buried myself back into my work until about 3pm when my tummy started to call out my name.
Lunch as a snack?
I left work a little early to run to a hair appointment – a cut & color which always seems to take hours. I didn’t get home until 7:30 and was so hungry! I looked around and found myself lacking options. I remembered how my friend Beth is always throwing together what looks like random things but ends up eating delish foods. I started grabbing things and throwing them in a bowl.
I started with a good base – a can of chickpeas, kidney beans & a can of corn. I diced some red onion and was feeling pretty confident. But I needed more. I looked in the cupboard and saw a can of chicken. So I threw that in there – eh, things were starting to go downhill.
I looked in the fridge and found a bag of broccoli slaw so I poured it into a bowl and spooned my bean/chicken concoction over the slaw.
Creative attempt failed.
FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL. Beth is way better at it than I! I ended up using a spoon to dig out the big chicken pieces and throwing the rest away. Luckily I didn’t mix the slaw & chicken in with all beans & corn mixture because that was actually pretty good and can be salvaged.
Ah, the trials and tribulations of a priorfatgirl in the kitchen! I am proud I’ve conquered the Magic Bullet but I have to show you something else I got for Christmas:
HELP! How do I use this thing?!
I’ve never had a toaster oven before! I tried to make toast in it but it took 27 minutes (more like 5 but I don’t have that kind of patients!). What am I suppose to do with this? Recipes? Idea’s? Help!
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
my fav green monster: 2-3 c. spinach, 1 c. whatever milk you use, 1 banana. you won’t need sugar.
I am trying out a “green monster” smoothie too! I use a handful of spinach, ground flax seeds, 1 scoop of whey protein vanilla and whatever fruit I crave that day–the whey and fruit give it a hint of sweetness so I don’t add sugar. It tastes awesome! I know what you mean about smoothies costing so much…at Smoothie King a smoothie with whey and banana costs me $5.55 for a small one!
Your enjoyment of the eh-hem blender might just sell me on getting it! I was unsure if it was decent or junk, It seems to be really popular!
I Love those single serving packets! I have a chocolate hazelnut that I have not tried yet but I am sure it will be divine! I rely on the portion controlled peanut butter, and almond butter packages far more frequently that I would like to admit, but licking the spoon is far too tempting for me. I do have a jar of Barney Butter in the house because sometimes I need less than is in a packet but those packets… SO GREAT when you travel, and I keep one in my purse at all times.
Dinner fails suck! I have had a few of those over the years although I am about to start working my way through a new cookbook I was given for christmas. It is a Cooking Light fresh food fast weeknight meals books. It’s a good starting point for me to draw inspiration from. Plus I don’t think I can go too wrong with 5 ingredient 15 minute recipies when I get home from the gym and am ready to inhale the pantry, which is just NOT going to happen.
Think of a toaster oven as just a small oven. You don’t make toast in it really but you use it when you’re baking something smaller and don’t want to heat up the big oven. Perfect in the summer time when it’s hot and a regular oven would heat up the whole house. We use our toaster oven all the time. Not great for cookies but for small homemade pizzas, appetizers, etc. We bake fillet mignon in ours, french fries, garlic bread, bagel bites, crescent rolls, biscuits, etc. We follow the same directions as a regular oven but ours seems to cook faster than a regular oven.
I use my toaster oven to roast vegetables and to fix small Flat Out pizzas.
I love my toaster oven, mine is a household of just two people, and it is great for making things like individual servings of garlic toast or english muffin pizzas without using the big oven and heating up the house, or being tempted to make more servings than I actually need.
Here’s my favorite green monster recipe, you won’t be sad
*Handful of spinach
* Banana
* Frozen blueberries
* Vanilla Milk (I use soy or almond)
*Scoop of protein powder
I’ve never used a toaster oven, good luck!!!
If you’re looking for some really fun toaster oven recipes, try “Pop it In the Toaster Oven.” It has some really tasty meals, but in smaller portions that are perfect for one, maybe two people. The biggest issue that you may have is finding something to cook in. A lot of Corningware dishes are the perfect size, but the last I checked Five Below sells some perfectly sized dishes too. Good luck!
my favourite smoothie recipe
1 cup chocolate flavoured milk (I use almond milk or soy)
1 frozen, sliced banana
1/2 cup kale, crunched down in the bottom of the bullet cup
scoop of ground flax
teaspoon of hemp or flax oil
scoop of protein powder
top up with frozen berries
It keeps my full for a few hours.
As for the toaster oven, I’m sure I’m alone in this… but mine sat, wasting space on my counter for two years before I sold it on kijiji.
Hahaha, I almost spit out my juice when you talked about Googling “magic bullet.” Too funny.
I like to toast bagels or whole wheat muffins in there (the mini pizza thing is definitely a good idea). I never make toast in it, though.
I have debated getting the magic bullet for years. I have refrained because a lot of people have said that the motor doesn’t last real long. I hope that isn’t the case with yours.
I have also wondered what to do with a toaster oven. I didn’t have one growing up and just don’t get it. So many people have them though, especially individuals who have smaller families/people around. I am going to check out the website listed above to find out about some different recipes.
You have a fun, new kitchen gadget year ahead of you!!
I love my toaster oven. I don’t use it for toast though. That would take too long for me. I use it for just about everything I make. The only time I use my regular oven is when I have to use a pan that’s too big for the toaster oven. I also make frozen pizza in it. You’ll come around to loving it!
Love the toaster oven for small servings of meat, like one chicken breast or a fillet of salmon. I also cook bacon in it as it saves me the mess on the stove. Mini pizzas fit in there, too!
i make toast in my toaster oven…i just go do something else while it’s cooking (dishes, clean the house, etc). but it gets really hot so it’s best to monitor the toast so it doesn’t burn! the only other thing i’ve made in it is a flatbread pizza. the instruction book probably came with recipes so try those!
hahahaha i love the quote “I remembered how my friend Beth is always throwing together what looks like random things but ends up eating delish foods.” SO TRUE!
Maybe you should have added some seasoning to tie the whole dish together? Olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper might have done the trick!
i’m guessing your lunch place was eddington’s, looking at those breadsticks. they ARE the best, aren’t they?? i’m lucky i don’t live near an eddington’s anymore or i’d be 500 pounds.
I like to use frozen pineapple (just a few chunks) to sweeten my green monster smoothies!
LOL, 27 minutes. I’m not patient either!
And I’ve had a million dinner fails just like that. Someone just throws something together for you one night, and you’re like “Well, I can throw some stuff together and make it taste just as good.” I’ve stopped doing that because, I’m just not one of those people that can throw things together! Better luck next dinner. P.S. Peanut butter in the green monsters really is awesome. You should try it! It’s a little more calories, but it’s protein too. Just a suggestion.
If its a convection oven or it bakes – use it in place of your regular oven. It uses less energy, cooks faster and its perfect sized for 2 people. I use my convection oven 3-5 days a week. I love it!
Lunch at Eddingtons. Good choice.
Yay for the Magic Bullet! I have had one for about three years, but you know what? I’m ashamed to admit this but it is still in the box, never been used. I never – and I mean NEVER – make food at home so I wouldn’t even know what to do with it. But your smoothies are giving me ideas…
I LOVE my magic bullet. If you want your green monster to be more juice-like I would add a little water. I try to use at least 8oz of liquid when making a drink in the magic bullet, it mixes better that way.
Also, the toaster oven is perfect for leftovers. Especially pizza or something you don’t want to get soggy. It makes everything crispy! I also like making tortilla pizzas with it. (whole wheat tortilla, left over tomato sauce and veggies, cheese optional).
I use my toaster oven instead of my outdoor grill in the winter. So mostly meat, veggies, things like that. I’ve never actually tried toast in it!
I didn’t realize the magic bullet was so powerful…I want to try more smoothies, but I’m too lazy to get out the blender (and then deal with washing it) every day, so I may just pick up the bullet!
Jenn
we just got Trader Joe’s in Rochester this past month or so and I haven’t been there yet– cause I’m afraid I won’t know what to buy.
maybe you/your readers can help me out with some GREAT ideas of things to pick up at Trader Joe’s for someone that is still trying to lose 30 more lbs (lost 48 so far).
thanks!
Trader Joe’s in Rochester MN?? S-a-w-e-e-t!!! That will be the closest Traders Joe’s to me. I’ve been wanting to try the Justins butter. I’m hoping that is where she buys it from.
Yep, Rochester, MN!!! I haven’t been able to get there yet but it’s on my to do list. But I need to find out more items to get there, because if I just go in and start looking it will be too overwhelming….:)
know of anything besides the Justin’s PB?
Jen,
Toaster ovens are super! (sorry for sounding like such a huge nerd) Those english muffin pizza’s that you like – those work great in the toaster oven! Anything that can be fried but also baked..chicken strips and so on can be done in there and you save the heating the real oven and the caloried from frying – nope!
I use my toaster oven to toast things, but it does take a while. I also use it as a small oven, as most of the others have already said. Works fantastic!
Sorry about the dinner fail. I have totally been there. The whole, well, I have food in the house, I just have to combine it to make a meal… *combine* Ew.
We have that same toaster oven at work – just this morning I made a pita pizza – one multi-grain pita, 1/4 cup pasta sauce, handful of baby spinach, 1/4 cup egg beaters poured over the middle (try not to let it run off the edge), sliced red pepper and then an ounce of goat cheese.
I baked it for 15 minutes at 350, then switched it to broil for a couple minutes – it was so filling and delicious, and I think around 7 points
Sorry your dinner sucked!
Use Agave Nectar to sweeten your smoothie. It has a very low glycemic index. My husband is a Type I diabetic and we drizzle it on our greek yogurt w/ fruit. Doesn’t shoot his blood glucose through the roof and it’s fairly low in calories. That’s what I use in my kale smoothies.
Haha, that is too funny about your Magic Bullet Google discovery.
My favorite MB smoothie recipe is:
– 1 banana
– 1 cup of almond milk
– 1 tbsp. of almond butter
– 1 tbsp. of salba seeds
– Fill remaining space with either fresh berries or frozen, non-sweetened berries
This combination keeps me full forever and tastes so yummy!
Ever since I saw an infomercial at 3 AM, I’ve wanted a Magic Bullet. Sigh. SOME DAY.
I would love to get a magic bullet! What a great way to make smoothies. This would save me a lot of time and effort as well! And the nut butter – mmmm… yes please!!
YOU CRACK ME UP!!!! You are so funny…call me we’ll chat about the toaster oven..
PS: Awesome that 2 scales are being given away…crossing my fingers as we speak…so we’ll see…did you get my picture of the ancient scale I use now??? HA!
Love you cuz..K
I bought a Magic Bullet about 5 years ago and the rubber thing around the blade stripped and the blade ate it up after just a few uses. Now I’m thinking I need to try it again!
I love my toaster oven – but I have to *sigh* admit I don’t use it for anything healthy
Great looking food!
OK, here’s my favorite no-fail, quick and easy dinner (or lunch), courtesy of my favorite store, Trader Joe’s. No magic bullet or toaster oven required.
If you have never tried Trader Joe’s Curried Tuna, you must! I haven’t eaten tuna in years – or salmon, or most other fishies – because I can’t stand the taste. But this tuna is fabulous – no fishie taste, I promise!
It’s only 240 calories and 24 grams of protein, and it comes in a foil packet and box, near the jars of curry sauce.
Here’s what I do – throw some fresh or frozen veggies in a bowl and nuke them until about halfway done (I use onions, spinach, and chick peas). Then top it with the tuna curry and nuke for two more minutes. Serve over rice if you want, but I don’t, in order to keep carbs and calories low.
I must eat this at least 4-5 times a week – it is so easy and SO good! Nice chunks of tuna, no bones, in either a red or green curry sauce (both are great). Try it, I think you’ll like it.
I love my toaster oven. I use that thing more than my oven. I toast bread, cook chicken, make pizza… My toasted oven has a broiler so I’ll broil chicken as well. If I’m making something small I’ll just throw it in there it doesn’t heat it up. It’s such a conveinent thing. I wouldn’t know what to do without it.
I had a magic bullet for a while (the blender kind haha) but I wasn’t a fan, which made me so sad since I have their infomercials memorized. I got rid of my toaster oven after a few months too… and my bread maker… and my ice cream maker… Notice a trend? I love fun kitchen appliances and then never use them! LOL
Lunch @ Eddington’s??
Their Chicken Tortilla soup is AMAZING, it’s my favorite – two thumbs up!
Their white chicken chilli is pretty delish too!
I just use the oven for small things that I would normally put in the oven. I believe it is a energy savings.
My Husband and I got a Bullet as a wedding present and returned it for the much needed cash. Now I wish we had kept it!
I LOVE my toaster oven, it’s all about roasting vegetables baby! I roast corn on the cob, carrots, peppers, potatoes, brussel sprouts, squash, asparagus, anything tossed in a little olive oil with a tad salt and pepper is good. I also use it to roast whole heads of garlic just to keep on hand. And it’s great for fish fillets.
If it took that long to make toast you might have had it on Bake and not Toast/Broil or had the temperature low because it should cook stuff fast.
I had a salad WIN tonight-
Romaine
Garbonzo Beans
Red Onion
Granny Smith Apples
Carrots
Corn
Jalepenos
Salami
Blue Cheese Dressing (low carb)
It was yummy!
We use our toaster over for everything we can fit in it! It totally saved on time to heat up and energy!
Here’s some things I make in it:
-fish
-arnold sandwich thin “pizza”
-lovosh veggie “pizza” – http://allrecipes.com/PersonalRecipe/62341093/Lovosh-Pizza/Detail.aspx
-egg bake
-re-heat things that would otherwise get soggy in the microwave
-morning star (frozen vegetarian food): “chicken pattie,” “bacon” etc.
-ww recipe – baked macoroni
-chicken breasts
…and anything else you can fit into it haha
I make toast in my toaster oven. Don’t use the dial with the temperature settings. Mine has another dial; I like toast brown so I set it to almost “high”. I love to melt/toast sandwiches. It’s also good to reheat fried dinners (that sounds so odd but hear me out). Anything like chicken wings, pizza, chicken balls can be toasted, so they’re warm but also crispy. Mine came with a little removable tray, so I put items on that and then…toast it!
I want a magic bullet …I used to have a huge juicer and apples and carrots are often used to sweeten a juice…especially apples so you arent adding sugar
for the toaster oven I love mine I went without a stove for a year one time in a tiny apartment and you can bake mini meals in it…bake just like the regular oven just in smaller sizes…makes it easy to do say just a couple pieces of chicken and not heat up the whole kitchen with the big oven
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