I am so excited for this weekend!  It’s seemed so far away when I got invited by the Beef Council and Beef.  It’s What’s For Dinner Living Well weekend at The Wit Hotel in Chicago.  When I was first invited I thought it was going to be this big event with tons of people – um, turns out only 20 bloggers were invited, and I am the only one from Chicago.

I am most interested to meet Brenda of A Farmgirl’s Dabbles.  You know the lasagna soup I’ve made 50 times by now?  While I got the recipe from Suzie, Brenda is the originator of the soup, so I gotta give that gal some props on that soup.  I think Louise is already on batch 10 – her husband now requests it!

So I probably won’t blog until Monday and you’ll see my weekend recap.  I hope to put some stuff on Facebook and I definitely will be updating Instagram – follow me if you like (biz319)!

You all know how I like granola – it’s like crack to me and I usually don’t keep it around because I can’t keep my hands off of it.  But I’ve been under calories lately – my goal on days I work out is to hit 1800-2100 calories, but a few days this week I was around 1300.

The problem is that I have to take a shot of insulin every time I eat something, so I don’t usually snack in between meals.  But I have to change that if i want to reach my calorie goals.

You guys.  This may be my new favorite granola.  It has banana and peanut butter in it – how bad could that be?!  I used the base of my Almond Granola Crack recipe and added some more good stuff.

Peanut Butter and Banana Granola

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup milk (I use whatever milk I have on hand – this was 2%)
  • 1 cup peanuts
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 banana

In a microwave safe bowl, put the peanut butter, butter and banana together and nuke it for 1 minute.  With a whisk, whisk this mixture together, breaking up the banana as you whisk.

In a large bowl, mix everything together, making sure all the oats are coated – it’s going to be very wet, don’t worry.  Press down on a Pam sprayed cookie sheet, so that the granola is about 1/2 an inch thick.  Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees.  If you want clusters like me, don’t stir at all.  Cool completely and break into pieces.

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So when it first cooled it was nice and crunchy – I love crunchy granola.  However, by the morning, it was chewy – still delicious, but I missed the crunch.  So when I got home last night I heated the oven to 350 and baked it for 10 more minutes, and this morning it’s super crunchy.

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So my plan is to eat some granola in the morning before I leave for work – 1/2 a cup adds about 250 calories to my day, and its filling!

Later in the morning, I had my “second” breakfast.  I scrambled 1 egg with 6 ounces of leftover mashed potatoes and 3/4 cup baby spinach, then topped it with 3 ounces of the leftover roast – I am getting my $$ worth out of that $8 roast – I think this is the fourth meal I’ve used it. Oh, and a half an ounce of cheese was added too!

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Yesterday was legs/calves on the workout schedule.  I like to start out on the Stairmaster to loosen them up before working out.  I ended up doing 56 floors in 15 minutes!

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With the Stairmaster and the leg workout, it was a nice 45 minute workout.  Not sure if you can see the sweat dripping down my neck?

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Lunch was more . . . black bean and barley chili!  I’ve frozen the rest for later.  This time I had cucumber “dippers” for my chili.

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I had a Chobani around 4. I really like the mango one – ha, love how my insulin pen is in the background!

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It was overcast and rainy most of the day, until it was time to leave for work, then it was gorgeous!

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I had ground beef to use up (next time Carrie I’ll make your Philly Cheesesteak!)  and since Tony had a burger for lunch I threw out tacos, fully expecting him to nix the idea, but he liked it!  I was half way through making dinner when all of a sudden my blood sugar dropped – I was sweating profusely and I just need to eat – like NOW!

So I took this one crappy picture of dinner – I had forgotten my good camera at home so all of the days pics are from my iPhone. Open-mouthed smile

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I restrained myself for eating more because I still feel the effects of low blood sugar for a good 15-20 minutes, but I just have to wait it out.  After dinner it was 112.

I had to show Roz a couple of flower pictures – she takes so many beautiful ones!  These are in planters outside my gym.

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Stats for the Day:

  • 1825 calories (including wine – it was kind of like my Friday night since I have the day off of work today)
  • 174 carbs, 77 protein, 59 fat, 20 fiber
  • Calorie Count B grade – not enough carbs, high in sodium and cholesterol
  • 45 minute Stairmaster/legs strength at lunch

Alright, I have to pack my bags for Chicago!  I am taking the train downtown, and if its not raining, will walk the 1 mile to the hotel.  Cocktails and appetizers start in the lounge at 4!  So excited!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend – I’ll recap on Monday!!  Hugs.