Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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?

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.