When I was grocery shopping with my Mom earlier this week, we both picked up a package of Healthy Life English Muffins. This brand is my go to brand for hamburger and hot dog buns, and never realized they made English muffins. So I made an open faced breakfast muffin with lots of chopped cilantro – love the cilantro/egg combo!
The verdict? I loved them, Hannah thought they tasted “diety” and stale. All I know is that I love that I only had to spend 2 points on the muffin, so I could have 1 1/2 eggs (split 3 eggs with Hannah) (3) 1/2 ounce of cheese (2) and 1 piece of thick cut bacon on top (2). With a honey crisp apple on the side, breakfast comes in at 9 smart points.
I’ve talked about one of the benefits of my job is bringing home leftovers. I normally don’t take much home, especially the unhealthy stuff, but when I saw there were leftover mini crab cakes, I was in. I wasn’t in the party that made these, so wasn’t exactly sure what was in them. I reheated them in the microwave for one minute, then flash pan fried them in 1 teaspoon grape seed oil to get the crisp back in the cakes. I guestimated 7 smart points for the crab cakes, 3 points for leftover rice a roni with some cucumbers with fat free ranch and hot sauce on the side. I didn’t have to be to work until 5:00 p.m. yesterday, so it was nice to have lunch at home.
I was working at the Lincoln Square location, where Apple Fest is going to be this weekend, and as soon as I walked in the door, I could smell the deliciousness of dozens and dozens of apple pies. It smelled amazing!
And I may have stated in an earlier post that if you buy the whole pie, you get to keep the cast iron skillet. However, this year, we will just be selling pie by the slice. I guess in years past we sell out of the whole pie too quick, and this year is the first year that it’s two days. We are also selling pulled pork sandwiches with an apple slaw, selling a hard apple cider and apple cider liqueur from Journeyman Distillery. I’ve never had an apple cider liqueur before and love that you can serve it hot or cold.
I love how mindful The Chopping Block is about not wasting anything. We have bins at both locations called “Chef App” which is bits and pieces of ingredients leftover from private parties or cooking classes. The other class assistant I was with yesterday came up with this Chef Appetizer for our cooking class last night. It was shrimp filled wontons that were deep fried with a side salad with crispy prosciutto. I love how she tries to use as many ingredients in the Chef App bin as possible – that would be my goal too!
The cooking class went great. I love the Chef I worked with – his name is Nick and he’s got diabetes too. He even has a tattoo on his arm that says “Type I Diabetic” in case something happens to him, people will know right away he’s diabetic. He’s only a couple years older than Hannah! I feel like a mother figure to a lot of these kids, which I love. I am always reminding him, “did you check your blood sugar before the guests arrive?!”
On my drive home I always see this 24 hour diner, and one of these days I’ll stop and eat there. I love tiny dives like this. And who doesn’t love biscuits and gravy?!
I wasn’t overly hungry when I got home, but knew I needed to eat something, and when I looked in the pantry, I noticed Hannah had a box of Kraft mac n cheese – one of her favorites and mine too. Shocked that she bought the elbow macaroni kind though, because she’s always telling me that the shaped pastas have more flavor. All I know was that 15 minutes after getting home, I was eating a cup of this for 8 smart points. And lot’s of cracked pepper and Tabasco is necessary with this mac n cheese.
This is going to be a busy weekend for me! I am working Apple Fest tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tomorrow night is my 30th high school reunion! Cannot believe it’s been 30 years already. I kind of look the same 30 years later, no?! 
Then working a double on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Whew! I am just hoping the weather will hold out this weekend.
Happy Friyay! Hope you have a great weekend – follow me on Instagram for all the Apple Fest pics and I’ll do a recap on Monday. Make it a great day!
Oh! And yes to the mac and cheese too! LOL
Yes to everything! The breakfast, the crab cakes, the apples pies, the cider liqueur, the Apple Fest, the class, dive food, and you have not changed a bit since high school! 🙂
Ha, you are so kind Pam – love it! 😀
Apple cider liqueur …… I didn’t even know this was a thing besides hard cider. I use to drive by Apple orchards all the time in Oregon and love anything apple. I need to find this! I so happy for you that this career move seems to be making you so happy! I’ve read your blog for years, this seems t fit you perfectly.
Thank you for reading my blog and commenting Ashley! (and that you follow me on Instagram too!) The timing was right. I never could have had this job if Tony were alive because of the hours, but it all worked out in the end. Hugs!
Have a great, busy weekend!!! xxxooo
Those skillet apple pies look amazing! Apple fest sounds fun – hope you have a great time!