Busiest Time of the Year

For me, Spring and Fall are the busiest times of the year.  Obviously Football season occupies my life from August thru January.  Every weekend I’m at an LSU game, a Saints game, or both.  The weekdays are filled with teaching at the studio, running Saintsation rehearsals, choreographing, driving to and from Nola…

But I honestly think I’m busier in the Spring.  For me it’s “dance team tryout season” and everybody needs a private dance lesson, a solo, a tryout outfit, a weight loss plan…

I’ve choreographed 12+ audition solos, helped several girls lose weight, given countless hours of private lessons to make sure these girls are ready to make their dance team.  I love being able to do this for these girls.  I was on a dance team from 7th grade until I graduated from LSU (excluding my freshman year at LSU when I didn’t make Golden Girls)…11 years!  And then I lived vicariously through Hilary for 4 more years.  Then I stared working with the Saintsations.  So for the last 18 years I’ve been involved with a dance team in some way or another.

Tryouts start this week for me.  The first high school tryout that I’m helping girls prepare for is Friday.  Next weekend there is the second Saintsation workshop.  The first weekend of April are Saintsations auditions (which are a week long process Saturday – Thursday), the second weekend are Golden Girls, and the third Tiger Girls.  And all throughout that time are more high school auditions.  And I have students auditioning for all of them!

As you can imagine, I’m practically living at the dance studio right now.  And I don’t have much time to cook…I haven’t posted anything since February 8th.  But that doesn’t mean I’m eating out 3 meals a day!  When I can’t “cook” I find myself eating things that I can “assemble”…salads, sandwiches…or defrost from my freezer…soup. 

Going to the grocery store is my PRIORITY.  If there isn’t healthy food in my fridge I end up eating out more which equals spending more money and eating things I normally wouldn’t.  At the beginning of the week, usually Sunday night or Monday morning, I shop for groceries and then prep/cook for the week.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve made some sort of salad “topper” to eat over a green salad…chicken salad, tabbouleh, a cold bean salad.  I take a little help from Whole Foods too.  I love buying their Broccoli Crunch salad (broccoli, raisins, onions, a little bacon, and mayo) and chopping it up over lettuce.  Last week I added baked chicken breast, shredded carrots, bell pepper, Forte Grove crostini, and a little lemon vinaigrette (not too much though, because the mayo on the broccoli salad acts like dressing too).

Another recent menu item has been Chicken Feta Tabbouleh lettuce wraps.  Bibb/butter lettuce works the best for this. 

Sandwiches are convenient too.  I love all kinds of toppings, but I think bread can make or break a sandwich.  Whole Foods seeduction bread is one of my favorites.  Whole grain usually…but not always (I love French bread…reminds me of childhood sandwiches).

Some of my favorite combos:

- ham, cheddar, apple, tomato, lettuce, honey mustard
- turkey, Havarti, Dijon, tomato, cucumber
- turkey, avocado, tomato, cilantro
- turkey, green tomato relish (or another sweet pickle), Dijon, Havarti
- hummus, cucumber, shredded carrot, feta…love this one!

As you can see, I try to make my sandwiches have 3 things: a veg/fruit, a protein source, and some kind of fat.  I’m not opposed to mayo, but I would rather cheese or avocado!

I’m not going to lie though, I have been eating out more this past month…sandwiches from Jimmy John’s, chicken salad (over salad) from Maxwell’s, pimento cheese sandwich or hummus & salad plate from Zoe’s, salads from Whole Foods, and turkey melts from Counter Culture.  These have all been a little more frequent!  Still eating healthy though :)

A New Twist On an Old Favorite

I eat oatmeal for breakfast just about everyday...I love it because its good for me (oats are a whole grain), I can make a big batch and eat it all week, and it tastes like dessert!

On Sunday, I usually cook 2.5 cups of old-fashioned oats with 5 cups of water, a pinch of salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey (or sugar, usually about 2 - 3 tablespoons). Then I add about 3 pieces of fruit (chopped with skin on - whatever is in season...recently I've been using peaches or Asian pears that I get at the farmer's market) and 1/2 cup of nuts (usually toasted). I cook all of this on the stove over med-high heat until the all of the liquid has been absorbed. Last, I add a splash of milk to make the whole thing creamier.

I figure this makes about 6 1-cup servings. When I reheat an individual serving I add a little more milk and zap it in the microwave for 1-1/2 minutes. Delish! And per serving - 270 calories, 9 g fat (1 g saturated), 44 g carbohydrates, 6 g fiber, 7 g protein (exchanges: 2 starch, 1 1/2 fat, 1/2 fruit). Add a glass of milk (or a cup of coffee!) and you are good to go.

Last week I came across a recipe for Baked Oatmeal and decided I had to try it. I made a few changes and additions to the original recipe. The result? Perfect! Even my sister who doesn't usually eat oatmeal liked it. Here is my version:

Baked Oatmeal
(serves 4)

The sweetener, fruit, and nuts are all flexible. I've used brown sugar and honey, peaches and pears, and walnuts. I plan on trying apples and bananas too.

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
pinch salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 cup skim milk
2 cups water
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (toasting is optional but good!)
2 large piece of fruit, thinly sliced

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

In a greased 8 x 8 inch baking dish, combine all ingredients except for the fruit. Stir to combine. Layer in the slices of fruit, submerging some, in a pretty pattern. Bake for 40 - 45 minutes, until center is set.

Let cool slightly before serving or cool to room temperature, slice into squares, and refrigerate.

Per serving - 269 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated), 46 g carbohydrates, 9 g fiber, 7 g protein (exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat, 1/4 milk, 1/2 fruit)

Let me know if you try it! I plan on experimenting with the recipe...I'm thinking lite coconut milk, mango, and macadamia nuts sounds good.

Lagniappe...

Do you eat out a lot?

You may be interested in this website. It offers healthier suggestions for several local restaurants.

Here is a video and an article about menu labeling (a law that has been passed in several US cities including New York and San Francisco). It requires that chain restaurants post nutrition information on the menu boards at their restaurants.

I think this is a great idea and hope one day Louisiana (and Texas!) pass similar laws...and if you do too, visit this link to send a message to the governor.

Here are some shocking items on menus of several chain restaurants and some tips on making better choices at a few restaurants.