Stuffed Acorn Squash

I was so excited to see that all squashes ( Butternut, Spaghetti, Acorn, and Carnival) were on sale for $0.69/lb at Kroger this week! I picked up two acorn squashes and a spaghetti squash.

Did you know the acorn squash can usually last about a month if left un-cut, in a cool, dry place? I found that out while they were microwaving ( I did slice, de-seed, and add water to them).  After the warm-up in the microwave, I placed each half cut side down into the toaster oven at 350 for 20 minutes and cooked pilaf for the stuffing..

For the stuffing, I used one packet of whole grain pilaf ( cooked to directions), 3/4 cup Organic Marinara, and 1/2 can of Organic Garbanzo beans.

After it was all done, I stuffed each half and topped with parm cheese ( putting back into the oven to broil for a few). These were a great source of protein from beans and pilaf stuffing so you could just have this as a vegetarian meal ( although I would probably need two halves for a meal!). I will admit, I was torn between stuffing them like this or sweetening them up with some maple syrup and butter. Since I had maple syrup with breakfast, I figured I would stick to my motto and balance out the daily sugar!

I had mine with a big salad of organic romaine and a few slices of pork tenderloin ( which had been marinating in my fridge in a whole mess of things that I like to throw on it but never remember).

My packed lunch included an Odwalla SuperProtein Bar ( I like the new wrapping!) , an Organic Nectarine, and the last serving of 2% Cottage Cheese ( which I am currently obsessed with for some reason!)

I also had a pre-run snack of Fruit Leather, which was my first time trying it!

I liked this! It reminded me of a fruit roll-up, which I always had as a kid. Does anyone remember wrapping it around their finger and eating from there? Yep, I did that. Anyhow, this leather is much more nutritionally sound than fruit roll-ups ever were. Thank you Technology for minimally processing fruit into a shelf-stable, on-the-go product. This guy contains 45 calories, is 1 serving of fruit, and has just three ingredients (all fruit puree concentrates)

Body:
Monday: Run 3.1 miles (treadmill) with Strength ( planks, biceps,back, and quads)
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday : Run 4.3 miles with Jack in the neighborhood! The weather is absolutely gorgeous! 78* and Breezy!
After our run, we did Yoga. I can’t stop loving this Detox Yoga from yogadownload! I would love to mix it up but haven’t seen a comparable class- Any suggestions?
The parts I love the most in detox classes are the twisting movements, which allows you to release tension & toxins built up through out the day by twisting the spine.

Mind:

My weekly planner starts out like this:
And ends up looking more like this each week:

Sigh.I have studied for a Lab Quiz tomorrow, read through 3 articles for Food & Society Class tomorrow, and read through most of the chapters for Medical Nutrition Therapy ( but I need to read more!)

Soul:
We’ve got a big old party this weekend that I am excited for! Jeff’s sister finally moved into her new home ( check out photos here) and is appropriately throwing a bash to celebrate. There will be tons of good food, including my now famous Pig Pickin Cake ( click here to find out how to make it). On top of that, tons of our closest friends and family will be there so that is just heart-warming in itself.

Not only will it be our 2nd Pig Pickin of the season, here is our first this year , but it will also be the Daddy Mo Reunion Tour.

What is the Daddy Mo Reunion tour, you may ask?

You see, Jeff’s nickname is Mo and in college he started a band with his best friend Teddy ( the one that just got married), his fantastic friend “Fantastic Dan” called Daddy Mo. They did make an album and played several local gigs but soon moved on after graduating college. Alas, bandmates reunite with a new drummer ( Teddy’s Brother-in-Law)  to be the live entertainment for Melissa’s Housewarming Pig Pickin Party.

I am ecstatic to hear them live ( totally a groupie) but also to see my fiance up there doing his thing! Since meeting him over 3 years ago, I never had the chance to see him play live as Daddy Mo.