Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Shrimp, Veggie & Mozzarella Pasta and a Night Out

Phew! I am tireeed ;). This week has been a little crazy busy, but there have been three things that made it much much easier:

1. Josh’s Mom being in town until Tuesday morning. She was a HUGE help in terms of taking care of Josh. He is starting to feel better. Yayy!

2. Easy Meals. I made Josh and his Mom a Shrimp, veggie and mozzarella pasta on Sunday night. I heated up a small amount of olive oil in a large skillet and sautéed the yellow squash. I removed the squash to a separate bowl and then cooked up the shrimp with garlic and red pepper flakes. Meanwhile, I cooked the pasta according to the package directions. I drained the pasta and then added it into the bowl with the squash, added the shrimp, fresh mozzarella chunks, a small amount of additional olive oil and the juice from half of a fresh lemon. Easy peasy:

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3. Meals out. Although I usually prefer to cook and eat at home, it is nice to have a good meal out when you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. I saw Christina’s post on La Pizzeria earlier this week and happened to stumble across the restaurant with Josh and his Mom on Monday night.  The restaurant definitely does not have a glamorous location, but you can never judge a book by its cover.

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We started with the garlic knots with fresh marinara. Although the garlic knots were tasty, the sauce is what really made this appetizer amazing. The waiter informed us that they import most of their ingredients from Italy.IMG_0151 Next up, I ordered a Greek salad. I love Greek salads from hole in the wall spots, they’re always the best and this one did not disappoint. The feta dressing was amazing. Simple!

IMG_0152 Josh and his Mom both got the chicken parm and really liked that dish as well.

Afterwards, we had to get dessert ;) We took a quick hop over to Fresh Berry. I got the no sugar added vanilla with kiwi, cherries and pineapple (my sugar add ins). Deliciousness.

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Freshberry Frozen Yogurt Cafe on Urbanspoon

And since its workout Wednesday, my schedule for the week:

  • Monday: Taught Body Pump & Step
  • Tuesday:  Taught Body Step
  • Wednesday:  Not sure…maybe some ET and a light jog? Or I may pop in a Body Attack DVD
  • Thursday:  Teach 45 minute Step, 45 minute Pump
  • Friday: Off
  • Saturday:  Teach Step
  • Sunday:  Off

What is your schedule looking like? Have you made any good desserts lately? I’m looking for some ideas- links are welcomed!!

57 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

This makes me want to go make some fresh garlic knots tonight! Yum!

Mom on the Run said...

It is so funny, I was craving a good garlic knot the other day. I really need to make some.

Kerr said...

yummy your posts always make me hungry!!! I have not tried la pizzaria but I have heard it is great.
I went to the pool and swam laps for the first time in forever last night. It hurt! but I am glad I did it!

Lindsay @ http://pancakesnpajamas.blogspot.com/ said...

The kiwi is on my mind now..guess I need to get my weekly Fresh Berry fix. Christina's been telling me about La Pizzaria. I'm going to try it out this weekend. Yay for seeing you tomorrow!!

Trying To Heal said...

i've got an 11 miler for this weekend while i'm in chicago for HLS! hopefully this attempt will be better than last weekend!!!

Julie said...

mmm i totally agree with you about the hole in the wall salads! greek food is always best from places you never expect.

thank the good lord for josh's mama! i hope you find some time for relaxation REALLY soon. get that work project over with pronto so you and josh man can go on a get-away! i think the perfect vacation spot would be long island..

hahaha have a good day girl :) i pulled an erica and posted my workout wednesday today too! wahoo haha

Tiffany @ The Chi-Athlete said...

That pasta dish looks awesome! I'm having a friend over tomorrow night, and I didn't have any plans for dinner until I saw this. I think we'll enjoy it! :D

I'm happy that Josh is feeling better!

Unknown said...

looks like a great, healthy schedule!! best of luck
:)

enjoy the day!
love, becca

Ms. Emmy N said...

Yum! That pasta looks delicious, and doesn't seem to hard to make! I may try it tonight :)

Amelia said...

I bet it was nice to have Josh's mom around for help. Mmm...Fresh Berry!

I haven't made any extravagant desserts lately. I do have blueberries & blackberries in the freezer that are begging for a crisp, though. I have seen some yummy ones on annies-eats.com lately.

Heather said...

Glad to hear Josh is feeling better - YAY!!!

And now you have me thinking about garlic knots......... :)

Sarah said...

Mmmm pasta, shrimp, and veggies is one of the very best combinations. A combination of frutti di mare and primavera! And btw, you are such a good girl. I cannot resist pizza at a pizzeria evening out. :-P
Seems like the last few weeks have been crazy busy for you, I hope it slows down soon!

Sarah said...

Oh, how about peach crisp right now? The peaches are still so good. I know cobbler is more common, but I much prefer the streusel top of a crisp.
My mom made the best chocolate cake for my dad's birthday last weekend. Almost all her baking recipes come from Cook's Illustrated because they are reliably the best. It was moist and amazing. I could obtain the recipe if you are interested in that. She iced with cream cheese frosting and chocolate in the center, but you could make it healthier if you want. I was thinking a little fresh raspberry sauce would be delish.

Tina said...

When you have a lot on your plate easy meals or meals out are the way to go. All looks delicious.

kelley said...

That pasta meal looks great! I am glad Josh's mom could stay to help you out!!! I made some chocolate almond meringues using this recipe: http://www.cleaneatingmag.com/recipes/chocMeringues.html
i doubled it and played around a little with the sugar(used raw sugar) and I liked them.
Sooooo jealous that you have a body attack DVD!

Love you miss you :)

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

This is my very favorite summer dessert: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/lemon-curd-trifle-with-fresh-berries-recipe/index.html

The lemon flavor is really pronounced and it's a great way to utilize gorgeous summer berries! Always a crowd pleaser :).

stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

yummm garlic knots sound so good! glad you had a nice dinner out amidst a busy week, i agree that it is always a welcomed treat :)

Anonymous said...

I m happy that you like greek salad :)

Garlic knot....yummmmm

The only exercise I m doing this week is push the buttons of the remote control. I m exhausted! This year more people than ever wanted to loose weight :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Now I'm craving chicken Parmesan!

homecookedem said...

Your shrimp, veggie, and mozzarella pasta looks wonderful!!

I love garlic knots!! And your greek salad looks quite yummy too!!

Lots of yumminess in this post!! :)

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

Your dinner out looks like it was great, but your pasta that you cooked at home looks even better! I love shrimp with mozzarella too.

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

Everyone is posting about garlic knots!! I want one so bad, but most are not gluten free! I will have to make my own when I have the time.

I'm glad Josh is okay. ;)

Well, today I taught a spin class. I have a 9 mile run scheduled for later and a swim. Workouts have not been very good this week, but I'm doing what I can!! ;)

Maria said...

Glad Josh is doing better. I am craving fro yo now:)

TheHealthyApron said...

Mmm I love greek salads too! Dessert is of course a favorite. We made awesome cookies over the weekend for a potluck but they were right off the nestle tollhouse bag :)

Christina said...

mmm i love the pastas that you make. i'm so glad you tried the pizza place. it's so fresh and delicious! minus the weird dudes. i really wanted to come to class tomorrow.......but i have a date with jump rope boy from the gym hahaha. yes, the one i've been googly eyed over for months. wooohoooo

Yum Yucky said...

I was all prepared to cut up some chicken tonight (as if I wanna cut up some food?) but this shrimp idea is sounding sooo much betters.

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

Mmm the pasta dish looks delicious!

BroccoliHut said...

Love your colorful yogurt masterpiece!

Shannon said...

It's so nice that Josh's mom is there to help out! I love love love La Pizzeria, one of my favorites...if I am going to have pizza, it is my first choice!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

thats great josh's mom is there to lend a hand!! sadly I have no fun desserts to share with you :(

workouts are going great this week! lots of weight training and i am loving it! body attack DVD?!? that must be so fun!!!

wow, I have a craving for garlic knots! LOL

Kelsey Ann said...

squash in your beautiful pasta dish? LOVE IT!!!!! <3 <3

Bridget said...

Yum! That sounds like such a simple and delicious shrimp dish!! I can imagine having his mom there is a big stress relief, glad to hear he's feeling better!!
Hope your week isn't too crazy lady! Almost weekend time...so close!

Sarah Hope said...

Hello from a fellow Charleston blogger! I love your restaurant choices in this post- especially Freshberry. I'm kind of obsessed! Last time we were at La Pizzeria, we witnessed the nastiest public fight between a husband and wife, it was hilarious!

Katie said...

Yum! That pasta is right up our alley... A would LOVE it if I made that!

I just made a huge batch of double chocolate cookies to take to my friend's bachelorette party tomorrow.

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

good desserts? yeah i re-organized my recipe tab and have about 50 in there LOL

so glad your MIL is in town to help you out w/ josh and that's it's ummm helpful and not stressful LOL

xoxo

Miz said...

so glad josh is on the mend!!!

Pam said...

This looks delicious and a keeper because it is easy also! Way to go!

Angharad said...

I love finding random hole in the wall joints! So good.
I haven't done a ton of baking recently due to the heat (you are a crazy lady for loving it~ I guess that's why you live where you do tho!) but these are my recent faves:
Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies: http://eating-for-england.blogspot.com/2010/06/nutella-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

And Blueberry Crumb Bars:
http://eating-for-england.blogspot.com/2010/07/blueberry-crumb-bars.html

teresa said...

oooh, i love greek salads too! now i'm craving one!

have a wonderful weekend!

Krista said...

You sure have been busy!! My schedule is still calm, but everything starts up again Sept 1 so I'll have to hit the ground running then. Hope you're having a great day!!

Anonymous said...

I haven't made any good desserts lately. I need to get on that! I love the pasta idea. I'm always looking for new ways to have it :)

Anonymous said...

Glad you have some help and the food looks great!

Natalie said...

I hope you're having a good week! Glad Josh's mom is there to help you :)

I made some incredible oreo pb cookie dough truffles...they'll be on the blog soon! My fave dessert to impress is this trifle: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/01/raspberry-amaretto-trifle.html and you can't go wrong with these cookies: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/07/secret-ingredient-chocolate-chip.html

Megan D said...

I love yummy and easy meals like that pasta! Ooh and your froyo picture got me craving some... good thing I'm going for pinkberry tonight!!

Stacey said...

Mmmm frozen yogurt, looks so good. Hope your week settles down a little.

Alycia @ Fit n Fresh said...

Your pasta looks fantastic! And I'm glad you liked the restaurant. There's nothing I hate more than wasting money on sucky food. :P

Autumn @Good Eats Girl said...

Your pasta looks so good! And the fruit and frozen yogurt looks just perfect!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

man, I know what you mean. Taking care of my injured husband has made things interesting. Going out to eat just makes things that much simpler!

I made a peach crumble the other day with oatmeal, brown sugar and ww flour and it turned out delicious!

Kris | iheartwellness.com said...

Ok, this plate that the garlic knots are on is so freaking cute!!

You are busy lady next week we can see :) Who am I kidding I don't teach and I am swamped. I don't know how you do it!

xxoo

We Are Not Martha said...

Garlic knots sound amazing!! And the salad looks delicious :) I really think I'm going to have to get some fro-yo tonight at one of the many spots near me.

Happy weekend!! :)

Sues

lynn said...

i love greek salads - haven't had one in a while...hope you are rested and ready for the weekend!

SheFit said...

What a great daughter-in-law you are! Sounds like the pasta you made was a great success! YUM!

Dynamics said...

I am planning a nice hike up the mountain. We are going to try and better our time. I also want to try a new veg lasagana with homemade pasta. Do you ever make homemade pasta?

tam said...

I'm doing lots of pump, spin and circuits on my course and loving it! x x

Kerstin said...

I'm glad Josh is feeling better! I love this pasta too - I'm all about squash in the summer and shrimp is so and light too -yum!

madeleine said...

Hi sweetie!! Your pasta looks so delish-- as for my workout schedule, 6 mile run tomorrow so I can be in shape for the 26.2 ahead of me at Kiawah!! XOXOXO

CaSaundraLeigh said...

That Fresh Berry always looks so delish!