Monday, February 8, 2010

Healthier Superbowl Spread & Raw Protein Bars

Is today a super sleepy Monday or what? I was shocked that I had a full class this morning when I taught my usual 5:45 AM Body Pump! Did you all enjoy your weekends and the super bowl (if you watched)?

Our weekend was great! We had a work dinner for Josh on Friday, taught step Saturday and ran errands, saw Avatar in 3D Saturday night (movie itself was very cool, but didn't like/agree with half of the movies message), taught Body Pump Sunday and then had a few friends over for the super bowl Sunday night.

I also made a batch of Averie's Raw Protein Bars on Sunday. They are amazing!!!!


I tried to make my Super Bowl Spread a little healthier, but still delicious.



I made up this AMAZING sweet and spicy turkey chili (it has pineapple in it and my friends/family gave it rave reviews (I obviously skipped out due to the meat;)):



I served some optional toppings along side the chili, including jalapenos, light sour cream, and 2% milk shredded cheese.

I also made up some fruit and fruit dip (whipped topping + 1 single serving fruit yogurt). It was the hit of the party:


I also laid out some pita chips, tortilla chips and veggies with salsa and Broccoli Hut's awesome artichoke hummus:

and Rhodey Girl's Zaatar Bread with marinara sauce (also a huge hit):


For dessert, big oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, dark chocolate pieces, and black bean brownies (which were just ok):
Our wonderful friends Bryan and Mandi also brought over some sausage balls that everyone loved.

How is your week looking? Any fun workouts planned? I have another busy teaching schedule this week (since a few of our instructors are out of commission):

  • Monday: Ran to warm up and taught Body Pump
  • Tuesday: Teach Body Attack
  • Wednesday: Quick run to warm up, Teach Body Pump
  • Thursday: Teach 45 minute Body Step, 45 minute Body Pump
  • Friday: Teach Body Pump
  • Saturday: Teach Body Step & Pump

Phew! I will be increasing my protein and eats to make sure I'm energized! Speaking of protein, as I mentioned last week, I am working on increasing my protein intake. My goal is to hit 75 grams per day. Here is how I did last week (these are approximations):

  • Monday: 67 grams
  • Tuesday: 86 grams
  • Wednesday: 70 grams
  • Thursday: 86 grams
  • Friday: 66 grams
  • Saturday: 72 grams
  • Sunday:76 grams

I'm getting there!! Hope you have a fabulous week!! I will be posting my Blogger Secret Valentine's day package later this week.

58 comments:

Jessica said...

Your superbowl eats look delish!! That zaatar bread really caught my eye - it looks amazing! Great job on upping your protein girl. :)

Jessie (Vegan-minded) said...

I love the healthy superbowl spread, your guests are so lucky! I also struggle with getting extra protein sometimes, way to go on increasing your intake. Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

Your spread looks great.

I've made black bean brownies before and I agree, they are just okay.

Anonymous said...

That chili looks awesome! I've been wanting to make black bean brownies but I hear mixed reviews...

Caronae said...

Your healthy super bowl spread looks wonderful!

Anonymous said...

That chili looks and sounds like something my husband would like. Does it taste fruity or do you just get the sweet?

Jocelyn said...

oooo great superbowl spread! :) It was such an exciting game! Have a great week!

Anonymous said...

That Chili looks AMAZING & sounds like it would be delish! I love pineapple and would have never thought of adding it to Chili. I was planning on making Chili this week too...looks like I will be adding some pineapple : )

Looks like a crazy busy schedule! Have a great week!

Pam said...

Oh honey...can I be your valentine....PLEASE...so cute!

That Zaatar bread....looks awesome and yummy I bet! That dessert spread don't look half bad either!

You did a very good job with making a healthier super bowl eats!

You enjoy your week and remember to breathe....k!

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Wow you did a great job w the superbowl foods, they all look great! Glad you had a nice weekend :)

Molly said...

That looks so delicious!
The combo of spicy+pineapple is amazing! I love it!
I have got to try those protein bars - they look so easy and delicious!
Inspired by you, I'm going to track my protein for a few days to make sure I'm getting enough. Since I started weight training 4x a week, I want to make sure I'm getting all the benefits!

vanillasugarblog said...

love the pineapple in the chili--that is right up my alley.
didn't like the black bean brownies? never tried them. were they funky tasting?

Holly said...

Pineapple in chili? That is a great idea!! Mmmm - I could eat chili for weeks straight and probably never get sick of it.

That is funny your class was full this morning - I had only ONE other person in my spin class this morning! I guess Indy partied too hard last night and drowned their sorrows a bit. :-)

I need to try and track my protein, too. I think it varies a LOT each day for me!

Jenna said...

I love the fruit tray & dip. I would have spent most of the evening noshing on that. Delicious!

I have been meaning to up my protein intake as well. But I haven't gotten down to the nitty gritty of seeing how much I intake now vs. where I want to be. I probably should do so. :)

Have a great Monday!

Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) said...

I love fruit with fruit dip like that. It's so addicting but not something to feel guilty about enjoying. When I go to parties with a big fruit tray, I have to smile it makes my day.

Looks like your protein intake is going well! Congrats!

tam said...

What fabulous party eats that turkey looks delish and those cookies yum!

I keep meaning to make those protein bars I gotta get on that! x x

I Run for Fun said...

What a spread! You have such great ideas for healthy dishes for all occasions. Sounds like a great Superbowl party!

Veggies, Cake & Cocktails said...

Every single item you served for the Superbowl looks fantastic! I would of loved being at that party!

Pining for Pinterest said...

I love how you make such healthy food even for a football game :-) It all looks so delicious!

Rose said...

I love your healthy super bowl food!

Tiffany said...

mmm... I've never put pineapple in chili before, but it sounds really good! Good job on upping the protein! I recently went through a phase of increasing my protein, and I averaged between 90 and 100g per day. Not sure if I noticed a difference, so I backed off of it slightly. Good luck this week! You sound really busy!

Katie said...

Sounds like a lovely weekend! I slept through the entirety of Avatar (I know...) but from what I heard, I agree with you about the message.

Love your Superbowl spread!

Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather said...

Yikes looks like you've got a busy week ahead! I should track my protein intake too... I try to have protein with each meal/snack but wonder where I'm at with that.

Can't wait to see your bloggers secret valentines package!

Tricia said...

Yum, everything looks great!

Krista said...

What a great super bowl spread! All the food looks dynamite.

My week is looking as busy as usual. I don't think the weeks will slow down until the middle of March!

Juliana said...

Erica, it seems that you had a great super bowl party, specially with all the yummie foods. By the way, I have an award for you, please feel free to drop by and pick it up ;-)

teresa said...

what a fun superbowl weekend! i love the dishes and treats! great job accomplishing your protien goals!

i'm heading to pump again wed, hopefully i'll be there twice a week soon. gotta get my muscles used to it!

Mom on the Run said...

You had such a great spread. I LOVE Averie's recipe. I made her peanut butter cups that are to die for!!

Glad you had a great weekend.

Lauren said...

Sounds like a wonderful party. Too bad you didn't make a batch of the chili sans the meat. Next time though! :) It looks awesome!!!

I've been thinking the need for protein is more apparent in my diet too. It can be hard when you don't eat meat, but really, it just requires you to get a little more creative.

Hope you have a wonderful week Erica!

Holly said...

good work on the protein - where/what sources do you get most of your protein from?

annndddd...can i come to your party? it looks amazing!!!

Retta said...

Your cookies look amazing!! The whole healthy eats looks delish!

Sarah said...

Yummy spread!

I made the black bean brownies too and REALLY wish I hadn't because no one liked them. The boys were a little angry with me I think. :-( Oh well, live and learn.

K from ksgoodeats said...

Maybe my physics class went to your Body Pump class because, when the class started, there was only 7 of us there!

I am in love with the bread and marinara sauce. It reminds me of breadsticks and marinara - yum!! Way to go with the protein! I'm going to try to increase mine as well. Just bought some protein powder so I can get pumped up ;)

Hope you had a great Monday!

Maria said...

Love the spread. So how are you getting more protein? Please share. I am struggling. Body Pump is awesome, but my muscles need more protein!

Laura said...

Hi there!

Thanks so much for the link to the chili in your post! SO glad it went over well... and next time you throw a shinding like this, can I come? :)

Thanks again!
-Laura

chrystad72 said...

way to go girl! I love all your healthified super bowl eats. Thats amazing! I have so got to get on those raw protein bars. The just sound delicious. Your chili sounds awesome! I never throught to put in pineapple. Great idea. I love anything that has a sweet and spicy flavor.

My week is looking pretty good. I FINALLY hooked up with a trainer which Im so excited about. I just want to tighter it all up=) So Im really excited.I checked about Body pump but cant find the class around here. Such a bummer. It just sounds like so much fun too. Ah well..If I finally get a chance to visit MP again I'll swing on by and try out a class! ;)

Have a fabulous Monday sweetie!

lizzy said...

my spin class was super full this morning too...so surprising!! today definitely is a sleepy monday! awesome superbowl spread you created!! yum! do you find more protein gives you more energy? I keep going back and forth on my findings...i'll eat higher carb for two days and then higher protein for two days or so and I find that both days I feel about the same, or a little better with 65carb/25pro/10fat...but I'm not totally sure which eating %'s energize me most. (whoops sorry to ramble!) hope your monday was great! xoxo!

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had a fabulous party! Are you finding that the extra protein is satiating? It is the only thing that keeps me full.

Busy workout week ahead for you! I don't have anything special planned but I'm looking forward to it nonetheless.

Julie said...

girl you were SO busy this weekend :) but in a totally fun way! that superbowl spread looks SO delicious! i just bookmarked the chili recipe :) anything with pineapple addition is good in my book.

way to go on that protein!! you are killin it :) i'm thinkin a certain jay robb is making an appearance in your life!

homecookedem said...

What a fabulous spread you had out!! The fruit looks so lovely.

I've been upping my protein lately too and have been feeling so much more satisfied and energized!!

Hope you have a great week!! :)

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

Holy moly your food looks great!

First, thanks for the shout out re the no bake vegan protein bars...sooo good and easy, right?! Glad you guys are eating them and enjoying! Woohoo!

The pineapple in the chili sounds great but no so much the meat LOL

The black bean brownies...ok and you can write me, but I was almost going to make the black bean brownies (happy herb's) anyway...now i may not. Do tell. Do you think it was somethng you did or that the recipe is just well, not quite right? I admit, beans and bananas scare me a bit. For brownies :)

LMK your thoughts before I waste my time or ingredients!
xoxo

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

Wow your Super Bowl feast looks amazing!! Everything looks awesome. Lucky guests :)

Bridget said...

Those superbowl eats look AMAZING, esp that dip!! Loving the sound of the pineapple :)
I've been dying to make raw granola bars!
I need to read up on your protein thing, I'm intrigued.
Have a great week!!

~M~ said...

Wow!!! Everything looks so great! I would imagine pineapple would be awesome in chili...I am going to try that next time!

Esi said...

Your super bowl sounds great!! I would never thunk to put pineapple in the chili

Miz said...

LOVE the looks of the raw protein bars.
I was in an airplane for much of the superbowl but, since the STEELERS werent in it, I didnt mind :)

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

I'm so impressed with your spread! I'm glad you got to use up some of my chocolate too! ;)

It looks like you have an extremely busy week coming up! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Yummy superbowl eats!! The protein bars look so good.

Anonymous said...

What a great spread! I love fruit in savory dishes- the chilli sounds delicious!

Good job with the protein! I am averaging 75g a day now and definitely feeling the benefit of a higher intake :D

Anonymous said...

Love your blog!! And those cookies ;)

The Blonde Duck said...

We didn't watch the superbowl with anyone, so we didn't have a spread. :(

Oh, and for work I'm doing stories for a fitness feature--finally saw a body combat class!

whatkateate said...

sounds like you had some amazing food at your sb party! great planning!

fittingbackin said...

Your chili looks wonderful - as do your weekly workout plans! Best of luck on Operation Increase Protein Grams!! I wish I had the determination to do Operation Decrease Carbohydrate Grams!

Anonymous said...

FUNN party :D Mine was a taddd on the less healthy side but still amazing! I know i aaalways tell u this haha, but my roommate and I are super obsessed with body pump now, omg it's awesome! It never fails to make me extremely sore the next day- I wish u were our teacher :D!

bhealthier said...

that zaatar bread looks amazing as well as all your other party foods! seriously spectacular spread!

good luck with the protein goals! looks like you are right on track!

Aggie said...

Oh my gosh that chili sounds amazing!!! I am totally trying it! Thanks for posting about it (even though you didn't get to enjoy it!) :)

I noticed that granola above too...yum!! Frank is such a cutie!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

It's always great to healthify things up a bit! I find it a fun challenge actually! That crock pot chili sounds amazing and I actually have everything on hand now to make it--lucky me! ;-)

Kerri said...

Mmmm, the bread looks so good. I'm a vegetarian too, and always looking for more ways to get protein. I love a protein smoothy in the summer, but winter seems to be about beans and quinoa for me.