Back at Sometimes Healthy Living Blog (The First Edition), I wrote about egg muffins all the time. (Just for fun, let’s call this next chapter of blogging in the Hudson Valley “Second Edition.” Makes me feel special.)
Anyway, when I lived in NYC, there is nothing I loved more then throwing some eggs and toppings in a muffin pan, baking them for a few minutes and then marveling at my super-sophisticated breakfast. A studio kitchen could not hold me back!
Firecracker Egg Muffins: Beets, Blueberries, Cream Cheese and Raisins. A must-have for 4th of July.
Although I have heard that egg muffins are SO 2012, I just couldn’t resist whipping some up yesterday for old time’s sake. Perhaps it’s because I’m inching closer to my 30th birthday (more on that later) and feeling nostalgic for my “younger days.” I can’t think of a better way to kick off this week’s WIAW than with the classic, yet always reliable egg muffin. If you’ve never heard of egg muffins (still boggles my mind that some of you haven’t!), prepare to be amazed…
Breakfast: Cleaning House
We’re headed to Nashville in a few days (more on that below), so this week’s meals have been geared towards cleaning out our fridge. The BF ordered that I cook no new meals this week and instead focus on eating everything we have that will spoil this weekend.
Such a smart, logical guy. We are such opposites.
With that in mind, I knew egg muffins were the perfect vessel to use up a lot of that fresh produce in our fridge. I woke up early in the morning with egg muffins on my mind. After surveying the fridge and pantry, I decided upon the following combinations:
- Peppers, mushrooms and onions
- Quinoa and cheese
- Potatoes (from the bbq) and cheese
I cooked up the quinoa and chopped up the veggies and potatoes. As the quinoa cooked, I quickly sauteed the peppers mushrooms and onions.
Toppings time!
Next, I mixed one full carton of egg beaters with about 1/4 cup almond milk. I divided the eggs into 3 portions and generously plopped in my toppings.
These combinations can please any taste buds.
Next, I poured them as carefully as possible (there is always a spill or two in this kitchen – my garbage disposal dog rejoices every time I cook) into the greased muffin tin and baked in a preheated 400 degree oven. Note that 1 carton of egg beaters makes about 12 large egg muffins.
If there isn’t a spill, it wouldn’t be a Sometimes Healthy Kitchen.
About 17 minutes later, I was rewarded with 12 perfectly delicious egg muffins.
Like magic! 12 little omelets.
Still working on the whole “make them look pretty thing.” Reader tips are much appreciated!
So many egg muffins…which one should I choose?
If you’re a busy mom or even hosting a bunch of people for breakfast, I highly recommend these egg muffins. You’ll be able to make different combinations that will be sure to please ever palette and the clean-up time is less than 10 minutes.
The winner of this batch was certainly the Cheesy Quinoa Egg Muffins (or as the BF called them, the “Super Protein Egg Muffins”). The texture of the quinoa and cheese meshed perfectly together with the cheese for a tasty, filling egg muffin. Two or three of those, and you’ll be good to go!
The quinoa combo was the winner!
For more tips on egg muffins, check out one of my guest posts from back in the day!
Run Doggy Run
After breakfast, I went for a short run with Cole. Poor Cole was absolutely pooped from our evening hike on Monday. We brought a friend, and they played his favorite game, chase the stick,
Chase the stick: Cole lost…but there are really no losers in this game!
It was a beautiful hike, and it’s moments like these that I remember never to take it for granted that I can spend my evenings decompressing in such beautiful surroundings. The city was great…but this is just what I was looking for at this point in my life.
This is how I spent my Monday night!
Needless to say, all of the excitement left Cole a little exhausted on Tuesday morning. I felt bad pulling him along, but I knew he needed the morning exercise! (In a few hours, he’d forget all about the exhaustion and be bouncing off the walls!)
Mommy…can I have some water?
Lunch: I Heart Starbucks?
I snacked on a few egg muffins throughout the day (they make great snacks too..and so portable) and spent the early part of the afternoon working at Starbucks.
Lunch was an egg white feta wrap that was surprisingly delicious.
A surprisingly successful lunch!
Perhaps it’s because I saw the person behind the counter whip it out of a freezer full of other little wraps. I don’t know about you, but seeing all that frozen food usually sets my expectations very low.
However, as per usual, Starbucks surprised me! I’ve always been a huge fan of Dunkin Donuts, but the free (super fast) internet from Starbucks lured me in when I moved out here.
And they even write my name on the cup!
Then, I tried their new blonde brew, and I realized I don’t hate their coffee anymore! The blonde brew is supposed to be “light bodied” and Starbucks’ “easiest drinking coffee.” It worked. When mixed with a little half and half and a small amount of sugar, this coffee cannot be beat. Plus, it makes me wired and ups my productivity (or so I think).
I don’t want to like you…but I can’t help it!
And finally, no matter what I order foodwise, I’m always very pleased. I hate to be touting the “big bad corporation,” but it’s nice to know there’s a Starbucks at every corner. Sometimes, a girl just needs a reliable place…with free internet.
No Time to Snack?
Okay, I know I recently posted about how I am a huge snacker…but sometimes when life gets busy, snacks take a backseat. I was running around a bit this afternoon, so I was unable to enjoy my trademark Goldfish afternoon snack.
My plan for dinner was to make a quick n’ easy salad, using produce in the refrigerator and my secret weapon: the rotisserie chicken. The salad was supposed to be for me and the BF, but then he decided to ditch me for drinks with friends.
Secret weapon!
I pretended to be “disappointed,” but I really had one thing on my mind: Bachelorette on DVR. As soon as he walked out the door, I rushed to pull together my salad and enjoy a night of sinful girlie television.
You and me tonight, Desiree!
Last week, I posted my tips for making the “ultimate salad.” Being that I eat about 10 salads a week, I decided I am somewhat of a salad expert. I mentioned that I usually add some sort of protein into the salad to make it a meal.
Well, whenever I’m lacking protein and don’t feel like cooking, I turn to this baby: pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from the store. I have no idea what these people put into the chicken to make it taste sensational every time, but I’ve decided I really don’t care.
Oh hello, Mr. Chicken. Let’s make a salad.
I dismantled the chicken, “accidentally” dropping some morsels on the floor for my clean-up crew.
Drop it. Drop it. DROP IT!
Then, I chopped up some mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes and snap peas. I also added in some olives and feta cheese.
The veggies and cheese.
Threw it in a giant tupperware, and chopped up some hearts of romaine.
Mmmm…lookin’ good!
A few giant shakes, and I had an extremely large, veggie-filled, protein-packed salad. I topped it with my favorite fig balsamic vinegar from Newport, and excitedly sat down in front of the tv. I also enjoyed some pretzel goldfish and “chemical water” on the side.
Let’s get this party started.
The BF teases me about this chemical water and its weird ingredients all the time. It’s one of our constant debates: chemical vs. natural food. More on that another time, but suffice it to say that I enjoy chugging my chemical water on “single lady nights.”
After you move in with someone, there is something so exciting about a night to yourself to just stretch out on the couch, eat weird food and watch extremely girlie television.
It just feels so…rebellious.
I don’t usually discuss television on the blog, but I must say, after a lackluster season, I was very pleased with this week’s episode. The Mr. America competition was mildly entertaining and the segment about Hurricane Sandy was truly touching. Whether it was a setup or not, I was definitely shedding a few tears when Des gave her date in Atlantic City to the couple who had lost their home to Sandy on their 38th anniversary.
Immediately, I thought about my parents who just celebrated their 40th anniversary. It was a beautiful moment, and whether made for tv or not, it shed light on a large group of people that still need a lot of help post-Hurricane Sandy.
And…that concludes the serious portion of this post.
Midway through the show, I greedily dug into my snack: pecan praline frozen yogurt topped with whipped cream and brownie goldfish (what else?). And I didn’t bother with the dish because I wanted to be as lazy as humanely possible.
Who needs a dish?
Following the Bachelorette, I completed my night of lazy reality television bliss by watching the finale of The Voice and eating more Goldfish. Danielle Badbery was crowned the winner, and I was happy to see a country girl winning that crown.
30 Days Until 30
Speaking of country, this Thursday the BF depart for Nashville to kick off what I am calling “30 Days Until 30.” Knowing what a die-hard country fan that I am, the BF planned a trip to Nashville to celebrate my 30th b-day…
Showing off my boots at my last bday present: Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean concert!
Only, apparently, he wasn’t looking closely when he booked the tickets and accidentally booked the trip a month early.
He was absolutely crushed when he shared these details with me…I was thrilled!
Mistake? What mistake? This is perfect!!
“It’s perfect!” I declared. “We can celebrate my 30th birthday for 30 days!”
Not sure he’s totally onboard with the concept, but we’ll get there. Trust me. To conclude the 30 days, we’ll be headed to Omaha, my hometown, for my actual 30th birthday, so that I can celebrate with the most important people in my life (and a giant margarita!). I can’t wait!
A Country Girl at Heart
I’ve written several times on this blog about what country music means to me. Whenever I was feeling homesick in the “big city,” I could always turn on a country tune and be instantly transported to home.
It’s not like I’m actually from a farm, and Omaha isn’t anything close to the prairie town that many people here on the east coast think it is. However, the simple lyrics of country songs often remind me of growing up in Omaha.
When I met the BF, he hated country music. Slowly, that hatred turned into distaste and then toleration. Now, finally, I think he’s embracing the country inside of him, and I couldn’t be prouder!
This weekend, we’re going to tour the Country Music Hall of Fame, hit up the Bluebird Cafe and go to as many honky-tonk bars as possible.
Nashville, here we come!
I can’t think of a better way to kick of the 30th B-Day festivities!
Question:
Have you ever made egg muffins? Any fun combinations?
Are you liking the Bachelorette this season?
Favorite country music song?
I will definitely be trying some egg muffins soon 🙂 Also, loved the last episode of the Bachelorette for the same reason, the couple that are rebuilding their home getting their anniversary date. Very touching.
Favorite country song, does Shania still count since she’s technically “crossed over”? My wedding song “From this Moment”
Awww I love “From this Moment.” Such a great song – I always liked that one. Yes Shania counts, even though she’s a bit too “pop” these days. She’s still country at heart.
Never had egg muffins; they sound awesome, though! I’ve also never seen the Bachelorette ….
Are you liking the Bachelorette this season?
I love Home by Phillip Phillips, and Big Green Tractor
I’m not loving it this season, but I keep watching because it’s just so entertaining :-). Big Green Tractor is a good one!
I’ve never had nor heard of egg muffins, which clearly needs to change! And I only watched the Bachelorette when Emily was on – did you watch that season?
Yes I did! I liked her in the beginning but I’m not sure I’m a fan of hers anymore. I feel like she’s a bit fake. Definitely try the egg muffins -they’re so easy!
I love the Bachelorette in terms of the guys (Drew!). I’m a total country fan and even had the chance to go to Stagecoach this year. Not sure which song I like most, but I do like Wagon Wheel and Wanted
Oh Drew is very good-looking. Not sure I feel like we’ve seen much of his personality yet – hopefully that’ll come ;-). Both songs are great – I’m a huge Darius Rucker fan
Love the egg muffins! I was just saying to my husband that I wanna eat eggs more for breakfast and this is a fantastic idea- thanks!
I was also really impressed by the Bachelorette episode, especially since I live in Jersey. It was nice to see them shed light on the hurricane relief and the story of the couple was very touching.
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