This morning, I met up with my friend Jen for a run before school.
We covered 7 miles in 60 minutes, which is very close to 8:30 minutes/mile. I like that running with someone else pushes me to go faster.
I’d like to think I’m pretty good about pushing myself, but there is just something about having someone else there to push me that makes me go faster! 🙂
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I’ve been trying to make 1-2 meals on the weekends so I don’t have to worry about making something when I get home in the evening after work because I am way too hungry (and too impatient) to take the time to cook something.
Plus, we often have other things going on in the evenings, so it is just easier to have something to reheat.
On Sunday, I made this Eggplant Parmesan dish.
I haven’t cooked with eggplant all that much, but I wanted to get over my fear of it, so I decided to try this recipe out!
It was definitely a hit with both Craig and I! Craig said it tasted just like lasagna!
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Eggplant Parmesan
(Based off the recipe found in Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Magazine, August/September. 2011 issue.)
Ingredients
3 eggs
2 cups panko (Japanse) bread crumbs
2 medium eggplants, cut into 1/4 inch slices
2 jars (4.5 oz each) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 cup shredded mozzarella/cheddar cheese mixture
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 jar (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce
Directions
1. Spray baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Beat eggs in a shallow dish.
3. Pour bread crumbs into a separate shallow dish. (I used about 1/4 cup at a time.)
4. Dredge eggplant in egg then coat in bread crumbs. Place on baking sheet.
5. Bake eggplant at 350* for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, flipping half-way through.
6. Combine mushrooms, basil, and oregano in a small bowl.
7. In a separate bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
8. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
9. Layer the pan with the following (1/3 of each): mushroom mixture, spaghetti sauce, roasted eggplant, cheese. Repeat for a total of three layers.
10. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese is melted.
Enjoy!
Hey Michelle:
Here’s a tip to get through the LONG and miserable Alaska winter: Full spectrum lights. You can pick them up at the Natural Pantry and OMG, the change is amazing. If that’s not enough sun-smack, you can get a lightbox from Amazon for about $100. My first year in Alaska, long, long ago, I fell into a major funk. I don’t think I could survive without my full spectrum lights–truly!
Cheers and happy running,
Is this the same as the S.A.D. lights?
Hey Michelle:
Here’s a tip to get through the LONG and miserable Alaska winter: Full spectrum lights. You can pick them up at the Natural Pantry and OMG, the change is amazing. If that’s not enough sun-smack, you can get a lightbox from Amazon for about $100. My first year in Alaska, long, long ago, I fell into a major funk. I don’t think I could survive without my full spectrum lights–truly!
Cheers and happy running,
Is this the same as the S.A.D. lights?
How do you run so much in the morning before school? As a teacher myself, I have to do my running in the afternoon. I’m not as fast as you, but what time do you have to get up and how do you deal with running in the dark?
It probably helps that school doesn’t start until 9 a.m.–although I am there 30-45 minutes prior. I get up at 5 a.m. to run. And as far as running in the dark, I guess it doesn’t worry/scare me like other people!?!?!
How do you run so much in the morning before school? As a teacher myself, I have to do my running in the afternoon. I’m not as fast as you, but what time do you have to get up and how do you deal with running in the dark?
It probably helps that school doesn’t start until 9 a.m.–although I am there 30-45 minutes prior. I get up at 5 a.m. to run. And as far as running in the dark, I guess it doesn’t worry/scare me like other people!?!?!
YUM- sounds awesome!! I love eggplant! My husband always says he doesn’t like it. But then, when I prepare it for dinner- he gobbles it up.
Have you ever thought about moving away from Alaska (like, seriously)? It seems SO beautiful and amazing, but the winters would be the death of me!
Oh, YES!! I’ve thought about moving out of state for 3 years for now!! The hardest part is that my husband doesn’t want to move.
Winters are the death of me (although the summers aren’t much better). The darkness and length of winter are awful for me!
YUM- sounds awesome!! I love eggplant! My husband always says he doesn’t like it. But then, when I prepare it for dinner- he gobbles it up.
Have you ever thought about moving away from Alaska (like, seriously)? It seems SO beautiful and amazing, but the winters would be the death of me!
Oh, YES!! I’ve thought about moving out of state for 3 years for now!! The hardest part is that my husband doesn’t want to move.
Winters are the death of me (although the summers aren’t much better). The darkness and length of winter are awful for me!
sounds great!
sounds great!