I think the grass worked! I am feeling better.
Afternoon went like this:
Short class period with time to fit in a nice elliptical workout at Winthrop’s gym:
Tried two new bars today – disliked both. I had half of one and then decided I would feel emotionally unsatisfied for eating something I didn’t like so I tried another. Two bad bars does not a good bar make!
The Cocoa Mole LaraBar was the first one I have really not cared for. It was too spicy. The Luna bar just tasted like the epitome of fake. [I am parked at a stoplight, FYI!]
Then it was off to garden in the rain!
Lauri and I joined Betsy, the garden manager, and picked over 30 pounds of produce!
Beans, okra, tomatoes, jalapenos, green peppers.
And then Betsy made me plant onions!!!!!! The horror!!!!
After two hours in chilly drizzle, I was stoked for a hot shower and a delicious dinner.
We cooked a base of pasta. I got this Barilla Plus from Costco because it was very inexpensive. It was good. Tasted like whole wheat to me.
Eggplant. I cannot decide between sweet potato, butternut squash, okra and eggplant which is my very favorite veggie. LOVE them all.
We cooked the eggplant in a skillet in some canola oil, Worcestershire sauce and oregano until it was marshamallowy tender. We also sautéed a bag of kale in some garlic and a little water. We combined those over pasta and decided for a "sauce" we’d each do our own thing.
Mine was topped with 2 dates, 1 dried fig, 2 tbsp grated Parrano cheese and 2 tbsp fig goat cheese from Costco. It was HEAVENLY!
Matt made a tahini + hummus sauce for his. It was excellent too!
I amped up the atmosphere with candlelight to make it extra cozy
Lots Of Announcements!!!
1) Google Chrome released a whole line of browser themes today. I am in LOVE with the Kate Spade one!! I changed my Gmail theme to match 🙂
2) CONGRATS to Caitlin for selling her book on Operation Beautiful!! Enter a note for a chance to be in the book in this post.
3) For more info on how to use SpringPad, here’s their how-to video:
4) As I predicted, you guys crashed the Gmail video Screencast site! I am working to upgrade to a Pro Jing account and will get the videos on You Tube. Hoping to post #2 tomorrow!
6) I just spent over an hour reading and answer>ing emails. I got 1,000 today!
7) 22 minutes until GOSSIP GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Going to make a cup of tea and enjoy it.
Daria @ Daria Can Cook says
I love the way eggplant gets marshmallow-y – that’s the perfect description for that texture!
Priyanka says
I like the fresh look of G Chrome too but I don’t know why it is S-L-O-W. I tried uninstalling and reinstalling it but that did not help either. I know you won’t know why it does that but I was sharing it with you. I love my Mozilla and have chromified it to keep the chrome theme. Love my Mozilla all the more now! I would love to be a chrome girl only if it gets speedy!
thepinkpeppercorn says
Garden looks so gorgeous!!!
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
1000 emails? You’re very popular 🙂
Out of the veggies you lined up, my vote is for sweet potato
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I love eggplant and cheese…yum.
Whitney @ Lettuce Love says
All of the gardening looks like fun! And 1000 email, aren’t you miss popular!
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries says
Uh, I almost forgot about GG!! So, gracias!
And–both dinn bowls look divine; I really think they would have been INCREDIBLE mixed together haha 🙂
And OMG chrome themes!!!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I was going to check that out but I didn’t want to crash it. I’ll look forward to it when you get it up again.
I love your creativity with dinner. I want to get some more eggplant and never know what to do with it. I think I just need to be more adventurous.
Jenna says
Yum your dinner looks soo good! I love your photos during the fall/winter…your house just looks so darn cozy and cute!
Emily, homecookedem says
Glad to hear the grass worked!! 🙂
1,000 emails???!!!!!!! That’s probably what I get in month… WOW! 🙂
Weekly Bite says
OMG 1,000 emails!!! I know I was one of them 🙂 Thanks for replying!
So excited about the Kate Spade theme gmail!!!
This weather is all about the cozy feeling!
Morgan @ Life After Bagels says
I agree, Cocoa Mole larabars, ewwwwwwww!
kay (eating machine) says
i used to love the lunas in hs, and now they just taste so…. weird. can’t do ’em.
angieinatlanta says
That dinner looks comforting and yummy! And the atmosphere looks like a nice, casual, romantic dinner with your hubby!
amanda @ fake ginger says
I love that idea of a community garden. It looks like so much fun!
The google video was great fun this morning. Off to watch the new one!
Marisa (Trim The Fat) says
Such a productive day, Kath!
I love your pasta dish tonight:)
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i was just googling eggplant recipes and then i took a break to check out what kath ate for dinner – yay! eggplant! i’ll be using vegan wostershire sauce with mine!
sue says
i like that pic of the eggplant- it looks so dramatic!
Amelia says
I have the same problem with Luna bars! They always taste super fake to me. I feel like all the sugar makes them taste odd.
anonymous says
Hey Kath,
About a week or so ago, someone left a link on your blog to a banana peanut butter spread recipe. I really wanted to try it, but I can’t seem to find it again. By any chance do you know what I’m talking about?
I love your blog!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
1,000 emails?! omg! popular lady, you are 😉
Allison (Balance in Bites) says
Haha, I checked out Google Chrome this morning too and I was like THIS IS AWESOME.
Also, I gotta buy eggplant soon. I’m on a “no-grocery-shopping” spree (I grocery shop far too often, and I’m trying to use up some of the food in my pantry before I spend more money on new stuff) – but when I go shopping this Friday, I’ll definitely be picking some up. =)
Emily (A Nutritionist Eats) says
I’m so jealous that you have access to a garden like that! My parents have a pretty big one, but it is too far away for me to visit on a regular basis!
Deanna - the unnatural mother says
1,000 emails? That’s nuts!!!
What I LOVE about this post is the fact that you didn’t continue to eat the bars, because you would feel emotionally unsatisfied. I am so working on that, and it’s comforting to read it from other peeps!!
Thanks!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Love the pasta toppings! Sweet + savory is the best combo. 🙂
Jenn
Lizzy says
eggplant is my favorite too. i have so many sitting in my fridge so i think i’ll use it and hopefully use your recipe! 🙂 thanks!
Kat (Kat's Daily Plate) says
OOOH noooo! I missed Gossip GIrl!!! Thanks for reminding me!
Jenna says
lots of fresh yummy produce!!
jenna
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
oh eggplant, I wish I could get over your weird texture… I Kate Spade’d my gmail as soon as I saw this! so cute!
Heather says
I can’t believe you got 1,000 emails – I would be so overwhelmed – I guess that is why you are so organized with your gmail!
What did you think of Gossip Girl – I don’t think it has been as good as past seasons…
becca says
GOSSIP GIRL <3 MY FAV SHOW!!
Pam (Pamcakes and Eggs) says
Butternut squash > eggplant. I do LOVE eggplant though. I really need to try out some okra. Thanks for the lovely veggie bowl ideas!
Whitney says
lol @ your onion planting! And 1000 e-mails?!?!?!?!?! I would be scared. Very scared.
emmy - eatventures says
I can’t get over your “like marshmellow” description, I put eggplant on the grocery list for next week!
Janna (Just Flourishing) says
WOw does that pasta dish ever look good. i think i might need to make it for myself!
Thanks for the videos they are so helpful.
And I really should look into google chrome. I’ve been wanting to try it. Is it really that good?
Tamara Lea says
Even in the rain that gardening looks enticing!!
I need to check out Google Chrome. I’m so technically challenged, I could use the help!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
I spot a Duke shirt sitting across the din din table 🙂 Hi Matt!
cassandra says
Hey Kath
I have commented before but under a different alias:) I have a new blog so check it out!
I love this post, the night over here is cold (for LA) and it looks so nice and Fall-ey by you. The garden is so cool! I am dying to plant my own veggies or at least join a community garden.
Keep up the excellent work at school and in the kitchen!
Cassandra
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
So glad to hear you’re feeling better as the day wore on. LOVE all those fresh veggies. I’m so sad to have their season end!
That dinner looks fabulous. I haven’t tried that pasta, but it doesn’t sound too bad!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Oh no I just bought that cocoa mole larabar! Oh well. Your dinner looks great – a really interesting combination!
Laura @ Backstage Pass to Health & Happiness says
Yum, the pasta looks great! Love the fig + cheese combo of toppings.
~Laura
AnnQ says
The produce looks fantastic! 🙂
Diana says
That dinner looks awesome.
And planting onions ahah That must be so cool 🙂
Naomi (onefitfoodie) says
1000 emails?!?! wowwww you are awesome for responding to each and every one!
your dinner looks fabulous! the combo of the goatcheese, dried fruit and pasta with veggies sounds amazing!!
christie, honoring health says
I didn’t like that larabar either, I agree, too spicy!
I love the new google chrome theme, I need to poke around and change mine! You are such a tech guru!
Paige says
Holy crap – 1,000 emails?! Good thing you know a thing or two about Gmail 😉
Sounds like you had fun in the garden!
Jac says
i’m with you on eggplants! i’ll be sure to try out the way u cooked it!
Jac says
oh and thanks so much for the update on the themes~~
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says
I love the way you incorporate a ton of veggies into your pasta dishes! It makes them more filling on less calories… love it.
Kristie says
I wasn’t a fan of the cocoa mole Larabar either. Bleh.
I AM, however, a fan of that giant produce haul! And how much more satisfying that you had to work for it too haha.
I’m tempted to try out google chrome now just cause of you. Might be happening soon!
1000 emails though?!? You’re a madwoman!
CaSaundra says
That pasta dish looks divine even though I am not the biggest pasta fan! 1000 emails?! Goodness!
Kath says
Re. Emails – I didn’t literally get 1,000!! I guess I didn’t clarify the sarcasm 🙂 But I may very well have!
Priyanka,
Mine isn’t slow at all. Faster than Firefox. Maybe you should uninstall again?
anonymous,
It was Chocolate Covered Katie’s Banana Peanut Butter.
Emily,
I don’t get to take any veggies home though, as they are all for charity.
Kath
Tina says
Mmm can never get enough fall and winter vegetables! And goat cheese always makes a dish complete.
Anne Marie@New Weigh of Life says
30 pounds of produce? That’s amazing!
anonymous says
Thanks Kath! Thanks so much!
Danica says
You dinner looks amazing and so do the pictures. LOVE the photography.
So 1,000+ emails in one day scares me 🙂 Great job at slamming them out in an hour.
courtney says
your gmail is so pretty! i tried changing my theme and it won’t let me! 🙁 how did you do it??