Is A Good Thing!
Ally, Me, Michelle
The cookout was lots of fun – and look at the sun in the background, who decided to make an appearance!
I ate too much, but it was mostly healthy things. The husband made the BEST flatbread – grilled and doughy. I had about 7 triangles, all unphotographed due to spontaneity but mentioned for accountability 🙂
Other appetizers included a bean + corn dip, flax chips, cilantro pesto and hummus. I had a small nibble of each, but nothing significant. I didn’t want to spoil my appetite because I ate too much flatbread!
Glass of wine #1 (about 3 oz?)
Pour #2 (about 2 oz?)
The Grill!
Dinner tasted great!
On the menu:
Grilled zucchini, squash, asparagus and mushrooms plus a spinach salad with mango, almonds and goddess dressing and an all-American cheeseburger on a Trader Joe’s whole wheat bun with ketchup, mustard, pickles, lettuce and 2% cheddar cheese.
Veg –
Burger. It was good, but honestly I’m not sure it was worth almost 200 kcal for just the meat!
I was quite full and gave the last 1/5 or so of it to the husband –
Wine #3. I had a lot of glasses, but they were all pretty small pours. I probably had about 8 oz total throughout the night. I tried to take a photo of each to get an idea of the amount but it probably would have been more photogenic if I’d just had one big glass!!
Yeah, #4 came a little after while we were sitting and finishing dinner –
DESSERT!!! Michelle made the most delicious cream cheesy low-fat banana pudding and Ally’s peanut butter banana cupcakes were fabulous!! Yes, the icing was the best part
I also had a dollop of PB soy ice cream when I gave Ally some… You can tell we love bananas and peanut butter in this group! Yes, my serving of banana pudding was quite generous – but sooooo good!
I’m full, but not too full. I consumed my share of wine and treats, but most of my night was pretty healthy. Good times!
the husband says
Hey everybody, here’s the flatbread recipe.
Probably my easiest recipe to date. Go for it!
bikergurl says
Cool, am I first?
That looks like an awesome BBQ, so many good foods! I can’t wait until BBQ season! Those deserts look to die for, and yes yo can tell you all love PB and bananas but those are good things to love!
Amanda @ Down Home Dieting says
Looks like you had a great day. BBQ looks amazing, but the wine looks like the best part. Yum!
Romina says
Yum yum! Those grilled veggies look delish!
Kristen says
Mmmmm…can we get Michelle to share that banana pudding recipe?? Droolicious..
Nick says
The peanut butter desserts sound the best to me! But I love nothing more than grilled zucchini. Something about it is just incredible! Prior to grilling, I spray slices of zucchini with cooking spray and loads of garlic salt. I’ve tried other seasonings, but that is the best way to do it!
– The Peanut Butter Boy
Leng says
Oh my goodness! All that food looks so tempting and delicious! ESPECIALLY the grilled veggies. today I finally bought a grill pan (want a REAL grill, but I live in an apt), and I’m having panini tonight! Gosh my mouth is watering ~~~
Norah says
Hi All Readers,
I was wondering if anyone here read the article in this month’s self about disordered eating. I personally do not think I have disordered eating, but I think about food a lot and was wondering what you all thought about the issue. I mean Kath, obviously you think about food quite a bit, but I don’t think that means you don’t have a normal relationship with food. What do you think? Sometimes I think articles like this just make it worse because they make people think they are doing something wrong.
Camille says
Hey Kath,
My name is Camille and I’m a senior in highschool. I have been reading your blog ever since Christmas time when I came upon it accidentally.
I’m quite an overachiever and can be very obsessive. I have had an eating disorder and obsession with counting calories since I was in 8th grade. However, I never wanted to be emaciated looking so I was obsessed with making sure that my calorie intake NEVER exceeded my calorie needs and whenever it did, I would go crazy. I hardly ever ate any of the foods I used to love such as pasta, pizza etc.. and I lost much of my social life to this obsession.
I just wanted to let you know that your blog has helped me in so many ways. You give a great example of how to live a healthy lifestyle. I read your blog daily and try to follow your lifestyle in which you balance exercise, school work, and time with friends and family. I also have become less obsessive with my daily calorie intake because I see how relaxed you are when you have an occasional “splurge”. I have been making an effort to have your upbeat and relaxed manner towards food and learning how to love food, and not fear it. Also, thanks for posting all those awesome recipes. I can finally enjoy something that is delicious, healthy, and easy to make since you post pictures and easy to follow directions.
I will continue to read the blog as long as you have it. I know I sound a little nuts, but I really just want to say THANK YOU for having this blog. It is seriously one of the best food blogs out there on the internet and I always look forward to your colorful and cheerful posts! =)
-camille
PS: you and the “husband” make the cutest couple!!!
oatmeal says
Grilled veggies! Those are the best–especially zucchini…-drool- Sounds like you guys had quite a meal there! The banana pudding looks amazing…
Suzanne says
That spread looks so healthy and delicious! It’s so great that you can make a BBQ get-together so healthy. A lot of BBQs have some very naughty (but yummy) foods – chips, potato salads, pasta salads, etc. etc.
The husband’s flatbread look so good. Thanks for the recipe!
We’d also love the recipes for Michelle and Ally’s pudding and cupcakes too! 🙂
DId you put anything on the veggies before you grilled it? Cooking spray like PB Boy? We’re getting a grill this summer and would love some ideas. Thanks!
sirenjess says
I was watching the today show this morning and in New York city on Monday restaurants there are going to have to post on the menu the calories that are in the meals that people are ordering. They are doing this in an effort to combat obesity. What do you all think? I think that it might help but we really need to push people to make their own meals and become more active and I feel that it begins at a young age. I’m a teacher and I am always pushing my students to live more healthy lives by eating healthier and becoming more active.
B_Hlthy says
I would also LOVE Michelle’s banana pudding recipe… I make the regular fat kind ALL the time because my fiance’s southern mom insisted I know how to… Michelle’s looks much fluffier than reg. fat pudding so I’m curious…..
Looking at it- I wonder if it is a “mouse” more so than pudding– maybe low fat whip cream, blend with f.f cream cheese and sugar free fat free instant banana pudding..
Thats just my guess..hooray for final homework assignments and final research papers being done!
Kelly L. says
Oh oh oh banana pudding! I have been on this banana pudding kick for a while now and I can’t get off! Help me find a good “healthier” recipe. Michelle? Care to share?
Alyssa says
Camille,
I have an eating disorder (I’ve been in recovery for almost 4 years and am at a normal weight, doing pretty good). Please feel free to e-mail at [email protected] if you want to chat!
Mandy A says
Oh… I so want that PB cupcake recipe if she can spare it 🙂
Ally says
Hey everyone!
The PB cupcake recipe can actually be found in the book: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World.
I used the base of the ‘Banana Split Cupcake’ to make the Banana cupcake and then used the ‘Peanut Buttercream Frosting’ recipe.
I had a great time last night! 🙂
Ashley says
wow Kath what awonderful BBQ I absolutley adore grilled vegetables. I was wonderin gwhat kind of beef you bought for the burgers (like 80:20)?
Michelle says
Thanks for having us over! Ben and I had a great time and enjoyed hanging out with you guys and Ally. We will have to get together again sometime soon.
For all who requested…
Modified Paula Deen Nana Puddin’
4-6 ripe bananas
2 small boxes (1 oz.) of vanilla or french vanilla fat free/sugar free pudding (french vanilla is apparently hard to find) prepared with fat free milk
1 14 oz. can of Fat Free sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz. pack of fat free OR low fat cream cheese
1 12 oz. container of sugar/fat free cool whip
cookie of choice (I typically use Nilla Wafers but this time used organic cinnamon graham sticks)
Prepare pudding from directions and sit aside.
In separate bowl, whip together cream cheese and condensed milk until smooth…then fold in the cool whip and blend well.
Add cream cheese mixture into pudding and stir well. (sometimes I whip a few bananas in the mix too)
In a 13×9 dish add a layer of cookies topped by a layer of sliced bananas then pour pudding mixture over top. Cover top with cookies and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy! Makes a great semi-healthy summer dessert!
Kath says
Camille ,
Thanks for your comment – I’m so glad you find the blog helpful 🙂
Suzanne ,
Just cooking spray, S+P.
B_Hlthy,
HI!!!
Ashley ,
Good question 😉 We used 90% lean ground beef. There was some debate if it would “work” but the burgers turned out fine. Perhaps not the most fatty-flavorful I’ve ever had, but certainly a few hundred calories less than your typical ground chuck burger.
Michelle ,
Glad you guys had fun! Let me know when you’re up for a mid-week dinner – or if you’ll be in C-town next weekend (the 3rd of May)
Kath
Alex says
Isn’t Ally a senior in high school? Is it the best idea to picture her drinking wine on your blog? (Unless that’s grape juice in her glass and if so, my apologies)
Sidi says
This just reminds me of this Saturday bbq, the first one this year. Veggies on the bbq are great. We are not wine lovers, so beer be it.
Lullaby says
Alex, you took the words right out of my mouth.