EPIC Pizza Eggplant

Do you ever get e-mails from a company or a newsletter that you automatically hit “delete” before you even read them?

 

I have a few I’ve should really unsubscribe to, due to lack of time to actually read them. This morning, I accidently opened the Hungry Girl Newsletter. I was still laying in bed, reading from my iPhone, when this picture caught my eye:

 

 

YUMMMM!

 

I read through the ingredients, and I had mostly everything I needed. I met Caitlin for a quick 3.0 mile run which ended in a trip to Publix to pick up an eggplant.

 

I made some changes to the original recipe based on what I wanted. I started out by hollowing out the center of an eggplant.

 

 

I chopped up the leftover eggplant, and added one organic italian sausage (crumbled), onion and green pepper and sautéed it all in a pan over medium-high heat.

 

 

I then mixed in two tablespoons tomato paste, two tablespoons italian bread crumbs, and one egg. I stuffed the eggplant with the mixture and baked for 30 minutes on 350F. I then topped with diced tomatoes and string cheese and popped it back in the oven for 10 minutes.

 

The results were EPIC.

 

 

It tasted SO good. I love finding recipes that sneak veggies in. I’m not even a huge eggplant fan and I thought this was amazing. My only complaint is that I was starving and it felt like it was taking FOREVER. Maybe not the perfect week-night meal, but if you have a bit of time, GO FOR IT!

 

 

I also had some pasta because I was so hungry. It honestly wasn’t necessary as the eggplant was extremely filling. Oh well!

 

 

Score!

 

Who knew eggplant could be so delicious?!

 

❤ MegaNerd

10k Trial Run

I had the best training run ever!

I’m signed up for a 10k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day (a week from tomorrow!) and I really wanted to see where I was speed-wise. Yesterday’s 4.0 miler was not too bad, but it wasn’t easy either.

This morning, I decided that I would let my BODY do its thing, and not let my mind get in the way.

I pounded out 6.2 miles (10k) to get a base time for next week. My legs felt SO fresh and ready to run fast!

I was so afraid that after such a big break (for me) I would have trouble getting back in. I realized that 90% of it was mental, only 10% physical. Everything felt the same, except for my mindset.

 

I finished my run in a total of 51:27!!! It rocked! I was smiling from ear to ear. 😀

 

Check out the Negative Splits!!!!!

Mile 1:  8:52

Mile 2:  8:38

Mile 3:  8:19

Mile 4:  8:05

Mile 5:  8:03

Mile 6:  7:56

Mile 6.2:  1:31 (7:37 pace!)

 

Before I left, I grabbed a hunk of CLIF bar on the way out.

 

When I got back, I took care of the toes… and got to making breakfast.

It was the quickest thing I could think of:

• Kashi H2H
• Granola
• milk
• flax
• strawberries

 

Lunch

For lunch I really needed to use up an eggplant that’s been here since last weekend’s trip to the farmer’s market.

First, I sprinkled the pieces with a bit of balsamic vinegar, then sprinkled salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme on them. I grilled the slices on my George Foreman for a few minutes on each side.

Along with it, I had some spaghetti, with fire roasted sauce. I know its boring, but I really like spaghetti!!!

Perfect!

I need to get to work on packing.

I leave for New Jersey at 6:00 am!!! I can’t wait to see my BFF Debbie!! 😀

 

What do you think? Is running more mentally or physically challenging?

 

❤ MegaNerd