Does anyone else spend the first part of their Monday mornings picking through their e-mails from the weekend?
It always surprises me how many work e-mails I receive over the weekend. My whole morning was spent researching and responding to a back log of e-mails that were sent on either Saturday or Sunday. What happened to just enjoying the weekend?
Some of you may remember that last week the folks at Quaker sent me a lovely package of their updated True Delights line to review and sample.
Fresh out of the box I tried the True Delights Dark Chocolate Mocha Hazelnut Cafe Square (review here) and mid-morning I broke out the True Delights Vanilla Creme Brulee Rice Snacks.
Since one serving (8 cakes) is only 60 calories and these babies are similar to eating air, I loaded up my tuperware this morning with as many rice cakes as it could handle.
The ingredient list wasn’t horrible on these babies (HFS was surprisingly missing – way to go Quaker! 
) and they were actually quite sweet and tasty. Yes, they were like eating air and would never make for a substantial snack, but for satisfying a sweet tooth I give them two thumbs up. 
For some reason my mind has been drawing a blank lately for fun, original meals. I am just not finding the inspiration I usually do at the Supermarkets like I used to. Perhaps a revamp in my weekly purchases is in order?
When absolutely nothing calls out at me in the fridge, my go-to back up tends to be a big ole salad.
- Spinach
- Tofu
- Cheese
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Tomato
- Olives
- Hummus
- Balsamic Vinegar
With toasted challah bread.
Perhaps inspiration will return for dinner. Anyone have any ideas?!?!
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
i’m in the same boat…meal creativity has gone flying out the window! i’m flipping through magazines for ideas – whether i use the actual recipe or not it always gives me an idea to go off of!
I’d be interested to see the ingredients in those. I was shocked to see splenda being used on the apple cinnamon variety, and trans fats on the cheddar ones. I’ve kind of lost faith in the quaker :-/
From Quaker’s website
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS: WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, BROWN SUGAR, CORN (WITH GERM REMOVED), MALTODEXTRIN, MILK, SALT, SUGAR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SOY LECITHIN.
Thanks for the info!
I hate it when I lose my meal creativity mojo – it happens like every two weeks or so! I find it helps to read a load of cookbooks or magazines (like Heather said above) – or to just embrace it and be dull, cos you know you’ll get it back
My meals have been plain and simple lately too–so a lot of salads! I attribute it to my busy-ness and not having time to go grocery shopping. I’m trying to spice it up with my snacks and salad themes though.
There’s nothign wrong with a salad esp when it looks as good as yours!!
I’m making lemon balsamic chicken and whole wheat pasta with broccoli. I’m excited because I love the flavor combination.
I have had ZERO creativity lately, so I am welcoming this question. Can’t wait to read the other comments!
Hey the salad looks pretty good to me! I personally LOVE soba noodles and have done a few different recipes on my blog mostly with veggies and tofu and asian seasonings.. ginger, garlic, soy sauce, fish sauce, chili paste… yum! I am also going to be doing a cream of asparagus soup soon, without the cream so I’ll shoot you an email when I put that up.. its easy and delicious!
Yes please! that does sound good!!
I love things like rice cakes, but I agree with you on the “eating air” thing– it’s just not worth it for me!
I’ve been lacking in meal creativity lately too!!
I think tonight we will try something with couscous, maybe chicken and pineapple with couscous. Or a turkey smoked sausage with mixed veggies and couscous. Exciting stuff!!
I just did a stir fry that I just came up with all in my head yesterday! Complete with steam fish and quinoa!
I love Vanilla Creme Brulee Rice Snacks!!!! They’re an awesome mindless snack:)
I hope your work sched gets back on track!
Since you’re lookin for some dinner inspiration, I’ll share with you what I plan on making tonight. I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday. I’m having a taco bowl made with cooked peppers, onion, mushrooms; canned diced tomato with jalapeno; black beans and canned chicken breast; a sprinkle of taco seasoning; all mixed in with a serving of brown rice and topped with a sprinkle of reduced fat cheddar cheese. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
I made the decision to add all my emails to my Iphone, and now it’s constantly going off. lol Those Rice snacks look good, the thought of air makes me think I’d have to eat more than one bag!
I think a good way to try new recipes is to pick a veggie or ingredient you have never cooked with (most often because you don’t know how to) and find a recipe/instructions on how to.
I love searching allrecipes.com and finding 5 star recipes, then modifying them to my taste.
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy following your blog—-it makes me hungry every time, but the ideas for recipes are great. I am actually writing this as my version of your cabbage and potato soup stews on the burner (I added some Smart Sausage, Italian style)–smells good.
Thank you again.
I’ve been in such a meal rut while traveling. It’s easier and cheaper to just make a big pot of whatever — usually lentils, veggies and couscous — and then eat that for three or four days straight. :/
i love to bake challah bread. i never put raisins in it though.
Hi! I just wanted to thank you for sharing your pre-race meals on here. I always have a hard time finding the right meal to keep me full and energized without me getting awful side cramps. I ran my second half marathon yesterday and took inspiration from your favorite fuel and did toast with peanut butter and half a banana on top. I was satisfied the entire race and not once did I get a side cramp-it allowed me to finish with a new PR of 2:09!!!
I love the pomegranate variety of the crisps! Yum-ville.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your heart bowl…anything that is served in cute dishes always tastes better!
Ah i love big salads…looks DELISH!
sara
http://eatmanhattan.wordpress.com/
Thai Chicken Fetticiune! Love it…chicken and fetticiune with salsa, peanut butter mixture!
That bread and salad look amazing!
Salads are always amazing
I’m sure you’ll think of something creative. & that challah bread sure looks good
For dinner, try baked pecan and maple pork chops. If you feel like going veggie, tofu works just the same.
Dredge the protein in a light egg wash, then pat it in some finely crushed pecans, mixed with maple syrup.
Bake in the oven at 350 until brown and toasty.
Enjoy!!
I have times like that when my creativity is pretty much non-existent. It happens sometimes! It’s kinda like writer’s block
Meghann! You’re running Chicago?! That’s so great- the course is flat and fast, I hear. You need to arrange a blogget meet-up!
Yay Chicago!! You need to arrange a blogger meet-up while you’re there!
My favorite stand by food is Trader Joe’s ravioli with either a little olive oil and shredded parmesan cheese or pesto. Mmmm!
Those bad boys don’t look too bad- a little nut butter or nutella might help them out!
Do you worry about your sugar intake ever? Not that you eat a ton, I’m just curious..
I don’t. I probably eat more sugar that I should, but I blame my massive sweet tooth for that. In all honesty it could be much, much worse.
For meal ideas I like the blog Closet Cooking. My favorite recipe on that blog is butternut squash with crispy fried sage and gorgonzola. Have you ever had okonomiyaki? http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2009/05/okonomiyaki-japanese-pancake.html
Or, if you have coconut milk you could make a Thai curry?
YUM – those cakes looked so good!
You´re so lucky to sample all those goodies, girl
Have a great week, Meghann!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
I am planning tonight to have tilapia encrusted with almond meal (from TJs) and pecans with cornbread and lentils.