croissant croissant CRRRROOIIISSANT baggUEEETTEE du fromage.

That's the French National Anthem according to my friend Britt. And in honor of Bastille Day (La fete nationale) I decided to make my favorite dish that I ate ALL THE TIME in France. The quiche. The French love them and in fact make them in small serving sizes. We used to grab a quiche to go in your local boulangerie. I love France and I love French cooking. I love everything about the culture. I am happy I decided to go with a dish that is so versatile. Thought to have originated in western France, a quiche can be made with really anything you want! Seriously...anything.

I'm feeling very citoyenish today. Liberite. Egalite. Fraternite.

Ingredients

1 (10-ounce) can refrigerated pizza crust
Cooking spray
1 (10-ounce) Green Giant Spinach (Weight Watchers approved)
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons green onions
1 cup evaporated skim milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 large egg whites
1 large egg
3/4 cup sauteed onions
1/3 cup chopped turkey bacon
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shredded Swiss cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.
Shape the dough into a 4-inch circle; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Roll the dough into an 11-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray, and flute.
Combine the spinach, sour cream, and shallots in a small bowl. Combine the evaporated milk, salt, pepper, egg whites, and egg in a medium bowl, and stir well with a whisk. Stir 1/3 cup milk mixture into spinach mixture. Spoon the spinach mixture into bottom of prepared crust. Add Caramelized Onions, and top with bacon and cheese. Pour the remaining milk mixture over cheese. Place pie plate on a baking sheet, and bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until set. Let quiche stand 10 minutes.

This was so FREAKING DELICIOUS. This was a little more complicated than I'm used too but oh man. This was gooooooood. 

Here's the nutrition values!


Calories: 261
Calories from fat: 22%
Fat: 6.3g
Saturated fat: 2.3g
Protein: 12.6g
Carbohydrate: 35g
Fiber: 2.7g

This yields about 6 servings.  Bon Appetit.

RUN KATIE RUN....okay.

I have never been a runner. I don't know how I feel about running but today I ran. I usually do the Arc Trainer for 30 minutes then do some strength training. Today, I strayed from the usual. I got on the treadmill and walked for 10 minutes and ran for another 6 minutes and 11 seconds. That's how long my mile is as of today. I walked/ran my first mile in 16:11. I don't think I actually timed myself on a mile since high school and that was a joke. On the Arc Trainer, I usually complete "1.51 miles" in 30 minutes. Of course, I don't really believe that. I think it's less than that. I like how I felt while I was running. It felt good and I felt like I was accomplishing something. My friend Julia said she wanted to run with me and I told her she needed to teach me how to run. I feel like there's a technique to running and I probably don't have the right one. I got a LOT of fat on me so there's a lot moving on my body as I run but it was sort of a high. I've been reading about how to training to for a 5 ks and I see that you should run/walk in intervals. I'm not coordinated enough to do that with a treadmill. My plan is to walk for 10 minutes and run for 5 for one full week. I would like to then move it to 9 minutes walk/6 minutes run and continue the pattern. I like to imagine I'm Forest Gump and those hillbillies are running after me. It makes me laugh and makes want to run. So here's go nottthhhiinnng.

I've also changed my eating habits. I eat 3 meals a day with 2 small snacks in the middle of the those meals. These meals are not just one thing. I incorporate veggies or fruits with my main course. This helps boast the metabolism. I'm trying to eat every 2-3 hours. This is so important because I won't over eat when I do sit down to each meal. I used to SAY I ate 3 meals a day which is total bull shit. I ate 3 meals a day with snacks, snacks, snacks and over ate a lot. Yes I'm hungry but I'm always hungry. My body is used to more calories and more crap. I make sure to drink 64 oz of water everyday using my water bottle. It's the small things that help you manage your eating.

Meatless Monday.

I'm starting to feel like might titles have all this sexual/drug undertones. I decided to go vegetarian for the night and go for the beans. I watched a video on my favorite website www.cookinglight.com about super foods and beans is one. Beans, beans, the magical fruit...well you know. I saw this recipe on their Facebook page and decided to make a bigger portion so I could eat it throughout the week. Looking back, I would not add the cheese right away but add it as I service. It's simple. It's light. It's filling.


I also forgot my basil and balsamic vinegar. Whoops.

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cups chopped tomato
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups hot cooked angel hair (about 6 ounces uncooked pasta)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Asiago cheese
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• Basil sprigs (optional)

Preparation

• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomato and garlic, and sauté 2 minutes. Add pasta, basil, salt, pepper, and chickpeas; cook 2 minutes. Place mixture in a bowl; stir in cheese and vinegar, and garnish with basil, if desired.

Nutritional Information (1 serving = 1.25 cups)

Calorie: 376
Fat: 8.7g
Protein: 17.5g
Carbohydrates: 57.8g
Fiber: 4.7g