I have been excited to make this since last night. I love when making up a new recipe can do that to me!

As you may know, I’m on Operation Clean-Out-The-Pantry. Before I resort to buying any more food, I am going to check my pantry first. The December budget is tight, so this plan is in full effect until the new year. I’ve had this box for months now (so long I had to check the expiration date!):

Sweet Potato, Broccoli and Sage Lasagna

Time: 20 minutes prep, 15 minutes cook

Ingredients

• Two large sweet potatoes
• Two heads of broccoli
• Whole wheat lasagna noodles
• Mozzarella
• Sage
• Salt
• Pepper
• Milk (one splash)

Directions

I decided to take the quick and easy route, so I microwaved everything instead of cooking on the stove.

1. Boil lasagna noodles

2. While that’s going, chop sweet potatoes and cook in the microwave until soft.

3. Add broccoli to the microwave and cook until soft.

4. Remove potatoes and place into a blender or food processor. Add salt, pepper and sage. Blend until smooth.

5. Add sweet potato puree to the broccoli.

6. Layer the lasagna noodles, the puree/broccoli mixture and cheese until you reach the top. Hopefully you don’t run out of puree like I did. It should look like this before putting it in the oven:

7. Add some cheese on top at the end. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

It should come out looking like this:

So delicious and filling. This was hands down the best meal I’ve ever made.

The perfect portion for my little old placemat replacement.

Make this and eat it now! The secret is in the sage

So a weird thing happened to me while I was at the gym today. I was running on the treadmill (or rather, trying to run) but the incline wouldn’t decline. I kept hitting the buttons, getting off and on to check, repeat, repeat. That’s when the girl next to me stopped her treadmill and the conversation went something like this:

Girl: This is going to sound really weird, but I think I know you.

Me: There’s no way this girl knows me.

Girl: Do you blog?

Me: (surprised) Yeah, I do.

Girl: Is the word lobster in the title?

Me: Yeah, On a Lobster Placemat.

Girl: I’ve read it before. I knew I recognized you!

Hello out there, Natasha (I think that was your name – we only talked for a few minutes!), if you’re reading it was nice to meet you!

Never in a million years did I think a reader would be at my work gym. She was a student at the university where I work. Small world! This is actually my first “blog siting” in the real world. How cool

I didn’t end up running next to Natasha because the treadmill was busted, so instead I went to another level and put in a quick two miles. Nothing more, nothing less. Very little time today. This wasn’t part of my training plan, but after having two bad runs in a row and sitting all day, I just wanted to move.

When I got home, we had some fish for dinner, courtesy of Bill’s parents who sent us some Omaha Steaks a while back.

Nothing like some stuffed sole to quickly throw in the oven after a long day. They are individually wrapped, so it’s super easy.

Just put on a pan, bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes and voila.

Sole is a very buttery fish, so it doesn’t get dry in the oven. I hate to use the word “succulent” because I see that all the time in descriptions, but it has its place here – this fish is definitely succulent. I gobbled up the piece pretty quickly I served it with a side of fresh broccoli from the co-op.

After dinner, I watched an episode of Glee (my new obsession) and watched  Scone climb the mountain of blankets in order to get to his favorite thing:

Sorry, gato. No plant for you. Why do you think it’s so high up in the first place?

I’ve been muy productive in preparation for my trip to – you guessed it – Indiana! I cleaned the kitchen (quite thoroughly, I might add), I’m doing laundry as we speak and I’m getting a headstart on my homework for next week. Not gonna lie though, I think I’m gonna put on Episode 4 of Glee.

Looks like someone’s hooked.

A few questions:

Would anyone be up for guest blogging while I’m in Indiana? I would need to the post by – eeek- Thursday. I know that’s cutting it close, so no worries! Please send to onalobsterplacemat AT gmail DOT com. All entries of any sort are welcome!

Does anyone know of any running trails in Bloomington, Indiana? Preferably something flat. I have to run 6 miles on Sunday.

So, I’m pretty sure I sweated out a lot of wine at the gym tonight. And thank goodness. Sometimes, it’s the little things.

Tonight was Day 1 of me getting back into running. With another half marathon on the immediate horizon, I gotta get the mileage going. I ran 3 miles on the treadmill and then lifted for about 15 minutes. I felt really, really good.

Tonight reminded me of how much I love running. I love zoning out, not thinking. Or letting my thoughts come in and out, addressing them – but not focusing long. It’s better than meditation for me because I’m slightly more engaged.

When I got home, I was so excited to see a package from Shannon over at the Daily Balance! I won her Fashion Friday a few weeks back!

I love the little Luna! How cute.

Bill made dinner while I was at the gym. I know he’s a gem – trust me. Few men like cooking as much as he does, and I’m a lucky girl. Especially during training season.

We had tofu and broccoli in a teriyaki soy sauce.

I could have eaten two bowls. I was really hungry today.

Gracias, Bill. You = the best!

On Being Yourself

How much of yourself do you put on your blog? This has been something I’ve been wondering about myself, especially in recent months.

Is it only about food? Or do you add in personal elements?

Is it a daily journal? Or a recipe keeper?

A friend recently said to me that I wasn’t “myself” on my blog, and the comment really got to me. The friend mentioned how emotional I can be – and that those emotions aren’t necessarily represented on the blog.

It’s definitely true. I don’t necessarily spew my emotions all over the internet world, and with good reason.

Blogging is an outlet for me. It’s a way for me to always stay positive, no matter what’s going on. When all else fails in life, there is always good food and exercise. There is always a healthy balance. There is always all of you reading, right now, who keep me going.

At the same time, I try to stay true to who I really am – and I’m always honest about what I write.

How much of yourself do you share on your blog?