Enter, easy eggplant pizza.

Seriously, guys, if you’re not using the Trader Joe’s pizza dough, you’re missing out. I portion mine ahead of time and then freeze all of the dough. It’s easy to just take out the amount I want for dinner that night and let it defrost while I’m at work.

Tonight’s pizza was topped with marinated eggplant, spinach, onion, green pepper, diced tomatoes, fresh basil & dill and chili powder.

While jogging after work, I was having serious cravings for Mexican food (Brittany was talking up all the good food she had while vacationing in North Carolina) but as usual, I’m always glad when I stick to the original plan and cook instead.

Plus, now I can start meal planning something Mexican to cook tomorrow night. Total win-win for both my budget and my waistline.

Before dinner, I ate a big spinach salad in one of my new bowls from HomeGoods.

Love the color and the cabbage-esque design! And a total steal for $3.99, too! I’ll reveal the rest of my HomeGoods finds later this week.

Just ate an apple cinnamon muffin with Amish market apple butter — you can never have too much apple! — and settled down to watch ‘Glee’ with the roomie. It’s basically what we both wish had school had been like, with people breaking out in song walking down the hall.

Although now that I think about it, I do remember breaking into song more than once in the middle of the halls. Maybe our school was a little like ‘Glee’!

How do you reuse leftovers? Do you eat them the same way or come up with new combinations?

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Okay, maybe not quite that many… but I have a lot!

I’m trying to incorporate them into more dishes starting with yesterday’s breakfast (yes, I’m stepping back in time): Apple Spice Oat Cakes, based on this recipe. (really want to make the original version too!)

Before starting, I cored, peeled and chopped one apple and sprinkled a little cinnamon on top. I also mixed in a couple tablespoons of water and microwaved that for 3 minutes so the apple would soften. Add half of the apples to the rest of the ingredients (the other half is for topping):

Using what was in the cabinets, I combined:

1/4 cup oats
1/4 oat bran
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

I love this recipe because it’s egg-free (I never have eggs on-hand) and so versatile.

Mix all of the ingredients together along with half of the apples and form pancakes in a pan coated with cooked spray. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Top with the remaining apples and a little maple syrup.

So good! I rarely make pancakes for breakfast so this was a nice change of pace. Plus, my mom has a patio so it was fantastic to eat outside. My next apartment definitely needs a balcony.

Later in the afternoon, I was still in a baking mood and made a batch of Vegan Apple Cinnamon Muffins.

I like them chunky.

In place of egg in the recipe, I used a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water):

1 cup oat bran
1 1/4 whole wheat flour
2 tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup applesauce, unsweetened
2 gala apples, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mix wet and dry ingredients separately before combining, adding the apples last. Spoon into muffin tins and bake for 15 minutes at 400*. The house will begin to smell amazing as they cook on.

These are definitely my snack for the rest of the week!

What’s your favorite apple recipe? I still have tons of fruit to get through!

So many fresh tastes thanks to Saturday’s fantastic farmer’s market! I grilled the eggplant in a marinade recommended by Allie: 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp dijon mustard and a dash of S&P. 5 minutes on each side and served on a potato roll with fresh spinach, tomato, onion and dill.

All that’s missing is the ketchup.

On the side, roasted potatoes and green beans tossed with olive oil, S&P and parsley and popped in a 400* oven for 40 minutes.

I love dinners like this. Really fresh and filling, but also easy to prepare. That’s my kind of dinner!

So last night I was flipping the channels while at my mom’s house and stumbled onto this beauty.

Let’s go in for a closer look:

Would you want to buy clothes from this woman? Don’t get me wrong, I love a good sparkle but is a sweatband necessary?

I have been absolutely exhausted this weekend and can’t figure out why. It’s times like these I wish I could sleep later than 7:30 on weekend mornings. At least I’m great at going to bed at night!

What time do you wake up on weekends when you don’t have to set an alarm? I always thought it was strange that my parents woke up so early when they didn’t have work but now… that’s me!

Back to Westminster adventures… (if you missed part 1, be sure to check out the homemade pie & ice cream!)

After eating to our hearts’ and stomachs’ content, it was time to check out the adjacent farmer’s market. Look at the huge squash Allie found:

There was so much fresh, local, gorgeous produce to be had.

Allie and I were actually so inspired by all the stunning produce that we started thinking of a new concept for a blog to do together–because, you know, I don’t have enough blogs. We’re still working out the details but I’ll definitely let you all know!

This was the first week I’ve seen pumpkins at the farmer’s market. Guess fall really is just around the corner. I’ve never actually cooked a pumpkin, though, choosing instead to buy the canned pureed stuff. How do/can/should I prepare pumpkin?

I walked away with a bag brimming with apples, green beans, peppers, tomatoes and an eggplant. Expect to see them all show up in dinners this week, with a great recipe for eggplant burgers coming soon.

We headed back to Allie’s house before driving home. Her family has two horses, Moe and Tony.

Confession: Horses freak me out a little. They are just so big. With big teeth. And big muscles. I tried feeding Tony but… yea, after two botched attempts at handing him an apple, I let Allie take care of the snack.

Can horses sense apprehension?

What a beautiful day! It was definitely ideal for driving in the country, being in the sunshine and kicking off a long weekend.

Driving home, we stopped at Home Goods and I picked up some super cute dishes and a dresser! All will be revealed later this week.

Time to head off for church and brunch. You know, the usual Sunday routine. See ya later!

I actually can’t believe that was today. This was one of those days that seemed to go on forever but it’s catching up with me now!

Allie grew up in Westminster, Md., and I’ve visited a few times since knowing her. (Fun fact: Allie was my random roommate freshmen year of college!) She always talks up Baugher’s, a local restaurant and orchard that’s been around for more than 100 years!

I’d been before for homemade ice cream (made on-site with an antique machine) but this time, we were prepared for the full food experience. It was past 3:30 by the time we sat down for a late lunch/early dinner and the place was already packed. I guess when ‘dinner’ service starts a 4, you want to get a head start!

We were both pretty beat so coffee and iced water was in order. No frills with the coffee here!

Friends joked before heading up to Westminster that a vegetarian would find nothing to eat at Baugher’s. I was surprised, though, to see a range of veggie options on the extensive (and cheap!) menu. After all, it’s part of a huge family-run farm, so there were lots of entrees using local veggies.

I started with a cup of tomato-barley soup and a piece of cornbread the size of my head. It was epic.

For linner (lunch/dinner), I oped for a veggie wrap: zucchini, squash, sweet peppers, eggplant, pickles… what am I forgetting?

Allie was more adventurous and chose the hot turkey w/ gravy and fries. I stole a few (okay, a lot!) of fries, natch.

Classic.

But wait, there’s more! You can’t go to Baugher’s without ordering dessert–it just wouldn’t be polite! After all, it’s made right there in the restaurant.

We split a slice of apple crumb pie and a scoop of chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

No words.

Holy cow.

Eating so late spoiled my appetite for a ‘real’ dinner so let’s just call this dinner as part of the September Challenge. The senior citizens and I love a good early bird special.

Tomorrow morning: farmer’s market finds (the first pumpkins of the season!) and adventures with horses.

Ice cream: what’s your favorite flavor? I’ve voted in the past for mint choco chip but this choco PB rocked my world!

I got up and, after reading the paper for a bit, knew I wanted to head outside immediately. I ended up doing a five-mile loop, walking while listening to ‘This American Life’ on my iPod.

Because I’m meeting friends shortly, there wasn’t time to head over to the C&O Canal for my walk, but it’s definitely somewhere I want to work out more since it was so lovely last weekend.

The canal stretches 184.5 miles from DC to Cumberland, Md. It’s pretty dry right now but at other times of the year, the water overflows the banks and spills onto the towpath.

The canal was built between 1828 and 1850. Many of the historic buildings are still standing and now operate as visitor centers and information booths. It’s a pretty place to walk, run or bike any time of the year.

Look at that sky! This was my weekly photo for Around the Corner:

I’d love to live in a little whitewashed stone house with turquoise shutters. It may be small, but it’s adorable!

After completing 5 miles this morning, I was more than ready for a big bowl of breakfast ice cream. Perfect way to cool down!

I’m picking up Allie and Simone at the Metro shortly and we’re heading up to Westminster, Md., for a day of homemade ice cream, country food and cute small-town shops. It’s the perfect day for a drive in the country.

Do you prefer to exercise in the morning or evening? I work out at night during the week but on the weekends, I love to do something active first thing in the morning so the rest of the day is free.

It’s Friday! The Friday before a long weekend–even better! Are you doing anything fun for Labor Day? And for all the non-Americans, you can still share your weekend plans.

Allie, Simone and I are road-tripping up to Westminster, in northern Maryland, to see Allie’s family, breathe in the fresh country air and eat more Southern food. No, not a a Cracker Barrel.

And yes, somehow northern Maryland qualifies as the south and yet where I live doesn’t. Don’t ask me to explain.

I got out of work a little early today and had an awesome workout. It’s great to get nice and sweaty, then have time to shower before diving into dinner. You just feel more rejuvenated.

As I was making salad tonight, I realized there’s a cupboard full of salad plates that have never been used for salad. Cookies, bread, a handful of nuts? Sure. But for salad, I bring out the big guns.

Why not use a mixing bowl for salad? My salads–and this is a side salad, not even the entree–can’t be contained!

Romaine (on its last legs, sadly), cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, fresh dill and a massive scoop of Tribe hummus. Gotta get in my greens!

Now, on to the main dish. I embraced my Mexican roots tonight, although my dish brought back memories of eating my way through Costa Rica, instead.

I got this at a tiny, family-run shop in La Fortuna. We could see the craftsmen sculpting and painting new pieces and placing them in the fire. I loved this one!

So perfect for chips and salsa.

Continuing with the Mexican theme, I made up a burrito filled with corn & black bean salsa.

Nice and spicy, just the way I like it! Roll it up…

I spy, with my little eye, something delicious.

Very happy tummy. And now, because I’m 95 years (and stuffed myself with pizza and wine last night), I’m happily lounging on the couch with ‘Modern Family’ ready-to-stream. I want to get caught up before the new season starts!

Have a great night–see you in the morning before heading north… to the south.

I had every intention of coming home and updating you all on the September Challenge, night 2, but I headed up getting home past my bedtime and falling straight into bed/a food coma.

You can blame this:

We’ll get to those beauties in a minute… but let’s rewind.

Erin invited a few of us over for a dinner party. Next one’s at my place, girls! I made guacamole (avocado, onion, cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro, a little garlic, a squirt of lime juice, a jalapeno and a dash of chili powder).

Erin got a pizza dough from Trader Joe’s so we could make pizzas. Such a good idea for a group dinner!

Zoe brought the bacon

and then there were the veggies.

So colorful!

It was definitely a night for a couple of glasses of wine while catching up with the girls. We go back to freshmen year of college!

Now, let’s get back to those pastries. Allie recently started working at Patisserie Poupon and gets to bring home bags of food at the end of the day. It’s all made fresh and locally in the AM but they won’t sell old food. So the employees get it!

She put together a tasting platter: croissants, almond croissants, apple turnovers, oatmeal cookies, chocolate-macadamia cookies, something with cream cheese, another apple-stuffed delight… what am I forgetting?

Oh, yes, we can’t forget about this cake.

You can have your cake and eat it, too!

There’s fruit so it’s healthy, right?

Yum. I would say day 2 of the September Challenge (jazz up nightly dinners) was a success. I stuffed myself with pizza, sampled a bite (or three!) of the desserts and have bags of croissants, cookies and even an entire brioche in my freezer. Expect to see them pop up from time to time as I eat my way down.

Having friends that work at bakeries should be mandatory.

Time to head to work before the three-day weekend. I think we’re road-tripping tomorrow — destination TBA.

What’s your all-time favorite dessert? I have to vote for mint chocolate chip ice cream, no competition!

Somehow that small switch completely changed how breakfast fills me up. Rather than being happily full from breakfast at 7 to lunch at 12:30, my stomach starts rumbling around 11.

Who knew that such a small change could make such a big difference?

I think it’s time to go back to yogurt on my non-oats days so the question is: what’s the best kind?

Oikos, which is organic and made by Stonyfield? So many bloggers seem to love it!

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Fage, which my family eats? Plus it comes in those huge tubs at Costco!

foodmayhem.com

Back to my favorite Trader Joe’s vanilla? High sugar, sadly, but oh-so good! And… organic!

Okay, that was my old breakfast bowl and wow, it was good.

So… you tell me. What is your favorite kind of yogurt? Greek, organic, flavored, fruity — I’m open to the possibilities but want something that will help fill me up and keep me satisfied all morning long! (That’s what she said?)

My September challenge has some guest stars tonight — dinner party with friends!

Breakfast is usually a big cereal bowl or oats, no matter how messy.

I pack lunch almost every day, with some variation on salad and a wrap with pretzels or tortilla chips. It’s easiest to pack the same thing every day and not have to think about it.

And then for dinner, I tend to make a big pot of chili or a curry and eat leftovers every night. So boring, right?

Well, I need to change that! Or, at least, be more creative with those leftovers.

My September challenge is to break out of the dinner rut and have a different dinner every night for the month. It might just be jazzed-up leftovers (my challenge, I make the rules! ) but it’s at least not going to be the same grain-veggie-protein bowl every. single. night.

Tonight’s dinner was easy to throw together and delicious to eat.

Tofu, green bell peppers and spinach over brown rice. The star was this awesome Trader Joe’s green curry simmer sauce.

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I want to experiment more with making Thai curry from scratch, since I’m pretty happy with my Indian curries already, but right now I rely on the jar.

My biggest ‘rule’ for dinner is that it needs to be fast to assemble. I don’t want to spend an hour or more after work putting dinner together.

So it could be revamped leftovers (chili works on its own, over rice, over salad and so on), a lazy sandwich or, once in awhile, a restaurant, but it’s going to be different.

Just call it breaking out of the September slump.

Are you setting any goals for the new month?