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Friday Foodie Favorites: April 11, 2014

in Friday Favorites

It has been a little while since we have gotten together to talk about our my favorite subject, now hasn’t it?  And what is that favorite subject?  Well…food, of course!  But do not worry.  I am coming ‘attcha with some fantastic recipes from some of my favorite blogs, and a major workout for good measure.  Good food + a good workout = one happy Hannah.  Oh, and trashy TV helps, too, as you will see later on.

friday favorites minestrone soupI hope you have not given up on making and eating soups quite yet.  Heck, I make them all throughout the Summer- mostly because they are easy peasy to make and result in me having a TON of leftovers.  I made Shanon’s recipe for Minestrone Soup a couple of weeks ago and instantly fell in love.  While I pretty much love any recipe that enables me to throw everything into a large pot, this soup had flavors that were absolutely spot on.  Plus, anything that involves beans and veggies usually makes me pretty darn happy.  I followed Shanon’s recipe exactly, except I also added in asparagus and zucchini because I did not have any pasta on hand.  They turned out to be fabulous substitutions, especially since I am all about eating as many Spring time veggies now that they are finally back in season.  I ate several bowls of this and froze a couple for quick meals.  There is nothing quite like having lunches or dinners already made for a busy week.

friday favorites mediterranean chickpea saladThis totally looks like my kind of sandwich, right?  When I saw Erica’s post for her Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Sandwich, I knew this was pretty much made for me.  I have a bit of an obsession with chickpea salads, but had never thought to make a Mediterranean version.  Erica to the rescue.  This was absolutely fantastic.  I followed Erica’s recipe exactly, except I subbed in black olives in place of the kalamata olives because that was all that I had on hand.  I loved how light and refreshing this salad was and the preparation of it (I made it on the weekend prior to the work week) could not have been easier.  This is without a doubt going on my “to make again” list.

friday favorites peanut butter kale yOhh yes.  Peanut Butter and Kale Fried Rice?  I was sold with the title.  I suppose it doesn’t hurt that it tasted as good as it sounds.  I am (obviously) a peanut butter lover.  Kale is one of my current obsessions.  And can you really go wrong with fried rice?  I think not.  Combining all three into one tasty meal is pretty much a genius idea.  Since this recipe calls for already cooked rice, it is perfect for using up leftovers that you have in your fridge.  And if you are using leftover rice, you can literally have this dish on the table in about 15 minutes tops.  That is my kind of meal.  I, unfortunately, forgot to buy peanuts at the grocery store so I subbed in cashews.  They were delicious, though I am thinking it would have been even better with peanuts.  Next time- and there will be a next time- I will remember the peanuts.

ab workout peanut butter fingersMy abs (and your abs) will so thank me for this favorite.  Julie’s Evening Ab Workout is the real deal.  And by real I mean REALly tough/REALly painful (in a good way)- if there is such a thing?  I did this ab workout while watching TV.  There is just something about watching Teen Mom 2 trashy television that really helps the workout go by more quickly and in a slightly more enjoyable fashion.  Am I right?  This is now my new go-to TV-watching workout.  Give it a try and make sure you move quickly from one exercise to the next.  Your abs will thank you 🙂

Let me know if you try out any of these recipes or Julie’s workout!  I hope you will.  Have a great Friday and a fabulous weekend!

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  • Stephanie @ My Freckled Life April 11, 2014, 8:27 am
    Yummm, that peanut butter and kale fried rice (2 of my favorite things!) and the chickpea salad look amazing!! I've been looking for more veggie-friendly recipes recently, and I am definitely going to have to add these 2 to the list! Stephanie @ My Freckled Life recently posted...Lemon, roasted red pepper and artichoke quinoaMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 11, 2014, 9:15 am
      Yes, you definitely need to add both of those to your list! They are must-makes :)
  • Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie April 11, 2014, 9:43 am
    Ohh that Mediterranean chickpea salad sandwich sounds amazing! Happy Friday!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 11, 2014, 2:39 pm
      It is REALLY good! I bet you would really enjoy it!
  • Becky@TheSavedRunner April 11, 2014, 10:16 am
    I'm going to add that mediterranean chickpea salad to my list to try!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 11, 2014, 2:39 pm
      Do it! It is SO good!!
  • Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health April 11, 2014, 12:38 pm
    i hate ab workout...i will have to check this one out. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted...Meet the Dietitian - Deborah DavisMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 11, 2014, 2:40 pm
      It is a quick way to get a good one in!
  • Anna-Marie @Beauty and the Beets April 11, 2014, 2:35 pm
    I am making a chickpea salad this weekend for my Vegan Monday post and I am so excited to try it for the first time! Now I have also the peanut butter and kale recipe bookmarked for net week maybe!! Happy Friday! Anna-Marie @Beauty and the Beets recently posted...4/11 Friday Favorites- Random ThingsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 11, 2014, 2:41 pm
      Chickpea salads are awesome! I bet you will love it :) Have a great weekend!
  • Ashley April 11, 2014, 2:52 pm
    That peanut butter and kale fried rice sounds awesome! We eat homemade fried rice once a week and I am always looking for ways to switch it up! Have a great weekend lady! Ashley recently posted...Orange Chocolate Chip Bread with Brown Butter GlazeMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 14, 2014, 7:37 pm
      This is definitely a nontraditional and absolutely delicious way to switch things up. I hope you like it!
  • Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl April 11, 2014, 7:33 pm
    Definitely still on the soup kick! I actually made some for lunch today. ;) That chickpea salad sounds and looks really good.... heading over to check it out. Have a great weekend! Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl recently posted...The Best Two Ingredient Pancake Ever!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 14, 2014, 7:39 pm
      I think you would REALLY like the chickpea salad! It is definitely your kind of recipe :)
  • Jaclyn @ BumpSweat April 11, 2014, 7:41 pm
    Yes, soup's are still okay. That's good news! That's the easiest thing for me to make for the hubs to take in his lunch, but I was starting to think it might be getting too warm for that. If he's cool with it, so am I :) Jaclyn @ BumpSweat recently posted...Fit Friday: My ‘Relationship’ with Pull-ups + How to Perform them During PregnancyMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 14, 2014, 7:40 pm
      Haha, it's okay...I literally make soup during the middle of Summer because it is easy and makes A LOT. Just make sure you eat it in the air conditioning ;)
  • Dana @ Dana's B.S. April 11, 2014, 7:53 pm
    Soups are for every season in my opinion. I don't eat seasonally anyway (though my "seasons" are weird in Texas), but soups are possibly better in the spring. What's a better way to use fresh veggies!?! Dana @ Dana's B.S. recently posted...Friday B.S.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 14, 2014, 7:42 pm
      That is SO true! There are so many great springtime veggies that taste fantastic in soups!
  • Jessie April 12, 2014, 11:56 pm
    I would love to make that pb fried rice, but can you believe i'm out of nut butter. I know I know - I have no idea how it's even possible either :( :( Hope your having a great weekend, Hannah! Jessie recently posted...WIAW: Tuesday April 8thMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 14, 2014, 7:43 pm
      Ahh, that is SO bad Jessie! :( I hope you have some by now! You cannot be going too long with out.
  • Alexis @ Hummusapien April 16, 2014, 9:50 am
    NEED that pb kale rice. Seriously sounds divine! And I'm totally pinning that workout. She has an arm workout that's a killer, too!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl April 16, 2014, 4:32 pm
      It was a great workout! And yes, the kale recipe is fantastic. You would definitely love it!

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