A Lazy Week

Well, I haven't been totally lazy this last week, I just haven't put much effort into cooking or exercising because I've been so busy with work and family lately.

Between the start of state testing season (Nebraska state writing assessment was last week...reading, math, and science coming soon) and accepting a different position in the district, I've been crazy-busy with work. I am now a curriculum specialist at one of the high schools, and I am going to be overseeing the English, art, world languages, and PE departments. Until they hire someone to replace me in my old position, though, I've been slowly "transitioning" to the high school ("transitioning" = doing both jobs while learning the new job).

So, I didn't get around to making the buffaloaf again this week. In fact, we weren't feeling too hot Thursday night, so we just heated up some venison meatloaf that my in-laws had given us. It was very tasty, but not terribly healthy, I'm afraid (I'm not insulting their cooking--they got it pre-made from a local butcher!). Aaaand now we're kind of meatloafed out right now. Patience, my friends--the buffaloaf is worth waiting for. ;)

In the meantime, let me share a couple of pretty-awesome product discoveries I've made:

First, Ziploc® Zip’n Steam® Microwave Cooking Bags. I like steamed veggies, and they're super-easy and quick when I buy the Green Giant Steamers from the frozen section. However, I really dislike frozen green beans, even when steamed (they just seem awfully chewy to me). Also, I don't have an electric steamer/rice cooker thingy, and my bamboo steamer baskets are kind of a pain to use (have to keep an eye on it/guess at cooking times, plus it makes the kitchen all humid and hot). That's where the beauty of the Ziploc steam bags comes in. They aren't terribly cheap (are any Ziploc or Glad bags cheap?), but it's still worth it to me. You just put your veggies in the bag, seal it, toss in the microwave, and cook based on the suggested times written right on the bag! You can even add seasonings for your veggies to soak up while being steamed, if you so desire (I put a squirt of lemon juice in the bag before sealing it to add some zest to my beans).

I also noticed that the bags came with an insert with various recipes (and a coupon for more bags! Weee!), and they looked fairly tasty, easy, and healthy. Like this steamed shrimp and peppers recipe. I think I'm going to have to try this. Soon.

The other product I just discovered is actually pretty new. They had a special display case at HyVee last week for Crystal Light Mocktails. They come in 3 flavors: margarita, mojito, and appletini. I LOVE margaritas, but haven't had one in soooo long because of the gazillion calories (yes, that's the exact calorie count) for most margarita mixes. I did try the Skinnygirl Cocktails margarita last summer, but it tasted like water wrung out from dirty athletic socks. Or at least, what I imagine that to taste like. And considering it still had a pretty hefty calorie-count (100 calories/4oz), I was truly unimpressed.

Anyway, Ben made a pitcher of the mix, and it's pretty good. A little sweeter than I usually like, but I'm sure it would be totally fine blended with ice and put in a glass with salt on the rim. Plus, it's only 5 calories per serving, so it wouldn't be that big of a deal to add a small shot of tequila to it (to give it that alcoholic bite...and to give the drinker that alcoholic buzz). Patron Silver only has 69 calories per 1oz--just sayin'.
I'm looking forward to trying the mojito and appletini mocktails...and will make sure to update you if/when we make them. It makes me look forward to summer, drinking my mocktails on the back patio on a warm evening...