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August 25, 2010

Green Smoothie Success & Another Veggie Dinner

Vegetarian Breakfast + Brunch Drinks + Smoothies
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Continuing my attempts to get back on track after a few weeks of travel and eating out, I made another super simple and healthy vegetarian dinner last night for myself and Matt. Yum!

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Easiest thing ever, and so tasty! Easily customizable, too. I just sautéed together some asparagus (you could use any veggies — zucchini, squash, string beans, etc.!) and kidney beans (use any beans you like) with garlic and a drizzle of olive oil.

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After a few minutes, I added in some pasta sauce. I heart tomato sauce!!

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Then I served it all on top of brown rice. Told you it was the easiest thing ever!

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Top with cracked pepper, hot sauce, etc. 🙂 And enjoy!

In other news, today I went for my first run since moving to NC! I started out in some super hilly neighborhoods (boo), and then was delighted to find this:

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Yay! A trail!

But then… this happened, a mere mile later:

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Fail. Guess I’ll have to continue the search for an awesome trail here in Chapel Hill. Any suggestions? I have to say… I really miss my favorite trail ever in DC 🙁

Anyway, in more awesome news, Matt has been officially introduced to green smoothies! I made him my super basic Banana & Spinach Smoothie (recipe here), with the addition of some blueberries. Yum!

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And… gasp… he liked it!! He had one for breakfast yesterday AND today! Mwa ha ha ha…

Does your significant other eat healthy? Are they open to trying new foods? I’m lucky that Matt will pretty much eat anything (although sometimes he’s skeptical at first)… except seafood (minus tuna, which he likes). Still working on that one 😉

- anne
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49 comments
  • Jessica
    August 25, 2010 · 5:55PM:
    My husband eats SO healthy... so many times I wish he had a sweet tooth like me!
    Reply
  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
    August 25, 2010 · 6:03PM:
    I've fed the hubs a green monster a few times. He drinks them down with zero complaints. He doesn't make them on his own as of yet, but he'll take one if I'm making one for myself already. I'm with Jessica, I eat worse than the hubs. He is super healthy. I eat about ten cookies at a time, and he eats 2. How can you just stop at 2?
    Reply
  • Alison
    August 25, 2010 · 6:06PM:
    Thankfully, my husband has come a long way in his healthy eating journey. Just last week he emailed me (he's deployed) and said he's been eating bell peppers and squash, which, he practically gagged over when I ate them or even suggested he try. Baby steps, baby steps.....
    Reply
  • angie August 25, 2010 · 6:11PM:
    my hubby doesn't like to eat anything that I eat! He hates my "hippie" food! :(
    Reply
  • Matt August 25, 2010 · 6:15PM:
    Good looking dinner! I eat healthier than most of the girls I date. Lol I think that is why I am single ;)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 25, 2010 · 6:17PM:
      Lol you should have come to the healthy living summit to meet yourself a healthy lady!
      Reply
  • Heather C
    August 25, 2010 · 6:23PM:
    In my constant quest to find new uses for Marinara sauce (there is a LOT in those jars!), this is now on the list :) Creative chick! Must admit, I laughed at the trail's "dead end" picture. Who's idea was that?! It's like the park planner saying "Psyche! Turn around. You've been Punk'd". Not very nice...
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 8:12AM:
      LOL I know right?! Wtf??
      Reply
  • Rita @ The Giggly Bits
    August 25, 2010 · 6:33PM:
    My hubbie eats like a human garbage disposal. It's disgusting. But I digress, he's thin and active and "looks" healthy to everyone else but he eats terrible. Since I'm the chef in these parts his dinners are healthy and her rarely complains about the vegan ish vegetarian food we eat. He does, however, order double bacon grease soup if given the opportunity.
    Reply
  • sarah (the SHU box)
    August 25, 2010 · 6:38PM:
    i am on call this weekend (= indoor running only, blah), but the weekend after i can take you on my fave CH route. if you are up for a longer run we can make it longer! i think we are similar paces -- ~9:00/mi for a long run (can go faster or slower though too!). the other longer trail is the tobacco trail off of 40. take exit 276 and then make a L (not a R towards southpoint). After the 54 intersection, you will see crooked creek rd and then you turn L on that and you'll be in a little lot at the start of a 6.5 mile path. it DOES get a little sketchy in the middle durham sections but it's fine for the first few miles alone.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 25, 2010 · 9:50PM:
      I would love that! Buuuut I'm out of town next weekend :( Weekend after?
      Reply
      • sarah (the SHU box)
        August 26, 2010 · 12:30PM:
        actually that's perfect - my parents are coming on labor day wkend. so the one after that - we can do either my 'chapel hill w/ 2 minitrails' run or the tobacco trail. your pick :) just let me know sat vs sunday . . .
        Reply
        • Anne P
          August 26, 2010 · 4:19PM:
          Cool! Either Saturday the 11th or Sunday the 12th works, so totally up to you! Just let me know :)
          Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    August 25, 2010 · 6:43PM:
    good luck finding a trail...i've never spent much time on the east coast so i kinda got nothin' :) my hubby SWEARS he can taste the spinach in those smoothies...but i'm pretty sure he's crazy :) i think it would be different if he wore blinders...
    Reply
  • The Healthy Hostess
    August 25, 2010 · 6:56PM:
    Great dinner! My husband eats really healthy which is so nice! He eats his junk too, but on a regular basis he is super healthy. He doesn't go for sweets...which is not good because I LOVE them!
    Reply
  • Marci
    August 25, 2010 · 6:57PM:
    I love simple veg dinners. I frequently have the other one you made with baked beans, sweet potato and veggies. so easy it's barely considered cooking. and way to go for your boyfriend drinking that. i like it, but my husband says absolutely no way!
    Reply
  • Dorry
    August 25, 2010 · 6:57PM:
    That dinner is right up my alley - we eat similarly so it's fun to get ideas from your blog. Sorry about the trail but I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the pic where it just ENDS - I mean, c'mon people! Hope you find some good places to run that feel comfortable and safe.
    Reply
  • Lauren
    August 25, 2010 · 8:05PM:
    I love tomato sauce and think if you add anything to it, it makes for one fantastic meal! Yay for Matt being on the green smoothie kick! :)
    Reply
  • Mary
    August 25, 2010 · 8:17PM:
    I just fed my husband his first Green Monster yesterday! The verdict "not bad". I know how you felt with the trail ending-that's happened to me with trails that start in parks and then just stop! boo!
    Reply
  • Bess August 25, 2010 · 8:26PM:
    I live in Durham and if you'd want to drive down to Duke, probably a 10-15 minute drive down 15-501, there are lots of trails in the Duke forest you could run, one specifically that is popular is the 3.1 - 6 mile (depending on which way you go, I always go the 5k loop and just do it a few times...or once, whatever!) trail that loops around the Washington-Duke Inn and Golf Course. There is parking for the public right next to the trail.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 8:11AM:
      Sweet, thanks!
      Reply
  • Tina
    August 25, 2010 · 8:27PM:
    My husband is always open to trying new things. He doesn't always love them, but he'll try it and eat it. Even with all the more veg meals I'm cooking because I simply don't care for meat as much as I used to. That's so odd how that trail just ends. Hope you find a good one soon!
    Reply
  • Sarah @ Sarah's Shaping Up
    August 25, 2010 · 9:33PM:
    You know, I still have not tried a green smoothie. I need to add it to my list. :)
    Reply
  • Sana
    August 25, 2010 · 9:36PM:
    Yesss! He presses the tofu, which I seriously dislike doing!
    Reply
  • Liz
    August 25, 2010 · 9:36PM:
    You are lucky - Neil would NEVER try a green smoothie. He will try some stuff (tofu, various veggie creations) but that's too much for him.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 8:10AM:
      That's funny - I think Matt would be less likely to want to try tofu! Perhaps that will be my next attempt...
      Reply
  • Michelle
    August 25, 2010 · 9:51PM:
    we're in the same boat right now! i am desperately trying to find a long, non-loop trail and so far i've only found short ones :( neighborhood jogs are so boring...
    Reply
  • Caitlin @ Right Foot Forward
    August 25, 2010 · 10:39PM:
    Aw, that photo of the end of the trail made me so sad! What a bummer. My husband eats as healthy as I do most of the time. The one difference we have is that he never seems to feel full enough after a vegetarian meal - he's gotta have some meat to be satisfied.
    Reply
  • Jessie (Bites and Pieces)
    August 26, 2010 · 12:45AM:
    It's not much of a trail, but last time I was visiting my family in Chapel Hill, I ran along this gorgeous golf course (part of the CH country club if you want to google it). The surrounding area is very scenic and nice for a shorter run. It's a very safe area too!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 8:09AM:
      Thanks for the tip!
      Reply
  • Renie August 26, 2010 · 7:08AM:
    Anne, that trail is hilarious. I noticed the woods all around you, please carry pepper spray with you and hold while you run. I have one that is issued to the police department here in Atlanta and it has velcro that fits around your hand and is very comfortable to use. I know, I sound like a mama and that's because I am. Can't help it.Do they have an LA Boxing around Chapel Hill? I really enjoyed that segment of your blog. Love
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 8:09AM:
      Don't worry I'll be careful :) Sadly there's not an LA Boxing in Chapel Hill, but I think there's one over in Durham, which is nearby (maybe a 20 min or so drive). I'm thinking of heading over there to check it out! Wish it were closer, though...
      Reply
  • Jess August 26, 2010 · 9:04AM:
    My live-in bf eats about as healthy as I do...we both have our weaknesses though (chips-him; sweets-me). He's also very willing to try new foods. And this might make me a bad person, but I've been known to hide foods he says he doesn't like in a meal and only tell him after he's said it was good!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 11:29AM:
      Lol I've totally done that before too!
      Reply
  • Katy
    August 26, 2010 · 9:08AM:
    I feel *really* lucky because when I met Lucas, he was a big-time carnivore...his family hunts and dinners for him always involved meat, potatoes and a vegetable. Now that I'm a health nut, he's transitioned beautifully -- he still eats some meat, but it's not processed, and it's much less than before. Plus, he has learned to love whole grains, eats a lot of veggies and from time to time even asks for a green monster. :)
    Reply
  • Adriane August 26, 2010 · 9:47AM:
    I really like the Bolin Creek Trail, which is north of campus, http://www.ci.chapel-hill.nc.us/index.aspx?page=828, and there are tons of trails near Chapel Hill High. I also cannot recommend Fleet Feet Carrboro enough as a resource (they got me to run AND not quit). If you head in there and ask anyone, they usually have good ideas of trails, and they have set up weekly community runs in almost all of the CH-Carrboro neighborhoods. http://www.fleetfeetcarrboro.com/
    Reply
  • Kristen
    August 26, 2010 · 10:28AM:
    The hubby made fun of my green monsters...until I made him try one! I started him out easy with a spinach, banana, almond butter one, and now he'll try just about anything!
    Reply
  • Kris S August 26, 2010 · 1:05PM:
    My situation is opposite- it's my boytoy who eats healthy and wildly, always eating strange awesome foods and trying to drag me along for the ride. i still have not conquered octopus.. eeek!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 4:19PM:
      Yay for sandwich :) He makes me proud! Heh
      Reply
  • Amy August 26, 2010 · 2:53PM:
    Aww, that trail is so sad! I live in DC and have not been using your favorite trail nearly enough. I'm gonna head there for this week's long run! And I have no significant other to worry about, but my girl housemates often envy my healthy meals -- haha!
    Reply
  • Stephanie Taylor
    August 26, 2010 · 3:59PM:
    My husband love green smoothies. He make them every single morning (fruit smoothies too). I prefer a fruit smoothies rather than green one, but he is so good at making me drink those too. He eat healthier then I do. I wish he had a sweet tooth like I have some time.
    Reply
  • Jess
    August 26, 2010 · 4:02PM:
    I live in a house with my boyfriend and 2 other guys. Their idea of a good meal involves, beer, meat, wings, Jack Daniels, and more beer so it can be challenging to stay healthy with all of the unhealthy distractions. I try to sneak in some whole wheat pasta, and ground turkey instead of beef every now and then but I'm still working on the veggies.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      August 26, 2010 · 4:20PM:
      That would be really hard! Good for you sneaking in some healthier options - usually they won't even notice! :)
      Reply
  • Emily
    August 26, 2010 · 4:08PM:
    my fiance wouldn't pick most of my healthy meals if he was by himself, but I'm happy he's glad to try my random recipes and atleast be nice about them, even if secretly he's wishing I would cave and let him eat pizza every night ;)
    Reply
  • amanda @ Hungry Vegan Traveler
    August 27, 2010 · 10:12AM:
    I'm vegan and my boyfriend is an omnivore. I do all of the cooking at home, so he eats vegan by default pretty often. He really likes it, though. The best thing he's ever said to me is, "I never liked vegetables until I met you." Now he LOVES veggies, even craves them. :)
    Reply
  • stampylisa
    August 27, 2010 · 10:35AM:
    mine eats healthier than me most of the time. cause of his food intolerances & allergies mostly. since i've been vegetarian I'm pretty much eating healthier too.....he still eats meat once in a great while or chicken or cans of salmon. I have more of a sweeth tooth. He can also polish off a family size bag of Lays in one or two days though if I have them in the house. otherwise it's massive amts of kale, cukes, his own super green smoothies (spirulina, kale, apples, almond milk, dates) Great post!
    Reply
  • Katie @ Her Inner Shine
    August 27, 2010 · 3:38PM:
    That veggie/bean dinner looks so healthy, yummy and easy. I'm definitely going to have to give it a try. Thanks for the idea :)
    Reply
  • Julie
    August 30, 2010 · 2:00PM:
    If you feel like driving.. there's a trail in RTP: http://www.rtp.org/files/Fact%20Sheets/08_129_rtp_pedestrian_trails_2.pdf Some is wooded and a some isn't. Check it outttttt. (disclaimer: I never actually ran on it, though I saw people on it!) I was in RTP for work. My bf will eat pretty much anything.. but if he's by himself, he usually just orders pizza, haha. ugh :)
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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