Seared Scallops Over Parmesan and Pea Orzo

So I got up early to go to my EKG.  I didn’t know how long it was going to take so I gave myself plenty of time.  I was in the parking lot by 7:30.

That was the view I had when Tony was in the hospital when he got his artificial heart valve in 2007.

Well, from registration to the end of the test, which the actual test only took 30 seconds, I was done in 15 minutes. Nice!  It was still early so I decided to wait until I got to the office and send Tony an email that I was back at my desk.

Since I had time, I accessorized my breakfast at the hospital cafeteria.  I got two scrambled eggs, 2 pieces of bacon and a 16 ounce Starbucks, which set me back $3.11.

When I got to work I put my breakfast together – Chobani apple cinnamon, the eggs, bacon, banana, 1/4 cup of the granola Randi and Julie gave me (which I love –thanks!).  I ended up having the banana as an afternoon snack.

The granola was in clusters, which I love!

Speaking of clustery granola, my boss brought in a new Kashi product I hadn’t seen called Kashi Crisp.

Not only was this box full of clusters, but the taste was delicious – super crunchy with almost a citrus note because of the berries.  If you are looking for a healthy snack, this one is it – 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per 3/4 cup serving.

Around 10:20 I realized I never sent the email to Tony, so I sent it then, and I was busy at work in the morning and didn’t see the text he sent asking if I was done.  He was so worried about me, thought that there were more tests that had to be done, and it was the quickest procedure I think I’ve ever had done.  I felt so bad that he was so worried!  Sorry babe!

I had back and cardio on tap for my lunch workout.  Now that I am in week five, the strength portion is getting longer.  Here is what I had to do:

To speed it up a bit – I ended up doing 2 sets of 15 for the 3 for 10 sets and 2 sets of 12 for the 3 for 8 sets.  Then I did 30 minutes on the elliptical:

The strength and cardio took me just under 50 minutes to do – and I still got back to my desk on time.  Thank goodness for extra strength deodorant, right?!

Lunch was kind of a leftover stirfry.  Since Randi and Julie couldn’t take their leftovers home, I got them!  So I used the now rinsed off from any onion szechwan string beans and the broccoli – I added 1 zucchini and 1 carrot to the base of that and then seared off 4 ounces of lean steak.  I ended up using 1/8 a cup of chicken broth, 1 tablespoon of House of Tsang peanut sauce and 1 generous teaspoon of sriracha for my seasoning.   I think I could eat this dish every day and never get sick of it.

We’ve been teasing my step-son for the last few days because I brought home a bag of the pumpkin spice M&Ms.  My step-son loves all things pumpkin.  In fact, the story goes that when Joe was a wee little lad, they were at a buffet in down state Illinois with family.  All of a sudden, Joe was no where to be found.  The found him at the dessert table.  Turns out the slivers of pumpkin pie were too small for him, so he just pulled up a chair to the table and ate slice after slice of pumpkin pie!  (You know I love you Joe!).

So I told him they were exclusively sold at Target, but they were all sold out at his location.  So on my way home I decided to stop by the one I got them at, but it was a bust for me too.  Lori, I still think of you when I see these!

I don’t normally buy scallops because not on sale, they run $16 a pound for the big ones.  Well, I lucked out and got us 8 scallops for $8!  Still seems pricey, but we could never get scallops this size at a restaurant anywhere near that price point.

This is a great company dinner too – because the longest part of this whole dish is waiting for the water to boil to cook the orzo!  If you made the orzo ahead of time, this could literally be a 5 minute dinner.

Seared Scallops over Parmesan Pea Orzo

• 2 servings: 399 calories, 4 fat, 43 carbs, 3.4 fiber and 43 protein

Ingredients:

• 8 large scallops (mine just happened to be 8 ounces)
• 1/2 cup dry orzo (makes 1 cup cooked)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen peas
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

First and foremost, make sure you scallops are dry.  Put them in paper towels and gently squeeze any moisture out of the scallops – repeat as necessary.  Bring water to a boil and cook orzo 5 minutes.  Drain the pasta, return to hot pan.  Add in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and frozen peas and stir until combined.  Set aside.  Heat a non-stick skillet with olive oil over high heat.  Sear scallops 2 minutes per side.  Serve over the Parmesan pea orzo. 

So simple – this dinner literally took me less than 15 minutes to put together and look at me – a meatless dinner!

After dinner we watched Bar Rescue off the DVR.  I love that show.  It boggles my mind how some people, who have no restaurant or bar experience think that they can just open up a restaurant and people will come!  I taped Biggest Loser – with “celebrity” contestant Ruben Studdard.  I plan to watch this on Sunday while Tony watches his football!  He’s the biggest contestant this year at 462 pounds.

I read an article that said he didn’t mind the working out but “don’t touch my taco meat!”  I’ve always loved Biggest Loser, even if Tony thinks it’s short lived.  I think what I love about it is that people are able to push themselves harder than they ever knew they could.  Once they get that confidence, they are a completely different person.

After my dinner digested a bit, I did the 40 minute Pure Cardio of Insanity.  It’s hard, but its becoming one of my favorites.

Jody (my cross fit wonder woman) and Andrea, this up close sweaty pic is for the both of you!  I love the bead of sweat at the end of my nose!  My eyes look a bit psychotic though!

Stats for the Day:

• 1472 calories (unpictured was the cup of Bugles I had after dinner), 157 carbs, 86 protein, 44 fat and 16 fiber
• B+ grade on CalorieCount – 26% of calories from fat, 23% from fiber and 42% from carbs
• 50 minute back strength/cardio at lunch
• 40 minute pure Cardio Insanity after dinner

Alright, I have 20 minutes to get dressed, put my food together and repack my gym bag.  No problem!  Make it a great day!