Snowed In
I’m baaaaack! LOL! See, I can’t stay away all that long 
Thank you for your nice comments about the blogging schedule. I didn’t mean to sound dramatic or like I was taking a long break. Just wanted to say that if I don’t get to posting a day or two that all is well; I’m just doing life stuff Also, thank you for not making me feel like a complete freak in the blog posting and reading “time suck”. I really appreciate knowing that many of you feel the same way!
On to the day…
Okay, THIS has GOT to STOP…
(my front yard)
(my back yard)
And believe me, since I took these pictures, it has gotten worse! The trees surrounding my yard are literally bent over and touching the ground with heavy, wet snow. We got about 20+ inches on top of the 28 inches from Saturday! Reeediculous! The daughters are off from school (obviously) until next Tuesday!! It’s gonna be a loooooong weekend 
I was a little nervous about being snowed in. Snowed in, trapped in the house (which I should be cleaning…baby steps ) and refereeing quarreling daughters is a recipe for a major snackfest. I tried to stay cognizant of that fact and distract myself from any sudden urges to eat without being hungry.
I started the day with a Pumpkin Oat Bran muffin from the freezer…
These kept so well in the freezer. After a quick 30 seconds in the micro, it tasted as fresh as if I had just baked them.
Gotta have the joe…
A while later, I wrangled the daughters into doing the Power Yoga DVD with me. They really liked it, although complained that it was soooo hard!
We did the whole 30 minutes cuz we’re warriors …
Clearly, we need more practice.
After 857 loads of laundry, I decided to fool around in the kitchen. With food, ya pervs. With making food, ya real pervs
I got to work making some Cuban Black Bean Patties. This is a recipe that I’ve had for a while, but did some tweaking to it. They are really easy and flavorful with a hint of smoky spice.
Cuban Black Bean Patties
- 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar or jalapeno jack cheese
- 1/8 cup red onions, chopped fine
- 3 tbsp. cornmeal
Place 1 1/2 cups of beans in a medium bowl with garlic, cumin, salt and cilantro. Slightly mash beans with a fork.
Place remaining 1/4 cup of beans in a food processor with egg and puree for about 30 seconds. Add bean puree to partially mashed beans and mix. Add cheese and onion; combine well.
Divide mixture into 4 patties. Place cornmeal in a shallow dish and dredge patties on both sides.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Coat with cooking spray and add patties. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side.
(*note – wait the full 5 minutes before flipping so that the patties have time to hold together. )
These come to 2 POINTS per patty or 140 calories and 1.5 grams fat. Mine are calculated using Cabot’s 75% reduced-fat cheddar, so if you are using another cheese they may be a little higher.
I served my Cuban Black Bean Patty on an Arnold Sandwich Thin with some spinach and the sweetest orange ever!
Sun!!!
I stuck around the kitchen a while longer trying out another recipe. I was going for a low-fat brownie recipe, but it was an epic fail! I had to toss it. I’ll call it…divine intervention
The afternoon passed without incident of oversnacking. I had just the right amount – lite string cheese and Wheat Thins…
We all stood around the windows for a bit, marveling at the never ending throwdown of snow…
Then, I got to making dinner – simple breaded chicken cutlets, baked sweet potato fries and broccoli with garlic and evoo…
Perfect comfort food for this snowy night!
Total – 22 POINTS
Have a great day, everyone!
What is your favorite cold- weather comfort food?
Questions? Email me! aloserforlife@gmail.com
33 comments
Hello! How do you prepare the breaded chicken? What are you using as your breading?
Marisa Reply:
February 11th, 2010 at 7:49 am
Hi Cassie! I use Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and mix with a couple tbsp. of parmesan cheese. I dip the chicken in egg white, then crumbs and pan-fry.
I’m so sorry about being snowed in because I know all I want to do is EAT!! I also get no motivation to take advantage on housework, eek!
That muffin looks good! Have you tried warming them up in the oven wrapped in foil? It does take a little longer than the microwave, but they always taste just like they came out of the oven and have a little crispy crust to them. I love my muffins with the little crunch
Have you tried making the brownie mix with the can of black beans? I keep seeing that recipe all over blogs. I still have not, but next time I want brownies I want to try them.
Marisa Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
I have yet to try the black bean brownies. I think I would like them… a lot…so, I’ve been avoiding making them!
My favorite comfort food is mac n cheese!
I seem to love a stew of just about any kind when it is cold out. Warms the house while I am cooking it and warms the belly while I am eating it. However, about this time of year my favorite cold weather comfort food is a fantasy that involves air line peanuts on a flight taking me anywhere that the weather is more interesting than this cold , grey, wimpy level of snow climate that makes up Chicagoland. Bring on spring !!!
Marisa Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Bring it!
I’m so jealous you got snowed in and we barely got an inch of snow out of the foot+ they were forecasting. I think Mother Nature needs a GPS to find her way up north.
My favorite comfort food is pasta and fresh bread. MMMmmm….
I think you and the girls should get out and make a giant snowman.
Those snow pictures are beautiful. You had a great day staying on your food plan and such variety in your meals.
My favorite comfort food is home made soup. I like a cup of soup, split pea, veggie, chili or beef barley with a mock grilled cheese. I toast a sandwich thin and then slip a slice of 2% charp cheddar between the pieces and let it get all melty.
Yum, sweet potato fries, I LOVE them. Definetely a guilty pleasure for me. As for cold weather food…soup! Doesn’t matter which kind, it’s the warmth it gives me.
That snowstorm is unbelieveable! We get that at least twice a year here in Colorado but it’s usually in March. NOT looking forward to that.
Thanks for the black bean burger recipe, it sounds great!
We are completely snowed in here in Falls Church too! I’ve been working from home all week, with the exception of a 1/2 a day on Tuesday! Great job keeping the eating under control lady!
PS-I LOVE the picture of you and your little ladies doing yoga! It’s like two mini you’s following along.
That is an insane amount of snow! Good grief. Hibernate.
Love the pic of you and the girls doing yoga. So cute.
My favorite comfort food is mac n cheese. Or pizza. Or maybe that crockpot beef stew. Nope, it’s definitely a pan of brownies.
I don’t think I could handle being snowed in. lol So glad I am a CA girl! I was also happy to hear that your brownies came out bad adn you had to toss them- I don’t feel like such a failure anymore now that I know you struggled with a baked good as well. lol
That bean burgers look delish!
Cute yoga picture!
Mac and Cheese for Comfort.
I’ll be trying those black bean patties soon. Looks easy enough
.
Yay! You’re back! lol
Seriously, you guys have tons of snow! We just got slammed in Chicago but nowhere near that much. I got around 10 in. Some places got 12-14″ but it’s not 3 feet!
Good eats today.
Snow! Snow! Snow! We’ve got it too. Just finished 3 hours of shoveling today, on top of the two hours yesterday. I am definitely getting cabin fever. I WANT TO RUN! Anyway, Marisa, just printed out your recipe for black bean burgers and will give it a try this week. Still experimenting with black beans. Like them in chili and salad! These burgers look great.
I just love reading your stuff! You are very inspiring and the pics of the food help me get my eating act together! Thanks for sharing
Marisa Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Thanks, Andi!
You beat me on the laundry count. I only did 856 loads. Probably ’cause I was daydreaming about that muffin….
That picture of you and your girls is great! As are those black bean cakes – def. going to have to try them.
Wow, that is a TON of snow! I’m originally from Chicago so I understand the snow. =)
So, I love sweet potato fries, but have no clue how to make them. How do you make yours? And I was going to ask about the chicken but someone beat me to it. =)
Good luck with the snow, stay warm!
Marisa Reply:
February 12th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
I use a mandoline to cut them into fry shape, coat them with a tsp. or 2 of canola oil and bake them in the oven at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. You have to watch them…some burn. They don’t get super crispy like regular fries, but they do crisp up after they sit for a couple minutes after taking them out of the oven.
Wow! That’s a LOT of snow! I always miss snow since it has been 20 years since I moved away from an area where it snows. But I’m actually not sure I’d do all that well with lots of snow… But your photos are sooo beautiful! Thanks for sharing! I love soups and stews when it’s cold…
Sheesh, that puts our 10 inches to shame!! wow!!!
your eats for the day look perfect for cold comfort food!!
i would say my favorite would have to be chili, warm & filling! 
I love the idea of adding fitness with the family. I think it’s a really important thing. I am also really proud of you..and you should be too..in listening to your body and not giving up. Keep going.
I just read your post from yesterday. Truth is I spend way too much time on blogging and reading blogs. Especially some days at work. But I love it so much and I would miss everyone so much if I stopped. So I can’t. but I have to shake the guilt I feel if I don’t read EVERY post by everyone in my Google reader. that’s just silly.
Those Black Bean Patties look awesome btw!
Hey Marisa,
I just posted a recipe on my blog for some sweet potato fries I made. I LOVE them! And my kids are starting to like them too!
Sorry about all the snow…move to Vegas!!
so much snow! it makes me feel guilty that we are having a warm winter in the northwest!
I think its kind of fun to be snowed in, as long as you have stuff to make food, you are all set! Wow, you have a ton too! We got about 12 inches, and today its bright and sunny in Chicago and its starting to melt already. Love your cuban burgers!
love love love that the kiddos jumped in to do some yoga with you! Way to set a healthy example for them on a healthy lifestyle!
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