Crispy Eggplant Provolone

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First, I love eggplant. 

Second, I had no idea how good this meal was going to be until I took my first bite.  Perfectly crispy on the outside and really juicy on the inside. It tastes so unhealthy... but it's nottt! Yum. (yeah, there's grilled chicken there too, but, the focus is on eggplant tonight)

This is easyyy... and could definitely be made as an appetizer instead of an accompaniment to a meal... either way!

1. Slice eggplant into 1/4 discs and then in half, then drizzle with extra virgin o/o.

2. Dip and coat in egg. 

3. Mix together panko and herbs de provence (these should be an herb staple in your house). I used whole wheat panko and white panko. The whole wheat version is actually super bland so if I go to use it - I always mix it with the white. White is FINE if that's all you have!

4. Coat the eggplant in the panko mixture and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. 

4.   Bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes, flip them and bake for another 7 minutes (can drizzle a little more extra virgin, if necessary) then take 1-2 slices of provolone, tear it into pieces and place on top of eggplant. Bake for another 3 minutes.

(So, I broke the rules and used Provolone instead of Parmesan on my eggplant, don't be afraid to break the rules!) 

While the eggplant's bakin' and the chicken's grillin'... mix up a pesto-like mixture in the food processor: basil, garlic, parmesan, feta, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and salt is what I used tonight. Classic pesto would also be good. Mix it up and lightly pour it over the top of the entire meal ( a little goes a long way).

Serve it up and you're done. This would be a great vegetarian meal (sans the chicken), a great app with the pesto dipping sauce, or as I had it tonight, as dinner! 

Have a great weekend! xo

FenwaYoga presented by New Balance

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When I was asked if I wanted to participate in the FenwaYoga event, I pretty much leaped at the opportunity. It's been a while since I've been a regular at Yoga class, but, I still really appreciate the practice and try to incorporate one short session at home, once a week. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... it's important to mix up your workout routine, AND, incorporating yoga or Pilates into the mix can alleviate muscle strain, increase flexibility, and improve posture (among other things). Plus, for me, it provides for just the right 'balance' (no pun intended) to running and my vigorous boxing classes.

This event, presented by Equinox and Anue by New Balance  benefited two of the Red Sox Foundation's cornerstone charities: the Red Sox Scholars Program and the RBI Youth Baseball and Softball Programs. The Red Sox Scholars Program provides college scholarships, tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs to academically talented, financially disadvantaged Boston public middle school students. The RBI Youth Baseball and Softball Program serves more than 2,000 inner city teens each summer using the sport to promote healthy choices and valuable life-skills

Here's what I saw when I first walked in: 

Whaatt? So cool. Don't worry... I felt pretty confident in my anue by New Balance yoga ensemble. I ended up going with the one on the far right, majority vote. It fit perfectly and didn't budge during all of the movements!

Scenes from my mat: 

The Yoga Instructor, Rebecca Pacheco, aka @omgal did an awesome job! Not only is she a master level Yoga teacher, she's also a marathoner and sports lover. (Which was totally obvious because she made us say Om for the Red Sox and send them good vibes). I liked her. Cool that they had the instructors on the big screen, right? It really helped!

Side plank - nailed it!

I think I was in shoulder bridge when I thought to myself, 'how many people can say they laid down in the middle of Fenway park and looked up in the sky?' 

Look - New Balance!

And a couple scenes from dusk...

I'm sold. I need to start incorporating a more solid Yoga practice into my fitness routine more often. Plus, I can still nail a head stand so I feel like that is something I need to do on a weekly basis.

What are your favorite Yoga studios in the Boston area?

Have an awesome week... namaste! xo

Weekend reWind_9.22.13

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I came down with a really bad cold on Friday afternoon. Typically, I completely ignore a cold and go on with my day with the mantra "I don't do sick". Well, once I started having trouble breathing and then ending words that typically end in vowels, with "B" and "D" instead (ex: I'm finnee'd) - I gave in. Relaxation was the only option. So, I pulled together a simple, healthy, & comforting meal of broiled salmon with homemade fettuccine  and put on the Sox game. They clinched first place so it provided for a nice little Friday! 

 Saturday, a bunch of us met up for a little Blue Hills hike (really, just an excuse for another Amber Road brunch). Unfortunately, I scoffed down my cinnamon raisin french toast with pumpkin custard and maple butter so quickly that I forgot to take a picture. Whoops!

 This morning, I ran that Brian Honan 5K I was telling you about earlier in the week. It was a sweet little race, lots of college kids and families that were clearly coming together for the cause - I really enjoyed it. The only problem that I ran into was trying to pick up my number. I walk over to the (unmarked) tent with a long line in front of it and finally get up to the front of the line and say "D'Alessandro... D-A-L" per usual. Mr. Harvard couldn't find my name and says "Do you go to Harvard Business School?" Me: Um, no. Mr. Harvard "Oh, then you are on the other list (points) over there". Oh, sorry, buddy. (maybe you should mark your tent with "Harvard ONLY"). Just sayin'. (he was actually perfectly nice, but whatever)

Then, it was time for the Pats & a little dinner on the beach with the fam. How stinking cute are my nieces and nephew? Kite flying pros right there. (click through to see entire image)

Chrome has now crashed on me twice now so I'm going to wrap it up and leave you with the motivation for the week. It's one of my favorites and doesn't need much explanation. I hope you all make it a great one!  xo