I love all the inspiration I find from all the food blogs I read.  There are some recipes I see and instantly know I want to make them.  Not in a pile of “someday” but in my pile that is “soon!”

That’s what happened when I saw Jacky’s roasted strawberries with maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.  And the fact that she put the strawberries on a baguette with goat cheese??  Holla – I was sold!

I did switch it up though, for two reasons.  One is that I grilled the strawberries – it was 88 degrees in my house when I got home from work, which I instantly shut down all the windows and put on the air – stat!  So I knew I wasn’t turning on the oven.  And I didn’t have any maple syrup so I subbed in Smucker’s sugar free pancake syrup.

Grilled Balsamic Strawberries inspired by Jacky of JaxHouse

• makes 4 servings, 2 PointsPlus each (a heaping 1/4 cup)

Ingredients:

• 1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered
• 2 tablespoons sugar free pancake syrup
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon seal salt
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

I mixed everything in a bowl.  I used our flat cast iron skillet spayed with Pam.  My grill was already at about 350 degrees after I grilled our dinner last night – these cooked over medium flame for about 25 minutes – it was all nice and bubbly!

For some reason while the strawberries were bright red in the pan, they really darkened once I put them in a container – maybe it was the pan I used?  Either way, this was a stunning combination – the sweetness of the strawberries against the acidity of the vinegar and the salty tang of the goat cheese – heaven!

My strawberry goat cheese sammie is 6 points plus, next to a 2 point egg beater spinach omelet.   8 PointsPlus total.

I wish this picture turned out better, but this flavor combination was amazing!

I checked the weather before I went on my run, it said 83 degrees, but holy cow it felt a lot warmer.  I decided to do 50 minutes or walking/jogging/sprint and continued that – my sprints were only about 30 yards, then I would walk for about 20 yards, jog for 100 yards, and repeat.

When I got back to my office, as I was changing my clothes I had tiny dots all over my chest and arms – maybe a touch of heat rash?  Sorry, no pictures – too icky! 😀  It took me quite a bit to cool down too – even back at my desk I could still feel the sweat dripping down my neck – aren’t my co-workers lucky??!!

For lunch for me and my SIL, I made another zucchini lasagna, except this time I added some of Tony’s pasta sauce on top (although he calls it “our” sauce since we made it together!) adding another 2 points, but so worth it – look at all the food I got for 9 points! 

I love all the layers 😀

After work we dropped of Hannah’s car for some service while she is on vacation – new brake pads and stuff.  I decided to make dinner simple – reheated the ribs for the 4th and grilled up some corn on the cob.  11 Points for dinner. 😀

And I may have had a slice of strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. 😀

Yep, I have definitely deemed that pie insulin worthy!!

I got some loot in the mail too!

You’ll have to wait to see what’s in the “Spread the Love” box, that will be a giveaway tomorrow, but in the lower box is a yoga mat!  I won Katie J.’s giveaway, and part of it was a $20 Amazon.com gift card.  A couple weeks ago I bought a Living Social deal for six, 70 minute yoga sessions all for $20 – I am going to call today to see if they have space in their 8:20 class on Saturday. 😀  Thanks again Katie!

Stats for Wednesday:

• 38 points (including pretzels eaten at night)
• 50 minute walk/jog/sprint
• average blood sugar 122

I love short work weeks!  And I missed Hannah for hanging with Hannah last night – I’ve talked to her and she’s been boating, jet skiing and having lots of fun.  She even ate shredded pork tacos and declared them the best tacos she’s ever had!

Have a great day!