Unfortunately I am NOT referring to a killer kickboard workout.
I got kicked out of the pool!
By a swim team practice 🙁
I biked to the gym and arrived into the pool room right at 5:15. And just happened to note that the practice started at 5:30. I swam as fast and hard as I possibly could for those 15 minutes.
When I got out, I noticed one lane was staying open. But there were already 2 people in it and they were those types that do a stroke ever other second (as opposed to my thrashing arms trying to speed-swim) so I decided not to bother them. I hate sharing lanes.
I considered taking a rinse-off shower and going back to do some elliptical, but I figured that just wasn’t that cool. So I settled with my 15 minutes of hard swimming and 30+ minutes of easy biking to and from and called it an easy day. Bummer though because I had the TIME, ENERGY, REST and WEATHER to make it such a good workout!
I came home and helped Matt prepare a romantic Tuesday night dinner fer 2
Dinner featured eggplant parmesan – very similar to this recipe. Matt just broiled them 3 minutes for side and then baked for 15 minutes, smothered on some sauce and Organic Valley cheddar and baked for another 10 minutes or so.
They were DELICIOUS however the integrity of the eggplant was questioned. It was not on its freshest day. I ended up eating 3/5 of my rounds (and the cheese off of those last 2!)
On the side we made these incredible salads – romaine dressed in olive oil and honey and sea salt and topped with sauteed mushrooms, fresh tomato, avocado and some thin cheesy croutons made from Matt’s whole grains sourdough. SUCH a good side salad!!
Lastly! A small piece of sourdough from his loaf he brought home from work. Crunch!
We chatted over Table In A Bag 
After dinner I had my last bite of Banana, Date, Coconut Chocomize. Scrumpt.
I have a few more things to do and then I’m headed up for some reading. With all the times I mention reading in bed you’d think I’d fly through books like Jenna does! But I am a pretty slow reader and only get through a chapter a night (if I’m lucky!). But I love to read!
Nite.
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
the eggplant sounds great even though it maybe was on it’s last leg 🙂 what a great salad too! you guys totally win for best salad recipe of the day 🙂
Mastering Public Health says
That looks like the perfect refreshing dinner for this springtime weather. Saucy eggplant + ‘shrooms look delicious. For the record, I, too, am impressed at the speed at which others fly through books. Keep truckin’!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
That dinner looks amazing! Love the combination and that salad is totally right up my alley! Sorry the workout was interrupted. That always frustrates me. That’s why I prefer to do it first thing in the morning. That way, it is my time. I am a super slow reader. It is frustrating! I so wish I was a quick reader. I have a friend that reads different books at the same time…like watching tv shows. She picks up the one she is interested in that night. I would be so confused! Have a great night!
Shawna @ Balancing Me says
Delicious combo! I’ve made that eggplant recipe you posted in the past, and it was wonderful! It may be the perfect way to use up some almost-past-its-prime tomato sauce tomorrow night.
And I’d kill for a piece of that chocolate right now!
[email protected] Two Lives, One Lifestyle says
Blogs on the east coast + me on CO time = now I’m going to have sauteed mushrooms on my salad. Cheesy croutons wouldn’t be half bad either! Enjoy reading 🙂
Food Makes Fun Fuel says
Oh, thats too bad they didn’t have enough pool to go around. Boo on them. But the eggplant parm on the other hand looks delicious!
Lexi says
1) Do you have any tips for picking out eggplant?
2) I just watched your gmail videos back to back & immediately started making some necessary changes. Thanks for the information!
Kath says
1) Make sure it’s nice and firm!
2) Whee! <3 Google
Naomi says
I’ve been a reader for a while now, but this is the first time I’ve commented. Just wanted to say I enjoy reading your posts. And…with the biking and swimming, you did a brick workout! Awesome!
Kath says
Thanks for your comment!
Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary says
Sad to hear about the questionable freshness… that eggplant looked so good !
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
How can you tell if eggplant is on its last leg? To me it all tastes the same… 🙂
I love the recipe that Matt used!
Have a great night!
Kath says
Mushiness 🙁
And brownness 🙁
Simply Life says
Oh what a great dinner!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
The eggplant looks really delicious! Too bad the freshness was sketchy.
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites says
I don’t think anyone can read quite like Jenna! But I don’t think anyone eats quite as healthy and creatively as you and Matt…your meals are a daily inspiration for me 🙂 Enjoy your night!
Kath says
🙂
Lauren @ eater not a runner says
Bummer about the swim team!
Lisa @bakebikeblog says
haha I only get through a chapter a night too! I always fall asleep!!!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) says
That chocolate looks awesome–what a great mix of flavors.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
That eggplant sounds good anyway! What a delicious dinner, a perfect summer meal!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
No matter how slow of a reader you are there will always be someone slower…ME!!! I read at talking speed. It’s rough!
[email protected]://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
I hear you on the workout. It is disappointing when you have a great plan and things just don’t fall into place. I planned a run and then it started to rain and hail and I didn’t have enough time to go to the gym. So there was no workout for me.
Jenny says
That looks like a delish dinner!
Wei-Wei says
The eggplant looks good! Too bad it was off, though. 🙁
I used to be a fast reader! I have a friend who’s a crazy-fast reader. She can read like a book a day! We used to joke that she could just flip through a book and then be done with it. 😀
Have a great night! 🙂
Wei-Wei
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
dinner looks awesome! I’ve bookmarked that recipe — I have an eggplant in my fridge destined for it!
Jenn (www.j3nn.net) says
YUM, your dinner looks fantastic! I love eggplant + salad + bread. Win, win, win!!! 😀
Jenn
Jenna says
Bummer about the eggplant but that salad looks like perfection! Thank you for the fun idea. I am always looking for new salads!
Gena says
Whoa, those salads sound killer! And just up my alley 🙂
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Sorry for the bummer about swimming, but at least you still got in a decent workout. Love that dinner!
Lisa of Lisa at Home says
That has happened to me before at the pool. That’s the worst!
Dinner looks like it made up for that, though! Delish!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i’m a slow reader too. i guess i’ve always been one!
kate says
Yum I love eggplant. If only I could convince my Matt to like it more. Sorry they booted you out of the pool, I always feel bad when I have to kick people out for our swim team practice 🙁
Rochelle @ Princess Hotcakes says
The dinner looks amazing! I’m definitely going to try the eggplant recipe. Annnnd, you two are a sweet and inspiring couple. I appreciate how you work together and pull together a tasty meal, you dine creatively , and take adorable photos together. I’m just saying… =)
Hannah says
I think it’s great that you manage to fit in the time to read. When I was writing my thesis last year I forgot about making time for “fun” reading, and I really enjoyed getting back into it during my holidays 🙂 Also, good on you for eating all the cheese from the eggplant – best part, right? 😛
Ellie says
Funny- I tried to swim today and just hit a “bad” swim day. I only swam for about a half an hour- so I feel like we are on the same level
Melissa @ For the Love of Health says
isn’t it a bummer when you are pumped about working out and something gets in the way? ah well. at least you made use of the time you did have.
what an amazing looking romantic dinner!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
The eggplant looks absolutely phenomenal! I considered picking one up from the grocery store today.
Ashley says
My swim has never gotten cut that short but I always seem to get to the pool towards the 2nd half of the open lap swim and at the end when they’re pulling the lanes I always want to go further!!! When will I learn to just get their earlier?? The salad looks awesome!
Courtney (Pancakes & Postcards) says
What are you reading? Any recommendations? : )
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
Lovely dinner!
Hehe I’m the same – 1chapter a night! After that I get too tired…fab if it’s a good book cos it lasts longer, bad if it’s a bad book cos you never finish it!
Julie says
The salad looks so good! Croutons are the best in salads…
I envy you not being a fast reader. I’m a fast reader, and whenever I get my hands on a good book it’s just gone in a couple of days – really annoying! So just be glad that yours last longer…
sarah (the SHU box) says
slow here, too 🙂 josh reads books at at least 2x the speed that i do! it’s weird but it’s one area of life where i have no motivation to rush . . . so i don’t!
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear says
I love home made croutouns! I usually use ready made when I don’t have any bread at home, but home made taste the best. YUM!
BB says
LOVE that eggplant parm, it is a summer standby in our house too!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
I HATE getting kicked out of the pool! I always end up trying to go at the same time there’s a water aerobics class 🙁
Joanne says
Great looking dinner. Way to go Matt.
Your fortunate to have a pool available – I’m still looking for one around here but I think it’s going to require signing up at the local community college for a class. Guess the class would be good since all my swim strokes look the same. 🙁
Happy reading!
Lisa says
When I was swimming at the local pool, it was very frustrating trying to find the right time to swim. Between water aerobics, swim team, swim lessons, etc. if felt like I was always kicked out.
Jil @ Peace, Love & Munchies says
Love your little outdoor dinners!! I hate sharing lanes, too.
Veggielady4life says
You’re inspiring me to attempt leisure reading again. I used to love reading! I feel like school can squash that out of you… once you’re forced to read so much for tests and everything. I think it would help de-stress at the end of the day… do you find that it helps relax you?