I really, really like getting packages in the mail. Especially when they come from one of my favorite companies!
This afternoon, I actually ended up receiving quite the shipment of packages, to which Jay pronounced, “What?!? That is just not fair!”
Aww, sorry hubs. It comes with the territory.
But back to that first goodie pictured above; I received a lovely little goodie box from Larabar, filled with some samples of their newest flavor: Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte.
Does that flavor not scream EAT ME RIGHT NOW or what?!? So of course, I did.
To date, my favorite Larabar flavors have been Blueberry Muffin and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough; but this flavor has definitely squeaked its way up to the top. It’s basically an exact replica of what it says…a chocolate chip cherry torte…just in bar form. Which is a-okay with me.
Thanks, Larabar, for the goodies!
*****
Tonight’s Dinner
Okay, Cooking Light magazine officially rocks. Thank you, again, to my mother-in-law, who purchased the subscription for Jay and I. It is perfect, and we will continue to love it for as long as the subscription lasts.
Tonight’s dinner was another Cooking Light rock star.
The most recent issue contained a recipe for Quick Pastitsio which I had never heard of, but immediately knew it would be a hit in this house. For one, we can never go wrong when there’s pasta involved; we both love it to pieces. But I also knew that this recipe would be a hit with Jay when I saw that there was ground sirloin involved.
And guess what? I didn’t even make him cook it.
I followed the original recipe almost exactly, only substituting a portion of the cream cheese with plain Chobani Greek yogurt. I think the next time I make it, however, I’ll probably add a little extra salt. One thing I’ve noticed with many of the Cooking Light recipes is that they’re lacking a bit in the salt department. Other than that, it was a winner!
Since I knew that we’d both probably go to town on the pasta dish, I kept things simple by serving it with some simple mixed greens, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.
Deeelish.
*****
Okay, is anyone else as excited as I am for the fact that a brand new Modern Family is on tonight?!? I have been waiting all summer for it to come back on. I am obsessed psyched!
Question for the Evening:
What’s the last fun package you got in the mail?
Kathryn says
A few months ago a won a contest Subway was having. I received 3 tubs of salsa, 3 tubs of queso, 7 packs of guacamole, 3 bags of chips, gift card, and a giant 3foot avocado cooler thingy. I had forgotten the contest when I got my packages. Made it even more awesome.
Cait says
omg im salivating just looking at that dish! must make! how fun for your lil larabar treat! I haven’t had anything fun in the mail except a few weeks ago my Erin Condren planner ;) xo
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
That looks delicious!!
Getting packages is so fun! I got some yummy granola from Love Grown that made me smile! :-)
Mallory @ It's Only Life says
Yum! The last fun package I received was a bunch of free almond samples from “awesome almonds”…the java chocolate were my faves!
Savannah @ Sweet and Savvy says
I cannot wait to try that Lara Bar!
And your dinner looks wonderful! I’ve been looking for new dinner recipes :)
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
The best package I got lately was that exact same package!!!
Kait @ One Love Run says
I love Larabars! I just started eating them recently, and I love the variety of yummy flavors!!
I just cleared out my DVR to make sure there is enough room for Modern Family to record tonight since I will be at work … I can’t wait! And I hear its full 60 minutes? yessss!
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign says
That new flavor sounds really good–I can’t wait to check it out when it hits the stores.
Best package as of late? A package filled with coffee from Tina over at Carrots n’ Cake!
Courtney says
Ooooo, lucky YOU! :)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Lucky duck! Those Larabars sound sooooo amazing!!!! —I still haven’t ever eaten a Larabar. Pretty sure I need to get on that ;)
….I love Cooking Light! I also love EatingWell! Those two never let me down!
Lauren says
Haha my hubby always gets so jealous when I get a lot of packages in the mail too. Yesterday one actually came for him and he felt the need to rub it in my face. :)
allison says
Yay for modern family! You have to start watching The Middle too! It comes on right before MF and is hilarious!
Also, where did you but the 10lb slimdown dvd? I am obsessed with those!
Courtney says
It was sent to me to review, but you can buy it off of the Exercise TV store!
Mandee @ Mandeelicious says
I want to try that flavor! When are they coming out in stores?
Courtney says
I’m not sure? I haven’t seen them in any of my stores yet…
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
That dinner looks delicious!! I love baked pasta dishes. Yum!
And to answer your question, last week I got a foam roller in the mail. I was extrememly excited about that, especially since it came just two days before my 10k!!
Amber Starr @ Love, Laugh, Live Well says
So jealous of your Larabar delivery! That flavor sounds so good (I don’t think I’ve ever seen it at our store, but I’m gonna make sure to find it somewhere!). My hubby gets jealous of the various deliveries I get too. ;)
Pasta looks yummy!
Courtney @ The Granola Chronicles says
That larabar flavor sounds great! I rarely buy larabars though because they are so easy to replicate at home. I’m sure this chocolate cherry torte one would be also! :)
I received a package from Crystal Light yesterday with some of their new Pure drink powders. LOVE getting things in the mail!
Courtney says
Yes! I got those too…so far I’ve only tried the lemonade, but I liked it!
Lindsay says
how do you get all this stuff to try in the mail???
Courtney says
Haha, often times it will be a blog reader who happens to work for a company. :)
Jess @ Jess Go Bananas says
bahahaha! my parents are the same way with the packages! Most recently, I got a package from Artisana Foods! It was chock full of yummyness :) Larabars are so much better than the real thing! Love them!
Erica says
i just got my snapfish photobook i made of all the photobooth pics from my wedding, and today i got some things i bought off my macy’s registry just cause it was on sale :)
Sara @ RunnerWife says
I love getting packages from runningwearhouse, because typically my husband has been ordering things online and occasionally will slip a thing or two in there for me ;)
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
That dish looks like something my family would totally be into . Pasta, creaminess. Yum!
Emmarie @ Bananas and Beer says
I’ve always wanted to try a Larabar, but they’re kinda pricey. I guess if they’re delish, then I guess it’s worth it!
Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill says
The last fun [unedible] package I received was Tory Burch flats. Shoes in the mail makes me super excited! Around the same time, I also received Love Grown granola…mmmm!!
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
Mmm! That looks good! I’m excited to watch ‘Modern Family’ too! I’m waiting until Friday though, so I can watch it with my boyfriend. We were both too busy to watch it tonight!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
That recipe looks picture perfect! Being married to a Greek whose mom is from Greece and actually makes her own pastitsio, I would definitely give this a try. There’s no way I’m going to be able to replicate hers but I like the idea of a “quick” approach to it and I’m sure the hubby would appreciate it!
Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats says
I have avoided trying the Chocolate Cherry Torte Larabar for the fact I swore it had walnuts in it, which I am allergic to! I have seen it at my health food store for the last month or so and was bitter everytime I thought I couldn’t try it. Guess we know what I will be up to tomorrow! lol.
That pasta dish looks wonderful! Cooking Light and Clean Eating Magazine always have great recipes! :)
The last fun package I got was some new Lululemon gear! :)
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
I wish Larabar was sending me sweet packages like that!!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
I’ve seen a couple other bloggers receive the Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte LARABAR today and gave raving reviews over it too! It must be something pretty special!
The last “fun package” I got in the mail was a Vera Bradley wallet purse and a cute card from my mom. It was completely unexpected too – the best kind of packages! :)
Khushboo says
I’m with Jay- just not fair :)
Lindsay@bikingbeforebed says
Yesterday I got a fat letter with a bunch of pictures my friend printed from our trip to Austin last month! I am always so bad at printing pictures so I was so excited she took the time to print some for me. Now I just need to find some frames.
Katy Widrick says
Lucas used to get so jealous of all my goodies — until two things happened.
1) He started blogging himself and getting packages and gifts of his own.
2) I started letting him have first pick of any food I got. :)
Courtney says
Haha, so maybe I should tell Jay to start a blog of his own then? ;)
Jodi says
The pasta bake looks amazing!
I love getting packages, but I rarely ever get them !! :-(
Hope says
Those larabars sound and look amazing. I’ll have to look for that flavor!
Dinner looks delicious! :)
The last thing I recieved in the mail was a candle to try out from a survey company for Bath and Body Works. I’m happy because the candle smells amazing! :)
Amanda says
hahahahaa I love Jay’s face in that photo, hilarious
Emily says
I have that recipe marked to make in my magazine at home.
And I think that the salt has decreased because of the salt guidelines that were issued this year…
Yolie @ Practising Wellness says
That larabar package is so cute! And I adore getting packages in the mail too – how cool for you! :-) Also cool is the insanely delicious pasta dish you just posted. I don’t even like pasta and that looks SO good, lol! :-P Yum! <3 xyx
Samantha says
Jay’s face in that picture made me LOL – Priceless!
The last fun package I received was my Foodie Pen Pal’s package – it was full of so many delicious goodies!
Courtney says
Foodie pen pal?!? That’s awesome!
Kim @ The Family Practice says
Yes! Modern Family! So funny – did you also see they won four emmy’s?
Ari @ Ari's Menu says
I always complain about how my husband gets packages and I never do, and a couple of months ago, we’d been looking everywhere for Lady and the Tramp on dvd because I had been dying to watch it, and he surprised me with having it come in the mail. It was the BEST package! :)
Courtney says
That is SUCH an awesome move on your husband’s part! Way to go him! :)
Lexie @ This Aussie Eats says
Aww I got the same surprise package! I love the CCCT flavor, even better frozen!
Pamela says
We are making this dish tonight. Hope it turns out well! :)