When I was growing up, every now and then my mom would declare it a backwards dinner kind of night. We smiled as the aroma of homemade chocolate chips cookies filled the house. It was a fun treat that happened only so often, and it’s a tradition plan on continuing. Yesterday was a test drive of the idea…
Breakfast was 2 scrambled eggs, topped with a fresh mango peach salsa from Target. Strawberries (organic because they taste SO much better) on the side. Hailey loved the strawberries! (Yes, she eats strawberries. No allergies over here.)
For lunch I made a large batch of Mexican Quinoa Salad to eat through the week and ate in on top of mixed greens. I topped it with more mango peach salsa and some homemade Greek-style yogurt. Made this way so it could be organic (for Hailey).
Green beans and Sabra’s Supremely Spicy hummus made an excellent afternoon snack. I used a handful of Kashi pita chips to finish off the hummus (unpictured).
Then, it was yoga time! I’ve told you how I’ve missed hot yoga, but that the studio with childcare isn’t exactly close. Well, they opened up a new later time spot that works for me and I hope to make the drive once a week because the feeling I get from yoga is unlike any other.
Yesterday’s class was GREAT (and not just because David got to come, too!). It was challenging and satisfying, and just as we began our savasana, they dark clouds opened up and let loose their thunder (…and lightening… and torrential downpour). Ahh-mazing.
Afterwards David went to get the car so Hailey and I would only have to run about 10 feet. We still got soaked.
Feeling exhausted and completely relaxed at the same time, we headed home. We were about to pull in the neighborhood at 6:00pm when we both commented how great TCBY would taste right about now, so we turned the car around to satisfy our craving.
I’m so glad we did. His (left) and her’s (right). I went with the Greek fro-yo with a little root beer float fro-yo on the side (I find it incredibly tasty!) Topped with mango, blackberries, mochi, a few crushed Oreos and whipped cream.
The cliché of healthy living bloggers and fro-yo lives on!! 
By the time we finished up, the clouds had cleared. I took it as a sign that our treat stop was meant to be.
After Hailey was in bed, we made the second course of dinner. Grilled Morningstar Farms black bean burger topped with herbed goat cheese and sautéed mushrooms and onions on a whole wheat bun. Grilled broccolini on the side.
Then watched an episode of The Middle before retiring to read and go to bed…. at 9:30.
Yoga will do it to ya!
Do you ever do backwards dinners?
Adria @ The Sparkles Diaries says
My mom would do the same thing too!! And it is a tradition that I have also kept for my family. My daughter actually calls it brunch… lol. Oh! And thank you for sharing the Mexican Quinoa Salad recipe. I will definitely try it… once I get some quinoa 😉
Jessica Ballard says
That burger with the goat cheese looks and sounds amazing. I think we will try that one out!
Kathy says
I can’t wait to make the Mexican Quinoa Salad! Looks yummy. Thanks to you I am so into quinoa now. I love it! Have a great day!
christina says
I have GOT to make the Mexican quinoa salad. And that’s my favorite hummus. YUM!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Backwards dinner is such a fun idea! I’ve done that once at a restaurant… I did NOT finish my veggies afterwards though. LOL! 🙂
Alli says
You should try making your own Greek yogurt! Much cheaper 🙂 http://kamisniche.blogspot.com/2011/04/homemade-yogurt-crockpot-style.html?m=0
Lisa says
Ah, the mexican salad looks divine!! I have got to try that out. I’ve never had backwards dinner before, but I have just eaten dessert for dinner. Probably for most of my high school years actually.
Maria says
Oh how I love those afternoon rain/thunder storms that you get in the late spring/early summer. We don’t have enough humidity here in CA to get them, so I”m hoping that Mother Nature provides me with one while I”m in VA this weekend!
Look at Hailey being a trouper all soaking wet!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated says
Hmm I don’t know if I do backwards dinners, but I do sometimes just skip straight to dessert!! 😉 Tonight might actually be a backwards dinner, though. I have an interview at 3:30, and then my husband said I should treat myself to some frozen yogurt after. But that will probably be at 5:00, and I know I’ll be hungry again later haha!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
I love the backwards dinner concept! So fun!
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
Glad you liked the yogurt 🙂
I think a downpour after a hot yoga class would be absolutely glorious!
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers says
Oooo, new combos! I never thought of putting green beans with hummus or fruit with eggs. Happy WIAW!
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Awww, that sounds like such a fun day! I’m glad you got to go to Yoga!! 🙂 And fro yo before dinner sounds like a win to me 😉 haha
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana says
I love reading about other people’s family traditions! Makes me think about the ones I want to incorporate for my own kids 🙂
katie says
your little girl is SO CUTE! i love how yall pulled right around and went to TCBY – haha that is awesome!
blackhuff says
Seeing that photo of the rainbow, made me think of how much I see similar images like that on movies. Remember, movies are made that side of the world, so it’s rather cool seeing it on people’s blogs like this.
I like how the robots are hanging from lines. Ours are standing poles on every corner of the the street. I kinda like that yours are hanging in the air because no car can drive into them by accident.
I love that ice creams you two had. Sounds so delicious.
Kristy @ Breath of Sunshine says
Oh just reading about your yoga class gives me goosebumps. (slightly jealous!)
And I might be stealing your family tradition too!
Julie says
I totally had fro-yo today too! They have a low cal/low carb PB froyo with only 8 cals per ounce. I got a big tub to take home for my freezer. Not cheap though.
Matt @ The Athlete's Plate says
Sometimes you need dessert BEFORE dinner 🙂