Christmas Dinner ‘n’ Prezzies

Merry Christmas!! (I can’t believe we have to wait 364 days for this day to come again and no more Christmas songs!?)

I hope those of you who celebrate had a wonderful Christmas filled with love and joy.

***

We had a low key Christmas this year without my brother at home (he’s in London getting his master’s degree). We usually have a large Christmas Eve dinner and then open presents at midnight. We started this tradition several years ago after my brother and I grew up. After we discovered Santa didn’t exist, we couldn’t wait for the morning to open presents….and we didn’t want to wake up early We’re a night owl family.

I started out the day (Xmas Eve) with regular eats and a great workout. I did about 40 min. of cardio and 20 min. of full body strength training. This morning my upper body was s-o-r-e!

Last night, we had a seafood-esque dinner menu.

We had build-your-own-salads.

I made an Eggplant Casserole. I didn’t have all the ingredients I needed because it was a last minute idea so we were kind of scared digging in….but it ended up being a hit!!!

Pan-seared salmon steak

Jumbo tiger shrimp!

Bacon wrapped scallops

My FIRST plate. I went back for another chunk of bread, 3 more scallops (minus the bacon), s’more eggplant casserole, ~4 more shrimp and more salmon.

***

We didn’t have a dessert prepared ahead of time but I was definitely in the baking mood. I made some fig and almond muffins.

They turned out a little dry

I love figs though…so I’ll eat ‘em up I’m sure.

I also made Coconut Almond Granola (with pecans) using Kath’s recipe. It was perfect. I used agave nectar instead of honey (because that’s what we had) and I omitted the brown sugar and just used more agave nectar.

Oil is definitely the trick to making crunchy granola. I normally like clustery granola but I really enjoyed having it loose this time so I could chew every flake!

I will never make granola without oil ever again. Just 2 TBSP+some sprays made a world of a difference. I misted the granola with olive oil throughout the baking process to ensure a super crunchy granola

After watching some silly movies on TV, it was time to open presents. We kept it low key this year. I wrapped the presents I bought with TJs, WFs, and Cold Stone paper bags. We have so many paper bags!!

I got a framed photo of ANDY RODDICK (my love) and lotsa moolah for the SLR fund.

See?

I got my mom 2 Adam Lambert CDs (she is obsessed haha). I got my dad a subscription to Golf Magazine, and I got both of them wine glasses because we have broken ~4 in the last couple of months. My dad also got a GARMIN GPS and a nice golf club. My uncle got pizza sauce (he loves pizza) and a case for his camera/camcorder. Yep, it was pretty low key

OH that’s not all…I’m getting my MAIN Christmas present hopefully tomorrow….

(No, not an SLR camera)

***

This morning, I had a bowl of Greek yogurt and kefir with coconut almond granola, a sliced pear and coffee in my Christmas tree mug.

And then I had many many many many more handfuls of granola. Addicting.

My momma and I went for a walk outside but we came back not too long after because it was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g. I was planning on working out but I’m enjoying this warm spot I’ve made in the couch watching lame TV

Stay tuned for my last prezzie

Tagged as: Almonds, Bacon, Bread, Coffee, Dried Cranberries, Eggplant Casserole, Figs, Granola, Muffins, Mushrooms, Pears, Salmon, Scallops, Shrimp, Spinach Salad, Walnuts