There are a lot of things I love about summer, but one of my favorites is Barbeques. Unfortunately this summer I haven’t been to any or even had any myself, but I was definitely in the mood for it the other night. I truly miss having a grill when I’m in the mood for grilled food! 
But I decided to see the positive side of things and make a great meal with my grill pan. Luckily I had the help of some Arnold Sandwich Thins too! These were sent to me as part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. I am a huge fan of Arnold Bread and Arnold Sandwich Thins so I was so excited to receive these.
I love these because they only have 100 calories and pack in tons of fiber, and protein, and whole grains. I’ve only tried the Multi-Grain and Whole Wheat so far, but they come in Honey Wheat, Whole Grain White, and Seedless Rye. My favorite is the Whole Wheat because it tastes heartier, denser, and toasts really well. Thank you Foodbuzz and Arnold for sending these out. True healthy sandwich inspiration!
I didn’t want to make the traditional burgers and fries so I decided to switch it up a bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love the traditional cheeseburger, but I was in the mood for something a little more….FUN!
First I started roasting some broccoli, cauliflower, and yucca fries in the oven. While those were roasting away I got started on my burgers. I added Organicville BBQ sauce to the raw meet along with some onion powder, garlic salt, Garlic Gold Nuggets (that everyone keeps talking about so I figured I MUST try), and some ground pepper. Once everything was mixed together I formed the patties and grilled away.
Instead of lettuce I used organic baby spinach, and instead of tomatoes I wanted to use a salsa I had picked up from Trader Joe’s. It was a tomato-less salsa with corn and chiles. The salsa is sweet AND spicy.
However, I love tomatoes so I cut up some yellow and red cherry tomatoes and added them to the salsa. This was going to be my burger topper along with some roasted onions.
It was exactly what I was in the mood for. Traditional burgers on the grill with a fun twist. Gotta liven things up everyone once in a while. 
But the fun didn’t stop there because I used similar ingredients to make sandwiches for the next 2 days. Both similar, but both different to keep the fun comin’.
When I like something, I want to eat it over and over, but to keep me from getting bored I always try to make it different in some way or another. So for dinner the next night I topped my Arnold Multi-Grain Sandwich Thin with 4 slices of grilled eggplant, roasted onions, and the same salsa I used yesterday, but with jalopenos this time. As if it weren’t spicy enough!
My mom had given me four huge jalapeños, and I really wanted to use them in this salsa. So I diced them up and mixed them in. Perfection! There is nothing better then spicy and sweet….except salty and sweet. I’m such a contrast person. Maybe it’s because I’m a Gemini?! 
Along with my eggplant sandwich I had a vegetable crudité on the side that included broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and celery. It was simple, fresh, and light. Of course I dipped the veggies in my favorite Galeo’s dressing. I mean how could I not?!?!?!
That eggplant sandwich was literally everything I could have hoped for and more. The fact that I had leftover eggplant in the fridge made me the happiest girl in the world. I knew exactly what I was going to have the next day for lunch.
But again, keeping the variety thing going on I added cilantro to the now tomato, corn, chile, jalopeno salsa. This added a whole other element to the sandwich. It made it fresh and pop with flavor.
And again, another awesome Arnold Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin topped with 4 slices of grilled eggplant, and my awesome salsa creation.
It was really THAT good!
With a few Mary’s Gone Crackers on the side for dipping of course.
And when you thought it was over…
There is another Thin I’ve been enjoying and it is the Thomas’ Bagel Thins. These were not given to me to sample, but something I find incredibly delicious. Something especially delicious with eggs and jam. Something I NEVER thought I would do, but once I tried it I didn’t know what took me so long! I am a contrast girl so I really don’t know what I was waiting for-It’s really good!
I bought a new jam at IKEA. Yes, I did just say IKEA, a furniture store, but they have an entire grocery section of Swedish foods, and I always love trying something new. Call me crazy, but I think it’s really exciting.
I picked up a jar of Lingonberry Preserves and some rye crispbreads, which are very similar to WASA crackers. Every morning I’ve been smothering a little of the lingonberry preserves on a Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin and adding 2 cooked egg whites. The jam is not real sweet and almost reminds me of cranberry (which I just read that it is considered a “lowbush” cranberry-so that makes sense) so it goes pretty perfectly with the egg and the bagel.
This is the way I want to start every morning…Egg white bagel thin, fresh juicy watermelon, green sencha tea, and my new favorite love…Eat, Pray, Love. All while enjoying a cooler summer day, something we haven’t had…well…all summer!
Weekend Plans include a little fresh air and exercise as Chris and I are taking our bikes out on their first ride! I just bought a new bike and am really enjoying it so far so we are headed down to the Potomac tomorrow to test them out. And perhaps have a picnic lunch by the water. Have a fantastic weekend!
What is your favorite way to start the day?
Have you tried Arnold Thins yet? What do you think?
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Wow, you are becoming more and more gourmet everyday! I’m so excited you’re reading Eat, Pray, Love – take notes!
I haven’t tried them, because I like my foods to have less freaky ingredients in them.
What delicious creations! I want them all.
I have tried the Arnold’s Things, and to be honest, they weren’t my favorite of the “thin bun” fad. If you can find the Earth Grains ones (I get mine at Wal-Mart of all places) those are worth a try. The Nature’s Own Multi-Grain are also delciious.
I am sad that I haven’t been able to join in the Eat, Pray, Love craze…I made it through “eat” and gave up on it.
I’ve never done eggplant on a sandwich before – looks fab though! Especially with a little spicy zip!
I love starting my day with a good workout. It gives me the push and energy to power through my day!