Life updates...and Couscous with Chicken, Tomato, and Spinach

These days, time is a pretty precious commodity.  Being a full-time doctoral student with a graduate assistantship...and a new puppy(!!!)  Yes, I adopted a puppy back in April.  His name is Leo.  His mom was a mini poodle/cocker spaniel mix.  I adopted him from the Athens Area Humane Society.  You should check them out!!

Having a puppy is amazing but it's definitely hard work (and very time consuming).  I've still been trying to keep up with some good eats, so I've been making meals that are pretty quick and painless.  This is one of those recipes.

I adapted this from the WW Simple Start program.  The recipes they give you are only for one portion, but this basically made about 3 portions for me.

Ingredients

1 box, couscous (I used Near East)
1 can, diced tomato
1 cup, chopped spinach (I used frozen)
9 oz. chicken breast, grilled, cut into chunks
Garlic powder

1. Prepare couscous according to directions on box.

2. Add diced tomato and spinach.  Season with garlic powder.

3. Add grilled chicken.  Serve immediately.

Blueberry Almond Pops

Let me tell you something...Georgia is HOT in the summer.  Today's heat index is 105 degrees.  In this crazy heat, you have to find different ways to keep cool.  So this summer, in my abundant free time (read with overwhelming sarcasm), I've been experimenting with different popsicle flavors.  The Nutella Bailey's ones were delicious; they just never completely set (therefore, lacking the structural composition to be called a pop).

But these babies...these blueberry almond pops...they are my favorite.  By a long shot.

Ingredients
2 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)
2.5 cups almond milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. almond extract
2 tbsp. lemon juice
A pinch of salt

1. Puree all the ingredients in a blender until completely smooth.

2. Pour into popsicle molds, and place in freezer.  Leave them in the freezer for at least 5 hours (overnight is preferable).

Pro tip: Don't forget to run the mold under warm water before you remove the pop from the mold.  This will help you remove the popsicle with ease.