LOFT Reviews + Bacon Turkey Meatloaf

***There's actually 50% off EVERYTHING at Loft.com today!
I popped into a LOFT store after work to join my friend and it was luckily a special event night where there were free cupcakes, soda, and a braid bar!

My unique fishtail/spiral braid :)

I actually wanted everything I tried on but narrowed it down to about half the armload I brought into the fitting room. I didn't expect to purchase anything at all but ended up buying more than my friend and even opened a credit card (so unexpected). Luckily, the entire store was 40% off and the reason I decided to open a credit card is because I shop at LOFT and Ann Taylor so often that I figure the points I would rack up from my purchases would add up to essentially free items and I would also be able to take advantage of better sales. I'm seriously loving all the cozy knits in stores now because I've noticed that as my style has progressed as I've got older, comfort and style is the top priority now when shopping. All in all, it was a fun night of shopping and getting our hair braided. :)

These were all options I didn't leave with but I really liked all of them! From left to right: Petite Cable Knit Sleeve Ribbed Sweater, Petite Blocked Mixed Stitch Tunic Sweater, Petite Cozystitch Sweater Dress (2).

I ended up leaving with the Petite Blocked Mixed Stitch Tunic Sweater (same as above but I gravitate towards darker colors and my friend insisted I only get one), Petite Cable Knit Sleeve Ribbed Sweater, Petite Sleeveless Mixed Media Shirt, and Petite Cozy Cardigan.

Now that my wedding's over, I still plan to eat healthy and will still cook new recipes when I can from the tons I've collected over the years, though I will definitely feel more comfortable indulging in some recipes that aren't all too healthy too now that the pressure's off. :)  Here's a healthy version of meatloaf that I would definitely make again:

BACON TURKEY MEATLOAF

Ingredients:

4 slices turkey bacon

1 20 oz package extra lean ground turkey breast

1 egg

1 egg white

3 tablespoons quick oats

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons ketchup

1/2 cup diced onions

1/2 cup diced green pepper

1 tablespoon garlic

1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

For the gravy:

1 tablespoon light butter

1/2 cup finely diced onions

2 teaspoons garlic

2 teaspoons whole wheat flour

1/2 cup vegetable stock

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon worchestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Line the bottom of a sprayed loaf pan with bacon slices, length-wise.

3. Mix together all meatloaf ingredients except meat. Add meat last and combine well without over-mixing.

4. Transfer meat mixture to loaf pan on top of bacon

5. Flip entire loaf pan onto a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed, allowing entire loaf and bacon slices to come out as a mold.

6. Bake free-form meatloaf for 45–50 minutes

7. In the meantime, make the gravy–– melt butter over medium heat and cook onions and garlic. Add flour. Add stock and water, and allow to thicken. This may take a few minutes. Stir often. Once thickened, remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients (greek yogurt, dijon, worcestershire, salt,a nd pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.

8. Top loaf with gravy and optional green onions.

Serves 6.

Nutrition per serving:

174 calories (149 w/o gravy)

8g carbs (5g w/o gravy)

4g fat (3g w/o gravy)

27g protein (26g protein)

 
Leaving you with the quote of the day, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas A. Edison