Winding Down.

Hey everyone! Have a great evening, here is a quick post.

Had a great snack of (sorry it's crooked!):

• cucumber
• carrots
• 1tbsp organic hummus
• handful of Mary's organic crackers
• 1 part skim cheese stick

Went to work then Barnes and Nobles to check out some good cookbooks and then came home for dinner.

I made a delicious grilled wrap with:

• edamame puree (pureed some edamame with olive oil, bit of yogurt, salt and pepper)
• black beans (about 1/4c)
• red pepper
• 1/4c part skim cheese
• spinach leaves
• spelt wrap

I matched it with a handful of grapes and a salad with cucumbers, tomato, corn, vinegar and olive oil.  YUMO.

I felt really munchy post dinner- craving sweets.  OH NO, maybe I should do a CFW like Angela!! I had some ice cream (about one cup! EEK), some squares of chocolate (about 5 squares!) AND a homemade banana larabar!!  All in all though, I'm proud.  This normally would have led to consuming everything in sight.  Instead, I had a few things and then stopped myself. YAY for progress! 

Looks like extra gym time for me tomorrow :)  

Goals for the rest of the week:

1. Eat more veggies.
2. Try some new recipes- branch out especially for breakfast and lunch.
3. Try and find alternates to dessert on some nights.
4. Exercise but be careful of my ankle!!
5. Read more

See you tomorrow!

For Oats Sake!

Happy lunch hour everyone!

I went to the gym to let my ankle rest a few more days heeding Caitlin's advice!.  I really just don't care for the gym, unless I go there for a class or to lift weights.  Nevertheless, I jumped on the sit back bike ( 15min)  and the elliptical (25min), did some light weights and some abs and stretching.

My oats kept me full for so long that I only had half of a Larabar (pecan pie flavor) before my workout. I ate the other half after lunch, before my snack, since I was a bit hungry.  It was pretty good, I still like the chocolate coconut and cashew cookie better.

I just looveee the quinoa salad I made!  It is soo good and versatile.  Today, I had about 3/4c with my left over Bison filet and a baby smoothie.

Smoothie:

• 1/2c skim milk
• handful of blueberries
• 1/2 banana (left over from my oats)
• 2 ice cubes
• 1tsp flax seed
• 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder

Blend Blend Blend.  It was tasty although I find with banana, it really overpowers the other fruit. I like banana, but I want to try and taste the other fruit too.  I think I will try a peach based smoothie next, maybe peaches and cream?

On the Run Tip:

Never know how much is "enough"?  Follow these simple tips:

*again these are just the recommended serving sizes, not necessarily what I eat.

• Protein such as meat, poultry: the size of an old school ipod (watch for thickness!)
• Peanut butter (my fave): the size of a golf ball
• Cheese: the size of a matchbook (I know I know, too small!!!)
• Baked Potato: size of a computer mouse
• Pasta/Rice: the size of a tennis ball

Tip:

I would highly suggest washing your Old Navy water bottle if you buy one in the dishwasher.  Mine tasted like aluminum (even after hand washing it) and the taste went away after I washed it in the dishwasher.  It doesn't recommend washing the bottle (not sure why, maybe to keep the colors on the bottle intact) but I just couldn't drink out of it without washing it in the dishwasher. 

I am mad at my crock pot and my oats.  They failed me this morning.  I tried to make a crock pot porridge.  Pretty much its brown rice, oatmeal, fruit, nuts, spices and milk, put it in the crock pot and you have on the go breakfast in the AM.  I think I left it in too long ( I set it at 10pm and got up at 8am...a LITTLEEEE too long), it burned. NOT APPETIZING.

So, I opted for regular oatmeal instead.  I think oatmeal, oatmeal pancakes and cereal with berries are the best breakfast fillers for me personally.

My oats had

• dates
  
• cinnamon
• vanilla
• raisins
• banana (best part)
• walnuts
• drizzle of honey, scoop of all natural PB

So warm and cozy. Then I watched The Hills from last night.

SPOILER ALERT!

So, honestly, not a huge fan of Jason The Bachelor.  Never was. I found him kind of weak (sorry!). DEF NOT a fan after this little episode.  I hate how Jason tries to act so "nice".  Like, oh, I have to let Melissa be angry for a while.  Oh, ok, thanks Jason you are so mature. Thanks for being such a mature individual.  I got the heads up on the switcharoo thanks to US Weekly.  Apparently, this was a plot cooked up by the producers and that Jason wanted to be with Molly the entire time but chose Melissa so they could do the swap to boost ratings.  Jason: What would Ty say?!?!?!

And Olivia on The City?. No words for her.  Are these people real? I mean probably not since its the City but still!!!!

Off to work for a bit and the gym

Fun Finds!

After work, I made a quick run to Old Navy to get a new water bottle.  I think I forgot my pink one at the pool on sunday :( and a girl needs her water!  GREATTTTT FINDSSSS!!  What a great selection of aluminum water bottles in two sizes.  I love these water bottles because:

1. They are aluminum!  No icky plastic leaking into my water.
2. They are good for the environment.  Less plastic = Less pollution.
3. They are cute.  Different styles for different personalities.  
4. They come in two sizes.  The little one is perfect for spinning/riding your bike, since it has a pop up top.  The bigger one is great for everyday use, since it holds quite a bit of water and you can tie it to your bag!
5. It's secure!  My temporary water bottle was leaking from the bottom today at yoga due to a crack in the plastic. NOT COOL.
6. It's a conversation starter.  "Where did you get that cool bottle???"
7. CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.  The most expensive bottle was $7.50!!! A case of water alone is about $5.00 these days.

Snack: Left over quinoa salad (even better cold!) with a salmon "cake" mixed in.

Dinner Mate!

Went to Outback for dinner. Haven't been there in sooo long.  I got the Chicken and Shrimp Griller with grilled veggies and grilled pinneapple.  I substituted the rice for a sweet potato.  Here I am getting ready to dig in :)  No dessert for me tonight, already had my sweet treats earlier. 

Bday Lunch

The name of this restaurant was very deceiving.  It's called The Fat Tuscan, however, there were many healthy choices!! YAY! The atmosphere was great, very homy and cozy, take note of the pic above!! 

I chose the Nicoise Salad, complete with Ahi Tuna, Potatoes, Green Beans, Roasted Red Peppers, Olives and Egg (I took out the yolks and ate the whites) accompanied by a slice of homemade bread and homemade dressing (I had it on the side). 

Chad, the birthday boy!, got the Antipasto Sandwich! DELISH!!  The bread was soft and the filling was flavorful.  It had prosciutto, ham, salami, olives, roasted red peppers, artichokes, mozzarella cheese and provolone (we think!).  It came with a side of pasta salad.  I had a bite of his and it was very very good.

 

THEN CAME TROUBLE!!!! COOKIE CAKE AHHH.  Hehe. But soo delicious.  I had two (2!!) pieces and one little homemade chocolate "cup" filled with vanilla creme.  When in ROME! (or Tuscany!)

 

Going out to dinner tonight with my sister to Outback.  I think I am going to get the Shrimp and Chicken Griller, no rice, instead substitute it for a baked sweet potato.  I am craving one!

Happy Monday!

Good morning!

I decided to try a new yoga class this morning.  I usually do yoga practice Monday and Friday at 11am.  I am the youngest person in the class by about...20 years!  So today, I went with my friend Staci to a "younger" class.  Here's my recap:

Pros:

1. This teacher knew her stuff.  She told us the name (and translation) of every pose, which was very cool and interesting.
2. She moved around the class.  She helped us find our poses, corrected posture and just moved in general so we could really see her.
3. This was a workout.  She really had us moving quickly, doing one sequence in "real time"
4. It was early. 8am.  I usually don't wake up until 8:45! It got my day going on the right foot.

Cons:

1. Our instructor wasn't the most soft spoken of people.  I felt like she was a little too stern at some points.
2. It was a little difficult to focus on my breathing and the movements.  She was really going fast so it was pretty much one breath for every move, rather than feeling the move for a few breaths.
3. It was a workout.  Pro and Con because sometime I just want to relax and stretch.
4. It wasn't very spiritual.  I am not the most spiritual person but I like it with yoga.

I will defiantly go back. I think I'll alternate between the two class, one on Monday and one on Friday (I like to sleep in a little on Fridays :) )

Speaking of Yoga, Angela as purchased from Lulu!  Check out her comment on yesterday's post :)  She had some great things to say.  Thanks for adding me Angela and thanks for the comment!

Pre- Yoga Breakfast

• homemade spelt wrap
• homemade black bean puree (black beans, touch of olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, red onion)
• sauteed red peppers, white onion, spinach
• 3 egg whites
• fresh strawberries

 

Post yoga snack

• one fresh apple
• about 1.5tbsp all natural peanut butter on half
• a drizzle of natural honey and cinnamon on the other half

I am going to The Fat Tuscan for a birthday lunch!  The paninis sound wonderful, but I think I am going to get the Nicoise Salad...Ahi Tuna is calling me!!

Fun Finds!

Who doesn't love a good pair of yoga pants?  Yoga has many health/mind/spiritual benefits and cute clothes. I love yoga clothes because

1. They can transition into cute daytime wear.  Who doesn't envy that girl looking casually chic in her yoga pants and jacket, with glowing skin and a cute racer back top with her water bottle in tow?
2. They are comfy.  A good pair of pants is key to good yoga practice.  I like a pair that move with your body and stay put!
3. They are fun!  Cool styles and fun colors make yoga practice, well, FUN!
   
4. They are practical!  Many styles have built in pockets so you can store a house key ect.

My friend Moira always looks cute and chic in her yoga pants.  Here is a great website she told me about where they have tons of fun styles-LuLu. Thanks Moira!

  I have not bought from this website...but I am planning my first purchase, the Empower Crop Style in a fun color like Krinkle Green.  I am loving that there is an inside pocket. I personally don't like to run in pants (unless they are Nike Running tights/pants) so I am going to buy a pair for yoga practice and a pair for running errands/bumming around :)  Product review to come so stay tuned.  

Question: Has anyone else bought from this company?  Comment?

Post lunch snack was a few almonds, a bowl of flax plus and skim milk AND a banana bread homemade larabar...I was hungry!

I made a summer quinoa salad for dinner.  I really like this grain, it almost pops in your mouth and has a nice flavor.  I got the recipe for the salad from the Eat Clean Diet Cookbook, it consisted of

• cucumber
• quinoa
• tomato
• edamame
• thyme
• lemon juice
• soy sauce

It was a bit on the salty side, next time I would not salt the actual grain before cooking it.  There was enough with the soy sauce. This is going to be great cold, which is perfect for a quick snack tomorrow :)

I paired it with a delicious bison fillet mignon and steamed broccoli.

For dessert, I warmed up the other half of my pecan bar, eh not that great warm.  It was too buttery and when I warmed it, it just didn't have that great of a taste.  So...I had 2 little squares of chocolate too.  They hit the spot.  I LOVE choxie bars- I got these at Target.  One was milk chocolate creme brulee truffle and the other was dark chocolate coconut truffle bar.  The dark chocolate was a good balance of sweetness, the milk was a little too sweet.  I highly recommend them because they really satisfy a sweet tooth with a small amount. They are so cute, they are begging to be eaten!

DELISH!

My knee is still really bothering me so I decided to go for a swim.  Pre-swim snack was a delicious bowl of 1% cottage cheese, the other 1/2 of the banana from breakfast and grapes all mixed together.  I really love this combo. If you are a new cottage cheese eater, I highly suggest adding grapes (red ones).  They are sweet and crunchy and contrast nicely with the texture of the cottage cheese.  Bananas are the same texture (so once you get used to that add them in too)  but they add a nice sweetness as well.

 

Don't cha just wanna eat it??

Since I knew I would be getting hungry after my swim, I made my spelt wraps in advance, this time, freezing some like Angela suggested.  Here's a pic:

Swimming was great!  I could feel my ankle/knee still bothering me so I'm glad I didn't push it and run. This was my workout:

• Warm Up: 300m free, 100m backstroke comfortable pace
• Kicking: 200m alternating breaststroke and free kick
• Pull: 200m, switching each 50 between free, back and breast
• "Main Set": 200m free 30s rest, 6 100m alternating each 100 (1st back, 2nd IM, 3rd Free, repeat) on 2m 15s, 6 50m same as the 100m on 1m 10s
• Cool Down: 100m slow pace

I attempted to make a salmon cake for lunch to put in my wrap.  I was somewhat successful but I needed to add a binding agent, like an egg white, so it would stick.  I mixed:

• canned salmon- 1/2c to make 2servings (saving one for tomorrow)
• onions, red peppers and carrots lightly sauteed
• paprika, deli mustard (squirt), plain fat free yogurt (a dollop)
• pepper, no salt because the canned salmon was salty already

I then put it in a grill pan in an attempt to make it stick (which it didn't) but it was warm and delish!  I then stuffed it in a wrap with some hummus, spinach and tomato with a side of carrots and hummus.  HELLO LUNCH!

Close up of my attempt:

Nuts for Nuts!!

Food Find:

I heart nuts.  I like nut mixes, plain nuts, nut butters, dried nuts, sweet treats.  My dad always sends me nut baskets from NUTSONLINE.  This is a great website and I highly suggest it (they ship to Canada too). Why you may ask?

1. Nutsonline delivers quickly! I am impatient so I want it fast.
2. Everything is fresh.  You can smell the quality as soon as you open your package.
3. You can mix and match.  Chocolate covered pretzels and pistachios? Yes please.
4. Makes a great gift.
5. Their health information is online.  I don't mean just calories and fat.  They tell you the vitamins in their products!  How great is that?!

Leftovers from my delicious basket.  Please note how he chocolate covered pretzels are nowhere to be found.