Repeat, Repeat

It was beau-ti-ful out!!  I layed out again...the cutest dog was there again chasing his ball!  His owner put sunglasses on him too and it was soo cute!

Pre-pool, I had a delicious bowl of cereal with:

• 1/2c multibran flax cereal
• 1/4c shredded wheat n bran
• 1/2c organic honey cheerios
• sprinkle of banana granola
• 3/4c skim milk

Hit the spot! Sometimes cold cereal just does it for me :)

I had to go shopping with my boss for some cooking supplies for work.  It is so hard sometimes to balance my eating philosophy and what my job requires.  They only want to make cookies, tacos, desserts ect.  I always buy light items when possible, like light sour cream, or skim milk...but I still feel like I am filling them with junk.  I think I am going to try and have a nutrition class sometime soon with them.

Pre-pool snack:

• hummus
• Mary's herb crackers ( I like the original better, although both are excellent)
• carrots
• cucumbers

I love refreshing snacks like this!  Especially on a hot day.

Post Pool Lunch:

I got a little inspiration from Angela.  Instead of wrapping my veggie burger in lettuce, I sauteed some spinach in olive oil.  I topped the burger with avocado and tomato with a side of strawberries and some peach greek yogurt.  I usually don't eat the same thing two days in a row...but I want to use the veggie burgers and they just sounded soo good.

Welcome to Nawlens

I made the best jambalaya ever!  It was featured in clean eating magazine.  It wasn't really a gumbo as much as it was a tasty, well seasoned, SPICY, rice dish.  I was out of chicken so I just used more shrimp. I really liked it so here is the recipe:

Be for warned.  This is spicy so adjust accordingly to your spice level.

Serves 4

1c long grain rice

2 tsp olive oil

1 green pepper, 1 red pepper chopped

1/2c white onion diced

2 gloves garlic minced

1tbsp salt free cajun or creole seasoning

1/2tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1c reduced sodium chicken broth (or water)

2 cooked chicken breast halves

1/2lb med shrimp, peeled and deveined

salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook rice according to package
   
2. Meanwhile, heat oil over med high head.  Sautee peppers, garlic and onions until soft (a few min)
3. Stir in seasonings to coat veggies.
4. Add chicken and broth.  Bring the a simmer.
5. Toss in shrimp, cook until no longer opaque.
6. Add rice and heat through.

I will definitely be making this again ( I am having it for lunch or dinner tomorrow :).  You should too!  

I went for a run after work and boy did it feel great.  It has been so long since I really ran and felt like I got a long, sweaty workout.  I did 4.25 miles in 43minutes.  The weather was really nice and I felt really motivated.  YAY!

Tonight's a low key night.  Going to watch the City to see what shenanigans Olivia pulls tonight.  

Post- dinner snack:

Apple

As I said before, I have been feeling bloated lately and just not slim and trim.  So...I am trying to cut back on sweets.

I will let you all know how it goes :)

Eat, Pray, Love (run)

Afternoon all.

I was lying by the pool today post- yoga reading Eat, Pray, Love.  A few months ago, my sister suggested I read it, since I was going through some changes.  Well, I finally got around to it and so far, it has made me reflect on my life since May 2, 2008.

On May 2, 2008, I graduated from college with a degree in French and minor in Secondary Education.  I suppose you could say I was still trying to figure things out.  I had decided to not pursue a M.A. in french  but rather an M.ED in education.  Of course, I was too late applying to grad school so I was looking at one year of...work?

That summer, I decided to take a look at myself, physically speaking.  I was 5'4 and 153lbs. And not happy. Thats the most important part. It wasn't the weight, but that I wasn't happy.  I decided to join WW and lost 28lbs.  

Reading the book forced me to look back at the person and the person I am now.  My life has taken a 180, for the better.  In May, I was confused about my future, unhappy with my physical appearance and dependent on my friends, boyfriend and family for happiness.  I was scared at the thought of packing up and moving to France, even though I knew it was necessary.  I was a control freak, wanting to be able to predict the future and know exactly how it would unfold.

Now, I am independant.  I have found happiness in myself.  For those of you who can relate, I am now capable of being alone. Nearly all my friends left Gainesville upon graduation and I have been forced to "be alone" from time to time.  I ran away in the beggning, going home every weekend, flying up to New York but now, I am ok with being in Gainesville, even if everyone else has left.  I ran a half marathon and I am now training for a triathalon. I have found new ways to occupy myself that don't necessarily involve others.  I applied to a grad school program that requires one year in France.  I am really proud of how many positive changes I have made and the person I am becomming. 

In the book, she said something about pleasure.  How American's find it difficult to achieve pure pleasure.  I think I am on the road.  Finding pleasure, in my opinon, starts from within.  I have learned to let go of the control and seize every opporutnity as it is presented.  

Just wanted to share this insight with you all :)  

Breakfast was two of the baked donuts, one with an almond butter glaze the other with a drizzle of organic honey.

Post-Yoga snack was:

• 2/3c multibran flax cereal (Heritage Path)
• little less than a 1/4c banana granola
• 1/2c milk
• I love this snack.
  

Lunch:

• Giant Leaf of Lettuce (for burger top and bottom)
• veggie burger
• tomato
• avocado
• mustard

1% cottage cheese with strawberries, grapes and kiwi mixed in.

I wanted something sweet post- lunch before work.  Lately, I haven't been feeling "toned", so instead of grabbing a cookie or some chocolate, I grabbed 2 medjooled dates.  These babies are good.  They satisfied my sweet craving for a reasonable amount of calories, plus they have nutritional benefits so they are not an "empty" food.

HUMMMMMM

Hello Again!

Ok Ladies.. Pearl Harbour was on today.  I tivo-ed it, of course.  I love that movie. I swear every time I watch it I laugh, cry, smile....love it!

 

I had a pretty uneventful afternoon.  I did some hatha yoga just to relax and stretch a bit.  It was actually really relaxing...except my cat, Kitty, was very interested in what I was doing and kept getting in my way!

Post Yoga, I had an delicious snack!  One of my fave my far:

• Hertiage Path Multibran Flax cereal (1/2c)
• All natural banana granola (1/4c)
• Skim  Milk (1/2c)

I just love the flax cereal.  It is crunchy and has such a wholesome yet appropriately sweet taste.

Then I made the donuts-- (of course I HAD to try one..with  a little honey!)  Very good, more like a cookie though than donut.  I can see how good they will be dipped in chocolate :)

I feel like my apartment does not stay clean.  I don't get it.  I clean it and then a day later it looks like world war three...war of the foods.  I swear food is always everywhere.  WHY?!?!

I bought fresh veggie burgers today at Publix...and I wanted to use them so I made a scramble with:

• 4 egg whites
• one veggie burger
• spinach
• green peppers
• onions
• salsa on the side
• a slice of ezekial toast (with a bite  missing :)
• mushrooms
• part skim mozz cheese

It really hit the spot.  Of course... I needed something post dinner.  So I tivo-ed The Amazing Race and ran to Lollicup, which is Gainesville's version of Pink Berry (tart real frozen yogurt).  I used to hate Lollicup...it was sour and odd tasting.  Now

, I love it.  It is refreshing and clean tasting.  It's funny how your taste changes

Questions: Has anyone found a food they used to not care for that they now do??

Isn't She Lovely...

Good Morning everyone!

First off, Jillian Michael's killed me.  Level 2 shred is HARD.  I was sweating and today, I have a sore booty and sore calves (random right?).  Jillian- you are a beast.

Britney.  Welcome back my friend.  My friend Jamie went to the concert last night and left me a voicemail of Circus.  I am forever grateful.  Not gunna lie, I like to jam to Britt Britt.

Last night was Moira's pageant!  She was amazing!  She has so much self confidence, poise and grace.  Check out these great pictures:

Post Pageant we hit up Chili's.  It was soo late for dinner, about 10:45pm but I was hungry!  I brought snacks to hold me over at the pageant including:

• Borden Cheese Stick and Mary's Herb Crackers
• Some trail mix
• 3/4 of a cherry pie larabar (very good)

We all shared the snacks and then for dinner I had a chicken fajita pita from Chilis with black beans and some chips and salsa.  YUM. 

This morning it was BEAUTIFUL out, so I had some oats and an apple and layed out.  When I got back, I heated up the rest of my creamy carrot soup and made a veggie sandwhich with:

• ezekial bread
• hummus
• cucumbers
• spinach
• tomato
• sauteed zucchini
  

I really need to hit up Whole Foods for more Larabars...I am in love.  Let me tell you why:

1. They are all natural.  I really like the thought of eating them because they are so pure.
2. They are dense, so they take a while to chew.
3. They really taste like what they are supposed to.  For instance, you get a nice cherry flavor from the cherry pie.
4. They can be eaten on the run

I think I am going to relax for the rest of the day and maybe bake some of Meghann's Baked Donuts.  Check in later :)

Miss Gainesville

What a great Saturday!  I have been a bad food blogger though.  I only took pictures of breakfast.  My food day hasn't been too interesting...so nothing missed :)

Breakfast was oats- a delicious combo if I say so myself:

• 1/2c oats, 1c water
• 1/2 banana
• honey
• couple of dark chocolate chips
• walnuts
• barney butter
• vanilla and cinnamon

Snack: Piece of Cookie Cake ekkkkkkkkk. why why why.  I was almost out the door when Chad said, "There is cookie cake in the fridge".  Shoulda just kept walking....

Lunch: Amy's Whole Wheat Mac and Cheese ( I wasn't in the mood for anything so I quickly made this)

I was so motivated to swim today! I think it's because it was so nice, I wanted to be outside.

Swim Set, in yards:

700 warm up:

500 free

100 back

100 breast

200 Kick:

100 back

100 breast

Main Set:

 200 Long and Strong 30 seconds rest

100 Fast on 2min

50 sprint on 1 min

Repeat 4 times

Warm Down:

4 50s Comfortable Pace- alternating back and free

2,500 yrds

I then had half a cliff bar before going to do SHRED Level 2! SO HARD.  Honestly, my legs were quivering.  I was really working hard.  I like it though because it is a quick to the point workout.  It moves so quickly, there is no time to get bored or give up ha.

Post Workouts snack:

• other half of cliff bar
• smoothie with blueberries, strawberries, skim milk, vanilla protein powder

Gotta let those muscles recover!

Going to the Miss Gainesville Pageant tonight! My friend Moira is in it.  I'll put up pics later :)  I am going to bring some snack to the pageant like trail mix, granola, lara bar maybe a sandwich since it starts at 6 and probably wont be over till 9.

GO MOIRA!!

Recap

Happy Weekend!

This week is spring break and since I live in a college town...NO ONE is here.  no one. I'm not gunna lie, it's kind of nice.  I get my spring break April 4th since I am on the public school calender.  Needless to say, we went out last night. One of our friends is doing Miss Gainesville tomorrow, so myself and our three other friends went out since we were the only people left in Gainesville.  Let me tell you, it was an interesting night.

Shae, Caitlin, Me, Jenn (note the emptiness)

Recap:

1. We probably said "No You Cannot" (in the Jillian Michaels Shred Voice) 100 times.
2. It was dead.  Therefore, we could actually move around. weird.
3. A cop came up to my group asking for our IDs.  When asked who made him think we weren't 21, he pointed to me (We are all 22 or 23).
4. I ended up knowing the cop. We went to the same high school (with less than 500 people in it), when he was a senior, I was a freshman.
5. I convinced my friends Jenn and Shae to do the super sprint triathalon.  Great fun.

Overall, Successful night.

My plans for Clearwater are a bust!  The tickets fell through to the Phillies training game and Coral Springs is a ridiculous drive from where I live.  I am depressed to say the least.  On a lighter note, all you triathaloners will appreciate this:

Meg: Yeah, so I need to practice transitioning between the different events

Steph: Why?

Meg: You know, like to see what it feels like to get on a bike after swimming and stuff...

Steph: Oh so you have to practice riding a bike wet.  Just jump in the shower first... (lots of laughing and making fun of me)

Meg: I hate you.

Dinner Last Night: Chicken fried Rice

• 3/4c brown rice
• 2oz chicken
• mushrooms
• red pepper
• onion
• zucchini
• one scrambled egg
• chili thai sauce (about 1tbsp)
• soy sauce (about 1 tbsp)

I really like the thai chili sauce with it.  It added nice flavor, a little sweetness and some heat.  I couldn't even taste the egg, next time I would leave it out.  Unnecessary calories.
I had some Pacific Roasted Carrot soup, reallly good.  It was nice and sweet...but not overwhelmingly sweet.  Still had a savory side.

Dessert:  Cookies :) and a few drinks out.