Evening and Afternoon Update!

* I forgot to put up my dinner! I steamed asparagus and brussel sprouts…

Then added a piece of lasagna on top

 

I am heading to Jeff’s sister’s- Missy Mo’s gym shortly. She is letting me use a guest pass to see if I enjoy this gym, isn’t that sweet !?!
When I got back from class and before I took Jack for a walk, I had an afternoon Snack:
Greek Nonfat Blueberry Yogurt and

Chai Bumble Bar ( I had half)

Chai Bumble Bar Review:
I LOVED the smell of this bar!! It smelled exactly like chai! I really enjoyed this one in comparison to the cherry chocolate and I would say it is a tie with the apricot for me- The sesame was not overpowering, and it was sweet but cinnamon like as well. It was just the right amount of crunch and chew and sweetness for me. 

Lunch:
I packed my lunch in my Pink Insulated Lean Cuisine lunch bag- they were specifically designed to support Breast Cancer awareness/research. I order them online every year and they are available in september- october but they go FAST! I remember the first year they came out, I didn’t get one because they ran out! this past year I ordered several and gave them as presents – half of their cost is donated to the komen foundation! They cost $9.95 ( well they did…I don’t know about upcoming years) and I had free shipping! They have expanded their designs as well! Isn’t it darling!?

I had an organic pear and an arnold sandwich thin filled with baby spinach, two slices of turkey and one slice of ham, and a chocolate.

Breakfast:

Smoothie ( vanilla designer whey protein, organic milk, frozen blueberries, 1/2 banana,frozen mango), I had the other half of banana with some peanut butter , some kiwi and pineapple and a piece of newman’s own double fiber bread.

I WAS sooooo full.. It took me awhile to actually finish this breakfast.

 

* If you have noticed this yellow dish (and I have an orange one as well), they were christmas presents and are from pottery barn. I really enjoy them because they make my pictures a little more colorful on here, and they work so nicely for Jeff and I. It makes it a better surface to eat on if we eat in the living room.. and it makes it easy to carry everything in there as well. *

Update to Last Night:

I did have dessert! I made a single serving of No Pudge Brownie Mix using nonfat greek yogurt. I added some mini chocolate chips and a little peanut butter too.

French Toast with Warm Peaches, Strawberries and Cherries

Egg White French Toast, I used the leftover batter for scrambled eggs (mostly whites) and frozen Peaches, Strawberries and cherries (heated up in a separate bowl). I used cage-free born free eggs and Newman’s Own Double Fiber Bread-

Delicious!

Jeff and I had the exact same plate. I am usually not as hungry as he is but this morning I totally was!

Body:

I might go for a run or the gym but I also might do a new DVD I got- I am SOOO EXCITED to try it.

I saw the Cardio Pilates Danielle at Around The World mentioned the other day. I was so close to buying it when I saw Dancing with The Stars Cardio next to it- You learn the Mamba, ChaCha, Meringe & Salsa. I decided on the Dancing with The Stars and I will get the Cadio Pilates in January maybe when I get some more $$$.

I have been really wanting to get a new dvd for home…. just because sometimes I like to get in a workout here but NOT have to drive out to the gym and back.

I will for sure let you know how it is!

Mind:

Reading more of my never-ending book that I really enjoy. Sigh.

Soul:
… we have some plans to go shopping for his family, and stop in to see his neice and nephew run around the football field at Jeff’s alum. stadium.

I slept in… and needed it! My muscles needed it from this week of circuit training with Jeff. ( We did jumping jacks, crunches, or side to sides whenever the other one was lifting the weight- it was a great workout- we were always going!) The reason why I mention it here is because I am so happy that Jeff and I spent time together in that way this week. I know how much Jeff wanted to get back into exercising, so it makes me happy that he is happier.

Toasted Cinnamon Almonds

…are the best! I got this big bag of raw sliced almonds from Trader Joes (~ $4) so that I could do a special appetizer for Momma Mo’s tree trimming tonight! Well this bag should last me quite a long time, even though it was the smallest bag they had…

I toasted them in the pan while I cooked two pieces of egg white french toast and sprinkle cinnamon over all of it. I heated up frozen blueberries, frozen mango, and frozen pineapple. Chobani Nonfat Greek Yogurt on the side- I swear this is just soooo delicious . If you haven’t tried this yogurt and you like yogurt with fruit on the bottom- you must try this! Its delicious!

Up top with black coffee in my snowman mug!

Today, I’m hoping to get in a run and look into getting a job and prepare the dish for this evening! Happy Tuesday!

Happy Thursday To All!

* last night Jeff and I each had a glass of a Riesling I have been keeping my fridge since Thanksgiving. I finally thought it was time to celebrate a little- so there is my glass- we watched a scary movie (Sweeney Todd) and I couldn’t take the grossness because I would have nightmares now that he is gone for a few days. So we switched to a comedy, The Ex. I thought it was hilarious- not a great movie- but funny!

Breakfast:
1/4 cup Irish Oats

1/3 cup water

Heated up for 2 minutes, pushed in frozen Mango, Strawberry, and Blueberries. Re-heated for another minute.

Added 3/4 cup Trader Joe’s Nonfat Greek Yogurt

Sprinkle Cinnamon

Smucker’s All Natural

I like how my Snowman Family is holding onto my breakfast bowl this morning! Hee Hee…

and if you like snowmen too, check out Heather’s Snowman Family… SO CUTE! While you visit her there, leave a comment for her food drive donation. She will donate 5 cents for each comment!

If you fee like surfing some more, check out Cory at http://zestycook.com/zesty-reaches-100-posts-giveaway-time/. He is giving away $100 for celebrating his 100 posts! He has AMAZING recipes too!

Now on to me:

Body:
My foot still hurts but not as much as yesterday- I have noticed this knee twisting, toe pain the last week only on days I run so I know that it’s connected to that. I feel okay ( my knee feels ” twisty” but doesn’t hurt) while I run though, its always after.
I am not sure what to do about it yet, other than rest from running. It’s actually the opposite knee that got “dislocated” in August.
I think I will do strength training: Chest, Shoulders, Triceps, Hammies and then for Cardio just do elliptical and bike. Nothing compares to getting in a good run for cardio though.

* Still looking at new gyms, but I think I am trying to wait for the best deal. With new year’s coming up, I’m not sure if deals will get better or worse because of demand.*

Mind:
- suduko suduko suduko- I am almost finished with my book of puzzles, I will have to switch to online.

Soul:
I miss Jeff already, he left at 5:45am this morning and I could not fall back asleep once he left! I eventually did but it took forever. So here is my list of things I would like to do over break, some more immediate than others

More in The Next Few Days:

• Throw out or sell old clothes
• Get rid of all the crap stuff in my clothing room. I have all kinds of fitness magazines, accessories that I don’t use/need, just junk that I want to pitch.
• Hang up 8 x 10 photos from Oregon, I had these done in September and Still haven’t hung them up
• Get a Job- ideas so far:
• Bath and Body Works,
• Mariposa (school I taught for the past two years+ left this fall),
• at the Mall ?,
• at a Weight loss center ( I think I would love this because I could actually network with people, use what I learn, and for man new years resolutions- they might need someone )
• At GNC ( I used to work there in college)
• At a gym ( discount on membership WOULD be nice… and same thing with needing staff .. i could keep hours through spring sememster ?)
• Sign Up for the Volunteer Program ( THANKS EMILY!) . Jeff’s coworker Emily has taken a few nutrition courses and volunteers at an organization that educates those in need about better nutrition, etc. Its kind of like community health advisors only volunteer. SO COOL!

A Little More Long Term in the Next Few Weeks:

Study Metabolism over Break…. I know… but it would be nice to get a jump start on Lipids and Proteins. The course I just finished the exam for last night continues in a Part 2 for spring.

Look For/Purchase Coffee table, End tables, Lamps , Chair/Chaise ( Maybe drive to IKEA… nearest is a few states away)

Change blog template- maybe change blog Domain- I want something where I can put in sections and Organize it because it feels so reader-unfriendly to me. I just haven’t had time or know-how to look up and find out how to do it all.

THESIS! I need to start my thesis- hopefully before summer so that means next semester

Happy Thursday To All!

Halloween Breakfast Smoothie

Breakfast

I was craving another smoothie as I made it yesterday! So I added in this order:

1.5 cups Milk
2 bananas

1 big scoop protein powder

1 TB peanut butter

1 cup frozen mango

Blended on high- and split with Jeff. I would say I had a good 1/3 and gave him 2/3. I also heated up my leftover pumpkin oats from yesterday … of course since it is Halloween I threw in some orange and purple candy pumpkin sprinkles!

I did not buy candy this year mostly because we had AWFUL trick or treaters last year! At first kids were young, dressed up, a little rude but whatever. About a half hour into the treating hours, the kids started becoming teenages and hardly any were dressed in any costume… Now, I totally wanted to get free candy when I was 13+ too. I at least put on a costume- even as lame as a sheet with a hole- something you know! I asked one “You didn’t want to be anything for halloween?” and she goes “My mom told me I don’t need to dress up”…”You gonna give me candy or not?”.

My mouth dropped. Seriously, Jeff had already reached in to our plastic pumpkin and was on his way to giving it to her when he heard that. I went to shut the door on her but after Jeff had dropped the candy as she said that! I was so mad I spent like $50 on candy for that!?!?

Anyhow, so this year we decided on not giving out candy and to go out with our friends. But I look foward to doing that in the future maybe when/if we move into a “nicer” neighborhood!

Body:

Rest! Even though for whatever reason, I totally feel up to some cross training or yoga (always!). I may go to the gym just for some biking etc. after shopping with KC for halloween stuff later this afternoon.

Mind:

Right now, I need to finish the Chapter 6 presentation on Organic Inc. Then head into “work” ( figure out what to do with this timesheet problem) and this weekend I need to work on my metabolism research paper ( intermediate hyperglycemia: impaired signal? impaired mRNA transduction; what is it that leads to diabetes ( metabolically speaking)

Soul:

Let’s see, shopping… shopping WITH one of my favorite people, finishing a presentation always makes me feel great!

It’s halloween- dont let the ghouls and goblins get your soul!