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.

Monday Lunch and Dinner Update!

Lunch:

Leftover Pasta and Tomato Sauce with Chicken

and Salad.

Accomplishments: ( in an attempt to make me feel more positive about getting a rude response to a job.. )

• I finally heard back from the organization I was interested in Volunteering with, turns out they would like me to help with marketing and potentially here on my blog and elsewhere in the community in addition to teaching nutrition classes!! WOOHOO-I have to read through some materials they sent but I am excited!
• Started My Pre-Packing List (I found this Day of The Week notepad at a craft store recently. I have used it for foods/meals we have that week- but it works well for this too!)

• Gym- Run 5 miles… toes are now hurting… I am icing as I type
• Took out the materials I needed and started to make one of “jeff’s” gifts- I have made him something each year and I knew exactly what I wanted to put together… I will take a pic for after xmas!
• Wrapped a few presents
• Made Chocolate Bourbon Truffles ( post to follow)
• Made Toffee Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies ( post to follow)
• Cleaned out the Fridge ( blech!!! but phew! and YAHH! at the same time.. it was gross and now its not nearly as gross.)
• Laundry
• Talk with Mom about lots of stuff
• Bank Errands
• Dancing with The Stars Latin Cardio Dance DVD! (Veggie Girl is this the same one you have? … I didn’t realize until now there is more than one!)

Review of DWS, Latin Cardio:
I liked it! It wasn’t a great cardio workout for me- I need to run a good 5-10 miles for that. So for beginners that are looking for a good cardio dance, I would suggest it. I really enjoyed it! I did the warm up and then all 4 of the dances and then most of the toning workout. I broke a light sweat and was actually confused a couple of times . The mutitasker in me was also baking cookies at the same time, so I had to pause, run in the kitchen, then run back and unpause and start again! I am looking forward to doing it again so that I can get some of my “dance moves” back! Get my “mojo” flowing again if you will. I haven’t danced since college and I could tell I was way more rigid and fumbly than I used to be!

Dinner:

Leftover Chicken Salad Sandwich ( 2 Halves) and Organic Spicy Bean Sprouts with leftover Tomato Sauce…

Another Chicken Salad

Cranberry Carrot Celery Chicken Salad.. lots of C’s!
So I wanted to use up the celery I had gotten and some other veggies and the Stoneyfield Oikos ( like that would be a problem! I use this for a gazillion things!)

I made another chicken salad for lunch today but since I didn’t have grapes anymore, I used… Cranberries! I thought, cranberries go well with turkey, why not chicken? So I thawed frozen organic cranberries in the microwave, chopped celery hearts, chopped a heart of palm, grated organic carrots, added three big tablespoons of Oikos Plain Greek Nonfat Yogurt.

And then added the last of some goat cheese I had for extra creaminess and fat ( since I knew this would be an essentially fat free chicken salad anyway).

While I was doing all of this I boiled 4 small chicken breasts in a pot of water . I brought them to a boil , then reduced to a slow bubbling for about 15 minutes.
When they were done, I let them cool then shredded 3 of them into the bowl. ( I saved the other one just because it wouldn’t fit).

There is the whole bowl, I threw in purple cabbage just because I have it.

Here is mine with sprouts, lettuce, newman’s own double fiber bread, carrots and a pickle.

It was a really TALL sandwhich.

Jeff really liked this… but we both liked the version the other day with grapes. I may get an apple to chop up and put in this for some sweet crisp/crunch. It is always better the next day because the flavors meld and set in the fridge. I might try to use it for an appetizer of some sort for Andrea and Nate’s party-

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.

cinnamon sugar toast

SO still sick. BAH HUM( this icky) BUG!

Doctor called and prescription being filled. Oh I can’t wait to feel NOT like death.

My mom used to make me cinnamon and sugar toast when I was sick, Did anyone else have this as a kid? Well, I decided it has been probably a year since I had this and being sick still was a great chance to relive this childhood memory.

Newman’s Own Whole Wheat, Double Fiber Bread, toasted and then I rubbed a little butter all over ( I am talking little , just so the sugar and cinnamon can stick)… Then sprinkled with brown sugar blend and cinnamon. If you never had this, you must try! I usually had it with white sugar but you could use whatever-

Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt with a couple almonds and a pistachio, a skinny banana with flaxseed butter.

Hot Chocolate Kind of Day

Breakfast:
Smoothie: Pineapple, Blueberry, Banana, Flaxseed Butter, Organic Milk 1% and
Miini bowl of oats ( just 1/3 cup irish cut mixed with 1/3 cup water, tsp of peanut butter, sprinkle of coconut)

Lunch:
Organic Creamy Leek and Potato Soup, BBQ Tofu Sammy ( with hummus and a tiny piece of cheese)

Dinner:
Whole wheat pasta, garlic herb tomato sauce ( a can of Hunt’s and I sherry-ied it up!) and a Tilapia Filet.
I used to eat this my last year in college very often- I loved the tomato sauce and tilapia sprinkled with parmesean- so yummy!

Body:
Still resting ugh! I would love to get me some exercise of any format at this point but the cold wins, I slept literally for 12 hours from last night to this “morning” . I know I needed it but mentally I am dying to exercise~physically just not ready yet.

Mind:
I did make it to class today, we had three presentations on The American Indian- Strong Heart Study, African American Women Obesity, and CVD in non-hispanic foreign born populations…

and.. Gasp, I messed up a suduko! Man I really must be sick!
Soul:
I found this great Southern Living Magazine (The Best Ever Cakes and Pies)

from earlier this year- one of my student’s mom’s gave this to me during Teacher Appreciation week- I read through it dreaming of all the amazing desserts to make. I am going to share/attempt one with my mom for next week since she bought a springform pan while we shopped together “Lightened Mocha Chocolate Cheesecake” – yum! We may make more too. ( hint hint )
And.. I got this in the mail from her ( I called her to debate whether or not I should get these sheets b/c they were a really good deal)

and… I made this Hot Cocoa, while my pictures were uploading because it was so cold out today ( I took Jack outside and took my garbage can to the curb for am pickup… Brrr!)

I use a heaping teaspoon of cocoa powder, mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of Brown Sugar Splenda blend, 1 cup of 1% Organic Milk, splash of cream, and a big splash of water… mix very well, heat in the microwave for 1 1/2 -2 minutes… stir, add marshmallows, sprinkly of coconut

Lunch:
Amy’s Organic Low Sodium Lentil Vegetable Soup
I was pleasantly suprised at the chunkiness of the soup when I poured it into my new bowl and I was also happy I could see the veggies as well. If anyone has ever had low-sodium soups, they tend not to be very good. I found the taste of this similar to all other low-sodium soups, but I added grilled chicken strips for protein and some parmesean cheese and some low-sodium salt ( how ironic right?). For $3 a can, I highly doubt I will buy it again. I would have much rather just made lentils from scratch and heat up some veggies.

Easy Dinner:
Threw all this into the pan: Egg whites plus a little dab of the yolk, a turkey sausage patty, asparagus.
Into the toaster: whole wheat toast ( I burned some of it so I ended up only having about 1 piece total- and I had a bite of rice leftover from last night).

I am having an unpictured glass of diet tonic water as I blog too..

Update*
Body: totally not up to yoga

Mind: class ended early, woohoo!
Soul: off to medidate

If I feel any worse tomorrow I am going to head to the doctor’s- I haven’t been to see a doctor ( for being sick) in about a year!
Early bedtime too. cough cough, haachoo