Starvin’ Marvin

I am starving upon waking up in the morning!   Well, in the afternoon, too, but let’s just stick with the morning for now ;P 

I had planned on running at the gym, so I didn’t want too much in my stomach.  I decided these were perfect to tide me over…

They were just enough to quiet my stomach and give me a pop of energy for my 3 mile run. 

I felt much stronger during my run today.  Less winded, less time-checking and less leg weakness.  I like that feeling!  Don’t know if it’s the increased run time and mileage or just a good day.  I may have a better idea after my outdoor runs this weekend – Sat. is 2 miles and Sun. is 3 miles.

I wanted to take a minute to thank you for your comments on my last post regarding the pre-5K training schedule.  I am always open your suggestions and recommendations.  Manderz and Amanda gave me some great food for thought – thanks, guys!  And as strongly that I feel about trying to improve my running skills, I also don’t want to injure myself.  So far, my hip has been cooperating, but I know that with overuse, the bursitis could majorly act up.  So, I’ll promise to respect my body and listen to how it is responding to the schedule.  I think what may work best is to follow the schedule for one week on/one week off.  By off, I mean my regular exercise –elliptical, weights, The Arc Trainer and save the running for the “on” weeks.    What do my running peeps think?

After my run, I was starving again.  I brought another dashboard breakfast that I grabbed from the freezer – mini Veggie Quiches…

I dug these out from the depths of the freezer and I wasn’t sure they would be good, but they were A-OK :)

But, not very long lasting.  I was starving about an hour later!  I tried to take my mind off it by doing some house chores, however, that didn’t work very long.  I decided to just listen to my body and EAT!!!  I made a wrap with turkey, bacon, baby spinach and salsa.  Along with it, went some cantaloupe, pineapple and POPchips…

Plus more POPchips.  Cuz, once you POP, you can’t stop! Hey, how’s that for a slogan?!  You heard it here first, POPchips peeps!

Later in the afternoon, the munchies came to visit.  I started off with some #@!$%^&* Cheez-its, then stopped the insanity with a healthier choice…

I was trying to eat a little lighter (don’t laugh) so I could indulge in pizza at dinner!  Pizza is so easy now that I use Biz ‘s no rise pizza dough.   I made a regular boring –old- sauce –and- cheese only pizza for the husband and daughters and  White Pizza with Zucchini and Broccoli for me.  So easy with having leftover zucchini and broccoli waiting in the fridge!

White Pizza with Zucchini and Broccoli

• 1 recipe No Rise Pizza Dough
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• leftover roasted zucchini
• leftover steamed broccoli
• 1 heaping cup part-skim mozzarella

Way delicious…

I couldn’t wait to dig in…

I think I could eat this everyday…

I did finish the night with a piece of dark chocolate that I didn’t take a picture of  because I sprinted up the steps and locked myself in my room so I wouldn’t eat any more!

Okay, I won’t torture you anymore with my punchy writing today …

ONE GOOD THING:  Locks on my bedroom door.  Better than what I used to use across the kitchen opening…

Have a great day, everybody!!

Life Is Like A Bag Of Chocolates

Hey guys!  I’m a little off my blogging schedule – not enough hours in the day, ya know?  I’m faltering with my “to-do list”!  I started off great but, I got side-tracked with other things and now my list is a mile long again.  Pffft!!

The morning began with the growl of my stomach.  That is one annoying alarm clock ;P  Breakfast was definitely in order before gyming it.  I munched down a Thomas’ Light Multigrain English Muffin with homemade almond butter and a pear…

Almond butter is so good.  And sooo hard to control!  I could eat gobs of it, but I have to keep reminding myself:  A serving is 2 tbsp., a serving is 2 tbsp.  Yes, I chant this as I spread it :)  I have received some requests for this recipe, so here it is…

Homemade Almond Butter

• 1 cup whole almonds, roasted
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 1 tsp. olive oil (not extra virgin)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place almonds on a baking sheet and roast for 7-10 minutes. Watch closely to not burn.
2. Place nuts in food processor and pulse until nuts are fully chopped.  Add salt, honey and oil.
3. Continue to process until creamy;  this may take 5-7 minutes.
4. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
5. Try not to eat the whole thing.
6. Good luck with that :)

Then, I drug myself to the gym.  I know that’s not a word, but it is when you don’t want to go to the gym.  Drug is way worse than dragged ;P  I usually like the gym, but since I’m restricted to the recumbent bike  til this dizziness goes away, I’m less than thrilled.  For some reason, the bike just doesn’t do it for me.  It’s boring and I don’t feel like I’m doing much of anything  for a workout.  I did try to pump up the resistance, which definitely was a challenge, but it’s still just “meh” to me.  Maybe, I’ll learn to like it??

I was ready for lunch after my non-exciting gym experience.  I couldn’t wait to get some food.  It was one of THOSE days.  Lunch was a Health is Wealth Chicken Free Patty on a deli flat with guacamole, chopped tomatoes and spinach.  Some soy crisps and carrots filled up the rest of my plate…

But not the rest of my stomach!!!  No, really my stomach was full, but my brain did not get that memo.  It was too focused on these Halloween candies…

My favorite…

A close second…

What I thought I should have instead…

What I did have… all of the above.  And CHEEZ-ITS!  I hate those friggers!

Dinner, as if I needed it, was a delicious bowl of Cheesy Polenta with mushrooms and asparagus…

I used this Polenta recipe from Everyday Food …

 

It was a beautiful thing.  So is chocolate.  I know it so well :)

ONE GOOD THING:  I did not eat 105 pieces of chocolate :D

Question of the Day:  What is your favorite exercise machine at the gym/home?

What Do I Do Now?

I’m feeling a bit of a letdown from the whole race scene.  I’ve been thinking to myself all day… now what?  It’s been a long time leading up to doing this race and I had so many emotions about it all.  But, I made it through and now, I can’t help thinking about what I can challenge myself with next!  Is this weird?  I’ve never been this tough with myself, so it’s a very strange feeling for me.  I embraced slackerdom with arms wide open in the past.  But, now I feel the need for challenge;  the need to spur myself on to see what else I could do.  Maybe it’s not too weird;  seems Carolina Girl was going through the exact same thing!  We both did our first 5K races this Saturday, so maybe it’s a first timer response!  I left her a comment that we are thrill-seeking adrenaline junkies now!  I agree with her that it is time for some new goals.  I think I have pushed one to the wayside while “trying a new way of eating”, but it looms in the back of my mind often…GOAL WEIGHT.  I have lots to tell you all about my experience with intuitive eating.  I know I haven’t mentioned much about it and honestly, I’m kinda saving it up for a big post.  But, along with intuitive eating, I need to find the right way to get myself to reach my goal weight like I initially intended.  So, my focus…my challenge for myself will be to get there.  Hopefully, soon :)

I was excited to get back to the gym today.  My body is a little sore, so I decided to take it easy.  I did a 30 minute stint on The Arc Trainer , but at a slower pace then I normally do.  Still worked up a good sweat though!

This time I remembered to grab breakfast before I left…

I have to say that I have been spoiled by greek yogurt!  I bought this Stonyfield fat free yogurt that was on sale at the supermarket to try out and I did not care for it at all.  The texture was all wrong, but I think it’s because I have become accustomed to the thickness and creaminess of greek yogurt.  It’s much more filling than regular yogurt, too!

After errand running and blogging, I finally got around to lunch.  I went with a Health is Wealth Chicken Free Patty on an Ezekiel Sesame Hamburger Bun (my new fave!) topped with my new go-to condiment – Trader Joe’s Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade.  It tastes good on everything!  I’m thinking of using it as a pizza topping next!  Alongside, I had a beautiful red pear…

I felt a little munchie this afternoon, but not exactly hungry.  The Cheez-Its were calling, so I put a small amount in a bowl along with a string cheese for snacking…

And I kept it at that.  Mainly because I had a reminder staring at me…

I decided to hang my bib number from the race in my pantry (right next to the deadly Cheez-Its) to remind me of what I can do if I put my mind to it…

Gotta take inspiration to conquer munchies wherever you can get it!!!

I had a nice, healthy dinner planned – Apricot Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin, roasted butternut squash and something new… kale chips!

I have been seeing kale chips all over the blogworld for a long time, but was always hesitant to try them.  Something about “crunchy leaves” did not appeal to me.  But, kale was dirt cheap at the produce store (1.50 for 2 huge bunches), so I thought I would give it a try.  They were…interesting.  Crunchy, but melt in your mouth and salty like a chip.  I wasn’t completely sold, though.  I couldn’t get the ‘raked leaves’ thought out of my head!  The daughters weren’t sold either.  Big daughter even tried dipping them in ranch dressing and still ended up spitting it out!  Now, here’s the kicker.  THE HUSBAND came home a bit later due to meeting up with a friend from out of town.  I had saved him dinner and gave him a heaping pile of the kale chips on his plate.  I went about cleaning up and he called out to me to ask what they were.  I started laughing, knowing full well that he was going to hate these, but to my surprise , here’s how it went down…

The husband:  “These are great!  They taste like a potato chip!”

Me:  “Are you serious?”

The husband:  “Yeah, really!  I think they are really good!”

Me:  *moving closer to smell his breath*  “Are you drunk?” I knew this wasn’t a possibility since he doesn’t drink, but I was just checking :)

The husband:  “No, really!  I like them! I don’t like the butternut squash though.”

Me:  “Oh no, girls!!!!  Daddy has swine flu and is hallucinating with a high fever!!!!”

Who knew??!!!

I enjoyed most of my plate…

Maybe, I’ll give kale chips another try… :)

I ended the night with some dark chocolate…

Good stuff!

ONE GOOD THING:  I was able to control the munchies this afternoon.  The box of Cheez-Its is still intact – lol!!!

Question of the Day?  Have you ever tried kale chips?

The Power of Suggestion

I woke up to yuck!  It was stormy, pouring, windy, chilly and just plain nasty!  When did winter get here?  It was just summer last week!  Hoping this doesn’t stick around :(  Anywho, I got the daughters ready for school and tried out another Yogurt Bowl:  Pineapple Coconut.  I topped Chobani nonfat plain yogurt with 1/2 c. crushed canned pineapple (in its own juice) and a sprinkle of shredded coconut…

This was not my favorite, either.  I was hoping for a pina colada taste to it, but it was a little too bland.  Maybe it was missing a cherry on top, or a little drink umbrella, or…rum :oD  But, drinking , driving and going to the gym don’t mix, so I just made due.

After kicking everyone out sending everyone off with hugs and kisses, I headed to the gym.  I got on the elliptical for 35 minutes while chatting with my friend, Coleen. We went our separate ways and  I ran (I know I shouldn’t have) and walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes, then did a 20 minute upper body workout – chest and arms.  Something about that environment really fuels me!  Kinda like “we’re all in this together” to quote that ever-annoying High School Musical song:)  Maybe, it’s the newness of the whole gym thing for me, so I’m thinking this might wear off, but I’ll ride it while it’s here!

I wasn’t too hungry when lunch rolled around, but knew I’d be out all afternoon and didn’t want to get caught with the munchies.  The weather of the day dictated a Soup and Sandwich kind of meal.  I decided on one of my favorite canned soups from Trader Joe’s…

And I was inspired by Andrea’s awesome grilled cheese, so I made a grilled cheese to go with it using Seven Grain Bread, asiago cheese and some diced ham.  I had some leftover  grilled sweet potatoes on the side, too…

Chunky and cheesy…like me :)

It was the perfect rainy day filling lunch to get me through and afternoon of shopping with Mom and Gram!  They are great shoppers;  I, however, do not love it so much, but I needed some non-schlocky, stain free, rip free, not 3 sizes too big gym clothes, so I bucked up and met them at Marshalls/Home Goods.  I scored some good clearance deals in the active wear department and got some serving bowls on clearance, too…

All four bowls for $20!  My Mom also found me a cool picture for my kitchen at a great price, so with deals galore, it was worth the trip!

Once home, the daughters came in from school and snack time was here.  Per your suggestions in response to my “GINORMOUS bag of blueberries” dilemma, I decided to make a Blueberry Tofu Smoothie.  Tofu, you ask?  I know you are saying that you did not suggest tofu, but I bought this new Nasoya Silken Creations Vanilla flavored Tofu and thought it might be a good addition…

I used 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup Nasoya Silken Creations Vanilla and 1/2 cup water and blended away.  I split it with little daughter;  we both really liked it…

It wasn’t enough though.  For some reason, I was craving “crunch”, so I grabbed a handful of Cheez-Its, but put them in a bowl to remind myself that this “is” a snack, not just mindless nibbling…

That was better and held me over nicely until dinner.  Pizza was on the menu, but I decided on something else for myself.  I made “Seafood Scallops” with Spinach and Beans.  This was inspired by a Cooking Light recipe for Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans.  For my version, I used…

• 1 Trader Joe’s Seafood Sausage, defrosted and sliced in 1/2” pieces
• 2 tsp. evoo
• 2 tbsp. minced shallots
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp. dry white wine
• 1/4 c. fat free chicken broth
• 2-3 large handfuls of baby spinach
• 1/3 c. cannellini beans

This was a quick dish.  I pan-seared the sausage slices in the evoo; added the shallots and garlic and sauteed for a minute or two;  added the wine, broth and spinach.  Let that simmer for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and added the beans to warm through.  Viola!  I added s+p to taste and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper…

I put it in one of my new bowl to make it seem “restaurant style”…

After dinner, the soreness came.  Big Time!  I think I overdid it at the gym.  My hip is really sore and throbbing a little.  I know I need to get it checked out .  My big fat babyness / I’m a chicken laziness is holding me back from getting around to it.  I popped some Advil and I think I will take a day off this weekend from exercise.  Ah, the horror!  The guilt will kill me, but I think it’s necessary.  Okay, I’ve blabbed your eyes off long enough, so I’ll leave you with a…

Question of the Day:  Do you take a day off from exercise?

ONE GOOD THING:  I made my snack “official” by putting it in a bowl instead of chomping out of the bag!

del.icio.us Tags: del.icio.us

Thanksgiving Revisited

I was excited for lunch today! I decided to make mini turkey and brie "sandwiches" on maple cornbread muffins at the suggestion of Megan from Megan's Munchies. I liked these cornbread muffins. They were tasty and low point! For my "sandwiches", I split two of the muffins, spread with 1 tsp. each cranberry sauce, layered 2 thin slices of turkey and 1 oz. light brie. Don't they look so cute?? I loved the way these looked, but I wasn't too thrilled with the combination of flavors. I think the cornbread taste overpowered the turkey and brie, so I didn't taste much of that. I really wanted that turkey and brie flavor to come through. I'll try this again on a more neutral flavored bread and I think it will be great. I love the muffins on their own, toasted with some spray butter and/or preserves. This may be my breakfast tomorrow!



Along with my minis, I had a sliced plum and 1 oz. Kettle Baked Potato Chips (haven't seen these in a while, right?? I'm trying to break my chip obsession!)...




My afternoon snack was wine! The husband and I met an out-of-town friend of his for drinks this afternoon. I had a glass of Shiraz and no "pickies" - pretty good, eh?



Dinner was Thanksgiving revisited. I love heat and eat dinners!!! I had a little of everything again, this time I concentrated more on the veg and plain turkey breast. I had uncooked butternut squash leftover from the "yucky Tyler Florence slaw" (sorry, Tyler), so I just microwaved it for about 5 min. and sprayed with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray. Awesome and easy - I will definitely make that again! I also ate the last two spaghetti squash pancakes from the other night - another winner!

A great dinner, again. Unfortunately, it wasn't filling enough. I ended up wanting to munch about an hour after I ate. I caved and had a large handful of pretzel sticks, a handful of Cheez-its (why are these so good??) and a cheese stick!! Ugh. Maybe I should have just had more wine...:(