Make It Quick

I’ve been so rushed in the morning!  I don’t know why I can’t get in a better groove;  maybe it’s the waking up in the dark that’s throwing me off!  I got the daughters ready for school and made up my breakfast before running out the door.  I was excited to try this Banana Oat Smoothie that I found on the Clean Eating Club site.  I put all the ingredients in the blender with a few ice cubes and whizzed it up.  I substituted Chobani nonfat plain Greek yogurt for an extra protein boost, too.  I poured it in my to-go bottle and hurried out the door…

I wasn’t sure how the oats would taste in this, but it was great!  I really liked it!  It was filling but not too heavy to workout after drinking it.  I can see having this often on rushed mornings!

I headed to the gym and watched my boyfriend, Dr. Oz while on the recumbent bike.  I wasn’t loving that bike so much.  I didn’t feel like it was doing much, so I got off after 30 minutes and hopped on the treadmill for another 25 minutes.  I’m learning how to work all the bells and whistles of the machines and I fooled with the incline to pump it up to 8% – I think.  It was up there;  I felt like I was walking uphill for sure!  I finished up with 20 minutes of upper body and abs weight work.  I love doing the flab ab stuff.

After home and showered, I realized it was time for lunch.  My stomach was finally growling;  that smoothie really held me over!  But, once I became hungry, I was HUNGRY and needed something quick.  I heated up a Cuban Black Bean Patty from the freezer (they froze so well!), topped it with avocado slices and placed it on a Pepperidge Farms Deli Flat. 

I went with a half serving of Kettle Brand Baked Barbeque Potato Chips and a ripe pear on the side…

For “dessert”, I had a calcium chew!  My sneaky way of getting some chocolate!

The rest of my afternoon was spent in the car taking the daughters to and fro and settling at 2 hours of dance class.  I remembered to bring a car snack, so that I wouldn’t be starved by dinner…

still “noshy” , so I had this Clif Mini Bar, too…

That did the trick.  When we got home for dinner, I wasn’t famished and looking to munch.  Dinner was easy;  I picked up fried chicken at the grocery store for the husband and daughters!  They were thrilled, especially after seeing what I was having – Salmon Roulette, leftover grilled sweet potato (yep, that’s the last of it!) and salad…

I ended the night with a cuppa Teeccino while folding laundry, “tweeting” and watching The Biggest Loser (what is UP with Jillian and her screaming??!!  It’s more than ever!)!  How’s that for multi-tasking?!

Hope you all had a great day!

ONE GOOD THING:  I made a cup of Teeccino after dinner instead of dishing out some dessert.  It satisfied me and I didn’t “look” for anything else.

Question of The Day:  What did you think of  The Biggest Loser last night?

First Day Jitters

It was the first full day of school for the daughters and they were raring to go!  It was a first day of sorts for me, too.  For the first time in 20 years, I was going to the gym!  I was a little nervous!  I had no idea what to do, how to work any of the equipment or what gym “etiquette” to follow, but I was still looking forward to going.  I armed myself with my “positive attitude” t-shirt…

Before I left the house, I quieted my jitters with a quick breakfast of  Smoked Salmon and Parmesan Omelet Muffins (from the freezer)…

then, it was off to the gym…YIKES!!!

It was great!  I walked in, found an elliptical, fooled around with the settings, hooked up my mp3 player and got my sweat on.  I planned on 35 minutes on the elliptical, but my friend Coleen showed up and hopped on the elliptical next to me, so I kept on going and gabbing for another 15 minutes.  After, she showed me around and took me though some of the weight machines.  I got in a few good arm curl sets and a couple leg curls.  I t was a good workout and I enjoyed watching the other gym go-ers’ workout styles – one guy was running on the treadmill while hugging the electronic panel instead of holding the side rails!  So crazy!

I left the gym and ran more errands –aaah, does it ever end???  By this time, I was starting to get hungry, it was already lunchtime!  I went for a turkey and cheese sandwich on a Pepperidge Farms Deli Flat, 1 cup Trader Joe’s Organic Lentil Soup and a perfectly ripe pear…

I was in the mood for some crunch, too, so I took the opportunity to try out these POPchips that were sent to me by the POPchips peeps via my friend at The Skinny Plate.  Thanks, Stephanie!

This flavor was okay, a little too peppery for my taste buds, but I liked the airy crunch of these chips…

When the daughters came home from school, I felt the old munchie feeling coming back.  Something about that part of our day has me wanting to snack.  I wasn’t actually HUNGRY though, so I tried to put the urge off with a cup of Teeccino…

And it worked for a while, but I did get hungry about a half hour before dinner and felt like I just couldn’t wait, so I dug into some Kashi TLC Country Cheddar crackers…(x2)…

and a string cheese, Wheat Thins and a few nuts.  I knew that this was a “compulsive eating” moment, but the difference this time is that I didn’t feel badly about it.  And because I didn’t immediately start berating myself when I started oversnacking, I was able to reign it in before things got really out of hand.  I continued making dinner, which was really just opening a bag!  Big daughter and I split  Trader Joe’s Chicken Chow Mein with added broccoli while the husband and little daughter had other leftovers from the freezer…

It was tasty and enough for me considering all the snacks I had, but for a hungry diner, it needs some bulking up.

I’m heading to the gym again.  I plan to go 5 days a week and workout at home on the weekends.  Pretty soon, I might be able to call myself a GYM RAT!

ONE GOOD THING :  I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to the gym!!

Question of the Day:  Do you prefer working out in a gym, outdoors or at home?

Transitions + Changes

Boy, the first day of school sure was a hectic one!  After getting the daughters off to school, it was run, run, run!  I think I spent most of the day in the car running around with the exception of about an hour!  It was crazy!  But, we all transitioned into the new schedule pretty well, even me with getting up in the dark to start the day :)  My schedule is a bit different when the daughters are in school;  my day starts much earlier and my workouts aren’t until after everyone leaves for the day.  I usually don’t eat before my workouts, but since I’m changing things up and going to the gym (eek!) after they leave, I may have to eat before the workouts.  And my blogging schedule will be different, too!  I decided to switch to posting in the morning or before lunchtime, so that I can be available for my family at night.  As the daughters are getting older, the homework and afterschool activities are ramping up, so, as much as I love ending my day with blogging, it’s not my best option.  But, I’ll be here !

So, after everyone got out the door, I headed to the basement for a non-eventful 30 minutes on the elliptical, then did a few sets of tricep dips a la MizFit!

I was starving after that, but needed something quick, so I dipped into a Chobani nonfat Strawberry yogurt topped with some crunchy freeze dried strawberries and a sprinkle of Post Trail Mix Crunch cereal…

Can’t forget the Teeccino … no caffeine, but still gives me that “morning coffee” ritual…

Then, the running began.  In the car, out of the car.  Drive here.  Drive there.  The daughters only had a half day to start, so I picked them up and took them to lunch at their favorite place- Chick-fil-A.  This location was “snazzy” and even had a cool quote on the wall…

They have some decent salad options, too.  I chose the Chargrilled Chicken and Fruit Salad…

with a reduced fat Berry Balsamic dressing (only used about half)…

I couldn’t help snagging a few of the waffle fries, too!  This trip to Chick-fil-A was all to butter up the daughters because right after, they had (unknowingly) a doc’s appointment for the flu shot.  I could write a book about the histrionics that go on with little daughter in the weeks leading up to the shot appointment, so this time, I decided they would need to be “game day players” and I sprung it on them at the last minute.  I know, another Mom Crime for the books ;)  It all worked out well though, no major drama.

Then, it was off to dance class for little daughter.  I was hungry by this time, so I was glad I remembered to grab a snack for the car:  Choco – Cranberry- Almond Granola Bar…

These are just the greatest!  Thanks for the recipe, Jaime!

Dinner on dance night has to be heat and eat.  Luckily, I had some leftover Chicken Cacciatore which I reheated with some freezer Greek Lima Beans…

And I was out the door again for one last errand!  I finally ended the night with a little treat…Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate square with a smear of PB2…

That hit the spot!

ONE GOOD THING :  I remembered to pack/plan a snack for the afternoon, so I wouldn’t be raging starving at dinner time and end up picking on a bunch of stuff while getting dinner together.

Hope you all have a great day!!!

Working It Out

I slept until 7:30 this morning!  Ugh, it’s going to be brutal getting up at 6 a.m. in 2 more days!  My goal is to be more organized this school year, so we’ll see how that goes…

Since I was such a slacker this morning, I went right to breakfast instead of working out first.  I was in the mood for a Yogurt Bowl.  This mix was Chobani nonfat plain yogurt, a handful of questionable strawberries (made into syrup), 3 chopped walnuts and 1 tbsp. shredded coconut…

I love these Yogurt Bowls!  It is filling (greek yogurt has a ton of protein) yet, light enough that I can workout right after without it bothering my stomach.  And I did just that!  I hit the treadmill with my suicide bomber weight vest and walked at a medium pace for 40 minutes.  Then, I tried some of  THESE awesome moves suggested to me by the Superhero of the Fitness World… MizFit!  I will have Arms of Steel one day!  Right now, it’s just Wings of Wobble…

Before I headed out the door for some errands, I had a quick lunch.  Nothing fancy, just a reheat of last night’s Grilled Veggie Pizza…

I still wanted a bite of something, so I nibbled on 1/2 of a Choco – Cranberry- Almond Granola Bar …..

I had to hit the supermarket, AGAIN, then picked up Gram to come over for Sunday Dinner.  On the menu tonight…

Chicken Cacciatore…

Whole Wheat Orzo…

Cauliflower and Zucchini Gratin…

Tossed Salad…

and Seven Grain Bread…

My plate…

and a side plate (x2)...

I did nibble on a piece of the bread, but decided to stop since I was feeling just right.

I ended the night with a cup of Teeccino while losing badly at Bingo…

Have a great night everyone!!

ONE GOOD THING :  Anytime that I felt anxious today and wanted to eat  due to it, I took a moment to “feel the feeling” instead of just rushing to feed it.

Twenty-Four Seven

Fall is in the air.  At least it felt that way this morning.  It was cool and breezy, which is fine by me.  I love fall and the cooler weather makes me want to get outside and run!  But, I’m not sure my hip will cooperate :( 

I felt in the mood for some Pilates this morning, so I popped in the cheapo DVD, I bought and did about 35 minutes of the video before starting on some breakfast.

I didn’t have much in stock since we just got back from the shore, but there were a few eggs left so I decided on an Antipasto Open Faced Omelette using 3 egg whites and the leftover antipasto topping from my Chicken Antipasto last week…

It was a very flavorful start!  And can’t forget the Teeccino…

Then, it was off to the produce store.  Look at this stash…

 

I got spring mix, brussel sprouts (don’t say eeww!), cauliflower, romaine hearts, sliced mushrooms, cucumber, baby spinach, zucchini, parsley, celery hearts, honeydew melon, strawberries, gala apples, fuji apples, nectarines, peaches, blueberries and a loaf of crusty Italian bread.  All that for $29!!!! 

I prepped the romaine lettuce right away to put together my lunch salad.  I made up a Southwest Chicken Salad using big handfuls of romaine, 1/4 c. black beans, 1/4 c. frozen corn (defrosted), cherry tomatoes, 1 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese and chicken breast (about 2 oz.) chopped.  I topped it with Kraft Light Three Cheese Ranch dressing.  It was so tasty and filling…

Some avocado would have been great in there, too, but I forgot to buy some!  Next time :)

As filling as the salad was, it still left me wanting a  little something.  I thought about grabbing crackers or pretzels, but feared that would lead to lots of munching.  Then, I saw these guys and thought they would be the perfect something…

After lunch, more shopping…Walmart for a few dry goods and school supplies, then Trader Joe’s.  Food shopping is an all day affair!  I did make a pit stop in between to drop off some bags and have a snack…

I finally made it home just in time to start on dinner.  Pasta was on the menu, but of course, something a little different for me.  I picked up a new item at Trader Joe’s – Seafood Sausage – and I was dying to trying it out…

A real find at only 110 calories and 3.5 grams fat per sausage…

I decided to make Seafood Scampi for one because the husband and daughters would rather starve than to try it!  LOL!

I sliced the sausage and pan fried in  1 tbsp. evoo and 1 clove garlic until cooked through.  I added about 2-3 tbsp. white wine and simmered for a minute, then added some chopped parsley.  I served it over whole wheat spaghetti and topped with a little parmesan.  Delish…

So, you may be wondering why I titled this post 24-7.  Well, I realized today that I think about food 24-7.  Seriously.  All day long.  I probably dream about it, too.  I am always thinking about what I should and should not eat.  I think about whether or not eating something will help me lose weight or contribute to weight gain.  I bargain with myself.  I wheel and deal.  I try to push these thoughts out of my mind and then, think about how great it is that I am not thinking about food!  Ugh!  I really do feel compulsive when it comes to food.  I think about it always.  It rules my world.  I am most definitely a novice to the concept of intuitive eating.  I’m not even certain that someone like me can even wrap my brain around it or ascertain what it means to be able to eat according to my body’s needs.  Is this something I can truly learn?  Is this something that can eventually come naturally to me?  I guess I’m scared that it isn’t possible for me.  I may be too far gone;  too old to learn “new tricks”, too accustomed to living life on a diet that I am unable to see the other side.  That grass sure does look greener, though…

Have a great night, everyone =)

Just Beachy

Hey Everyone!  I’m posting early since we are leaving from the shore later tonight and will be getting home late…

Look what I saw this morning…

Now THAT’S what I’m talking about!

I wasted no time hopping on my bike and went for an awesome hour long ride with my Dad!  The weather was just perfect for riding :)

When I got back, I was huuungry.  I whipped up the same breakfast as yesterday:  bagel sammie with egg white and reduced fat cheese…

And Teeccino with a splash of soymilk…

Then, it was off to the beach…

We brought lunch to the beach and dug in not long after getting there.  Something about that sea air makes ya hungry!  I packed up a crabby salad for myself…

I could eat those giant crabcakes everyday!  I also munched on some of these Kettle Brand Baked Buffalo Bleu chips (spicy!)…

and a darling clementine…

I’m off to shower and pack.  See ya at home tomorrow !

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!