Pinterest Trends...

Hola Friends!!

In a meeting to plan future wellness events the topic of West Coast Trends came up.  Apparently Acai Bowls are all the rage in California these days...this lead me to hitting Pinterest where I discovered not only Acai Bowls but Smoothie Bowls in general... O...M....G....  I have a new obsession.  These little babies are Awesome!!

My recipe is:
Smoothie:
1 C. Unsweet Vanilla Almond Milk (I like Silk)
1 tbsp unsweet Dark Cocoa Powder
1/2 Banana (previously frozen)
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp natural chunky Peanut Butter
2 C. Baby Spinach or Baby Kale
Ice to texture
BLEND to smooth

Pour smoothie in bowl and add toppings :)  I like: Blueberries, Kind Granola, half a banana and sliced almonds :)  YUM!

I have actually started having this before I head to aerobics so I'm not hungry but there isn't anything too heavy on my stomach (I almost puked the 2nd week of class) :/  hehe

I don't know about you but once I start to pinterest it is hard to stop!!  During my smoothie bowl adventure, I stumbled upon Salads in a JAR!!!  BRILLIANT!  This inspired:   http://www.theyummylife.com/Quinoa_Salad_In_A_Jar.  Then I went crazy...

Last weeks was:

From Bottom to Top: Lemon Vinaigrette (fresh lemon juice, zest, EVOO, S&P and Honey), Yellow Peppers, Cucumbers, Quinoa, Goat Cheese crumbles, Beets and Field greens.

This week I made these:

From Bottom to top: Balsamic Vinaigrette (Balsamic vinegar, EVOO and a little honey), Shredded Chicken, Black Beans and Corn, Red Peppers, Avocado, Fresh Cilantro and Baby Kale.

I ended up having to work from home this afternoon so I had one of these little babies from here and it was so amazingly fresh and delicious.  The cilantro really made it GREAT!  I realized that adding chicken made it a meal but last weeks salads were really good as a little snack :)

My advice...reach outside of your box and try something new...Pinterest is a great place to start!
TTFN

Snowmaggedon!!

More snow and my birthday made for a fun few days here:)

I work with great people...my day included a wegman's gift basket, chocolate covered strawberries and a veggie burger with my mom/day and family :)

Snow dau (20 inches) resulted in death by chocolate cookies (not for me) and apple chips (for me) :)

Sweet potatoes and canned soup happened.

Below are just some funnies I've observed lately...  this sign on a window near my work made me giggle...and apparently only bad witches are ugly :)  When we went shopping before snowmageddon, these were the only eggs theyt had at Target...UGG!!  Honestly, they didn't taste any different and cost about 50% more... oh well, my family are egg eaters and we needed them :)

This is the Tempeh I'm obsessed with...I just like to top a salad with it :)

here is the snow fort from our neighbor's house...the kids have been having a blast!

This weekend has been pretty great!!

(a) this lemon pound cake ALT bar rocked!!

(b) I didn't eat the Outback Bread even though it was calling out to me

(c) grilled shrimp ceasar with dressing on side ROCKS

(d) smootie bowls are my new fav!!!

My smoothie bowl is a new obsession.  It is so delishous and refreshing!!  Ingredient - Smootie: 1 banana, 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter, 1 tsp honey, 1 C almond milk, 1 C baby spinach, ice...blend til smooth and pour in bottom of bowl.  Toppings: strawberries, blue berries, almonds and kind granola :)  YUM!!!

Today is President's Day and we are just chillin...I'm thinking about the gym now then maybe making a spa appointment for this afternoon (I have a gift card)...

More later

TTFN

Where have I been?!?

Crazy Life…

I’m still here…I promise!!  I’m still here making healthy choices and still lovin my healthy world!!  My choices are in line with my goals (exercise each day and healthy choices…mostly veggie based)  Since last week a whole lot has happened…

An Ice Storm on Wednesday (last week)

This tree decided it didn’t want to be rooted in our back yard any longer and wanted to take a rest on our roof/porch…..CRAZY!  Luckily there was no damage except to the size of my hubbies head as he was the “lumberjack” who took care of the mess and took down the whole tree with his chainsaw.  Haha……it was actually pretty impressive

Then we lost power!!!  UGGG

We didn’t get power back til Thursday night!  It was a chilly chilly Wednesday/Thursday.  Thursday evening, we weren’t sure if power was going to come back on so we headed to Panera Bread for Soup then went to 5 Below to get the kids little flashlights.  When we were leaving my darling hubby decided to monster truck over this SUV…  kidding…  He actually just pulled out and had to cut his turn short which caused him to hook her front fender and rip off her bumper.  NUTS!!  The lady was very nice and there is literally zero damage to his truck…CRAZY…see I’m telling you.  It has been a crazy week…

FRIDAY Night…we went to an opening ceremonies Olympic Party and had a BLAST…no pics but it was really fun

SATURDAY – Hubby and I went out for our birthdays where I enjoyed this amazing Shrimp Dish AND a CRUSH!!  YUM…OK, maybe I had 2 crushes and a decaf irish coffee J  SO GOOD.  Then some friends came to hang and I did some line dancing…boo ya.  Exercise + Alcohol = PERFECT STORM J

SUNDAY

Hubby and my Birthday Celebration with my Family.  I asked for soup and salad and a fruit salad for my candles J  haha…  Hubby had a Pineapple upside down cake and it was kind of tough to deny myself (but I did) J  still haven’t had a pastry or baked good since January 1^st! 

Oh…of course I made some brussel sprouts, because I NEED REHAB!!!

It’s all about choices!!!

 My favorite party of my birthday – PRESENTS!!! YAY!!!!  I’m such a bag whore and LOVE MY NEW DOONEY!!! 

Monday was back to life but still crazy J  My new breakfast is Whole Wheat English Muffin with PB, a banana, and a drizzle of honey J  SO GOOD!  AND FILLING!!!  I’m back to taking pictures of my food…every single bite J  See Monday and Tuesday (so far) below:

in the upper right corner was dinner...I know it looks gross but it was very yummy.  Turkey Sausage with potatoes and peppers and onions :)  ...the bottom gorgeous pic is my lunch from the cafe at work.  Curry Chicken *250 calories with some brown rice and brussels.  That is a squash medley in the back, YUM!

Today's lunch was a chicken quinoa salad that was TO DIE FOR!!! YUM!

That's all I got for now
TTFN
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P.S. SO NOT IN THE MOOD FOR ANOTHER SNOW STORM (Targeted for Wednesday night into Thursday)!!!!

Chugging Along

Hola Amigos -
Just a quick check in...Still doing great but without power (thanks to the ice storm)...

Eatin Brussels
Goin to the Gym
Check and Check!!

More later - I promise
TTFN

Healthy Taste Buds

So my friends…

What I didn’t tell you about Super Bowl was that I had some tortilla chips and pretzels.  This, in and of itself, wouldn’t be a big deal for anyone except for April Floyd.  There is some malfunction that happens in my brain when I eat junk food.  If for one minute I let that will power of my slip…I’m up shits creek.  Yesterday I ate more pretzels…why??  Yes yes yes…I know pretzels aren’t that bad but they are carbs and unnecessary…I didn’t really want them but I was home and a little hungry so instead of having another small bowl of veg chili I ate pretzels…then I ended up realizing I should have just eaten the chili and made a small bowl of that for myself J  I’m over and done with that but this weekend was a little outside of my comfort zone with the eating so I’m going to tell all…

Saturday I also had 5 Michelob Ultra Beers (90 cals a pop).  They were very yummy and partnered with the 3 jello shots I did…let’s just say, I was feeling good.  Normally when I drink I eat whatever the heck I want but I did restrain myself and enjoyed some bean dip (no chips, just a fork), shrimp and avocado with mango (that was supposed to be eaten like a taco – I passed on the tortilla and just ate the yummy filling) and some amazing chicken lettuce wraps which were prepared with spaghetti squash instead of noodles.  O….M….G….  they were so good.   All in all…good choices.  Then Sunday and the SB left me with my guard down :/

I can honestly say that my healthy taste buds are in full effect.  I really did crave the veggie chili I made for Sunday and I’m really excited about the Brussels that are sitting in my fridge waiting for me to make them J  I just need to be very very careful with my choices.

I’m feeling GREAT!!!!  Like…Really Really Great – and I want that to continue!

That’s all for today.

TTFN

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P.S.: New Gym Routine Rocks and feels really good – Aerobics Tonight!

Super kind of Weekend!

Hola Amigos!!!

It was a SUPER kind of weekend.  Obviously it was Super Bowl Weekend (Snooze fest game though) but in addition it was the Chinese New Year on Friday AND my favorite neighbor event of the year: The Not So Newlywed Game.  SO FUN!!!  We laughed our butts off...my sides hurt by the end of the night.

I know I haven’t written in a while and I’m sorry :/  We have just been SO BUSY…I didn't even get to sit on my butt the whole weekend

Friday

WORK!

5 leave work

530 Dinner at PF Changs (YUM) -Chinese New Year

Tuna on wontons 

7 Gym

9 Movie with hubby ("We are the Millers")  HAHAHAHA!!!  Ok so maybe I did sit on my butt to watch the movie J

Saturday

7 wake up

830 pick up sis to hit the UA outlet

Linc and Livie - BFF :)

11 Wegmans for lunch – YUM

12 Spa day with little princess

2 Gym

4 Prep, shower, drop kids with Mom Mom and Poppy for sleepover and make Cannoli Dip (click for recipe)

630 Not So Newlywed Game Party – SO FUN!!!!

12 BED

Sunday

8 wake up – DJ to get kids

815 CLEAN LIKE IT'S MY JOB!

10 am kids home – Mom to the Gym

11 Finish cleaning 

12 Grocery Shopping

2 Cook: Chili and Choc Strawberries

3 Bowling with Friends

5 Super Bowl Party

10 BED - Zzzzzzzz

I’m exhausted…tonight is nutzo also and we were supposed to get snow today but so far it is just rain.

Too pooped to type more - TTFN

Sister Love and Pain

I have to give a big shoutout to my sister!!!!  We started Aerobics together and this week has been tough but she is doing it with me and it is so much more fun when you have someone to go with!!!  I lover her :)  We laugh and have a blast!  I heart you sis :)

we are a hot mess but what do you expect for busting our ass in Boot Camp style aerobics for over an hour?!?!?  :)

I'm going to focus on my food this week because I've had some delicious stuff...

My breakfast has been alternating between my veggie sausage sammie and this:

PB with a little honey and a banana :)  YUM!!!

Lots of lunch meetings this week.  This was Wednesday's Lunch at The Wine Market.  I didn't think the soup was going to be creamy (dumpling soup) but as you can see it was.  I had 2 bites and let it go.

The Wine Market has the BEST brussels.  They have grapes, walnuts and BACON in them.  I only had a small serving even though I could have eaten them all.  Then I just had a ceaser salad with dressing on the side (fork dippin)

Today we had a meeting with Wegmans about their wellness prgrams for their employees and we decided to enjoy lunch there as well.  They had sushi without rice (just rice paper) which was only 130 calories (AND AMAZING) and this brussel sprout slaw which was TO DIE FOR!!!!

For dinner tongith I marinated some chicken and had zuchini with some brown rice medly from the freezer section.  Pretty delish!

Then aerobics :)

Great Week so far but I think I've hit a plateau of some sort.  Oh well.  I only lossed a half # but I'll take it.  

More later

TTFN

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Flip the Switch

That is what it feels like.  Sometimes I’m afraid the switch will get flipped the other way and I’ll be back to my unhealthy ways but I honestly feel like on January 1^st…something clicked inside of me.  I don’t feel like I’m on a diet…which you all know I hate!!  The below is from a post published February of 2012 (almost 2 years ago):  I’m back but it took 2 years!!!!

"While talking last night we moved onto the topic of dieting and eating and food and the lifelong battle.  I swear my conversations always end up on food.  It is very overwhelming to follow diet after diet after diet and track everything you eat and deprive yourself of this or that still to end up in the same or worse shape then when you started.  Oh and don't forget the emotional scars that come with the failure.  I was this girl...  I did the diets and actually had success with extreme weight loss until I stopped following said diet and then I ballooned right back to where I was (PLUS SOME).

With Clean Eating I try to eat foods with as few ingredients listed on the back of a package as possible.  If it is fresh baked bread, fruit, meat (without preservatives), fresh veggies, yogurt, whatever...  If it is a food with ingredients on the package that I can't identify or pronounce, I don't eat it.  It is amazing to me some of the things I used to eat...thinking they were healthy but they really weren't b/c my body didn't know what to do with the chemicals.  It has helped me to make healthier choices naturally b/c most of them are the healthiest choices available..

My philosophy??

- Don't deprive yourself, if you want it - have it just not ALOT of it

- Everything is fine in moderation.  you don't have to eat the whole cake, just have a small slice

- Eat mostly vegetarian, whole/clean foods

- ENJOY LIFE!!!

- Exercise most days

Oh and one of the most important things I've learned this year?!?  When you are full? - STOP EATING!"

I just feel like I’ve made it back to where I was…somehow I got lost.  I really need to keep an eye on myself :)

Food Wise??  Some highlights from the weekend included:

Date night w hubby

And Brussels sprouts:). Everything else was ordinary:)

Back to work and routine on Monday involved:

Veggie bfast Sammie and left over Brussels.

An amazing quinoa salad for lunch:). (Photo via google)

And left over pasta for dinner before hitting the gym:)

More later

TTFN

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Feeling Better...

Hola Friends!

I'm feeling so much better today.  Yesterday I had some outpatient surgery and was completely out of the pocket.  I don't even remember most of the day...mostly slept and dealt with some pain.  Glad that is over and I'm working from home today...  Between this snow and my surgery yesterday, I'm completely stir crazy :/  In need of an outing...  May txt my babysitter and see a movie with my hubby tonight.  We have been trying to get out and see Lone Survivor since last week.  I will try to hit the gym tonight for a 30 minute walk; before possible date note...I have to take it easy :)

Back to the rest of Wednesday and the end of Snowmageddon :)  I continued with the small meals which included tuna with crackers, a bowl of chili and chinese Chicken and Broccoli with some brown rice...and mostly just the Broccoli :)

  

Don't I look pathetic after my surgery?  hubby said I looked cute and took a picture :)  haha.  I was STARVING when we left the hospital and really needed a coffee so I had hubby stop at Starbucks where I got a small coffee and an oatmeal.  I ate to oatmeal too fast b/c it was noon and I was STARVING...and it made my belly really upset.  Then I came home and went to sleep...woke up around 4:30 and had some chicken noodle soup which was much better :)  then hit the hay again :)  

We are hanging out this morning...boys don't have to be to school til 11am.  More later

TTFN

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Fat Burning Tips

It's funny...you read and learn things along the way then you read or learn something else that conflicts with what you thought to be true previously...  Here I am thinking that certain things I'm doing at the gym are effective and I realize that it isn't true.  This can be disheartening but then you just suck it up and make adjustments.  I read the below article from CNN.com...good quick read for anyone who is interested in fat burning theories.  This is by no means the bible of fat burning and chances are I'll read something next week that will contradict what I read today...my advice - ADAPT :)

51 Fat Burning Tips from CNN

Some highlights include:

1. Catch the running bug. You'll continue to burn fat after your jog: People who run for at least four hours a week melt more calories than non-runners, even when they're not running, a Yale University School of Medicine study reports. DOING THIS!

2. Crank it up early. Working out harder during the first half of your workout and taking it easier during the second burns up to 23 percent more fat than doing the opposite, according to a study from The College of New Jersey.  WILL START DOING THIS

8. Speed up, slow down. Alternating bouts of high-intensity and low-intensity cardio has been shown to torch pounds. DOING THIS

14 & 15. Lift first, nix the rest. Doing strength training before cardio can torch more fat than cardio alone. And if you do one move after another without pausing, "you'll see more gains in strength and muscle mass," says Dr. Pierre Manfroy, M.D., consultant for the book "100 Ways to Supercharge Your Metabolism."  WILL START DOING THIS

35. Think before you drink. Sipping as few as 90 calories' worth of vodka can slow your metabolism by 73 percent, one study shows.  UGG...FORGOT THIS

36. Graze. Women who go without eating for long periods are more likely to have higher body-fat percentages than women who nosh more regularly, one study notes.  WILL START DOING THIS

Time to adapt...

I'll hit the gym tonight...once the roads are better :)
Working from home again today...thanks to our little blizzard from yesterday.

I'm staring to eat every 2 or so hours - around 200-300 calories a pop :)

7:30am was Coffee with a veggie sausage english muffin

10am was some tuna salad with triscuits

lunch will be some left over veggie chili that I pulled out of the freezer on Monday :)

something around 2:30 then dinner around 5pm...then gym :)

I'll keep you posted :)

TTFN
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Snow day Smoothie

We had a blast today and I got a lot of work done too..win win!  Just wanted to post some pics

Same goblet... 2 purposes :)

I needed some snow day wine then decided to end the day with some yoga and a green monster. 

GREAT DAY!

TTFN

Weekend Willpower

We had a beautiful weekend at the beach!!!  Visiting for my little cousin's Sweet 16th Birthday was fun but parties while trying to behave are tough :/  Thanks to my iron will power I'm up for the challenge.  THANK GOD!  

Aren't my cuties - cute?!

It all started Friday night with a trip to buffalo wild wings.  I got the black bean burger, no bun and a side salad with fat free ranch dressing.  It was really yummy!!!

BTW...french fries have surrounded me all weekend and I haven't touched them.  anyone who knows me knows that Fries are my kryptonite!! HAHA

before the trip to OC I made breakfast here and for me it included a boring WW english muffin with some chunky PB and a coffee then lunch was a stop at my fav restaurant in rehoboth but because I knew I had the party later in the day I got a ceasar salad with dressing on the side...  BORING!!!

At the party I parked myself near the veggie try but on the opposite side of the dip.  that means I ate veggies with very little dip.  WIN...  The probably was there was very little else I wanted (really didn't feel the cravings).  I ended up with fruit and a deviled egg so that I could have a beer.  HAHA.....  Is it a problem when you choose your food based on whether you'll be drinking or not?  haha

unfortunately after the party and on the way to the hotel I got light headed b/c I'd had barely anything to eat so we stopped at the grocery store and I picked up a can of progresso chicken noodle soup to have at the hotel.  #thinkapril

The boys even went out for ice cream on Saturday night...lucky me I didn't have to go with them :)  

I love the hotel we stay at b/c they have breakfast and that makes life easy for the kiddos.  I just toasted up an english muffin with some PB and a banana, for me.  Lunch we found a new place and I ordered the MD Crab soup which was delicious and a salad with the dressing on the side :)  Again...when I dip my fork I only ever end up using like a teaspoon of dressing...and I order whatever dressing I want (which makes me happy happy happy).

For dinner we met up with family and I had THE MOST AMAZING ahi tuna salad.  O...M...G  it was so good AND I had a grapefruit crush which was like heaven!!  haha  (no sprite, just club soda to cut the sugar a little)

Monday was a holiday and I didn't have to work so we went to visit DJ's Nanny...we went out to eat (AGAIN) and I got a ceasar salad with dressing on the side (AGAIN)  haha...  I also had some ham and bean soup which was legit.

Today it is snowing like CRAZY...blizzard conditions and as I discussed with my girlie, at the gym then grocery store...why is it during the snow we want comfort food?  IDK but I was craving brussel sprouts...haha  I'm a weirdo.  I bought cookies for the kiddos :) this was earlier this am and it is expected to continue all day

Today included my sweet potato hash with an egg and lunch was a tuna WW pita pocket with roasted brussels :)

Gym Check in?

• Friday - 8pm
• Saturday - 7am
• Sunday - walked the boardwalk in OC for at least 30 minutes (it was GORGEOUS)
• Monday - 7pm
• Tuesday - 10am  (worked from home thanks to the blizzard)

Check Check Check

I'm having some minor surgery on Thursday so the gym won't happen that day but it is ok...I'm on the ball batman!!!  :)

Tonight I think I'm making some baked chicken with potatoes :)  more later

TTFN

Choices and Poki Sauce

Almost everything that happens is our lives is our choice.  I’m not talking about tragedies or illness or accidents…  I’m talking about day to day life.  If you wake up early enough you won’t have a rushed morning leaving you feeling stressed.  If you go to bed early enough, you’ll get plenty of rest to wake up earlier.  Even down to the job you have…it is all a choice.  If you dread work each day, find a new job.  Happiness is everything!!  Money does not beget happiness….I swear :)

I know that I am where I am today due to my choices.  Let’s run down a short list:

• I chose to go on a crash diet when I was 16 – forever maiming my metabolism
• I chose to gain 100 # with my pregnancy with Mason
•  I chose to lose 60 # 2 years ago
• I chose to change jobs and take on more stress and responsibility
• I chose to gain 40 # last year by choosing to:

o   Eat poorly

o   Not exercise

o   The kitchen was an excuse

Just take it one choice at a time.  If you make a healthier choice at each junction, you will find success in whatever your goal may be. 

A Timeline of choices:

Wake up:  hit the snooze on the alarm or just get up? 

Breakfast or no Breakfast?

Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel or Oatmeal?

Park right next to the door or park a little further away?

Veggie Burger with side salad (dressing on the side) or Cheese Burger with Fries?

Watch TV on couch or go to the Gym (and watch TV while on the treadmill)?

Etc…etc…etc…

I often hear people make excuses and that is their choice – to make an excuse.  If you just did what you were thinking about instead of thinking about it…you would probably be a lot happier and more successful at whatever it is your trying to achieve.  This can be applied to so many things: housework, schoolwork, work work, exercise, losing weight, and so much more…  I’ve started and want to continue with the positive choices I’m making right now.  I’m choosing to eat healthy and I’m choosing to exercise EVERY DAY – NO EXCUSES! 

GREAT NEWS!!!  It’s official I’m down 10 # since January 1^st – WAHOO!!!   Keep on truckin :)

Last night was a comedy of errors.  I busted my bottom to get home, eat dinner and get to my aerobics class only to realize it had been canceled AND I had an email from the instructor reminding me :/  Damn Science Fair at the middle school…kidding…  Instead I hit the gym and rocked my c25k week 2 and 10 minutes on the elliptical while I watched Honey Boo Boo….OMG THAT FAMILY IS HYSTERICAL :)

I got it all in and it felt great!  Got home and watched TV for too long then was tired…then couldn’t get warm…then took a 2^nd shower to warm up at 11:30…then had to blow dry my hair…then woke up at 3am to use the loo…then livie woke up at 5am to be put back down…then alarm went off at 6am.  UGG!!!  I got up and out of the house without too much hassle but man am I sleepy today :/

Today has been a pretty yummy day that included oatmeal with blueberries for breakfast

and a BARA CHIRASHI BOWL from Ra (Tuna, salmon, yellowtail, shrimp, avocado & cucumber with Asian green vegetables, mixed with poki sauce; served over rice)  I only ate a few bites of the rice but man am I ticked!!!  I JUST looked it up to see it was 850 calories!!!!!  DANG IT!  That makes me mad.  I was so sure it was a good choice…must be the damn poki sauce.  URGGGGG!!!  I got it because I thought it was the healthiest choice but if I’d gotten what I really wanted – Salmon Bento Box – it would have only cost me 600 and I never eat the rice on that dish so it would have only been like 400!!!  Darn Darn Darn.  Oh well, I’ve learned my lesson and will check the menu no matter how sure I am of the choices.

The pic is beautiful though right?! :)

That’s all for now…gym tonight

TTFN

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