The Day of No Plans

Does anyone else feel like the past few weeks have been beyond busy? I know for me they have and I was very much looking forward to a day sans plans. What was on my to-do list:

• lay out B-)
• pay my rent
• some chores including straightening up budgeting
• gym for the bike and weights
• RELAX!!

I'm happy to report back that I think I succeeded in making the most of my Saturday :)

I slept in which felt great! My body really feels much better after 9+ hours of sleep than it does 7 or 8. I even skipped a source of caffeine today! It just goes to show you what rest will do for keeping you awake. I don't think I've skipped caffeine any day over the last 2 weeks.

My stomach was feeling a bit off when I woke up so I waited for it to settle before eating anything. My guess is the fiber-added Crystal Light I drank yesterday afternoon was the cause. While it is gluten free, I don't think I'd had one since last summer. It just goes to show you - natural is better!

Breakfast was an egg white sandwich with spinach and a chopped pear with a couple of strawberries, cinnamon, and maybe 1/4T almond butter.

I had the roof to myself for a couple of hours which was lovely. I came down around 1 though when it started getting too hot. I watched Nadal's victory at Wimbledon to put him into the finals and tackled my to-do list.

Lunch was a variety of things in an attempt to clear out the fridge. First up, this light and refreshing cucumber salad from Elana. The mix sat for maybe 5 minutes and was so flavorful, yet simple! I hightly recommend it!

I also had a salad with beets, bell pepper, the last 1/4c leftover black beans, and a few gone crackers topped with cheese and red pepper spread (I'm obsessed with it), and half a serving of tofu "nuggets" aka leftover baked tofu with bbq sauce.

I bribed myself to go to the gym by promising a trip to Whole Foods after. Hey, whatever form of motivation it takes, right? I ended up snacking on samples so dinner was pretty simple.

I had a serving of brown rice pasta over pasta sauce, spinach, and roasted broccoli and onions. I topped it with some garlic, S&P, basil, red pepper, and parm.

The best part of the evening came after. I found this recipe for a quick and easy gluten free peach cobbler. I like desserts but that's not usually what I find myself craving. However, this stuck out to me because of the holiday tomorrow. Nothing says summer, America, and the South like a good ole peach cobbler.

I modified the recipe a bit by using:

• non-stick spray instead of butter to grease the pans
• I made 2 batches from the recipe - one peach and one peach and cherry
• I only used 1.5T Earth Balance
• I cut the sugar by 1/3
• Baked for 30 minutes

I think this recipe still came out fantastically! Of course, I had to taste test it for quality assurance. I wouldn't want to bring it to one of my barbecues tomorrow if it tasted bad! I had a serving alongside some fresh cherries. You know it's good because it was gooey on the spoon :)

A serving clocks in right around 115 calories with no fat. Not too bad for a little holiday treat!

I am heading to bed early tonight to gear up for a long day of celebrating.


HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

The Perfect Sunday

After all of the excitement from Friday and the day yesterday, I didn't have it in me to do anything too exciting. I met my friend Jordan for dinner at Open City, which was lovely.  I had a delicious Sweet Pea soup and the special Grilled Cheese salad that had halloumi cheese, cucumber, tomato, and greens with a lemon-chive vinaigrette. It was a perfect summer meal but I forgot to take pics.

I stopped by a friend's going away party but only stayed for a short while because I got so tired. I was so excited to see my bed!

This morning I was hoping to sleep in a bit longer but a loudly growling stomach woke me up. My usual suspects didn't sound appealing at all and my stomach was telling me that it needed food quick. I broke into my special stash of Udi's Gluten Free bagels and defrosted and toasted one. While the bagel toasted, I cooked up a handful of spinach with ~ an egg white or 2 which went on top of half the bagel, while the other was topped with some Earth Balance.

I LOVE these bagels from Udi's. They are quite the special treat! I wish they weren't so caloric but it was definitely worth it.

I spent about an hour or so doing chores and then whipped up this berry salad to bring to my friend's pool for a little brunch and sun time. They are lucky I like 'em because I shared some of my fresh and delicious berries :-)  This salad had blueberries, strawberries, cherries, and black raspberries.

We were out at the pool for about 3.5 hours and I was surprised that my bagel sandwich held me over so well. I got hungry just as I was walking back into my apartment. The heat probably had something to do with that too :)

I had leftovers from my lunch on Friday over a bed of spinach. I went with a co-worker to a new place called Freshii downtown. You can either order off the menu or create your own salad, rice bowl, sandwich, or wrap. I was really impressed with the freshness and plethora of ingredients and the healthfulness of my meal as well. I got a rice bowl filled with veggie, edamame and black beans, and almond slices. All topped with a bit of teriyaki sauce.  I can't wait to go back, especially since the veggies are unlimited unlike other create-your-own salad places in DC.

I finally was motivated to go to the gym and did about 25 minutes (split up) on the stationary bike plus the arms workout from Week 1 of the Summer Shape Up.

For dinner tonight I needed to use up a ton of veggies in my fridge so I roasted a big batch of onion, bell pepper, broccoli, mushrooms, and sweet potato fries. Besides it being a bit warm, I kind of enjoyed being in the kitchen.

For the fries:

• Preheat oven to 400F
• Wash and dry sweet potato 
• Cut into fry shapes. I cut mine in half, then slice each half. Then I cut each slice into segments that look like fries.
• Place on foil line, cooking spray baking sheet.
• Bake for ~20 minutes. Flip. Bake for ~10 more minutes
• Enjoy!

I also had a serving of baked beans on the side.

Dessert was the last ~3/4 berries with a spoonful of yogurt and pinch of cocoa powder for a treat.

It's finally time to shower and then I'm probably heading to bed. I'm drained from the sun, but wouldn't trade this perfect summer day for anything!!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything exciting?

Awareness and Monday

A couple of weeks ago, during the Biggest Loser episode in Dallas, Bob shared some advice with a woman who asked about losing "those last 5 pounds": be really aware of every calorie in to help limit those unnoticed extra calories that sneak up on us. You know the ones - the overflow of a 1/4c of oatmeal here, an extra dip in the PB jar there, and before you know it you're confused about why something feels snug despite eating healthily overall.

For the last week or so, I've been struggling with a couple of things. I am stressed out about a few things I'm dealing with right now and I am also frustrated about feeling good and healthy, except for my foot, and wanting to work out but still can't... unless I want to exacerbate my injury and spend more time in the boot.  I've been struggling with my inability to workout how I normally / used to and how I feel that it is affecting my body. Throw on top constant weather warm-ups and cool-downs and I find myself grazing a bit more these days. Especially on munchy items like cereal and the TJs roasted crac almond butter. Of course, just in time for the summer...

For the past couple of weeks I've been going to the gym again for pilates and water aerobics and lifting weights at home. Of course, I walk at least 2 miles a day commuting to work but there's lots of sitting in between. My goal for this week is to be more aware of my eats and more importantly: my grazing because that's where I know I'm getting lazy. I also am going to think about the things I can do and remind myself that this is temporary and my foot must heal properly. I struggle with patience, can you tell? :)

Anyways, last night's dinner was an attempt to use up some left overs. I mixed a generous 1/4c of each: brown rice and black beans with a couple of spoonfuls of salsa, a handful on spinach on its last leg, and the final bit of fajita veggies. Plus, the most fantastic, fun vegetable ever: an artichoke. These were such a favorite of mine as a kid. I used to try to con my mom and dad out of their artichoke hears too - mmmm, sooo good. I sprinkled this with TJs 21 Seasoning Salute and had maybe a 1/4 tsp melted Earth Balance for dipping but dumped out half of the butter.

Dessert was a pear w/ AB and cinnamon and a 1/4c of some sliced pineapple. I purchased one yesterday on sale and it is juicy and flavorful. I'm very excited to have this on hand this week! Oh, then there was cereal....

It's another rainy, cool Monday morning so I kicked it off with an egg white and a nice pink bowl of hot cereal. In the mix:

• 1/4c minus 1.5 tbsp BRM hot cereal
• ~1.5 tbsp roasted buckwheat
• 1/4c unsweetened almond milk
• 3/4c water
• cinnamon, small bit of Earth Balance
• 1/2T chia seeds, 1/2T PB, ~1/4c frozen mixed berries
• pinch of almond slices, crushed
• 7 or 8 cacao nibs (small pinch)

Here's to a positive, busy, good week!

Rain, rain, go away!

The cloudy weather seems to be affecting my memory because I had a whole idea for tonight's post and can't remember any of it! It must be time for bed...

This morning started off with some AB&J hot cereal with some of my fig jam and the dangerous new TJs discovery. Seriously, I can't keep finge utensils out of that Pandoras box jar. There was also an egg white.

Lunch was in 2 parts because I wanted to end with something warm and comfy. First I had more kale chips and a salad with fresh radish and roasted zucchini.

Then I had black beans and rice (this used to be a favorite gluten free and vegan stand-by that my mom would bring home from Whole Foods for me. I was a weird snacker as a kid, what can I say?). There was about 1/3c brown rice and 1/2c of the Cuban black beans.

Around 2:30 I got munchy and had some blueberry tea and a prune and dried peach half.

Afternoon snack #2 was a serving of plain fat free yogurt with frozen mixed berries (less than 1/4c) mixed in and more TJs almond butter from heaven. This power snack held me over for 3 hours! Winner!

(this x2)

After work I had yet another appointment with my orthopedist. My stress fracture is healing slowly but surely! There is less pain each week which is great. I don't wear the foam padding inside my shoe anymore - just my special orthotics. The downside is that I have some kind of infection or something on my toe joint which I'm now treating. Oy.  I'm determined to get this foot healed by summer.

I came home and did a mini workout since I was too lazy to go back out to the gym. I did a few Self exercise cards and dusted off an old friend - 30 Day Shred. You'd think I would remember that this is what probably got me into my boot in the first place... I did NOT do the entire DVD - during the cardio parts I did the punches or walked in place. It felt good to work out my arms and abs though! I think Jillian is going back on the shelf though because I'm having some joint pain now.

Dinner during the Biggest Loser was Thai inspired. My basil plants that I got on Earth Day are thriving and I was anxious to use some to flavor my dinner. I baked a block of extra firm tofu at 400 for ~30 minutes that I pressed and sprayed with non-stick spray. When the tofu was almost done, I stir-fried broccoli, sliced bell pepper, mixed veggies, and half a tomato with garlic powder, fresh chopped basil, and soy sauce. At the very end I mixed in rice.

All together:

This was a light, flavorful meal that kept me full until weigh-in time. That's when my freezer was calling my name: 1/2c vanilla So Delicious ice cream on top of 1/2c chopped mango. In the background is the last bite of ice cream with more almond butter. It's dangerous, see?!

This cloudy-headed girl is going to head to bed. My hips are kind of achy and I'm hoping they feel better in the morning!

Hello Old Friend

Friend, I'm sorry that we haven't seen each other since February. It's my fault, I dropped the ball. But, I have a really good excuse, I promise.

My guilt finally got a hold of me tonight and there was no way I was going to break our 1st get-together since February. It felt great to catch up. We really must do it more often! Not to mention, I forgot how good I felt after we parted ways. I will definitely be talking to you soon.

I did it. Last night I dusted off the ole gym pass and went to pilates. I cannot tell you how good it felt to walk in the doors of the gym, let alone do something active for an hour. And the best part - I forgot how good I feel after exercise. Hello endorphins, party of 1. Seriously, I was happy and was reminded of why I exercise. It was like re-connecting with a part of me that's disappeared over the past 2 months. I visited my old self. Here's to hoping there's more progress to report at my doctor's appointment tomorrow!

Breakfast was hot cereal with raspberries and blue berries...

Lunch was more Spring Greens Soup and cheese toast. Today's bowl was topped with some mushrooms sauteed in a bit of vegetable broth and garlic powder. Plus an apple with AB.

Snack was half a cucumber and a clementine before pilates.

I was craving kidney beans so I created a "beefed up" version of red beans and rice. I simmered some okra, bell peppers, and broccoli in the last of my vegetable broth and some BBQ sauce and spicy mustard. I seasoned the mix with basil, oregano, and garlic powder. At the end I stirred in 1/2c of kidney beans and served it over 1/2c of brown rice. I ended up adding some Mexican blend cheese and more BBQ sauce.

Nighttime snacks were a pear with cinnamon, a toaster waffle, and then a bit more Crunch Maple Sunrise cereal and a spoonful of non-fat plain yogurt. I was extra hungry tonight, probably because I think I worked out more than I actually did...

G'night!

Going out with a bang!

I have to say, for the last official day of winter, it sure went out with a bang. Seriously, what could be better than this on a day when you get off of work early?!

Winter's last official day clocked in at 70 degrees. That, ladies and gents, is exactly my kind of winter!  Just compare the views from today to those from one month ago, during our week chock full of blizzards.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that winter weather is behind us (hopefully for good!).

I started the day off with a berry-filled bowl of hot cereal. I added about 1/4c frozen berries and cherries and a couple of fresh diced strawberries to my BRM hot cereal with chia seed pudding. All topped with PB and a few sliced almonds.

I could not wait to break into my lunch today for a very good reason - leftover lentil sloppy joes! I think this was even better the second day after the ingredients had time to come together a bit more. I had it with a corn tortilla and a spinach salad with some roasted veggies.

I spent about an hour and a half on my roof, catching up on some reading and Sarah Time. It was actually pretty windy and thus a bit chilly, but sitting in the sun felt sooooo good!

I had a pear with PB after, cleaned up the apartment, and then got ready to head out with friends. Lauren's boyfriend was in town on his way to a half marathon in Virginia Beach and she organized a surprise party for him! David is leaving a very big birthday behind and we wanted to send it off in style.

We went to an Italian restaurant called Vapianos where each diner gets their own card upon entering and as you order, you simply add your food, drinks, etc. to the card and pay when you leave. I started off with a glass of red wine (and had half of a second) while we waited for the guest of honor to arrive.

After hanging around for quite some time, we were ready for food. They do not have very many gluten free options (I wish they had a GF pasta!) so I ordered the large Insalata Mista which is chock-full of veggies: radishes, cucumber, tomato, zucchini, carrots... and topped with shaved parmesan and a few almond slices. It was good and I had plenty of room left for dessert.

 (this doesn't do justice to the size of the salad)

Lauren surprised David with a cake, and I did enjoy some of the [very blue] frosting on top of my own gluten free rice crispy treat that Lauren brought me, which was incredibly nice! As you can see, everyone enjoyed the blue frosting!

It was a great night and I was happy to get to sleep in this morning to officially welcome Spring! There's not a cloud in the sky and I'm itching to get out and run a couple of errands before visiting the roof again for some reading. It's amazing how much my magazine reading has backed up since I'm not able to peruse them on the elliptical machine!  Oh the gym, how I miss thee...

Had a pear and few strawberries alongside an egg sandwich with a bit of 2% Mexican cheese and hot sauce. This totally hit the spot!

Off to enjoy this GLORIOUS weather! Have a fantastic day!!!