"Happiness is not a destination. It is a method of life."

BREAKFAST

A lovely bowl of oats with coffee.

1/2 cup oats

1/2 red delicious apple

About 1/4 cup dried cherries

1/2 tbsp. crunchy Skippy's PB

Instant coffee mix

I originally made overnight oats with the cherries and coffee, but heated it up and added the rest in the morning. Instant coffee isn't good as an actual beverage, but is a nice addition as a spice. Yes, coffee is a spice.

LUNCH

 

Sammie:

Arnold Thins

Turkey lunchmeat

Romaine lettuce, tomato slice, onion

Laughing cow cheese wedge

Side:

Nectarine

1/4 cup vanilla yogurt

Pistachio's

SNACK

I ate lunch after work today so it was around 3:30 or 4. I went to Matt's house and was still too stuffed so I passed on dinner, but around 9:30 my tummy was growling while we had a mini marathon of watching Are You Afraid of The Dark (Does anyone remember this show? A blast from the past!) so I pulled out a Kashi pumpkin granola bar. I stole one of his hot wing pretzel's and a few fries from Wendy's later on.

DINNER

Leftover baled turkey penne pasta with added broccoli
Morningstar chick'n patty

DESSERT

1/2 of my apple from breakfast dipped in some yogurt and PB.

Let me be honest with you with my craving...for the past two days I have been craving a Wendy's chocolate m&m twisted frosty and must fulfill it before I eat everything in site. I turned one down two days in a row, but nothing will satisfy the craving. If I can get it made in a small cup I will, if not I am afraid of the outcome. It is what it is. I must find an avocado recipe tomorrow or I will end up pitching the one I bought and I hate wasting food. Top priority. ;) Studying for my permit test is my actual priority right now. I broke it down into a 2 week period to make sure I will indeed pass. This is something I need to do for everyone, not just myself. That thought alone is keeping me motivated. Staying motivated and positive is coming along well.

Hope everyone is having a good week so far!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."

I had an extreme craving again for pancakes this morning, but time did not allow for such a craving so I opted for the usual oats with cocoa. (I will be making those pancakes tomorrow!) Never will I get tired of eating in the morning, or lunch, or dinner. Ever. 

BREAKFAST

1/2 cup oats

1 medium gala apple

1 tbsp cocoa

A nice glob of yogurt

I took a nice mini trip to the store today, mainly to get some produce. Who would have thought I'd come home with more than apples and bananas? Picked up some plump oranges and nectarines this time around. The last time I had a nectarine was most likely over 5 years ago I'd bet! Why don't I eat these tasty suckers on the regular? But like I have said before, most of the produce in the store is poor quality so I stick with what I know. Romaine lettuce is my new choice of lettuce, I've always been an iceberg girl. (Terrible, I know.) Iceberg lacks so much flavor! Romaine is a nice combination between iceberg and a more leafy lettuce. Never will I be making my salads from iceberg out of choice again.

LUNCH

Bed of Romaine lettuce and celery

1 small apple

1 Morning Star Chick'n Patty

Topped with yogurt and cinnamon, of course!

Yay for something different! So yummy, but I wish I added in walnuts. This was much more appealing to the taste buds than it sounds, trust me. First time trying the Morning Star Chick'n patty and I haven't been disappointed with a product from them yet. Honestly, I was almost convinced it was indeed chicken. Haha. The breading was nice and crispy, not soggy at all. I've been trying like crazy to get rid of my quart of yogurt before it expires so I figured why not use it as dressing?  

SNACK

1 nectarine

1/8 cup walnuts

3 tbsp. frozen light cool whip (I'm being naughty and using cool whip for "dessert" fruits.)

DINNER

Don't you love my "dishware"? ;)

1 big ladle of my Moms chilli

1 Arnold Thin with 1/2 laughing cow cheese wedge

FINALLY STARTED A WORK OUT CHALLENGE PLAN!

This is an ab challenge based off of Oh She Glow's Whittle My Middle II and 10 Minute Solution Yoga's Ab work out. Also use shape and womens health mag as references. Just as Whittle My Middle I will be doing this exercise 5 times a week for 30days and may add in the 10 Minute Solution buns and thighs work out every now and then. I did the work out today and it was a bit challenging, but my goal is to improve and tone up my tummy either way. 

Front plank: 60-90 seconds. 

Side plank: 60 seconds.

Torso twists: 10-20 reps.

Plank ups: 10-20 reps. (I'm determined to finish the challenge able to lift my legs)

Low boat extension: 20

Rock N Raise: 20

Double crunch: 30. 

(10 forward, 10 left side, 10 right side)

Side leg lifts: 20.

Rock N Raise: 20. (2 reps of 10) 

Double crunch: 30.

Hyper back extension: 20. (2 reps of 10) 

Bridge pose extension: 10-20.

Sliding mermaid: 20.

Butterfly stretch: 60-90 seconds.

"Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts."

BREAKFAST

Whole wheat low-carb tortilla

1 tbsp. Skippy Natural peanut butter

1/2 large banana sprinkled with cinnamon 

3/4 cup 2% milk (We didn't have much milk left unfortunately) 
Estimated calories: 314

Luckily we should be going grocery shopping tonight. I am in the mood for a veggie burger! I most certainly will be picking those up. Lately I've been eating walnuts, but I think I may switch to almonds this time around. Hopefully I'll find some yummy recipes this afternoon so that I can pick up what I need tonight.  

LUNCH

While out shopping my parents decided to stop at Burger King, so I tried to find some healthier options while there.

(Not pictured) 1 Morning Star veggie burger with lettuce, onions, and mustard

1 Salad (removed cheese as much as possible) with about 2 tbsp. light italian dressing 

1 bottled water  
Estimated calories: 440 

 DINNER 

Chicken salad made with chicken from last nights dinner and fat-free Kraft caesar italian dressing

1 tall glass of cranberry water 

Estimated calories: 200

SNACKS 

6 Reduced fat Wheat Thins

1 tbsp. fat-free Philadelphia cream cheese

Estimated calories: 64 

OVER-ALL CALORIC INTAKE: 1,018

While shopping today I came across sweet potatoes, which I have never had aside from Thanksgiving so tomorrow I will be trying one! Eatingwell.com has some pretty good recipes for them. (and in general)  Most likely I will be trying sweet potato fries. 1/2 of the sweet potato I bought cut up, drizzles with olive oil, and seasoned with some no salt seasoning I have. There are a ton of whole wheat tortillas left that I need to eat soon so I will be making a turkey lunch meat wrap to go with the fries. 

"Do-so" is more important than "say-so."

I'm starting this blog in hopes to inspire and get ideas from others on healthy living. I also think that a visual food journal will be more helpful in my journey. While searching on Self.com I came across a food blog written by their nutritionist and will be using similar ideas in my own blog. Each day I will track my food intake along with pictures if possible. Not only is this blog about food intake, it's about over-all health--fitness and emotional well being included.

BRUNCH

 

Scrambled eggs: 

1/2 cup Egg Beaters, chopped broccoli, onion, tomato, and ground black pepper

1 slice Sara Lee Whole Wheat toasted bread

1/2 macintosh apple sliced

1 tall glass water flavored with sugar free Great Value cranberry drink mix 

Estimate calories: 194

DINNER

Not a very good picture, sorry.

1/2 oven roasted chicken breast with seasoning (Half of portion shown)

About 1 cup roasted vegetables with seasoning

1 tall glass of cranberry flavored water 

Estimated calories: 302

DESSERT

(Not pictured) 1 large home made chocolate chip cookie

Estimated calories: 196

SNACKS 

(Not pictured) I had a little slip while seeing A Christmas Carol tonight and had half of a snickers bar. 

Estimated calories: 140 

1/2 apple from brunch sprinkled with cinnamon

Estimated calories: 54

OVER-ALL CALORIC INTAKE: 879

Tomorrow I plan on taking the half of portion of chicken I didn't finish from dinner and make a chicken salad. Yum, yum. I will try to stray away from the sweets tomorrow, but they really are my down fall!