"We usually know what we can do, but temptation shows us who we are."

BREAKFAST

We had some bread lying around and I wanted to get rid of my egg whites and half a pear so french toast it was. Unfortunately this bread soaked up way more of the egg, apple sauce, cinnamon, vanilla concoction than I anticipated. A little soggy french toast never hurt anyone I suppose. I topped it with a half a pear and tbsp. of Skippy's crunchy PB for extra protein.

As I was packing up my rice krispies from last night I decided to have one. After some research I found out these 2X2 squares run only around 100 calories. Nice!

I'm off to get a work out in before I get ready to go out this evening with my friends. Pizza Hut pizza is lunch/dinner tonight.

"Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great. "

BREAKFAST

My new favorite breakfast bowl combination that is making regular appearances...

2/3 cup Kashi Vive cereal

1/3 cup yogurt

1 small red delicious apple

2 tbsp. Skippy's Natural crunchy PB

I attempted to find Kashi Vive at Walmart today and it was not a successful trip. Instead, I ended up buying Kashi GoLean which seems to be similar. When I find Vive again I will be stocking up, no question it has become one of my favorites.

LUNCH

Soup:

Left over tomato soup with added broccoli, tomato, onion, and red pepper flakes

Sammie:

Arnold thins, toasted

Lettuce, tomato, onion

Laughing cow cheese

I was a bit too full after this meal, probably because I ate it too close to breakfast, but yet again I wanted to get something in my stomach before going into work. Working a schedule that begins at 5PM is terrible for my diet.

DINNER

"Hujass" salad:

Bed of romaine lettuce, celery, tomato, and onion 

1/2 pear

Morning Star chick'n patty

Walnuts

Raspberry vinaigrette 

I forgot I had feta cheese to top this with until I finished it and was super bummed!

After dinner I decided to make rice krispie treats for some friends tomorrow considering I have the things lying around, but haven't made them yet in fear that I would eat them all myself. Okay...I may have eaten some of what I made off of my spoon, but I didn't indulge in a treat just yet.

Who doesn't love this old classic? Marshmallows, butter, and cereal...how can you go wrong? I do want to try this with a cereal other than rice krispies though, but can't be sure that people will care much for them. 

SNACK/DESSERT

Making those rice krispy treats had me craving this more than the treats themselves. Rice krispies in 2% milk topped with 2 tbsp. sugar! Hehehe. It felt so good to eat this combination, almost as if I were a kid again sneaking table spoons of sugar onto my cereal when no one was looking.

I am officially finished with the driver's manual book, now it's review time! Originally I gave myself a two week span, but I am so ready to get this done and over with. For once I actually feel excited to drive. True I am still nervous, but the feeling is passing once I think of all the positives! Watch out everyone you may see me on the road soon enough. ;)

Netflix added Man V. Food to instant watch so I know what I'll be doing tonight!

"One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself."

Last night I spent time with my friend Michelle instead and we played Wii for hours. Usually I don't care for Wii, but I enjoyed the game Just Dance. So silly, yet fun. I have yet to try out the fit fit though. By the way...I did have my twisted frosty with extra m&m's and I do not regret it one bit! My problem is indulging and feeling terribly guilty, but as time goes on I am learning to cope with that feeling and realize indulging on rarity will not hurt me.

I opted to wake up earlier than usual today and I did. Yay. I like having more free time to myself before going into work and I usually find myself rushing around. Well, not this time. 

BREAKFAST

 

Chocolate walnut oatmeal pancake!

Pancake:

1/3 cup Quaker oats

About 1/3 cup egg whites (The kind from the carton)

1 tbsp. unsweetened Hershey's cocoa

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tbsp. yogurt (In batter) 

1/8 cup walnuts, chopped

Topped with warm apples and yogurt 

This recipe is still slightly new to me and this pancake way by far the best one I have made. Originally I planned to make it with a banana, but as usual they were all gone.

LUNCH

I attempted to make hummus today, but ti turns out it doesn't work well at all in a blender. Oh well, I smashed the rest of the chick peas with garlic, onion, chili powder, ground pepper, and salt. The mixture went into the refrigerator for about an hour before I decided to eat them over a bed of romaine, tomato, and broccoli.

 

DINNER

This feta cheese always taunts me when I walk in the store so I figured I would try it. Feta cheese may be my new favorite cheese. I found myself wanted to eat the entire container. Haha. I decided to have a sandwich and soup tonight and of course I used the feta!

Sammie:

Arnold Thin

Turkey lunchmeat

Lettuce, tomato, onion

Feta cheese!

I made sure to toast my sandwich and melt the feta on my turkey. Oh my god! Delicious.

A cup of Campbells' low sodium tomato soup with extra tomato and broccoli. I added in hot sauce for a nice kick. This meal was just what I was looking for.

For dessert I had an oatmeal raisin cookie, but I'm thinking I would have been more satisfied with a piece of chocolate. Tomorrow's breakfast will be a bowl of Kashi, apple, and PB no doubt...I have an enormous craving! I also bought banana's today and can't wait for them to rippen so I can try them in an oatmeal pancake.

Work out update:

I haven't been keeping up with 5 days a week, it's been rough. Lately it seems as if I have a lot going on emotionally and physically so I am not making my work out a number one priority at the time. It's a possibility that I have tendinitis so it's making a lot of movements difficult at the time. It hurts to even brush my teeth! =[ I do feel that I have been maintaining my measurements, if not losing. There will be another update soon.

On a good note; the snow seems to be melting! It's in the 40's! Yes, this is something to celebrate in my eyes. Okay I know it won't last, but I can dream. Off to study for my permit some more...I'm almost done.

"Most obstacles are imaginary; the rest are only temporary."

BREAKFAST

The picture isn't fantastic I know, but it's a banana split for breakfast. Mmm. After browsing KERF's tribute to oatmeal I was inspired.

1 medium banana sliced in half (Had to break off the end for it to fit in the bowl)

Stuffed with 1/4 cup Bear Naked apple cinnamon granola

Topped with 1tbsp Skippy's Natural crunchy PB

All over a bed of 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt

Sprinkled with cinnamon

Things to do today:

• Get a good work out in
• Make an eye appointment, I need a check up 
• Finish studying chapter 3 and 4 in the driver's manual for my permit
• Eat a yummy Wendy's chocolate m&m twisted frosty without guilt
• Make something with the avocado I have
• Spend time with Matt
• Clean up my room...how does it get so messy?
  
• Be positive and stay motivated!
• Try going to bed at an earlier time

LUNCH/DINNER

Cell phone picture...

Sirloin steak

Wild rice

Green beans

Crescent roll

I didn't have gravy over my sirloin, but I added a dap to my plate to dip my roll into. Chipotle brown gravy as a matter of fact, it was good.

Turns out I am not doing well with my list of accomplishments. My avocado was bad. =[ I am not familiar with them and I suppose I bought it too ripe and it went bad quickly. Oh well. Silly me cut my finger while cutting the avocado in half and I didn't think it would ever stop bleeding. Ugh!

"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!

"The body is an instrument, the mind its function, the witness and reward of its operation. "

The past few days I haven't been focusing on blogging as much because I haven't been in the best of moods. Some times I need to truly focus on what is going on in my life or what I would like to be going on in my life. After much frustration I am beginning to work things through. Step by step with everything I am becoming a better person. =]

JANUARY 10th

BREAKFAST

This is the same as my dinner the night before, haha. For some reason my body responds to this combination like no other I have tried thus far. I was tempted to eat it later in the day, but I refrained.

LUNCH

Silly me forgot to photograph this wonderful experience! Matt and I tried out Panera Bread for the first time and both of us found it impressive. I went with a two for deal. Fuji apple chicken salad and french onion soup. My salad contained a bed of leafy greens, grilled chicken, apple chips, pecans, red onions, tomato, and an apple vinaigrette. The french onion soup was also delicious, I skipped out on the croutons and went with a french baguette. Matt had the Italian combo sandwich with a side of chips. Both of us agree that we must go there more often. Hands down, I would try everything on the menu. If it wasn't aware that I am a big soup, salad, and sandwich person...now you know.

DINNER

For some reason I have been craving breakfast combination at all times of the day recently.

2/3 cup yogurt

1 gala apple (They need used up because we buy so many!)

1 homemade oatmeal raisin cookie

1/2 tbsp. crunchy PB

TODAY--JANUARY 11th.

BREAKFAST

This morning I had the above combination, minus the cookie and a pear instead of an apple. I was in a rush, half asleep, and obviously was a bad blogger and neglected a picture again. =[

LUNCH

I packed this lunch to take with me today, again in kind of a hurry.

Sammie:

Arnold Thin

Turkey lunchmeat

Lettuce, tomato, pear slices

Laughing cow cheese

Side of pear slices

DINNER

My friend Michelle decided to go to Eat N Park after our long shopping trip today. I decided to stick with the salad bar after much debate over sugary breakfast foods.

Cup of chilli and side of corn bread

Salad:

Mix of greens

Carrots

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cherry tomatoes

Radishes

Chick peas

Sunflower seeds

Balsamic vinaigrette dressing
For dessert I had three yummy slices of cantaloupe (My favorite fruit! I can't resist it when it's ripe and juicy.)

Sorry for the lack of posting, but everyone knows to be truly healthy we must focus on our lives as a whole. Tomorrow after work I am determined to find a good homemade hummus recipe. Any suggestions?

"Progress lies not in enhancing what is, but in advancing toward what will be."

My laptop is FINALLY fixed! Countless hours of my mother trying to fix it and we ended up taking the easy root and reformatting it. Where do these worms come from? I may never know, but it feels nice to have a clean slate on my computer.

FRIDAY

BREAKFAST

3/4 cup yogurt

1 medium banana, sliced

2 homemade oatmeal raisin vegan cookies

"LUNCH"

 

I was determined to find a recipe to use up some ground turkey and whole wheat penne I had so after some intensive searching I came up with this recipe...

Baked Turkey Penne Pasta:  

14 oz. whole wheat penne pasta
1lb. ground turkey
2 jars preferred tomato/spaghetti sauce  (24-32 ounces, I like mine extra saucy)

Onion and green pepper to taste
Seasonings: basil, oregano, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (I was unfortunately out!)
Heavy sprinkling of parmesan cheese

Brown turkey in pan with onion and green pepper along with seasonings. While turkey is browning cook pasta according to directions and preheat oven to 350 degrees. When turkey is browned pour in spaghetti/tomato sauce and cook until heated thoroughly. Drain pasta and add to pan. Spray vegetable spray in 3 qt. Pyrex dish and pour in half of pasta mixture. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese on top and layer the rest of pasta. Top mixture with rest of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

 

My portion along with a slice of bread and a simple salad dressed with balsamic vinegar. 

SNACKS  

Of course having homemade cookies in your house makes you a huge cookie monster. Nom, nom, nom. I had one before having my light "dinner".

Yes, I used my Christmas mug with the hot cocoa my coworker gave me topped with a mound of lite whipped cream. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the full cup because the flavor wasn't doing it for me. Snicker doodle hot chocolate is a no go.

DINNER

1/2 cup yogurt

Small apple

Homemade oatmeal raisin vegan cookie

After feeling so stuffed I went with something light and sweet. I have an addiction to yogurt and apples, sorry they appear so frequently.

TODAY JANUARY 9

BREAKFAST

Eggs:
1/2 cup egg whites
Green pepper and onion
2 pinches turmeric powder  

Topped with Chi Chi's salsa
Slice of toast from last nights dinner
1 medium orange

LUNCH

I neglected to photograph this one...I had a bowl of baked penne leftover's and a side of steamed broccoli. I feel as if these left overs will last forever. My Dad really enjoyed the dish, but my Mom was too in her world of "I need some fat in my dish". My efforts in making my parents see there are healthier options isn't extremely successful. At times I suppose I try to shove it down their throat so to speak, but it's all from my experience with food. Of course we all get a little out of hand and crave unhealthy foods, but I want them to realize baby steps will be rewarding.

DINNER

If this were anymore delicious I may have shed a tear of joy. 

1 cup Kashi Vive cereal  

1/2 cup yogurt

1 medium gala apple

2 tbsp. Skippy's Natural chunky peanut butter

Cinnamon to taste

  

Yet another steal at Big Lots...the Kashi cereal. This was my first time trying this cereal and when I saw 1 1/4 cups is only 170 calories I was sold. I only went with 1 cup because other wise I would be too full. The vanilla flavor doesn't shine through strongly, but it still gave enough flavor so that it wasn't plain. There were maybe three or four different types of cereal in the box, variety is always good for me in a cereal. One thing I did notice is that the cereal got a little more soggy than others that I have used with yogurt, but I was still fine with it because I know I take a long time to eat and that sort of thing happens. Yet again, the peanut butter shined! Usually I don't crave peanut butter, especially chunky, but my tastes change more than I can keep up with anymore. 

There is so much more I could say, but I am thinking this post is long enough for today. I skipped a work out yesterday out of blah feelings, so I need to jump at the opportunity!