"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!

"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!

"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!

"Let him who would enjoy a good future waste none of his present."

1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

1/4 cup Bear Naked apple cinnamon granola 
1 medium apple

I added a dollop of peanut butter today and oh my I want PB in my messes ever day! I wish I added more, but I wasn't sure if I would like it or not...who was I kidding?

AFTER WORK OUT SNACK 

Half of an orange from yesterday. Need that vitamin C!

I managed not to skip a work out today. After reading The Chic Life's post about squashing work out excuses I told myself "I can do this! Do the best you can! It will pay off!" My work out plan is a bit too challenging for me, but I stick with as much of it as I can do. My abs are sore, but it will pay off and I will only get stronger.

I did say that I would take my measurements and weight today for my challenge, so here it is:

Smallest part of waist: 27 inches

Waist at belly button: 33.5 inches

Hips: 35.5 inches

Weight this morning: 119.8

I'm not concerned with my weight anymore I am mainly concerned with my waist to hip ratio. When I lose around 2 inches off of my waist I will look much healthier and toned. Also, I have come to realize that I do have a pear shape. Pear is a good shape and I must learn to embrace the curves that comes along with it. 

LUNCH 

Okay, this was more of dinner because I ate it when my parents had dinner. I wake up late what can I say? I am a little embarassed by this one, but I have become an extreme fan of bowl messes. They had sloppy joes, maccaroni and cheese, and peas. My equivalent is 1/4 cup sloppy joe, 1/2 cup Kraft mac n cheese, and about a 1/2 cup of peas. Does this sound gross? I don't care. =]

DINNER

I took a light approach for dinner and had to feed my peanut butter and banana craving I've been having all day.

Arnold thin

1 tbsp. Skippy's Natural creamy PB

1/2 banana

Cinnamon

Side of...

6 Seneca Gingerbread Apple Chips

Only $1 at Big Lots! Normally we buy the cinnamon, but these taste almost the same to me. Only 140 calories for 12 chips and they aren't doused in grease. Seneca has a wide variety of apple chips and also carry sweet potato chips, which I have yet to come across. Pick them up if you happen to spot them.

I wanted to talk to you about NuVal if you haven't heard of it yet. NuVal is nutritional value listed along with the price of items. They take calories, fat, carbs, etc. into consideration when giving a rating from 1-100. The higher the number, the better for you. Simple, right? Unfortunately only a select few stores have this for their customers. If you would like you may suggest stores near you where you would like to see NuVal. Many people are not educated in nutrition, even those of us who think we are may be surprised by their scores. Having NuVal can take out a lot of guess work plus lead the busy and slightly lazy into a healthier life style. Although they do not have wide selection of grocery items listed with their scores on the website they do have some and update frequently. Do you think this is a good idea or should people rely more on their own nutritional education?

 

"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.