Sunday, December 4, 2011

Super Sunday :)

12pm Breakfast
I had a late breakfast today!  I  woke up, did some blog reading, and ran some errands.  Because I waited so late to eat, I figured it would be acceptable to have a big breakfast.  Thus, 11 point + pancakes are what I enjoyed!  The fiber one pancakes are 5 points per giant pancake plus 1 for syrup.






















3pm Snack
Sweet treat mid-day.  Can you tell I'm craving sugar?!  Holiday grapes and some pudding. 2+.  I still have 14 points left for dinner.

















5pm Workout
I did the 30 Day Shred Level One and Earned 2+.  According to the changes to the plan, I only use these points if I run out of my other 49 extra points.  With 45 bonus points left AND 4 activity points now, I can't see myself going over my goal this week.


6pm Dinner
For dinner I tried a new recipe... Cilantro-Lime Chicken Tacos cooked in the crockpot and served with a bean salad.  I thought I would cut WAY back on the seasoning if I made them again and ended up only eating one taco.  The bean salad was amazing though with chips and Greek yogurt.  I used up 10 points for dinner and topped things off with a popsicle for one point <3 

3 points left today, but don't want to eat if I'm not hungry :)  Have a great start to your week!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

This Woman is on Weight Watchers!

8:30am Breakfast
Started off the day with 27 points.
Peanut Butter and Banana Toast with Lemon Water to drink 4+

11:00 Gym
10 minutes speed walking on the treadmill, lifted heavy upper and lower body, and did 10 minutes speed walking on the treadmill.  I earned 2 activity points to add to my weekly cushion of 45 points :)


1:00pm Lunch
Black Bean Burrito with Popcorn and Green Tea 9+


















5:30 Dinner
Out to dinner and an awesome concert with my boyfriend!  3 slices of toast with spinach artichoke dip, 2 slices of Giordanos Super Veggie Pizza (minus olives) with a glass of water with lemon 18+ (If that.  The pizza slices were small and loaded with veggies!).  I used 4 points from my weekly allowance too since I went a bit over.  I have 45 left to use up between now and Friday if I want extra treats :)

Monday, November 14, 2011

Roasted Red Pepper Soup

Yesterday was a perfect day for movie watching and soup making!  Below is the recipe for an amazing soup I made from Appetite for Reduction.  The image of the soup was borrowed though...

http://lewdfood.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/roasted-red-pepper-soup.jpg?w=640&h=392&crop=1


Ingredients:
2 large red bell peppers
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
½ teaspoon salt
3 tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3 cups vegetable broth
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375.  Cut the stems off the red peppers and scoop out the seeds.  Stand the peppers in a backing dish.  Bake for 35 minutes until they are soft.  Chop them up.
Sauté onion in oil on a skillet.  Add garlic, rosemary, and salt.  Add in the tomatoes.  Add the coriander, vegetable broth, and chickpeas. Stir and cover for about 15 minutes.  Add the roasted peppers.  Use a blender to blend the soup

Enjoy!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins

So delicious, fast, easy, and tons of vitamins!!!


Recipe

Day 1... Again!

Deja Vu lunch today... this time with roasted carrots!!!


I LOVE to run however, when I tried to run this summer, I ended up with an injury in my hip.  After many months off, I am attempting to run again but starting off very slow to avoid injury.  Thus, it's Day 1... again!


Day 1 = 30 minute walk
Off I go


Lucky for me not only is this incredibly easy, but it's also a beautiful fall day AND I live in a beautiful neighborhood!  Finished my run off with yoga and now am ready to tackle some chores :)

Happy Sunday!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Veggie Filled Saturday Lunch

I LOVE my weekends!  Sleep in, play outside, eat amazing food, hang out with friends... what else is better?!


Today I watched Forks Over Knives and decided that I need to get more veggies!!!  I've always known this but it helps to be reminded :)  So... I made an AMAZING lunch!  I made veggie sandwiches with hummus, goat cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers served on toast.  As sides, I also had caramelized cauliflower and raw carrots with hummus.   I was blown away with the cauliflower.  It was my first time making it and it is definitely something I could have with every meal and not get sick of it!


And to top it off... a red velvet cupcake :)
Have a wonderful Saturday :)

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Reeses Peanut Butter Pie

Making some pie for the boyfriend and our weeknight date tomorrow :) 

Reeses Peanut Butter Pie-adapted from Une Vie Saine

Ingredients:
Crust~
  • 1 Package of Graham Crackers
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 6 T. butter
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon

Pie~
  • 8 ounce package frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
  • 8 ounce package cream cheese
  • 18 ounce jar crunchy peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup roasted salted peanuts, for garnish
  • Reeses Peanut Butter Cups
Procedure:
1. Make the crust and let cool.  Crust Recipe- This crust is SO tasty and smells amazing when it comes out of the oven!

2. In a large bowl, mix whipped topping, cream cheese and peanut butter with a hand mixer until all chunks of cream cheese and whipped topping are gone.
3. Slowly mix in confectioner’s sugar 1/2 cup at a time, scraping sides to ensure everything is well combined.
4. Add milk and beat until well incorporated.
5. Crush Reeses peanut butter cups and mix into recipe.
6. Pour peanut butter mixture into graham cracker crust and even out with a spatula. Garnish with peanuts or Reeses if desired.
7. Set in freezer for at least 45 minutes or up to several hours. Remove right before serving.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Super Fast Goat Cheese Pasta

Today while doing my Saturday morning blog reading, I saw a recipe for Goat Cheese Pasta that look delicious, easy, and inexpensive.  It turned out to be all of these things and I'm in love!  This is the perfect dish for a date night at home or dinner party and would be great paired with some bread dipped in olive oil, a salad, and some wine.  Thank you Gabriela!

Photo taken by Gabriela from Une Vie Saine

Monday, October 10, 2011

My boyfriend, the baker!

I just need to take a moment to brag about my boyfriend's mad baking skills!!!
Funfetti cupcakes with salted caramel frosting!

Okay, I'm done!  Enjoy your day!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches

I made sandwiches from the following blog:  http://www.macheesmo.com/2010/03/breakfast-sandwiches/

They are only 240 calories each and will be my breakfast for the next week.  I added some ham too.  So tasty :)

Friday, September 30, 2011

Curried Quinoa

1 Cup Quinoa
1 Can Chicken Broth
1/2 Red Onion
4 Cloves Garlic
1 tsp. Curry Powder
1 tsp. Cumin
1 T. Mustard Seed
1 can Diced Tomatoes
2 cups Frozen Peas

1) In small saucepan combine qunioa and broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or so.
2) Saute onion, spices, and veggies.
3) Mix and ENJOY!!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Veggie Lentil Soup

Happy Sunday everyone!  Today I made an amazing veggie lentil soup from Appetite for Reduction .  The recipe is below and I tweaked it a bit.


Ingredients:
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 medium onion
3 garlic cloves
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 ribs celery
3 carrots
1 sweet potato
1 zucchini
1 cup lentils
6 cups broth
6 oz tomato sauce
two handfuls of spinach chopped


Directions:
Put olive oil in soup pot and heat it up.  Then add onions and garlic.  Saute until they are translucent.  Add the spices and cook another minute.

Add veggies, broth, and lentils.  Bring to a boil with lid on, then reduce to low and cook for 45 minutes.

Add spinach and tomato sauce.  Serve :)

The soup with some bread made my a certain guy I know :)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Pizza Bowl

This is a quick, easy, and delicious lunch!  In a bowl mix cooked rice with spaghetti sauce, veggies, and cheese.  Warm up in the microwave for a minute or two and you're good to go!  Today I had brown rice with spinach and mozzarella.  It was SO good!

PS- Also AMAZING with lentils instead of brown rice.  More fiber and fewer calories :)

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

AMAZING End of Summer Salad!

I had this at the Flat River Grill in Lowell, Michigan and tried to recreate it!  This is pretty close :)

Dressing Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallot
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Potatoes:
Cut up 1 Idaho potato and 1 sweet potato into small chunks.  Toss with EVOO and maple syrup.  Sprinkle with a bit of salt.  Pour onto baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes turning once.

Salad Ingredients:
  • Spinach
  • Bacon
  • Avocado slices
  • Potatoes (see above)
Toss salad ingredients with dressing and enjoy :)






Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Awesome day today!  Lost another 3 pounds this week which puts me down 7.4 total!  Then I went to one of my favorite places!  I read a book and watched the sunset by the pool.  <3 summer!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Apparently it's safety day at the railroad... in case anyone wanted to know!

On another note, I went for a run today.  My training group starts Thursday with the following levels:

Level One
20 Minutes - Run 1 Minute / Walk 2 Minutes

Level Two
20 Minutes - Run 1.5 Minutes / Walk 30 Seconds

5K
Run .5 Miles x 4

10K
Run 2 Miles

Looking at these levels, I was sure I would place myself in level 1 however, decided to go out for a run to test level 2.  I honestly didn't think I could do it.  I can easily run 1.5 minutes but with such a short break I was not sure I could run 1.5 minutes over and over again.  I DID IT!!!  It was difficult but not too difficult :)  WOOHOO!!!  Level 2- here I come!

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Run :)

I have to take a moment to brag about how beautiful my running route is...
Okay- I'm done :)  Training starts Thursday with CARA!  It feels so good to be running again!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

30 by 30!

Well my birthday is officially over after my finally birthday celebration with friends last night.  I'm 25 which is crazy old!  I made a list tonight of 30 things I'd like to do by the time I'm 30 :)  Here is to 5 fun years trying to accomplish this list!!!



Thirty by Thirty!
May 19, 2016

1.     Run a 5k
2.    Run a 10k (Wrigley Start Early- April 2012)
3.    Do Bike the Drive with my mom (May 2012)
4.    Run a 15k (Hot Chocolate- November 2012)
5.    Run the River Bank Run (May 2013)
6.    Run a marathon!!! (Chicago Marathon- October 2014)
7.    Join a running club
8.    Weigh 128-132 pounds
9.    Take a hot yoga class
10.  Take tennis lessons
11.  Take swimming lessons
12.  Live in the same place for at least two years
13.  Become a vegetarian for lent
14.   Speed date
15.   Go geocaching
16.   Give blood regularly
17.  Take a photography class
18.   Get my masters
19.   Have an emergency fund
20.  Be debt free
21.  Cook every recipe in at least one of my cookbooks
22.  Go on vacation by myself
23.  Eat dinner with strangers
24.  Read every book I own
25. Walk through a corn maze
26.  Go on a ghost investigation
27.  Get a dog
28.  Go on a silent retreat
29.  Volunteer at the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
30.  Go on a movie tour of Chicago

Rainy Sunday...

It is a crazy, rainy day in Chicago today.  I woke up, went to WW, and caught a bus just before the downpour began!  After WW, I went to church which was nice with the rain and thunder in the background.  Walk home... not so nice!  My dress was soaked!
After I got home I made lunch, a "breakfast" quesadilla.  So easy and yummy!

All I did was make up the Mexican Egg Scramble without adding the cheese.  Then I plopped the egg scramble into a tortilla, covered it with 1/4 cup of cheese, folded it in half and put some EVOO on top of it.  Finally, I put it under the broiler for 3 minutes on each side.  MMM!
9 Points+


If you live in Chicago, have an amazing day of book reading, Wii playing, and Netflix watching :)

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Quarter Century Birthday Bash!

As of May 19, I am officially 25 years old.  Last week I celebrated with my mom and this weekend it was time to celebrate with my friends!  Off to Carnivale we went!


Delightful drinks...

Amazing appetizers...

Fabulous fish!

Decadent desserts...

I had an excellent birthday to say the least :)  Thank you ladies!



Mini Park Ave Pizza!

6 Points+


1 Smart and Delicious Multi-grain wrap
2 T. sun dried tomato hummus
Veggies (I used zucchini, green peppers, and sun dried tomatoes)
1/8 cup feta cheese
Sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
Sprinkle of mozzarella cheese

Spread hummus on the wrap and top with veggies and cheese.  Bake at 425 for about 8 min.

IMPORTANT!

I feel the need to announce two things.........
1) Today is the PERFECT day for a run.
2) High Fiber Oatmeal with 1 T. of White Chocolate Wonderful PB is the most amazing breakfast in the WORLD!  LOVE IT!  7 Points+







Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mixin' Things Up!

I had a fun WW meeting on Wednesday!  We were so chatty that we never even got to the topic of the week.  One guy said something that I thought was interesting.  He said that when he started WW he would pack for the week.  He would make the same lunch x 5 and store it in the fridge or freezer.  After awhile he started to mix things up and he tried never to repeat things.  This made eating fun for him and he also said he would like to think that he was constantly tricking his body.  One day he would have more points than he was supposed to, the next day less, etc.  Some days he would eat a lot in the morning and other days he ate his biggest meal at lunch.

I thought this week I would try to switch things up a bit too and get out of my routine.  Today I had my lunch for breakfast, my breakfast for lunch, ate two snacks (normally I don't snack), and made a super yummy egg scramble for dinner.

One amazing thing I discovered today that I now LOVE are bagel thins.  Take 1 bagel thin, top the halves with 1 wedge of Laughing Cow (any flavor), and top each half with one sliced tomato.  That's two veggie servings and amazing goodness!  The whole bagel prepared this way is 4 points+.

For dinner I prepared one amazing bagel thin and a Mexican Egg Scramble.  The recipe is below:

On the stove heat up some sliced orange, green, red, and yellow peppers along with 2 spoonfuls of Trader Joe's Hot Salsa (in tubs near the hummus).  After the veggies have cooked a bit, mix in 2 eggs and 3 T. of egg whites.  Scramble as always and towards the end add in 1/4 cup of TJ's light Mexican cheese.  6 points+ and SUPER filling!!!

10 Points+ for the whole meal :)

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Apple and Banana Breakfast Bowl!






I got this idea from Une Vie Saine and mixed it up a bit!  First I microwaved an apple on high for 90 seconds (next time I would peel it first though), then I poured myself a bowl of Banana Nut Cherrios.  I topped the Cherrios with the apple slices and a sliced banana.  Then I poured in 1/2 cup of almond milk and sprinkled cinnamon on top.  MMM!

If you're doing WW it's 7 points with 2 servings of cereal and 4 points with only one.  I made 2 but then didn't finish my bowl!

Have a wonderful Saturday :)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Backwards Day!

I'm having breakfast for dinner tonight using only 8 points plus :)

Egg White Sandwich
Morning Star Bacon
Clementine
V8

Have a great night everyone!  Anyone waking up super early to watch the royal wedding?!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Good news and bad news...

Good news... I lost 4.2 pounds my first week of WW!!!

Bad news... I figured out that one of the Almond Butter Brownies was 10 points :(  Sad!

Have an awesome Wednesday!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

My Sunday Thus Far :)

I started Weight Watchers for real this time!  I think it will help to have a group of people to help me AND to get weighed in every week and to know that's coming.  So far I've made better choices and I plan to continue!

Breakfast: Waffle with 1/2 cup Cottage Cheese and Fresh Strawberries :)  This is so good and only 4 points!


Lunch: Salad with Buffalo Chicken Bites and Lite Ranch Dressing- 10 points.

Happy Sunday everyone!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Weekend with my Momma!

My mom is coming to town this weekend and I'm stocked with lots of yummy food to help us BOTH stick to our diets :)







Woohoo for a fun weekend with the most amazing woman I know!  I'm lucky to call her my mom!