Thursday, October 25, 2012

Day 26 - A Run in the Dark & PB Bites

Breakfast: oatmeal pumpkin muffin
Snack: an orange & a mini cookies n creme cupcake --Thanks Steph, it was delicious!!
Lunch: shrimp salad with peppers, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, parmesan cheese, croutons & light ranch
Snack: homemade chewy granola energy bar, hummus & crackers
Dinner: sweet potato hash (recipe below) & a broiled garlic chicken tender
Snack: smoothie pop
Calories Consumed: 1434





Exercise: 2.5 mile run with Josie....in the dark!

Well... I finished my Wonder Woman costume today!! WOO HOO! It turned out pretty neat! I'm super excited to wear it. :)

Also, today was my day with Matthew (my step-son for those of you who don't know)!!  I went and picked him up and right away he said he was 3!! His birthday was yesterday & he turned 3. It was so cute! Then we went home and he seen his new bath toy (A ship from the show Jake the Pirate) and insisted that he needed a bath, so of course...the sweet step-mom that I am I said OK!! ;) I think it's the longest bath that he's taken. I even played with the alligator that squirts water out of its mouth for a little while. --I'm easily entertained! Then he wanted to try his batman costume on again (he tried it on last weekend) and wore that for a good part of the evening. OH, and lets not forget that he did not forget about his monster truck!! He HAD to play with that. We even took it outside for few minutes while I took Josie out. We weren't out there very long though cuz it's a bit chilly tonight. Anyhow... we had a grand ol' time as usual!

Soon as I dropped him off...I was craving another good run!! I think my runners high is back. I swear, running is addicting!! So it was definitely dark and a little after 8 and I went for a run!! ...Ok motherly people...don't worry!! I only ran in well lit areas!! I didn't run through the park, as much as I wanted to, I refrained!! I had my trusty guard dog with too!! haha although I had to giggle when leaves blowing on the sidewalk would spook her! HAHA I dressed much warmer today than I did yesterday, as it was also 10 degrees colder. I'm deciding now that I'd like to invest in a good running hat that has a hole in the back for a pony!! I'd like one of those!! My headband was just not quite warm enough. To sum it up... it was a great run!!!

Now without further ado... the recipe I promised I'd share today!!! dun dun dun..


{ Peanut Butter Bites }



Ingredients:
(gluten-free and sugar-free too!)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup plus 3 tbsp raisins
  • 2 tbsp roasted, unsalted peanuts (I used chopped almonds)
  • 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions:
Throw everything into your food processor and combine until very smooth. Roll into balls, cookies, or bars!


Dough can be stored on the counter, in the fridge, or in the freezer. Let me warn you...these are rich & delicious, like pb cookie dough, & addicting!!

I'm all about adding the recipes lately, so I figured I might as well give you the sweet potato hash recipe too since it was so yummy!! 

{ Sweet Potato Hash }



Ingredients:
1 large sweet potato, wash and dice into small cubes (1/4” square)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cups chopped sweet onion
1/2 chopped green pepper, coarsely chopped
1/2 chopped yellow pepper
2 cloves of roasted garlic
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh group pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Directions:
1. Bring large pot of water to a boil and add diced sweet potato. Boil for 5-8 minutes, until potato cubes are cooked through. Drain the water and set the sweet potato cubes aside to dry while you cook the pepper and onions.
2. Preheat a large cast iron skillet to medium heat. Drizzle 1 tbsp of oil onto the skillet and add the onion and peppers. Stir often and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
3. Scrape the mixture onto a plate. Drizzle the skillet with oil again and add the potato cubes, onions, peppers, roasted garlic, salt, pepper, and seasoning, arranging them in a single layer. Continue cooking until the sweet potato, onion, and peppers have browned.


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So that was my Thursday in a nutshell!! Hope yours was all equally as great! So I'm so I'm gonna say, as Shaun T (the Insanity man) always says, PEACE OUT!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Day 25 - Baking, Running & Tutu Making

Breakfast: english muffin with peanut butter
Snack: vanilla honey greek yogurt, green grapes
Lunch: turkey & cheese sandwich with hummus, cucumbers, carrots
Snack: oatmeal pumpkin muffin, homemade chewy granola energy bar (recipe below) 1/2 a Peanut Butter bite (recipe coming tomorrow)
Dinner: mashed cauliflower, grilled spicy marinated chicken & red potato kabobs
Calories Consumed: 1468


Marinade = 2 tbs olive oil, 2 tbs tobasco/hot sauce, 1/2 tsp curry powder = spicy deliciousness!


Exercise: 2 mile run with Josie

Today was a pretty crazy day!! I was feeling really productive as soon I got home!! Ps.. I was in a big time baking mood...so I went a little crazy...

I baked more Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins.....



Don't they just look sooo delicious!! (mouth watering, really...)


Then I made some smoothies & froze them for breakfasts!

Then I tried out a new recipe...Chewy Granola Energy Bars!



 They turned out super yummy & delicious.
 And...HERE IS THE RECIPE!!!


{ Chewy Granola Energy Bars }


Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
1/2 cup Rice Krispies
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup mini M & M candies (I used dark chocolate chips)
1/2 cup chopped peanuts (I used chopped almonds because I didn't have peanuts on hand)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp ground flax
1/4 cup butter, softened ( I substituted 1/8 cup of applesauce to make it a little healthier)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 9 X 9 inch square pan with cooking spray

In a large bowl, add all ingredients and mix together until well combined.
Press into prepared pan. Bake 18 - 20 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool 5 minutes and then score into bars. Let it set completely and then cut into bars.

Recipe from http://joandsue.blogspot.ca/2012/07/chewy-granola-energy-bars.html

TADA!!! It's such a simple recipe.

I also made some Peanut Butter bites!! However... I will wait and share that recipe with you tomorrow! --ya know... so you have something to look forward to. ;)


 Then I got all creative with my dinner & even used my food processor, which I have only used like once or twice!! --I used it for my mashed cauliflower. I've never made that before. I've tried cauliflower raw and was NOT a fan...but I've never had it cooked before. So I mashed it. I liked the taste, but the texture was kind of odd to me. I felt like it was just melting in my mouth. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I'll have to try it again and see how I feel. :)

BTW... I tried a new beverage today!! Lipton Iced Green Tea. The blackberry Pomegranate flavor. I LOVED IT!!! You have to try it. They have a few different flavors but that's the one that I picked up from CashWise today. I'm not a fan of tea but these are pretty darn good! --Take my word for it!!


I also went for another run today. It didn't go quite as well as yesterday though. IT WAS COLD!!!! and I didn't dress properly. I should have worn a hat... and more layers!! I was freezing! It was only like 40 degrees & kinda breezy. It is Fargo ya know! I should have prepared better. Anyhow... rather than going & grabbing more layers, I sucked it up. Then...after about mile 1, I started getting leg cramps!!! I've never gotten those before. So I thought it was kind of odd...but that I sucked up too and finished my run strong!! Hopefully that's not going to be a regular thing.

I suppose some of you are wondering why I'm not doing my Insanity workout...well, basically I'm kind of getting bored with it. Its my second round and I just needed a couple days off from it! BUT...I will be back to it hopefully tomorrow...or the next day... lol or whatever!! :D We'll see where the wind blows me. ;)

Now... I need to get back to working on my halloween costume... It's taking me much longer than I expected... Here's a sneak peak @ my tutu!!


I apologize for the crappy photo, but I do take most of my pics with my phone out of convenience & laziness. I just don't feel like getting my camera out. OH WELL! 

Hope you all had a wonderful Wednesday!!! Off I go to tutu making & watching Nashville!! woop woop!! :)



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Day 24 - Something I Haven't Done In A While

Breakfast: cinnamon burst cheerios & grapes
Snack: banana, grannysmith apple
Lunch: Cashwise Deli - cup of chicken noodle soup & a turkey crescent sandwich, grapes
Snack: Kashi honey almond flax granola bar
Dinner: Cod, carrots & a Caesar salad
Snack: natural fruit snacks
Calories Consumed: 1459




Exercise: 1.5 mile run

Well today was kind of a crazy day!! I started it off by waking up late... CRAP!! I didn't have time to pack my lunch so I ended up going to the Cashwise Deli...which was actually super delicius!!! Soup barely EVER sounds good to me but it was a rainy cold day today and strangly, it sounded so good!!! So I got some chicken noodle soup & a turkey crescent! YUM! 

After work I had to swing by JoAnn Fabrics to pick up some more fabric for my halloween costume!! Its going to be sooo awesome!!! NO WORRIES.. I'll post some pics after the party on Saturday. fyi... I'm going to be Wonder Woman!

As soon I got home I made sure to take some Cod out of the freezer for dinner and then I was craving a run!! I haven't ran in like 5 months! So... I laced up my running shoes and hit the road!!! Josie was SOOO excited. And it felt great!! It was nice and cool and kind of raining. PERFECT!! I enjoyed every minute of it. I only went about a mile and a half because I didn't have much time. But it felt amazing. I might just have to do it again tomorrow.

So after my quick run I had to take a quick shower & get ready for my niece's basketball game!! GO VIKINGS! She did so great. I was a proud auntie! :)

Soon as I got home DWTS was on tv so I had to pause it while I made my dinner and then hit play and I LOOOOVVVEEE Shawn Johnson. She is so amazing. All the dancers are great but she is my fav! Now I'm thinkin that it would be a good idea to get to bed early tonight so I can make it to work on time and get a good 7 hours...unlike the usual 5. --Maybe thats why I've hit a weightloss plateau. :/ hmmm...

Anyhow.... It's time for this girl to get ready to hit the hay! Peace out Brussel Sprout!!

Oh yea.... I also thought that I'd share a good recipe with you that I've made a couple times because its so good! so.... (drumrole please...)...........



{ Oatmeal Muffins }



Ingredients:


  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups applesauce, unsweetened
  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 5 cups, Old Fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup flaxseed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 3/4 cups milk (I used 1%)
  • Optional toppings: raisins, walnuts, chocolate chips

    Directions:




  •  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Mix eggs, vanilla, applesauce, banana and honey together in a bowl.
  • Add in oats, flax, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and mix well with wet ingredients.
  • Finally pour in milk and combine.
  • Spray a 12 and 6 capacity muffin tin with cooking spray or use cupcake liners.
    Pour mixture evenly into muffin tin cups.
  • If using toppings add them onto the tops of muffins now. If using fresh or frozen fruit, drop it right into the batter.
  • Bake 30 minutes until a toothpick in center comes out clean. Cool and enjoy or freeze them in gallon freezer bags.



  • Nutritional Info (without toppings):Servings: 18* Calories for one: 143* Fat: 4g* Cholesterol: 25mg* Sodium: 32mg* Fiber: 4g* Sugars: 4g* Carbs: 23g* Protein: 6g*

    Recipe from http://www.sugarfreemom.com/recipes/personal-sized-baked-oatmeal-with-individual-toppings-gluten-free-diabetic-friendly/

    Monday, October 22, 2012

    Day 23 - Shopping!! & "Before" Insanity Pics

    Breakfast: english muffin & peanut butter
    Snack: banana, orange
    Lunch: turkey & cheese sandwich with hummus, strawberries & string cheese
    Snack: Luna bar (nuts over chocolate)
    Dinner: turkey burger on whole wheat bread, cottage cheese, & carrots
    Snack: natural fruit snacks, hummus & whole wheat pita chips
    Calories Consumed: 1600




    Exercise: Insanity Plyometric Cardio Circuit

    I seemed to have hit a weightloss plateau, so I decided to start checking on how many calories I'm consuming. I've used Livestrong for many years in the past to track my calories and i love it! It's so easy to use. I know some people use My Fitness Pal & other calorie counters but this one is my favorite. So thats what I did today. I tracked my calories. I'm not completely sure what I should be consuming but according to the website if I wanted to lose 1 lb per week I'd consume 1200 calories. I CANT LIVE ON THAT!!! lol So I think  between 1400-1500 per day is going to be what I shoot for. :D So I'm also going to add that my posts after what I eat everyday.

    Anyhow... today was a pretty fun day! I WENT SHOPPING!! It has been so long since I "really" went shopping & bought myself a few things! It was great! I got myself a couple new workout tanks!! I love the back of the one, so I had to show you guys! I apologize for the crappy quality pics. I just used my webcam on my computer & the lighting in here is not so good.





    I also decided that I want to post my "Before" Insanity pictures!! Then once I'm done with the program, or once I feel comfortable with my body, I will add my "After" Insanity pics! YAY! --wish me luck & bring on the muscles!!



    Hope you all had a great Monday!!! Goodnight!! Sleep tight! Don't let the bed bugs bite! ;)

    Sunday, October 21, 2012

    Day 22 - Lazy Day

    Breakfast: banana & Nature Valley Protein bar
    Snack: grapes & cinnamon raisin toast
    Dinner: 2 scrambled eggs with peppers on whole wheat toast & strawberries
    Snack: skinny cupcake, mini mint oreo blizzard



    Exercise: Rest day!

    Today was definitely a lazy day. We woke up at the hotel this morning and the first thing Matthew asks is "can I play with my monster truck!?" It was just so cute! So he played with his monster truck for a little bit while Justin brought Josie home & then we went and swam in the pool for a good hour. He's such a little swimmer! 

    We came home and Matthew & I laid in bed watching cartoons while Justin watched the Vikings. We both ended up falling asleep & slept from about noon until 4!! EEEK! --I hope I can sleep tonight.  We had a nice long nap, then he played with his monster truck some more & I was still feeling quite lazy & didn't want to make dinner so we scrambled some eggs!! BRINNER!!! NNmmmm. 

    Not much else to share for today. Happy Sunday Folks!

    Saturday, October 20, 2012

    Day 21 - Matthew's 3rd Birthday!!

    Breakfast: 2 eggo waffles with peanut butter & banana
    Lunch: turkey & cheese sandwich with hummus, corn on the cob & strawberries
    Dinner: 1 piece of Little Caesars pepperoni pizza, 2 pieces of cheesy bread, & sunchips
    Snack: 1 skinny funfetti cupcake (recipe below) & salsa sunchips




    Exercise: "Oh My" Abs & Insanity Cardio Recovery

    For the most part... I stuck to my eating plan for today. YIPPEE!!! What a treat.  My cupcake was super yummy!! Check out the recipe below!

    Well I must say... Matthew's birthday was a success!! He was soo excited and had such a blast! It was a decent amount of work decorating & baking cupcakes but his excitement & joy make it all worth it. Here are a few pictures from his big day! We got him a remote control monster truck & he was sooo excited. He's actually still driving it around the hotel room as I type from the LaQuinta Inn! :)







    Isn't he such a cutie pie!!? Justin went & picked up Josie so she is being my best bud & sitting right next to me. I'm glad she forgave me after I gave her a bath today. (She's not a fan of baths) Plus, I think she missed me today. <3 


    I had to add the one of the left cuz it cracked me up! :D Today has been such a great day. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family. I thank God everyday for putting them in my life. :) Hope you had as great of a Saturday as I did!!! Time to go color with my little man!


    { Skinny Funfetti Cupcakes }




    (makes 24 cupcakes, 110 calories per frosted cupcake, 
    2 Weight Watchers Points)


    Cupcake Ingredients:

    1 pkg. Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix (just the powder, not the recipe on the box)
    1 (12 ounce) can Sprite Zero 

    Cupcake Directions:
    Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line cupcake tins with paper liners.  In a large bowl, combine cake mix and Sprite together.  Continue to mix until the batter is smooth without any lumps.  Pour approximately 1/4 cup of batter into every cupcake wrapper.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Let cool before frosting. 

    Frosting Ingredients:
    1 (8 ounce) container Fat Free Cool Whip
    1 (1.5 ounce) pkg. Fat Free Vanilla Jello Instant Pudding (just the powder, not the recipe on the box)

    Frosting Directions:
    In a mixing bowl, add Cool Whip and pudding.  Mix with a whisk by hand or an electric hand mixer until smooth.  Spread over cooled cupcakes.  Makes enough frosting for 24 cupcakes.

    http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/08/skinny-funfetti-cupcakes-recipe.html

    Friday, October 19, 2012

    Day 20 - Motivation & A Mixed Fruit Smoothie


    Breakfast: mixed fruit protein smoothie (see recipe below)
    Snack: vanilla honey greek yogurt, Nature Valley protein bar (PB choc. chip)
    Lunch: salad with romaine lettuce, shaved chicken, sunflower seeds, peppers, cucumbers, crutons & lemon juice as my dressing. & some green grapes
    Snack: carrots & some cupcake batter (I was baking!)
    Dinner: pork chop & 1 1/2 ears of corn
    Snack: grapes & string cheese




    Exercise: Insanity Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs

    Today's Friday!!! TGIF! So... today is a much better day than yesterday in the healthy eating department. No McDonalds. YAY me! haha I finally ate my oh so delicious salad. However, I know this weekend is going to be tough.  So I'm definitely going to have to use my tips to stay focused. 

    Tomorrow we have our little mans 3rd birthday party!! We're having a pool party full of family, swimming, going down water slides, pizza, chips, pop & cupcakes! EEEK... I know I'm not going to avoid those items but if I can have them in moderation... :D I'm thinking 1 slice of pizza, baked chips, water & 1 cupcake. That should be ok right? As long as I can get my Insanity done, I'm perfectly fine with splurging a little. It's his 3rd birthday for pete's sake!! I HAVE TO CELEBRATE! :D

     


    Here are a few photo's of the baking that we did tonight. Of course he wanted to lick the spatula. :) Ok... I did too!  It was so good! Tomorrow I'll share with you some of the birthday party pics & whatnot! Don't get too excited!!!

    ----------------------------------------


    Since I've been feeling some lack of motivation for most of these days but yet finding some right before I need to get my workout in, I thought that I'd share with you some ways that I find it. (Motivation that is...)

    1. Pinterest.  I love browsing Pinterest under the health & fitness category to look for some motivation. There are always many inspirational quotes & photos. Here's one that I really liked. --Feel free to check out my Pinterest boards for some motivation too!



    2. Health & Fitness Magazines. I absolutely love reading magazines. I loved reading all the success stories & how people found their own ways to being healthy & fit. Some of my favorits are Shape, Fitness, & Women's Health!

    3. Putting up Pictures. I find it really motivating for me to post pictures of me in the past. I made a collage of my before & after pictures from the past. I look at them and wish I still looked as good I did when I was in the best shape of my life (After my first round of Insanity).  I also like to post pics of my dream body. You know... celebrities and stuff. That really motivates me to work harder.

    4. Find a Quote or Phrase. Find a favorite quote or phrase & stick to it. My favorite is DONT QUIT. I like to write it on my wrist in the different colors to emphasize the DO IT. It helps motivate me. I also like the phrase "Suck It Up":D



    5. Share your Goals. Sometimes telling a friend about how you want to lose weight, run a marathon, get healthy or whatever it might be will help you stay motivated. You never know, they might even help you to reach your goal!

    Those are a few ways that I stay motivated, do you have specific ways that help you get motivated on days when you're just feeling lazy?? Fill me in! 

    Later Gaters!!



    { Mixed Fruit Protein Smoothie }

    Ingredients:
    1/4 cup frozen fruit - I used peaches, pineapple, mangos & strawberries
    1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
    1/4 cup almond milk
    1/2 strawberries
    1 scoop vanilla protein powder

    Directions:
    Add all ingredients into a blender & blend
    Add more milk if it's too thick & more frozen fruit or ice if its too thin.

    YUMMY...enjoy!