The Real Deal.

 Turns out, you all know me wayyy too well.  Haha.  McDonald’s, Taco Bell & Dairy Queen just were not convincing enough to fool ya Sooo here’s the real deal:

I’m sure you’ve realize by now, that Tuesday’s and Thursday’s mean boot(Y)camp for this chick and her Momma.  Yesterday’s class, we got paired up and had to do a variety of moves with a partner. 

We all need somebody to lean on, right?   I know Momma probably get’s annoyed sometimes that I come along…  I know she used to enjoy getting some “her” time in, and I didn’t mean to intrude on that…but to be honest, I’m really glad we get to do something like this together.  My Dad and I always got to go to tournaments for AAU basketball together, leaving Momma with the two girls at home.  I wouldn’t trade that time with my Dad for anything, but my Mom and I never really got that.

 The camera ate my breakfast picture.  It was pretty basic.  Just a green monster + 2 kashi whole grain waffles drizzle in sugar free syrup.

It snowed even MORE last night.  I’m hoping this is just a cruel April Fool’s joke from Mother Nature and that snow isn’t going to be a common occurence this month.  I’m ready for SUNshine.

Lunch was a pretty green salad with tomato, peppers, and cucumbers + balsamic glaze rounded out by some spaghetti squash + Dr. McDougall’s lentil & couscous soup mixed together.

Snack later was this meatless “jerky”

Primal Meatless Vegan Soy Jerky.  Sounds gross, tastes AWESOME.  It’s not super dry like real beef jerky is.  It’s got a ton of flavor and 10g of protein for just 100 calories.  My muscles thanked me.

I figured out that between the trek to my car and the two trips around the capitol that we take everyday on break, I walk about 3 miles in addition to any actual exercise that I do.  Good news!

I threw some frozen pineapple in a little ramekin for an after work snack and by the time I got to eat it, the slush was super refreshing.  Gotta get that Vitamin C in!  I do NOT want to get another cold.

I was invited to work out with the boys’ basketball team from 4:30-6PM, and I couldn’t pass it up.  Their coach was running strength training and agility sessions and I was excited to be part of it! 

It was exhaustinggggg.  676 calories burned in just over an hour.  First, we warmed up with lunges, high knees, army marches, and jogging the length of the court.  Then, we moved on to sprints with pushups on the basketball (way harder than normal pushups…try it!), sit ups dribbling the ball (easy as cake), and pilates with the bball.  The last two moves were simple.  Next, we laid on the baseline on our stomachs and when he blew the whistle, had to get up, sprint to the other end and do the same thing.  Several other similar drills like that were done, too like defensive slides, figure eight sprints, resistance sprints, and high jumps.  We finished with jump rope…at this point, my legs felt like jello.  We totaled 5 minutes with both legs and 3.5 minutes with each our right and left legs by themselves.  HOLY MOLEY.  I think I did myself in by going to bootcamp that morning…and then walking 4 miles in transition at work…and THEN going to do this stuff.

Dinner was totally worth the effort, though. While I had this cookie sheet loaded with fibery foods,

 I had an appetizer of some whole grains.

Toast with sugar free syrup for dipping.  It was like a lazy girl’s french toast, kinda?  The less dirty dishes, the better

Soon, the entree was served and my belly was content.

Grilled chicken with light Ragu, brussel sprouts roasted in sugar free maple syrup, baby bellas, squash, and broccoli with NutraSalt & pepper along with Cedar’s garlic lover’s hummus and Tzatziki.

Actually, I was rather stuffed.  Water dense vegetables have that effect…especially combined with a high protein food…and since I probably guzzled 2 liters of water on my car ride home from the gym, not two hours before.

What foods combo fills you up the most?  Sharing is caring

XO.

That’s What You’re Here For.

Let’s start things out with a daily devotional, shall we?

My parents have been strong spiritual leaders since I can remember.  When I was a kid, they always took us to church on Sunday mornings, encouraged us to stay involved in youth group, and to grown in our faith.  I can’t imagine growing up any other way, and it baffles me that some kids just don’t get that from their parents.  I heard a quote this past Sunday at church that keeps ringing in my ears…

“Don’t say, “Why doesn’t God do anything about all the suffering in the world?”, unless you’re ready to hear God say, “That’s what YOU’RE here for”.

It’s our JOBS to be the people in the world bringing others to Christ. That’s our purpose!

My day began with a lovely bootcamp session with Miss Jessie.  The focus was mainly on ARMS, which I despise…but it was good for me, so I won’t complain too much. 

Almost 290 calories burned by 6:30AM!  Not too shabby Max HR 143.

By the time I was finished in the shower, my belly was telling me it needed some fuel.  Breakfast was served!

In the fridge, overnight, I left 1/4 C. oat bran, 3/4 huge baked sweet potato, 1 tbsp. chia seeds, and 3/4 C. unsweet vanilla almond breeze with Splenda mixed in.  By the time I got to eat it, it was like sweet potato cookie dough<3

For just a minute, let’s talk about this ridiculous amount of COLD WEATHER that our area has been “blessed” with.  I have to call it that, because for some reason, God must think we need the snow just a little bit longer   Oh well!  His ways are greater than ours, so…

Onto lunch.

It was basicall a mish-mosh of any and every vegetable I had on hand.  Among these, were steamed broccoli, butternut squash chunks, and little bit of yellow pepper.  For protein, some seasoned black beans and a Light Ragu bath.

This is my “I-don’t-have-time-for-anything-but-the-blowdryer” hairstyle.  Literally, I put Aussie sprunch spray in my hair, or Granier Fructis  spray gel, blow it dry, scrunching it up with my hands, and run out the door.  Bootcamp mornings are typically like that.

A little while later, after our walk break around the captiol complex, I had a snack.

Since I missed out on whole grains at lunch, I compensated by having a Light Flat Out spread with sugar-free peach jam + 1 Sonoma Jack’s pepperjack cheese wedge.  A fruit roll up, if you will.

After work, I came home and planned to do AB Ripper X and some more cardio, but after the first few moves, I literally just laid there and took a nap. I burned uh…71 calories. HA.

When I woke up, I mosied upstairs and decided to put some effort into a healthy dinner. 

I put the goodies I grabbed at the Broad Street Market to good use in this bowl!  Steamed kale, baby bellas, zucchini, squash, and purple cabbage with a mix of a teeeensy bit of black beans, quorn ground crumbles, and garlic lovers hummus topping.

Mmmm.  YUM.  A food baby was born <3

Dessert was low-cal light wheat toast dipped in sugar-free Log Cabin syrup.  Like french toast, except without the egg and frying part

Some of you have been wondering how the nail effects stickons are coming along, so here’s an update:

Going strong!  I’m hoping they stay until Easter. 

I can’t even imagine Easter in these temperatures.  Here’s to hoping it warms up by then!  What are your Easter traditions?  Do you have any?  We hunt Easter eggs with my ENTIRE extended family!  Hopefully it won’t be a snowy hunt, this year.

XO.

 

Operation Florida, Underway.

Boot camp was AWESOME today.  We “played a game” that involved drawing popsicle sticks from a baggie.  Each stick was coded with a different colored marker, and each color stood for a different exercise.  There were different circuits so that people couldn’t cheat and we continuously changed them up.  Some of the moves were burpees, weighted frog hops, planks, clam shells, weighted moon flowers, push ups, jumping jacks, etc.

 326 calories, max hr. 162

The fun thing was, after each “task”, we had to run upstairs to get to the bag of popsicle sticks again and then back down the other side where the spiral staircase was – Have I ever mentioned that bootcamp is held in the basement of a spa?  The first floor is gorgeous!  I LOVE the decor.

Straight from boot camp, we had to pick up some doughnuts that we sold as a fundraiser for our trip to the Women of Faith Conference that we attend every year.

Momma FF and her friend, Bonnie sat down for breakfast together and took advantage of the fact that we had freshly baked goods in our house. 

^She’s going to kill me for this!

Doughnuts were their choice, but personally, I think mine was more indulgent  

Oat bran bake with peanut butter-banana frosting & cinnamon sprinkled ontop!

1/3 C. oat bran, 1 egg white, Splenda, pinch of baking powder, 1/8 C. peanut flour; icing- 1/8 C. peanut flour mashed with 1/2 banana

Holy awesomeness. All I had to do was pop this baby in the microwave for about 2 minutes in a mug, wait for the timer to ding, and plate then icing it!  Beats a doughnut ANYday.

The walk to work was a snowy one.  I’m SO sick of wearing boots!  I want to start sporting flip flops and pedicured toes! Each time it starts getting nice outside, out of no where, a blizzard surfaces.  It’s such a tease!

During my lunch break, I watched the Governor’s budget address

I’m not going to get into politics on the blog.  Let’s just say that I found his speech…interesting.

I had a flat out + flax stuffed with canned wild caught, pink salmon and mustard with baby spinach and pineapple salsa.

Innards

On the side, there was a Christmas-colored veggie party.

See?  Christmasy.

Snap peas & red pepper slices.

Another exciting transaction took place while I was at work.  I had been planning on visiting Denmark, where my friend Lyndsie was studying abroad, but plans fell through because the only times I could go, she was touring another country.  The downside?  I won’t get to see D…or Europe.  The upside?  I’ll have vacation time to take and can join my family on their trip to Florida next week. 

They’re driving down on Friday, but I have to be around for my Speech class on Saturday, so I will be flying down by myself from Baltimore on Saturday night.  I love flying!

What’s your take on flying?  Does it freak you out?  What’s the longest flight you’ve ever taken?

XO.

Bootcamp Babes.

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One Who is leading.” -Oswald Chambers

Bootcamp in the morning felt as if it came super early.  I literally felt like I had just jumped into bed as I was crawling out of it. 

It didn’t take long for my sweat flow to completely wake me up, though.  I enjoy a morning workout because it usually jumpstarts me for the day.

Momma FF started going to these classes a while ago, when she made a decision to “get healthier”.   She’s sweet and although she gets a bit annoyed at my peppy attitude for early workouts, she doesn’t mind my tagging along.

When I got home, I showered up and prepped for work, obviously making it appoint to eat some breakfast.

1/3 C. oat bran, 1 little smashed banana, sugar-free vanilla syrup, & cinnamon

I actually made this the night before, using just hot water from the Keurig, and then re-heated it in the morning.  For some reason, I think the sweetness of the banana really sets in best when they’re left overnight

Strawberry Chobani

The day at work was not a good one.  I felt frazzled and unorganized the entire day.  Thankfully, I have some of the sweetest co-workers in the world.  They constantly re-assure me that I’m doing a good job.  Amber, one of girls in my office and I went for walks on our morning and afternoon breaks!  It was gorgeous! Still nippy out, but at least the sun was shining.

Thank God for getting out of the office for a bit. 

Even lunch wasn’t enough to get me out of my slump, as I was finishing up a Nutrition assignment and barely had time to look at what I was shoving into my mouth, let alone enjoy it.

A simple egg sandwich and side salad.

(1 slices Arnold 10 grain bread, 1 tbsp. garlic lovers hummus, steamed kale, reduced sugar ketchup, 1 egg + 1 white, seasalt & pepper)

(Bed of romaine shreds, orange pepper, snap peas, and diced cucumber with Peach Balsamic Glaze)

The paperwork on my desk seemed to be unending and I felt overwhelmed beyond belief for the first time since I took this promotion.  It didn’t help that the other certifier was off, so everything was on me.

I’ve been frustrated with myself as far as emotions lately, too.  I don’t get attached to people easily, but I’m driving myself nuts worrying and wondering about where I stand with D.   I’ve been praying about it that God just shows me His will for the situation and for my life, whether it means being with him or not.  Patience is not one of my strengths.  Just gotta have faith that it’s all in HIS hands!

(dried mango)

 Anywho, my steam was blown off at the gym after work, which was perfect.  Somehow endorphins have maximum impact on days that I need them the most   God is good like that. 

Starting out on the Cross Ramp, I did about 45 minutes, took a break for some floor abwork, and got back on for another 15 minutes.  After the workout, I headed to my car to grab what I had packed for dinner.  I had to get to the library to submit a paper to our online database before my Nutrition class started at 7.

Spaghetti squash salted and peppered with light ragu, lima beans, and meatless quorn meatballs and garlic hummus

Class was all about lipids.  

  It was pretty interesting to find that we actually need Cholesterol in ourdiets in order to absorb Vitamin D!   That was one thing that really stuck out to me as interesting from our lecture.  From there, we went on to talk about proteins and amino acids.  All in all, it was a great class!

I made a green monster when I got home before bed, too, but my camera was dead.  It’s finally hump day and Spring is peeking through the clouds!

What was the best thing you ate today?

XO.

Weekend Tidbits & A Winner.

Although I was disappointed that we didn’t win the State Championship, I couldn’t complain about any kind of lack of effort.  Our team left it all on the floor that day!  The rest of my weekend was nice and relaxed for the most part, especially since I had President’s Day off of work.

Before I get into the deets, without further ado, here’s the winner of the Green Giant Blogspark giveaway!

Congratulations, Louis!

Please email me your shipping address, so I can have your prize package mailed to you right away!

Now for some noteworthy weekend eats

I made my FIRST spaghetti squash ever.  I know, pathetic, right?!  I can’t believe I’ve been blogging for over a year now and this is my first attempt.  It intimidated me before because I wasn’t sure how to cook it. 

Turns out, it’s SUPER simple.  I actually cooked mine in the microwave, that’s how easy it was.  Basically, you just cook it (however you prefer) until tender, after cutting it in half and scooping out the seeds.  The flesh turns into these stringy strands that I pulled pulled from the rind with a fork.  Add some salt, pepper, light ragu and veggies and you’re set!  I wish I would’ve had some meatless meatballs to add!

On my day off, I took advantage of the morning and worked out at a leisurely pace while catching up on One Tree Hill episodes that I had been missing for classes and games. 

507 calories, 154 max hr, 2hrs 11min.

The routine usually starts with Insane Abs, proceeded by biking, and then hitting the elliptical in my basement…this time was no exception.  Each day I like to get at leat 30 minutes of cardio in.  My legs and heart will thank me someday.

I was hungry for pizza, so I decided to use these AWESOME Kim’s Light Flat Breads that I was sent to try out.  Off the record, these just may be my favorite.  They are HUGE.

I used light ragu for my red sauce, sliced onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and light string cheese on one half and then I wanted to try my luck at white pizza, so I used fat free cottage cheese, broccoli, onion, and mushroom on the other half with light string cheese shreds.

Perrrrfectionnn. 

On my day off, I had a TON that I wanted to get accomplished including a workout, studying, dropping clothing off at the consignment store, getting my necklace from Bran repaired, and returning some boots that I got online which didn’t fit. 

I literally made a to-do list and checked things off as I got them done.  My girl, Mandy came with me to Harrisburg to run errands…which, admittedly resulted in a bit of shopping.

I wanted to get a few short sleeved tees since running weather is just around the corner and Lady Foot Locker had them $4 for $19!  How can you pass that up?

I had bootcamp Monday night along with girls’ night!  The Bachelor is officially down to three girls!

I’m rooting for Emily, I think. 

Do you watch the Bachelor?  Which girl do you want to win his heart?

XO.

Extra, Extra!

Again…with the weekend, comes some exciting events!  Our boys had a game last Thursday, and the other teams’ coach was none other than the famous, retired NBA player, Darryl Dawkins of the SIXERS!

Of course, I couldn’t miss out on a photo opp

The weekend only got better from here… Before leaving for class at around 8AM, I made myself some breakfast.

(Peanut flour paste – 1/4 C. peanut flour + sugar-free vanilla syrup +water to thin – on top of two slices Pepperidge Farm 14 grain bread and 1 banana)

Class went on until about noon, when I had to be over at the gym for my basketball game at 1PM. 

I knew I’d need some sustenance, so I packed a convenient, individually wrapped energy bar from Granola Gourmet.   It was perfect.  Light, fueling, and yummy.  I also munched on some pineapple at half time for a sugar boost.  D got to see me play basketball for the first time since 9th grade…He came to show some support   Plus, we had a date after I got home to shower and get cleaned up.

[source]

If you haven’t seen this movie, yet, I recommend you do so.  Ashton Kutcher is, in my opinion, one of the most charming actors and Emma Watson is adorable.  No Strings Attached was playing early evening and our reservations weren’t until 8:30PM, because that’s the ONLY time the restaurant had open!  Crazy, right?

We got there a little early and ordered a few drinks.  Rum & diet for me! 

At this point, I didn’t want to ruin the atmosphere by whipping out my camera, and just enjoying the night together, so there are no pictures, but I found some makeshift ones online for your viewing pleasure.

For those of you who don’t know, The Melting Pot is a fondue restaurant.  The place was super intimate with a personalized, four-course meal. 

[source]

These were our choices for the night and the entire meal was amazing.  D had the idea to ask our server to add chunky peanut butter to our chocolate fondue at the end.  I’m telling you, he’s a genius   It was super indulgent, but totally worth it.  The portions keep you in check there, too.  As long as you don’t over-do your dippage amount, it can be fairly healthy! I had an amazing night with D, to put it simply. 

Another fun thing I did this weekend was BOOTCAMP.

I really love what Jessie did with her studio.  She really made it her own with the paint choices, the decor, and the whole feel of the place.  I never would’ve imagined it as an empty, leaky basement before.

Here are all the torture devices

We ended up doing the entire workout with 10 pound weights on our ankles which made everything a little bit harder.

I love how Jessie pushes us!  Momma FF and I go together and sometimes she gets a little frustrated with my enthusiasm.  Haha.  I’ve heard a few too many “SHUT UPs” during our workouts together…even if it’s just encouraging…She can’t help it though…she just isn’t a morning person.

Sunday we spent the day with D’s family.  It was perfectly relaxing.  His sweet Mother made us dinner and then we had dessert and watched a movie all together.  <3

There you have it!  Basketball.  Retired NBA players. Fantastic dates. Family time.  Oh yeah, there was a lil’ bitta this, too.

I’m a satisfied girl right now.  God has truly blessed me

XO.

SHARE SOME WEEKEND STORIES WITH ME!

Bootcamp Butt Kicking.

The morning started extra early for me with a huge mug of coffee and a hot, sweaty bootcamp session with Yoga Master, Jessie at her studio about 15 minutes from my house

We did some circuit training of things like wall sits, biking, jumping jacks, kettle ball swings, planks, pushups on the medicine ball, and lots of other fun little stations. 

Momma FF goes every Tuesday and Thursday, but since she left for a softball coach’s clinic and I wouldn’t be seeing her for a few days, I thought it would be a nice thing we could do together beforehand.  She got a little annoyed at how chipped I was so early in the morning, I think, but other than that we had a great time!  By the time I left, I had burned a good 300 calories.

Breakfast ensued upon our arrival home.  Momma always has the same thing.  I don’t know how she doesn’t get sick of it (honey nut cherrios and lowfat milk).  Not to mention, that would never hold me over longer than an hour.  Haha.

(1/2 C. old fashioned oats, 1/2 C. canned pumpkin, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 C. egg whites, cinnamon, and sugar free torani microwaved into a cake and slathered in fat free cream cheese + splenda)

Holy awesomeness. 

When I got to work, I caught up on my daily reading, which consisted of my devotional that is emailed to me everyday while sipping on a “chocolate frosty”.

There are several sources that I use for this, but today was a Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ email that did me in.

Funny how God really uncovers just what you need to hear, when you need to hear it.  I feel like lately, I haven’t been performing well at practices.  Not to mention, my attitude isn’t where it should be because I feel like I’m failing.  Needless to say, this devotional was a bit of a slap in the face to me…in a good way

This little army of red made an appearance around 12PM.

1 sweet tater mashed with sugar free vanilla torani + cinnamon, Nutrasalt roasted kale chips, and 1/2 C. fat free ricotta sprinkled with cinnamon

It had been FARRR too long since I’ve had a good batch of kale chips!  It was a great combo having salty and sweet all in the same meal.  I could tell my metabolism was revv’d because by the end of work, I was hangry again!  Time for a snack.

1 green onion Tumaro’s 100 calorie wrap with 1 egg white and 1 tbsp. forty spices hummus

It was just what I needed to fuel me through practice & a quick ab workout before hand.

Also had a baby golden delicious for a natural sugar boost!

I did some planks, in-and-outs, pushups, and side crunches when I got to the fitness center since I had time to waste before practice at five.

After everything was said and done, I had burned about 826 calories.  Insanity, I tell you. 

When I got home, the little sis and Pops were at our high school’s wrestling match, so I decided to snack on some cinnamon & splenda chickpeas to hold me over until dinner.

I waited and waited, since they said they were picking up Chinese on their way home, and I knew how good steamed shrimp and veggies sounded to me. 

Mmmm. Comfort fooooood.  Enjoyed with the best comany ever…except we all miss Momma already.

I checked over the assignments that I had turned in for my online class (Health), and prepped for my Speech class on Saturday.  I bet I don’t have to tell you this, because you know me well enough to realize that I have dessert just about every night

A nuked oatcake (1/3 C. old fashioned oats, a squirt of egg whites, 1 tsp. baking powder, & Walden Farms calorie free chocolate syrup) followed up with more CHOCOLATE & some strawberries.

Again, calorie free Walden Farms chocolate syrup is super versatile.  Allll to be washed down with a nice, cold glass of unsweet vanilla Almond Breeze + sugar free vanilla syrup mixed in.  It reminded me of having oreos and milk, being that the chocolate oat cake was so decadent!

Here’s to health

What’s your favorite “bad snack” made healthy?!  Do you use Hungry-girl recipes?

XOXO.