Gobble, Gobble.

Verse of the day:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

- Psalm 100:4-5

Breakfastt was bittersweet today.  RIP Nuttzo.

1/4 C. old fashioned oats, 1/2 diced gala apple, 1/2 C. unsweet almond breeze, 1/2 C. water poured into an empty Nuttzo jar and topped with some Udi’s Gluten-free Vanilla granola with an Artisana Raw Almond Butter spoon

I had a little memorial service for my jar on the way to work this morning.  With each “mmmm” and “ahhh“, I remembered a great time I had with Nuttzo

Lunch was a packed random selection courtesy of Tasty Bite!

Okay, this may not look like much, but boy did it hit the spot.  It was a comforting meal that I could eat again and again.  Visually appealing?  Probably not…unless you enjoy the l0ok of a newborn’s diaper…

 I used a little bit of Minute Brown Rice as a base layer, some pinto beans, canned green beans, and Kasmir Spinach (curried spinach lightly sauteed with paneer cheese cubes) with some sweet pea sprinkles

This kept me full for awhilee.  To be honest, I wasn’t that hungry when I got off work at 4PM, but I knew I needed a snack because I had a long workout ahead.

Orange you glad I didn’t say banana?

I also had a coupla pitted dates on the commute to the gym.  I haven’t mentioned this yet, but yesterday was my first day at my new job! 

My previous co-workers took me to lunch on Friday and gave me this sweet “congrats” gift on my promotion.

Isn’t it purty?

Anywho, the reason why I brought it up, is because I’m in a new bldg. downtown, which requires a nice long walk in the morning due to inefficient parking situations.

I forgot to take a photo of my HR monitor, but after my gym sesh and practice, I had burned OVER 1100 calories!  Nuttzooo, right?  

No worries, I had some goodies in my car to keep my belly happy for dinner.

This little egg puff (1 egg+1 white) should be awarded the ugliest picture award for sure.  It also had a nice dollop of light Ragu in there.

Tomato, yellow pepper, and cucumber salad with apple cider vinegar and sugar-free raspberry syrup!

Almond butter & jelly sammie on 1 slice Fitness bread, halved.

And just for good measure, another container of raw veggies drizzled in Light Ragu in a waning container of Cedar’s Garlic Lover’s Hummus

Broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower.

After class, when I got home you better believe I got right down to dessert.

Bourbon vanilla Tera’s whey protein shake with almond breeze and Fiber select cereal.  It was like a graham cracker milk shake!! <3 

Turkey day is just around the corner!  What special dish are you most looking forward to?

XO.

…In My Own Little World

This morning’s inspirational note is taken from Matthew West’s new song, “My Own Little World“.  It was a great reminder to me this morning what my mission on Earth really is, and to keep my priorities straight   It’s amazing what God can speak to you about through the radio!

Breakfast

3/4 C. Fiber Select cereal (bottom), 1 Strawberry chobani, toppings: Fiber Select, Udi’s Gluten-free original granola, 1 scant spoonful NuttZo, and Nanna Flakes.

“In my own little world it hardly ever rains
I’ve never gone hungry, always felt safe
I got some money in my pocket, shoes on my feet
In my own little world
Population: me
I try to stay awake during Sunday morning church
I throw a twenty in the plate, but I never give ’til it hurts
I turn off the news when I don’t like what I see
It’s easy to do when it’s
Population: me
What if there’s a bigger picture?
What if I’m missing out?
What if there’s a greater purpose
I could be living right now
Outside my own little world…”

Before I left for work, I ate 1/2 of the tupperware contents, and refilled the eaten 1/2 with frozen berries (bloobs, raspberries, and blackberries) for consumption at the desk

Check out the difference between our kitchen lighting and the fluorescent lights at work! 

Anyway, I’m pretty much addicted to this gum and chew just two pieces the entire day.  I buy the packs in bulk and eat two pieces at once, saving it at meals. LOL.

Does it gross you out to see gum sitting on the side of someone’s plate at a meal?  I don’t do it when I go out to dinner or whatever, but at my desk, I see no harm in it.  After all, I’m dining solo so no one else has to see it?

Speaking of lunch at my desk, today was a soup & sandwich kinda day.  Cold, blustery, and in need of some cozy foods.

Open faced sammie on Rudi’s Low Carb bread spread with some Dr. McDougall’s Lentil soup mixed with Garlic Lover’s Cedar’s hummus and topped with alfalfa sprouts, baby spinach, and 1/2 reduced-fat serious snackers jalapeno cheese.

Some Dr. McDougall’s Split Pea soup with some added canned mushroom slices

I think this lunch was probably packed with sodium, but I just drank about 2 liters of water afterward and called it good

After work, I hit the gym before practice.  I’ve been LOVING pitted dates as pre-workout fuel but to my remorse have been slacking in the photo department.  They are SUPER energizing.  Probably because they’re ALL carbs aka natural sugar.

They look like this:

[source]

Usually I eat about 5-6 for about 130 calories and 31g carbs!

They keep me movin’ and groovin’ to maintain stats like this after an elliptical warm up followed by a basketball practice at 5PM.

Obviously, I did NOT workout for 15 hours and 42 minutes.  HA.  I forgot to take a picture last night after practice, but when I took off the band, the calorie count stopped.  568 calories, max hr 176.

I dined in the car again, but took my photos beforehand to save you squintage.

1 egg + 3 whites, spinach, onion, tomato, mushroom, and reduced sugar ketchup swirled ontop. Holy protein, batman.

Apples & butternut squash + sugar free syrup & cinnamon microwaved until soft

And finally, I had a slice of Cinnamon Raisin Bread from the Baker

halved and folded over with Sonoma Jack’s pepperjack cheese in between mashed with some Splenda

I’m telling you, this history class is the FIRST one that has ever made my curiosity for the subject grow.  My professor never lacks the ability to hold one’s attention.  Tonight, we studied the beginning of World War I.  I never thought World History could be SO fascinating and easy to understand all at the same time.  I also got my Napoleon paper back.  The result?  100! Happy camper, right here.  Thank you, Lord!

When I got home, I ate a Pomegranate Chobani with cereal & Crum Creek Mills trail mix, + some crunchy raw green beans before bed as a snack. I packed up all the goods for the next day and trudged forward.  A good nights sleep was definitely overdue.

XOX.

NuttZo!

Allow me to introduce you to a nut butter like no other.  I’ve professed before, my love for Naturally More above all, Justin’s ranks pretty high up there, and Peanut Butter & Co. has never failed me…but I’ve got a nut butter to share with you that’s totally in a league of its own. 

 

The President of NuttZo,  Danielle LiVolsi, had always had a passion for nutrition and fitness, but HEALTH became even more of an integral part of her life when she decided to adopt two little boys from Ukraine who were vitamin deficient.  Nourishment became a TOP priority, and NuttZo was born, along with another supporter of the Project Left Behind.

It’s got every kind of nut you could think of in this wonderful, recyclable plastic jar, and thanks to Jackie & NuttZo, I can tell you about this spread first hand

TO say that this creamy, crunchy spread is nutritious would be the understatement of the CENTURY.  As you can see, it’s loaded with protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, Omega-3s, and phytochemicals.  The texture is perhaps my favorite attribute of this nut butter.  It’s crunchy from the chunks of nuts and flax seeds, yet easy to spread!

Nutrition Facts
 Serv. Size: 2 Tbsp (32g)
Serv. per container: 14
Calories 180
Fat Cal. 140

Total Fat 16g (24% DV), Sat. Fat 2g (10% DV) Trans Fat 0g, Cholest. 0mg (0% DV), Sodium 70mg (3% DV), Total Carb, 7g (2% DV), Dietary Fiber 3g (13% DV), Sugar 1g, Protein 7g.  Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.   

Ingredients:  Organic Valencia Peanuts, Organic Cashews, Organic Almonds, Organic Brazilian Nuts, Organic Sunflower Seeds, Organic Flax Seeds, Organic Hazelnuts, Kosher Salt, Vitamin E Natural Tocopherols to preserve freshness. 

Even more loveable is the ingredients list.  Totally organic, totally natural.  Nothing artificial added.  And see those nutrition facts?  UNBEATABLE. 

I love NuttZo best spread on toast, as a topping for my oats, or accompanied by a banana!  I’m a minimalist, so that I can REALLY taste the NuttZo flavor   In celebration of this delicious new nut butter to MySHOP, it’s even on sale!  2 for $22!  Not only that, now through the end of the year, you’ll receive FREE SHIPPING and handling through NuttZo.com with coupon code  happyholidays2010.  Don’t forget to Like them on Facebook! 

Random Acts of Kindness.

“I saw a man today, his whole world across his back
A living monument opposed to my success
I tried to look into his eyes as he shuffled past my car
Sweat beading on his skin, his clothes and hair a mess

As the light turned green and I pulled away
He slowly disappeared
Just a memory of another chance
I failed to show Your love here

I wanna love because You loved
I wanna give because You gave
I wanna reach my hand out to the lost
‘Cause I know Your hand will save”

-Only You Can Save by: Chris Sligh

As I listened to the Word FM this morning on my way to work (who’s having their “SHARE-A-THON” right now since they’re ), I thought about the lyrics in this song.  Am I taking every opportunity to show God’s love to others?  Am I grate ful for everything I have and give til it hurts, on fire for God?  Some days I actually feel guilty for taking for granted everything I’ve been blessed with.  I’ll bet lots of people would kill for a breakfast like this one.Underneath all the toppings, there was a sliced up piece of Wheat & Flax bread from the Baker, layered with 1 strawberry Chobani, and 1 sliced kiwi (skin on for xtra fiber! )  Toppings today were 1 tbsp. nanna flakes, a sprinkling of Udi’s Gluten-free Vanilla granola, and a tiny spoonful of NuttZo.

 <3

Another thing I’ve been thinking about lately is my testimony.  I feel SO convicted when I’m on the basketball court and accidentally take the Lord’s name in vain.  It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, I feel so remorseful.  I mean, I’m there for so much more than to just play basketball again.  I want to be a positive influence on the girls!  I want to show them God’s love.  I feel like a total failure when I let out an “OH God!” at practice…they don’t think twice, because a lot of them have never been told that it’s wrong, but I feel so shameful the rest of practice, like God is tugging on my heart.  If that’s how my teammates see a proclaimed Christian act,  then why would they want to become one?   It’s not any different than anyone else?   I know it’s like expecting perfection, which is impossible, but I am praying that God helps me keep a positive attitude no matter WHAT. 

Morningstar Farms Lasagnaaa; 270 calories, 20g protein, 5g fat.

It was the perfect day for a meal like this at lunchtime.  Rainy, cold and dreary.  Just the recipe for a comforting meal…even if I had to eat at my work desk.

With a spinach salad on the side for some extra greenage (baby spinach, diced red & yellow pepper, carrots, alfalfa sprouts, and apple cider vinegar+sf raspberry torani for dressing)

I was officially offered the promotion at work!   Which I was really excited about.  I’ll be in classification & placement beginning the 19th!  Which of course means another building change.  Change can be good, right?  We’ll see.  The nice thing is, since it’s within my bureau, I have 3 months to change my mind if I want.  I can bounce back into my old position at any time.

On a random note, I got some much needed new basketball shorts.

Pretty basic, but soooo comfortable.  I got them in lime green, too!

After work, I had a banana for gym fuel.

[source]

He was camera shy, so I posted one of his cousin   Elliptical & ab work in the fitness center (about 45 minutes), and then basketball practice at 5PM.

991 calories, 2:40: 15, max hr 181

I must be getting into better shape because I can’t get my hr up like I had in the beginning!  Then again, it wasn’t quite as strenuous at practice either.

No class on Thursdays, so I headed home to make a delicious dinner.

SALAD beast with baby spinach, sliced tomato, halved green beans, alfalfa sprouts, 1/4 C. fat free cottage cheese, 1/4 avocado, sliced red & yellow pepper, and fat free Vidalia Onion dressing.

Just 20 calories in 2 tbsp!  Not shabby. 

And LOVE the taste.  It’s creamy, too!

For some carbage, I had two slices of The Baker’s bread + Pecan Pie Butter

Mmmmm.  I can tell already, that this Pecan Pie Butter is not going to last long…*tear*  All I can do is savor it while it lasts!

Later on, I also had some protein hot chocolate to soothe the soul <3  Warm, comforting and delicious.  Courtesy of Optimum Nutrition.  It’s amazing what a hot shower and a cup o’ comfort can do for an achy athletic girl on a Thursday night.

RANDO question to start the weekending early:

What’s the last random act of kindness you’ve shown someone? 

Mine was the other night on my way to class.  A little boy (probably waiting for his mom/dad to get done with class) was sitting in the lobby searching on the floors for something.  He couldn’t have been more than 7 or 8 and had the sweetest grin & deep brown eyes.  He was wearing a puffer jacket and I asked him what he was looking for.  Apparently he was pretty desperate for some candy because the M&M machine was calling out to him and he was looking for change   I offered up 50 cents and his face totally lit up.  It’s the little things!

XO.

The Flavors of Fall.

Verse of the Day

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,”

- Ephesians 1:18

You know, I forgot how much I crave fall flavored foods this time of year.  Something about the crisp autumn air makes me want warm toasty things like protein hot chocolate, crunchy toast, and melty nut butter in the morning.

1 slice The Baker’s Honey Wheat bread + Nuttzo & 1/2 sliced banana

Speaking of nut butter, guess what’s making it’s debut in MYSHOP!  You guessed it…I suppose it was inevitable after I saw rave reviews by all of these girls about how delicious it was…I bring you NUTTZO for November!! 

Right now, you can get TWO jars of this stuff for $22!  That’s $3 off the original price.  Get ‘em while they last

We had practice on Saturday morning, which Nuttzo easily fueled me right though   I came back afterward and refueled with the other half of my banana (which was hanging out in the freezer until I got back) and Nuttzo soft serve. 

It was like a REECE’S cup, I swear. 

Lunch was another wonderful fall flavored meal which followed showering:)

1 slice of The Baker’s Honey Wheat bread with a vegetable soy burger, Garlic Lovers Tribe hummus, and alfalfa sprouts with a bowl of Imagine Organic Broccoli soup.

After lunch, and beautifying, I went out to visit Bowman at the hospital! 

He’s doing great.  Up to 4 lbs, 5 ounces! Can I just say, that it truly takes a special kind of person to work in a Children’s Hospital?! 

He’s really coming into his own.  I could just sit and look at him for hours.  Thank you God for this little miracle   He’s so adorable.  He’s even got a little chin dimple like his Daddy!  Not only that, he’s in a heated crib now and has been completely off of his canula for 24 hours!

No need for the isolette anymore!  Right now they’re most concerned with his enlarged liver.  The worst case scenerio is that he has Biliary Atresia, but the doctors say that his stool does not look like a case of that.  I am so proud of him! 

Dinner time rolled around and I had a feast of roasted broccoli, cauliflower & carrots in spices (garlic powder, minced onion, oregano)

a sweet tater with sugar-free syrup & cinnamon.

+ a Zing bar

nom <3

Then my girl, Mandy and I headed out to watch our favorite local band play!  Fight From The Kid.  They were doing a halloween show, playing all Taking Back Sunday music.  I dressed as a witch, and she dressed as a gypsy, but it was so dark in there that none of our photos came out too well of the costumes.

Here are a few of the other bands.

One of the band chose womens’ lingerie for their costumes!  HA.  It was priceless!

Overall, it was a pretty great Saturday…more on Sunday to come!

XO.