I Get Down And He Lifts Me Up.

I think Audio Adrenaline sings it best…

“All I need’s another day
Where I can’t seem to get away
From the many things that drag me down, yeah
I’m sure you’ve had a day like me
Where nothing seems to set you free
From the burdens you can’t carry all alone
In your weakness He is stronger
In Your darkness He shines through
When you’re crying He’s your comfort
When your all alone, He’s carrying you”

The way to work felt like a tornado, literally and figuratively.  It wasn’t real cold, but it was super windy and rainy, leaving me to arrive at work in a drowned rat fashion since my umbrella wouldn’t go up.  Before I even arrived at my parking spot, I had been through a whirlwind.  I needed to stop for gas on the way there, and upon paying, the wind knocked my credit card right out of my hands, leaving me to scurry across the parking lot feeling like an idiot trying to catch up.  Every time I got close, it moved a little farther in another direction.  People probably got a kick out of this who were watching, but the fury was building quickly.  Next, I got stuck behind the SLOWEST creature in all of Harrisburg.

Even my cereal shake sitting in my tummy was not enough to keep me from being totally irritable.  The positive attitude that I was striving to keep quickly diminished and I’m not proud to say that I was extremely frustrated and grumpy for most of the morning.  Just felt like one thing after another!  In addition, I got to work to find that my dinner had leaked into my entire lunchbox creating a wonderful tomato mess for me to clean up.

To make matters worse, I had accidentally misplaced my Mom’s lunch for today while packing up my lunch and dinner the night before.  No one could seem to find it and I was to blame.  By lunchtime I just felt defeated.

1 Hans All Natural Chicken Sausage with spinach, reduced sugar ketchup, mustard, baby spinach, and carmelized onion on a ww thin bun with green beans, carrots, corn, and lima beans on the side.

The day made a quick turn around when I discovered this email from Oh!Nuts.  They decided to give me a gift certificate as an early Christmas present   Along with one of my fantastic readers! Yes, that means you!

Since the holidays are just around the corner, I am eccstatic to be hosting this giveaway because the site has TONS of options for great gifts.  For example, the CHRISTMAS GIFTS BASKETS would be totall ideal for the foodie in your life:) 

To enter this giveaway, go to the Christmas Gifts Basket page and leave a comment on this post letting me know which product you’d like the most!  They’ve got Hannukah gifts as well, which you could choose instead.  Just be sure to let me know in the comments!

For a second entry, you can go to the Oh! Nuts Facebook page and leave a comment post on the wall with the url and name of your favorite  Hanukkah Gift OR Christmas Gift (be sure to post that you’re there via the Freckled Foodie’s blog ) and leave a comment letting me know you’ve done so.  A random winner will be chosen to receive a $25.00 Gift Certificate!!

A third entry would include following OhNuts on Twitter (@ohnuts)  and tweeting about the contest.  Make sure you comment on the post to let me know, too!

EX: ” Win a free Christmas Gift from http://bit.ly/dUpizt Follow @ohnuts & Retweet to enter.  ”

This may seem little to you, but for me the email about this neat little contest for the readers was the silver lining I needed.  After work, I had the typical banana & date snack before my workout and practice. 

Took a snapshot when I got to class.  850 calories burned, 173 max HR.

I had a huge test in math that I was also stressing…I finally decided I was just going to do the best I could and forget about it.  Nothing I can do at this point other than that.  Oh yeah, and I ate dinner in my car again.

Eggy sammie with garlic hummus and spinach on a thin bun.  I would’ve loved some onion on this but I was out.

Look familiar?  Yeah, same as yesterday.  Sorry for the repetition!  I wasn’t feeling too creative last night and the canned goods seemed like a good option.  The soup was basically a can of stewed italian tomatoes, a few green beans, some canned corn, and a few lima beans.  It made a big batch, so I took advantage.

When I got home, I crashed and had some protein hot chocolate with a fudgy peanut butter vitatop for dessert.  It was a soothing treat after a long hard day.  You’ve got to get joy out of the little things!

How did God show you the silver lining through troubles this week?  Did you ever have a day that you just couldn’t manage to get positive no matter how hard you tried?

XO.

I’m Unashamed.

Instead of a verse from the Bible today, I’ve got a wonderful little passage that my sweet friend, Kat sent me yesterday after reading the post.  It really hit home for me and was totally relevant to yesterday’s.  We NEVER know when God could be returning, so we better be living in a way that we would’nt be ashamed of.

The Covenant of the Unashamed

I am part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have Holy Spirit Power.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. I am a Disciple of His.

I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, wordly talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few. My Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes down for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.

Breakfast, pre-blended reminded me of sand art.  Layers of nutrition filled me up just right.

From the bottom up: Unsweetened Almond Breeze, Chocolate Scivation Whey Protein, Fiber Select Cereal, 3 ice cubes, spinach.

I LOVE the effect of the ground cereal into the fudgy smoothie (pudding?)  It is SUPER thick, like a blizzard from Dairy Queen.  I was half tempted to try the “turn it upside down” test the way they show you when you order there how thick it really is since it stays in the cup.

I didn’t look as cute as THIS little guy while I ate mine, but it sure tasted awesome.  Look at those golden curls?!

This is my buddy, David’s little boy!  David is from Zing Bars, who I recently did a review for, and after checking out my page, he sent me these adorable photos!  Just like my stache shot!   It made me smile ear to ear and truly brightened my day. 

 

Mid morning, I had a snack of microwaved apple with cinnamon & sf syrup, but you’ll see that in the “dinner foods” picture toward the bottom.

Anywho, I took my food pics while I was packing them, since car lighting really makes things look less exciting.  Lunch, for example was delicious and a new to me dish.

Whole Wheat Earth Grains  Thin Bun with SF apricot Polaner, Sonoma Jacks cheese wedge, and 3 slices of Oscar Meyer turkey breast

On the side, I packed some broccoli salad comprised of broccoli, Pineapple Chobani, and 1/2 pack of raisins. AWESOME.  You’ve got to try it.

The girls had a game that I wasn’t able to be at since it started at 6PM and I had class from 6-8:45.  I had a hard time staying focused cause I wished I could be there to support them, but I think they all understood that school had to come first.

I did get a nice workout in for about an hour between work and class, but my phone was dead by the time I could take a pic of my monitor.  Cross ramp for 30 min. at various levels with a little bit of running and ab work in between finished off with 10 more min. cross ramp.  400ish calories burned.  I had a few pitted dates pre-gym to fuel me.

Afterward, I had the dinner I had packed.  I put together a soup of stewed italian style tomatoes, canned corn, and green beans to accompany an egg sandwich on a thin bun with garlic hummus & spinach.

History class was awesome as usual.  We are starting to get into World War II and learning all about the dictators of the world.  It amazes me how interesting a course can be that I never had any care about before.  The professor makes a world of difference.

When I got home I had some protein hot chocolate courtesy of Scivation Chocolate Whey and a Deep Chocolate Vitatop for dipping.  It was a great choice for dessert

Hope you’re all having a wonderful week!  Can you believe its just a few more weeks until Christmas?! Neither can I…

Stay tuned tomorrow for an AWESOME giveaway in the works from Oh! Nuts!!!!

XO.

Out Of The Rut.

G’morning!!

For your reading pleasure, and my accountability, I present you with my Bible Challenge passage for today, Psalm 63: 

^“1 O God, you are my God,
       earnestly I seek you;
       my soul thirsts for you,
       my body longs for you,
       in a dry and weary land
       where there is no water.

 ² I have seen you in the sanctuary
       and beheld your power and your glory.

 ³ Because your love is better than life,
       my lips will glorify you.

 ⁴ I will praise you as long as I live,
       and in your name I will lift up my hands.

 ⁵ My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
       with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

 

⁶ On my bed I remember you;
       I think of you through the watches of the night.

 ⁷ Because you are my help,
       I sing in the shadow of your wings.

 ⁸ My soul clings to you;
       your right hand upholds me.”

2 Van’s Lite Frozen Waffles toasted and layered with pumpkin mixed with Fage 0% greek yogurt + sugar free vanilla Torani

You can bet your bottom dollar I celebrated Waffle Wednesday, thanks to Van’s Lite Frozen Waffles.  Cheater?  Maybe.

I’m in an exceptionally GREAT mood today.  Maybe because tomorrow is Friday?  Maybe because I got some excellent sleep last night?  Maybe because it wasn’t raining for once when I left for work today? 

Raw kale salad with lima beans, cucumbers, sliced yellow baby tomatoes, and soaked in sugar free raspberry Torani + vinegar; Banana fudge Vitatop & Strawberry Oikos on the side

Whatever it was, I’m glad for it.  I can finally talk to you all again because I have LOTS of positive to say. 

I hate being a negative person on the blog, so when I don’t have much nice to say, you’ll be probably reading lots of product reviews or impersonal posts, unless of course I decide to use the blog as an outlet to vent.

I thought of Katie when I picked up these delicious PB & Co. nut butters at Wegman’s last week.   You know, they’re like her FAVE   She’s going to be proud of me for getting them both, I just know it.

I know its kind of a shotty picture, but this is one of my fave snacks to fuel workouts that you can easily make at home.  This little oatty, egg white puff reminds me of a quick and easy muffin/cookie. 

Here’s how to do it.  Mix together the following in a small bowl:

• 1 egg white
• 1/4 C. old fashioned oats
• 1 pinch baking powder
• cinnamon
• sugar-free syrup/splenda
• splash of Unsweet Vanilla Almond Breeze

Sometimes I even mix in a little sugar free pudding mix (sf cheesecake, sf chocolate, sf pistachio) or cocoa powder.  The possibilities are endless! You could even add pumpkin!

Then you just microwave that baby until it puffs up and takes shape.  I added a little smear of Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB to top mine off.

And thennnn there was banana soft serve with Dark Chocolate Dreams in the mix.  Yes, I just rinsed out the bowl & used again.

I was in a fruity mood, so before I headed to the basement I also ate an apple with salsa….I know, weird, right?  Trust me.  It’s Uhmazee.

I thought of Evan while I ate this….He loves salsa…All he would need is a splash of Tequila to this stuff!  Stonewall Kitchen has got it goin’ on! 

They sent me this Mango Lime Salsa to review and its great.  I think it’d be delicious over a grilled chicken breast or some Tilapia, too!

I was a HUGE snacker yesterday.  Then I took myself downstairs for some Insane Abs work & biking until I had to get myself showered before class.

Decent stats, but nothing seems to get my heart rate up like a good game of basketball…Sometimes I can get it into the 190′s!

After showering, I whipped up a quick & light dinner.  I just realized on my way home that I had this zucchini in my trunk since that time I stopped at the serve yourself farm stand on my way home from work last week. 

I grated this baby into a bowl & topped it with some of my favorites.  The pictures won’t tell you this, but I will.  I ate a whole can of peas.  NO SHAME   Yes, that’s right.  I love peas.  They’re sooo sweet. 

This photo is absolutely horrible, but I was running late for class and I didn’t have time to mess around for a great one.  I figured you all would be understanding   Basically, I added 1/4 C. light Ragu, peas, lima beans, and Forty Spices Tribe hummus.

To wash it down, I wanted something  sweet…vanilla coconut pumpkin milkshake?

1 handful kale, 1 scant scoop Amazing Meal Vanilla Chai, 1 C. Unsweet Vanilla Almond Breeze, 1/2 C. canned pumpkin, & 1 handful of ice…but the magical ingredient…Artista Sugar Free Coconut Syrup!!

HOly delicious.  Thanks to dessert, I was able to sit in class with a happy belly.   I may or may not have consumed a bowl of Fiber Select cereal with Almond Breeze when I got home. 

Twas a great night. 

Anyone have exciting plans for this Columbus Day weekend?  I have ZERO class all of next week and my family is taking a trip to Baltimore/Washington DC Sunday into Monday!  BETH!  We should meet up!

XO.

It Wasn’t Sunday, But I Had One For Breakfast :)

“I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls,
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away
And I’ll praise You in this storm, And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are, No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried, You hold in Your hand
You never left my side, And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm”

Do you find it difficult to praise God and thank Him for what He’s given us even when things aren’t so pleasant?  I know I do!  I was listening to this Casting Crowns song on my way to work this morning and couldn’t help but share it. 

Breakfast, however, I will NOT be sharing.  I think I scarfed it up in about 2 minutes flat.  Who says sundaes are only for dessert!?

Chocolate Peanut Butter Arctic Zero “frozen dessert” with heated mashed banana ontop

The warm, sweet banana gently melted away at the fudge-like peanut buttery ice cream and it tasted just as decadent as it looks.

 I love that I can down a pint of this Arctic Zero for just 150 calories, 0g fat, and 16g of whey protein!  Combine it with the mushy naner and you’ve got a nice combo of protein & carbs to start your day off right.

Lunch & Dinner (part 1) were of the packed nature.  Since I had class (and my exam!) from 6-8, with a workout in between, I knew I’d want something to tide me over until I got home. 

Spinach salads with sliced red, orange, & yellow pepper, cherry tomatoes, carrots, and cukes.  Topped with chickpeas & drizzled with Balsamic Vinegar.

Twin hugh jasses.

You know what they say!  Pair it with a carb, right, Holly? 

1 La Tortilla Factory Whole Wheat High Fiber Low Carb wrap spread with Sonoma Jack’s Pepperjack Cheese & Apricot SF Jam + Fiber

Anddd to eat with dinner’s salad I this beaut was packed up:

1 Lite Whole Grain High Fiber Thomas English Muffin sprayed twice with ICBINB spray + sprinkled with cinnamon & organic zero.

The ladies at work get a kick out of the fact that I bring my HUGE salads to work in old cookie dough containers…I can’t help it they’re the biggest ones I have!

After work, I hit the gym, like most other Monday’s.

• 35 minutes Cross Ramp (various intervals)
• Planks
• Pushups
• 5 minutes vigorous biking
• 5 minutes quick sprint on the dreadmill
• 10 minutes extra on the Cross Ramp

I made it a quickie since I wanted to get some extra study time in before the big exam.  This week is going to be NUTS.  An exam & a final in a matter of 3 days.

When I got home, I packed up lunch & dinner for the next day, uploaded pictures, and made myself a delicious Vanilla CHAI SmoothieInABowl.

1 scant scoop Vanilla Chai AM, 1/2 c. unsweet almond milk, palm full of frozen spinach, 1 frozen banana, + water

to enjoy while watching the Bachelor Pad.

[source]

Unpictured eats!

• Sun-Flax Love Force Vegan Bread Slice
• Baby Carrots
• Tomato-Basil La Tortilla Factory wrap dunked in Tribe Hummus

Soooo you wanna know who won the AMAZING GRASS GIVEAWAY?!?

Let’s have a looksie

Natalie of A Hint Of Cinnamon!  Congratulations, girl!  Make sure to send me an email with your full mailing address so I can forward the info to Teri to get you your FANTASTIC prize!

Two Question Tuesday:

1. Do you ever struggle with giving God the glory even when you’re going through rough times?  How do you snap yourself back into realizing all the positive instead of focusing on the negative??
   
2. Did you watch the Bachelor Pad last night?! What did you think?!

3. SPEAKING of Bachelor PAD, my girl Danica (who I always chat with about the shows) is having an AWESOME Sam’s Club Membership giveaway along with $25 from MyBlogSpark!  Make sure you enter!

XOXO.

Friday Muscle Movement!

Verse of the Day:

“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”

- Psalm 119:160

Breakfast may look a touch on the bland side, but I can assure you, it was anything but.

1/3 C. oats, banana soft serve, 1 tbsp. Naturally More, and a dollop of Calorie Free Walden Farms Chocolate Dip.

I ended up being on-the-run, yet again and ate in my car on the way to work.  I actually had to scoop it out of the tupperware with my fingers. HA. It was SO good, though.

It may not look appetizing, but when you think about it, it’s got gold mine written all over it!  I mean seriously…banana, chocolate & peanut butter??  How can you go wrong??  Cool, creamy, and refreshing.

My boss brought in some cherry tomatoes from the mini garden that she got while we were shopping together at the Farmer’s Market.  Hers is thriving, mine is dead…

I munched on them at my desk around 10:30AM. 

They were perfectly ripe and sweet!  I love how cherry tomatoes “explode” in your mouth like little bursts of flavor.  Almost like nature’s gushers.

Then I had a photoshoot after reading about the Muscle Movement!  These girls inspired me by their five pound muscle gain to show you all what I’m workin’ on at the gym alllll the time!  Haha. 

Everyone was on break so I had no fear of being embarassed by a co-worker walking over and enjoying the GUNSHOW

And STRONG legs.

Around 12PM, I dove into my lunchbox for some real grub.

Spinach salad with sliced mini bell peppers, snap peas, tomatoes, & balsamic vinegar

For the sandwich, I made some healthy chicken salad and put it over spinach on my whole wheat bread. 

• 1/2 can Swanson 97% fat free canned chicken
• 1 tbsp. salsa
• 2 tsp. mustard

After work, I ate my pre-workout fuel aka a peanut buttah & apple sandweech.  ‘Twas another day of work, gym, & class.

Naturally More & a 1/2 sliced gala on whole wheat

The workout was pretty epic.  Okay, I lie.  It was the same old.  But it felt great!

• 40 minutes on the Cross Ramp (avg. HR: 149)
• 2 sets of 1:30 planks
• 2 sets of 25 in-and-outs
• 1 set of 20 pushups
• 7 minutes dreadmill
• 2 sets of 10 hip adductors
• 10 more minutes on the Cross Ramp

I showered up and headed to the car where I had this post workout, pre-class group of goods

The rest of the apple which wouldn’t fit into the sandwich, some steamed veggies sprinkled with nooch & dolloped with salsa.

Oh yeah, and for some protein, Chobs saved the day yet again, unfortunately there’s no picture credit.  FYI, it was strawberry flavored.  You’ve got the visual

I had some more steamed cauliflower & broccoli while packing my lunch for the next day, complete with mustard topping.

During class, it was announced that everything had to be moved 1 day ahead of schedule because our professor wants to have a “review day” before the final.  I can’t believe my first “back to school” class is over next Thursday!  We’ve got a big exam Monday, review day Tuesday, and our final on Thursday! AhH!

When I got home, I figured some ice cream was in order.  Arctic Zero Peanut Butter Chocolate to be exact.    Hooray for 16g of whey protein, and 0g fat in this stuff! 

For dessert numero dos, I had a Goodernoob, which I received in the mail yesterday!  Only 30 calories per piece and GREAT ingredients!  Dates being the base, it taste sweet and decadent, just like candy!

Perfect Peanut Butter

Post dessert, some friends of ours game over and we watched “It’s Complicated” OnDemand.  I saw this movie in theatres when it first came out, but it was just as funny the 2nd time around!

Sleep came easy at around 10:30PM! 

HAPPY FRIDAY, BLOGGIES!

Don’t forget about my Crayola & Amazing Grass Giveaways!  Winners will be chosen at the beginning of next week!

1.  What’s your favorite breakfast on the run from home?  I like greek yogurt, breakfast cookies, or protein shakes!

2.  What’s one movie that you could watch over and over again? I used to be able to watch Mrs. Doubtfire on repeat when I was little!  Now adays, I’d say How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, 7 Pounds, 12 Rounds, and The Last Song.

XOXO.

 

Will You Accept This Rose?

Verse of the Day:

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

- 1 Samuel 16:7

Breakfast was a little less than epic, but it did the trick.  Things were crazy in the morning, and I was lacking any time to prepare a meal more well-rounded than this one.

1 blueberry Chobani & Fiber Select bran cereal

Chobs, you a life saver.

On the way to work, I heard a great song by Barlow Girl that made me think of Caitlin’s Operation Beautiful.  It’s called “Mirror“.  Here are a few lines from the song:

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Have I got it?
‘Cause Mirror you’ve always told me who I am
I’m finding it’s not easy to be perfect
So sorry you won’t define me
Sorry you don’t own me
 

Who are you to tell me
That I’m less than what I should be?
Who are you? Who are you?
I don’t need to listen
To the list of things I should do
I won’t try, I won’t try

Anyway, it’s got a good beat.

At about 12ish, I dove into the lunchbox.

Fantastic Foods Falafel, cucumber slices, mini peppers (I went to Costco this weekend!), and Bolani Basil Pesto + Cedar’s Cucumber & Garlic Tzatziki dip.

Don’t let this photo fool you.  There were three falafel balls (which I baked instead of fried), but I forgot to take the photo before consuming two. 

 I had an enjoyable time creating these little cucumber falafel sandwiches with the dipping sauces

After work, I was PUMPED to hit the gym after an entire weekend off (with the exception of a little bit of biking on Sunday).

Beforehand, I had a gala apple for some fuel.

[yes, this is a repeat photo, but it looks the same errryytime]

Theeennnn I did this beastly workout:

• 40 minutes Cross Ramp (various intervals)
• 3 sets of 12 hanging obliques
• 10 minutes on the treadmill (sprint intervals)
• 3 sets of 1 minute planks
• 3 sets of 20 in-and-outs
• 5 more minutes Cross Ramp (high speed-high incline)

I looked like a sweaty mess afterward…but that’s the point, right?  Besides, the cardio flew by with this absurd movie playing on my ipod.

[source]

Seriously, ridiculous.

Post workout, I showered up and had a nice little dinner in my car, comprised of the exact same thing I had for lunch.  Boring? Yes. True? Also, yes.

When you’re limited on time, you do whatcha gotta do.  At 6PM I had class, and when I got home around 8:30, it was apparent that I had not refueled properly.  I nearly attacked the refrigerator for summa this:

Fiber Select bran cereal over a Strawberry Chobani

Always hits the spot.

Then I munched on some turkey slices while I packed my lunch/dinner for the next day.

Next on the agenda, GIRLS’ NIGHT

& BACHELORETTE SEASON FINALE.

young and old took part in the festivities

Fat free pineapple angelfood cake with fat free cool whip & sugar free jello covered fruit (strawberries & pineapples)

I was truly not hungry in the slightest due to the Chobani & turkey feast before leaving for my Aunt’s, but I made room for a little but of fruit! 

We were all gunning for Chris, but I think we were all “okay” with either option.  This was the first time in a long time that we actually liked both of the remaining contestants.  I think our hearts were with Chris because of his situation, but we loved Roberto too.

[source]

Congrats to the happy couple

And then, there was bedtime…I think I made it there by about 11:30PM?  Not too shabby.  I LOVE full days like this after a seemingly unproductive weekend!

What about you? Do you enjoy an action-packed schedule, or would you rather have it more lax?

Don’t forget to enter to win yourself or your kids some Crayola goodies for back to school! Check out Elina’s giveaway of Siggi’s Yogurt, too!

 

XO.

 

Sweet Vs. Savory

Verse of the Day:

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

- Matthew 5:14,16

Sometimes I know exactly what I’m craving for breakfast.

Spinach Bolani with Cedar’s Cucumber Garlic Tzatziki (introduced to me by Julie!) with a greek yogurt bowl on the side topped with 1 tbsp. SF cherry preserves and 1 scant handful Fiber Bran cereal

Other days I walk to the fridge, open up the door, and stare into the abyss considering all my options:  sweet vs. savory being my main dilema. 

I can never decide…soooo I had a little bit of both.

Since lunch on weekdays is always eaten at my desk, I have a hard time packing for what I’m hungry for.  After all, I can’t anticipate what will sound good to me a whole 24 hours later!

1 Butterleaf salad (yes it’s under there!), diced veggies: yellow pepper, red pepper, orange pepper, cukes, snap peas, carrots, and tomatoes topped off with a 1/2 Helen’s Kitchen tofu steak

It’s like a rainbow in a dish!   I wasn’t totally impressed with the tofu steak (not too much flavor), but I was sent coupons to try some Helen’s products and this was one of three items that our store carried-the stats are pretty good too!…I’m gonna keep an eye out for the Chik’n Gardensteaks!  Anyone else have suggestions on what to try from Helen’s Kitchen?

Along with my salad, I had half of this container of Pumpkin Bolani, saving the rest for dinner between my workout & class.  The green stuff on the bottom was a scoop of Basil Pesto sauce from the company too!  Thanks so much to Saleem for hooking me up

After work I hit the gym.  On the car ride there, I munched on this incredibly sweet gala apple.

The workout had to be somewhat quick, since I wanted to get in a little extra study time for my exam. 

• Cross Ramp 35 min.-avg. HR 148
• 3 sets of 1 min. planks
• 3 sets of 25 in-and-outs
• 3 sets of twisting obliques
• 5 min. quick sprints on the dreadmill
• 5 min. quick uphill sprints on the Cross Ramp

Shower & studying were done after eating parts of dinner in my car, which was a plethora of roasted provisions

Okra, carrot & green bean fries with reduced sugar ketchup.  I roasted these babes in the oven, a la Kath.

Roasted stuffed peppers filled with Fantastic Foods refried beans, salsa, and fat free sour cream, along with a sliced mozarella cheese stick

Not sure how my exam went…I went into it fairly confident, but I’m nervous about the results!  There were a lot of things I was unsure of…I think I second guess myself tooo much.  Math does that to me!  I hate it..

When I got home, I began the unpacking/repacking process, yet again!  By this time, it was about 8PM, but my beau wanted to see me, so he came over and we watched Underdog together  

Before he got there, I made some Banana SS and had a snack of some Manna Bread (unpictured because my camera battery was exhausted).  Review to come!  I cannot wait.  It is DELICIOUS!  I tried 4 different flavors last night!

FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY!

Ask me anything

I’ve got a few for you all, first!

Sweet or savory?  Sweets for me!

What class made you nervous in school?  Definitely MATH for me.

XOXO.

Feel Free Friday.

Verse of the Day:

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.”

- 1 Chronicles 29:11

It’s been a little rough this morning so far.   You’d think things would be running smoothly since it’s FRIDAY.  Last night was picturesque and it all started here

SOC.

Optimum Nutrition Cookies N’ Cream + water & ice poured over Fiber One.

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.  And my favorite, to be honest.

By the time I got to work,  I was ready to chug my iced Caftea Campfire S’mores coffee which tastes absolutely indulgent.  Cookies N’ Cream & S’mores all before 10AM?  I think I will, thanks

SPEAKING of s’mores…anyone remember my famous “indoor s’mores?!” 

Welllll starting Monday, check out MY SHOP, where Garlic Gold is having a special Father’s Day promotion through June 20th.  With each purchase of these little gems, you’ll get a free batch of my homemade indoor s’mores!  Also, accompanying the bundle, will be TWO of my favorite Garlic Gold recipes!

Come lunch time, I was ready to dig into my Easy Lunch Box.

I love rainbow lunches.

Cucumber fries, snap peas, cherry tomato, baby carrots, lettuce, & sliced yellow pepper with homemade honey mustard for dippage. Sonoma Jack’s Light Cheese wedge + Light Flat Out & FF cottage cheese for protein.

At my desk I made little veggie lettuce wraps.  I like to eat everything seperately though, instead of just making a big salad.

The afternoon pretty much flew by and before I knew it I was home changing into my workout clothes, which means……YEP.  You guessed it.  Workout fuel

strawberry cheesecake?

Like I said, I’m into utilizing the gorgeous summer fruits these days.  I added a packet of splenda to some Oikos & topped it with some freckly guys, which made me feel right at home

Cupuola Clouds & Cookies!

To accompany my yogurt, I wanted some carbs for my workout so I tried out some of these tasty little mounds

Chai Pistachio Cookies = 11 calories each!

that I received in the mail! (REVIEWS to come)

To the gym I went!While I ellipticized, I wanted to watch my beloved “King of Queens” on the gym TVS, but now that Comcast requires cable boxes, the TVS were all messed up.  Ipod nano to the rescue!  I watched “Made of Honor” on my tiny little screen for about 45 minutes and then switched to the other half of my workout.  After the machines & strength training, I hit the elliptical for another 20 minutes.  I think I’m going to do that from now on!  Breaking up the cardio like that gives me more energy & prevents it from getting tedious!

When I got home I definitely had veggies on the brain.  I was thinking stirfry, so I went at it from all angles…fresh & frozen veggies were used.

cookin'.

There was a plethora of variety.  Mushroom, broccoli, peppers (green, yellow, & red!), green beans, carrots, onion, snap peas, and cauliflower.  I think that covers it?  I made a sauce out of 1/8C. SF syrup & 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce, saving 1/2 the mixture to top it off after cooking.

mmmmm.

Another gift from Marlin!  I’m pretty sure it used to be a flower pot or something though.  You can bet I was impatient and burnt my tongue on this too.

Along with my veggies I knew I needed protein & carbs to rebuild the muscle from my workout so I did what any foodie would do…chocolate & yogurt!

deeep chocolate.

+

my little greek friend.

 You know you’re having a good day when Oikos shows up twice

I packed lunch, cleaned up, & showered.  Then sat down to relax around 8PM.  57 Dresses was on TV, so I watched that while I Facebooked a bit.

Bennie & The Jets

Anyone else got a strange infatuation with James Marsden?  Personally, I think he’s adorableeee.  Those blue eyes, dark hair & great bone structure are pretty alluring.

After awhile, I got pretty thirsty and have been loving what the spinachy drinks are doing for my hair & nails. 

Please ignore the funny shaped fingers and focus on the lengthy, natural nails! Ha.

dessert.

So I whipped up a green monster from frozen spinach, some mushy strawberries that I saved, Diet V8, & some Diet green tea.

It’ s feel free Friday!  So, feel free to ask me anything!

1.  What is your dessert of choice? I can’t choose just one!  I love frozen grapes, protein ice cream, chocolate vitatops, & banana soft serve!

2.  What’s one food that you can SEE affects your body? Mine is spinach, for sure!

 

XO,

 

I Had A Ball-Saturday

I knew it would be an early morning since I wanted to get a workout in before I left for Messiah, to watch my sister play softball.  I also had yet to find a dress for the dance afterward, so I wanted to stop on the way down to find one.

Before leaving for the gym, I ate some chocolate

Vitatop style, of course!

An hour & five on the elliptical for some nice easy cardio, burnin’ up 700 calories, and then doing some plyometrics afterward. 

• 3 sets of 30 in-and-outs
• 3 sets of 1 min. full planks
• 3 sets of 20 bicycles
• 3 sets of 20 each hip adductors/abductors each with about 100 lbs.

I had some packing to do when I got home, so I cut it a tad short.

I made this glass of creamy protein when I got home as well

thick & dreamy.

I was amazed at the difference between shakes made with xanthan gum (from Janetha!) & the ones without.  No more watered down taste!  This was just like a strawberry milkshake!

bubbly.

1 scoop Optimum Nutrition cake batter whey protein + 4 strawberries + 4 ice cubes + 1/2 tbsp. xanthan gum + water.

After the shake, I showered and packed up for the weekend.

I knew I’d need provisions because they were having a cook out after their double-header.  The game started at 1PM, so usually they get finished around 4:30PM and they have everything grilled up and ready to go around 5-5:30PM.

all the goods.

Into the cooler went some homemade honey mustard for dipping these:

Veggies!

Sugar snap peas with cherry tomatoes on the bottom, celery & sliced yellow pepper (left),  and broccoli & cauliflower (right).

 

Along with Fiber One & greek yogurt (breakfast Sunday), 2 light whole wheat english muffins for lunch/dinner, 2 fat free hot dogs and 1 Gardenburger in a baggie with some reduced sugar Heinz, for proteins of the day, and 2 gala apples.

 

I got to Kohl’s around 12:30 when I broke into my packed lunch in the parking lot.  After consumed, I went in looking for a semi-formal dress and came out with this cute thing.  I didn’t waste much time and practically came out with the only thing I tried on.  I wanted to get to the game!

it works.

 

Their softball team pretty much rocks and were the National Champs last year!

champs banner!

I got to watch the sister run the bases!  She was a pinch runner.

numba 19.

They won the first game, but lost the 2nd one.  In between, I somehow managed to get my flip flops stolen.  We went down to the creek to cool off,

Yellow Breeches.

dipping our feet in and naturally slipped off our shoes.  After all, it was about 90º!  Everyone was roasting and getting burnt.  I don’t think the heist was on purpose, seeing as how the theif left a pair of similar looking white flip flops in their place, however, it was definitely an upgrade for them since mine were nearly brand new and bright white! 

The cookout was fun and lots of food was eaten.  I happily ate out of my cooler with everyone else. 

We had a DANCE to get ready for, so after the cook out we went up to the dorms, showered, and prettied up.

sorry for the blurr!

The sister took the rest of the photos from the dance with her camera, so I’ve gotta wait until she emails them to me to share with ya’ll, but it was an absolute blast.  I learned to swing dance and was approached by a cute Messiah senior, who I ended up hanging out with the rest of the night.  Literally, I did not sit down ONCE.  Dancing the night away has a new meaning to this gal

We took a 3am trip to Sheetz after showering from the dance, and I picked out the infamous sugar-free jello bites that I always get and some watermelon with Diet Green Tea [no photo, sorrry!]

I slept like a rocK!