Repeat Offender.

Verse of the Day:

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

– 1 John 1:7

Breakfast was eaten before the commute to work at about 7:30AM.

1/3 C. old-fashioned oats cooked in 1/3 C. low-fat milk, 2/3 C. water, 1 tbsp. SF strawberry Torani syrup, and cinnamon.  Topped with 3 crushed Cinnamon Toast pretzel crisps, 1/2 tbsp. SF raspberry Polaner jelly and 1 tsp.  calorie free Walden Farms chocolate dip.  Oats were eaten alongside 1 maple flavored Morningstar Farm soy sausage patty.

 I’ve been downing iced coffees at work like it’s nobody’s business.

Campfire S’mores Caftea with SF vanilla Torani is like having breakfast dessert at my desk.  Nothing says summer like a good campfire s’more 😉

Lately, I’ve been packing my lunches & parts of my dinner because Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday I’ve got class from 6-8PM.  I go straight from work to the gym on campus to get a nice workout in before class, shower using the facilities, recompose myself, and eat the lunchbox goods in the car before class.  I’m all about time efficiency.

Lunch was a TACO SALAD at about 12:15PM.

1/2 C. Fantastic Foods Vegetarian Taco Filling atop broccoli slaw with a dollop of each salsa & fat-free sour cream. A La Tortilla Factory whole wheat wrap on the side for whole grains.

This taco salad was delicious.  I actually scooped up some of the salad and made a burrito with my wrap!  Best idea I had all day 😉

Between work & the gym, I had a Nature’s Path Pumpkin N’ Spice granola bar. 

(yes, this is a repeat photo from the weekend-I didn’t take another photo)

At the gym, I hogged the Cross Ramp for a good 40 minutes – the limit for cardio equipment is supposed to be 30 minutes, because there are only 2 treadmills, 3 Cross Ramps, 2 bikes, and 1 stair master, but no one was waiting, so I figured an extra 10 minutes wasn’t a biggie, right?  Average HR 155; calories burned: 480.  I declare “Never Back Down” the most motivational movie to watch while doing cardio.  Seriously, just check out the soundtrack.

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Then again, it could’ve just been Sean Faris causing my heart rate to rise 😉

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After cardio, I hit the mat for two sets of 1 min.+ planks and 2 sets of 30 “in-and-outs”.  Then I used the hanging oblique machine for2 sets of 10 to each side.  I hate feeling so rushed during my workouts, but the time constraint is important if I want to make it to class ontime, UNsmelly 🙂

I ate this spread in my car before class for dinner (I KNOW, I know…protein repeat!):

Cucumbers and carrots sprinkled with Garlic Gold Sea Salt nuggets, 1 bag of steamfresh veggies (broccoli, edamame, water chesnuts, and carrots) topped with Vegetarian Taco Filling topped with a dollop of each salsa & ff sour cream.  For protein, I packed a 2 egg white puff topped with melted Finlandia swiss cheese.

Class has got me feeling on top of the world.  It’s so amazing how much more you appreciate learning when you haven’t been in a classroom for awhile.  Who would’ve ever thought they would miss SCHOOL so much? As I posted yesterday, I did pretty well on my first exam & hw!  My average in the class right now is a 95.

I quickly drove home, changed clothes, and went to my cousin’s house where girls’ night was being hosted, to watch the Bachelorette.  Frank is gone, incase you missed it.  He’s still in love with his ex.  He did things in a very respectable way, however, and I can’t bash him at all.

I had a plate of fruit while watching the show with banana slices, apple slices, watermelon, and strawberries, but my camera was at home, so here’s a Kath inspired photo. Ha.

When I got home, Momma FF had made a pit stop at the store upon my request and picked up these goodies for me! 🙂 I was lacking dairy for the day, so I had a cup of Soy Milk & handful of Cinnamon Toast pretzel crisps before bed.  Thanks MOMMA!

Two Question Tuesday:

1.  Are you more of a coffee or tea person?  What’s your favorite brand?

2.  What are some good tunes for a cardio remix on the ipod?  I need to update my iTunes! 

Heads up on great Coconut Water giveaway over at Rosey Rebecca today!

XOXO.

Gardenburgers

Many thanks to Amanda and Gardenburger for sending me two coupons to try out some of their REAL GOOD FOOD FROM THIS GOOD EARTH 🙂

With my coupons, I decided on two of the veggie burger varieties, Veggie Medley* and GardenVegan*.  The also make five OTHER versions of the veggie burger including:  Sun Dried Tomato Basil, Portabella, The Original, California Burger*, and the Black Bean Chipotle Veggie*. 

*The asterick denotes all vegan options.

My favorite of the two was probably the Veggie Medley.  I love that the company actually uses CHUNKS of vegetables in their burgers…not to mention the nutty, whole grains!

Check out all the goods in this one!  Broccoli, carrots, onion, water chesnuts, corn, and bell peppers!  The flavor was out of this world!  I was especially diggin’ the whole kernels of corn that were found!  The nutritionals were matched with the awesomeness of the taste!

Not a HUGE protein source, but the 3g in combination with the 5g fiber still held me pretty well over. 

They keep for a long time since they can be stored in the freezer, and are totally convenient–they can be made in the microwave!  My only complaint was that they were kinda pricey (not on sale) for just 4 patties in a box! 

The Garden Vegan was pretty delicious as well!  This one wasn’t packed with quite as many vegetables, but I really loved the mushroom flavoring that was detectable in these patties!

I also liked that in both burgers, the onion taste was not overpowering.  I hate feeling as though I just chomped on a raw onion, aftertaste included, when I finish up a veggie burger!  I’m also a fan of the texture from the bulgur wheat! 

These nutritionals are even BETTER than that of the prior mentioned.  With just 80 calories, you get 9g of protein!  Can’t argue with that! 

Again, both of these Gardenburgers were a real treat!  I was truly looking for other Gardenburger products at the grocery store to try as opposed to BOTH burger varieties, but options were limited.  Living in the sticks definitely has its letdowns!  In addition to veggie burgers, Gardenburger has created GardenVariety & GardenSteaks, too!  I’d LOVE to try these!  Maybe someday….if I ever get to hit up a Whole Foods where options are unlimited!

Thanks again, Amanda!

An Ode To La Tortilla Factory

No wonder the folks at La Tortilla Factory are so great at baking the greatest tasting wraps and tortillas;  After all, they’ve been doing it for THREE generations!  Unlike other tortilla companies, “there is not a single drop of partially hydrogenated or fully hydrogenated oils anywhere in our manufacturing plant,” which means there are absolutely NO trans-fats in any of their products!

Check out all the innovators’ accomplishments!

Among my favorites are the Large Whole Wheat, High Fiber Tortillas by the company, which Laura kindly had sent to me so I could share with you guys some of my favorite ways to enjoy them!

Here are some reasons why I love them so much!

• 52% DV recommended fiber!
•  Only 80 calories!
• HUGE in size!

• Wholesome ingredients!
  Ingredients: water, oat fiber, whole wheat flour, soy flour, vital wheat gluten, expeller pressed canola oil, contains less than 2% of each of the following: baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), sea salt, guar gum, citric acid, yeast, xanthan gum, l-cysteine, to maintain freshness (sorbic acid, calcium propionate).

• Cholesterol & saturated fat free!

Not only do they come in original, but also Garlic & Herb and Green Onion!  I’ve never gotten to try those two, because they aren’t carried by any grocers in my area, but I can only imagine they would be JUST as amazing as the Whole Wheat!

Runner-up of my favorites from the company, are the 100 Calorie Whole Wheat Wraps.  With the same great texture and taste as the original tortillas, these babies also have added fiber, Omega-3 rich flax seeds, and added calcium!  Not to mention the 20g of whole grains!

These also come in a “Traditional” white version.

The possibilities with these wraps are totally endless.  I’ve made everything from Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Chips in the oven to Baked Enchiladas, to Chocolate & Berry Filled Crepes.

I’ve just discovered their fabulous recipe section of the website, too and cannot WAIT to recreate Vegetarian Tortilla Lasagna, Low-Fat Asian Shrimp Rolls, and Ground Turkey Sloppy Joe Tacos!

La Tortilla Factory has ALSO launched a new product!  The Handmade Style Corn Tortillas!  I can’t WAIT to try them!  Perfect for summer Mexican Meals!

Thanks, Laura!