Spark Smoothie

OK--not sure if I am supposed to JUST put this energy mix in water or if diet wise I can mix it with a smoothie...but I did--and wow it's delicious!

1 spark energy drink/amount Cherry Flavor 

1 cup plain non fat yogurt

8 strawberries tops cut off

8 black berries

1/2 tbsp stevia/splenda/sugar

2 cups ice cubes

juice of 1/2 lime OR 1 tbsp lime juice

BLEND--I'm obsessed with my 'NINJA' mixer....LOVE

Not only did this wake me up to get my butt in gear for what I have goin on tonight--but gosh it was delicious and curbed my appetite; after my chicken soup I still felt starving--wanted something sweet! This hit the spot!

Peach Blackberry Smoothie

My husband bought me a 'Ninja' food processor for my birthday...I'm obsessed with it! This is the very first thing I made--I was so excited cause it comes with a pitcher attachment--easy pour!

3/4 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup fresh or frozen blackberries

3/4 cup frozen peaches

2 cups ice cubes--or more if you need to thicken

3/4 cup 0 calorie sparkling grapefruit flavored water (I use Target brand)

1 spoonful stevia (or honey, or splenda...or sugar--boo)

Process/blend til smooth to likened texture--drink with straw (preferably in a Mason jar ;) )

Wonderful

Ravioli Soup--quick and easy

I have been DYING to try the 'Ravioli and Vegetable soup' Recipe in the Latest 'Food Network' Magazine. I am SHOCKED at how good it is!

I made a couple changes--because I am lazy, and couldn't find the greens it called for--so I did the offered substitution (spinach), and I had no fresh time, so I used powdered thyme spice; I used purple onion instead of yellow,  a mozzarella parmesan mix for the cheese rather than just parm, AND I changed up the broth/water ratio :)

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 c purple onion finely chopped

3 stalks celery--thinly sliced

3 carrots sliced

1 package ravioli--I used a bertolli frozen cheese ravioli

2 cups chopped spinach

1 tsp thyme

salt and pepper

mozzarella/parmesan shredded cheese

1 32 oz container beef broth (recipe says you can also use vegetable broth--for vegetarian or lighter taste/color)

2 cups of water

1. Heat oil and saute onion, celery, and carrots until tender/onions and celery are translucent

2. Add broth and water and heat to a boil

3. When boiling add ravioli and turn down heat to simmer; simmer until ravioli are tender/done but not mushy

4. Add thyme, salt and pepper

5. Gently stir in spinach until wilted

6. Serve in bowls hot and sprinkle cheese on top

It's AWESOME

Fried Chicken

Today I decided I would make fried chicken--old fashioned, home made, Crisco in the skillet, shake it in a bag of flour--fried chicken.

I did legs--to be easy for my first attempt...and Lee doesn't know I used whole wheat flour...In the flour I put a bit of garlic powder--FAIL, I should have added salt and pepper, too.

I also should have made sure the chicken legs I bought were not slightly frozen..it was a pain to keep checkin that they were cooked through!

However, it was yummy! We ate it with sweet potatoes...ok honestly I was dying for mashed potatoes...but let's be carb conscious.

My birthday was sadly average...I guess that happens as you age :( it's just another day of the year! We went to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch--which they gave me a complimentary cupcake...but I should have gotten the queso not the spinach dip--it was bland yesterday...but their salad bar is always divine! I don't know what I want for a gift yet...but Lee bought himself a lawn mower and a weed whacker today...typical man...a gift that functionally benefits me--we are no longer the neighbors people hate living next to because of our weeds and overgrown grass allowing mosquitoes to breed--but I definitely didn't envision myself receiving that for my birthday.

I am currently working on a GOREOUS silk dress...red and white...I can't wait to finish it tomorrow!!!

Stuffed Mushroom Pizza Kabobs!--Highlight of Day

Read to Make these!!!!

Today was intense physically! I met my friend Regina at the gym; I LOVE working out with her--she has had 2 babies and still has such energy and a great positive attitude in the gym--plus she makes me laugh and I love to laugh (part of why I love my husband, always making me chuckle!)

I did 25 minutes on the stair master on the 'endurance' setting for 15 minutes and it totally was kickin' my butt so I switched to 'fat burn' for the last 10...wussy me.

Then Regina and I did 3 sets of 10 squats (ass to ankles as our summer Cross Fit Coach taught us) with 65 lbs...again--wussy, we know, but we don't care to be body builders; we are fine with being sissies. We did arm presses (is that what you call it?) with 45--just the bar; even wussier, but my arms bulk up fast and I don't need more weight on there...and Regina is totally fine with not putting on the extra weights--again, I love her!

We then did sit ups and Russian twists with a medicine ball....Successful morning work out.

I totally failed at breakfast. You are supposed to ALWAYS eat breakfast...but I was just so glad I had the desire to get back in the gym that I left the house before I could tell myself no. After our work out I had an unsweet Passion Tea Lemonade from Starbucks...and a couple pinches of Nick's popcorn--I am so used to just getting him some at Target and sharing it with him I didn't realize I was eating it...o well--it's only day 2.

When I got home I allowed myself some Irish Cheddar Cheese; It's super delicious and I love it--and it's carb free; I know it's not Paleo, or I don't think it is, but hey--a lil' cheese never killed nobody! Plus it totally kept me full til' lunch!

For lunch I made my own egg drop soup...Delicious. I started with Earth Balance spread, a bit of coconut milk and some chicken broth. In that I boiled 2 sliced mushrooms, a chopped green onion, some garlic, and salt and white pepper. I then added more of the coconut milk and chicken broth, sesame oil, ground ginger, and about 1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach leaves. I brought all to a boil and whisked in some egg whites until there was enough to thicken it a bit. It was really good! I ate all of it! I decided on soup for lunch because I was doing an afternoon run with my friend, Charlotte and chicken broth can really hydrate you!

I ran 5 miles with Charlotte this afternoon...Shoulda done more but I was beat...and obviously have no carbs so I gotta research more on where these CrossFit people get their energy!!! Perhaps when I get my Advocare stuff in that'll help!!!! I'm not lagging--I honestly feel great these 2 days eating this way, but I don't have any extra!!!!

DINNER

Dinner was a super success! Stuffed Mushroom Pizza Kabobs!!!!!

 I saw a similar recipe on the blog 'PaleOMG'; She used baby bellos, I think a combo of sausage and ground beef, and just marinara sauce....I'm easin' into this--I needed some cheese...

Preheat to 400

I plucked the stems off the mushrooms; I used half white and half baby bellows--I prefer the white but knew Lee would like either. I first put them on a foil lined pan with PAM sprayed--mistake; they slid everywhere! I had to take them out of the oven and put on foil--no spray. 

I used 1 lb of ground pork sausage and mixed it with 'pizza seasoning' and 1 egg. I put a small 'ball' of sausage on each mushroom; then topped with marinara (I used Prego garlic and onion)

I then put on a bit of shaved Parm cheese...Just a pinch...c'mon--it's as close as I'm getting to pizza!

I put the skewers (which I had Lee cut in half) through them because she cooked them on the grill...I just thought they were cuter with the sticks...I mean how adorable for a party!

I sprinkled parsley flakes over them and then baked at 400 close to the bottom--so the sausage would be sure to cook and cheese not burn, AND so the sticks didn't catch on fire!!! 

I baked them until done--cheese melted well and I checked the largest of the bunch to make sure the meat was cooked thoroughly...

I served these with peas for me and crescent rolls for Lee...Nick wasn't interested...he sadly had bagel bites.

Paleo--Humorous Day 1

Well in attempts of trying to see what all the 'fuss' is about, I started the Paleo diet today...--it is 9:22 and I have successfully made it the entire day eating foods that I think are Paleo approved.

It wasn't so bad. Day 1 on Atkins I was DYING--perhaps since I have already gotten used to low carb, no carb is not as difficult. I remember the worst headache and literally feeling I had the flu by day 3 on Atkins--then I started feeling great. Today I do feel I have good energy...I haven't run or gone to the gym today, though--but I hope to do a workout this evening.




Breakfast

Breakfast was a huge failure! I hoped to make pancakes but I forgot the baking soda and they kept spreading out and the almond flour wouldn't 'dry' to bake evenly...I gave up--also my bad I guess for using my cast iron skillet...SO with the left over batter I added more of the uber expensive almond flour--then baking soda cause I realized it's what I left out of the pancakes, but I spilled the baking soda and although the biscuits actually baked well (I even brushed coconut oil on the tops) they tasted like pure baking soda...no good.

These biscuits really would have been yummy if I hadn't had the baking soda mishap....I used 'Earth Balance' natural spread (non dairy) on top...but because they tasted awful....I ended up making eggs in the microwave out of hunger and exhaustion.

What a mess!








Lunch



For lunch I actually was somewhat successful! I used coconut oil, Earth Balance spread, and some coconut milk and sauteed 1 shallot. I added in minced garlic, and then 1 diced tomato and finally some chopped spinach leaves and --although not completely Paleo, a tiny pinch of parmesan shavings...mainly for texture...It was actually delicious! I should have stopped there!








BUT I wanted it to be a pasta dish...I have used spaghetti squash instead of pasta before--but I cooked it whole; I read on a paleo blog to cut it in half and cook face down...I musta done something wrong...It didn't dry out the threads well enough....Reminded me of 'Miracle Noodles'---which I find to be AWFUL!

It was good--but of course the squash was a bit too stringy--I'll stick to cooking it whole next time!




Dinner

Dinner was a SUCCESS! I made something delicious--and totally family, and husband, friendly!

I made sweet potatoes--yes, in the microwave and covered mine with Earth Balance and salt--my husband drowns his in brown sugar, butter and cinnamon.

The meat of the meal was seasoned pork chops I found pre-seasoned at Kroger today. I first sauteed a sliced yellow onion and 2 white mushrooms (sliced) in coconut oil, milk and earth balance. I then added pepper and all 5 pork chops (moving the onions and mushrooms to the tops of the chops) and covered the skillet. Halfway through cooking I flipped the pork chops; when cooked thoroughly they were ready...This was delicious! My husband and son ate theirs happily (with crescent rolls...lucky boys)--and of course, so did I!


Snacks?

Sounds disgusting but I can get through a diet if I can have chicken broth....It makes me feel 'good'--like when you are sick and want chicken soup...I may make egg drop soup tomorrow for lunch.

TOMORROW:

After today's fail at breakfast I'm aiming for something easier in the morning. I am going to stick to bacon and a fried egg...That's pretty doable for me...and who doesn't love bacon. For dinner I'm debating upon grilled chicken with mashed cauliflower OR doing these 'pizza' cabob/stuffed mushroom thingies...we shall have to see...

My BEFORE and my GOALS for Here After

Although I HATE bathroom self pics, I cleaned all day and don't plan to get prettied up for such evidence...Right now I am a size 4 and 132 lbs. I don't really care to 'lose weight'...More or less tone up this baby belly...I know it's not awful but the 197 lbs I was carrying before I had Nicholas REALLY stretched out my stomach!!! We have 2 weddings in September...one of which is in Fort Walton...I'd like to look like a supermodel--high hopes, I know!

I also plan to start taking Advocare products and want to 'flush' out sugars, etc. naturally before trying fat burners, etc. Their energy drink is awesome--but I need to get to a healthy eating before adding anything--I crash horribly! I'll eat great for a week and then eat everything from fried cheese sticks to popcorn shrimp to cheese cake and a cherry Icee...Time to get it back under control!

I DO plan to be allowed to cheat a bit since I'm not in crucial need of losing weight! I will allow myself some cheeses and some fruits; cheddar has NO carbs...some fruits are low in sugar as well...I also switched from Splenda to Stevia today...Interested to see those changes...I heard Splenda causes headaches and tummy issues...I've used it for a year now...We will see what comes of the switch!

I WILL get to eat one meal of choice on the weekends....If I eat right all week--I freakin' deserve it!

I haven't fully decided upon my 'workouts' yet...although crossfit gives quick results I get a bit too muscley...I'll be teaching Pure Barre soon--so that will be a consistent one when the new gym opens...I'll also keep my running up--hope to do the Rock n Roll in November!!! Gotta start puttin on the distance again; right now I'm at a comfortable 6 miles...that's not even halfway to a half marathon!!!

Until tomorrow....

Traveling Home and Going Paleo

We just got back from a 9 day trip back to our hometown in Alabama. For 4 days Lee and I hiked the Appalachian Trail with his father--phew, that was exhausting and not what I expected, and then on Saturday Lee's surprise welcome home party went wonderfully! He got to see nearly all his high school buddies! We spent Sunday on the boat, and Monday we got a couple's massage and headed back to our lil' house today.

Tomorrow I plan to begin the Paleo diet...not sure how long I'll stick with it but hey, i'ma try! I ran a LOT back home; love the hills there--it's beautiful here, but so FLAT! Though the heat kicked my butt! I can't wait to start really adding on distance when it cools down next month--ok, IF it cools down next month!

I LOVE pancakes so tomorrow my first paleo meal will be Almond pancakes made with Almond flour!

Wish me luck!