Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

2012’s Popularity Contest + WIAW

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2012 was a great year for discoveries.

 

I can’t believe I survived without some of these things before.

I feel like I’ve gotten to know so many inspiring people (like YOU).  Becoming a member of the FitFluential community has been a huge game changer.  The members of that community are constant sources of motivation and positive energy.  I’ve discovered new blog, learned a lot, and been able to learn about new products (shameless plug: perfect example is my Polar HRM from h.h. gregg – check out the review/giveaway here).

 

Polar Leg Day

 

Another amazing discovery was Instagram.  It’s unbelievable how much it’s changed the way we interact.  I love that when I can’t decide what to eat, I can just scroll through my feed.  It has been a fun way to have conversations with people throughout the day!  It’s basically Twitter with pictures and open comment threads!  I also love seeing recipes people are interesting in.  I forget that just because I make a certain snack every week doesn’t mean everyone else does!

 

I also have to give a holla to my morning cocktail.  Apple Cider vinegar became an addiction in 2012.  I drink it every morning with my Fitmixer Aminos (fruit punch flavor).  It is delicious and has totally replaced my need for coffee in the morning.  Love.  It.

 

 

One last love.  Peanut flour.  I cannot imagine my life without it.  I use it in savory sauces, smoothies, PB & Jegg-like creations, Elvis French Toast… to quote the Texas Pete lady: “I put that shit on everything.”  You can order it online through iHerb.com.  Use code USO924 to get $5 off your order!

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This popularity contest is my first WIAW post of 2013… What I Ate in 2012!  Below are the Top 10 Sprint 2 the Table posts of 2012 (based on page views).  Click on titles to link to the recipe.

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Check out the Top 10 below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how other started out their 2013.

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Most Poplar Recipes of 2012

1. Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

These take the prize for my favorite veggie sneak.  If you tasted these, you would have NO idea they have zucchini. OR that they are basically sugar-free.

 

 

2. Banana Creme Brownie Parfait

What’s better than brownies?  Brownies with (healthy) icing.

 

3. Raspberry Baked Oatmeal To-Go

Seeing this recipe pop up in the top 10 made me realize I’ve been making new versions and not sharing.  I’ve share a new twist on this soon!  I always have a few in the freezer for quick breakfast or snack.

 

 

4. Peanut Butter & Jeggs

I would like to vote this my favorite invention – and worst pic – of 2012!

 

 

5. 150 Calorie Chocolate Protein Cake

I’m actually eating one as I draft this post.  This cake is my most repeated dish of 2012!

Chocolate-Microwave-Protein-Muffin

 

 

6. Vegan Goat Cheese Oven-Roasted Tomatoes

I made these for a French-themed book club while I was eating vegan.  The meat-eating crowd ate them with no problems!

Vegan Goat Cheese Tomatoes

 

 

7. Chewy Granola Cookies

Otherwise known as “the ones that mom likes.”  She requests them. 🙂

granola-cookie

 

 

8. Sprouting Chickpeas

It shocked me to learn how easy sprouting is!

chickpeas sprouted

 

 

9. PB & Aggs (Peanut Butter and Apple-Eggs) and Carrot Cake Protein Batter

I don’t know which of these made this post popular… but I eat both almost weekly.

PB & Aggs and Carrot Cake Batter

 

 

10. Basic Protein Shake Recipe and Protein Powder Review

This is one of my favorites because it’s the post where I announced I was training for my first figure competition!

***

I’m so excited to start Junk-Free January!  My sister came over for dinner last night, and we enjoyed a tasty kombucha cocktail over out collards and black-eyed peas.

What was your favorite recipe last year?

Did you have any group/social platform discoveries on 2012?

 

Strange But Good Holidays

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Christmas Eve traditions are special.

That doesn’t mean the tradition can’t be #strangebutgood!

Every year we have family friends over for desserts and drinks after dinner.  And every year I make a different dessert and drink.

Exhibit 1:

In my version of heaven, cookies have the nutritional merits of spinach.  My German Chocolate Chip Cookies do not qualify as spinach, but they do have a few redeeming qualities.  I’m declaring these #strangebutgood because they are a cake-turned-cookie, and it’s a little strange for a holiday cake-cookie to be sort-of healthy.

German Chocolate Cookies 1

The most important lesson I have learned when you are trying to make a dessert a little healthier is not to go too far.  You’ll see here that while I made some subs, I still left some “real” flour and sugar in.  This is important if you’re going to be sharing with people who aren’t used to eating like a blogger.

The healthier subs were spelt flour and NuNaturals’ new Tagatose sweetener as a sugar alternative for some of the sweet.   The most important redeeming quality is that they taste delicious… which they were.

German Chocolate Cookie bite

Like the cake, these cookies are a combination of chocolate and coconut.  I loved the chewy bits of coconut against the melt-y chocolate chips.  That with the crunch from the nuts made the texture in this cookie fantastic.  I used macadamia nuts because they are my mom’s favorite, but almonds or cashews would go well here too.

My healthy changes went undetected.  In fact, I never told anyone they are healthy-ish.  Don’t be afraid to sneak a little #strangebutgood healthiness into your cookies!

 German Chocolate Cookies

German Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 1 C butter, softened
  • 1 C packed dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 C NuNaturals Presweet Tagatose
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp coconut extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 C flour
  • 3/4 C spelt flour
  • 1/2 C cocoa powder
  • 1 T cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 C chopped macadamia nuts
  • 1.5 C unsweetened coconut flakes

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and coconut extract in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, and baking soda.  Stir dry ingredients into the butter mixture, until fully incorporated.

Fold in chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut.

Spoon batter on to parchment lined baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 mins.

Exhibit 2:

As much as I like to try new things, my favorite cocktail is a classic Manhattan.  It’s one of the oldest cocktails.  It’s a simple mix of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters.  With a marinated cherry (don’t forget – it’s the best part!).  With my favorite drink in mind, this year I created Christmas in Manhattan.

A week before Christmas Eve, I poured a bottle of Bulleit Bourbon into an empty ACV bottle (typical blogger…) and added 2 cinnamon sticks and 2 cups of fresh cranberries, sliced in half.  I took another 1/2 C of the cranberries, stabbed a hole in them, and covered them with Gran Marnier.  Both mixtures were then stored in a cool place for the week.

What resulted on Christmas Eve was a cinnamon-laced, festive, #strangebutgood interpretation of my favorite classic.

Christmas in Manhattan cocktail

Christmas in Manhattan

  • 2 oz. Cranberry-Cinnamon infused bourbon
  • 1 oz. Domaine De Canton (ginger liqueur)
  • 1/2 oz. sweet vermouth 
  • 3-4 drops orange bitters
  • Gran Marnier-soaked cranberry, for garnish

In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients and shake vigorously.

Pour into a martini glass (or short glass). Add a Gran Marnier-soaked cranberry for garnish and serve.

Makes 1 drink.

Note: I like this drink straight up, but you could add a splash of water or serve over ice if you prefer.

Want to Join?

All you need to do to join this link up is create a concoction that is Strange But Good, post it with the Strange But Good logo, and link up to your recipe.  (See below for code.)  In the Strange But Good post each week, you’ll see a link to add your own recipe and picture at the bottom of the page.  I’d prefer you use a new strange but good dish, but if you realllly have a good previous one you can add it.

Not a blogger?  You can play too!  Send me an email with a picture of your food and a brief description by noon on Thursday and I’ll include it in Friday’s post (too late this week, obv… but next week it’s on!).

 

Sprint 2 the Table

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instragrams of your creations. 🙂




***

This is the last dessert or drink thing I post for a while.  I swear.

Do your families/friends mind if you make a healthier versions of foods?

What are some of your tricks for lightening up recipes?

Brandied Baked French Toast

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What didn’t I eat Wednesday may be a more appropriate title.

I may have over-done it on the sweets…

Do you look forward to the holidays being over?  After I left my mom’s last night, I was sad to be going home alone, but at the same time a little relieved to get back into a normal routine.

I do hate leaving this beautiful scene though!

mosaic96e9be07a00195087ae2d0694cac418601e242af

Today I was going to take another “break” from blogging.  Then I realized a) I don’t really have anything else to do and b) this would be a fun way to shock myself into going cold turkey on the sugar.  I didn’t get pictures of it all, and we slept in so it is kind of a random slew of snack rather than meals.  You’ve been warned.

We didn’t totally fail at Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday theme this month… but it could have been better less sugar-filled:

Check out my Christmas eats, and then be sure to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see what everyone else ate on this most wonderful day of the year!

Meal 1:

I didn’t have Fitmixer Aminos at my mom’s, but I did have my ACV and water first thing

Christmas Eve I prepared an overnight baked french toast to be ready to pop in the oven Christmas morning (almost afternoon… we didn’t eat until 11a).  We open presents while it baked.  Before the toast, we started out with a Christmas tradition: mimosas!

The french toast was served with an easy cranberry sauce.  I soaked fresh cranberries in Gran Mariner (orange liqueur), and placed it all in a small sauce pan with some vanilla liquid stevia and cinnamon.  I let that simmer on low heat while we opened presents, adding a little water as needed.

The Brandied Baked French Toast recipe is below.  It will look like it has a lot of booze in it, but it really isn’t strong once you bake it.  Most of the booze cooks out.  I tried to keep it a little lighter using unsweetened almond milk rather than a traditional cream or whole milk.  Making that simple change save a lot on calories and fat, but you don’t loose any flavor.  This resulted in a flavorful, surprisingly light, fluffy French toast… it may have to happen once more on New Years Day.

Also on our breakfast table was French-pressed coffee, ambrosia (my mom and sister’s favorite… I passed), and fresh figs wrapped in prosciutto.

Meal 2:

Popcorn.  We devoured a bag of Smart Food’s Parmesan & Herb Popcorn while watching Elf.

smart food

I grazed some more on almonds, random sweets, an extra bite (or 5) of breakfast… but we really enjoyed sea salt-breadcrumb dark chocolate by Chuao that Santa brought me:

Meal 3:

I don’t know if this counts as a meal… but we snacked on more prosciutto with Trader Joes’ Raisin Rosemary Crisps (like the Raincoat crisps sold at WF, but much cheaper), cream cheese with strawberry-champagne jam, hummus, carrots, and celery while dinner cooked.  With a pear cider cocktail (pear cider + brandy, ginger liqueur, and lime juice). mosaic0b25d31f486daf509eeb7b4a6a6c7088509ad55a

Meal 4:

This meal was probably unnecessary after all of that.  In my family, Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas brunch  are a bigger deal than Christmas night, so we didn’t do anything too fancy.

I kept my plate small, but everything was delicious.  We made a quick salad, wild rice with pomegranate and kale, roasted sweet potatoes, and grilled lamb chops.  All drizzled with a thick balsamic.  There was also an unpictured glass of Alamos Malbec… did I mention the return of Sober January?

Also unnecessary was dessert… which I happily enjoyed.  German Chocolate Cookies, coming to you Friday!

Brandied Baked French Toast

Brandied Baked French Toast

  • 1 loaf Ciabatta bread in 1-inch slices
  • 3 C unsweetned vanilla almond milk
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 T brown sugar
  • 1 packet Stevia (can replace with more sugar)
  • 1 T cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 3 T Cointreau
  • 3 T Frangelico
  • 1 T brandy
  • Optional: 1/2 grated apple

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (I used Pam).

Place bread in two tightly-packed layers in the pan.  If you use the apple or other fillings (any fruit or nut would work), sprinkle them between the layers.

Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, spices, and booze together in a large bowl.  Pour mixture over the bread.  Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.  The bread will absorb the milk mixture overnight.

Bake at 425 for 25-30 minutes, until fluffed and golden brown.  

Cut into squares and serve with fruit, syrup, or any other favorite breakfast topping.

Serves 6-8.

Notes: If you don’t like the alcohols, you may use a couple of teaspoons of vanilla or other extract.  You could also experiment with other liqueurs like Irish cream, Gran Mariner, Kahlua, rum, etc.

***

The gluttony will stop after this week… I swear.  I have one more cookie recipe to share, and it’s slightly lightened up!

How were your holiday meals?  What was the winner?

Are you a little relieved when the festivities end?

Winter Weigh In + Ginger Molasses Cookies

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I don’t do yoga.

I don’t have the patience/attention span.

There is one thing I do like about yoga: the clothes.  Like this top I received from Yogi:

I wore this shirt (click here for better pics of shirt on their site) while braving the mall over the weekend.  And then I wore it to the gym.  I love a versatile outfit!  Impossibly soft, breathable, and loose.  During the winter months there is NO way I’m going to be rocking teeny tops.  It’s a too cold… and I tend to eat a couple of cookies.  They also sent yoga pants, but they are SO long – like an extra 6 inches of fabric – I need to get them hemmed before wearing them out.

Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this review (other than the free clothes).  Opinions are my own… I could never keep my opinion to myself. 😉

Some people may beat themselves up over these winter indulgences, but I like my friend Lindsay’s perspective.  The holiday season only comes once a year.  Why not enjoy a few of your favorite things (like warm woolen mittens)?  Don’t go nuts, but don’t feel like you have to sit in the corner with a salad while everyone else is having pie.  Winter is bulking season, after all!

In one more week, things will be back to normal, nutrition plans will be followed more strictly, and – while I’ll still wear my yoga tops – the thought of those tighter gym shirts won’t made me squirm.

 

Now that we’ve gotten that established, here is how I photograph are the cookies!

Last week my concierge mentioned that he wanted molasses cookies.  I’d never made them before, but I thought it would be nice to make him a Christmas treat.

I don’t know that I’ve ever had a molasses cookie, so I don’t have anything to compare these too.  They remind me of a gingerbread cookie; however, these are chewier and have a deeper, more subtle sweetness thanks to the Blackstrap molasses.

I used a bit of almond flour, but you could use all regular flour.  Your cookies will just be a little cakier.  These are also a good candidate for whole wheat flour (I ran out), and you could replace the oil with applesauce if 1/2 C of butter is enough fat for you. 😉

 

Molasses Gingerbread Cookies

Ginger Molasses Cookies

  • 1.5 C flour
  • 1/2 C almond flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 C salted butter, softened
  • 1 C dark brown sugar
  • 2 T canola oil
  • 1/4 C Blackstrap molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a large bowl whisk together flours, baking soda, and spices.

With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add oil, molasses, egg, and vanilla and beat to incorporate.  Beat in the flour mixture until just combined.  Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill until firm (at least 2 hours, preferably overnight).

Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll chilled dough into ~1 inch balls.  Place on baking sheet, leaving ~2 inches of space between.  Using the bottom of a glass, flatten the cookies slightly.

Bake for 10-12  mins.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

***

I’m taking tomorrow (and probably Wednesday) “off.”  Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!

Do you allow yourself to indulge a little over the holiday season?

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?  Who will you be enjoying them with tomorrow?

Attacking a Cold + WIAW

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I will not get sick. I will not get sick.  I will not get sick.

 

Clicking my heels together 3 times…

I woke up Tuesday with a scratchy throat and stuffy nose.  I spent all day feeling like I was about to cough… you know, that tickle in the back of your throat?

Time to attack.  My solution (I hope):

  • Juice Plus – These are my ‘vitamins.”  It’s awesome because the pills are made from fresh fruits and veggies.  They juice them and then dry it into a powder, so you’re really getting a whole food-based pill vs. a vitamin (no, they don’t give me kickbacks… but they should!)
  • Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) – You guys know I love this stuff.  In addition energy and digestive benefits, it is alkalizing.  this is important because when you’re sick your PH balance is off
  • Water – LOTS of water helps flush out the germs
  • Luden’s Wild Cherry Throat Drops  – I’m pretty sure these don’t do anything… but they taste good and have a comforting factor since my mom used to keep them on hand when we were kids #sorryimnotsorry
  • Zinc – Some studies have found that Zinc reduce the length and severity of a cold… some found that it does nothing.  I’m covering all my bases
  • Vitamin C – Also questionable, but it potentially can shorten the length of a cold.  Again, covering my bases
  • Bourbon – KIDDING.  I’m not drinking away my symptoms… but I have a friend whose grandmother says to take a tablespoon of bourbon and a tablespoon of honey every hour until you feel better or pass out.  In reality, I’m infusing this bourbon for a special Christmas cocktail… TBA

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Today I don’t necessarily have holiday recipes to share… but I have recipes creations!  I’m exercising my Kitchen Workout (have you joined?), especially now that I’m feeling the ick.  Lots of  clean eats to heal and ward off sick germs.  During cold and flu season, I think this still fits with Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday theme this month:

Below is my day of healing eats.  Check it out, and then be sure to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see what everyone else is cooking up the week before the fat man come creeping down your chimney!

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Meal 1:

This was my first ACV of the day: my morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos).

For breakfast I was inspired to repeat the cauliflower “grits” I shared Monday.  Carol suggested I add nutritional yeast to make cheese grits!  I followed the same recipe, but added a tablespoon of nutritional yeast and some cayenne (to help clear out my nose).

Served with a toasted P28 protein bagel and a runny egg, cooked in a bit of truffle oil.

 

 

Meal 2:

Goji berries have tons of antioxidants   I re-hydrated some to plop into a bowl of cottage cheese (yes, I am aware that diary isn’t good for congestion, but it’s what I wanted… and it’s about to expire).  With all the add-ins this tasted like a bowl of pie!

Goji Berry Pie

Goji Cottage Cheese Pie

  • 1/2 C no-salt cottage cheese
  • 1 T vanilla protein powder
  • 1 T goji berries (re-hydrated in water)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1-2 drops english toffee flavor concentrate
  • 3-4 drops vanilla stevia
  • Blob of Sunbutter

 

Mix together in a small bowl, adding milk/water as needed.

 

 

Meal 3:

The worst part about feeling under the weather is not wanting to eat.  I LOVE to eat.  Just not right now.

But I forged on.  I used to love making pizza crust out of Kamut flour, and decided that would be a nice comfort food.  Until I ruined the crust by letting it stick in the pan.  Kamut toasts it is!

 

Served with a warm salad.  The dressing was a mix of ACV (heal me, vinegar!) and red pepper hummus.  My toppings were swordfish and sautéed red peppers, baby bellas, and onion.  I very lightly sautéed my spinach at the end.

Did you know that cooked spinach increases absorption of its calcium and iron?

 

 

Meal 4:

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw I got a little package in the mail after arriving home from the gym:

 

My Bulu Box this month contained C-Spray!!!  Perfect timing.  I don’t know if it works yet, but it was pretty tasty.

After my spray, I made a random post-workout meal.  Tuna burger from Whole Foods with sriracha, cucumber with fresh ground pepper, and a sweet potato topped with peanut butter.

 

I always eat the skin of my sweet potatoes for the fiber.  Plus I like it.  Is that odd?  I thought everyone did until someone at work commented…  Is this a Strange But Good?

 

 

Meal 5:

I wanted black bean soup.  I wanted cabbage.  I wanted brussels sprouts.  I had no patience.  This could only end in a stir fry.  It was a hodge podge… and it was pretty tasty!

 

Mexican Trash-Fry

  • Brussels, chopped
  • Red Cabbage, rough chopped
  • Shallots, diced
  • Garlic, minced
  • Tempeh
  • Black beans, no salt added
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Cumin
  • Cayenne
  • Coriander
  • Cilantro

 

Start sauteing the brussels first, as they will take the longest.  I didn’t measure, I just tasted and added.  It’s be best kind of cooking.

 

 

Meal 6:

More C-Spray, followed by eggs.  PB & Ceggs, topped with muesli.  Except I didn’t make them vegan – I used real eggs.  and I used caramel extract rather than maple.  Yum.

 

 

Meal 7:

I managed to take a break from the 150 Calorie Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake.  I had to finish that cottage cheese!

It was a random mix, but one of my favorites:

  • Cottage cheese
  • Cocoa powder
  • Chocolate protein powder (1/2 scoop)
  • Cinnamon
  • Cherries (melted in the microwave)
  • Cake of rice

 

Brought to you by the letter “C.”

And yes, I ate out of the same bowl 3x today.  Anything to avoid dishes.

***

The protein count for the day: 165.0g.  A little low, but I’ll get it back tomorrow when all my “cures” work.

Don’t forget to join the Strange But Good link up this Friday!!! 🙂

Do you have a secret remedy for colds?

What are you making for the holidays?  My baking begins in earnest today!

 

Orange Cardamom TVP “Oats” + WIAW

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105 lbs doesn’t seem like a ton.

Until it’s on your lap while you’re doing dips…

Normally I do legs (my least favorite) with my trainer, but last night I had a back and tri day.  It was a great reminder that – even though my upper body is more developed – I still need a “check up” every so often.  With a little help I can move SO much more weight.  I couldn’t have stacked those weights on my lap by myself… and there is no way in hell I would have turned that last set into a drop set.

I’m feeling much better with my diet after last week’s adjustments, and it’s paying off.  My trainer noticed growth.   (He also told me I make sex-like noises while doing hack squats.  Weird that hacking with 200 lbs elicits the same sort of sound…).  A couple of other people have commented recently too (on the gains, not the noises).  Never in my life did I think people telling me I look bigger would be a compliment! 🙂

It is a little disconcerting to have lost my abs, but I know they’ll be back and looking better than ever after bulking season.  I need to print that reminder out and tape it to my mirror.

My Kitchen Workout (have you joined?) is keeping me motivated an (mostly) on track during this month of indulgences.  Jenn’s What I Ate Wednesday theme this month is also a great accountability check!

Below is a day of a figure competitor’s bulking-season eats.  Check it out, and then be sure to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see what everyone else is eating during the most delicious time of year.

Meal 1:

I started my day with the only thing I like to repeat: my morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos), and my 2 mile incline walk.

Then it was time for a breakfast I started dreaming up on Sunday.  This is a new version of my TVP oatmeal, and it may be my favorite one yet!

Indian Spiced TVP Oats

Orange Cardamom TVP “Oatmeal”

  • 1 C water
  • 1/3 C TVP
  • 2 T oats
  • 1 tsp ground flax
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp coconut extract
  • 4-5 drops lemon liquid stevia (or sweetener of choice)
  • 3 T egg whites
  • 1/2 orange, sectioned
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes, to top
Prepare according to these instructions from the original recipe.  Top with orange sections and coconut. Demolish.

Meal 2:

Last week I rocked a chili-lime crab salad with mango for lunch.  This week I was ready for more… but needed to make it strangers for this Friday’s link up.  Being strange pays off, friends.  This one was a hit!  The sweet citrus from the orange was perfect against the tangy lime and heat of the cayenne.

Curried Chili-Orange Crab Salad

  • 3 oz crab
  • 1/2 large orange, sectioned
  • 1/2 C edamame
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Juice from 1/4 fresh lime
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp curry powder
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro

Meal 3:

I had to get a new plate to take to work.  My zoo animal paper plates ran out.  Booooo!

On my pretty blue plats is: Chili Nutty Baked Tofu, celery sticks, a P28 protein bagel, and the last of my favorite hummus.  I get this Roots hummus at Whole Foods.  It’s from Asheville, but I’m not sure if you can get it outside of the Southeast.  If you can, the spinach is worth a try!

Meal 4:

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my new swordfish creation Monday night.  I finally tried making it a different way – I chipped it into cubes, coated it in lime juice, avocado oil, and my Mexican spice blend before cooking it under broil for ~10 mins.  It worked like a charm!

I brought the leftovers to work to be enjoyed over a kale salad massaged with coconut vinegar, fresh orange juice, and nutritional yeast.  Topped with baby bellas and red pepper.  My complex carb was a very tasty Garnet sweet potato.

And I wonder why my co-workers think I’m weird….

Meal 5:

Leftovers from yesterday… a creation that I made for this Friday’s Strange But Good link up.  Are you guys planning to participate?!  I’m so excited to see what everyone comes up with!!

Don’t know what I’m talking about?  Click here for the explanation.

Meal 6:

My trainer’s gym is pretty far away (30-45 mins… or an hour during rush hour…), so I always take a recovery shake to enjoy on the ride home.  After a killer workout, I enjoyed a favorite: Carrot Cake Batter Shake.

Don’t you love when your clean-eating #kitchenworkout meals taste dirrrrty?  I added some kale (clearly not enough since it’s still orange-ish), and stirred in muesli for a chewy happy ending.

Meal 7:

I’m on a serious bender with my 150 Calorie Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake.  Tonight I topped it with a healthy scoop of Arctic Zero Cookies ‘n Cream ice cream and a drizzle of peanut flour sauce. Cherries on top.  Fo’ shizzle.

***

The protein count for the day: 177.2g.  I can almost feel the growth.  Bwhahaha!

It’s been a week… time for another shameless plugs!  I’d love it if you’d click here and “Like” my new Facebook page. 🙂

Do you have a workout partner or trainer that you “check in” with when you need to push harder?

What is the tastiest “clean” food you’ve eaten this week?  Work it out in the kitchen!

Chili-Lime Crab Salad + WIAW

By

I’m full of it.

 

I also love a dual meaning..

No, today I am full of protein and carbs.  Last week I talked about my new, carb-heavy plan in effort to gain.  I also get a daily “cheat” vs. the one cheat day I was getting before.  At first I thought this was awesome, but I now realize that one full day of cheats was better.  It gave my brain a break from measuring out fat-carbs-protein 7x a day.

Which brings me to one reason I love my trainer: he’s open to changing strategy.  We talked about diet last night (during a brutal leg workout), and made a couple of adjustments:

  1. I don’t have to eat if I’m miserable – 6 meals is ok as long as I’m getting in the protein/calories needed to gain (read: no salad for dinner)
  2. Two 1/2 day cheats per week rather than the daily cheat – there wasn’t a point in the daily cheat when I was too full to even take it

 

Of course after complaining I wasn’t hungry at all and nothing sounded good, he killed my legs and I was ready to eat my arm by the time I got home.

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I’m working hard on fueling my body right via my Kitchen Workout (have you joined?) and my training plan.  Jenn must have read my mind, but my goals fit perfectly with this month’s What I Ate Wednesday theme: healthy holiday recipes.  Below is one day of delicious, healthy eats.

 

Be sure to click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons and see how everyone else is eating healthy during the season of temptation joy.

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Meal 1:

Of course I enjoyed my morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos), followed by a 2 mile incline walk.  I take a treadmill walk every morning while I’m going through my Reader and commenting on blogs and catching up on the royal baby gossip.

Today was an odd breakfast day.  I didn’t know what I wanted!  I was hot after the brisk walk, so I wasn’t relishing the thought of a warm breakfast.  However, I don’t like to have shakes or yogurt for breakfast (I have no idea when/why this started).  After drinking an ice water, I settled on a favorite: runny egg with a P28 protein bagel.  Cooked in truffle oil and served with a side of blackberries.

 

 

Meal 2:

If you follow my on Instagram, you may notice that I ate the same thing for meal 2 yesterday.  This combo was a winner!  Lindsay put the chili-lime flavor combo in my head Sunday night.  Eyeing my fridge, I decided that sounded like a great flavor for my lump crab meat.

 

Chili-Lime Mango Crab Salad

  • 3 oz crab
  • 1/4 large mango, cubed
  • 1/2 C edamame
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Juice from 1/4 fresh lime
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste
  • Cilantro

 

 

Meal 3:

Nothing sounded good to me this afternoon.  I ate meal 3 (lunch) at 2:30.  Chicken Burgers, seasoned with my Mediterranean spice blend and mixed mushrooms and onions.  It was actually really good.  I’m glad I made 2 so I can have it again when I’m more excited about eating.  I ate it on an Ezekial pita with spinach hummus and cucumber slices sprinkled with pepper and paprika.

 

 

 

Meal 4:

Because I was so annoyed at my lack of appetite, I moved up my appointment with my trainer.  Leg day is a great cure for anti-hunger, right?  I whipped up a Zucchini Bread Protein Shake to have post-workout.  I mixed in oats for my carb.

(Random fact: I’ve always loved raw oatmeal.  I even ate them out of the Quaker container as a kid.)

 

Sorry for the bad terrible  pic.  I drank it in the car on the way home and it gets dark early!  And leg day so thoroughly cured my lack of appetite that I nearly forgot a pic.

 

 

Meal 5:

Dinner was leftovers.  This pic is a left over too… ’cause it was much prettier right out of the pot.  I have no real recipe – this Curried Tomato Chicken and Eggplant bowl was a “throw-together” dinner winner.

It involved curry powder, other Indian spices, ground chicken, fire-roasted tomatoes, Thai eggplant, onion, red pepper, and cilantro.  I ate it over shirataki noodles. 

 

 

Meal 6:

I repeated again.  Last week I made my beloved Carrot Cake Batter, using cottage cheese in place of the Greek yogurt.  This week I did it again, but also crumbled a salt-free rice cake into it and topped with a little sugar-free caramel (it’s by Walden Farms… and no, it’s isn’t near as good as the real deal). 

Meal 7:

When I drafted this post earlier in the day, I was ready to announce that I failed again at eating meal 7.  Behold, the power of leg day.  Meal 7 was an old favorite: 150 Calorie Chocolate Microwave Protein Cake.  Lots pf protein with cherries on top.

 

***

The protein count for the day: 167.3g.

My 2 shameless plugs: I’d love it if you’d click here and “Like” my new Facebook page.  Also, don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to Open Sky!

Are you a fan of “cheat” meals?  Would you rather have it all in one day, or spread out over the week?

How are you keeping it (mostly) clean this season?

 

Complex Carb-Loading + WIAW

By

New year, new plan.

 

Nevermind that we still have a month left in this year.

I need to be more careful what I wish more.  The week before last I mentioned that my trainer hadn’t sent my new nutrition plan… but I was headed to vacation and didn’t feel like reminding him.  Yesterday I got the plan.  I’m aiming for another figure competition in March, and the bulking has officially begun!

My 7 meals a day are still in place.  The basics are the same: at least 25g protein at each meal,  a fruit (in the morning) or a veggie.  The big difference is the complex carb portions.  I was getting them 4x a day… now I have a serving at EVERY meal.  I am going to be so stuffed!

 

What are complex carbs?

They have a chemical structure that is made up of three or more sugars, which are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.  These carbs will keep you full longer because they take a little longer to digest, and they don’t raise the sugar levels in the blood as quickly as simple carbs do.

Complex carbohydrates are fuel; they contribute significantly to energy production and have a higher nutritional content that simple carbs.

Some examples:

  • Oatmeal
  • Cereal (the “healthy,” low-sugar varieties)
  • Wild or brown rice
  • Ezekial bread
  • Beans
  • Lentils
  • Winter squash
  • Sweet potato
  • Bananas

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My new plan and re-focus in eating clean fits perfectly with this month’s What I Ate Wednesday theme: good habits.  Yesterday I asked you all to join me in a Kitchen Workout challenge.  Below is how my first challenge day went.

After checking out my crazy-clean bulking day, click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how everyone else is sticking to their good habits.

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Meal 1:

After the usual morning cocktail (mix of Apple Cider Vinegar, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos) I went for a healthified version of a comfort meal.  A cold, rainy morning can only mean one thing: Grilled PB&J with tofu peanut butter (recipe here).  I love how gooey and warm the inside gets!  Served with a side of raspberries. 

 

 

Meal 2:

After perusing Whole Foods, I decided to make my own Mediterranean Salmon Burgers this week rather than buying the frozen stuff.  I’ll post the recipe later, but let me assure you these are very good!

 

For my complex carb, I made a festive salad of edamame with pomegranate and Marcona almonds.  I dressed with with a quick nooch mix:

  • 1 T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 T coconut vineagar
  • 1/2 T water
  • 1/4 tsp Mediterranean spice blend
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne

 

 

Meal 3:

I’m kind of embarrassed.  I’m turning into a creature of habit.  Lunch was swordfish.  Again.  But I really, really like it! I cook it in a grill pan with Italian herbs, pepper, and lemon juice.  Easy and delicious!  Next week I’m making Heather’s Mexican creation to shake things up.  Today I ate my grilled steak of the sea with an Ezekial pita and a salad of arugula, cauliflower, and radish sprouts.

 

 

Meal 4:

Something dangerous happened.  I discovered that I can handle de-boning a rotisserie chicken much better than touching a raw chicken breast (creeps. me. out.).  The dangerous part is that whole chickens are more expensive.  Whatever.  My sanity is worth it.

I ate my de-boned chicken mixed with red pepper, zucchini, and spinach hummus.  My carb was a pretzels.  Not a good low sodium choice.  I don’t have enough complex carb choices on hand this week as I didn’t get my new plan until after my weekly grocery run.  So for now I’ll enjoy my salty treat. 🙂

 

 

Meal 5:

This dinner was fantastic.  I will be sharing the whole recipe later (when I have enough light to take better pics), but for now I’ll just say that it’s a Mexican-Sweet Potato Pie layered with spinach and chicken (I also discovered ground chicken is easier to deal with than chicken breasts).  It could easily be made vegan with tempeh or TVP… which I may try next time around!

 

The pie was shared with my friend, Kenny, who came by to say hello and talk clean eating.  Kenny has some specific goals for fitness and nutrition, so we strategized a bit.  His “homework” is to write his own guidelines.  I also roped him into doing a few quest posts about it.  *evil grin*

He calls me his “food sponsor.”  I kind of like it.

 

 

Meal 6:

Before vacation I made Alexandra’s Spunky Monkey Pumpkin Pie into muffins and left before I could eat them all.  Good thing they freeze really well!  I enjoyed one tonight atop an old favorite: Carrot Cake Batter.  Made with whipped cottage cheese instead of Greek yogurt.  I almost forgot how good it is!

Meal 7:

I failed.  I ate dinner late and skipped meal 7.  All those carbs and I think I’m getting a cold… I couldn’t bring ,myself to eat another bite.  Like when I first started with the 7 meals a day, this is going to take some adjusting!

***

The protein count for the day: 170.2g.  I’m back at it!

Are you on board with the #KitchenWorkout?  How did you keep it clean today?

What is your favorite complex carb?

 

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