Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Meet Luci-furrrr + WIAW

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Lucifer isn’t always scary.

 

Be honest – how many of you are already horrified at this post? 😉

My best friend has a cat that she named Lucifer.  Shortened to Lucy to keep it PC.  My friend had a baby and both her and the baby are allergic to Lucy, so I offered to take the cat on a trial basis.

Meet Lucy:

Lucy

I secretly got her because she matches my rug.

 

She’s a beautiful grey 9-year-old cat who is NOTHING like her namesake.  Thank god.

You may judge me, but I am not a big animal person.  I am not home a lot and can’t even keep a plant alive, so the thought of having something that needs constant care doesn’t appeal to me.  However, this cat is cool.  She sleeps all the time and mostly keeps to herself except at night when she jumps in bed to cuddle with me.  Perfect animal for me!

Lucy

My mom thought it was a stuffed animal and I was playing a prank on her!

 

To recap: I’m turning 30.  I got a cat.  The cat is my cuddle partner. I’ll soon be a creepy old cat lady.

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My WIAW meals should be re-title “meals of desperation.”  There has been so much going to that I still haven’t done a big trip  to the market since Blend!  This means I was eating the last of everything in my fridge.  By snack time I was 100% out of veggies and had convinced myself to ditch kickboxing for a grocery run.

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Check out my semi-normal eats below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see what delicious spring foods everyone else is enjoying!

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Breakfast:

Forgetting to bring my Aminos to my mom’s house made me realize just how much I crave my morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos).  This morning we were happily reunited. 🙂

Breakfast was an old favorite: PB & Jeggs.  After a pretty indulgent weekend finished off with burgers and homemade strawberry margaritas I wanted something simple!  The “jam” this morning was raspberry.

PB & Jeggs (raspberries + eggs)

 

This fueled a great leg day workout.  The gym was still not crowded!!!  I guess people are still recovering from the weekend?

I took full advantage of the desertion and did a little Instagram photo shoot.  #bloggersterotype

Deserted gym

 

Post-Workout Re-Fuel:

In the spirit of not having groceries old favorites, I turned an almost-empty container of Greek yogurt into a Carrot Cake Protein Batter.

Carrot Cake Protein Batter

Lunch:

Desperation was setting in.  The last of the no-salt turkey deli meat, the end of a jar of salsa, and frozen edamame.

I 100% thought I had a bag of Pirate’s Booty in my desk drawer.  Nope… I forgot I ate it last week.  Don’t you hate it when that happens?!

Turkey, salsa, and Dora the Explorer edamame

 

Snack:

This happened not long after lunch since I didn’t have my desk draw snack.  I had one piece of salmon left and the end of bag of spinach.  I topped with the lemon, red pepper flakes, herbs de provence, and nutritional yeast.

That salmon may had been of a questionable age… if you don’t hear from me tomorrow, call 9-1-1. 

Salmon salad

 

Dinner:

This is when I caved.  I wanted to go to kickboxing, but the need for food was greater.  Instead I went to the chiro and then to Fresh Market.

I was craving a million different things, but settled on a ghetto version of carbonara.

Clean carbonara

 

Instead of pasta, I used tofu spinach noodles.  My sauce was a mix of Greek yogurt cream cheese, parsley, red pepper flakes, and garlic.  Then I mixed in some shredded turkey, topped it with the infamous runny egg, and drizzled with the a thick fig balsamic.  #strangebutgood

Any excuse for a runny egg!

#yolkporn 

 

Dessert:

My favorite meal of the day.  I froze some Greek yogurt mixed with half a scoop of protein powder, cinnamon, stevia, and butter extract for about 30 minutes.  Then I topped it with cubed butternut squash roasted with cinnamon, ginger, and cayenne.  And a little cocoa powder sauce (cocoa power, almond milk, cinnamon, and stevia), for good measure.

Translation of this meal: cinnamon roll yogurt with sweet butternut bites and dark chocolate sauce.

Cinnamon Roll Yogurt Bowl

***

As much as going back to work after a long weekend hurts, remembering it’s a short week is enough to keep me smiling!

Are you an animal person?  What was/is your favorite pet?

What is your typical I’m-desperate-for-groceries meal?  

 

What I Ate at Blend

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Everyone in a while you meet total strangers who aren’t.

 

I swear that made sense in my head…

I hope I’m not the only one that feel like they “know” bloggers.  So many of the fabulous ladies I met at Blend this past weekend are bloggers I’ve been reading for so long that I felt like they were my “real” friends already!

First, I have to say a huge THANK YOU to Janetha, Lindsay (with credits for the following pic), and Katie for putting together another life-changing weekend!

Heather, Me, and Lindaay

Heather, Me, and Lindaay

 

Second, I owe a big thanks to Growing Naturals for sponsoring me at the retreat.  These guys are truly a great example of a small business offering good, clean products.

I was so thrilled to share their pea and rice protein powders and their protein drink mixes with my friends.  More on their products here.

Growing Naturals at Blend 2013

I know Bonnie was extra-excited to try this after the 9 mile run they did in the chilly Park CIty rain!

My friend Heather already used hers and shared a pic on Instagram:

Growing Naturals protein shake

It was also the start of my first post-workout recovery meal.

The vanilla rice protein was fabulous in my green smoothie (extra spinach!) topped with Muesli Fusion:

growing naturals green smoothie

Stay tuned – this fall they are coming out with a new addition to their protein/supplement line – yummy greens to throw into shakes!!!

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Rather than a “traditional” WIAW post, today is all about What I Ate at Blend!  We were totally spoiled all weekend, and I’m still enjoying all the tasty schwag-bag selections at home. 🙂

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Check out my eats with my Blends below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see what delicious foods everyone else is enjoying!

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Friday:

We arrived at the hotel excited and famished from travel.  Famished.  The schwag gods were smiling though… check out all the goodies we had to munch on: protein from Vega, Zevia, SoyJoys, a Lara Bar, muesli and granola from Bob’s Red Mill, Attune Foods chocolates, Healthy Bites (so in love)…. and more!

Blend schwag

 

After a photo ops, we gabbed, snacked… and headed to event #1: a pre-happy hour with Justin’s Nut Butter!  I was careful to sample everything, but stopped for a pic with one of the lovely organizers – Katie!

My top butters were: Maple Peanut and Chocolate Hazelnut.  They were even better on Attune Foods graham crackers.  All I needed was some apple juice.

Blend Justin's snack

 

The kind folks at Silk must have wanted to make absolutely sure the Blends were happy, so they set up a Happy Hour where we could unwind from travel and begin the photo-taking frenzy.  Heather was patient enough to take a gorgeous pic of her ginger-Silk drink.

There was also an amazing buffet of black bean cakes, veggie summer rolls, and cute veggie sticks in jars (how did they know bloggers like Mason jars?!).  Let’s pretend like I didn’t attack this… the temptation was too tasty and I couldn’t wait until dinner!  Plus, we all know it’s bad to drink on an empty tummy. 😉

Blend Silk happy hour

 

Dinner itself was off the chain.  It was a buffet… but a good buffet.  Normally I’m anti due to the rogue dirty hands and food sitting out too long.  That didn’t happen here.  My Blends were nice and clean, and the hotel staff couldn’t have done a better job and keeping the food refreshed.

There were salad options, quinoa patties, roasted veggies, chicken breasts, and lemon-y fish filets.  There was literally something for everyone!  And it was all good!

Blend Dinner 1

 

No dinner is complete without dessert!  there was Chobani panna cotta, apple pie, and berry tarts.

A few of us decided to split all 3… which I graciously finished off.  Starving kinds in Africa, you know.

I heart dessert

Thanks to Lindsay for this artful photo.

Saturday:

One would think that after all that I’d still be full… well, GPP Fitness fixed that with a little workout that left me waddling.  More on that tomorrow but let me just say 200 burpees (I did refuse to yell “Yay burpees!” after each rep as instructed) is a certain cure for lack of appetite.

The highlight of breakfast for me was getting to try a new granola – Muesli Fusion.  They have an “Athlete’s Fuel” mix that rocks my socks off.  NO added sugar or sodium, and 7g of protein per serving.  It’s like they designed it for me.  I poured my unsweetened Silk all over that!  There was a ton of fresh fruit (holy pineapple deliciousness), and a fabulously strong brew from Green Mountain coffee.

Blend breakfast - museli fusion

 

Then we had another workout!  Zoomba.  I’ll spare you the pics of this white girl shaking her thang… until tomorrow. 😉  Following that we did what any normal blogger does – we went to Whole Foods.  I totally failed at life and didn’t take a pic.

I DID take a pic of the snack break that followed – Onnit provided us with some amazing chocolate-banana hemp protein smoothies and rice cakes with cashew-walnut butter (totally crave-worthy). What’s better than these blogger staples?  Getting them handed to you by Miss United States!  Whitney is one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met.  How cute is she?!

Onnit at Blend

 

And then there was dinner.  Calee, Michelle, Heather, Heather, Heather (that’s not a typo – there were 3 beautiful Heathers) found an amazing restaurant on Main St. in Park City called Riverhorse.  The food was incredible.

We started with a great Pinot Noir, chosen by fellow-wine lover Michelle (who I will gush about meeting later) and a beet salad served with micro greens, brie cheese, and a potato crisp with tarragon vinaigrette.  Calee and I split the Trio of Wild Game for our entrée.  It came with buffalo, venison chop, and elk over broccolini and asparagus with a port wine and huckleberry reduction.

I was nice and full… but when I saw the dessert menus I had to place one more order.  Peanut Butter Bread Pudding with caramelized bananas and a chocolate drizzle.  Can you blame me? 🙂

Riverhorse in Park City, UT

 

Every dish was near perfection.  Lucky because our server was terrible.  I swear I have the worst luck.  She basically ignored us all night, added 20% gratuity (for a party of 6 who was clearly spending money… WTF?!), and when Heather asked about the charge (there was NO warning note on the menu) she snatched the bill out of Heather’s hand and stalked off.  We tipped the man refilling our waters in cash on the side and spoke to the manager on the way out.

Like I said, the food was great.  That combined with the fantastic company made for a great evening and we laughed about our crazy experience all the way back to the hotel (the cab driver was thoroughly entertained).

 

Sunday:

Holy breakfast heaven.  This was the best breakfast out of any Blend Retreat.  They had an omelette station!!!  Protein at breakfast?!  Color me happy.  Thank you for this sponsored deliciousness, Chobani!

I got an egg white omelette with mushrooms, garlic, onions, and spinach.  And a Chobani yogurt pancake.  And fruit.  I wanted ALL the foods! 😉

Chobani Blend breakfast

Be sure to check the #blend2013 hashtag on Twitter and Instagram for more action from the weekend!

***

I snacked my way back to ATL with schwag bag goodies, and (obv) hit the Whole Foods hot bar immediatly after getting home. 😉

Soooo… are you all going to come to Blend next year with me?

Have you ever tried any of these fun products?  What are you loving right now?

 

What’s Beautiful?

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Beautiful comes in all forms.

 

Much like diet, it’s personal!

There’s no right or wrong definition.  When I heard about Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful competition aimed at getting women to set epic goals and prove themselves, I was really excited.  You goal, your definition of what beauty is, is totally customized!

whats beautiful

 

I immediately signed up, and I hope you will too!  All you need to do is click here and enter some basic info, including what fitness goal you WILL accomplish.  You can customize the top pic (like your Facebook header), join teams, and follow/encourage others!

To me, beautiful is embodied by spirits unwilling to settle for less than they are.  Strong woman are beautiful to me, so of course that’s what my goal involves. 🙂

Check out my goal and challenges thus far here:

UA Collage

 

The competition is 100% personalized for you.  There are mini-challenges you can participate in along the way, but you can choose those that apply to you.

You don’t have to do the challenges… but you might want to because there are prizes along the way (read: Under Armour schwag bags) and one BIG reward at the end: a trip to Costa Rica to attend a four-day yoga and surf retreat, complete with massages, spa treatments and healthy, locally sourced meals prepared by personal chefs!!!

whats beautiful 1

 

Once you create your profile, I’d love it if you’d join my team: Team Fabulously Fit!  There are four of us FitFluential Ambassadors headed it up.  We have some diverse goals, but the underlying theme is healthy and fitness.  We are super excited to cheer for you and motivate each other!

Our team includes: Lindsay @ Itz Linz, Melissa @ Treats With A Twist, Lindsay @ Cotter Crunch, and me!

Team-Fabulously-Fit

 

The competition will be using the hashtags #whatsbeautiful and #iwill. Follow along both hashtags on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest to stay motivated and dedicated to achieving YOUR goal!

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Don’t worry – we’re still going to talk about food today!  My WIAW meals were right in line with the No Shit Diet principles.  Including a little dinner indulgence.  🙂

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Check out my eats and treats below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see what delicious foods everyone else is enjoying!

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Breakfast:

Per usual, I started my day with a cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos).

Breakfast was a 2 course event today:

Atlanta Farm Fresh Greek yogurt is the best ever.  I don’t know if you can get it outside of the Southeast, but you can check out their website and see!  In Atlanta, you can find it in Whole Foods and Kroger.

Their plain is really good (I normally only eat plain Greek), but I couldn’t resist this in lieu of a fruit this morning: Strawberry Basil Balsamic.  It’s as good as it sounds.

Atlanta Farm Fresh Strawberry Basil Balsamic

 

Part 2 was Toad in a Hole.  Made with one of my local eggs and a slice of P28 protein bread.  Topped with fresh basil, pepper, and red pepper flakes. #yolkporn

Toad in a Hole

 

Post-Workout:

All of that deliciousness fueled one helluva spin class.  Did I mention I don’t spin?  This was my 3rd class ever.  It kicked my butt.  By the time I got home I was ready to eat ALL the foods.

I settled for a Carrot Cake Batter Shake:  This is one of my favorites – it was the first time I’d used tofu in a smoothie, but not the last.  Gives it the perfect texture!

Carrot Cake Protein Shake

Lunch-ish:

I saw Janet’s post about Black Bean Tostadas and knew I had to make them immediately.  I made a single serving, eliminated the salt, and added onion powder, turmeric, cilantro, lime juice, red bell pepper, and jalapeno.

It fell apart (probably due to the pepper), but it was delicious!  I just ate it as crackers alongside my sea bass and broccoli slaw.

Black Bean Crackers

 

Then I had “dessert.”  Roasted kabocha squash with coconut oil, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, and maple extract.  Topped with a peanut sauce made from peanut flour, cinnamon, ginger, maple extract, water, and stevia.

Squash and PB

 

Dinner:

I got my tickets.  To the Gunshow!  Chef Kevin Gillespie lead one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants, but recently left to do his own thing.  Last night I got to try it out for the first time.  The fact that it’s called Gunshow was just the icing on the cake.

This is an entirely new format for a restaurant – there are no servers and the kitchen and dining room are one.  Everything is made fresh.  There is no set menu, they aren’t concept-driven.  The food served that day is based on what’s available locally and what they’re in the mood to cook.  The kitchen brings the food out dim sum-style on a cart or tray as they finish the dish.  The chef that made your food is also delivering it to your table and describing the dish.  How cool is that?!  One thing I love about cooking is seeing the reaction people have.  That must be hard for a chef in a restaurant who’s trapped in a kitchen all night.

Gunshow Menu

Gunshow Menu

 

Our group of 10 ordered one of everything.  And it was all amazing.

My top 3 dishes: a goat cheese ball rolled in burnt bread crumbs with a house made strawberry jam, the braised short ribs, and the spring vegetables and ramps with bee pollen.

Gunshow food

Gunshow food

The great part was that after splitting all this among 10 people, we weren’t over-stuffed.  Don’t get me wrong – I was full – but it was a happy amount of indulgence.

My friend Jessica had the description of the night:

The food spans such a spectrum and I love that [Kevin Gillespie] doesn’t box himself, or the other folks in the kitchen, into a defined style.  I told someone tonight that it reminded me of a first date.  Perhaps he was trying to impress and over time we may learn each other and reach a warmness and familiarity.  I was impressed and even more excited that we have somewhere else to discover that is different, although not better

Jessica, Chef Kevin, and me

Jessica, Chef Kevin, and me

 

Dessert:

We had to try the desserts too!  I would be hard-pressed to choose between the strawberry cheesecake (top pic) and Kevin’s great grandmother’s banana pudding (bottom right).

Gunshow desserts

***

Obviously #iwill be hitting the gym hard today! 🙂  Join our team by clicking here: Fabulously Fit, or just leave me your email in the comments and I can send invite to our team!

What’s your fitness goal?  What WILL you accomplish?

What’s the best thing you’ve eaten this week?  Anything #strangebutgood?

 

Marvelous Mandible Monday

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Let the food obsession begin.

Oh wait… that started at birth.

I had fully intended to do a recap of this weekend’s competition today… but I’m a little tired and still processing.  It’s a huge build up to the event and then it happens… and you feel a little lost when it’s over.  Does that make sense?  Not that I’m not doing more (I am!).  I’m just taking it all in.

For now, I just want to say that I am honored and overwhelmed by everyone’s support via comments, emails, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… this blogging community really is just that – a community.  I felt that 100% this weekend.  THANK YOU!!

Palmetto Classic

So in the meantime, let’s talk about food!  I mean, that’s the MOST marvelous thing about completing the cutting process, right? 😉

After pre-judging I had a little treat – Barney Butter!  Kristina swore by it and I’m glad I trust her.  This almond butter packet of deliciousness was the smoothest, most fantastic nut butter I’ve never out in my mouth.  Absence makes the heart grow weirder.

Barney Butter

Do my teeth look oddly large in this pic?

After the show itself, my team headed to a fantastic restaurant in Columbia, SC called The Oak Table.  It was absolutely perfect – kind of tucked away in a large building, it had a speakeasy feel to it.  Our server was very accommodating, even if we did walk in 30 mins before closing and looking… well, a little like drag queens with our stage make up, fake lashes and glow-in-the-dark orange spray tans.

We downed a couple of draaanks, duck, seared scallops, NY strip steak, roasted mushrooms, salad, a butterscotch bread pudding with salted caramel popcorn and smoked cinnamon ice cream, and homemade s’mores.  The food was all phenomenal, but in the end the simplest pleasure won my heart – truffled frites with shaved smoked gouda.  And water.  Lots and lots of water.  

The Oak Table truffle fries

By the time we got back to the hotel and I did the best I could to scrub off the spray tan and bikini bite, it was 1am.  I passed out.

Only to wake up at 8am starving and thirsty.  I managed to soothe myself with water and slept another 1.5 hours… but them breakfast needed to happen.  I was hangry for a trashy favorite: Waffle House.

Chocolate chip waffle topped with runny egg

Waffle House chocolate chip waffle

I like to dip my waffle in coffee. It’s redneck biscotti. 😉

If you thought my trainer would be a better food-influence, you'd be wrong.

If you thought my trainer would be a better food-influence, you’d be wrong.

On the ride home I enjoyed another (much classier) favorite: Ginger-Peach Greek Yogurt by Atlanta Farm Fresh.  I’m not sure you can find it outside of Georgia, but in Atlanta you can get it at Whole Foods and some Kroger stores.

It’s the best flavored yogurt out there.  Try the Peach-Ginger and the Port-Cherry.  And the plain, too.

Atlanta Farm Fresh peach ginger yogurt

We got back to Georgia and I went straight to the Farmer’s Market – didn’t even go home first!  I didn’t have a list – I just bought everything that looked good.  Lots of veggies, pineapple, eggs, crab, sea bass… and injera!

Injera is Ethiopian bread.  It sounds fancy, but it’s really just teff flour and water left to ferment for a few days before being cooked in pancake-fashion.  The finished product is a little sour and sponge-y in texture.  I know that doesn’t sound terrible appealing, but it really is good!

Injera

There may have also been a trip to Whole Foods involved… I was craving my favorite Roots hummus!

When I got home with all my loot, I made a strange but good snack: injera with chipotle hummus, spinach, and crab.  What the belly wants, the belly gets!

Injera and crab

So there you have it.  A little bit of what’s been making my mandible-parts smile in this Marvelous Monday.

Check out my favorite diva’s (Katie) blog to see what’s Marvelous is everyone else’s Monday!

Marvelous Monday

***

I’m still overwhelmed.  Thank you again… I promise the recap will be coming as soon as my head stops spinning. 🙂

What marvelous thing has you smiling today?

Have you ever felt a little lost when a big event comes and goes?

Eating for Abs + WIAW

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This is the point where food gets really fun.

 

And by “fun” I mean weird.

I’m 3 days out from my figure competition.  The asparagus started, (click here for the reason behind that), but I have a bit more variety this time.  Broccoli and green beans have never seemed so exciting!

Broccolii may get stuck in your teeth, but french fries get stuck on your ass

 

People comment a lot about my diet.  They are surprised that I’m still eating carbs, that I waited so long to cut hard. What you have to remember, my little snowflakes, is that every body is different.  I didn’t start out with a lot of body fat, so my cutting is different.  If I did eat like this for weeks on end… I’d be tired and skinny!

There’s not one right or wrong way to do it.  (Ok, there is a wrong way… people go nuts but you know what I mean.)

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My WIAW meals were strange… but (mostly) good.  After yesterday’s ab post, I got a few questions about what exactly I’ve been eating.  Here it is!  Eating for Abs: 101.

Note: I was still eating Greek yogurt up until Sunday.  Water depletion hasn’t started as of this post (that beings today – the real Wednesday).  Sodium is super-low.

WIAWbutton

Check out my 7 low-fat, low-sodium, protein-laced meals below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how more normal people are eating!

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Meal 1:

My day still begins with my morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, Glutamine, and Fitmixer Aminos).  This morning I drank half, ran my sprints, and then drank the second half.  If I had a full glass before running I’d cramp up!

Then breakfast.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know I found some a curious new coffee flavor this weekend at TJ Maxx:

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Coffee

 

Which lead to one awesome #strangebutgood creation!  Chocolate-Peanut Butter Coffee Oats with an Elvis twist – I added banana extract and Smoked TVP Bacon Bits.  The King would have been proud.

I took the Southern further with chicken.  Cinnamon-Flax Baked Chicken and oats is really just a healthier version of the classic chicken and waffles.  Sort of.

Anyway, this sweet and smokey banana creation was legit good.  (The chicken is certainly optional.)  Topped with mashed strawberry “jam.”

Elvis Oatmeal

Peanut Butter-Banana (Elvis) Mocha Oatmeal

 

Bring oats, coffee, and water to a boil.  Cook until liquid is mostly absorbed.  Add in spices, powder, extract, and sweetener (can adding additional water/coffee if needed).

Allow to simmer until water is absorbed and your oats reach your desired level of thickness.

Place in a bowl and top was desired.  I used my bacon bits, mashed strawberries (warmed in microwave), and chicken.  Mmmmm… protein. 😉

 

Meal 2:

Turkey.  It’s not just for dinner.  This breakfast-y version will be this Friday’s #strangebutgood!  Eaten with strawberries and a sprinkle of smoked paprika (I’m obsessed)

Turkey and berries

Meal 3:

Lunch was pretty normal… or so I thought.  My coworkers seems to think my colorful plate was strange.  Either way, it was good!  Swordfish (a.k.a. the “steak of the sea”) with broccoli, red pepper, and the dreaded asparagus.

The eggplant chips may be a little weird.  I used this method, but made them dessert by seasoning with stevia and cinnamon.  They are better when I crisp them back up in the oven, but the microwave was my only option at work.

Swordfish and eggplant chips

 

Meal 4:

Rainbow Trout, baked with dill, lemon juice, and red onion.  With a crunchy side of sugar peas and broccoli.  I really like trout, but their teeny little bones are annoying.

Trout

 

Of course I had a little dessert.  Gum.  I bought this because it was on sale – I love the Apple Pie flavor, but Sorbet never appealed to me.  I was pleasantly surprised!  The flavor seemed to have lasted a little longer.

Sherbert dessert gum

 

Meal 5:

This meal was scarfed down at the gym after working out back and triceps and an hour of posing.  Swordfish with chopped broccoli and red pepper.  I would have eaten my hand, but this was decidedly better.

“Dessert” was my carb – sweet potato cubes sprinkled with cinnamon and cocoa.

Post-workout dinner and dessert

 

Meal 6:

I was desperate for dessert.  So I made cinnamon and ginger roasted asparagus.  And chicken.  It was strange… not so sure it was good.  4 more days.

cinnamon asparagus

Not one of my proudest moments.

Meal 7:

After that last meal, I’d had enough.  Bed time.

***

Protein count for the day: 145.9g; Sodium: 457.4mg

Is there a food you burnt yourself out eating too much of?

What would be the first thing you’d at post-competition?  I’m still deciding…

 

Strange But Good Vegan Bacon Bits

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Bacon is good.

And a huge part of why I didn’t make it as a vegetarian.

Long ago Heather hipped me to the fact that Bacon Bits are vegan… but I have never cared for them.  They taste like what I imagine dog food to be.

When Kat posted a recipe for vegan TVP Bacon Bits, I couldn’t WAIT to try my own recipe.  Since I can’t have bacon this close to my competition (too much fat and sodium), this was the perfect time to make my own bits!  I took Kat’s idea to use nutritional yeast and cumin, but I cut the sodium, sugar, and the oil.  That does NOT mean I cut the taste though!

Smoked TVP Bacon Bits

These smokey, spicy little bites are crunchy and packed with flavor.  For the longest time I had only regular paprika in my cabinet… let me be the first to admit that was WRONG.  Smoked paprika is the way to go.  It makes a massive difference; I was shocked at the amount of smoke it lends to dishes.

I used stevia for a hint of sweetness and I added maple extract because… who doesn’t like maple bacon?  I also like my bacon peppered, so that went into this mix as well.

Smoked TVP Bacon Bits

In case none of this is strange to you, I created a #strangebutgood breakfast salad using these Smoked TVP Bacon Bits.  It’s a simple mix of heirloom tomato, pear, cilantro…. and raspberries.  Don’t be scared – tomatoes pair really well with fruit! The coolness of the fruit and the smokey, slightly spicy Bits are a fantastic contrast party in your mouth.

Eaten with cinnamon oatmeal and turkey “sausages” (that recipe is coming next week).

Tomato-Pear-Rasp Bacon Salad

Smoked TVP Bacon Bits

Smoked TVP Bacon Bits

  • 1/4 C Texturized Vegetable Protein (TVP)
  • 1/4 C hot water
  • 1 T nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp maple extract
  • 5-6 drops liquid smoke
  • 3-4 drops liquid Stevia

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Stir the TVP into the water and allow to soak.  Meanwhile, mix the dry ingredients together in a small bowl.

Once TVP has (mostly) absorbed the water, stir in the dry ingredients and add extract, smoke, and sweetener.  

Squeeze out excess moisture and spread mixture across a lined baking sheet.  This is important – you need to really spread it out so that moisture doesn’t gather.

Place in oven and bake for 20 mins, stirring half way through.  When crispy and golden, remove from oven and allow to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.

 

How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week?

The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends!

Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.

Sprint 2 the Table

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

 



***

This time next week I’ll be with my trainer on the road to my 2nd figure competition to check in and get spray tanned!!!

Do you like bacon bits?

What one thing would you find most difficult to cut out of your diet? Healthy fats are the hardest for me right now!

Mango Protein Lassi

By

Indian food is my jam.

As evidenced by the fact I’m apparently unable to post about anything else lately.

Someone mentioned a mango lassi the other day and it has popped up everywhere since then.  Long ago I made a Savory Protein Lassi, but this time I (for once) decided to go the traditional route and make a mango version.

At least the idea of it was traditional… I have serious doubts that you’d find a “real” lassi with spinach and protein powder.

Mango Protein Lassi

Who needs real when you can have a protein version?  This shake was a refreshing post-workout refuel treat.  With spring temperatures here, I’m loving the return of smoothies.  And smoothie bowls.

I add a little more ice to keep it thick.  There’s just something about eating them with a spoon that makes a protein smoothie that much more satisfying.

coriander

The coconut extract and coriander enhance the sweet mango.  Greek yogurt adds a creaminess, but if you don’t do dairy you can leave it out or use tofu or avocado to add to the cream-factor.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with coriander, it’s a subtle flavor that is warm and a bit nutty with a slight hint of citrus.  Coriander brightens and deepens flavors, but in a gentle way where most people wouldn’t be able to pick it out.

Don’t be scared – it rarely overpowers or detracts from other ingredients.  Rather, it only adds.  It’s good in sweet and savory dishes (I also used it in my Cauliflower & Eggplant Curry).

Mango Protein Lassi

Mango Protein Lassi

  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 champagne mango (~1/2 C)
  • 1/2 in piece fresh ginger
  • 1/2 C Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 C spinach (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp coconut extract
  • 1/8 tsp ground coriander
  • Stevia or other sweetener, to taste
  • Optional: 1/8 tsp of each Xanthan and Guar Gums (to thicken)
  • Ice + water, to taste

Place everything in a high-speed blender (I used my Vitamix) and blend until smooth(ie).

Enjoy by the spoonful.

***

I’m stopping with the Indian for a bit (I think).  My sister is coming back to the States and Cinco de Drinko Mayo is coming.  I’m feeling like a fiesta!!!

Have you ever used coriander before?  It’s great in baked goods too!

Is it warm yet where you are?  It’s warmer in ATL… but raining.  Obv.

Eggplant Chips + WIAW

By

Life gets busy.

I know this isn’t news to any of you, but it’s hitting me hard this week.

I’m 10 days out from my next figure competition.  The asparagus (click here for the reason behind that) begins this weekend.  I’m thinking next Friday’s #strangebutgood link up will take a twist as my diet gets to the most strict point… not-so-strange but good, anyone?

Balancing work with the competition preparation is not easy.  In addition to my 7 meals and regular workouts, I’m running sprints every day.  It’s a lot of fit in, especially since I dislike working out at night.  I’m TIRED.  Cutting a good amount of carbs and basically all sodium and fat leaves my energy level a bit low.

But I’m focusing on May 4th (competition day) and staying motivated.  I don’t want to get on stage and have any regrets!

desire to succeed

I’ve been taking a couple of products I received from GNC through a FitFluentiual campaign that have helped me maintain my level of activity: Ultra 25 Probiotic Complex and TriFlex.

The probiotics (said to replenish good bacteria needed for digestion) made a BIG difference.  Those 25 billion active cultures kept my gut healthy (translation: I have no problem going #2).  This make me happy and had prevented bloating!  This particular pill also has “enzymes and ginger for additional digestion support.”

GNC supplements

The TriFlex I think I need to take longer to say 100% whether it’s made a difference.  It is supposed to “promote joint mobility & flexibility” and contains Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM – all of which are great for joint health.  I have been taking it regularly.  That, in addition to seeing a new chiropractor, I *believe* have kept my joints are feeling good despite some crazy workouts!

 

My WIAW meals were still pretty good, despite and lack of yummy, yummy fat.  Mmmmm… peanut butter… I digress.

WIAWbutton

Check out my 7 low-fat, low-sodium, protein-laced meals below, and then click here to head over to Jenn @ Peas and Crayons to get to see how more normal people are eating!

Meal 1:

My day began with my morning cocktail (apple cider vinegar, water, and Aminos), as always.

I was going to go ahead and run sprints before breakfast, but my metabolism is out of control lately… I am STARVING all the time.  Breakfast had to happen before I entertained the idea of working out.  I wanted everything at once… so I had it!  It was PB&J-ish… with a coffee flair!  After adding baking powder to my Mango-Coconut TVP Oats, I’m hooked.  I used it again here for an especially voluminious bowl.

PB & Raspberry TVP Oatmeal

PB & Raspberry TVP Oatmeal

  • 1/3 C Textured Vegetable Protein
  • 1 T oatmeal
  • 1 tsp coffee
  • 3/4 C water
  • 2 T peanut flour
  • 1 tsp ground flax
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp butter extract
  • 1/4 tsp maple extract
  • 5-6 drops liquid stevia
  • Raspberries

Bring TVP, oats, coffee, and water to a boil.  Cook until liquid is mostly absorbed.  Add in remaining ingredients, adding additional water if needed.  

Allow to simmer until water is absorbed and your TVP oats reach your desired level of thickness.

Note:  I add 1/2 the berries at the end of cooking and use the other half to top because I can never decide if I like them better cooked or as a topping.

Meal 2:

First, I ran my sprints like a good kid.  Then I put a Mexican Sweet Potato Pie in the oven to bake.  It only made me wish I made a second one for myself.  This was to take to a good friend who is a new mom!

Mexican Sweet Potato Pie

Finally, it was food time.  And my continued bison obsession.  As part of my Sunday food prep, I made up several burgers to be able to grab quickly.

I ate this one atop a spinach, heirloom tomato and cilantro salad.  With red pepper flakes, obv.

bison burger

Meal 3:

Lunch was my current favorite – sea bass.  This is even better than swordfish right now… and that’s a big thing for me to say since I consider swordfish the “steak of the sea.”

Eaten  post-workout with a giant mound of lightly sautéed kale and a super-fast sweet potato and shiitakes with rosemary and garlic.

Sea Bass

Meal 4:

Clean chicken salad made from the “naked” (nothing added) Whole Foods rotisserie chicken, a little Greek yogurt, vinegar, cumin, and diced cucumber.

healthy chicken salad

Meal 5:

I couldn’t totally cheat on my favorite fish.  Steak of the Sea for dinner (swordfish)!  Served with my BBQ Roasted Cauliflower and eggplant chips.

Evey time I post eggplant chips on Instagram, I always get a billion questions about how to make them.  It’s the easiest thing ever, so I felt silly blogging it… but even simple meals can count a recipes, right?  The “secret” is at the bottom of this post. 🙂

Swordfish, BBQ cauliflower, and eggplant chips

Meal 6:

This was a hodge-podge.  I had a little chicken left and a little Monchong (fish) from last night.  So I made a combo to get my protein in.  I had celery sticks and sugar peas on the side.  I adore sugar peas – the dessert of vegetables!

Meal 7:

My favorite meal of the day is desert.  I took some non-fat Greek yogurt and mixed it with cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla, and a little stevia.  Then I melted some frozen cherries in the microwave with some ginger so my “sauce.”  Then I topped all that with homemade popcorn and more cinnamon.  Paradise.

Cocoa-Cherry Greek Yogurt Bowl

eggplant chips

Eggplant Chips

  • 1 eggplant
  • Olive oil spray
  • Optional toppings: onion, garlic, nutritional yeast, herbs

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut eggplant into thin slices (~1/8 in thick).  Spray with olive oil and spread evenly across a foil-lined baking sheet.

Place in over and bake ~10 mins.  Remove from oven, flip slices, and top as desired.  Return to over for another 5 mins, or until crisp.

Note: These can be stored in the fridge – simply place them in the oven under broil for 2-3 mins to crisp back up.

I’m linking these up to Heather’s MMAZ – check out all the eggplant love!

MMAZ

***

Protein count for the day: 163g

What was the best thing you ate yesterday?

What keeps you motived when you’re tired/busy/etc?

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