Eating Rabbit Food

Oats in a jar

2009-10-04T18:32:00.001-07:00

I had a rough early start to my Sunday morning that began with me wide awake at 4:00am. I always do this on my 2nd day of work in a row. I guess I am just wired with energy from the previous day. Thank goodness for timer set coffee!

I was so excited to try the famous "oats in a jar" that has been spreading like wildfire through the blogger world. I had been saving this jar for a few days until I felt a craving for a big bowl of PB oats. Well, today was the day. I soaked 1/2c. oats with water and 1/2c. butternut squash puree overnight. The next day I zapped in the microwave then poured the hot oats into the jar. Then MAGIC! It was a glorious bowl of oats that I cannot wait to try again.

If could have licked the inside of the jar I would have =)

Where is The Ark Noah?

2009-10-01T11:15:00.000-07:00

A view from above an Atlanta interstate on the day the "Great Floods" hit my great city.

Easy Homemade Hummus

2009-09-30T13:52:00.001-07:00

Traditional Hummus

Ingredients
2 (15.5-ounce) cans no-salt-added chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation
1. Place beans and garlic in a food processor; pulse 5 times or until chopped. Add 1/2 cup water and remaining ingredients; pulse until smooth, scraping down sides as needed.

Courtesy of Cooking Light Magazine

Fall Cream Cheese Loving

2009-09-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

Ingredients
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups (24, 1-tablespoon servings).

Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Sweating it out

2009-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

I was awaken this morning to beautiful sunshine at 7:30 that made me giddy with delight because as a nurse my body is so accustomed to a 5:00am wake up call. I immediately downed a cup of coffee and headed out the door. Since I was starting my run a little later than usually I assumed it would be somewhat warmer. During my 6 miles it was not only warmer but I was sweating buckets. I guess my body has a lot of junk is needed to excrete. Typically on days that I work I tend to have of a less healthy intake.

After my run I was craving eggs and something cold so I made a quick old standby that did the trick. A scrambled egg white omelette with toast and a banana blackberry smoothie made with 8th continent soy milk and Amazing Grass chocolate greens powder.

Now I am off for a busy day of errands and cleaning then tonight I am headed to Max and Erma's for birthday dinner. See ya later!

Confession Time

2009-09-24T19:09:00.000-07:00

Long time so talk everyone! I have been in denial for a while but the time to confess has come, I have gained 25 lbs since January. The weight has slowly but sometimes fastly gained on me. Since January my life has gone from one end of the spectrum to the next affecting every area of my life. I have always been an emotional eater as many people are but that aspect plus my decrease in exercise from last year has lead to my weight gain. As many of you know I have previously lost 100lbs and maintained the weight-loss for 2.5years. Based on my height and new weight, the time has come for me to lose a few of these pounds and put me back into my healthier lifestyle and perspective.

I slowly lost pieces of myself and heart since January and now the time has come to get it back. During the past 2 months I have begun to plan my next moves to go my own direction since my engagement was ended. I have been working as a nurse for almost 3 years in the Adult ICU and now Postpartum Mother-Baby. I have gone from one extreme to the next seeing and performing some amazing procedures in the areas of nursing. There are good days and bad days that never let me down. I have finally decided to go back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. My passion is healthy and strong families in the community. So many diseases and conditions that are plaguing are healthcare system can easily be prevented by proper diet and exercise.

I am sooo EXCITED about this new adventure in my life. I plan to start next Spring 2010 or Fall 2010 then finish in 4 semesters. SO QUICK!! I have already taken my MAT, GRE and getting my application together. I get a huge smile on my face every time I think about this. So, long story short, I am going to begin losing weight and I then I am starting Graduate School.

Belgium to Italy

2009-08-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

I started off my day before work with an amazing breakfast that took me all the way to Belgium. Yesterday at the grocery store I had a craving for waffles so I knew exactly what my creation would be this morning.

I enjoy 3 Vans Waffles topped with scrambled egg whites and syrup. A banana with white chocolate peanut butter added the right amount of sweetness to complete my breakfast. Even if these waffles were not from Belgium, they were big and fluffy enough to do the trick.

The past week or so has been a blurr with all the changes in my life but through it all I have decided to always have a running to do list for my life. I guess you could say it is my "bucket list." One of the things on my list that was easy enough to accomplish was make a dish with polenta in it. During my trip to the grocery store yesterday I spotted some pre-made polenta from the good folks and Melissa's. There were many different flavors like sun-dried tomato but I decided on the plain for my first taste. Here is what I came up with for my lunch today.

I sliced half of the polenta in to 4 sections and topped with some chickpeas, garlic pasta sauce, baby bellas, and low fat cobly jack cheese. I added a Gala apple for a small dessert.

The polenta was firm yet still creamy in texture with a flavor that was not to over-powering. After my trip in Belgium this morning, I could not believe I had already made it to Italy.

Comfort Food

2009-08-10T02:43:00.000-07:00

During times of change and stress many people including myself use food for comfort. The past few days I have really been trying to figure out what foods I am craving and then going for it. Yesterday I felt that oatmeal was something I needed, a big bowl of warm oatmeal to start my day. I love my oatmeal to be more savory with a hint of sweetness.

Since it is a work day for me I whipped up a batch of oats in the microwave while making some scrambled egg whites. I mixed those together with a little honey and added a banana with white chocolate peanut butter. As you have noticed I do measure my peanut butter in a tablespoon so I do not get carried away and eat half the jar. My breakfast was just what I needed to start my day and hopefully keep full for the morning rush at work.

Hot One

2009-08-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

The day has been progressing in slow motion mainly because it is SO HOT! I have been working the past few days so I have been fortunate enough to miss the heat. I decided that the best thing today was to get out and get moving. I started out my day at the gym with an easy 6 miles then weights. It felt SO GOOD to just run. I just wanted to run, without it the day would have not been complete. After my run I headed home for a light lunch that consisted of steamed broccoli/cauliflower and a tuna sandwich. Next on my day was Barnes and Noble for coffee with a friend to "talk."

It was good to see a smiling familiar face. Since it was so hot I decided on a Starbucks Vivanno smoothie to help bring down the heat. After the bookstore I headed over to Wal-mart. Word to the wise, never go to Wal-Mart the Saturday before school starts. Nightmare! My only reason for going was to buy some big Rubbermade containers to put all my wedding planning stuff and anything to do with Jamie away. I have not started this process yet. I need some time to process everything before saying goodbye to it all.

Bittersweet Day

2009-08-08T05:32:00.000-07:00

Well I told you that I would divulge later into details about my glooming day so here goes. After 2+ years of dating and 7 month engagement, my fiance and I have ended our relationship. There are so many emotions to feel right now yet really not knowing what to feel. The decision is something that has been slowing progressing for some time now but we were to afraid to face it nor did we want to give up hope for us. But in the past few weeks since deciding to postpone our relationship it became apparent to us that we no longer wanted to marry each other or even be in a relationship. Through our relationship we have dealt with some difficult life changes that caused stress and hurt feelings. It is from those hurt feelings and inability to overcome differences that we have decided to part ways.

The day is bittersweet because my heart breaks for the loss this relationship but my faith in God has taught me that through trials and tribulations we are made stronger through His strength as he carries us. I am being shown once again that "many are the plans in my heart but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." --Proverbs 19:21

Sweet Crunching

2009-08-07T02:50:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late post, yesterday was a rough day for me and I just needed a break from the world last night. I will go into details at a later time. For lunch at work I enjoyed another amazing salad with diced chicken, veggies, and black/kidney beans.

As I have blogged many times, I love to mix different textures together. A great combination is cottage cheese topped with some fruit and cereal. Today I put together some Kashi Golean Almond Flax with fresh blueberries and 2% cottage cheese. It was quite tasty and gave me a nice surge of energy to complete my day.

Slow Moving Morning

2009-08-06T02:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a busy day for me that ended late with my small group bible study. Normally I shower at night before work but I decided that since last night would be a late night it would be better to push my shower till the morning. Umm, bad decision. I awoke to a heavy dead feeling throughout my body that I am still feeling after 2 hours of wakefulness and a shower. It is going to be an interesting day. Onto good eats! I knew breakfast needed to include my Amazing Grass greens powder. I always seem to have more energy when I include them into my daily eats. So I whipped up the yummy breakfast that always seems to satisfy.

Brain Freeze

2009-08-05T12:23:00.000-07:00

Man it is a hot one outside! After my staff meeting at the hospital I was desperate for a cool off. Once I came home I put together a go to smoothie that always hits the spot.

Ingredients
Light Silk vanilla soy
Amazing Grass chocolate greens powder, 2 scoops
Banana, frozen
Blueberries, frozen
Dark chocolate coco powder
7 ice cubes

When I freeze the fruit before + 7 ice cubes, the smoothie comes out to the consistancy of soft-serve yogurt. Love it! Now off to a Doctor's appointment then small group bible study. See ya later!

Fiesta Lunch

2009-08-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

My hump day has started out well with an extra hour of sleep followed by a hearty breakfast. My waffle craving is still in gear so I whipped of some honey wheat waffles topped with egg whites with a banana slathered in white chocolate peanut butter. I waited almost 2 hours before heading to the gym for a nice sweat fest. I originally planned on hopping onto the elliptical but I could feel my legs craving a run. So I decided to jump on the treadmill at a slow pace and see what I could come up with. Well, 1 hour later I cranked out 6 miles! It felt so good and not too drain.

After the gym I headed home for a quick shower before my busy day began while also deciding what I was craving for lunch. I had some black and kidney beans that needed to be used but was craving cheese. So here is what I came up with: 3 rice cakes topped with beans and melted cheese, oh yum! I also added my fave sides of carrots with roasted red pepper hummus and a Fuji apple. Hopefully the protein/fiber will be enough to hold me over until I get home from my staff meeting at the hospital.

Morning Break

2009-08-03T18:22:00.001-07:00

My morning break is always so quick but so needed. My breakfast this morning was tasty but did not enough to keep me full for long. By 3 hours I was starting to get the shakes. I always take a morning break for 15 min after my rounds/charting is done before I start the process all over again. I knew that some sugar was in definite need but not to much with a mix of protein if I had any hopes of making it to lunch without eating my arm off. I love cinnamon and bananas so I paired them with 3 rice cakes topped Publix Fat-Free Caramel yogurt. It was just what I needed to make it to lunch a few hours later.

Monday Please Be A Fun Day

2009-08-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

About to head out the door for another 12-hour shift of work. I am now scheduled more days during the traditional work week since I moved to working every 3rd weekend instead of every other. So back to work I go from my lovely weekend during the actual weekend. I am definitely on a waffles kick lately. I do this with many meals when I find a winning combination. This breakfast will be a staple for a week or so until I get bored with it. See you later!

Sweet Ending

2009-08-02T17:20:00.001-07:00

Just a late night staple snack for me. All I can say "to each his own." My after dinner snack was a mixture of 2% cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, coco topped with blueberries. I love my late night snacks, they are a nice ending to a long day. Good night!

Cookie Monster

2009-08-02T13:22:00.001-07:00

I have a 12 hour shift at the hospital tomorrow and I love to make a baked good to take with me for my fellow co-workers to enjoy. It is just one way I try to show my appreciation for all the help and hard work they give. I am known as the brownie queen but today I was pressed for time because of laundry, grocery shopping, and church so I decided to cut some corners. While at Publix I noticed these little babies on sale so I jumped on them. I love the pre-cut slices because it makes so easy and precise with every cookie coming out the same size. Thanks Pillsbury!

Field of Greens

2009-08-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

Summer food means salads to me, light and airy. I had a great 2.5 miles of speedwork outside then headed to the gym for 60 minutes of the elliptical and strength training. After the gym I had a light snack that consisted of a Kashi Honey Almond Flax bar and Golden Delicious apple to tied me over until after my shower. Once home, fresh and clean I put together this versatile salad that consisted of a romaine lettuce mix, diced chicken, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, broccoli, and cauliflower. To top the salad I used Wishbone Light Honey Mustard Dijon. After lunch I was so full but not uncomfortable. Later in the afternoon while doing housework I enjoy a chocolate green monster smoothie.

Change of Plan

2009-08-02T03:11:00.000-07:00

Last night I set my alarm for 5:00 am with good intentions as most of us do but sometimes you just never know how you are going to feel when you get up. As my loud radio went off I arose and immediately felt that my early morning run was out of the question. I felt tired and drained with dead legs, probably because I worked a 12 hour shift at the hospital yesterday. So instead I decided to have coffee and breakfast first in order to allow time for my body to wake up and decide what kind of workout it wanted. I used to always have the mindset of running running running as the best workout for my body. But I have found that a change of pace is always good and challenging for your body. So many times when I wake up my body seems to be telling me that a run is a no go for that day. For breakfast I had a staple combination that always keeps me going. I am a lover of toast so I topped 2 slices of 100% whole wheat with pumpkin, 2% cottage cheese and cinnamon. Paired with this is a chocolate monster smoothie that consists of 8th Continent light oringal soy milk, frozen blueberries/banana, dark coco powder, and Amazing Grass chocolate greens powder. Many of you are familar with the green monster smoothie craze which I am totally for but in the morning my love for chocolate always seems to arise. I guess it is the whole sweet/salty combination that I love so much. So I make my green monster smoothie with a chocolate twist to satisy my love rather obsession with chocolate. Yum Yum!

Break room Insight

2009-08-02T03:00:00.001-07:00

Hospital break rooms, a place that should be a quiet resting place and time to "break" from the messy settings of the hospital. For me, in most cases that is not always possible. The pictures above are a view of what I usually walk into everytime I enter the break room for my floor at the hospital. I am not pointing fingers at anyone because we are all guilty of contributing to this environment with myself included. I have always wondered what other break rooms look like elsewhere. My hope is that they do not all look like this.

Taste Like Chicken and Waffles

2009-08-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

So I have never had the beloved southern food combination of chicken and waffles. I have always been intrigued by it but never took the food dive, mainly because of the fried chicken. But I have always been drawn to a sweet and salty combination such as chicken and waffles like many others, hench the popularity of the dish. Lately I have been craving waffles but just having waffles did not seem that appealing to me. So I decided to take an old classic and give it a healthier twist. So I give you eggs and waffles with sugar-free syrup. The Kashi Honey Wheat waffles with syrup were just enough sweetness to balance the saltiness from the eggs. I am always a big fan of mixing different textures with my food combinations and this was a great one. My morning breakfast was also very filling and keep me full for 4.5 hours. Word to the wise, protein/fiber are your friend because they slow down your digestion=fuller for longer.

Weight Loss Journey Begins

2009-07-22T04:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been avoiding this topic for quite sometime but I feel it is time to face the facts that I have gained weight. Too much weight to be exact. I will not get into the nitty gritty numbers but my current BMI just puts me into the overweight category. A place I always feared I would end up again. I decided to go public with my new journey in hopes for accountability from fellow bloggers and readers.

I am also hopeful that by beginning this weight loss journey once again, it will get me motivated to blog more. As many of you know I have lost weight, a lot of weight before. For the first time around, I found myself stuck in the world of bars and p lanned meals that left me feeling trapped. After maintaining my 100 lbs weight loss fir 2.5 years without the use of bars/planned meals programs, I would like to continue this style of eating as I begin my new weight loss journey.

During my weight gain I have slowly been running less, going from an average of 40 mpw to around 20 mpw. This mileage decease first began as a time of rest and change for my body. To be honest, now I am not running as much because the added weight is hurting my knees to much.

Though I am not completely focused on a number, I would like my BMI to fall into the healthy category. I am so excited to head back in the right direction of being a avid runner who is fueled properly.

More to come...

Just Call Me Lance

2009-07-13T04:22:00.000-07:00

For quite some time I have been debating about getting a bike. For 3 years my mind and body have been so focus on running as the best type of exercise for my body. Well, my body is beginning to say otherwise. The boredom and complacency is beginning to creep up on me. Please, do not get me wrong I love running and always will. If you ask many seasoned runners, they to go through times of peaks and troughs with there running schedule. My body is craving for a "shock" to recharge itself.
In my suburb area of Atlanta I have seen many biking groups that have greatly peaked my interest in buying a bike and joining a cycling group. I love individual activities that you can participate in groups with others. After deciding on my goals for cycling and completing some research I headed to my local bike shop for the big purchase.
When I first walked in, the many racks filled with bikes was a bit overwhelming but I was not going to be deterred. After browsing and discussing with the store about my cycling needs they found the perfect bike for me. Guess what, it was on SALE! I will say that cycling can be a very expensive sport but after I patched the whole I just burned into my wallet I walked out of the store with a huge smile on my face.
I immediately took my new "baby" home, put my supplies away, and hopped on the bike for our first ride together. I needed to make a Target run so I decided to hit two birds with one stone. It always amazes me that no matter how long it has been since your last bike ride, you never forget how to do it. The bike felt a little awkward at first, mainly because it was so lightweight. I have always rode mountain bikes which are much heavier as to better handle the harder terrain. After my Target run I was still in riding mode, so I hopped back on and headed to my fiance's house for a surprise visit. After he took the bike for a test spin he said that, "I am going to start calling you Lance."
For anyone who is needing a change in exercise scenery, cycling is a great way to do it. I love the feeling of getting some exercise in but not feeling like I am exercising. I am so excited to take it for early morning rides to discover the many different areas of Atlanta.

P. S. I bought a Schwinn Le Tour GSW '08

Need Some Loving Friday

2009-07-10T06:35:00.001-07:00

Finally Friday!!

I have been a "Debbie Downer" this week so I thought I would dedicate a post to many things I love. Oh how I love these, let me count the ways....

Creme in my coffee
The color of blueberries
Baby chicks
Polka dots
Shades of green
Old T-shirts
Historical buildings
Post-it notes
My messy Jeep
The smell of the fall season
Black and white photographs
Cinnamon and pumpkin flavors
Workouts before sunrise

GDay Mate!

2009-06-28T02:18:00.000-07:00

In any city it is amazing what you can find when you take the time to research a city. The Kangaroo Conservation in Dawsonville, GA being one of them. A good friend of mine mentioned this place a few week's ago but I did not really think much of it. But lately I have been in a exploring and adventurous mood so I thought why not, ROAD TRIP!! Dawsonville, GA is about 1 hour north of Atlanta, GA and it is home to the Kangaroo Conservation Center. The facilty is the largest one outside of Australia and houses over 300 kangaroos. They come in all different sizes from the smallest of 2lbs. to the largest at 200lbs. Located near the Appalachian Trail the mountain filled area had some amazing views and hiking trails within the grounds. Anyone in or near the Atlanta area should definitely check this place out.

Sweet Snacking

2009-06-18T14:50:00.001-07:00

Summertiming with some fresh fruit for a sweet snack. The taste was just enough to satisfy my craving.

You Make Me Smile

2009-06-12T13:23:00.001-07:00

I saw this photo on another blogger site http://redeemedbyblood.wordpress.com/. I just couldn't help myself. LOL!

Recovery Break

2009-06-12T07:47:00.000-07:00

Many people think that it's all about the workout, that improvement happens all during the sweating. How you recover from those hard workouts is just as important because that is where the magic happens in your muscles. One of the key components to great speedy recovery is a good snack or meal within 30-60 minutes after you finish a workout or long run. A mix of carbs and protein 4:1 is usually what is recommended. The lovely spread I had this morning after my 8 miler was a Lender's blueberry bagel topped with 2% cottage cheese and a very crisp Braeburn apple. Ice cold water was needed to quench my great thirst after my long run. The lovely mess behind my delicious meal is all my wedding stuff that consist of sample invitations, fabric, magazine, monogrammed thank you cards, etc. and so on. I cannot wait for the next 4 days off from work, I am need of a break. Headed to my favorite lunch spot Panera for a great chat session with a great friend.

Blueberry Loving

2009-06-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

After a hard workout I crave and I mean CRAVE carbs and protein. I am currently on a waffle and blueberry kick. So my Kashi blueberry waffles did just the trick. I hit a sale on blueberries earlier in the week, buying 2 pints, that needed to be used. Cottage cheese is a great food because it is versatile for savory and sweet food options. With those ingredients, this is what I created. Yum yum!

Slow My Roll

2009-06-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

I picked the title because I have always wanted to say that. Anyways, onto the food! I slept in for work yesterday and this was my savior. The quick food on the go consisted of 2 Kashi Blueberry waffles drizzled and rolled over a banana. The breakfast was very quick, easy, and kept me full for 4 hours! I will definitely be using this one again.

Yogi Makes Me Feel Good

2009-05-29T11:31:00.000-07:00

Tea, well, have never been my cup of tea. No pun intended. Every now and then I find myself craving tea but typically choosing coffee over tea. The folks over at Yogi tea sent me some free samples to try for a taste test. For my first attempt I tried the Green Energy tea after my workout this morning. It was very good with a strong sweet green taste that was perfect. My next tasting was this afternoon as I was relaxing from a hard day of a cleaning frenzy. I enjoyed a cup of Apple Cinnamon Spice that had a great cinnamon taste (favorite spice) that was not to overpowering. I have one more flavor, Berry Detox that is caffeine free that I hope to try one night for an after dinner treat. If you see me out somewhere you might find me drinking a cup of Yogi tea instead of coffee. Thanks Yogi Tea!

Greens Power

2009-05-26T12:40:00.001-07:00

With summer creeping in, my smoothie cravings are increasing, especially post workout. Many other blogger friends have been raving about green smoothies. Green smoothies because they have added greens such as spinach or kale. At first I was skeptical, thinking the greens would add a bitter flavor to the smoothie. I am girl who loves new food experiences with a strong belief that everything should be tasted at least once. I decided on spinach because I have never been a big fan of kale. After demolishing my smoothie creation in a mere minutes the verdict is in. AMAZING! The spinach was a great compliment to the sweetness of the smoothies, loved it!

To anyone that is skeptical, give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

Greens Power Smoothie

1 cup 8th Continent soy milk
1 scoop Amazing Grass chocolate greens
Banana
1tsp dark chocolate coco
2 cups Publix organic spinach
few ice cubes

Place all in a blender and let her rip. ENJOY!!

My Two Loves In One

2009-05-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness! I cannot wait to try this new cereal. These are 2 flavors that I just adore, blueberry and cinnamon. Will update later with a product review.

Well, I just finished my first bowl of this new cereal find and the verdict is 2 thumbs up. For my tasting I paired the cereal with 2 classics, a banana and 8th Continent soy milk. The cereal had just the right amount of sweetness from the blueberries to compliment the more smoky cinnamon flavor. I love the harder texture of the cereal allowing it to hold up longer. I hate eating soggy cereal. I already packed some for a snack at work tomorrow to pair with cottage cheese. I cannot wait!

Buzzing Through The Day

2009-05-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Nothing like a good buzz in the morning to get your engine going. If you have been a long follower of my blog you know about my love for coffee. I am always trying new flavored brews, add-ins, or ways to serve. Today was no different as I created this tasty concoction from Archer Farms Honey Nut. With the rising summer heat I find myself enjoying my iced coffee more and more. The caffeine kick lead me well into the afternoon for a round of wedding to do's. I signed up with Palm Beach Tan to begin regaining my Florida girl status for the wedding. This should be interesting because the last time I went to a tanning bed was in high school. My afternoon agenda also included wedding shoe browsing which lead to an actual purchase. I am not a shoe person but when I saw them I said, "Oh my goodness those are perfect!" After my round of shopping I headed home to bake these delicious cupcakes for a Memorial Day party at work tomorrow. I made 2 different kinds, Devil's Food cake with bits of Andes Mints and Double Fudge cake with honey peanut butter added in. My fiance and I loved them both but agreed the mint cupcakes were better. Tomorrow will be the test! Off to bed soon, up at 5:ooam for a 12 hour shift at the hospital. At least I get holiday pay.

Iced Coffee

1 cup cold Archer Farms Honey Nut coffee
2 packets of Amazing Grass chocolate greens packets
dash of dark coco

Blend till perfection and enjoy!

Just Breath

2009-05-17T17:58:00.001-07:00

"Just Breath," such a simple two word saying but how hard it can be sometimes. In times of big changes and stress all you really need to do is just breath and take it all in. For the past two years I have been an avid runner logging an average of 40 mpw. But with many life changes, stress, and a need to try something different I have moved to other forms of exercise to help me get my sweat on. Though this transition is needed and my decision it has been a harder battle then I thought. I am still running but significantly less to an average of 15 mpw. My appetite, body, metabolism are all changing while I am learning to adapt myself as well. The different activities I have been doing are ok but do not give me that since of empowerment and a stronger sense of self that I can get from running.

I have been hearing so many great things about yoga and what it can do for your body and mind. As a runner, stretching has always been a integral part of my workouts but only focused on a few moves after my runs to loosen my legs up again. After doing some research I found a studio that offered Bikram, "Hot Yoga," as my class of choice. Bikram yoga is a 90 minute class of intense yoga in a enclosed room with a temperate of 95+ degrees. The idea behind the heat is to raise your bodies temperature causing it to work harder thus burning more calories and sweating A TON to release and let go of all those toxins.

I completed my first 3 classes last week and I am officially hooked. I already bought a unlimited pass for 1 month. Above are 2 of my favorite yoga positions.

Smooth Operator

2009-05-13T12:47:00.001-07:00

Many discussions in different forums have been started about this somewhat new creation from Starbucks. I have been wanting to try one probably since they came out but never did. I would always say that after my workouts I can just go home to make a smoothie for free. But my curiosity kept me coming back and so I went for it. I did a little research at the Starbucks website about the new Vivanno smoothie and was surprised to find how much protein it contained. There is a Starbucks in the same complex as my gym so I decided my Vivanno would make a great post-workout smoothie. The Vivanno was very creamy, I hate a shake with ice pieces still in it. There was a great chocolate taste with a slight sweetness that was not to over-powering. For all those sceptics out there, I say give this smoothie operator a chance.

The Long Road Still Leads Me On

2009-05-03T08:50:00.000-07:00

Wow! What a difference a few, well 6 years makes. For those of you who do not know my background the pictures above say it all. I am the product of a 100 lb weight loss journey that I began, struggled with and over came during a four year period. The first picture above (me on the far left) was taken in Spring 2002 during my high school senior cruise to Mexico . At that time my weight was 235 lbs, and at 5'7" that is to much extra weight that I did not need to be carrying around. The second picture was taken in Spring 2008 on another cruise to Mexico with my parents. At that time my weight was 133 lbs which I had already been maintaining for 1.5 years.

It is so amazing yet surreal to examine these images side by side. It is not until now that I realize how heavy I actually was. For many people including myself we can be in denial about what are actual size is. The same goes for the second picture because at 133 lbs I thought I was at a good weight, even trying to lose a pound or two. According others and my Family Nurse Practitioner, I was to skinny and needed to gain a few pounds. Which I did, and feel 10X better.

I am just a girl who lost an INCREDIBLE amount of weight, on my own with no help from a company or personal trainer. Through my weight-loss journey I have found a love for running, a love that has developed into something more. Running has become apart of me while teaching and seeing me through so many different times of my life. For me, I am now trying to find a healthy balance of everything in life. It is all about moderation because the long road is still leading me on. It may one day be very flat while the next day has me up a huge hill teaching me to slow my pace and enjoy the scenery. All in all it's been a great ride so far and I cannot wait till tomorrow.

Engagement Pics

2009-04-28T13:25:00.001-07:00

Jamie and I went home to Florida this past weekend for our engagement photo session. We drove home on Friday, April 24th which was exactly 6 months till the wedding. The weather was beautiful, warm and sunny. Picture Perfect! Here is one of my favorite pictures from the fun day. I just love love black and white pictures.

Spring in Bloom

2009-04-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

Spring is here! Spring is here! I have decided that not having a "yard" is no excuse for not having my own garden. There is no time like the presence so I have spent the past 2 days at Lowe's and Hobby Lobby getting my supplies. I am so happy with my new porch creation, a beautiful site after a long day. The pictures above are the finished product.

Friendly Combo

2009-04-28T13:09:00.001-07:00

Spring snacking has begun! I love springtime foods because of the abundance of fresh produce that allows for many different combinations to satisfy my palate. The combination is a great tummy filler because of the fiber and protein combination. I topped organic butternut squash puree with 2% cottage cheese, sliced banana, cinnamon. Fiber and protein quickly fill you up because they slow down digestion = fuller longer.

Spring Coffee Buzz

2009-04-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

There are some who say coffee is a "no go," while others are comfortable with a double shot of espresso with extra foam with every meal. For me, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I have been drinking coffee 1-3 cups everyday since I was a junior in high school, about 8 years or so. When I first began I would load my coffee cup with sugar and creamer, one of the reasons why I had to lose 100 pounds. Once I saw the error in my ways I switched to black coffee, a quest that took some getting use to. With the introduction of the Splenda craze I found a new alternative. Since my college days my coffee flavorings have been going through phases. I know many people are anti-Splenda because it is "so bad, not natural, horrible creation." Well, I eat very healthy (see blog title) and I figure if God wants me dead then He is going to do it whenever He wants. So, my current favorite coffee craving is in the freezer.

Coffee Brain Freezer Smoothie:

2 cups regular cold coffee
Splenda, too taste
1 tbs. dark chocolate coco
ice cubes to desired thickness

Place all in a blender and blend to smoothie consistency and ENJOY!

My best-friend Kashi stopped by for a visit

2009-04-17T11:45:00.001-07:00

Oh Kashi how I love thee, let me count the ways. Kashi recently introduced new bar flavors and I became giddy like a child when I finally found them in my local grocery store. I am a sucker for anything pumpkin flavor so I quickly grabbed this flavor for my first taste test. Kashi did it once again, perfection in a bar. It is a little taste of fall all year round. Enjoy everyone!

Here come the Greeks!

2009-04-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Greek yogurt time, Greek yogurt time. I have been wanting to try Oikos Greek yogurt for some time but always kept putting it off. Telling myself that my current yogurt flavors were doing me just fine. The price conscious person inside me also said stick with the cheaper stuff at 40 cents per container instead of $1.40 for Oikos. Every once in a while I like to treat myself especially after a few hard days of work. I decided on the classic flavor vanilla for my taste test and paired it with an apple. The combination was a winner! The yogurt was not a sweet as most yogurts which was surprisingly satisfying for my very strong love for all things sweet. The texture was also firmer than other brands that created a different food sensation that my mouth enjoyed. My local stores in Atlanta have only been carry the vanilla flavor but I am on the hunt for others to taste test. I cannot wait!

Ok, I finally get it!

2009-04-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

Peanut butter is one of the most highly underrated foods eaten in our culture. For the past 2 years I have eaten peanut butter almost everyday. I have never settled on a personal brand favorite, usually just buying whatever is on sale. But for some time now I have heard many great reviews about almond butter, especially Barney Butter especially from the bloggings of http://www.katheats.com/. I heard about free samples being offered from the website so I decided to seize the opportunity for a taste test. I received two free single serve samples and paired them with my favorites, an apple and banana. I figured I should pair the almond butter with something mild so I could get the full taste of Barney Butter. After savoring the moment, that wait was definitely worth it. Great texture, with a slight almond taste that was not over bearing. I especially enjoyed the convenience of the single servings that were great for me at work. I highly recommend Barney Butter and have finally found a personal brand favorite.

Outrageous Double Chocolate Brownies

2009-04-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

Beautifully delicious comes to mind as see theses pictures. Baking is something that brings me great joy especially when it is for others. Work can be stressful especially in the healthcare fields such as mine. I love to bring something to my co-workers who give so much of themselves to others while pulling a 12-hour shift. Sometimes you just need to take a minute for yourself to revive, recharge, and regroup. Chocolate is a great way to do that, so enjoy!!

Duncan Hines Milk Chocolate brownie mix
Mini chocolate chips
Sprinkled with confectioners sugar

To Hemp Or Not?

2009-03-24T12:19:00.001-07:00

A great way to get out of a food rut is to try new foods to tantalize you taste buds. On today's shopping trip I was so excited to see that Almond Breeze milk was on sale. I decided to seize the opportunity and see what all the fuss is about. I wonder how it will taste since it is unsweetened. I have been drinking soy milk for years so we will see how this compares. Stay tuned....

Oh Oh Sloppy Joe

2009-03-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

During my 3 day stint off from the hospital I decided to get my cooking skills on. On today's agenda was my Sloppy Joe's. The lean ground beef was on sale so I decided to take advantage of the great offer. My recipe hails from my favorite magazine Cooking Light and has been a staple for me for many years. In this great creation I add corn to create some extra thickness and add fiber. I also serve my Sloppy Joe's over yellow rice (my favorite rice) instead of on a bun. I usually make a huge batch of the 2 and freeze them in single serve tupperware for easy grab and go for work. I cannot wait to back to work this week so I can enjoy this for some good eats.

Rise and Shine Sunshine

2009-03-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day because it sets the tone for the rest of your day and food choices. Always a good idea to start off right with a good mix of carbs, protein, and fiber to keep you fuller longer. A good breakfast food to help create a winning combination is eggs and toast or in this case, a bagel. Eggs and egg whites have always been given a bad name such as high fat content or their lack of inconvenience for on the go people. All I can say is give eggs a chance, you do not know what you are missing.

Breakfast Combination

Lender's cinnamon raisin bagel
Egg white omelette
Banana boats topped with cinnamon
Crystal Light- tangerine sunrise

Blueberry Beer?

2009-03-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

I love a good ole glass of wine with dinner but never have I been a big drinker of beer much less flavored beers. But I feel a change in the winds as I attempt to expand my food horizons. For tonight's taste testing I have Wild Blue Blueberry Lager and Kashi Sicilian Veggie pizza. I hope that it will be a winning combo as I watch March Madness, GO FSU SEMINOLES!
http://www.kashi.com/

http://wildbluelager.com/

Well, dinner is over and my tummy is very full. I love, love, love running but I hate how it can make my appetite soar to the sky. I especially notice this on double digit run days such as this with my 10 miler this morning. Sometimes my hunger will just hit me and I am starving. Even when my tummy is full, I still feel my appetite is not satisfied. My fiance and I both tried the Wild Blueberry Lager with our pizza and we both agree that it was a little too sweet for our taste buds. I would recommend it to anyone for a desire to tantalize their taste buds once in a while. As for an everyday beer, this would not be my pick. The Kashi Pizza was very good, light yet filling with the right balance of sauce, crust, and toppings. Nothing was overloaded. I cannot wait to try another flavor. Go Kashi!

Tootie Fruity

2009-03-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining, the wind is blowing and I feel like spring is finally here to stay. After a trip to the grocery store my lunch fullness had left me and I was in need of some good eats. On this occasion I decided on 3 Quaker Rice Cakes, topped with fat-free caramel yogurt, cinnamon, sliced strawberries, and blueberries.

GO HAWKS!!

2009-03-19T18:57:00.001-07:00

Fun, Fun, Fun in Atlanta. Here are 2 pictures from the Hawks vs. Mavericks game tonight. Great seats, great food from Taco Mac, and a fired up crowd. Perfect night!

Power-packed breakfast

2009-03-17T04:46:00.000-07:00

I am sure that I have professed its greatness before but oatmeal is a very versatile food. The many combinations are endless and it's CHEAP! This mornings spread started with 2 great cups of Christopher's Winter Wonderland coffee with hot coco mixed in. I was able to slowly wake up, complete my daily devotion, and contemplate the many different options for the future. I have recently applied for 6 jobs all in Clinical Research Nursing with concentrations in different areas that range from cancer to asthma to HIV research. The jobs are with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Florida in Jacksonville, Duke University in Durham, NC. My future is in God's control, a great feeling because He knows what is best for me.

After waking and allowing my hunger to guide my breakfast decisions I decided on a big bowl of oats. For those of you who are trying to lose weight, oatmeal is your friend. Here is this mornings concoction:

1/2c. Quaker Oats
1/2c. pumpkin
Cinnamon and splash of vanilla
3/4c. egg whites cooked
Banana and PB on the side

Just a little something

2009-03-17T04:36:00.001-07:00

I love being called off from work because it gives me time in the morning to play on the computer, eat a relaxing breakfast, and watch the morning news. For those who do not know, being called off consists of a 5am phone call from the hospital to say their census is low and my nursing services are not needed. The bad part is, it's only for 4 hours. At 9am I must call the hospital to see if the census has picked up and do they need me to work after all. So here I am waiting....

The pictures above are from my 2 birthday dinners, the first at Cheesecake Factory and the second at The Sundial (just taken after we got ENGAGED!!)

Lara, where have you been all my life?

2009-03-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

Bars have received a bad reputation over the last few years but I am here to proclaim their greatness. The many new food revolutions and technologies over the years has created many new creations to tantalize your taste buds. I have my staple bars like Cliff and Kashi or Zone when I need some extra protein. In an effort to expand my foodie horizons I made a trip to Whole Foods and bought a few single samples of different types of bars. Big themes for many of the new types were vegan, raw, and green bars. Today's new taste test and by far my favorite was the Lara Bar- Pecan Pie. Just the right amount of nuts, fruit, sweetness, firmness, and chewy texture that was perfectly paired with my Golden Delicious apple. I was so pleased with it, I made a trip to Trader Joe's to buy a few new flavors.

I Love Cake!

2009-03-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

I have always loved the taste of birthday cake, wedding cake, any cake will do. So I am always thrilled when there is any reason to eat some. This past weekend I made a trip to FL for a Bridal show and to meet with my cake baker. As much as I love cake, I am still feeling the sugar high and need a hiatus for a while. Here is what my wedding cake will look like except the monogram letters will match mine and my new husband. What does everyone think?

Miss Me?

2009-03-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here. Life has been very fast-paced for the past couple of months with the holiday season, traveling and then I got ENGAGED! Planning a wedding has become like a second career that I have a love/hate relationship with. Let me just say to all those out there still not married, if you can, be living in the city you want to get married in. I know this is not a reality for most so invest in a Blackberry or have access to email at all times. Be back soon everyone....I hope?

A Long Time Coming Dinner

2008-12-16T15:02:00.000-08:00

Every since I was a little girl I have wanted to make spaghetti squash. It all began many years ago as a young child when I read about spaghetti squash in a kids gardening book my mother had bought me. Spaghetti from a vegetable sounded so cool to a young aspiring (still aspiring) chef. I have thought about it many times but never got the nerve to do it but here I went. There are few times in my life when I feel a "man" is needed to do something but this was definitely a time. The squash was almost impossible for me to cut, I was so afraid that I was going to slice my hand off (sorry for the graphic image). The first picture is the squash after baking in the oven at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes. I then gave it some cooling down time before scrapping the inside out, as seen in picture 2. Voila, spaghetti squash! The last picture is the finished product that includes organic pasta sauce, chunks of tofu, and melted low-fat monterey jack cheese. My yummy creation was most definitely worth the wait.

A New Creation!

2008-12-14T18:17:00.000-08:00

I am always looking for new after work snack ideas. All day I get to think about new creations to try because let's face it, cereal does not always cut it. I had some blueberries from the market that needed to be eaten. For a salty/sweet combo to jazz up my Kashi Sunshine I added a base of 2% cottage cheese, blueberries, drizzled with honey. It was heaven in a bowl! A good way to make a late night snack go a long way, pair protein with fiber and carbs. The protein and fiber will slow down digestion to leave you fuller longer.

Thankful Lunching

2008-12-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

To me, those pictures above are a thing of beauty. When I was 100lbs heavier, I would attempt to satisfy myself with unhealthy foods and materialistic things. Now, 100lbs lighter and so much healthier/happier, the pictures above give me such greater satisfaction than I ever knew I could feel. It has been a long journey, that God has lead me through for so many reasons that all add up to His Will. Not my will be done, but His Will be done. God has shown me that my body is a temple, a holding place for the Holy Spirit. What I put in it, will affect how I am able to function. I want to function in an effective way to be a worker for Him and his Glory. Without him, I am nothing, with Him I can do anything He needs.

Lunch

Nature's Organic Whole Wheat bread
Athenos roasted red pepper hummus
Turkey slices
Tomato
Broccoli sprouts
Public Greenwise baby spinach
Mustard
Baby carrots/Hummus
Steamed okra and brussel sprouts with Mrs. Dash garlic/tomato seasoning

Between my workout and delicious lunch I headed to Publix for some good shopping deals. I have learned if you plan ahead, read the weekly ads, you can save so much money. During this shopping trip I spent $63 but saved $23! All was done by stocking up on Publix buy 1 get 1 free specials.

Afternoon Snack

1/2 cup 2% cottage cheese
1/2 cup organic butternut squash puree
1 Tbsp. dark chocolate coco

All mixed together and topped with Kashi Sunshine, side of fresh cherries.

Suprise Reading Material

2008-12-11T10:55:00.000-08:00

As I headed to the gym this morning I checked my mail and found this lovely gift waiting for me. I love having a good magazine to keep me entertained during a workout in the gym. I am a visually oriented person so I do not so much as read the articles, I just need to look at the pictures to keep me occupied. I love Runner's World, Cottage Living, InStyle. I ran an AWESOME 8 miles of speed work this morning followed by some strength training.

Grad School Bound!

2008-12-09T14:32:00.000-08:00

Graduate School here I come! I took my entrance exam and received a score acceptable for entrance. Though I would have liked a higher score than what I received, I will take it anyway. Oh my gosh, the room was so hot! I do not think I have ever sweated that much in a non-workout setting. By the time I was done, my mouth was so parched (no drinks, even water allowed), I guzzled my water bottle. Before my test I had a nice filling mild snack of a Kashi granola bar dipped in 1 Tbs. Organic Kirkland Creamy Peanut Butter and a Valencia orange. In my lunch box I also packed a peanut butter & strawberry jelly sammie on Nature's Own Organic Whole Wheat bread, Red Delicious apple, and Baked Cheetos for on the way home from the test in lovely downtown Atlanta traffic. I am starting to get excited about school, who knows what God holds in my future. All I know is that He created me, He knows what is best for me, let His Will be done.

Edible Loot

2008-12-09T03:53:00.000-08:00

I do not know if it is just me but I love to go to the grocery store. You just never know what you are going to find both in terms of food and people. Here are a few pictures of my lovely loot that I brought home with me. My new favorite item that I picked up are brussel sprouts. Everyone who is skeptical of them, they are a diamond in the rough. A neat find that I have grown to love are Bagelfuls, a handy and quick breakfast that I can eat in the car on the way to work. My favorite flavor is blueberry but they were out so cinnamon it it.

Multi-tasking

2008-12-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

Normally when I am studying, then I am studying. I can do some great short study sessions if I am not distracted but that was then and this is now. The now being, I am not in college, I work a full-time job as a Registered Nurse, I have an apartment, and no Mom around to help me out. With that said, while studying I did some laundry as you can see from the above picture. I took a quick break for a snack.

Chocolate Oatmeal

1/2c. Quaker oats
1 Tbs. Hershey's dark chocolate coco
Cinnamon
Splash of vanilla extract
1/4c. SF syrup
1/4c. Feed raisin nut granola

T-One Day

2008-12-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is my Miller Analogies Test for Graduate School entrance. I am not really "studying" but more of reviewing. I have heard many people say that you cannot really study for it, that it is just like a game of Trivial Pursuit. I had a quick breakfast before my workout at the local gym. I ran a great 8 miles that had a little speed work thrown in. I really need to buy some warmer clothes so I can run outside again. The 30 degree weather is a bit much for my current running attire.

My Best-Morning-Friend

2008-12-06T03:55:00.000-08:00

Oh coffee, how I love thee! I have been drinking coffee in the morning since I was in high school. After many attempts to give up the habit or switch to tea.....I just cannot not do it. There is just something about the smell, the sound of the coffee maker, and the taste of good coffee in the morning. Nothing else can compare. Busy day of Christmas shopping, SEC championship football game to watch.

Smells like chocolate

2008-12-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

I love to cook but I am a baker at heart. I love to bake for others especially my co-workers. We work in an area where patient satisfaction is in high demand with a quick patient turnover rate. Needless to say, a 12-hour shift can be rough. To make their work day a little easier I love to bring in treats for my co-workers. Here are the before and after pictures of these delicious brownies that I made to take into work tomorrow. I used Betty Crocker Hershey's version and added Nestle Milk Chocolate Chips.

Planning Ahead

2008-12-03T14:30:00.000-08:00

For those of you who do not know, I am nurse here in Atlanta, GA who has made it her mission since losing 100lbs. to live the most healthy life as possible. The motto goes with me and my work food. I refuse to give into the grab and go vending machines, pre-made hospital food, McDonald's located through the hospital. In order to do this I do lots of prep work to make and plan my food for the days I work. By doing this, it saves me time on the actual work days to devote myself to other things such as relaxing on the couch after a hard 12-hour shift. Here are 2 pictures of my menu scheduled for the next 2 days of work.
MENU

Breakfast- 2 Fiber One Chocolate pop tarts, banana
Snack- Orange
Lunch- Roast beef/Turkey with roasted red pepper hummus, tomato, and lettuce on Nature's Own organic whole wheat, carrots dipped in olive hummus, and steamed green beans
Snack- Weight Watcher's fat free vanilla yogurt topped with Feed Raisin Granola and orange
Dinner- Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, Red Delicious apple, Kashi Trail Mix granola bar
Snack- Banana dipped in 1 tablespoon of Smucker's Creamy peanut butter

Brrh, it's cold out there!

2008-12-03T14:22:00.000-08:00

I currently have my thermostat set for 65 degrees but this early morning I awoke to a heater that was constantly on because it was so cold outside. Even living in a 3rd floor apartment where heat rises was still not to my advantage this morning. As I headed to LA Fitness (above pic), I found my Jeep covered in ice. I need to remember to keep some bottled water in the Jeep to help speed the process of de-icing. I ran a easy 10 miles at the gym with some light strength training. Lots to do today as I prepare my house and head for 2 days of work.

Study Hard, Play Hard

2008-12-02T13:49:00.000-08:00

After I voted and finished my trip to Whole Foods I decided to head to the bookstore for a study session. I am scheduled to take the Miller Analogy Test, needed for my Graduate School admissions. The change of venue was inspiring and I was able to accomplish a lot. I took a study break for a snack that included the above Fiber One Bar, Red Delicious apple, organic creamy peanut butter. I wanted to push back the test date, scheduled for Dec. 9th, but being done before Christmas sounds so much better. I have plenty of time to retake the test if I need a better score. As I have grown older, I have learned that it is better to work hard until you are done so as to enjoy your break that much better. Nobody likes a rain cloud hanging over their head.

Treat Trip

2008-12-02T13:46:00.001-08:00

My home away from home Whole Foods was on the agenda for the day. The atmosphere and staff there are very invigorating and cheerful that just makes the experience that much better. The first picture is my bundle of goodies that I brought home with me. The Feed Granola I bought because of a special I watched on CNBC about entrepreneurs that included the creators of this product. Hearing their story and work they put into the company was very touching and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. The Israeli Couscous is something that I have been wanting to experiment with after having a side dish at one of my favorite restaurant's J. Alexanders. I will update with pictures when I begin trials in the kitchen lab. The other items are very versatile staples in my food intake that I needed to buy.

Ode to a Sandwich

2008-12-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

My lunch was simple yet delicious that made for a winning combo. During my trip to the grocery store yesterday I bought my Nature's Own Organic Whole Grain bread for a buy 1 get 1 free special so many sandwich's are to come.

Lunch

2 slices of organic whole grain bread
Athenos roasted red pepper hummus
slices of tomato and lettuce
Pepperidge Farm slices of roast beef and turkey
side of Chex chedder mix
steamed corn/peas topped with Mrs. Dash tomato/basil/garlic seasoning

Good Early Morning Meg

2008-12-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

I love the feeling of getting up early in the morning because it allows for more time to enjoy my day and accomplish my goals. First on the agenda is a quick breakfast of a Chocolate Chip Cliff and banana then headed to the gym for a light run and some cross-training on the elliptical. While losing weight I always headed to the gym early in the morning and that habit has just stuck with me. The benefits of working out in the morning are increasing your metabolism early in the day to burn more calories, little time to talk yourself out of it, and it can help put you in the mindset of healthy eating. Well, at least for me, it is hard to eat a big cheeseburger and fries after I just ran 6 miles. To me, the cheeseburger defeats the purpose of the 6 mile run. Just because you ran 6 miles or 10 miles or 2 miles, does not mean you can eat whatever you want. After lunch I plan to head to the polls to vote for the run-off election in Georgia then headed for a treat trip to my home away from home, Whole Foods store.

2008-12-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

Long Time No See Everyone

Wow, it has been so long since I have been here. So long that I cannot even remember the last time. I am blessed to be busy working and spending time with family and good friends. Currently contemplating/searching for a new job that maybe in nursing or not while also studying for Miller Analogy Test, in case I decide to attend Graduate School. I love the feeling of have a hard day of work, coming home, collapsing and just relaxing on the couch as I munch on a yummy treats. Last nights treat was 3 Quaker salt-free rice cakes topped with pureed butternut squash/cinnamon/coco.

Late Night Snack

2008-09-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

I just love peanut butter! In my opinion it is one of the most versatile foods ever created. Peanut butter can be used at any meal or snack if your heart desires. The picture above is a favorite and filling late night snack made of Quaker rice cakes, sliced banana, syrup and peanut butter.

A favorite activity for a foodie like myself is trying new restaurants especially in my city of Atlanta. The above picture was taken at Roswell Pastis that I mentioned in an earlier post. It was a great lunch with my Mom and Grandmother.

Food Loves and Hate

2008-08-31T18:09:00.000-07:00

Many children go through food phases that contain certain foods they absolutely love and those they absolutely hate. But through the years are taste buds change and those food loves become food hates and vice versa. Here are a few of mine:

Food Loves now Food Hates
Vienna Sausages
Spaghetti O's

Snow Caps
Macaroni and Cheese

Food Hates now Food Loves
Sweet Potatoes
Cream cheese
Cheesecake
Oatmeal
Squash
Zucchini

Keeping My Fork

2008-08-31T13:35:00.000-07:00

Whenever at a dinner party or church function the person always cleaning the table says, " you can keep your fork," signifying that something is coming, the sweetness of life. No matter how bad life can get or how down you feel, one must always keep their fork. You never know what could be coming next.

Hope does not prevent me from expecting the worst because the worst is what the hopeful are prepared for.

In any arena where you are concerned about failure, the single most destructive thing you can do is nothing. One single step of action can be extremely powerful in robbing failure of it's power.

This is your life, you cannot get out of it, so get into it.

I do not know those of you reading this, do not know where you are, what you are feeling but I want to let you know, never throw your fork away!

Thank you so much to John Ortberg, author of If you want to walk on water then have to get out of the boat.

Food Raves

2008-08-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

If you ever get the chance to eat at Seasons 52, I suggest you not pass it up. It is a restaurant that prides itself on using fresh ingredients to make perfect portion sizes. Every entree or item on the menu is less than 500 calories. A big sell item on the menu is that flat bread appetizer with seasonal flavors. I got the plum tomato and mozzarella cheese that was the perfect blend of every ingredient while also being very light and fluffy. For my entree I tried the veggie plate that contained many different veggies in small portion sizes of about 3 bites each that included: roasted red pepper topped with cranberry wheat tabbouleh, squash, carrots, broccoli, tofu with caramelized onions, grilled corn, and grilled tomatoes. My grandmother got the pork tenderloin with polenta that I also sampled and it was delicious. To go along with the theme of perfect portions, Season's 52 is also known for their shot class desserts that all contain less than 300 calories each. My Rocky Road and Tiramisu were the perfect amount of sweetness to end my meal.

My next meal adventure for my taste buds took place at a small French cafe near where I live in Roswell, GA. Roswell Pastis has the feel of a French country style as it is tucked away in the quaint shops of historic Roswell, GA. The small but adequate menu selections are sure to satisfy your European taste buds without the jet lag. I highly recommend the pizza di jour, a pizza of the day that is a perfect blend of light toppings and cheese with a personal size portion. My pizza was topped with roasted red peppers, olives, and goat cheese. The salmon sandwich with homemade crisp and rustic potato chips is a great sandwich for lunch.

On another food note, the above food porn picture is a favorite pre-workout breakfast of mine. Today I enjoyed a honey wheat bagel topped with my chocolate pumpkin puree, banana dipped in peanut butter, COFFEE!! As you noticed the peanut butter is in a tablespoon measurement. Don't be afraid to measure out portions. It is a great way to indulge yourself but keep your portions in check.

I had a great workout today that began with a easy 4 mile run on the treadmill at my local gym then went to a spin class with a new instructor. My spin class was amazing because she gave so many tips about proper positioning and relaxation while riding. I able to visualize my ride and enjoy the class so much more.

Weird Food Combinations

2008-08-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

Everyone is different, especially their taste buds. After coming across a few discussions in other blogs about this topic, I decided to pay a little tribute to the many different food taste combinations and quirks.

Strange Food Combinations

carrots and cucumbers dipped in mustard
ketchup over my pancakes
coleslaw on a hot dog
string cheese inside hot chocolate
toasted english muffin with butter, corn syrup, and cottage cheese on top
pickles dipped in ketchup
graham crackers dipped in orange juice
hot peas in cold applesauce
cayenne and pineapple
jelly & egg sandwiches
ketchup & mac & cheese
ketchup on mashed potatoes
egg whites and yellow rice for breakfast
french fries dipped in their chocolate shake
pb & banana sandwiches dipped in chili.
spaghetti sandwiches
sharp cheddar, chocolate, and dates together

My personal food tastes are: cottage cheese with oatmeal, ketchup over eggs, carrots dipped in mustard, cottage cheese topped with pepper, potato chips in peanut butter and jelly sandwich, peanut butter and pumpkin sandwich.

My Food Quirks - not weird, but are in my routine of how I prefer to eat certain food items

Pulling all the toppings off a pizza, eating them separately, then eating the crust
Pie crust is my favorite so I always eat the filling first then eat the crust last
I do not like to have my food touch, each item is clearly separated from one another
My sandwiches are cut on a horizontal line, not diagonal
I pull my sandwiches apart piece by piece to eat them
Cupcakes bottom must always be eaten before cupcake top

Work Day

2008-08-28T02:26:00.000-07:00

Today is a 12-hour shift at the hospital for me and to be honest, I am not looking forward to it. The past couple of sleepless nights have made me tired and drained. Breakfast seems to always perk me up in the morning even when I am getting up at 4:30am.

Healthy Tip: most of you have heard that, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day." Well, it really is because it can set the foundation for your energy level and food intake for the rest of the day. I know that when I eat a solid breakfast of carbs, protein, and moderate amount of fat then I am set to go for a few hours. But when my breakfast choice was not substantial enough then I find myself raiding my pantry soon after, especially if I have done a workout. Many people who are in a rush in the morning tend to skip breakfast but then chow down and over eat on a big meal later. Better to spread those calories out through the day to keep your energy level of and hunger subsided. My trick is to eat about every three hours, depending on the meal/snack size it may be two or four hours. This trick can "trick" you mind into thinking it is taking in more calories and keep your hunger at bay.

Quick Morning meals:

cereal topped with low-fat yogurt and fruit
energy bar, piece of fruit (my favorites are Cliff, Luna, Z-bars)
toast with peanut butter, piece of fruit

Have a nice day everyone!

2008-08-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Today I had my annual check-up with the doctor, which was so much fun. Note to self: Don't let your iron levels get that low ever again. I have known for a while that my iron levels were on the low side, nothing scary but low enough that I cannot give blood. Low iron levels have been seen in many marathon runners which is what I attributed mine to as well since I do have a high weekly mileage, an average of 35 mpw. I attempted to combat this problem by changing my diet and eating more iron-fortified foods such as cereals and more red meat. Apparently that was not enough, my iron level has drop again so I must now begin taking a supplement twice a day along with my multi-vitamin.

Anemia- Iron deficiency

Anemia is a condition where red blood cells are not providing adequate oxygen to body tissues. Iron deficiency anemia is a decrease in the number of red cells in the blood caused by too little iron. Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment in the blood. Without it, the blood cannot carry oxygen effectively -- and oxygen is needed for the normal functioning of every cell in the body. Approximately 20% of women, 50% of pregnant women, and 3% of men are iron deficient.

High-risk groups include:
Women of child-bearing age who have blood loss through menstruation
Pregnant or lactating women who have an increased requirement for iron
Infants, children, and adolescents in rapid growth phases
People with a poor dietary intake of iron

Symptoms
Pale skin color
Fatigue
Irritability
Weakness
Shortness of breath
Sore tongue
Brittle nails
Unusual food cravings (called pica)
Decreased appetite (especially in children)
Headache - frontal
Blue tinge to sclerae (whites of eyes)

Treatment
Oral iron supplements are available (ferrous sulfate). The best absorption of iron is on an empty stomach, but many people are unable to tolerate this and may need to take it with food. Milk and antacids may interfere with absorption of iron and should not be taken at the same time as iron supplements. Vitamin C can increase absorption and is essential in the production of hemoglobin.
Iron-rich foods include raisins, meats (liver is the highest source), fish, poultry, eggs (yolk), legumes (peas and beans), and whole grain bread.

Information is courtesy of Medline Plus, a service of the National Institute of Health
http://medlineplus.gov/

Quotes of the Day

2008-08-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

"The cave is where you meet God, He will be the light in your darkness, doing His best work in you and then leading you out of the cave to show you the great things He has done." -- personal insight of mine as I was reading a book by John Ortberg, If You Want To Walk On Water, You've Got To Get Out Of The Boat.

"Strength, hard work, and determination are beautiful. Not rib cages and hip bones." -- Lemonbrella, member of Runners World Discussion Board

I had a great workout today, 6 miles on the treadmill then 40 minutes on the elliptical to cross-train. I wanted to run outside but the on/off rain kept me inside another day. Tuesday is my next day off and a long run at my favorite park is on my mind. But, 70% chance of rain may change that plan.

Healthy Tip: variety in your workouts is a great way to increase your fitness level. After a period of doing the same thing over and over, your body is going to recognize and adapt to that skill. Interchange a few workouts each week to keep your muscles in a guessing game, making them adapt to new routines. Variety in your workouts will also keep you guessing. Don't allow yourself to get bored, challenge yourself to help spark your interest.

Current Food Obsessions

2008-08-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

Healthy Diet/Eating tip: Never make any food off limits. Trust me, the second you make it off limits, the more you want it. Eat what you crave just watch your portions. Two forbidden foods to those looking to shed pounds are peanut butter and ice cream. I know because I made these foods off limits in my 100lbs weight loss journey. It took me a long time to allow certain foods, such as these back into my diet. Since I began my obsessions with anything Edy's Ice Cream or peanut butter, guess what..... I have not gained a pound, in fact, they helped me to lose my last 10 pounds and gain some more energy to do the things I love. Simple body physics, you body needs fat to burn fat. So Enjoy!

New Desk

2008-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

My new desk area that I have wanted since I moved to Atlanta. I miss having a desk, I guess that is the nerd in me. Just a little motivation to begin my studies for the GRE and then graduate school. The dining room picture is of the bookcase the was located in my new "office" area. The kitchen shot is to show off my new handing apron, a new decorating idea I have seen a lot lately. I love seeing my diploma over my desk because it is a remember of all the hard work I have put in to get where I am today.

Yummy Snack

2008-08-24T03:57:00.000-07:00

I have always felt that creativity was not one of the spiritual gifts that God gave me but I seem to be getting more daring with my food creations.

Healthy Tip: oatmeal is a great food because it's cheap, low in sodium, full of fiber=fuller longer, and the combinations of mix-ins are endless.

Fave Mix-ins are pumpkin, almonds, coco, and any Kashi cereal.

New Blog Direction

2008-08-23T15:44:00.000-07:00

So after 2 months of no posting I have decided to take this blog into some sort of direction. A direction that I am sending my entire life. A course of action with a purpose of being the healthiest and happiest person I can be. I have been viewing a lot of other blogs for some inspiration. Will see how this goes but it's basically going to be about me, my life, the ups/downs, good/bad that God sends my way as He transforms me continually in accordance with His good, pleasing, perfect will.

I have notice on many other blogs an interest in posting different pictures of current meals or food obessions (The pic above was a post run meal of Lean Cuisine pepperoni pizza, carrots with roasted red pepper hummus, 1c. of corn/peas). I decided to join in own this passion since healthy eating and exercise have become such a huge part of my life . As it would have to be since I have held my 100lb weight loss for 2 years now. WOW! See Above.

Posts of the future will include more foodie pictures, healthy eating and dieting tips, workout session results. Now I am off for a reading session in bed before lights outs. Currently reading James Patterson, whom I have taken a liking too. By the way for visitors of the site, I am a early to bed/riser that comes from bad sleeping genes and being a nurse. Oh how I love the sound of my alarm at 5am. So here goes nothing!

Quote of the Day

2008-06-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

“The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals.”-Hal Higdon

Found this quote on a fellow runner's site, thanks Run Like the Wind.

Summer Art Project

2008-06-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone! I decided to begin my first post on my new blog with some pictures of my first art project attempt. The month of June is turning into the month of "firsts." I am sure there will be more to come. All of a sudden I have developed a desire to paint, especially outside on my patio, where this lovely project took place. And, why not? There is such beautiful sunny weather in the great city of Atlanta. Today I seem to have a lot of time on my hands since the hospital called me off from work today. Not really a bad thing but not a good thing either. Though my services were not needed because of a low patient census, my bank account is saying, "Meghan needs to work!"