Cool New Website

I found this great new website- its called Healthmonth.com

You pick goals from a list of choices, or you create your own. I choose 5 (no more then 5 is recommended for the first month, and I wish I wouldn't have chosen so many!
I picked:
Take a Multivitamin every day
drink more water, my goal is 7 glasses a day
limit alcohol to 1 drink a day (so 7 weekly, but does not include a daily glass of red wine)
eat greens 5 days a week
and Finally
no foods with added sugars. this one is the one I expect to be the most difficult.

So you pick from a list of goals, and then you sign a contract with yourself. You receive points for every day you meet goal, and lose points when you don't.
If I finish the month ahead, I am getting a massage
If I finish behind, I have to clean the basement. Spiders and all.

I didn't realize when I signed up last night that it actually started at the beginning of the month, so I am already down points considering the weekend I had!

I'd like to get a team together for next month. everyone picks their own goals, but then we compete with each other. it seems like a fun way to be both motivated and accountable.

sign up and let me know what you think!

Week 1

We did so well this week!
I made another batch of egg muffins, this time with chicken sausage, tomato, spinach and onion with cheese. I liked these the best so far. They lasted the three of us 3days. Then I moved on to breakfast burritos. Super easy, good for you and are really tasty.
Fill a whole wheat tortilla with refried low fat black beans. Top with scrambled egg whites and cheese and salsa. I add fresh cilantro as well and love it!
Food for the week was covered:
Monday- coconut chicken from time for dinner. I put it over mixed greens, added pineapple, strawberries and macadamia nuts. I took the sauce and thinned it out with pineapple juice to make a dressing for the salad and voilà! Dinner was served. Took less then 5 min prep time (not including the Time For Dinner time)
Tuesday- BBQ chicken, salad and baked potatoes. Boring, but I LOVE baked potatoes especially at home. Then I can use as much toppings as I want because I know what is in them! So I load up on butter, sour cream and bacon bits. Love it.
Wednesday- date night. Went to Canyon Cafe. Love that place! Great margaritas
Thursday- I traveled but this was Nicks night for dinner. So they ate taco bell. Hmmmm
Friday-pasta. Made the Sweet Potato Gnocchi from Trader Joes. Fantastic, but not a ton of food. Doubled the dish by adding tons and tons of pulled chicken from a rotisserie chicken I bought. There was plenty of sauce from the gnocchi to cover it all and it was really good! Literally took 5minutes to make and Nick said it tasted like thanksgiving.
Saturday-I made a chicken salad with the rest of the chicken. Used celery, an apple, salt, pepper, basil, lemon juice, green onion and fat free
Plain Greek yogurt. Stirred it up and ate it over an avocado. Nick had it on a sandwich but it was really great either way. Yum!

Overall I feel like we did great. Nothing seemed too hard and with nplanning we should be ok. So far Nick seems fine making his own lunch so I bought him his bread, meat and cheese. I've gotten dinner and breakfast covered and am looking forward to next week. We actually did save a bunch of money doing this and Nick said he felt better all week since he'd been eating so healthy! Bonus :)

Cottage Cheese...the good kind ;)

I LOVE cottage cheese so much its almost disturbing.
I have to stop myself from eating an entire 16oz container otherwise I would probably make myself sick.

I buy the low fat, large curd cottage cheese. usually Pevely Brand- I have tried all types of organic cottage cheese since most of my dairy is organic but find them to be too sour.

These are my favorite ways to eat it as a sweet snack:

1. Mix in jelly. I love Strawberry Rhubarb jam. Or Blackberry or anything!
2. mix in spices- cinnamon, Chinese 5 spice powder or allspice are great
3. Mix in some canned pumpkin, add pumpkin pie spice
4. mix in any fruit

Savory:

1. fresh ground pepper
2. Lawry's seasoning salt
3. curry powder and raisins

these are all ways to eat it cold - and are easy to pack up and take wherever!

Dinner Ideas

In an effort to save money, we have decided to eat every dinner but 2 at home. (Date night is the only exception, which we do weekly as well as a night out with friends)
It comes at a good time, because Collin has gotten restless and rarely sits through an entire dinner out anyway, so this really saves the headache.

I know that this is a normal thing for people to do, but we've never done it! I'm wondering how I am going to find the time to figure out how to cook dinner (and going to the store) making it both taste good and be healthy each night. I also have no idea how to budget at the grocery store since we really don't buy anything that coupons are applicable for.
I really do follow the rule of "perimeter shopping" for 90% of what we buy at the store, meaning mostly produce, meat and dairy. Coupons seem to be for things like products made by big companies- Kraft, Pillsbury, etc. and we don't really buy much of that!

I am thinking that the best way to organize dinner into a less overwhelming process is to do each night of the week is a certain food?
Mondays- Mexican
Tuesday- a Time for Dinner Meal. these are awesome and easy!
Wed- date night, so no cooking!
Thurs- Nick said he would do this night, so I am assuming it will be alot of frozen foods (pizza, burritos etc) he says he will grill, but I'll believe that when I see it :)
Friday- Pizza
Saturday- this is a night we try to go out with friends, so I already see a change in the plan
Sunday- we used to ALWAYS order in on Sundays. They started out as hangover days, and now have evolved into family days which are just as busy. so this night will be tricky. I need some ideas for this. Maybe just classics, like lasagna, burgers etc?

Nick has also agreed to bring his lunch to work 3 days a week and not eat out at breakfast every day. (I know, who eats out 2 meals a day every day anyway? that's just crazy. My husband does- well now, did)

Wish me luck! I will post recipes for anything that is good or any ideas I come across to make this easier. Also, let me know if you have any ideas!

Grapefruit.

I think the best thing in the world for eating healthy is a well stocked spice cabinet. It is so easy to add a ton of flavor for zero calories using different spices.

I love grapefruit, but I dont always like it plain. So, I've found other ways to eat it that taste great and don't add calories.

The way I like the best (and am eating as I write) is just to cut it in half, sprinkle with cinnamon and put under the broiler for about 5 minutes. It carmelizes a little bit, and adds a sweetness.

its easy and good for you!

It's been 5 days...No judgement!

So, for 3 weeks in a row I've only washed my hair maybe 2 times per week, if that.
I still shower everyday in case there was some concern, but I rarely wash my hair now!

I found an amazing dry shampoo by Big Sexy Hair. It's the voluming dry shampoo. It's has been unbelievable!
I have always washed my hair every 2-3 days and had been fine. But then my stylist; Stacy Hildebrand at Dominic Michael Salon suggested the dry shampoo. So I've used it for weeks now and absolutely love it.
It smells good, kind of like watermelon. My husband even said on day five it still smelled good and was surprised. I almost had to force him to smell it for me. He was thinking the worst, what a typically 5 day old hair smell would be, and I proved him wrong ;)
my hair has been looking amazing for not having been washed in the "traditional"way. Lots of volume and shiny and works any way I've tried to style. Curly, straight, wavy, up or down is all working!
It's great after a workout, just spray your hair and go!

You spray on your roots, take 2minutes and then comb out. I love it.
I have to say, shaving this much time off my routine is great.and for $18 a can it's worth it. See Stacy at Dominic Michael in Clayton. She can set it up!

Egg White Muffins

I stole this idea from a post on Lauren's blog (I don't know how to link it or I would!) She made these egg/muffins with Broccoli and they are so good that way. My husband is a little anti-vegetarian and feels like a meal isn't a meal without meat. So I came up with another variation that includes chorizo. these are low fat and really high in protein, and have tons of veggies!

Southwestern Egg Muffins:
1.5 Cup egg whites
2 whole eggs
2 links pre-cooked pork Chorizo (I use Wells hire Farms, but this would also be good with the vegetarian version from Trader Joes)
1 ear corn, kernels scraped off cob
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 red pepper chopped
3 wedges light Swiss Laughing Cow cheese

Preheat oven to 350degrees
use Pam or oil to grease the muffin pan- don't skimp or it will be really hard to clean up!
Cut the chorizo into small bites and combine in pan with the corn kernels, onion and red pepper. cook for about 10 minutes until onions are translucent and corn is slightly brown.
in another bowl mix egg whites with whole eggs

combine it all, and stir. ladle into a 12 cup muffin pan.
cut the laughing cow wedges into 4 pieces each and top each muffin with a piece.
cook for about 10-12 minutes in oven
enjoy! whatever you don't eat today can be refrigerated for about 4 days.

These muffins are flavored well, with a little bit of spice from the chorizo and sweetness from the corn. They are great on the go, and Collin even likes them.

Nick said this was one of my Top 10 meals...

I found this great recipe for lettuce wraps, a knock-off from PF Changs. I made it lower fat by omitting the noodles and most of the oil and it was great!

PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps, but healthier!

Chicken:

• 1 large egg white
• 1 tbl cornstarch
• 1 tbl Mirin or dry sherry (Sweet white wine would work fine)
• 1.5 lb chicken breast, diced
  

mix together in bowl, tossing the chicken to coat. refrigerate for at least 30 min

Stirfry sauce:

• 1 tbl fish sauce
• 1 tbl hoisin sauce
• 1 tbl soy sauce
• 1 tbl Mirin
• 1 1.2 tea sesame oil
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tea cornstarch

stir all ingredients into bowl except cornstarch. when blended, add cornstarch and stir until dissolved and set aside

Stir Fry

• 2 tbl vegetable oil
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tea minced, peeled ginger
• 1 jalapeno seeded & minced
• 2 scallions (green onion) minced
• kosher salt
• 1/4 tea sugar
• 1/2 lb shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and diced
• 3/4 cup diced water chestnuts (I forgot to add these and it was good without them)

heat 1tbl oil in pan, add chicken and cook, removing to a plate when cooked. Use the rest of the oil and when HOT add garlic, ginger, Jalapeno, and scallions, salt and sugar to pan. cook for 30 seconds and add the mushrooms, water chestnuts and scallions. cook 2 minutes. add chicken and sauce and cook for 2 more minutes

Serve with lettuce leaves while hot! so good, and good for you!

I also made a dessert using Plantains.

Plantains look like this:

And are from the banana family. They are lower in sugar and cannot be eaten raw, but they are one of my favorite foods.

I cut 2 in half length -wise and put into a dish. added juice of one orange, some brown sugar and orange zest along with about 1/4 cup white rum. I baked in the oven at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes (until soft)

The sugar caramelized and I ate with whip cream and Nick used vanilla ice cream

Day 5 & 6

Day 5:
2 Egg muffins, left over from the other day, 200
coffee 100
grapes 50
Pasta salad 200
ezekiel bread and Peach butter- 120
Protien shake 110
and heres where it goes wrong...
drinks 300 (watermelon smirnoff and club, 3 of them)
wine 200 (2 glasses)
tomato salad 200
grouper 500 it had risotto and butter :(
another late night snack of the Ezekiel bread and Peach butter! 120
total:2,100!

Day 6:
2 eggs scrambled with chorizo, spinach, tomato, onion and mushroom and 1 wedge laughing cow cheese 200
delicious and filling for very low calories. Veggies are a free food, since the calories are so low it takes more effort to count them then they actually have!
then, I did have McDonalds. I was a little hungover from the 5 drinks I had the night before! JEEZ! I cannot drink anymore!
Cheeseburger, Diet Dr Pepper and 1/2 a small fry: 550
Grilled chicken and fruit 450
wine 100
2 cookies 300
total: 1,600

Day 4

These last 3 days were good, and some better then others! But, I did manage to lose 2 of the 5lbs this week so its great motivation. And, seriously, writing it down like this is forcing me to make good choices because now I am accountable for them publicly!

Day 4:
Protien Shake 110
Egg white and black bean wrap- easy and awesome 220:

• 3 egg whites
• 1 whole wheat tortilla
• black beans, mashed
• salsa
• small amount of cheese

cook egg whites and warm up beans and tortilla. layer it all on the tortilla and roll up! yummy!

greek yogurt 140

coffee 80

1 piece veggie pizza, small- 250

cheezits- 100

dinner- BBQ Pork, 3 scallops & corn on the cob - 350

glass of wine- 150

ice cream- 140

popcorn-100

1,640 total!

Days 2 & 3

This has been great! Having to write it down and post it publicly has been good for motivation

Day 2, I had meetings all day and a client dinner so I didnt get much of a choice in what I ate. But here goes:
Protien Shake 110c
Nectarine half 25c (collin ate the other half, I'm not that crazy!)
2 Mini Egg Quiche- recipe stolen from Laurens blog!
200 c
Chicken sand, 1/2 the bun 350c
chips 140c
brownie :( 200
Cottage cheese 100
Veggie Pizza (loaded with Brocoli, tomato, onion and peppers) 500
Cocktails. After all, I was with clients and I work in the liquor industry
Smirnoff Melon & Club Soda 80
Smirnoff RootBeer & Club Soda 80
total of 1,785
not great at all, but as long as I stay under 2,000 I dont consider it a bust. I also went to the gym this morning and lifted and ran, for 250 calories burned

Day 3
A+ Cinnamon Sweet Potato Pancake. So good, and Collin loves them- you can get them at Whole Foods and take only a minute to microwave. I eat them plain, and just put butter on them for Collin. 110 c

Cantaloupe 20
Tuna Salad- tuna, plain greek yogurt, pickle relish and salt & pepper- 100
PB & J - very thin bread by Pepperidge Farm- this stuff is great! Only 40 calories a slice. It really is thin, but then you only need a tiny bit of Peanut Butter and Jelly to make it balance. I use all natural PButter and Strawberry Rhubarb jelly from my farmers market 220

Wheat thins and cheese 120
Handful of Almonds 140
then we went to get mexican for dinner...and I had a margarita. but, a small one, no salt...
300c
Jose Cuervo of course, and it was amazing and totally worth it!
Chicken breast with onion, cheese and peppers- no tortilla or anything (I had to make up for the Marg!)400
and a few chips and cheese dip 200

I think the key to eating out, and I do it alot, is to plan ahead. So when I went out with clients, I ate a snack before I left home so I wouldn't be starving and eat whatever. With lunch, it was boxed lunch that I didnt have a choice in. While I could have passed on the brownie, it was just tempting me so of course I ate it! But, I only ate 1/2 the bread and didnt use the mayo.

Chips at a mexican dinner are hard to resist too, so I either ask for corn tortillas at the start of the meal and use those instead, or I pre-portion out an amount before I begin. So for example, last night I only ate about 10 chips. Its actually more then it sounds, and satisfies the craving!

Day 1

I feel like if I post this its real, so here goes! I have 5lbs to get to my goal weight, which is the worst 5! So these next 2-3 weeks are serious dieting days. Instead of an entire cheat day, I get one cheat meal a week :( and the rest of what I eat has to be as filling as possible for the smallest amount of calories.

I've done this before, so I have an idea of what to eat and I figured I would post it all to help someone else!
its a day behind, and yesterday's menu was:

1)Protein Shake- of course!110c
2)Fat Free Greek Yogurt,carmel flavor 140c (Oykios Brand, the best! Its sweet and filling and amazing)
3)Green salad w Blue Cheese, walnts and crasins w FF Basalmic 220c
4)Gnu Foods High Fiber bar- Cinnamon Rasin flavor 140c
5) Corn on the Cob & Chicken enchalada (homemade w greek yogurt in place of sour cream, and zero oil) 550 c. these were really good, so I will post the recipe
6) 2 nibs- love them & a lotta pop 160

so all day: 1,170. If it doesnt seem like a ton of food, thats because its not! But all of my choices were high in protien/fiber and low in calories so they are much more filling! I did have a small snack between each meal, and that really helps to get through the day.

This was a really good day, and actually a little on the low side. Usually I would have had a glass of wine with dinner, but for some reason I wasnt into it!

Yummy Creamy Spinach; 2 ways

I LOVE creamed spinach. I don't love how bad it is for you, especially when eating out.

I found a recipe and then tweaked it and what I got is a delicious side dish. Each serving has about 130 calories and 12 grams of Protien per serving!

for the Asian style dish you need:
1 14oz pkg Firm Tofu
1 16oz bag frozen spinach
1 tbl sesame seeds
1 1/2 teas sugar
1 tea Mirin (sweet rice wine)
1 tea soy sauce


1) Drain tofu and dry with papertowels. Puree in blender until smooth. (I used my hand blender!)
2) microwave spinach until warm, drain
3) toast sesame seeds until brown and mix soy sauce, sugar, mirin and spinach into tofu along with the seeds. add salt & siracha to taste! yum! This is a great side for chicken marinated in any type of asian dressing (soy ginger/peanut/etc. Super easy and healthy!

Just to vent...

It took my husband and I 1 full year of trying before we were able to have a baby. I finally tried a low-dose fertility drug (Clomid) and luckily was able to get pregnant that first month.
This time around, after hearing from everyone that we wouldnt have any problems because its SO MUCH EASIER the second time and not to worry, I cant help but be upset that its not happening again.
Its frustrating and dissapointing when it seems like everyone around you is getting pregnant with no effort or on accident.
I actually found out last night about another close friend who is pregnant for the 2nd time. She told me she was afraid to tell me her great news because she didnt want to hurt my feelings.
And it did. Alot. And I was jealous. And upset (which of course I put on a brave, happy face with her and said congratulations but then as soon as I was alone I cried :(
When did I become that person?

I try to reason it away...It will happen when its supposed to...we're not even trying that hard...I must not be ready yet...I'm not sure whats happening with work/job/house/etc.
Its just so frustrating when your body isnt working right.
My last pregnancy took forever to concieve, and then I was sick for 22 weeks (throwing up almost every day) then, at 27 weeks I started with the pre-term labor, and was on medicine daily with sometimes twice-weekly visits to the hospital to stop labor.
I had a beautiful, healthy, amazing little boy (who finally had enough and decided to arrive 4 weeks early) and I am insanely grateful. All of the stress and worrying was totally worth it.

I just wish it didnt have to be so hard. Its heartbreaking when all the wishing and planning can't get you anywhere.

Breakfast Snacks?

Every weekday morning for breakfast I have the exact same thing. A pre-mixed protein shake. I am usually up between 6-7am and this holds me over through a morning workout until "real" breakfast at 9am or so.
My favorite is:

This one tastes the best- it also has 110 calories and 17 grams of protein! A great, filing combo and really is all I need to get through the first 2-3 hours of the morning and a great workout.
After the snack I have a "real" breakfast which varies, but if I know i have to run errands directly from the gym, or have a meeting etc, I pack either a mini, 100calorie Lara Bar or a piece of fruit.

Cheat Day

I usually plan cheat day in advance- Usually we have a night we are going out to dinner, or hanging out with friends. Since my "diet" (really just eating healthy) goes for 6 days a week, with occasional cheats like a drink or chips and salsa, I look forward to a full, non-guilt inducing, cheat day. I used to let drinking count as a cheat day but that really led to me feeling deprived during the week. After all, a beer is not a good substitute for a brownie :) I have to be good, and eat healthy and if a drink fits into my calorie/workout schedule that that is the only way I should have it (obviously, I don't always follow my own rules...)

This weekend though, my cheat day was unplanned- it happened a little more on accident and I have to say it was far less satisfying that way.

Breakfast was 2 pieces of bacon (free range-organic of course :) and French toast.
Lunch was Psgettis. Garlic bread and pasta with meat sauce and some iceberg salad. And since i was eating with my in-laws; a glass of wine :)
dinner was 2 pieces cheese pizza and dessert was birthday cake.
Snack later was homemade popcorn and another glass of red wine.

The day was not a good one at all- first of all, not a single fruit or veggie! (no, iceberg does not count) More importantly though, I don't think I even enjoyed the cheat day, which is worse then not having one at all!

Lunch was eaten with Collin - my 15 month old - on my lap.
For me this is the hardest situation to eat well in. I am distracted and it is nearly impossible for me to monitor what goes in, how full I am and to make good decisions while I am also feeding my son at the very same time. It makes it especially difficult when I didn't cook or know what really went into my meal.

This has lead to the decision that from now on, I will FORCE myself to pay attention to what I am doing at each meal. If I anticipate being too busy/distracted to do so, I will at the very least prepare. I will prepare by figuring out how hungry I really am, and if I know I will be distracted at the meal, I will have a healthy snack before I eat. Even just a big glass of water will help me slow down and really monitor what I am eating each meal. I will also only make cheat meals/days, ones that I can really enjoy. So no more eating while feeding my kid on my lap while sitting on white carpet. Because thats not fun for anyone :)

The whole idea of a cheat day is to REALLY enjoy it, because that is what helps motivate for the upcoming week. So, lesson learned. I havent decided if this week's cheat day will be on Tuesday or Saturday, but I will be sure to write about it!

Here's to having an amazing week!
Mimi

Craving Chocolate?

Some good, healthy choices for when your craving chocolate and nothing else will do!

One of my favorites is Peanut Butter and Co's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter.

I LOVE the Dark Chocolate Flavor! With 6 grams of Protien and 170 calories in a 2 tablespoon serving it hits the spot. Its best on fruit like bananas, strawberries or on apple slices or mixed into vanilla yogurt since its so filling that way. But, its also great to dip pretzels in or spread on graham crackers




I also love Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bars. 140 calories and 2 grams protein




Vita Top Deep Chocolate Muffin Tops 100 calories and 3 grams protein





But these are my absolute favorite:


Cookie Dough Balance bars! I think they are too sweet for mornings, but they solve my craving for both cookies AND chocolate AND fill me up each and every time. 200 calories and 15 grams of protein. I absolutly LOVE them!!

Each of these snacks are portable and I actually keep both Balance Bars and Fiber One bars in my glove box just in case!

Home-made BBQ!

I love bbq, and I REALLY love bbq sauce. It makes any meal that much better, and home made is really the way to go. I've made some different variations and this is by far my favorite. Its easy, healthy and delicious! The recipe makes alot, but that's even better because you can store it in the refrigerator and use it on anything!

1 tbl butter
1.5 cup diced onion (more or less depending on how strong your onion is)
1 cup Apple Cider vinegar (any vinegar other then WHITE DISTILLED will work!)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Crown Royal - which is what I have used each time I make the recipe, but I imagine that any bourbon or whiskey would work!
1 cup apple juice (or water if you dont have apple juice)
1 container baby prunes - gerber, etc. and yes, you read that right!
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
kosher salt and fresh ground pepper

saute the onion in the butter until they are soft and slightly brown. add in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for about 30 minutes to an hour.
then- you blend it all! this gets out the chunks of onion and makes it thicker and smooth. if it becomes too thick, just add some water to get it to the consistiency you like
I use the Cuisinart Immersion Blender

I bought it from Costco for about $25. It has come in handy so often - making smoothies, baby food, soup, anything you need blended, and its SO easy to clean!

I like this particular sauce on pork (free range, organic of course ;) but it is also great on Chicken, beef and someone suggested grilled tofu!

enjoy!

Ok- I'll do it!

SO, after an amazing fun weekend, a few friends talked me into really having a blog. I've always wanted to, but not been completly sure of what to include. I mean, what do I do that is interesting enough to share?

They suggested an easy, healthy eating blog. (and some things that are maybe not so healthy, but are a good way to cut calories to make a dish or drink better for you)

This is something that I am totally into. I love to cook. I love to eat. I love to work out (weird, I know) but I really, really love to feel good.

As a working mother, I understand the priority for making all of the above passions fit into my life. I have found short cuts, making a healthy lifestyle sustainable and have created delicious healthy recipes and tips- I'd love to share!

YUM!

Great deal on Vitatops! Just until midnight tonight, you buy 12 and get 12 muffins for free. I love the chocolate flavor and the Cranberry as well. its a great on the go breakfast, and since they're sweet its a treat when I Get to eat them!

100 calories, tons of fiber and good for you!