LONG LOST FRIEND

I need to get in tip-top condition for my up-and-coming HUGE birthday so I’m saying “hello” to my long lost friend…

Bringing the Bodybugg back!!  And to think, I almost sold this baby on Craigslist!  SO glad I didn’t.  I love that it tells me exactly how many calories I expend throughout the day so I know when I have to kick my butt a little more if I’m not burning enough calories.  This was probably the number one thing that helped me lose weight last year.

I just wanted to give a shout out to my Mom and Sis.  They sent me a “care package” the other day with a bunch of fun eats and items!!  I LOVE care packages!!!  My mom used to send them to me all the time when I was in school.  She loves me!  I actually asked her to send me the Pretzel bagels because they are only available on the East Coast.  Little did I know she would send me a whole box o’things!

FLIPPY FLOPS + NY YANKEES PEZ + THOMAS’ PRETZ-A-BAGELS + POPCORNERS CHEESY JALAPENO + FRIDGE NOTEPAD + 100 COCOA ROASTED ALMONDS + LINDOR TRUFFLES + TASTYCAKES

I’m trying to start off my day with all my carbs and a good dose of protein.  Today for BREAKFAST I made mini waffle “sandwiches” and they were yum! 

2 EGG WHITES + VAN’S MINI GLUTEN FREE WAFFLES + SUGAR FREE SYRUP

I also juiced up a bunch of juice to take to work with me today.  Love those layers!

APPLES + CARROTS + GINGER + BEETS + LEMON + SPINACH

I couldn’t wait to drink this!!!  It looked sooo good.  And then…I left it at home in my fridgeI had to wait until I got home to drink it, but it was still  fabulous.

I stopped by the grocery store on my way home to pick up something to munch on because I was starving and couldn’t wait until I got home!!!!!

I picked up two of these bars.  The other one was a Carrot Cake bar which I ate about 1/3 of and then wrapped up to be consumed at a later time when I was DESPERATE for food.  The bar was GROSS!!!!  It was dry and ick.  NOT A FAN!!

When I got home I whipped up the quickest meal possible because I was STARVED!!!!!!!  I enjoyed eating my veggies, however I was NOT enjoying the stomach pains afterwards.  NO MORE BRUSSEL SPROUTS FOR ME!!!  I LOVE them, but my tummy does not.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS + FF ITALIAN DRESSING + VEGAN BOCA BURGER + HORSERADISH SAUCE

Boca Burgers are MUCH better as a burger and don’t really hold on their own

I skipped the gym AGAIN today Someone needs to kick me in the butt!!!!!

XOXO

IT’S BEEN AWHILE

My baby sis made a surprise visit to see me last week and since eating well and working out is NOT conducive to good sisterly bonding, I took a mini blog break!!

After a week of alcohol and burgers galore, I will be paying for it dearly over the next couple of weeks.  However, I had a BLAST with my sis, so it was WELL worth it!

For BREAKFAST this morning, I made an Orange Julius inspired smoothie for a huge protein punch!

1/2 ORANGE + 2 CUPS SPINACH + 1 CUP ALMOND MILK + 1/2 BANANA + ICE CUBES + 1 SCOOP RAW PROTEIN POWDER

I ran to the grocery store today to restock on some necessities.  I discovered a new find at Trader Joe’s!!

I was so excited.  This is going to be a nice little topping for my coffee or on top of a frosted cupcake.  Can’t wait to try this!

I also SNACKED on some fruit.  Saturn Peaches are my favorite and they are only available for about a month or two every year.  I’m definitely going to make sure that I get my fill this year.

SATURN PEACH

And for DINNER tonight I pulled out the old Panini press and made a nice little “sandwich” to round out my 1st day of clean eats!

TRADER JOE’S BROWN RICE TORTILLA + LAUGHING COW LIGHT SWISS CHEESE + OSCAR MAYER HONEY SMOKED TURKEY BREASTS + 100 CALORIE POPCORN (unpictured)

I didn’t get a chance to go to the gym today because the day ran away from me so I will be sure to KICK MY BUTT tomorrow to compensate.

XOXO

HOME COOKING

I wasn’t tracking my food today so I hadn’t intended on posting today until the cooking bug bit me at dinner time and I created a few masterpieces!!!

I was at the grocery store and was inspired by some shrimp that was on sale!!

To celebrate my AMAZING dinner I did something that I NEVER do…spend more then $5 on a bottle of wine!!!  I bought Red Velvet Cupcake wine and it was DEVINE!!!  Of course, I pick wine based on the name and label! 

So I made my first attempt at SHRIMP ENCHILADAS…two ways!!!

(1) THE “BOYFRIEND” WAY

Full fat cheese!

(2) THE “GIRLFRIEND” WAY

In an effort to reduce my cheese intake, I made my enchiladas with Almond Jalapeno Jack Style Cheese and I LOVED it.  Melted, I couldn’t even tell it wasn’t real cheese.  For a bigger protein punch, I added some FF refried beans to the enchilada mix. 

And for DESSERT…

OATMEAL + STRAWBERRIES + BLUEBERRIES + BLACKBERRIES

 

For being the first time I tried making Shrimp Enchiladas, I think they turned out pretty well.  The only thing I’m going to do next time is maybe layer the tortillas like a lasagna instead of rolling them.  They kind of fell apart but they still tasted mighty fine!!

XOXO

WEEK IN REVIEW

I’ve been SUPER busy this week thus far so my posting time has been very limited.  So, to catch up, I’m going to do a post of some of my favs this week.

I’ve been meaning to pick up some seeds to grow my own sprouts at home.  I LOVE sprouts and the instructions look super easy…

Bought a new orchid for my bathroom.  I love keeping fresh flowers in the house, but Mini Cat will eat them if left down stairs.  For some reason she leaves the flowers in the bathroom alone.  LOVE orchids because they require minimal watering and last a heck of a long time!

AMAZING tuna salad stuffed red pepper.  My mother taught me this breadless trick and the red pepper’s sweetness PERFECTLY complements the tuna!

 

 

 

New Starbucks cup for ice teas on the run!!  I bought some instant coffee and throw a TSP in the mug with some hot water, a few splenda, coconut creamer and some ice!!

 

 

 

 

Tried to use my new protein powder for a protein muffin.  It tasted AWFUL!!!  It completely fell apart and was EXTREMELY dry.  Definitely going to have to tweak this recipe a bit.

LOVED this salad!  New obsession: BEETS!!!

I have Boyfriend to thank for this idea.  He made a hamburger the other day and discovered that he didn’t have any bread or rolls to put in on.  In a brillant move, he grabbed a bagel and made a bagel burger!!  I put together my own version with a bagel thin and a Boca Vegan patty. 

A-MAZ-ING!

 

 

 

Tera’s Whey Blueberry Protein Powder.  TRY IT!!!

Nuff said!

 

 

 

 

 

I’m REALLY going to try not to be such a slacker!  Part of the reason that I do this food blog is to hold myself accountable for the things that I’m doing to my bod (eating & exercising)!!  If I don’t consistently blog and really think about what I’m eating, it’s easier for me to make the wrong choices!!

XOXO

BLOW ON THOSE PIPES

Random Date Night!!!

I’ve lived in San Diego for a few years now, and I’ve definitely found my favorite eats around here!  I know where to get the best Mexican, Sushi, Fro-Yo, etc.  However, there are still TONS of restaurants I have yet to try.  Since Boyfriend and I don’t go out to eat much (I love to cook at home!), I have made a vow to ONLY to go NEW places.

First up, was Cucina Urbana.  This place has had such great buzz around San Diego, and is a constant darling to Yelpers!

It’s a trendy Italian place that has fancy pizzas and what-not.  We sat at the “pizza bar” because the place was booked solid for the night.  I expected to wait awhile for a table, but didn’t realize that no amount of waiting would get me one that night.  No matter, I actually liked sitting at the pizza bar because I got to sit right next to Boyfriend and give him sly kisses whenever I wanted to!

 

 

Boyfriend ordered a bottle of red.  I always let him pick the wine because he knows a lot about wine AND he knows what I like

LOVED the wine!!  I’m such a light weight!  After about 1/2 a glass I was definitely feeling a bit tipsy. 

We took home 1/2 the bottle to finish later on that night.

 

 

 

Boyfriend let me pick the appetizer.  Every time I go to a new restaurant I MUST get an appetizer.  It lets me taste more of the menu so I don’t get discouraged by a possible fluke bad entrée. 

I ordered the Sweet Breads, and they were divine!!  I’ve never had sweetbreads before, but chefs seem to universally rave about them so I had to give them a try. 

SEMOLINA CRUSTED SWEETBREADS: CAVOLO NERO + CAPER BERRY + HOUSE CURED BACON

I was going to order the veal, but Boyfriend jumped on that entrée so I ordered the chicken and I’m glad I did!!!  It was so good!!!!!!ROASTED “JIDORI” CHICKEN: FONTINA POLENTA + WHITE ASPARAGUS + SWISS CHARD + PISTACHIO PESTO + POACHED HEN EGG

Boyfriend wasn’t a big fan of the veal and neither was I.  It just wasn’t that tasty, and just turned out to be a big let down.

VEAL PICATTA: GRILLED SWEET CORN + OYSTER MUSHROOM CONSERVA + SPINACH + CAPER + SPECK

LOVE that they let us take home the leftover bottle of wine to be consumed at a later time…

 

 

I HAD to get a little something sweet to finish off my meal.  Boyfriend and I stopped at Starbucks and I FINALLY got the Birthday Cake pop that I have been DYING to try!

VERDICT:  It was AWESOME!!!  Such a nice little portion controlled treat!

 

 

 

 

After dinner, we walked over to BEAUTIFUL Balboa park in the heart of San Diego.

Every Monday night this summer, they have a free concert series at the Organ Pavilion.  Tonight they had an organist, bag pipers, and a church choir.  It was so much fun, and the beautiful San Diego weather allows for great nights outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the concert, Boyfriend and I heated up some tasty sugary treats that were purchased in the frozen food section of the grocery store.

KEY LIME PIE + HOT APPLE CRISP

Perfect Date Night once again!

XOXO

CHOCOLATE LOVE

BREAKFAST today was another bowl of “O’s”!

TRADER JOE’S TRADER O’S + BLUEBERRIES + ALMOND MILK + SPLENDA + CINNAMON

I feel like it’s been AGES since I’ve rocked a salad!  Unfortunately, this was not one of my favorites.  I think that it’s because I used Boyfriend’s excessive amount of baby spring mix.  I got so used to spinach salads, that the strong, “peppery” flavor of the spring mix turned me off.

BABY SPRING MIX + TOMATOES ON THE VINE + TUNA + TZATZIKI

I also bought a vegan protein powder for smoothies and baked treats.  I usually just get the individual packets but I’m really trying to up my protein in take.  “They” say you should be consuming 1/2 your body weight in protein a day (125lbs./2 = Around 62 g. of protein a day).  This stuff normally sells for $40!!!  However, I got in on sale for 25% off AND I had a $5 off coupon so it was practically a steal!!

The other night I made a veggie dip with Fage Yogurt and parmesan cheese. It wasn’t too good on my tummy, therefore I Googled Vegan dips because I CANNOT live without Artichoke and Spinach Dip!!!

I found an amazing dip with NO DAIRY!!! It was soooooooo good. Words can’t do it justice! The ONLY thing I would change it to cut down a bit on the cayenne pepper because it was a bit on the spicy side.

ARTICHOKE & SPINACH DIP (+ ROASTED RED PEPPERS)

It was my friend’s birthday last week so I made him some double chocolate cupcakes to celebrate! Of course, I stashed a few to save for Boyfriend!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

XOXO

BLOODY MURDER

I ran out of coffee yesterday, but never fear…I had a backup in the fridge!  I bought this coffee a few weeks ago and I’ve been dying to break it open!

VERDICT: It actually has hints of CHOCOLATE!!!  In my experience, many “flavored” coffees do not taste at all what they claim to be.

This one does, however, and I’m very much liking it!

 

 

 

I thought I’d start out the day with some fresh juice.  I’ve been reading on other blogs how much people LOATHE cleaning their juicer, but I don’t find it to be difficult at all.  My comes apart rather easily and a quick rinse with some hot water cleans up my juicer perfectly!

The addition of beets to my juices, has given it an AWESOME bloody color!!  It’s even cooler when I pour it into Boyfriend’s skull cup.

BEETS + APPLES + CARROTS + LEMON + GINGER

I was all set to chug this down and then…

DISASTER!!!

I was so pi$$ed!!  I had used the last of my produce on this juice!!  I couldn’t believe how upset spilling the last of my juice made me.  After I got over it and cleaned it up, I had to laugh at my reaction!

I used my pent up anger to squeeze a 30 min. HIIT workout at the gym.  The treadmill kept turning off on my every time I tried to increase the speed and it was driving me crazy!!!  The world was definitely working against me today

To reward myself for my sweaty efforts and refuel the bod, I made a delicious protein fro-yo when I got home.

PROTEIN POWDER + VIV AGAVE + BANANA + ICE + GUAR GUM + XANTHAM GUM

My belly was still growling after my smoothie so I put together a quick DINNER.

FLATOUT MULTIGRAIN WRAP + 3 EGG WHITES + LAUGHING COW GARLIC % HERB CHEESE + ZUCCHINI

Even though my day looked like it was boing to be bleak, I picked right up when I got home and saw what came in the mail for me!!!!

MY PASSPORT!!!

Mexico here I come!!!  I’m so excited that I was actually responsible for a change and applied for this WAY ahead of time.  The last thing I wanted to be doing was stressing that it wouldn’t arrive in time for my trip and be stuck paying WAY extra to expedite it!!!

 

 

This trip is making me look forward to this BIG birthday, much more then I would have been had we not booked our Mexican retreat!!!

XOXO