SATURDAY

Mornin’!

So I didn’t actually have the energy to go to the gym after drinks last night, but I did wake up this morning with arms like jelly so I know I did something right during yesterday’s workout!

For BREAKFAST I had to reach deep into the depths of my cabinet to pull out this old friend:

COFFEE PRESS TRAVEL MUG

No, my Keurig is NOT broken thank goodness!!  However, a few weeks back I bought some coffee at TJ’s that does not filter well through the Keurig’s reusable filter.  I tried grinding the coffee extra fine, but that did nothing.  I really loved the STRONG flavor of my coffee that comes from pressing it.

To accompany my coffee, I toasted up some waffles for BREAKFAST.  These were the last of some frozen waffles I bought like 6 months ago.  I ALWAYS buy things and then forget about them.  Workin’ on it…

SWEET POTATOE WAFFLES + SLICED STRAWBERRIES

Today was NOT a beautiful San Diego day so I spent my day inside baking instead of basking in the glow of the sun.  I made cupcakes for two of my friends’ birthdays.  I decided I wanted to be a bit creative and I layered a chocolate and vanilla cake mix to created what I called a “Black & Tan” cup cake.  In between layers I put a mini peanut butter cup.  They were pretty sweet so completely icing them would have made them too sweet so I opted for a dollop of cream cheese frosting instead!

BLACK & TAN CUPCAKES

Everyone said they were AMAZING!!  I know they weren’t just being nice because I tried them too and I thought they were AMAZING!! LOL

I’m trying to make Boyfriend eat a little healthier.  He’s one of those guys who will realized at 5pm that he has not eaten all day!!  How do people do that?!?  As so as I wake up I’m pondering what yummy things I can shove in my face!

So to force Boyfriend to eat healthy (and NOT just PB&J sandwiches) I’ve been “hiding” veggies in his food.

WHOLE WHEAT PASTA + CHICKEN + ZUCCHINI + TOMATO SAUCE + MOZZARELLA CHEESE

He LOVED it!!  I was so excited.  He actually said he LIKE the zucchini in the pasta.  If I had the time, I could fatten Boyfriend up in 2 weeks!!

For DINNER, I used some of the leftover chicken from Boyfriend’s pasta to put together a healthy treat for me!

LA TORTILLA WHOLE WHEAT WRAP + SPINACH + CHICKEN + FRANK’S HOT SAUCE + LIGHTHOUSE LITE BLUE CHEESE DRESSING + CHERRY TOMATOES + ZUCCHINI

I did manage to make it to the gym for some VERY quick cardio but it was VERY half-a$$.  Something is better then nothing.  I did rock another pumpkin protein muffin.  This one was still quite flat.  I think I need to use more peanut flour.

1/4 CUP PUMPKIN + 2 EGG WHITES + 1 TBSP PEANUT FLOUR + CINNAMON + 1/2 TSP BAKING SODA + 2 TSP SPLENDA WITH FIBER

I’m OUT!

XOXO

FRUITS & VEGGIES…OH MY!

I took a few days off from blogging because my food has been sporadic and my life crazy.

Here are two notable meals that I HAD to brag about…

BEANS + TOMATOES + GREEN CHILIS + 2 HARD BOILED EGG WHITES + WHEAT BREAD + I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER

May 5th was Mini Cat’s 1st Birthday!!  I made her a special birthday breakfast.

TUNA FISH

Boyfriend has been sick lately so I’ve been making him power juices to get him better!

PINEAPPLE + ORANGES + LEMONS + GINGER + SPINACH

For BREAKFAST I made a little cereal parfait with some Trader Joe’s Os that I bought when my Mom came to visit.  She has a serious Cheerios obsession.  I’m not a huge fan of them unless I “dress them up” with other things.  The Os are hidden by the millet, but I swear they are there.

TRADER JOE’S O’S + MILLET PUFFS + STRAWBERRIES + SPLENDA WITH FIBER + CINNAMON

I went to Henry’s today because they had VATS of Strawberries on sale for 4 for $5!!!  I froze two pints, and left one in the fridge.  I also picked up a load of other veggies and fruits because they were so reasonably priced.

CUCUMBERS

PEARS

ORANGES

APPLES

CELERY

It’s pretty easy to eat healthy in Southern California because produce is so abundant, therefore reasonably priced.  I’m sure 99% of these fruits and veggies are going to end up in the juicer.  I’m really trying to switch over to all organic fruits and veggies as much as possible.  Sometimes the price difference is less then a dollar, so there is no debate.  When it gets to be double the price, that’s when I cannot bear to do it.

This morning I did a little sweat sesh with Jillian followed by an AMAZING protein cake.  All ingredients mixed together and microwaved for 3 minutes.

TWO EGG WHITES + 1/4 CUP PUMPKIN + 1 TBSP PEANUT FLOUR + 1/2 TSP BAKING POWDER + 20 GRAMS ORGANIC RAISINS + 1/2 TSP CINNAMON + 2 TSP SPLENDA WITH FIBER

It didn’t “puff” up as much as I hoped, but none-the-less it was pretty filling and so very tasty!! 

I will be trying to switch to stevia or another zero calorie sweetener as soon as I use up my stockpile of Splenda with fiber.  While I LOVE my Splenda, I am beginning to comprehend how these artificial sweeteners really are not good for the bod.  Slowly I’m making the change from a low calorie packaged food diet, to a more whole foods way of eating.  Baby steps, but at least I’m taking them.  I cannot say that I will ever totally give up my 100 calorie packs of cheese curls, but I will definitely keep those as “treats” and not regular parts of my daily intake.

After a little light cleaning I made a salad beast for dinner.  I threw everything in but the kitchen sink!

SPINACH + BROCOLLI COLESLAW + TUNA + 2 EGG WHITES + CHERRY TOMATOES + CUCUMBERS + CELERY + AVOCADO + HUMMUS DRESSING

I’m going to grab some drinks with a friend tonight.  I’m throwing around the idea of hitting the gym late night.  I feel so good from my workout this morning, that I’m kind of craving a repeat session.  CRAZY!

  XOXO

MEXICAN FUN

ANOTHER trip to Ocean Beach today, but not to bask in the ray of the sun.  Today was about food (my favorite) and exercise (my not so favorite).

Boyfriend loaded our beach cruisers (CA version of a bike) in the truck, pumped up the tires with some air, and headed to the BEACH!!!

Love the leopard print seat??  I love my bike!!  Before we hit the open road, we had to load up on some eats!

We headed to my favorite Taco Tuesday joint, South Beach Bar & Grill!!

BEERS

The place was PACKED!!!  But it always is.  Getting a table is like a fight for your life.  People are pretty rough, but one bite of their delicious tacos and you can understand why.  The waitress told us that the kitchen was running at 45 minutes for tacos so we ordered something to hold us over until then.

GUACAMOLE + SALSA + CHIPS

After the “starter” was devoured, the main star arrived…

LOBSTER + OYSTER + CALAMARI STEAK TACOS WITH CORN TORTILLAS

I ALWAYS get the Lobster taco, and I’ve had the Oyster taco several times before.  I know I love them!  The Calamari taco was new to me and I didn’t particularly like it.   It was a HUGE slice of calamari and I just wasn’t feeling the texture.  Had it been a smaller piece, I think I would have enjoyed it more.

Boyfriend took our “seafood” night a little literal…SEE-FOOD!

Sorry ladies…he’s taken! LOL

LOBSTER + OYSTER TACOS WITH FLOUR TORTILLAS

“SKINNY” POMAGRANITE MARGARITA

This margarita was REALLY good and less then 100 calories!!! 

After dinner, we went for a little bike ride near the beach.  It was darker outside then we thought it would be so the bike ride did not last too long.  We rode by a candy shop and I HAD to stop and pick up some dark chocolate treats.  I forgot to take a picture of some of the purchased goods because I got distracted by this!!!!

TASTYCAKES!!!!

Only Philly people can understand my amazement at finding this treasure all the way out here on the West Coast!!!  I’m in love.  I didn’t by any of these baked goods because my mother brought me two boxes when she came recently and I still had one left over.  I’m trying to resist sitting down and eating the whole box!

And the PERFECT end to our night…Boyfriend and I officially booked our vacation for my BIG birthday coming up!!!  We are going to Cancun and staying at the Dreams All-Inclusive Resort.  We are balling and booked the upgraded suite package.  I CANNOT wait!!!  Now all I have to do is get my passport…

 

  XOXO

TO OB, OR NOT TO OB

This is becoming a bit repetitive: BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SUNNY SAN DIEGO!

However, in a welcome change Boyfriend actually accompanied me on my beach visit today!  But first, we had to fuel our bellies for a long day of basking in the sun. 

Boyfriend was craving some burgers for LUNCH so we went to Burger Lounge, which is LITERALLY two blocks from our townhome!!  I love this place because they have a great food philosophy:

(from their website)

Burger Lounge grew out of the idea that a hamburger should not only taste great, it should also utilize healthy ingredients produced in a sustainable environment. We provide a simple premium quality menu that appeals to health conscious diners, vegetarians, salad lovers and diners simply "hankering for a great hamburger".
Our beef comes from one farm, grown by a small company where the animals are well treated and never spend time in a corporate "feed-lot". Their diet consists of tall green grass from beautiful Kansas prairie land. This is what nature intended cows to eat and nothing more. No hormones, no antibiotics, no grain, no corn, just beautiful green grass. These conditions produce a beef that is delicious and far better for you than conventionally grown beef.

ROMAINE + BABY SPINACH + CUCUMBER + TOMATO + ROASTED CORN + JICAMA + DAIKON SPROUTS + AGED RICOTTA + LEMON-BASIL VINAIGRETTE + QUINOA BURGER

The quinoa aka “veggie” burgers here are OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!  Best ever, hands down!!  They make them in-house and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!!

Boyfriend got the burger.  I’ve never had them, but he says that they are REALLY good.

FRESH GRASS-FED BEEF + LOUNGE BUN + CRISP LETTUCE + TOMATO + HOUSE-MADE 1000 ISLAND + GRILLED OINION + WHITE CHEDDAR CHEESE

The beach was beautiful of course, but we did not stay too long because Boyfriend has not spent much time in the sun so far this year and he did not want to crisp up like me.

The Easter Bunny bought Boyfriend a pizza stone last week.  We were going to use it for tonight’s pizza DINNER, but apparently it has to be soaked and thoroughly dried before the first use.  We also did not have any corn meal which is apparently necessary to prevent sticking.

Instead we just did it the old fashioned way, and plopped the pizza on a foiled baking sheet at 450 degrees until crispy!

TJ’S WHOLE WHEAT CRUST + TJ’S FF PIZZA SAUCE:

BOYFRIEND’S 1/2: MOZZARELLA CHEESE + CHICKEN + BLACK OLIVES + SPINACH

GIRLFRIEND’S 1/2: DAIYA CHEESE + BANANA PEPPERS + BLACK OLIVES + SPINACH + TURKEY PEPPERONI

This is the first time I’ve had Daiya cheese and I really liked it.  Melts like butter and tasted really good.  I’m really trying to cut dairy out of my life.  Not only due to my lactose intolerance (which should be enough), but because of all the added hormones that are getting pumped into our cows.  I have ENOUGH hormones making me crazy as it is!!

In between the beach and dinner, I stopped by the store and made a little purchase:

I KNOW I said I was going to try to resist the urge, but this is NOT the $200 model I have been lusting over.  This is a $30 Black & Decker Juicer that works marvelously!  The only criticism I have is that I think the more expensive models probably extract more juice from the fruit/veggies then this one.  I still LOVE it though, and do not know how I lived without it!!!

SPINACH + PINEAPPLE + APPLE + CUCUMBER + GINGER + SPINACH

Boyfriend had the first juice!  He loves my weird food kicks and ALWAYS benefits from it.

I can’t wait to put together yummy combinations!

XOXO

BEACH BRUNCH

I’ve been such a good girl all week, I decided that I deserved a little fun times!  I met up with some friends at Gringo’s in Pacific Beach for all-you-can-drink Mimosas and an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet.  It was a complete exercise in gluttony.

I did not even attempt to count the number of refills of mimosas there were poured.  Notice the very light color of the mimosas.  Light = More champagne, less OJ = More tipsy!

I MIGHT have made 3 or 4 trips to the buffet line! It was a Mexican feast of foods and it totally rocked my taste buds!

After brunch were stumbled down to the beach, but were quickly distracted by the bumping bars along the water:

PB Shore Club

STELLA + WASHINGTON APPLE SHOTS + 3 OYSTER SHOOTERS

The Beachwood

RANDOM SHOT + 1/2 FROZEN MARGARITA MIXED WITH 1/2 MEXICAN BEER

PB Bar & Grill 

ORGASM SHOT

Had a BLAST today!!  We were all talking about making brunch a Sunday tradition.  However, next time I’ll refrain from bar hopping after and all you can drink event!

 

MAY RESOLUTIONS:

• 1. Drink 64 oz. Water everyday
• 2. Exercise 4 times a week
• 3. Take Vitamins EVERY day
• 4. Read a book a week

I LOVE monthly resolutions.  Why just make resolutions once a year?!?  We should be challenging ourselves all the time to improve.

  XOXO