AN ORGANIZED MESS

Started off the day right with a little of what is quickly becoming the usual for BREAKFAST.

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

For LUNCH I made a fab little soup and sandwich combo.

1/2 PRETZEL ROLL + HORSERADISH SAUCE + HAM + TRADER JOE’S TOMATO BISQUE SOUP + BASIL

I ran around ALL day looking for the perfect organizational tools to tackle one of the biggest tasks in my house…KITCHEN CABINETS!!!

They are a mess!!!  Not because I am a mess, but because I have so much STUFF, and so little space to store it in.  Since becoming more of a baker over the past few months, I now own like 6 different kinds of flour and about 12 different types of sprinkles/decoration candies.  It’s ridiculous, and I HAVE to find a way to make my kitchen more orderly!

After HOURS of slaving away in my kitchen and making very important organizational decisions, I created this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

After my hard work, I was FAMISHED and keeping with my tradition lately of totally trashing my body, I ordered up me some Papa John’s.

 

 

 

 

ME: HAM + PINEAPPLE & BOYFRIEND: CHICKEN + SPINACH

At least I knocked one big task off the To-Do List.  I’m so proud of myself, and now I can pass out!

XOXO

STRANDED AT THE DRIVE IN

Thank goodness it’s Monday!!  I have a host of things to get down this week!  For BREAKFAST I’m still attacking the box of Trader O’s that I bought for Mom when she was here. (Little blueberry peaking out from under the cereal…I swear there are much more in there hiding!)

TRADER JOE’S TRADER O’S + BEECHNUT 5 GRAIN BABY CEREAL + BLUEBERRIES + SPLENDA + CINNAMON + ALMOND MILK

I found a few English cucumbers sitting in my crisper that were DYING to get used…literally DYING!!

What to make, what to make…TZATZIKI it is!

TZATZIKI + CARROTS

Boyfriend and I had plans for a little Date Night, but I needed something to hold me over so I created a little veggie soup that turned out awesome.  A little heavy for my stomach however, and the curry got to me after a bit.  Totally worth a few stomach pains though

LITE RED CURRY SAUCE + BEAN SPROUTS

Boyfriend and I went to Red Robin for Date Night dinner.  Quick fact: I worked there my last summer after graduating college and a little after graduation until I found a job.  I didn’t realize how much I missed the food.  I hate to admit it, but it’s really good!!!  Not good FOR you (in fact it’s terrible for the body), but it’s soooo tasty!

JUST-IN-QUESADILLAS

WHISKEY RIVER BBQ BURGER

My belly was beyond full, but I was not going to leave a bite of my food.  Burgers are not re-heat friendly, and I doubt that I will be revisiting Red Robin anytime soon.

After dinner, Boyfriend and I went to the Santee Drive-In and saw Hangover II and X-Men.

 

 

Hangover II was EXACTLY life the first one but takes place in Thailand.  It was still very funny, but very predictable.

 

 

 

X-Men: First Class however was AWESOME!!!  I’m not a comic book fan, but I LOVED this movie.  I have a general knowledge of the characters, and this movie takes us back to their origins.  It explains to the viewer why the characters are the way they are, and what makes them tick.  Plus, the main character played by ______ wasn’t that bad to look at! (I would NEVER tell Boyfriend this!)  He was in Atonement, a movie that I enjoyed very much despite it’s depressing story.

 

Love Date Night at the Drive-In!

XOXO

SUNDAY REPEAT

I’m sad to say that I think Mark and I have hit every reasonably priced Sunday Breakfast Buffet in San Diego.  I say reasonably because I know of a few other places, but they cost almost double what we usually pay.  We plan on saving those places for special Sunday occasions.

This morning Mark and I went to Baja Betty’s for our drinking and eating fest!

TORTELLINI SALAD + CHORIZO + EGGS + BLACK BEANS

Baja Betty’s is the only place that gives you a choice of either Mimosas or White Sangria.  I thought I’d switch it up for a change and start with a White Sangria.  They were fabulous however VERY sweet!

After a few unpictured returns to the buffet line, I loaded up on dessert.  Baja Betty’s has by far one of the best sweet selections of all the places Mark and I have gone thus far.

Their flan is out of this world!!!  I was also making “UMMM” sounds while stuffing the cream puff in my face.

STRAWBERRIES + FLAN + CHOCOLATE ÉCLAIR + CREAM PUFF + FLAN + CHEESECAKE + FRIED CINNAMON THINGY

I was nursing one heck of a food baby after this feast.  However, I still managed it wash it all down with a Mimosa.

MIMOSA

After Brunch, I accompanied Mark to the mall to help him pick out some new shades.

I made a pit stop at Sephora to pick up some necessities.

I hear this dry shampoo is incredible and I DESPERATELY need it because it kills my long locks to wash it everyday.

I also have been eyeing this nail polish for awhile now.  It looks so cool and I’ve been trying to save on weekly manicures but doing them at home.  It just gets too expensive after awhile.

I stuffed myself so much, that I had no appetite for the rest of the day.  I know that once a day food binges aren’t healthy but I just couldn’t bring myself to eat again.

I think I’m going to take a break from Sunday Brunch Fun Day next week.  I love to eat, but I’m not loving feeling like a STUFFED PIG!  However, by next Sunday I might change my mind…

XOXO

CLEAN EATS

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

I LOVE LIVING IN CALIFORINA!!!

Not only is the weather amazing, but produce is so cheap!!  In an effort to eat a bit more “clean” I’ve really been raiding the produce at all of the local grocery stores.  Summer time is BLUEBERRY time, and I’ve been taking full advantage of the $1 6oz. packages of berries at Henry’s!

For BREAKFAST I mixed together a cereal combo that I scarfed down in record time.

TRADER JOE’S TRADER O’S + BEECHNUT 5 GRAIN CEREAL + BLUEBERRIES + ALMOND MILK + BLUEBERRIES + SPLENDA + CINNAMON

 

Yes, the Beechnut 5 Grain cereal is baby cereal!  It was on sale for $1 and the nutritional stats are perfect!  It really helps to “bulk” up my breakfast, so that I feel full longer.  I trust baby food WAY MORE then I trust food made for the rest of us because companies seem to take extra care when producing foods for the little ones.

 

Today was a cardio day, so I threw together a quick SNACK before I did my treadmill HIIT.

RICE CAKE + HUMMUS + APPLE + CINNAMON

I’ve been obsessed with this work out for a while now, but I know it’s about time that I take it to the next level.  Common sense tells me that the more my body becomes accustomed to this work out, the less it’s going to have an impact on my fitness

My gym is right next to a Bed, Bath, & Beyond store so I made a pit stop there to pick up some clips for my duvet cover to prevent shifting.  I saw these Luna bars there and HAD to get them.  With my $5 off coupon, I was able to get these (retail $10) and the duvet clips ($5) for around $10!!  Such a good shopper!!

 

 

I really enjoy Luna Bars, but sometimes I have no place in my daily intake for a 200+ calorie snack.  These are perfect because they clock in at only 80 calories!!  WARNING: When they say “mini,” they mean MINI!!

I didn’t mind though.  They were still a great POST WORKOUT treat.

My pit stop and Henry’s on the way home from the gym also led me to find another awesome new discovery…

PRETZEL BREAD!!!!

I couldn’t WAIT to try it out for DINNER!  They are freshly baked at Henry’s, so they labeled the bag as as around 260 calories per roll so I’m going to try my darnest to NOT eat the whole roll in one sitting, and instead opt for half.

TORTILLA SOUP STOCK + 1/2 CUP TRADER JOE’S CORN KERNELS + 1/2 PRETZEL BREAD WITH MUSTARD

Well, that’s it for today.  I have to wake up early tomorrow for some Sunday-Funday Brunch time con mi amigo!

XOXO

FAB FRIDAY

Boyfriend and I were SUPPOSED to wake up early and go on a mini hike, but getting him out of bed in the morning is virtually impossible.  So instead, I make us some fresh yummy juice. 

ARUGULA + PINEAPPLE + APPLE + LEMON + GINGER + CARROTS + BEETS

Another award-winning combo!  I’m shocked that I haven’t made a juice yet that I didn’t like!!  I blame it on the ginger…it makes everything taste good!

 

 

For BREAKFAST I made a Mediterranean omelet that I used to make all the time.  The trick is to cook the spinach and tomatoes first and then drain all the excesses water out BEFORE you add the eggs.  Otherwise, it turns into an “omelet soup.” 3 EGG WHITES + SPINACH + VINE-RIPPENED TOMATO + FF FETA CHEESE + S&P + RICE CAKE + I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER SPRAY

I had an AMAZING discovery today!!!  I have AT&T U-Verse cable and they offer FREE On-Demand work out videos via ExerciseTV!!!!  They have LOADS of videos available and they change them around every so often!

So today I did two quick videos:

• 10 min Buns and Thighs
• Ab Fat-Blaster

I am LOVING this!!  A perfect was to prevent my exercise routine from becoming boring!

DINNER was kind of boring and simple.  I basically just needed to use up a box of soup that I had opened the other day.

TORTILLA SOUP BROTH + BEAN SPROUTS + 45 CALORIE WHEAT BREAD + HUMMUS 

I have tons of errands to do this weekend and the weather is supposed to be lousy, so hopefully I will get everything done!

XOXO

(Mini Cat in picture may be closer then she appears!)

JUST ANOTHER DAY

I did not get to sleep last night until VERY late.  I think I was overtired however, I still forced myself to wake up at a reasonable time.  Surprisingly enough, I  wasn’t really that sore from yesterday’s work-out.

For BREAKFAST I had some cereal!!  I cannot remember the last time I had this combination.  Of course, it was still tasty and filling!

TRADER JOE’S TRADER O’S + PUFFED MILLET + ALMOND MILK + SPLENDA + BLUEBERRIES

Yesterday I noticed that I had two very ripe bananas in my fruit basket so rather then freeze them (which I do for my smoothies), I cut them up (or should I say I directed Boyfriend to chop them up) and put them in the dehydrator.  By mid-day today, they were done!

BANANA CHIPS

I snacked on these as well as a PEACH and some COCOA ALMONDS while running some errands today.

 

 

Found this awesome seasoning for popcorn at Target.  It has zero calories,  unlike some of the other flavorings, so it could be a nice little addition to some other foods as well. 

Who doesn’t love “Buffalo Style”???

 

 

 

Next stop was Marshall’s for who knows what.  I never go there for anything specific, but just to see what they have.  The rotating stock always surprises me with new things!  I picked up some Cold Stone Jelly Bellies for Boyfriend.  He LOVES this flavor…so do I!  Also picked up a super cute ice cream dish ($3!!) for my protein fro-yo.  I did get one more item, but more on that later…

My last stop today was at the gym too sneak in a little HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) on the elliptical.  The elliptical used to be my favorite, but now I much rather run.  I find the elliptical boring now.

minute #	resistance
0-1	6
1-2	6
2-3	8
3-4	10
4-5	12
5-6	14
6-7	8
7-8	10
8-9	12
9-10	14
10-11	8
11-12	10
12-13	12
13-14	14
14-15	8
15-16	10
16-17	12
17-18	14
18-19	8
19-20	6

After the gym I ran home to make yet another PIZZA BURRITO for LUNCH.  Unfortunately, this is the end of my pizza burritos for awhile because I used the last of my turkey pepperoni and I’m on a grocery store strike until my packed cabinets are emptied a bit.

LA TORTILLA FACTORY TORTILLAS + HUNT’S TOMATO SAUCE + DAIYA MOZZ. CHEESE + 2 EGG WHITES + 9 SLICES TURKEY PEPPERONI + BASIL + ROSEMARY + OREGANO + S&P + GARLIC POWDER

Boyfriend was out for the night so I had to find something to do to keep me occupied…

 

Poured some wine…

 

 

 

 

and got my bake on!

I finally got the chance to attempt one of the HUNDREDS of recipes that I have had bookmarked on my Internet Explorer.  I made Super-Charge Me! Cookies from eat, drink, & be vegan.  I made a few modification: coconut oil instead of canola, and 1/3 agave instead of maple syrup.  I also turned them into “balls” rather then cookies.

SUPER CHARGE ME! COOKIES

VERDICT: They were fab!  Even Boyfriend though they were good!!  Will definitely have to make more and freeze them for quick, healthy “treats”.

While the cookies were a’bakin, I brought out the doughnut maker and whipped up a quick batch.  I wanted to make blueberry doughnuts but the recipes with the makers used jelly and all I had was Boysenberry jelly.  So BOYSENBERRY DONUTS it was!! 

They baked in like 6 minutes and the maker was a cinch to clean!  I was being lazy and didn’t make a glaze for them because I DESTROYED the kitchen.

One day soon I will have a DONUT BAKING FEST and I will do it up right!  Bad, sugar filled donuts for Boyfriend, healthy lavender filled donuts for me!!

 

Once the baking was complete, I made myself a little veggie tray with a new dip creation totally from my own noggin.  I basically opened my fridge and cabinets and threw together whatever was left into the Vitamix.  Then I threw the pureed mess into a casserole dish and into the oven for 20 min. at 350 degrees.

CAN OF ARTICHOKE HEARTS + ROASTED RED PEPPER + SPINACH + 0% FAGE GREEK YOGURT + FF CREAM CHEESE + 2 TBSP PARMESAN CHEESE + GARLIC POWDER + WORCESTERSHIRE + S&P + CARROTS & CUCUMBERS (FOR DIPPIN)

It turned out pretty good considered the fact that there was barely any cheese in it, and none of the mayo-goodness that I put in my usual dips.  Boyfriend gave it the thumbs up because he quickly devoured half of the dip that I had left over.

It’s about that time now…nite!

  XOXO