Hunger Games + Exercise + Chocolate Mug Cake!

Well so far, it’s been a nice, relaxing weekend.  It’s been way better than last weekend (when I was SO sick!)  Blah.

Last night Kev and I went on a much needed date.  We went to see the Hunger Games.

Holy cow, what a thought provoking movie!

I’ve never read the book.  I really wanted to read it, but never made the time.  So, I really didn’t know what to expect from the movie.

First off, it was full of amazing actors!  Amazing!  Jennifer Lawrence was perfect as Katniss!  I really loved her.

I thought the whole premise of the movie was extremely disturbing, yet fascinating.  It is not an uplifting movie….at all.  However, I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Oh, and BTW if I ever had to participate in the Hunger Games, I would be a goner…probably the first one.  That would be my worst nightmare.

What a freaky concept.

Man.

Afterward, we went out to dinner at the Training Table.  Not good for me….but GOOD!

Regardless, it was a fun night.  I love my husband. 🙂

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Well, I’ve been pretty good on the exercise front this week.  I went on a quick 3 mile run yesterday.  My oldest son goes to school late on Fridays, so I thought I would take advantage of the babysitter!  Yay!

It was a great run, but near the end I felt my IT Band starting to bug AGAIN!

Auggghhh!

It was just a little twinge, but it stressed me out!

FYI, I injured my IT Band last fall.  I took  a month off from running and it still hurt, so I took another 2 months off from running and it’s been fine ever since.  Yay.  It BETTER not act up again.  I will be so sad.

So, when I got home I did a ton of stretching and then rolled the heck out of my IT band with my foam roller.  Yay.

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Today I went to a new class at the gym.  I couldn’t make it to my fav 9:00 class (my son had a soccer game), so I decided to try a different class.

It was actually at a Gold’s Gym further away from my house, but I didn’t care.  It took me about 25 minutes to get there, but I figured it was worth it.  I push myself 10 times harder when I’m in a class.  I love it.  I also missed my Saturday class last week because I was sick, so I decided to make it happen today.

I’m so glad I did!  It was an hour long “Muscle Works” class and it was great.  We worked every muscle and I loved it!

Afterward, I ran 4.6 miles on the treadmill.  I ran a little slower in hopes that my IT band wouldn’t act up….and it didn’t bug me at ALL!  Yay!

I’ve heard that most IT Band issues happen because a runner fails to warm up properly, runs too fast or too far.  I think I’m guilty of all 3!

I’m not a big “warmer-upper!”  It’s hard for me to take the time.  I also like to run fast….I love to push myself and I just like to GET IT DONE!

Soooo, I’m going to start warming up more and running a little slower….just in case.

When I got home from the gym, I plopped down on the couch and snuggled with these two cuties.

I love these guys so much! I could seriously eat them up EVERY DAY!

Later on, I made myself a very yummy LEGAL treat!  I saw the recipe in the February 2012 issue of Oxygen Magazine.  It was for a Microwave Cake in a Cup.  I’ve tried a few other similar recipes and this one was really good!

I was a little worried because it said you could add peanut butter and sweetener, but it didn’t specify how much.  So, I had to guess.  I think I got it right!

So, here ya go!

Healthy Microwave Cake in a Cup

1 whole egg
1 tsp Cocoa Powder
1/8 tsp Baking Powder
2 T Skim Milk
1 T Peanut Butter
1 T Sweetener (I used Splenda)

Mix the egg, cocoa powder, baking powder and milk in a mug.

Add the peanut butter and sweetener and mix well with a fork.

Microwave for 2 minutes.  Top with favorite toppings or enjoy alone!

Just out of the microwave! While it was cooking, it rose past the top of the cup. As soon as I opened the microwave door, it fell! Weird.

I topped mine with strawberries and strawberry yogurt! It was so so so good!

I really really loved this!  I was pleasantly surprised!

Looked a little gross, but tasted awesome!  I may be making this every day for a while!  Love it!!!

I’m Hungry Today!

Well today’s been a great day, but I have been so hungry ALL DAY LONG!  In fact, I woke up starving.  Augghh.

Not good.

I think I’m hormonal or something.

Joy.

I’ve still been eating well, but I’ve been snackin’ a ton! 🙂

I was craving cereal for breakfast, so this is what I came up with…

A bowl of Uncle Sam mixed with Kashi Go Lean Crunch topped with blueberries (yum!) and a side of 4 egg whites + low sugar ketchup.

I usually just eat Kashi Go Lean (not Crunch) because the Crunch kind has a lot more sugar (12 grams!), but it tasted so good today.  It’s still a lot healthier than most cereals because it’s high in protein and fiber and full of “real” ingredients!  I love blueberries too.  I need to go buy some more!

Later on I had this for a snack…

Raspberry Chobani yogurt (love!) and 1 Chocolate Coconut Chia Protein Ball (my 4 your old snagged the other one!)

Then I ran to Walmart and the library with my cute little kiddos.  For whatever reason I decided to buy a can of Salt and Vinegar Pringles.

Ya.

They are really good and I never ever eat them….so I decided to!  I think it might have something to do with my whole  “treat deprivation and hormonal stuff” goin’ on.  They were very good I must say though.

I also got some awesome reading material at the library…

Oxygen and Fitness Magazines!

I love both of these magazines!  Although I have to hide them from the kids because of the amazingly fit, albeit half naked cover models!  LOL.

I really love reading about health and fitness.  It keeps me motivated and gives me a lot of great ideas!  Yay.

This is what I had for lunch…

A grilled turkey hotdog (leftover from dinner last night) topped with mustard and served with a side of sweet potato and salad!

K, I’m sorry that picture looks a little scary (my mustard was almost gone).  I have to admit I kind of like hot dogs.  I think they’re yummy.

Ya, I’m serious.

I know they’re “Mystery Meatish”, but I do try to buy better quality ones.  This is the kind I had…

Rather tasty.  And, in case you were wondering, this is what we had for dinner last night…

Hamburgers (same recipe as my turkey burgers) with sweet potatoes and Greek salad. YUM!

We also grilled hotdogs (hence, my lunch leftovers!)  I love this meal and I’m sure we’ll be having it a lot more often now that we’ve started grilling again.  Yay.

Later on, I had this for a snack…

Light Cottage Cheese with carrots (love these itty bitty ones!), red pepper strips and Kashi Pita Crisps. Love this.

K, and I just took a quick break from typing this post because…….I was HUNGRY!

It’s kind of starting to bug. 😦

I just had a bowl of cereal (Crispix mixed with Kashi Go Lean).  Yummy.

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I’m going to a fun 5th Grade Maturation Clinic with my daughter in just a minute.

She’s so excited. LOL.

I have dinner in the oven for Kev and the boys.  I made a Hamburger and Potato Casserole per Kev’s request.  It’s his mom’s recipe and it’s one of his favs.  It’s not ultra healthy though.

Anyway despite being the hungry lady that I am, the casserole deal is not calling my name.  So, that’s why I just had the BIG bowl of cereal.

When I get back tonight, I think I’ll round off my day with a protein shake of some sort.

Sounds good.

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So, although I’ve been a little piglet today……….I’m not eating treats!

Very cool.

I did, however crave treats SEVERAL times today.

Ya, I AM hormonal!  Geesh.

But, this little “treat” is the bomb and it squashed my treat cravings.

A small spoonful (1/2 Tbsp) of White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter! I LOVE THIS STUFF SO MUCH! It's all natural too. Wahoo.

Well, that’s my day today.  So exciting, I know.

I hope you all have a wonderful night!!! xoxo

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Oh my goodness, I just discovered a very awesome, yummy recipe!!!  It’s posted on Oxygen Magazine’s website (they have so many awesome recipes!!) and I thought I would share it with all of you!!!

These are fast, easy, healthy and an awesome pre or post workout snack!

Love it!

I’m going to a killer cardio class at the gym tomorrow morning and I plan to eat two of these on the drive there.  They will give me the energy I need without making me want to hurl.  Yay!

Peanut Butter Protein Balls

1/3 cup natural peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder
3 tbsp ground flaxseed
3 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Mix together all ingredients.  It should be the consistency of Play-Doh.

Roll into 14 small balls (I made 15.)

Refrigerate to firm them up, overnight for best results.

Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (1 ball):  Calories: 84, Total Fats: 5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 3 mg, Sodium: 28 mg, Total Carbohydrates: 8 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 6 g, Protein: 4 g, Iron: 0 mg

Swiss Chard Chicken with Grapefruit

I gotta tell you something cute.

When I picked up my kids from school today, my daughter (almost 11) told me that she and her best friend decided to not eat any treats, candy or pop until the end of the school year.

She said that if one of them DOES eat treats, candy or pop, then they owe the other one $5.

When she got home from school, she hopped on the computer and made an official contract.  She also made a list of “legal” and “illegal” foods for the contest and then a list of healthy food choices.

I was so proud of her!
She is a very self-motivated child, and for that I am grateful.

I don’t think I could do that for the next 5+ months!
And, if I was going to do that, I would need more than 5 bucks as an incentive! 😉

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Anyway, I told you I would post the recipe for our dinner last night.

It was yummy and relatively easy.

I found this recipe in Oxygen Magazine’s December 2010 issue.

Btw, I like to check out a bunch of magazines from the library and since I couldn’t get the Dec 2011 issue, I got last December’s.  The information is still very awesome and relevant to the time of year.  Yay.

When I first saw this recipe I just knew I had to try it.  It is full of yummy, healthy ingredients that I love!

I went to the gym last night at 5:30, so before I left I chopped all the ingredients, cooked the quinoa and had it all ready to “go” when I got home.

When I got home, it was a cinch to throw together and it was so healthy.

I knew my kids wouldn’t like it though, so I made grilled cheese sandwiches for them.

They were happy, we were happy. 😉

I usually don’t make 2 meals, but I know they get tired of all my healthy stuff.

Anyway, here ya go…

Oxygen Magazine’s Swiss Chard Chicken with Grapefruit
makes 2 servings
(I tripled this recipe so we would have leftovers)

1 bunch Swiss Chard, rinsed and stems removed (you could also use spinach)
1 T. olive oil or coconut oil
1 C. sweet onion; chopped
2 small medium carrots; peeled and coined
4 cloves garlic; minced
6 oz chicken breast; cut into cubes
2 T. low-sodium chicken stock or water (I used water)
1 C. cooked quinoa
1 T. tamari sauce (I used low sodium soy sauce, they are very similar)
1 tsp black pepper
1 medium pink grapefruit; peeled and cut into sections

Chop Swiss chard leaves into 1/2-inch strips.  Set aside.

Heat oil over medium-high heat in a skillet.
Saute onion and carrots (I also threw in a little red and green bell pepper) until soft, about 5 minutes.
Toss in garlic and saute until fragrant.

Add chicken and cook until no longer pink.

Add Swiss chard and stock or water.  Reduce heat to medium.

Cook until Swiss chard has wilted, about 5 minutes.

Add quinoa and heat through.

Season with tamari (soy sauce) and pepper and reduce to low heat.
Meanwhile, place grapefruit sections in a small skillet and heat through.

Looks a little like raw meat....Ewww.

Remove Swiss chard and chicken mixture from heat and place on a serving dish.
Top with heated grapefruit.

Nutritional Facts:  Calories: 390, Fat: 10 g., Cholesterol: 40 mg., Sodium: 680 mg., Carbohydrates: 51 g., Fiber: 9 g., Sugars: 18 g., Protein 25 g., Iron: 3 mg.

Here’s my plate.

Kev said he would have preferred the grapefruit on the side, but I really liked it!  It gave it a unique flavor.  I really enjoyed this meal because it’s healthy, relatively easy, unique and I love everything in it!

Happy New Year!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year’s holiday!

We celebrated the New Year up at my parent’s house.

They’ve had a New Year’s Eve party at their house every year for as long as I can remember!

A bunch of my aunts, uncles and cousins come out and we all talk, laugh and eat food!

Me with some of my "fam".

It’s always a lot of fun.

It’s so funny though because the party usually ends around 10:00 or 10:30 because everyone wants to go home early and avoid a lot of the traffic.

Sooooo, we usually “bring in the New Year” along with those who live on the East Coast of the country.

Too funny.

We always say “Happy New Year” and then stand in a circle, hold hands and sing Auld Lang Syne.

It’s a fun tradition.

However, this year for whatever reason, we all decided to do the Hokey Pokey as well.

So, all of us (ages 3-mid 70s) danced around and did the Hokey Pokey.

It was memorable.

Here we are "Hokey Pokin" it!

I told my mom that she puts on a “mean” party.

LOL.

Anyway, I hope you all had a “memorable” New Year as well!

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I also hope you’ve made some New Year’s resolutions and are having success with them!

So far, I’ve done great with mine and I love it!!!

On New Year’s Eve, I ate so much crap (which was awesome!) because I knew it would be my last chance for a while.

However, I was SO READY to be disciplined once again.

Yay.

So, yesterday (Sunday) I just kind of made up my own menu (since my “One Month Plan” started on a Monday).

I had an egg white omelet w/ a small banana for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch and then just snacked on healthy things (almonds, veggies and guacamole, low sugar/no salt kettle corn, string cheese, turkey, etc.) the rest of the day.

Today, I pretty much followed my “plan”, with a few alterations.

I had an egg white omelet (I added a little Feta cheese and it was so yummy!) and a small banana for breakfast again…

I had a small handful of Blue Diamond “dark chocolate” almonds for a snack.

I LOVE these things!

I usually just have plain raw almonds, but these are so so yummy and healthy too!

I love them and they really help me when I’m having “sweet” cravings.

Btw, for 24 almonds (I usually only have 8-12) it’s only 160 calories, 9 g. carbs, 3 g. fiber, 4 g. sugar and 5 g. protein!  Love it!

For lunch, I had an open-faced tuna fish sandwich (w/ pickles and a little bit of lite mayo) on 1 slice of low-carb bread and a very small bowl of chicken taco soup (Kev and I shared one serving from the freezer).  I topped everything with avocado slices.  Yum!

Before I went to the gym, I had a small chocolate mint Protein Shake.

Then, for dinner we had Swiss Chard Grapefruit Chicken (from Oxygen Magazine).

It was so good.

It’s similar to my typical Chicken Veggie Stirfry (which I had planned on my menu thing), but it’s a little different.

I just found the recipe a few days ago and have been dying to try it.

I will post it on here tomorrow.

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So…..so far, so good.

For the most part, it hasn’t been hard to eat well.

I did have a few intense chocolate cravings today though!

They seemed to come out of nowhere!!!

However, I was strong, they went away, and I DID NOT STRAY FROM MY PLAN!

Woo hoo.

So, I’m going to keep on pluggin’ away.

So, let’s all stay strong….K?