Larabars and Scrambles and Work... OH MY!

Hello Everyone!
This morning I had cereal to switch it up with 1 cup Kashi Sunshine, 1 cup Heritage flakes, 1 shot almonds, 1 shot raisins, 1 shot Crasins, 1/2 banana and 1 cup skim milk. It was filling for the moment but I really find that oatmeal sticks with me MUCH longer! And the rest of the day I feel fuller.
So having said that I had Mrs. May's Cashew clusters and an apple 2 hours later:

I had some motivation to DO something before my shift at 1pm but I was not sure what! I wanted to run by the 24 Hour to get my pass but felt the need to do some cleaning around the house instead. That didn't last long so I went online to check Self's wed fitness tips. The routine:

-50 reps calf raises (releves)

-50 crunches on the balance ball

-50 crunches on the ball with leg lifts

-40 reps butt leg lifts each side

-40 laying down leg lifts each side

-40 reverse leg lifts

-2 sets 1 min plank

-35 reps seated attitude lift each side

-3 sets of 10 pelvic lifts each side

This type of strength training doesn't feel like much to me and didn't get me sweating or "feeling the burn" but it was something and I feel good about doing it.

Any tips on at home strength training with actual results????

Back to my "filling the time" activities- I then remembered how I have been wanting to make my own Larabars with the dates I bought at Costco- One huge tub!! I also keep raw nuts in the freezer so I pulled out the last of the Walnuts and grabbed the dated and started chopping!

Home Made Larabars:

• 1 cup raw walnuts or any nut of preference
• 1.5 cups dates

Chop dates and set aside, chop nuts and mix with dates on a flat surface. Kneed together until it forms a ball or chunk. Roll out with hands to a flat even square shape about 1 inch thick. Cut into desired shape and package separately in zip-lock bags or Saran wrap. Place bars in Tupperware and into the fridge to harden. Remove and enjoy your very own home made Larabar!!!

I made about 6 with this amount of ingredients! They are so easy and yummy! You could probably do this in a food processor but it might get all sticky so I say use your hands! This is a fresher, cheaper, and more fun way to enjoy this blogtastic treat!!! Here are the steps:

They are a tad smaller than your average pen!

Neat! I also tried a new gum, I don't know if ya'll know this about me yet but I am an avid gum chewer!!! Any one else crazy for gum?

My verdict; nice chew factor, good flavor! Very mangolicious! But the flavor faded way too fast:(

Lunch today was a bit of an experiment. I purchased QucikWhites in the carton from TJ's and have been a bit scared to try them. I am glad I did because they are perfect in every way! I made an egg white scramble pita pocket with

-3 tbsp egg whites

-6 cloves garlic sliced- I love garlic!

-1/4 chopped onion

-1 small green bell pepper chopped

-S&P

-sprinkle of Emeril seasoning

-dab of butter

Saute in pan until lightly brown and peppers are soft:

Pour in egg whites:

Scramble veggies and eggs until done:

I put mine in a WW pita topped with a tbsp of Fage 0% and a side of tomato and broccoli!!

This meal was super tasty and full of nutrients!!! I had a small glass of Peppermint Chocolate Soymilk! I love how thick and creamy it is! Next time I will try microwaving a cup for a hot chocolate!

I left for my shift after lunch and returned home 3.5 hours later for my snack! I live across the way from the Cafe I work at- convenient huh? I of course had to try my Larabars and they were much better than the store bought ones in my opinion! You gotta try this!

After work I came home to eat a few veggies to tied me over until Sean came home.

Sorry for the bad lighting! For dinner I had the leftover Kale and Tofu!!! With lots of microwaved brown rice:

Well I am off to snuggle on the couch with Ella and Sean and watch the new Top Chef! Man I gotta stop typing- my wrist is killing me! I hope it goes away so I can keep up with comments for ya'll!

Gnight!

C

I did it and I changed my mind

So what did I do may you wonder???
The first accomplishment of the day is that I went to see my counselor (finally) and figured everything out to start school Feb. 17 -yay! I also (drum roll) got a JOB! I will be working at a local organic Cafe/coffee/tea house! I am not sure if it all set in stone but I am going in for training on Friday and I hope it all goes well. I am very excited that I will not be jobless when I start school.

Now moving on to my eats! For breakfast I had a big bowl of cold cereal: 1 cup Kashi Go Lean, 1 cup Quaker Oatmeal Squares, 1 cup Peppermint Chocolate soy milk, 1/2 cup unsweetened Almond milk, 1/2 shot raisins, 1/2 shot Bare Naked Granola, 1 med banana chopped on top. This combo is so good, the mint-chocolate flavored soy made it very rich, thick and creamy, just what I wanted. I also had a cup of joe (not pictured).
After bfast I felt in need of some exercise!!! Not having signed up for yoga classes or a gym membership yet, I did the next best thing. I turned on my TV and flipped through OnDemand's fitness TV. If any of you have not discovered the beauty of free exercise TV, I highly recommend it! There are boat loads of programs, some better than others, and it's FREE! You can choose to pay to rent some versions but why? Today I chose a 26 min (odd number eh?) Yoga Cardio, and a 12 min Yoga Abs. I was sweating for sure! I forgot to put on my HRM so I am not sure of the calories I burned, but it sure felt good :)

I showered and then started on lunchies: WW wrap with light Havarti, leftover Lime Chicken, 1 tbsp of Dijon mustard, green beans and lettuce. Sorry for the repeat wraps these days but I am really enjoying the simplicity and filling qualities.

On the side I had two Spanakopita's cold (really good cold I must say!) and 1 orange.

The "I changed my mind" bit in today's title is about the Lime Chicken. Last night it was just ok, almost not good. BUT today it was soooo tasty! I am not sure if flavors needed to settle or if the mustard was the perfect compliment but I really liked it in the wrap. Sean agreed so I am posting my recipe. It is adapted from Cooking Light.

Lime Chicken- serves 4

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into tenders or 1 pound tenders
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (but I think it would taste better omitted)
• 3-4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh course ground pepper

Mix all ingredients in large zip lock bag, add chicken. Close bag and toss to coat. Marinate for 3 hours minimum (remember I marinated over night) Drain and throw away marinade. Broil, grill or pan fry chicken until done.

I will for sure give this chicken a second chance and so should you!

To drink with my lunch I had made some Lemon Ginger tea and Calm tea (which is a mix of Chamomile, Rose petal and other herbs) for Sean and me last night and never got around to drinking them. So combined the 2 into a container and popped it in the fridge so I could enjoy a cold tea great for digestion! The color is a bit off putting but I assure you the flavor was delish!

After lunch I went to school and my job interview and somewhere in between I had 1/2 of this lovely bar:

For dinner Sean and I felt like celebrating the new job, so we went to our fave Mexican Restaurant in Los Angeles:

I have been going here since I was a little girl and the same waiters, owners and tortilla makers are there to great us everytime! Yes you heard right TORTILLA MAKERS! They make them fresh to order, homemade right infront of your eyes! I really should have snapped a pic for you, I'll try to get one next time.

Fun fact: This restaurant is featured in the movie Jerry Maguire "Show me the money!!!" LOL.

Here are the addictive chips: I had 4 with lots of hot and spicy salsa, I counted:)

I also love their pickled carrot, onion, garlic mix! I can polish off a whole bowl myself, but tonight I had maybe 1/2.

And to celebrate I had to have a Margarita!!!! On the rocks, no salt. I usually don't order this type of drink due to the calories and sugar, but tonight I felt needed a splurge! (oops on the "no alcohol" for 2 weeks :)

My favorite thing to get is quite simple really: side of flour tortillas (they are to die for) and a side of rice and beans. But since I hit puberty my health conscious side won't allow me to eat a whole plate of lard ridden re fried beans, rice and buttery tortillas.....SO now I order a little lighter. I get the Chicken Tostada salad on a corn tortilla-not fried, with no beans and extra lettuce. You could do even better and say no cheese, but I was in the mood for some cheese so I kept it on. This is a huge salad and the chicken is whole chunks of white meat, very tender and tasty but I could only eat 1/2.I was quite full when we left and we needed a few things from Costco so we walked the aisles and digested before heading home. Once I got home I had a hankering for something sweet so I dug into the Christmas stash and pulled out this little morsel: White Chocolate Truffle!

Now that I have officially broken my 2 week detox plan, I am heading to bed to dream of a healthy tomorrow and probably more sweet treats! I am not handling this detox plan very well.

Do you think it is better to cut out the "bad" food completely to detox if you have binged over holiday's or still enjoy the treats you crave????? Let me know your thoughts!

Gnight ya'll

C