Sept. 8: If it's not one thing..... and other random thoughts

Well, the food is not perfect, but it's somewhat on track.

Now I can't seem to make it to the gym to save my life!

What's up with that?  It seems like, if it's not one thing, it's the other.  I have a lot of trouble keeping eats on track and getting to the gym at the same time.  The new job is longer hours, first of all.  I have a 1 hour round trip commute until I get moved.  This week has been "back to school" for my little one so we've been running around like maniacs getting school supplies, sneakers, etc.  Sigh.

Now I'm going to ramble about yogurt.  Have you ever tried Source Lemon Meringue Yogurt?  I try not to consume much artificial sweetener but I can't stop eating this stuff.  It's HEAVEN.  If you haven't tried it, you should!

Today's tally:

1,507 calories
157 carbs
45 fat
117 protein

This includes taking R out to dinner to celebrate back to school.  She chose Pizza Pizza and we ordered slices.  I got spicy BBQ pizza and the damage was only 440 calories.

I got a bunch of great packing boxes from my neighbor.  They are perfect - a good size, very sturdy, and they have handles.  She got them for me from her workplace, a nursing home.  So now, my possessions will be moved in a uniform set of adult diaper boxes.  That kept me giggling for a quite a while as I loaded a couple of them today.

Aug. 13: Recipe Friday!

Friday sounds like a great day to brighten things up with some new recipes.  I really like EASY foods that are wholesome and nutritious but satisfy wicked cravings for things like chicken wings and nachos and other foods I don't want to regularly indulge in.

BUFFALO CHICKEN SALAD

Buffalo Chicken Breast:

1 serving of grilled or baked chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

Frank's Red Hot sauce, to taste

1 tbsp honey

1 tbsp low carb BBQ sauce of choice

Salad:

1 cup fresh baby spinach

shredded carrots and celery

cherry tomatoes

1-2 tbsp freshly crumbled bleu cheese

2 tbsp fat free Ranch dressing

1.) In a large plastic food storage container with a lid, combine Frank's, honey and BBQ sauce with a fork until well mixed.

2.)  Add chicken breast, put the lid on and shake vigorously to coat with the sauce.

3.) Meanwhile, make the salad by layering spinach, carrots, celery and tomato.

4.) Top the salad with yummy sauce covered chicken, sprinkle with blue cheese, and toss with fat free Ranch dressing.

(Note:  When I am making this for myself, I just dump the salad fixings on top of the chicken in the storage container, add dressing, put the lid back on and shake again.  It's not the most beautiful presentation, but you can always light a candle and put it on a plate if you're into that!)

YOGURT YUMMINESS

(This is my favorite too-lazy-to-make-anything-but-I-know-I-need-to-eat meal.  I have it numerous times a week and also use it for an on-the-go meal in my cooler bag when I don't have leftovers I want to take.)

3/4 cup non-fat yogurt of choice ( I usually use Greek or organic vanilla)

1 serving of vanilla protein powder

1/2 cup of in-season or frozen fruit

1/4 cup Kashi cereal or other healthy granola

1.) In a serving container, mix the protein powder with the yogurt, using a fork to blend well.  You will get a pudding-like consistency.

2.) Top with fruit and granola - that's it!

(Note: as a to-go meal, take the granola separately and add just before eating.  Also, the consistency of the yogurt thins down a bit as it sits, so if you are like me, consider a bib!)

Enjoy your weekend!