Stress

It's been so long, which sucks because I really do want to keep up on this blog. I have literally been so busy with work and school it's been driving me crazy. Last week I had only one day off, and on that day off I cleaned and ran errands. I also had time to do some reading which was great, because of course all my holds at the library came in at the same time!

Anyway so basically I have been so stressed out with everything that I haven't lost any weight... but at least I haven't gained any either. I try to find time to exercise but I'm just so exhausted all the time, and I have been getting a lot more headaches as well. So half the time I'm stuck on the couch alternating ice packs and a heat pack. This week I am going to do something before work each day, whether it's yoga, going for a walk or doing strength moves. I don't need to spend hours exercising since I'm already on my feet all day, but I need to do something.

I also really need to get back on track with my eating habits. It's not like I've been just eating junk all the time, but I haven't been upping my protein intake as much as I've wanted. I have also still been having at least one dessert a day which I should probably cut down on. It's not like I'm saying I will never have dessert again, I just need to cut down and only eat the good stuff, not just any chocolate I can find. Also with how much I have been working I haven't had much time or energy to cook on my days off. So much to work on and I hope I have more time to work on this soon! This week I'm only working 4 days, then I'm back to 5 days. And I will finally have 2 days off in a row, woo hoo!

I will be posting more from now on, with lots of recipes I've been trying, workouts I've been doing and other exciting things. I'm in a graphic design class right now so there will be more of that too!

be well,

Recipe: Frittata with Asparagus, Bell Peppers and Parmigiano

I know, it's been awhile. I have pretty much just been working and going outside since it has been ridiculously nice out! Which has definitely helped motivate me to get outside and walk. That has been the most positive thing to happen lately, which also sucks considering it means global warming is happening really quickly. But enough about my fears about the end of the world. 

I've tried a few recipes from the 400 Calorie Fix book and cookbook and they have all been delicious. I haven't been able to get all my meals to be 400 calories yet, and it's been hard not to snack. But I'm working on it! I have been frustrated lately because I have been more active and most days have kept my calories between 1600 and 1800. However, I have not lost anything, not even a pound. I know the scale isn't the only way to measure success, but unfortunately I haven't really felt a difference in how clothes fit either. I have been feeling better, which is awesome, but it's frustrating. I thought it might have to do with a medication I was taking, and now I just started a different one that should be better, so we'll see. 

Now onto this delicious frittata. It is from the 400 Calorie Fix Cookbook, and each wedge is only 270 calories! This plus a 100 calorie Thomas English Muffin with Land O'Lakes Light Butter with Canola Oil was only 420 calories. 

Frittata with Asparagus, Basil, and Parmigiano Reggiano

(Adapted from the 400 Calorie Fix Cookbook)

Makes 4 servings

• 1 large baking potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 large eggs (the recipe also called for 4 large egg whites, but I hate wasting yolks. If you use the extra egg whites it will make it more light and fluffy)
• 1/2 cup fat-free milk
• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (recipe calls for Pecorino Romano, either works!)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

1. Preheat the broiler (or oven to 450 degrees if you don't have a broiler to use)

2. Place the potato in a saucepan with enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, or until the potato cubes are tender but still hold their shape. Drain and set aside.

3. Meanwhile, beat together the eggs, milk, cheese, basil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. 

4. Heat the oil in a 10 inch broiler proof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften. Add the asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir int he potatoes and cook for 1 minute. 

5. Reduce the heat to medium, pour in the egg mixture, and stir gently to combine. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until the eggs are set. Transfer the skillet to the broiler and cook 5 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the top. Let the frittata stand for 5 minutes before cutting into 4 wedges.

Enjoy! 

Yoga Sculpt

First of all, I'm not at the point of doing this position yet ha. I took another class at Barre Bliss, this time Yoga Sculpt. Now this was my kind class! It was a combination of yoga, cardio, calisthenics and weight training.  Parts of it were challenging, but otherwise it was great and I felt great afterwards. I was sore the next day but not incredibly sore. I'm not sure if this class was better because of the content, or the instructor, or both. Either way I am looking forward to taking more classes! Friday morning I'm taking a Ballet Barre class, which focuses more on ballet than the pilates we did in the Barre Bliss class. I also went for a walk around Lake Harriet yesterday instead of taking a class since it was RIDICULOUSLY nice out here. 

I've still been struggling with eating well. I still crave sweets like crazy and it's really hard to cut them out all together. I did discover a delicious flavor of Stonyfield organic yogurt called Chocolate Underground. It's low-fat and filled with protein (and some sugar). I had it as a snack with strawberries and almonds the other day and it was perfect. 

The biggest thing besides sugar that I have been struggling with is portion control. One thing that has really helped is a book I found called 400 Calorie Fix. It is a diet book from the editors of Prevention magazine, but it's full of delicious recipes. It really helps you think about the portions you're eating and how much you really need. It also has great tips about eating out and making quick meals. For a person my size who is moderately active they say I should eat between 3-4 400 calorie meals a day. They have a quick slim 2 week plan where you only eat 3 meals a day... which has been hard for me because I love to snack! It's also been hard trying to schedule meals around work and whether that means eating one meal in the morning, one in the late afternoon and then one after work... It's been a process. I've been trying to buckle down and just do this for 2 weeks but it also just seems like not enough food. So I think I'm going to stick with the 1600 limit and see how that goes. 

I'll keep you updated on how this week is going! 

Be well,

No Excuses and Barre Class

So in my last post about The Biggest Loser I forgot to include my favorite part of the new season! This season has a theme of "No Excuses," which I think is pretty fitting for my blog. Each week they go through different excuses like "I don't have time to eat healthy" or "I don't have a gym membership." I need to adopt the attitude of "No Excuses." I have no excuse not to be active every day, or to get all of my servings of fruits and vegetables. It's a great thing to keep in mind every day.

My friend Liz also reminded me about what I don't like about The Biggest Loser, which is that they do push the contestants too hard sometimes. There's a lot of drama that happens mostly for TV which can be dumb, but it gets bad when it involves the contestants' well-being. So don't take the show too seriously.

Yesterday I went to my first Barre class at Barre Bliss studio with my friend Sarah. This class was a combination of barre work, yoga, pilates and cardio. It was fun, but tough! And I am super sore today. I bought a month of unlimited classes from Living Social so I will be going again, at least 3 times a week. They also do yoga and basic barre classes which will be fun. I'm taking a Yoga Sculpt class on Sunday so I will let you know how it goes.

For the next two days I will be working like crazy. I got a promotion at work, so now I will be a shift leader... which is basically an assistant manager. Super excited! Now I just have a ton of information to learn. Enjoy the weekend!

Be well,

Newest Obsession: The Biggest Loser

So if you know me, you know I can become obsessive about tv shows, books, movies... basically anything pop culture. I know I am a little late coming to the party, but I LOVE the Biggest Loser. Over the long "winter" months I have caught up on the current season, watched last season, then the season before that, and the season before that. All thanks to Hulu Plus. It's just so inspirational, and of course I love Bob and Jillian and now Dolvett. I mean if you're going to be watching tv, you might as well watch something that gives you tips and inspiration on working out and eating well. I love seeing people struggle with some of the same issues that I do, even if I am not at the point that they are.

I also know that often their weight loss isn't realistic, because I definitely don't have time to work out for 8 hours a day. I wish I did. Their diet is also highly controlled. It's good to know that discipline and self-control can be learned. If you look at the contestants when they first start, it's hard to envision that they will all gain control of their health and often become athletes. I know there's a strong person inside of me just waiting to come out.

Any shows that you've become obsessed with lately?

Be well,

Willpower

Eating healthy is so much more difficult than you think it would be. I like fruits and vegetables as much as, if not more than the next person... but it's hard when your options are salad or spaghetti and meatballs. So usually I will try and compromise and have a salad and whatever I really want. It's all about portion control. This is the way that I think I should eat for the rest of my life, however, it's not helping me lose weight right now.

Which is why right now I need to focus on eating completely healthy, and it's difficult. I know that it won't always be like this, and that I will be able to enjoy all my favorites (chocolate, baked goods, pizza) again in moderation. It's just so hard for me to control myself! I'm not bingeing by any means, but it's hard not to have a bite or two. I look at these women, of course mostly in Hollywood, who seem to possess a huge amount of self-control and willpower and I don't know how they do it. I just want to get through one day without craving something sugary and I can't. And I know that I shouldn't restrict myself like this, but in order to cut calories and lose weight it's obviously best to cut down on the non-essential nutrients. I know that losing weight isn't easy and I need to remember that. How do you practice self-control? I need some tips!

So back to my attempt at losing weight. I am at least not gaining any weight right now, but I'm also not losing. I've still been going over my calorie limit and it's just way too difficult to count calories. I've decided to go back to what has worked for me before, which is the Portion Teller Plan... basically you have set numbers of servings for each type of food per day that you eat, and that's it. No counting each little calorie, no giving up carbs or saying no to a slice of pizza if you really want one. I think this will help keep me in check. I will know that I already a sandwich for lunch, so I should lean towards veggies and lean protein for dinner etc.

I'm also stepping up the workouts. This weekend I did some kickboxing and that was crazy hard! But it was also really fun... until I realized I couldn't find my inhaler and I was having some chest tightness. Whoops. I lived obviously. Tomorrow I'm either going to the gym or going ice skating! The boyfriend and I have a pretty exciting little Valentine's Day planned-- grocery shopping, article writing, some kind of workout activity, and then I'm cooking dinner at home. We might also go see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, which I've been dying to see. Do you have any super exciting plans?

Be well,

Cinnamon M&M Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are delicious. They may not be the most beautiful (thanks to me not pressing them down enough), but I could probably eat them all in one sitting. I won't though :) More on the cookies in a second.

So it's been a few days since my last post, and things have been pretty good. I've renewed my mission to myself, and I haven't had any pop in two days! I have also been better about making food choices at work, which is great. 

As you all know, Sunday was the Super Bowl. The boyfriend's parents and his brother came over and brought dinner, delicious sloppy joes. I made sure I ate a big salad at work for lunch so I could have that and some of the guacamole I made and yummy La Tur cheese. And of course a couple of beers, anything to get me through watching a football game ha. Amstel Light is actually pretty good and only 95 calories!

I also made these cookies from one of my favorite blogs, Picky Palate. They're Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with Cinnamon M&Ms on top. Super easy to make and delicious. I have my own Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie recipe that I will post sometime, but this time I decided to stick with her recipe. Just make sure you push the dough balls down, otherwise they'll be kinda thick. 

Everyone deserves a treat every now and then, and I felt like I should make something to thank the boyfriend's parents for dinner. I sent them home with some of the cookies and then took the majority of them to work the next day. That definitely removed a lot of the temptation from the house... but of course I left a few for me and the boyfriend. You can of course use regular M&Ms or a different variety because I think the Cinnamon M&Ms were for the holidays. 

Check out the recipe over at Picky Palate. Enjoy!