Return of ME!

Okay, I'm back. It's been a roller coaster the past couple weeks/months. My boyfriend is now living in my state of North Carolina so I have been quite busy.

My goal for next week is to exercise Monday-Friday. Anyone have short term goal ideas?!

Uh-Mazing!

Today I participated in my first running "Meetup," a group of people connected via Internet who plan runs and get togethers. I have seen them run through my neighborhood and finally decided to participate.

WOW GROUP RUNNING IS MOTIVATING! I ran my best time ever the first two miles because I was challenging myself to keep up with another participant I had met when I arrived.

At about 2 miles, I knew I needed to slow my pace. Looking behind and challenging myself to keep ahead of those behind me really motivated me. I did not finish last!! Here are my stats!

(forgot to change my Edomondo from walking to running) :-))

Will update more later but now I am going to give myself a manicure and go to bed!!

Past Projects and Upcoming Recipes

I recently moved into a new apartment and have not cooked much because there is ALWAYS something else to do...like random projects I've found on Pinterest...you can follow me Here =) 


for example:

But anywho...this post is about Recipes. I will be on vacation for about two weeks (to see the love of my life...my man who is FINALLY moving back to the States after living in Japan for years and years and years!). After my vacation, I am planning on making the following recipes and will let you know how they go!

The first one I snagged from THE DON'T EAT CRAP BLOG LINK

Quinoa with Black Beans and Corn original recipe from allrecipes.com.

Serves: 10 Calories: 76 per serving – about 1/2 c. servings.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels (I use canned)
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I usually omit)

Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic (and zucchini), and saute until lightly browned.

Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a light boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,

Stir corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and top with cilantro if you choose.

The next recipe is one I probably found on Pinterest 

LINK

Szechuan Tofu & Green Bean Stir Fry

The last one is a must for a nice first breakfast at my new place with my great Man!

I borrowed it from HERE

Coconut Pancakes!

Full of good stuff (flax seeds, almond milk, and egg whites) YUM!

ENJOY!

First Real Recap!

I did well today, I think it's great that I often found myself thinking about what I would have to confess to HERE at the end of the day. 


FOOD:
I have failed to mention that I am a vegetarian, so you will see no meat in my diet.
I ate my FAVORITE Special K: Vanilla Almond with Vanilla Almond Milk for breakfast. Lots of fresh cantaloupe and strawberries. For lunch I had some spicy chili beans and brown rice. 


**THIS is where I did cheat a bit. I ate some tortilla chips and some hummus. This is a perfect example of what I don't understand. From the first bite, I didn't even care for the taste of the hummus...yet I continued to eat, and eat and eat. I'm not sure if I was just enjoying the salty tortilla chips...or if I just need to completely rewire my reward/control pathway. 


I am proud of myself for staying away from the candy in the pantry and the ice cream in the freezer. I finished off the day with some greek yogurt, more cantaloupe and my new favorite sweet treat: Special K Fruit Crisps!

FITNESS: 
I am an absolute ENDOMONDO Addict. I get so sad when I forget to log my workouts on endomondo (rarely happens). Here is my workout for today! Not a great walking time...but I was pushing a 18 month old in a stroller and walking a dog who takes multiple potty breaks =) 

Temptation

What is your temptation? My top two temptations are ANYTHING sweet and ANYTHING spicy. I could eat cake (coconut, carrot, vanilla with buttercream, etc.) and spicy (doritos, salsa, etc.) things all day with no self control. One time this becomes difficult is when I babysit.

I babysit on Wednesdays and Thursdays from early in the morning until the evening. This means that I am here for almost all three meals (sometimes I make it home for dinner). I try my best to pack plenty of food to avoid even looking in the cabinets here, but it's hard. Today I packed cereal, cantelope, strawberries, yogurt and rice & beans. We shall see if that keeps me from snacking on the butterfinger eggs, doritos, ice cream and chips and salsa that is hidden behind the pantry door!

Happy Hump Day!

Pictures

All important before and after pics (I only have face ones as of now). Also, some others of my dog and my hot man.

About Me :-)

I graduated from UNCC in Criminal Justice. I do work in the field in a minimum security facility, but also nanny on the side! (it reminds me that innocence exists)! I am a FEMINIST and could rant and rave all day, but that would be another blog >.<

I have an amazing boyfriend, amazing family and a little rescue dog named Cougar (collie shep x).

I hit my high weight about 2 years ago at 172lbs. People look at me and talk about how "slim" I am. I agree that I am of slim build, however I have MUCH toning to do and want to feel overall healthier. I maintain a pretty good routine of gym, running and walking. I believe that I am now weighing in at 145.