Not my week

Is it only Wednesday? Man, I wish this week was over.

Let’s just say it started out on Saturday when I woke up in a panic at 6:10.  And I’m supposed to be at work at 6:00.  Thank you Iphone bug for making me 30 minutes later to work on New Year’s Day – I swear I was responsible the night before and got to bed!

Then Sunday night I braved the pouring rain to pick up stuff for my internship at Staples.  It was closed.  So I head to Office Max: Closed.  My gas light is on so I stop at Costco gas and get out all ready to fill ‘er up.  The worker comes up to me: Closed.  Finally, I stop at the grocery store to pick up 2 things.  The fire alarm goes off, and we’re all stuck outside for 15-20 minutes.  Once I get home, my phone falls out of my hand and rolls under my roommates car.  Luckily, I could lie flat on the ground and reach it. 

What a night.  Seriously I couldn’t help but laugh!

Last night at work was insanely busy.  I’m pretty sure I had a patient in every.  Single. Bed.

Then this morning I wake up at 8:05.  Supposed to be at nannying at 8:00.  Set my alarm last night, but forgot to turn it on.  Driving down the street I realize I forgot to take out the trashcans last night.  And realized I left my yogurt on the counter.

 

Long story short – not my week here.

 

At least the food’s been good!  I ate breakfast at work this morning, since I didn’t have time to eat/left my yogurt at home.

Yum-may.  With a couple more spoons of PB on the side.

I was definitely hungry 2 hours later, and gave in to eating lunch at 11:30. 

(Canned) turkey chili mixed with pepperjack cheese.  And more melty cheesy goodness on top.

It was spicy-hot so I added a scoop of Fage on top.

I also had a bit of Costco chicken salad (actually pretty good, and not too mayonnaisey! 

Yay for free coupons!!  I definitely needed one of these this afternoon

+ the blueberry yogurt I left out on the counter (thank you roommate for putting it back in the fridge) & a scoop of peanut butter.  Because I can’t go more than 2 hours with PB in my life.

And then dinner at work.  Which I rarely take pictures of.  Because I don’t carry my camera around with my in my pocket, and the lighting isn’t the greatest with my Iphone.  But sometimes.

 

Can it be Saturday already?

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Fiberfull

Want a little cocktail?

I *heart* Kahlua.

Plans fell through Saturday night, and in a “feeling sorry for my lame self sort of funk” I had Kahlua & almond milk as an appetizer, waffles for dinner and drank peach wine for dessert.

Breakfast food is always my go-to comfort food.

Trader Joe’s peach champagne is deeeelicious.  And Christmas decorations make it better.

Luckily Indiana Jones was on TV to cheer me up

 

Yesterday before work in the morning, I was running a bit late and had no bread for toast so instead I grabbed a quick bar!

I used to love Fiber One bars back in the day.  When I realized they contained high fructose corn syrup (which they don’t contain anymore – plus!!) I stopped buying them.  But recently My Blog Spark offered to send me a couple coupons to try out Fiber One products!  I decided to give them another go.

This bar tasted like I was eating candy for breakfast.  A tad sweet for me that early in the morning.  And you all know how I love my sweet breakfasts!  (Hello syrup, pumpkin butter, pumpkin cream cheese, etc).

It did, however, keep my stomach from grumbling for a good 2 1/2 hours until my breakfast break!

I also got a box of the mocha chip flavor – a brand new flavor to me!  This one was okay – I think I like the chocolate chip or peanut butter (which I’ve had in the past) better.

PS: My sister likes to call these “fart bars” (I think she picked it up from her friends, seeing as how she’s never tried them).  Although I have to say, neither bar gave me any problems I think my body is just too dang used to fiber haha.

I also had the pleasure of sampling two of their cereals at work:

Have to say I’m glad neither one containers high fructose corn syrup (something I’ve seen in their cereals before):

The Caramel Delight was delicious.  Like a caramel flavored cinnamon toast crunch.  The Frosted Shredded Wheat was also tasty, but I think I’d prefer Mini Wheats or Shredded Wheat brand.  I’ve also tried the Honey Clusters in the past and really liked them.

Back in my low-cal diety days, I used to love the Fiber One plain cereal (the one that looks like rat-poop.  You know?).  But deceivingly, it contains aspartame.  Which many people wouldn’t realize.  That’s one thing that really bothered me about the product.

I’m still a 100% advocate for natural sources of fiber (such as fruits, veggies, beans, and whole grain products) that don’t contain added fiber!  However, I do think that Fiber One products can be a great source of fiber for those people who are picky about their foods and don’t get enough fiber in their diet.

You can check out all their other goodies which include:

• Yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Cereal
• Granola bars
• Toaster pastries (or Pop-Tarts)
• Baking products (muffin & pancake mix)
• Bread products (which I have yet to see!)

 

Would you like to try out Fiber One products for yourself? Leave a comment here telling me which product you’d most like to try out (or your favorite product of theirs) by Wednesday December 15 at 10 pm pacific time and I’ll announce the winner on Thursday.  The winner will receive:

• 2 coupons of Fiber One products
• a $25 Safeway gift card to try out other Fiber One products

 

You know you want some!!

Please note that the information, prize pack, and giveaway have all been provided by Fiber One through MyBlogSpark.

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Cheesus

Want to know something gross?

Yesterday I did something to make me sweat.  A lot.

What I’m trying to say is, that I exercised for the first time in 5 weeks.  I went to the gym.  And it felt awesome slightly painful.  But good.

My side pain is still there.  And it hurts (like an dull aching muscle type of hurt) when I contract my abs, twist to the side, etc.  As much as it’s improved, it’s now stayed the same for the past 1 1/2 weeks or so.  I figured I would try out the stairmaster (you know – that revolving staircase of death?).  Because your torso tends to stay straight and still while your legs do all the work. 

Well….it went fine!  Except for the sweating buckets part.  I sweat buckets gallons (I’m basing this on the fact that buckets are smaller than a gallon) on that thing.  I also did some incline walking on the treadmill (which did in fact hurt my abs – since you contract your abs while walking uphill.  Duh Taylor).  Some lower body machine work was thrown in there as well.  I’m taking it easy and slow for now.  It just felt good to do something active. 

Breakfast was waffles:

Taking a bath in peanut flour syrup, no less.

Multiple cups of this:

RIP super duper good creamer that I can’t buy more of because you’re not included in my “allowable grocery list.”

Lunch was a burnt flavorful grilled cheesus:

And dinner was at work.  Which consisted of:

• 2 Morningstar veggie patties
• Rotisserie chicken & BBQ sauce
• 3 JoJo oreos (which I have to say are better than real Oreos)
• 2 Diet Cokes

Super healthy, huh?  And super photogenic which is exactly why you don’t see a picture of it here right now.

 

Now I’m about to set off for the gym and see how it goes!  I need to take advantage of this gym membership I’m treating myself to.  Even though I get the month of December free. 

So I need to take advantage of this FREE gym membership that they’re treating me to this month before I hand over my money for the next 6 months.

 

I’m also hoping and crossing my fingers that my roommate is well enough and that my friends are all going out tonight.  With the recent stress, tons of work, and exhaustion, I seriously feel like I have no life.  I miss the party scene social scene involving alcohol.  It’ll be fun to get out there.

 

What are your plans on this fine Saturday evening?

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Absent

Has anyone seen my appetite?

More accurately, I’m missing my hunger.  He seems to have ran off.

Maybe this is what it feels like to be a sedentary non-exercising American?

The fact that I’ve cut out all exercising has made it difficult to tell if I’m just not hungry because I’m not exercising.

Or if I’m not hungry because my ab/rib injury is suppressing my hunger somehow (I mean, it is possibly causing swelling and inflammation in the stomach region). 

Either way, the only meal I’ve actually had hunger signals for is breakfast!  Obviously.

Here we have hot pumpkin custard oats topped off with some cinnamon toast crunch (my roommate was eating her cereal and I “borrowed” some from her ).  And pumpkin cream cheese.

I’m obsessed with eating in mugs lately.

Yesterday I even remembered to celebrate Waffle Wednesday!  2 whole wheat Egg-o waffles topped with PB maple syrup (syrup + peanut flour).  Then I topped it off with some cream cheese.  Another obsession.

But after these meals, I’m not hungry for 4…5..even 6 hours.  Which is not normal for me.  I’m usually starting to show signs of hunger even 2 hours after breakfast.

The other day I had leftover beet, pecan, and goat cheese salad from work (so good).  Along with avocado-cheese toast.

Avocados were on sale for .77 cents (yes please!!).  And cheese was an excellent addition.

And this amazing salad was leftovers from work.  Holllaaaa.

I was beyond stuffed after this meal.  For a good hour I was uncomfortably full.  Although this large carbonated drink might have helped.  McDonald’s "’$1 any size drink’ has been my downfall lately.

And again, yesterday over 6 hours went by, and I still wasn’t hungry.  At all.  But I knew I needed to eat before work.

Egg scramble to the rescue!

I sauteed some butternut squash chunks with seasonings (I think garlic salt, paprika and pepper were in there).  Then added in 1 egg + 2 egg whites and some steamed broccoli.  With avocado on the side.

That’s better.

Hungry for dinner?  Nope.  Not even sure why I chowed down on this.  It’s hard at work because we all take a break and eat. I need to get better about only eating if I’m hungry, and bringing home leftovers.  It’s hard when it’s all there for free! 

Roasted rosemary potatoes, carrots, asparagus, & chicken picatta.

Shortly regretted.

And dinner the other night was just a salad.  + 2 mini egg rolls.

 

I know it happens…it’s just odd.

Do you go through periods of hunger followed periods of non-hunger?  Do you still tend to eat according to schedule?  Or do you go hours and hours without eating?

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2 hour intervals

If I thought I was hungry the day of my half, I was possibly even more hungry the day after!  I literally ate every 2 hours, if not more. 

9:45 (luckily my job let me sleep in!) – whole wheat waffles topped with syrup & pumpkin cream cheese.

Mmmm cream cheese.  Who says it’s just for bagels?

With a small bit of Voskos Greek yogurt with pumpkin butter swirled in.

11:30 rolled around, and my appetite was high!  I had a small bit of a pesto turkey sandwich at work.  About half of a half…so pretty much a 1/4.

And then made my real lunch at 12:30 – Trader Joe’s black bean and corn enchiladas. 

There was no sour cream in the house, so instead I sprinkled it with feta cheese.  Which was a brilliant idea.

See the Diet Coke there in the background? 

Okay – let’s just pretend you didn’t.

Oh heyyyy.  Whats up.

My, what attractive bling you’re sporting.

I actually wasn’t super hungry come 2:30, but I needed a snack pre-work.

Bagel thin with strawberry jam

and pumpkin cream cheese.

But of course I was starving at work about 4:30.  I snagged some trail mix and chowed it down fast.

At 6:30, we breaked for dinner.  Nothing too appetizing on the hot foods bar, I stuck with a salad.  As my co-workers said “the mother of all salads.”.  Hey – I like ‘em big. (mixed greens, blue cheese, kidney beans, beets, pickles, sunflower seeds, raspberry dressing).

And a ton of rice.  I said I wanted a lot.  And they listened.  (Full size plate, btw)

8:30 rolled around, and 2 hours post-dinner I was hungry…right on schedule!

Apple (2x what’s shown – I already ate a few slices!) with laughing cow cheese, and peanut flour dip.

And around 11:30 I got out of bed after trying to fall asleep on an empty tummy.  It wasn’t working.

Cereal to the rescue!!

 

And then I was out like a light.  I assume we’re talking a burnt out light here.

 

Official race photos are in!  If I had known the color theme of the race was going to be hot pink, I’m not quite sure I would’ve worn it.  I definitely blend in!  not too many great pics – I’m rather small in a lot of them.

Front and center:

Raise the roof!

Right in the middle:

Almost done!  Holding onto my Ghiradelli chocolate as well.  That’s what’s important.

Right under the clock…clapping? haha

So hardcore…she told me to pose this way…not quite sure why.

More natural.  If you call standing stiffly with a fake smile natural.

 

I’m going to be honest here – as I was looking at these today, I wasn’t all too happy.  I said to myself that they weren’t “very flattering” and I found myself getting down on how I looked in these pictures.  (I’ve mentioned how I’ve recently had a good amount of weight gain, and how I’m dealing with that).  I was kind of put off by these.  I knew it wasn’t good of me to think these thoughts, but I couldn’t help it.

Later I realized how incredibly awful I was for critiquing myself the way I did.  These pictures demonstrate me running 13 miles for crying out loud.  And here I was critiquing my body.  These pictures prove the strength and stamina that my body has to offer.  How dare I think poorly of it? 

Just a little something I realized this afternoon…

Tell me one (or more!) thing your proud of your body recently accomplishing

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Food Time

Dang, I feel like I’ve been getting down to some serious business in my last two posts.

In JOB RELATED news:

Thank you thank you thank you for all honest opinions regarding the job situation. It’s definitely one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make yet – something that will change the course of my life for the next year (and even years after depending what happens!).

It turns out the hospital job back at school is only part time (25-35 hours a week), so I would definitely have to get another part time job in the morning hours (before 3:00) and/or the weekends.

I didn’t talk about it yesterday, but the job here at home is in a weight loss clinic and it deals with counseling patients, meal planning, and other weight loss related issues. Something that interests me very much – especially considering it pays more than double the hospital job 😉

I have to let the hospital know by the end of this week. And the nutrition counseling/weight loss clinic job won’t let me know if they want to do a 2nd interview until the end of this week/beginning of next. Oy.

Unfortunately, due to financial circumstances, money is tighter than tight right now, so my parents won’t be able to help me out at all if I move. Many of you suggested that option, but that is a no-go.

In FOOD/RUN related news, I thought I would give you a glimpse into my day (not today -a few days ago):

Breakfast was carb-o-licious.

2 Nature’s Path hemp plus waffles topped with 2 T Einstein’s bluberry cream cheese & syrup. I love these waffles. But the maple cinnamon are still my favorite 🙂

My run was tough!! I thought about going on a long run, but really didn’t feel up to it, so I decided on a mid-length run of 7-8 miles. Plus my knee has been really sore since my knee brace-less run on Wednesday. The route I went on today used to be my favorite when I was running a couple years ago, but it’s very very hilly.

I would show you just how hilly, but my Garmin is being dumb (no offense Garmin – I still love you!) and not connecting to my computer.)

Total: 7.12 miles
Time: 1:10

Post-run turkey, laughing cow, mustard on a whole wheat tortilla.

For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to add nectarine slices?

Snack soon after before heading on errands – Cottage cheese & berries.

Errand food:

(not very good. I swear I tasted coconut?)

At Costco they were sampling cookies vitamin loaded chemical bars from the “Cookie Diet.” Of course since I’m all aboard the weight loss train now, I was down to try a cookie for my next meal.

Please please don’t tell me you believed that. I was just very curious to see what these “cookies” tasted like. Blech. I literally had to spit it out. Cookie? Cookie???? These people should be arrested for calling this a cookie. Poor poor cookies everywhere. Don’t let this guy give you a bad name.

I came home starving for dinna! Peanut butter jelly Sushiiiiiiii time.

Broccoli time.

And soon after – carrot fry time!

The other day I happened to get up and start making carrot fries in the afternoon. My sister asked what I was making.

“Carrots fries,” I say. Duh.

“Oh of course – carrot fries. A totally normal thing to make.” My sister replies.

I guess I forget sometimes not everyone eats carrot fries, oatmeal out of nut butter jars, and pumpkin on a daily basis like bloggers.

Later that night, more snackage continued. With watermelon x2.

And chocolate “ice cream” (almond milk + cocoa powder + ice + xanthan/guar gum) topped with chocolate syrup and a small scoop of Heath Toffee real ice cream.

And yes. This was all in accordance with my weight loss plan 😉

Please insert 3-5 apricots somewhere between the above pictures. I forget when and how much I ate of them.

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Foodie Shapes

How happy I am to be back and blogging on a regular schedule 🙂

Hey look – I actually celebrated Waffle Wednesday today!

Get your mind out of the gutter if you’re thinking what I’m thinking about those waffles.

And look closer! You might notice some almond butter on those waffles.

YES. That’s right. TJ’s got my beloved almond butter back in full force. Full force and with a $1 price increase. Whatever, they know I’ll pay for it.

My roommate may or may not have called me yesterday letting me know it was back in stock. True roommate love.

Mid-morning I gave in to the cinnamon rolls screaming my name.

They were baby ones and anything small and petite is just too cute to contain any type of calories or staying power. So let’s just pretend I didn’t have one.

Lunch also consisted of an old favorite. Turkey + spinach artichoke hummus (which I was BEYOND stoked to find at Costco by the way) on the best bread ever.

Obsessed with this bread. I’ll miss it when I move.

More cherries as a snack.

And my random @ss dinner salad. So let’s just call it that. Randass salad.

Does anyone else see a wacked up smiley face in that salad?

That would be:

• Mini cilantro chicken wontons
• Hummus
• Guacamole (the pooey green looking stuff)
• Avocado salsa verde (new find at TJs!)
• Asian sesame dressing
• Mixed greens

These wontons are deeelish. Trying to make my way through a giant Costco bag.

And as an afterthought I added some craisins and snap pea crisps for crunch.

Told you it was random.

And I just came home from work and devoured a piece of white sauce pizza. Greasy and yum.

Other BLTs from the day:

• Coffee & almond milk x1 million
• Some chicken drumstick at work
• 2 bites of birthday cake
• 1 saltwater taffy
• Handfuls of bluberries

And a few work highlights I wanted to share with y’all (I do not know why I just said y’all since I am not southern nor do I ever say y’all).

• The 3 year old asking if we could please go to Disneyland
• The 3 year old also raving about her “beautiful skirt.” And when she mentioned that I didn’t have on a beautiful skirt, she complimented me on my “beautiful jeans.”
• The 15-month old saying my name. Made me so happy 😀

And now I’m about to go spend my Wednesday night hard boiling some eggs (they’re way past their prime and begging to be boiled. I have to let them have their way). And not watch TV since nothing seems to be on tonight!

Psssst tomorrow is Thursday!! Who is excited for the weekend?!

Although closer to the weekend = closer to me cleaning the whole house. And moving. 😦

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Marshmallow Dreams

Last night I came home from my 10 hour workday exhausted, poured myself a glass of wine (who am I??) and just plopped on the couch.

So yes – that is my excuse for not posting.

The morning started of with a usual breakfast of mine.

• Plain yogurt
• Kashi honey sunshine
• Nature’s Path pecan crunch
• Blueberries
• Peanut butter
• Strawberry jam

It looks so patriotic! Red white & blue!

My plain yogurt didn’t do the bowl justice. I must strain this stuff make Greek yogurt A-stat.

Lunch was one of my favorite frozen meals. Healthy Choice pumpkin & squash lasagna.

The sauce and veggies aren’t very good, but the ravioli filling!! Mmm mmm mmm.

Pretty hungry and snacky all afternoon.

+ Grapes
Snap peas
Turkey slices
2 mugs coffee & creamer

Dinner was something I made the other day. I love me some leftovers.

• Quinoa
• Stir-fry veggies
• Ground turkey meat
• Butternut squash sauce
• Lots o’ garlic

I also discovered that marshmallows and peanut butter are superb together. They have my blessing to make sweet sweet pb-marshmallow babies.

Visions of marshmallows must’ve been in the air last night because I came home to my rooommate making rice krispy treats!

Not even a huge fan of these, yet they’re still addicting.

Other snacks of the night?

Apple + PB & the last of my caramel dessert hummus 😦 I loved this flavor
Hot chocolate
2 glasses of wine – duh. Twas glorious.

And you can bet that I had a small piece upon awakening this morning!

Followed by a real breakfast 😉

• 2 Nature’s Path waffles topped with cream cheese & PB
• 3 egg whites topped with ketchup

Yummmmmmmmmm.

I’ve been overwhelming you all with WAY too many pictures, I know. So I’ll keep Junior year a bit shorter, promise!!

I moved into a small house with 3 completely new and random roommates! I felt I needed a change this year. While we mostly got along, we never completely “clicked” and therefore I don’t have nearly as many pictures with them!

I did find a great friend in one of them, however, and we still stay in touch 🙂

Our Christmas card pic

My room my roommates side.

Okay, let me rephrase that. My side:

No comment.

Old roommate reunions 🙂

For the first few months, I was also training for my marathon!

I also continued to run crazy long distances and underfuel my body all year long and I was always exhausted. I would rarely go out on the weekends because I wanted to get up and run the next morning. And I would always go to bed before everyone else because I couldn’t stay awake.

It was during this year that I got down to my absolute lowest weight. When I stepped on the scale and saw I was in the 120’s (128 to be exact), I was almost sickened. That was WAY too low for my body. I didn’t do it on purpose, but I was running 8-10 miles most days of the week, and extremely busy spring quarter. So busy I didn’t bring enough food with me on campus. I began to realize that I wasn’t eating enough and that I needed to gain a couple pounds, and this was when I started to introduce real foods (read: ice cream and cheese) back into my life.

I don’t have many pictures at all from that time of year, but I have a few. You can really see it in my arms and shoulders in other pics

On a lighter note, I’m off to run a few errands today and get ready for this weekend!!

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