Hello Readers! Sorry it has been more than a few days. I worked Friday and Saturday, off Sunday and just worked the last two days...all while being sick. I hate it. I can't call out because even though I am full time now, I don't get sick pay until the new year. So not cool!
I needed to get better too! Got another home game on Saturday and it is at 7pm! I am really excited about that because I have all day Saturday to prep for tailgating! My mom wanted to just pick up subs...I want to create my own sub! I am even thinking of making mayo for it and maybe even some sort of finger food with a dip. I also think nothing goes better with a sandwich than chips and dip. So I am going to make my own onion dip and yummmmmy! I really love getting to experiment and have fun with food.
One of these days, maybe even this weekend (if I am at 100%), I want to make my poppers! I tried them out last year and they were a hit but I want to alter a few things and give them another shot. I KNOW I can make them better!
So, unfortunately due to my sickness...I have not really exercised, except for a 1.25 mile walk last night (I was feeling better and didn't want to just continue laying around). I have been eating lots of yogurt and chicken noodle soup. My dad makes an awesome batch of soup! He uses small pieces of chicken that he doesn't BBQ or use for cutlets and cooks it with carrots, onions, spices in a broth and it is AWESOME! Just enough flavor and just what the doctor ordered! He teaches me so much! In fact, I'm hoping to be moved out by the end of November, so that he can come to my place for Christmas Eve dinner and see what I've learned! Every year, I do more and more on my own so that I can eventually take over and he can enjoy the holidays!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Hurricanes Beat Florida~ Tailgating at 9am, Mimosas and Pancake Bites
The Miami Hurricanes played the Florida Gators on Saturday and WON! It was one of the most awesome moments since they started playing at Sun Life Stadium! It is Wednesday and my voice is still not 100% back, which also has to do with working the last three days. But it was all worth it!
Of course though, there is always a downside and the EXTREME humidity and packed stadium definitely got stressful at moments. Plus the early start time of noon was killer since we live about an hour North of the stadium. I really did not want anything along the lines of lunch type food. I am one of those weirdos that can eat breakfast food at ANY time of the day, but must have breakfast like food (eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, oatmeal, fruit, etc) BEFORE I can eat foods more commonly eaten at lunch or dinner. Like, I ABSOLUTELY cannot eat a cheeseburger for breakfast. It does not work for me. :)
On that note, I decided that my pancake bites would be PERFECT for this game. Along with these, I made a breakfast quesadilla (no pictures because I was pressed for time at this point), sausage links, strawberries and bananas with a homemade fruit dip and Mimosas.
There are many different ways to make these, and my way of doing it is an adaptation to Pancake Muffins by theworldaccordingtoeggface. I like my pancakes plain which is why I do not choose to add toppings, although one of these times I might give in and try adding chocolate chips or bacon. I actually prefer pancake batter made from scratch, but in wanting to get these done quickly, I used pancake mix.
I used Aunt Jemima's Original Pancake Mix and followed the instructions for a batch of pancakes. I was not in the mood to do conversions for making the whole box at once, so what I did was make a single batch and while it was baking, I made the next batch. I was able to make from the small size box, 12 mini muffins and 18 regular sized muffins. The best thing is they don't harden so you can pack them up and eat them for days after. If you want them warm, they can be reheated in the microwave with no problem.
Recipes-
Pancake Muffins aka Pancake Bites (can use whatever type of pancake mix you like, including homemade)
-pancake batter (in this case I used Aunt Jemima)
-one non stick muffin pan, mini or regular
-Aunt Jemima syrup
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After I made the pancake batter according to the instructions (one egg, 1tbsp of oil, 3/4 cup of milk and 1 cup of the mix), I added about a 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Aunt Jemima Syrup. It makes the bites taste sweeter and also a tad like maple. Definitely spray the pan with Pam OR use cupcake wrappers. You divide the batter into the pan and bake for about 12-15 minutes. I like to look for a golden brown-ish color and I also take a toothpick to make sure it is cooked all the way through. After letting them cool for about 5 minutes, I popped them out and put them in Tupperware.
Homemade fruit dip-
-Jar of favorite jelly/preserves (I used Strawberry)
-Cream Cheese
-Cinnamon
This recipe is great because you can use what you have and what you like. I love strawberry jam so I used that but you could probably switch it out with grape or cherry or raspberry, but you might have to change the type of fruit or items for dipping to better compliment the dip. I took about 16oz cream cheese and let it soften. I then took about a 1/2 cup of the strawberry jam and mixed it in, blending it together. I took a dash of cinnamon for flavor (you could do without if you wanted) and chilled it until we were ready to eat it. We dipped the strawberries and these cinnamon bagel chips my mom had purchased. It was AMAZING! Sweet, but not too sweet.
Breakfast Quesadillas-
-9 eggs
-1/2 cup of onion and green bell peppers (could use more or less or different veggies)
-4 to 5 slices of bacon
-4 large flour tortillas
-3tsp butter
-2/3 cups of cheese (also a preference item)
I usually like to cook my bacon in the pan but for time I cooked it according to the oven instructions that way I could cook the eggs and veggies while the bacon was going. I started with the tsp of butter and coated the skillet. I then took the chopped onion and green bell peppers and placed them in the heated skillet. I waited for those to cook, about 5 minutes and then added the eggs. I cooked the eggs with the veggies and then placed them to the side. After the bacon had finished, I let it cool and chopped it up and mixed it in with the eggs. I then used a new skillet and another tsp of butter and placed the first tortilla in the pan. I poured some of the egg mixture (about 1/2) onto the tortilla and sprinkled about 1/2 the cheese on top and covered it with another tortilla. I used a spatula to press down the tortilla to help seal it and after about 4 minutes flipped the quesadilla. I use the plate method (I take a plate and place it on top of the skillet and flip it that way. I then placed the quesadilla back into the skillet and pressed it down again and allowed it to cook another few minutes. I removed the quesadilla and placed it on a cutting board and let it cool while I repeated the process for the second one. After the second one was completed and the first had cooled, I used a pizza cutter to cut the quesadilla into 8 pieces and repeated with the second once it had cooled. I placed the 16 pieces into Tupperware and brought salsa and sour cream for dipping. These got RAVE reviews. I was even told to make more! Next time I WILL take pictures!!
Hope you enjoyed!
Of course though, there is always a downside and the EXTREME humidity and packed stadium definitely got stressful at moments. Plus the early start time of noon was killer since we live about an hour North of the stadium. I really did not want anything along the lines of lunch type food. I am one of those weirdos that can eat breakfast food at ANY time of the day, but must have breakfast like food (eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, oatmeal, fruit, etc) BEFORE I can eat foods more commonly eaten at lunch or dinner. Like, I ABSOLUTELY cannot eat a cheeseburger for breakfast. It does not work for me. :)
On that note, I decided that my pancake bites would be PERFECT for this game. Along with these, I made a breakfast quesadilla (no pictures because I was pressed for time at this point), sausage links, strawberries and bananas with a homemade fruit dip and Mimosas.
There are many different ways to make these, and my way of doing it is an adaptation to Pancake Muffins by theworldaccordingtoeggface. I like my pancakes plain which is why I do not choose to add toppings, although one of these times I might give in and try adding chocolate chips or bacon. I actually prefer pancake batter made from scratch, but in wanting to get these done quickly, I used pancake mix.
I used Aunt Jemima's Original Pancake Mix and followed the instructions for a batch of pancakes. I was not in the mood to do conversions for making the whole box at once, so what I did was make a single batch and while it was baking, I made the next batch. I was able to make from the small size box, 12 mini muffins and 18 regular sized muffins. The best thing is they don't harden so you can pack them up and eat them for days after. If you want them warm, they can be reheated in the microwave with no problem.
Recipes-
Pancake Muffins aka Pancake Bites (can use whatever type of pancake mix you like, including homemade)
-pancake batter (in this case I used Aunt Jemima)
-one non stick muffin pan, mini or regular
-Aunt Jemima syrup
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. After I made the pancake batter according to the instructions (one egg, 1tbsp of oil, 3/4 cup of milk and 1 cup of the mix), I added about a 1/3 to 1/2 cup of Aunt Jemima Syrup. It makes the bites taste sweeter and also a tad like maple. Definitely spray the pan with Pam OR use cupcake wrappers. You divide the batter into the pan and bake for about 12-15 minutes. I like to look for a golden brown-ish color and I also take a toothpick to make sure it is cooked all the way through. After letting them cool for about 5 minutes, I popped them out and put them in Tupperware.Homemade fruit dip-
-Jar of favorite jelly/preserves (I used Strawberry)
-Cream Cheese
-Cinnamon
This recipe is great because you can use what you have and what you like. I love strawberry jam so I used that but you could probably switch it out with grape or cherry or raspberry, but you might have to change the type of fruit or items for dipping to better compliment the dip. I took about 16oz cream cheese and let it soften. I then took about a 1/2 cup of the strawberry jam and mixed it in, blending it together. I took a dash of cinnamon for flavor (you could do without if you wanted) and chilled it until we were ready to eat it. We dipped the strawberries and these cinnamon bagel chips my mom had purchased. It was AMAZING! Sweet, but not too sweet.
Breakfast Quesadillas-
-9 eggs
-1/2 cup of onion and green bell peppers (could use more or less or different veggies)
-4 to 5 slices of bacon
-4 large flour tortillas
-3tsp butter
-2/3 cups of cheese (also a preference item)
I usually like to cook my bacon in the pan but for time I cooked it according to the oven instructions that way I could cook the eggs and veggies while the bacon was going. I started with the tsp of butter and coated the skillet. I then took the chopped onion and green bell peppers and placed them in the heated skillet. I waited for those to cook, about 5 minutes and then added the eggs. I cooked the eggs with the veggies and then placed them to the side. After the bacon had finished, I let it cool and chopped it up and mixed it in with the eggs. I then used a new skillet and another tsp of butter and placed the first tortilla in the pan. I poured some of the egg mixture (about 1/2) onto the tortilla and sprinkled about 1/2 the cheese on top and covered it with another tortilla. I used a spatula to press down the tortilla to help seal it and after about 4 minutes flipped the quesadilla. I use the plate method (I take a plate and place it on top of the skillet and flip it that way. I then placed the quesadilla back into the skillet and pressed it down again and allowed it to cook another few minutes. I removed the quesadilla and placed it on a cutting board and let it cool while I repeated the process for the second one. After the second one was completed and the first had cooled, I used a pizza cutter to cut the quesadilla into 8 pieces and repeated with the second once it had cooled. I placed the 16 pieces into Tupperware and brought salsa and sour cream for dipping. These got RAVE reviews. I was even told to make more! Next time I WILL take pictures!!
Hope you enjoyed!
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Happy Hump Day! September Goals, Tailgating, Football is BACK!
No pain, no gain! So many great things come with the month of September...a chance for new goals, NFL and College Football start and Fantasy Football!! I am an avid football fan. Tailgating and the Miami Hurricanes are life to me. I follow all the Canes sports, but basketball and football are definitely my favorites.
I have taken on the role of "chef" for our tailgates. We don't do the usual hot dogs and burgers...and throughout the next few months, I'm going to post pictures and recipes for food I make. This Saturday, Miami plays the Gators at noon...icky. But..it gives me a chance to make two different types of food. I'm going to do pancake bites and breakfast quesadillas. I am so excited. :)
Of course with tailgating and football back in full swing, it is time to work even harder on non-game days. Along with running three nights and usually three to four weight days a week, I've decided to throw in a cross training day...either bike, swimming or elliptical. Swimming will always be choice #1 (I do live in Florida after all), but on rainy days I will have to go for the bike or elliptical. I was reading Peace, Love and Low Carb (an amazing blog with tons of great low carb recipes and giveaways) and her first entry of September was about setting attainable goals and being realistic. I decided I want to give it a shot...so to end this entry, I will list my September goals which although will push me...I know can realistically be completed.
What are your goals for September?
SEPTEMBER GOALS:
1. Run a total of 20 miles
2. Lose 7lbs
3. Get my mile to 9 minutes (currently 9 mins 10 secs)
4. Do something for me (a girly day, a massage, anything)
5. Complete 5 full pages of my novel
6. Write two blogs a week
7. Try something new without fear
Happy Hump Day Everyone!
I have taken on the role of "chef" for our tailgates. We don't do the usual hot dogs and burgers...and throughout the next few months, I'm going to post pictures and recipes for food I make. This Saturday, Miami plays the Gators at noon...icky. But..it gives me a chance to make two different types of food. I'm going to do pancake bites and breakfast quesadillas. I am so excited. :)
Of course with tailgating and football back in full swing, it is time to work even harder on non-game days. Along with running three nights and usually three to four weight days a week, I've decided to throw in a cross training day...either bike, swimming or elliptical. Swimming will always be choice #1 (I do live in Florida after all), but on rainy days I will have to go for the bike or elliptical. I was reading Peace, Love and Low Carb (an amazing blog with tons of great low carb recipes and giveaways) and her first entry of September was about setting attainable goals and being realistic. I decided I want to give it a shot...so to end this entry, I will list my September goals which although will push me...I know can realistically be completed.
What are your goals for September?
SEPTEMBER GOALS:
1. Run a total of 20 miles
2. Lose 7lbs
3. Get my mile to 9 minutes (currently 9 mins 10 secs)
4. Do something for me (a girly day, a massage, anything)
5. Complete 5 full pages of my novel
6. Write two blogs a week
7. Try something new without fear
Happy Hump Day Everyone!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Month One is COMPLETE! Final Results! :)
So my challenge is officially over. My final weight was 131lbs...not as low as I would have liked...I plan on doing another month so that I can hopefully lose the next 5lbs that I really want to. I lost 3 1/2 lbs and a total of 5.5 inches.
Hips: 32
Waist: 26
Bust: 33.5
Legs: 20
Arm: 12
I did not give up anything in order to achieve this. I feel stronger and my running has improved. In fact, the last few times I ran...my mile was clocked at 9:10...my goal is by the end of September to be 125lbs and run a mile in less than 9minutes.
I should mention that I am a HUGE HUGE football fan!! So, I will definitely be tailgating and enjoying bad for me food and alcohol! :) Friday night was in fact the first Miami Hurricanes football game and I have been putting hard work into my workouts since to make up for my large intake of food and beer! :)
Hips: 32
Waist: 26
Bust: 33.5
Legs: 20
Arm: 12
I did not give up anything in order to achieve this. I feel stronger and my running has improved. In fact, the last few times I ran...my mile was clocked at 9:10...my goal is by the end of September to be 125lbs and run a mile in less than 9minutes.
I should mention that I am a HUGE HUGE football fan!! So, I will definitely be tailgating and enjoying bad for me food and alcohol! :) Friday night was in fact the first Miami Hurricanes football game and I have been putting hard work into my workouts since to make up for my large intake of food and beer! :)
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Week 3 Update...Feeling GREAT! Thoughts on Cheat Days!
So it is time for a week three update. I didn't make it yesterday, work has been crazy exhausting. Being full time is not too many hours more than what I use to work, but we are short handed and it is making work tiring.
But anyways, Thursday morning I weighed in at 131.5lbs, so finally lost more. Down to the final week, three total pounds lost, but I can feel a difference. I know I won't hit the ten pound goal I had originally set, but at the same time a loss is a loss, and I have lost inches and weight. I hope to at least get under 130lbs, which I know I can achieve with a week of hard work. So yesterday, I had a bit of a cheat day...breakfast and lunch were on point, but my dinner was a little crazy. I just didn't feel like keeping within my calories. Marco and I also went out for a couple of beers after he got out of work. It was awesome though, I put on shorts and a shirt and even after a slight pig out for dinner, my shorts were loose and baggy around the thighs. I was excited!
I am a firm believer in cheat days and having fun. I also believe it is entirely possible to have a good breakfast and a good lunch and have a few beers and greasy food for dinner and start back over the next morning OR have a good breakfast, a large lunch and go back to the plan for dinner. One meal does not have to define the day or the plan. I had my usual one egg on a flax sandwich roll with cheddar cheese, chili powder and sour cream for breakfast after my pig out night last night. Life is about moderation, seriously. If you cut out the things you like and overdo the healthy foods then eventually one day you will just stop doing it and go back to every bad habit. This is why I believe most people regain the weight they lose. It is because they do not allow themselves a break; whether a cookie or a few drinks or half of a pizza. You can have those moments and still lose weight because the next meal or next day can be on track and you feel good about yourself because you didn't deprive yourself the pleasure of that sweet or salty or greasy food. I also think that exercise is a great help in making getting back on track easier. If you work out before you indulge, you don't feel as bad and then you should make a point to do some sort of physical activity the following day to make you remember that enjoying yourself is fine as long as it is in moderation and that you continue going for your goals.
But anyways, Thursday morning I weighed in at 131.5lbs, so finally lost more. Down to the final week, three total pounds lost, but I can feel a difference. I know I won't hit the ten pound goal I had originally set, but at the same time a loss is a loss, and I have lost inches and weight. I hope to at least get under 130lbs, which I know I can achieve with a week of hard work. So yesterday, I had a bit of a cheat day...breakfast and lunch were on point, but my dinner was a little crazy. I just didn't feel like keeping within my calories. Marco and I also went out for a couple of beers after he got out of work. It was awesome though, I put on shorts and a shirt and even after a slight pig out for dinner, my shorts were loose and baggy around the thighs. I was excited!
I am a firm believer in cheat days and having fun. I also believe it is entirely possible to have a good breakfast and a good lunch and have a few beers and greasy food for dinner and start back over the next morning OR have a good breakfast, a large lunch and go back to the plan for dinner. One meal does not have to define the day or the plan. I had my usual one egg on a flax sandwich roll with cheddar cheese, chili powder and sour cream for breakfast after my pig out night last night. Life is about moderation, seriously. If you cut out the things you like and overdo the healthy foods then eventually one day you will just stop doing it and go back to every bad habit. This is why I believe most people regain the weight they lose. It is because they do not allow themselves a break; whether a cookie or a few drinks or half of a pizza. You can have those moments and still lose weight because the next meal or next day can be on track and you feel good about yourself because you didn't deprive yourself the pleasure of that sweet or salty or greasy food. I also think that exercise is a great help in making getting back on track easier. If you work out before you indulge, you don't feel as bad and then you should make a point to do some sort of physical activity the following day to make you remember that enjoying yourself is fine as long as it is in moderation and that you continue going for your goals.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
How I Workout....Weights, Starting Slow and Building Up and Variety!
So a day off today. Before I start having a very needed "me" day...I wanted to drop in and give some updates.
I realized that although I keep promising workout ideas, I just vaguely cover it and move on so today I think I am going to share my routines. I am working on getting a video or two of me doing the workouts, but not as of yet. I have been doing cardio for about five months now, but weight lifting has only been the last three months. I believe in building up your muscles and not starting to quickly. When I first started all my upper body weights were 10lbs and my legs were 50lbs. I also increase based off of reps. For example I start at 10lbs, 2 sets of 10 and then increase to 3 sets of 10 and then on to 2 sets of 15, 3 sets of 15 and when that feels easy...I increase the weight and start again. I currently am at 20lbs for my upper body at 2 sets of 10. My legs are still at 50lbs, but I do 2 sets of 15.
I do a wide variety of weights, including machines and free weights and calisthenic type workouts (push ups, sit ups, squats, dips). My free weights workouts are bicep curls, bench press, shoulder shrugs and other workouts that I'm not sure the name of but one works my triceps and the other my back muscles. I also do not dedicate one day to legs and another to arms. I split it up each workout. We have four different leg machines, so I do two different ones each time I go to the gym. Everyday I do crunches and try to do some form of cardio. I use to do treadmill every time but realized it was killing my legs on days I ran with my dad and brother so now I switch it up. For example, Saturday I did 13 minutes on the stationary bike and then Sunday I ran 1.5 miles with my dad and brother (almost beat my brother too!) and then yesterday I did 10 minutes on the stationary bike. Today is another run (1.2 miles) and tomorrow I might take my bike out for a spin before work or go relive the elliptical (it use to be my go to cardio until I got back into running). I believe that it is definitely better to switch it up because it feels good and keeps the workouts from being boring. It is also the reason I do not dedicate one day to legs, one to arms (or other variations)...I do a variety each time I go to the gym so that I am never bored.
My home workouts are obviously different. I don't have weights in the traditional form (I really do want to buy some free weights and maybe even a medicine ball or resistance band...maybe Christmas list ideas?), but I make it work. I use my old textbooks that I never sold back and full shampoo and conditioner bottles. I usually do circuit style workouts...a minute of jumping jacks, 50 crunches, 10 squats, 5 push ups and repeat three times. Sometimes I add in dips or a plank or wall sit. Even thought it's not as high intensity as the gym or a 20 minute run, I enjoy doing it because it is different and keeps my body from feeling a routine.
Routine can kill your chances for weight loss eventually, or so in my case. I can always get under 130, usually barely (129)...but then I guess my body gets use to running all the time or whatever...and I stay there and then eventually I go back up. That is why I now add in different types of cardio and keep switching up my workouts. It has really helped my body, my mind and my health.
I'll be back on Friday with Week THREE updates! I will try to get a video or two tomorrow :)
I realized that although I keep promising workout ideas, I just vaguely cover it and move on so today I think I am going to share my routines. I am working on getting a video or two of me doing the workouts, but not as of yet. I have been doing cardio for about five months now, but weight lifting has only been the last three months. I believe in building up your muscles and not starting to quickly. When I first started all my upper body weights were 10lbs and my legs were 50lbs. I also increase based off of reps. For example I start at 10lbs, 2 sets of 10 and then increase to 3 sets of 10 and then on to 2 sets of 15, 3 sets of 15 and when that feels easy...I increase the weight and start again. I currently am at 20lbs for my upper body at 2 sets of 10. My legs are still at 50lbs, but I do 2 sets of 15.
I do a wide variety of weights, including machines and free weights and calisthenic type workouts (push ups, sit ups, squats, dips). My free weights workouts are bicep curls, bench press, shoulder shrugs and other workouts that I'm not sure the name of but one works my triceps and the other my back muscles. I also do not dedicate one day to legs and another to arms. I split it up each workout. We have four different leg machines, so I do two different ones each time I go to the gym. Everyday I do crunches and try to do some form of cardio. I use to do treadmill every time but realized it was killing my legs on days I ran with my dad and brother so now I switch it up. For example, Saturday I did 13 minutes on the stationary bike and then Sunday I ran 1.5 miles with my dad and brother (almost beat my brother too!) and then yesterday I did 10 minutes on the stationary bike. Today is another run (1.2 miles) and tomorrow I might take my bike out for a spin before work or go relive the elliptical (it use to be my go to cardio until I got back into running). I believe that it is definitely better to switch it up because it feels good and keeps the workouts from being boring. It is also the reason I do not dedicate one day to legs, one to arms (or other variations)...I do a variety each time I go to the gym so that I am never bored.
My home workouts are obviously different. I don't have weights in the traditional form (I really do want to buy some free weights and maybe even a medicine ball or resistance band...maybe Christmas list ideas?), but I make it work. I use my old textbooks that I never sold back and full shampoo and conditioner bottles. I usually do circuit style workouts...a minute of jumping jacks, 50 crunches, 10 squats, 5 push ups and repeat three times. Sometimes I add in dips or a plank or wall sit. Even thought it's not as high intensity as the gym or a 20 minute run, I enjoy doing it because it is different and keeps my body from feeling a routine.
Routine can kill your chances for weight loss eventually, or so in my case. I can always get under 130, usually barely (129)...but then I guess my body gets use to running all the time or whatever...and I stay there and then eventually I go back up. That is why I now add in different types of cardio and keep switching up my workouts. It has really helped my body, my mind and my health.
I'll be back on Friday with Week THREE updates! I will try to get a video or two tomorrow :)
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Week Two is OVER! New Photos, Updates and Insights!
Alright....so week two is over with! It is in the books and above is my update photos. I feel like there is some difference and although unfortunately there was no weight loss between week one and two, I'm still 132.5, I did lose inches. I lost a total of 4.5 inches since August 1st.
This week is going to be a lot of working out and no cheat days. This is mostly just because I work a lot and so does my fiance, so I can put even more effort into my challenge. Although I feel so much better about how my clothes fit and how I feel. :)
I still firmly believe a sweet or some junk food is totally okay in moderation. I just want to give a great week of dedication into my workouts!
August 1st-
Weight: 132.5
Hips: 33.5
Waist: 27
Bust: 36
Arm: 12.5
Leg: 20.5
August 15th-
Weight: 132.5
Hips: 32
Waist: 26
Bust: 34
Arm: 12.5
Leg: 20.5
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