WIAW

This is the first WIAW post I have done. I like the idea of it. It will be a good way for me to look back and make sure I am not always eating the same thing. I kinda do that a lot... Get in major food funks!! Hopefully this will help me continue to add new and fun foods to my diet.

Breakfast is almost always in the car, after the gym, on my way to work. So it must be quick and easy. That almost always means fruit and protein bar.

These Cliff coconut chocolate chip may be my most favorite protein bar. Tastes like a Samoa girl scout cookie! Bananas are usually my favorite breakfast fruit.

Next is a little morning snack. This is almost always more fruit. I like dried fruit because I can take it on the run. Don't have to worry about keeping it cold.

I found these dried mango pieces at Starbucks. Very yummy! Chewy and just sweet enough.

Lunch is almost always the same. I really need to work in variety here!

Raw veggies and hummus. 

Super cute kitty cat shaped crackers! Vanilla and ginger snap flavor. 

And a nice handful of jelly beans for the sweet tooth :)

Afternoon snack is a veggie and protein combo.

Carrots and coconut almond protein bar. Just realized I had 2 chocolate/coconut bars! Such a great combo though!

Dinner is the first meal I get to eat at home after I am done with work.  I have a certain meal plan from a nutritionist that I follow. So sometimes I end up with weird combinations in order to fill all my needs.

Egg beaters (with a drizzle of maple syrup-is that weird?), cooked carrots, mac and cheese. May be strange but it was good! And quick which is key when I get home at 7.

Dessert?! Yes, please :)

Pre packaged chocolate chip cookie with cream filling. Yummy preservatives and additives! 

I am usually not hungry for my bedtime snack, but I always eat before I go to sleep. My nutritionist tells me it is important and keeps my metabolism going through the night. I got into trouble before because my body would go into "starvation mode" when I often skipped meals. Now if i don't eat before bed I wake up feeling sickly hungry!

A nice carb/fruit/protein filled snack always hits the spot.

I love pretzels. Mostly because of my little salt addiction. Super thick greek yogurt and fresh strawberries. I did wash and cut them up nicely but I was trying to be creative with the photography...

So that is what I eat on an average day. I eat basically the same amount of food every day, with as much variety as possible. 3 meals, 3 snacks. This is what seems to work for me! 

This also made me realize that I eat a lot like a little kid! Mac and cheese, cat crackers, jelly beans... Ha :)

What was your favorite food as a kid?

Mine for sure was mac and cheese! Still love the stuff.

New Eats

In February I went to an ED treatment center for 45 days. It has been such a big help in making my life happier and healthier! I learned how to balance what I eat and how I workout. Before I was working out way too much and not eating nearly enough. The amount and kinds of food I ate was just no good! I literally lived off of fruit vegetables, rice cakes, pretzels and protein bars. 

I still struggle a lot, mostly with the weight gain. And I still have major fear foods. Basically the dreaded FAT! (Ahh butter, full fat dressing, sour cream...) I also have a hard time with things that don't have nutrition facts that I can read. So eating out at restaurants or picking up a dessert from a bakery is very tough.

Enough rambling!!  The point of this post is to show some things I have been eating and lately. Most are snacks because well snacks are just more fun :) And it is easier to eat a bunch of little meals throughout the day. 

Hummus and raw veggies. This tupperware works perfect for taking it to work.

Looove pancakes! Although rarely for breakfast. But breakfast for dinner?? Yes please! Got these at Aldi.

Best and cheapest hummus I have found. It is so thick! Also an Aldi find.

Ok so rice cakes aren't exactly new to my diet. But these little ones are great for snacking. And so many different flavors! Might be slightly obsessed...

I used to be super scared of "regular" peanut butters. I would only eat PB2 or fake low fat stuff. This flavor is the best I have tasted so far.

Desserts were always a big no no! But dessert is delicious and these are tasty! Are they healthy?? No, but so what?!

Lovin apples lately. Hard to tell but these are drizzled with sugar free maple syrup. Yum! It's like a caramel apple flavor.

Another great little dessert. Sweet and salty is the best combo. And thy were on clearance. Double win!

I have been eating lots and lots of yogurt. Mainly greek but this flavor is very good. And look, now with no aspartame!! Ha wonderful!

These go great with hummus, peanut butter, or just plain! Yay for carbs.

Well, that's about it for new favorite snacks. I will continue to keep trying new foods and post more soon.

What is your favorite snack??

28 and Feelin Great!

This past weekend was filled with birthday fun! My 28th birthday was June 1. Since it happened to fall on a Saturday, that meant I got a whole birthday weekend, instead of just one day!!

It started of with dinner at Outback Steakhouse with the parents and hubby, Jim. I must admit one of my favorite things about going to a restaurant is ordering "fun" drinks. And by fun I mean alcoholic!

  Started off with the margarita trio!

 Followed by a fun fruity martini

Best sweet potato I ever had! Simple, just with a bit of salt but sooo good!! No idea how they cooked/baked it but wow!

I got two surprise gifts from two great friends :)

Jim and I went shopping so I could use my gift card. I usually don't wear hats but this one just fit perfectly! I had to buy it. And of course that meant Jim got one too.

My mom took me for a mani/pedi. So nice to be pampered a little bit.

Don't mind the blue spot on my toe...dropped a chair on it a few weeks back!

Sparkly nails! 

Then off to my favorite new dessert place for some frozen greek yogurt! Soo yummy!

Jim got me two pretty beads for my pandora bracelet! They are the colors of our birthstones. So thoughtful :)

I have an infinity tattoo on my wrist with the same colors. June is actually a much lighter purple-ish but it works! June can also be pearl but they are not really my style.

End the celebration with free ice cream from Friday's!! Candle and all.

This picture really makes me realize how badly I need a haircut! 

It really was a great weekend!! Thanks to everyone who helped make it so wonderful.

No more workout funk!

For a while, a long while, I have been in a workout funk! All i would do everyday was cardio cardio cardio! An excessive amount. ED played a huge role in my workout choices! He is still in my head when it comes to exercise but he is much quieter :)

I am beginning to actually believe I don't have to be the skinniest anymore! I want to be strong and healthy and whatever size my body should be. Love this new tank top! Wearing it today for positive thinking.

I am learning that I don't need to workout for 2 hours a day, or even everyday for that matter. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a good workout and do it most days. But I have wasted a lot of time and missed out on other fun things because I had to work out!!

I am doing a few 5k races this summer so I have been trying to run a few times a week. I used to be able to run an hour no problem! I am improving though!

This is where I have to be careful to not over do it. Normally I would just run longer, regardless of if my body was telling me "STOP!". When I feel pain or get a bad cramp I just stop!

I got new fancy shoes which always makes running more fun!

I also ran into this little cutie at the track near my house! I stopped to pet him, luckily he was friendly :)

Besides running I of course still swim...a lot... I really do love my early morning swim.

I know what your thinking... That sounds like a lot of cardio! Well I recently purchased these fun new toys!

Kettle bells are much more fun than weights! At least in my opinion. I have been watching youtube videos to learn cool moves.  

Satchmo enjoys the box they came in.

I have to work on getting some strong arms because I just registered for this Gladiator Race

http://youtu.be/69is28xtD1I

My good runner/swimmer friend found an awesome deal on Groton. Super excited!

So even though I still favor cardio, I am trying to incorporate other exercises as well! Gotta mix it up a bit!

Have a great Friday :)

Just a typical work day

For anyone that may not know, I am a nanny and I LOVE my job! I love that I get to be outdoors an do lots of fun stuff. This was our day yesterday.

My day starts pretty early. Older kids quickly off to school so it's just me and a 4 year old. She loooves blueberries so we decided to make muffins for breakfast. 

Kids love to measure, pour, and mix things! They also love to taste test. Curious little creatures! 

We tasted blueberries. Yup, they were good!

In the muffin pan they go.

And done! Soo they LOOK good...but sadly they weren't that great. Very dry, dense, and didn't rise up well.

Random Pinterest recipe fail! Oh well. Onto the next activity. Car wash!!

We did my car first and then onto the little red cars.

Kids love playing with a hose and getting wet! 

After lunch and a nap it was time for the big kids to come home. The high was about 90 so we hurried off to the pool :)

Not a bad way to spend a day at work right?!