Weekly Challenge - Week Three

The challenge for next week will be purely weight loss. We will go by percentage lost and have someone else calculate it, because I suck at math, lol! What do you think we should do for the winner and the loser? I won't be able to do a cash prize each week..being poor folk...any ideas? We could do something fun like the winner gets one of my crazy library of workout dvd's and the loser has to send me a video of them dancing or singing and I will post it on the blog..muahahaha!!


Oh, and if you wanna play this week..send me a picture of your weight on the scale tomorrow and then a picture of the weight next Sunday. I won't post everyone's weight and I won't judge you..especially because I think I'm the heaviest =D You can send it in a private message or post it for everyone to see. Game's on!!

Menu for the week ~

We are doing a dinner swap each week. The plan is to make a few recipes and double them, and share. We are going to try to make a one pot meat dish each, a vegetarian dish each, one main dish soup, and one main dish salad. Everything as real as we can get it and organic if we can afford it. We cooked together last week and it helped so much. I spent way less than I normally would and saved me so much time. I thought I would share our menu, in case you want to play along =D

Megan is making...



Chicken Masala - It's from a mix, then you add chicken. It will look something like this..YUM!!



Moroccan Couscous  - This is the recipe from Alicia Silverstone's "The Kind Life"

  

Grilled Chicken Salad. Not sure what recipe she will use.

I am making...



Magic Soup  - I really love this recipe. It's so easy and great for you. You can put any leftover veggies in and some chicken instead of the frozen veggies and tofu.



Roast & Vegetables  - Okay, so this isn't the healthiest thing around. But, it's dang good, and better than eating out! I use the leftovers to make stew. I use very little fat and the crock pot makes it fall apart. Does it get any better than that? I think not!




Spicy Lemon Pepper Pasta - This is from VeganYumYum. It has a ton of flavor and I use whole wheat noodles with flax. You can add grilled chicken, if you don't like the vegan thing.



I'm also going to make some protein cupcakes, some smoothies, and some breakfast cookies.





Protein Cupcakes

Night before, combine and mix: 1 scoop protein powder, 1 T egg whites, 1/4 t baking powder, stevia, dash sea salt (optional: nuts, 1/2 banana). Spray mug with cooking spray and spoon in mixture. Store in fridge over night. Frosting: 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 1 T peanut flour, stevia.
Morning of: Microwave ~1min, 30 seconds & frost cupcake.





Pumpkin Spiced Overnight Oats

1/3 cup oats

1 scoop chocolate [SunWarrior] protein powder

2/3 cup pumpkin (canned, organic)

1 cup Hemp milk (can use any milk)

1 t chia seeds

1 T chopped pecans (for crunch)

1/2 t cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

dash sea salt (to bring out sweetness)

stevia (1 serving)

(Mix and chill overnight. The texture reminds me of a mousse. So filling and decadent!) 

The Day After....

I have not made it one Valentines Day without overdoing the chocolate. I always think I can make it without, but I feel deprived of not having a Valentine in the first place, then doubly deprived by not eating the chocolate! So today I am sluggish, bloated and feel toxic from the sugar and caffeine overload. I decided to go veggie today to help my body recover. Megan and I made our meal for the week on Sunday, so this was a really easy day. BTW...isn't that the most beautiful salad you've ever seen! Appropriately named "Mega Life" all of the colors and textures and flavors..one of my all time favs from a restaurant in Canada called Juice For Life.





6a - Lazy Girl Green Tea - I just throw a green tea bag in a glass of bottled water..viola! Green Tea Water ; )
9a - Berry Protein Shake - 1/2 banana, blueberries, strawberries, vanilla protein powder, 1/4c nf plain yogurt, ice, water
10a - Even lazier green tea - I just added water to my glass that had the tea bag in it.
12p - Breakfast cookie - We had some granola w/ chocolate, protein powder, coconut, peanut butter and a little light coconut milk - mash together and flatten out to make cookies - no bake
3p - Mega Life Salad - mixed greens, spinach, grated carrot, grated beet, sprouts, parsley, sunflower seeds, marinated  tofu(tofu with sesame oil, soy sauce and wine vinegar) - with a little balsamic vinegrette  (I add more vinegar to salad dressings to lessen the calories and fat)
5p - More Green Tea, this time I actually made some with a little xylitol (similar to stevia, but no after taste)
6p - Fruit Salad with Greek Yogurt with Honey - banana, grapes, apple with yogurt
9p - I have to work overnight, so I try to eat my dinner late, but trying not to eat after 10p.. making the Guacamole Life Roll - 2 tomatoes, 1/2 cucumber, 1/2 red onion, 1 t chili powder, 1 t salt and mix together. Heat a tortilla and spread with 1/4 c guacamole per tortilla, then layer hummus & veg mixture, add grated carrots, sprouts or lettuce.


I feel better already! Did anyone else overindulge?

Happy Valentines Day!!

Weekly Challenge - Week Two

We are going to post a weekly challenge every Monday. Some weeks will be a contest, winner gets a prize, loser has to do something. Some weeks will just be to challenge ourselves. Leave a comment about what you are going to do or how you did on the challenge for the week...If you're really good, send a picture or a video of it! You can email me the pic or video on facebook or to jenniferfieldsgraphics@gmail.com.  I'm going to post the pics or videos you send on the weekly challenge page, so we can look back and laugh at you, jk! We did this for a contest a few years ago, and it kept it interesting. I promise I won't traumatize you...much ; )

Week 1:  I'm going to start out with an easy one to get us going. Try any new activity this week, and by that I mean something that qualifies as exercise, not a new restaurant ; )   Let us know what you are going to try (a little accountability). Have a great week!  I don't think anyone did the challenge last week, so we'll consider this week, week one! No guilt trip or anything, but I did do Body Combat this week ; )


Week 2:  This week is all about getting up off our butts! The challenge is to do as many workouts as you can. The winner gets a lovely amazon.com gift certificate for $20...if you don't play, then it's mine, muahhahah!





To participate you have to leave a comment below telling us what workout you did, and how long you did it. At the end of the week, we'll tally up the minutes all of our posts and see who came out on top. I do have trust issues, but we will go on the honor system and not ask for any proof of workouts ; )  But, it would be more fun if you send a little pic or video...just sayin....challenge starts tomorrow!
***I'm changing this to any activity that gets your heart rate up for 20 minutes or more - shoveling snow, parking your car further out and walking, cleaning at a fast pace (set a timer & clean like you have a deadline), playing sports or being active with your kids, washing your car by hand, any sport, dancing, taking the stairs..just try to find ways to move more throughout the day! If you can, buy a pedometer, and we can use it in one of the challenges. If we all have access to a treadmill, we can do that one week. 
Here is a way to track all of your activities for the week..check it out!
http://www.caloriesperhour.com/index_burn.php


A little inspiration...she's 71 and still rocks the leotard!

Staying motivated

I have a got a bad case of the "I don't wanna's". I'm having a hard time staying motivated to workout. The weather we've been having, being sick, and stuck in the house for a couple of weeks, has made me into a computer zombie! I have no motivation to get up and move. I see the snow melting, and our water is finally back on. I'm going to try to get to the gym twice this weekend. Also, the whole being single on Valentine's Day is no fun. If I'm single, I tend to award myself with "you deserve it" candy.

How are you staying motivated or are you in the same boat? What do we do about it?

How many rice cakes does it take to satisfy a craving for chocolate?

Five rice cakes. 7 baby carrots. 4 celery sticks. One orange. A container of light yogurt. And a Snicker bar.  ; )

Cookies For Breakfast!

I can always tell when I have a sweet tooth, because the majority of my menu for the week is filled with sweetness! You can tell by my posts too..snow ice cream, peanut butter cup smoothies, and now...drum roll please...let me introduce you to the breakfast cookie!! I am so excited about my new find. I've seen this mentioned over and over again on different health blogs. Runners and other athletes swear by it, and it's a great source of protein and good carbs! Also great for a post workout snack and it's way cheaper than buying a cliff bar or any other protein bar. I thought I would give it a try and it was delicious, and it kept me full most of the day. It's super easy to combine the ingredients the night before and it's ready to go in the morning. I copied these from the blogs a foodie that stays fit and biochemista.com. I love their recipes and how they eat real food that keeps them fueled for training. I'm going to try to start thinking of my food that way, as fuel to get me through the day. We'll see how that goes, but it's a goal, right?







Um, WHY did it take me so long to try this?? So. Good. So good!


From A Foodie Stays Fit's Blog

COCONUT CHERRY CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST COOKIE

• 1/3 old fashioned oats
• 1 T peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice)
• 1/2 scoop Designer Whey Vanilla Protein Powder
• 1/8 c milk (I used organic cow’s milk, but I bet almond or rice milk would really tasty)
• 1 T (or so) dried cherries, chopped
• 2 t shredded coconut
• 1 T semi sweet chocolate chips
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Combine oats, PB, and protein powder (if using) until combined and kind of crumbly.
2. Add milk and stir until well combined.
3. Add in your tasty mix-ins.
4. Transfer it to a plate and using the back of a spoon, flatten and spread it out to make a cookie-ish shape.
5. Stick ‘er in the fridge and let set overnight.
6. Wake up to deliciousness. Sprinkle with cinnamon and devour with a spoon.

BANANA WALNUT BREAD BREAKFAST COOKIE

• 1/3 oats
• 1/2 scoop protein powder
• 2 T almond milk
• 1 T peanut butter
• 1 T flax meal
• 1/4 t cinnamon
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 1 T chopped walnut

Follow the same basic instructions as above.

PROTEIN-PACKED PUMPKIN PIE BREAKFAST COOKIE

Adapted from Ashley’s Banana Breakfast Cookie

• 1/3 c canned pumpkin
• 1 egg white or 1 whole egg*
• 1.5 t pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder**
• 1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 T milled flaxseed
• 1/4 t baking powder
• 1/3 c old-fashioned oats
• 2 T walnut pieces, chopped***
• splash of milk (about a tablespoon)
• Toppings: maple syrup****, coconut butter or oil, nut butter, whipped cream (ok, maybe not for breakfast everyday)

1. In a microwave-safe cereal bowl, mix the pumpkin and egg until well-combined.
2. Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
3. Add the protein powder, cinnamon, flax, baking powder, and oats. Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
4. Stir in walnut pieces and a splash of milk.
5. Microwave for 1 minute + 45 seconds.
6. Eat straight from the bowl or dump onto a plate.
7. Top as desired. I love 1 t of coconut oil, melted in the microwave and drizzled on top. Letting coconut butter melt on top is also delicious

Cookie Monster - biochemista's blog

I have to share my new favorite breakfast, The breakfast cookie. 

Who wouldn't want to eat a cookie in the morning that's also good for you?

In a bowl I mixed:

- 1/3 cup oats

- 1tbsp PB/almond butter

- 1/3 smashed banana

- 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder (can use soy, rice, etc.)

- 1/2 tsp maca powder (optional; good source of vitamin C and used for increased energy)

- 1/8 cup almond milk (any milk will do)

- Carob chips (could you a few dark choc chips) to garnish

Spoon onto a small plate and spread evenly throughout. Chill in fridge overnight. Viola! 

*I've also made this with frozen blueberries/raspberries (instead of nanner) and vanilla protein powder. 

*The first time I used too much milk so it wasn't as firm as a cookie but the second time wasaaaaamazing.

Peanut Butter & Banana Breakfast cookie: 1/3 cup oats, 1/2 scoop protein powder 

(I used vanillaSunWarrior), 1/2 mashed banana, 1 T PB, raisins, 1/8 cup almond milk, 

stevia, dash sea salt. *I also added 1 T raw chia seeds.

*Chia seeds don't taste like much, but they bind 10 times their volume in water (!), meaning they're
good for hydration and also help lubricate joints. An added bonus: they're high in protein, calcium, 
and contain greater roughly 6 times more omega-3 fatty acids than other grain


Let me know what you think or if you come up with another recipe.
I'm off to eat my breakfast....cookie! =D