Friday
I woke up ravenous and feeling like I had low blood sugar after eating Chick-Fil-A nuggets and 2 cookies last night. Pretty yucky. I had to drink a protein shake first thing to get moving. I usually can wait an hour to eat breakfast because I'm not that hungry right when I wake up. But not today!!
I am definitely feeling like I am waking up easier in the mornings. They said it would happen, but I have to see it to believe it. I have always struggled to get out of bed in the mornings because it takes me a while to get going after I wake up. I annoy my husband to death when I have to get up before him because I'll snooze my alarm for 15-20 minutes before I actually get out of bed. He's such a light sleeper that he wakes up the second I move and can't go back to sleep. Hopefully, this is changing now for me. I feel more alert when my alarm goes off and I'm getting out of bed about 5 minutes earlier than usual. I feel like that's a step in the right direction!
When I got to school, I added a hard-boiled egg, coffee and a banana to my breakfast.
Friday's my department goes out to lunch. Today it's Jason's Deli and I had the salad bar with broccoli cheese soup - lots of mixed greens and spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, bell pepper with sunflower seeds and ranch dressing. (Yes, I'm a ranch fan . . . ). I also ate a hard boiled egg for some extra protein.
Even after eating the yucky food last night, I still feel thinner than I did 2 weeks ago. I won't officially weigh in until Monday, but I know that my body is burning the fat that it's been storing! Yay! I have been tracking my calories and carb intake for the last couple days and I have discovered that I need to focus on eating more of the non-starchy vegetables and fruits. I think that will make the weight loss quicker even though I'm still losing pretty quickly. So next week, I'll try to focus on eating more broccoli, spinach, green beans, bell peppers, apples, clementines, mango, etc.
I made it through a night out with a late dinner. Yay! I was judging a cheer tryout and they usually provide snacks while we're judging. Unfortunately, all they had for us was Diet Coke, Coke, Oreos and Cheese-Its. Ugh - luckily I brought some red peppers to snack on so I wasn't tempted by the junk food. I bought a bottle of water to drink also. When I got home I ate some beef stew to fill me up.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
Week 2 Day 4
Thursday
Breakfast today was my coffee and this yummy Sausage/Egg/Kale/Sweet Potato Bake. I made it last night, but it reheated beautifully this morning. The sweet potatoes were a bit sweet for my taste, so I might reduce the amount of those I add next time I make this. Or maybe I'll add some more spices like cumin, chili powder or garlic powder. But overall it was really good!
I wanted to eat a banana for a snack, but I got busy and forgot about it. So I guess I wasn't really that hungry!
Lunch was my banana, the last of the leftover lettuce wrapped tacos and guac/plantain chips. Delicious!!
For a snack, I had the sweet potatoes and apples. I wasn't super hungry, but I went ahead and ate it anyway because I knew I was going to be out late without a whole lot of good options for dinner. So I was rather full after I ate the snack, but it did tide me over for a while. . .
Unfortunately, I couldn't resist the Chick-Fil-A nuggets and cookies for dinner. I was judging a cheer tryout and they served us some Chick-Fil-A. I started off fairly good by only eating 4 nuggets and a large serving of fruit. But I got hungry later on and ate 4 more nuggets and 2 chocolate chip cookies. Boo . . . just couldn't resist. I guess I felt rude by not eating what was offered, but I probably could have just eaten fruit and been content. But, my willpower broke down and I ate the stuff I wasn't planning on eating. Oh well, I guess I'll have to be more prepared for next time. Or perhaps I can just cut myself some slack and count it as my 20%.
I was full for the rest of the evening, so I didn't need to eat any dessert before bed.
Breakfast today was my coffee and this yummy Sausage/Egg/Kale/Sweet Potato Bake. I made it last night, but it reheated beautifully this morning. The sweet potatoes were a bit sweet for my taste, so I might reduce the amount of those I add next time I make this. Or maybe I'll add some more spices like cumin, chili powder or garlic powder. But overall it was really good!
I wanted to eat a banana for a snack, but I got busy and forgot about it. So I guess I wasn't really that hungry!
Lunch was my banana, the last of the leftover lettuce wrapped tacos and guac/plantain chips. Delicious!!
For a snack, I had the sweet potatoes and apples. I wasn't super hungry, but I went ahead and ate it anyway because I knew I was going to be out late without a whole lot of good options for dinner. So I was rather full after I ate the snack, but it did tide me over for a while. . .
Unfortunately, I couldn't resist the Chick-Fil-A nuggets and cookies for dinner. I was judging a cheer tryout and they served us some Chick-Fil-A. I started off fairly good by only eating 4 nuggets and a large serving of fruit. But I got hungry later on and ate 4 more nuggets and 2 chocolate chip cookies. Boo . . . just couldn't resist. I guess I felt rude by not eating what was offered, but I probably could have just eaten fruit and been content. But, my willpower broke down and I ate the stuff I wasn't planning on eating. Oh well, I guess I'll have to be more prepared for next time. Or perhaps I can just cut myself some slack and count it as my 20%.
I was full for the rest of the evening, so I didn't need to eat any dessert before bed.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Week 2 Day 3
Wednesday
Is it really only Wednesday? This week has already gone by so slowly - I guess that's what happens the week before spring break!!
I forgot to bring my hard boiled egg to school to eat this morning for breakfast, so I ate 2 cinnamon muffins (the last ones!!!). I am definitely too full!! One is not quite enough, but 2 is definitely too much! I guess I could have eaten 1.5, but I wasn't thinking about that while I was eating. Next time I will. . .
Lunch is leftover lettuce wrapped tacos. Definitely messier than tortilla wrapped tacos, but just as satisfying!
Dinner was scrambled eggs, honey roasted carrots and coconut flour waffles. This recipe includes chicken and waffles, but I just did the waffles and left the chili powder out of the batter. I've kind of been surprised at how good the dishes are when I bake with coconut flour and almond flour. I kind of expected things to taste REALLY different, but it really hasn't. The waffles, in particular, tasted very much like a wheat flour waffle, but they weren't crispy and were a little more dry. Next time I might try to add some coconut oil or butter into the batter to make them more moist. But, overall they were really tasty! My daughter even gobbled it up! And 1 waffle was really filling!
I did eat a lot of carbs today, so I skipped dessert. I would really have liked to eat something like fruit, but I didn't NEED to eat so I was able to pass. Yay!
All in all, I've lost 2.5 pounds in 1.5 weeks. I think it's a great start!
Is it really only Wednesday? This week has already gone by so slowly - I guess that's what happens the week before spring break!!
I forgot to bring my hard boiled egg to school to eat this morning for breakfast, so I ate 2 cinnamon muffins (the last ones!!!). I am definitely too full!! One is not quite enough, but 2 is definitely too much! I guess I could have eaten 1.5, but I wasn't thinking about that while I was eating. Next time I will. . .
Lunch is leftover lettuce wrapped tacos. Definitely messier than tortilla wrapped tacos, but just as satisfying!
Dinner was scrambled eggs, honey roasted carrots and coconut flour waffles. This recipe includes chicken and waffles, but I just did the waffles and left the chili powder out of the batter. I've kind of been surprised at how good the dishes are when I bake with coconut flour and almond flour. I kind of expected things to taste REALLY different, but it really hasn't. The waffles, in particular, tasted very much like a wheat flour waffle, but they weren't crispy and were a little more dry. Next time I might try to add some coconut oil or butter into the batter to make them more moist. But, overall they were really tasty! My daughter even gobbled it up! And 1 waffle was really filling!
I did eat a lot of carbs today, so I skipped dessert. I would really have liked to eat something like fruit, but I didn't NEED to eat so I was able to pass. Yay!
All in all, I've lost 2.5 pounds in 1.5 weeks. I think it's a great start!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Lettuce Wrapped Beef Tacos
Lettuce Wrapped Beef Tacos
1 pound ground beef
1 c. diced onion (optional)
1-2 T. Taco Seasoning
Iceberg lettuce
Toppings:
cilantro
tomato
salsa/pico de gallo
guacamole
shredded cheese
sour cream
Taco Seasoning
1 T. chili powder
1.5 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (or cayenne if you want more heat)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Mix all the spices together and set aside.
Brown beef (and onion if using) in a 12" skillet until no longer pink. Drain fat and return to skillet. Add 1-2 T. taco seasoning (to taste) and 1/2 c water. Cook until the water reduces to just a couple tablespoons. Serve on iceberg lettuce leaves and your choice of toppings!
1 pound ground beef
1 c. diced onion (optional)
1-2 T. Taco Seasoning
Iceberg lettuce
Toppings:
cilantro
tomato
salsa/pico de gallo
guacamole
shredded cheese
sour cream
Taco Seasoning
1 T. chili powder
1.5 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes (or cayenne if you want more heat)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Mix all the spices together and set aside.
Brown beef (and onion if using) in a 12" skillet until no longer pink. Drain fat and return to skillet. Add 1-2 T. taco seasoning (to taste) and 1/2 c water. Cook until the water reduces to just a couple tablespoons. Serve on iceberg lettuce leaves and your choice of toppings!
Week 2 Day 2
Tuesday
This week is definitely harder . . . I was out right before lunch and I was so tempted to pick up a fish taco from this really delicious place - but I couldn't just get the fish taco. I'd have to get chips and queso also . . . but again I resisted! Thank you God for giving me the strength to say no to stuff that isn't primal and yes to stuff that is!!
Breakfast was a hard-boiled egg, a cinnamon muffin and coffee. I'm still really loving those cinnamon muffins! Still delicious!!
My mid- morning snack was 2 small clementines. I had burned my tongue on the stew last night, so I could really taste the tartness of those cuties!!
Lunch was leftover beef stew and salsa with plantain chips! The salsa and plantain chips totally satisfied my craving for chips and queso, so I'm happy now!
I was hungry about 3:00, so I ate my spinach salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar and a square of dark chocolate.
It's funny, Brian mentioned to me last night that I was cutting out bread, but adding starches via some potatoes and sweet potatoes. That kind of got me worried that I am eating too many carbs to produce weight loss. The folks at marksdailyapple.com recommend a carb intake of less than 100 grams/day for weight loss. (Click here for details). So I calculated it up . . . And even with all the potatoes I ate yesterday, I was still at 110 grams of carbs. I think it's a good spot to be in. Can I go fewer carbs? Obviously yes, but I'm still in a good spot for weight loss.
Dinner was homemade lettuce wrapped beef tacos. I put sour cream and cheese on mine - I kind of over-seasoned the taco filling so it helped to have the dairy cut the richness of the filling! I finished it off with some homemade guac and the last of our tortilla chips. From here on out, it will be plantain chips instead of tortilla chips! Just as delicious and primal! :-)
I was hungry after dinner, so I made myself a chocolate protein shake for dessert. The only problem is that the lid wasn't secured on my shaker container and it spewed all over my kitchen!! Ugh! But it made me get the mop out to clean my floor! Ha!
I have been pretty tired lately - I'm attributing it to the stress of our adoption and all the stuff we're having to think about because of that. I guess it could be the "low-carb flu," but I honestly don't really think so. But I guess I'll never know for sure!!
Either way, I'm trying to get more sleep and rest when I need rest.
This week is definitely harder . . . I was out right before lunch and I was so tempted to pick up a fish taco from this really delicious place - but I couldn't just get the fish taco. I'd have to get chips and queso also . . . but again I resisted! Thank you God for giving me the strength to say no to stuff that isn't primal and yes to stuff that is!!
Breakfast was a hard-boiled egg, a cinnamon muffin and coffee. I'm still really loving those cinnamon muffins! Still delicious!!
My mid- morning snack was 2 small clementines. I had burned my tongue on the stew last night, so I could really taste the tartness of those cuties!!
Lunch was leftover beef stew and salsa with plantain chips! The salsa and plantain chips totally satisfied my craving for chips and queso, so I'm happy now!
I was hungry about 3:00, so I ate my spinach salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar and a square of dark chocolate.
It's funny, Brian mentioned to me last night that I was cutting out bread, but adding starches via some potatoes and sweet potatoes. That kind of got me worried that I am eating too many carbs to produce weight loss. The folks at marksdailyapple.com recommend a carb intake of less than 100 grams/day for weight loss. (Click here for details). So I calculated it up . . . And even with all the potatoes I ate yesterday, I was still at 110 grams of carbs. I think it's a good spot to be in. Can I go fewer carbs? Obviously yes, but I'm still in a good spot for weight loss.
Dinner was homemade lettuce wrapped beef tacos. I put sour cream and cheese on mine - I kind of over-seasoned the taco filling so it helped to have the dairy cut the richness of the filling! I finished it off with some homemade guac and the last of our tortilla chips. From here on out, it will be plantain chips instead of tortilla chips! Just as delicious and primal! :-)
I was hungry after dinner, so I made myself a chocolate protein shake for dessert. The only problem is that the lid wasn't secured on my shaker container and it spewed all over my kitchen!! Ugh! But it made me get the mop out to clean my floor! Ha!
I have been pretty tired lately - I'm attributing it to the stress of our adoption and all the stuff we're having to think about because of that. I guess it could be the "low-carb flu," but I honestly don't really think so. But I guess I'll never know for sure!!
Either way, I'm trying to get more sleep and rest when I need rest.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Pecans
Sweet Potatoes, Apples and Pecans
3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks**
3-4 granny smith apples, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1/2 c. chopped pecans
4 T. butter
2 T. honey
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Arrange sweet potatoes and apples on the bottom of a large baking dish. Sprinkle pecans on top.
Melt butter in a small bowl, add honey, lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir to combine and our over the baking dish. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
**The sweet potato chunks should be smaller than the apples because they take longer to cook.
3-4 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks**
3-4 granny smith apples, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1/2 c. chopped pecans
4 T. butter
2 T. honey
2 T. lemon juice
1 T. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Arrange sweet potatoes and apples on the bottom of a large baking dish. Sprinkle pecans on top.
Melt butter in a small bowl, add honey, lemon juice and cinnamon. Stir to combine and our over the baking dish. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender.
**The sweet potato chunks should be smaller than the apples because they take longer to cook.
Beef Stew
Beef Stew
2 lbs. top round steak, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 1/2"-1" cubes
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. salt
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
dash allspice or cloves
1-2 bay leaves
4-5 cups water
1 c. burgundy (optional)
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
4-6 carrots, peeled and sliced
2-3 celery stalks, sliced
2-3 handfuls green beans, snapped into bite sized pieces
Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the beef, onion, garlic and spices and braise until beef is no longer pink. Add water (and wine if using), bring to a simmer and cook for 1.5 hours.
Add vegetables (you can substitute your favorite vegetables), cook for an additional 30-45 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Taste and adjust seasoning! I used to serve this with cornbread, but I haven't tried a Primal "cornbread" yet.
2 lbs. top round steak, trimmed of visible fat and cut into 1/2"-1" cubes
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. salt
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
dash allspice or cloves
1-2 bay leaves
4-5 cups water
1 c. burgundy (optional)
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
4-6 carrots, peeled and sliced
2-3 celery stalks, sliced
2-3 handfuls green beans, snapped into bite sized pieces
Heat a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the beef, onion, garlic and spices and braise until beef is no longer pink. Add water (and wine if using), bring to a simmer and cook for 1.5 hours.
Add vegetables (you can substitute your favorite vegetables), cook for an additional 30-45 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Taste and adjust seasoning! I used to serve this with cornbread, but I haven't tried a Primal "cornbread" yet.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)