June 13, 2008

CSA Bounty #2 plus Brunch

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Brunch | Tags: , , |
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Hey guys, another long day of rest and relaxation yesterday. P was kind enough to pick up our second CSA batch last night:

From left to right, starting in the back: spinach, lettuce, salad mix, turnips, radishes and braising mix. We still have some stuff leftover from last week so I’m really going to be pushing salads in the next couple days.

P made an Annie’s mac and cheese for two last night, so we split that. I also had some more cottage cheese and granola.

This morning I made myself an Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with two tbsp PB and a banana:

Brunch was 475 calories, 74g carbs, 18g fat, and 15g protein.

I snapped this photo last night, and I wanted to use it to formally introduce you to my cat, Horseshoe:

(She pulled those wires into her bed.) Horseshoe is 3 yrs old; I got her from a shelter in Va when she was a few weeks old my Junior yr in college. She grew up with a bunch of different dogs and thinks she is one: she’ll greet you at the door, follows you around, sleeps at your feet. I’m probably a dog person, but HS is the bomb. She needed some love on the blog for being such an excellent caretaker while I’ve been recovering.

Apparently it’s beautiful outside, so I may head up to the roof with a magazine for some fresh air. Have a great day guys!

 

June 7, 2008

NYC Food Blogger Summit 2008

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner | Tags: , , , |
[4] Comments 

Hey guys! Dinner tonight was alot of fun. It was so great to meet Ari and Betsy in person. We’re definitely going to have to do it again. But let’s backtrack:

This afternoon when I got home from work I had a slice of Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel Bread with a tbsp PB:

Snack was 175 calories, 21g carbs, 9g fat, and 7g protein.

I had planned for this to be a pre workout snack, but after lunch I started feeling weird/sickly again. After I had this snack, I actually fell asleep! I woke up at 7:50 – our dinner was at 8! Whoops! I’m not sure what’s going on with me lately – Peter think I’m just dealing with alot of stress and nerves. I am getting pretty nervous about this surgery!

Anyway, I raced to meet the girls, who had already gotten a table. I started off with a glass of Chardonnay.

For an entree, I got the stuffed portabello mushrooms (I ate about 2/3 of this):

And the three of us split the maple cream tart for dessert.

After dinner, that temptress Arielle convinced us all to go to Billy’s Bakery for cupcakes! :) (Didn’t take much convincing!) I got one chocolate/vanilla and one vanilla/vanilla.

I ate one and gave one to Peter.

What a great night! I’m estimating dinner and dessert at 650 calories. Girls, we’ve got to do it again!

I’m heading to bed. Hopefully I’ll feel better tomorrow and get in a good workout in the morning. Night!

 

June 3, 2008

Just Do It

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner | Tags: , , , , |
[8] Comments 

That’s been the theme of today: just do it. Lately there’s been alot of stuff in my personal life, work life, weight loss that I’ve been putting off and putting off – to my own detriment! When I just suck it up and do the things I don’t want to, I’m always so much happier for it! In the years since I’ve graduated college I think that’s the biggest lesson I’ve learned. I’m not going to wake up tomorrow with the perfect life. If I want to be 135 lbs, have a great job, big family, etc, etc then I have to make it happen. Perfect example: when I came back from the gym today, I realized I still hadn’t cleaned the refrigerator. I almost didn’t do it, reasoning I was too tired. And then I thought, ‘Kate, JUST DO IT!’ So I did! Since I still had my HRM on, I tracked my heart rate too, and I burned an extra 200 calories easy! Now. not only do I have a clean and ready for CSA goodness refrigerator (see for yourself):

But I also have a mopped kitchen floor, clean sink and counters, clean dishes, and Horseshoe has a washed and fresh ladies room. Everyone’s happy! I’m really going to keep that as my mantra: JUST DO IT. I know I’ll be alot happier if I do.

Anyway, when I got home from work today, I goofed around for a while and then had a slice of Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Bread with a tbsp Almond Butter:

Pre Workout Snack was 174 calories, 21g carbs, 8g fat, and 7g protein.

Cardio Smorgas at the gym: treadmill with weights, Cardio Wave, step mill, elliptical. I also did some mat work. Towards the end of my workout, I heard this song, which always makes me dream of being on DTV with the poor man’s version of Joey Lawrence. Swoon. Totally fitting, seeing as though I’m seeing SJP in Sex and the City tomorrow night!! Anyway, Cardio Smorgas=562 calories burned.

As I said, I came home an did an crazy clean of the apt, woohoo! After that, I had a small dinner of the last serving of Goddess Garbanzos.

Dinner was 195 calories, 28g carbs, 8g fat, and 5g protein. Even though I could have more dinner/dessert, I don’t think I will. Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should. Night guys! :)

 

June 1, 2008

Simple Dinner

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner, Snack | Tags: , , |
[4] Comments 

P bought a bunch of deli meats and cheeses last week, and I need to start using them up!  Expect to see alot of sandwiches in the future.  I’m exhausted from this weekend’s activities – so is P. I had some scheduling communication problems with my friend Eva regarding tonight’s event, and we ended up missing it!  Definitely a shame, but we both needed a rest.  This afternoon I had a new flavor of Luna bar, Iced Oatmeal Raisin:

This was good.  I usually don’t like to eat bars while I’m in the house – they’re more for an on-the-go thing.  But again, – exhausted, so I just grabbed what was around.  Snack was 170 calories, 27g carbs, 4g fat, and 10g protein.

For dinner, I made a honey turkey sandwich with American cheese, mustard, and spinach on an Ezekiel bun.  Served with some strawberries on the side.

This totally hit the spot.  Lots of fresh, hearty foods.  I totally could have eaten more.  Dinner was 338 calories, 10g fat, and 22g protein.

When I went to finish up my calorie count for the day, I saw that I was way under.  So I needed a snack.  I made a berry crisp, following Kath’s recipe, which I basically followed using half blackberries and half raspberries except for adding a tbsp of sugar instead of Splenda.  I also added a tbsp of almond butter for a little extra protein.

So good.  I might have let it cook for an additional 5 min to get a golden brown crust, but it was good.  I really also dug the almond butter on the side – like a fancy PB&J!  Snack was 347 calories, 60g carbs, 9g fat, and 10g protein.

Low calorie count today, but I’m too tired to eat more.  Plus, with such a caloricly-laden weekend, I don’t think that’s such a bad thing.  Have a great night everyone!

 

May 29, 2008

Mix It Up Sally

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner, Snack | Tags: , , , , |
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I think one of the biggest reasons why I’ve been successful with weight loss this time around, and not in any of my previous attempts, is my new-found ability to change up my strategies. I used to think that if a certain strategy worked in the past, that’s the only strategy that will ever work for me. I remember for 6 months during Freshman year in college I worked out for 60 min on the elliptical at 6 AM. Not that it’s a bad workout schedule, but there was no room for flexibility. If I was sick, or had a late night studying (or partying) or whatever, it didn’t matter – I had to be at the gym at 6 AM for 60 min on the elliptical. I remember one time the gym was closed unexpectedly and I freaked out. It was that rigidness that made it impossible to keep up. It wasn’t a lifestyle – it was a schedule, and a rigorous one at that.

I bring this up because lately I’ve been getting crazy hungry after work because I’ve been waiting until after I work out to eat dinner. But by the time I get home from the gym, I ’ve lost my appetite and end up eating just to eat, which prevents me from trying new things or having fun with my meals. So I switched things up today in order to stay happy and satisfied all afternoon and evening. I had a small snack at the office, then another snack, dinner, then had my workout snack, then worked out. MUCH better! Here’s the breakdown:

Towards the end of the workday, my stomach began to growl. So I had about 7 raw cashews:

Snack was 55 calories, 3g carbs, 4g fat, and 2g protein.  That held me over.

Once I got out of work, I ran some errands including getting a polish change (to Galapa-ghost, a peachy-white) and hitting the drugstore. I had a new Lunabar along the way: Cookies n’ Cream Delight:

Snack was 180 calories, 26g carbs, 5g fat, and 10g protein.  This was a good flavor!  I am LOVING my quest for Luna bar flavors.  It makes snacking so fun! :)   (Love the deli flowers in the background!)

Once I got back home, I decided to have dinner! And because it was earlier in the evening, I had the energy to try a new recipe! I made black bean burgers from Veganomicon, served on a Ezekiel hamburger bun (seriously the best bun in the history of the world – go and buy some today!  You will not be sorry) alongside some blackberries and ketchup for dipping:

Even though I loved loved loved this burger, I realized after the fact that I messed up the proportions of the recipe.  Oh well.  Mine was still delicious (and actually less caloric!).  Dinner was 428 calories, 79g carbs, 3g fat, and 29g protein.  I have one of these burgers left…this will definitely be a repeat recipe.

So the last part of my switchup was my workout!  A few hrs after dinner I had a slice Cinnamon Raisin Ezekiel Bread with a tbsp PB:

Pre Workout Snack was 175 calories, 21g carbs, 9g fat, and 7g protein.

At the gym, I did half my workout on the step mill, but got bored.  So I got off.  Switching it up again!  Who says I can only do the stepmill?  It’s a big gym – I can do whatever I feel like!  So I finished up with treadmill with weights, Cardio Wave, and elliptical.  Cardio Smorgas = 458 calories burned.

So now I’m home and feeling great.  The plan worked!….for today.  Who knows if it will work tomorrow?  But I do know that my ability to adapt to my changing needs that will keep me healthy for years to come. :)

 

May 28, 2008

Happy Day!

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Lunch | Tags: , , , |
[7] Comments 

Hey all!  I’ve been getting tons of great news this morning, the most important of which is from my doctor’s office, who said that my surgery is this close to being approved by my insurance company.  YAY!!! I have been dreading and delaying this surgery for close to 10 yrs now – I’m finally willing and ready to get it over with.  It’s scheduled for June 9th and it still hasn’t been approved.  Hopefully soon I’ll get the news that it’s been approved and I can start my pre-operation to-do’s: blood test, book temp for office, clean house, buy easily swallowed food, etc.

I also got an email from a CSA reminding me about the first pick-up scheduled for June 5th: next THURSDAY!!  Peter and I signed up for the CSA months ago, and I’m ready to see the fruits of that labor! Pun intended. :)

I did end up having a coffee this morning – I was still in sleep mode and needed to wake up!  Around 1 PM, I settled in for lunch.  Lunch was delicious and FILLING today.  I started off with a chickpea cutlet on Ezekiel bread with a Laughing Cow wedge and spinach:

Along with a cup of nonfat cottage cheese and about 10 strawberries:

I am totally on a cottage cheese kick these days!  I can’t get enough of this stuff!

Lunch was 621 calories, 70g carbs, 11g fat, and 60g protein.

This afternoon the plan is to go home, TACKLE the dishes, and hit up the gym before dinner.  Have a great afternoon everyone!

*************************************

While  I was writing this post, I got an email from my doctor saying my surgery has been approved!!! It truly is a happy day!!! :) :) :) :)

 

May 28, 2008

Procrastinator Jones

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner, Snack | Tags: , , , , |
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That’s me! After an annoyingly, stupidly stressful afternoon of errands I got home and did a whole bunch of goofing around at home. The gym was definitely on the agenda, but it took me a good couple hours to work up the motivation/strength to go – especially once Peter and I got home and were having some great catch-up time. During my crazy afternoon I had a Luna Bar on the street:

New flavor! Definitely a good one, although it might have been a little sickly sweet almost. Snack was 180 calories, 28g carbs, 4g fat, and 10g protein.

Back at the house, it was nearly 10 PM before I got it together to go to the gym. Before I left I had a Pre Workout Snack of 1/2c nonfat vanilla yogurt and 1/4 cup Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Cereal:

Pre Workout Snack was 175 calories, 36g carbs, 1g fat, and 9g protein.

Since I only had 30 min at they gym before it closed at 11, I had to make it count! I did a really intense workout on the stepmill. I was POURING sweat the ENTIRE time. Even though I burned a normal amount of calories, I did it in a much shorter period of time. It really made me feel great! Stepmill= 473 calories burned.

I have to admit, I am kind of on the fence these days about CP vs. NYSC. Even though CP is amazing, and I really like all they have to offer: great classes, SWIMMING (which I’ve really enjoyed), great pilates instruction, rock climbing, boxing, the list goes on…NYSC has one thing going for it: LOCATION. It is right across the street. This allows me to procrastinate all night, but still get in a great workout…or sleep late and still make it to the gym and work on time – both things I’ve been known to do. I don’t know. I’m going to take some time to think about it. NYSC is so easy for my schedule that I can’t NOT workout. But CP is such an experience – really taking my fitness to a new level. Sigh. I guess it’s quality vs. quantity. What would you do?

I wasn’t really hungry for dinner, so I let P determine the menu. His creation was turkey and cheese on rye with mustard – typical boy sandwich. :)

Dinner was approximately 400 calories.

Night everyone – I’m exhausted from that workout!

 

May 25, 2008

Snickety Snack Dinner

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner | Tags: , , |
[3] Comments 

I really couldn’t decide on anything for dinner.  I think I was in the sun too much today because I’m feeling totally wiped out tonight.  The past two nights I haven’t felt in the mood for dinner, but I knew I had to eat because I was feeling weak and because I count calories, I knew my count for the day was low.  That’s the nice thing about calorie counting – it’s easy to make sure you’re getting what you need.

Anyway, because I knew I needed food, I just snacked on whatever.  I had 1/4c Country Pumpkin Spice Granola and 1/4c Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Cereal and 1/2c Nonfat Vanilla Yogurt.

Sorry, it’s a little blurry for some reason.  A little bit later I had a slice of Ezekiel 4:9 Bread with a tbsp almond butter and a tbsp blueberry jam:

Dinner was 494 calories, 80g carbs, 15g fat, and 20g protein. I’m headed to bed soon.  Night guys.

 

May 24, 2008

My Kind of Saturday

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Brunch | Tags: , , , , , |
[4] Comments 

Hey all! Sorry for the late post, I’ve been taking it easy this morning. Well, last night was both a success and not-a-success (’failure’ is too harsh). At the bar, I expected Jeff and I to have two rounds of drinks – standard, right? I cleverly (or so I thought) sat out the first round, opting for a club soda with lime, intending to get my vodka soda the next round. Well, the bar we were at was doing table service, and our server was SOOOOOO slow. After the first round Jeff ordered fried calamari, which I can take or leave, so no real sacrifice there – but since the server never came back for our second round of drinks, we decided just to call it a night. So when I got home I realized I had a good 150~ calories to spare. Well, I dug into the chocolate chip bag and ended up snacking on 1/2c. Grr. It was totally emotional – by the end of it, I didn’t want any more, but the bag was almost done and I just wanted it out of the house, so I kept eating. Midnight Snack was 431 calories, 50g carbs, 26g fat, and 6g protein. On the flip side, if I had the cocktail during the first round, I might have eaten the calamari, gone to the bar for a second drink, and eaten the chocolate chips when I got home. So I don’t know – what do you think I should have done?

Anyway, despite my late night slip up, I had a good weigh in this morning at the gym. Even though I’m still maintaining at 168 lbs, I lost an inch around my waist and an inch around my hips. I’ve only recently (within the past two months) started measuring myself. When I first started losing, I was losing a couple lbs a week, so it was a big difference. But now that I have less weight to lose and are incorporating weight training, measuring has become more integral to keeping me seeing results. As we all know, muscle weighs more than fat, so it’s important for me to see that even though the scale is the same, I am getting smaller. Anyway, today I worked with weights, did some matwork, walked the track, and did a Podfitness workout on the Elliptical. Before I got started I had a new flavor of Luna Bar: Chai Tea:

Kind of a weird flavor for a bar. It tasted exactly like Chai Tea – but not necessarily in a good way. Meh, it was okay. Pre Workout Snack was 180 calories, 25g carbs, 5g fat, and 10g protein.

Workout was good – not much to report there. I had planned to go swimming, but when I went to change I realized I forgot my goggles, and by that time it was 12:30 PM, so I just wanted to get started with the day. Elliptical and Weights = 501 calories burned.

On my walk home, I got myself a treat:

Swoon. (Obviously this was full when I got it.) When I got home I made myself a brunch of an Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin with 2 tbsp almond butter and a banana:

Yum. Brunch was 448 calories, 67g carbs, 18g fat, and 15g protein.

Not sure what the day holds – I have it all to myself! I may lay out and read a bunch of magazines. I also have a 20% off card for Banana Republic. Hmm…what decadent options! Have a great Saturday!

 

May 21, 2008

Return to the Kitchen!

Posted by winningfriendswithsalad under Dinner | Tags: , , , , , |
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I finally got back in the kitchen tonight to pack my lunch for tomorrow and cook dinner. It felt great! But first, a recap of the afternoon.
I successfully avoided the office goodies, whew! I don’t know why I’ve been having such a rough time with them lately. Some days they’re not even a speck on my radar, others it’s all I can think about. Anyway, I had an iced coffee around 4:30 to perk up.

I wasn’t hungry after my large lunch, so I headed over to the gym without a pre-workout snack. It was okay, but I wish I had gotten one – I was starving by the end of the night. I started out with cardio, and then jumped into a Pilates mat class, where I met CP’s Pilates teacher, Howard, who is the nicest guy ever! I used the pilates ring for the first time – that was interesting, haha! After class, I spoke to Howard about the Pilates Reformer classes that he teaches. He’s so positive and upbeat – I loved having him as a teacher in the large mat class, I can’t wait for a smaller reformer class! After the pilates class I did a bit more cardio, and then went for a swim. Even though I was at CP for close to 2.5 hrs, I loved every second of it. Pilates class and cardio = 450 calories burned.

On my way out of the gym, I realized I was starving and headed to the CP cafe for a snack. The choices were plentiful: anything and everything you could want! I liked how I picked my snack: I thought what have I eaten, what do I need to eat, re: food groups, fat, protein, carbs, etc. I decided on a banana to get some fruit in:

Snack was 94 calories, 24g carbs, 0g fat, and 1g protein.

When I got home I whipped up a new batch of chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon. These turned out to be the best of any batch I’ve made! Just incredibly delicious! I made a couple subs based on what I had in house: added fennel seed, extra paprika, left out garlic. Amazing. I had one of an Ezekiel hamburger bun (love) with ketchup for dipping. :)

Dinner was 393 calories, 56g carbs, 10g fat, and 26g protein.

This post has taken MUCH longer than it should have because I had to switch computers (luckily we have FIVE different ones in our small NYC apt – computer nerd bf) and upload pictures twice, boo. So I have to rush off to bed – but to close, here are some BEAUTIFUL flowers I saw today. I’m loving having my camera on me 24/7 because of the blog – I’m able to capture anything on a whim! Night!

 

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