Chip Monster

April 4

-slice of brown rice toast topped with cream cheese, an egg white puff, & a hot & spicy veggie sausage (this was kinda hard to eat)
-leftover granola
-tribute via coffee with hazelnut coconut cream + stevia




-side salad (organic mixed greens topped with vegan coleslaw, organic baby carrots, & a little organic balsamic & a little organic olive oil)
-amy's light & lean spinach lasagna (a little too spinachy, but pretty good)
-trilogy Kombucha (not bad, but not a fave)





-blueberry muffin larabar



-loaded potato kettle chips
-samples of other chips (these organic baked cheese puff things + some hummus and sesame tortilla chips)
-2 almond milk bon-bon things



-vegetarian sloppy joes (half a buttermilk bun, mixture made with organic lentils, pinot beans, tomato paste, & organic sloppy joe mix, diced onion, diced sweet peppers)
-vegan coleslaw
-another small sloppy joe on top of a small corn tortilla
-harpoon hard cider





Uhh I think I bought like 5 bags of chips at WF today. I was never a huge chip person before, but suddenly I can't seem to get enough!

-tootsie rolls



=================

April 5

One Day Without Shoes day!



I was barefoot all day at work. I did wear sandals to the movies in the evening, though.

-carrot cake oats (1/3 cup old fashioned oats, shredded organic carrots, whipped cream cheese mixed with a lil stevia) topped with vanilla coconut milk
-tribute coffee via with "easter" egg nog & stevia



The oats were just OK. Needed raisins. And maybe pineapple.

-2 corn tortillas topped with leftover pinto bean/lentil sloppy joe mix
-1 raw macaroon



I forgot dressing, so my salad is still sitting in the work fridge. Hope I remember tomorrow!

Speaking of work, what a never ending day. Enough said about that.

I had tickets to see a pre-screening of Hanna, so my Dad picked us up panini's while I held our place in line. He got us a variety so we shared.

-half of a chicken panini
-half of a cranberry turkey panini
-bbq kettle chips

I later found out they had caprese paninis. DAD!! But it's ok, these were v. good too. He also accidentally mixed a tiny bit of sprite in with our waters, but it just tasted like plain carbonated water. Fine by me!!

I liked the movie! Thought the ending lacked a little...something. But still enjoyable.

-2 vegan oatmeal raisin cookies

These are always soso amaze.

-sparkling lemon water

=================

April 6

-carrot cake oats take two (1/3 cup old fashioned oats, shredded carrots, whipped cream cheese, apple butter, raisins) topped with vanilla coconut milk

I brought a frozen meal (plus had my salad) to work, but my Dad was picking up lunch for himself, so I had him pick me up too.

-Jimmy John's tuna on wheat
-thinny chips



I thought there was NO way I'd be able to finish that, but I did. It was monster sized!

Mom wanted to do another girls nite, so we decided to try out Chuy's. 'Cause we're healthy like that. Ha.

-cup of tortilla soup with a fresh, warm flour tortilla on the side
-a few chips with salsa
-less than half of the vegetarian combo (rice, beans, veggie chile relleno, veggie enchilada topped with ranchero sauce)
-margarita on the rocks sans salt
-frozen margarita sans salt





Everything was really good (especially the soup) & so so filling.

-a few almond milk bon-bons

-chocolate peanut butter shake (vanilla coconut milk, ice, splash of vanilla, cocoa powder, stevia, white chocolate peanut butter)



I wasn't really hungry when I made this shake. Bad I know. But I reallly wanted some chocolate & pb!

xo,
Amanda

Bargain Books

April 3

Late breakfast a la La Madeleine!

-scrambled eggs with tobasco
-potato gallete with ketchup (real good)
-crossiant
-french coffee with cinnamon & vanilla stevia



I know, me? Scrambled eggs? But I wanted the crossiant and potato, so I was down. I prefer their scrambled eggs in a crepe with mushroom sauce! But I could be down with ordering this again.

After breakyfast I popped in the Borders that's going out of business soon. Everything was 50-70% off. Much better than when I checked it out when it was closer to 30% (aka when everything on amazon was still cheaper). Of course, most everything I picked out was on the 50% side, not 70%, but hey it's a discount. And they were the last copies of each book, so it was worth it. I double checked to make sure they were still cheaper than amazon. All but one were, but that one was only $2 more & was hard cover (amazon was paperback), so still a good deal. I got 4 books for a lil over $30. Not bad!

I was a little sad all of the good health/fitness/cookbook/memoirs and particularly digital photography books were gone, but c'est la vie. I'm happy with my finds! (FYI I got In Defense of Food, On a Dollar a Day, Keep the Change, & a book from a teenage series I'm too embarrassed to admit to! Ha!) I'll try to remember to review them all as I read them. Right now I'm in the middle of On a Dollar a Day. It's really good! Will explain the premise later, I'm tired now, sowwie.

One thing I thought was kinda interesting was that almost all of the "health" books that were left were based around the theme "never diet again." I guess most people want a quick diet fix and not a book to just teach ya how to live your life. Kinda sad, but oh well..

-last small slice of veggie pizza
-blue sky free jamaican ginger ale (not as good as zevia & made me cough every time I took a sip, but good enough to finish)

Went downstairs later to make dinner with no real plan in mind. When I first got in the kitchen I found some spaghetti noodles just chilling on the counter, still in the strainer. I made an educated guess that they were the leftovers from what someone made and took what they wanted earlier, so I grabbed them and added a little mushroom marinara that was SO bland & had a side salad (organic mixed greens, garlic gold nuggets, ranch flavored almond slivers, dressed with organic olive oil & organic balsamic). Nothing exciting, but got the job done.




-half a container of lemon liberte yogurt + fiber one + granola + sliced organic strawberries on their last leg



Grazed a lil bit more...a small peach, a handful of chocolate chips, etc.



I think the peach was actually before dinner, but whatev.

Just a quick foodie post today. Didn't really do too much. It happens :).

xo,
Amanda

Big Six-Oh

April 2

Happy 60th, Mama!

Wow, my Mom is 60. Unreal. Good thing she still looks 40! And acts 12. Mom, I KID! :) Love you.


-spinach & artichoke egg souffle
-3/4 of a strawberry scone
-coffee (1 mug hazelnut with cinnamon, half a mug dark roast with cinnamon)




LIFE CHANGING. I knew Panera's souffles were supposed to be good, but OH. MY. GOD. 500X better than anticipated. And small, but super filling. More please. They are definitely worth getting up for. (And I've had the scone before, but it's pretty breathtaking itself).

Went to chiro and she said the cause of my pain symptoms are still unknown, but suggested a homeopathetic place to look into. They use electrolysis through an accupuncture-like technique to pinpoint your nerves/meridians and pain or something technical like that (clearly I am lacking these smarts to properly explain lol) and work with you to find out what supplements your body is lacking. I don't know. I'm just a little curious. She said as soon as my body starts to get completely aligned it then unravels again for no reason. Trust me, this I know. I'm an anomaly (of pain).

Workout:

There's a bit of a story about this one....

First, no problems. Finished the rest of the heavy day abs & shoulders. Easy peasy.

(cable shoulder @ 35 lbs...prob should have done 30, but it wasn't a huge thing, ab machine for 10 reps @ 90 lbs, shoulder press @ 45 lbs, side bends @ 45 lbs x 15 reps)

For nearly 2 years I used to just wing it on weights and guess about how much I should lift each time and adjust accordingly. I used to try approximately half of what my Dad was doing and that worked well for awhile, but all of a sudden I significantly increased my strength and that system didn't work quite so well. Then, I started bringing in my cell phone & keeping track via text. Now, most recently, I use the little notes app/feature, which has proved to work out the best. Except...

We did heavy weights (5 reps, 3 sets) this week. Apparently I started using the app the workout AFTER we had first started lifting heavy. So I still had my last chest/back text re: heavy day. Well, when I went to consult my notes I didn't have any re: chest & back, so I went to my text and copy & pasted the last workout I did. I THOUGHT what I was copying was my "regular" day (10 reps, 3 sets). The numbers seemed too heavy (close to what my Dad lifts...& usually I'm still weaker, upper-body wise), but went with it. And struggled.

You see, today was the start of light weights day (15 reps, 3 sets), so I slightly downgraded my weights from what I thought was "regular day." Well. It was heavy. SO basically, I was lifting approx. my regular weight limit....but doing 50% more reps. From the very first back exercise, the second set, I almost passed out. I got really dizzy and woozy. I knew I'd be OK, but it was a crazy feeling. I knew that seemed weird, but still didn't clue in as to why. And kept going, against my Dad's urging to lower it. The third set took me forEVER. I had to keep taking breaks to get all 15 in. But I did it. And didn't pass out.

And then went on to continue lifting too heavy and wondering why I turned into such a weakling!

Oops.

(iso lateral incline press @ 50 lbs, cable decline/incline press @ 20 lbs...actually too light could do 25, chest press @ 45 lbs then moved down to 40 lbs, then 30 lbs...then I had to call it quits)

-2 small slices of leftover pizza, neither with many toppings left intact

My mom slept until THREE. Pm. I was getting so antsy to give her her last cards and presents! But finally we got to & she loved them. Yay.

For dinner she picked a low key burger bar we recently tried and she really enjoyed.

-cheddar burger (with lettuce, tomato, onion I took off, added avocado which they charged extra for but barely gave me any at all, champagne "mustard" which was actually mayo??)
-sweet potato fries
-side salad with balsamic




Just OK. The actual meat part of the burger wasn't that great, but I'm reaaaaaally picky. Salad was good. Fries good. Again, amount of avocado on my burger=disappointing, but they gave my mom TONS on hers (she gave me some, aww). weird. My Mom loves this place tho and they have cheap, but good drinks (just wasn't in the mood), so it's all good. As long as she was happy! She's the birthday girl, after all.

Remember?



;). And yes, she did wear it in public today too.

-a tim tam

-a small slice of bday cake

Another great evening. It was no big, elaborate party, but it was still perfect.

xo,
Amanda

Funny Stomach

March 29

-lemon chobani with half of a crumbled blueberry cashew Kind bar
-grande soy cocoa cappuccino




BRITNEY SPEARS CD RELEASE DAY! OOH YEAH.

It's Britney, bitch!

I got a stomachache, so I didn't eat lunch.

-1 Jason's Deli pumpkin cheddar cracker



Went to the chiro and tried not to throw up. I didn't feel HORRIBLE, but just uncomfortable and nauseous. Blah.

Decided to cancel dinner reservations and postpone 'til tomorrow.

When I got home I was hungry and had a weird craving for someone who's stomach hurt....

-2 small bowls of leftover tuna casserole with crushed baked kettle chips on top

I started with a small bowl to see how it would sit in my stomach, but it seemed fine so I went for round two. Still OK. Phew.

-Chocolate Covered Katie's cake batter milkshake with chocolate sprinkles



I wouldn't blend in any sprinkles next time, wasn't a fan of that texture, but otherwise the taste was good! I liked them on top, tho!

==============

March 30

-a few dried apple rings

Workout:

-half heavy day abs & shoulders

(30 crunches x 4, lat shoulder weights combo 7.5 lbs..soo hard..prob had poor form, shoulder shrugs @ 90 lbs, leg ups flat on floor 18 times for 3 sets)

Nothing sounded good for breakfast, so I just threw a random combo together that ended up being DELICIOUS.

-slice of brown rice toast with cream cheese & a hot and spicy veggie sausage
-Starbucks Tribute blend via with hazelnut coconut creamer with eng toffee stevia




Coffee was good too! & I lurve my new mug.

-Amy's frozen kids meal (mac n cheese, broccoli, & 2 apple "pie" bites)




Good! I loaded up on Amy's meals at Target last week, so expect to see them a lot :). Don't worry, they're all different. And purdy healthy for being a meal in a box...

After work & massage it was....girls nite!!

Shoes of the day/nite:



Love shinies! :) Bet you can't tell :-P

EARLY dinner:

-strawberry basil martini
-artichoke stuffed artichokes with a simple arugula salad
-about 3/4 of a goat cheese and artichoke flatbread
-bowl of white bean soup with pesto with a small slice of wheat bread
-half of a shot glass lemon pound cake







The sunshine martini is better, but strawberry was still good-ish. Love me some Seasons 52!! I swear our waiter had to have been at least 7 feet tall. I literally had to crain my neck to look at him. I tried to decide between that flatbread (which was on their seasonal, weekly menu, but I know I had it before a couple months ago...) & their chipotle shrimp flatbread. This one was AWESOME, don't get me wrong, but I later heard the waiter telling the table behind us that his fave is the chipotle shrimp. DAMN! I knew I should have asked him! I never ask waiters for rec's b/c I know my tastes well, but for some reason I had an inkling to ask him, but didn't. Weird. Oh well. Next time...

-the rest of the flatbread (who are we kidding? It was pretty much as soon as we walked in the door...)

==============================
March 31

-a few dried apple rings



Workout:

-25 min elliptical

Clearly, with our short workouts, we were even worse than usual re: time management this week! But some is better than none :).

My Mom woke up with her lungs and possibly heart killing her, so I went with her to the doctor. Ate breakfast on the way..

-slice of brown rice toast with cream cheese & a hot and spicy veggie sausage
-about 3/4 of a mug of Einstein vanilla hazelnut coffee with cinnamon & eng toffee stevia



If you buy Einstein's reusable mugs for only $2.50 you get refills from then on out every time you come in for only $1.07, almost a dollar savings from when you order and take their throw away to-go cups. Not bad. Not sure if they'll honor that if you bring your own cup? But hey, theirs are cute and cheap, so who cares either way?

Luckily my Mom was OK. She was told she could get a cat scan tomorrow (soonest availability) if she wanted, but it was most likely related to stress (though she does have a lung disease, so it's kind of iffy). She internalizes other people's problems and pain and had a lot of burdens she was carrying around and it was just too much. :(. Plus, we're adding a second business to our practice and we're in that kinda scary transition phase where we're crossing our t's and dotting our i's, but the "big bucks" haven't come in yet to warrant the addition. We can pay the bills, but that's about it until the next check comes in. It should be smooth asap, but my mom is a worrier, so it's not helping the matter.

Because of her lungs, she also canceled her b-day party that she's been talking about since November? December? :( :(. Everyone was really disappointed! But, keeping her healthy is most important. We may postpone it to later this month? But we'll see. Whatever she wants!

Ordered us Jason's Deli delivery for lunchies:

-half of a veggie wrap dipped in salsa
-2 bites of steamed veggies with salsa
-half a serving of blue corn tortilla chips with roasted red pepper hummus
-side of pasta salad made with italian dressing
-organic apple juice box








I know, a little ridic. But the order had to be $25 minimum pre delivery charge, tax, etc. and everything we ordered was pretty cheap, so I just kept adding sides lol. I got my brother a kids meal (yes, he's 23. So?) & stole his juice box, LOL. I'll never grow tired of juice boxes! They're just so cute & tasty.

-the other half of the wrap with salsa
-orange flavored sparkling water

-the last few baked kettle chips

-ginger ale zevia
-my mom's beef stew (only ate 2 bites of the beef, loaded up on the potatoes..more gentle on my stomach anyway)



I'm really a big fan of the ginger ale & ginger root beer zevias now. Must get more!

Still sort of nursing a funny stomach (despite eating a spicy, filling lunch & feeling mostly OK). It's still been bothering me every time I eat, more or less, since Tuesday. I'm beginning to wonder if I could have somehow developed lactose intolerance? I don't know if that's even possible, but it seems like I've been eating more dairy since I've felt bad. But maybe it's just a coincidence *shrug* But don't they always say you crave the things you're intolerant to? And damn if I REALLY want a grilled cheese right now! But I won't give in. For now.

I'm also still tired all. the. time. I nap or want to almost every day. That is NOT like me. Weird.

Exercise completed in March:



============

April 1

Mom felt mostly better, so canceled her cat scan.

-wildberry buckwheat waffle with apple butter
-strawberry-banana smoothie
-tribute via coffee with hazelnut coconut creamer with stevia



I was hungry for lunch, but AGAIN my stomach was kinda meh, plus I was BUSY and didn't really have time, so I didn't eat.

My Mom asked me to go to a late lunch with her at 4ish, but I had to run birthday errands for her, so reluctantly had to pass. And didn't get a chance to eat again until dinner. Which was late. Yep, I was soo that annoying person who kept saying "I'm hungry," every 5 seconds.

Went a little overboard buying Mom more presents and multiple cards, but she's worth it. Also picked up her cake, bought candles, etc.

For dinner I made her one of her faves that I make, semi-homemade pizzas. I made each of us our own pizza.

-half a veggie pizza (well with one small chopped turkey meatball + artichoke hearts, banana peppers, spinach, garlic gold nuggets, fresh mozzerella, goat cheese, oregano, basil)
-part of a side salad (organic mixed greens, cabbage, organic carrots, garlic gold nuggets, light ranch, black pepper, green tobasco, ranch almond slivers)
-small slice of strawberry bday cake with cream cheese frosting





I was just SURE I'd be able to eat the whole thing because I was beyond starving by this point, but a little before halfway in I was STUFFED. It was soo good though. The cake too. It was really heavy for it size, yet surprisingly tasted light and perfect. Buttercream bakery is where it's at! Usually I'm an icing all the way girl and could take or leave cake, but their cake is PHENOM. The icing is good, but not to-die-for, but the cake. Ohh, the cake. Made with strawberry smiles. (note: I tried the cake from the fridge the next day and once the icing was cold it was pretty amazing as well).






After dinner we did (most of the) presents & cards. She loved it all. Yay!




My brother brought out the balloon that, surprisingly, still had helium leftover from my Dad's b-day a month and a half ago LOL. The pets, especially Henry, were pretty thrilled.


BUSTED! haha
WTF? Haha. Crazies!

-the rest of the side salad

All in all a successful (albeit casual) family par-tay.

xo,
Amanda