I love eggs!

I really do!  We go through nearly 5 dozen eggs every week!  We need chickens. They are full of protein, low on calories, cheap and easy. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy eggs:

2 Ingredient Pancakes
2 eggs
1 very ripe banana

*Blend until smooth and cook on a hot, sprayed skillet 1-2 minutes per side. (I like to add about 1/2 tsp baking powder to puff a little.)

(image from this super cool & decedent blog)

Protein Pancakes (4 ways)
3 egg whites
1/4 cup oats
dash of salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
cinnamon & nutmeg to taste
1/4 cup pumpkin or smashed banana or applesauce

*Blend until smooth and cook like regular pancakes.
(For chocolate ones, I omit the pumpkin/banana and add 1 TBS cocoa and a couple drops of stevia then serve with strawberries and vanilla greek yogurt)

Baked Oatmeal
3 egg whites
dash of salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup oat bran
1/4 cup almond milk or water
1/3 cup pumpkin, applesauce or smashed banana
5-7 drops liquid stevia

*Combine all together then pour into a greased ramekin or oven safe dish. Bake at 350 for 22 minutes then turn the oven off and let it sit inside with the door closed for another 10 minutes. (Trust me on this-it will be perfect!) You could microwave this for 1-2 minutes instead but I don't recommend it.

Green Eggs
1 whole egg
3 egg whites
2 cups packed spinach
1/2 cup packed cilantro
garlic, salt and pepper to taste
optional shredded mozzarella, swiss, parmesan or goat cheese

*Blend all ingredients except for cheese until frothy and cook on a hot, greased skillet omelet style.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza
1/2 head cauliflower,chopped
garlic and italian seasoning to taste
2 egg whites
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
marinara sauce
sauteed onion, peppers and any other pizza toppings you may like

*Place the cauliflower in a food processor and process until it has the consistency of rice.  Put into a microwave safe dish and cook for 5-7 minutes (do not add anything else).  Once cooled, add in your seasoning, egg whites and cheese.  Pat into a thin circle on a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes.  Take it out of the oven and top with marinara, veggies and other pizza toppings.  Return to oven for an additional 8-10 minutes or until the crust looks browned and toppings are set. 

Egg Toppers
Basil Cream:
1/2 cup cottage cheese
5-6 large fresh basil leaves (or a big bunch)

*Process in food processor or blender until smooth.  Use it to top eggs, mixed in with scrambled eggs and rolled in a tortilla or as a spread on an egg & english muffin breakfast sandwich.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip:
2 roasted red bell peppers (broil in the oven 3-4 minutes each side)
1 clove garlic
1 cup cottage cheese
very large bunch of fresh basil
optional sriracha sauce

*Process until smooth.  I love this as a dip for veggies, crackers, a spread on sandwiches and now on eggs per Shantell's recommendation:)

WEIGHT: 125.8
WORKOUT:
Monday- 16 mile run (8.49 pace)
Tuesday-  Core Synergistics (P90X)
Wednesday- 8 mile run (8.15 pace:))
Thursday-  40 minutes elliptical (16rpm) (resting my knee); 25 minutes heavy, full-body weights
Friday- Yoga
Saturday- 1 round of each of Spartacus II, Spartacus and Lean Belly plus 1 mile run at 8.0 between each for a total of 4 miles

Natural Fat Burner in a Bottle?.....

Raspberry Ketones.  Have you heard of em?

My sister-in-law asked me what I thought about them, but I had no idea what they were.  They've gained much popularity since Dr. Oz has deemed them to be a sort of miracle weight loss supplement on his show.  Lately I haven't given much interest in what he says, (I think he's been a little quaky), but this sparked my interest.  They supposedly trick your body into being thin by regulating a hormone called adiponectin.  This hormone actually tells your cells to release fat, lowers cholesterol, increases insulin sensitivity, and aids in weight loss.  Sounds great right?  It's supposed to be for all body types to lose weight naturally and you may see results in as little as 5 days.  I've read a lot of good things about this supplement and would probably give it a try.  Why not?  Spring is coming and summer's right around the corner.  This supplement is not very expensive and it's all natural.  I will do a little more research and keep you updated.  

WEIGHT: 125.8 

WORKOUT:

Monday-  14 mile run outside (8.54 pace)

Tuesday-  3 rounds of Spartacus

Wednesday-  7 mile run outside (8.45 pace)

Thursday-  5 mile run outside (8.49 pace)

Friday-  Yoga

Saturday-  2 rounds of Spartacus 2012; 1 round of my own full-body circuit (burpees, pull-ups, tuck-jumps.....); 1 mile run in between each round (total of 3 miles)

Diet Soda & Artificial Sweeteners.....

I was reading an article on Yahoo, about diet sodas and artificially flavored beverages and foods that can contribute to higher risks of developing type 2 diabetes, (adult onset diabetes).  Some studies conducted show that when one drinks a diet soda, they will drink 2.8 glasses as apposed to 1.6 glasses for the non-diet drinkers.  The artificial sweeteners (IE: aspartame, Equal, Splenda), cause the body to think that calories are coming.  When they don't, the body craves more food; especially something sweet.  This will usually make a person eat more.  Here is my stance as of right now.  I am very conscious (maybe a little too much), of what I am eating and how many calories, (and what type of calories) I put into my body.  I find Diet Coke to be one of my favorite treats and ways to relax and enjoy my weekend, or a lame day.  I limit my intake to only 12-24 oz a week and don't feel as though I am addicted to it.  I also LOVE the affects of caffeine.  It is one of my best friends!  I think artificial sweeteners are harmful to the body, BUT, I do consume them once in a while.  I would rather have a little bit of fake sugar than tons of real, yet processed white poison.  My number one choice for sweeteners is Stevia; 2nd is honey.  But I do occasionally ingest aspartame (gasp) and I feel like there are worse vices out there.

If you're interested, here's a little info about the most commonly used artificial sweeteners out there.  DISCLAIMER:  I am not an expert on these and some of this is just my opinion.  I could eat sweet stuff all day and I am currently trying to get the taste out of my mouth. Period.

Saccharin: One of the oldest artificial sweeteners used to sweeten some diet drinks, medicine and toothpaste.  Although it is approved by the FDA, it has been under some health scrutiny and I steer clear of this one.

Aspartame: This is what Equal is made of.  It's used to sweeten diet drinks, yogurts, protein bars, gum and baked diet goods.  Notice on labels "contains phenylalanine."  This sweetener is also FDA approved but people with PKU (a metabolic disorder) should avoid it. Some people can detect a very unpleasant after taste with this one.

Splenda (Sucralose):  Also FDA approved, Splenda can cause GI problems, blurred vision, allergies and weight gain (not 100% proven however).  Splenda is in nearly everything now-a-days.  The claim that it tastes like sugar because it comes from sugar has taken over.  This sweetener like the others could be harmful, but so is straight up sugar.

Stevia:  A sweetener found from a bush is South America, not produced in a laboratory like the others, is not found to be at all harmful.  This one is not FDA approved, but I don't always trust government pharmaceutical companies anyway.  I use Stevia daily and love it!  (I love these.)

WEIGHT: 127.6 (exactly the same.....awesome)
WORKOUT:
Monday:  12 mile run outside (cold and slick-8.54 pace)
Tuesday:  2 rounds of Lean Belly Workout, 1 round of Summer Fit
Wednesday:  6 mile run (treadmill-53 minutes-my bum knee is slowing me down)
Thursday:  4 mile run outside (freezing!  and slow-8.50 pace)
Friday:  Yoga
Saturday:  Murph Workout (49 minutes) + 100 lunges + some whole body lifts

Happy Superbowl Weekend!

Did you know that most people eat more calories on Superbowl Sunday than on Thanksgiving Day?!!  There's a lot of fatty appetizers, chips and dips, and snacks that are consumed mindlessly and usually without a plate.  Don't get me wrong, I love that food just like the next gal, but I dislike the frustration and belly-ache that meets me on Monday morning.

Here are some links to some healthy blogs that I like.  Have an open mind and see if you find any recipes that you just can't live without.

Sugar Free Mom
Chocolate-Covered Katie
Detoxinista

What am I eating for the Superbowl you may ask?  I'm gonna load up on veggies and greek dip, shrimp, a sweet potato & black bean chili (from chocolate covered katie), and some yummy chocolate fudge cookies (from detoxinista) and probably some dark chocolate.  Keep your fingers crossed for me-I get pretty weak with temptation staring me down for hours on end.

WEIGHT:  127.6
WORKOUTS:
Monday: 10 mile treadmill run (blah-blah-so sick of the treadmill)
Tuesday:  Brady's crossfit circuit + 1 round Summer Fit
Wednesday:  7 mile treadmill run (58 minutes)
Thursday:  5 mile treadmill run (41 minutes)
Friday:  Yoga
Saturday:  300 workout + 2 rounds of Armageddon + 3 miles (23 minutes)

Darn weight is so stubborn.....I feel as though I am working my tail off and have been for nearly 6 weeks.  Does it really take this long to work off 2 weeks of bad eating.  I wanna swear (only in my head:))  Anyway, frustration and slow weight-loss is sometimes all part of the plan.  Keep going!  Trust in the system!  Right now I am deciding that my awesome workouts where I am pushing myself and getting stronger, (both physically & mentally), and clean eating is enough to put me on top of the world.  I am letting go of a bad mood just because my legs are looking like sausages in my skinny jeans.  I am telling myself nothing but good things today and for the rest of the week.  I'm over it!

one year ago.......
two years ago.....