#EatAtHomeChallenge - Day 2

Hey NeverEver's!

Hope you have all had a GREAT Tuesday! Mine was busy, busy, busy!

A small political issue...if you are here in the USA I do hope that you got your voice heard in the polls. Really, I am not saying who to vote for but I do believe that it is extremely important to go out there and vote.

Okay I am done!

Now on to the good stuff!

Also, finally tried the 'Perrier' finally. Never really had it before...wasn't sure what to expect but I liked it. It was bubbly water. It took my 'soda' want from me which is always a good thing!

Ranch Burgers hit again! It was a great re-warm up for lunch w/ some low fat cottage cheese and strawberries! I was completely full no need or WANT to hit up the pantry at work! Success!

So the plan was to make Chicken Lettuce Tacos. They were to have mushrooms, chicken, onions, lettuce and low fat cheese.

Now I am not saying it wasn't good...it was just missing something. I am not sure what...but it was missing something.Have any ideas what it could be? Cause I don't!

Also, I have no idea how the chef's get their lettuce so round...it is extremely hard! So more power to all of you!

My little lettuce taco. More like lettuce wraps but it was eaten all up. I barely have enough for lunch tomorrow. Which of course makes me feel great! Even though it was missing that 'something'!

I might be working Over Time tomorrow so I decided to get a head start on some of the things I needed for tomorrows dinner!

So far the White Chocolate Vanilla Marshmallow Cake Bars are finished and are currently cooling on the kitchen table.

Also the Cranberry Apple Butter is also finished and cooling in the fridge. It was smelling so good! I wish I could let you all smell how wonderful it is! Alas...the computer geniuses out there hasn't invented it (that I know of) so make it yourself okay! It is totally worth it!

Sad news...at least for me, I didn't get to the gym today. Wasn't home until after 7 pm, over time to help co-workers) and then I went straight to work in the kitchen. Have to say that the last part of that sentence is super weird for me to say.
Never been much of a cooker so this is all unique to me. Good thing I like unique!

Okay NeverEver's, I am super tired. Combined with Over Time, a little left over stomach issues, and playing with my new stove I am ready to hit the sack!

The Soup is Here!

Hey NeverEver's,

So the dinner went great! Yay! Even my Father in Law, who isn't the greatest person to have try new things liked it!

I got the idea from SkinnyTaste here Chicken Pot Pie Soup. I have always wanted to make Chicken Pot Pie but never got around to it.

Plus since my oven is broken...well there isn't much chance of me making it until it is fixed or we get a new one.

So I was so excited to see this recipe! It was exactly what I wanted for the Fall!

And really it only took about 45 minutes to cook. I didn't use the frozen veggies that SkinnyTaste has on hers. Also I did put a little more water, which did require more Chicken Bouillions but I wanted more slurp!

Other then those small changes I used the same thing SkinnyTaste did. Plus the best thing about this is...for 1 cup its only 169.2 calories!

Yummy and Healthy!

Of course I am having some of the left overs for lunch today!

Daily Stats:

The soup fired me up so much that I just HAD to take a walk! It made me want to be healthy ^_^

Okay NeverEver's, I hope you have a great weekend ahead! Can't wait to see you all on Sunday!!

Gym, Dinner and Evening Walk

Hey NeverEver's!

I made it to the gym again this morning! Yup, second day of working out in the morning...which means I am waking up early in the morning! They say it takes 3 weeks to make something into a habit so lets see what happens the next three weeks.

Anyways, this will not be a super long post. I am way to distracted by the really nice walking weather outside. But, I have to let my food digest and I really wanted to show you my cooking tonight!

I call it...Turkeyburger Helper! Okay, its a horrible horrible name but I got the idea from hamburger helper as you will see ^_^.

I had some Turkey left over and I didn't want to make turkey meatballs so I decided to go simple. A healthy version of Hamburger Helper and above is what I came up with!

The pasta was left over, I seriously can't remember what this type of pasta is called, but it was wheat. And the sauce I used sun-dried tomatoes and basil with EVOO. It was a really tasty combination and something that I shall be cooking again!

The family loved it, even my father in law who doesn't like ANY greens on his plate. Plus there was enough left over for lunch tomorrow! 

Which is good because apparently my temp assignment might be lasting longer then the original 2 weeks. Of course this is awesome because my 24 Hour is literally 2 exits before work or 2 exits before I get on the freeway home. I can't miss it even if I wanted to!

Daily Stats Day 63:

Look at those stats. Second day back in the gym, after a LONG hiatus, and I make it in there two times in one day! Have to say that those stats look pretty good! This is a really good start to the Fall Season! 

Okay NeverEver's, sorry if I rambled today...I re-read what I wrote and fixed things up and I STILL feel like I am rambling, possible its a mood. Anyways, I am leaving you with this as it is time for my Evening Walk. I found it and it really hit me:

Day 51: Dinner is cooked + Another jog down

Hey NeverEver's!

I hope your Thursday is going well? Mine was a little nerve wracking at times but I think that had to do with me going to an interview. They are never easy...no matter how many times you have them.

Also got an e-mail from a job opportunity that connected with me through Linkedin. So if you are looking for a job, even if you aren't, linkedin is getting some more attention from companies that are hiring! Something to keep in mind.

Daily Stats Day 51:

So I am really excited that I went jogging last night. Wasn't even planning on it but it happened. Got further last night then I did on Tuesday. Maybe after this post when I go out walking I will be jogging again?

I do love my Calorie Balance here!

Okay so dinner for tonight. Hubby came home early today and I forgot to take out the ground turkey that I was gonna use. One phone call later and the turkey is out of the freezer and the Hubby is laughing at me for forgetting. After threatening him with no food the teasing stopped.

I decide that I want a snack. Got these really sweet and juicy peaches from Fresh and Easy this week and it was time to try them out! As stated it was delicious and the Laughing Cow Cheese just topped it off perfectly! Hubby was a little leery about trying it but once he did he liked it. Like I knew he would ^_^.

Dinner was a little bit of a hassle though. Started off with the idea of Turkey Meatballs with Wheat Spaghetti! A normal Italian meal just a little healthier. Well it didn't turn out that way.

Turns out that I can't cook wheat pasta. Somehow it turned into mush. If anyone has an idea of how that happened I would really love to know why!

My meatballs turned out really well though! Instead of bread pieces I did the bread crumbs. egg whites and some garlic. Coated the pan with EVOO spray. Also did some steamed broccoli!

This is what I ended up with! It was a decision not to use 'Steamed' vegetables anymore. We prefer to use the boiled version. The steamed just was a little to plastic-ie tasting.

I got the idea of the 'Healthy MeatBalls' from here healthy-and-tasty-turkey-meatballs. But once I looked at what the recipe called for I realized I didn't have almost any of it. So I made my own, but this is still saved in the 'recipe's to try' pile. It does look good!

Dinner wasn't exactly what I planned at the beginning of the night but it went pretty well! It was family approved which is a big thing.

So NeverEver's how did you deal when something went wrong in the kitchen? What do you guys think about 'Steamed' veggies? Also, how are you liking the 'Day Behind Stats'??

Sick Days - 43 & 44

Hey NeverEver's!

Sorry I have been MIA for a few days. Was hit with my sun burn that I got on Monday, it was worse then I thought, and then a cold decided to take over my body.

Of course everyone hates being sick but I think its worse to be sick when the weather is still hot. It is just so uncomfortable. Plus having a sunburn on your stomach and with the sheets rubbing against it, not a good day at all.

However, I was able to get a walk in on Tuesday, no gym because I wasn't able to move my arms over my shoulders and Tuesday is my BodyPump day and moving those arms are necessary...very necessary!

Sometimes my area has the prettiest sunsets! Although the one above isn't the best one I have seen since living here it is in the top 20!

Once I got back from my walk wanted to have a healthy little snack to share with between the Hubby and I. So I picked out these;

Sadly the grapes were still a little sour but it went well with the Laughing Cow cheese as that is pretty creamy and sweet.

Day 43 Stats:

I think I need to work on my eating while I am at home. As I am usually working I feel that I usually eat more, but now that I am at the house all day my appetite isn't as big...but that might have been caused by me getting sick. Not sure.

Yesterday, due to my trying to cough up half my insides, okay it wasn't that bad but it felt like it, was a pretty quite day. Caught up with some laundry...which still needs to be put away but at least its all folded.

Also decided to do my nails. Now I never tried Essie before but after 1 try I LOVE it! Already got a few more colors. This one is part of their Metallic set and is called 'Nothing else Metals'! It is so shiny I can't help but look at my nails during the day.

As you can see...I really didn't do anything on Wednesday. I swear that hour of physical activity is just me coughing!

So again sorry about being MIA and hopefully it wont happen for a VERY long time. I am feeling much better today, but I still want to take it easy encase the cold is just hiding, waiting to strike again!

Stay well NeverEver's!

Monday Meals - Healthy Sandwich

Hey NeverEver's!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your Monday was good. I am currently not working, and Hubby is on break until Wednesday, so I am enjoying some really awesome quality time + helping Juan with his project.

So as I am home I decided for the next 2 days to cook breakfast and lunches! Just to get in the habit of cooking yummy and healthy food. Because I really need to work on it...I used to hate cooking. Well not really 'hate' but more like I have no idea what I am doing in the kitchen! I look at the food in the pantry and the fridge and it overwhelms me.

However, with me trying small things and with the Hubby encouraging me I have so far 2 recipes under me! Both of them are from SkinnyTaste! I love her pictures of the food, it draws me in, and because it is so easy to make what she's made I keep coming back! My first attempt at cooking was with the Chicken Rollatini With Spinach! And I got praises from the Hubby and my In-Laws!!

So my second foray into the scary kitchen was for lunch! Well technically breakfast but I made waffles with water and canola oil, and since I am comfy with breakfast things I am not really including it...I also forgot to take photos! Sorry!!

Here is what I made - From SkinnyTaste! It was supposed to have Roast Beef and Shaved Parmesan but I didn't have those things and didn't really want to go out so I made it this way!

Here are the stats!

• 2 oz French Bread 
• 2 tbsp of Kraft Mayo with Olive Oil
• 3 cup of spinach
• 3 Slices of Hillshire Farm Deli Select Smoked Turkey
•  1 1/2 tbsp of ricotta cheese - skim
• Non-Stick Spray
• 2 slices of small tomato
• Green Grapes 

Make sure to scoop out the middle

Warming the sandwich up

The finished product with snacks!

I hope you have all enjoyed my not so awesome pictures but great tasting sandwich! I think I might be getting used to making my food...but no celebrating yet, I still have another day to go through! 

Friday: Meal at Home

Hey NeverEver's!

So I decided that I wanted to cook today, I haven't really cooked in a while. Or at least tried something new. So the genius I am decided to cook something with the oven...on a day that the outside heat was around 98+. I can say this for myself...I didn't give up!

As I was explaining in my last Daily Post Day 24 today the Hubby and I are going to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl to see Juanes! Well they allow you to bring your own food and drinks so I wanted, since we have to get there early to avoid traffic, to cook! Here is what I came up with;

I got the wonderful recipe from SkinnyTaste, you can click to see how it came out for her but here is my pics!

Here is the Recipe Chicken Rollatini With Spinach

Gotta have the ingredients right? 

This was the first time I went to Fresh and Easy. I have to say I liked it and it wasn't bad pricing for the meal.

Right before it went into the toaster oven

 So like I said its really hot outside...and whats worse the oven's door is broken...so unless I really want some burn marks I couldn't use it. Happily we have a toaster oven that worked perfectly!

All finished here!

 And here its all cooked. My cheese didn't melt that right but I got the right cheese just not the right style 0_o. But it tastes yummy so thats all that counts!

And for the snack!

I got this idea from SkinnyTaste as well. Here is the link, PeanutButter + Jelly + Greek Yogurt! It is super yummy but I used FAGE Yogurt as that is my chosen Greek Yogurt and Raspberry Jelly for a little more tartness!

So I am pretty happy with my first attempt in a LONG while at cooking. I can't believe this only took about 35 minutes to prep and cook!

Here is the Yogurt Stats!

Servings: 1 • Size: 1 bowl • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 240 • Fat: 7 g • Protein: 22 g • Carb: 24 g • Fiber: 1 g • Sugar: 17.5 g
Sodium: 251 mg  

Here is the Chickens Stats!
Servings: 8 • Serving Size: 1 stuffed breast • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 194.7 • Fat: 7 g • Protein: 24.2 g • Carb: 7.2 g • Fiber: 1.5 g

Anyways, can't wait to eat all this yummy food with the hubby while enjoying the concert!

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday as well NeverEver's!!

Daily Stat's: Day 24 + Previews!

Hey NeverEver's!

I have been feeling like I have been tossed from one end of LA County to the other end...I even ended up PAST the OC to the Inland Empire. Now if your not from California here is an idea of what I did in the past 2 days (yay mileage on my car)

All this done on Paint...I am pretty happy with it

Okay so on a map it doesn't seem like that much, but to me I really felt like I was in the car all day for the past 2 days. Dealing with a small bank / lawyer issue, but it is finished now!

So starting tomorrow...no more driving around So. Cal and hitting the gym, man I have missed it!

On other news tomorrow I am going to the Hollywood Bowl to see Juanes! Not only is this a first REAL concert for me...but it is also my first time at the Hollywood Bowl!

Hollywood Bowl Aug 17th!

What is really sweet about the Hollywood Bowl is that you can pack your own food! Oh and I forgot to mention that you can pack your down drinks to! So since I plan to have a healthy dinner with the hubby I am going to be checking out these blogs for some ideas!

WONDERFUL BLOGS THAT I AM FOLLOWING FOR HEALTHY EATS!

• http://www.skinnytaste.com/
• http://www.eatliverun.com/

They have some YUMMY Recipes that I have been meaning to try and tomorrow is perfect! I will be heading to the store to pick up some food for Friday, this weekend, and Monday / Tuesday since the Hubby and I are both off! My food is probably not going to come out as pretty as some of theirs but I can't wait to show you NeverEver's the results!

So here is my Daily Stats for Thursday day 24

Even with a beer I am under my calories!

And here is my yummy dinner! Chicken with Salad and Cucumber + a Samuel Adam's Summer Ale!

Balanced Meal! +a Little something Extra

So I promised you a 'preview' of what I was thinking about bring into this blog! I have magazine subscriptions to Self, Shape, Fitness and Cosmo (my guilty pleasure that one). And I LOVE how Cosmo has this thing in the beginning saying 'Can't read all of this now...here is a preview of whats in store' and it gives you an idea or tidbits about what is in the magazine! I was thinking about doing that here for the respective magazines...but Cosmo. 

Let me know what you guys think NeverEver's Okay!! Alright have a good night you guys and don't forget to workout with me tomorrow! 

Daily Stats: Day 21, Zumba + Weigh In

Hey NeverEver's!

How was your weekend? Even better how was your Manic Monday? I hope it was better then mine of course...at least in the working world. However, mine was great for a weigh in / workout day!

So my workout consisted of Zumba, it really did a number on me, and then catching up with an old friend on the phone while walking the neighborhood. Here are the results!

Not a bad day at all!

So my weight loss is now at a total of 8 pounds. I lost a total of 2.5 pounds since last week and half. I see my weight going down on the scale and it makes me want to workout even more!

I am also pretty proud of my dinner today. More greens then anything else

Alright NeverEver's, so how did you do on the weigh in? What did you have for dinner? Have you tried Zumba yet? I have to say that it is intense! 

Have a good night look forward to writing more tomorrow. 

10 Tips to Eating Out and Still be Healthy

Hey NeverEver's

Today's post is all about being able to go out and not ruin your Healthy Living Plan! After eating out this weekend I felt that it was important to look up a few tips to eating out and not ruining your plan. Here are a few tips that I picked up;

1. Try to plan ahead. Know where you are going so you can look up the menu items online. This is important so you know exactly what you are ordering so you don't veer off course. 
2. The more color you have on your plate the healthier it is. 
3. If the portion you want is to big, then before taking a bite of it ask for a 'to go bag' and place half of your meal in there. That way you have a lunch for tomorrow and you don't over eat that night!
4. Try to look for these words 'Steamed', 'Boiled', 'Grilled'. And stay away from 'Fried' or 'Sauteed'!
5. Don't eat to fast. You want to take your time so you know when you are full! 
6. Want Protein? Try ordering these leaner cuts of beef, strip, tenderloin, or flank steak. 
7. Having dinner but don't want the heavy dinner entree's? Try having the Lunch Portions. 
8. Try to do some healthier swaps. Having Breakfast, try getting 'Egg Whites' or 'Wheat or Whole-Grained Toast'. Lunch? try to ask for 'Brown Rice'. 
9. Try and stay away from Soda's. Instead get some water, iced tea, or lemonade. However, even with those drinks watch the sugar intake. 
10. Be careful of what some restaurants are saying is 'Light' or 'Low Calorie'. Sometimes if its low calorie its high in carbs, sugar or sodium. So read those descriptions and if you don't know then ask!

Doesn't that look yummy!

Well that is my 10 tip list. If you want to read more about it I recommend;

Reference 1

Reference 2

Reference 3

So get out there and enjoy life NeverEver's!

Snack of the Day: Cottage with a Peach

Hey NeverEver's!

So today's snack of the day has to be extremely healthy yet filling...because I was a genius and forgot my lunch at home! Thank goodness I left this snack here from yesterday at work.

Not mine...but doesn't it look yummy?!?

I really am not centered today, because not only do I forget my lunch at home...but before I can take a picture of my snack, it wasn't as nice as the one above, I eat all of the delicious snack. So here is where the picture comes from Here!

Now I use 2% cottage cheese. I never really use any other. For 1 cup, which is A LOT, it is only 194 calories. Of course a peach, great water fruit, is only 59 calories.

So for a yummy, cooling, healthy snack, unless your lactose intolerant, have some Cottage Cheese and a Peach!

Snack of the Day: All that was needed was wine!

Welcome back NeverEver's!

Today's post is Snack of the Day! This time it is some more yummy fruit with some cheese!

• 1 cup of Green Grapes
• Mini Babybel Light Cheese

Grapes with Mini Baybel Cheese! Only 154 Calories!

Now I love to eat these by having 1 grape and a small bite of the cheese.