What are whole foods?

I read a lot of blogs and Fitness instagram accounts and one thing that I have come across is that people say: " I eat whole foods" to a picture of sliced almonds with Greek Yogurt and some fruit.

I tend to think that I eat a healthy diet with lots of whole foods, but I would never call it a whole foods diet. And when I say diet, I mean my daily foods. I am not on a diet. Yes I do count my calories and log my foods, but if I go over one day, it's not the end. I try to eat very little processed foods. I do eat protein bars that a made from whole foods as I don't eat Whey or soy products.

But here is my take on "Whole" foods, as the word says the foods should be Whole as in not cut up, unprocessed or as little as possible.
So Yogurt as healthy as it may be is not a whole food in my book, I know others may disagree, it is a healhty food, even thou I now believe that going dairy free is healthier, but to each their own. Greek Yogurt is also processed, as it is made from Milk. So there goes the Whole out the window. You say well then all foods are processed and yes you are right.
So technically there is no such thing as a whole Foods diet.

If you want to eat healthy, try to purchase as much produce as possible, pick lean proteins like chicken, turkey, fish. This here is probably one of the few foods that I get processed, and it's Egg Whites, I don't want to waste so many egg yolks as I made a casserole every Sunday with 18 whites. So I do buy the carton, I also buy gluten free pasta, brown rice, lettuce in the clam shell, these are all good foods but they are processed.

So when someone says they are eating a Whole Foods diet I kind of giggle.

So make good Choices and eat healthy.

Love,

~Claudia

Toxic People and taking care of yourself...

In 2006 I joined a gym and lost 80lb in one year with the help of my amazing trainer and the great support of my husband and family.
then in 2008 I met this person and she was charming, seemed to be well traveled and was a Geek like me. We hit it off, and became fast friends. We worked togther to raise money for Charity. And I tried to be there for her thru all of her hardships. Hell I even took her 3 sibling in as foster kids for a full year and in the end, all I got from it, was heart ache, an almost destroyed marriage, very few friends and the 80lb. back on my body.
I was also diagnosed with depression and anxiety. And one day in January of 2012 I felt so indifferent that I almost did the unthinkable, but the faces of my two precious kids flashed into my mind and I decided that my story wasn't over yet.  I tried for 3 more months to see if I was the problem, but come to find out, thanks to my wonderful sister, it wasn't really me.
Well it sort of was, cause I wanted to please her, and wanted to help her and make everything right, the problem is, you can't please a narcissist. They manipulate you into thinking that it's all your fault, that you are the reason for anything that isn't right. Well my sister and my husband helped me end the Friendship.
It felt like a divorce, as I didn't even want to fight for the etsy business we had at the time together and just gave it to her. (needless to say, she went out of business after less than two years)
It is now 4.5yrs later, and I sometimes still mourn the good times we had, but then I look at this...

and realize I am no longer that person. It has taken me 4.5 years to find myself again, cause she literally detroyed my identity. She isolated me from friends. And some friends that still know me now, realize that I am actually a totally different person, inside and out. I am no longer this weak person and I will never let anybody do this to me again. 

In this Journey of healing I started to take care of myself again in this past year. I lost 45lb. and I still have ways to go, but I love myself. I love my smiles, I love my creativity, I love life. I still have depression, but it doesn't run my life, I still get anxiety when a phonecall comes in, but not nearly as bad as it used to be. 

Taking care of yourself is important. Look at these two women, they are so different. And I love them both. Cause they are me. 

My journey is not over yet, but I am working on it every day and this is more about my mental healing and taking care of myself. When the mind is at easy the body will follow. At least for me that is true.

And I know people still tell me, you need to let this go. No I don't, it is part of my life, even thou it was a very sucky part of my life, it is part of it. I am learning from it, I am letting go, I even feel petty for her. As she still tries her schemes on other people, but that is no longer a concern of mine. She is far away from me. 

I have build my life back up with my husband, my two kids, my family and my friends. I have some of my old friends that have stuck with me thru this and I have made a lot of new friends since then.

So here is to life after the Toxicity of a nasty person...

~Claudia

#alwayskeepfighting

Overnight Steel Cut Oats and Weekday Egg Bake

My husbands work has moved offices, so instead of a 40min commute he now has to leave the house at 5:20 am to sit on a bus for an hour.
So to help with cutting down time preparing breakfast we make these two recipes and that is what we eat for breakfast Monday - Friday. For the Oats you can add different fruits after, or maple syrup. We like to put a bit of diary free yogurt and some berries on it.

Here we go:

Overnight Steel Cut Oats:
1/2 Cup Steel Cut Oats (we use Red Mill's)
1 Gala Apple grated (leave the core out, but I don't peel mine)
1tbsp Coconut Sugar
1tsp Cinnamon
1 cup of unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
I have a small one quart crock pot that I used to use for queso, I put all the ingredients in and turn it to low at 10pm and my hubby has yummy oatmeal at 4:30am and then he turns it on warm and i have yummy oats at 6am.
Nutriton:
169 Calories, 32 Carbs, 3gr Fat, 4gr protein, 15 sugar


Weekday Egg Bake:
the reason I call this weekday egg bake, it cause I make it on Sundays and cut up the portions and then my husband and I heat it up in the morning in the micro wave.

1lb. Ground lean Turkey
2 cups of sliced Mushrooms
4 cups of Baby Spinach
1 Bell Pepper diced
one carton liquid eggwhites (20 servings)

Heat your oven to 350F. Brown the turkey in a pan and season to your liking, once browned add the mushrooms and bell pepper, sautee for a few minutes then add the spinach. Cook until the leaves wilt just a little bit. Then put the mixture into a 9x13 glass pan and add the liquid egg whites. Put in the oven for 40mins. Let slightly cool and cut. Put into a tupper ware and store in fridge.
Nutrition:
120 Calories, 2 carbs, 1gr. Fat 24gr Protein, 16gr Sugar

Bon Apetit:

~ Claudia

Can dieting have good food? Absolutely!!!

I have been asked a couple of times "How can you stick to a diet? Isnt' the food boring? Aren't you tired of eating the same thing all the time?"
My answer is NO, it doesn't have to be.  So here is the thing. If I would just eat the same food over and over I would not have come this far. I get bored and I do love a challenge. There are two ways you can look at a change in eating habits. You can just take it as it is and complain about what you can't eat, or you can do what I do and say " Bring it on, Challenge accepted" and find a way to make favorites to fit into your plan.
These photos are just some examples, we have our fish taco bowl with no tortillas, a juicy burger on a gluten free bun and BBQ pizza with a sweet potato crust and no cheese. These are all very flavorfull dishes and they are within my dietary guidelines. So it is possible. And all of these take less then 45mins to make.
I am a busy mom and business owner and not always have time to make elaborate meals, so my goal is when I come up with a new recipe to make it easy and quick. Some of my recipes can be found on my blog http://cookingforjp.blogspot.com
I will be  adding more as I am finally back into a rhytm and have time to come up with yummy food.
Good luck and Bon Apetit...

~Claudia

Peanutbutter Banana Protein Pancakes... (dairy free and gluten free)

Every weekend my husband asks me to make Pancakes. Today was no different, but I wanted to mix it up a bit. So here is our delicious breakfast for under 300 Calories, loaded with goodness.

Ingredients:
6 eggwhites (I use all eggwhites)
1 cup of quick oates finely ground
1 scoop protein powder - I used Sun Warrior Blend  it's Vegan
2 tbsp of PB2
1 medium banana
Makes 3 servings of about 3.5 pancakes

Directions:
Whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, then mush the banana with a fork and add all the ingredients to the egg whites. Fold everything together, don't over mix, or the egg whites will loose their fluffyness and you will have a runny bater.
Then cook like regular pancakes.
Instead of syrup, I cook up some berries or Cherries with just a tad of water. And instead of butter, I put about 2 Tbsp of So Delicous Vanilla yogurt.
These pancakes are dairy free and gluten free

Nutrition for pancakes alone:
223 Calories,  30g carbs, 2.5g fat and 18.7g protein.


En Guete!
Claudia

update...

So it has been 2 months since had my surgery.  I had ups and downs, I have been trying to workout for a while now, but to no avail.  I also had quite a bit of stuff happening in my life. I opened a store with my business partner and we make custom apparel and stay tuned there will be some fitness gear with it as well.

I am excited to design some workout tanks for Geeks. :D

School is also out now, which means I can now get my schedule back on track. As of today, my husband and I did some meal prep. I made a breakfast casserole and I am making overnight apple cinnamon oatmeal and I will post the recipe for both of them later here on this blog.

As of tomorrow I am back at the gym and I have got get going again on this, as I really wanna loose the rest of this weight and put this surgery behind me.

Wish me luck. <3


~Claudia

Day 1 back since surgery

Today has been the first day back at the gym since my surgery on March 24. So almost 2 months later. I went early in the morning and it felt like I had never left. My workout was all upper body and inbetween exercises I walked the length of the gym, just to keep my heart rate up. I didn't finish the workout as I had only 1hr.
I felt a bit weak, had to go down on some weights, but hey that happens when you have not worked out in over 7weeks.
My foot is doing ok. I wearing a compression sock now as I am opening a store on Saturday and I am standing a lot. I hit my step goal of 7500 steps every day. :D which makes me happy. The reason I wearing it is, beginning of last week, I had quiet a bit of swelling in my foot, especailly on the incision site. Which makes walking difficult.
I also noticed that after a day at work, I have to do lots of stretching and flexing and the incision hurts. There is still nerve damage that is healing, I hate the burning tingly sensation, but it is what it is. I am just glad I am able to workout again and life is good.

Happy Lifting

~Claudia

4 weeks post op and the struggle is still real...

as you know 4 weeks ago I had surgery to remove a bones spur on top of my foot, it had been agitating me for 4 years. Well we are 4 weeks in and I haven't not made it back to the gym as my foot keeps swelling.  As you can see in the picture, that was Friday (sorry for the terrible pedicure, but Ihaven't been able to go). I am trying to elevate as much as I can, but I have work that has to be done and with a store opening soon, this is really putting a damper on things.

My food is ok, I haven't been logging which I am changing today and I am trying to be better at my water intake. I have neglected that as well. My weight is fluctuating between 246 and 243, after this weekend (I had a convention, brought most of my food, but made decent choices) I have to get back to it. I hate not being able to do what I want/need to do for work and my body. I am trying to stay positive and but I can slowly feel the depression creeping up and I don't want that. 

Also Today, 4 years ago I decided to end a 4 yrs friendship with a woman that abused, my good nature and took bits an pieces of me. It has been a very long road to build myself up again. But I am getting there. I have a pretty successful business, I am about to open a store with an amazing business partner and go on a new adventure. 

This weightloss Journey has done wonders for me, my self confidence has become stronger, (work in progress) I actually like some pictures of me, like this one. It was taken at the Renaissance Fair with my husband and I don't look like a beached whale.

I still have a long ways to go, but Rome wasn't build in one day and trying to find what was lost is taking a while, but it's getting better, I have more days that are bright and filled with laughter, then the dark grey ones. And that is the goal. I know I live with the depression and the anxiety (both caused by the stress of aformentioned friendship) but I can manage it and live with it. Also this healthy lifestyle has contributed to the healing and the process. So me not being able to work out and blow off some steam is putting a damper on, but this time I know I can do it. I have an amazing support netwok and cheerleaders in my camp. And that is what counts. 

So please #alwayskeepfighting cause you story is not over yet... 

Much love,

Claudia

Weekly Dinner Meal Plan #1

Satuday:
Sweet Potato Fries, Grass Fed Beef Burgers on Portabello Mushrooms, Veggie Kebobs

Sunday:
Salmon with Cauliflower rice and Asparagus

Monday:
Pork Chops, Rice and Green Beans

Tuesday:
Spaghetti Squash and Meat Balls

Wednesday:
Stuffed Bell Peppers

Thursday
Grilled Chicken, Zucchini and Cucumber Avocado Salad

3 weeks Post Op and I walked a 5K...

Yeah you read that right...

I had signed up before surgery to do the #RunForIt5K from To Write Love On Her Arms and was able to raise over $500 in the process. That money will go and help people like me, that suffer from depression, anxiety or any other mental health issue.

I ran for Jared Padalecki, cause one year ago he started the conversation, with this #alwayskeepfighting shirt campaign. I now own all the shirts from each campaign and wear them as a daily reminder that my story is not over yet.

My foot held up really well I had to slow down, it took my husband and I almost 90mins to finish it, cause we walked so slow, but who cares we did it.

I feel confident enough now, to actually get back in the gym and keep going on this journey of mine that I started seriously on November 1st 2015. I am down from my heaviest weight in August 2015, which was 288lb to now at 244lb. But My goal is 180lb and see from there.

Keep going and #alwayskeepfighting

Recover from Bone Spur Surgery

I had a bone spur in my ankle removed about a week ago. So far so good. Today I was able to put weight on that foot without pain.

I am going to my follow up Tomorrow. And I have no idea what my recover time is, what restrictions are and what not.
But there are things I know...

Before I went into surgery I made my meal plan and I went grocery shopping. I picked meals that were easy to cook for my husband and my Teenage Daughter. Also this time I really did rest and I am drinking lots of water.
I had gall bladder surgery 5yrs ago and my recover was ok, but not great due to me being me and trying to do to much to fast. (it might have also had something to do with the fact that my former Narcisistic best friend, guilted me into doing stuff to soon, but I digress)
My husband has been great, he reminds me to take it easy and slow, that might just be cause he wants me to be able to take care of him when he has his hernia surgery next week. Yeah my family does everything at once, you could think we get a discount.

But back to my plan.
My goal is to not gain weight this month as I am not able to workout as I would like. So food is Key. I have been doing ok, I haven't logged, but not being able to go anywhere and not having junk food in the house makes that kind of sort of easy. I have broken my no eating starches after 3pm rule a few times this week, but hey, I just had surgery. LOL
I am almost off the pain pills. Instead of 2 I take on and I am down to taking one in the am and one in the pm. So far so good.
I have been drinking lots of water and this morning I got on the scale I was 244.8lb. which is exactly what I weighed the morning of the surgery. So it can only go down from here.

The reason I know this is going to work this time ( I quit the gym and caring after the gall bladder surgery) is I have backup. My husband is my biggest support. My trainer has been messaging me every day since the surgery and has been so encouraging. My kids cause they eat what I had planned and have no complaints, I think that is my biggest achievement as a cook, my kids love my food, they are not picky eaters and they eat healhty. Yes my son does eat at the cafeteria, but instead of a burger he picks the salad and fruit each day and my daughter usually takes leftovers. My husband makes his lunch salad every evening. We are in this together as a family.
So getting back to the gym should be easy. I plan as soon as I am allowed to do upper body.

So here is to a healthy future.

~ Claudia

Paleo Moussaka Lasagna

I got the original Recipe from here, but decided to change it up to fit our lifestyle and taste a bit better.

Ingredients:

1 Eggplant peeled and sliced
1 Zucchini sliced
1 clove of garlic diced
10oz. or 1lb of lean ground Turkey
1 28oz. can or Marzano Tomatos
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
2 8oz cans of organic tomato sauce
8 white mushrooms
4 cups of fresh spinach
1.5 cup of raw cashews (soak them overnight if possible, but a minimum of 2-3hrs)
1/2 cup unsweetened Almond milk
1 Lemon
3tbsp. Olive oil

In a sauce pan, heat half the olive oil and saute the minced garlic then add the turkey to it. While the Turkey is browning, cut the mushrooms and heat a frying pan with the rest of the olive oil. Add the Mushrooms.
When the Turkey is all the way cooked, no more pink, add the tomato paste, Marzano Tomatos and Tomato sauce. Mix, then season to your liking, I use pink salt, black pepper, basil, oregano and a tiny bit of garlic powder. Turn on low and let this simmer.
When the mushrooms are soft add the spinach and sautee until just wilted and put the mixture in a bow.
In a blender, put in the drained Cashews, a tsp. Lemon Juice, Salt, Pepper and some garlice powder and the Almond milk and blend until you have a smooth creamy paste. Mix that in with your spinach mixture.
Preheat oven to 350F.
In a 9x13 Pyrex pan, Put one layer of Eggplant. Then add 1/3 of the tomato sauce and on top of that spread half of the Cashew mix. Then add a layer of Zucchini and repeat with the tomato sauce and Cashew mix. Add one more layer of Eggplant and spread the rest of the tomato sauce. I happen to have some Vegan Cheese from Trader Joe's so I spread that on top.
Put it in the oven and cook for 45 minutes.

Nutrition: 253calories, 15g fat, 22g, carbs, 3g sugar, 14g Protein


Enjoy!!!

Musings and Meal Plan for this week

I have been in a little bit of a slump. I am working out, but my food is not on par. I know why, I was hit with a bout of depression, which just really sucks. I am sure it would have been even worse if I was not working out. But I had a fantastic weekend, well mostly aside form the fact that my son got sick. He doesn't get sick often, but when he does, he does it well. He ended up with both flu strands and Strep on top of that. But thank goodness for the meds he is now on the mend and feeling much better.
Today I got up (later than usually, due to it being spring breaks) I made my meal plan and then went to the gym. I took my Impala, cause there is a trainer that loves the car and it was his birthday today. I planned on going to the grocery store after, but realized I left my wallet at home. So when I got home, I hung out with the kids and went to the store a bit later.
I made my meal plan for the week and I am happy with it and here is my grocery haul. I want to make the next two weeks count cause i am having surgery on the 24th.

I also bought Rice Protein to figure out how to make my own protein bars. Cause to be honest I love the 22days but they are getting expensive. So we will see how this goes.

Meal Plan:

Monday:
Roasted Chicken (bought at the grocery store, skin removed) hummus, carrots and salad.

Tuesday:
Lasagna I am using eggplant instead of Zucchini this time

Wednesday:
Fish Taco Bowl

Thursday:
Chick Pea Stew ( my husband is running a 10K on Saturday and needs lots of carbs)

Friday:
Balsamic Chicken, Zucchini and Rice

Saturday:
Hubby and Son are having Spaghetti

Sunday:
Grilled Chicken, Brussel Sprouts and Salad

Preparing for an injury related break...

So I found out last week that on March 24th I am going to have a bone spur in my foot removed that has broken off and is just floating. I used to get Cortisone injections, but my Orthopedic Surgeon decided it would be better to take it out.

The surgery is out patient, but they will put me under. So my hubby is taking me and driving me home after. I was told that I will be in a Boot for 4 weeks after.
4 WEEKS!!! YIKES!!!

So I need to prepare myself better mentally for this then with my last two surgeries. I had a deviated septum fixed in 2008 and I started to lack going to the gym and I gained 15lb. after that surgery. After my gall bladder surgery in 2011 I pretty much just gave up.

So this time around, I will not let this put me in the corner. I will make sure my food will be as clean as it gets. Cause that will be the most important part. But I also know there is a hand bike at the gym. So I can do some Cardio and my trainer said we can train the upper body. I just don't want to give up and loose the momentum I have build these past 4 months.

I know I also have amazing support from my family this time, as I am very blessed that we all eat clean, dairy and gluten free. So there won't be junk in the house, as I am going to grocery shopping before the surgery. Make sure there are good snacks in the house.

I am looking forward to this new adventure.

Meal Plan #6

Meal Plan from 2/26/2015 - 3/3/2015

For breakfast my husband and I eat oatmeal and eggwhites with veggies. On saturdays I make protein pancakes and sometimes a casserole. The kids eat cereal but are wanting to eat oats and eggs to now (they are teenagers)

Lunches:
My daughter takes leftovers and so does my son, when he remembers to take a lunch. My husband makes a Salad to take and I eat a salad or leftovers.

As always all our meals are gluten free / dairy free

Friday:
Sweet Potato Crust with BBQ Chicken 

Saturday:
Bison Burgers on Gluten Free buns with Salad and Sweet Potato Fries

Sunday:
Pork Chops, Cauliflour Rice and roasted Brussels Sprouts

Monday:
Paleo Lasagna

Tuesday:
Fish Tacos on lettuce wraps

Wednesday:
Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash

Thursday:
Grilled Chicken, Zucchini and Pasta

Hitting a Rough Spot?

So I am 4 months into my fitness/weight loss Journey.

I am down almost 40lb. since August of 2015 and I do feel great. But this week has been rough.

I am fighting a bout with depression and some health issues, I made it to the gym yesterday and I am going walking today. Tomorrow the gym will be in the afternoon and I am going Saturday as well.

But here is what is bumming me out. I have a bone spur in my foot right in my ankle joint and it f*ing hurts. I had cortisone shots, but yesterday the decision was made to get it surgically removed. So surgery is scheduled for the 24th of March. Which gives me 4 more weeks to work out and loose more weight.  The bad thing is I am going to be in a boot for 4 weeks :( Which bums me out, here is why...

In 2008 I had my nasal septum straightened, due to doing a faceplant when I was 5 and not being able to breathe. It was a real struggle to get back into the gym then. In 2011 I had my gall bladder removed, I had already gained some weight back by then, but that surgery and the stress of the friendship that started to crumble did me in, I quit working out and eating healthy and ended up 100lb. heavier then I was in 2007.

So now you can see where my dilemma is and what demons I am fighting. But I can't stress how important it is to find support. I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband and 2 teenagers I can count on. They have my back and I am very blessed. I also have my friends and I build a wonderful online community for supporting each other in our Journeys.

I know you can do this on your own, but when it gets tough, it's easier to have someone that tells you they believe in you. Or that will cook a dinner so you don't go out and eat all the crap in the world. If you can't find someone, got check out my Facebook page "Geeks Who Lift" and message me. I got your back. It's just important to have support.

Thank you all that are supporting me and telling me already that I can do this, cause this time, I know what traps are laid out for me and I don't have the Toxicity that was that relation ship in my life anymore.

Best,

Claudia

Rest Day is important and also a little rant...

I am really starting to enjoy this blogging thing. Cause I can write when something annoys me without getting a bunch angry people at me.

So rest Day... I do Active Recovery, where you are going for a walk, cause you cant take it any longer sitting at home, or a hike or do some other activity. Yesterday was technically a rest day for me, but I went to the Renaissance Fair and walked 4.4miles thru out the day. I am feeling it a bit.
You can also rest when you are really sore. I had to do that a couple of weeks ago, I woke up and was so sore I could barely walk, that is when my body told me, You need to stop for today.
Also drink lots of water, it will help flush the Toxins that were released during your workout. Also don't forget to stretch and foam roll during your Rest day. It will help the recovery process.


Now comes my other rant... I saw someone post on Instagram their Food Prep picture and the caption was EAT FOR FUEL, NOT FOR FLAVOR.
This struck a cord with me. I wanna eat flavorful meals. I don't wanna eat bland food everyday. I see those meal preps and I think to myself, how BORING... How can you the exact same food every single day for a week? Well I can't cause I would not be staying on meal plan.
Healthy food and foods that are good for you do not have to be Boring or Bland. All the recipes I post for dinner don't take more time then 30-45 minutes. Cause I wanna eat with my family and spend time with them after. I don't wanna spend hours in the kitchen. So No you can eat healthy foods and they can be flavorful.
I eat about 1700 Calories a day. I love Pampered Chef's Southwest Seasoning, I used it in my omelet in the morning, a half a teaspoon has 15mg of sodium. And that is all I put on my omelet, I use salt very sparingly. In my homemade Salad Dressing I use Pampered Chef's Herb de Provence which has 0 sodium but tons' of flavors.

Be adventurous, try new seasonings, I love dill on my salmon. I put mustard and paprika on my Pork Chops and Chicken, these are all things you can do to make your meals full of flavor.

As a Teenager I did not know how to cook or had any inkling of learning to cook and now I love it, heck I make up my own recipes. So the one thing I can tell you. Don't be afraid to try a recipe and cook something.

Go and have fun in the Kitchen... it's an Adventure.

~ Claudia

Carrot Cake / Loaf gluten free and dairy free

So my friend challenged me to make Carrot Cake healthier and I accepted. Since I love Carrot Cake I decided it needs to be gluten free and dairy free.
So I scoured Pinterest to find a recipe I could adapt and I did.
This Recipe was the base for my Cake Loaf.

Here we go :D Yields 12 slices

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups of gluten free all purpose flour (I used Red Mill)
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground Ginger

Mix all together in a medium bowl.

Wet ingredients:
1tsp. orange zest
6 tbsp orange juice
1/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 cup blue agave
2 servings of liquid egg whites
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/2 tbsp lemon juice
1 1/2 cup shredded carrots

Mix well and then slowly add the dry ingredients. Add in to a loaf pan and bake in a preheated oven at 350F for 45 mins.

Icing:
1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for at least 30mins better be overnight
1 1/2 tbsp agave
1 1/2 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon

blend that in a blender until creamy, I used my Magic Bullet Blender, my Cashews weren't soaked enough so I added a tiny bit of water to make it creamy.
Spread on top of the loaf and voila.

Nutrition Facts: 184cals, 3g Fat, 38g carbs, 4gr Protein
Definitely a Treat.

Enjoy!!!

Meal Plan #5

Meals from 2/18/2015 - 2/25/2015

For breakfast my husband and I eat oatmeal and eggwhites with veggies. On saturdays I make protein pancakes and sometimes a casserole. The kids eat cereal but are wanting to eat oats and eggs to now (they are teenagers)

Lunches:
My daughter takes leftovers and so does my son, when he remembers to take a lunch. My husband makes a Salad to take and I eat a salad or leftovers.

Snacks:
I have protein bars, protein shakes, or cooked chicken with rice.

Thursday:
Balsamic Chicken w/Pasta and Zucchini

Firday:
Turkey Burgers, with Sweet potato Friday, and Zucchini Chips

Satuday:
We are going to the Faire so we are eating out for once.

Sunday:
Salmon, Brussel Sprouts and Rice

Monday:
Lentil Soup (Recipe will be posted)

Tuesday:
Fajitas in Lettuce wraps or gluten free Tortillas

Wednesday:
Eggroll in a bowl

Thursday:
Curry Stew

That's our menu for this week. :D

Convention Prep Part 2... follow up

Well this is less of a prep post then a follow up.

I had prepared my foods and packed them. Now here are some things to consider.

Breakfast casserole was a great idea and it's still yummy cold. Ice was available at the hotel so no problem in keeping the cooler cool. I also had grilled Chicken. cherry tomatos, apples, measured out protein shakes, I brought my own coffee creamer and almond milk. I also had measured out Cashews and Lentil Chips.
My main foods were Salads in a Jar.

I made a couple of mistakes... first off I did not put the snacks in my back pack, sometimes during the convention things got hectic and I wasn't able to get back to the room and grab a bite. Also I did not get enough water, even thou I had my water bottle with me.

Also I definitely would pack more chicken.

But other then that I did well, I got a lot of walking done and I didn't bring much food home. All in all it was a very successful weekend.

This was all the food I packed, pre packed. 

Breakfast was egg casserole with a protein shake

My awesome picture with Jared.