Oopsie Poopsie

I'd like to title this post Oopsie Poopsie because I had a bit of an oopsie poopsie day in diet land yesterday.  It started off well enough: a workout, a veggie scramble, a fantastic lunch and eggs for a snack....then things went south.  I started craving something sweet.  I tried crystal light, I tried a piece of fruity gum, both to no avail.  I needed something better.  I know of a very convenient yet evil candy drawer in my coworkers office. I picked up a mini pack of peanut M&Ms and a fun size Snickers.  That curbed the sweet tooth, and I didn't even feel guilty afterward.  I mean, the whole reason I want to do this diet isn't to lose weight, its to become healthy.  Part of being healthy to me includes happiness and the amount of pleasure I get from enjoying little treats now and then is definitely worth the extra calories. 

Having said that, the derailing of the diet didn't stop there.  Some girlfriends at work and myself were getting ready to pull off the BEST April Fools Day prank in history but we had to wait for everyone to leave work before we could undertake the task.  They threw out the option of going to sushi and who I am to turn down my favorite meal ever.  I went with the best intentions.  I was planning on getting some miso soup, edamame and sashimi.  That didn't work out.  I am a sucker for sushi and especially eel.  So I indulged in my favorite treat: sushi rolls!

Eel sushi roll!

I have come to the realization that since I am not "dieting" to lost weight I can eat things that make me happy and are nutritious.  I am just going to be more aware of what I put in my mouth and the impact it has on my body.  For instance, this white rice in this roll gives my body the same reaction as if I had eaten straight sugar.  I know its not good for me and causes my insulin levels to spike, but I also know since I ate it with edamame and avocados and fish that the general glycemic index level for this meal was lower than if I had eaten the white rice alone.  This saved my body from crashing too hard and I had a delicious meal to boot!

The ULTIMATE PRANK
The fuel was just what I needed to undertake the best prank I've ever pulled, which took some serious attention to detail for about 3 1/2 hours.  The finished product was worth every minute!  Myself, along with two other girls decided to post-it note our managers office.  And not just a post-it or two... We used over 8200 :)

only half of the finished product last night

The whole office was abuzz about it this morning.  We were secretly giggling amongst ourselves :)

Some peeps checking out the work



Our manager posing amongst the madness!

So far, this day is off to a very good start!!

A little Java fix

I planned and pack today's snacks last night with full intentions on eating them.  However, I was crrraaaving a coffee all day.  I would have stopped by Starbucks on the way into work, but I had just eaten breakfast and thought I would wait until I digested a bit and then pay the campus barista a little visit.  Well a few meetings later and it was snack time.  But instead of turning to my hard boiled eggs or cottage cheese for comfort I indulged in a non-fat latte with a packet of truvia (similar to Splenda) stirred in.  I drank that about as fast as I could and loved every little sip!!!

slurp!!!

Lunch was an even better version of last nights taco wraps.  I was lucky enough to find some salsa to use as my dressing (!!!!) and the added moisture and spice made this salad a winning combo! 

SCORE!

I packed the turkey mix separate so I could heat it in the microwave. I love it when I can find a way to have a cold dish with some hot elements...its tastes like I'm getting it from a restaurant or something.  I washed it all down some Crystal Light because it gives me the sweet punch I always crave after I eat something savory.

can't figure out how the get the picture upright, but you get the idea.

MMMM Tasty!

How great is reality t.v.?!?!

I would first like to offer an apology that I didn't update the blog with the delicious tacos I mentioned in yesterdays lunch post.  But it was Wednesday night and that meant: Survivor!, the season finale of Top Chef!, and the new Real World.  I must admit, Jon and I are suckers for reality TV. 

Onto last nights dinner.

I made those taco lettuce wraps I name dropped last night.  They were quite good, but a bit dry.  For my second wrap I added some Cafe Yumm sauce (only 1 carb and 0 grams of sugar) and that helped a bit.  We had quite a bit left over so I made a taco salad for lunch today.  I think I'll have to pop down to the cafeteria in hopes of scoring some salsa as my dressing :)

Big ol' Lettuce wraps!

improved by some Yumm Sauce

I discovered this recipe on Kayln's Kitchen.
For tacos:
1 T olive oil
1 tsp. minced garlic (I used minced garlic from a jar, but fresh garlic would be even better)
1-2 T diced green chiles (I used about half of a 4 oz. jar of diced green chiles, recipe called for fresh chiles which would be a bit hotter)
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground chipotle chile powder (recipe called for cayenne)
1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 large bunch cilantro, finely chopped (about 1 1/4 cups chopped cilantro. I used 1 cup in tacos and 1/4 cup in salsa. Use more or less cilantro to taste.)
2 T fresh lime juice
2 large heads romaine lettuce (or use iceberg, Boston lettuce, or butter lettuce)

Heat olive oil in heavy frying pan then add minced garlic and diced green chiles and saute about 1 minute. (I used a non-stick pan. If you use fresh garlic and chiles, I'd cook them a bit longer.) Add cumin and ground chipotle or cayenne and cook about 1 minute more. Then add turkey and salt and cook over medium-high heat, breaking apart with the back of the turner as it cooks. Cook about 5 minutes, or until turkey is starting to brown.

While turkey cooks, thinly slice green onions and set aside, then wash cilantro, spin dry or dry with paper towels, and finely chop cilantro. Cut off root end of lettuce, discard tough outer leaves, and wash lettuce and spin dry in salad spinner or dry with paper towels.

When turkey is lightly browned, add sliced green onions and cook about 2 minutes. Turn off heat, then stir in 1 cup chopped cilantro and 2 T lime juice.

For salsa:
2 medium avocados, diced
1 1/2 cups finely chopped cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
2 T fresh lime juice
2 T olive oil (optional)
sea salt to taste

Peel and dice avocado, place in glass or plastic bowl and toss with lime juice. Stir in chopped tomato, chopped cilantro, and olive oil, season to taste with salt.

Jon ate his like a man in a real tortilla, and Brew kept him company in case anything dropped her way :)

 I followed up dinner with a jello cup and half of a hard boiled egg.  I was intending to have the eggs for a snack today, but one cracked so I just had to try it :)

After dinner and dessert, I snuggled up on the couch with my girl Brew to take in some of the aforementioned reality television.

My fav' snuggle buddy!

Workout
This morning I completed shoulders and arms from the P90X program.  I seriously LOVE this workout program!!  I also love this morning workout.  If I could wish for one thing (body related) I would want nice tone/definition in my arms.  This workout helps to get me there :)  I followed this up with Ab RipperX.  I always dread doing the Ab Ripper, but the last time I completed P90X I left out Ab Ripper 80% of the time....this go 'round I made the commitment to (as Nike says) JUST DO IT!  I always feel so proud of myself when I finish.  Its the small victories in life.

Breakfast
During my workout/shower I was wracking my brain for what sounded good for breakfast.  I landed on the eggy breakfast that I had two days ago.  However, I omitted the cheese and replaced it with three slices of canadian bacon.  It was tasty, but I think the first one I made was better...next time I won't leave out the cheese!

Toppin' my meat with my eggs

Ready to dive in!

Hope you're morning is treating you fantastic!

Chili, Chili, CHA CHA CHA!

As promised I had chili for lunch today!  And it was just as tasty the second time around.  But first, let cover my mid-morning snack!

Today I enjoyed a SBD take on guac with veggie dippers.  I mixed up 1/2 an avocado, cottage cheese (for protein), some onions, red chili flakes, garlic and cilantro. 

fun little snack :D

The vessels with which I shoveled this dip to my mouth were: radishes, celery, zucchini, and a Japanese cucumber.  It was quite a tasty treat but it didn't keep me full for long.  I was prepared for this so I added a string cheese into the mix...  and it was a trivia string cheese at that! 

Q: No matter where you are in Australia, what are you never more than 625 mile from?
A: The ocean

I love fun facts paired with fun foods.  C'mon, you can't tell me that string cheese isn't fun!  Especially when you reallllly string it! 

Lovin' on my string cheese!

Wanna know an adorable fun fact about my 83 year old grandma?  She went her whole life not knowing that string cheese got its name from being stringy.  She just though it was called string cheese because it was shaped long a thick string!  Isn't that sooo stinking cute?!  Grandmas are the best!

Isn't she GORGEOUS?!?!

Lunch
As mentioned above, I enjoyed another heaping portion of last nights chili, sans ricotta because I forgot it this morning.  I did, however, LOAD it up with extra tomatoes and cilantro.  You know how sometimes stuff tastes better depending on the weather?  For example, nothing sounds better to me than an ice cold corona on a hot day, in much the same way my soup sounded especially good today because of the grey Oregon skies.  Aaand, I've still got a little left in the fridge that I may just have to use as a snack tomorrow :)

Now doesn't like look juuust about perfect?

I am also enjoying my second snack now, which is the same yogurt snack that I've had the last two days so I'll spare you another picture.  The reason I'm having it so late you wonder?  We're making spicy taco lettuce wraps tonight, but they take a bit to cook and I don't want to be too famished while I'm watching the goodness simmer to fruition.  Plus, its not raining so I might take Brew for a walk.  Yes, its grey and cold, but any dry day in Oregon is a good day! 

For your veiwing pleasure, a pic of Brew on her first "big girl' walk....even though she was still a lil girl :)