21 Day Fix - Day 12

It wasn't a good day.  It was raining, I was miserable, I had to make chocolate chip cookies for my kids and I had previously volunteered to make some for another event.  I didn't even lick my fingers.  I did find a recipe in the back of the 21 Day Fix Bible Eating Plan.  Yes to me it is the Bible of all books right now when it comes to following this diet.  The recipe called for oatmeal...got it!! Turns out I didn't have oatmeal.  Insert miserable angry mama here.  To my surprise I found one packet of plain instant oatmeal.  I measured it out, it was a quarter of a cup (which I thought it was), then I divided the recipe in quarters and baked away.  You know what it was DELICIOUS and I felt like I cheated!  Turns out later in the day I did.  I ate too many yellow containers before I realized I did and once I did I thought screw it.  I'm miserable anyway, what's the difference.  Clearly I had a poor attitude.  I didn't work out either.  GAHHHH.....oh and my morning started out bad because I gained a pound.  Yesterday was a pity me day....so wasn't today, but I think now that I got a nap today, I'm ok and ready for tomorrow.  Here's the cookie below and it was amazing!  I know my picture doesn't do it justice but at least I remembered to take a picture of something.

Shakeology Take 2!

Or take 3...really it's take 3 since the first time I didn't like it, then I found out I LOVED it and it really does help with cravings.

Last night I almost didn't get a workout in and started to put together a shakeology recipe but changed my mind, stuck the blender in the fridge and headed to workout.  Of course after the workout, which was late at night I had my shakeology and this is what I did....

Chocolate Vegan Shakeology (I'm not vegan by ANY means, it's just what my husband ordered for Mother's Day)
1 c (about, it was a little less) frozen strawberries
1 banana
1 c almond coconut milk

Blend it and enjoy!  It was great!  I finished it before I realized.

One day I will be brave and not use a banana in my shakes....honestly I'm afraid to though.  Maybe today I won't use one.

For the Love of Food

I absolutely LOVE food. Anyone who knows me knows this. Yes there are some quirks in my food life, such as not being a fan of icecream. I used to love it, now and for the past several years I dislike it. Every once in awhile I'll have some but I'm not the type of girl that has it stocked in her freezer and when it is sitting in there, it sits for quite a long time until my husband or house guests eat it. For my son's birthday party I almost forgot to buy some, if it wasn't for my mom and best friend reminding me to purchase it.

My husband LOVES icecream, to the point where he'd prefer an icecream cake over the regular kind. I think it's crazy, but then again I'm probably just as crazy for not loving it.

As part of loving food so much I have enjoyed cooking to such great extents. Currently I'm working on my pot and pan collection and actually found a set I really like. Of course I found them at my friend (more like an acquaintance but she's super nice) Sarah's house and they are Pampered Chef which means they are very expensive but she swears by them and to tell you the truth I love they are guaranteed for life. Of course one of the best parts of the Pampered Chef Pans are who they are sold by. I'd rather buy them from Sarah then some random person I met at a party. Yes Sarah sells Pampered Chef so if you ever want a delicious party give me a call or send an email and I'm sure Sarah would be more then pleased to have a "cooking show" with you. To make it even better I'd probably buy some stuff at your party as well.

My extent of cooking involves me trying new recipes constantly. I will cook new meals for my family, bake breads and even whip up new desserts. The problem with this is eating. I eat while I cook, I eat the food when it's first ready, I eat left overs when it's cold. Now this will clearly run up caloric intake and well...that's a problem.

Since food is such an important part in my life, I have to try and be careful. Notice it's try to be careful. So how do I be a stay at home mom, who adores cooking and baking and not weigh 200 pounds? Recently I found this TV program called, "Cook Yourself Thin." I was so intrigued by the recipes I looked them up. I highly recommend you do. I ate a full dinner with a side of stuffing (which was not on the menu and was as unhealthy as you can get) and my calories for dinner was STILL less then what I normally eat. Tonight we ate the Mediterranean Chicken and Tomatoes. It was divine! I've also made the chocolate biscotti which was wonderful as well. These recipes really do taste amazing and the caloric intake is low.

Not only have I been trying new, healthier and just as fulfilling recipes, I've been trying harder to exercise, which involves running again and my beloved long walks with my son. Honestly I do love food but if there's one thing I do know is the calories add up fast so you have to burn some. I'm hoping in about four more weeks I'll be down ten pounds, if I keep following the guidelines. Try the website, "Cook Yourself Thin" and let me know what you think. We are most definitely going to continue using these recipes in my house and if anyone wants to get me something for Christmas, either Pampered Chef Pans or the Cook Yourself Thin Cookbook. I hope you enjoy! Bon appetit!