Break Demanded

My computer totally gave up on me last night... 100%. I do abuse it too much by never turning it off or closing any windows so I just held the off button until it shut down, left it off all night and now it is working better than ever! Maybe not the most efficient way but I still have the paper that I've been working on so it's all good, just goes to show everything needs a break sometimes!

I did have a great snack when I got back from work, since it was my last night for the week I had a "treat" yogurt that I got over the weekend with some wheat germ. I forgot how great wheat germ is with sweet things as opposed to just on salad!

I did a bike interval workout this morning (details to come later today!) that left me dripping with sweat and feelin' ready for the day!

Before I left I went to an old stand-by

And then wanted a little something different for breakfast... warning looks gross and pathetic... is delicious and satisfying

1 poached egg plus some more whites, microwaved sweet potato chunks and frozen raspberries with my re-discovered wheat germ!

I also had a glass of skim milk and this tea which is amazing

Have a great Thursday!

Peace!

Caitlin

What's you favorite kind of tea? I really like anything lemon or citrus and peppermint but I haven't found a tea I don't like!

All Spoons go to Heaven

RIP tiny spoon, my oatmeal and I will miss you greatly! =(

Other than that minor fiasco I had a good (although VERY cold) day... spring break now please. For lunch at work I made a big 'ol salad. This is what it looked like after being in my backpack for a little while. In the mix

Lettuce

baby carrots

red bell pepper

sweet peas

black eyed peas

avocado

nutritional yeast

and the same dressing as last night (I should just make a big batch!)

It took me about 30 minutes to eat this (I'm a slow eater) and after I thought I was still feeling kind of hungry so I waited about another 10 and for sure was so I had an apple too. Hunger satisfied, listen to your body!

I got super wrapped up in homework this afternoon and didn't even think about dinner so Matt from the Athlete's Plate helped me out! He chose nut butter over hummus for me but I hope he will be proud to see I'm having both!

While working I snacked on some pretzels and a laughing cow and for dinner green beans with spinach artichoke hummus

and favorite sandwich in quesadilla form!

Hot and melty PB

cinnamon and honey spiked cottage cheese for dipping.

If you like these ingredients and you have not tried favorite sandwich please do... you will not regret it!

Off to last night of work until Saturday, week's almost over!

Peace!

Caitlin

What's your go-to dinner food?

Whey of Life

I hated my dinner last night... don't try that recipe

This was the bowl before it got washed in the sink... =)

When I got back from work I had a delicious snickty snack of plain chobani, dried mixed berries and a nice smear of PB

I woke up feeling very good and wanting to work hard so as always I implemented the "listen to your body" rule and got a great workout! Before I left I had a pita with PB2. I killed 25 random minutes on the stationary bike and 45 minutes of isolated and compound full body weights. My legs will probably hate me tomorrow but for now we're all happy!

Cinnamon Lovin'

For breakfast I had eggy oats, it had been a while! In the mix

1/3 cup oats

1/4 cup egg whites

1/2 cup skim milk

1 big scoop vanilla whey protein

Splash of vanilla extract

1/2 banana

~2 tbsp raisins

A bunch of cinnamon

Cooked with a lemon tea bag... I'm going for light flavors to trick my body into thinking it's warm out. And a cup of Tazo Zen Green for those antioxidants! Speaking of antioxidants let's have a

Word About Whey

I use a protein supplement in some way almost daily because I lift at least 3 times a week and am a vegetarian. My protein of choice is whey as opposed to brown rice or soy. At first there was not a reason and I would still be open to trying other forms but in reading The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Doctor Johnny Bowden which I got for my birthday and flip through fairly often I came across some great info on whey!  

According to Bowden whey protein no t only helps to build muscles like all protein but it also gives your body the tools to more efficiently build the antioxidant glutathione. This antioxidant is crucial to the immune system and helps to destroy free radicals and carcinogens that may lead to cancer. White blood cells in the liver also use glutathione to detoxify poisons in the body. And to top it all off it had been shown to reduce hypertension in patients.

So if you are considering adding a protein supplement to your diet, consider the cancer fighting effects of whey!

*Note- Whey is a milk derived protein so it is not vegan

Half way through the week, 10 days until FLA!!

Peace!

Caitlin

If you use a protein supplement, which do you prefer?

Opinions on protein intake in general?

Thieves are Cookin'

Thank you very much for the positive feedback on this morning's post. I've also really enjoyed seeing some other blogger address the topic as well, it's all about spreading the awareness!

I actually had a relaxing morning while getting a ton of work done (you all know I am no good a relaxing). I even got to cook ad have it at home (in my dorm) again!

I had a whole wheat wrap with garlic-herb laughing cow and a morning star veggie chik'n patty dipped in salsa. And a side of some mixed veggie with pepper and a little smart balance light (which actually is mostly healthy fats).

How long would something have to be left non-labeled in the communal kitchen before you considered it up for grabs? Because I gave this adorable guy two weeks =)

Afternoon snack was comforting because it is cold and yucky out (actually cold... like in the 20's and snowing)

Whole wheat english muffin with fruit spread and some warmed-up skim milk

I have a recipe for you! There has been a lot of egg salad flying around the blog world lately so it became my inspiration for tonight's dinner. The key to this is all the spices!

Warm TVP Honey-Dijon Salad

Ingredients

1 serving TVP (1/4 cup dry measured)

3 tbsp plain non-fat greek yogurt

1 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 tsp honey

1.5 tbsp raisins

5 baby carrots

3 mushrooms

Big handful of spinach

Red pepper flakes

garlic salt

minced onion

black pepper

paprika

~8 almonds chopped for garnish

How To

Cook TVP according to directions on the package. Immediately add yogurt, honey and dijon and stir. Add in raisins and chopped carrots then go to town with your spices! (I also considered adding cinnamon and I still think it would be good). Serve over a bed of spinach and mushrooms, top with chopped almonds and pair with a side grain of your choice.

I had mine with a serving of Mary's Gone Crackers, delish!

I love this because it could be so versatile! You could obviously make it with eggs, tofu or chicken. You can vary up the dried fruit with fresh like apples or pears. You can also change the healthy fat source so easily by drizzling it with EVOO or a different kind of nut or hummus all mixed in too!

Work again tonight, see you for hump-day!

Peace!

Caitlin

What's your favorite type of nut? I am currently lovin' on cashews but almonds always rock too!

What's your favorite day of the week? Legit Monday because it's a chance to get off to a good start

NEDA Friend

Slow paced morning for me... in a good way! One of my classes got canceled don't have class until 2 today but instead of trying to run around like a crazy person I'm letting myself be productive in a relaxed way because I know I have work late tonight again. Last night for dessert I had this new granola bar, it was good not phenomenal I probably wouldn't buy it again just because there are better ones!

When I finally got back last night I was starving and craving barney butter of course so I paired it with some baby carrots (and a few honey twists...duh)

I covered 13 random miles in 62 minutes on stationary bike this morning while reading some great articles in Self on pleasure diets and relaxation... great relaxing and energizing start to the day! Before I left I had 1/2 a banana with cottage cheese and cinnamon.

I came back for a MPPIAB with vanilla protein, topped with raspberries, chopped salted cashews and a little coconut butter blob

Sprinkled with some ginger and green/key lime tea

I just would like to mention for one second that this week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. I don't want to go into too much detail or statistics or anything but I will say that this is an issue that hits VERY close to home for me. You all are somewhat familiar with the disordered thinking habits that I have and am still overcoming but I will also say that I have a large familial pre-disposition to this kind of thinking.

The biggest point that I would like to make about ED's is that they are not a choice, they are a mental illness that cannot be helped. If you know someone suffering with any kind of severe ED (anorexia, bulimia, bingeing) or just from some disordered thoughts or habits the best thing you can do it give them a friend and encourage them to seek professional help.

There is a campaign for awareness this week on my campus and I've been seeing these all around, I love them!

Have a great day!

Peace!

Caitlin

Vita-madness

When I was debating a post topic for the evening I ended up as well taking out my vitamin supply that I take during dinner and thought perfect!

I take vitamins everyday. I know that there is controversy on the topic but to be honest I don't really understand it too much. I realize that it is not good if people are fully relying on vitamins fro nutrients but it is difficult even for those of us who make an effort to get everything we need in the right amount everyday from just food. Some of what I take is actually doctor recommended and the rest are PerMa prescribed =). I take

A womyn's multi-vitamin

Calcium+D

Vitamin D

Vitamin C

Iron (doctor)

Biotin (doctor)

Flaxseed oil (doctor)

Seems like a lot but it's a fact!

As for my food nutrients today I actually came back to my room for lunch

Some warm bread with spinach-artichoke hummus, tomato slices and a little dijon. Along with a side spinach salad topped with sunflower seeds, raisins, white whine vinegar and a little agave.

After a major bio break through thanks to my TA (thanks Leah!) I had a snack of

Greek yogurt and PB filled pretzels (these are whole grain and natural PB... LOVE) sprinkled with cinnamon

And for dinner I really wanted lentils but had no idea what to do with them even as I watched them cook so I ended up throwing together a mish-mosh dinner bowl

1/4 cup lentils measured dry

1/4th block tofu

1/2 large apple

3 mushrooms

a few baby carrots

~5 chopped walnuts

All in sun-dried tomato italian vinaigrette

Totally works!

I'm blogging as I eat before work tonight (I actually often blog as I eat but I don't always have work =P) but snacks will for sure be consumed, perhaps multiple depending on how long work is! Hope your week is off to a great start!

Peace!

Caitlin

Do you take any vitamins? What's your opinion on the issue?

Go Green

Guten morgen alles! Did you know I took German in high school? I also took French for three years and Hungarian for a semester! Alright random facts aside when I walked out of the door to go to the gym this morning I almost totally wiped out! Luckily I caught my balance but over night the entire ground of my campus has become a sheet of ice... ugh Florida now please!

I've decided to not try to run until Saturday for a long run, I miss it very much but I know this is for the best =(. I did a 17 minute interval bike workout follow by 5 minutes on the ET and then 45 minutes of full body weights and core. It felt good but I was sad to not be running! I then came back to my room for some quick foam rolling that felt awesome. Before I left

1/2 banana with a good scoop of naturally more PB

I had time to do a little foam rolling when I got back because yesterday afternoon I got breakfast 100% ready to go!

Overnight chocolate pumpkin oats! In the mix

What was left of the greek yogurt container (Maybe 1/4 cup?)

1/3 cup Ambrosial Muesli

1/2 cup pumpkin

1/4 cup skim milk

1 scoop chocolate whey protein

pumpkin pie spice

vanilla extract

stevia packet

Insane gooeyness=happy Caitlin

Peppermint and green tea combo for comfort and coffee will be coming to class with me! I like and don't like using the muesli for the same reason. It already has all the fun amazing mix-in's (seeds, dried fruit, etc) so it's super convenient but not quite as much fun! Though is is delicious!

I've decided to make some Monday-mini week goals! Mine are

Drink at least one cup of green tea per day (my roommate is sick... blah)

Continue with my balance challenge

Try to eat more nuts in place of some nut butter

Run at least one day

Foam roll/stretch/ yoga (Three weeks in a row hopefully!)

Peace!

Caitlin

What are your small goals for the week?

Do you speak another language?