17 Mar 2010

St. Patrick's Day Green Smoothie

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This was so yummy! 🙂 Maybe my fave green smoothie to date!
At Whole Foods on Sunday, I bought a little packet of this stuff. I had tried it in there one day, didn’t want to pay a TON for it, so then I saw this little packet – that’s my style. Added good nutrients to my already good for me smoothie.
Also in the smoothie was 1/4 cup of this yummy stuff! More nutrients and added good smooth texture! Got it at Whole Foods too!
Also normal stuff: 1 1/2 cup frozen strawberries (from Huber’s last year), 1/2 red pear, 16 oz water, 1/2 banana, 1 1/2 big handfulls of spinach.

This was so good. I drank half and will drink the other half for breakfast this morning. I anticipate being full until my lunch at Cheesecake Factory!

15 Mar 2010

Spicy Maple Pecans

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I come from a family of pecan growers. I love those little tasty nuts! 🙂
So does my Granny. She gave me plenty of them at Christmas time when I was down in FL for a visit. I heard that she liked spiced or sweet pecans. So, for her birthday in February I said I would make her some. Well, now it is about 3 weeks after that and I am just getting around to making/sending them. But, these are so good – so please get them out of your house quickly!

I found this recipe on Hannah’s blog (I love her simple yet beautiful photography) and halved it:

1/2 lb pecan halves, unsalted
1 1/2 T unsalted butter, melted
2 T real maple syrup
1/2 T light brown sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 tsp cayenne pepper

375. Pan with shallow sides, spray pam. Mix all together to evenly coat. Bake for about 12 minutes, stirring frequently. I only burnt 2 so that is good!

15 Mar 2010

Cholesterol Check

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YAY! What a great way to start a Monday! Plus, I got to sleep in! And had a delicious oats in a jar with blackberries morning! Life is grand.
The last time I had my cholesterol checked (and the first time) was May 4, 2009. I was pleased with the numbers, except for 1. My good cholesterol (HDL) was borderline low. I did everything they told me to do, I didn’t know why it was so low. And I am not the type to want to have to go on medication to raise it. So, good thing my other numbers were good. But, I strived this year to make that number go up! 🙂

Here is my results – with the key findings:

May 4, 2010
Weight – approximately 166
Total Chol – 156
Glucose level after fasting – 69 (almost too low she said this morning)
HDL (good) – 40 (40 is the number that you are too low)
LDL (bad) – 97 (in the good range)

March 15, 2010
Weight – 151 (still too high, but 15 lbs less than last year)
TC – 152 (dropped 4)
Glucose – 81 – she said this was more of a normal number which means your body is still operating well after not eating in so long (I last ate at 640pm last night and my test was at 915am)
HDL – 48 – WOW! Thats a jump in 8 points! I love it. I guess that is what a less-processed, olive oil, avocados, nuts, greens, and grains diet will do for you – and losing 15 lbs and running! 🙂
LDL – 95 – this even dropped 2 points. I’ll take it!

I am very pumped by these numbers. I just gotta keep up what I’m doing! 🙂
What good health signs have you seen in your life? How are you taking care of the inside of your body?

12 Mar 2010

Menu Week: March 15

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2 more weeks to go – wow, its coming fast, but its really dragging!! My fridge is getting more bare – but I’m working better at my freezer!
Here we go:
Monday – can’t eat anything early for breakfast because I’m having my cholesterol and sugar checked. Asahi for lunch with Kathy. Dinner will be balsamic roasted onions and chicken (WW recipe)
Tuesday – oatmeal with fresh fruit (cleaning out freezer), turkey salad on a arthurs thin, dinner will be a salad and egg white probably
Wednesday – Going to do a dreen smoothie in honor of St. Patty’s Day! Cheesecake Factory’s chopped veggie salad with chicken (390 cal, 6 fat) – an SIMPLY AMAZING – dinner is salad and pizza with the Weldys.
Thursday – Probably very much like Tuesday
Friday – Lunch at Havana Rumba with my professors as a send-off for me. I love the place and my last dish I’ll try there is their signature dish – the grouper – oh, can’t wait.
Saturday – lunch with going to be FABD bbq sandwiches and then a wonderful going away massage by my good friend Sarah.
Sunday – I’m heading to E-town to hand with the Nelsons for church and lunch (probably Mexican)
It’ll be good – I gotta get some running in!
Recipe of the week: Lemon Cheesecake Bars with Berries

12 Mar 2010

Me? A Beautiful Blogger Award Winner!

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Thanks to Sarah at River City Fitness – I am now a Beautiful Blogger. Sarah – thank you for the award and the friendship we’ve come to have!

Here is how it works:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award. – Thanks Sarah!
2. Paste the award on your blog.
3. Link back to the person who gave you the award.
4. Share seven interesting things about yourself.
5. Nominate up to 7 more beautiful bloggers.
6. Link the bloggers you nominate.
Here’s 7 “interesting” things about myself.

1. I started cooking for my family in the 3rd grade – including grocery shopping at Publix
2. One of my fave meals is baked mac and cheese
3. I started running in January 2009
4. I actually am loving the single life right now!
5. I’m about to move to a beautiful state!
6. I love to enjoy fresh picked produce – like Florida Strawberries!
7. I have lost 55 lbs since April 2008. I’ve kept it off since August 2009 and still want to lose more!

Here are the 7 Beautiful Blogger awards I’m giving out!
1. Beth @ Bethabee
2. Brandi @ Bites
3. Elise @ Simply Recipes
4. Kevin @ Closet Cooking
5. Laura @ In Definition
6. Kari @ Fam
7. Hannah @ Honey & Jam

Thank you all for your inspiration! 🙂
12 Mar 2010

Lumberjack Hash – 2010.10

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I had everything I needed for this in my fridge/freezer – which is good because I’m trying to clean it out (it is slowly working, I promise)
This was good, I changed it a little bit – but it still needed more salt I think (I didn’t put in extra in b/c of the saltiness of the ham). This is a Cooking Light recipe (best of 2004) and is 6 WW points as directed (mine probably evened out)

2 T evoo
1 medium onion, chopped
1 orange pepper, seeded and chopped
24 oz shredded hash brown potatoes, frozen
pepper to taste (salt if you want more)
2 2 oz ham steaks, chopped
1 cup 2% sharp cheddar

Saute onion for about 4 minutes, add pepper. Add in rest (not cheese). Cook until slightly browned and potatoes are done.
Smooth out in large frying pan – top with cheese. Let cheese melt. Divide by 4 and plate up. Becca brought some Plant City strawberries and a banana. And I have 2 servings leftover for Sunday and Tuesday!

12 Mar 2010

Half Marathon – Downhill at Dawn

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This is so pretty – I can’t pass it up.
Ridgecrest is one of the prettier places in NC. It is so quiet and it will be great to run on. I’m looking forward to the challenge of the hills and different terrains. Also, good training will come on Lake Lynn and Umstead in Raleigh.
And – that means I’ll pay less than 100$ for both of my halfs this year. That is definitely a great bonus – and both of them are on Saturdays!
Anyone in TN or NC or SC or VA wanna do it with me? I’d love a running buddy? Or KY – wanna make the drive?

9 Mar 2010

Turkey Trot Half Marathon – Thanksgiving Day

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Why are so many of the races on Sundays?
This does me no good. So…
I won’t be doing the Half at Virginia Beach over Labor Day because its on Sunday. I won’t be doing the Raleigh City of Oaks Half in November because its on a Sunday.
So…when is the next race I will run (at least big one) at this moment – the Lake Norman Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day – that’s right. I’m going to run – then eat! 🙂
Looking forward to it – and a good cause. If you are in the NC area – I would love a training buddy for this – and if you wanna give up your Thanksgiving Day morning (of watching the parade) – come run it with me!
Update: I’ve talked my parents into coming and having Thanksgiving in Raleigh – so hopefully, I can talk to my Dad and he can run one of the smaller races…

9 Mar 2010

Taste of Nashville: Pfunky Griddle

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What a neat place in a very popular and cool city.
A new friend took me here and I loved it. Walked in the door, the iCarly co-star was there (I didn’t know it was her till I asked), they invited me to just help myself to the coffee.
This place was very interactive. You got to make your own food! Now, most people would not want to pay to make their own food, but I thoroughly loved it.
They had an organic 5 grain and a homestyle white pancake batter, we got mashed potatoes (for fried cakes), and I got some bacon. Vermon syrup was on the table and I got crunchy peanut butter as my topping.
Let’s just say Amy and I ate our fair share of pancakes and potatoes (and bacon).
If you are ever in the Nashville/Brentwood area – off 65 at exit 81 – you must go. Fabulous prices, vegetarian options for lunch, and great staff!
8 Mar 2010

Mexican Salad

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My best friend from high school, most times when I visit her in TN, makes this wonderful salad that I LOVE! This time we didn’t have it, but I did at least walk away with the recipe. Enjoy!

1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup salsa
cheese to your liking
tortilla chips to your liking
2 heads romaine lettuce
grilled chicken

Mix ranch dressing and salsa. Toss the corn, beans, cheese, and lettuce.
Grill chicken (or you can leave this out to have a vegetarian salad).
Add broken tortilla chips right before you serve it.
Toss salad with dressing and chips. Cut up grilled chicken on top of the salad. Serve with more tortilla chips, avocado, and more salsa (or ranch) if desired.

THIS IS SO GOOD!