baby steps...

Wow! That didn't quite go like I planned.... I should just not make you promises apparently because when I don't deliver it gives me quite a guilt complex.  I think I said earlier this week "How can I face blogging again when everyone will know I am just a failure!?"  I was challenged this week to change that perspective. I watched a music video to a song I really love and it spoke to me even more.  Take a look for yourself...

I told my friend I have been setting the bar so impossibly high for myself and coming up short every time and then walking around with a cardboard sign that says "failure" on it.  This video gave me a nice visual to work on turning that sign over and reminding myself in God's eyes I am beloved.  Period. End of story.   Even beyond this realization I still struggle day in and day out.  Last night I shed some tears over my daughters report card (she is in Kindergarten for heavens sake) and she is extremely bright but the areas that her teacher noted she needed work to me pointed out another shortcoming in myself for not spending enough time on school stuff with her, it was another thing that I am supposed to put into my day that is already jam packed and much of which already revolves around the small people and not on myself and.....deep breath. Kleenex.  I am not a failure.  I am beloved.  OK so all this to say I realize my short term goals are struggling.  Week 2 didn't go well.  Then I looked at the challenge for week 3 and they were doing a silly little scavenger hunt and I didn't really want to do that so I thought I'd have a week 2 do-over.  But then I still didn't do it.   I don't know what is the problem.  Why last March I was so full of discipline that was unwavering and I was able to make such incredible positive changes and I have been struggling to get that back in the last few months. I heard a saying recently "If it is really important to you, you will find a way.  If it is not, you will find an excuse." Ouch.  That was so convicting.  Not just about diet and exercise but in other areas of my life that I claim as important.  Very convicting. But, I am going to keep trying.  I have more determination in me yet.  Ask my Momma about my determination.  When I was a little girl I would wrestle my parents and even though I was a little kid I would not give up until whichever parent I was wrestling with would surrender in exhaustion.  I was determined.  As a little girl when we were hiking up a big hill on a vacation, I ran the whole way up while my bigger sisters were dragging behind.  I may have been the youngest but I was not going to be the slowest too so keep up because I am giving it my all until I get to the top.  Somewhere under the skin of this worn-out 32 year old body lies that same spirit of determination and I am praying everyday that God will help me find it where I need it for today.  Baby steps.

I have an exercise goal.  I am staying with the 120-150 min a week.  I have my sights set on a race I want to run and I have accountability with a teammate which helps.  My accountability partner and I are also doing a two week challenge for giving up a food vice, if I seem grumpy over the next several weeks it's because I am giving up all candy, sweets and desserts, yikes, no tempting me please!!! We are also doing a challenge to focus on our relationships as Moms that we are channeling all that attention in positive ways.  I am continuing with the focus of Monthly goals but I think I will modify mine myself each month.  And rewards! I am giving myself a reward based on how many goals I completed.  Meet 1 goal it may be something small like a visit to Starbucks. Two or three something bigger like a new scrapbook supply.  Meet 4 maybe a new purse.  Meet all five goals and reward myself with a massage or a day to myself.  I should probably tell my husband about this part of my plan! :) This is doable and I am excited again. 

Made a lovely meal for dinner today. Yea! I am even cooking again!

Amanda's Baja Chipotle Chicken Burritos

(I literally made this up as I went along so measurements....not so much!)
Tortillas
Pkg boneless skinless chicken thighs
Lawry's Baja Chipotle marinade
2 colored peppers
Lettuce
Frozen corn
Cilantro
Green onion
Lime juice
Garlic salt
Pineapple
Sour cream/salsa/cheese
Minute rice
Chicken stock

First marinade the chicken thighs in 1/3 bottle of Lawry's Baja Chipotle marinade.  Grill (we used our indoor grill pan today and you will see why in a few minutes!) until done. 

We ended up with 6-7 gorgeous pieces of meat like this.  Chopped into bite size chunks and set aside.

Then in a separate bowl add chopped lettuce, chopped green onion, chopped cilantro (reserve a little) and chopped peppers.  Cook some frozen corn  (nice measurements huh?) and add to veges and toss with 2 Tbsp lime juice and a dash of garlic salt. Set aside.

Wow that's pretty!
Chop your pineapple into chunks reserve juice in container.
Cook your desired amount of rice (we were going for fast today so we used minute) and cook using chicken stock.  When finished add 2 Tbsp lime juice and the pineapple juice from the bottom of the pineapple container and the reserved cilantro and a few dashes of garlic salt.  Nice flavorful rice that looks like this.

Now you are ready to build your burrito.  Rice, chicken, veges, salsa, sour cream, pineapple and a sprinkling of Mexican cheese.  Good luck getting the thing closed.  Yum yum yum.... Want to see it again? I do.

So so so good.  Now what to do after dinner.  Well the reason I was nice and didn't ask my husband to grill outside is because of all the piles and piles of snow we got the last two days. My daughters were begging to go make a "Knowman" (the three year old can't say s's yet!) and so we all bundled up and out we went.  Remember how I said my husband was lame from a back injury (haha I can't resist calling him lame!) so I had my exercise cut out for me.

Don't judge me on my outfit! I have to wear his snow gear because I am not a snow person so I don't have any! Yeah I am hot, literally! 1 hour to plow (non motorized plow mind you) and shovel our huge driveway and sidewalks and porches.  I am so utterly spent!

I collapsed in the snow, it felt so good! I think good old fashioned hard work is so good for the soul.  What a beautiful day! I sweated harder than I do running sometimes and my lungs were feeling it! Thanks to my handiwork my oldest could take her little sister "Ledding" (again with the s's!)

Look at that nice clear sidewalk! And I lay in the snow and had this to look at...

And there is nothing wrong with that....

Thank you God for reminding me each day in both big and small ways that I am your beloved!!! And thank you whatever readers are still out there, for coming back and reading my blog even when I make mistakes.  Don't give up on me yet!

Dreams for 2012!

I was really feeling it the other day! You know the completely overwhelmed, don't think you can possibly manage and sort out all that life is throwing at you and feeling defeated before you even try sort of feeling.  Do you ever feel that way? Well I am not ashamed to admit I get the way, probably too often! On this day I got in the car to pick up my daughter from school completely relieved that I was doing something simple and basic that could be done without thinking.  As I was driving an old school Twila Paris came on the radio taking me back a few years and lifting me up with just the right message!

God is in Control!! The very first words; "This is no time for fear, this is the time for faith and determination." You see overall I did have a pretty great 2011.  I just struggled in the last few months a bit.  It didn't exactly go out with a bang.  I kind of stumbled and tripped into the new year bouncing from major stressor to major stressor and wondering "when's a girl going to catch a break?" 

So as I started the new year the time when everyone is full of ambition and new goals, dream and aspirations, my sails were hanging limp by my sides, no wind in sight.  My husband had a major back injury and besides the usual worry of whether he will heal from this the majority of the daily activities that pile up to keep a household and family humming along are now resting solely on my shoulders.  But as I listened the lyrics of the song seemed to be emblazoned on my heart like a badge pinned to my chest "this is the time for faith and determination." And then I remembered what it says across the top of this blog, particularly the first four words, go ahead, look up there....

Forgetting what is behind...

So 2011 didn't end on the high point I was hoping for.  It's a new day and 2012 is full of nothing but promise.  Time to start "straining toward what is ahead" and to "press-on", that is my motto after all! Where to start? I had made elaborate new years resolutions before that were largely unrealistic or unattainable.  I wanted to get my thoughts down but didn't know where to start and then as I did my normal perusing of blogs I came across my Do Life buddy Ben starting a challenge for his blog followers for the start of 2012. Sweet! Problem solved, basically took 50% of the work off my shoulders :)

The challenge is to make monthly goals and have weekly challenges you need to work on! Simple enough. If any of you want to jump on board with me, I will happily welcome the company.  Here is the lowdown.

First Month's goals:
Write down five quantifiable goals for yourself. Emphasis on quantifiable. And they must be realistically achievable within one month Assess yourself and write down your current stats in all five areas. Do you want to lose six pounds? Find out exactly where you are now. Do you want to run a 35-minute 5K? Write down your current time. Etc. You might need to get creative with assessments. That's okay. There is no requirement on your goals or your assessments.

My goals were on these themes:

1. Building relationships. 1 date night a month with my love, 1 one-on-one with each of my girls once a month, 2 play dates for me with a friend or extended family member every month, and one alone time by myself doing things I like!!

2. Using food tracker and resume good eating practices (I am focusing on MyFitnessPal to track my food and exercise, PLEASE consider checking this out, I would love to have more friends on there with me for increased accountability!)

3. Logging 16 miles and in a month walking and running

4. Lose 6 lbs in January

5. Giving my time with God that number one spot it belongs in!!

Additional week one challenges were:

A. By Monday night, get on the floor an do as many pushups as you can. Modified (from your knees) or regular. It doesn't matter how many you can do. Write this number down in a notebook or word document. Pushups will be a "fun" recurring litmus test throughout the 12 weeks.

B. Beginners: Do 120 minutes of exercise this week. The exercise can be anything physical as long as you're working that heart rate. Walking, running, cycling, rollerblading, yoga, weight-lifting, anything.

C. Identify your biggest excuse. Write it down on a wall in your house. Then in your notebook write a way to eliminate that excuse. Not enough time in the day? Try eliminating American Idol and Glee. :) (His words not mine!)

D. Each night before bed, write four things you did well that day.

Here is how I did on Week One: 1. I had a playdate and both Sophie and I got to play with a friend, plus mine involved exercise.  2. I resumed using MyFitnessPal but didn't hit the everyday mark! 3. I logged my first 2 miles.  4. I lost three lbs for January already. 5.  I found a good devotional/ prayer program to begin. A. Ugh pushups! Could you believe that I could only do 10, lots of room for improvement!! B. I got my 120 min! Yea! C. My biggest excuse is time but usually just due to poor time management.  My goal for that was to go to bed early so I could wake up early.  Totally failed at this.  This has been on my list for years, I will overcome it one of these days.  D. I did this a few days, hard to do, I am not very complementary of myself.  Overall not a bad first week!   

For Week 2 obviously you are still working on your 5 monthly goals but you have the additional challenges of:

Do something out of the ordinary for a stranger. Find a way to brighten someone's day. Pay for an elderly couple's meal at the restaurant. Give a homeless man a blanket. Volunteer. Compliment someone. Do something out of your way. Something, maybe, you've never done before.

Do something else. Yep, that's (at least) two times this week, you'll be going out of your way.

Reassess your pushups (or plank) today or tomorrow. And keep working them. There are pushup and plank plans all over the Internet, or make up your own. Stick with it!

Reassess your goals. Where are you? How are you doing? Do you need to change anything?

Beginners: 150 minutes of exercise (or 20 minutes more than you did last week).

Write four things you did well. Every night before bed.

So this is what I am working on for the beginning of 2012 to jumpstart my progress.  I would love to have others come along for this ride with me.  Just start a word document and track your progress on the issues and let me know the highlights as we go along.  I switched my weigh-in day to Monday and then I will try to get the new weeks goals and challenged posted then and comment on how last weeks goals turned out. 

On a different note my husband and I have been reading this book:

It is singlehandedly the most inspiring, astonishing and motivating story I have ever read.  When I read about what one man endured over the span of 2.5 years I think of how much I complain about the slightest inconvenience; being too cold, too warm, hungry, too full, too tired, can't sleep, slightly congested, a sore muscle, noisy kids, a burnt dinner, the list could go on and on of my annoyances with these daily aggravations.  All that Louis Zamperini went through makes me want to be a better human every day.  I strongly suggest everyone run not walk to their nearest  bookstore and buy this book.  Feeling so inspired by this story I decided to go running on Monday though I have done very little running in the last month.  I ran and ran and ran, 2 miles without stopping which for a girl who only ever got up to 3 miles at a time to do 2 after a month with no running felt like a big accomplishment.  So many times I see this with my patients we stop with the first initial signs of discomfort, whether out of fear or injury or just plain aversion of doing anything less than pleasant we give up.  I looked ahead at each attainable landmark and I ran to there and then next and the next and the next.  And I was so proud of my accomplishment afterwards.  Am I sore today, very!!! But that didn't stop me from exercising again today.  It won't break me but will actually refine me.  That is part of what I like about the above program.  I didn't make a lofty goal of losing 85 lbs this year, but a small goal of losing 6 in the month of January.  I like the little challenges and the measurable gains through tracking your pushups etc.  And I LOVE that he is coming up with the ideas for me. Thanks so much Ben!


Other things to look for coming soon:

I also plan on doing a little back education in honor of my husband. We are living and breathing how to take care of your back over here and I have struggled with some guilt because I feel like if I had policed my husband a little better before his injury he may not be in such dire straights as he is at this time.  But then again there is only so much one can do when freezers fall on them!  I also promise to get back into sharing recipes.  I have been desperately combing through the stockpile in our freezer using the food up both in an effort to save money and to make space for future freezing :) And there is still a big opportunity coming my way in 2012 that I look forward to sharing with you all when the time is right! ;) So there is much to look forward to, with faith and determination.  Hope many of you are feeling the same way!

Too many recipes, too little time...

My brain is on overload of all the recipes that I want to make but my freezers are so full I need to eat out of them for a little while.  I am working on trying to use the stuff we already had to incorporate it into meals so I can cut grocery costs a little in this overly expensive time of the year.  Last weekend was thanksgiving, I am sure you all had lovely times with your family full of traditional recipes and lots of bonding.  There was a construction project going on at our house the whole weekend which meant we had a fair amount of time with the men segregated from the ladies.  In an effort to help shoulder the burden of all my Mom's major hostessing responsibilities and say thank you for the free labor at my house I made a yummy little spread for our ladies scrapbook afternoon.  It was a recipe I saw on Pinterest (of course) and it was yummy!

Taco Pizza

Ready for how easy this is?
Take two tubes of crescent rolls and roll them into jelly roll pan and bake at 375 for 11-14 min.  Take two cans of refried beans, I used two different types mixed together.

Meijers Organic Black Bean Refried Beans and Roasted Green Chile and Lime Refried Beans

Warm beans in microwave and spread over baked crust.  Cook meat of choice in skillet with taco packet.  I used chicken.  Spread on top of beans.  Add toppings, I used black olives, green onion, cheese, and cilantro.  I figured I would just use salsa instead of diced tomatoes.  Put back in the oven for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted. 

I served with chips and guacamole and a tropical fruit salad.  Remember this salad here, I did the same thing but added pomegranate, tis the season after all!

In this hectic holiday season there is a super quick and easy dinner for you.  I hope I have many more recipes like this so I can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with my family this Christmas!

You guys won't believe this one!

Remember when I was obsessed with these....

This is one of the recipes that went straight to freezer and I hadn't thawed it until now and I am bumming because you have no fresh peaches to try this, you seriously don't want to wait till next summer. I would suggest maybe using those frozen fresh peaches from the freezer section to pull this off. 

Cheddar-stuffed Turkey Burgers with Peach Ketchup



4 medium peaches, peeled and pitted and cut up

1/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Dash cayenne pepper

2 pounds ground turkey (We actually did ground chicken, it was really good)

2 - 3 ounces white cheddar or Havarti cheese, shredded (1/2 to 3/4 cup)

1 tablespoon canola oil

Leaf lettuce (optional)

8 hamburger buns, split and toasted

Additional peach slices (optional)

First:  You need to make Peach Ketchup, that's right Peach Ketchup:

1. In a blender or food processor combine cut up peaches, sugar, cider vinegar, chili powder, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth = Peach Ketchup

2. In large bowl lightly mix turkey with half of the Peach Ketchup, 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Divide into 8 balls. Make an indentation in the center of each ball and fill with some cheddar cheese. Shape meat around cheese. Flatten into patties.

3. In a 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add half of the burgers and cook about 5 minutes, or until well browned. Turn and cook 5 minutes more or until no pink remains (165 degrees F). Repeat with remaining burgers.

4.  Serve on lettuce-lined buns with additional peach slices and remaining Peach Ketchup. Makes 8 burgers. (We actually ended up with 9! Score!)

I had never done cheddar stuffed...anything before! It was so good.  Literally I took a bite of my burger tonight and white melted oozy cheese came out, it was so so good.  And peach ketchup!? It was amazing.  And we have a ton left over, Craig said I was giddy thinking of what I could marinade in it. 

I am tired and I worked a long day and my kids are whiny so I really am wracking my brain trying to think of something else clever to say or talk about....but I have got nothing.  Promise me you will make peach burgers and you will make them often.  I know I will!

Fall treats

Can you believe my "baby" is turning three? Say no.  Because I can't.  This is too much, I may need another baby now and that just sounds exhausting...

Isn't she precious?

So I had a fall themed party with her (complete with directing my family to wear fall colors to the party, I don't think my brother in law will ever let me live this down, what can I say I am a total control freak!)

Have to share a few of the little treats I made...

Look at these adorable acorns!!! Take a mini Nutter Butter, and a Hershey's Kiss and glue them together with peanut butter and then "glue" a chocolate chip on the other side, freeze.  Yummy, PB and Chocolate is the ultimate combo!

Halloween Bark: This is the best way to use up leftover halloween candy.  Chop up a whole bunch of different candy bars and add a bunch of peanuts (make sure if you use M&M's you only use the red/orange/yellow/brown to keep in halloween colors, this means you can eat greens and blues while you cook!)  Melt 1.5 bags dark chocolate and spread out on wax paper on cookie sheet.  Sprinkle with topping and gently press in.  Refridgerate until hardened.  Melt 3 oz white chocolate and drizzle on top and refridgerate again until hard.  Break apart into pieces and enjoy.

The Cake! It originally was going to be a pumpkin.  But it had a dent around the middle where I stacked the two Bundt cakes ( I am not a fan of baking!) so my Mother in law had the brilliant ideas of the ribbon and the flowers.  Turned out cool and very "autumnal" (that is my favorite word this month).  Recipe was good, I got it off Pinterest!

Caramel Apple Cake with Apple Cider Frosting
INGREDIENTS
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1½ tsp. baking soda
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
1½ cups light brown sugar
¾ cup canola oil
¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup caramel sauce (homemade or jarred)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 eggs
1½ cups buttermilk

Apple Cider Frosting:
7 1/2-8 cups confectioners’ sugar (to desired consistency)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup apple cider or apple juice
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour two (8 or 9 inch) round cake pans and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a second large bowl, beat sugar and oil together with an electric mixer until well combined, about 30 seconds. Add applesauce, caramel and vanilla, beat for 30 seconds, then add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk, and continuing to beat until well combined.

3. Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle of each cake comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Set aside to let cool for 10 minutes, then gently loosen cakes and turn out onto a cooking rack; set aside to let cool completely.

4. For the frosting, put sugar, butter, cider, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Arrange one cake on a large plate and spread about 1 cup of the frosting evenly over the top. Arrange second cake on top then frost top and sides of entire cake with remaining frosting. Set aside at room temperature or in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow frosting to set before serving.

Makes a tall 2-layer, 8-9 inch round cake. (I made two recipes, in two bundts to stack for the pumpkin shape and I added food coloring to get my orange color!)

For actual food I should share more than just treats with you!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

• 6 large baking potatoes, peeled, cut in 1/2 -inch cubes
• 1 large onion chopped
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 3 garlic cloves minced (or pressed)
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup cream
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 cup sour cream (optional)
• 8 slices bacon, fried & crumbled  
• Cheese for sprinkling

Directions:
 

1. Combine first seven ingredients in a large crock pot; cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours (potato should be tender).
2. Mash mixture until potatoes are coarsely chopped and soupy is slightly thickened.
3. Stir in cream, cheese and chives.
4. Top with sour cream (if used), sprinkle with bacon and more cheese

Brie with Apples and Cranberries

8 in round brie
1/4 cup cranberries
1 medium apple chopped
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp melted butter
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Mix all ingredients minus brie in bowl, cut brie in top and bottom halves.  Layer brie, 1/2 filling, brie and top with other 1/2 filling.  Bake at 350 12-15 min, serve with crackers


It was a great party full of fun fall foods and colors! Hope you are having a wonderful fall!

Is it thanksgiving yet??

So a couple of weekends ago my Mom and Sister and I had a girls scrapbook weekend.  I thought I would treat them to a special treat.  My Ode to Thanksgiving Prelude meal.  It is so yummy and wonderful and I always feel fancy when I make it so it's especially good to make for loved ones.  I think it will be a LONG time before I am in the position, house, etc to make me able to be the Thanksgiving hostess so I love this meal because I feel like I am doing a Thanksgiving day spread but I am able to easily pull it off myself.  I went from the Pampered Chef Turkey and Cranberry wreath recipe and I started improvising and adding and I was inspired by a meal I had at a fall wedding to create my own special "gravy".  I love this recipe so much, I hope you will try it and love it too....

Amanda's Ode to Thanksgiving Prelude

1 pkg cream cheese

4 tbsp softed butter

2 pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls
1/2 C. mayonnaise
1 T. honey Dijon mustard
½ tsp coarsely ground pepper

2 C. cooked turkey, chopped (I buy a thick ½ in slice from the deli counter and cut it in chunks)

½ cup celery sliced

½ cup dried cherries

2 chopped apples

3 T fresh parsley

4 oz provolone/mozzarella shredded cheese

1 egg

Hollandaise Gravy:

Hollandaise packet

Cinnamon and brown sugar and apple pie spice

Milk and butter

Also for serving: Mashed potatoes, Stuffing, Meijers Cranberry Sauce (it's the best!)

Preheat oven to 375

Unroll dough, separate into 16 triangles.  With wide ends of triangles toward the center.  Arrange 8 triangles in a circle on large round stone.  Corners of wide ends will touch and points will extend 1 inch beyond of baking stone.  Arrange remaining 8 triangles in center matching ends.  Seal seams using pizza roller.   Points will overlap in center, do not seal. You can also do this in a straight braid but the wreath is good for serving/entertainment and I will tell you why in a moment...

Blend cream cheese and 4 Tbsp butter until creamy.  Add mayo, mustard and black pepper into the bowl.  Add shredded cheese into the bowl.  Mix filling by adding turkey, celery, cherries and apples and parsley.  Scoop filling over seams of dough, forming a circle. 

Beginning in center lift one dough triangle across mixture continue alternating with outer triangles, slightly overlapping to form wreath.  Tuck last end under first.

Separate egg over bowl.  Beat egg white lightly; brush over dough.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.  (Ok I don't know how Pampered Chef predicts 30 min, we usually do 45 min and the bottom can still be doughy so watch this and alter as needed!)

Hollandaise gravy; I literally took a packet of hollandaise, followed the directions but added 3 T brown sugar and sprinkled in cinnamon (about 2 tsp) and apple pie spice (1 tsp)

Make with stuffing and mashed potatoes (for easy "mashed"  potatoes I boiled red skins with skin on and then drain and add 1/2 to a full stick of butter and garlic salt and smash) (For stuffing I start with a box of stove top and I add extra celery, dried cherries and chopped apples and onion and saute and add to prepared stuffing, fancies it up a little!)

As an homage to thanksgiving, serve pretty for guests with potatoes and stuffing in center of wreath.  Hollandaise drizzled a la gravy.  Cherries, apples, and cinnamon flavors of fall mixing with the turkey make it a wonderful fall preview.  Also serve Meijers cranberry relish on the side. 

Seriously people make this for someone today! You will love all the oohs and aahs! Be prepared for food coma to set in shortly afterwards though....

Breakfast!! The most important meal of the day!

Who doesn't need a few breakfast ideas? Good gravy if I don't have anything planned it's a granola bar.  That is about as boring as you can get! Started my first week of exercising with my new fabulous accountability partners on Friday (You know who you are!) and I wanted to have a snack for us after especially one that the kids would eat.  I think it often helps keep your blood sugar stabilized throughout the day to eat frequent little meals so these ideas make a perfect mid morning snack or 2nd breakfast or if you are a Hobbit "Elevensies".  First:

 Fruit and Yogurt Parfait

This is not rocket science.  My husband loves these.  My kids love these.  McDonald's has them on the dollar menu.  You can mix and match a million different fruit and yogurt combos (again I can't stress enough how much kids like choosing and building their own food). One 3 pt yoplait yogurt and 2 pts worth of granola (differ by brand, check your label), beautiful pick me up for 5 pts! You may remember a very popular PB&J parfait we made here.

Next up: Egg Mugs

Mediterranean Egg Mug

This is Hungry Girl's specialty here is her Greek Mug. There are more ideas to be found here and there and everywhere.  Make your own! I bet my husband would go crazy for a Mexican one with chorizo and salsa. Here is how mine went.

Chopped 3 baby bella mushrooms, handful of cherry tomatoes, handful of green onion chopped and a handful of black olives.  Spray big coffee mug with cooking spray, toss in veges and microwave one minute.  Now Hungry Girl uses Egg Beater liquid on these 1/2 cup = 2 eggs.  I am not opposed to Egg Beaters, I just didn't have any! 2 eggs in, you also want to add any seasonings to go with your flavor here, I added a dash of garlic salt and a dash of italian seasoning, stir up to scramble with your veges.  Microwave 45 sec to 1 min.  Add cheese and stir.  I added 1-2 Tbsp feta.  Microwave another 45 sec to 1 min.  Perfect Mediterranean Egg Scramble, no dirty pan, 2.5 min, 5-6 pts.  This would be really fun if you had overnight guests.  Set out a variety of toppings and let everyone build there own egg scramble and get some big huge mugs easy and quick.  Only warning I would give, especially for kids.  These are really hot! I scalded my tongue on a moist tomato steaming hot from the bottom of the cup. There was a lot of stirring to release the heat and a lot of blowing on the spoon involved.  No burn injuries please.

One last breakfast recommendation!

Protein Shakes

I take my magic bullet and I even make it right in the cup piece so after I blend... I am ready to go.  I add a scoop of this

and a scoop of this

1 cup of milk and then if I want a combo flavor with the chocolate I may add one of these

I can say enough about these shakes.  7 pts but the whey keeps your blood sugar stabilized ALL day, you hardly ever feel hungry so you snack a lot less.  Sometimes I will even make one for my kids.  They feel like they are getting away with having a chocolate milk shake for breakfast but they are getting their fruit, their milk, healthy protein and more concentration power especially the little ones in school! Another tip is keep a bag of flaxseed in your freezer, add a tbsp to your parfaits or protein shakes, you won't notice but the health benefits are limitless!

So no more breakfast skipping and I will also try not to keep going to that dreaded granola bar fall back so often, not with these much more satisfying and delicious (and simple!) choices.  Eat a good breakfast everyone!