Blog love: the healthy change

Ever since I got Pinterest, I've been like everyone else who has it: obsessed. I want to share all the pictures here, but first, I want to share a blog: the healthy change. She's younger, posts amazing photos and tips, and takes pictures of food (I think she does).

Here's just a snippet of my favorites:

I broke the blender.

Refreshing mint-clover tea really hits the spot after 30+ minutes on a stationary bike then yoga in the park. Summer is draining, but I prefer this warm weather as long as I don't have to lug around extra pounds.

For breakfast, I made myself a purple rain. I love those! :) But sadly, I've broken my blender using it as a blender and a food processor. Plastic pieces are coming off as I blend, and it's not a cheap-o plastic blender.

I hadn't planned on buying a new blender till I moved, but I guess I'll have to since I can't go without one for a whole month!

Though I'd love an infamous Vita Mix, I could never see myself paying around $500 for a blender no matter how good.

Others suggest a cheaper Oster Classic Beehive.


Or the KitchenAid, but the reviews say the top may turn different colors like orange when pureeing tomato sauce. I had a red blender so this was not a problem.

(reviews and images from Good Housekeeping)

I stare at a lot of ceilings.

I'm going to blog and see how I feel before I go or don't go to "Yoga Meets Dance." I already worked out this morning and showered, but this should be pretty fun so I should go even if I'm tired. It'll be an hour and a half and then I can come home and do whatever I please.

Okay okay, so I woke up for tailgates, went to the gym for 30+ minutes elliptical/weight class/yoga-Pilates class, walked around downtown for a good 2 hours, and then came home for lunch. It was late and I had finally decided on 2 egg whites, arugula, and goat cheese on 1/2 a sprouted wrap.

Besides that, I had a Shakeology at breakfast, a gluten-free cookie, and a mini cupcake. Not terrible, but I should eat better on weekends (another reason I should go to Yoga Meets Dance to divert myself away from sitting on my bum in front of the TV - I can do that after I come back anyways).

Speaking of yoga, yesterday I tried out yoga at Asheville Yoga Center. They have a nice ceiling: square within square protruding downwards. I went at 7:30AM and knew the instructor from previous classes at the Rush (gym where I go). There were 3 of us and though it wasn't hot in the least, but I enjoyed it. It warmed me up enough so that I could do an almost-head stand. I haven't been able to even attempt it on Sundays.

I was disappointed twice today because the temperature was not hot there or after work at Asheville Community Yoga. Though at the latter, there were 40+ people and we were on each other's mats. Because everyone was in the same predicament, it felt so normal. It was a power flow class and I definitely felt it by the end. I even had a little sweat and fell asleep during relaxation.

After yoga plans:

• Watch "The Dilemma"
• Meal plan for next week
• Plan workouts for tomorrow - may go to the Mtn Sports Fest for their yoga clinic
  
• Look at my resume
  
• Read Are You My Guru?
  

Find time for it all

I just ate a mini cupcake.


It was Joy the Baker's birthday cupcake recipe: chocolate, peanut butter cookie dough, toasted marshmallow cupcake. I made it while listening to her two pod casts, one of which I started while at the gym. It's more of a baking/home time type of pod cast though. I'll save the Jillian pod casts for the gym.

Anyhow, I failed at making the meringue. I admit it: I've never ever made meringue and even with my mixer, it would not become fluffy. Nevertheless, not bad. Not heaven in my mouth like I expected. Well, I didn't get to put peanut butter in the cookies and used Greek yogurt instead. Then I put real marshmallows on top, placed them in the oven, and voila.

Okay, it's going to be alright that I made and ate cupcakes. First off, they were super sweet and chocolatey so I'm done with 'em and will take them to work tomorrow.

Secondly, I ate pretty well today: very delicious purple rain for breakfast (with Tera's Whey cranberry goat protein though), turkey and egg white scramble at lunch, an orange for snack, Shakeology, and Greek yogurt with lavender after the gym.


*This one has matcha powder and a piece of chocolate from last night.

The gym was sucky. I did some warming up for 20 minutes then I tried to lift weights. It wasn't a good weight lifting day. I also had bad self-body images today. :( My Turbo instructor lifted my spirits though and I kicked butt (except my back hurt a little) in Turbo Kick.

My friend Kris, who I have known for 6 years, is coming over tonight. In an hour. It's his birthday on Monday and I stopped by the store for him so when he gets here, he'll see this surprise.


I also got home to open up my awesome gift to myself. I asked my roommate if he could bring them to me before I went to the gym today. That didn't work out, but I get to use them tomorrow! :) They're Nike Free XT QuickFit in mega blue and they were on sale!


It's hot and rainy, which I dislike. See, if it was cold and rainy, I would be all for the hot yoga classes tomorrow (7:30-8:30 hot flow yoga then hot power flow at Asheville Yoga Center from 6-7:30 after work at the Asheville Community Yoga Center).

I must head to bed soon, after I make lunch and read a little of my book. I'm totally failing at reading this book, Are You My Guru? All of this once I get up from this chair and stop fawning all over Pinterest! I just got it and am enamored.

Sweet download!

I just downloaded this thanks to Making it Lovely! Perfect since I've been needing motivation and even follow Great Minds Quotes on Twitter now. I have some to share in the next post!

Super excited geek here!

I recently discovered podcasts because I have an iPhone and I don't listen to music on it. I used to read at the gym, but this proved difficult. I like books, but come on, reading a book made me seem like I wasn't really working out and magazines nowadays are a waste of time.

I've been listening to Jillian Michaels' podcasts and today Joy the Baker launched her podcasting career! I have never heard of HomeFries, but I'm excited to listen to all of these wonderful people. They all seem so accessible.

What is HomeFries? from HomeFries on Vimeo.

On being a better roommate...

I slept in and didn't do my AM workout. Since I'm totally lacking sleep, wherever I can get it, I am.

Back to work today. :/ Eh, as Ms. Karen says, "no talk, no touch, no eye contact." It's from some movie?

Anyways, the new step routine was okay. I planned on going to "flow yourself to sleep" yoga but it didn't happen. Instead, I decided to come home to celebrate my roommate's 28th birthday because he had no plans.

I didn't tell him of course so when I came home, he was mowing the lawn? Whoa whoa whoa, is it my birthday or yours?!

He totally deserved the goodies I went out to get him: pizza from Circle in the Square, The Kraken rum because it looked cool, and "The Roommate" (PERFECT!) and "No Strings Attached."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST ROOMMATE/BFF EVER!

Old but still hot

I did not see this coming. It was hot in the afternoon, but thunderstorms strike quickly.

This weather calls for some not-so-old but not-so-new music. I turned some on because it's kind of quiet in here.

• "American Boy" - Estelle
• "Hate It Or Love It" - The Game
  
• "Paralyzer" - Finger 11
• "This Love" - Maroon 5
• "No Scrubs" - TLC

As I'm listening to these, I'm reminded of a song one summer when I was in high school and we had cable.

First it was hailing, now it's really hot in here. I guess it's because the oven's on. I got bored (not working on my resume) and decided to bake my roommate something. I haven't baked much lately (yay!) but this is a special event.

Rocky Road cookies a la Sugarbomb Bakery in a skillet because I thought it would be cooler than a regular cookie

I chose that at the last minute, but I've been wanting to make some paleo banana bread and it all worked out since I found almond flour in the bulk bin today! How perfect right?


I had to decorate it. Happy 28th birthday roomie!

Things I do besides sleep.

I started the morning off at 6AM. For some reason, my body decided to wake up at 5:58 and couldn't get back to sleep. I've been having tons of trouble sleeping and it's essential to getting my hot body! :( Last night, for example, my heart was racing so I couldn't sleep.

Since I was up and awake, I decided to stay awake. I realized that I couldn't bring champagne or wine to Sugarbomb Bakery's birthday brunch because I can't buy alcoholic beverages till noon. I had to bring something and I didn't want to bake since they're bakers. Instead, I searched for recipes this morning. I found an easy one from Oh She Glows' own birthday party: The Union Square Cafe's bar nuts. It was easy though I couldn't serve them warm.

I bought double the amount of nuts I needed to make a big batch. I didn't have any Earth Balance on hand but lucky for me, it was on sale for $2 for a tub of whipped organic!

Okay, the process is easy: put nuts on baking sheet, bake at 350 for 10 minutes, mix rosemary/brown sugar/cayenne/sea salt in bowl, toss nuts in bowl, finished.

Then I headed to the gym to listen to a Jillian Michaels podcast while biking for 30 minutes. It was a good one with a called like me... there always is. I went to yoga also and headed out to brunch.

I chatted with some really friendly people with awesome tattoos, ate lots of good food (asapargus, cucumber slices, vegan mushroom scramble, tempeh sausage pastry puffs, biscotti/mini muffin/apple tartin, and a mimosa). It was good and I felt pretty healthy.

So of course I'm full and super tired so I believe that a second workout today isn't necessary. What would be better for my body would be a nap, a good long nap whenever I can. Yesterday's attempt at a nap was a failure and that's just insane.

I've got to blog first though. Oh yeah, my roommate is in the living room enjoying his lunch from Nine Mile that I ordered him.

Ice cream bombes?

I've never heard of them until now and they look fantastic and retro! I'll have to make one soon!

(source: The Kitchn)

Because I can't celebrate his birthday with him (I don't want to eat out), I'm ordering him some Jamaican food and pecan pie. ***Apparently, I ordered wrong and they're delivering it tomorrow instead of Monday. Oh well.

Can I live here please?

These would go perfectly with the house.

Weekly goals: May 23

Okay, it's not yet Sunday or Monday, but I'm looking ahead.

This week, I added weights so I achieved a fitness goal. I also cut out some sugar so yay there too. I'm going to Ian's birthday party tomorrow - I consider that a wellness goal. :) Wellness goals can be very different from helping someone to sleeping early because they make me feel good. I just need to work on getting my resume all together by tomorrow!

I've already set some of my goals for next week.

• Fitness: yoga Friday (6-7:30 hot flow at Asheville Community Yoga) since I haven't been going to hip hop class
  
• Food: eat after working out, something healthy
  
• Wellness: sleep by 11 - this is such a constant goal!
  
• Creativity: read a book
  
• Professional: apply for jobs!

I spent an hour at Mr. K's used books and got two books for myself. I have trade credit so it was free. :) I think I'll probably read Are You My Guru since the next "serious" book I have to read is The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.

Story of my Saturday & my life: food & fitness

Instagram is so much fun! I'm a little addicted - I've taken pictures so I can play with them.

I made raw vegan peanut butter cups last night. Super easy and I needed it because I got super stressed out. So super stressed that I can't talk about it or even talk. Seriously.

This morning, I did the usual: head to tailgates. I bought goodies of course. I decided against a flower this week because the peony I bought last week smells terrible. Maybe I'll get something at the Sunday tailgate market tomorrow instead.

I got a yummy gluten-free jam thumbprint cookie from Night & Day Bakery at the North Asheville Tailgate. I used to not be a fan until I decided to go gluten-free and started liking less yeasty/doughy/sugary goodies. Though I got a chocolate bundt cake slice from the lady too. Guess what? It's sitting patiently in the freezer because a few days without tons of sugar and I'm doing pretty good. :)

After tailgates, gym time. I hit the elliptical for 35 minutes while listening to Jillian Michaels' podcast on her new book and sugar in foods. Perfect.

I hit weighlifting class pretty hard and the yoga/Pilates combo class was fantastic. I could feel my strength coming back in both classes, but my balance was definitely showing today. I wanted to scream and shout for joy! :)

I came home to make myself an egg white and ground turkey scramble with some tomatoes, spinach, and Three Graces Dairy ginger goat cheese. I added some of my parsley plant. (Instagram makes this picture so much more vivid!)

Of course, my day was kind of sucky for about an hour due to 5 minutes. I tried to take a nap because I got little sleep the night before. Like always. Failed. Instead, I went to the Amazing Savings in Black Mountain and the flagship store in another part of Asheville. I picked up a ton of goodies.

The Black Mountain store had tons of MaraNatha honey almond butter so I got another jar. I also bought a jar of MaraNatha dark chocolate peanut butter at the flagship store.


I like chips and I've been trying the Kettle brand TIAS! since Sugarbomb Bakery suggested it. I found a gluten-free rice and adzuki bean chip in chipotle cheese. Weird ingredients, but quite enjoyable.


It got hot today so I quenched my thirst with a JB's diet green tea with honey and ginseng. It's reminiscent of Arizona teas.


My adventure to the flagship store led me to buy PB (mentioned above) as well as chocolate! Three bars for the freezer. :) I really wanted some dried coconut not the tiny thin shredded type though.


To round it off, rolled oats, chia seed flour, and organic zero-cal sugar.

For produce, I headed to the healthy grocery stores and for bulk nuts, I go to the conventional store.

Fit Friday: Jillian's podcasts & reads

Even though some people don't like Jillian Michaels for her comment on not wanting to have a baby to save her body, I still like her. I've been listening to her podcasts while surfing the web and found some agreeable information.

• Conventional food has pesticides that could kill you. Go organic.
  
• There's no such thing as a fast workout. Bob Harper says so too in "Cardio Rev Conditioning."
• There's no such thing as a plateau. Less than 20 pounds are vanity pounds.
• She got a caller that reminded me of myself - see last bullet. To combat the vanity pounds, I need to be patient and eat quality food. I also need to give myself a break: I work out A LOT.
  

In other news, I'm reading about fitness a lot lately. Here's where I am:

• Four things to do after your workout, duh.
• I need to get my hands on some Naturally Nutty butters NOW! Please send me discounts. I'm still waiting on My Better Butter to have some new discounts before I get any.
• Pre and post workout snack ideas abound, but here's a good summary
• I absolutely love our local women's health seasonal magazine, Breathe.
• She looks rather scary, but it's a good site: Love Veggies & Yoga.
  

Big city life: White Duck Taco Shop & Hello Kitty

Asheville has big city food. There are always restaurants and businesses opening up that have unique tastes that you'd only find in LA or NY.

I was the first customer at White Duck Taco Shop. It's hard to find because though it's in the River Arts District, it's at the corner past the hubbub of the district. When I finally found it, I was surprised with a gorgeous interior with pillows in shades of blue. It's bigger than I expected.

They had a fun menu with tacos: mushrooms and goat cheese, mahi mahi, BBQ, crispy chicken, flank steak and cheese, duck mole, and Bangkok shrimp.

I chose Bangkok shrimp. It came with two tortillas, but I put all my shrimp on one and ate just one tortilla.


I also ordered Yancey a duck mole and flank steak/cheese with grilled onions tacos. He liked them okay.

I'm excited about such a varied menu that includes Southern, Asian, and Mexican influences. They'll be changing their menu and will have more sides and appetizers. I can't wait for that if it's anything like their fresh and fun taco menu.

Since I was the first customer, the local newspaper took pictures and interviewed me. They've been following the restaurant's opening so it should be up at some point soon.


I'm including Hello Kitty because she's a big city gal. I forgot my card in the machine and got my replacement. It's an updated version of the card.

This was the old one. I'm not sure which I like more, but I like the new one because it's new.

I'm a big kid now.

Though I enjoy days off, I get bored. I can only work out so much and shop so much. I volunteered to babysit one of my kids, the only one I would.

I felt like a kid again. We walked to the park and played. I climbed on the jungle gym, went down the slide, swung around, and hid underneath the bridge as a troll.

He got hungry so we walked a good amount to West End Bakery. They have ooey gooey cinnamon rolls we both love. He decided on a gluten-free blackberry muffin and a day-old cinnamon roll while I had coffee. He ate the muffin and I gave him a taste of the cinnamon roll then packed it up. I thought it would be best to make him have some local sausage. Though later, I found out his mom doesn't care either way. Teacher-parents are so much easier than most.

He also had some chocolate milk.

We walked home and played soccer for 30 minutes. As in soccer, I mean we kicked the ball back and forth for that amount of time. It got dull but he made the funniest noises with every kick so I made it a game to expel weird noises too. :)

It was easy to be a kid with this kid. He's awesome. Love love love.

Review: MaraNatha Honey Almond Butter

I love Fridays off because I get to go to Turbo Kick. Sometimes I don't go to the gym at all on Fridays because I have to wait until 6:30 (when I get off at 5:30) to go to hip hop. Though fun, I don't sweat as much and I'm no longer a fan of getting on a machine for longer than 30 minutes before a class.

Kickboxing was tough today though cause well, I hate shoes. My feet are officially wide and I have problems with front/back movements - they hurt my feet. Side to side movements are okay.

Yoga was great and went by really quick. I felt strong and relaxed. I need to remember this for next time I don't feel like going.

I'm feeling a little lightheaded and I was hungry after working out. Usually, the only time I'm hungry is for lunch and I force myself to eat at other times of the day. Okay, sometimes I'm hungry at breakfast.

This is the first time I've ever felt lightheaded and wanted to throw up after working out. I hear about people actually feeling this way but I never have even after 4 hours of working out.

Yeah, gross there. I'm having a good post-workout snack. I've been eating it everyday for 3 days now: Brown Cow plain Greek yogurt with 15 grams of protein and some NEW almond butter sauce.


Yesterday, I made my almond butter sauce (equal parts almond butter & almond milk) with smooth Barney Butter. It came out thin. On my trip to Amazing Savings today, I found MaraNatha natural honey almond butter for $4.99. It made for a much creamier and thicker sauce and there's a hint of honey.

I haven't lost my edge yet.

I just got back from boot camp class. I lifted pretty okay today and I found I haven't lost it all. Muscle I mean.

For some reason, I decided to come home and change. I was debating whether or not to go to boot camp at all and when I finally did, I could only carry my green juice (cucumber, 1/3 banana, spinach, & carrots), my keys, and my water bottle. Everything I need for the day is at home. Still, I came home and changed so in a few minutes I have to change again. :(

Before I go babysit from 11:45-3, I have a few errands to run including going to the bank (actually going inside), getting gas, quick trips to the grocery store cause I love 'em, & then off to eat lunch at 11! I'm super excited about food like I always am.

I have a few other things on my mind:

• I'm definitely getting my resume all dandy this weekend so I can apply for jobs next week! This needs to happen.
• My roommate turns older on Monday. I'm taking him out. But where?
• P.S. Don't oatmeals in a jar just look freaking fantastic and rustic?
  

Thursday is Friday this week!

Tonight started off pretty fantastic. Work sucked so it made up for it. All the kids were wild! Thankfully, I did not stay for spring celebration in which kids graduate to kindergarten. Otherwise, I would have died having to see some of them for another hour.

Anyways, I started with 15 good minutes on the stationary bike. Then I went to weight lifting class. I rocked it. I added weights to my warm-up, squats, lunges, chest, and shoulders tracks and I killed abs. :)

After reading the article on how bad sitting is as I'm sitting down right now, I decided to start my 30 minute break with walking and my 30/30/30 or some of it. I walked around the parking lot once, did my 30 squats, walked, 30 backward lunges, walked, 30 backward lunges on the other leg, walked, 30 jumping jacks, 30 butt kicks, 30 seconds of jump rope, walked to my car, and ate my lunch (half a zucchini julienned with 1/4 cup diced tomatoes and 2 oz. of ground turkey).

Turbo Kick was kind of hard tonight. The Nike Shox are a little heavy for my feet. :/

I talked to mom who gushed about meeting Donny & Marie Osmond at a CD signing.

After my chat with mom, I finally showered and had my "dinner:" Brown Cow plain Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp of ABU (equal parts almond butter & Silk almond milk).

I'm ready to watch a movie and fall asleep as I've got a fun little day planned tomorrow: AM workout (possibly at the gym so I can see my girl Sarah), babysit one of my kids (the only one I'd ever babysit) from 11:45-3, and perfectly go to kickboxing, yoga, and hip hop classes. Killer. :)

There's a new food venue open and you know I want to try it: White Duck Taco Shop. I'm trying to find the hours.

Picture share: I forgot to take a picture of this before I ate most of it. I ate this Portobello pizza twice this week. I saw that MasterChef Whitney Miller made this and loved the idea. My version is a Portobello cap stuffed with diced tomatoes, ground turkey (organic), and sprinkles of feta.

Quick links before bed

• Is sitting a lethal activity?
• The secrets of thin people
• Kath Eats Real Food, a blog everyone loves!
• Someday, I will try CrossFit. I would do it now, but I'm moving so I don't want to get attached yet.

Time for bed. I need sleep big time. I've been kind of stressed searching for jobs.

And the rain! I can't stand rain and cold. Maybe rain but not cold. It's May already, come on Mother Nature!

P.S. Roommate and I finished season 4 of "Bones" so he brought home "Fringe." His co-workers said it's similar but better. I disagree because it lacks humor and it's more like a present-day "X-Files."

Sugar, we're breaking up.

After delivering chocolate PB cupcakes and strawberry lemonade cupcakes off to the American Cancer Society offices, I decided that I'm eliminating my last vice once and for all. I cut out French fries and for awhile, PB. It's all doable. I mean, I'm here with a ton of weight loss.

Last night, as I was baking, I listened to a Jillian Michaels' podcast in which she says there is no such thing as a plateau. There's no such thing as can't, only won't. However, she does say that there is only a plateau when your body is healthy and you're only trying to lose vanity pounds (less than 20 pounds). If that's the case, yes, I'm trying to lose vanity pounds, but I don't believe in plateaus. There must be something wrong when I gain so much in such a short amount of time for few reasons... though I realize I lost too much too fast also.

Anyways, my one last vice: sugar. I was okay when I wasn't baking. I was still eating sweets though which I shouldn't. It's a self-control issue and I need to get myself in control.

I'm sharing a picture because every post needs one.


This is me a year ago, almost exactly. I was at the same weight I am now except I'm more fit today. In terms of health, I'm trying to figure out how to make sure my body's not cannibalizing itself anymore so I can build muscle.

My goal is to lose 10 pounds and maintain it because anything less than 115 I've realized makes me look freakish and scary. I'm built with tiny arms that just look gross if I lose too much yet my legs look normal. I'll just have to deal, but this picture is being posted to remind me that I still look good and I don't need to lose too much.

Week of May 16

Monday, May 16

• breakfast: carrot-pineapple-spinach smoothie
  
• lunch: portobello pizza
  
• snack: blueberries
  
• dinner: Shakeology
  
• snack: 1 tbsp. PB & 1/2 banana on 1/2 Alvarado St. tortilla
  
• workout: AM Shred 1, 6 step/tone
  

Tuesday, May 17

• breakfast: blueberry-cucumber green smoothie
  
• lunch: portobello pizza
  
• snack: blueberries
  
• dinner: bagel
  
• snack: 1/2 banana w/ PB
  
• workout: day off
  

Wednesday, May 18

• breakfast: blueberry-cucumber green smoothie w/ parsley
  
• lunch: raw zucchini pasta w/ diced tomatoes and turkey meatball
• snack: blueberries
  
• dinner: Shakeology
  
• snack: Brown Cow plain Greek yogurt, organic Pink Lady apple, 1 tbsp AB
  
• workout: AM No More Trouble Zones, 6 kickbox
  

Thursday, May 19

• breakfast: green juice with cucumber, spinach, 1/3 Pink Lady, and shredded carrots
  
• lunch: raw zucchini pasta w/ diced tomatoes and turkey meatball
• snack: Pink Lady apple
  
• dinner: Shakeology
  
• snack: Brown Cow plain Greek yogurt w/ ABU (1 tbsp of a mix of AB and almond milk - ~50 calories)
  
• workout: AM Slim in 6, 15 mins stationary bike, 6 Power, 7 Turbo
  

Friday, May 20

• breakfast: coconut milk blueberry smoothie
  
• lunch: turkey scramble w/ tomatoes and spinach
  
• snack:
• dinner: Shakeology
  
• snack:
• workout: 4:30 Turbo, 5:30 yoga, 6:30 hip hop
  

Saturday, May 21

• breakfast:
• lunch:
• snack:
• dinner:
• snack
• workout:
  

Sunday, May 22

• breakfast:
• lunch:
• snack:
• dinner:
• snack
• workout:
  

My favorite peanut butters

When I started with my peanut butter addiction, I was all about Peter Pan Whipped and Creamy

Then I found Peanut Butter & Company at Walmart of all places. They have three flavors there: White Chocolate Wonderful, Dark Chocolate Dreams, and my favorite, The Bee's Knees. I was addicted and they have fun recipes every week.

I've also tried Mighty Maple, Cinnamon Raisin Swirl, and The Heat is On. Of those three, I like cinnamon raisin and rarely encounter the others but for good reason, they're not so good.

Of course, I've also had Smooth Operator and Crunch Time. They're pretty plain so not as good.

I got even more sophisticated after finding out I was consuming such amazing stuff.

Sometimes it's hard to drive all the way to Walmart on the other side of town or go to the nicer grocery stores and pay more for Peanut Butter & Co. Thus, I tried MaraNatha's organic peanut butter with a hint of sea salt. Crunchy is now a staple.

Just recently, I read all about almond butter. I'm a peanut butter purist. I love PEANUT butter, but when I tried to quit baking, I started trying to grind nuts in my blender at home. I read a bunch of fitness blogs and everyone's a fan of Barney Butter almond butter (smooth). They changed my mind about non-peanut nut butter.

So after a year of peanut butter fanaticism, here are my favorites and I've tried quite a bit of them.


In addition to scoring a full-sized container of Barney Butter yesterday for $6.50, I also got some vegan, gluten-free marshmallows! They were 99 cents so I thought I'd get a bag to compliment my nut butter.

They're called Dandies and the bag reminds me of some "Made in Japan" import. They are sugary and denser than your typical marshmallow. It takes more like fluff and has more taste than those icky plain ones.

Waking up late on Sunday

I've got my pair of Wunder Unders on and I'm drinking tea at Dobra Tea - my favorite, Memories of Prague.


They have a brand new cold tea involving coconut water and green tea. I'm typically a fan of hot tea because I'm always cold so I'll have to replicate this at home since I still have 10 bottles of coconut water in my car! :/ They were on sale for $10 for 12 bottles!

Okay, so I slept in this morning. I initially woke up at 7AM but went back to bed because I was tired. My plans were to practice Turbo Kick Round 41 (an older one), bike for 30 minutes, and go to yoga all by 10:30. Instead, I slept in until 9 and finally got up and did an hour of Turbo Kick Round 41. I wasn't even going to do that, but I was rather motivated. I found FabFitFun, Giuliana Rancic's website and this article on feeling energized. I wasn't so I wanted to be. Do jumping jacks? I can do more so I woke up for Turbo and it was gooood.

I eventually left the house after doing dishes and making myself a yummy wrap with 1/2 an Alvarado Street organic sprouted wheat tortilla. They're much tastier and less grainy than the Food for Life sprouted tortillas.

I put in a handful of spinach, 1/2 wedge of Weight Watchers jalapeno cheese wedge, 1/4 can of lump crab, and a sliver of avocado.

I went to the only tailgate on Sundays because Sundays are kind of dull. Besides sleeping in and brunch, it seems we all just walk around aimlessly. Anyways, they have a brand new vendor this season, Delicious Deceptions. They make gluten-free goodies and had bread this week. I got a chocolate chip cookie. Unlike others I've tried, this one was moist and chewy rather than crunchy. Also, they always have cinnamon rolls and to top it off, eclairs. Not many people make eclairs much less gluten-free ones!


Today, I plan on going to the gym for some biking, Zumba, and yoga. I need to get my yoga on weekends since I'm reluctant to do so on weekdays.

I have my Shakeology ready for my pre-workout meal. I must ask if I can trade out for Greenberry cause I'm getting a little sick of the sweetness of chocolate.

For dinner, I'm using the other half of my tortilla from brunch for a Barney Butter almond butter (I scored a large 16 oz container for $6.50 at Amazing Savings!), half my dented Fuji, and some vegan and gluten-free marshmallow Dandies I also bought yesterday for 99 cents (they were so good).

I had something similar last night but with 1/2 a banana instead. It was delicious.


Okay, off to make my menu for the week!

Confessions

This was the story of my life too. Read hers and you'll get me.

I was listening to a Jillian Michaels Show podcast ("Going Vegan") and a caller talked about her intense workouts. She didn't say it, but she's obsessed. I can tell because that was me. She wouldn't say she was either working out too much and if it was hurting the rest of her life. All of her answers showed hesitancy.

Unlike these two women, I was more intense. I worked out 2-3 hours in the morning and then 2-3 more hours in the evening for about a couple of months. Then I went to California, worked out an hour and a half (on the elliptical then weights) everyday, and walked a lot (4 hours under the Vegas sun when we were there everyday).

I have a friend who appears to work out more and at a higher intensity. When she posts, I think I have to do as much. But honestly, I was there and it didn't work so well.

I didn't eat that much. My body was cannibalizing itself. I lost my period and I've yet to get it back.

I can't be sure, but it's highly probable that my body couldn't take it any longer.

I started working and baking too. The weight came back with less working out and lots of sweets. I'm at 130, a much better 130 now than last year.

I went down to 111 lbs at my smallest. I looked kind of scary. Sometimes, if I didn't pay attention to my arms, I looked great.

I have to figure out how to work out to my heart's content but make sure it's healthy. Today was good because I did work out, but it wasn't the usual kind. I like that, trying new things.

The thing is, I know. I know it all and I just have to do it. I have to cut out the crap (sweets) and eat more. I can eat more veggies easily, but it's hard to eat more. I used to be about volume, but now I prefer the feeling of hunger so I know when to feed myself.

Eat when I'm hungry. That's hard. I crave sweets. I make them too. So stop it.

I need another hobby. Watching "Bones" has helped. How about some books?

I'm going to rededicate myself to health. Raw foods, green juices, and the like work, but I seriously do need to cut down on the sweets, sleep more, and enjoy life. I am Type A, if you must. I can't relax much. It seems everything needs a purpose.

Pictures, just cause:

I bought a peony from the tailgate yesterday. The only "vase" we have is a used 40 bottle. Not me, my roommate and friends.

I painted my toes raspberry sorbet this week.