Friday, February 24, 2012

Staying on track while on vacation.

I recently went to Las Vegas with my mom to see my family.  I told myself I was going to be good while endulging a little....  Though I did well at times, I also gained 4 pounds in 3 days!!!  After reflecting on what I did, and didn't do, I came up with a list of Do's and Don'ts for going on vacation and staying true to your new lifestyle changes.

DO's
-remember your goals
-bring your own snacks and foods so you're not tempted with unhealthy ones
-treat yourself (responsibly)
-continue to work out (window shop, hike, swim in the hotel pool, use the hotel gym, etc)
-carry water with you everywhere
-Have Fun!

DON'Ts
-make multiple trips to the buffet
-skip working out all week/weekend
-eat every bit of the 8 course meal! (try every course though)
-let your family and friends tell you "you're on vacation" "calories don't count here" or "you're too thin already"



After my 4 mile hike in the desert!

Monday, February 6, 2012

Eat More Quinoa!

Here are 3 Quinoa recipes that I've been making lately that I love and wanted to share!  In case I haven't mentioned I eat mostly vegan and vegetarian food, so you won't find a lot of meat or cheeses in my recipes.  I do have seafood from time to time, so one of these has shrimp.



Shrimp and Black Bean Quinoa Salad


1/2 lbs shrimp (sauteed & cut up)
*I saute in lemon zest and garlic
1/2 cup cooked black beans (non canned preferred)
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 orange cut in to small pieces
1/2 cup frozen sweet corn
2 green onions chopped
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 small onion chopped
1 lemon
2 tbs EVOO
2 garlic cloves crushed
pinch of pepper

After ingredients are cooked, cut, and ready to go mix together in bowl.  Mix lemon juice, EVOO, garlic, and pepper together well.  Pour over mixture and stir.  Eat up!


Quinoa & Zucchini

1 cup cooked quinoa
1 zucchini chopped
1 yellow pepper chopped
2 kale leaves chopped
1 celery stalk chopped
1 can mandarin oranges
1/4 cup chopped sweet onion
2 green onions
2 garlic cloves
1 lime
2 tbsp EVOO

Saute zucchini, pepper, celery, and onion in EVOO and garlic.  After about 5 minutes add kale.  Once veggies have softened, but still have some crunch, remove and add to large bowl.  Mix in cooked quinoa, green onions, and oranges.  Squeeze lime juice over mixture and stir.  Salt and pepper to taste.


Southwest Quinoa & Chips
(maybe my favorite of them all!)

1 cup cooked quinoa
1 small tomato chopped
1/2 red onion chopped
2/3 cup frozen sweet corn
1/2 red pepper chopped
1/2 green pepper chopped
1 cup black beans cooked
1 garlic clove
1 tbs EVOO
1/2 lime
1 tbs taco sauce/hot sauce
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
cilantro to garnish
Corn chips

Heat garlic and EVOO.  Add onion, peppers, and corn until peppers begin to soften.  Once beans, quinoa, and veggies are all cooked mix together in bowl.  Add taco sauce, lime juice, cumin and pepper and stir.  Eat with chips!

*tip for cooking quinoa:  Soak or rinse in cold water prior to cooking.  Use only slightly more water than quinoa i.e. 1/2 cup quinoa=3/4 cup water.  Heat on med-low heat covered and do not stir.  Watch carefully when end time nears, quinoa burns easily. 



Day 43

Weight: just under 134 lbs!
Workouts: going well....5-6 days a week.  This week I added scissors to my ab set and wall sits to my leg routine.
Food: I've been sticking to my calories most days....some are easier than others!  Lot's of veggies and I've added a protein supplement on days I work out.  Pea Protein....vegetarian and all natural!  Plus, quinoa is my new best friend!  I'm going to share 3 of my favorite new quinoa recipes shortly. 

I finally took a new picture to compare with my "before" picture.  I'm about 6 weeks in, so I think I'm seeing some improvements!


Here's the before again...ugh!

this was me on January 30th