Week Three of Meal Planning Mania February

How was week two? I really enjoyed week two. On Thursday I felt the best I have felt in a long time. I can see that the hard work of exercising and eating better is paying off...progress not perfection. During week two, I was introduced to lentils, and I must say I was very pleased with them. I am going to start using them in my baking to add a little punch of protein. Yum! Some of my favorite recipes this week were the lentil granola bars, the peanut butter cookie dough oatmeal, and the tofu. Tofu is so good if it is cooked right! All of the recipes are new for me this week! Things seem to be going well so far, so I hope it continues.

Here is week 3..

Sweet Treat: peanut butter oat cookies

Recipe inspired by Eating Bird Food and Peanut Butter Fingers

 I’m going to replace the granola in the first recipe with the granola in the second. I'm also going to use regular peanut butter as a replacement for the chocolate peanut butter…follow directions of first recipe.

Monday 18 

Breakfast -

carrot cake oatmeal 

recipe adapted from Oh She Glows

I will be using 1 cup of oatmeal

This makes two servings

Lunch –

4 oz Tuna

3 tbsp Eggplant hummus

1 egg

10 baby carrots

½ garlic naan

Dinner -

eggplant parmesan 

recipe adapted from My Recipes

salad 

Snack – 

1 peanut butter oat cookie

Snack –

1 banana, 1 string cheese

Tuesday 19 

Breakfast -

spiced pear oatmeal

recipe inspired by A Cozy Kitchen

I will be combining ½ cup rolled oats, ½ packet of natural sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, 1 pear, vanilla extract, and ¾ almond milk…microwave for 2 min

Lunch -

lentil salad

recipe adapted from Crumb Blog

1 cup seasoned kale

Dinner -

tomato and corn soup

recipe adapted from White on Rice Couple

turkey burger quesadillas - 1 tortilla, 1/2 c turkey burger, 1/4 cup fat-free feta cheese  (topping can include onion, lettuce, tomato)

*no recipe for quesadillas

Snack -

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup grapes

Snack -

1 egg

10 baby carrots

Wednesday 20 

Breakfast-

pumpkin pie oatmeal

recipe adapted from Snixy Kitchen

I will be halving the recipe and replacing truvia for brown sugar

Lunch -

leftover soup

salad with 10 baby carrots, 2 egg, and dijon/olive oil dressing

Dinner -

mac-and-cheese-style cauliflower

recipe adapted from Vegetarian Times

tomato slices

optional bread

I will be omitting the nutritional yeast and adding chicken sausage

Snack –

1 pb oat cookie

Snack – 

½ cup strawberries, ½ cup blueberries, 1 cup fat free vanilla yogurt

Thursday 21 

Breakfast - 

the best oatmeal I've ever had oatmeal

recipe adapted from The Kind Life

I will be halving the recipe

Lunch-

1/2 naan

4 oz tuna

2 tbsp hummus

1 cup kale

1 tomato slice

2/3 apple

1 tbsp almond butter

Dinner - 

spaghetti and "meat"balls

recipe adapted from Sprint 2 the Table

I will be using whole wheat noodles as a replacement for the spaghetti squash

1/2 cup healthy pasta sauce

2 cup lettuce with 1 tbsp dijon/olive oil dressing

Snack -

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup grapes

Snack - 

1 string cheese 

Friday 22 

Breakfast-

banana, blueberry, jam oatmeal

I will be combining ½ cup oats, 1 banana, ¾ cup almond milk and any seasoning of choice..microwave for 2 min. Once microwaved, add ½ cup blueberries and 1 tbsp jam

Lunch –

lentil salad

1 cup kale

Dinner-

falafel patties  

recipe adapted from Plant Powered Kitchen

Mediterranean inspired salad: lettuce, tomato, 1/8 cup feta, 5 olives

½ piece naan bread

2 tbsp eggplant hummus

Snack – 

2 pb oat cookie

Snack – 

1 egg

There it is folks! Let me know if you have any questions, and as always feel free to comment below on anything! 

This weekend Mark and I are going to LA to hike and eat. We are then going to take the dogs to the beach! I'm hoping to see some celebs..where we are hiking is supposedly where a lot of them exercise! Be on the lookout for pictures!

Week Two of Meal Planning Mania February

How did week one go? I had to do a little adjusting on some of my meals because of a few different reasons..but it did feel great to know that almost everything I consumed was healthy for me.. I don't know about you, but I was actually a little surprised at how good some of the recipes were. I went into this without trying many of them. I definitely think the peanut butter chocolate no-bake balls were a hit. Mark enjoyed them, and the women in my small group from church loved them. I also thought the banana oatmeal that I had down for Tuesday was great, and finally, the caramelized chickpeas...oh my...so delicious! All of these recipes will be made again! 

For week two, I will be introduced to lentils. I have never had them before, so I am anxious to see how I like them...hopefully I don't hate them because a lot of my meals and the sweet treat of the week are built around them. I seem to like most foods, so I really don't foresee a problem.

Here is week two...

Sweet treat of the week: no-bake peanut butter lentil bars (around 185 calories per serving) (Recipe adapted from once upon a cutting board)

Monday 11 

Breakfast -

peanut butter cookie dough oatmeal (inspiration from Chocolate Covered Katie)

I will be using peanut butter as a sub for coconut butter which will change this to peanut butter cookie dough oatmeal

Lunch -

tuna salad (4 oz tuna, 1 tbsp light mayo, dill pickle, 1 egg)

1 slice ezekiel bread

10 baby carrots

Dinner -

1 cup lentil shepherd's pie (Recipe adapted from Yummy Mummy Kitchen )

I will be using olive oil instead of butter to sauté

optional whole wheat roll

Snack -

1 pb lentil bar

Snack -

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 cup frozen mango

Tuesday 12

Breakfast -

banana oatmeal (recipe inspired by Chiquita Bananas )

I will be combining 1 small banana, 1/2 cup oat, and 1/2 cup milk. 

I will then be putting that over 8 oz yogurt and topping it off with  1/8 cup pecans

Lunch -

4 oz tofu

1/2 tbsp olive oil, any sauce or seasoning of choice

1/2 cup mushrooms

1/4 cup quinoa

Sauté tofu and mushrooms in olive oil/sauce/or seasonings and serve over quinoa

Dinner -

vegan sloppy joes (recipe adapted from Lunchbox Bunch)

optional bun

I will be replacing the TVP with lentils

9 sweet potato tots

Snack -

1 pb lentil bar

1 cup soy milk

Snack -

1 string cheese

1/2 cup strawberries

Wednesday 13 

Breakfast -

banana, blueberry, raisin oatmeal (recipe adapted from Deliciously Ella)

I am going to mix ½ cup of oats, 1 cup of almond milk, ½ cup blueberries, ½ banana, 1/8 cup raisins, 2 tbsp of walnuts, and ½ packet of natural sweetener in bowl and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes

Lunch -

1 piece garlic naan

2 tbsp eggplant hummus

4 oz tuna

1/4 edamame

Dinner -

1 1/2 mushroom stroganoff (recipe adapted from Skinny Taste)

1 cup green beans

*add beef chunks

Snack -

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup mango

Snack -

1 boiled egg

10 baby carrots

Thursday 14 Valentines Day

Breakfast-

chocolate, strawberry oatmeal (inspired by Eating Bird Food )

Combine ½ cup oats,  ½ banana, ½ tbsp cocoa powder, and ¾ cup milk.

Microwave for 2-2 ½ minutes

Top with 1 cup cut strawberries

Lunch -

1 cup leftover sloppy joes

serving of sweet potato tots

Dinner -

chicken fajita pizza (recipe adapted from The Comfort of Cooking)

I’m making this heart shaped

I am going to use tofu as a replacement for chicken

2 cups salad

1 tbsp dijon/olive oil dressing

Snack -

smoothie:

1 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2-1 tbsp cocoa powder

Friday 15 -

Breakfast -

cocoa-cayenne  pumpkin oatmeal (recipe adapted from Sprint-2-the-Table)

I am replacing ¼ cup pumpkin for the sweet potato and topping with ½ cup blueberries

Lunch -

tuna salad: 4 oz tuna, 1 egg, 1 tbsp mayo, pickle

10 baby carrots

1 slice ezekiel or whole wheat bread

Dinner -

4 bbq tofu (recipe adapted from Oh She Glows )

1/4 quinoa

8 brussel sprouts

Snack - 

pb lentil bar

Snack -

1 egg

1 light string cheese

Please comment below if you have any questions or comments! 
Have a great weekend!

A Young Mom's Feast

Well how was your weekend? Our weekend was lovely. It feels like spring here in Southern California. Although I have never been much of a fan of the spring, this year I am delighting in this season God has made. For once, my allergies haven't zapped the joy of spring that everyone seems to have. Over the weekend, I got on a blog that my pastor's wife, Rondi, has. I came across a blog of hers that really encouraged me. I wanted to share it with you because of how blessed I was to read it, and because I feel that it truly relates to all this healthy eating stuff I have been posting about. As you read my friends, please consider how much more important it is to get fed spiritually. 

...

No one told me that when I had a baby not only wouldn’t I have time to read my Bible, I wouldn’t have time to eat either. No one told me that.

They didn’t tell me how hungry I’d be either. Feeding two takes a lot of calories. Food never tasted so good, but getting enough food into you takes some work. Having a baby for an alarm clock meant her breakfast came before mine. I would stare longingly at the refrigerator, fantasizing about 3 egg omelets and blueberry pancakes while she had her fill. Then just as I was pulling out the fixings, she’d spit up all over me and I was off to change us both. I ending up settling for a quick bowl of cereal.

By the time her younger brother and sister were born it was a three ring circus and I was the hungry bear doing a jugging act. Baby in the sling, toddler in melt-down mode, preschooler in full volume, “Where’s my lunch?? MAMA WHERE’S MY LUNCH??” I silently fume yeah, and where’s that third hand every mother needs? It’s hard to settle for graham crackers and peanut butter when you’re ready for a Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

Soggy cereal, scraps of toddler sandwiches, cold suppers. It’s meager fare for a nursing mom, but somehow I figure out a system along the way. Why? Because I have to eat. It’s not optional. I may need to adjust my expectations, change my schedule, and make some new habits, but eventually I do find a way to feed myself in this new chapter of my life.

Food for life. The same is true for reading my Bible. I need to eat. It’s not optional. But I often find that the times I most need to feed on his Word are the times that it’s hardest to do it. When I’m suffering. When I’m tempted. When I’m pressured by deadlines. When I’m pulled in many directions. When I’m taking care of many people.

Being convinced of my need is the first step to finding (making?) time. As a mom chasing small children I felt many needs– for patience to answer my toddler’s “why’s”, for creativity to turn leftovers into a smiley face that they’ll eat, for a sense of humor to endure the humiliations and messes, both pubic and private.

As a Christian I have lots of needs, daily needs, too:

• I need to hear God’s voice of love for me in Christ
• I need to quiet my anxious heart
• I need to unburden my weak conscience
• I need to strengthen my faith in the unseen Savior and his often hidden work
• I need to align my expectations with his purposes
• I need to renew my hope that it’s all worth it and leading to something glorious

Just as food gets metabolized into blood sugar, muscle strength, mental clarity and mood stabilization, the Word of God gets assimilated and strengthens my faith, hope, love, sense of forgiveness, understanding of his will, and confidence in his ways. It turns my work into works of faith, my labor into labors of love.

My eating plan. So even if my eating plan changes, my need to eat won’t. I may need to feast on Christ in mini-meals throughout the day, like a young mom, snatching food when and where I can. I remember leaving verses on index cards in strategic places around the house and leaving a Bible or devotional book open next to any place I might sit to nurse the baby. That’s not how I do it now, but it kept me going then.

Whether you’re a busy student, full time employee, home schooling mom, or single woman trying to do it all, I want to encourage you to figure out an eating plan that works for you right now. Then sit and enjoy the feast. After that you’ll be able to get up and serve in the strength that he’s given.

Your words were found, and I ate them,

and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart,

for I am called by your name,

O LORD, God of hosts.

Jeremiah 15:16

You can read more encouraging posts on Rondi's blog 

Week One of Meal-Planning Mania February

Well friends, it's the first day of February, and it's Friday which only means on thing...yep, it's week one Meal-Planning Mania February! During the whole month of February, I am going to be posting weekly meal plans on Fridays. I have spent a lot of time ensuring that each day is full of healthy, well-balanced, attainable meals. I have also went through making sure that each day is in a good calorie range. I don't know about you, but I'm excited to start feeling more healthy and most importantly honoring God with how I treat my body!

There are some things to make note of..

• First, I have designed a meal plan for each week day in February beginning on the fourth. The reason why I didn't plan for weekends is because I never know where I will be or what I will be doing. I will still be making healthy choices. If you would like to stick with this plan on weekends, feel free to simply repeat one or two of the days listed. 
• Second, I have adapted many of the recipes from different websites and blogs. Beside each meal, I will provide a link to the actual recipe. If I am making any changes, I will list them in small print below the link. I will be making changes simply to keep costs down. If you want to follow the actual recipe, please do! They are all healthy recipes! 
• Third, I have only listed calorie ranges for the sweet treats, if you are interested in knowing the calorie ranges, please comment below, and I would be happy to provide you with the information.
• Fourth, many of these recipes are new for me. I hope they are all tasty. They sure seem to be!
• Fifth, I have tried to be as resourceful as I can with the ingredients. If you ever are unsure about buying it, just know that it will most likely be used again.
• Sixth, I have provided three meals and one to two snacks per day (depending on calories). Please space your meals out every 2-4 hours.
• Seventh, if you ever have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below

Week One: 

Sweet treat of the week: peanut butter chocolate chip no bake balls (one ball is 119 calories)
I will be omitting the coconut and using a food process to grind pecans as a replacement for the almond flour.
I am making two batches of these. 

Monday 4

Breakfast -

eggnog oats (recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food)
I will be omitting the protein powder and chia seeds

Lunch -

egg salad (2 eggs with 1 tbsp light mayo, optional seasonings)

1 piece of ezekiel bread, whole wheat bread, or pita pocket

1 cup steamed kale 

Dinner -

6 oz of tilapia (recipe adapted from the Eat Clean Diet)

8 brussle sprouts
I toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper. I then roast them in the oven at 375 for 15-20 min

1/2 cup brown rice

Snack -
2 peanut butter chocolate chip no bake balls

Snack - 
1/2 fat free cottage cheese
1 cup pineapple

Tuesday 5

Breakfast -

banana oatmeal (recipe from Eating Bird Food )
For this recipe, I am going to half all of the ingredients and only add 1/8 cup of raisins. I'm not sure, but the baking time may need to be reduced.

Lunch -

1 sandwich (1 piece ezekiel bread, small handful of sun dried tomatoes or red pepper, 1 portobello mushrooms, 2 tbsp hummus)

1/4 cup of caramelized chickpeas (recipe adapted from With Style and Grace)
I will be omitting the sesame seeds 

Dinner -

1 black bean burger (recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food)

2 pieces of ezekiel bread or whole wheat bread or 1 pita pocket
Feel free to add tomato, lettuce, or onion to the burger

1 sweet potato (sliced) with 1/2 tbsp drizzled honey and 1/2 tbsp peanut butter

Snack -

1 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt

1 pb cc nb ball

Wednesday 6

Breakfast -

quinoa cereal for breakfast (recipe adapted from Eating Bird Food) 

Lunch -

1 piece garlic naan or pita pocket

2 tbsp. hummus

4 oz tuna in water

10 baby carrots

Dinner -

avocado pasta (recipe adapted from Oh She Glows)
I will be adding chicken to the pasta 
I will be having 1/2 cup pasta with the equivalent of half an avocado for the sauce

2 cups lettuce with 1 tbsp dijon mustard /olive oil dressing or lemon/salt/pepper dressing
For the dressings, simple mix the ingredients and pour on lettuce

Snack-

1 apple

1 tbsp almond butter

Snack -

1 egg
1 light string cheese

Thursday 7

Breakfast -

banana/blueberry oatmeal (inspiration from Eating Bird Food)

Lunch -

1 sandwich (1 piece ezekiel bread, small handful of sun dried tomatoes or red pepper, 1 portobello mushrooms, 2 tbsp hummus)

1/4 cup caramelized chickpeas

Dinner -

1 slice of Frittata (recipe adapted from Today's Parent)

2 tomato slices

optional whole wheat bread or roll

Snack-

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1/2 cup pineapple

Snack -

1 cup fat-free vanilla yogurt

1 pb ball

Friday 8

Breakfast -

chocolate, pb, banana oats (recipe is under "oats" on my blog)

Lunch -

leftover frittata

2 tomato slices

Dinner -

cauliflower crust pizza with mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes or red pepper, pesto, chicken sausage

recipe for crust (recipe adapted from Pinch of Yum)
I will be having two slices of pizza

Snack -

1/2 cup cottage cheese

1 apple

Snack -

1 hard boiled egg

1 pb ball

There is week one folks! If you are joining me 

on this journey, please leave a comment below! 

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, 

who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 

1 Corinthians 6:19

meal planning mania

This past weekend, Mark and I had planned another long hike; however, due to the weather, we had to cancel. The rainy season of Southern California, which I really had no idea existed, is upon us. We chose instead to spend the whole weekend hanging out at home which lead me to doing one thing: meal planning. I've learned that it is one of my favorite hobbies. I found so many recipes that I want to try which led me to planning out dinner for the whole month of February. I enjoyed that so much that I continue on and planned out breakfast for the whole month...I think I'm a little obsessed... little might be an understatement. I then thought why not share it with everyone. During the month of February, my goal is to have weekly postings on Fridays about the upcoming weeks meal plan. Each plan will include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks (all healthy and clean). I will also be posting a weekly healthy sweet-treat. 

Questions: Do you usually meal plan for the week? Would you find someone meal planning for you helpful?

semi-homemade calzones

I said in my last blog that I was going to be trying a new recipe for dinner last night, and if all went well, I said I would post the recipe. Thankfully everything turned out as I hoped; my husband even gave it two thumbs up! 

The recipe is for semi-homemade calzones. I calling it semi-homemade because the recipe calls for store-bought pizza crust. I have a recipe for homemade pizza crust, but sometimes you just need something quick. Here's my version of the recipe:

Semi-Homemade Calzones (adapted from Iowa Girl Eats):

Ingredients:

• 1 package of whole-wheat pizza dough 
• 1/2 cup pesto
• 1/2 pound Italian chicken sausage 
• 1/2 cup mushrooms
• 1/4 cup artichokes 
• 1/4 sun dried tomatoes 
• 1/4-1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees 
• On a floured surface roll out the pizza dough until is about 1/8 inch thick 

• Spread the pesto evenly on the dough 

• Place the chicken sausage, mushrooms, artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, and cheese on of half of the circular-shaped dough

• Fold the non-topping side of the dough over the side with toppings and press down on the edges and twist up in order to keep the toppings in
• Place calzone on a baking sheet. I sprayed mine just to prevent sticking
• Transfer to oven for 25 minutes  

(as you can see I'm not the perfect calzone-maker)

Remove from oven and enjoy!

oats

I tried something new (for me) for breakfast this morning, and I was quite pleased with how it turned out and tasted. I have been searching for healthy breakfast recipes that contained oats, but I haven't really found any that I liked. Oats are so good for you, but to be honest, I'm really not of fan of having little flavor in my oats. I've tried adding fruit and other things , but it still just tastes so bland to me. I've also tried the flavored pre-packaged oats which I really like, but I don't like the fact that I may be consuming added sugar from eating it. I'm trying to eat more clean, but it can be hard.at times especially when you could live on sugar like me.

The recipe I tried today is an inspiration from a sparkpeople recipe. I changed what they said a little. Here's my recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Quick Oats 
• 1/2 cup soy milk
• 1 banana
• 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter

Directions:

• Slice banana
• Combine oats, soy milk, and banana. Microwave for 2 minutes 
• Remove from microwave and stir in cocoa powder and peanut butter 

I didn't even have to add Truvia or honey; it was sweet enough just like this! Finally a way I can a enjoy oats without all the extra. The cocoa gives me the chocolate taste I think I need, and it also provides an extra little bonus because it's full of antioxidants and a few other benefits! 

My workout today included P90x's Kenpo and a Leaner Legs workout from the Nike Training app. I downloaded this FREE app yesterday and am very pleased with it. It provides several goal options such as get lean, get toned, get strong, or get focused. It also allows you to choose your level, and it then provides you with several workouts to choose from. 

For lunch today I had garlic naan bread with eggplant hummus, 1/2 cup of mango, 1 cup baby carrots, 1 boiled egg, and a string cheese. I call that a well-balanced meal. I'm so addicted to Naan bread. I went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's with a friend once and she told me about it. So, I bought some, and now I buy it every time I go! Thankfully Trader Joe's has cheap produce otherwise I would be making a trip just for the naan. 

I'm trying a new recipe for dinner tonight. If all goes well, I'll be posting the recipe soon! 

Question of the day: 

What is your favorite healthy breakfast?