3 meals a day.

I did something today that I have not done in a very long time...

called a rest day from working out??...wait that's definitely not it seeing as I did not log one workout during my last week in Strasbourg. No no...today was special because I actually cooked all three meals for myself!

I started off the day with a sweet breakfast. On my last jaunt to Whole Foods, I picked up something I have been seeing around the blogosphere for a while now, Raw Cacao Nibs. I went with oats because, well, they work with just about anything.

(1/2 cup oats, 1/2 almond milk, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 tbsp almond butter, 1/2 tbsp chia seeds, and sprinkle of cacao nibs).

I'm a fan for sure. They taste like healthy chocolate chips! :)

Mid-morning I snacked on a whole mango (it was a baby) and a kiwi.

Lunch consisted of another first for me.
I cooked lentils. Ever since the host mom made me a dish containing lentils I haven't been able to stop thinking about the little guys. I really like the texture of them and they are a great source of protein for vegetarians. (Expect to see a lot of lentils around here!)

(1/2 cup lentils, leftover grilled tofu, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Spices: dash of garlic powder, salt, and pepper).

I spent the afternoon running fun errands. And by fun errands, I mean shopping. Clearly it was of the utmost importance that I buy a new day planner (mine ends in July for some reason) and a photo album for my travel photos which should be arriving tomorrow! Then I hit up Kroger for dinner ingredients.

Small aside: The man in front of me at the checkout like caught my eye. I am not one to judge what people purchase at the grocery store, but his selection made me very sad. It was clear that he had walked to Kroger (as he was sweating profusely) and was not well off. Yet, he purchased 10 packages of ramen that were on sale (for around .20 cents each), a package of $4 cigarettes, and a 6 pack of Heineken beer. I was struck by how much more he spent on poisoning his body rather than nurturing it. I guess the point is that I wish all people had the opportunity to learn about health and nutrition and how to properly take care of themselves.

Okay, back to dinner which was based on a recipe that I found on Cara's blog. The moment I saw her post about Zucchini Lasagna I knew I had to replicate it. (Click the link to see the recipe. I don't want to claim ownership of her genius!)

I made a couple of alterations based on what I had in the fridge and cupboard. I omitted the rosemary, used wine + regular vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar, and added spinach to the tomato sauce. I also served my portion on a bed of fresh spinach.This recipe is magic. Seriously, make it. It tastes exactly like the heavy calorie laden lasagna your grandma used to make. I ate half of the pan (the recipe is 2 servings) and I can't wait for leftovers!

Dessert was the norm tonight, but with a fresh twist. Summer berries to be exact!(Blueberry vitatop, 1 tbsp dark chocolate dreams, 1 cup strawberries and blackberries).

On the workout front, I decided to push up my 1/2 marathon training a week. That means I start Monday! Ready or not, it's happening! I'm excited to have something to work toward but I am also intimidated as hell. But I figure adding a week will give me time to adjust as necessary and redo a week if I feel as though I am not ready to move forward.

Until next time,
~Jenn

8!

What comes to mind when you think of the number 8? I'm sure everyone's answer is radically different, but for me it is just one thing...pounds. That's right, dear friends and lurkers. I am here to come clean both literally and figuratively. I'm just going to put this out there...rip it off like a band aid so we can all move forward.

I gained 8 pounds in Strasbourg!
I am not proud of this, but the fact of the matter is I knew that my body was going to change while living abroad. I had almost no control over my food and had a drastic drop in exercise. Sure, there was plenty of walking. But let's be honest here, walking is not going to keep croissants, french bread, and cheese in copious amounts from adding to your waistline.

Ok, now that we are all on the same page, let's move on to how I am going to undo the damage. I believe that going back to what I know, which is a lot of greens, will help me get back to at least feeling comfortable. I want to cut down on portions to accelerate the process.

Breakfast was eaten pre work-out, so I kept it light.(Cherries, pineapple, vanilla yogurt with 1/2 tbsp Chia seeds.)Chia seeds are back in my life! Thanks in part to Averie and her coupon code :) and the excellent service of the people at iHerb, I was able to enjoy an old favorite this morning.
Did you know that chia seeds are full of soluble fiber? If you put a spoonful in a glass of water and leave it for 30 minutes the little guys will soak up the liquid. It is thought that the same process happens in your stomach. In essence, chia seeds are credited with slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar because the gel they form in your stomach acts as a barrier to slow digestion. Fascinating, no?

I digress...after 45 minutes of morning cardio, I came home and plopped myself on the couch to catch up on Nurse Jackie. I love this show! Hunger struck soon after, so I whipped up breakfast #2. (1 cup fresh mango.)
I paired my fresh fruit with some divine oats. I say divine because they cooked perfectly today and were fluffy to the taste.(1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup almond milk, 1/2 scoop chia seeds).
I am definitely getting in my quota of chia seeds for the day. I also tried another new product that I picked up at the grocery store yesterday. Stevia: health conscious individual's answer to splenda!I am officially a fan. I need some sweet in my life now that my daily petit pain chocolat is no more.

I spent the next couple hours showering, chatting it up with old friends, and procrastinating summer school work (not the best start). When the tummy started rumbling, I fed it some fuel in the form of a very green monster.
I used my other purchase from iHerb in the mix. Nothing like Amazing Grass to make you feel clean! I am not a fan of the original flavor, but when I saw the price of the berry mix, I just couldn't stop myself from adding it to the cart!
I am glad I did too because my monster was so good!
(2 huge handfuls of spinach, 3 kale leaves, 1 scoop Amazing Grass, 1/2 banana, 1 cup almond milk, 1 cup ice.)

Alright, now I have to run to a job interview (not for the real world...just a summer job) and hopefully get out in time to go to a yoga class again tonight! I am so glad health and fitness are back in my life! It's like being reunited with long lost friends!!
Until next time,
~Jenn