Posts tagged as:

roasted veggies

Challenging

by Eating Bird Food on April 12, 2010

Remember my March Madness Challenge? Well, let’s just say that it didn’t go so well… I had great intentions, but I didn’t make my goals a priority and I ended up falling off the wagon early on. I could make a ton of excuses as to why I didn’t follow through, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk, right?

So last night I was having post vacation blues. I ate everything and anything I wanted while in CA and enjoyed all the deliciousness to it’s fullest, but now back from La La Vacation mode, I’ve realized that I’ve been slacking on my healthy eating for quite a while now (not just vacation and the March Madness Challenge) and my clothes are getting tighter. It’s not a big deal but I wanted my 25th year to be my fittest yet and so far I’ve done nothing to make that happen. I tweeted about my post vacation feelings last night and Jacquie mentioned that she’d be up for getting back on track with me by doing a 10 day challenge. I also spoke to Isaac’s mom (an IIN Grad) because I knew she was doing a “cleanse” of sorts given to her from her acupuncturist. With a good support system (Isaac and the two lovely ladies mentioned previously) to hold me accountable, I decided that I’d start the challenge!

So what’s this challenge involve? Well, it’s definitely not a diet – those don’t work for me. I get stressed out being restricted and it becomes unproductive. This is more of a guide/plan that focuses on eating more whole grains, vegetables and fruit. Limited processed foods, white sugar, white flour. And no dairy or meat.

I’m also drinking a spicy lemonade of sorts recommended by Isaac’s mom’s acupuncturist for a spring cleanse. It helps with detoxification and also keeps hunger at bay.

IMG_4411.JPG

Although it may look like I had beer for breakfast, the mixture actually contains water, lemon juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper.

I got my day started with a 20 minute yogadownload video (instant relaxation!!) and consumed the lemonade and some grapes throughout the morning. Around lunch time I was quite hungry and came home for a big salad.

IMG_4410.JPG

Post lunch I had another glass of lemonade, more grapes and banana.

And for dinner I roasted up some veggies using my standard roasting threesome – a little canola oil, sea salt, and ground pepper.

IMG_4412.JPG

Alongside the veggies I served up a burger topped with avocado, salsa, and a lettuce bun. (Can you tell that I’m still in California mode?)

IMG_4413.JPG

This dinner was awesome. And oh man…. the sweet potatoes were the sweetest sweet potatoes I’ve had in a long time. They tasted like I had put sugar on them. This proves my hypotheses that organic produce really does taste better.

To finish off a day of healthy eats I had a small treat- cinnamon puffins with almond milk.

IIMG_4414.JPG

I know this isn’t exactly the epitome of healthy eating but I enjoyed my little mug and I didn’t go back for seconds. That’s an achievement in of itself considering cereal is an easy thing for me to overdo it with.

So that’s that. I’m committed to the challenge this time around and hope that it will help jump start my healthy eating. As always, I’ll be sure to keep you all posted on how this challenge progresses. And, if you have any tips please feel free to share. I’m all ears.

Also, I have a TON of stuff I’ve been meaning to talk about on this little blog of mine but haven’t got around to it yet. Hopefully over the next few weeks I’ll have more time to write the posts I’ve been itching to share. And who knows, perhaps there will even be a giveaway in the near future!!

Have a lovely night my friends!

- Brittany

{ 16 comments }

Roasty and Toasty

by Eating Bird Food on March 29, 2010

I was on such a runner’s high all weekend I didn’t get a chance to post! No worries though, I’m back in action today! :)

Saturday night my mom was a sweetie and took me and my niece out to dinner. Turns out there’s a Thai Restaurant in Culpeper now! Where was this when I was growing up?!?

After perusing the menu I decided to get my usual:

Tom Yum (Lemongrass soup)

IMG_4058.JPG

And papaya salad

IMG_4059.JPG

Like always, both of these dishes were spicy and super tasty. Just what I needed!

On Sunday all the grandchildren and great grandchildren on my mom’s side of the family got together for a family portrait. It’s going to be our Mother’s Day present to our Nanny and I have a feeling she’s going to love it. I didn’t snap photos of what I ate all day… so we’ll just skip that and go straight to this morning.

I woke up early and tried out a new Yoga for Weight Loss DVD. I find it much easier to motivate myself to do workout DVDs in the morning. In the afternoon or evening I either have to go to the gym or get outside. I just get too distracted inside.

Yoga was awesome. It’s such a great way to start to the day. I need to make more of an effort to do it every morning.

After eating a bowl of combo oats I headed to work. (No picture, but it’s nothing you all haven’t seen before!!)

I came home for lunch and had an open faced humbecue tuna melt with carrots.

IMG_4061.JPG

Tuna (mixed with 1 tbsp. each of hummus and bbq), fresh spinach and rice shreds heated in the toaster oven for 5-7 minutes. YUM – I think I’m in love with this tuna combo.

After work I went out a purchased a new suitcase and book for our trip to Los Angeles. While I was out shopping Isaac was busy roasting.

IMG_4063.JPG

The sweet potato and butternut squash were roasted plain but the broccoli was coated in a bit of oil and chili peppers. I mixed up a little salad to go with all the veggies. You can never have too many veggies right?

IMG_4062.JPG

Spinach, Cabbage, Apple, Red onion, Pan fried shallots, Corn, Sunflower seeds

I topped it all with another batch of the Miso dressing from 101 Cookbooks. It’s so good I had to make it again!

I made tonight’s version by whisking together the following ingredients. (although I halved it)

  • 2 tablespoons miso
  • 1/2 teaspoon powdered mustard
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup mild flavored extra-virgin olive oil

I’m now watching our latest NetFlix, Notorious B.I.G. Everyone needs a little Biggie Smalls in their life- ya feel me?

- Brittany

PS – I’m headed in Los Angeles next week and would love to meetup with some local bloggers/readers. Please email me if you’d like together or if have any recommendations of places I should see or things I should do!!!!

{ 15 comments }

Groovin Wedding Crashers

April 26, 2009

As I mentioned yesterday, Isaac and I crashed a wedding party last night. Well, technically we were invited by the groom’s nephew so we weren’t really crashing it, but it kind of felt like we were. It was an interesting party actually because the bride and groom are an older couple who had been together [...]

Read the full article →

Happy LeftOvers Day!

November 28, 2008

Am I right or am I right???? For Thanksgiving I went with Isaac to his aunt and uncle’s house! His aunt prepared the turkey and all the sides – and we brought desserts and some vegetarian options. I really enjoyed being with his family, but I did miss my fam and the traditional items that [...]

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Read the full article →