A Lunch Quickie

After four days of no work outs and not making the best food choices, today it was time to get back on track.  With nothing prepared and no leftovers to choose from, I fought my desire to go out to eat and created a lunch made from random items in my refrigerator and pantry.  So what was my quickie lunch creation? Da da da dooooom.....

Here is my EGGcellent lunch.  {So lame, I know} It consists of egg whites, sauteed spinach and mushrooms, topped with blue cheese crumbles and paprika.  This literally took me 15 minutes and it was DElish.  Here's the quickie recipe....

Ingredients:
-2 cups spinach
-1 cup chopped portobello mushrooms
-1 tbsp. EVOO
-2 tsp. of Worcestershire sauce
-a few dashes of lemon pepper
-3/4 cup egg whites (I use All Egg Whites from a carton. Good for you, quick and easy)
-1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
-a few dashes of Paprika

In one pan, put in EVOO and saute over medium heat the spinach and chopped portobello mushrooms. Add worcestershire sauce and lemon pepper when spinach starts to wilt.  In another pan, scramble egg whites over medium heat. 

Plate the scrambled egg whites, pour spinach and mushrooms over eggs and add blue cheese crumbles and a few dashes of paprika. And tada! You are D-O-N-E.


If you want to add some carbs with this, I made me a grilled cheese with my whole wheat thin buns, 2 % Swiss cheese and added some hummus for extra protein and fiber.

Hope you enjoy!

-Wannabe Skinny Girl 

The Skinny: Fighting a Disorder

National Eating Disorders Association from NEDA on Vimeo.

A few weeks ago, I was made aware of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.  Of course, I’m writing about it a little late, but it is still imperative to create awareness and talk about it, despite my timing.

More people die from eating disorders than any other mental illness. Eleven million people suffer from Anorexia and Bulimia, and millions more suffer from binging and purging. Those are crazy statistics.  And the number seems to be growing with girls (and boys) seeing these unattainable, airbrushed images splashed across every media outlet.

Like most other girls, I have dealt with body image issues and insecurities, but I've never been able to understand what was going on inside someone's head who suffered from an eating disorder.  I could not comprehend how they saw a “fat” person when the rest of the world saw skinny. But as I've learned, its more than about just food.

I recently started reading Elizabeth Ann’s (or EA as I’ve known her)  blog, Mo(u)rning Restoration .  She opens up about her struggle with an eating disorder and describes the dark disorder that controlled her for so long. Through her writing, she takes the reader inside her mind and describes the power and constant battle going on inside of her.  Read it. Follow her. It’s amazing. She’s amazing.

First let me tell you a little bit about how I know  EA…..

Hondo 2009 (L-R Me, EA & Taylor)

I met EA when I went on a mission trip to Honduras in 2009, and I’ve always seen her as a person who was beautiful inside and out.  I was amazed by her natural beauty, but more amazed by the way the she loved on the women and children in Honduras.  You could see her love for the Lord and for people pour out of her when she placed her hands on people, and just loved on them and prayed over them.

I haven't seen EA in a couple of years, but stumbled upon her blog a few months ago. I started reading it and with each paragraph became more engrossed with each passing word.  I had no idea she suffered from an eating disorder. 

Not only does she share her past struggles, but she shares her amazing progress in recovery as well.  I look forward to reading more from her! 

Thank you, EA, for your ability to open up and share with the world about your disorder.  You show incredible strength and incredible faith in the Lord.  I, as well as many others, can look to you by example and know that we can all overcome our struggles-no matter how big or little.

It's My Birfday & I Want You To Know It

Though February is usually a dreadful month when everyone is itching for spring, my favorite day of the year happens to fall during that month.  This would be my birthday. Besides Christmas, my birthday is my favorite holiday, and I revel in the fact that I get special attention on this day. If you didn't already realize from the title of this, I want EVERYONE to know it’s my birthday and acknowledge it.  I am fully aware that I sound like a snot, and you might as well shout out OCS (Only Child Syndrome) from the roof tops, but I don’t care. I love my birthday and I don’t care who knows it.   

The night before my birthday, I didn’t feel any excitement.  As I lay in bed, I thought “tomorrow will just be another day.” However, I woke up at 5:15 a.m. on February 22 and was giddy as a little school girl.  As I headed out to my normal Sweatilates class, I was so excited and touched to see that my roommate had done a little decorating the night before.  It was PERFECT. Our kitchen nook was decorated in pink and green and laid out for me was a hot pink boa, a princess crown (for those who know me you are fully aware that this is a must), cupcakes and a present! You could not wipe the smile off of my face. 

And my day got even better.  I decided to take off half a day of work and spend time with my mom and grandmother, who I don’t get to see that often.  The three of us had a nice relaxing afternoon getting manis and pedis, chatting and sipping champagne. 

Mom and Meme getting their toes done. Looks like mom needs a little champagne refill!

I also have to admit that all of the texts, phone calls and especially the messages on Facebook really made my day as well.  My phone was constantly vibrating telling me that someone had written on my wall. I would think, “who wrote on my wall this time?” I would click and see who it was, and it brought a smile to my face every time. Though it’s something small, it still made my day a little brighter knowing that someone took the time to wish me a happy birthday. Ahh the little things in life.

The day could not be complete without a birthday dinner celebration. We all picked out our sassiest outfits and headed to one of my favorite restaurants, Chop House.  My dinner was amazing, which consisted of a  mixed green salad with a citrus dressing, a filet perfectly pink in the middle, asparagus and homemade mac n' cheese.  And we mustn’t forget the champagne! (The three of us share a love for champagne if you didn’t notice.)

And last but not least….it was time for the CAKE.  And this was not just any cake….this was Peggy McKinney's CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE CAKE -a birthday tradition that has been going on for many years.  The waitress brought out the entire cake with a candle, and half of the restaurant sang, “Happy Birthday” to me. You know I ate that up (the cake and the birthday hymn).

Then, much to my dismay, my birthday came to an end.  As I looked back at the events of that day, I smiled and realized that this was one of the best birthdays I have had in a really long time.  There was no huge party nor did I party like a rock star.  But I was able to spend time with the people who mattered most in my life (minus my dad who had to work) and enjoy life’s little pleasures.  

Mom, Me and Meme at Chop House.

Thank you to my mom, Meme and bestest roomie in the world, Lucy, for making my birthday so great!  I love you all so much!

Fatuary

Fat February, or Fatuary as it has now been coined, has been a month filled with delicious, fattening food.  February includes the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day,  and most importantly, my birthday month.  Those events are my excuses for what I’m about to tell you . Remember, these are Confessions of a WANNABE Skinny Girl, so unfortunately this post will disregard any healthy eating.  (Hey, you gotta splurge some times!)

Let’s first start with the cookie pie. Holy Toledo this thing is good. I got this recipe from Mary Robb after it received rave reviews from a certain boy I know.

First, you get a graham cracker crust from the store…OR you can be Suzie Homemaker and make your own crust…whichever you prefer.

Then you take cookie dough from the package… OR you over achievers out there can make your own cookie dough..and mush it into the graham cracker crust until it is spread out evenly.

After those hard acts of labor, simply bake for 1 hour at 325 degrees and TADA!

To make it extra good (and fattening) add vanilla icecream and chocolate sauce. Yummo!

So the cookie pie officially kicked it off. My conclusion through Fatuary is that if it’s in the house or I'm around it, I WILL eat it! Here are a few more sinful foods that I have indulged in with Fatuary…

Give me ooey gooey brownies. 

Embarrassingly enough, my roomie and I consumed these within 24 hours. WHOAH.

There were more sweets in there (soft sugar cookies with icing, chocolates for Valentine's Day, an entire roll of *raw* chocolate chip cookie dough), but I digress....

Then came the Super Bowl. And what do I love most while watching one of the most televised sporting events of the year?  That's right...wings with loads of ranch dressing, chips & a 7-layer dip, and a Sweet Water Blue. 

And finally, Fatuary will come to a close with a chocolate peanut butter bang. My day of birth takes place on the 22^nd day of February (a glorious day to which George Washington was also born), and I will be indulging myself in the best cake in the land: Peggy McKinney’s chocolate peanut butter fudge cake. This cake is pure heaven.I have no self control when this chocolately goodness is put in front of my face. Not to exaggerate even more, but if I had to choose a last meal, this cake would undoubtedly be part of it. 

After giving you the low down on Fatuary, you are probably thinking I have completely fallen off the wagon with food and exercise.  I'm excited to report that despite my indulgences, I have maintained the same weight from when Body Reboot ended and kept the inches off around my waist.  

Like you have heard, and will continue to hear, it's all about balance.  If I indulge in too many sweets or find myself going out to eat too often, I pull the reigns back and concentrate on eating at home and eating my veggies, fruits and proteins. And we can't forget the exercise...if I've had a good or bad eating day, I still try to consistently make it to the gym. I don't let a bad day get me down anymore! 

The advice I leave you with is allow for indulgences, but keep pushing yourself to stay active and exercise.  Getting to the gym is more than half the battle. 

What is your favorite work out right now?

S-O-U-P

OK, so just to ease everyone's worry...I'm still here.  I wish I had a good excuse of why I haven't been blogging, but I don't.

I have to tell you about my discovery...making soup.  Such an easy task, yes, but to me, it was something new and exciting! For some reason, I've always been a little intimidated with cooking soup.  But one night I grew some courage, searched the pantry and freezer for some random ingredients and threw it together..literally.

Here's my attempt at what started out as vegetable soup...then it turned into whatever else I wanted to add :)

I first gather anything I could find in the freezer and pantry...



Ingredients: Low sodium chicken broth, cannelini beans, canned no salt added spinach, canned no salt added diced tomatoes, frozen brussel sprouts and frozen broccoli



Can't forget the spices...it's amazing what flavors you can get without increasing the sodium!

All the ingredients & spices dumped into a pot

(This was too easy)

Can't cook without some wine!

And the final product! S-O-U-P

Everything is better with cheese! Sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on top to seal the deal.

So you've now seen my step-by-step adventure of cooking soup.  Pretty easy, but I'm proud!

Does anybody else have any easy-to-make soup recipes that you would like to share?

New Obsession

Life has been a whirlwind the past three weeks.  Since New Year's, I've been home maybe a total of 10 days.  But I'm not complaining! In the past three weeks, I went to the Social Mess NYE party in Atlanta (so much fun!) then to Glendale, AZ to watch the Auburn Tigers become NATIONAL CHAMPS and attended my first NBA basketball game with seats right behind the bench. I sure have started off 2011 right!

NYE

Auburn wins the National Championship!! WDE!

First NBA game

So with my  recent come-and-go lifestyle, I didn't do a lot of grocery shopping.  This meant I had to get creative with what I had in the apartment, which then lead to my repeated use (and new obsession) with Earthgrains' Whole Wheat Thin Buns.  These babies are 100% whole grain and only 100 calories.  In my effort to eat in as much as possible, these came in handy for my lunch and snack, and sometimes breakfast and dinner!

Here are some ideas of how I've used my new obsession!

My pre-workout snack: 2 Tbsp of Better'n Peanut Butter, Honey & Half Banana cut into pieces on Whole Wheat Thin Bun

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner: Egg Sandwich (3 egg whites scrambled, no salt added diced tomatoes from the can, spinach, 1 Tbsp. of hummus, a few dashes of Texas Pete and pepper on Whole Wheat Thin Bun)

Dinner: Veggie Egg Scramble with Grilled Cheese (Whole Wheat Thin Bun & 1 slice of Swiss cheese) and Hummus Dip (Hummus + Texas Pete+ Paprika = Delicious Hummus Dip!) PS-I know this is not the best picture, but I assure you, it was good!

Lunch/Dinner: Veggie Burger with Sliced Tomatoes, Spinach, 2% Swiss Cheese & 1 Tbsp. of Hummus on Whole Wheat Thin Bun

What must have item do you keep in your pantry or refrigerator?

Metro Fitness Gets its Groupon

If you haven't heard, Metro Fitness is featured on Groupon TODAY (Thursday, December 30) with a special of $40 for a one month membership (usually $69 per month for a single). For those of you who do not know what Groupon is, go to their website at http://www.groupon.com/.  They offer daily deals at your local area businesses (they just recently came to Montgomery) and you can sign up to get on their e-mail to receive an em-mail of their daily deals.  It's genius!

Some might think I am writing this as a PR move for Metro, and know I have a bias to the place since my mother is Metro's general manager.  Well this presumption is somewhat true, but I also have a love and loyalty for this place and WANT to toot its horn. And it felt like an appropriate time to do so.

My mother has been with Metro Fitness since it opened in 1999, which means I've been there for the same amount of time.  I've grown up there, and it's hard to imagine my life without it.  Aside from my family, Metro Fitness will be one of the main things I will miss when or IF I ever leave Montgomery.  It is not only a place to work out, but it is like a family-the staff and the members.  Great friendships have started here.  Relationships have sprung into marriage from this house of fitness.  It's more than just a place to come work out.

Instructors and Metro members gather for the Metro Christmas Party!

"Metro Fitness has some of the most talented staff and instructors in the country." I will swear by that statement! I have heard people who have been to gyms all over the country say that Metro is one of the greatest gyms they have ever been to.  Though we're not in a "big" city, I believe our classes are some of the most creative and challenging out there.  Every instructor and personal trainer strives to give you your money's worth for every class and give you the best work out possible. They are never satisfied with status quo and are constantly researching to find new work outs to mix it up.

Some of the fabulous instructors & staff!

Do you push yourself when you work out on your own? I know I let myself off the hook too easy when a work out I'm doing is challenging.  This is where instructors and personal trainers strive to push the member and clients, giving them the confidence to go further than they thought they could. This might mean an instructor will be hated during the class for pushing the members, but I assure you that she will be loved  afterwords when the results can be seen! Ok, maybe I'm saying this from personal experience :)

That's me having some Turboween fun! Every year for Halloween, instructors and members dress up for Halloween. 

I spoke with someone who just started coming to Metro and she said, "This place just feels homie to me, and I love that. There are so many classes throughout the day which is great for my schedule." Even though I do not work for Metro, I still felt a sense of pride when I heard that. 

With 2011 fast approaching, resolutions will be in full force with many of them including to "lose weight." Without sounding too cliche, Metro is a place where you can feel comfortable and develop not only healthy habits, but friendships as well.  I encourage anyone who is reading this and who is not a member to at least try it out. My New Year's resolution is to continue to get healthy and stick with it! I hope to see you at Metro Fitness!