Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipe. Show all posts

preggo workouts & preggo eating

Well ALOT has been happening in my world - none of which involve running or fashion, sadly.

I've developed new cravings: french toast & strawberries.
The cream cheese craving is still holding strong!

I'm not a food blogger, so that's all I'll write about concerning food....except to say that I tried out this recipe I found on Pinterest the other night. YUMMO!!!! Anything with cream cheese & extra cheese is decadent.

And in true "Nicole" fashion, I was missing a few ingredients, so I had to fudge a bit on the recipe. (Like instead of using RITZ crackers, I smashed up croutons.)

Sooooo the Man Behind the Bump & I did our maternity pictures this past weekend. A friend of ours just started a photography business, and was looking to expand her portfolio. You can read about the session here if you're interested. Don't want to bore you with maternity details....

One of this bigger hurdles I had during this pregnancy was trying to find pre-natal workouts. Since no longer running, and now eating ridiculous foods....I could totally "hear myself getting fatter". You know you love Tommy Boy!

So I stumbled upon this:

I've really been enjoying it. Surprisingly!!! I didn't have high hopes for it - mainly because I felt like it would be "too easy" and that I wouldn't get a good workout. Regardless, the dvd has five 10 minute segments to choose from, all incorporating Pilates moves. You can do all of them for a full body, 50 minute workout - or break them down based on your needs for the day.

If you're in the market for a prenatal workout - or even post - it's a keeper. I have yet to get annoyed with the instructor - the cueing is great, but keep in mind since you're only working in 10 minute segments be prepared to quickly go from one exercise to another. Be sure to have all the gear you need in close proximity as there is like zero time for set up. (You'll need 2 pillows, a mat, and a light set of weights.)

The workouts definitely get my heart rate up & on the buns workout, I can feel the burn :)
Love that feeling!

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As a side note, I've taken such a hiatus from my love of fashion.

It's become so unbearably depressing to shop. I'm now having to clothe such a larger body and having to cope with swelling appendages. Who knew that "foot overhang" existed?

The swelling is so bad in my feet that TMBTB (the man behind the bump) had to CUT OFF MY TOE RING!!

I'm 31 weeks, and today sporting a pair of my non-maternity True Religion jeans. It may sound silly, but I find solace in being able to still fit in them. Granted they are not buttoned - but eh, potato / potahtoh.

half baked

It's my 100th post! So I'm going to break out of my shell & do a food post. Fasten your seatbelts.

When it comes to cooking...plainly put, I stink.

Granted, I am fully capable of following a recipe...but when it comes to subbing in items...I have no earthly clue what I am doing.

I was planning out my food for this coming week's lunch, and I remembered that Bethany posted a link to some carrot cake style protein bars. I thought I'd give them a whirl.

I already had several of the ingredients, or so I thought...

love this protein mix

For some reason though I am horrible with planning out a shopping list after comparing a recipe to what I do & do not have "in stock".

I went to the grocery store & picked up the only items I thought I needed.

Granted when I got home, I was incorrect & realized I needed others. Enter in the fabulous art of googling, and being able to twitter my college nutrition professor Cynthia Sass.

Here's what the original recipe called for...
1c oat flour
2 scoops vanilla whey protein
2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp baking soda
1/4tsp salt
1/8tsp allspice
1/8tsp nutmeg
4 egg whites
3/4c splenda, truvia, or ideal
8oz baby food carrots
4oz water

I don't know what the heck oat flour is...well, I do now after googling it...but for some reason I breezed over that portion of the recipe. I ended up using unbleached white flour...I was going to use whole wheat flour, but naturally, mine expired in February.

So substitution #1: unbleached white flour for oat flour

Allspice? Again, I don't cook/bake a lot so I definitely didn't have that. But I did have pumpkin pie spice!

So substitution #2: pumpkin pie spice for allspice

I don't like sugar substitutes...I'm just not a big fan of how they taste. So I tweeted Cynthia & asked what I can sub in or if she thought I should use the sugar substitutes. I had a hunch she wouldn't recommend using them...and I was correct...she offered up to either use fruit or less sugar, but not the substitutes. She recommended pureed dates & peaches, mashed banana, cinnamon, fresh grated ginger, or citrus zest. I thought peaches would work with the particular recipe...

So substitution #3: baby food peaches for 3/4c sugar substitute

I'm sure my substitutes would make the chefs out there cringe...but I have low standards for baking, and I'm happy to say, the protein bars turned out edible!



Move over Betty Crocker!

cinco de mayo



We had our Mexican meal 2 nights ago, or else I'd definitely be noshing on something Mexican themed for dinner. I made something on the lines of an open faced quesadilla bake?

I really don't know what to call it, but it was good.
Cooked 2 chopped up chicken breasts with rosemary/garlic, and 2 tsp EVOO
Heated up some black beans on the stove while the chicken was cooking
Once everything was heated/cooked, I layered all my ingredients in a pan like this:
2 whole wheat soft taco shells on the bottom (side by side)
Layer of salsa
Layer of chicken
Layer of 2 more shells, side by side
Layer of black beans
Shredded cheese sprinkled on top
Baked it for 5 minutes at 400*, then another 5 minutes at 350*

I consider it a good meal when:
1. Matteo goes back for seconds
2. Matteo asks "is there enough left for lunch?" as opposed to "you'll eat this for lunch tomorrow, right?" (the second question pretty much implies, "it's on you babe to finish this hot mess or toss it")
3. Matteo says "this has good flavor" (he says that I'm hard-to-please, but he's just as hard-to-please when it comes to food)
4. Matteo doesn't eat a bowl of cereal right after dinner or at any other point that evening

So, if you're going Mexican tonight in honor of the festivities, here are some helpful tips:
**Guacamole ~ even though avocados are a great source of good fat, they still have to be consumed in moderation. Don't eat all the guac! (preaching to myself here)
**Chips ~ if you can't skip them, be modest & pick a number in your head of how many you'll eat. Stick to that number (like 12, 14...not 50)
**Watch out for the taquitos / flautas / chimichangas, since they tend to be deep fried
**If you're a sucker for sour cream (like me), try using Greek yogurt instead
**Try sticking to black beans as a side item & skip the rice, especially if you're craving chips

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I opted to take a rest day yesterday rather than do any circuit trainings. So instead, Matteo & I went up to Dick's Sporting Goods, Ross, & TJ Maxx.

I don't know what it is, but the fishing section of Dick's Sporting Goods, really makes me want to take a nap.

Anyone else?

Matteo picked out more fishing lures...(as if he needs more)
those are all unopened packs on the wall...
and he says I'm a collector...
psh!

I love that he's so passionate about fishing :) makes me feel better about myself with my crafting supplies.

Once he decided he had found the best deals - we headed over to TJ, to get our Maxxinista on. I found kettle balls for $5.99 & $9.99! Ross was kind of a bust...it wasn't the right day to find any treasures, for me at least. Matteo always finds great deals there & walked away with some goods.

Find any great deals lately on fitness equipment, clothes, etc?

Today is my tempo run...followed by a kettle ball circuit (maybe). I really want to try them out today, but who knows how I'll feel after the run.