Gym Slump

I don't know what it is but I just do not want to go to the gym. Last night I just could not go after work and it was Tuesday which meant I missed my fave yoga class!

I have 2 theories:
a- the gym I go to is too far and I always need to travel further to get there at least 15 minute walk or a subway ride
b- I am just in a slump because it is STILL WINTER!

So I am not forcing myself to go anymore, for my insurance payback I have t to go 2 more times before April 7th,  which I know for sure I can accomplish and after that I will just keep on trucking.. while looking for a gym that may be closer to my work and/or home.

Tuesday I ate:

Breakfast:

• Coffee w/mix of fat free vanilla creamer and last drops of peppermint mocha
• Nature Valley Bar at 11:30 pm

Lunch:
Morningstar Veggie Burger (Mexican variety- there was yellow corn and black beans in this guy) w/melted mozzarella on a bagel



Dinner:
 Yummy leftover sweat and sour meatballs over couscous (herb and olive oil variety)

Sauteed Asparagus w/EVOO, Garlic, and lemon juice in my new grill pan!

Also I got something pretty awesome for my anniversary present! Cannot wait for it to come!!!

Weekends don't count?

I essentially eat what I want on the weekends and don't blog .. which means I don't lose weight at all and the really good food I eat doesn't even make it onto this blog.. I need to work out a system where it's not annoying to blog aka put pictures on ..  Anyways this weekend was great fun and food with family Shabbat at my in laws with most of my sibling in laws (including 2 munchkin nephews).

For the first time I can document exactly what I ate on Sunday.. usually its too much to remember :(

Breakfast:
Grande Vanilla Latte from
Sunday was our close friends babies first birthday brunch so I had:

Sesame bagel w/cream cheese, lox, and tomato
mimosa
slice of strawberry shortcake (sooo rich and sweet but delicious! Highly recommend Stop and Shop cakes!)

Dinner was Carlos and Gabbys (the best Kosher Mexican place around!
Nacho Grande Platter w/steak
1/2 chili burrito (the other half will be lunch!)

Then we went home and watched Never Let Me Go .. a really great/ really weird movie.. Andrew Garfield is just an entirely different role than Eduardo in The Social Network.. Kudos to him!

Amazing Salad

I had to stop what I was doing and blog about my salad today for lunch!

It consists of

• Boston Lettuce - I am liking this much more than Romaine these days and at Costco its 2 big heads (lasts me 4 salads about) for $2.99!
• Craisins
• Feta cheese
• 1/2 avocado
• Persian cucumber
• Grape tomatoes
• Canned corn (other half leftover from the chili)
• EVOO and Mrs. Dash

It may not look so great but its def delicious!

Thursday

Boring catchup day:

Coffee w/Banana Bread (this is the bread that never ends really.. more like cake)

Lunch Salad:

• Boston Lettuce
• craisins
• tomatoes
• Persian cuke
• feta
• Dressing: Balsamic, Safflower Oil, and Dijon mustard.

Dinner:

Turkey Chili that was made in a crock pot all day!
In the morning I threw in:

• 14 oz can of diced chili ready tomatoes
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• oregano, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper
• 1 can of corn

Mixed it up and then it cooked all day on low..

 I cannot believe I forgot to take a picture! As I was scarfing down my chili w/guacamole and sliced peppers on whole grain hard tortilla shells I must have forgotten....

I actually had 3 mini tortillas..I was hungry after I FINALLY went to the gym and going on the elliptical for 30 min.

I was stressed that I had so much to do that I hopped off before the cool down 5 min.. whatever thats ADD for ya.

Went home and prepared some green olive dip for Shabbat. Its sooo good on Challah and super easy to make:

Olive Dip

• 1 normal sized jar of green olives w/pimento (drained)
• 3-5 garlic cloves
• onion powder 
• mayonnaise

food process it all and add mayonnaise till desired consistency.. YUM!

Shabbat Shalom!

Dont wanna be an American Idiot

Its been a super hectic week for me so I'll do 2 days in one post..
Tuesday :

Coffee and Banana Bread (homemade by my SIL)

Lunch Salad:

• Boston Lettuce
• red pepper
• craisins
• feta
• tomatoes
• persian cuke
• Awesome dressing: balsamic vinegar, safflower oil, dijon mustard

Dinner:
After going to see my grandparents for a quick visit we met up with my brother in Kew Garden Hills for some chinese food. I know it is actually horrible for me but mannn do I love a good hot and sour soup!

Annies Kitchen (sister of Annie Chans which is further along on Union Tpk - if any of you people out there know Queens) was yum and somewhat affordable.

I got the Fon Wong Mai - Bad mistake ..sounded good in my head but it was chicken breast around pastrami and fried. Blech. So I just ate:
Hot and sour soup
egg roll
mixed vegetables and fried rice

Sooo that was enough for me ..

The reason for the title of this post is that last night we (me and hubs) went to see American Idiot on Broadway!

We love rock/alternative music so this was super fun! Highly recommend and i would say it is like Rent but hard rock? Most shows in March are $39 which is quite a good deal for Broadway!

Yesterday was:

Coffee and Banana Bread

Lunch was a cheesefest.. and not in a good way:

• Leftover Mac and cheese 
• Steamed broccoli w/melted smoked chedder

Snack was surprise Berrywild yogurt from my boss!
it was a bit not to my taste but i ate it anyway

Coffee/Banana side by side covered with:
strawberries
cinnamon toast crunch
granola

I probs would have left out the granola .. but all the same I ate around it..

Dinner before the show was meant to be cheaper than it was... because we live in Riverdale it didn't make sense to go all the way home after work just to come back down into the theater area.. so after walking into Kosher Deluxe ( a gross-ish kosher establishment) and seeing that they didn't have asanitary grade on the window - which is now required by law.. we crossed the street to Mr. Broadway.

 I got a White Bean Soup (eh) and a California and tuna avocado sushi rolls. I have this bizarre need to order sushi if they offer it in a resturaunt and most of the time its not so good! Must stop.

Then we saw American Idiot!

And now this blog is caught up on my life :)

Post Purim Fatty

Purim was super fun and draining so yesterday was boring with:

Breakfast:
coffee
hamentaschen (apricot and rasberry)

Lunch:
Salad w/

• romaine lettuce
• craisins
• feta cheese
• tomatoes
• cucumbers
• red pepper
• EVOO and Mrs. Dash

Dinner:
Publix brand mac and cheese w/steamed broccoli

I tried to be healthy with the steamed broccoli but really the Publix mac and cheese is just not good for anyone.. but it was so easy and delicious!

Heimishe Tuesday

Coffee for breakfast

Lunch:
Salad w/

• Romaine
• tomatoes
• 1/2 avocado
• craisins
• feta cheese
• cucumber
• EVOO w/Mrs Dash seasoning (fyi they sell a big one for only $3 at Costco!)
• 
  

Dinner:

Split 5 sushi rolls w/Hubs at Sushi Meshuga in Boro Park, Brooklyn. I love cheap sushi and this place was definitely cheap (ish)! As soon as I saw the A grade for sanitation I figured why not!

We attacked:

• 2 Dragon Rolls (California roll topped w/avocado)
• Meshuga Roll (salmon, cucumber, avocado topped w/spicy tuna)
• Mexican Tempura Roll (spicy tuna and spicy salmon deep fried )
• Tokyo Roll (Spicy salmon and mock crab deep fried) 

Also go us for not finishing the deep fried rolls and ordering another Dragon roll instead

We were in Boro Park last night to get some things for our Purim costumes.. Purim is the Jewish Holiday where we dress up and have a jolly day.. we like to get into it so our costumes usually take some planning.. and tons of shopping.

I will definitely post pictures because I am proud of this years costume :)

Purim is in T minus 4 days!

You know what goes great together? Mondays breakfast:

• 2 homemade Hamentashen - apricot and rasberry and Coffee = YUM

Lunch:

• Chicken and pastrami whole wheat wrap w/pickle and coleslaw (obvi) from Mendys w/some buds (shoutout)

Dinner:

• 3 bowls (I know.. portion control!) of unstuffed cabbage soup.
• 1 piece of leftover Squash Kugel 

This soup is basically delicious tomato soup with cabbage and meat. I usually make it for only small Shabbat meals with close family or just me and the hubs because not everyone is as huge a fan as I am... and for all out there who don't have this yummy recipe:


Squash Kugel (recipe courtesy of friend Rachel)

• 1 large squash cut in half and baked for 1 hr OR one package cut up fresh squash boiled til mashable

• 1/2 stick of marg
• 1/2-3/4 cup sugar (sweetness preference)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup non dairy creamer
• 3 eggs
• cinnamon

 

Boil or bake the squash until mashable, mash in the margarine while still hot so it melts in. then add sugar, flour, eggs and creamer and mix til smooth. pour into greased pan (9 by 13 is a little big, try and find a bit smaller so its thicker - i use one of the white corningware dishes) - sprinkle with cinamon and bake for 45 min or til brown and bubbly.

There has been lots of preparation for Purim in my house but I still had time to go to the gym for 35 minutes on the elliptical! I am at that place where I need to step up my time to 45 .. but I just get so bored :(

Tuesday will not be a gym night.. as Boro Park is calling my name but tomorrow I'll step it up!

Weekend Edition minus the Hamentashen making pics!

This time change really did a number on me.. since the dreaded switch my eye has not stopped twitching... maybe partly to blame on me only sleeping 5 hours sat night but what can you do?
PS Take Me Home Tonight was great!

Saturday night midnight pizza slice may have not helped either :(

Sunday was just a continuation of more pizza (which is funny because I am not usually a huge pizza person)

1 slice as an early lunch and then went to my friend "Bean"s for a homemade pizza dinner (whilst making the Hamentashen- picture post to come)

We also rocked Costco and Trader Joes.. I am pretty sure I spend more on food than anything else (except maybe gas)

Exercise on Sunday:
33 minutes on the elliptical.. had to get off then because I found out we were locked out of our apartment and my husband had to go to the bathroom so it was time to go!

I need 2 cups of coffee this morning

Yesterday was a cold and rainy fiasco involving:

Coffee w/Peppermint Mocha creamer

A lunch at my desk made up of:

• Pita Crackers w/roasted red pepper spread from Trader Joes :)
• Gouda Cheese
• Roasted almonds

I walked all the way to the gym in the rain and then was so tired and worn out I just left :(

Went home and cooked for Shabbat :

Whole Wheat Challah
Cabbage Soup w/meatballs
Sweet potato Kugel
Popcorn Cauliflower
Gefilte Fish w/Spinach and onion loaf
Marinated the London Broil (will review the new recipe and post if its good because it is much easier than my usual)

To make today:
Honey Mustard chicken
Chulent
Asparagus

Because I was cooking all this my dinner was:
Takeout white bean soup and homemade nachos (chips w/melted smoked chedder, salsa, light sour cream)

I cannot wait for a restful Shabbat reading my True Blood/ Sooki Stackhouse novels.. I know they are a bit trashy but I am really getting into them I am on #6 right now (Definitely Dead) and may need to get the 7th so I can read and relax all Shabbat with them!!

Gym Rush

Yesterday was:

Coffee w/ Peppermint Mocha creamer -its ok not as good as lovely Starbucks though :(

Salad w/ dressing that may have gone bad:

• Romaine lettuce
• tomato
• avocado (1/2)
• yellow pepper
• feta cheese

Snack: 

• roasted/salted almonds
• green grapes

Dinner:

(must work on background and pics)

• Steak w/some BBQ sauce and seasonings (eaten w/my fave Heinz 57 steak sauce)
• Roasted Pine Nut Couscous
• Steamed Broccoli

Dessert (MUST STOP):

2 Chipsticks 

Exercise:

I went back on the elliptical for the first time in over 2 weeks and made it to 30 minutes before my calf muscles started spazzing.. So off I went!

In order to get back $$$ from my health insurance I need to go to the gym 11 times before April 1, 2011. I must go ... so here's hoping I make it!

Smoothies are back!

Smoothie for 2 made of:

• 2 bananas
• Stonyfield 0% fat french vanilla organic yogurt 
• 6 frozen strawberries
• handful of frozen blueberries
• 1 packet truvia

Salad with

• Romaine
• mozarella
• tuna
• tomatoes
• corn
• pickles
• Balsamic Vinegarette  

After picking up the new spiffmobile we headed out to my inlaws and nothing there appealed to us so we ran out and quickly grabbed some pizza and garlic knots!

For me:

1 spinach slice 

1 tomato and red onion slice

Hubs had 2 plain slices = Boring

and we split the knots!

Priorities are on hold!

On Friday we found out that our old car was either going to fail inspection or we would have to put over $1,000 dollars into it to save. We chose to give this car to my brother (so he can drive it locally where he is) and he will put the money into it himself.. We know that we drive a ton as my husband commutes to school and we drive all over the place, and with the rising gas prices we definitely wanted something that was gas efficient. Even though I really wanted this guy:

2011 Hyundai Tucson 

I don't have kids or any reason to be wasting gas on this guy... sooo behold our new spiffmobile:

We got a brand new 2010 Hyundai Elantra so it came with the rocking warranty and gets some good mileage (26/34mpg)

So because of all of the stress and business that goes along with a car purchase, my eating and exercising has been way off.. Culminating in last nights 9pm all you can eat Kosher Chinese and sushi buffet that we found near the dealership. 

Back to pick up the car tonight so I have to miss my Vinyasa Yoga.. sad but what can you do?

#1 way not to lose weight

Ditch the gym and then go out for your sister in laws birthday and order this:

Bison Burger with fried onions and portabello mushrooms on top

For my appetizer I had a smaller version of this Asian steak salad:

(this is my mother in laws entrée size)

And dessert:

Creme Caramel..

Yes I am a Fail.. but it was AMAZING.

And I only ate half the burger (the other half was lunch on Friday)

Where is Spring Again?

Wednesday was my first day back on a normal schedule.. I was so upset I missed my awesome Tuesday night Vinyasa class that I decided to go to a Power Yoga Hour @ Crunch on UWS .. it was really intense. there were a ton of Vinyasa type yoga poses that were great but then they just hurt. Today my legs feel a bit like they could detach from my body and my upper back and shoulders are really sore.. Lets just hope I dont die tonight..

Anyways yesterdays Eats:
Breakfast
Coffee - back to Fat Free Vanilla creamer and it really is just not the same...
Nature valley- Green bar (never mentioned before) Obviously I get the green oats and honey flavor- Its the best one!
Lunch
Parmesan couscous w/leftover steamed broccoli and kale

Kale was made the night before like this for 25 minutes:

• 1 pound kale, tough stems and center ribs discarded and leaves cut into 1-inch-wide strips (8 cups)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Pinch of dried hot red pepper flakes

Added at end:

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Dinner 

Yummy steak with mashed potatoes and some broccoli!

• The potatoes were mashed and speared with Smart Balance spread
• Broccoli steamed in water
• Steak marinated for 3 hours in BBQ sauce and broiled for like 10 minutes once I got home

 

I like my steak rare so this looked so good I needed to take another picture...

 

Here's to hoping I make it to Cardio Tai Box!

Tuesday Thievery

Today was super hectic also..

When I got to work I found that someone had stolen my coffee pot for a meeting! Seriously was not ok and I promptly went to my boss to tell her how pissed I was. I know that sounds a bit childish but my entire office is all just a bit ridiculous...

Anyways I only got a coffee at 11 am when I ran to Starbucks to get the big cases of coffee for my office event. But it was a vanilla latte from Starbucks so woo!

Lunch was from NY Lunchbox and was:
greek salad and
sushi (a mix of california, spicy salmon, avocado, and salmon/avocado)
I may have tried a small sliver of leftover cake from last nights party...

Dinner was:
Terriyaki Salmon w/parmesan couscous and steamed broccoli

 

Its possible mint chocolate chip ice cream is calling my name....