Warm Fruit, Cottage Cheese and Blueberry Oats

I wanted something warm so I heated up frozen blueberries and pineapple. The juices came out of the fruits and I thought I would make fruity-oats, so I put in some quick cook steel cut oats and added a little water. In they went to the microwave for a couple minutes and on top went Cottage cheese (cabot is delicious!!), Cinnamon, Banana (organic) with Smucker's All Natural Peanut Butter.

With Black Coffee:


Blueberry Oats Underneath:



Up early today thanks to jeff (really thanks because I hate sleeping in!) ... HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!

the plan:

gym ? run ? keep your fingers crossed for a 6 miler depending on my knee/toe status.

yoga- it really does fill body, mind, and soul.

Maybe looking at trucks with Jeff, we might drive down to the beach tomorrow to look at one ( its only about 1.5 hr away)

Maybe heading to his parents for new years eve festivities !? I don't think we really want to spend money on going to a bar to stand in there, sweat, be squished, and drink crappy free champagne. I am always in the mood to dance though!

I usually don't even photo what I drink unless its something other than water, but just so yall know- I drink a glass of water before each meal and another 4-5 throughout the day as well. Water is SO important to help with proper digestion and helps your body cell functioning. If I drink something else, I usually make note of it.

Speaking of drinks, hope all of you have a safe, fun plan for tonight!

Banana Almond Maple Oats

Breakfast:

Steel cut Quick Oats (from Trader Joes $2.29 for 17 servings)
organic banana ( it seriously fell that way in the bowl too)
I put a sprinkle of slivered almonds, a drop of maple syrup right in the middle and peanut butter all around the banana.
I also had a little of the smoothie I made for Jeff... milk, protein powder, pb, frozen mango, frozen pineaple and frozen strawberries.

I love how the snowman want to get all their stick-hands on my bowl!! Isn't that cute! The placemat is from Target (last year ).

the plan:
Body:

Run in the morning, strength training in the evening with Jeff!

Mind & Soul:
to be determined
I meditated yesterday after my 40 minute yoga session and I swear it was like waking up to a new day after! Felt fantastic.

*updated- Lunchtime

Hello Blog-land from Campus!

So.. Ortho ordered an MRI, he was not happy that my knee is still giving me problems . What is odd is that the last two weeks on the meds, I could run again with no problems- I posted about my Supersonic Racer Speed last week ( 7 mile run in 50 minutes and a 6.4 miler in around that too).

Yesterday, I went to "jog" to my car after biking and jabbed with pain on the first step from nowhere! So dissappointing.

Health insurance won't cover the MRI- it goes toward my deductible which is 2500 and it costs $600 out of pocket.

So the assistant is checking into other options on what to do and what will be figured out by the MRI- in most likely case- I need a surgical operation to either clear out cartiledge, or fix my knee cap. I doubt I can afford surgery, but at least 1/4 of my deductible would be paid for so ....??

After the appointment I went to the gym. I know, how ironic/hypocritical? But I felt like getting out my stress/frustration and the best way I can do that is by exercise- so

Body: Biked 11 miles, 23 minutes ( resistance level 4-11, random hill program). Elliptical 22 minutes (resistance level 3-5).. no strength training today, just some stress relieving cardio!

Mind: In the waiting area, got through several pages of Slow Food Nation...its been a Slow Read Too! I also am on campus early to do more research and read in the library, which should be rather productive.
** I got so much reading done in 30 minutes!!! Wow... super productive . Class was rather mundane- we got out early though so I could do more researching for the presentation for it! **

Soul: Dinner is already made and nail appointments for tomorrow evening. I have to pack but have a good base of what I need/want to take with me this weekend.
I also wanted to yoga everyday this week, so I plan on doing that this evening or going for a walk with Jeff. The grass needs cut too so I may do some yardwork with Jeff, the outdoor time relaxes me as well. ** yoga today- 20 minutes- Yardwork tomorrow afternoon with Jeff**


Lunch was delicious after the gym....I will have to post the pic later with dinner

I had:
TJ Steel Cut Oats, added tsp organic peanut butter, dried cranberries and pineapple ( and wished I had coconut!)... THANKS MOM FOR THE ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER! ( its less salty but still yummy!)
Oikos Blueberry Organic Greek ( HT had $0.75 off coupons- i took a bunch which made the cost less than other greek yogurts!)
Thawed Steamed Veggies and Fresh Raw Veggies with a tsp of Garlic Hummus

Delicious! Off to coursework, see you around dinner

Friday- Saturday

Friday Wrap Up
Body: GLORIOUS RUN! I felt like a supersonic speed racer... Total distance 7 miles... First 2 miles: 18 minutes... Second Deuce miles: 16 minutes.... Third Duece: 15:40... Last 1 mile: 6 minutes 22 seconds !! Wohooooooooooo! Total time: 56 minutes 2 seconds .. I biked for 2 miles as a cool down, very light and easy.
Absolutely FANTASTIC workout... I feel completely happy and excited to REST saturday!

Post workout I was not hungry at all but knew I should fuel up before heading to andreas... I had a new "Strawberry and Flax Kashi Waffle" - and for the first time- a blueberry nonfat TJ greek yogurt- definately good but since Trader Joes and Lowes ( the only chobani dealer) are in the same complex - I figure it will be a great switch for whichever is on sale...

Mind: Suduko and 1 chapter of SFN

Soul: GIRLS NIGHT!!!! We tied personalized tags to Andrea's favors ( wine bottle stoppers both shells and hearts) while we drank fantastic wine , played Guitar Hero, played Wii Tennis ( had the most awesome time!) and caught up with each other on everything and excitedly discussed wedding details for exactly in ONE week one of my best friend's will be married to one of Jeff's best friends!!

Dinner:
Sundried Tomato and Basil Dressing with added Sundried Tomatoes on top of Chicken- Baked in the oven while we enjoyed our first glass of the pinot I got at TJ- It was great and only like $5 ..Rice and Corn on the side and a Salad with romaine, carrots, red pepper, tomato and onion...
P.S That's the second glass of wine

I decided to start training with this agency to work with Jacob a few hours a week... His mom won't have to pay me and I can get paid for training, re-certified in CPR for "free" and get flexible hours only when I can fit them in. There was the first training today from 9-2 so I had to "work" on a saturday but really just sit and listen to the first training part of working with people with disabilities .

Saturday Morning Breakfast: I tried that frozen steel cut oatmeal from trader joes and was pleasantly suprised with its "Hint of Maple Syrup". It was indeed a great "fast fix" - you take the oatmeal out of the package and heat it in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes.. stir and thats it!
I had a banana with peanut butter and tiny piece of banana bread.... and a spoonful of applesauce and plain greek yogurt ( TJ- the texture is different than chobani, fage, and oikos - I liked it but equally as much as the others)

Saturday Lunch:
I realize it is pitiful but I woke up ( not early) to go to training and I wasn't sure how long it would be or if we had a "lunch hour". We did get a half hour break so I had this granola bar and came home before 2... I will be making something shortly but I did grab some mini chocolate peanut butter cups for now..

Okay or Jeff will be making something as he just announced..


Body : REST! my quads and hammies are actually sore... but in that good way like " hey we should do that more often" kinda way...

Mind: Read a few pages of SFN and will read after I post this! I also have tomorrow to read and research...

Soul: I love the weekends because I get to spend them with Jeff and my friends and ( family sometimes) so being around my favorite people is always fantastic. Andrea and Nate ( the bride and groom) , Me and Jeff, and Brit and Tim are all planning on getting together later for dinner/drinks/??? debauchery ?

Happy Weekend All!