Challenges

I'm back at work full time+ these days, tax season is here in full force. It's a double edge sword because my savings account needs to be replenished for all the future travel plans I have but so many things suffer like quality time with my family and friends, clean laundry and exercise and eating well. While it's mildly slow here at my office I'm making plans to eat well this tax season and I hope to lose a few (or 20) pounds along the way. I've been bringing all the things to make a great salad so I get my greens in, snacky things like 100 calorie popcorn to thwart cravings that would normally have me eat giants sums of chips and I've been munching on apples dipped in chocolate almond butter to quell that sweet tooth that rages on every single day.

The challange is to KEEP IT UP. I must start planning the night before for breakfast otherwise I'll end up pouring a huge bowl of cereal for myself or totally forget to grab anything and eat donuts from the corner bakery. I mean, don't get me wrong, donuts are lovelyto eat and eat and eat but my butt doesn't approve. I've learned that I need high-ish protein breakfasts that consist of both protein and carbs to keep me going. Two of the recipes I'll be making that have given me great success in the past:

Dough Boy Smoothie (From Kath Eats. This smoothie is so good especially when topped with a little bit of coconut butter and chopped nuts.)

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bake(From The Edible Perspective. I sometimes sub pumpkin for applesauce or mix up the other ingredients for something new. If I half this bake and top with peanut butter and jelly it's a delicious breakfast meal for around 300 calories which is perfect for me. Then the next day I eat the other half!)

I keep Hail Merry raw vanilla maple almonds on hand at all times and a stash of oranges, apples and bananas also. Another secret weapon? Those small one-serving Justin's Nut Butter you can find at almost all nicer grocery stores...genius.

I've got my plan in place, oh yes I sure do. I just need to keep it there and keep working toward eating well and feeding my body what it needs on a regular basis.

I'm on the lookout for really tasty salads (grain or vegetable based), simple one dish meals and foods I can prepare some at work where I'm limited to a can opener and a microwave. If you've got suggestions or blogs you recommend I'd love to hear about them.

Now, I'm off to make a delicious and hopefully simple dinner while I count down to quitting time (9pm!).

Comments

[Amy]

Mmmm, good recipes! Thanks!

[Erica H.]

These quinoa patties http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/baked-quinoa-patties-recipe.html are a nice, portable snack. I just keep a stack in the fridge and they last quite a while.