Xmas in February

Started the day with a spinach-coffee smoothie! I never had the two together but holy yum! I usually have a hot coffee in the morning but have been bored with mine lately (not sure if it is the brand or just redundancy of it?)

Since I woke up a little late and knew I wouldn’t be enjoying breakfast for a while so I downed a Thomas Whole Wheat Bagel Thin with Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter and Almond Butter

Hit

The

Spot

I need to eat this more!

Continuing on my cold drink kick, I decided to switch it up and get an iced coffee at Starbucks with two pumps sugar-free vanilla

My barista was starting to make my drink when I walked in so it was nice to throw him off track 🙂 lol I love the Starbucks baristas in my building though, they are wonderful, peppy and know what a girl wants.

I had a Bosc Pear between meals and absolutely love that I can eat it like a huge turkey leg!

Lunch was a piece of the Chicken Tamale Casserole I made the other night with a dollop of sour cream. It was great and could definitely see myself making it again. I was surprised that the cornbread taste didn’t take over, it was very mild. I was also surprised it wasn’t too spicy. I added jalapenos instead of green chiles but still mild, in my opinion.

And a disappointing snack in the afternoon: Chobani Champions Chocolate flavor

Big Thumbs DOWN! I am still sad I was so displeased with it, especially after trying the HoneyNaner this wknd. I found the Chocolate  very sour and chalky. Unfortunately, they are packaging the Chocolate and HoneyNaner together so I probably wouldn’t buy this flavor combo again. Sad, since once I day I want my own Chobani factory in my backyard…..

I feel like it is Christmas in February for me. I have been cleaning my place and found some goodies but also bought a couple new things.

New toys to play with:

New Digital!!!

I have had my old camera since 2002 so I decided it was time for an upgrade. Thanks Uncle Sam for a quick tax return turn around time!

Ozeri Food Scale

I have never owned one so I am geeked to try it

Last but not least

The Magic Bullet

I got this for my birthday back in December and haven’t even used it yet. And I don’t know why, which makes me sad. I went on a cruise in December then went to Florida for Christmas so I was moving around a lot but still, that was two months ago. I need to get on the magic bullet train!
I had a snack of Marzetti Lite Ranch Dip and Baby Carrots

Dinner was Spaghetti Squash with sauce consisting of stewed tomatoes, morningstar veggie, onion and mushrooms

I went for a short/run walk after dinner because Lost is on tonight and I feel like vegging out and watching. It was rainy and cold out (which I love) so it was only for 30 mins and about 1.5 miles. I would know if I had my heart rate monitor but sigh, still waiting on that bad boy.

I came home and refueled with what else—-a spinach smoothie(Can ya tell I like these?) with baby spinach, Chocolate Whey Protein, Soy Milk and TJ’s Plain Greek Yogurt

And the Yuengling Glass is just too cute for words

Alright. I have never put Greek Yogurt in a smoothie and I don’t know why I never tried it. This was like a malt and so delicious! I wonder what the Greek Yogurt with fruit in it would taste like? We will just have to see…..

While waiting for Lost, I leave you with some Lincoln love

The Green Meal

Literally dinner tonight was green. Not aqua but green-which I absolute love!

I was supposed to go out tonight but my stomach was hurting earlier today and therefore didn’t feel too social. But it’s all good because I got a lot accomplished later this evening!

I got a notice saying I had a package in the apartment complex office waiting for me and it was a Valentine’s Day package from my older sister in Indiana.

Mind you, I am 30 years old and she still sends me stuff. I love it though 🙂 Let’s check out the goodies….

Vanilla Creme Peeps—OMG! I so wanted to tear into these bad boys so bad but had some self-control (we will see how long that lasts)

 Heart shaped measuring spoons–how adorable!

She also sent me a necklace and pair of earrings she only wore once and she said they were more “me” than her-yes indeed. 🙂

I had to try on right away!!

I am in love ….with the necklace…..not myself (although I am pretty awesome!) 🙂

Snack was a Luna Cookie- Chocolate Mint

Grrr…..need to give myself a manicure before night end. Anywho, this was alot better than I expected. Not rubber-y at all as some bars are and the chocolate wasn’t too artificial. I got this bad boy on sale at Earthfare for $1 each.

As I love Mexican food +quick dishes, I made my take on this Chicken Tamale Casserole  dish.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1  cup  (4 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided—I used 3/4 cup total
• 1/3  cup  fat-free milk–I used 1/4 cup Soymilk
• 1/4  cup  egg substitute
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/8  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1  (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn –thought cream corn in this sounded nasty so chose regular kernel corn
• 1  (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Martha White)—used 1/2 the box
• 1  (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained— I used jalapenos, Im spicy like that
• Cooking spray
• 1  (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
• 2  cups  shredded cooked chicken breast
• 1/2  cup  fat-free sour cream

I cooked two chicken breasts on the stove top before hand then threw in the food processor on low. This made about three cups when the recipe called for two so I stashed one cup in the fridge for later this week.

This is the base before adding the sauce, chicken and majority of cheese. I could have just eaten it like this!

 And right out of the oven…..

 I am stoked to try this, I will definitely be having it for lunch or dinner a few times this wk!

And now the great green meal of the night. I had a zucchini sitting in my fridge that needed to be used so I decided to make zucchini cakes. I peeled the zucchini then cut it up and put it in the food processor. It made a HUGE bowl of zucchini to be used (I would have never guesses that much!)

I put on a paper towel and rung out all the liquid then mixed 1/2 breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup liquid eggs, pepper, garlic and bbq seasoning and formed into patties (three, not too shabby for one zucchini!)

I put on the stove top with a tbsp of veggie oil

 As a side, I had leftover mashed potatoes from my gnocchi last night and an avocado-hello new creation I have never tried! I mixed the avocado and taters with 2 tbsp of fat-free sour cream and voila-my new favorite thing!

All together now…..

 Green green green! And fabulous fabulous fabulous!!!! I liked the zucchini cakes because they were crispy on the outside but mushy on the inside. I will definitely make this again!

Now that I think about it, I really haven’t had meat in the past two days and am fine with that. Wow. Freaky. For a girl who used to down quarter pounders that just sounds weird.

I went for a run/walk afterwards (which I did really good even though it was frickin freezing out!) for about 35 minutes. I definitely need to revamp my playlist for the wk and add some more upbeat.motivational songs. Anyone have any suggestions??

I came home and refueled with a smoothie consisting of

-1.2 cup frozen strawberries

-10 baby spinach leaves

1 cup Light Solymilk

1/2 scoop chocolate whey protein

And having it in this glass just made me smile 🙂