Vlog, plus tasty eats!

Well, the long weekend is gone…and a 5:00am wakeup call looms in my future!  My camera was no where to be found for the majority of the weekend, but I did record some tasty eats today!  Lunch used one of the homeade veggie burgers Kim and I whipped up on Friday…

Topped the patty with some Laughing Cow Light Swiss, and had a side of FRESH corn (the only way to eat it…straight off the cob!), some Stacys Whole Grain Pitas…and some Tabouli Salad!

And a fannnnntastic dinner, with a leftover half sandwich from “Which Wich” …….love this place!  My sammie of choice was a black bean patty, with a load of veggies and pesto!

Also broke free from my Veggie Booty chains this week, and switched up the flavor!  Sour Cream & Onion Booty this time

Followed by an amazing mixture of dessert goodness.

Nothing like a bowl of choco-granola-almond-yum to end a long weekend!  Hope everyone had a good one!

PS, I am currently HATING the new Usher song “Oh My God“….anyone else with me?!

What “popular” song do you detest at the moment!?

Veggie Burgers, 145 + Pounds Lost, Long Weekend!

Is it just me, or are people in automatic better moods once they know that the weekend is extended 24 hours???

This being Memorial Day Weekend, I can honestly say that last night I got what is probably my most amazing nights sleep evaaaaaah.  First, though….I had to make it through the day!

Started off with an early 3 mile run, and then off to the first official weigh-in for Eight To The Eights!  The group did SO amazing in their first week, and lost over 145 pounds!!!  Check out the leader board for week 1!

They were incredible.  Everyone combined lost over 145 pounds in one week!!!!!!  Also recorded their first set of video diaries.  Here is just one example from one of the teams:

You can check out all the video diaries, by checking the official FaceBook page “8 To The 8′s!”

Have I mentioned that I am absolutely on cloud 9 being able to help run this program?  Everything is going exactly as planned, and I could not have asked for a better group of contestants.  Awesome, awesome, awesome.  There does not even seem to be enough positive words to describe how doing this makes me feel.  Absolutely amazing.

After the incredible weigh-in, it was off to teach Spin (60 minutes of GaGa!) and then sip on a home made “Frappa-tyler” so that I can stop giving Starbucks $10 a day!

This bad boy had:

• Vanilla Protein Powder
• Chia Seeds
• Ice
• Almond Milk

The verdict…….move over Starbucks!  This cheap rendition did the trick!

Then…for once…it was time to have a Saturday evening OFF!  This special occasion definitely called for a celebration.  Home made veggie burgers anyone???

We got this recipe from our amazing co-worked, Terri!  With her permission, I will soon post the recipe!  Met Krucker at our local Ingles to grab the stuff!

And we got to work!

The recipe calls for an array of gorgeous veggies!

Which get combined with the main ingredient/binder….black eyed peas.

Kims cat, Sammy, decided to lounge around in the empty shopping bag!

Have I mentioned that this cat is the former fur-daughter of Emily?!?!?!

Back to the burgers….it was time to mix!

Once combined, it was time for the egg and bread crumbs.  We used Panko crumbs, which are a Japanese style bread crumb.  If you havent tried these, you need to!  They are more light and crispy than the normal ones.

Once everything was combined, it was time to patty out and cook.

What good is a new recipe without a taste test?!?  We had to make sure they were edible, right?

Yum.

Yum.

YUM!!!!!!

You guys have got to make these little cuties.  I swear, I will never BUY veggie burgers again.  Best part it, they freeze wonderfully and all you have to do is reheat!  I will post the recipe asap.

After fun times with Kim, it was time to head to Jack’s for a fun dinner with friends!  This place is one of my favorites.  Totally eclectic and colorful.  Random things glued to the wall, and tables you can write on.  What more can you ask for?!?!

Oh….I know….loads of vegetarian options?!?!  Sah-weet.

I got the Veggie Wrap on Spinach, with a double order of steamed Brocc instead of the fries…

I will let the picture do the rest…

Prrrrrretty tasty.  I even had enough left to save for lunch the next day.  Score!

Upon coming home I proceeded to immediately collapse, and not wake up until early this morning.  Can I just say how wonderful it is NOT to have to set an alarm, and just wake up whenever your body decides it’s hungry???

Lucky for me, I thwarted the hunger with a big stack of “spray-cakes”!

Who needs the mess and time of normal pancakes, when you can do this:

Which quickly turns into a plate of joy.

Spray-Cakes with Almond Butter and Agave Syrup drizzle…and a huge pear!

and then a couple hours later…when the hunger arrived again, I went for yogurt and cereal.

At which point, I headed to work.  I only teach Spin 1 out of every 4 Sundays….and apparently today was my day!  Whoops!  Thankfully I was already working, and just jetted up there for an impromptu, and sweaty, class!  NEVER exercise in a cotton shirt!  Yuck!

(wherever could this picture have been taken?!?!)  ;-)

Well bloggies, time to clean the YMC-izzle and then head home to celebrate a Monday of nothing to do!  I know I had said I was taking two off days, but the random Spin class messed that up.  I am, however, NOT working out tomorrow!  So there.  ;-)

What are your big plans for the long weekend?  Or whats left of it?

Friday, in fast forward!

Hello bloggies!  How is everyones Friday treating them??  Mine has been amazing and semi chillaxed, if you can believe it!

Started off with my usual 5am wakeup call for our Eights To The Eights Boot Camp Circuit Class!  Check out a little montage I put together:

Amazing, right?!

Their first weigh-in is tomorrow to see how much they have lost in the first week, and I cannnnnnnot wait.  I am nervous, excited, and anxious, all at the same time!  I want to see some big numbers on those scales!

After Boot Camp it was off to KidFit.  There is nothing like the ground still being wet with dew, yet STILL making the kids run.  ;-)  What can I say, I love my job.

Breakfast was a basic, yet deeeeeelicious bowl of Chia-Oats.  This bowl had walnuts and almond butter to finish them off:

Lets just face facts.  I am addicted to oatmeal.  Sometimes I *dream* about what kind of oatmeal I will be making the next day.  Does that make my life sad?!?!?!?!

Following this oatmeal, which was obviously laced with sleeping medication, I lapsed into a 4 hour mini sleep session.  I did not even WAKE up until 2:00pm!!!!!  What got into me?!?!?  Now, I take naps with the best of them, and love every minute of them.  But 4 hours?!?!?!?!?!?!  Sheesh.

Lunch was quite possibly one of the most random meals I have ever created.

Started off with some pre-packaged (and diced…score!) zucchini and squash.  I browned those up in a pan, and added some fresh corn from the cob.  Needing some protein, I could only find eggs.  Egg Scramble it was!

Not too shabby!

Nice piece of double fiber bread, and some strawberries later…

(topped the Eggs with some Greek Yogurt)

Pretty good for a meal thrown together out of randomness, eh?

This was followed by the last of my precious dried pineapples.

On the way to work, I created a 60 minute ALL Lady GaGa CD for Spin.  Muhahahahahaha.  Needless to say I will be using it again in my 10:30 class.

Dinner was quick, and eaten at work…

Veggie Wrap on wheat, chocked full of yumminess.

And that, my friends, is a Friday in flash forward!

Looking back on my egg inspired random lunch…..it leads me to ask:

What is your favorite random mess of a meal that you have prepared?

Paddle Boats and Pancakes

That sums it up, right?!?! 

Now on with the food!  Bed is calling my name so I have to make it snappy!

Breakfast was unfortunately not caught on camera because I left my camera at work!  Needless to say it was a boring, yet nonetheless tasty, bowl of cereal.  Kashi Go Lean mixed with Organic Cinnamon Toast Crunch!

Since it was such a beautiful day, and I actually had a couple of free hours in between 5 classes (PHEW!) I decided to hit up our local park for some fun times with Maggie and her brother and sister!  Snackage was consumed en route!

It was an amazingly beautiful day!

Oh thats right people.  PADDLE BOATS!

Talk about a leg workout, shew!  Totally fun, though.

Which caused a great hunger…which needed to be satisfied with PIZZAAAAAA!  Mellow Mushroom pizza, to be exact!

Jerk Tofu and Broccoli = WIN!

The salad was pretty baller as well ,although simple!

After lunch it was time for my LAST KidFit until the fall (sadness!) and a killer Total Body HIIT class!  I have been doing a 5 minute plank segment where we do a frontal plank, two side planks, and a reverse planks.  FUN times, I promise. 

Dinner was something quick and delicious, pancakes!

One was a simple crushed walnut one, while the other was filled with Chilean Raisins.  Both topped with my Trader Joe’s Agave Maple Syrup blend!

And that, my friends, is how to end a very hectic day on a good note. 

…Night!

Coffee = My New BFF

Seriously, I feel like the only thing getting me through these past few days has been my BFF from the Starbizz!

Can you believe I didn’t even get to blog yesterday?!?!?!  Depression.

Seriously, these weeks have been keeping me verrrrry busy, but I love it!  It’s a good trade off!  Yesterdays breakfast was a delicious batch of overnight oats that I scarfed down in between my 6am Spin and my 7:45am KidFit class!

Oat-A-Licious Overnight Oats:

• 1/2 Cup Oats
• 3/4 Cup Almond Milk
• 1 Handful (or seven) Chilean Raisins
• 1 Handful (or fourteen) Dried Banana
• 3 TBSP Chopped Walnuts
• 2 TBSP Chia Seeds
• 2 TBSP Sunflower Seed Butter

Stir those bad boys up, and refrigerate overnight….no cooking, no hassle, no problem!  Overnight oats are always my standard “on the run” breakfast!  If you have never tried them, you are missing out!!  ;-)

After Spin and KidFit…it was time for Circuit Class.  I have still been using moves inspired by the “Insanity” DVDs and I am completely in L.O.V.E with that program!  Plyometrics plus intense cardio plus weights!  Who could ask for more?!?!  I just wish I had the time/energy to DO them everyday on my own.  Thats sort of tough at the moment.  ;-)

We killed it in Circuit Class, and then it was time to plan my CD for Express Spin.  Glee recently did a Lady GaGa inspired episode…check out their awesome cover of Bad Romance!  So I found it fitting to do an entire CD of GaGa!!!!  We were hot, sweaty, messes.  I think Lady would be proud.

At this point I had about 2.5 seconds to throw together a quick lunch.  The star of the show:

I felt so Greek as I paired this with a whole wheat Pita…celery, and some Almond Butter for dippage!

Note to self: Buy this salad….ALOT.  It was so yummy on the Pita!

Yesterday was also quite eventful because it was our first official “Boot Camp” with the Eight To The Eights contestants!  We did a 90 minute Boot Camp in which I had the contestants for 30 minutes….Ginny had them for 30…and Kim had them for 30.  During my time, I had them doing biceps, chest, shoulders, cardio, and abs!  We got it all on film, but here is a fun 10:00 to enjoy!  They killed it!

I am so amazingly proud of these people.  In just one week I can see a noticeable difference in how they look, and I cannot WAIT until their first weigh in Saturday to see how much they have lost in their first week!  I am expecting some big numbers!!!  We shall see!

For dinner, I had been invited to lunch with my third graders who I had done my Student Teaching with last semester.  Have I mentioned how much I LOVE them?!?!  Seriously, they are the best…including my amazing mentor teacher in that classroom!  Since I couldnt eat at the time and then come teach Boot Camp, I got mine to go, and had it for dinner!  Mixed Veggies…and what seemed like a mountain of rice!

And literally, passed out after eating.

5 classes yesterday, 4 more today.  Is it Saturday yet?!?!?!  Seriously…I love working out as much as the next guy….but this is getting cahhhh-razy!  ;-)  Oh well, gives me more of an excuse to eat.  Again, DO AS I SAY…not as I do.  Working out this much is NOT good, and trust me….every opportunity I get, I am teaching rather than taking.  I am showing and not doing.

That being said…off to teach the kiddos!

Have a great day bloggies!

I will Vlog at some point today.  Thank you for all the sweet comments about the Vlog!  I love doing it, so it will for sure be a standard thing around these parts from here on out.  I guess I didn’t realize how Southern my accent was until NON Southern people took notice.  ;-)

Accidental Naps.

Arent they the best???  The ones where you have some time to kill, and you casually lie down thinking “I am just going to rest my eyes” (does anyone, including yourself, ever believe when that is sad?!?!) and then boom….you wake up 2 hours later.

I lurv them.

Today started with an extra early 5:45am Total Body HIIT which turned into half strength half circuit class, which I love!  Sweat was pouring!  Finished up with that and headed to the YMCA sponsored Summer Camp where I will be doing 1 hour workout classes with them everyday!  Sweet!

Today was their first day and they did amazing.  We did a circuit routine, and also added in some relay races!  Fun times!

Breakfast was a delicious waffle combination that started out with what is quickly becoming my favorite frozen waffle!

I also decided to make a mixture for the top that included half almond butter, and half agave/maple syrup!  So yummy!

I also made a little yogurt bowl with a new-to-me kind of yogurt:

…along with a new-to-me granola, and some chia seeds!  The waffles were topped with the “sauce” and then a nice nana to round things out!

After breakfast, the “accidental” nap occured…then it was off to Sahib for an Organic Indian Buffet with Magz!  Complete with Vlog cam! 

Check out the goodies!

And the BEST part….Chocolate FOUNTAINNNNNNNN!

Sooooo flippin’ good!

Also had time to squeeze in a trip to the Earth Feezy, where I was reunited with my BFF.

And now, if you will excuse me….I have a Biggest Loser party to attend with the rockstars from the “Eight To The Eights” program!  Check out how we have dominated the YMCA!

How about that?!?!?!  Pretty sweet, huh?

Hello, Vlog World!

Well, I have made the jump into the “vlog” (video blog) world!  I decided that since I getting the chance to use the Flip HD Camera for Eight To The Eights, that I can finally get around to vlogging!  Plus, I can talk alot faster than I can type!

Whaddya think?!?!

Moving onto a quick recap of the past two days!

Yesterday was the first challenge for our Eight To The Eights contestants, a one mile run.  It was AMAZING.  Be sure to check the Eight’s blog for all the information/pictures/videos.  The photo finish for the winning team must NOT be missed!

We took over Panera Bread last night after the race!

Pretty groovy, huh?

So that, in all its craziness, was last night.

This morning, an empty jar meant “oats in a jar” but an epic fail occured when my camera battery died.  Managed to snap a shot of the jar though.  Use your creative minds to imagine the oatmeal-gloriousness that filled this empty void:

After breakfast, and re-charging the camera battery…it was time to head to Weight Watchers!  The local chapter here contacted me and wanted me to speak to their amazing ladies participating in the program!  They were amazing.

It was such a great experience!  Sharing stories, triumphs, failures…all with health and well being as the common goal!  Awesome stuff.

There was also a class or three on todays agenda, so I was again…running around like crazy, which is just par for the course in my life!

Lunch was at the new Olive Garden they had just built.  (I know, how sad is it that we are JUST now getting an Oliva Garden)

You know I had to start with the bread of joy.

And a nice warm bowl of the veggie soup!

For the entree, I was sad to see a major lack of both healthy options, and a MAJOR lack of vegeterian options.  This is when you have to get up close and personal with the waiter…and have them make something special.  9 times out of 10 they do not mind, and will be happy to accomodate special requests.  Look what came out!

Whole wheat pasta, with steamed broccoli and asparagus…tossed in a  Venetian Apricot sauce!  YUM!

See, it pays to ask for special requests…just remember to be extra nice to your waiter/waitress. 

Dinner was pretty random, and was inspired by leftover “chicken” salad!

“Mock” Chicken Salad sandwich, with steamed broccoli, natural cheddar…Stacy’s Whole Grain Pita Chips, and come carrots!

And that being said…I am ready to collapse.

5:45am class….7:45am class….9:30am class…then the Eight To The Eights “Biggest Loser” finale party, ALL on the agenda tomorrow.  Most of which starts at the butt crack of dawn.

Night Bloggies!

Mexican Madness

Hello blog world!  Last night’s partaeeee with Emily, Christie, Russel, and Phil was not only much needed….but I finally got to see my long lost blogger pal!  With my crazy schedule of teaching, and her MORE than full time job….our rendezvous have been few and and far in between!

We were served a glorious Mexican inspired feast…

Check out all the grub!

Homemade salsa?!?!  Yes, please.

Strawberry Salsa?!?!?!  Come, ON people.  So good!

Emily was making all kinds of yumminess, which included:

• Various Salsas/Dips
• Spinach/Cheese Quesidillas
• Sweet Potato Quesidillas (YUM)
• Chicken/Cheese Quesidillas (for the boys.)

(The chips were all ahhhh-mazing.  Many of them of which were consumed pre-feast.  )

…it’s so funny being around another blogger.

Bring on the main deal!

Check out my plate!

I tried a little of everything, minus the chicken ones!  So yummy!  I love the simple combo of avocados, chips, and sour cream.  YUM!

Dessert was of course in order, so we headed to Rita’s for a sweet treat..

I went with the original frozen custard, but the “Slenderita” variety! M&M’s somehow found their way on top.  How did that happen?!?

The funniest part of the evening is when Emily, Russel, and I went over to her sisters new apartment to check it out!  Apparently the bright RED pole in the garage was not warning enough, and Emily walked right into it.

Is it sad that I was too busy snapping pictures, to even see if she was ok?!?!

…luckily…she was ok.    I think we all laughed until we wet ourselves.

What a night!!!!  Thanks for the food, and laughs…friend!

Annnnd, we move on to Sunday!  Part of it, anyway!  Started out with the classic.

Oatmeal, Bran Muffin, and some nana!  YUM!

Well, it is off to start planning for tonight!  The Eights To The Eights contestants are participating in their first challenge, a 1 mile race!  The programs grand finale is a huge 8K in our town, followed by a live weigh in in front of the city!  This 1 mile race is going to be the beginning of an amazing 8 week adventure, I cannot wait!

Crazy, crazy, crazy!  Love it though!!!

Embrace Your Weekend Warrior.

Well, it was Saturday….which means a killer back to back class combo.  Started off with a 75 minute “Weekend Warrior” which combines weights, cardio, and anything else I want to throw in there for funsies.

Before the classes got rolling, I made some killer oatmeal.

Chia/Banana oats with Crunchy Almond Butter, and a new trail mix I picked up from our new little natural grocery store!

I have gotten several emails asking how I make my oatmeal, and the pros and cons associated with stovetop vs. microwave. In my case, it is all about convenience…which means I nuke mine in the microwave.  My oatmeal always starts the same:

• 1/2 Cup Oats
• 1 Cup Almond Milk (Original, 40 Calories per cup)
• 2 TBSP Chia Seeds

(At this point, I alter it slightly)

Sometimes I will cut up a ripe banana and cook it right alongside the oats, and sometimes I won’t…depends on my mood, really.

I nuke it for 2:40 seconds (don’t ask why…it just works) and then I put it in a bowl.  Topping time comes next, which can be anything from nut butters, trail mix, chocolate bits of joy….basically whatever sounds yummy to you at the time.  In this mornings case, it was trail mix and almond butter:

Yum.

Then it was time for Weekend Warrior!  We killed it today.  Something particularly groan-worthy that I have been doing incorporates the old fashioned side leg lift…we’ve all done these, right!?

Thank you for demonstrating, mystery lady.

At this point, on each LEG we slowly trace the entire upper case alphabet.  Seems pretty funny/easy until you hit the “O”….then it is pure torture.  In a good, and fun way.    Then flip over, and repeat.  Try it out and tell me what you think!

Spin was next, and I gotta admit…I was dragging.  I don’t know if it was the combo of all the classes of the week…or just having to do them back to back….but I was struggling.  Thankfully, I had a killer class who totally pulled me through it!

Needless to say after both classes, I was ready for some food.  Have I mentioned how much I adore living literally two minutes from work?!  It is so nice not to have to pack my life in a gym bag everyday!

I assembled the troops for a pressed veggie burger!  I use the FlatOut wrap as a base…spread the Laughing Cow, place the cooked “burger” on top…wrap, and grill up on the Foreman!

Plate time!

I am also currently hooked on the new Sobe Lifewater brands.  And since I love you all as if you were my very own, here is a coupon for them.    Your welcome.  Fuji Apple Pear is my faaaaaavorite, for the record.

Look who always shows up when the food is ready…

He’s cute, right? 

I also prepped a protein/chocolate/coffee smoothie for work that started with my new coffee!

“but please, don’t try to set it on fire.” bwahahaha.

Got to work on the coffee in the French Press (<3 <3 <3)

Then blended it up (once cooled) with Almond Milk, Ice, and Protein Powder…

And prepared some snacks for work…

I.  Love.  These.  Bars.

You can get them at Target, I think a 6-pack is around $5.00???  SO GOOD.  Seriously, like my version of a candy bar.  Plus 12 grams of protein, which trust me…will be much needed to recover from this mornings craziness.  Plus, you add the words “cookie dough” to any/all food and I will have it eaten/buy it before you can say Hello Kitty.

Also made a random cereal bowl of joy, which contained Kashi Go Lean, Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch, Chilean Raisins, and dried bananas!

Yum!

Also tonight, I FINALLY get to see my nearest and dearest blog/all around BFF, Emily!!!!  We are having some shin dig at her house that is Mexican themed…what should I bring?!?!

Can we just talk about how I always get sidetracked at night, and sometimes forget to blog?!?!  I know, I know…go ahead and smack my hands now.

So just for youuuuuu, here is a recap of last nights dinner (which was pretty epic…)

I mean, who doesn’t want pancakes for dinner???  Plus, check out all the toppings!

I made four cakes.  One had the chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, one had trail mix, one had sunflower seed butter, and the last had almonds.  They were all topped with my favorite new syrup, courtesy of Jessica from our food exchange a while back!

Pancakes are fun….pancakes in a SPRAY can are even funner.

Pretty darn tasty.

And to wrap up the night, I hung out with my favorite butt kicker, Brenda Johnson.

Any Closer fans out there?!?!

I swear, once I start watching these I cannot stop.  I think I completed the entire first half of this season in one sitting.  Of course, the froyo helped pass the time.

Well bloggies….it is time for work.  I am counting down the hours til partaying it up tonight with the gang!

Also, tomorrow is our first official “challenge” for “Eights To The Eights” which will be a one mile run/walk race!  Cannot wait!  Trust me, tons of pictures will be taken to document!

What is on everyone’s weekend agenda?  How will YOU embrace your Weekend Warrior?

Downtown Life…

My town is really making an initiative on it’s downtown, which excites me!  they have even just opened a small, but awesome, organic/natural food store!  More on that in just a bit…

This morning was one of those cereal kind of mornings..

(…and some chia seeds, of course!)

Then it was time to head downtown, to check out the new Korner Copia!

This place is super nice!  Two levels.  The first level has a deli, soup bar, pastries…and a variety of groceries.  Upstairs is a little coffee area, with tons of candies, dried fruits/nuts, candies, etc.  They are still putting everything out and stocking the store…but I loved what I saw today!

Check out all the spices!

Coffee was fantastic as well.  Had a cup while there, and bought a bag of “Creme Brulee” to go:

Met my “Jillian” aka Ginny here for Eight To The Eights, so we could plan our first weeks worth of workouts for the contestants:

Look at the other goodies:

Also had some errands to run in Johnson City, so I made a trip to the Earth Feezy.  Pretty darn good day if you ask me.  Is it sad how much I enjoy shopping for food?!?!

When it came time for lunch, I had “chicken” salad on the brain…

I stretched this a bit by adding some diced red grapes….putting it on a FlatOut wrap, and served with a pear…and some okra chips.

Breakfast….Lunch….Food Shopping, down.

Spin class to go!  It’s Fridddddday!