Rainy Day French Toast

what goes better with a dreary day (MONDAY might I add) and rain more than a comforting breakfast?  French Toast was on my mind the instant I woke up.

Theres something about French Toast that really hits that “comfort” button in me.  The eggy/slightly sweet batter with the bread…mmm!

Time to griddle the bad boys up!

Presentation is everything, we eat with our eyes as much as our mouths!

There may have been a dark chocolate chunk or two that found its way into the breakfast. 😉

This was the perfect breakfast to fuel my rainy Monday!

Blogger Boy Healthy French Toast

Batter:

• 2 Large Eggs
• 2 TBSP. Fat Free Half & Half (Skim Milk can also be used here!)
• 1 TBSP. Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 TSP. Pure Almond Extract

(Whisk this liquid until smooth and pale yellow…then comes the bread…)

• 2 Slices of your favorite bread!  Mine is a natural wheat bread with added fiber

Spray your pan or griddle with a little organic olive oil spray (who needs to drown it in butter!), and grill on both sides until crispy and brown.  I paired the toast with a sliced banana, and topped with some dark chocolate chunks.  These can be left off if you are behaving on this particular instance. 😉  I also topped mine a drizzle of maple syrup.  I never understood why people DRENCH their french toast/pancakes in syrup.  Not only does it pour on the calories and fat…but it takes away from the flavor of the french toast!

 

When driving to work, I was presented with this lovely weather…

Luckily when it was time for a caffeine pick me up, my friend…and fellow Dunkin Donut Blog Challenge star Ginny was able to maneuver the storm!

I was able to somehow avoid the donuts, and went with my usual Iced Coffee with Skim Milk!  Instant winner in my book.

Hello, my name is Tyler Ramey…and I have a coffee addiction. Heck, the first part of the problem is ADMITTING to it, right?!?!  🙂

Come on, who can say no to that adorable cup?!?!?!?  Not me, I tell you.

After the caffeine had kicked in, and I was ready to wage battle on my Monday….I eventually headed back to work and had a pretty boring lunch as far as lunches go.

(my office is currently looking like something out of the set of Hoarders…so please forgive me.)

Went for a Subway sandwich, and some of my new favorite “chips”:

Who needs chips when you can have brown rice crisps?!

PS, did anyone notice the new Lady GaGa video in that first lunch snapshot?  She debuted her new video for “Born This Way” today!  Eek!!!

Check it…

What do you think?  Are you a die hard fan like me, or one of those people who are completely confused by her? 🙂  Honest answers, please.

More working occured later in the day, as well as planning for tonights Spin class.  I am in a complete NEED OF NEW MUSIC.  Help me, fellow readers/bloggers!  Any new/old/whatever jams that are currently raging your replay button on the iPod?  This blogger boy needs some new tunes!

On tonights Spin list….

The ones that got left off….

• Animal – Neon Trees
• Stereo Love – Edward Maya
• Because The Night – Cascada
• Faithfully – Glee (Cooldown)

Fellow Spinners…..what are some of your favorite tunes from your classes?

In closing I leave you with a random snack of the day that is slowly becoming a staple with me.  It combines two very odd ingredients…

Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt anyone?!

Now get out there, and kick Mondays tail!  Make sure to leave me some song feedback!  My class needs new jams! 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m back, FORGIVE ME!!!!

Biggest. Slacker. EVER.

Yep, thats me.

I promise though…

THE BLOG BOY HAS RETURNED!!!  😀

how in the heck is everyone?!?!  I have seriously missed the blog world so much!  I promise, no more disappearing from yours truly.  I am back to stay!

Just a little catch up for those first time readers…..

Former fatty (no, really!!!  300+ lbs) turned Healthy Living Director/Fitness Instructor at my local YMCA, I am here for humor, health, fun…and anything that goes on in my crazy life!  If this is your first time visiting, welcome!

Well it’s Sunday…the day we are all left collectively scratching our heads and wondering what happened to the weekend.  Got my day started with a killer weights workout!  I loooooove free weights, but rarely have the time with the weight classes I teach throughout the week.  Sunday is pretty much the only day I can head to the free weight room…zone out…and have an awesome solo workout.  Took full advantage today and worked the whole body!

Deadlifts………………………Chest Press/Flys/Chest Press

Pliet Squats……………………Pull Down Back, Row Back, Pull Down back

Calf Raises ……………………Shoulder Press Long Bar/Upright Row/Press

Squats Machine……………..Tricep Skull EZ  (Dips Middle)

Weighted Walking Lunges …Bicep 21’s Heavy  Curl/Hammer/Curl

For anyone who is scared/intimidated by the free weight area of their gym…don’t be! I promise, it isnt as scary as you think.  Get back there, and act like you own the joint!  😉  People are normally super friendly, and will always help if you have questions.  Sure…there may be your typical jerks back there…but for the most part the good ones out number the bad.

Post gym I headed to Dunkin Donuts (shocker, I know!!!)  I am conducting an experiment with my friend and fellow instructor Ginny…we are showing how healthy moderation can work!  Check out our DD challenge, here!

I left with food on my mind, specifically dinner.  With a crazy work schedule I typically try to use Sunday to make some meals ahead.  First thing that popped into my mind tonight was meatloaf!  This isn’t your typical meatloaf kids…

This ground turkey is extra lean, and a great source of protein!  Honestly…there are TONS of recipes out there, and I am sure everyone has there favorite.  I experimented with my own recipe tonight, and it worked out wonderfully (semi-shocker there given my track record of off the cuff recipe tries…)

You know this blogger boy cannot resist adding his trademark ingredient…

Good ole oats.  How I love thee.

I soaked some quick cook oats with skim milk for binding, as well as some straight out deliciousness!

Ok, so it may not be the most beautiful thing to photograph….but I promise the yum factor is high.

This little beauty is on its way to becoming a meatloaf (or turkeyloaf, if we are being technical)  masterpiece!

After it’s little date with a 350* oven for an hour…

Like I say, this was sort of a “whatever I felt like” kinda recipe, but I will try to recall!

Blogger Boy Turkey-Oat Loaf:

1.25 Pounds Extra Lean Ground Turkey

1 Cup Quick Cook Oats soaked in 1 Cup Skim Milk

1 Finely Chopped Yellow Pepper

1 Large Egg

1 Can Roasted Tomato Chunks (you could easily substitute plain here)

4 Tbsp. Low Sodium Natural Ketchup

Mix all ingredients, and form into a loaf on a baking sheet, around 2 inches thick.

Top the turkeyloaf with one small can of plain tomato sauce, and sprinkle with pepper

Bake at 350* for 55-65 minutes, or until the top is browned, and the loaf is firm. (teeheehee)

This bad boy would easily slice into 12-14 servings.

Voila, there you have it folks….a quick healthy dinner that will last for days!

While cooking I *started* watching the Oscars…

…..which quickly transformed into something MUCH more attention grabbing on my end….

I’ll take my Golden Girls any day over the snoozefest that was the Oscars…geez!

Of course, what would a night be without a little snack…

(notice the jealous onlooker. )

These fiber bars are my current ADDICTION!  They taste just like my favorite Girl Scout cookie…the Samoa!

Fiber and Dessert?!?!   Sign me up.

On that note my bloggies, it is time to adjurn.  Again, thanking you for not disowning me during my lapse in blog time, but I promise…I am back for good!  Happy Monday eve everyone.  😉  I know your excited.

Whats your favorite late night snack??