"Spend Out" Success!

Today was a day of failure and victory. I will start with the failure.

Well, actually, I will start with breakfast.

Remember that Quaker pancake mix I picked up the other day?

I broke it out today.

I hate syrup, so it's basically butter and peanut butter for me.

Yes, that's a 50% off sticker on there. You guys know I love a bargain.

I realized after I snapped that first pic that my eyes were bigger than my stomach, so I downgraded to one pancake.

So, after breakfast, things went downhill. We ordered pizza last night and there was half of it left this morning. Let's just say that it was all gone by 1pm. Then, I finished off two snack bars, a can of green beans, two persian cucumbers, and... I think that's it... Sigh... Oh, E.D., why do you hate me?... Telling you guys all about that is my way of being accountable. boo.

However, things looked up after Ryan came home. I got my new Lunarfly Nikes in the mail today. Oh, be still my beating heart.

Immediately, I fell in love. I've never had running shoes this cute. EVER! I got a chance to work on this week's "moral," Spend Out. The first thing I thought when I saw these shoes was: I don't want to get them dirty on our running path!

Then, I got my Health magazine in the mail. Again, I was like, "Oh, I don't want to read that yet." I always want to "save" it, since I won't get another mag for a whole month.

THEN, I realized I was on my last "running" bandaid and wanted to save it.

I realized... WHAT AM I SAVING FOR?!?

So, I reminded myself that I need to SPEND OUT. Quit saving everything for later. Enjoy the moment!

I opened up my mag.

Put on my running bandaid (it's covering a blister).

And, I tied up my laces and went out for a run with my hubby! He pushed me SO hard, too.

SUCCESS!!!!

I felt so bad after my binge today, but my run completely turned that frown upside down. :D

For dinner, I made chicken and rice with brussels sprouts.

Ryan's plate:

Mine:

After dinner, JGago came over for some after-dinner coffee.

I mixed a bit of this with some instant decaf. Yum!

See? Everyday can be a success. You just have to take the time to something good for YOURSELF, and remember to spend out your goodness. :)

**Silly Survey**

Do you put off things that make you happy so you don't "use them up"?

What are some of the little joys in your life?

What do you do to turn around a bad day?

Have a great night/day everyone!

Tootles,

She's Like the Wind

Good EVENING everybody!!!!!!!!!!

Do you know what I just did? I'm going to tell you. The man and I went for a jog today, and usually I'm the one holding us back because I'm SO not a runner. Tonight, I finally, for the first time ever in life pushed through the wall! You know the wall... where everything in your head is screaming, YOU ARE GOING TO DIE IF YOU DON'T STOP THIS CONFOUNDED RUNNING RIGHT NOW!!!!

I ran and ran and ran. Ok, we did 3.5 - 4 miles and there was definitely some walking in there. Plus, we "run" at a snail's pace. But, seriously. It was beautiful. *tear

So, on top of this morning's workout, I ran. Go me. When we came home, we were pooped, but I still had time to make an amazing gourmet meal.



Yep, that's right. We ordered pizza. What of it? Do you see that stuff in between the scrumptious slices of gooey cheese, mushrooms and sausage. That's an APPLE. How's that for healthy living?! :) I'm striving for balance here. All things in moderation.

Lunch was leftover chicken and potatoes from last night's dinner and an apple. I snacked on dry cereal, string cheese and a banana w/almond butter today, as well. I'm low on veggies, but tomorrow is a new day.

Speaking of tomorrow, I have a personal training session in the morning. But after that, we're going to picnic on the beach! Yay! I'll try to remember to bring along my camera so you all can have a little piece of California Sunshine for the day. :)

Have a great Friday night. It's the weekend people!!!

-j

xoxo

Zucchini Muffins

So, our good friend Jess is still staying with us here in SD. She is an avid lover of Zucchini, and I make a MEAN Zucchini Muffin if I do say so myself. (Thus far, I've had to say so myself, considering I can't get the boys in my house to eat them - sigh.)

Here's the recipe and the stats below. The picture isn't mine. I borrowed it from google. Maybe I'll start posting real pictures, considering Jess has been taking pictures of my food all week. Apparently I make beautiful dinners. Or, maybe its just all that love I put into it shining through. :)

Note on the muffins, I HATE to measure ANYthing, and that's the great thing about muffins: You pretty much can't go wrong. I love it. I've adapted this recipe over time. Originally I may have stolen it from Sparkpeople, but I've changed alot. Adding applesauce and cinnamon, etc. You can also very easily adapt this recipe to make other kinds of muffins. I use this same recipe to make banana-walnut muffins.

Jasmine's Zucchini Muffins

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 grated zucchini
1/4 cup splenda brown sugar blend
1 large egg
1/2 cup (unsweetened) applesauce
1 tbsp cinnamon


Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin pan or line with paper muffin liners.
In medium bowl, mix all ingredients. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool before serving.

Makes 12 Servings

Calories 66.9
Total Fat 0.6 g
Saturated Fat 0.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.2 g
Cholesterol 17.7 mg
Sodium 180.0 mg
Potassium 24.1 mg
Total Carbohydrate 13.4 g
Dietary Fiber 1.7 g
Sugars 5.0 g
Protein 1.9 g

Pair a muffin (or two, depending on your intake) with a banana and a glass of low fat milk and you've got yourself a yummy, balanced breakfast that includes a whole grain, a vegetable, a fruit and a dairy.

P.S. Just a quick note on the concept of "balance." It's more than a word. It's my philosophy and my lifestyle, and it's also real life. Nothing is off limits, nothing is restricted and nothing is bad. Why? Because that's not reality, not really. Not for real people. Our bodies are a reflection of the world around us, things come and go, people gain and lose. We succeed, we fail, and we probably do both on a daily basis. The world is in equilibrium, as should we be. Balance. Breath. Balance. Breath.

xoxo - j