Trenta, Really?

It was all over the news yesterday. Starbucks released a new size above the Venti size, called Trenta.

.photo from starbucksmelody.com.

Greeeeaat. Just freakin' fabulous. Another contribution to obese America. Does it ever end? It baffles me already with the amount of empty high calories there are in the Starbucks drinks. It baffles me even more that I see people order Venti sized empty high calorie Starbucks drink. So, to just imagine people actually ordering Trenta sized drinks, just makes me sick to the stomach. Why? Why? Why?

 

 

 

Difficult Day 2.

Man, trying to keep within 29 daily points is a pain in the bootay. Today was very difficult.  The problem. Dinner was so good, I wanted seconds and I had seconds. (ohmygodican'tbelieveisaidthat!)

But, let's start off from the beginning, shall we?

I started off with a good ole hearty bowl of oatmeal mixed with 1 tbsp of brown sugar, 1/4C of Horizon Organic Lowfat Milk, and some slices of banana. Oh, and a cup of coffee mixed with 2 tbsp of hazelnut creamer. It's the creamer that got me up in points dammit. All of this was 8 points. 

For lunch, I had a whole wheat wrap with honey ham, cheddar cheese, a little bit of mayo, and lettuce with a tangelo for fruit. It was really yummy, but I seriously need to find some whole wheat wraps with lesser points. This meal was 8 points, too! 



And then, I got curious after seeing this interesting snack found on Meals and Moves. Loved it! Maybe my favorite snack so far and I might even make this my breakfast tomorrow! It is Wasa multigrain crackers with lowfat cottage cheese sprinkled with some cracked pepper. It is deeeelish! Oh, and it's 4 points.

So, yeah if you haven't already tallied it up. I already used up 20 points, leaving me with 9 points for dinner which isn't much....again! Doh!!!


Oh, but it was all worth the seconds. 

By the time I had my seconds, I just naturally assumed that I went way beyond my daily points. So, another day, another adventure. At least, I ate pretty healthy for the most part, right? haha

I Found the Secret Way to Eat Chipotle!

I gotta say, eating healthy is somewhat tiresome. I mean, you really gotta plan out your meals if you are determined to lead a healthy lifestyle. Well, with my lifestyle. No planning, no meals which means, eating out. Maybe I'm making it much more complicated than it really should be, yes? I tend to look for healthy recipes to keep me "interested".  Otherwise, I'm dunzo. 

Tonight's dinner I'm quite excited about. I absolutely love the Chipotle burrito bowls. I swoon over them. But, after finding out how many calories is contained in one bowl, I wanted to literally puke my brains out. So, when I discovered this recipe at Gina's Skinny Recipe's blog,  I was jumping up for joy!! Yes! Yes! Yes! 

 .Photo From Gina's Recipes.

Instead of making the Sweet Barbacoa Pork, I'm making the Puerto Rican Pork, aka, Perril, meat. Right now, the meat is slow cooking in my lovely crockpot. My mouth is going to be watering for 8 long hours. Shall I leave the house for a few? Hehe.

 

I Survived Day One!

Phew! What a day it was to begin Day One of WW. All I have to say is that, " I Survived!" I was a little bit stressed worried that I wasn't going to meet my daily point of 29 points. After eating my morning breakfast, snack, and lunch, I had a mere 6 points left. In WW world, that pretty much equates to pinto beans, figurative speaking. But, I was determined. Oh, yes I was....

I made Baked Panko Crusted Chicken Strips using a simple recipe found on Moves and Meals. Although the recipe stated it was only going to take 25 minutes, it didn't. More like, 1 hour. I kept flipping the chicken a couple of times hoping that the panko crumbs would get browner. But, sadly, they didn't and I just said screw the look. If it taste good, it is good and that's a winner in my book, right?

 My side dishes were zuchinni and mock garlic mashed potatoes using.... get this... cauliflower!!! Holy! I was in pure heaven and didn't miss "real" potatoes whatsoever! I remember making this side dish when I was following the South Beach Diet. I enjoyed it, but I think this recipe is much, much better than the SBD recipe. It only called for 1/2 tsp of minced garlic and that small amount of garlic really rounded out the cauliflower well.

So, thankful that the new point plus in WW calls for all vegetables and fruits to be zero points. The fruits are my saving grace right now when I'm starving! 

Right now, I am itching to get back in the gym for some spinning classes as well as head to the yoga studio for some hot yoga. Unfortunately, I had a procedure done last week that is not allowing me to exercise just yet.... so frustrated!!!!

Weight Watcher Addict.

I think I've joined Weight Watchers about a handful of times within the last 20 years. I've done countless diets ranging from the South Beach Diet, Jenny Craig, to Nutrisystem. Classification: Yo-Yo Dieter. 

Being at home during the day doesn't help me neither after watching countless commercials of Jennifer Hudson's new svelte body. So, I took the plunge once again and re-joined Weight Watchers, but only this time, online. My schedule is kinda erratic, especially working night shifts. So, I'm hoping that I won't be swayed too easily. I know in the past, attending the weekly meetings helped me stay on track. Maybe if I post up my day by day meals, it will help me become more accountable and stay on track, yes? 

Right now, I'm given a daily allowance of 29 points. Seems pretty generous, but wow, after adding up the points of what I've eaten in the morning, morning snack, and lunch, I've pretty much expensed majority of my points away. For example, today's lunch consisted of the following:

2 Slices of Whole Wheat Toast (Orowheat)
1/2 Cup of Egg Salad
1/2 Serving of Trader Joe's Baked Cheeto's
1 Medium Sized Apple

 This meal was a whopping 16 points. Thankfully, fruits are zero points. So, I can fully load up on those, but man, 16 points? That's insane! This calls for a re-evaluation of what I am going to eat these upcoming weeks-months. Seriously. No freakin' joke. 

Happy 2011.

Hey Folks! Happy New Year!!!!! 2011, I welcome you with open arms and hoping for the best year ever! 

This year, I made a pledge to live a healthy lifestyle. I know, this is typical cliche. But, since 2008, I've gained about 30lbs. I can list a long list of excuses, but I'm not. I'm going to take ownership and get back on track. Fortunately, I began this journey before the new year. I began taking up spinning classes at the local gym, choosing healthier choices when it comes to eating, and basically trying to feel good about myself overall. 

Running has taken a sideline, unfortunately due to personal reasons that I'm not yet ready to fully divulge. But, it hasn't stopped me from being active. I do plan on getting back into running as it's one of my favorite things to do. But, for now, I just have to put it aside sadly. 

Recently, I ran into a great deal at LivingSocial.com for a month long unlimited Bikram Hot Yoga Classes. All for $25. It was just too good to pass up, yes?

Two weeks ago, I went to my first first Bikram Hot Yoga. On Facebook, I wrote:  Ready or not, here I come Bikram yoga. Trying it out for the first time. 90 minutes of 105 degree heat. Let's hope I don't get nauseated and pull over to the side to throw up like the last time I did semi hot yoga.

Unfortunately, I did end up throwing up right after class and fortunately, outside of class. But thereafter, I was able to attend classes with no problemo's. I think I got the science down for my body on how to handle Bikram Yoga. 

My formula is to not eat 3 hours before class. Drinks plenty of water all day and a container of coconut water an hour before class. Also, have an apple right after class to help level out my blood sugar since I tend to get low blood sugar'd when I do eat for periods of time.  

I love the way Bikram Hot Yoga makes me feel. It challenges me, balances me, makes me feel good, and most of all, allows me to sweat out all the toxins away. Right now, the biggest pose that is a challenge for me is the Camel Pose. 


To bend backwards feels so unnatural to me and at the same time, creates alot of fear in me. But eventually, I know that I will be able to do this pose and when that day comes, I will be celebrating! 


Here's to hoping for a fantastic 2011. I wish nothing but positive healthy vibes to all of you!

Coastal Camping

I've never really been a fan of camping up until this past weekend. I'm a newly reconverted camping fan! In the past, camping to me was dreadful. Dirty all the freakin' time, dry hot weather,  dreaded taking a shower in the less than clean showers, bugs, bees, bears, etc. But, I think I've found a solution to my camping dilemma and that is, find a campsite that is near nice places such as Pismo Beach. 

Pismo Beach was my saving grace. We were able to hang out in cool, breezy weather, and then return to our campsite in the evening hours where it was finally in decent weather temperatures and lounge for the remainder of the night. It was the perfect combination! 

This past weekend, we drove down to the Central Coast and camped out at one of the KOA campgrounds in Santa Margarita. I have to give much props to KOA as they were exceptionally good at making sure the bathrooms and campgrounds were clean. Heck, even their porta potty was clean. Well, that's what I heard from my fellow family members. I didn't have the heart or the courage to go into the porta potty. My rule, go in a porta potty unless its absolutely necessary. 

This time around, the weather was perfect to set up our tents. Last year, it was so windy making it difficult to even hold down the tents to stake them. Below is our humble abode for 4 days/night. Inside, we had cots that took up majority of the room inside and made me a wee bit clausterphobic. I thought I was going to have a panic attack. 

The next day, Friday,  we all decided to head to Pismo Beach. I was very excited because I've never been to Pismo Beach. The weather, at first, was foggy and cold, but the sun began to come out mid afternoon making it perfect to walk around and explore the little beach town. 

We encountered the infamous Splash Cafe that my lovely Facebook friends kept telling me to check out. The line was super long, but fortunately, it went by fast! We ordered a bowl of their award winning clam chowder, with seafood topping and a loaf of sourdough bread. (Thank you V for giving me this tip!). It was very, very, delicious and needless to say, worth every minute of the wait. 




Noshed on a seafood platter combo which was next door to Splash cafe at a place called Brad's Restaurant.  that consisted of clam strips, shrimp, halibut, and calimari and oh, some good ole' chips! It was oh-so delish!

Then on Saturday, we headed over to Grover Beach. This was my favorite part of the trip! We were able to drive onto the beach and have a little tailgating beach party all day long.

Dogs are allowed on the beach, so long as they are leashed. Fine by me. Maddie is a rebel when it comes to being off leash on the beach. The last time we off leashed her, she went ballistic. She started chasing a bird and kept going farther and farther into the ocean. We seriously thought we were going to lose her because she wouldn't respond to our voice commands. 

I can't wait for next year to camp again! It truly was a enjoyable weekend! I heart summer days.....