In doing some “research” before writing this post, I realized that I haven’t posted an entire day’s worth of eats since…June 2009?
I’m sure there was a day here and there, but I honestly can’t remember the last time I REMEMBERED to take pictures of everything I ate in one day.
Ever since I graduated from college, life has gone by in a blur. Last weekend was the Northwestern graduation, which marked the official “one year” mark since I entered the real world.
How positively terrifying!
When I started working, it became harder and harder to take pictures of all my meals. Sure, my co-workers knew about the blog, but I wasn’t eating very healthfully, was barely cooking anything for myself at home and having a hard enough time dealing with the fact that I was quickly gaining what I like to call “working weight” or “first year fifteen” to feel motivated enough to post about my meals.
I don’t talk about these issues much on the blog, mainly because it is so transparent and so many of my close family and friends read about it. There’s something to be said about too much information 😉 But you also know that I’ve talked about bride-y issues and my quest to look and feel my absolute best on my wedding day in less than four months.
Over the past few weeks, through my Insanity workouts and a major overhaul of my eating schedule and food quality, I felt ready enough to take pictures of “what I ate yesterday.”
For the first time in over a year, I can check the breakfast, lunch, dinner AND snack boxes in my post categories 🙂 This is going to be fun!
P.S. I know I’m still a work in progress – which you will definitely see! – but I’m getting there.
***
I woke up to a very steamy apartment – so far, Chicago has been SO humid this summer! I really am not a big fan of humidity for several reasons:
- It makes me sweat – I come inside looking like I just ran outside for an hour.
- It does nothing good for my naturally wavy hair – say goodbye to wearing hair down!
- It makes me lethargic – anybody else find they lack energy when it’s humid out there?
Not trying to complain, just trying to keep it real 😉 As a result, I wanted something on the cooler side for breakfast. Greek yogurt was the perfect solution.
Do you like my reusable spork? We keep it classy here on the blog.
I topped 1 cup of Oikos with 1/2 cup Kashi Go Lean and 1 tbsp. Bees Knees. It was sensational!
After breakfast, I set to work on some projects and went on a few calls throughout the morning. When it came time for lunch, I decided to pull out a new gardein meal that I received a coupon for recently.
This was the Sicilian Trio, which is essentially a veggie-stuffed “chicken'” with white rice. I pulled the “chicken” out of the packaging, heated it up with the sauce, warmed the rice and it was ready!
The verdict? I thought it was very good – for a packaged meal. High-sodium foods like these always leave me feeling a little wary, but the taste was spot on – it really did taste like chicken, which may be off-putting for some of you. I probably wouldn’t buy it again just because they are on the pricey side, but it definitely made for a good lunch and I’m looking forward to trying other varieties.
The rest of the afternoon went by in a blur. I feel like my life is on fast forward these days! I did some wedding research on the best songs – more on that later! – and finished up work for the day. There are some very fun things in the “brainstorm” stages right now that I hope to be able to share soon.
While I was working, I had a “healthy balance” snack 🙂
I say “healthy balance” because you’ve got your blueberries, blackberries and almonds – but then you have those odd colorful candies at the bottom there. Hm. What could those be?
Have you TRIED the new Pretzel M&Ms? I promise that if you do, you will be making “healthy balance” snacks, too. Or just sneaking one or two out of the bag. A lot.
Have you seen the new commercial for these? It’s my favorite part:
Hilarious 🙂
During the late afternoon, I went outside and walked around to run some errands and get a little exercise. One of the things I work on now that I am the “boss” is making sure to get out and move around as much as possible. It’s easy to forget, but important to remember!
Dinner was simple, but very filling.
I made what is quite possibly my favorite sandwich besides PB&J. It included:
- 2 slices Arnold whole wheat bread
- 2 tbsp. red pepper hummus
- 3 slices deli turkey
- 6 slices cucumber
- Big handful of spinach
It’s amazingly good. The cucumber adds a freshness to it that can’t be beat and I love the way the hummus brings out the flavor in everything else.
Before I knew it, Bobby was home and we were off to Insanitize. It’s hard to believe that we are on the final week of our first 30 days! I will definitely post a recap of all the DVDs – as well as a video of me in action as some of you asked about – at the end of this week. I’m excited!
After our workout, I spent the rest of the evening chatting on Twitter and reading New Moon.
Yes, I am reading the Twilight series. Again. I can’t wait for the movie next week!
While reading, I enjoyed a snack of whole wheat bread with a smidge of peanut butter, mixed berry jam, almonds and chocolate chips. It was, in a word, heavenly.
I get sucked into these books. Before I knew it, it was after midnight and time for bed 🙂
And there you have it! An entire day’s worth of eats. Like I said, I’m still a work in progress – chocolate much? – but I will say this about the warm weather: fresh produce makes it much easier to eat light!
Question: What are your top three favorite wedding reception songs?
Trying to finalize the playlist this week! I would love to hear thoughts from my amazing readers.
Abrazos,
I love greek yogurt with peanut butter, cereal, and warm microwaved cinnamon apples. They make a great addition!
I don’t know if I could pick my top 3…
I love the stupid dance songs like everyone hate, like cha cha slide and electric slide. 🙂
I love the stupid dance songs everyone else hates, too! Those will definitely go on there 🙂
Do you have a song that you guys are dancing to?
You need Journey, Get Up (James Brown), Domino (Van Morrison), and you’re also going to have to have Single Ladies played- I’m pretty sure it’s standard now.. my dad even downloaded it! hahah
I haven’t done a full food post in a while either- or a full post for that matter- so bad!
We do! Our “song” in high school was “Amazed” by Lonestar, so we are going to dance to that one! Thank you so much for the other great tips – totally agree on Single Ladies. Especially since that was the song I used for the engagement post on the blog, haha! You rock 🙂
Love seeing your full day’s eats! It’s easy to see how healthy and well-balanced you are :0)
Thanks, Brynne! You are too sweet 🙂
This post was fun! So glad things are going well for you. I miss you and definitely think we need to have a gchat date soon. 🙂
I miss you, too! Let’s definitely Gchat it up soon 🙂
For a wedding reception, I love to dance to Shout, Brown Eyed Girl, and some line dance like the Electric Slide or the Macarena (oh no am I making myself sound old!)
Yes! Thank you for the great ideas! I have to incorporate the Macarena somehow 🙂
I know what you mean about that post graduation mark! Mine hit three years this June, and I could barely believe it. Especially because I just got a Master’s, and I’m sort of unemployed. Weird! Do not like!
I second the Journey recommendation for sure!
Thanks for the recommendation, Rose! Agree with you on post graduation – but hope you’re well 🙂 We need to catch up SOON!
I love putting cucumbers in sandwiches, they add such a refreshing crunch. I’m terrible at wedding stuff since I don’t have much experience with them, but I’m interested to see what songs other people recommend. 🙂
Yum! Love cukes 🙂
nom nom nom.
Haha!
I haven’t been to a wedding in over 15 years, so I can’t really help you out with reception songs – I’m sure you’ll think of some great ones though!
And I got sucked into the Twilight books too :-).
I know exactly what you are talking about with the Chicago humidity. It has been horrible and I too lack energy when it is like this outside.
However, I have been enjoying the storms we’ve had over the last couple days. I love sitting in my apartment watching the lightning and listening to the rain.
As far as wedding reception songs, I do like margarittaville but nothing else really sticks out. Now, ask me what songs I don’t like and I could list a ton!
I was so glad to get a break from the humidity this week! Thank you for the wedding recommendations 😉 So true about songs we “don’t like” – it’s much easier to list!
I am a big elton john or van morison fan for wedding songs! Also I love your spork and Twighlight, I already have my tickets for Tuesday 🙂 Are you working from home with your new business adventure? Have a great day!
Thank you, Bec! Did you like Eclipse? I looooved it! Already seeing it again tonight! And yes, I am working from home with the new biz for now – but often traveling to visit various clients. It has definitely been an adjustment, but I like it so far. Have a great day!
Oh wow- it seems like just yesterday you were graduating (do I sound like your parents?!?), but seriously I can’t get over how fast time seems to go by now days. I graduated 3 years ago- insane right?!?
Also, I loved seeing a full day of your eats and they seemed quite balanced to me! Pretzel M&M’s!!??!! I really like the peanut variety, but rarely buy them because I can’t really be trusted when they are around. Plus, it makes it more exciting when I get to have them. Although, I think I might need to try the pretzel- they sound amazing.
Hope all is well lady!
Haha, it seemed like only yesterday…. 😉 So crazy how fast time passes! Pretty soon we’ll be going to reunions! You definitely need to try pretzel M&Ms, Britt!
Oh I completely forgot my favorite wedding songs. I’m sucker for all the line dances, My Girl is a good one, and Ben Harper – Forever is also a sweet song.
Thank you!!!!!
Loved seeing a complete day of your eats again! I am particularly tempted by that snack plate–all the basic food groups: fruit, nuts, and chocolate:)
LOL – yes, I love that chocolate is a food group. That’s a GREAT concept 🙂
I love gardein products! That chik’n + rice bowl looks sooo good!
Jenn
I completely agree! They have all been great so far!
oh man, it has been a while since you’ve done a full day of eats! i love them all, esp the dessert! marvelous!
fav songs…hrm…anything you can dance to really; receptions are about getting your grooooove on! hehhehe!
I know, right?! Craziness! I will make sure we have plenty to groove to at the wedding 😉
Dudeee way to take it back to the old schoool 😀 Love it. Ha almost as much as I love that hello kitty wedding dress…
I’m so excited that u tried the pretzel m and m’s, I got wayyyy too excited when i first saw the ad for them!! I can’t wait to hear about Insanity too, it sounds awesome. Hm, as for my fave dance songs: The way I are by Timbaland, also pretty much any Justin Timberlake songs, I mean you could always throw in some BSB or Nsync to reminisce the middle school days! lol
SO feel u on the humidity too, boston is crazy!
Haha, you know it girlfriend 😉 I absolutely LOVE that M&Ms add! Thank you for the music tips. I was DEFINITELY thinking *NSYNC or BSB needed to go in there somewhere. Hope it’s less humid in Boston!
I hear ya on the humidity here. I have naturally curly hair and yesterday was the first time in ages I haven’t had a fro upon stepping outside. It was glorious!
Haha same here! Mine is wavy and the minute I straighten it and walk outside, I can already feel it expanding 🙂 Thank goodness this week has been pretty!
I had that same chicken thing for lunch on Wednesday. I can’t decide if I liked it or not! I did like the rice.
All I have to say is…CONGRATS again, Lee 🙂 Yay!
When life gets busier, it is a lot harder to take pictures of what you eat on a daily basis. And I have been DYING to try the pretzel M&Ms. 🙂
Totally agree with you! I hope you get to try those M&Ms soon!
Hey Jenn- looking forward to seeing you next week!
I’ll have to add pretzel M&Ms to my shopping list! 🙂 As for wedding songs, I like Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by The Temptations, What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, and hmmm… perhaps some classic Madonna for the ladies?
Thanks, Susan 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing you, too! I will try to round up some pretzel M&Ms if I can. I appreciate the music ideas. You rock!
Ahh Jenn, it’s been so long since you’ve had your eats up, this is exciting! And great ones you’ve got here, as always. Right up my alley, quick, simple and tasty. I totally need to get my hands on those pretzel m&ms, just saying.
Oooh wedding reception songs: Any Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Jackson Five!
Your health kick is inspiring me to get on a better track, too. Keep it up!
Wow this food looks delicious and healthy! I’m going to try some of these things out while I’m on my new work out plan!
Wait…they have pretzel m & m’s now?! Of course, not here. I still want to try the coconut ones. Must go to the US for treats soon.