BREAKFAST
Whipped Cottage Cheese with Fruit, Nuts and half a Coconut Lime Chia Slice. Green Tea on the side.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 3/4 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and 1 tsp psyllium husks. Place in a serving bowl with 1/8 of a cantaloupe, 1/4 cup blueberries, 4 strawberries, 1/2 Coconut Lime Chia Slice and 4 chopped pecans.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 3/4 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger and 1 tsp psyllium husks. Place in a serving bowl with 1/8 of a cantaloupe, 1/4 cup blueberries, 4 strawberries, 1/2 Coconut Lime Chia Slice and 4 chopped pecans.
MORNING SNACK
A steaming cup of Tazo Wild Sweet Orange Tea.
The mercury has crept up today. It's the warmest winter day we've had yet, so I just had to walk to work. I'm skipping the gym at lunchtime today in favor of a powerwalk in the sun, sans jacket. Yay!
I am such a sun-worshipper. New York is definitely not the place for me. I crave white sandy beaches, crystal blue tropical waters and fresh coconuts in shells. Exactly what a Fijian weddign has to offer.
The mercury has crept up today. It's the warmest winter day we've had yet, so I just had to walk to work. I'm skipping the gym at lunchtime today in favor of a powerwalk in the sun, sans jacket. Yay!
I am such a sun-worshipper. New York is definitely not the place for me. I crave white sandy beaches, crystal blue tropical waters and fresh coconuts in shells. Exactly what a Fijian weddign has to offer.
LUNCH
Eggplant Moussaka with 1/4 cup Whipped Cottage Cheese. (Imagine 1/4 Tbs tahini in place of the avocado).
Losing weight is so yummy. Why haven't I been doing this my whole life?
Losing weight is so yummy. Why haven't I been doing this my whole life?
.... and half a Ruby Red Grapefruit.
AFTERNOON SNACK
Oh. My. God. My tastebuds are having a party. Organic Avenue's Mint Chip Smoothie is the most phenomenal healthy treat I have ever tasted.
It was 62 degrees F today, so I took a fast stroll at lunchtime through the West Village. I was hampered by heavy, sore quadriceps thanks to not stretching after my long walk to work this morning, but I powered through. My mind tends to wander when I'm exercising in the sun. It begins to shuffle through my mind files and clean out the cobwebs from the dark and musty corners. As it drifted to this Skinny Bride Mission and my typical afternoon snacks, I realised I'm bored of eating the same things every afternoon. Don't get me wrong, I love my Fage and I love my string cheese, but every single day?
Alarm bells began to ring. Food boredom equals in instant diet sabotage. it happens everytime. So instead of forcing myself to eat something my body was snubbing this afternoon, I decided to distract it with a shiny, new, exciting tastebud treat.
Tracy Anderson once mentioned the Mint chip Smoothie at Organic Avenue. I've been curious ever since. So I stepped inside, paid my $10 + $2 bottle deposit (whew, steep!), and queried the sales girl about the nutritional information inside that curvaceous glass bottle. The label was a dieter's dream: 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs and 0 protein. Certainly not possible. She agreed the labels were defunct and estimated about 600 calories per bottle with 20 grams of fat. "The good kind of non-belly-fat-storing fat". My mind reeled at the thought of 600 calories. That's half my entire day's quota. But I was committed to tasting this thing and I figured I could drink half today and save half for tomorrow.
I left the store, popped off the bottle top and took my first swig. Ooowwweeeee! Sublime. Exquisite. Magnificent. This is my new favorite treat. It tasted exactly like a packet of Mint Chip Cookies had been run through a blender and creamified. Too good for words.
But here's the thing. I drank a quarter .... then a half .... then another quarter .... and then I started rationalizing. If I didn't take the bottle back now, it'd be another thing added to my overwhelming 'To Do Lists'. I usually go to the gym at lunch, so I'm rarely walking around the West Village. And if I kept the last quarter for tomorrow, it'd be less fresh and might even go off. Yep, best drink it all. '600 calories' kept echoing through my head. Along with 'agave, agave, agave'. I don't usually eat agave as it affects me the same as cane sugar. Once I get a taste, I can't stop. (Perhaps that explains the true reason behind my downing the bottle in one).
Anyway, I felt so fresh and clean and glowing afterwards. But as the smoothie digested I was very full. I'm now letting it sit in my belly and hopefully I won't need another afternoon snack today. Despite not containing much protein, I'm hoping the fat will keep me full.
I got onto Livestrong.com and estimated the calories based on Organic Avenue's ingredients list: Coconut Water, Coconut Meat, Cacao, Hemp Seeds, Agave, Peppermint, Vanilla, Sea Salt. It spat out the following results: 341 calories, 46g carbs, 7.7g protein and 14g fat. (With way too much sugar which I tried to ignore). Much better than '600 calories' but who knows whether I got the estimate correct? I feel a bit uneasy eating a non-defined bunch of calories and macronutrients. This will be an exercise in listening to my body.
Once in a while it's a perfect treat. I had over a 1000 calorie deficit yesterday and I'll walk home from work tonight to make up for it anyway.
Mmmmmm, Mint Chip Smoothie. Delish.
*** UPDATE ***
I emailed Organic Avenue to enquire about calories in the Mint Chip Smoothie. This was their response:
" We are currently working on comprising an accurate list of nutritional information for each of our foods and juices. The number of calories are less relevant as where those calories come from. Our experience is that the body will only retain a small portion of the raw calories of the coconut. Eating raw, alkaline and healthy, you don't need to watch the calories. The nature of raw foods and juices is essentially very cleansing to your body. As of now, our vegetable based juices are generally 200 kcal, while our soups and smoothies are 200-400 kcal. The Mint Chip Smoothie is approximately 495 calories.
In Health,
Organic Avenue"
I updated my calorie count accordingly.... and decided this was a treat to which I probably won't return between now and the wedding.
*** ---------- ***
It was 62 degrees F today, so I took a fast stroll at lunchtime through the West Village. I was hampered by heavy, sore quadriceps thanks to not stretching after my long walk to work this morning, but I powered through. My mind tends to wander when I'm exercising in the sun. It begins to shuffle through my mind files and clean out the cobwebs from the dark and musty corners. As it drifted to this Skinny Bride Mission and my typical afternoon snacks, I realised I'm bored of eating the same things every afternoon. Don't get me wrong, I love my Fage and I love my string cheese, but every single day?
Alarm bells began to ring. Food boredom equals in instant diet sabotage. it happens everytime. So instead of forcing myself to eat something my body was snubbing this afternoon, I decided to distract it with a shiny, new, exciting tastebud treat.
Tracy Anderson once mentioned the Mint chip Smoothie at Organic Avenue. I've been curious ever since. So I stepped inside, paid my $10 + $2 bottle deposit (whew, steep!), and queried the sales girl about the nutritional information inside that curvaceous glass bottle. The label was a dieter's dream: 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs and 0 protein. Certainly not possible. She agreed the labels were defunct and estimated about 600 calories per bottle with 20 grams of fat. "The good kind of non-belly-fat-storing fat". My mind reeled at the thought of 600 calories. That's half my entire day's quota. But I was committed to tasting this thing and I figured I could drink half today and save half for tomorrow.
I left the store, popped off the bottle top and took my first swig. Ooowwweeeee! Sublime. Exquisite. Magnificent. This is my new favorite treat. It tasted exactly like a packet of Mint Chip Cookies had been run through a blender and creamified. Too good for words.
But here's the thing. I drank a quarter .... then a half .... then another quarter .... and then I started rationalizing. If I didn't take the bottle back now, it'd be another thing added to my overwhelming 'To Do Lists'. I usually go to the gym at lunch, so I'm rarely walking around the West Village. And if I kept the last quarter for tomorrow, it'd be less fresh and might even go off. Yep, best drink it all. '600 calories' kept echoing through my head. Along with 'agave, agave, agave'. I don't usually eat agave as it affects me the same as cane sugar. Once I get a taste, I can't stop. (Perhaps that explains the true reason behind my downing the bottle in one).
Anyway, I felt so fresh and clean and glowing afterwards. But as the smoothie digested I was very full. I'm now letting it sit in my belly and hopefully I won't need another afternoon snack today. Despite not containing much protein, I'm hoping the fat will keep me full.
I got onto Livestrong.com and estimated the calories based on Organic Avenue's ingredients list: Coconut Water, Coconut Meat, Cacao, Hemp Seeds, Agave, Peppermint, Vanilla, Sea Salt. It spat out the following results: 341 calories, 46g carbs, 7.7g protein and 14g fat. (With way too much sugar which I tried to ignore). Much better than '600 calories' but who knows whether I got the estimate correct? I feel a bit uneasy eating a non-defined bunch of calories and macronutrients. This will be an exercise in listening to my body.
Once in a while it's a perfect treat. I had over a 1000 calorie deficit yesterday and I'll walk home from work tonight to make up for it anyway.
Mmmmmm, Mint Chip Smoothie. Delish.
*** UPDATE ***
I emailed Organic Avenue to enquire about calories in the Mint Chip Smoothie. This was their response:
" We are currently working on comprising an accurate list of nutritional information for each of our foods and juices. The number of calories are less relevant as where those calories come from. Our experience is that the body will only retain a small portion of the raw calories of the coconut. Eating raw, alkaline and healthy, you don't need to watch the calories. The nature of raw foods and juices is essentially very cleansing to your body. As of now, our vegetable based juices are generally 200 kcal, while our soups and smoothies are 200-400 kcal. The Mint Chip Smoothie is approximately 495 calories.
In Health,
Organic Avenue"
I updated my calorie count accordingly.... and decided this was a treat to which I probably won't return between now and the wedding.
*** ---------- ***
Wow, I am an Organic Avenue convert. The Mint Chip Smoothie would be a fantastic meal replacement. It kept me full for 3 hours, (the same as a normal balanced meal).
At 4:15pm I felt a tug on my hungerstrings. So I ate a String Cheese Stick ....
At 4:15pm I felt a tug on my hungerstrings. So I ate a String Cheese Stick ....
.... and half an Organic Pear.
At 5:30pm I was still hungry. I had a handful of Organic Raw Almonds to curb my hunger and stop me overeating at dinner.
DINNER
Dave and I were heading out to a play tonight in the Lower East Side. We did a Whole Foods salad bar dinner in the park to make the most of the warmer weather.
I didn't have my camera today, so here's someone else's Whole Foods extravaganza. Mine looked similar, but with the addition of....
I didn't have my camera today, so here's someone else's Whole Foods extravaganza. Mine looked similar, but with the addition of....
.... a 3 oz fillet of Grilled Salmon for protein.
I discovered a new exciting condiment tonight: Coconut Aminos. I have no idea what this is, except that it looks like soy sauce and is kind of a coconutty-flavored salty liquid. It is divine! I was drooling over how delicious my salmon tasted when dipped into this stuff. I've got to hunt myself down a bottle. I bet it's full of nutritional value too.
I discovered a new exciting condiment tonight: Coconut Aminos. I have no idea what this is, except that it looks like soy sauce and is kind of a coconutty-flavored salty liquid. It is divine! I was drooling over how delicious my salmon tasted when dipped into this stuff. I've got to hunt myself down a bottle. I bet it's full of nutritional value too.
.... and 8 Red Grapes for dessert.
I've always thought bottled water was bottled water, no matter which brand you buy. But I'm now a convert to Fiji Water. This stuff tastes soooooo good. The Hollywood celebrity scene has been onto it for years. I was determined to avoid the hype until Dave bought me a bottle tonight. It's so crisp and clean.
Every bottle sold is helping to preserve Fiji's largest rainforest, home to plant and animal species that exist nowhere else on the plant.
I love the thought of supporting a greater cause. Even better, this one has a personal aspect as Dave and I have chosen Fiji as our ideal paradise to tie the knot.
Every bottle sold is helping to preserve Fiji's largest rainforest, home to plant and animal species that exist nowhere else on the plant.
I love the thought of supporting a greater cause. Even better, this one has a personal aspect as Dave and I have chosen Fiji as our ideal paradise to tie the knot.
PRE-BEDTIME SNACK
Coconut Lime Chia Slice Parfait with Strawberries.
I ended up walking all the way home from the Lower East Side tonight. It took 2 hours. I am absolutely exhausted and about to pass out.... but first I need to stretch.
I had an attack of the sugar cravings tonight, and I believe it had something to do with the agave in that damn Mint Chip Smoothie. I've also been really bloated since drinking it. Perhaps I react physically to agave too?
Anyway, I was in the vicinity of Babycakes, my favorite Gluten-Free Bakery, and I started dreaming of cupcakes. As a treat once in a while this in fine. But not today. I ingested far too many calories in that Mint Chip Smoothie and I'd just filled up on dinner. It was purely a biological result of my sugar sensitivity and Dave had to drag me away from Babycakes and distract me with the play. It made me regret drinking the smoothie. I'm glad I had the experience, but I will steer totally clear of agave from now on.
I ended up breaking a Golden Rule today. Accidentally. I ate over 1700 calories. But I exercised so much I nearly doubled my daily deficit. All is not lost. Back on the wagon tomorrow.
I ended up walking all the way home from the Lower East Side tonight. It took 2 hours. I am absolutely exhausted and about to pass out.... but first I need to stretch.
I had an attack of the sugar cravings tonight, and I believe it had something to do with the agave in that damn Mint Chip Smoothie. I've also been really bloated since drinking it. Perhaps I react physically to agave too?
Anyway, I was in the vicinity of Babycakes, my favorite Gluten-Free Bakery, and I started dreaming of cupcakes. As a treat once in a while this in fine. But not today. I ingested far too many calories in that Mint Chip Smoothie and I'd just filled up on dinner. It was purely a biological result of my sugar sensitivity and Dave had to drag me away from Babycakes and distract me with the play. It made me regret drinking the smoothie. I'm glad I had the experience, but I will steer totally clear of agave from now on.
I ended up breaking a Golden Rule today. Accidentally. I ate over 1700 calories. But I exercised so much I nearly doubled my daily deficit. All is not lost. Back on the wagon tomorrow.
STATS
TOTAL CALORIES: 1862
CALORIE DEFICIT: 1090
EXERCISE: Brisk Walk 280 mins
CALORIE DEFICIT: 1090
EXERCISE: Brisk Walk 280 mins