BREAKFAST
Raw Green Meanie.
This smoothie is a luscious, raw pick-me-up. It's bursting with nutrition and makes you feel so clean and happy. It's also a perfectly balanced meal thanks to the addition of whipped cottage cheese for protein and avocado for fat.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Whiz the following in a blender: 1cup unsweetened Almond Breeze, 1/2 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese, 1 tsp chia seeds, 1/8 of an avocado, 1 cup kale, 1/2 Pink Lady apple, 4 strawberries, 1/4 tsp grated ginger root, 4 cubes ice.
I tend to bypass the usual protein powder route when making smoothies. I can't stand the taste or the heaviness of those concoctions. There are also a lot of crazy ingredients in most brands, including sugar or artificial sweeteners. In my opinion, whipped cottage cheese is a whole food godsend. Creamy, simple, delicious. Best of all, you know exactly what you're getting.
This smoothie is a luscious, raw pick-me-up. It's bursting with nutrition and makes you feel so clean and happy. It's also a perfectly balanced meal thanks to the addition of whipped cottage cheese for protein and avocado for fat.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Whiz the following in a blender: 1cup unsweetened Almond Breeze, 1/2 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese, 1 tsp chia seeds, 1/8 of an avocado, 1 cup kale, 1/2 Pink Lady apple, 4 strawberries, 1/4 tsp grated ginger root, 4 cubes ice.
I tend to bypass the usual protein powder route when making smoothies. I can't stand the taste or the heaviness of those concoctions. There are also a lot of crazy ingredients in most brands, including sugar or artificial sweeteners. In my opinion, whipped cottage cheese is a whole food godsend. Creamy, simple, delicious. Best of all, you know exactly what you're getting.
Oh, and of course I also had my usual Organic Green Tea.
MORNING SNACK
9 Organic Raw Cashews.
LUNCH
A bowl of Chunky Homestyle Greens 'n Beans Soup with a Coconut Quinoa Pancake.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Whisk 1 whole organic egg, 2 egg whites, 2 Tbs 2% milk, 1/4 cup cooked coconut quinoa and 7 chopped pecans. Pour into a lightly buttered frypan and cook over low heat. Serve hot.
I was a bit lazy with my food styling, wasn't I? This pancake could be jazzed up with a dollop of creamy yoghurt, a handful of blueberries and a drizzle of 100% fruit blackberry spread. Maybe next time.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Whisk 1 whole organic egg, 2 egg whites, 2 Tbs 2% milk, 1/4 cup cooked coconut quinoa and 7 chopped pecans. Pour into a lightly buttered frypan and cook over low heat. Serve hot.
I was a bit lazy with my food styling, wasn't I? This pancake could be jazzed up with a dollop of creamy yoghurt, a handful of blueberries and a drizzle of 100% fruit blackberry spread. Maybe next time.
AFTERNOON SNACK
2 hours later I started feeling hungry again. I made a plate of High Protein Babaganoush with Smoked Salmon and Crudites: a filling weight-loss dream snack.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 2 Tbs babaganoush with 1/4 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese. Top with 1 oz smoked salmon pieces and sprinkle with parsley flakes and cayenne pepper. Serve with crudites.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 2 Tbs babaganoush with 1/4 cup 1% whipped cottage cheese. Top with 1 oz smoked salmon pieces and sprinkle with parsley flakes and cayenne pepper. Serve with crudites.
POST-WORKOUT SNACK
I'm feeling really down today. My moods are 98% weather-dependent, which is fantastic on a warm, sunny day but not so good when the temperatures dip well below freezing, the sky turns oppressive and grey, and the icy wind whips up the avenues like a knife.
I tried to curl up on the couch to watch trashy TV, but my cabin fever propelled me to the gym for a massive workout. I feel a lot better now. All those tingly endorphins are whizzing around my system and the day is nearly over.
After my workout I was ravenous. My body was crying out for something nutritious, gluten-free and protein-packed. Here's what I ate:
Organic Brown Rice Cake with Mozzarella String Cheese, Roma Tomato and Fresh Cracked Pepper.
DINNER
Chicken and Cashew Stirfry.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Fry 2oz chicken, 2 cups vegetables, 7 cashews, 1 tsp chia seeds, habanero chili, oregano, 1 tsp ginger root, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 cup water, 1 Tbs Chinese rice vinegar, and 1 Tbs wheat-free tamari sauce.
Ideally I'd use 3 oz chicken and have a piece of fruit to balance the meal. Since this serve used less chicken, I also ate ....
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Fry 2oz chicken, 2 cups vegetables, 7 cashews, 1 tsp chia seeds, habanero chili, oregano, 1 tsp ginger root, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 cup water, 1 Tbs Chinese rice vinegar, and 1 Tbs wheat-free tamari sauce.
Ideally I'd use 3 oz chicken and have a piece of fruit to balance the meal. Since this serve used less chicken, I also ate ....
.... a Blueberry-Carob Strawberry Parfait.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 1/2 small tub 2% Fage with 2 tsp carob powder and 1/8 cup frozen blueberries. Add cinnamon, ground ginger and allspice. Freeze for 20 minutes. Layer in a glass with 4 sliced strawberries.
Treating yourself is a must when losing weight, and my sugar-free yoghurt based desserts are the perfect visually-enticing way to cap off a decadent day.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 1/2 small tub 2% Fage with 2 tsp carob powder and 1/8 cup frozen blueberries. Add cinnamon, ground ginger and allspice. Freeze for 20 minutes. Layer in a glass with 4 sliced strawberries.
Treating yourself is a must when losing weight, and my sugar-free yoghurt based desserts are the perfect visually-enticing way to cap off a decadent day.
I had a Coconut Water Icypop too.
Not sure why .... it's freeeeeezing tonight!
Not sure why .... it's freeeeeezing tonight!
PRE-BEDTIME SNACK
Oh no .... Dave, the sweetie, came home with a surprise tonight. The Babycakes Gluten-Free Vegan Cupcake I managed to successfully avoid last night. Damnit!
He apologized for the agave in it, but how could I refuse such a thoughtful gift infused with so many good intentions?
Don't worry, I didn't eat the whole thing ....
He apologized for the agave in it, but how could I refuse such a thoughtful gift infused with so many good intentions?
Don't worry, I didn't eat the whole thing ....
.... I cut the cupcake in quarters, mushed 1/4 into my frozen Blueberry-Carob Parfait and garnished it with another quarter.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 1/2 small tub 2% Fage with 1/3 cup blueberries and cinnamon. Add 1/2 a chopped Babycakes gluten-free agave cupcake.
"What happened to the remaining half?" I hear you ask.
I popped it straight in the freezer. I've added it to my frozen stash of healthier treats for the next time I'm craving something slightly sweet.
Stupidly, I ate the cupcake half without checking my daily calorie count. I went over 1700 again, (just). Golden Rule broken. But thanks to all my exercise today I still made the 625 deficit.
My mouth is now tasting a bit dry thanks to the agave. I think this will be the last time I eat the stuff. I really didn't want that cupcake, but couldn't offend Dave's gallant efforts by turning it down. (How often to we put others ahead of our own healthy eating plans in life? Where do you draw the line?) Oh well, it was tasty. It's not like I ate an entire family-size cake. No harm done.
I did end up dontating the remaining half a cupcake to Dave's cause though. The aftereffects of agave don't sit well with me.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: Mix 1/2 small tub 2% Fage with 1/3 cup blueberries and cinnamon. Add 1/2 a chopped Babycakes gluten-free agave cupcake.
"What happened to the remaining half?" I hear you ask.
I popped it straight in the freezer. I've added it to my frozen stash of healthier treats for the next time I'm craving something slightly sweet.
Stupidly, I ate the cupcake half without checking my daily calorie count. I went over 1700 again, (just). Golden Rule broken. But thanks to all my exercise today I still made the 625 deficit.
My mouth is now tasting a bit dry thanks to the agave. I think this will be the last time I eat the stuff. I really didn't want that cupcake, but couldn't offend Dave's gallant efforts by turning it down. (How often to we put others ahead of our own healthy eating plans in life? Where do you draw the line?) Oh well, it was tasty. It's not like I ate an entire family-size cake. No harm done.
I did end up dontating the remaining half a cupcake to Dave's cause though. The aftereffects of agave don't sit well with me.
STATS
TOTAL CALORIES: 1739
CALORIE DEFICIT: 685
EXERCISE: Brisk walk 60 mins + Stairmaster 20 mins + Elliptical 40 mins + Arm Weights 25 mins
CALORIE DEFICIT: 685
EXERCISE: Brisk walk 60 mins + Stairmaster 20 mins + Elliptical 40 mins + Arm Weights 25 mins