Archive for the ‘recipes and food’ Category

“Yum” Sums It Up

I am not a food blogger. Yet, I still take pictures of most things I eat because I never know when I might want to use something in a post. I snap two or three quick shots and move on my merry way. I like having photos of meals I deem worthy of sharing…but you better believe I’m not letting it get in the way of my eating. No cold food or sparing my precious dining seconds around here, people!

I could just not bother…but more often than not, I find myself thankful for my quick photo snapping. This morning, I appreciated the photo habit because, when uploading my pics, I realized I had quite the delicious day yesterday.

Picasa1

“Delicious” being code word for “my favorite fall foods”. I should be orange by now! Or at least not so ghostly white. When can I expect that beta carotene to kick in? Winking smile

I bet you think that means I started my day off with some pumpkin oats. Oh ho ho! You are sorely mistaken. I actually didn’t have oats at all!

I had a savory craving…more accurately a hot pepper jelly craving…and I obliged.

IMGP2383-1

I put together a sandwich with an egg, pepperjack cheese, hot pepper jelly, and spinach on whole grain and seed bread.

IMGP2384-1

Does that not look like perfection? It sure does to me! Just as Honeycrisp apples scream perfection to me as well with their perfect crispiness and sweet, yet tart, bite.

IMGP2385-1

When lunchtime rolled around I continued the fall theme unawares, as I pulled out leftovers from our dinner the previous night.

Tonight's dinner features quinoa, butternut squash, and apple goods. Gonna be good!
@TinaFFF
Tina Reale

It doesn’t look incredibly appetizing (especially straight from the tupperware) but I promise you this combo kicks butt. Ninja

IMGP2381-1

The mix:

  • regular ole quinoa cooked in vegetable broth for extra flavor
  • a Trader Joe’s apple chicken sausage
  • cubed, roasted butternut squash
  • a dollop of Daisy Spiced Apple Chutney

Such an easy, fast, and FLAVORFUL dinner! With good leftovers too! #drool

Now onto snack…a mix I promise you will want to get your hands on, if you haven’t already that is!

You all already know my undying devotion to this company.

IMGP2303-1

Love Grown granola became the apple of my eye (stomach?) yet again.

IMGP2305-1

I took a plain container of Oikos Greek yogurt and tossed in a whopping spoonful or two of canned pumpkin. I swirled that all up with some Cocoa Bean NuNaturals drops and grabbed my bag of Cocoa Goodness granola.

After a couple greedy handfuls straight to  my mouth, I topped my pumpkin yogurt and had the perfect harmony of flavors.

IMGP2307-1

The only thing missing? A side of my pumpkin hot chocolate. Oh me, oh my…imagine that coupling for a snack. Forget happy hour with a beer…I want snack time with this! Is it 3 o’clock yet?

  • What’s the last thing that made you say “yum”?

Posted by on October 26th, 2011 50 Comments

Spicing It Up + Over Bodypump

So. Um. Wow!

I’m pretty speechless after the response to yesterday’s post. It’s a tough spot to be in because part of me hates to give less to something I care so deeply about. However, I also know that I care more about other things – like my family and my own health. If that means letting go of control in order to have my goals and passions in line with my values, then I know I must. Thanks for everything. You don’t know just how much you all mean to me.

Now…let’s move on. Things may have to change a bit, but I’m for sure not leaving!

I’ve been in the mood to spice things up lately.

Spicing Up The Eats

Remember that fair thing we did this weekend? Yea. I’m sure you do. I only showed 93714854189 million pictures of it. Remember this one?

IMGP2235-1_thumb1

One of the vendors at the fair had a variety of local, homemade jellies and sauces for sale. For $6 a jar and a portion of each sale supporting a local school fundraiser, I knew I needed to grab some for home. I taste tested about every single one before finally settling on these two:

IMGP2277-1_thumb1

A spiced apple chutney and a hot pepper jelly. MMMM! I almost went with a FROG (fig, raspberry, orange, and ginger) jam as well that a certain someone always raves about, but the spice called to me on Saturday. Perhaps because I had just satisfied my sweet tooth with a mondo funnel cake and needed to balance it out? Who me?

Good thing I went with the spice though. I have been absolutely loving it. I have even spiced up my standard oatmeal breakfast a few times this week. Things are getting crazy up in here!

I’ve been having an omelet with some pesto, feta cheese, and a large handful of spinach in its innards.

IMGP2273-1_thumb1

Then, spicing it up with the pepper jelly.

IMGP2271-1_thumb1

Two slices of nine grain and seed bread from the bakery – one with a smear of peanut butter and another with a thick layer of pepper jelly. My mouth was on fire and I was loving every minute of it. I foresee a new favorite in this combo! Maybe for lunch today? You know I can’t go without oats for too long. Winking smile

Spice Up The Workout (aka I’m Over Bodypump Type Classes)

Yesterday, in the midst of my overwhelmed feelings, I knew I needed to head out for a mind clearing workout session. I didn’t want to have to think much about my workouts, so I headed to the gym for some classes. I did a combo I used to frequent quite often – Group Power class (aka my gym’s Bodypump) and Group Ride class (aka cycle). I had a lot of steam to blow off obviously.

I started off in Group Power class and within 10 minutes of the workout, I found myself looking at the clock to see how much longer I had left. Blech.

I was not smiling like in that ^ old school preggo photo. ^

Here’s the thing – I like Group Power, Bodypump, and other group weights classes for many reasons.

  • not having to plan a workout
  • mixing things up with the endurance style training
  • using a different tempo for exercises for a new challenge

But besides those things I am soooo over it! It’s just so BORING to me! Yea. I said it.

  • It’s the same moves every single class.
  • I like using different equipment.
  • It always feels like I don’t get a great workout because I can never get the “just right” weight. For example, my back and neck make me use lighter weight in the legs track because they don’t like a bar on them for 3+ minutes. That leaves me not lifting heavy enough for my legs to really feel it. And with a sore neck. Grrrrr.

Long story short – I want to find something new for my strength training! I’m getting very bored with the same ole stuff and I want to spice it up!

I’ve tossed around the idea of Jillian Michaels’ Making The Cut or doing one of the New Rules of Lifting workout routines. If I could hire a trainer or afford a Cross Fit gym, I would so be there. Basically, I need a change. A change that doesn’t require me thinking or planning. A change that forces me out of my comfort zone and keeps things new and exciting. I need to spice it up, folks!

  • Do you like spicy foods?
  • What’s something new I should try to spice up my strength training?

Posted by on October 19th, 2011 86 Comments

 

 
Catch Up With Recent Posts

Announcement Time

Posted: November 23, 2011 at 7:47 am

Well, I have had a whirlwind of a few weeks over here. I missed all of you so much! I can’t express enough gratitude for your patience while I got some important things sorted out. Some scary things. Are you ready for the announcement? Here goes! I will no longer be blogging at Faith Fitness […]

88 CommentsRead more →

Self-Love Reflection: The Road Not Taken

Posted: November 20, 2011 at 11:47 am

Hello FFF readers! Nice to meet ya! My name is Carissa and my husband and I blog at Fit2Flex.  Well, I blog…he consults! We are both certified personal trainers with a passion for healthy, active living and clean eating.  I am also studying to become a registered dietitian, a race announcer, and a runner.  Stop […]

24 CommentsRead more →

Healthier Eating For Kids

Posted: November 19, 2011 at 10:56 am

Thanks to Plum Organics for sponsoring my post about tips for baby feeding magic. What if you let baby choose what’s for dinner? Check out their cute "Quest for Yum!" video and see what happens! As parents, we want the best for our children. We help them to feel loved. We strive to teach them […]

14 CommentsRead more →
 

Announcement

Posted: November 17, 2011 at 3:36 pm

Hey, everyone! I wanted to pop in and say I am working on some new and exciting changes.  As a result,I may not be posting as much during the coming week.  Please stay tuned for the big announcement! Love you all! And still feel free to find me on Twitter and Facebook for the time […]

21 CommentsRead more →

Where The Change Happens

Posted: November 16, 2011 at 7:54 am

It’s kind of funny. I become a certified personal trainer and the first workouts I turn to this week come from someone else. The book came in for me at the library last week and, after flipping through it, I couldn’t wait to give the circuits a go. Making The Cut includes a lot of […]

79 CommentsRead more →

From Beginning To End

Posted: November 15, 2011 at 11:53 am

Good morning! First off, thanks for the many congrats yesterday. Love you all bunches for the tons of support you have given me in so many things this year. I hope I can return a little bit of that love through this here blog as well. So yesterday I had my first parent-teacher “conference” for […]

55 CommentsRead more →