October 21, 2009 at 9:42 am (5K, exercise, Food, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, Uncategorized, weight loss)
Tags: 5K, exercise, Food, halloween, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, Uncategorized, weight loss
I got my walk/run in last night after all. My sweet 9 year old nephew, Ryan, read my post last night. So he asked me if I wanted to walk with him. IS THAT THE SWEETEST? We left the house around 7:30p and walked and ran throughout my entire community playing “tag, you’re it”. What a great way to get your jogging done. I was chasing this lil’ boy who runs like a cheetah and before I knew it we had been out for over 45 minutes.
We left with my camera in hand looking for ‘fun halloween decorated homes’. There weren’t a lot, not a whole lot of pumpkin spirit around here. These were our two favorites.
Lunch was really filling yesterday and for dinner I wasn’t very hungry so I just had some turkey slices on hummus spread bread thins.
If you’re local to me and looking for something to do this weekend, come and join me as we visit the elderly with the Holiday Project on Saturday Oct 24 9:30a-noon. Email me for more details marthasmasterpieces@gmail.com
Also, the Pembroke Gardens Mall has a “Pink Health Fair” going on Saturday, October 24, 1p-3p. There will be mobile mammograms, diet & nutrition experts, presentations by doctors and more. I love this mall!
Well, got to go now as I have another mammogram this morning. I pray all is well.
Chat at ya later.
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October 20, 2009 at 7:14 pm (avocado, exercise, Fish, Food, health, lifestyle, run, salad, single moms, spinach, veggies, weight loss, yogurt)
Tags: avocado, exercise, Fish, Food, health, lifestyle, run, salad, single mom, spinach, Uncategorized, veggies, weight loss, yogurt
Sometimes I just wonder where my day goes. I really wanted to do my walk/run this morning but somehow never did. I got distracted doing other things and before I knew it, it was time to go pick up my nephew at school. So I regret not going for my walk/run earlier because now the lil’ guy won’t be picked up until after 8:30p tonight. By that time, I need major motivation to go out and exercise. Here’s today’s eats so far.
Breakfast: Fage yogurt, a peach and 1/2 an apple with cinnamon
LUNCH: Tilapia and salad
Tilapia, yogurt and panko crumbs cooked in 1 tbsp of olive oil for a couple of minutes on each side. The fish was seasoned with sea salt, pepper and paprika.
Tilapia cooked with yogurt n panko crumbs
I started the salad with baby spinach, tomato and avocado
Beginning of a great salad
Then the baby carrots and edamame were boiled for a lil’ bit, rinsed in cold water, and added to the salad.
I sprinkled the fish with a lil’ lemon juice, the salad with pepper and added some balsamic vinegar.
To die for!
And finally, added some lots of feta cheese.
And there you have today’s masterpiece to make up for yesterday’s epic fail.
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October 9, 2009 at 2:04 pm (5K, avocado, Christian, Devotions, exercise, Food, guacamole, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, Uncategorized, veggie burger, veggies, weight loss)
Tags: 5K, avocado, c25k, Christian, Devotions, exercise, Food, guacamole, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, Uncategorized, veggie burger, veggies, weight loss
Yesterday’s women’s Bible study: Is my agenda in sync with his? I pray that I can seek his perspective and agenda for my life. I love this group. Real women dealing with real issues.
I had to go to the doctor’s office yesterday after I left church to get a referral for another mammogram. The doctor wants to check on some ‘density’ that is showing up on the left booby.
Have you had a mammogram lately? There’s pink everywhere and it’s Breast Cancer Awareness month. Did you know that Breast Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in women in America? Lung cancer is 1st. According to the University of Pennsylvania’s oncolink resource, 1 in 8 women will risk getting Breast cancer in their lifetime. So a mammogram is a great step in finding and treating it early.
I’ve been eating healthier foods in the past couple of months so that I can boost my immune system and loose weight. I know that being overweight increases my risk of getting cancer. Here’s a list of some cancer fighting foods. These foods will not prevent you from getting cancer but by boosting your immune system you can fight it better. The American Cancer institute encourages us to eat more fruits and veggies, because we simply don’t consume enough.
Vegetables: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, seaweed, swiss chard
Fruits: berries, grapefruit, pineapples, tomatoes
Also, add garlic, green tea, nuts and whole grains to your diet.
Remember, the choices we make, the foods we eat, and our physical activity levels — will all have a direct impact on our overall cancer risk.
I did some quickie groceries at Publix.
healthy goodies
My son is loving these power bars…made from organic oats and soybeans
Between one thing and another I didn’t get my workout in during the day and decided to go for week3day2 of the couchto5k program with an evening run. NOT!FOR!ME! I can take a nice walk in the evening but my body just doesn’t want to run. Yes it was cooler out (not much) but I’m spent by evening. I’m going to have to create and stick with a schedule. I’m not a morning person. Let me explain, I can get up early and usually do (6:30a-7a) but my body’s not quite ready for a workout that early. That’s probably due to the fact that I go to bed so late. It’s been so hot here in South Florida that there is no way I can go and attempt a run in this heat any later. So I’m left with a dilemma challenge. Oh what to do?
I”m going to commit to getting to bed earlier (at least 11p). When I get up tomorrow, I’m going to eat something light and energizing lace up my shoes and go for my run/walk. I can do this! YES I can!
Well, here’s my eats for yesterday.
- Breakfast- egg whites, spinach, turkey omelet and Arnold thin bread, topped with fatfree cheese
- Lunch – spinach salad, cucumbers, tomato, edamame, avocado, balsamic dressing, chicken
- Dinner – Boca veggie burger, with spinach, tomato and guac spread
- snack- yogurt and pumpkin butter ..mmmmmmm
breakfast fuel
lunch
dinner
So Eat well, live long and please go get a mammogram!
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October 6, 2009 at 8:14 pm (5K, Christian, Devotions, exercise, Food, Gardening, green monster, green smoothies, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, spinach, Uncategorized, weight loss, yardwork)
Tags: 5K, c25k, Christian, Devotions, exercise, Food, Gardening, green monster, green smoothie, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, spinach, Uncategorized, weight loss, yardwork
Did I say that? I’m sore but it feels good? I’m definitely sore and it hurts. But yes in a satisfaction kind of way it feels good knowing I worked out hard and that’s the reason for the good pain.
I’m really enjoying starting my days with my Bible, cup of coffee and lots of silence, no noise, unplugged.
Plugging into God daily
Breakfast needed to be major fuel because today I started week 3 of the C25K program and I put in an hour of yardwork. (that’s why I’m so sore). I mixed up some plain greek yogurt and some vanilla Chobani, added a banana, raisins, blueberries, Kashi honey sunshine, agave and cinnamon.
Greek vanilla Chobani yogurt
MORNING FUEL!!
Today I did the week 3, day one of the c25k workout and felt great! It wasn’t until my yardwork workout that I started to feel some pain. The bending, squatting, pulling just seems to kick my butt!!! Literally my butt! It hurts! But not in a “I pulled something” kind of way, it hurts in a “wow, I worked my butt off” kind of way. I keep telling myself it’s good pain. What’s that saying, no pain-no gain. I guess I’m gaining!
I was exhausted because it’s really hot here in South Florida and finally went inside for a much needed smoothie.
MORE FUEL!
GREEN SMOOTHIE:
- 1 1/2 cup of spinach
- frozen strawberries
- frozen mango
- cup O.J.
- 2 tbsp plain Oikos yogurt
- tsp agave nectar
I drank two of these babies (yes another liquid lunch) and 1/2 an apple with some peanut butter.
I was really tempted to take a nap but I showered and had some job applications to fill out. This blog gig I’m applying for would be great. Can you imagine someone paying you $5k each month to write a daily blog??? THAT’S WHY I NEED YOUR VOTE!!!! click here. thanks!
Dinner was a quick chicken n veggie wrap. Grilled chicken breasts, onions, carrots, edamame. Spread some hummus on the whole wheat wrap, added tomato, avocado. Melted some mozzarella cheese on the chicken and threw it all together. Quick, easy and super tasty and healthy.
carrots and edamame sauteeing
Chicken carrots edamame
Prepping the wrap
Melted fatfree mozzarella on the chicken
Toss it all together and wrap it up!
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October 3, 2009 at 4:28 pm (5K, avocado, exercise, Food, Gardening, green monster, green smoothies, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, Uncategorized, veggies, weight loss, yardwork)
Tags: 5K, avocado, c25k, caffeine, exercise, Food, Gardening, green monster, green smoothies, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, Uncategorized, veggies, weight loss, yardwork
Starting this month I will be divulging more detailed information about my weight loss journey. I’ve been enjoying this new healthy eating so much that I have neglected to give details about my specific weight loss goals. I truly am enjoying putting together fruits and veggies and creating some yummy snacks and meals that are lo-calorie. Even though it’s time consuming, I will be putting together a ‘recipe’ page with my quick and easy creations. Your suggestions are welcomed.
Friday I slept in and I hate when I do that because I tend to feel sleepier when I get too much sleep. Normally I get up at 6:30 with my son, sometimes make him a quickie breakfast and then start my morning. Yesterday I went back to sleep at 7a and woke up at 10a…yikes! I had a small cup of yogurt, banana and cinnamon. Then I did my C25K walk/run for 30 minutes. I spent some time on my job search (need a job badly), made some phone calls and before I knew it I was hungry again.
Lunch was a green smoothie that turned brown because of the blueberries and a yummy salad drizzled with balsamic dressing.
spinach, strawberries, blueberries, mango, oj
ready to blend
spinach, tomatoes,cucumber,avocado, edamame
I love this lunch because it’s light but filling. The edamame has lots of protein.
Later in the afternoon I “craved” coffee. Since caffeine keeps me up, I don’t usually drink coffee any later than 5p unless it’s decaf. I brewed a cup and sat and ‘designed’ my front and backyard landscaping. I’ve been working on my yard and have a visual of what I want it to look like. So I sat with my favorite magazine and cup of coffee.
Oh boy the caffeine kicked in and I felt an urge to move furniture. So I FINALLY moved the dead treadmill into the garage and moved a sofa into its place.
sofa replaced treadmill
I mopped the floor in my family room (aren’t they shiny) and did some laundry. I’ve been using vinegar to clean my floors and I love how shiny it leaves them. Whenever I sit and look at a design magazine I get ideas and so I started to rearrange a few things in the kitchen. Brought in some fresh flowers from the yard and voila, ready for fall.
I worked up an appetite after all that work and dinner was a yummy veggie wrap. I sauteed broccoli, asparagus, carrots and onions in a tbsp of olive oil and spicy teriyaki sauce. Then I spread my homemade hummus on a whole wheat wrap and filled it with the veggies. I only ate half of the wrap. Chelsea ate the other half. That girl (my son’s gf) can eat! She’s tiny but eats like a man, a big man!
yummy veggie wrap
Later I snacked on walnuts while catching up on Grey’s Anatomy.
That coffee kept me up pretty late. I think I finally went to bed around 2am. See, I told ya the caffeine kicks my butt.
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September 30, 2009 at 5:38 pm (5K, biggest looser, exercise, Food, green monster, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, spinach, Uncategorized, weight loss)
Tags: 5K, biggest looser, exercise, Food, green monster, health, lifestyle, mango, run, single moms, smoothie, spinach, Uncategorized, weight loss
I’m so excited! I found a 5K I can do Oct 31st!! This gives me more incentive to get up and move more!! I’ve been doing the C25K program but haven’t been consistent. So today I started week 2 AGAIN! It feels soooo good. I know that you ‘runners’ are giggling at that but I’m just beginning and everyone has to start somewhere, right?
My goal for the 1st 5k I did in February was to just finish. And I did. This time my goal is to be able to run at least 1/2 the distance and walk when I have to. I’ve been eating really good stuff and I have so much more energy. This morning began with an egg white, 2 slices turkey bacon and spinach dip spread on 1 slice of whole grain bread.
Oh and a cup of yummy coffee.
Morning fuel
I had a wasa cracker with spinach dip after my run/walk and for lunch I was satisfied with a mango/spinach smoothie. One of Hunter’s friends was here and he reluctantly tried the smoothie and loved it. They’re becoming a hit around here. I think dinner tonight will be leftovers ( baked chicken,broccoli).
Well, if you’re local to me I hope you’ll join me and sign up for the 5K. It’s fun and supports a great organization.
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September 21, 2009 at 2:37 pm (Christian, exercise, Food, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, spinach, Uncategorized, veggie burger, veggies, weight loss)
Tags: Christian, exercise, Food, health, lifestyle, run, single moms, spinach, Uncategorized, veggie burger, veggies, weight loss
My first attempt to make a veggie burger turned into mush.
But it did taste good. So try to get past what it looks like and focus on the ingredients.
In the processor went: 1/2 can black beans, onion, carrots, salt, pepper, garlic salt and breadcrumbs.
in the processor
Blend it all nice and smooth and somehow try to make a patty. It kept sticking to my hands and wouldn’t let go. Grill on a pan with olive oil for about 3-5 minutes, flip (that’s where it got messy).
a lil' mushy
I put the ‘burger’ on a multi grain thin roll (which saves 100 calories from 2slices of wheat bread), added spinach leaves, tomato, oh and smeared hummus on the thins. I now add cilantro to my homemade hummus.
I could have just eaten it right from the spoon. I love black beans.
Martica's 1st veggie burger
No need for ketchup on this baby, because it had a lot of flavor already. Seriously, it’s good.
Messy, but good. So if anyone out in the food blog world can tell me how I can make this without them being so mushy next time, I would greatly appreciate it. Who makes the best veggie burger (not frozen)???
BIG BIG SHOUT OUT to my friend Nathalie, who just finished her first TRIATHLON!!! That really inspires me Natha. I’m looking forward to when I can RUN my first 5k. I did one last February but walked most of it, I was really out of shape. But I’ve been working on the cardio and c25k program. Still working on week 2. I haven’t been obsessed with the scale, although I have dropped a couple more pounds. I can feel the inches I’ve lost in the clothes I’m wearing. But more importantly, I have way more energy, am sleeping better and feel really good.
Church was great yesterday as always…….remember that our God is bigger than our problems.
Enjoy your Monday!
Eat well, live long and try a veggie burger!
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August 20, 2009 at 8:04 pm (exercise, Food, health, run, weight loss)
Tags: exercise, Food, health, weight loss
Yesterday I was expecting that I would be sore today, after the 52 minute dvd bootcamp workout.
I was right.
But, only my butt is sore, which is great. I must have really worked harder on that area. Great thing is that I felt good enough to finally start the “Couch to 5k” program today. Today consisted of 20 minutes of walking and running intervals with a 5 minute warmup walk before and after the run. The goal is to be able to run 3.1 miles(5k)at the end of 7-9 weeks. I finished that and felt great, probably could have done more but didn’t want to push it.
Of course I had my 1/2 minibagel with spinach spread prior to the workout. And after………I’m so excited, because this really turned out YUMMMO!!! I made a mango-black bean salsa! Can you say SUPER YUMMMO?!! Anyone that really knows me will tell you that I enjoy cooking but not for hours. Unlike my mom who spends hours making stews, and preparing the most delicious croquettes you’ve ever tasted(a process that could take 2 days), I like to be in and out in 10-20 minutes tops. That’s why I love stir frying, its quick, easy and tastes great. Even better on my list is a no-cook recipe. I revamped this recipe that I saw in a magazine and here it is:
1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1 can black beans
1 can garbanzo beans
drain and rinse both
chopped onion, tomato and cucumber
You’ll notice I don’t have measurements because I just kind of go with the flow…
Beans, garbanzos, diced tomato
mango, onions, cucumber
1. In a large bowl, combine the beans, onions, cucumber, and mango.
2. In a blender or food processor puree 1/3 cup mangos with olive oil and vinegar or (you can use any Italian dressing)
mix all ingredients in a bowl
HALLELUYA, HALLELUYA, HALLELUYA, HALLELUYA, HALLELUUUUUYYAAAAAAA!!
SOOOOOO GOOD!
pour on that mango dressing and enjoy!
I know this is not a new recipe but it sure tastes good. The mango and onions taste so good, you may not need the dressing, but oh the dressing is yum! Looks like this will be my new dish to bring to parties. Scoop it up with chips, serve it as a side, top some spinach leaves for a great salad, or add some chicken and you have a hearty meal.
mango salsa over spinach
Eat well, live long and make some MANGO salsa!
5 Comments
August 5, 2009 at 10:52 pm (exercise, Food, health, lifestyle, run, Uncategorized, weight loss)
Tags: exercise, Food, health, weight loss
Ive been keeping a journal for years, ever since I can remember. It was called a diary when I was a child, with lock and key. That didnt keep my brother from ripping it open and telling the world my secrets. So now much to my own surprise, Ive decided to go a bit public with my journaling. For selfish reasons of course. Accountability! You got it, dieting, exercise, etc,etc….I know, boring subject but its one MOST of us are familiar with. Im actually doing really good and enjoying this ‘healthy’ journey. My goal is to get strong, lean and wake up energized everyday……well, most days! I’ll keep you posted( if you’re interested) on the good, the bad and well, maybe the ugly. Feel free to let me know what you think….
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