A quickie visit to Miami and a quickie green meal

So much to do, such little time.  And that’s coming from someone who’s not working.  ME.  But I do keep busy.  That’s why I’ve slacked on the blogging.  I’ve been doing some research on something I’m working on, volunteering at church, attending 2 bible studies, running errands, keeping my home nice and clean, doing laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, going to doctor appts, etc, etc…..who the heck has time for a j.o.b?  (journey of the broke).  😦

But seriously, I don’t know where the time goes, and I’m pretty good with time management.  And for the record, because I know what you’re thinking, I only use Facebook while working in other screens.  I’m happy to announce that I’m one of only a few people who doesn’t play Farmville 🙂     It’s kind of interesting that some people I know are on Farmville from morning to night.  Can you say ‘addiction’…. 

Well, this morning I had to go to downtown Miami.  It’s a lovely place until you need a parking spot.  I drove around for 30 minutes and after praying to God, I got a spot right in front of the building I was going to.  Thank you Jesus!!  You’re so good to me.  There are still so many unoccupied, unfinished high rise condo buildings in that area. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drove by the Heat Arena …GO HEAT!

GO HEAT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Freedom Tower……I can’t believe this pic turned out so clear since I was driving.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lived in Miami for 30 years but am now happy calling the Broward county suburbs my home.

I was starving when I got home and made my favorite quickie meal……tofu over spinach salad and a green smoothie.  I had been marinading the tofu in some Mojo, mustard and spicy sauce. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sauteed the tofu with onions and when it was done (15 min.) poured it over some spinach leaves and avocado.

Tofu, spinach, avocado, onions and feta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the tofu was cooking I baked some sweet potato chips and made a green smoothie with banana, strawberries,mango, oj and 2 cups of spinach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So yummy and healthy.  What’s your favorite quickie meal?

 

Blogger’s Block!!!

I know, I’ve been M.I.A. 

I just have a case of blogger’s block.   There just seems to be a lot going on and I’m a bit distracted.  So I will spare you all of the details and  entertain you with my eats for the last few days.  I really haven’t been cooking much.  My meals have been consisting of quickie sandwiches (healthy) and green smoothies.

A couple of mornings began with a great omelet and smoothie (FUEL!!!!)

turkey,onions,spinach,tomato,egg whites

added some pepper

And faa-lip

OMELET n SMOOTHIE

YUMMY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday was a busy one and it started with a 1/2 Luna bar and coffee. ( I hate running late).

White chocolate macadamia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That Luna bar has been in my purse for over a month.  I keep it with me for, well you know, emergency.  And this was an emergency.  I helped out with the Angel Food distribution  on Saturday and then spent the rest of my day running errands.

Angel Food ready for distribution I did sneak in a great tofu - veggie - stirfry.tofu,broccoli,onions,garlic,carrots,sweet potato

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DOLLAR STATEMENT 005

Served the stir-fry over brown rice

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I also had a frozen ‘healthy’ meal while I was rushing around.  Pumpkin squash ravioli.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Healthy Choice pumpkin squash ravioli

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
And that’s all I got! 

EPIC FAIL

Today started off like most Mondays.  I got up at 6:30a, woke up Hunter, watched him leave for school, resisted the TEMPTATION to get back in my cozy bed, made a yummy cup of coffee, ate some yogurt and a banana and spent some quiet time with my Bible.   Afterwards, did some housework, filled out job applications and eventually around noon went for a nice loooonnnngg walk. 

I made it home just in time get ready to go pick up my nephew at school, then had a Walmart run to make and was home after 3pm.  I was starving and made the quickest , saddest looking lunch, a boca veggie burger.  I was so hungry I didn’t take the extra 30 seconds to slice up tomato or add spinach.  Nope, my hungry self couldn’t wait. 

Here’s the epic fail……..My newest pride and joy in the food world are my green smoothies.  Today I made the ugliest most disgusting smoothie and I’m not sure what happened.  It was bad.  😦

It started out looking pretty good.  I added the regular 1 1/2 cup of spinach, strawberries, blueberries, green tea tbsp of p.b. and agave nectar.  I know the blueberries make it more of a brown color (if I add too many), but this was an ugly brown. And it tasted as bad as it looked.  So Ryan and I tried adding some frozen mango chunks but the damage was already done.  Oh well, I’ll share the pics with you and you be the judge.  I guess the peanut butter and green tea don’t mix well.

Started ok with yogurt, banana n cinnamon

Started ok with yogurt, banana n cinnamon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See it doesn't look bad getting started

See it doesn't look bad getting started

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRETTY BAD HUH?

PRETTY BAD HUH?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the burger was plain but tasty

the burger was plain but tasty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was tired and did something I rarely do……took a nap.   Dinner was leftover grilled chicken and brown rice.

I’m pooped and going to bed. 

Nite all!

COLD AIR! YES COLD AIR!

THE A/C IS FIXED!! 

THANK YOU JOHN! 

THANK YOU LORD!

I’ve barely slept the last 2 nights (in this sauna) and this morning I missed my women’s bible study.  DARN IT!  But I was sooooo tired and sore from using the hedger yesterday.  My arms hurt so bad!  I wasn’t going to go outside yesterday because it was so hot but I gave in.   Today I woke up to a 90 degree house.  What I wanted to do was get in my car, crank up the a/c and just drive around.  But I came to my senses and just waited for my friend John to come over and fix the a/c.

I had ICED coffee to start my day.

My 2nd glass

My 2nd glass

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can’t remember the last time I ate pasta.  I indulged in carb overload today.  Had cold pasta for lunch and then for dinner.  I added some broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and garlic.  Whipped up a quickie dressing that included: olive oil, vinegar, mayo, mustard. 

veggies n pasta

veggies n pasta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quickie dressing

quickie dressing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More carbs….mango/oj smoothie….nice and cold!

My favorite smoothie, mango!

My favorite smoothie, mango!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Now I plan on sleeping for the next 8-10 hours!
 
Eat well, live long and thank God for your countless blessings!

Chili and a Sunset….as good as it gets

A new week. 

I left my cell phone yesterday at my mom’s (I didn’t know it was there at the time)  and I think I was ready to have a breakdown.  My son was playing with it and I knew he had left it somewhere, just didn’t know where.  I’m really not a big cell user and don’t consider myself hooked on technology…..until I don’t have access to it.   I’m not the only who was having a little breakdown.  My sis in law showed up early this morning in her pj’s because she couldn’t get in touch with me.  My phone and I finally reunited and all is good.

I put in another hour and a 1/2 of yardwork today.  I’m not talking gardening or planting pretty little seeds.  No, it was heavy duty, chopping down trees and branches.  But it was not as hot today so I went for it.  I do believe I sweated off at least a zillion calories.    I found this baby in the garage and had fun  🙂

bbrrrrrmmmmm

bbrrrrrmmmmm

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made it back inside and made the yummiest liquid lunch! A hugh jass green smoothie with everything in it!  I was really thirsty and downed it before I could take a pic.  Trust me it was good.

Picked up my nephew from school, did some homework with the little guy and before we knew it it was almost sundown.  But we caught a glimpse of a beautiful sunset.  These are the pics Ryan took.

pic by Ryan

pic by Ryan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

pic by Ryan

pic by Ryan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isnt he a cutie?

Isnt he a cutie?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinnertime! 

Ryan had some mac n cheese and I made some turkey chili.  I love chili and I make a pretty good chili at that.  This turkey chili I can enjoy even more because it’s so much lower in calories and just as tasty.

  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • chopped onions
  • chopped garlic
  • tomato sauce
  • salt n pepper
  • kidney beans
  • my secret spices

Just kidding, this time I made it with ‘chili seasoning mix’.

turkey chili

 

 

 

 

 

 

TURKEY CHILI N BROWN RICE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Served it up with some brown rice and MMM- MMM GOOD! 

Can you say comfort food?!  :}

Quickie weekend

Wow, quicky weekend.  It seemed to really fly by and I didn’t even do much.  Heck I did nothing.

Saturday:  watched chick flicks…All day!  I do mean all day!

Sunday:  Church (heavy duty, much needed sermon on forgiveness), lunch with family, back home, long walk in the evening.

That’s it, that was my weekend. 

I do remember I said I was going to get up early, get out the door and run.  What I hadn’t realized is that it was Friday and I had no intention of getting up early on Saturday morning.  So I didn’t.  What I did do was make pizza for lunch and pizza for dinner.

chicken spinach n mozzarella pizza

chicken spinach n mozzarella pizza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

really yummy

really yummy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, my mom made a fish soup with shrimp, fish, plantains, and other veggies.  I had a small bowl since I wasnt in the mood for soup.  It was my brother’s birthday and that’s what he requested.  I did have a fish croquette and some avocado.  Sorry, no pics, forgot my camera.

I keep hearing about tempeh and have been wanting to try it.  Tempeh is a cultured cake of beans and grains and this one was  made with organic soybeans.  So dinner was a sandwich prepared with tempeh marinaded in lemon n pepper, spinach, avocado and tomato on whole grain thin bread (spread with guac).  And I washed it down with a super yummy green smoothie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tempeh sandwich

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tempeh sandwich and green smoothie

Tempeh sandwich and green smoothie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I went for a loooonnng walk tonight and there was a slight breeze, not quite fall here yet.  

Now I’m going to bed early like I promised.

I’m sore, but it feels good! not really, it hurts.

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

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

Greek vanilla Chobani yogurt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORNING FUEL!!

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!

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

carrots and edamame sauteeing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken carrots edamame

Chicken carrots edamame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepping the wrap

Prepping the wrap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melted fatfree mozzarella on the chicken

Melted fatfree mozzarella on the chicken

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toss it all together and wrap it up!

Toss it all together and wrap it up!

Eat well, live long and VOTE FOR ME to be employed!

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

Well today I actually wanted to sleep in but my son set the alarm early and I got up to make him some breakfast.  So much for sleeping late.  I got ready and headed for the Farmer’s Market in Pembroke Pines.  There were about 30 vendors selling not just fruit and veggies but all kinds of things.  This is South Florida after all and we have lots of different cultures blended together here.  There was even a vendor selling organic coffee made from a mushroom (MLM). I walked around for a bit, but it was really hot out today.  Here’s a lil’ sampling:

OCT3 PPfarmersmarket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful day

A beautiful day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCT3 PPfarmersmarket

 

 

 

 

 

 

this thing was huge n tasted like raw potato..blahh

this thing was huge n tasted like raw potato..blahh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my fave booth-smoothies

my fave booth-smoothies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

beautiful orchids

beautiful orchids

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCT3 PPfarmersmarket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was really really hot out and the fruit didn’t look very appetizing, so no pics of fruits.  I drove a couple of blocks to do some window shopping at my favorite budget design store….Kirklands!  I love Kirklands! They already have Xmas decorations up.  I love these java tin like wall hangings.

cute huh?

cute huh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve heard of a farmer’s market in SW Ranches, and on my way home I decided to drive around and look for it.  SW Ranches is a few blocks from my house.  I didn’t find the market but ran into some MEGA-HUGOMONGOUS-MANSIONS.  Who the heck needs so much living space?  My house would fit into one of their living rooms.  Check this out:

I couldn't fit the entire house in the frame

I couldn't fit the entire house in the frame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, this is ONE house and I couldn’t even fit the whole thing in the frame. 

OCT3 swranches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a small part of an entrance to another mega mansion.

And then there were these pretty horsies…..there’s lots of horses in this area.

OCT3 swranches

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was getting hungry, mostly thirsty because I forgot to bring my water bottle so I headed home.  I quickly made a liquid lunch ….spinach, strawberries, blueberries, mango, banana and oj.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

mmmmmmmmmm

mmmmmmmmmm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love FREE stuff!  In the mail was a Kashi sample:

free Kashi Sunshine

free Kashi Sunshine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and freebies from Walmart.  

 

free samples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend’s daughter was celebrating her sweet 16’s and on the way to her house God blessed me with yet another gorgeous sunset.

heavenly

heavenly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

oct3 sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had some BDay cake, goodies and a yummy mojito.  It was great reuniting with some friends from back in the day.

oct3 Bianca's sweet 16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastelitos de queso

Pastelitos de queso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 oct3 sweet 16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headed home and called it a night!

 Eat well, live long and catch a beautiful sunset!

Caffeined up!

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

spinach, strawberries, blueberries, mango, oj

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ready to blend

ready to blend

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

spinach, tomatoes,cucumber,avocado, edamame

spinach, tomatoes,cucumber,avocado, edamame

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

green smoothie n salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

FLA DESIGN MAG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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!

veggie wrap

 

 

 

 

 

 

yummy veggie wrap

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.

A turkey of a day!

Seriously it’s October 1st?!  Yikes!  Well, it actually felt a little fall like tonight.  There was a slight breeze and a gorgeous sunset.  Check it out!

Is that amazing?

Is that amazing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OCT1 SUNSET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Started the 1st day of October feeling great and 10 pounds lighter.  YAY!!!  The original goal of 59 lbs is now down to 49 lbs left to go.  I’ve been making a conscious effort to eat healthy foods.  Today I went grocery shopping and stocked up with lots of veggies, fruits, greek yogurt, fish and ground lean turkey.  I made hummus today and added Sesame Tahini for the first time.  Love my hummus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breakfast was yogurt, banana and lots of cinnamon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Went to my women’s Bible study, ran some errands, went grocery shopping and was STARVING when I got home around 2pm.  Lunch was a quick turkey sandwich on whole grain thins and a super delish mango/spinach/blueberry smoothie.

Dinner was a yummo turkey burger, fat free cheese on whole grain thins spread with hummus.  I know, it was a turkey day and too much bread.

quick n easy turkey burger

quick n easy turkey burger

So did you hear about the free Disney pass giveaway?  Register here and sign up to volunteer for a day and Disney will give you a free day pass.  Super cool since the tickets are now up to almost $80 bucks!  The volunteering is valid after Jan 1, 2010 but you don’t have to wait until then to start volunteering.  Give of your time, be a blessing to others.  
 
 
 
Eat well, live long and volunteer!

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