Day 235-239: New Recipe, What I ate, What's Been Up!

Hi Friends! Yes, I have lots of catching up to do! To make this one simple and quick it’s in 3 parts: (1) what’s been up (2) What I Ate/Exercise and (3) Recipe!

What’s Been Up

• I went to Ikea and my scrapbook room is now COMPLETE minus a few knickknacks and a pillow for one of my chairs!
• I’ve been sick – I got the WORST allergy problems on Sunday – spent the day feeling awful (eyes dried shut; sneezing; etc.). Monday I was worse and in a benadryl-induced slumber. It’s been ROUGH – I hate pollen.
• The second guest room’s bed was delivered Sunday and that room is now pretty much done!
• Today in the break room these two girls in my department noted “how much I eat.” They were super nice but were just like “wow – you’re tiny girl but you EAT that’s awesome.” I said thank you – haha- odd to say thank you to that! Later I was heating up my spicy southwest chicken wraps and they were in there (apparently I eat when they break for coffee!) Again – they were like look at you eating again – we’re so glad you eat. I’m like dang – who is anorexic on their team? Crazy! Has anything like this ever happened to you?
• I finished my “art” in the other guest room – but still need to hang it.
• Austin’s den is looking great – pictures hung and everything!
• I’m officially signed on with the granite installers who comes TOMORROW to template the kitchen – woo! I’m getting tan brown granite to go with our new bronze hardware – woooo!
• My friend Lindsey stopped by on her way to a Dave concert! So good to see her!
• We bought the rest of our TVs! Do you know how motivated I am to cook with my LCD + Friends!! It’s ON!
• We found the Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods over here!
• Mon & Andy came by to get boxes – they’re moving this coming weekend and getting married in 3 – woo!
• Reuben decided to stop peeing in the box - now he'll only put his front paws in and go all over the floor. Argh. We got puppy pads. They're working!
• My headphones broke. What? Just one ear stopped working. They were replaced quicklight!
• We’re leaving tomorrow for Megan’s wedding – can’t wait to see everyone and visit with my mom some more.
• I cooked another recipe – Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichokes & Mushrooms (adapted from the fabulous Aggie’s Kitchen!!) see below!
• My weight has been weird. Mostly 110 - hit 119.5 one day - crazy. I feel ewy though - I need to do legs and abs PRONTO know what i mean?

What I Ate/Exercise

Saturday I basically ate kinda crappy all day…. tuna pita for lunch…. Wendy’s chicken nuggets & baked potato for dinner (we were on the go all day!) BUT – I still came in okay because I didn’t really have snacks and my breakfast was a nutrigrain bar so – it could have been worse! I had 1,428 calories, 160 carbs and 47 fat grams. Here’s what I ate.

Sunday I had 1,478 calories, 197 carbs and 33 fat grams. It was a good eating day! Three whole meals and I even had one snack of fruit and it was FAB! Here’s what I ate.

Monday I had 1,698 calories, 220 carbs and 36 fat grams. Good day – but I did feel bad and CRAVED sweets and caved on baby snickers and twix. Blah. Here’s what I ate.

Tuesday I had 1,888 calories (high day!), 202 carbs and 32 fat grams. I was still feeling sick and all defenses were down! I even got FRIES at lunch – first time in a long time. Yum yummy but I felt like CRAP afterwards! Here’s what I ate.

Today I had 1,840 calories, 233 carbs and 51 fat grams. I went over – but it felt good. Yes, I didn’t NEED the candy (200+ calories) OR the kettle chips – but they were good and I ate healthy and I got in 3 miles so it’s okay – these are high days I like! Here’s what I ate.

Over the weekend I did what i'd like to call nontraditional exercise in the form of house stuff/errands/etc. :) Monday I did get in 6 miles (3.5 during lunch; 2.5 after work). Tuesday was a wash though. But today, I walked 3 miles during lunch and plan to do strength training tomorrow! We’ll see! AND I plan on gyming it Friday AND Saturday no matter what!!

Recipe

Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichokes & Mushrooms Adapted Recipe from Aggie's Kitchen - LOVE HER RECIPES!!

2 4 oz. chicken breasts chopped
salt and pepper
½ tsp garlic powder
2 tsp olive oilnonstick spray
4 oz of chopped mushrooms
½ can artichoke hearts, quartered and marinated
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 cup low sodium fat free chicken broth
20 sprays butter
1.5 cups white rice

Pour olive oil in a hot non stick skillet over medium high heat. Once olive oil is warm, place chicken into skillet. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic salt on both sides. Brown chicken for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, then take out of pan and place on plate. Spray skillet with non stick spray. Immediately add mushrooms into skillet and start to saute. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until mushrooms start to brown and soften. Add artichoke hearts, lemon juice and chicken broth. Place chicken back into pan and let everything cook uncovered over medium low heat for approximately 8-10 minutes. Sauce will thicken slightly. Serve over white rice.

Me & Austin love, love loved it! Super filling and fabulous and only 469 calories, 61 carbs, 9 fat grams and 28 protein grams. NOT BAD! Yes, high on carbs - but isn't everything I cook? for real - you could easily cut down on the rice but add 1 oz. of chicken 2 oz. of mushrooms and add in the asparagus Aggie recommended! YUM!