Fuel

Wooo Hooo!!! TGIF!!! 

I know you are looking forward to this wonderful weekend, I now I am! This is actually the last weekend I will spend in Orlando because next weekend I am moving. Although I am very happy to be moving, there are many things that I will miss from O-town. For one, the close proximity to my best friends

I am sure going to miss them :( *tear*

And two... the close proximity to Disney. 

Soo magical! 

Ahhh!! I am soo emotional right now... change of subject. 

This week I got  Kate's chocolate milk prize giveaway!!! Thanks girl, I loved the card :) 

This was my first time getting this chocolate milk and I love it!!! Check out all the great benefits of chocolate milk for pre and post workouts. "Athletes such as Michael Phelps drew attention to this at the 2004 Olympics when he was seen to be drinking Carnation chocolate drinks after swims." 

Any fun plans for this weekend? 

What is you post/pre  workout fuel?

All Choked Up

Morning began with love!!! 

I ran out of Kashi GoLean so I headed to the store with the sole purpose of getting some more, however, but I ended up getting Kashi's Heart to Heart Warm Cinnamon... a rather spontaneous decision! 

Kashi's Warm Cinnamon, Almond Milk, Nanner, and PB&Co.'s Bee's Knees

Sooo good!! Kashi never disappoints :) 

After b-fast I headed to school to pick up.... my cap & gown!!! 

I don't know why but the fact that I am graduating did not hit me until  I had the  cap & gown in my hands. As I walked out of the room with my cap and gown in hand, I got all choked up *tear* . I started reminiscing about my whole college experience, all of the highs and the lows, and what an awesome ride it has been! Check it out, loads of good times.

Time flies so ENJOY it!!!

"Quit hanging on to the handrails . . . Let go. Surrender. Go for the ride of your life. Do it every day."

Melody Beattie, "Finding Your Way Home"

So today I laid back and enjoyed a beautiful day :)

and finally got the chance to finish the Twilight saga, one of my guilty pleasures!

What do/did you love about college? 

What is your  guilty pleasure? 

Tofu-Tastic!

I am almost done ladies!! Just one more test to go and I am FREE to do all the blogging  anything I want !!

I am dropping  by really quick to share with you a rockin' tofu salad I made yesterday. Since I am trying to cut back on my meat eating consumption, I decided it was time to introduce tofu into my cooking menu. I have eaten tofu before, but this was the first time I successfully cooked it!! *note the highlighted word* I will spare you the details of my last cooking experience with tofu... but let's just say it didn't turn out too good and the tofu ended up in the trash :(

This time around was a lot better, probably because I did some research on how to cook tofu!

I learned that even after draining the water from the container, you have to squeeze the excess water the tofu retains. Check out my method, bahaha!!

I then went on to slicing the tofu, seasoned it, and grilled it! So simple, right!

Grilled Tofu, Apple Slices, Spinach, & toasted (close to burnt ;) Honey Wheat Flatouts

The dressing complimented this salad wonderfully:

• 1tsp of Honey Mustard
• 2 tbsp of Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Ooo and I kept my tofu kick going with today's scrumptious lunch!! 

Honey Wheat Flatout, Baked Tofu, Spinach, Honey Mustard, and Pepperjack Cheese

Talk to me!! 

Have you cooked Tofu before? 

If you are familiar with cooking Tofu got any recipes I should try?

Stress Relievers

Hey girls!!  Hope you had a stress-free weekend.  With finals, projects, and papers all closing in on me my weekend was anything but stress-free. Today I let the stress get the best of me :( When things don't work out the way I plan I get quickly frustrated and lose my patience!!! I know I need to work on my patience and managing stress. I get in a terrible mood when I am under stress, so today I looked for ways to deal with stress. Here are some great ways to deal with stress:

• Breathing-  a simple exhale and inhale will do! 
• Say cheese -  a simple smile can make you feel better. Go ahead try it....Doncha feel better?
• Compose a Mantra- devise an affirmation -- a short clear positive statement that focuses on your coping abilities. The next time you feel as if your life is one disaster after another, repeat 10 times "I can handle this. I feel calm". 
• Take a Whiff-  Breathing in scents of chamomile, lavender, peppermint, rose, thyme are all soothing. So light up all your scented candles!!! 
• Soak it up- Nothing is more stress relieving than a nice hot bath. 
• Try a Tea- We know all about the calming properties of chamomile tea. 
• Take a Walk- It forces you to breathe more deeply and takes your mind of what is stressing you. 

So this afternoon I decided to follow these tips! Took a shower and headed to the grocery store... that covers the bath and the walk. Came home and took a Whiff of my awesome dinner, there is nothing more relaxing to me  that the smell of a home-cooked  meal.

Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Portabella Burger & Spinach

Haven't stopped smiling since I finally bought this!! 

And made this lovely dessert: 

1/4 cup of Kefir

Sprinkled Wheat Germ

Pineapple 

Frozen Bloobs 

Apple

And now I am sipping some tea, repeating the mantra, and breathing. Guess I am pretty relaxed ;) 

What do you do to deal with stress?

B-fast Creative

One more week!!! Yes ladies one more week of school work and I am done with school forevah!!! Actually, I will be forevah done with undergrad school but I have law school to look forward to *sigh*. Either way, I am static to be done with undergrad!! Within the next two weeks big things are happening, 1. Graduation (I am graduating "magna cum laude" top 5%!!), 2. Leaving O-town and moving back to south Florida and 3. Cinco de Mayo... yes I do plan on drinking some margaritas in honor of Mexico, but that's also when I am done with Jillian Michaels "Making the Cut" challenge. So the busy-ness continues!!

This week I haven't had much time to make a trip to the grocery store, so I have been making pretty creative b-fasts from what I got. I would show you my creative lunches but they just aren't as picture friendly as b-fasts are ;)

Flat Out w/ PB , Laughin' Cow Cheese, & Granny Smith Slices 

Yeah reppin' my school with some Almond Milk!!

Parfait!! 

•  Plain Chobani 
• 1/2 cup of Kashi GoLean 
• Strawberries 
• Granny Smith Apple 
• 1/2 tbsp of Agave 

This parfait was inspired by Erica's Green Apple Parfait she gets everytime she goes to Charleston's Cafe. 

YO-gurt Mess

• Pineapple Chobani Greek Yogurt
• Strawberries 
• 1/2 cup of Nature's Path Berry Crunch 

I am obsessed with Chobani's Pineapple flavah, it rocks. Mix it with anything and it is true bliss. 

Cocoa Oatmeal 

• 1/3 cup of oatmeal 
• water 
• 1/2 tbsp of PB & Co. 
• 1/2 tbsp of Cocoa
• 1/2 tbsp of Agave Nectar 
• Crumbled up 1/2 chocolate Protein bar (any one you enjoy!) 

Result: 

I guess this is where I have to say, "IT ROCKED MY SOCKS" ;) 

Pretty impressive b-fasts, right ;) Of course all of these b-fasts are inspirations of all the great eats you lovely bloggies share. 

Talk to me!! 

Do you find support in blogging?

Do you find that blogging has helped you in any way, if so how?

Low-Down!

Hola chiquitas!! 

Sorry for being MIA for the past couple of days. I have missed you all, but since the semester is coming to a close I have been super busy doing last minute projects, papers, speeches, and reading. I really haven't had much time to blog, so I figured I would give you a low-down of some of my eats. 

*Disclaimer* - get ready for an overload of food pics!! 

Lately I have been eating and loving a lot of:

My breakfasts have been full of:

Kashi GoLean and loads of Berries

Egg Beaters  with Laughing Cow Cheese! 

Lunches have consisted of: 

Chick n' Filet wrap with a side of Hot Salsa

Portabella Burger with Egg Whites and Hot Salsa 

Dinners have been out but healthy: 

Holy Guacamole!! 

Chipotle's Vegeterian Bowl 

Teriyaki Tofu with Veggies and Brown Rice 

And of course my life isn't complete without some protein bars  ;) 

 I finally tried this bar!!! I really like it :) 

This chocolate mint flavor rocks!! 

What food product are you loving right now? 

Any protein bars I should try? 

If you are a vegetarian how do you get your protein? 

Tapas and Piano Bar

Last night was loads of fun! Went out with some good friends to dinner to a tapas restaurant called Cafe Tu Tu Tango, and yess the place is as awesome as it sounds ;)

The food was really fresh and tasty Rusty and I split 3 rockin' dishes! Tuna Poke

Tuna Poke 
raw yellowfin tuna, citrus ponzu, avocado lime puree, 
plantain chips.

This dish was soo good it deserved a close-up! 

Round Dos:

Fennel Crusted Salmon

Round Tres: 

Smoked Salmon Salad

Guess I like fish as much as I enjoy spending great times with friends! 

Not only was the food and company great but the restaurant's setting is really great too! The restaurant's walls are loaded with paintings (do you see Mona Lisa's eyes in the background of the pic above) and some local artists actually work on their paintings in the restaurant, giving the restaurant a setting of a Spanish artist's loft.

One of the artists hard at work: There were also some flamenco dancers! 

There were also some flamenco dancers! 

After dinner we headed to a piano bar 

We had a good time singing along and taking pictures with this Britney Spears hat!! 

Well I'm off ladies to get ready for a "Golf and Tennis Pros" themed party! Love dressin' up! 

What is a cool party theme you've dressed up for? 

Any fun party themes ideas?

Food's Glycemic Index

In her book Making the Cut,  Jillian emphasizes "steering clear of carbohydrates that have a high glycemic index (GI) ".   I wanted to learn a bit more about the importance of food's GI and in short this is what I learned:

• What is the GI? 
• A food's GI indicates how its carbs will affect your blood stream during digestion.
• What effect do foods with a high GI have on our bodies? 
• The quicker (higher GI) carbs turn into glucose, the quicker your insulin level will spike. High insulin levels is a bad situation if you are trying to lose body fat since fat loss cannot occur in the presence of high insulin levels. Instead high insulin levels could promote fat storage! 
• Benefits of eating low GI foods
• Food with low GI suppresses your appetite.
• Provides more energy stable levels since the blood sugar is better controlled.
• And this one is my favorite! It allows you to eat more without body fat storage. 

 Here is a GI food chart I found online, it gives you an idea of the GI levels of some food.

** Every time you eat a protein with a carbohydrate the total GI of the meal will go down since protein is a very complex molecule and thus slows down the digestion of the carb. Fats also have this effect. So if you consume high GI food make sure you pair it with a protein. 

 Here's what a low GI food pyramid would look like!

What are your thoughts on food's GI? 

Before I read Jillian's book I had no idea what glycemic index was! But I find that without knowing most of the time I do follow a low GI diet. 

Day 10

Good morning chiquitas!!!

I got some awesome news to share with you lovely ladies.... Today is day One-O or DAY 10 on Jillian's "Making the Cut" program!!! I'm have done 1/3 of the program and yes you guessed it I am pretty excited! One of my favorite bloggies, Jenna, has began Jillian's 30-day shred program and the Old Clothes Challenge. I am joining Jenna in her Old Clothes Challenge because when I am done with "Making the Cut" I hope to be getting back into some clothes I have been setting aside because they just didn't fit anymore. As crazy as this might sound, I am already seeing some results, overall my clothes are fitting a lot better and I am feeling good. No worry chicas when I am done with the program I will post some before and afters, I know how much we all love pics ;)

What makes you feel good in your skin?

What I have learned from this program is that it is not solely Jillian's kick-ass workouts that are doing the trick, but the diet is just as important as well.  Some might consider the diet to be "too extreme" but I haven't found it too difficult to follow. However, you do have to be ready to give up a lot of treats and alcohol. I know track my eats on a food journal and have become more conscious of the importance of portion control.

Now on to food and loads of cleaning!

A break from the cereal kick I have been on:

• 1/2 cup of Oatmeal 
• 1/2 tbsp of PB & Co.'s Bee's Knees 
• 1/2 tbsp. Coconut Butter (yummy) 
• 1/2 cup of Frozen Blueberries 

Love how the Blueberries turn my oatmeal purple!!!

*insert Cleaning, cleaning,cleaning!*

Lunch was quick and easy:

•  LaTortilla Factory Quesadilla 
• Black Bean Burger 
• Hot Salsa 

It had been too long since I had my fix of MorningStar's Black Bean Burger... it is sooo goOd!!!

* insert Cleaning, Cleaning... MORE cleaning!*

What to do now that my room is spotless?....let's go to the gym :) Did Day 9 of Jillian's workouts and my legs feel like they are going to fall off!

After the workout I was hangry and after all the smoothie talk from yesterday's post I was craving one.

Smoothie:

• 1/2 cup of EAS 
• 1/2 cup of Almond Milk 
• 1 cup of mixed frozen berries 

Since yesterday I learned that Starbuck's fraps and coffees are some "unhealthy habits" you once had, figured that pouring my smoothie in my awesome Starbucks cup was very fitting for this healthy swap ;)

For dinner I took Rusty out for a belated b-day celebration! Since he was the b-day boy, he got to pick his place.... and it wasn't a surprising choice, haha. 

He loves a place where he can get something like this: 

What can I say he loves his wings! 

I got a grilled chicken salad with cranberry and walnuts: 

Hope you ladies are having an awesome week!!! 

Can you believe that Friday is a day way!!! Wooo HOO!