Quinoa Cookie Balls

I found this recipe on a Dr. Oz link a few weeks ago. It credited Danielle Omar for the recipe. I bought the ingredients weeks ago and finally got around to making it this afternoon. They're healthy, and yet sweet enough to satisfy the craving for dessert.

1 cup cooked quinoa
1/3 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup oats
1/3 cup dried cherries ( I used cranberries)
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

Mix the above ingredients in a large bowl.

Add

1/3 cup maple syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tbsp. almond butter (I used low fat peanut butter)

Mix well.

Add

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used carob chips)
1/2 tsp sea salt

Mix well.

Using wet hands, gently roll mixture into golf ball-sized balls. Let chill for 2 hours before eating!

                                                              

                                                                               

Happy Dance, Broken Toe and All

So...the toe is no longer purple and I am back in the gym. I feel so much better when I am able to start my day with a workout. I have to admit I am really worried about my schedule when school starts. I just don't see myself getting up at 4:30 to be at the gym by 5:00 to be at work by 7:45. I'm going to have to figure out how to get the workout in the end of the day.

However, I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Right now, I am wallowing in "Feel Good" mode. I bought two pair of Levi shorts, size 14! SHORTS! LEVIS! It has been years since I owned Levi's and I can't remember when I last wore shorts. My legs actually have shape!

Last week we went to Cedar Pointe's Soak City. We spent the day sunning and lazing in an innertube on the Lazy River and I was in a swimsuit. That's another first in a long long time.I actually had to use sunscreen to prevent sunburn because I was actually showing skin!

Life is good!

The following are copied from Chris Powell's FB page!

You've only got three choices in life... give up, give in, or give it all you've got. ~Unknown~

Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken. ~Frank Herbert~

A Bump in the Road...or Toe

I haven't worked out in 3 days. I broke my little toe on Friday. Who would think a broken little toe on the left foot could be such a train wreck? I can't put my foot in a shoe. It's a lovely shade of purple. I wonder if I can walk on the treadmill in flipflops? Gonna give it a try tomorrow morning.

I was carrying laundry upstairs on Friday morning. We were getting ready to leave for Cedar Pointe and I wanted to fold the last load before we left. I caught my toe on the corner of our oak post at the top of the stairs. It hurt, but I thought it was ok. I put my shoes on and we left.

Two hours later I got out of the car to walk into the park and told my husband I was sure it was broke. I got into the park and took my shoe and sock off and viola......a puffy grape was attached to my foot where the toe should have been! So, instead of Cedar Point I spent the day at Soak City in a raft on the lazy river with my foot in the cold water. Bought a ridiculously expensive pair of flipflops so I could walk to the cafeteria and later to the car.

So...today is Sunday. The color is better, but it is still swollen and painful. I've tried to tape it to the next toe, but it hasn't worked out so well. Even if it won't go in a shoe tomorrow I'm back at the gym. I can ride the bike and do the weight machines. I'll hit the Y in the afternoon and get in the pool and tread water.

A broken toe cannot stop forward progress! Right?

TGIF

Thank God this week is over! The intense heat coupled with the stress of a husband in the hospital really wiped me out. Then there were two cookouts that turned into cook-ins due to the incredible heat index. On top of that my sister was suppose to be here for the 4th, but her plans changed.

I managed to get to the gym three days out of the five and I really needed that time on the treadmill! I feel so much better after I exercise. I tried some new recipes that I really liked. The first one comes from Skinnytaste.com. I really love her site. Great recipes that are easy and quick.

Summer Potato Salad with Apples and Chives
Servings: 7 • Size: about 3/4 cup • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 101.6 • Fat: 2.6 g • Protein: 1.8 g • Carb: 18.1 g • Fiber: 2.2 g • Sugar: 3
Sodium: 43.1 mg

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (22 oz) baby red or yukon gold potatoes, cut in quarters
• 2 tbsp minced celery
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 gala apples, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch chunks 
• 2 tbsp chives, minced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp reduced fat mayonnaise
• salt and fresh pepper

Directions:

Boil potatoes in salted water until soft, approx 10 - 14 minutes, or until soft if pierced with a fork. Drain and let cool.

While the potatoes are boiling, combine red onion, celery, mustard, olive oil, vinegar and mayonnaise and season with salt and pepper. Mix well and let the flavors marinade while the potatoes cook. Once the potatoes are done and cool, mix into the bowl and add chives and apples, additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve room temperature or refrigerate until ready to serve.

 

 

 

 

I didn't have chives, so my version wasn't as colorful, but it was very good and much lighter than regular potato salad.

 

Frustrating

June is almost over and I'm still pretty much stuck on this plateau. I've been in the gym every day and I'm working hard. I was really hoping to see a significant movement on the scale.

I think I can see my body changing shape....a little...in my arms and shoulders. I want to see it in my stomach, waist, butt, thighs. I just need to be patient.

I rode 6 miles on the bike and walked 2 on the treadmill today. Spent a half hour on various weight machines. I'm averaging two hours in the gym each day.

One day at a time.....

The Summer of Me Continues

Yesterday was definitely a feel good day! It started with a morning appointment at the chiropractor. I had my doubts when I began there, but I really feel better. While he can't fix the arthritis in my neck and back, he did do something about the way my body feels. I'm moving better, feeling better, and I get out of bed a lot qicker and easier each morning!

Next stop was the massotherapist. I've been treating myself to a once a month trip. She worked out knots and kinks and sore spots. I've been wearing new shoes...New Balance 1050's. They have a lot of support which is good for the feet, legs, and back...however the legs are not happy about being forced into a correct posture. She took care of that, too

And the last stop was the gym. 5 miles on the bike and 2 miles on the treadmill.

Life is good!

Gym Experience and a New Breakfast

This morning I was out the door and on the way to a gym by 6:00 AM. My cousin is a member and got a guest pass for me to try it out. Two and a half hours flew by as we talked and worked out. I walked 2 miles on the treadmill, rode 5 miles on the bike and did 3 repetitions of 15 on three different arm machines and three leg machines. And it felt good!

I love summer when I'm not teaching. I'm up by 7:00 AM each day, work out, do laundry, and by 11:00 all the housework is done , I'm showered and the day is mine!

This morning (actually, last night) I tried the following recipe I found one of my favorite blogs, Skinnytaste.com. It truly was yummy. I substituted my vanilla Greek yogurt for the almond milk and left out the cinnamon and sweetner. I took the jar out of the fridge before I went to the gym as was suggested on the blog. The chill was off by the time I got home. No need to warm up...just refreshing goodness on a hot summer day!


Skinny Overnight Oats in a JarSkinnytaste.com
Servings: 1 • Serving Size: 1 jar • Old Points: 5 pts • Points+: 6 pts
Calories: 244.9 • Fat: 10.8 g • Carbs: 35.4 g • Fiber: 8.5 g • Protein: 6 g • Sugar: 12 g
Sodium: 94.7 mg


Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or skim, soy)
• 1/4 medium banana, sliced (freeze the rest for smoothies!)
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 4-5 drops NuNaturals liquid vanilla stevia (or your favorite sweetener)
• pinch cinnamon

optional toppings:

• 1 tbsp chopped pecans (or any nut)

Directions:

Place all the ingredient in a jar, shake, cover and refrigerate overnight. Add your favorite crunchy toppings such as nuts, granola, etc and enjoy the next day!