Eating Clean 12/12/12

12/12/12 meant nothing really to me until I saw someone mentioning this is the last time we will have this type of day! Ah ha moment for me! We can't have 13/13/13 ever! 

Well here are the last few days:

Tuesday:

Bfast- Cooked oatmeal with mixed berries and a tsp of honey to sweeten

Am snack- Pomegranate seeds

Lunch- My favorite salad: Diced peppers, cucumber, celery, carrots and feta (usually I have chicken in it as well). I used Greek and feta dressing to top it off and make it oober delicious! 

PM snack- Celery and hummus

Supper- My favorite thing seems (Scrambled eggs with peppers, spinach and feta)

Can you tell I like feta? I just like how it feels a lot lighter in my stomach. I know it's high in sodium..but still!

Wednesday: 

Bfast- Fiber one bar

Am snack - Edamame beans and pear

Lunch- Same salad as yesterday

PM snack- Celery and hummus, Fiber 1 bar

Supper- Salmon burger - I bought these salmon patties at Superstore and thought I would try them. You can bbq them or fry them so today I fried them. I used my ancient grains toast instead of a bun and stuck some lettuce and cheese on it. Quite delish! 

Until tomorrow! xxx

Eggaliscious

So after being away this weekend I will not be tracking all my meals and snacks but tell you some highlights.

Friday morning was the best of all breakfasts! I got inspiration off of Lauren Conrad's website and turned it into my own thing. Do try it sometime!!

Ingredients: One egg, red pepper, spinach, avocado and feta. The feta I use after the scrambled eggs are done. There is definitely more veggies than eggs, but it just tastes soo wonderful!

Other foods worth mentioning:

I was away all weekend and trying to keep the eat clean type of food going..while watching UFC Saturday night I came across a wonderful healthy option on the menu. Thin crust peperoni and feta with multigrain crust! Yes it's not the perfect meal, but it feels way less greasy with the feta cheese and just tastes scrumptious!

Grapefruit- I used to eat this fruit alot as a kid, but haven't much in past years. How delicious this food is and very healthy for you!

Something I would like to try. I found this on a girl's Instagram. It is Greek yogurt  almonds, all bran  googiberries, but I am sure you could vary this mix and it still taste delish! I will let you know once I try it!

Fitness- If you are away and can't get to the gym there are still ways to get exercise in. Try this: hiking 15 mins in powder that sometimes you sink down up to your knees. No need to do the leg press when you have this workout!! Snowboarding is like my drug...it gives me such a high. I just wish I could get the high every weekend! 

Until next time! 

xxx

Day 4

You know you are exhausted when....you think you're making coffee in your Keurig in the morning and when you add the milk after all you have is milk, sugar and water!! Can you tell I am not a morning person? Maybe this is why I love my smoothies. I can literally grab and go!

Bfast- Smoothie with even more spinach in it!

Morning snack- Edamame beans..I don't know why, but I love these! And they are filling!!

Lunch- Chicken filet with mixed veggies

Afternoon snack- Pear and carrots and humus

Supper- Smoothie: oats, spinach, mango, berries, lactaid milk, greek yoghurt and 2 scoops of protein powder.

Tonight I needed to workout, but knew I needed some energy in me, so with advice from a friend decided to go the smoothie route. I realized I was out of banana though and sure did miss the taste in my smoothie. I can't get over the fact of how filling smoothies are!

Workout- I have got myself up to 35 mins cardio in my workout. Mostly always run, as I want to keep my endurance up for another run this spring/summer. In hopes to not plateau I ran with varying inclines today...boy did that push me! I am starting to see results and can't wait to see more.


Well off to get some much needed sleep.

Much love,

Your exhausted Canadian Girl

Eat Clean Style Day 2 & 3

I swear my job just wants to suck everything out of me...but I'm fighting hard because I am bound and determined to make the progress I want!

Day 2

Bfast-  Smoothie a little more banana and a little more delish! And of course coffee

Morning snack- Pommogranate seeds (Spelling?) and celery with red pepper hummus

Lunch- Greek quinoa salad minus the dressing ...thanks Pinterest! See below for recipe

Afternoon snack- 1 egg and 1 banana

Supper- Chicken filet, basmati rice and mixed veggies

Day 3- 

Bfast- Smoothie- milk, greek yoghurt, banana, berries, spinach, protein powder. I tried spinach and it was a success!

Morning snack- Banana

Lunch- Quinoa salad with chicken, read peppers and cucumber

Afternoon snack- 1 egg and apple

Supper- Taco salad minus sour cream (Not the most eat clean but it was made for me so can't complain!)

GREEK QUINOA AND AVACADOS SALAD

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 cup water
2 Roma tomatoes finely chopped
1/2 shredded spinach
1/3 finely chopped red onion
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
2 avocados sliced
1/3 feta cheese crumble

Nutrition facts: 322 calories, 7g protein, 27 g carohydrate, 24g fat, 8 g fiber

Fitness wise I am pushing myself with cardio and starting to make a more precise plan for my workouts. Ia any of you reading this have any wisdom in the workout world, please share your wisdom! I'm open to all the help I can get! With that I am off for an at home workout and then some much needed sleep!

Luv,

Your Canadian Eat Clean Girl

Countdown to Christmas- EatClean Style

DAY 1

Welcome to my EatClean Style post...yes this is even more epic than Gangnam Style stuff!

Instead of getting fatter by all the Christmas goodies I am bound and determined to get leaner and just eat more healthy! Thanks to my dearest blogger friend Serena, I am bound and determine to keep a daily log of my meals and snacks. More for me to keep at it than for you, but feel free to follow the posts!

Where did it all began? Well for me I discovered eating clean last spring when I was training for a half marathon. I've always eaten healthy and grew up eating SUPER healthy, but teaching I don't often take care of myself. When training for my first ever and huge feat run I wanted to be in the best shape possible. I love how I felt when I Eat Cleaned before so I am on a mission to get that feeling back!

Here is a pic to show some snacks I prepared last night!

I have all sorts of veggies bagged in little proportions with hummus ready. Some bags of pomegranate seeds. Om nom nom!! Sadly I remembered today that my school is nut free so all my little nut bags I will have to save for weekends. My latest and greatest purchase!! The Magic Bullet for smoothie making!!

So Lloyd is such an up and coming place (SARCASM!!!) that no one at Sobey's had any idea about Chia seeds, Enamame beans or Quinoa! ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to have better luck at Safeway tonight!

Today's menu:

Bfast- Smoothie: half banana, berries, greek yoghurt, lactaid milk and 2 scoops of protein powder...FIRST TIME USING MY MAGIC BULLET!! Thanks sissy!!

Morning snack- Apple (no almonds :( )

Lunch- Wrap with chicken strips, feta cheese, peppers and  cucumber

Mid-afternoon snack- Banana and 2 hard boiled eggs

Supper- Pork chop with peas and zucchini slices 

To top it all off...lots and lots of water!!

Tomorrow I am playing with quinoa! Hopefully it tastes as good as I am expecting it too!!

True North Strong and Free

As I sit here sipping my chai (my new love since Kenya), listening to Imagine Dragons (my new love in music) I am caused to remember what today is...Nov.11...I can never begin to imagine the life of the soldiers and their families from past and present. All I know is I am SOO thankful to be in a country that knows peace and freedom. We have SOO much to be grateful for.

Being the Canadian girl I am, I love to adventure around my country to unadventured places. This last weekend I ventured for the first time up to Yellowknife. Part of adventure to me is seeing and experiencing things for the first time. 

N.W.T Firsts:

1. Stepping foot into North West Territories: I don't know if it was because I grew up in the North, or because I had to teach about it, but I have wanted to see that country for a long time! Unlike anything really I have ventured to before! The closest thing I can compare it too is a rural Newfoundland village, but in a colder climate. 

2. Seeing wild bison: Wow, they really are a massive majestic creature! I wouldn't want one charging me!

3. Seeing a wolf: Mr. Wolf was not scared of us! First thought...hmm..it's not like we're in Banff National Park where they see millions of tourists in a year..Why is he not running from us?...WAIT...he's a wolf and is scared of NOTHING! 

4. A ferry that breaks ice: I felt like I was on a new and improved Titanic breaking through icebergs! 

5. Being in the middle of nowhere: I always felt like I grew up in the middle of no where, but I had a new found understanding of what the middle of no where is.

My other impressions of N.W.T.

All the people in N.W.T. were so nice and friendly! The homes are unique as ever. They build above ground because of the rock. Lots of colour and rectangle boxy 2 stories. You freeze instantly no  matter what you where with that arctic wind..no wonder it isn't all about style up there!

You know you are in the north when....

- you drive on completely snow covered roads for over 2 hrs.

- you wear 4 layers of clothes and are still cold instantly.

- you can talk to people who have hunt polar bears on a yearly basis.

Here are just a few pics! 

Love your Gypsy Canadian Girl xxx

Back to life

And....3 1/2 months later! Oh how so much changes! I am now in a new city, with a new job and a new life. Thinking back to summer, it seems a lifetime ago and I am already on the countdown for next summer! A few highlights from my summer were definitely time with my cousin, time at the lake and my first trip to Vegas with some amazing ladies!

Now on to the present things: I have been having a hard time balancing work and life. Since the beginning of October I have started back at the gym. Every time I go I up my game and seem to rise to the challenge! I do need more ideas though for ab workouts. Any ideas?

A little fitness tip to pass on from my bro. After workout snacks: Wait a half hour and have something light like a banana, yogurt, egg. 

Finally a recipe I must share. I haven't made this in awhile but I do love it! Sesame chicken stir fry thanks to Pinterest! 

Ingredients: 

- Canola oil for frying

- 2 egg whites

- 1/4 cup cornstarch

- 1 1/2 lb chkn breasts, cut crosswise into 1/4 inch strips

- salt and pepper to taste

- 1/2 lb snow peas , strings removed. 

- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2in strips, then halved crosswise

- 3/4 sesame stir fry sauce

- 2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

What to do: 

 In an electric wok (med-high) pour oil to a depth of 1 inch and heat till simmering. Line baking sheet with paper towels. In a bowl, whisk together the egg whites and cornstarch. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add to the bowl and stir completely to coat the chicken in the egg mixture.

In 4 batches, add chicken to oil. Fry, turning the pieces occasionally and making sure they don't stick together. About 4 mins per batch or until light golden. Transfer to baking sheet. 

Transfer oil to heat-safe bowl. Increase wok to high and put back in a Tbsp of oil to wok. Add snow peas and bell peppers and stir-fry to crisp tender (4 mins). Return chicken to wok and add stir-fry sauce. Mix and heat for 1 minute. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. 

Rice is the perfect match!!

Well this is all for today...next time I'll try to share some of my Freezer recipes that have been lifesavers for the crazy month of September. If you have delish recipes you'd like to share with me..please pass them along!

Luvs you all!!