The Challenge, Day 11

Today's challenge is to Make the Most of your Cleaning Time. I can definitely try and do this, it seems easy enough, right?! I actually need to do a whole house cleaning tomorrow so it will be the perfect time to try and be more mindful of the things I am doing when I'm doing them.

Other challenges for today include; reintroducing dairy, listening to something soothing, and focus on arm strength during the fitness portion of the challenge. I won't be doing dairy, I'm currently only in the mood to listen to my new Viva Elvis CD and I'm going to kickboxing tonight. I guess .5 out of 3 isn't so bad...

The Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca was delish! The only thing I'll do different when I make it again is to brown it on the stove top and finish it in the oven. Either I buy extremely large chicken breasts or Cooking Light uses tiny ones, but it definitely took longer to cook than 2 minutes on each side! Other than that, it was a good date-night dinner.

Well today I'm having lunch at work. I hear we're having lasagna and salad so we all know which dish I'll be picking. Other than that, it's the same ole same; fruit smoothie, green apple with peanut butter and for my special treat today, a whole grain english muffin with raspberry jam...YUM!

17 more days to go...

The Challenge, Day 10

The Creamy Kale salad was a delish success and I'm having the second half today for lunch along with a cup of bean soup. I'm also having a fruit smoothie (broken into 2 servings) and some carrots today. I did get a craving for something sweet last night and indulged myself because after all, I did really good not having ANY sweets for more than a week. I also did yoga last night so that helped me say yes to some sweet chocolate.

Tonight I have another date, so I won't be sticking to the challenge to an exact "t" but I'm cooking so it will be pretty close. I've decided to make Lemony Chicken Saltimbocca with the help of my sister and my subscription to Cooking Light! It looks yummy, so let's pray I don't screw it up.

Today's Challenge is to Elevate Your Attitude and Visualize Success which I think I can do. I have some big things coming down the pike and I can definitely visualize good things happening! Sometimes all you need is to picture the positive and it helps you change your perspective for the better.

18 Days to go...

The Challenge, Day 9

Even though the temps last night were only in the single digits, I still fired up my grill and man, oh man am I glad I did! My grilled eggplant with tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette dressing was delish! I am a carnivore and love my meat, so I never thought I would enjoy vegetarian dishes so much but the eggplant really was quite meaty. I'm really looking forward to having the left overs for lunch today.

In addition to the grilled eggplant left overs, I'm having a smoothie for breakfast, an apple with peanut butter for a snack and a cup of my bean soup also for lunch. It's freezing here today and I need something to warm me from the inside out!

Tonight I'm really looking forward to making the Creamy Kale Salad. I've never had kale in a salad before so this should be interesting.

I think I may also toast up half of an english muffin to have with dinner so I can begin slowly reintroducing wheat into my diet again.

Today's challenge is to Tame the Tension. I think I can do this, however it may be difficult to find a hobby on such sort notice! Maybe my hobby can be going to the gym?! I like it and need to get back into my routine. I must admit, it's been a little difficult hitting the gym because it's so packed with all the people trying to fulfill their New Year's Resolutions. Maybe my hobby can be doing pilates at home three nights/mornings a week? YES! I accept this challenge.

19 Days to go...

The Challenge, Day 8

I did really well with The Challenge over the weekend! I couldn't believe myself, but I had so much will power it was pretty incredible! Saturday I stuck with the detox pretty good until dinner. I went to Chinese and ordered the sesame chicken but did get brown rice. I didn't eat the whole thing and left the left overs in my date's fridge.

I was also pretty good Sunday. I did have coffee which was delish and can't wait till I add it back into my routine regularly! I also made some 16 bean soup yesterday in my crockpot and it was the perfect meal on such a snowy Sunday.

For today, I have a mixed frozen fruit smoothie (split in two servings), a green apple with two teaspoons of peanut butter, a serving of my bean soup and a handful of baby carrots.

Tonight, I'm really excited about making a dish that's been on my mind for a while and one I've been craving, grilled eggplant and tomatoes. My recipe is pretty similar to the one I linked on here but omits the goat cheese. I even scrapped off my grill this morning so I'll be able to use it later today. Crazy that I'll be out grilling in single digits but I don't mind!

Today's challenge is to say "No" to multitasking and "Yes" to meditation. I will try but this may be tricky. I don't feel productive unless I have multiple things happening at once.

20 more days to go...

The Challenge, Day 5

I fell off the Challenge wagon last night. But it was for a good cause, honest! I had a date and a pretty good one at that! And he took me to sushi so I don't feel horrible about breaking a few rules because the food was delish and not that bad for me!

Today, I'm back at it! Today's menu includes a Green Smoothie broken into two servings, the other half of yesterday's lunch, a salad and a green apple.

I've also accepted today's challenge, Assess your health and stop complaining. I think it's easy to get caught up in complaining about how things can be but the difficult part is recognizing the everyday blessings. I am a truly blessed individual who has an amazing family, precious puppy Presley, a roof over my head and friends whom I love and love me back.

Happy Friday to you and only 23 more days to go...

Dianna -1, Sweet/Caffeine Tooth - 0

Today I had a dreaded meeting at Starbucks. On any other day I would love this opportunity to bask in the lovely aroma of fresh brewed coffee but not so much since this challenge has kicked off. But I am happy to report that my will power is stronger than I could have imagined! I got a DECAF TEA!

The Challenge, Day 4

The picture below is last nights dinner...Yummy! I made the Spicy Cauliflower that I found on the Whole Living website. I did cut the recipe in half and didn't have a few of the ingredients on hand, but I made do. Martha would not approve but she's also not stocking my pantry! Instead of the small red chilies I used roasted Pueblo chilies and it added just the right amount of heat. I also omitted the the mustard seeds and ginger. I have ginger at home but didn't think it would taste very good with the roasted Pueblo chilies. Along with the cauliflower I had half a chicken breast and it was delish!
After my meal I didn't even want anything sweet! It's amazing. And today I'm not near as tired as I was yesterday although I am still counting down the days until I can have coffee again! I was pretty beat after Zumba class last night. By the end of the hour I could barely move my feet as fast as needed! It was embarrassing but it felt good to dance and sweat out the day.

For today's menu, I'm having the second half of last night dinner, a green apple with peanut butter and a green smoothie broken into two servings. I did blend it better today and it's much more enjoyable. Something I may even consider making again! It loosely resembles the Odwalla Superfood Drink.

For today's mind portion of the 28-Day Challenge, you're supposed to create a routine. Well, Presley and I already have a pretty good one! We love to go to bed early and spend quite time together all snuggled up, especially in the winter. As for the Opt out of Office Gossip, that will be easy because I've never gotten involved in that at my current position and I plan to keep it that way!

I actually think that the challenge is harder on her because she's having to eat her doggie food as there aren't as many choices from my dinner plate. She'll take a piece of lettuce and roll it around in her mouth, but she's more of a carnivore.

25 days to go...