Week 2, Day 4: Sunday

11:00 am: Banana (1g protein), 1 cup coffee w/Truvia

2:30 pm: Flatout Multigrain flat bread (9g protein) with 1/2 cup black beans (8g protein), 1/4 cup green chile canned, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (14g protein), deli turkey (13g protein)

6:00 pm: 1 orange (1g protein), Special k snack bar (1g protein)

8:30 pm: 12 almonds (3g protein)

9:45 pm: 1/2 hamburger (10g protein), assorted melon fruit (1g protein)

11:45 pm: 1 apple (1g protein)

Total Protein: *62 grams*

xxx,
b

Week 2, Day 3: Saturday

9:30 am: 2 slices cinnamon raisin bread (8g protein), w/ almond butter (6g protein), banana (1g protein), 3/4 cup v8 juice

2 pm: Orange (1g protein)

3:30 pm: Chicken (26g protein), avocado (1g protein), tortilla (6g protein) and salad (2g protein) with 12 almonds (3g protein), and Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, Dove dark w/ almonds square

7:00 pm: 1 cup Special K Fruit & yogurt cereal (3g protein), 3/4 cup skim milk (7g protein), 1 cup coffee w/Truvia

10:00 pm: 3 Cranberry & Vodka drinks... I know: bad bad bad. But O and I had fun at the bar together so that's all that matters to me!


Total Protein: 58 grams

xxx,
B

Week 2, Day 2: It's Friday!

I am really loving oatmeal with blueberries stirred in. I did not grow up eating blueberries and so this is basically the first time in my life I've actually bought a container and eaten them... (unless I am decorating a fruit pizza but that doesn't count.) I recommend that everyone (well, my four readers) to try this breakfast because it is simply awesome!

Oh and in case anyone has been wondering what these probiotic drinks are that I have been hooked on, go to www.danactive.com and check out the commercial and other info!


9:00 am: Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal (7g protein) w/half cup of blueberries (1g protein), Probiotic drink (2g protein)

10:45 am: Special K snack bar (1g protein)

12:45 pm: Cinnamon raisin bread slice (4g protein) w/ almond butter (6g protein), banana (1g protein), orange (1g protein)

3:15 pm: Powerbar (9g protein), cherries and blueberries (combined 2g protein)

4-5:00 pm: Simply step aerobics

7:00 pm: Multigrain flat bread (9g protein) with turkey (5g protein), avocado (2g protein), shredded mozzarella cheese (8g protein) and fat free Italian, carrots (1g protein)

8:00 pm: 2 cups coffee w/ 1/2 cup skim (4g protein)

10:00 pm: Yogurt (4g protein), special k snack bar (1g protein)

11:30 pm: 1 cup Cherries (1g protein)


Total Protein: 69 grams of protein


xxx
B

Week 2, Day 1: Exhuastion

I'm not exhausted from the exercise itself per se. The exhaustion that I am experiencing is created solely by the opportunity cost of choosing to work out and grocery shop for healthy food, and then prepare the healthy meals INSTEAD of getting right to studying. If I left work right away and went straight home and started studying, then perhaps I would get to bed at a decent hour, but these extra hours of workouts are intruding on my sleep plans (went to sleep after midnight last night). I can't imagine what a full-time-working-mom does about working out, grocery shopping and cooking. They must have super powers.

So, last night I did the weigh-in, lost 2 lbs. I should probably start to make sure that I wear the exact same thing every time to provide more accurate results. In the class portion we learned about metabolism. Anyone can change their lifestyle to have a fast metabolism... it is not something that you are born with or are stuck with.

Also, another thing to stress about is not getting the Bubonic Plague. I mean seriously... what is the world coming to? Google: Bubonic Plague New Mexico and you can see what's going on. It won't let me post the link and I'm not patient enough to figure it our right now.)

On a lighter note: Food and Exercise for the day:

8:30 am: Quakers Weight Control Oatmeal, Probiotic drink, 1/2 cup blueberries (see nutrition info below)

11:15 am: dozen almonds, yogurt

1:15 pm: Bowl of Special K Vanilla and Almond cereal w/half cup of blueberries, one orange

3:15 pm: Power Bar, apple

4-5:00 pm: Simply Step aerobics class... I did pretty good today!

6:30 pm: Small bowl of Lentil soup w/carrots and salad w/ cucumbers and balsamic vinaigrette

Fun Facts about Blueberries!!!!

Health Benefits

Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet very low in calories. Recently, researchers at Tufts University analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability. Blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

An Antioxidant Powerhouse

Packed with antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues that can lead to cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins, the blue-red pigments found in blueberries, improve the integrity of support structures in the veins and entire vascular system. Anthocyanins have been shown to enhance the effects of vitamin C, improve capillary integrity, and stabilize the collagen matrix (the ground substance of all body tissues). They work their protective magic by preventing free-radical damage, inhibiting enzymes from cleaving the collagen matrix, and directly cross-linking with collagen fibers to form a more stable collagen matrix.

A Better Brain with Blueberries

In laboratory animal studies, researchers have found that blueberries help protect the brain from oxidative stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Researchers found that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning capacity and motor skills of aging animals, making them mentally equivalent to much younger ones.

Promotion of Gastrointestinal Health

In addition to their powerful anthocyanins, blueberries contain another antioxidant compound called ellagic acid, which blocks metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer. In a study of over 1,200 elderly people, those who ate the most strawberries (another berry that contains ellagic acid) were three times less likely to develop cancer than those who ate few or no strawberries. In addition to containing ellagic acid, blueberries are high in the soluble fiber pectin, which has been shown to lower cholesterol and to prevent bile acid from being transformed into a potentially cancer-causing form.

Protection against Ovarian Cancer

Among their rich supply of phytonutrients, blueberries include a flavonoid called kaempferol. Research calculating flavonoid intake in 66,940 women enrolled in the Nurses Health Study between 1984 and 2002 revealed that women whose diets provided the most kaempferol had a 40% reduction in risk of ovarian cancer, compared to women eating the least kaempferol-rich foods. In addition to blueberries, foods richest in kaempferol include tea (nonherbal), onions, curly kale, leeks, spinach, and broccoli.

Healthier Elimination

Blueberries can help relieve both diarrhea and constipation. In addition to soluble and insoluble fiber, blueberries also contain tannins, which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also promote urinary tract health. Blueberries contain the same compounds found in cranberries that help prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections. In order for bacteria to infect, they must first adhere to the mucosal lining of the urethra and bladder. Components found in cranberry and blueberry juice reduce the ability of E. coli, the bacteria that is the most common cause of urinary tract infections, to adhere.

site: www.whfoods.com

Week 1, Day 7: Yesterday

Yesterday there was no time for blogging.

I did my weigh-1n and was down to 15.4 lbs so that is a two-pound loss.

I also turned in my food log so I will do my best to try and remember everything from yesterday...


8:30 am: banana, coffee w/Stevia

10:30 am: Special K snack bar and yogurt

12:00 pm: grilled chicken and pepper burrito (small, no sauce), pinto beans, a small scoop of Mexican rice, fancy salad with weeds and Arugula, walnuts, blue cheese crumbs, dried cranberries and Raspberry Vinaigrette

3:15 pm: 6 almonds, one Dove dark chocolate square (I had intended to also have a piece of fruit at this time, but I was side-tracked at work and forgot)

4-5:00 pm: Buns-n-abs class

5:15-6:00 pm: Weigh-in

7:30 pm: Salmon and couscous... also forgot my vegetables. It was a long day.

8:30 pm: 8 Junior Mints

Studied, submitted homework assignments and did a quiz until midnight :(

xxx,
Bre

Week 1, Day 6: Exercise hurts

My instructor of the Buns-n-abs class gets the weirdest look of pleasure every time we have done an exercise so long that we are about to pass out. He is completely exhilarated by the pain and shouts encouragement to us when really most of us want to poke his eyes out. (I'm assuming). He is a total masochist when it comes to exercising.

I am not. And his excited faces scare me.

FOOD FOR THE DAY:

8:45 am: Two Special K Red Berry waffles

11:00 am: 1 Gala apple and a lowfat string cheese

12:30 pm: Salad bar at Cattle Baron. I only took a small bit of pasta salad and everything else was green except the hominy. Also had 2 grapes and 2 strawberries which tasted like pesticide so I didn't have anymore. Mint

3:15 pm: dozen almonds, Probiotic drink, and a medium banana

4-5:00 pm: Abs-n-buns class

5-5:20 pm: Elliptical machine for further cardio

7:00 pm: I created my own awesome dinner. It is in the picture and I promise it tastes better than it looks. I started with a piece of whole grain flatbread, and then I used all-white chicken from a can, stirred it around in some Schlotszky's hot sauce with shredded mozzarella. I then spread out the chicken, opened a can of corn and a can of green chile's and spread those as well. I then put it in the toaster oven at 350 degrees for ten minutes so that the flatbread was nice and crisp and the other ingredients were hot and melty! It was freaking delicious. I also ate the rest of the can of corn.(See below for fun facts about corn!)


8:00 pm: one Dove dark chocolate square


RESEARCH:

Health Benefits of Corn

This popular food is high in fiber. In fact, it's notoriously hard to digest. But its insoluble fiber is tops at tackling common digestive ailments (like constipation and hemorrhoids) by absorbing water, which swells the stool and speeds its movement.

Corn is a surprising source of several vitamins, including folic acid, niacin, and vitamin C. The folic acid in corn is now known to be an important factor in preventing neural-tube birth defects. It's just as important in preventing heart disease, according to studies that show folic acid can prevent a buildup of homocysteine, an amino acid, in the body. Long-term elevation of homocysteine has been linked to higher rates of heart disease; folic acid helps break it down.

source: howstuffworks.com

Okay.. shower time and then bed!

xxx
Bre

Week 1, Day 5 cont.: My busy Sunday

My day consists of three things:

Eating (sorry no pic)

Laundry (mucho)

Homework (mucho mucho)

I need sleep!