Mother's Market Success!

I have been going to mother's market for early morning breakfasts lately, I'm obsessed! They are a little expensive, but I don't buy produce there, and the quality of their packaged food or ready to eat food is really good!

While I was exploring, I came across some vegan pre-workout and post workout supplements.

In the past, I have not been a fan of pre-workout supplements because they make me crash hard after working out. I bought 1 of the sample packets of this pre-workout energizer to see if this would work for me! I will let you know.

Also, I found a powdered greens supplement I used to take. I really like adding powdered greens to shakes or even just stirring in a spoon full with orange juice. This brand also had a powdered super food berries which would probably taste better! I feel many people don't get the amount of greens they need in one day, including myself some days, so drinking a powdered greens drink can benefit anyone a lot in that way.

While waiting for my fresh juice at the juice bar, I browsed the ready-food deli section and found this POWER pancake! I had seen this before, along with the date flavored (Yum i love dates!), but had never tried it. After looking at the 9g of protein and 10g of fiber and craving something sweet for breakfast I thought I might as well try it! 

I was trying to think of a good combination with this power pancake. I walked past the dairy, and eggs, and thought "Oh yes! Greek yogurt!"When I walked over to the greek yogurt section in mother's market, it was Chobani overload!!

The middle row of the yogurt case, is ALL CHOBANI! I love it! Chobani is a sponsor for the USA Olympic team too!

They even had my favorite flavor; raspberry! I can't recall ever having seen a raspberry flavored non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt; but I can't say I was complaining!

Once I had picked up the Greek yogurt, an epiphany came into my head.... BREAKFAST PIZZA! I ran over to the deli and got a bowl of fresh fruit. 

After paying, I sat outside at one of the nice tables outside of Mother's Market. It was time to get to work on this breakfast creation. 

With a spoon in hand... I made this breakfast pizza to perfect.

And there we have it! Breakfast Pizza, protein style ;) 

I had also picked up a fresh juice from the juice bar; cucumber, pineapple, and kale! It was so good, and a lot better the the juice I had the previous day which was apple, beat, celery, parsley and wheat grass (I could barely drink it! haha).

For a workout, since I had done a hard legs day, I came up with an ARMS and ABS workout.

My friends and I were headed to the Olympic qualifier for Men's Volleyball in Long Beach today! The games were Puerto Rico vs. Canada and USA vs. Cuba.

Before we left, I had to make sure to fuel up so I wouldn't make too many bad choices while I was there.

For myself, I made a salad with mixed baby greens, cucumber, carrots, green onions, turkey, raw sunflower seeds, and raw pumpkin seeds; with a side of eggplant hummus and bell pepper slices, cucumbers, and carrots! Quite a delicious lunch if you ask me! And a paleo lunch at that!

Not sure if I have mentioned, but tomorrow, May 12, I will begin the paleo diet. I am hoping to be able to do it for 2 weeks and after that period see how I feel. I have no doubt it will be hard, but I am excited to be able to eat a lot of meat, eggs, and veggies! I will definitely be posting any recipes, or how I feel throughout the next two weeks.

I also made for my friend, an ezekial tortilla "sandwich". It is easy! Take an ezekial tortilla, if needed add a sauce you like (I prefer the Basil-Kale Pesto recipe I made), turkey slices, mixed baby greens, cucumbers, and tomatoes; roll it up and there you have it! 

The games were very fun that evening, Canada beat Puerto Rico in the first match and USA beat Cuba in the second.

Oats & Kiwi with Greek Yogurt

Breakfast was kind of small the other day, but I made sure every nutrient counted!

*Wheat Germ is an excellent source of folic acid, as well as iron and zinc.

*Flax seed is an good source of omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, manganese and magnesium.

*Oats are heart healthy and contains soluble fiber. 

*The non-fat Greek yogurt is a good source of protein.

*Kiwi are a good source of fiber, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E.

More about Kiwis: http://www.superkidsnutrition.com/superfoods/sf_kiwi.php

Chia seeds would be a great addition to this as well, but I did not have any on hand. 

Oats & Kiws with Greek Yogurt:

Mix in a cereal size bowl:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

2 Tbsp Wheat Germ

2 Tbsp Ground Flax Seed

1 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk

Top with:

1 Kiwi, peeled and chopped

1 container Trader Joe's non-fat Honey Greek Yogurt

Back to the Tropics!

I actually got up this morning before 8AM work and did a 2 mile walk with my dog. I was impressed with myself. Work today is short luckily so I will be able to do some legs and a light run after work!

I made a tropic breakfast shake this morning!

1 small banana
1 container Trader Joe's nonfat mango Greek yogurt
1 cup pineapple chunks
1 small orange, peel removed
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2-3/4 cup water
Ice!

Blend until smooth, you can change up the water and ice amounts depending on how thick you prefer your shakes!

Tofu Part 2

I used some more tofu this morning to make my breakfast shake!

1/3 cup firm tofu
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 scoop vanilla Pro7 Synthesis Protein Powder
Water & ice

Total calories: ~250 calories, 4g fat (0.5 saturated fat), 25g protein

This tofu shake turned out a lot better then yesterday's and I think it's because of the vanilla protein powder! in my opinion, vanilla protein powder is a lot more versatile then chocolate.

Now I am at work reading April Oxygen Magazine having my healthy and yummy breakfast!

Pineapple Tofu Shake

This morning  I had a completely new experience for both making and drinking a pre/post workout shake. It involved my first time working with tofu! I have had tofu in a vegan pasta dish once but I have never myself worked with it. Not going to lie, I was a bit scared of what to expect!

I used chocolate whey protein powder in this shake but next time I may use my vanilla one instead. If you're vegan or trying to make this recipe vegan, using rice or hemp protein would work too!

This shake has about 300 calories with 33 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber!

1 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 medium banana
1/4 cup firm tofu
1 scoop whey protein powder
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup ice
-->Blend until smooth

Why is this shake beneficial?
•Pineapple contains manganese, thiamine which will give you energy and bromelain which aids in muscle repair and recovery.
•Bananas give you sustained energy that will fuel you through your workout.
•Tofu contains high quality proteins as well as antioxidants that repair damage from free radical build up during workout.
•Whey protein gives your muscles energy and builds an repairs these muscles after your workout.
(info and recipe idea from April 2012 Oxygen Magazine)

Whey protein! In double dutch chocolate flavor

I have extra tofu, so I will either make another shake tomorrow or I got an idea from @sprinkledwlove on instagram for a salad with tofu. The salad has spinach, roasted cauliflower, tofu, cucumber, and hummus.

Food!

Yes, I have been cheating a little with the healthy eating, but it is good for you to indulge a little every now and then! :) I am also improving on taking photographs of my meals.

For Breakfast yesterday I went to Side Street Cafe in Costa Mesa. It is a little whole in the wall place,l but it has delicious breakfasts with a homey feel for good prices. I started with a hot chocolate and orange juice. My friend and I decided to split the french toast, while he had oatmeal with bananas, brown sugar, and raisins and a side of egg whites; I had the huevos rancheros, eggs over medium and corn tortillas.

Overview of breakfast!!

Toppings for the oatmeal

Th main attraction, the French toast! Put a couple sprinkles of cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar, and it was delicious

I love condinements

Lunch! Turkey sandwich on a heart healthy english muffin with lettuce, tomato, and cucumber with a side green salad and fruit salad.

Healthy meals-on-the-go! Grilled chicken breasts with grilled asparagus and steamed brown rice in tupperware for easy reheat!

Lunch Part 2! Dannon Light and Fit peach yogurt, side fruit salad, side green salad, and 1/2 whole wheat pita pocket with crushed raspberries.

Chipotle chicken salad! I did not get their salad dressing, although I have heard it is really good. I did extra lettuce, light borwn rice, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chicken, and very light cheese.

Found this Trader Joes Spinach & Kale dip. It was actually pretty good, but it had a little bit of mayonaise in it and unforunately, I can't get over the fact that I don't like mayonaise.

Yard house one again! Tomato Basil soup!

Cabo In One Week!

Spring break Cabo trip is in 1 week exactly from today! I am so excited, and finally found 2 cute bathing suits at target.

Breakfast this morning was 2 hard boiled eggs and nonfat peach yogurt with strawberries and blueberries! A very filling breakfast with ~300 calories, and ~17 grams of protein!

For a snack I have carrots, snap peas, and I cut up some celery sticks and radishes to dip in Tribe sweet red pepper hummus I bought yesterday! Only 45 calories per 2 tbsp

On my friends Instagram I found this g of a picture; oh vodka... Cabo will be about the margaritas and tequila sunrises though!

Mmmm pineapple!

Morning!

I do love me some fresh strawberries and bananas in the morning!

Bananas & Peanut Butter

I never liked peanut butter really as a kid but now I seem to not be able to get enough! A really quick snack is to half a banana long ways and put a tbsp of peanut butter on it. I prefer the crunchy kind but any will work.

Breakfast!

Toasted whole wheat english muffin with raw almond butter, sliced bananas, and sliced strawberries