What I Ate Wednesday #28

Can you believe TOMORROW is THANKSGIVING already?! I CAN'T! Christmas is being seen everywhere... and I love it!

Then again, I see a little bit of Christmas everyday!

My grandma always believed you should leave a little bit of Christmas out throughout the entire year. I thoroughly agree, and that's exactly what I do! I leave my little tree up and my Rudolphs out all year long. To me, Christmas is the equivalent to happiness. I cannot WAIT to decorate on Friday!!!! 

Speaking of seeing Christmas, me and my mom recently went to Target...

... And it's safe to say we should not be allowed in Target, with money, around any type of holiday. Especially their $1 section. 

Oh, and one more thing before I get into this week's eats!

Say hello to my family's new/first adopted kitten, Landon! I'm in love with him. He's the sweetest cat ever and I'm so happy and grateful to have him now. Him and my pup are literally the most perfect pets!

Okay, okay, enough rambling! Onto some recent food adventures...

As always, thank you to Jenn for hosting WIAW! As a young foodie, I thoroughly love and appreciate it (and you, Jenn)! 

11/14/12 - Snack: fudgy black bean brownies with peanut butter. Sound disgusting, taste incredible!

I’m pretty sure these should be called ‘magic brownies’ because of their macros. We were given a few cans of black beans for free, and none of us really eat them and I wanted to put them to use. I’ve heard of using them in baking, but haven’t been courageous enough to try it... until this day! (And I'm so glad I did!)

I found a recipe and modified it a bit, to make some of the moistest and healthiest/cleanest brownies EVER. You would NEVER even consider the fact this was made FLOUR-LESS from BEANS! Without my added powdered sugar (hehe... I didn’t add quite enough sweetener and my momma LOVES powdered sugar), and with a bit of 100% natural peanut butter inside, they’re 57 calories with 3.25g protein & 2.25g completely healthy fats! Unbelievable. (Without PB, they’re 49 calories.) This batch made a bunch, too! Around 16-20 generously sized brownies.

11/14/12 - Snack: popcorn out of my new hot air popper! LOVE IT!!

11/15/12 - Breakfast: OIAJ never fail to make my day!

Pumpkin egg white oatmeal with chocolate granola + some cereal + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + some of a leftover black bean brownie + an extra splash of unsweetened Almond Milk, all inside a nearly-empty 100% natural peanut butter jar!

11/15/12 - Dessert/Snack: banana nut mug cake/muffin on top of a big sliced apple (plus a few banana slices) + chocolate granola + Kix cereal + a bit of a broken up black bean brownie and homemade almond milk cinnamon roll protein ice cream (with some sprinkles!), then all topped with peanut butter, cinnamon roll protein cream, and healthy chocolate sauce.

11/16/12 - Breakfast: can you say best healthy breakfast evahhhh?!

SUPER thick and fluffy banana cream pie egg white (+ some cinnamon roll protein) oatmeal with a “crust” made of 100% whole grain cereals + natural granolas + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + some crumbs and broken up black bean brownie pieces, topped with peanut butters + banana slices + prepared vanilla pudding + a mini dollop of plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a sprinkle of shredded coconut! Oh, and an extra splash of unsweetened Almond Breeze, as always!

Adding two egg whites to your #oats makes them magically 10x bigger and fluffier.

11/17/12 - Breakfast: I really love pancake Saturday.

Gingerbread (tea-infused) cheesecake protein pancakes layered with Biscoff + prepared cheesecake pudding mix + warm cinnamon apple slices + a bit of chocolate granola & cereal, topped with light maple syrup & 100% clean and healthy protein chocolate sauce.

11/17/12 - Dessert/Snack: microwave chocolate (with some peanut butter...) cake topped with peanut butters, cinnamon roll protein cream, and gingerbread sauce on top of a chopped apple + pumpkin flax granola +some cereal + hot chocolate flavored Goldfish (only a few... TOO ADDICTIVE!) + homemade vanilla coconut almond milk ice cream.

11/18/12 - Breakfast: SUPER fluffy and thick gingerbread “cream” egg white/protein oatmeal/OIAJ with granola + cereal + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + prepared vanilla pudding, all inside a nearly-empty Biscoff jar!

God, I love Biscoff spread so much.

11/19/12 - Breakfast: fluffy pumpkin egg white/protein oatmeal with 100% whole grains cereals + a bit of chocolate granola + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + Dark Chocolate Dreams & White Chocolate Wonderful + clean chocolate sauce + a splash of unsweetened Almond Breeze, all inside a nearly-empty Marshmallow Fluff jar!

Oats in a Marshmallow Fluff jar are equally as delicious as in a peanut butter jar. I promise you now.

11/19/12 - Dessert/Snack: microwave cinnamon apple protein mug cake topped with lots of peanut butter + peppermint protein frosting (WAY too strong of a minty flavor... I’ll add less flavoring next time for sure), on top of sliced apples (+ few banana slices) + some cereals + homemade vanilla coconut almond milk ice  cream, alllll topped with clean chocolate sauce + shredded coconut.

11/20/12 - Breakfast: gingerbread cheesecake protein egg white oatmeal with a bit of chocolate granola + cereals + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a few slivered almonds + prepared fat-free/sugar-free cheesecake pudding (that came a bit too liquid-y... Oopsies!) + an extra dash of unsweetened Almond Breeze + White Chocolate Wonderful & Biscoff spread (more added after the picture!)

11/21/12 - Breakfast: delicious sweet potato pie protein egg white oatmeal with a mashed mini sweet potato + pumpkin flax granola + whole grain cereal + some Krave cereal for fun + banana slices + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + #clean #chocolate sauce + shredded coconut + slivered almonds + White Chocolate Wonderful + a few mini marshmallows + an extra dash of unsweetened almond milk!

This was SO good! Let me know if you want the recipe!

Workouts of the Week:

all of my workouts can, as always, be found here or on my Instagram!

Here's two recent WODs:

The first one is featuring the ugliest and cheesiest smile because I had a good day that day. No shame.

The second one is featuring my new compression shorts I found in the little girl's clearance section at Target. They remind me of lemonade and I love them.

What I Ate Wednesday #25

Okay, so, in one week, it'll be the last day of October.
That means it's almost November. And that means... THE  BEST HOLIDAYS ARE ALMOST HEEEEERE!! WOOOO!

Once November hits, though, I hope time stops flyin'! I don't want the holiday season to come and go in the blink of an eye!

Haha okay, anyways, I almost always start off my WIAWs talking about how fast time is flying. (But it IS!!!!!!) So, I think I should move on to some eats from this past week, yes? 

10/17/12 - Dessert/Snack: clean "cookie dough" microwave muffin with sliced apple & homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream! I used crushed chocolate cookies and cream Goldfish since I have no chocolate chips/carob chips... Still SO good.

10/18/12 - Breakfast: ugh... I just love OIAJ. Having a family who loves "butters" as much as I do is such a fabulous thing. OIAJ all da time!

Healthy "Funfetti' protein egg white oatmeal with a sprinkle of some granola & cereals + banana & apple slices/cubes + some pumpkin pie yogurt & plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + some sprinkles! + a bit of Dark Chocolate Dreams, all inside a nearly-empty jar of the best "butter" EVAHHHH — Biscoff spread!!

All of my oats did not want to fit in the jar... But that didn't stop me from eating them all!

10/19/12 - Breakfast: peanut butter "Twix" protein egg white oatmeal with granolas & cereals (for the “cookie” layer) + banana slices (just because I love me some bananas!) + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + caramel Greek yogurt (caramel powder mixed with plain Fage!) + natural peanut butter! 

10/19/12 - Snack/Drink?: no picture, but a recipe instead!

Absolutely the best hot chocolate I've ever made!

... And it's healthy!

10/19/12 - Dessert/Snack: DELICIOUSLY SMELLING healthy and {mostly} clean dessert/nighttime snack - chocolate caramel microwave mini cake with homemade "Almond Joy" almond milk ice cream and sliced apple! (And some peanut butter, banana & granola/cereals, of course!)

Oh, and I stuffed 4 mini marshmallows in for fun (and mainly to see them expand! Hehe)... They’re good for the soul!

10/20/12 - Breakfast: PANCAKE SATURDAY!

Pumpkin protein pancakes layered with warm pumpkin spiced apple & banana slices (because the pancakes are so low cal, I have a whole apple with it!), plain & pumpkin flax granola, and natural peanut butter; all topped with healthy #chocolate protein “sauce” and maple syrup! Freaking amazing. Cannot believe these are healthy/clean. {Let me know if you guys want this recipe!}

10/20/12 - Lunch: lunch after a long day of food shopping with my mommy!

Pumpkin spice bagel thin (omg perfect) with Biscoff spread & natural peanut butter, banana, shredded coconut, fresh spinach & a banana-pumpkin egg white scramble! On the side, I have fresh tomato & steamed fresh broccoli and carrots in plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder!

This was one of my most delicious lunches in awhile.

10/20/12 - Dinner: made a healthy dinner for my family!

Prosciutto, spinach and provolone stuffed baked garlic-Italian chicken cutlets, with mashed garlic cauliflower “potatoes”! I had mine over a HUGE salad!

I got the inspiration for the chicken from Skinny Taste. It came out to be literally the best chicken I've ever baked/made.

10/20/12 - Snack: you know you’re vegetable obsessed when you put it in your gigantic tub of popcorn...

No dessert this night; just a huge ass bowl of delicious air-popped popcorn and a side of slices apples!

Haven't had this in too long!! It was nice to have it again!

10/21/12 - Breakfast: best post-workout breakfast!!!! That's my favorite time to have OIAJ.

Banana bread egg white oatmeal with plain & peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + some plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a bit of Biscoff spread + a splash of extra almond milk, all inside a nearly-empty Dark Chocolate Dreams jar!

Confession: I almost made less than a serving of oats out of anxiety and thoughts about later (going to a family's house for dinner and dessert)... aka I almost restricted... but I didn't. And I'm so proud of that.

10/21/12 - Dinner & Dessert: after I was done eating, I felt like I was pregnant and about to pop... But it was well worth it! My uncle's lovely girlfriend made us some AMAZING pasta and meatballs (and sausage, which I'm not a fan of), and I had a great plateful (that SHE put together for me!! I never let anyone else prepare my food!) with TWO pieces of WHITE(!!) Italian bread! Then, I had 2.5 pieces of THE BEST HOMEMADE PUDDING CAKE THING EVER!! OMG. Homemade crust, real chocolate pudding, and homemade whipped topping... Can't ask for any better! Homemade is always a good choice! Haha. But, I had exactly what I wanted, I had absolutely 0 regrets, and my anxiety (that I unfortunately had for days prior) went gone down immensely after eating and enjoying myself.

Life in a 100% Italian family is NOTHING without homemade Italian food! Moderation is yours and my best friend... I promise, everyone.

Oh, and this is kind of irrelevant to this post overall, but my uncle and his girlfriend’s new townhouse is SO cute! They live in a beautiful woodsy area. I’m in love with the scenery and the house.

10/22/12 - Breakfast: even though it was Monday, I woke up in a really positive mood! I also woke up dizzy and starving, though, since I hadn't eaten in almost 12 hours and my body isn't used to that anymore.

Anyways!! This delicious and healthy breakfast: fluffy pumpkin pie egg white oatmeal with plain & pumpkin flax granola + cereals + banana slices + shredded coconut + maple yogurt “frosting” (using the most disgusting 2% Greek yogurt... So hard to keep down, haha. Never buying it again! I don't know if it was the brand, or the fact I've never had Greek yogurt containing fat... But, either way, it's literally disgusting) + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter!

10/22/12 - Dessert/Snack: holy deliciousness!

I missed my lovely little clean and healthy nighttime dessert/snack! 100% clean pumpkin mini cake topped with lots of different PB with homemade almond milk “Almond Joy” ice cream, on top of a sliced Gala, banana slices, & some granola and cereals, ALL topped with healthy chocolate sauce and shredded coconut!

10/23/12 - Breakfast: this... was incredible. Omg. I can't wait to make it again soon.

Since my favorite candy bar is a Take 5, I decided to make a Take 5 oatmeal! Chocolate protein egg white oats with {peanut butter} granola + cereals + banana slices + slivered almonds (since I don’t have peanuts!) + caramel Greek yogurt + pretzel pieces + White Chocolate Wonderful + cinnamon + a splash of extra unsweetened original almond milk!!

This tasted legitimately like a deconstructed Take 5 bar. Heaven. 

10/24/12 - Breakfast: chocolate chip cookie dough protein egg white oatmeal with peanut butter granola + cereals + banana slices + cinnamon + Cinnamon Raisin Swirl PB & Biscoff spread + an extra splash of unsweetened original almond milk!

... I promise it looked more like a cookie before I added more milk!

I've recently fallen in love with Body Rock TV and Zuzana Light! I've been doing their workouts (along with my main man Shaun T.'s Insanity!) a lot lately, and I LOVE them! Such a challenge! {Workout diary here!}

What I Ate Wednesday #16 - Peanut Butter & Co. Obsessed

W.T.F! I feel like I JUST wrote up and posted WIAW #15!! These days/weeks are flying by way. too. fast.
Anywaaaaaaays...
I'd like to start off this WIAW saying I haven't obsessively counted calories (nearly at ALL!) in DAYS... I've been eating intuitively, and only when I'm truthfully hungry, and I feel so good about myself. It can only go up from here... Right?

... Let's hope so! 

In the past week, I've overcome some struggles (mostly OCD related), watched tons of YouTube videos, ate tons of yummy foods, and got myself a new job at Aeropostale!

I've also done some shoppin' with my lovely momma, where I got four pairs of skinny jeans which I am obsessed with! (Yay for sales!!)

(I also got two plain t-shirts... which were marked down and buy one, get one free!, a new workout water bottle from Victoria's Secret which I adore, and free panties from VS, as well!)

The mint ones are actually two sizes smaller than my normal size, and they just fit, buuuut I was too obsessed with them to pass them up! (Hey, at least they fit!)
I love back-to-school shopping. And I love that I bought most of my back-to-school clothes myself instead of bothering my mom. It makes me feel good. And responsible!

Oh, and speaking of back-to-school... my last first day of school (aside from college) is in just two weeks from today... So weird. So, so weird.

Okay, let's move on to what you all are really reading this post about; the foodz!
Gracias, Jenn, for hosting WIAW as always! Xo

8/15/12 (and every other night...) Snack: my go-to nighttime snack; lots and lots of popcorn!

I always like to have my popcorn with cut up fruit on the side. I love the salty and sweet combo.

8/16/12 - Breakfast: Biscoff cookie spread & banana protein pancakes with an egg white scramble on the side!

8/16/12 - Snack: this is what happens when you come inside from tanning, feel hungry, and see a bowl of veggies... You make YOURSELF a bowl of veggies while your little sister eats the one you first eyed!

I added in some Chobani plain Greek yogurt & some ranch powder (and garlic salt), and used a broken wheat cake (Magic Pop<3) to eat! This is what I call a quick homemade “chips and dip”. Delicious!

8/17/12 - Breakfast: my first time trying out stovetop oatmeal... It's amazing how much better it tastes made on the stovetop rather than in the microwave!

Chocolate peanut butter protein egg white oatmeal with granola + random cerealz I was craving + a mini banana (LOVE them! Haha) + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + melted Biscoff spread & white chocolate peanut butter on top... all inside the bestest mug of all time!

8/17/12 - Lunch: balanced, healthy, mindful lunch.

Sometimes, pizza happens. And sometimes... AKA anytime... That's okay! Food is food, and ALL food has SOME source of energy! Plus, my momma bought this grilled chicken and tomato (and I THINK bacon?!) pizza, with intentions that I'd love it, so how could I pass that up!? Oh, and the cheesy bread that she got had spinach and feta (and some other cheese?) inside it, and again, she bought it with intentions that I'd like it, too! And... It's safe to say I did. Hehe. (She was also really proud of me for actually branching out and eating something different and "unhealthy". Love her.)

8/18/12 - Breakfast: ah, this breakfast was perfect for the rainy, breezy, fall-like summer morning.

Stovetop apple cinnamon protein egg white oatmeal with pumpkin flax granola + cinnamon cerealz + apple slices + plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + melted Biscoff cookie spread. (That spread melts PERFECTLY!)

8/19/12 - Breakfast: one of my best ideas yet; oats in a Marshmallow Fluff jar!

  Chocolate banana & strawberry protein egg white stovetop oatmeal with pumpkin flax granola + a few Cinnamon Toast Crunch squares + banana & strawberry slices + cinnamon + melted Biscoff spread (and the tiniest bit of dark chocolate peanut butter).

The warm oats melted the marshmallow and made it all gooey and delicious. I recommend ya'll trying this out for yourself to see what I mean! (Even adding 1-2 tbsp to your warm oats will give you a same-ish effect... Do. It.)

8/20/12 - Breakfast: the smallest pancakes ever! Haha.

Cinnamon raisin swirl & banana oat healthy protein pancakes with a strawberry & banana white chocolate peanut butter egg white scramble on the side! (I love sweet eggs!)

So glad I finally found Cinnamon Raisin Swirl peanut butter! 160 calories for 2 tbsp, and freakin' amazing!

P.S. I'm literally obsessed with Peanut Butter & Co. I. Need. More. Flavors!

Craft of the Day...!? 8/20/12

I've been wanting to try to fringe my own shirts for forever now, and I finally worked up the courage to try... And I think I did pretty well, no?! I used my old XL 30 Seconds To Mars shirt (I'm a size small now, and this shirt is nearly two years old), and I really like the result of it! My mom loves it, too, and she really wants me to make more! Haha. So simple and fun... I love it! (I'll post a DIY post dedicated to this soon!) 

8/21/12 - Breakfast: literally one of the greatest things to ever enter my body.

 Yes, again, OIAJ! BUT, keep in mind I share my peanut butters with my whole family, and my mom and sister use a lot of it when they do have it! (And they have at least one serving a day each, haha.) So, all of these empty jars are not only my doing!! I promise I’m not THAT addicted...! Hehe.

Banana bread egg white stovetop #oatmeal with pumpkin flax granola + some delicious ass random cerealz + banana slices + a bit of plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + melted Biscoff spread, all inside a nearly-empty White Chocolate Wonderful jar. Heaven in a jar.

8/21/12 - Lunch: my sandwich was too pretty to not photograph, so I just HAD to do so! Haha.

Multi-grain sandwich thin containing light cheese spread + spinach + the BEST deli turkey + pickles + tomato + yellow pepper + spicy mustard + lettuce.

On the side, I had a mini bowl of mixed veggies with garlic salt, some grilled chicken, and steamed fresh veggies with plain Greek yogurt + ranch powder!

Kept me full for nearly 5 hours! Nom nooooooooom!

8/22/12 - Breakfast: OIAJ day 2... Again, all of these empty jars are not just my doing!! I promise! Haha. My little sister is even more addicted to Biscoff spread than I am, and she's been having a lot more than me!

But, I gladly took the jar for my post-workout breakfast this morning... 

Chocolate almond protein egg white {stovetop} oats with pumpkin flax granola + super yummy random cerealz + banana slices + a bit of plain Greek yogurt + cinnamon + a tiny bit of melted white chocolate peanut butter... All inside a lovely, nearly-empty Biscoff cookie spread jar.

{Currently nommin' this at the moment!}

Oh, and I forgot to say what beautiful creation I found at Big Lots for only $2.50...

Yes. You read that right.

Pumpkin flax granola.

The serving? 1/2 cup for 220 calories. (Which is A LOT of granola! I don't even use that much! Haha.)

All natural.

All delicious.

And most importantly: all for $2.50!

Workouts can be found here, as usual! And, in the meantime... You should all follow me on Instagram since I'm quite obsessed and post way too often! 

Happy WIAW... and Wednesday in general!