Zone day 101!

It's been way, way too long since I've posted anything here! I can't believe I've been Zoning it (more or less haha!) for 101 days. Woo! So, time for a quick update!

I got a bit off the zone through the latter half of the month of July, and beginning of August. I find it sorta hard to eat Zone when I'm traveling, and with family (who aren't always Zoning it). I also find that I'm eating 1–2 meals a day in the Zone, but, as you might have guessed, the snacks are always tricky for me to remember. The nice thing about the Zone diet is that it's always forgiving, because it's a lifestyle change. This morning I had a Canadian bacon, egg, and fruit breakfast, which was Zone measured, and left me feeling not a bit hungry (I missed that feeling!).

I've also added quite a bit of water into my diet. Some of you know that it never occurs to me to drink...period. So, I've made a conscious decision carry my Nalgene bottle around with me at all times, trying to drink 32 oz. in the morning and 32 oz in the afternoon. It's working so far!

I don't have any pictures to post today, mostly because I haven't explored new Zone recipes. My mother gave me a Rachel Ray cookbook (365 recipes or something like that), which I've been able to modify to Zone specifics. When I cook something new, I'll be sure to post pictures. I'll also gather up the courage to post pictures of myself, since, as of this morning, I'm down 2.4 lbs in the last month. Total weight loss is around 13lbs, give or take, and it's staying off. Lovely! :)

Yoga tonight, and of course prepping for a new school year. :)

Hope all is well. I'll try to be better about updating, for those of you who read.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'll be out of town for the next weekish, so I'm not sure how often I'll update. I'll try, but I make no promises!

I gained a couple of pounds back recently, but I managed to keep off two inches (which is always nice). With the exception of today (I have a headache, and flu-like symptoms), I've felt really good. Here's hoping this feeling good stays with me permanently :)

Love to you all!

Lunch Day 63

Hello!
Today I had a random lunch, just some things left over and fruits/veggies to munch on. Nothing spectacular, but very filling nonetheless.


3 oz. tuna (in water, drained) (2P)
1 tbs. lite mayo (3F)
onion (I didn't measure, but it might have been a tbs, but probably less) (.25C)
1 good-sized tomato (.5C)
1/2 cucumber (.5C)
Handful of tortilla chips (like 9-13) (1C)
1 good-sized plum (1C)

I actually didn't eat but maybe 2-3 bites of the left over turkey burger. I'll save it for dinner tonight, or lunch tomorrow.

I'm still having trouble remember to eat a snack. Might any of you have suggestions? Maybe I'll have to schedule it into my phone? ha!



Yoga at 5pm, then dinner. More writing and reading work to follow :)

Ps. I feel grrrreat today! :D

Zone Day 59: Dinner

Did you know that 1 and 1/2 cucumbers is 1 zone block? Yeah, me neither. What about 3 cups of cooked broccoli? Bleh.

So... I improvised with my veggies tonight. I'm in the ballpark of a 3 block meal, but who really wants to eat 3 cups of cooked broccoli?


Ingredients:
1 small-mediumish cucumber, cut up and raw (a bit of salt) (.75C)
Onions, green beans, broccoli, tomatoes. Stir fried, w/o any oil. (1C)
3.5 oz of well trimmed, lean beef. Broiled for about 3 minutes on each side (3.5P)
1 nectarine (2C) (not pictured)
A few almonds (not pictured, but on the side. 3F)

3.5P
3.75C
3F
(these are all estimates because I don't really measure any more. I'm to the point where I can eyeball things, and shoot for a mostly balanced meal)

I practiced yoga today from 4 until 5:15. I hadn't been in about a week, and did I noticed a difference in how my body felt. I felt a bit more tired this week, and I knew my body missed each sequence. The energy I have at this very moment is so great, I wish I could bottle it!

Hope everyone is well!

Zone Day 54: Dinner!

So, I realize I'm really bad about keeping this blog up-to-date. I spend most of my weekends away from Lansing, or away from a computer. I have many pictures to post, and recipes to share from my 4th of July weekend at my parent's lake home---when I'm back from Ohio, I'll post 'em :)

Dinner!

Tonight for dinner I went simple. I cooked a turkey brat, 12 asparagus spears, a few pecans, and a whole medium-sized apple.


Directions:
Broil turkey brat until done
Boil asparagus spears for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle lightly with salt and balsamic vinegar. Eat pecans. Cut and eat apple. Drink WATER!

Hope all is well. I'm down about 13 lbs total (since I gained some back because of non-Zone weekends with family and friends.), and I feel great! Woo!

PS. My summer course is over, and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Hurrah! :D

Zone Day 49: Breakfast!

Hello Zoners! (or Zone wanna-be peeps!)

So, yesterday morning, as some of you know, I had WAY TOO MUCH oatmeal (even though the Zone recipe called for it). Today, though, I scaled back a bit--there's no sense in making myself sick, and it's important to listen to my body. The breakfast I made is a 3 block meal, and any missed block requirements I'll make up with my morning snack! (Maybe this way I'll actually remember my snacks and water)

Rolled Oats, Fruit and Turkey Bacon

Ingredients:
1/3 cup (dry) rolled oats (this kind has the same nutritional value as steel cut. And I have to cook it for like 15-25 minutes) (1C)
1/2 cup water (for the boiling of the oats)
8 cherries (1C)
1/3 cup blueberries (.5C)
3 turkey bacon slices (mine are just halved) (1.5P)
A sprinkling of Stevia and a dash of almond milk (for the oatmeal) (some amount of protein lol)
1 tbsp almonds, slivered (not pictured because I forgot them nearly half way through)

Directions: When water comes to a boil, add the oats and cook, stirring occasionally for 15-25 minutes (depending on your liking). Put almonds on top, and Stevia and the milk. Cook bacon in a small to medium pan. Serve fruit on the side.

It's pretty simple, and so tasty. I was closer to a 3-block meal than I thought--still, I WILL EAT my snack this morning!
Yoga is tonight, and I'm so excited. How many of you yoga? :)

Zone Day 48: Dinner!

It's been way too long since I've updated! I guess the summer season is the time for keeping busy (weddings, school, work, fun), and I forget to post updates. I'll try to be more faithful :)

Anyways!

For breakfast today, I had the Zone diet oatmeal (found in the "Week in the Zone" book). It was way too much to eat, even though I need to eat 11 blocks a day. I think I'll scale back how much I eat next time, so as not to feel like I'm about to lose it all an hour later! haha!


Dinner!

Scallops and Veggies!

There's a recipe in my "100 Zone Foods" book, which calls for sauteed scallops with wine-flavored vegetables. It's a 4 block meal, so I adjusted for a 3 block meal. I also didn't combine things like it suggested; nevertheless, it was yummy, and a 3 block meal!

Ingredients:
4-5 scallops (about 3-3.5 oz.) (3P)
12 asparagus spears (1C)
1 cup bell pepper, sliced (I use an entire orange pepper) (1C)
2 cups cooked mushrooms (this is less than 2 cups, and in the picture I'd already starting some of the veggies! :D ) (1C)
1 and 1/4 tsp of olive oil
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
1/4 cup white wine (I didn't use this much, since I already had my fair share of carbs)

Directions:
With half of the measured olive oil, saute scallops, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and parsley. Cook until nearly done (about 3-4 minutes), and then pour the wine over the scallops. In another pan (simultaneously), saute the pepper and mushrooms with the remaining olive oil. In still another pan, bring water to a boil and cook the asparagus until done (about 4-7 minutes). Spoon onto plate. Salt and pepper veggies to taste.

Hope all is well with everyone! Yoga is Thursday, and family fun is this weekend. Mom's birthday is on Monday---Happy 50th! :)