Wednesday What Not #70

Sure a lean turkey might not be a popular choice for your Thanksgiving spread, but these holiday swaps will leave you feeling satisfied - and skinny!

Appetizer:  Spicy Chipotle Pumpkin Hummus 

Side Dish:  Creamy Cauliflower Puree 

Dessert:  Sugar Free Pumpkin Pie

((Photo Source:  http://broadside.navytimes.com/category/broadside-cartoons/page/6/))

Tasty Tuesday Treat #70

"Hello my name is Kate and I am a CREATURE OF HABIT." 

This short coming of mine dictates many aspects of my life, especially my culinary creations.  Each week I follow a schedule that includes a veggie dish on Mondays, a meat dish on Tuesday, a fish dish on Wednesday and a poultry dish on Thursday (Side note:  Friday nights have always been and will continue to be Pizza Night in my household).  

In addition to that pattern of proteins, I also plan on every Sunday being "Slow Cooker Sunday." This past Sunday, knowing that I would spend a majority of the afternoon routing on the JETS, I decided to utilize the crock pot for pre-dinner prep.  I placed my spaghetti squash into the slow cooker, as per the instructions of Hungry Girl, and waited for the strands to be "shred" ready.

Once the squash was cool enough to handle, I wrapped the shredded "spaghetti strands" in a towel to remove the excess water.  Since spaghetti squashes are very water dense, I placed the wrapped strands in a clean towel in my refrigerator to allow for maximum moisture removal while I went to the stadium.

Having cheered my butt off at the game, I was thrilled to be able to quickly cook this delicious Spaghetti Squash Lasagna for my husband and I upon returning.  Not only did it appease my "creature of habit" nature, but it also acted as the comfort that I needed due to the Jets' loss.

((Photo Source:  http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/09/spaghetti-squash-lasagna.html))

Mindful Monday Inspiration #70

Fitness Friday Fact #70

It is no secret that I love to run!  I thrive on the endorphins that I get from my morning 5.25 mile treadmill trot and I enjoy the time I spend improving my cardio strength.  

Despite being a "hulk" in the cardio strength world, I tend to find that I am a weakling in the weight strength world.  This is mainly because I fail to concentrate on building muscle, even though the long term benefits would improve my overall health and well being.  

Rather than letting another weekend go by where I pound roughly 10.5 miles worth of pavement, I plan to try this beginners strength training circuit tomorrow.  

((Photo Source:  http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Beginner-Strength-Training-Circuit-37274540?stream_view=1#photo-37274544))

Thursday's Trend Alert Dirt Report #69

In general, I strive to use my home cooked meals as a path to health and wellness.  In my mind, each simple ingredient should provide the essential vitamins and minerals that a body cannot create on its own.   

Like many, when "superfoods" became the "catch phrase" of the century, I was guilty of purchasing the popular produce.  From kale to quinoa, I stocked my pantry and collected easy recipes that called for those staples.  To date, I still pack a kale salad for lunch and opt for quinoa as opposed to rice in my fiesta bowl, but this article made me think a little more about the "wallflowers" of superfoods.  In the article, the author pinpointed 10 of the "not so Regina Georges" of the superfood world and made it clear that eating well does not have to be pricey or difficult.  

With the valuable information that the article provided, as well as the knowledge of the Dirty Dozen, I'm certain that this week's shopping trip will become a tale of the underdog!

((Photo Source:  http://nutrition.about.com/od/fruitsandvegetables/ss/10-Untrendy-Superfoods-Every-Kitchen-Needs.htm#showall))

Wednesday What Not #69

As a proud owner of a Fitbit, I rely greatly on its technology to inform me of my daily caloric "inputs and outputs." Such data has helped me immensely to track my weight and current health goals, but recently I felt as though some of my exercises were being ill monitored.  Rather than ending my Fitbit friendship, I researched features that the app might offer as it related to my daily activities.  

As luck would have it, just like I enter my meals, I have been able to enter my daily exercises with corresponding caloric expenditures.  In order to best estimate those calories, I have come to depend on these two websites:

Yoga Calorie Calculator

Spin Calorie Calculator

For me, these calculations have been an integral addition to my Fitbit profile, but for those without the tracking device, the calculators can just as easily provide daily helpful, healthy highlights!

((Photo Source:  http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/calculatorintro.htm))

Tasty Tuesday Treat #69

With Football season well underway, and Post Season Baseball keeping my husband and I cheering, I felt it necessary to "step up" my appetizer game this weekend.  Rather than my standard guacamole and chips, I prepared this Buffalo Chicken Crescent Ring for the back to back (to back) games!