Blueberry Almond French Toast

 The first time I had "healthy" French Toast at a restaurant, aka egg whites and wheat bread modifications, I was stunned by how similar it tasted to the bad stuff. So I decided to take it a step further and make a truly healthy version.

All you need is:

• Multigrain bread (this recipe is for two slices)
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup egg whites
• cinnamon to your liking
• 1/2 teaspoon agave
• sliced almonds to your liking
• granulated Splenda (optional)
• cooking spray (Smart Balance, preferably)

To make, combine the almond milk, egg whites, and cinnamon. Whip it good, and saturate your bread. 

Heat your stove on on medium, coat your pan with cooking spray, and put your bread on the pan.

Drizzle 1/4 teaspoon of agave on each side of the bread before you flip, as the picture shows. This will sweeten your bread enough so that syrup is not needed. 

Flip your bread, then throw the blueberries in (to your liking). If you want them to caramelize, add some Splenda and let it chill for 1 minute. Either way, the heat will bring out the berries' natural sugars, and add some yummy sweet.

Once the minute passes, put it all on a plate and add the sliced almonds. You're all set! 

 The calorie count?

• Multigrain bread - 220 calories
• 1 cup almond milk - 30 calories 
• 1/3 cup egg whites - 42 calories
• cinnamon to your liking - 5 or more calories 
• 1/2 teaspoon agave - 30 calories
• sliced almonds to your liking - about 30 calories 
• granulated Splenda (optional) - 0 calories

______________________________________

357 calories

For a little something extra, Greek yogurt with honey goes amazing on the side. 

If you have any questions, comment or let me know! This is a great recipe for the whole family. If you need an extra boost of sweets, some fat free whipped creme can be a great option.

Glad to be back on the blogging streak! Happy eating and reading, everyone. 

Isn't getting sick awful?

Since Sunday night, I have been MIA with some paralyzing stomach virus. Well today actually, I've been able to get up and am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight home from NYC.

Me freaking out when I was sick is an understatement. I was sobbing as I threw up, because I had so much to do, missed my mom taking care of me, and was scared to lose the muscle I worked so hard to gain.

Anyway, after my dramatic episode and with my aunt's help, I started eating(ish) and drinking the right things. And though I am not a doctor, I thought that I'd share what worked to getting me on the road to recovery.

1) Ginger root tea: My aunt made me a hot cup of tea with real ginger root. It was more mild than ginger tea from a tea bag so I was able to stomach it.

2) Apple cider vinegar: For whatever reason, this vinegar works wonders for health purposes. Two of my aunts have a couple teaspoons diluted in water daily. Reader's Digest calls it a "kitchen cabinet cure" and I believe it because it helped get my fever down.

3) Fancy water: When I feel this crappy, I will straight up splurge on a big bottle of $5.00 Voss water. It's mental, yes, but staying hydrated is the best way to get well and avoid a trip to the ER. So treat yourself to some Artesian water if you can stomach keeping anything down. Smart Balance is good too because it has electrolytes, which are important when you are not able to keep food down.

4) Fiberless cereal and rice milk: Avoid lactose and drink rice milk; the components can help settle your stomach. Eat a bland cereal like cornflakes to avoid tummy upset.

Also, as soon as you can stomach it, eat. I am having a banana smoothie right now, but had cereal last night because my stomach was OK with it. Don't relish in your flu-related weightloss and take advantage of your lack of appetite by not eating. It's terrible for your body, and does not let you lose weight the right and smart way.

Airport Time

Early flight to NYC = healthy and portable breakfast in my purse. Boiled eggs (whites ingested only), toasted English muffin dry, and organic blueberries.

It's so easy to indulge at the airport, so bring food with you. If you don't have time, compromise. Get half a wheat bagel and lite cream cheese, or modify a breakfast sandwich by asking for no cheese and less meat. Don't be afraid to ask for modifications even if no one else is doing it. You'll be the awesome one in the end.

Once upon a time...

2004

I was 19 and looked like this ----->.
The woman next to me is my mom. She was 51 in this picture, and naturally tiny. I never worried about calories. I never compared my body to other women's. I thought I'd look like my mama forever.

Then, I was 26. I had gone on anxiety medicine after moving across the country and experiencing extreme anxiousness. Then my mother died unexpectedly. I stress ate. The medicine slowed my metabolism. So I took a lot of shoulder-up pictures like this ----->.

NOT flattering, but real life.

Because apparently, my body looked like this ----->.
This picture was taken the day after my fiancé proposed, on my birthday, August 3, 2012.


<----- This one is me a few weeks before, sucking in.

I had been exercising through this all, but eating and drinking what I pleased.

In September 2012, I had a few realizations:

1. What's the point of doing exercise I don't enjoy?
2. What's the point of finding exercise I enjoy if I eat whatever well I please?
3. I'm 27 and have the means to remake myself.

So I tried different fitness regimens and fell in love with Jazzercise. I applied my creativity to cooking and found  out how to cut calories and fat. I sweat. I got my booty up and out the door to the gym when I didn't want to. I resisted fries at dinner. I had the Greek salad instead of the burger. I never deprived myself.

COMPROMISE is the key.

Then, today, 5 months after my relevations, I took this picture.

And now I look like this.

Since beginning my journey on September 22, 2012, I have lost over 18 pounds. I was not fat, but I looked sloppy and unhealthy.


I wanted to share this progress picture because I took one unprofessional, un-photoshopped picture at a normal angle. I did not take 20 different pictures, and I am not sucking in.

I don't look like fitness model, but I have obviously made a lot of progress eating the recipes I post, and by exercising 45 minutes to an hour per day. I am a real, un-photoshopped women doing this the natural way. This is about being fit, not skinny.

My recipes are easy and the exercise is manageable. I do not have children yet, but when I make my recipes and exercise, I often keep think, Could you keep this up if you were a mom? With some planning and discipline, I think yes.

Real people are doing this, guys. It looks me 5 months to get here. It's a lifestyle, so I'm fine with that. If you are trying, keep going! In November, once my metabolism sped up, it became easy.

KEEP GOING!

Left Over Rotisserie Chicken?

Make some healthy wraps! In a tortilla, place twenty chicken shreds, a half cup of kidney beans, 2 tablespoons Tzatziki, sliced onions, and spinach. Close with a toothpick and bake for 10 mins a 350. For about 270 calories, you can't go wrong.

Make sure to leave the skin off your chicken though! Also, I added some hot sauce but it's flavorful without the extra condiment as well.

Healthy Spaghetti and Meatballs...and wine

Dinnertime = whole wheat spaghetti, lean turkey meatballs, creamy marinara with Greek yogurt and habaneros, spinach and fat free mozzarella. To make a creamy marinara, Greek yogurt works the same as heavy cream and milk. I used 1oz per serving. Wash it down with some chard.

I do not have a cal count for the bowl, but a guestimate is about 370 with 6 meatballs and 1/8 a box of spaghetti. Please comment if you want the full recipe and how-to :).

Tips and Insight: Treat Bags

These are the Valentines Day treat bags I made for my guests. In addition to candy and other goodies like nail files, there is a Cutie orange inside. A big bag of these little Mandarin oranges is $5-$7 at Target. They are perfect for your kid's birthday treat bags; plus, they are sweet, healthy and take up space around the candy.