Spaghetti Squash

Hey guys, long time!

Recently I've seen all sorts of variations on "normal" meals prepared differently with substitutes. One of the ones that I've thought of trying was Spaghetti Squash. Apparently many people ate this growing up, but I had never heard of it before. So, b/c I figure if I hadn't heard of it, maybe some of you all hadn't either, I'm posting the steps.

First, pick out a pretty squash at your local grocer and bring it home.

Second, cut the squash in 2 equal halves. This can be tricking with a big knife like the one I used. I would suggest cutting one side first, then onto the next side so the knife goes through entire side.

Then place it in the oven, face side down.

Using a fork, make a swift downward stroke from top to bottom to form your "noodles". It will actually produce way more than you may think!

Tada, it is finished! I garnished mine with some marinara and 2% cheese. John thinks I'm crazy and opted on some whole wheat noodles for his spaghetti.

The end result was wonderful! No, it didn't taste exactly like regular noodles, but it was very filling, tasty and I'll definitely do it again.

Bon Appetit!

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Hi guys! Sister and I have been a little unmotivated lately....on the blog and real life. I think the season's changing and busy schedules have prevented us from being on target 100% with our diets and exercise. At least I can speak for myself. After a weekend of eating out and making verrry poor eating decisions at the state fair, the G household made the decision to eat super healthy this week. I made Weight Watcher Black Bean enchiladas for dinner that were super yummy(thanks Rhonda!), but if you know anything about me, you know I also have to have my something sweet. I've had this box of muffin mix in my pantry for a month or so and have just kept putting off making them. Tonight I decided it sounded yummy. I substituted 2 tbsps of oil with cinnamon applesause and added some extra cinnamon in the mix, b/c I'm obsessed with it. Guys, these muffins were amazing!! Very light, fluffy and filling. Even my hubby loved them! I'm definitely stocking up on all their flavors!

Plus 20% more fiber!! I love having quick options like this available for breakfast, snack or even after-dinner treat.

LG

What motivates you??

Sick little one this week means little, make that no time, at the gym. I did do Yoga last night, but I realized I should have waited until he went to bed because while in a couple of the poses, he would crawl under me and say, "I see you mommy." Hard to concentrate on my breathing. Oh well. He tried to do some of the poses with me, and I'm pretty sure I burned extra calories just laughing at him.

I was able to take the little guy and a the dog on a walk today which was wonderful. It's beautiful here and there is nothing better than just being outside on a beautiful day. I think both boys enjoyed the walk as much as I did.

So tonight's tv line-up are shows that always motivate me to eat better and continue doing some sort of daily exercise.

First, watching the contestants on the BL workout so hard, always makes me want to complain less when I'm at the gym. I don't ever complain out loud, oh but my thoughts are not so pretty at times. I will say that this week was not my favorite episode of the BL, mainly I just didn't like the "game" aspect of it. Wow, the sounds of crickets when Tracey & Coach Mo got on the scale was interesting. I do, however, love seeing where the contestants are since they left the show. Loving Antoine!!!!

Finally, I think that So You Think You Can Dance is the show that motivates me the most. I never watched this show until this summer, but I love watching the real dancers dance. Talk about in shape. WOW. I'm always amazed at how high some of those guys can jump...amazing.

So what motivates you and is it sad sitting on the couch watching shows are what motivates me...maybe I should reflect on that myself! HA!

Second,

Will the Flu Get You?

Who is scared of the flu? Everyone!

The topic of sickness likes to creep into my volcabulary every fall, winter and spring. My allergies are pretty bad and they tend to morph into an infection overnight. I'm afraid that this is also going to be the case for my husband as well. He is learning that along with gaining a wife in his move to Tejas, he has also gained the dreaded allergy. We aren't sure of what he is allergic to as of yet, but they are prevelant. He sneezes, I sneeze. Back and forth, back and forth. Which brings me to my discussion. How do you stay healthy and active when you are sick? This has always been a hard balance for me as I tend to want all things warm and bready when I'm under the weather. But on the other side of the fence I tend to not allow enough time for my body to completely heal before I'm out running or at the gym. A couple weeks ago, I came down with my first sinus infection of the season. (remember the muffins sister and I made...YUM) I was out of commission for about a week. I'm really trying to listen to what my body is telling me. This time around I went an entire week and a half with no physical activity. This is pretty scary to me b/c my mind will start to play tricks on me like I won't be able to run again as long, or that I've lost it. But I put those thoughts aside and kept myself indoors and got plenty of rest. Typically I'm out running again to soon and lo and behold I come down with another cold a couple weeks later. This time I'm trying to be smart and heal before I start it all back up. I feel like I'm getting this part of the healthy train right, but am still lacking when it comes to the food. Like I mentioned, I crave warm, bready, things when I'm sick. Who wants to prepare food under those circumstances, especially raw fruits or veggies? Sometimes soup from a can just doesn't cut it either.

What are some good under-the-weather recipes you might have help your body recover, but taste good?!

Breakfast always sounds good to me when I'm sick. I think I might makes these up tonight for my sicky husband

Cinnamon Pumpkin Spice Pancakes :

1 cup of whole wheat pancake mix
2/3 cup water or milk
1 tbsp oil
1 egg or 1 white of an egg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice seasoning
1/2 cup of Maple Pecan Crunch Cereal on top for some crunch (I have Kashi cimmanon cereal that I'm going to use instead)

YUM!

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Here's to staying healthy this cold/flu season!

Biggest Loser...

Okay, who is watching the Biggest Loser? Um, love love love that show. Okay, confess if you're watching and we can do a little talk about BL on the blog...but if sister and I are the only ones, then I'll just keeping texting her during the entire episode like I did last week.

Yummy muffins...

Sister called today and said, "I'm making these muffins right now!" It's times like this when I wished we lived closer, because I would have loaded my little guy up and headed straight to her house. We kept talking about them and I decided that I had to make them too.

To my surprise, I had all the ingredients except the raspberries. I was very excited because it's rainy and yucky outside, my sweet hubby doesn't feel so well, and I knew these things would be perfect! I just replaced the raspberries with a few more blueberries!

I got the recipe from this blog, that I have grown to love. Please stop what you are doing, and go make these muffins.

Sister added cinnamon to hers, but even "plain" they were very yummy. My little guy scarfed his down! I love seeing him enjoying healthier food! Hope you guys enjoy!

I'm not training...

I'm not sure why, but when I hear the word "training" my face crinkles, my pulse races and I start to cringe. I hate the whole idea behind training for something. To me I automatically think of possible failure (another post for another time). But for my goal oriented hubby, John is all about the training. He will be running and therefore training for the White Rock 1/2 Marathon in December and a full marathon in March. Since he has started running more, I've also been inspired to step up my game. But I'm not training. I'm not going to run, b/c my face will always be crinkled, pulse....and you get the point. And since I'm not training or running or making a commitment, I've ran farther and longer than I normally would ever consider running. On Saturday I actually did 5 miles. I know to some people 5 miles is no biggie. But to others it's crazytown. I have half/half feelings about it. Before and after the run I'm self confident and really excited! However, during the run is a different story. I'm a self-doubter and motivater, so I'm constantly thinking, you got this, ohhh no you don't, ok...one more mile, you can't do it, so on and so on. It's fun in my brain during those runs.

Anybody have tips to pass the time during a long run/ (not training)? :)

When I got home on Saturday I made homemade smoothies. John and I love them. One day I decided we needed smoothies to refuel after our runs and now we are addicted!

The recipe (I never use the same fruit....you can mix in whatever kind you like)

1 cup or so of frozen blueberries

1 cup or so of frozen blackberries

1 cup or so of frozen strawberries

1 cup of Greek Yogurt

1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder

1 tsp. of almond butter

lots of ice

water to thin things out

and a little soy milk (couple of splashes)

and viola.....YUM!

(not an actual picture, but it looks just like this!)

I make John and myself these babies at least 3 or 4 times a week. We normally drink them around 6:30-6:45 am and don't feel too hungry till 11ish when we both eat lunch. That's pretty amazing!

The smoothies are the perfect refuel drink after a long, hot run. It's perfect for the weather we are having right now. I've been thinking a lot about what I've mix up for us once the weather gets chilly, but I'm afraid I still have some time to think about that.

What about you guys? What are you non-training for? :)

LG