Tuesday Tip-Don't drink your calories.

My Mom always used to tell me, "Don't drink your calories" and it is something that has stuck with me.  I've never been a big fan of juice, I don't drink a lot of alcohol, I hate coffee and coffee flavored drinks, and I steer clear of milkshakes, slurpies and other high calorie beverages.  I indulged and enjoyed those things during my teenage years and of course college.  Now, I stick to water and lots of it.  When I do indulge in a beverage with calories it is usually a hot chocolate during the winter time.  The holidays just aren't complete without some hot chocolate.  Skip the marshmallows because they make me sick.

Mommy Monday-Traveling

We went to Texas for Thanksgiving.  Yes, we flew from MD to TX with an 18 month old.  It all went very well, except for the 1 hour delay on our way back home.  Traveling is exhausting.  I always have a hard time sticking to my healthy eating and workout schedule when I travel.  We are lucky to have family that could watch the baby one morning so, we could take advantage of the free gym (one of the hotel perks).  As a family, we all ran the 5K Turkey Trot.  Last year, I had to keep stopping.  Not this year!  I ran the whole thing.  Looks like that interval training is really helping my endurance.  I was able to squeeze in a few lifting workouts during nap time.  None of that made up for the eating!  Airport food is horrible, very limited and very expensive.  My tummy is happy to be back home and eating healthy.  The good news is I hit my ultimate goal weight before we left.  I was over the moon excited.  Now, I have to detox and try to get back to that.  It took me 4 days to put on the weight (which is mostly just water weight) and it will take me at least that amount of time to take it back off.  Wish me luck!  I'm trying to do all this while we are packing to move.  Have you ever packed with a toddler?  Yup, super fun.  He's also cutting 4 teeth right now and just wants to sit in my lap and play.  He had constant attention while we were on Texas and seems to have forgotten how to entertain himself for even 5 min.  Is it next week yet?

Tuesday Tip-Thanksgiving Style

I've been reading up on all of the ideas different sites have for keeping off the Holiday pounds.  Some are just laughable while others actually make sense.  Here are a few of the things I actually try to do to limit my holiday bulge.

1. Stick to your workout schedule. 
2. Do not fast before a big meal.  Yes, eat healthy and light, but EAT or you will be twice as tempted.
3. Slow down.  Yes, it is okay to be the last person eating.  Take a bite, chew, and enjoy. 
4. Do not grab the biggest plate and load it up.  Take a small plate or one of the kids plates.  Pick out your favorites and some healthy food too to fill your smaller plate. 
5. Eat until you're satisfied, not until you're full.  You have to save room for dessert too!
6. If you are asked to bring something, pick something healthy.  A delicious salad with granny smith apples, cranberries and pecans is a delicious fall salad. 
7. Allow yourself to take a day to just relax.  Thanksgiving is one day a year.  Enjoy it!  Just stay away from the leftovers!

Mommy Monday-Avoiding the unavoidable

Like every good Mommy, I keep my little man's favorite things for him to eat.  This includes pretzels, goldfish, breads, cookies and other yummy carbs.  Why is it always carbs?!  In the past, I would not buy things that I have a weakness for.  Now, I find myself at a stressful place in life and stress to me equals snacking.  I have been really bad lately about finishing the food on my son's plate and enjoying his snack with him.  Its a struggle.  I'm on a 'see food and eat it' diet as of late.  I know its stress eating.  I need to focus on my goals and remember to eat based on hunger not on emotion.

Foodie Friday-Its like a peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip cookie explosion you can eat without guilt.

I'm FINALLY feeling better.  Happy happy happy Friday :)  I hit the gym the last two days for some much needed cardio, but today is not about working out.  Today is about food.  These babies are devine. 

I love these delicious peanut buttery, chocolatey, oatmeal yumminess.  The best part is there is no butter or oil.  The fat comes from the peanut butter.  When I make them, I reduce the peanut butter to 1/2 cup and the sugar to 1/3 cup.  Here's the link to Oatmeal Peanut Butter Snack Squares by  How Sweet Eats.  Enjoy!

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/08/oatmeal-peanut-butter-snack-squares/