Spaghetti Squash

 Spaghetti Squash

Ever heard of it?  Well it’s delish.  And a great noodle replacement.  On top of super easy to make!

One cup of spaghetti squash only has 60 calories!  Compared to your regular white noodle that contains 210 calories for 2 ounces! And just to throw this out there-one cup is equal to 8ounces.  You do the math.

I LOVE spaghetti, truly love it! But it’s not realistic for me to eat weekly.  So this is a great alternative.  It’s great with ground turkey, grilled chicken or fish. 

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350. 
2. Slice the squash in half.
3. Scoop out the seeds just like you would do to a pumpkin or melon.
4. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
5. Place the squash halves seed side down.
6. Bake for 50-65 minutes or until soft.
7. Hold the squash with an oven mitt and scrape the insides with a fork over a bowl. 
8. I added 2 tbsp. of low sodium spaghetti sauce. 

Check out this YouTube video for a better visual.

I have gotten so many email asking for easy and healthy recipes! I am working on responding to each of you!  From now on I will post a new recipe each week!

Work Out Wednesday!

UPDATE PLEASE!

How is everyone doing with the squat challenge?  It is now day 8.  Which is rest day.  I have not been taking a rest day.  On rest day I’m adding 5 to the previous day’s squat number.  

For those of you just reading.  Join in on our squat challenge!

I have gotten lots of response on this!  And if you think you’re the only one that has legs that are giving out when you try to sit on the toilet your wrong!

Beast mode people, this is crunch time!  It’s summer.  Even though this is Arkansas and tomorrow could mean a snow storm. No seriously.  But regardless the calendar isn’t lying to us.  And neither is our bum! So get with it!

I’m hitting the gym at lunch for spin!  Spin is actually my fav! Burning up to 900 calroies in 45 mins.  On top of being up beat and fun!  I love fitting in gym time on my lunch break.  And I could care less what I look like when I arrive back to the office. J  Because I’m getting it done! One work out off my list before I head home for Insanity with Shawn T, squats and weights!

Don’t have time to fit in a work out? Multitask!  Last night I did my squats while I cooked dinner.  No excuses. 

Meal Plan

I’m so excited! 9 posts in and the numbers show 1,241 page views! This number is small compared to most blogs.  But I’m a newbie! J  And this means you’re reading!!

I’ve had a few people asking for meal plans and easy dinner ideas.  First and foremost I am no nutritionist.  But I do know what has worked for me.  And that is hard work!  I still have a ways to go.  

It’s 70% what you eat and the other 30% is exercise.  Diet pills will work.  BUT they are a quick fix and short term.  You will not maintain your weight once you get off of them.  Plus it’s not healthy!  Makes me sound like a hypocrite right?  I’ve tried them all! But no more!  How far I’ve come isn’t because of anything but living healthy.

Here’s the same word over again-PREPARE!!  When you hit the grocery store you have two choices.  Fresh or frozen.  Honestly it doesn’t matter.  (Unless you’re buying frozen dinners.  Check out the sodium! YIKES!)  I buy the frozen ready in 5, steamable veggies and keep them in the freezer.  No I do not have kids but we have busy lives and I don’t always stand in the kitchen for hours over a meal.

I can walk in the house, open the frig and grab a hand full of things and be eating in 10 minutes.  So many things are microwavable now.  Like sweet potatoes! It’s as easy as rinse, wrap and microwave for 5 minutes. 

Last night I was later getting home than usual.  So I grabbed a broccoli steamables and grilled chicken and popped it in the microwave.  Put the chicken on a 90 calorie flat wrap (in the deli section) with sliced avocado, hummus and salsa.  Easy right?

If you need easy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas email me!  I'll send you a few more helpful hints!

mrsrushing1429@gmail.com



Blondes Day Out

5 Blondes, 1 SUV and a few credit cards and us girls were happy as could be!

We had the best day!! We started out with lunch at Red Lobster.  Memes fav place. I chose from the lighter choice menu. I ordered a half portion of Tailapia with steamed veggies and I added a shrimp skewer.  And I still left food on my plate. Which gave me a few extra calories for the Bahama Momma I had. 

Total was 360 calories.  Yumo.

This Amber-Isn’t she gorg? She’s the newest member to the fam!

From the left-Me. Cindy (MIL), Meme, Aunt Gayla and pretty Amber.

Once we fueled up for the day we were off to spend a little money!  We shopped till we dropped and laughed until tears ran down our faces! Literally people starred. Think we care? No.

I scored a great sale on Jessica Simpson luggage for our vacay! I got Brandon black Calvin Klein.  He won't be carrying around coral JS luggage I can assure you. 

Amber and I were hungry again so we talked them into hitting up Orange Leaf. Now this is my fav! I don’t eat regular ice cream.  But frozen yogurt is a different story!

I had chocolate and vanilla sugar free yogurt, topped with granola and strawberries. I cheated and got a waffle cone.  This was 150 calories and gluten free! Get in my belly! No photo, I devoured it before I could think to snap a shot of that heavenly little bowl. :) 

We did however talk the man behind the counter into taking a few pictures of us.

 Your welcome Orange Leaf!

Beginning prepared for a day of eating out can save you 1000s of calories!  You can treat you’re self.  Just know what you’re eating.  I looked up the nutritional facts the day before.  So I knew exactly what I was going to order when we arrived at Red Lobster and Orange Leaf.  In return I wasn’t tempted to just order anything.  My bikini will thank me later and so will yours!



Fashion Friday:

Can we say TGIF? Waking up knowing its Friday makes a 5AM alarm clock sound a lot better!

Lauren C today's post is for you!!

With the weekends festivities coming up I want to talk SHOPPING!

I may or may not shop online more than I hit the stores?  Now don't worry I still shop it local.  Dillard's gets plenty of my husband’s money.  So don’t fret that your local businesses aren’t getting their fair share.

 Maybe he feels like this guy? Kidding! Seriouly he would never complain.  He appreciates a well dressed woman.

Correct me if I’m wrong but these cute little boutiques basically throw the latest styles in our face! And no I’m not complaining.  Every day when I check Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, BAM new arrivals at my fav places.  I’m guilty of having shopping accounts so all I have to do is comment Run Ship & Size on the FB picture. Yes this mean you don’t even have to call or go over to the website!  In a couple days my happy UPS man brings me a package. We are on a first name basis.  I blame Amber over at -Living in the Moment-. She started it!

Have a fab weekend!  I'm spending Saturday shopping with my MIL, Aunt G, Amber, Sissy and Meme. These women are the core of my inlaws. :) Im lucky!  Check back Monday.  Things should get interesting!  If anyones in LR join us for lunch!

Here are a couple of my fav places to order from.  They never disappoint!

Hope's Always free shipping!

Impressions

The Blue Door Boutique

The Rage

Recap:

Friday Eve, my fav day of the week.  And one of the only nights I sit down in front of a TV and enjoy a few shows! Keep calm its Greys night right?

And I mean seriously? Would your Thursday be the same with out these 3? TVD.

On to healthier things than doctors and sexy vampires!

So I’ve had quite a few people asking for the recipe for my smoothies.  And I’m so glad you did! There are SO many ways to create a great smoothie.  I typically just use whatever fruit I have in the frig.

Examples for single serving blenders-

Spinach Smoothie:

Half glass crushed ice

Hand full of spinach

Couple small strawberries and half of a banana

2 spoon fulls of Greek yogurt.  (I buy Chobani)

Optional- Scoop of protein powder

Milk- you will need just enough to help it blend.  If it doesn’t blend well you need more milk.

Chocolate Protein Shake-

Half glass crushed ice

One scoop chocolate protein powder

2 spoon fulls Chobani Greek yogurt

One banana

Milk

Optional- One packet Truvia

For the coffee drinker- Replace your milk with a strong coffee for a protein packed iced mocha!

Wednesday on the go!

Yesterday I was on the go all day! I spent my Wednesday shopping and getting a much needed base break, highlight and Kerstase treatment from my girl Sunnie @Joel’s Salon.  

Who says lunch on the go can’t be healthy?

Once I made it to Little Rock I hit Staples, Target and Victoria Secret!  Picked up a few pretties and headed to the salon.  Joel’s is such a fun environment! And if you must take your man, they serve beer and wine! ;) No mine would probably never go!

As soon as I left the salon I went straight to Whole Foods and picked up some PB2 and something to cook for dinner.

What’s PB2? The best invention yet! Its powder PB that’s only 45 calories for 2 tbsp. Compared to 1 tbsp. of Jiffy for 190! 

Don’t have any? Get some! FYI Wal-Mart doesn’t carry it.

And lastly here’s our dinner.  I pickup a black pepper marinated chicken breast.  These were perfect.  All I had to do was throw them in the oven.  I also picked up some California Quinoa for myself and Veggie Fried Rice for the hubs. He says Quinoa looks like fish eggs. Whatev.

May Challenge!

I seriously cannot grasp that May is already here!!  Summer times a comin! And I couldn’t be more EXCITED!!!

Our vacation is getting so close I can almost feel the warm sun and sand beneath my toes.  Key West and Bahamas where ya at?  Anyways, what’s more motivating than an upcoming vacation?  Especially a beach vacay!

Since it’s the May 1^st, I want to start a challenge!  Familiar with the Kardashian’s?  (Yes I’m a fan. Get over it!) Well Khloe posted this on Instagram and I’m totally up for the challenge.  I mean if all I have to do is squat it out for 30 days for a bum like this, sign me up!

For the next 30 days let’s eat healthy, exercise daily and squat it out!  We wana be beach bums!  Or have nice beach bums? ;)

Are you up for the challenge?