WIAW - Being Prepared for a Busy Work Day

It has been a while since I have linked up for WIAW so I thought today was as good a day as any! Yesterday was a super long day in the news world with SOTU so I had packed meals and snacks to make sure I didn't get hangry ;) 

Totally not a food blogger, will never be a food blogger so forgive the crappy pictures, it is what it is. And without further ado here we go! 

I vacillate between wanting to eat a big breakfast and just eating because I know I should. Lately it is the latter so my breakfasts aren't anything great. Quest bars and fruit + #allthecoffee have been a staple.

I had a meeting around noon so I had this new to me green juice to tide be me over until I could scarf some lunch. It was delicious. Then again anything green to me is - but the name had me laughing like a school girl.

Did plenty of meal prep over the weekend so had a lovely satisfying but simple salad. Baby spinach, grape tomatoes, dill pickles and grilled chicken seasoned with TJ's 21 salute seasoning because, obsessed. 

And a side of quest chips - they have protein so they're healthy basically, right?

I managed to hold off dinner until I got home and the past couple nights have had this delish combo - spiralized zucchini (the WHOLE THING) sauteed with scallions, grape tomatoes and 90% lean ground beef and a little garlic and herb sauce (cheated and used Hunt's I feel like a bad Italian). Fantastic. And with the ground beef prepped it takes all of 10 minutes between the spiralizing and cooking. While it was cooking I noshed on some more tomatoes and dill pickles. Never too many pickles. Sodium much?

To end the night I was feeling something sweet so had a few of these cookie chips - they are divine! I love the crunch. And looking back I ate a LOT of veggies so they were deserved :)

And basically there you have it! A day in the life of my eats :)

Happy Wednesday! 

WIAW - Miami Edition

This is oh so long overdue but I have been wanting to share some of the deliciousness that happened while in Miami!

Sadly I was too ravenous on a couple occasions to take out the camera. 

Namely the last dinner that we went to at Jaquar - seriously if you are in Miami, Coconut Grove, do yourself a favor and go there. Between the endless ceviche and pisco sours I was stuffed (and tipsy) by the end. 

My day there we were off the plane, stopped by my sisters apartment to drop off my bags and then on a walk down to the water to hit up happy hour and an early dinner. 

Cannot get any better than some cold beers with a view, am I right?

The next day we wandered off to a great brunch. There may have only been 3 of us but boy did we do some damage. I like ordering with like minded people - none of us could make up our minds on what we wanted...so we each ordered 2 dishes. Totally approve. 

However, I think my favorite part BY FAR, was our adventure down to Florida City. My sisters friend mentioned a farm stand with all types of exotic fruits and I was sold, I had to go. Luckily my sister had been there before and was up for the adventure. Enter our trip to Robert Is Here. It was seriously amazing. 

Look at these gems that we found! 

We couldn't wait to get home to taste test, so we didn't. They drilled us a fresh coconut to drink and we dug right in. Oh. So. Good. 

Just thinking about it, I want to go back immediately.

Commence flight searching. 

WIAW #2 - Clean Eating Goodness

I'm back for another What I Ate Wednesday!!! 

I love being back on track with clean eating, thank you to the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge. I am feeling better and honestly still not craving the sugar and fatty stuff like I thought I would (although I am not entirely sure that I will ever permanently give up coffee, that is the one thing I am missing and really cannot wait for!). I am still in the thick of it with another week to go but going strong! 

I have been doing a LOT more food prep, and it has been so nice to have quick and easy meals waiting for me. On tap this week:

For breakfasts I have been doing the meal replacement shakes. I am kind of picky about my protein but this chocolate is pretty darn delicious I must admit. In a pinch I am just mixing with water in a shaker bottle - but mornings when I am home I have been mixing with frozen banana and spinach and chia seeds. Delicious! 

I also made a batch of the Fitnessista's quinoa pancakes - I had a ton of leftover quinoa I had prepped and do yourself a favor, make them. Simple, quick and nutritious! 

For snacks I finally made homemade hummus. What have I been doing buying this my whole life??? It is so simple to make, and such a money saver. I went a tad heavy on the garlic this round but it was still so so good. 

I have been eating rice cakes for snacks as well. This combo - one with spicy mustard and daiya cheese, plus another with mashed avocado and sea salt, so tasty - and with a side of shredded beets. Yum!

I have been eating tempeh a bit lately - I was feeling so lazy Sunday night and wound up just slicing up some 3 grain tempeh with a side of raw veggies. I like tempeh straight out the package, don't judge! 

Then some quick grilled chicken (with Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute - it is addictive) with a side of roasted brussel sprouts and butternut squash. I think some times the simpler the better. 

And of course can't forget my favorite date night this week - went to Guantanamera for some great Cuban food and live music, this paella was loaded with seafood and simple and delicious. And massive! Love me some seafood. 

I have been really good about not eating after dinner, but Sunday was feeling snacky so whipped up this massive chocolate protein muffin in the microwave. I will share the recipe it is sooooo good. Topped with some peanut butter and berries, heaven. Totally hit the dessert craving I was having. 

And there we have it. So much good food and all my eating has been on point. That makes me happy! 

WIAW - AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge Addition

Holla! So as I am on the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge, a lot of friends, colleagues etc. have been asking me just what I have been eating. So I thought what a good opportunity to join in on a little blogger fun! Without further ado I bring you...

Or maybe it should be called "what I am eating on the challenge" but whatever, you get the point! And note to self...take some prettier pictures - I swear everything you see tasted fabulous!

First up, some meal prep for the week! Definitely helps to make the right decisions along the way. 

Grilled chicken, quinoa, grilled asparagus, cut veggies - things to grab and go with long days.

Lots and lots of fruit - and some laziness ;)

Fruit and hard boiled eggs (usually eat 2 whites and 1 with the yolk) has been a solid go to breakfast.

Chipotle burrito bowl lunches! I do fajita veggies, a little black beans, sofritas or chicken, mild salsa + corn and lettuce. No shame I've hit up Chipotle like 3 times thus far.

Bananas + PB2 in this instance a soupy PB2 - but still tasty!

A new obsession - zucchini, squash, and carrot "noodles" with ground turkey and a simple sauce. I do not miss pasta (and honestly am not that big of a pasta fan to begin with so I love this as a replacement!)

And for the sweet tooth that has kicked in a couple times - peanut butter chocolate banana "ice cream". I only had this after a particularly grueling day of workouts - 8 miles plus body pump I knew I needed some extra sustenance before bed so added a half scoop of protein to the ice cream. Just fabulous.

And that's pretty much the basics! Lots of fruit and veggies and lean protein. I am not the biggest carb person in terms of eating rice and pasta and bread. I do however LOVE crackers and have miraculously not missed them at all. I have replaced them with cucumbers and peppers to dip in hummus when I snack. 

I have to say that thus far, I am not really finding eating to be a problem. I am not going to lie I have had some sips of wine on 2 separate date night occasions. And do not feel an ounce of guilt over either. It's life. 

But the eating has been very clean and my body is thanking me for it already. I can't wait to post up the first post cleanse results!