Dinner’s ready! #WIAW

I’m not really sure how we are at the end of November already. I’m also not sure how Genevieve is already eight and a half weeks old. My maternity leave is half over. Waaaaah 😦

I’ve been really focused on eating well over the last 8 weeks, more so than I was when I was pregnant, (and I was pretty healthy then too). I just want to make sure Genevieve gets the best nutrition she can, and it is helping me make better choices. It will hopefully help me fit into my pre-preg wardrobe soon too 🙂

pre-B

kids cliff bar when G nursed around 6 this morning.

B

Pumpkin Pie Green Monster: 1/3 cup oatmeal (ground up into powder before adding remaining ingredients), 2 large handfuls spinach, 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1 TBS chia seeds, 1/4 cup pumpkin, sprinkling of cinnamon, stevia & pumpkin pie spice.

I’ve been drinking a lot of smoothies for breakfast lately. They are just so easy, and a great way to ensure I get veggies first thing in the morning mid-morning.

L

Portability was key to help me run errands: leftover farro + black beans with cheddar, salsa, & avocado.

S

Peppermint White Mocha and an apple while decorating the tree.

D

Freezer meal! This is another one of my freezer meals I made pre-baby. Tonight we’re having cream cheese chicken over farro. We’ll probably have it in tortillas for dinner tomorrow.

Some chocolate may be consumed later too 🙂

What is your favorite crock pot or freezer meal?

Baby Weight [WIAW]

Not what’s leftover (2 pounds pre-preg weight, but I got pregnant right after Christmas…so more like 8-10 to lose), but what I used today in place of  weights for my squats was Genevieve! A squirmy baby is much more difficult to work out with than dumbbells, haha. She let me do 2 sets of 10 squats after her nap before she had a little melt down. I was going to do crunches with her too, but no dice today.

Yesterday was my 6-week post-partum check up, and I was cleared for normal exercise, whoo hoo! I am soooo ready to get my sweat on.

Before my elliptical session I noshed on a nanner, British style English muffin topped with pumpkin spice cream cheese (why is this not available year round, waaaa), and coffee.

After working out, and feeding/soothing Genevieve, I was able to snag a shower and make lunch from last night’s leftovers – bean, cheese, & veggie burrito w/celery sticks. I also nibbled on a few cheddar beer chips (Kettle brand).

While waiting for the hubs to get home from work I sipped on some sugar cookie sleigh ride tea. ‘Tis the season!

Dinner was the oh-so-tasty cream cheese spaghetti I made and froze pre-baby. I made two batches, and now I need to make more. I did half organic ground beef, and half turkey Italian sausage, used whole wheat pasta, and doubled up the veggies. So good!

Pasta was paired with red table wine from Sweet Valley Wines,  and salad (romaine, spinach, onion, red bell pepper, avocado, goat cheese, and pom seeds) with homemade salad dressing.

And, finally, dessert! Yesterday the hubs brought home cupcakes from my favorite bakery in town, but I was too tired to enjoy one. Tonight was the night. I’m glad there is only one, I could eat these every night and it would not be good for my previously mentioned goal! Nor would I be falling into good habits 😉

What should I do with my peanut flour? I just purchased my first jar.

I’m thinking stirring into plain Greek yogurt, and adding to oatmeal. What else?

I’m back! [WIAW]

I haven’t written a What I Ate Wednesday post since July 25th! The beginning of the school year, and all the crazy planning before hand, took up all my time. And I’ve been a tad preoccupied as of late 😉 But I managed to snap some pics of all of my meals yesterday, and wanted to join back in the fun. Soon I’ll be starting up Weigh in Wednesdays again too…although I might need to push them to Thursday. When I combined the two before my posts were too massive. But I need a “t” word to replace weigh in. Weigh in with your suggestions please 😉

I promise to fall into good exercise habits as soon as I’m allowed…for now I’m just walking. I know this is a good form of exercise, but it just isn’t the same as a good ol’ fashioned sweat session.

Yesterday I started my day with my standard 3 am snack, a Luna bar, followed by some homemade trail mix while I waited for a coffee date.

[trail mix: salted cashews, almonds, dried pineapple, & cherry flavored craisins]

I enjoyed a sesame bagel + cream cheese* and a grande double shot 1/2 vanilla latte at The Rocket while catching up with my friend who is also on maternity leave. Her son is 5 weeks older than Genevieve, and it is so fun to see him interact. It is like a foreshadowing of what is to come with Miss G.

*I need to update y’all on the dairy-free post…

Lunch was a 99 cent day-old sandwich I snagged from The Rocket and a delicious salad of spinach topped with bell pepper, avocado, grapes, goat cheese, and red wine vinegar + blood orange olive oil.

After lunch Miss G and I enjoyed the beautiful sunny fall day with a walk. She napped in the Baby Bjorn, while I listened to a Parent Savers podcast. I think we covered about 3/4ths of a mile. My 6-week post-partum appointment is next Tuesday and I hope to be cleared for normal exercise. I am sooooo ready to get moving!

Post-walk I inhaled my current favorite snack: Justin’s maple almond butter stuffed dates. I could eat these every day.

And dinner was leftover turkey tacos in front of the t.v. as the hubs and I watched the election results. Miss G snoozed through most of them.

And finally, dessert:  a few hubs-baked pecan + dark chocolate chip cookies. Yum!