Simple Sunday

My internal alarm once again woke me up at 4AM again! UGH! I did get myself to fall asleep for another 2 and 1/2 hours ! I was still up a 6:30 though. But I relaxed with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoyed the quiet house.

Then I decided to make some breakfast. Yesterday I found a recipe [on CNC of course!] for Instant Baked Pumpkin Oats. It’s made in the microwave with an instant oatmeal packet. This for me would be easier to do in a work day because of time constraints. Although I loved yesterday’s Pumpkin Baked Oats, this one made more sense for me.

It was really good! Much more cake-like than yesterday’s. I like that texture a lot ! I felt like I was eating a piece of pumpkin bread. If you don’t like a drier texture, this recipe may not be for you. I, personally love it. I added vanilla protein powder to the recipe [ 1 T.]. I also added a spoonful of chocolate peanut butter ;)! It was a delicious breakfast and it kept me full for a long time! [ BONUS!]

Once Matt got up we ventured out in the [ bitter ] cold to do the food shopping for the week. I am actually enjoying grocery shopping! I love trying to get the most for my money, and figuring out my coupons. We did a big shopping this week, so next week will be light.

When we got home from shopping it was time for a snack. I had one of my (Re)Fuel Bars and a clementine. Perfect thing to fuel me for what the next part of my day!

I planned a workout for today. I have to admit, I wasn’t really in the mood, but I did it anyway! I had a treat yesterday, so A workout will help in balancing it all out.

I did a 15 min. warm-up on the elliptical, and then took a 45 min. Spin class. I have dedicated Sundays in winter Spin Class days. In spring and summer Matt and I hike and bike on Sundays. Since the weather isn’t conducive to doing any of that in winter, I figured I’d make use of all the Spin Class DVD’s I own!

I am so glad that I chose to do the spin class. I forgot what a great workout spinning was!!!! I am going to have to add them into my routine more often. I’ll have to think about it a little ;).

After my workout , it was time for lunch. I made some nice hot soup! Progresso Classic Vegetable soup topped with some FF Parmesan cheese  and some roasted garlic humus with baby carrots! The soup really hit the spot.

I spent some time preparing for the week after lunch:

• Baked a batch of (Re)Fuel Bars
• Got Matt’s snacks ready for the week
• Made both of our lunches for tomorrow
• Made a few Breakfast Cookies for the week
• Roasted some veggies

The remainder of my day was spent reading, hanging out, and I ended up munching on some of these! They are so good and only 160 calories for 3 cups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No guilt snacking, right up my alley! [ after reading the nutritional information more carefully I found that although these things are only 160 calories per 3 cups, 100 of those calories are from FAT! What ???? I should have known it  was too good to be true! I promptly threw the bag in the trash and took the other bag and put it out of sight in the pantry downstairs. I will either have them someday as a splurge if I want something salty, or give them to my neice when I am desperate for a snack to give her!]

For dinner tonight I had a chicken breast, mushrooms, and gnocchi sauteed in olive oil and topped with Parmesan Cheese (FF). It was really good! I also had a spinach/feta/cranberry salad.

I ended my night with a carrot cake cupcake and a cup of hot cocoa topped with a squirt of FF whipped cream ! Cocoa is becoming one of my favorite little treats. I’ve had the stuff in my panrty for a while now. I forgot about it. I am so glad I rediscovered it! It really helps keep the sweet cravings at bay!

Now I am ready to wind down and relax before starting yet another week. Have a great one!

Later