Sudden Inspiration...

I don't quite know why, but I have felt so inspired lately. Not for any one thing in particular, it has been for many things actually. I can not pin-point what it is that makes me feel this way, and I think that is part of what I like about it. Maybe it's the holidays, being so happy at my job, or being a "lovey-dovey newlywed"...whatever it is, I haven't felt like this in a while and it just makes me smile. I am loving that I am getting back into so many of my hobbies that I didn't have time for before (art, reading, exercising)...

I have been wanting to really get back into working out lately. It stinks that this is the first time in the past almost 6 years that I don't have a free gym at my finger tips. I had the awesome West Center at Winthrop and then lived in apartments with gyms for two years. Working 6 days a week at my old job, it did not leave me with enough time or energy to try to go to a gym, but now that I have settled in with my new job I definitely want to get a gym membership. I am trying out one that is right on the way home every day so that I will not be tempted to skip it (convenience is a big factor to keep up with a routine).

I have never been one to diet. In high school, I was working out more than 2-3 hours a day between the 4 sports teams that I was on (two winter/spring and two summer/fall). I was in fantastic shape and would eat anything that I wanted. In general, I have always tried to eat healthy but it has to be something that I also like. Fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, and veggies are always staples for me. However, so are breads, pastas, and ice cream! I have been collecting lots of recipes for quick and easy breakfasts and lunches that I can grab on the go in the mornings and take to work so that I don't wind up eating out at fast food restaurants all the time (I am not a sandwich person so it can be challenging). Here is one that I am really excited about and plan on making for next week:

--Freeze & Go Breakfast Smoothie Packs--

Buy a quart of your favorite low-fat yogurt and whichever fruits you prefer.

Use ice cube trays or mini muffin pans and fill with yogurt. Put in the freezer to harden.

Cut up your fruit (as needed) and lay flat on a cutting board or cookie sheet in your freezer. The fruit will need to be frozen individually before putting it into your baggies.

Once frozen, place approx 3 cubes of yogurt and 1.5 cups of fruit into individual sandwich baggies, then put back in the freezer until you use them.

THEN, in the morning empty a smoothie pack into your blender, add milk or sugar free juice. You can also add almonds or oatmeal if you would like. It will take just a minute, then pour into a travel cup and head out the door to work! ALSO, since you know I love a good deal, this should average around $1.60 per smoothie instead of the $3.50 you would pay elsewhere!

I LOVE a good smoothie, especially because I think that it tricks my brain into thinking that it's ice cream :)

And this website has TONS of great low-calorie recipes that look fabulous. I will check into some of these for lunches.

http://under400.tumblr.com/

Off to bed now, goodnight!