Studying my pants off!

Hi guys! This is going to be a super fast post 'cause I'm about to go finish studying for tomorrow's exam!

I went to a hot yoga class to relieve some pre-exam anxiety and pedaled for 2 hours on the bike whilst reading over my notes.

Dinner was awesome! I had chicken salad with a side of baked buttercup squash.

So delicious!

Off to review. Wish me luck!

Lettuce-ful salad

Oh how I've missed blogging! I've been so busy with school these past few weeks as midterm season is among us! I have a community psychology midterm tomorrow, so today has been devoted to studying for that course.

This morning I awoke excited as I knew regular breakfasts were back on the meal plan. By this I mean, lettuce-ful salads and egg white scrambles!

The salad contained spinach, parsley, tomatoes, yellow peppers, carrots, soybeans, apples and green grapes. I enjoyed this salad with some scrambled egg whites and a slice of fat free cheddar cheese.

Yum! It was so nice to have this breakfast considering I've been downing green monsters practically every single day. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE green monsters but there's something about eating an actual meal that's very satisfying.

Before I knew it, my stomach was growling, which meant it was time for lunch! Luckily, I had leftovers from last night, which meant chicken salad was on the menu!

Gotta love pint-sized glasses of water!

I can't help but feel like I'm nuts about nuts. I've been eating nuts so much lately! I ate around a tablespoon or so of peanut butter along with even more nuts.

They're so good and good for you!

I really love the fact that nuts really help with satiety. I've realized I've been a lot more calm since I increased my nut intake. The best part is, they contain healthy fats, which won't make you fat [unless you eat your weight in them!].

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Lettuce-less salad

Hey everyone!

I woke up this morning with so little but so much in my fridge. I was surprised I could make a lettuce-less salad that actually tasted so good! I made a salad out of celery, tomatoes, red peppers and mushrooms. I coupled the salad with an egg white omelette, which I filled with fat free cheddar cheese! 

After breakfast, I decided to catch up on some readings, wax (what's an Indian girl to do?), go to my MMA class, pick up some groceries and cook up some dinnah!

I was so, so, so happy to pick up my much-needed peanut butter. Let's just say most of my evening was spent with this jar.

How lovely!

I sort of had a hodge-podge dinner (ah, the life of a student!). I ate cottage cheese, peanut butter, almonds, grape and an entire buttercup squash! I was super full and satisfied.

I really intend on making vast quantities of food on one or more (if needed) day(s) of the week. Because I'm so busy with school, work, and life, I really believe it's important that I start planning ahead, especially when it comes to meals! The goal is prep tomorrow and possibly Monday, which should allow sufficient time for me to go to work, study and work out on both days.

I'm currently doing some more reading and resting up before my long day of work tomorrow. I hope you all have a great night!

Yoga and cucumber rolls!

After cleaning up the house, I decided it was time to yoga it up! I really enjoyed today's class. My yoga instructor is such a wonderful person. I love his sense of humor and charm. Not only does he help his students correct their postures, he always cracks jokes and asks how we're doing throughout the class. I find this takes one's attention away from the fitness and exercise elements of yoga, allowing more room for relaxation and a positive mind-frame.

A good friend of mine also happened to be taking the same yoga class and asked if I wanted to grab some sushi afterward. I was more than delighted! I decided to get the tuna roll wrapped in cucumber along with a crispy side salad.

How cool do those look?!

I took these pictures from my iPhone - not too shabby for a 3G! (Yes, I have a 3G, can you believe it?!)

After this quick bite, I got home to eat some more dinner! I wasn't able to make it to the local Asian supermarket located just outside my house because it was closed. This caused me to eat a sort of hodge-podge-whatever's-left-in-the-fridge dinner.

I chowed down on a cup of chickpeas, some almonds, yogurt, an apple and a peach - all of which were not captured! After some more digging, I was happy to find some eggplant lingering around. I took those babies out, sliced 'em, salt & peppa'd 'em, baked 'em at 375 for about 10 minutes and devoured 'em!

Mmm!

Time to call it a night. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow. Goodnight!

Green frenzy

Hello lovelies!

I usually opt for green smoothies when I want something refreshing and filling, something to wake me up, something sweet and guilt-free or when my fridge is nearly empty. The reason I had a SIAB for breakfast  today was a combination of these reasons, with the latter reason being the most prominent!

The mix:

-2 handfuls spinach

-1/2 scoop Isoflex why protein isolate

-1/2 banana

-3 ice cubes

-1/3 cup water

-1/2 tsp xantham gum

-1 small chopped apple

-chopped almonds

-cinnamon for garnish

Deeelish!

A little while later, I opted for yet another green concoction.

My plans today include cleaning, working out, cooking, eating, reading and staying positive! I'm currently listening to Buddha Bar Volume 7, which is really helping me calm down.

I'm going to get back to cleaning up. Happy Friday everyone!

Rise and shine!

I woke up at an early 7:56 am this morning after hearing my roommate close the door. I was actually pretty stoked to be awake, considering I had set my alarm for 10:30 am. I realized the real reason I awoke was due to the pains in my stomach - the hunger pains, of course.

I inhaled a plum from my fridge, enjoyed a bit of peanut butter and gulped down a mug of tea. Unfortunately, my stomach pains were still prominent, which meant it was time for some real breakfast!

I decided on salad and scrambled egg whites seasoned with cinnamon and salt and fat free cheddar cheese, which melted nicely underneath the eggers.

Don't you just love waking up knowing you get to eat?!

Today's plans include reading a few chapters, working out, going to work, and of course, eating! Let the day begin!

Wednesday-ness

Hey everyone.

I hope you're all enjoying your October. Can you believe it's October?! One thing I really love about this month and the rest of fall for that matter is sqash!

I've been eating buttercup squash for the past three days in a row. This morning I couldn't help but include one in my breakfast!

I had some scrambled egg whites with fat-free cheddar as well.

I sort of nibbled my way through lunch. I enjoyed some tofu, almonds, peanut butter, honey, grapes and salad - all of which was not captured via my camera lens!

I managed to do not one but two yoga classes, which were back-to-back! A member at my gym actually convinced me to do the second class. At first I hesitated, even though I had thought about it earlier in the day. I then realized that I should challenge myself to see what my true capabilities are. Sure enough, I was able to complete both classes feeling revived and rejuvenated! Because I was able to complete both classes, I've decided I want to continue doing back-to-back yoga every Wednesday. I've realized that I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in these classes free of charge. It wouldn't make sense not to take advantage of them!

My dinner was super delicious. I made a huge salad which included spinach, red peppers, yellow peppers, carrots, red onion, celery, cucumber, grapes, soybeans and mushrooms, and enjoyed it with tuna mixed with a little fat-free mayonnaise and black pepper. I also added some chopped almonds and a blob of hummus for added love.

I was still hungry so I snacked on some peanut butter with honey and this beautiful green substance.

And I had a lovely ..

I really need to do some readings. I hope you all have a lovely evening!

Busy weekend!

It's been pretty busy lately!

This was last night's dinner, which I ate after my workout.

A delicious abundance of vitamins and complex carbohydrates! Too bad it was the last of the huge salad I'd made.

I had to work at 6:30 am this morning, which was pretty dragging. I had two cups of tea and didn't eat until around 1:30 pm when I got home. I hate having such a huge gap between meals, but I really didn't want to buy breakfast from a restaurant.

I ended up inhaling a SIAB made of 1/2 scoop Isoflex chocolate whey protein powder, 1/2 a medium banana, 3 cups of spinach, 4 ice cubes, water, a chopped fuji apple and some chopped almonds and peanuts.

I really love the fact that you can prepare a SIAB in a matter of 5 minutes! No wonder I find myself indulging in them on my busiest of days.

I ate an array of delicious food, which unfortunately didn't make it to my camera. Such food included peanut butter and honey (of course), tahini, tofu, grapes, a peach, almonds, peanuts, cashews and some Greek yogurt. I sort of snacked my way through the day, as I had very limited time to prepare food.

After eating, I napped for about an hour and woke up to get ready for my MMA class. The class was awesome, as usual. We started off with some intense cardio, which consisted of sprawling, squatting, jumping, kneeing, punching and elbowing. The rest of the class focused mainly on various ways to trap and dominate your opponent in a case where you're being attacked. I really love this class not only because I learn how to defend myself, but also because it helps me gain more confidence. It feels awesome to know that I'm a strong and powerful female, who also has enough physical strength to tap someone out!

I came home and inhaled a green monster, which was also unable to make its photo shoot. I soon came to realize that one of the loves of my life was actually right there in my kitchen! His name is Kabocha.

How I love thee!

I never realized how easy this wonderful winter squash was to make!

All sliced up in pretty little half moons!

Such beautiful colours!

I am truly in love.