What is this? You mean I actually have to go back to work?? That’s what I was thinking this morning when I got up bright and early Oh well, I guess after today, going to work won’t feel like it is unusual.

I started out today with a breakfast that would put me in a good mood by topping a bowl of oats with flax, cinnamon and some tropical trail mix. However, after I poured it I realized it contained coconut, which I despise, so I had to pick it out! I, of course, inhaled my morning coffee as well!

That breakfast held me over for around 4 hours, surprisingly! Around 10am, I had a Fiber One bar that I found in the back of my pantry. I know this things contain HFCS, but I just want to use them up. Plus, I actually LOVE the taste of them and feel like I’m eating a candy bar :/

I wound up eating my lunch around 12pm… Sadly, since I have to pack my lunch the night before, I can’t eat what I crave at the moment, unlike the last two weeks! Plus, I also feel tempted to eat at the normal eating times (when everyone else is AND based on mtg times, etc.), so eating intuitively based on hunger cues doesn’t work optimally for me when at work. Oh well, I still felt satisfied after my lunch so I guess that’s all that matters

I packed two slices of that yummy Arnold’s double fiber bread and smeared it with a generous helping of my homemade hummus topped with peppers alongside a Honeycrisp.

Mid-afternoon, around 3pm, I snacked on this yummy blueberry Chobani - what a yummy treat!

Yesterday afternoon, I attempted to make these bars. However, I made a lot of modifications to them…

• 1.25 cups old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup dried apricots
• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chocolate whey isolate protein powder
• LOTS of cinnamon
• 1 packet of Organic Green Superfood
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 2 egg whites

I mixed everything up in my Vita-Mix except for the syrup & eggs. I then added the last two ingredients, mixed well, and poured it in a sprayed casserole dish and baked at 350 for 20 minutes. Then I cut them into bars.

Here’s the result…

I ate one right before my 5:30pm spinning class… they were really good, but a little dry, I think I’d prefer them to be more moist next time, I’ll have to do some experimenting.

I’m sad to say but tonight was my last Monday 5:30pm spinning class … for a while anyway… I’m taking a new assignment at work that starts next week and I will be traveling a longer distance at a different location, so I’ll be unable to make the 5:30 class! Boooooooo!

Dinner tonight was inspired by a fellow newlywed’s recent recipe: Sante Fe Casserole!! I have been meaning to attempt to create it myself and I knew that tonight would be the perfect night to try it since I usually do 5:30-6:30pm spinning, don’t get home until 6:45pm and we usually don’t wind up eating dinner until 7:30′ish. I made up the casserole yesterday so all I’d have to do is pop it in the oven when I got home, so it would cook while I showered.

Here’s my modifications:

• 3 cups cooked brown rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes w/ zesty jalapenos
• 1 can red kidney beans
• 2 cups cooked green beans
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 cup free shredded cheddar cheese

I mixed it all together well (except for the cheese, which I sprinkled on top), poured it into a sprayed 9×13 casserole dish and wrapped it. Then I stuck it in the fridge. Tonight, I baked it at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes. While it cooked, I was able to shower, pack both of our lunches, pack my gym bag, set the table, AND make us some side salads.

The dinner was a HIT, for sure. It was yummy, chewy, and flavorful ~ a great combination of flavors and super simple & quick since you can make it up ahead of time! It was definitely my kind of time-saving dinner.

Now it’s off to unwind for an hour or so and then head to bed. True to my goals, laptop is being closed this very minute.

Have a great, relaxing, computer-free night!