Category Archives: Breakfast

October 17, 2012 · 7:04 AM

Sleep and Shots

It is going to be a good day, people!!! You know why? I finally feel somewhat human again!!

We had big plans up in our house yesterday….you know, paint a good portion of the rest of the house. Well, that didn’t even come close to happening.

Lance saw how pathetic I was yesterday morning and deemed it an official “rest day”. Thank goodness because I needed it!!

A sure fire way to test whether I truly feel bad is to watch whether I eat or not. When I am really sick, food just does not sound good and that hardly ever happens. For that reason, I am going to skip a week of participating in What I Ate Wednesday because honestly, there just wasn’t much happening where that was concerned. :-(

Coffee didn’t even do it for me yesterday. Nope, didn’t even give me an ounce of extra energy. It was good, though….and made my throat feel somewhat better.

When my coffee didn’t help me out any, I knew what I had to do. Sleep. And boy, did I!!! Just like a baby!!

After getting my daughter off to school, I came home and hit the sack for a good 2.5 hours. After getting up to hang with my boys and attempting to eat some soup, I then went back to sleep for another 2 hours. Sheesh, you would think all that sleep was the magic cure but nope, I was still running a fever and felt like poop. I finally sucked it up and made my way to the doctor. Why I didn’t do this earlier in the day is beyond me. Not my brightest moment!!!

The doctor confirmed that I had a sinus infection and bulging eardrums. Nice. A steroid shot in the booty and an antibiotic prescription and I was out the door. I have seriously never been more excited to show my butt to someone ;-) !!

Within 45 minutes of getting the steroid shot, I started to notice a difference, thank goodness.

Since I was feeling better(compared to earlier in the day) and my stomach was grumbling from lack of food, I got in the kitchen and whipped up a delicious “breakfast for dinner”. Oh my, it was soooo delicious and my tummy was ever thankful to have some food in it.

Roasted sweet and red potatoes, fry style, scrambled eggs with onion and spinach and a couple pieces of turkey bacon seemed like a gourmet meal. I am always a fan of breakfast for dinner though, so it is no surprise that I enjoyed it so much. I have seen Tina at Carrots N Cake add nut butter to her sweet potato fries so I decided to give it a whirl. Super awesome!! Give it a try if you haven’t already.

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Today will be the day for making up lost ground in the painting department. I hope we are able to get a large portion of it covered because I hate being behind. You don’t realize just how much you have to cover until you start painting it. Times like this, I really miss my smaller house.

As for a workout out….yeah, don’t look for one of those today. I am definitely feeling better but I have to take a couple days off….Dr. orders!!!

However, I do have some fun workout info to share. Monday night, I made a last minute fitness decision that I am pumped about. I promise to share that with you tomorrow. Right now, it is time for me to get off the computer and start getting busy!!

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October 2, 2012 · 9:33 AM

Pumpkin Palooza

Happy Tuesday friends!!!

I have a fantastic recipe to share with y’all today but first, let’s check off a couple of other items :-) !

Yesterday’s Workout

  • 20 minute upper body workout
  • 2.75 mile run = 34 minutes. 15 min run, 1 min walk, 15 min run, 3 min cooldown

At this point, I feel sure I will do just fine with my 5K on October 21st. I am definitely not going to be speedy but I don’t think it will be a struggle either!

Color in Motion 5K Giveaway

Speaking of 5K’s, with the help of random.org,  I have chosen the winner for free entry into the Color In Motion Dallas 5K!!

Lindsay Killian-I’ll do it with you!!!!!! Pick the pregnant lady! ;)

Congrats, Lindsay!! Send me an email to fitmindedmom@gmail.com and I will get you the needed info!!!

Breakfast

Last night I made my delicious crust-less quiche for dinner. I had a couple pieces left over and it made a FAN-TASTIC breakfast this morning!!!

The last time I made my quiche, I did a bacon and broccoli version. This time however, I stuck with spinach, onion and feta. Did you know that yesterday was National Vegetarian Day? I wasn’t aware until I saw a post about it but my dinner choice worked out well for the occasion….if you are an egg and cheese eating vegetarian, that is!! ;-)

I kind of want to go back and finish off that last piece but am thinking I might just save it to go with my lunch. Decisions, decisions…….

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Moving on to the Pumpkin Palooza that happened up in my house yesterday!!!

I started off with pumpkin spice waffles, topped with even more pumpkin and a few banana slices!! To sweeten my pumpkin up a bit, I added a teaspoon of Trader Joes Honey Apple Butter and oh my, it was goooodddd!!!!

 

Later in the day, I started to get the itch to bake!! I love baking SO much!!! I find it relaxing(when I am not rushed) and it is a great activity for me to involve my kids in. Since I had an almost full can of opened pumpkin, I knew I had to incorporate that into the recipe. I was debating between baking pumpkin bread or cookies but couldn’t make up my mind. To help, I headed to my computer to see what kind of low-calorie recipes I could scrounge up.

When I saw skinny pumpkin cookies, I knew I had a winner!!! The original recipe comes from The Realistic Nutritionist. Her cookies are only 42 calories each(pretty amazing) BUT they don’t include the greatness that is dark chocolate chips.

Skinny Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar(I used a mix of granulated and turbinado)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp pumpkin spice seasoning
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup pumpkin flavored yogurt(you can use apple sauce or plain vanilla yogurt)
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a cookie sheet.
  • Combine flours, baking soda/powder, pumpkin spice and salt in a medium sized bowl.
  • Cream sugar, yogurt, vanilla and pumpkin in a separate bowl.
  • Add flour mixture to sugar and mix until combined and dough starts to form. Incorporate dark chocolate chips into mixture. 
  • With a spoon or small ice cream scoop, place scoops of dough on cookie sheet.
  • Cook for 15-18 minutes or until firm and lightly browned.

 
This batch of dough makes between 24-32 cookies, depending on the size. I chose to make mine slightly bigger and was able to get 24 good sized cookies. Hey, the bigger the better to me ;-) !!!

Calories:

  • 24 cookies= 90 calories each
  • 32 cookies= 66 calories each

The cookies are very soft and moist but also have a slightly chewy texture to them which I like quite a lot!! These really do make a perfect Fall treat, eaten by themselves or along side a cup of coffee, cocoa or even a glass of milk……for those of you who like that sort of thing. Just don’t offer any of that up to me, please. I am NOT a fan of milk.

Do you enjoy baking? What is your favorite dessert to make? By the way, feel free to link up some of your favorite Fall desserts. I am always open to new ideas!!

Do you mind eating reduced calorie/sugar treats or would you rather go for the real thing?

 

 

 

 

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August 20, 2012 · 7:30 AM

Chobani Giveaway

Hi y’all!! I hope you had a wonderful weekend :-) !

I can’t complain too much about mine. We got lots of rain, which we have desperately needed. You know how rain makes great sleeping weather….well, since it was the weekend I snuck in a couple naps!! I truly do love that my husband offers to let me nap on the weekends when he is home from work. He knows I love them and that just makes me love him even more!!

What else do I like to do when it is rainy and dreary outside? BAKE!!

I don’t do a lot of baking in the Summer because turning the oven on and heating up the house is just not appealing. In the Fall however, I tend to be a baking fool!! We will just call this weekend, uh………practice!!

Late last week I received another case of Greek yogurt from Chobani. I’m telling you, I could live off of this stuff it is so good. I seriously think I may have an addiction. Please don’t send me to rehab for it anytime soon, okay;-)!

Okay, so back to baking!!

 I had never used yogurt in my baking before but I figured it would be a great way to cut out the oil(at least most of it) in a recipe to make a healthier version.

Since blueberry muffins are always a favorite in my house, I thought I would get to work and make up a batch from scratch. The last time I made blueberry muffins they came from a box mix and that isn’t nearly as much fun. Originally, I was going to use the blueberry Greek yogurt but them I had another idea!! Since it is still Summer, and I love the combination of blueberry and lemon together(so Summery), I decided to be adventurous and use the lemon flavored yogurt instead.

Baking WIN!!!

Not only did my muffins turn out super moist and yummy but the lemon yogurt added a very nice but subtle citrus taste. I loved the slight hint of lemony flavor but to kick it up a notch you could also add some lemon zest to your batter.

Blueberry Lemon Oat Muffins

Ingredients

  • 2 cups oat flour(see below on how to make your own)
  • 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup raw sugar
  • 1 TBSP baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 TBSP canola oil
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1 container lemon flavored Chobani Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12 muffin pan with muffin cups.
  • Combine oat flour, whole oats, sugar, baking powder and salt in large mixing bowl.
  • In a separate bowl mix the almond milk, oil, egg and yogurt together.
  • Add liquid ingredients to dry, mixing just enough to combine everything(will look like a thick bowl of oatmeal)
  • Fold in blueberries
  • Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter
  • Bake for 17-22 minutes(depending on oven), or until set and golden on top.

Over the last couple years, I have started using oats and oat flour in my baking whenever possible. I am not a huge fan of the texture of whole wheat flour and white flour obviously isn’t as nutritious so oat flour has been a very good compromise. It makes a slightly more dense muffin but I like that because it is more filling which means I can usually satisfy myself with one. Okay, who I am kidding…..I still usually devour two at a time ;-) !!

Making your own oat flour is so very easy and budget friendly, too!! All you need is a blender or food processor of some sort and you are set!! I used my bullet-like blender and I was able to grind 2 cups in less than a few minutes.

How easy is that?!!

After tasting the batter while I was preparing these(yep, I took my chances) I could hardly wait for these to finish baking.

Once these babies were done, there was no way I was waiting for them to cool down before trying one. The only thing better than a blueberry muffin is one piping hot and topped with a pat of butter.

I will just call this a taste of heaven in my mouth!!

My family felt the same way because less than five minutes out of the oven and this was all that was left.

As I type this, there are only two left and the majority of them have been consumed by my daughter. I think it is safe to say that these are quite the kid-friendly food!! :-)

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CHOBANI GIVEAWAY

Because of the awesomeness that is Chobani, they have been kind enough to offer a case of Greek yogurt to one lucky winner!!!

How to enter:

  • Leave a comment on my blog letting me know which flavor you are most excited to try.

Optional Entries:

  • Follow Chobani on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter handle and let me know you did.
  • Follow Fit Minded Mom on Twitter. Leave a comment with your Twitter handle and let me know you did.
  • Like Fit Minded Mom on Facebook. Leave a comment and let me know you did.

* Contest open to U.S. residents only, please.

*Contest will run through Wednesday, August 22nd. Be sure to stop by on Thursday to see if you are the lucky winner.

GOOD LUCK!!

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August 9, 2012 · 10:33 AM

A Late Start

Yikes, I am getting a bit of a late start to the day. It is partially my fault because I started reading a new book and I have said before that when I get into a good book, I  don’t stop until I have read the entire thing.

I stayed up late to finish the third book of the Hunger Game series, Mocking Jay. I read the fist two books MONTHS ago and loved every last word of them but I waited on the third book because I had heard so many mixed reviews about it. Overall, it was good but definitely lacked in comparison to the first two. I feel like it was kind of rushed and I wasn’t all that happy with the ending for many of the characters.

I also had a mad case of heart burn last night which made it hard to sleep! Usually, I can pinpoint the cause of it by looking at the foods I ate for the day. That wasn’t the case this time. I didn’t eat anything out of the ordinary and all my food was clean so who knows what caused it. I am just glad I am feeling better this morning because sometimes it will last for days, even with medication. That reminds me, I had better get a shot of Apple Cider Vinegar in me. Great prevention for heartburn…..if only I would remember to take it every day!!

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Since I got up late this morning, I decided to skip my Chalean Extreme workout and do something that took up a little less time. Bring on Jillian Michaels, Ripped in 30! This is a 24 minute workout and I felt every minute of it. I LOVE me some Jillian and forget just how butt-kicking her workouts can be!!

Although I was pretty sweaty and whooped after her video, it also motivated me to do a little something extra. I headed outside and busted out a few sets of double unders with the jump rope. My goodness, talk about a beating!! I was soaked when I was finished!!

As you can see, I am a sweater. I have a couple friends who always manage to look really cute after a workout, with very minimal sweat. As for me, I am always a gross mess. Whatever……makes me feel good and cleansed!!!

BREAKFAST

After that sweaty workout, I knew breakfast was going to have to be something COLD! I also wasn’t really in the mood to eat my breakfast so I decided to drink it instead! In the blender went

  • 1/2 serving Isagenix protein powder
  • one banana
  • 1/2 TBSP peanut butter
  • ice cubes
  • almond milk

Perfect!!

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On another note, my mommy friend and fellow blogger, Sarah Caron wrote an article for Sheknows.com that I am featured in today!! It is an article about moms who manage to lead a fit lifestyle. Check it out!!!

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/967745/be-a-weight-loss-success-story

I am still sitting here in my wet workout clothes so I think a shower in in order, STAT!! I am going shopping for my foodie pen pal this afternoon and who knows, maybe I will pick up a few goodies for myself as well!!!

Have you read the Hunger Games trilogy? What did you think of the final book, MockingJay?

Are you one who sweats a lot during your workouts?

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August 6, 2012 · 8:00 AM

The Painting Begins + Pancake Muffin Bites

Is it just me or did the weekend fly by? It may have come and gone quickly but I am pleased to say that I go lots accomplished!!

Like painting two bedrooms!!! I almost tackled my bedroom as well but Lance talked me out of it. Maybe it was all the complaining I was doing about my upper back and neck being sore. Most days, I kind of like being on the smaller side but I sure could have used a few extra inches when it came to painting our crazy high walls. Oh well, what is a crick in the neck compared to getting some painting done?!

When we were picking out paint colors I decided to go ahead and let my kids choose the colors they wanted for their rooms, within reason of course. My daughter chose a nice light purple called, Lavender Sparkle and Liam chose a green color which for the life of me I cannot remember the name of.

I took some basic before shots right before I started painting.

I freaked out a bit when his room was done because I didn’t love it but over the weekend it has started to grow on me.He likes it(which is really what matters) because it will match his room when he changes it to Camo…..which was news to me!!

I am giving myself this week to rest but I plan to throw another painting party, party of ONE again next weekend!! I’m not going to lie, it is hard work but I get a thrill out of the finished product which totally makes it worth it!!

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Yesterday morning, I decided to try out a fun little breakfast recipe that I had seen floating around on Pinterest.

Pancake bites made in a muffin tin. How fun is that! We are a family that loves our pancakes but sometimes they are a hassle to make, especially when you are making them for multiple people.  When I saw how simple this recipe was I knew that I had to give it a go. Besides, I am a sucker for anything bite sized.

The maker of the original recipe which I used, made her pancake muffin bites using sweet and savory add-ins, like sausage and bacon. That would surely be super tasty but I decided to stick with what was easiest and just use bananas, blueberries and dark chocolate chips.

My family and I really enjoyed this new recipe! While these aren’t exactly like eating pancakes, more like a cross between a muffin and pancake, they were still very good! I especially loved how the syrup flavor is baked right in. YUM!!

PANCAKE MUFFIN BITES

*Makes 12 regular sized muffins or 24 mini muffins

  • 1 cup whole grain pancake mix(or mix of your choice)
  • 2/3 cup almond milk
  • 1/2 cup sugar free syrup
  • *toppings of your choice, including bananas, berries, chocolate chips, nuts, sausage, bacon, ect.

DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Combine pancake mix, milk and syrup and mix thouroughly
  • Lightly grease a muffin pan and pour mixture into pan, about 2/3 of the way full
  • Top each muffin with the add-in(s) of your choice
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until done

While I thought all the flavors were good, the banana was definitely my favorite! I loved the combination of the banana and maple flavors and banana just always seems to add so much moistness to muffin-y type foods!! The blueberry was a very close runner up!!

This recipe is definitely a keeper but next time I will top the pancake muffin bites with even more fruit and probably some nuts for more added flavor and texture!!

Do you prefer sweet or savory breakfast foods?

Do you usually have a larger breakfast on the weekends or do you keep it the same all week long? I almost always cook a larger family breakfast on Sundays.

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