The Essentials

Hey guys! This week is already flying by. I don’t even remember Monday happening. This is a good sign! Today was great and I can’t wait to finish posting this because I am off to make a delicious dinner that you will see tomorrow night (hint: its some sort of chicken dish)

Today I want to talk about the essentials.

No, not the Twisted Sister Essentials

Meaning, the food essentials that consume my life. I always make sure I have plenty of these foods on hand, always.

1. Fruit!

This morning I had work very early (5am) my tummy was grumbling so I had 1/2 of a banana at around 6am to hold me over until breakfast. I love fruit and have about 3 servings a day.

2. Oatmeal/Oat Bran

This morning I had a delicious bowl of oat bran cooked in water with 1 TBSP chia seeds, fresh strawberries and 1/2 banana added towards the end. I added a handful of frozen blueberries then nuked it for the last 30 seconds, so the blueberries got nice and warm!

3. Nut Butter

I topped the oat bran with 2 tsp of sunflower seed butter from the lovely, Lizzy!!

Delicious. I love sunflower seed butter every once in a while!

4. Coffee

Coffee is essential, every single day. This is one vice I will never give up. Ever. I like my coffee with a splash of skim and 1 Truvia packet.

I also enjoyed another goodie from Lizzy. Green tea to go! (mandarin and mango flavor) LOVED THIS

I have such a weakness for ‘diet’ drinks, so I can tell this was bad news right when I took my first sip. This was DELICIOUS! I Chugged that bottle and was so sad it was over

More fruit! I had this gala apple at around 11 am for some snackage

5. Greek Yogurt and lots of it!

My snack with my apple was obviously some Greek yogurt with another essential…

6. Kashi Cereal ( I buy different kinds every now and then, but Go Lean is a staple!)

My Snack

Greek yogurt mixed with cinnamon and 3/4 C Kashi Go lean

7. Condiments such as mustard. Always. I love mustard especially this new Trader Joes aioli garlic!

8. Laughing Cow Wedges

I have almost one every day! In wraps or stuffed in chicken

9. Lots of vegetables!

Lettuce, mushrooms, cucumber, tomatoes, slaw…you name it, I buy LOTS of it!

10. Low sodium turkey breast

I buy about 3/4 of a lb every Sunday for the week. I always get the low sodium variety. It makes for a great sandwich!

11. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I always make my own dressing. Always!

12. Josephs wraps. These huge wraps have 100 calories, 14g carbohydrates, 7g fiber and packed with protein and flavor! I love wraps, as you know, so I always have these on hand!

Lots of my essentials made up my lunch today! Josephs wrap with lettuce, sprouts, tomatoes, turkey breast, 1 LC wedge and mustard.

I didn’t use tin foil today!!!!

I was so excited and it stayed together!!

I had a simple side salad of romaine, cucumber, mushrooms, red pepper dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

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Workouts are essential as well, and today I met with my trainer for my last workout with him. I am taking a break from working with him because of the INSANITY workout I am starting this week! I am going to miss working with him, but I am also really looking forward to starting INSANITY. (possibly tomorrow)

after the workout that kicked my butt, I came home to refuel with some more essentials.

13. Protein Powder

I have a few different types. Right now I am loving BSN cinnamon roll and banana nut. I also love the Sun Warrior protein in vanilla as a rice protein.

14. Skim Milk & Almond milk

In my smoothies I like to have a combination of both. The skim milk has all of the protein, carbs and sugars that are essential post workout, but I also love the flavor of almond milk so I use half and half

15. Frozen fruit