ok now i'm getting smoothie obsessed

Apricot Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

1/4 cup crushed pineapple
1 fresh apricot, diced
6 strawberries
1/2 banana
1 1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax seed oil (optional)
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Banana-Strawberry Fruit Smoothie Recipe

1 banana, frozen
6 strawberries, frozen
1 1/4 cup water
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
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Tropical Fruit Shake

1/2 mango
2 tbsp. frozen pina coloda mix (or 1/8 tsp. natural coconut extract)
1/2 banana, frozen
4 strawberries, frozen
6 ice cubes
1 1/4 cup water
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
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In a blender, process all the ingredients until thoroughly mixed and serve.

Banana-Berry Fruit Smoothie

1/2 pear, cored
1/4 cup frozen blueberries or frozen mixed berries
1/2 banana, frozen
1 1/4 cup water
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high-quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
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Banana-Orange-Strawberry Fruit Shake

1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 banana, frozen
6 strawberries, frozen
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp. skim milk powder
1 heaping tbsp. high- quality protein powder (optional)
1 tsp. flax oil (optional)
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Smoothies Smoothies Smoothies

I got alot of these recipes out of book called The Abs Diet I think many of them sound good, just remember that most are MEAL REPLACEMENTS...not snacks which is what I am finding hard to remember sometimes. And each of these recipes makes 2 servings.

Ultimate Power Smoothie
1 Cup 1% Milk
2Tbsp love fat vanilla yogurt
3/4 C. instant oatmeal nuked in warm water
2tsp peanut butter
2tsp chocolate whey protein powder
6 ice cubes

220cals/12g protein/29 carbs/4gfat/1.5sat fat/118mg sodium/3g fiber

Strawberry Fields
1/2 Cup low fat vanilla yogurt
1 Cup 1% Milk
2tsp peanut butter
1 Cup frozen strawberries
2tsp whey protein powder
6 ice cubes

186cals/11g protein/26g carbs/5g fat/2g sat fat/151mg sodium/3g fiber

Cereal Smoothie
1/2 Cup All Bran Extra Fiber Cereal
1 Cup 1% Milk
1/2 Cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Tbsp Honey
2tsp whey protein powder
6 ice cubes

145cals/8g protein/32 carbs/2g fat/2g sat fat/155 mg sodium/9g fiber

Banana Split
1 banana
1/2 C low fat vanilla yogurt
1/8 C Frozen OJ Concentrate
1/2 C 1% Milk
2tsp whey protein
6 ice cubes

171cals/8g protein/33g carbs/2g fat/94 mg sodium/2g fiber

Halle Berries
3/4 C instant oatmeal nuked in microwave
3/4 C 1% Milk
3/4 C. Mixed frozen blueberries/strawberries/raspberries
2tsp whey protein
3 ice cubes

144 cals/7g protein/27 carbs/1g fat/109 mg sodium/4g fiber

Summer Smoothie
2/3 C Frozen Strawberries
1 banana
1/2 Cup honeydew melon
4 oz low fat vanilla yogurt
3/4 C 1% milk
2tsp whey protein
3 ice cubes

199 cals/9g protein/39g carbs/2g fat/117mg sodium/4g fiber

Belly Busting Berry
1 scoop low fat vanilla ice cream
1/4 of each: blueberries, strawberries, raspberries
1/2 C 1% milk
1Tbsp vanilla whey protein powder
3 ice cubes

251 cals/15g protein/38g carbs/4g fat/116mg sodium/4g fiber

I'm no April Fool

Well I weighed myself this morning, at 183.8. It just blows my mind but I know its a REAL loss and that I deserve it because I have been working so hard for it. I've been eating amazingly well the last couple weeks, and my 'normal' routine on the elliptical is now 60 minutes. Last night I actually did 71 minutes!! To be honest, getting through a full hour is murder, but I know in my heart that I'm able to do it, and that keeps me going until the end.

I am just feeling SO good. This morning I counted my workout minutes for March. I had blogged back at the beginning of the month that I wanted to make it to 1,200 fitness minutes. Well guess what?! I exceeded that by MORE than 400 minutes! It's true! I worked out for a total of 1,643 minutes last month!! That's TWENTY SEVEN hours!!! Thinking about that blows my mind. I truly don't feel like I was a slave to my workout or anything, I just made it happen, and it's paying off. Pretty darn happy about that.

Tonight we are going to a fabulous Mexican place with John's family, and I won't have time to workout. My plan is to take my lunch time walk as usual, eat a banana before dinner so I don't have the urge to binge on chips and salsa, and whatever I order I will ask for them to bring me half of it in a to-go box. Then I will send that half with John for his lunch tomorrow. Sounds like a plan to me!!

Today I'm wearing an Express button down top. As seen below!

John's mom bought me 2 of these tops for my birthday (one purple and one white) 2 years ago, because I had just started my new job as a teller and needed some nice clothes. Well unfortunately they were a little tight so I rarely wore them. I probably wore each of them 2 times in the past 2 years?? Anyway, I put on the purple one this morning and it's fitting like a glove. It feels/looks great! And John commented about how saggy my pants are, in the butt. He said that I'd have to make a big haul to the D.I. soon, to get rid of my bigger clothes. However being the frugal woman that I am, I plan to keep all my 'fat girl' clothes so that I can wear them when I get pregnant. Just to save money, ya know?

Anyway, that was just a lot of rambling, but I'm feeling really great about all of this. I mentioned to Stephanie the other night that in this journey of weight loss, I have finally come to accept the fact that there WILL be times when we fall off the wagon. It's just a fact that it's going to happen at some point or another. The only thing that really matters is that we get back up one more time than we fall. I don't think that statement could be any more true!!

I'll end on a very happy note, that I found the most AMAZING and simple chicken recipe, and have officially discovered my new favorite thing to top rice. Keep in mind that I've never been a huge fan of balsamic vinegar, but this stuff is amazing, and as easy as can be!

Honey Balsamic Chicken

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tsp of dried thyme

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp olive oil

1lb chicken breast

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 tbsp honey

Combine first 3 ingredients; sprinkle over both sides of chicken.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

Add chicken; cook 7 to 8 minutes on each side or until chicken is done.

Transfer chicken to a platter; keep warm.

Reduce heat to medium-low; add vinegar and honey to pan. Simmer 1 minute or until glaze thickens; stir constantly.

Pour glaze over chicken.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half). Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user LAUR986.

Nutritional Info
Fat: 2.6g
Carbohydrates: 10.1g
Calories:173.3
Protein: 26.3g

Like I said, I'm not usually a fan of balsamic vinegar, but the contrast between the sweet of the honey, and the sour of the vinegar is just delicious! The glaze was great over the chicken, but I thought it was even better over the brown rice we had with it! This is going to become a staple in our house, anytime we need something to top a little brown rice. Not to mention the glaze literally takes ONE MINUTE to prepare, and it's still sooo yummy!

Spinach Chicken Bake...yum

Ingredients

2 cups diced boneless skinless chicken breast-2-3 breasts 1 10 oz package of frozen spinach 1/2 cup of Fat Free Sour Cream 1/2 cup Light Mayo 1/4 Mozzarella low moisture part skim cheese 1 cup Parmesean Cheese 2 tsp garlic powder

Directions

1)Season chicken breast the way you would like and cook as you normally would. 2)When chicken is done, you can start the cheese mixture. Mix sour cream, parmesean cheese, light mayo, mozzarella, and garlic powder in medium bowl. 3)Once chicken is cool enough to handle, cut into small pieces (2 cups worth) then pour into medium bowl. Drain 10 oz package of frozen spinach, then add to chicken and mix together. 4)Once spinach and chicken is mixed well add HALF the cheese mixture. Mix well. Then pour the chicken, spinach mixture into round pan or dish and pack down. 5)Take remaining mixture and spread over the top. 6)Place in oven for 45 minutes at 350 degree's. Makes about 6 one cup servings Number of Servings: 6 Recipe submitted by SparkPeople Nutritional Information Calories: 263.7/ Total Fat: 13.9 g Cholesterol: 74.0 mg Sodium: 691.8 mg Total Carbs: 6.5 g Dietary Fiber: 1.1 g Protein: 27.8 g

Mexicana Chicken Soup Recipe

Ingredients
32 oz. low sodium chicken broth
3 tbsp olive oil
1-15oz can cannellini white beans-drained
1-15oz can whole kernel corn-drained
1 Cup Salsa
1 Jalapeno-seeded, cleaned, and chopped
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
2 chicken breasts-cut into bite size pieces
salt & pepper

Directions
Combine and add water if not all submerged, Cook on high in crock pot for 4-6 hours, yes it is that simple

Fantastic Potato Soup Recipe

Ingredients

3 slices bacon (i used turkey bacon) 1 cup chopped carrots 4 oz. chopped green chilies 1 cup chopped onions 1 tsp. garlic salt 1/2 tsp ground cumin 5 cups diced peeled potatoes 2 -14.5 oz. cans chicken 98% fat free broth 1/2 tsp. salt 1/3 cup flour 2.5 cups 2% milk 8 oz. 2% milk cheddar cheese green onion tops

Directions

1)in large pot cook bacon until crisp. transfer to paper towel and set aside. Discard all but 1 Tblsp. of fat.
2)Add carrots, green chili, onion, garlic and cumin, saute until golden brown.
3)Add potatoes, chichen broth and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, coverl pot and cook for 25 minutes or until tender.
4)IN bowl, gradually whisk milk into flour mixture is smooth. slowly whisk milk mixture into soup. Cook over med heat, stirring occasionally, until soup thickens, about 12 minutes. Add cheese and crumble reserved bacon and chopped green onions

Number of Servings: 10

Nutritional Info per serving
Calories: 156.2
Total Fat: 3.2 g
Cholesterol: 8.3 mg
Sodium: 842.9 mg
Total Carbs: 23.6 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.5 g
Protein: 8.5 g

Don't be overwhelmed by all the ingredients, if i can make it anyone can!

source: sparkrecipes.com