Spaghetti Squash!!

I've been dying to make spaghetti squash since I started reading about it over the summer on the blogs I follow. Since I am home for the week I figured why not try now! I bought a spaghetti squash when i went food shopping last night. It came out SO GOOD!!! I'm hooked. I followed Taralynn's recipe on Undressed Skeleton. I'm absolutely obsessed with her blog, and all of her amazing recipes.

I cut up the spaghetti squash in half and scooped the seeds out. I then placed the halves seed-side down on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. I cooked it in the oven for about 50 minutes. I then took out the halves, held them with pot holders and scraped at it with a fork. I took a bite and was so excited!! Not only did I successfully make the spaghetti squash, but I actually liked it!! I topped it with my dad's tomato sauce and a meatball. I also had some salad and mixed veggies. 

I will definitely be adding this onto my list of regular dinners when I get back to school. 

Have you tried any new foods lately? Share with me!

Xoxo,

Brown Eyed Girl 

Clean Lean Machine

So today my mom and I started a challenge to eat clean.  We have both always struggled on and off with eating healthily, and always feel so much better when we do.  We were each other's support systems while I was home this summer, so I'm hoping we can continue to encourage each other even when we're not in the same state.

Some major things I'm focusing on cutting out are:
1. Soda (bye bye Coke zero
2. Chocolate
3. Carbs (This summer I stuck to only toast in the morning and I want to do that again)

I have absolutely NO willpower.  So I need to cut things out completely so I am not tempted.  It seems to work when I do that, and I don't even crave them!

I've been struggling to eat healthy since I've been back at school.  I feel like I'm always tempted with sweet treats and fried goodies.  I've also had a hard time squeezing working out.  But I'm trying!  I know I'll figure out a routine soon.

What are some of your food weaknesses? How do you control yourself?

Xoxo,

Brown Eyed Girl 

My lunch today!

One hard boiled egg, string cheese, and zucchini. 

What did you have for lunch? 

Xoxo,

Brown Eyed Girl

Yummy Yummy!

I wanna talk about some of the amazingly yummy, healthy things I've eaten lately.

On Wednesday I was set on changing up my lunch a little bit because I've been getting pretty bored with my lunch meals.  I took a trip to Stop and Shop and picked up some mixed vegetables.  I came home and grilled them and cut up some string cheese and put it in.  I topped the plate with some balsamic vinegar.  It was so yummy!

On Thursday my mom and I took my sister to her first Chipotle experience!  Usually I leave Chipotle feeling stuffed and sick.  But this time I made some changes to my meal and felt amazing after.  I got a salad, which chicken, some pinto beans, a little mild salsa, and some cheese.  I opted out of the rice because I'm really trying to avoid carbs.  I originally said no to the guacamole and sour cream, but I went back for some after because I forgot how spicy the chicken is to me (I have a low tolerance for spicy foods).  I had a seltzer on the side.  It was such a good meal!

Friday was my biggest accomplishment day.  Friday morning after my spin class I took another trip to the grocery store and picked up some more vegetables.  This time it was red and green peppers, carrots, and broccoli.  I was in the mood for some asian meal, so I cooked up these veggies and some left over grilled chicken from the night before and added some soy sauce.  It was so good!

That evening I was also in the cooking mood so I cooked up some of the remaining peppers, some onion, and some more of the chicken and cooked it in some salsa.  I had leftover guacamole and sour cream from Chipotle the other day so I had that on the side!  I was so proud of myself!!  All of the meals came out very good if I do say so myself.

                                             

 

I did really good this week, which is good so I feel awesome because this week is BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!  I am soooo excited.  I can't wait to fill you in on everything I do this week!

Xoxo,

Brown Eyed Girl

I'm back!

Hello friends!

I am so sorry that I have been MIA for almost two weeks!  Last Thursday I came back from a wonderful vacation in Ocean City, Maryland with my family.  The weather wasn't the best, but we made the most of it.  We got some sun, ate some good food, and got to shop too :) (and I got to do some early birthday shopping!)  When I got back from vacation I hopped right back into workouts at the gym.  I didn't go overboard while on vacation, but I definitely enjoyed myself.  

This week NY has been having a HEAT WAVE!  It has been so hot, we've spent almost every day in the pool.  It's been nice to just relax and enjoy the nice weather and not have anything to hurry to.  I've done my workouts either early in the morning or in the evening before dinner.  Two times this week I've taken a 5:15 class, and I think I respond well to the timing.  I also took two Zumba classes this week!  I've taken Zumba before, but never at my new gym, so I wanted to give it a go!  It was fun and it was nice to mix it up.

The countdown to my birthday is getting smaller and smaller.  Only 4 more days until I turn twenty one!!  I cannot contain my excitement.  I've made sure to push myself in my workouts and eat extra healthy so I feel good in my outfits and can afford a few extra calories (in food & alcohol hehe).  But I am SO excited to spend the week with family and friends, and I mean literally the week.  I have things planned to celebrate almost everyday.  I don't take the whole birthday thing lightly!  To me, its not birthday but birth-week :D  

How's the weather for you?
What are some of your favorite things to do for your birthday?

Xoxo,

Brown Eyed Girl