My South of the Border inspired (Breakfast for) Dinner

Huevos Rancheros w/ Blue Corn Tortilla Chips and Guacamole

Ever since my visit to Max Brenner's in NYC and having that foodgasmic Huevos Rancheros scramble, I've been seriously craving a repeat performance.  When I saw this post by the fitnessista the other day, I though I would give it a shot. I combined that recipe with Chef Emeril's version and I now present to you the remix. While it was not the same as Max Brenner's, the results were quite tasty!

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 large onion, diced

1/4 cup chopped red and green bell peppers

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1/2 cup black beans

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon dried cilantro

1/4 cup water (can substitute chicken stock)

Salt and pepper to taste

 2 large eggs

Pepper jack cheese (optional)

2 tablespoons Guacamole

1. To make the Ranchero Sauce: In a medium pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions and bell peppers, and cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the black beans, cumin, salt, cayenne, jalapeno, and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the water and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the cilantro. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and cover to keep warm.

 2. Spray a frying pan with non-stick spray and fry eggs  until they begin to set, about 1 minute.  (You can sprinkle cheese on top here if you choose.)

3. Place the eggs on a plate, top with the warm Ranchero Sauce and guacamole and serve with tortillas or tortilla chips.   

4. Enjoy!

Let me know if you give it a try. Until next time...

Spring In2 Action Challenge - Weeks 3 and 4 Recap

Where has time gone? This challenge is almost over! I missed last week's update because I had a major final exam on the brain. Now that that's over I am enjoying a little rest and relaxation. So, what's new?

-Well first, I didn't exercise for most of the last week (all except yesterday actually). First I was tired and then I didn't feel up to it. This doesn't really happen very often but maybe it was my body telling me to take it easy. I was having some shin pain and I knew I needed to get new shoes. I got that taken care of on Monday and jumped back into it yesterday.

-My eating habits were so-so. As usual, they could be better. What I've been eating hasn't been too bad but I need to include more veges. The sugar reduction for Lent is also going okay. I had ice cream from Coldstone and chocolate in the last couple of days (blame it on the hormones), and two sugary coffee drinks during exam week but overall I haven't been going too crazy with the sugar. By the way, the sugar in that ice cream messed me up so bad, I became sooooo tired after eating it and swore I was running a temperature. I won't be doing that again any time soon.

-I still need to get back on track with breakfast but now it's more because of laziness rather than being busy.

Let's have a look at the numbers:

Beginning of Challenge: 199
Week 3: 194.8 (-2 from previous week)
Week 4: 193.8 (-1)
Total: -5.2

Edited to add* - How could I forget to mention? Team Unstoppable kicked major booty last week and made our debut on the Leaderboard at position 8. Check it out!

How was your week?

Until next time...

Quote of the Day

"If you think you can do it, you're right. If you think you can't do it, you're still right."

Henry Ford

Spring In2 Action Challenge - Week 2 Recap

I began writing this post yesterday but didn't get around to posting it so here it is:

What's new for this week?

-I am in the final month of the TurboFire/Chalean Extreme hybrid program. This program served me well as my winter workout plan but I am ready for it to be over. I began writing my review of it and I will share it along with progress pics when I am done.

-I decided to drastically reduce my sugar for lent (I say drastically reduce because I still get sugar from fruits and I use it in my tea/coffee.). This is something that I really needed to work on and so I decided to make it my sacrifice during this season. It has been a little challenging but I feel like I can already see and feel the difference it is making. I passed up desert over the weekend at dinner but on Tuesday I gave in and had a small piece of a cookie. I think I will also cut down with alcohol as well but I haven't really been drinking much these days anyway.

-Challenges: I skipped breakfast a few times this week - partly because I was not hungry and partly because I was busy working on something or the other. I was also exhausted by the time the weekend rolled around and losing an hour on Sunday did not help. I also still haven't found the time or energy to begin the push-ups challenge so I think I might postpone it until after finished with TF/CE because those workouts have push-ups in them already.

Overall this was a good week. I am even happier today because my major focus this week is to clear my To Do list and it is dwindling slowly but surely! Here are last week's numbers:


Last week- 199
This week- 196.8
Total for Challenge- -2.2

Until next time...

Spring In2 Action Challenge - Week in Review

 
The Spring In2 Action challenge is on it's way! Meet Team Unstoppable!!! You can check out my buddy for the challenge Kristy here. We are both ready to get 'er done.

The first week is already over and I've barely had time to figure out what I should be doing for the challenge. You blame it on the two programs I was planning, one last Saturday and one tomorrow.  My eating was not on point this past week because that tends to happen when I get really busy. Cooking is one of the first things to go when time is limited. I didn't eat as much fast food but I did eat out a few times and Saturday was muffin, pizza and wings day. My water intake has also been slowing slipping from my 8-9 glasses/ day. I really need to figure out new strategies to combat these issues since me being busy won't go away any time soon. On the other hand, I got in all of my workouts except Friday and Saturday when my body and feet would not comply because I was on them most of the day running around.

I am participating in the 100 Push ups Challenge however I am starting the workouts this week. I did push ups in my regular workouts and was able to do a full set of 8 this week (my starting number was 6). My goal for this challenge is to lose 6 lbs over the six weeks (1lb/week).

Starting weight: 199
Last week: 199
Today: 199.2
Total: +.2

Until next time...

My Blog's 1st Birthday!

My blog turned 1 today! I remember last year this time when I on my way with my weight loss journey and was considering starting a blog. There we so many things to consider and I was quite worried that I would not have the time to put into it. That has not changed :-) but I think I did pretty okay. Since then we got a face lift and became a little stylish (signature and all), I learned a ton about creating images and html codes and all that jazz, and I've made some new online friends :-). Most of all this blog has kept me accountable in my weight loss journey and has played a huge role in helping me to lose the 35+ lbs that I have said goodbye to forever.

I love being a part of the blogging world (and having my own little corner of the net) and I really hope to be able to keep up in year 2 as well. Thank you to all of my readers for following and for your support during this journey. I REALLY appreciate it!!! Do you have any suggestions for improvement?

Check out my very first post.

Updates and Big News!

First and foremost, welcome to my new readers. I appreciate you following :-)!
Second, it looks like we have a Bloggerversary coming up on Friday! Stay tuned for the celebration.
Third.... I've found my way back to..... Onederland!!!

I am extremely happy about this scale victory! I still have quite a way to go in my journey but I remember a few years ago when I was gaining weight, I would think to myself that 200 was the number that I shouldn't let myself get above. I went above and beyond that so it definitely feels good to be back in Onederland territory.

I spent last weekend in New York City for a conference. It was extremely tiring. I had very long days, plus I ended up dragging broken luggage all over Brooklyn and Manhattan (didn't even have to worry about getting a workout in after that) but I had a good time with my family and friends. On Sunday I met two friends for breakfast at Max Brenner in Manhattan and all I can say is if you're in NYC you should definitely put this on your list of restaurants to try. Here are some pics... Enjoy!

New York, New York

I had a Chocolate Cappuccino in the Hug Mug. See the heart?

My friends had Chocolate Chai in a fancy teapot contraption

I had the Huevos Rancheros Sunrise Burrito scrambled instead of in a burrito. Instant foodgasms!

 These were their menu choices:

Chocolate Cheesecake Crepe

Cinnamon Apple and White Chocolate Truffle Cream French Toast

It was all worth every single calorie! Until next time...
 

The Power of One Challenge- The final three weeks

The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of me trying to keep up with my life. What's new? As I am writing this post, I should really be studying for an exam that I have tomorrow morning. Anyhow, the Power of One Challenge ended last week so I though I'd give a recap and post my numbers for the last three weeks.

Beginning of Challenge: 205
 
Week 6 (2/9)- 202.2 (200.8 the following day)
Week 7 (2/16)- 203.6 (202.2 the following day)
Week 8 (2/23)- 200.6 (199.4 the following day)

Total loss during the challenge: -4.4

In  the Week 5 Recap I weighed in at 201.6 so I had a gain the following two weeks but was still able to have a final weight close to my goal for the challenge (<200). My exercise regimen was pretty consistent but my eating was probably what caused these fluctuations. I also posted my weight on the morning after the weight in because interestingly enough it is always a lot lower??? I am not sure why this is the case but it might have to do with the fact that Wednesdays are my rest days and I am usually pretty sore or tired by Tuesday night. Maybe the recovery day helps with decreasing inflammation etc.?

Overall I really enjoyed this challenge. I missed getting to know new people since it was about the power of one person, but I got to know myself a lot better. My weight fluctuated a heck of a lot, running as high as 208 in the beginning and below 200 toward the end of the challenge. I've become a better planner and while it is still a work in progress, I've made strides in planning my meals and activities for the day and week. I also became very familiar with working out to muscle failure. I didn't comment on the February monthly project before now but for me this month it was the push-ups that did it. I hated doing push-ups before however, this month of Chalean Extreme gave me the gift of push-ups. I did them until I ended up on the ground in a slump. The upside? I can do at least eight perfect push-ups on my toes baby!

So the really good news is that the Spring Into Action Challenge begins tomorrow - and there's even a push-up challenge included! Are you in?