Getting used to a new schedule isn’t easy! Jeez. I’m exhausted this morning! I’ve moved my workouts to the evenings, which means I am going to bed and waking up later, but my body hasn’t quite adjusted to the schedule change yet. Let’s hope it catches up soon!

Breakfast was a repeat of yesterday’s oats: pumpkin, wheat berries, cottage cheese, and Barney Butter. This time, however, I added extra cottage cheese and a few raisins on top. 

Yesterday, this bowl of oats held me over no problem until about 1:00 PM. Almost 6 hours! That’s some serious staying-power! 

This morning, I am brewing a fresh pot of coffee. I thought about taking iced coffee to go on my commute, but it’s just too cold! 

Question of the Day

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope that Mal and I own a house and a pug, and we’ve traveled to Paris and Napa by then.

Good morning, bloggies!

This new schedule is definitely taking some getting used to! After the gym last night, I was SO wide awake! I know that you’re not supposed to do cardio right before bed, so I allowed myself plenty of time to relax (so I thought!), but no luck. I couldn’t sleep! I finally fell asleep around midnight. I slept great, but 6:15 this morning came a lot sooner than expected! (Mental note: Do cardio even earlier!) 

This morning’s breakfast was another delightful bowl of pumpkin oats, but this time with upgrades! In the mix: oats, wheat berries, canned pumpkin, cottage cheese, and Barney Butter. I love adding cottage cheese to my oats, but I always seem to forget. This morning’s bowl reminded me a little of pumpkin cheesecake! 

Lunch

Instead of becoming bankrupt buying lunch again today, I packed my own. While making my salad for dinner last night, I simultaneously packed a similar salad in Tupperware for lunch today. This method makes life so much easier! Plus, I’m never as motivated to make a healthy lunch in the morning.

Lunch also includes a TJ’s yogurt and red grapes. For a snack, I packed a KIND bar. 

I packed-up my lunch in my new bag from Crate & Barrel, which was on clearance! I had talked about this lunchbag on the blog back in August, but it was a tad on the expensive side, plus I didn’t really need it at the time. However, new job + clearance = perfect reason to buy a new, fun lunchbag!

Semi Finals!

My Autumn Maple Bacon Pizza made it to the semi finals of the Boboli recipe contest! YAY!! Thanks for voting, guys!!! We’re now one step closer to the grand prize! Please continue to vote: http://boboli.gwbakeries.com/football/enter.cfm

Question of the Day

What’s the nicest compliment you have ever received?

Day #2! I’m going back for more! Happy hump day!!!

Well, guys, our experience at the gym this morning can be summed-up in three words: inexpensive, outdated, and filthy. The cost of the monthly membership was cheap (about a 1/3 of the cost of Healthworks), but the equipment was in rough shape. The gym had a TON of equipment, but the majority of it wasn’t well-maintained. Many of the dumbbells were mismatched and quite a few of the seats on the Nautilus equipment were ripped and falling apart. Plus, most of it looked like it hadn’t been updated in decades! The cardio equipment, in particular, seemed like it had never ever been cleaned– grime covered the foot plates on the elliptical and random debris (i.e. trash and snot rags) was shoved into the holders on the sides of the treadmills. Gross! (The women’s locker room was dirty, too!) I admit that I am a bit of a gym snob, especially after being a member at amazing healthclubs, like Healthworks and Mount Auburn Club, so it’s hard for me not to compare. But, honestly, this gym was pretty bad. I guess you get what you pay for! 

Even though I won’t be joining this gym anytime soon, I did have a decent workout. I did 30 minutes on the Arc Trainer, followed by 20 minutes on the bike, and finished up with about 15 minutes of abs. 

Lunch

This afternoon’s lunch was very satisfying with all of its different flavors and textures. I started with veggie and wild rice soup that I plumped-up with 1/4 cup of wheat berries. 

On the side, I had some TJ’s crackers and cottage cheese with granola mixed in. 

It’s still snowing quite a lot here in Boston, so I’m not sure if Mal and I are going to venture out to a football get-together this afternoon or just stay put at home. Snow always kills my motivation.

Cheesy? Cheesy banana bread?!? Ok, not cheese cheesy, but cottage cheese cheesy. I swear, it’s good!

Cottage Cheese Banana Bread

Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• Shake of cinnamon

Directions:

• Pre-heat oven to 325*F. 
• Coat loaf pan with non-stick spray. 
• Combine ingredients in large mixing bowl. Blend well. 
• Pour batter into loaf pan; spread evenly.
• Bake for 32-35 minutes.
• Allow to cool. Enjoy! 

For this morning’s breakfast, I topped 2 pieces of cottage cheese banana bread with Maple Pecan Spread from Williams-Sonoma, which was on sale.

I also drank a mug of coffee with chocolate soy milk and agave nectar while blogging earlier this morning. 

Gym time! See ya later, gators! Enjoy your Saturday!!!