It still amazes me after 42 springs in Chicago that we can go from 20 degree weather on Monday morning to 80 degree weather yesterday! It was absolutely gorgeous!
My Aunt got me a magazine subscription for my birthday – suprisingly one I don’t already subscribe to – Cuisine at Home! One of the first recipes that caught my eye was English Muffin Baskets. You actually roll out the halves of the muffin (this takes a couple minutes!) and put it into a jumbo muffin tin. A printer friendly version is here.
![1 blueberry 050](http://biz319.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/1-blueberry-050.jpg)
While I made these the night before, when I took them out of the oven, the muffins were nice and crispy. When I microwaved them this morning, they almost tasted like a souffle – so delicious!! This one is definitely a keeper! With my kiwi and blueberries, Breakfast comes in at 442 calories, 52 carbs, 33 protein, 11.1 fat and 8.1 fiber.
Lunch was 1.5 cups of my Cincinnati chili, but I really bulked it up. Because its a meat only chili, I added 1/2 cup black beans, 1/2 of a zucchini, 1/4 cup chopped red pepper and 1/2 ounce of cheese. I had a low carb wrap on the side for dipping – this was so filling! Lunch comes in at 464 calories, 39 carbs, 43 protein, 16.2 fat and 15.9 fiber! 😀
Since it was so nice out, I knew I was going to make burgers on the grill. I suddenly started thinking about summery salad with what I had in my cabinet – this one is literally ready in 5 minutes! You can find the printer friendly version here.
Tony and I sat outside and watched the sun set while the grill was going – nothing better than that!
My burger: 4 ounces on an Arnold thin, 1 slice 2% Kraft pepper jack cheese, jalapeno salsa, 1 tablespoon guacamole, the corn salad and a few store bought fries (which tasted like ass). Dinner comes in at 609 calories, 57 carbs, 49 protein, 34 fat and 10.8 fiber.
Hannah decided to throw a bonfire last night for the German Exchange Students – at one point I think we had 20 kids in the back yard? They were laughing, playing baggo before it got too dark and mostly listened to music and hung out by the fire. We warned our neighbors in advance, and shut the party down at 10:00 – and when we said time to go, everyone thanked us and Tony and I enjoyed the fire for another hour by ourselves! 😀
Stats for Wednesday: 30 minute jog/walk (2.2 miles), 5 minutes on the row machine, 5 minutes tricep/biceps, and 5 minute abs. 1635 calories, 159 carbs, 128 protein, 71 fat and 35 fiber! 😀
So today was my first weigh in a month! March 1st I was 169. Today I am 164.6, so -4.4 pounds.
I actually thought the number would be more, but I’ll take it. We had so many March birthdays that I will consider this loss a victory! Which brings me to my April goals:
- Take the stairs. My office is on the 3rd floor and I take the elevator every day – even to go work out!
- Drink water. I have been in the habit of adding Crystal Light to my water and since I used up my last one, I am sticking with straight water.
- Strength Training. I have only been doing cardio this past month, so its time to bring back the strength training.
- Cardinal Fitness. This is the gym I belong to, and I haven’t been in over a month! My goal is to utilize it 3 mornings a week and once on the weekends.
- 159. I hope my next weigh in May 1 brings me to the 150’s!
What are your goals for April?
Love the English Muffin baskets and such a great idea! I’ve been thinking about making some English Muffins too!
And wasn’t it gorgeous out today….86 degrees here at the farm!
P.S. Congrats on the loss ~ that is awesome – you are doing great and will totally be in the next “decade” next month 🙂
I think you took our California weather – it’s been tottaly chilly/rainy this week 🙂 I want the sunshine back.
Those english muffin cups look so tasty.
Grilling I think is my FAVORITE way of cooking – there are less dishes to clean up 🙂
GRILLS! I cannot wait for summer to whip out the grilling!! its my FAVORITE way to eat anything!! awesome april goals!! mine is to exercise outside more! i love running and also sprints and such on the track! i want to taake advantage of the beautiful spring weather 🙂
Great April goals! My April goal is to work out outdoors as much as possible.
Your summer salad looks great. I make a version of it several times per week during the summer. I think it’s time to start! And awesome breakfast!!!
I love the idea and look of those English Muffin baskets, particularly as I have a phobia about pastry and, to be honest, don’t like pastry that much anyway! And souffle?! Must make these soon!
My goal for April is to not be entirely miserable when I return home after four months of traveling and have to face the real world and, very likely, more surgery on my toe…
Want to come cook for me in my convalesence? 😛
Your food is always so gorgeous! I want to live with you!
Congrats on the loss 🙂
Congrats on your weight loss!! That is great!! 🙂
Lots and lots of luck to you on your April goals!! You can do it!!!!!!!! 🙂
I was wondering if you could tell me what nutritional guide you follow. I like that you always post your “grade” for the day.
Hi Michelle! It’s http://www.caloriecount.com and I absolutely love. I put all my recipes in there – it gives you a nutrition box and a grade. I pretty much weigh all my food so I think its fairly accurate – you put your food in for the day and hit the “analysis” button and you get your grade for the day! 😀
Thanks for the quick reply!
Congrats on the weight loss! You should be super proud. That was a solid 1 lb a week loss! 🙂
yums those muffins look so good! I think your picture is better lol
Congrats on the weight loss!!!!
Our weather in Baltimore isn’t nearly as crazy as in Chicago, but we went from 40 to 80 this week and it still surprises me too!
Keep up with those weight loss goals! Getting started with a gym routine is always the hardest thing, but I know you’ll do it!
I know what you mean about expecting more on the scale. When I weighed myself after a month and lost 6 pouunds, I was expecting BIGGEST LOSER numbers like 15 pounds?! After thinking about all the food I avoided at work, not snacking after dinner, walking to work, riding my bike to work, it seems like it should be more. BUT, I am proud of you and would LOVE to be 164 myself right now!
My April goals:
Bursts of exercise during the work day: such as jumping jacks, squats, calf raises. I even brought a set of 5 lb. dumbells so me and my coworker can sneak away and do some bicep curls and such.
Journal what I eat. I’m using http://www.ichange.com and its by far the best method to keep track of what I eat, it takes like 2 seconds to enter in your food.
I have a pair of size 10 jeans by my elliptical, to remind me to get on that at home.
Stay excited about weight loss and keeping the momentum going!
Same here…Iowa is beautiful too today! Can’t wait to get outside for my walk.
So, I LOVE all your recipes…on my blog today I’m looking for some new fresh dinner ideas…got any?
What a nifty idea for the English muffin egg baskets! All of your food pictures look so colorful and appetizing – love the greens and purples of the fruit, especially!
GREAT JOB with losing weight during birthday month!!! You are doing something right, my friend. Congratulations!
I’m loling at the thought of you taking the elevator to go exercise – that is something I would do. I like your April goals and I’ll be crossing my fingers for you that you get into the 150’s by May!
This weather has been crazy. We’ve been weaving around flooded roads and shut down bridges. I’m looking forward to the warm up this week.
My April goals are to just keep doing what I’m doing only better and more consistently. Unfortunately, I haven’t been to the gym since Monday due to back pain but I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon so I’m hoping to get good news that I just pulled a muscle and can get back on the elliptical.
oh man those muffins look delicious. I would have loved them. I need to try that recipe out.
That burger with the summer salad makes me wish that Andy and I had a BBQ or a grill. Grilling out always makes me think of summer.
My goals for April: 1. work on my 5k time. (I’m hoping to do my next one in under 35 mins.) 2. Start run/walking 4 miles. 3. lose 5 lbs!
I am LOVING this weather, too. I love when you get in the car and get really hot, instead of taking 15 minutes to warm up!
Congrats on your loss – that is awesome!! you should definitely be proud of yourself!
My goal for April is to stretch everyday. It’s so important, yet it always gets forgotten. 🙂
Congrats to you! You are so inspiring – you eat delicious food and still meet your goals. 🙂
yay!!!!! good job on the loss despite all the fun you’ve had : )
we used to have bonfires like that too, our yard is huge! good for you for warning your neighbors! i wish the guy across the street would warn us that he was going to mow the lawn every Sunday at 6 am in the summer.. would you be my neighbor?! lol