While I hate that it’s nearly dark by the time I leave the office this time of year, I do love how bright it is in the morning when I wake up. And when I checked the weather out this week and saw that the first few days of the week were going to be in the 70s, I got my ass out of bed and got some steps in before work.
I love the reflection on the river. I just had shorts and a t-shirt on (well, I did put on a bra for the neighbors!) and I was actually warm by the time I got back home to get ready for work. Right before I jumped in the shower I threw three small red potatoes in the microwave on baked potato setting. By the time I got out of the shower, they were cooked. I simply heated up a skillet with a bit of oil, sliced the potatoes in half and then sautéed them while I dried my hair and got dressed. Jacob was already up with the puppy and he looked at the clock and was like “don’t you have to leave for work in like 10 minutes?” Plenty of time! I am the queen of multi-tasking in the morning.
Before I knew it, it was time to get my lunch time walk in – so gorgeous! It was so sad to come back into work.
I have lots of leftover pork, so I ended up making a pork tostada with baby spinach, wholly guacamole, pickled radish and a bit of cojita cheese. I honestly considered making two tostadas, but with the cucumbers and carrots, lunch was really filling.
I actually went to the gym after work for strength! I know I don’t take advantage of the gym as often when it’s nice out, but I’ll make up for it when its bitter cold and snowy this winter. I did back and biceps – while it doesn’t look like much, the first rep is supposed to be a weight that you almost complete a set with, and the second set is heavier yet to failure. I am really feeling some muscles I haven’t felt in a long time!
Since Hannah has school on Monday’s, it was another night of Meat Monday! Sadly, it’s the last of the beef I had shipped to me from my Denver trip. I used a spice called Northwood Fire from Penzey’s from my friend Lynne from Wisconsin (hi Lynne!) and it was the perfect blend of flavorful spicy with salt, chipotle pepper, Hungarian paprika, garlic, rosemary and thyme.
This was a six ounce portion (yes, I know a portion of meat is 3 ounces) and since it was on the thick side, I cooked it in my cast iron skillet over medium high heat for 3 minutes per side. While that cooked I did a quick saute of red potatoes, mushrooms and zucchini. This whole delicious plate was around 450 calories – so good!
Perfect medium rare. I am pretty sure beef is my true love. 
And I got some steps in yesterday!
So remember how I told you guys that I was kind of done dieting. It’s true, but I have come to the realization that it doesn’t mean I can eat whatever I want, when I want. I’ve loosely gone back to counting calories, but not following any particular “diet” per se. Just making sure it’s eating real food, not snacking in between meals, or eating stuff after dinner just because I can. Especially as we enter into these last 8 weeks of the year that so many days are centered around food, I figured I’d kind of hold onto the reigns a little bit instead of them flap in the wind with no direction.
Now I am off to get some Vitamin D before work. Make it a great day!
That photo with your fork kills me. I am STARVING right now. 🙂
Your food looked extra inviting today. I saw the watermelon post on Instagram and was a little jealous. I really enjoy watermelon but the last few times it hasn’t had much flavor. It is funny you are happy to have the few unexpected temps of 70 and I am disappointed we haven’t had a drop in temp. We are still in the 90’s.
beef is so my true love as well.
and sending you more love, too.
time passes so swiftly and yet can feel as though it is standing still.
xo
In my opinion that’s the way to do it: eat healthy with some indulgence every now and then. Your meals look healthy to me, so that’s a bonus there.
We are having the same weather here like you, unbelievably warm for this time of year and I’m not complaining either 🙂
Your steak looks so good! Real food, regular meals, and cutting out extras is a great plan. It’s what I try to do 😉
I’m hungry right now and that steak looks amazeballs (hey, I’m quoting you!). I love the lighter mornings too. Getting up in the dark sucks, although I don’t love pitch black at 5 either. Beautiful day today here too though!
Your food looks amazing!! I so wish I could eat what you cook!! And this weather is just so great!!
Oh my Biz…that steak looks absolutely delish-ous!!! I do have that Northwoods spice…yummy!!! Did you make the picked radishes? I must try that some time. Your food always looks good. Wish I had the energy to get up and take walks in the morning, but our scenery is not as glorious, walking along a river would be right up my alley. Have a good one Biz.
Gosh, it’s such a balance isn’t it? Dieting, not dieting, eating healthfully/ mindfully, etc. Just as I started a new plan last week “The Ultimate Reset”, I read a blog post linked on facebook about eating disorders. “Are you spending too much time planning your meals?” Ugh. Well, yes, but only for a short time! I’m trying to not obsess!
It’s hard to find the right balance. For much of the year I’ve been planning pretty strictly for 80% of what I eat and winging it for the rest, and I was able to maintain at about 142 lbs (with the exception of March, when we had our last layoff).
Last year I did “NOvember” (no alcohol, no wheat, no sugar, no fried foods) and that kicked up my weight loss from 2 lbs/ month to 7 that month. But I’ve been stalled since then. So I decided to do it again this year. But first I started the Ultimate Reset because a couple of friends did it and lost a bunch of weight. (I’m doing my own version and winging it, because I can’t afford the price tag for the actual program…I did a lot of google work to dig up the meal plans and recipes).
Wouldn’t you know, week 1, I broke the 140 lb barrier for the first time since pregnancy in 2011! (139.4) But it’s still a balance! I took a break Halloween night at a party, and loosened the reigns a bit on Sunday morning. But I’m *still* going to try and stay away from sugar, wheat, alcohol, and fried foods for the whole month. It’s only 30 days, I tell myself. (And I can still have cheese and avocados and corn tortillas, so life’s not all bad when you can have tacos.)
I think the good thing about doing it in November is that it breaks up the holiday craziness. From Halloween candy to Thanksgiving pies, to Christmas parties, cookies, and candies, then Christmas dinner? NOvember means I break up that streak.
*like*