victoria elizabeth

Mason Jar Oatmeal

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While my husband watched football Sunday night, I decided to check out Pinterest for fun decorating ideas and easy recipes. I stumbled across these incredible, no refrigeration-needed breakfast jars that I thought were so brilliant, I ran out immediately to get the ingredients:

MASON JAR OATMEAL!

Seriously, so simple, cheap, and easy to store.

I bought a dozen pint-sized mason jars (just $9 at Walmart), and immediately set to work prepping two weeks’ worth of delicious breakfasts!

Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup old fashion rolled oats (go for these instead of the instant, which are less nutritious)
– 2 packets stevia
– 1/2 tbsp Chia seeds
– 1/2 tbsp Flax seeds

I put this as my base in all twelve jars. Then, I decided to get crazy!

In four jars, I added:
– 1 tbsp unsweetened, shredded coconut
– 1 tbsp slivered almonds
– 1 tsp Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips

In another four jars, I opted for:
– 1/2 tablespoon of cinnamon
– 1 tbsp crushed walnuts
– 1/2 cup dried apple slices

And in the last four jars:
– 1 tbsp unsweetened craisins
– 1 tbsp crushed pecans

Amazing!!

Twelve jars, three flavors, and about ten total minutes of prep! The jars are air tight, so I can store these in the pantry for at least a month for a quick breakfast on the-go, but I doubt they will last more than two weeks now that I’ve tried one!

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Just add 1 cup of boiling water (I eye-balled it, since my jars have 1/2 cup markers on them), shake it well, and then let sit (with the lid on) for about ten minutes while it “cooks.”

I tried the chocolate coconut almond flavor today and I LOVED IT!

I want to purchase freeze-dried strawberries and powdered milk to see if I can make own own shelf-safe strawberries and cream! Yum!

Bon appetit, my friends!

Update

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OK… it’s already mid-October and I feel like life is in overdrive.

My husband’s birthday is coming up on October 30th, so I’ve set the goal to be back down below 125 in time for the weekend gorge-fest of food I’m sure we’ll have planned.

Right now I’m back down to 129.2 (still sad that I gained weight so quickly), and I’ve gotten control of my diet for the most part.

It’s amazing what a little sleep can do: every night that I get 6+ hours, I am able to keep my calories under 1,500 the next day. If I sleep less than 3 hours (common), I can guarantee I’ll be above 2,000. Your body has to get fuel somewhere… so if you don’t sleep, you’ll eat!

Most of my size four jeans are comfy again, but I’ve got a few high-waisted pairs that still feel like pointing out to me the pooch that grew over the last few weeks. Sigh. Getting there.

I hope to post more frequently in the next few weeks, but this is all I’ve got today. Hope everyone is doing well!

Bon appetit, my friends!

~ Tori

New Obsession

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I admit it. I’m one of those people.

I love the fall flavors.

All of them.

Pumpkin spice, caramel apple, you name it… I inhale them.

I swear, I’m not into it to be cool: I just ADORE them. Can’t help it.

Always on the hunt for healthier alternatives, I decided to scope out the Greek yogurt section for a treat. My hope was to find a nice, low sugar vanilla option that I could blend some pumpkin purée and cinnamon into and cry while I watch someone else eat my beloved pie.

Then I found THIS:

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Oh… My… God.

This stuff is AMAZING.

Just 80 calories, 12g of protein, and only 7g of sugar, this tastes like caramel apple pie a la mode!

It has little chunks of apple in it, and it’s got just enough caramel to make it decadent without overpowering the creamy flavor of the yogurt.

This tastes like real dessert. I’m floored.

I normally try to limit my consumption of fake sugars (or any product with an ingredient I can’t pronounce), but these delicious Dannon science experiments might be good enough to make me break my rule daily. So good.

And for just $1 each, it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than my normal kryptonite: the Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.

Pick one of these up next time you stop by Publix – you won’t regret it!

Bon appetit, my friends!

– Tori

Running Tips with Dr. Romanov: I’m a Fitness Model?

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I was used at the model of BAD running form on the show last week. Whoops! Who knew I was exerting more energy than needed?

Watch this awesome clip as I make a fool of myself and learn correct running posture!

Bon appetit, my friends!

~ Tori

Trader Joe’s is my BEST FRIEND!

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OK, I know everyone raves about Trader Joe’s for their Two Buck Chuck (technically, it’s Three Buck Chuck, since it’s $2.99, but let’s not argue technicalities) and their insane Cookie Butter spread, but I’ve discovered that this Aldi-esque giant is actually PERFECT for someone trying to eat well, eat fast, and eat on a budget.

Introducing …their insane selection of pre-made and SUPER INEXPENSIVE salads!

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Seriously, this is HEAVEN.

All of the salads are between $2.99 and $4.99, they are perfectly portioned, and there are at LEAST fifteen different varieties/options when I go to my local Trader Joe’s.

They offer some vegan options, some vegetarian options, and several with salmon, seafood, chicken, and chopped deli meat!

I love the fact that the nutrition labels include the calories/fat with and without the dressing! Huge convenience and really helps us put into perspective the calories added with just a little cup of sauce! I’m one of those weird people that happens to just REALLY enjoy the taste of my fruits/veggies, so I never use dressings, so the separate calorie count helps me be more accurate.

These are my TOP salad choices:

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I could eat the broccoli/kale one for every meal, honestly. It’s just SO good!

I’ve been making it a point to go almost every Sunday morning and buy about a dozen salads to eat for the week. I try to buy the ones at the very back of the refrigerated section (the ones dated the last the longest, since they’re the freshest) and I’ll eat 2-3x per day over the course of the week until they run out.

Most of the salads are just 160-300 calories without their dressing, so I can eat three per day and still fit in another full meal, a snack, or a sweet treat without breaking my 1,500 calorie goal.

If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby and haven’t check it out, it’s time for you to go! You won’t regret it!

Bon appetit, my friends!

~ Tori

Purchased an UP!

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I’ve been wanting to get a fitness tracker for a long time. I’m a tech-addict, and I currently use about 10 different apps on my iPhone for tracking my diet, my exercise, and my overall well-being.

All of these apps are currently on my dock:

  • MyFitnessPal
  • GymPact
  • RunKeeper
  • FastPaleo
  • WebMD
  • Paleo 101

Now that I work 18-20 hours per day, I’m positive that my metabolism has changed. I’m constantly hungry and have seen my cravings/body changing (not necessarily for the good) the past six weeks. I decided that the UP by Jawbone would be perfect for me to get a better understanding of what my body goes through every day so I can aim to properly fuel it.

With the announcement of the iWatch in production, I noticed that the Fitbit and UP by Jawbone both started to go down in price. I’ve been watching them for weeks, and – out of the blue – the UP went down from $80 (compared to the UP24, the newer model, that’s around $139) to just $50!!

Seriously, $50? I couldn’t say no. The mobile app looks super easy to use and synch to my other apps, so I’m pumped that this new accessory might simplify my mobile-life and finally give me a better understanding of what my body needs and wants on this new schedule.

It should be here next week, so definitely look for some posts in the new future either raving or complaining about it! 🙂

On that note, bon appetit my friends!

~ Tori

Halloween Treats

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Oh man…

Here come all of the Halloween candies, snacks, and themed-treats to further sabotage my dieting attempts.

These are my major weaknesses of the season:

Why, oh why, does every holiday/season have to be associated with such delicious (and fattening) food?!

Ugh.

I’m going to make this smoothie tonight to try and combat my desire to hunt down pumpkin-spiced-everything after work tonight:

 

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Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie:

  • 1 scoop Cinnamon Bun Protein Powder (120 cals, low carb)
  • 2/3 cup pure pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup So Delicious Almond Milk Plus Protein (40 cals, 5+ grams of protein
  • 1 tbsp chopped pecans
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 packets of Splenda/Truvia (whatever I have on hand)
  • 1/2 tbsp of pure vanilla extract
  • 1 full cup of ice

This’ll be a pretty big – and heavy – smoothie, weighing in at nearly 300 calories, but it’ll pack healthy fats and a lot of filling protein. My hope is that it’ll fill me up AND satisfy my sweets craving for the seasonal treats!

Bon appetit, my friends!

~ Tori

Lead Me Not into Temptation

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I am currently trying to resist the urge to purchase diet pills.

Not those thermogenic, crazy-heart rate kind — we all know those are just death capsules waiting to explode your heart — but the pills the promise appetite suppression.

Like I’ve said in earlier posts, my biggest struggle on this new schedule is the fact that I am ALWAYS hungry. Literally, there isn’t a moment in the day where I wouldn’t happily eat a plate full of food and ask for seconds. I went from an average calorie consumption between 1,200-1,500 to averaging OVER 2,000 calories daily …and still being ravenous at bed time!

I know, I know. My body is compensating for lack of sleep by craving excess nutrition. It’s trying to get energy from an alternative source! But how I can I subdue it (slightly) so I don’t pull an Alice in Wonderland growth spurt and burst out of my own house?

I know diet pills aren’t the healthiest choice, but eating fiber-rich foods and drinking water aren’t cutting it. Any other ideas, fellow yo-yos? I’m open to all suggestions!

Soliciting your help,

~ Tori

The Journey

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Whenever I get discouraged about my weight, I force myself to look at old pictures of myself to remember how far I’ve come.

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Even if I yo-yo a few pounds now and then, I know I will never go back to the girl in the outer photos. I have to remember that good health and fitness is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

Bon appetit, my friends.

– Tori

The Menu Tonight: Fish & Veggies!

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As a joint effort with my husband, tonight we’re whipping up pan-fried tilapia, mashed cauliflower (using fat free, plain Greek yogurt, garlic, chives, and 2% cheese), and garlicky Brussels sprouts for dinner.

I got my Monday off to a bad start, snacking on three Hershey’s dark chocolate miniatures (135 calories) after lunch and three more (another 135, gah!) during a LOOOOONG meeting.

Fortunately, the rest of my day was very healthy (salad for lunch, non-fat yogurt for breakfast, and lots of fruit/veggies for snacks), so my hope is that tonight’s hardcore cardio workout will cancel out my little indulgences and let me go to bed feeling good about my day.

Also, a schedule change at my second job means I get to sleep an extra 90 mins every night — meaning I get closer to 4-4.5 hours versus my normal 2.5-3 — so that means my appetite should be better controlled as I catch up on my ZZZs.

I hope everyone had a great Monday!

Bon appetit,
~ Tori