What I Ate Wednesday {WIAW #1}

It’s hump day ya’ll!  Not only are we half way through the week, but today is the first of many {What I Ate Wednesdays} I am going to start featuring on the blog!

Before you cock your head to the side and start looking at your screen in confusion, let me answer some questions for you:

• What is WIAW?

What I Ate Wednesday is a series a fellow (and awesomely hilarious) food blogger named Jenn started quite a while ago.  She blogs at Peas and Crayons and her site is filled with tons of yummy (and healthy!) meal ideas.

She started featuring WIAW posts to show her readers what a day of eating looks like at her house, and encourages everyone and anyone to join in and link up!  She sets a new theme each month, and March’s focus is how to add more fruits and vegetables into your meals.

• Is everything pictured from the same day?

Yes! Each week I will pick one day of eating and picture it from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed.  Some days will be when I am home, while other days will show a busy day of eating on-the-go.  I will try to feature a variety of days into the series to help you with whatever your eating lifestyle is.

 • Why do I think you care to see what I eat?

Well, maybe you don’t!  But, maybe you do?  Since this is a healthy living blog, I like to highlight healthy food and what goes into my body with the main goal of inspiring you to hop on board the healthy train with me.  Besides just showing you what I eat, I want to give you quick and easy tips on how to make your meals a little more colorful and a lot more fun!

Okay… let’s get this party started!

Here goes my first WIAW, with a focus on eating more greens.

WIAW #1 : A Typical Monday

Weekday or weekend, I begin every morning the same exact way: with a big ‘ol cup of joe.

Those of you who know me in person know I am not one to function without a few minutes of morning coffee time.  I set the coffee maker up at night and automatically program it to start, so it is ready and waiting for me when I wake up. <- addict much? It’s fine.

I keep a variety of coffee on hand, and this morning was Dunkin’ Donuts Hazelnut with a little bit of stevia and a little bit of skim milk.

Breakfast

After a few minutes on the computer, I head back upstairs to make breakfast.  Monday’s was full of fuel and fresh fruit.

(Chobani Non-fat Apple Cinnamon Greek Yogurt, a freshly sliced apple, a handful of Bear Naked Fruit and Nut Granola, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.)

Since I barely ever mention what I drink during a day, this is the perfect opportunity to show you.  When working at home, I try to refill a water bottle or plastic tumbler at least three or four times a day.  If my day includes workout, then I aim for one or two more bottles.

In between the water, I often enjoy flavored water like Sobe Lifewater, Zero Calorie Lifewater, or Vitamin Water.

Say what you want… I am in love with flavored water, and have tried almost any version of it.

Mid-Day Snack

I have always been a big snacker.

Back in my dancing days in Orlando, I was known to have at least a few snacks on hand at all times.  I would literally throw in extra protein bars, crackers, veggies, fruit and nut mixes – you name it – just to share with others and inspire them to eat healthy.  Soon after that, I started blogging so I could share my snacks with all of you!  (See how that works?)

Monday’s mid-day snack included a few of my favorites.  While I usually devour handfuls of Reduced-Fat Wheat Thins, today I replaced it with Reduced-Fat Triscuit crackers.

I needed to use up a few vegetables in the fridge (which you will see later), so I cut up a cucumber and made a snack of it with a side of Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.

Pre-Workout Snack

Around lunch time, I popped in Day 3 of my new video workout series I am doing.  It was a doozy, and after downing a ton of water, I came upstairs ready to grab anything available and substantial waiting for me.

I like to keep some kind of pre-made smoothie in the refrigerator for moments where I just need a little, or do not have enough time (or patience) to whip out a blender and make one on my own.

After an hour long workout, I gulped this Naked Juice Blue Machine smoothie in no time.

Late Lunch

After a shower and a little bit of laundry, I finally sat down to enjoy a very late lunch.  Practice days are a little challenging for me, because I tend to eat lunch way later than noon.

Since I had practice at 6 p.m., I wanted to feel contently full, but not stuffed, so I waited to eat lunch until about 4 p.m.

Using up a lot of vegetables that were about to turn in the fridge, you could definitely say I went green for a late lunch wrap!

(Cajun deli turkey, Havarti dill cheese – both from deli section – fresh spinach, diced cucumbers, diced red and yellow peppers, a diced tomato and pepper all wrapped inside a La Tortilla Smart & Delicious Tomato Basil tortilla.)

(Not pictured is a side of light ranch dressing I then dipped the wrap into.)

I ended up saving the side of cuties for later and enjoyed them right when I got to practice.

Dinner

Like I said earlier, practice days are tricky to plan meals around.  I do not usually get home until about 9:30 p.m. or so, and I am pretty hungry at that time.

More times than not, I actually crave breakfast for dinner and that sounded perfect.

Using up those same diced vegetables from lunch, I made a power scramble with egg whites, feta cheese, and lots and lots of veggies! #win

I ended up making enough for both Scott and I.  I toasted a whole wheat bagel thin, layered it with the egg scramble, then topped it with two strips of Jennie-O Turkey Bacon.

I have learned that if you make it crispy enough and drizzle it all in sriracha or hot sauce, the hubby is less likely to notice the substitutions!

Dessert

Dessert quickly followed, and I was craving something chocolate (shocker).  Good thing I keep a stash of Skinny Cow Desserts in the freezer!

I enjoyed the new Vanilla/Chocolate combo ice cream sandwich, alongside a glass of regular skim/chocolate soy milk combo.

Chocolate and vanilla swirl yumminess all around!

Aaaannnd that completes my first of many WIAW highlights!  As always, feel free to comment below with any questions on anything at all.

Time for me get up, squeeze in a quick workout video, and get ready to head out to a game!