WIAW #14: Back on Track

I felt on top of the world yesterday.

Not only did I have a few mini-celebrations on the blog front (I promise to share everything with you eventually!), but I finally got back on both the healthy eating AND snacking trains. Do you remember last week’s WIAW sensible snacking fail? Yeah… it happens, and it’s okay.

This week was time to get over that and back on track.

The difference of how my body feels after a few days of healthy eating is always evident. My mood is lifted, I have more energy, and my drive to be productive is through the roof. Coincidence? Eh… I think it’s just an obvious observation. Healthy food = fuel. Fuel = energy and motivation to have a great day. Great day = Happy Heather!

Onto WIAW! Oh, and for those new to the blog… (HI and welcome!)… I take part in What I Ate Wednesdays, hosted by Jenn over at Peas and Crayons. She’s pretty awesome, and always featured droolworthy healthy, veggie loaded recipes. Check her out!

 Here’s What I Ate Wednesday Yesterday!

Breakfast

The coffee the size of my head is a given. You should know this by now… so actually snapping a photo of it only happens on rare occasions.

Wanting to get to work downstairs, I threw something extremely easy together to be on my way. I started with a serving of Chobani Low-fat Strawberry Banana Greek yogurt, then topped it with raw almonds, raw oats, chia seeds, and fresh blueberries.

 Effortlessly delicious.

Mid-Morning Snack

Before lunch, I had a slight hunger and tamed it with a sensible snack.

Sidenote: I am obsessed with hummus, specifically this Roasted Red Pepper flavor. Like, I want to marry it. Seriously.

Knowing lunch was right around the corner, I skipped the normal indulgence in Wheat Thins and grabbed a plate full of carrots instead.

Did the trick!

Lunch

For lunch, I was pumped to try out a new Morning Star Farms product: the Mediterranean Chickpea Burger. *Swoon*

I just love chick peas. (<- possibly a direct correlation to my love for hummus?) The perfect way to test out a new veggie burger flavor is to heat it and put in on a monster salad.

This one included a fresh spinach/baby spring/romaine mix, broccoli slaw, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, red peppers, avocado, fresh cilantro, ground pepper, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar + grapeseed oil.

I have enjoyed this same exact salad for two days and have a feeling it will make a third appearance this afternoon as soon as I publish this post. YUM!

Afternoon/Pre-Run Snack

I finished my work for the day around 5:30 p.m. and knew I would need some kind of substance in my belly before going for a run outside. My favorite go-to protein bar is any flavor of Zone Perfect Bars, but a close second has been Quest Nutrition Bars, depending on if I am in a chewy or soft bar kind of mood.

I got a very bright surprise in the mail yesterday! It was a pair of brand new running shoes from the Reebok One line, and they couldn’t have matched what I was already wearing any better.

Since the sun does not set until after 9 p.m. up here (crazy right?), I still had plenty of daylight to work with. When the day comes to run in the dark, however, I know exactly what shoes I will be grabbing. Watch out neighborhood… here I come in all my neon glory! (A review and more information on these shoes coming soon.)

Dinner

Five miles and a series of push-ups and plank holds later, I was one hungry girl. I already planned out dinner on my run (do any of you do that? ha), and started a pot of quinoa as soon as I walked back in the door.

I have recently become quite smitten by this whole grain, or seed… whatever you consider it to be. When it was almost ready, I quickly sauteed an Al Fresco Apple Chicken Sausage with red peppers, grape tomatoes and spinach.

I then made my quinoa bowl by starting with quinoa on bottom, adding the sausage and veggies, then topping it all off with feta cheese.

When my one serving was ready, Scott walked in the door and admitted to being a little jealous of my meal. He told me he was going to eat dinner at an event, so I didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty for eating it in front of him. Hehe.

Dessert

Even aboard the healthy train, I always allow myself a sweet treat after dinner. Ditching the ice cream, I pulled out something a little better for me this time.

With a glass of organic skim milk, I enjoyed a 100 calorie pack of Oreo Crisps. I even dunked each crisp in the milk like a five-year-old.

If you as me, that’s the only way to eat them.

• If you liked this WIAW post, head on over to Peas & Crayons to check out plenty others, or even link your own!

• Also, you can always find my latest What I Ate Wednesday posts by exploring the “WIAW” tag on the right hand sidebar.

*In case you missed it, I am hosting a giveaway this week for FRS Healthy Energy products. Pop on over and enter!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your Hump Day.

Question of the Day

• What are some of your favorite sensible snacks?