Typing this is painful #declinepushupsarethedevil

As I am typing this I am sitting on the couch feeling a little guilty about not doing to the Rockets Run this morning.  I know I have no excuse, but no one else could do it, so I never signed up.  Turns out I would have known people there.  However, sitting on my couch with coffee and observing the BEAUTIFUL (yet cold) day from afar sounds more appealing.  Here are a few pics from past Rockets Runs for your amusement....



Rockets Run 2009

Rockets Run 2010





I have several celebrations and several not so good things to report about my eating this week.  We will start with the not so good ones and then I will tell you about several new yummy discoveries I made this week.  This was week 3 of clean eating for me and it has not been TOO hard.  However, last week I did give in to a few temptations.  On Sunday I took 2 classes at the gym and was NOT hungry the rest of the day.  I ate a container of greek yogurt and that was it.  Well, that night I went to the movies and was all of the sudden STARVING.  I ate popcorn, whoppers, and an icee.  THEN, on Wednesday I had to go on the limo ride with my kids 3 times to CiCi's.  I had packed a lunch that day, but had NO time to eat it.  So, on Wednesday I ate a few pieces of pizza...and those cinnamon rolls.  YUMMMM.  THEN, on Thursday we had supper club at Jana's and I might of had 2 pieces of pie.  AND my tummy paid for it later.  WHEW, glad I got all of that off my chest. 

Now, on to the great food discoveries I made this week.  I normally shop at HEB, but decided to give Target a shot because I needed to go there to get protein powder anyway.  I loaded up on TONS of veggies, found some amazing flatbreads, some fat free couscous, and Ahi Tuna Steaks.  I just made this meal last night, but I am SO EXCITED to share it with you that I am going to skip to this one and work my way backwards.  What if I told you you could make a gourmet meal, at home, in less than 30 minutes, that feeds 4 for $11.00 (which is WAY less than a Subway sandwich), that has about 350 calories, 1 gram of fat, and 35 grams of protein....would you believe me?  Well, here it is.....

Seared Ahi Tuna with Spinach and Couscous

Perfect Pink Center

A view of the whole steak



A serving was half a steak



This whole meal is so easy to make.  Here is the brand of couscous I found at Target:



180 calories, 8 g protein, 0 fat

I made this by microwaving water and the seasoning packet, adding the couscous and letting it sit for 7 minutes.  I then sauteed some garlic, added a 9 oz bag of spinach seasoned with garlic salt, and covered for about 2 minutes.   For the tuna, I coated both sides with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper (and garlic salt...my favorite).  I then put the burner on high and waited until the pan started smoking.  I cooked the steaks on each side for about 3 minutes...and VOILA!  I also made some wasabi (I bought the powder and just mixed it with water) and some light soy mixed together as a dipping sauce.  This was seriously the best meal ever. (I just took a 10 hour break from blogging and now it is evening and I am about to go heat up the leftovers!)

Two other yummy meals:

This was a turkey burger that I cooked in a skillet.  I mixed extra lean ground turkey, 1 egg, and a beef and onion dry soup mix packet(thanks Mitch for the idea!) to make 5 patties.  I then made sweet potato fries by peeling and slicing sweet potatoes, coating with olive oil and taco seasoning and baking for 30 minutes turning often.  The best part of this meal is the homemade pico.  I chop a container of grape tomatoes (it takes FOREVER to cut, but not as juicy as regular tomatoes), 2 serrano peppers, half a red onion, LOTS of cilantro and season with lime, garlic salt, and the jarred chopped garlic.  I had enough pico leftover to use on my eggs the following morning....

This is 2 whole eggs cooked in the microwave with a dash of milk and salt and pepper.  My friends at school are amazed to see me cooking eggs in the microwave.  The night before I put the eggs, milk, and seasonings in a container and just pop in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time stirring in between for about 1:30.  These "tortillas" are actually another find from Target....

They are whole grain, 100 calories, and one serving is the size of 2 small tortillas.  The texture is very light and fluffy and when heated in the microwave they remind me of a fresh flour tortilla from HEB :) 

As far as my workout goals for the week...
- I ran not 6, but 8 miles today at Memorial Park and completed 3 laps- 9 miles total
- I THINK I dropped a few pounds (haven't gotten on the scale since CiCi's and the pie though).  I am going to take my weight/body fat/measurements next Monday the 31st after four full months of being disciplined...be looking for the update
- I got a pink tennis racket and will be hitting up the tennis courts tomorrow (if I can move after the run I did today).  I wanted a new, fun,outdoor way to get some cardio in, so we will see how that goes.  I will give an update on that soon too.

...AND for the biggest news of all...I have a ponytail!!!!  It is so super small and requires LOTS of bobby pins, but it fits.  I was so excited to share.  Til next time, peace out!