November 2013 workout update

November already!?? This year has just flew away for me.

I hit a workout plateau and noticed that my calorie count was actually going down in the beginning of November, significantly down! So of course something had to be done! I decided to increase my incline slightly. I also started doing my weight training prior to the treadmill so every morning (Mon, Tue, Thur and Fri) at 4 a.m. I do a warm up for a few minutes (nothing fancy, just basics) and then do some weight training to tone those arms.

I have a confession, I am oh so scared of getting flabby arms and also have a borderline obsession of wanting Michelle Obama arms. So I do two sets of 30 reps with some basic arm toning and about 40’ish tricep dips. It’s a good burn for now. I am sure in a few weeks I will need to revisit it. I will do a more detailed blog post once I have revamped it.

On to the November stats …

PS: I had to take a break the last week since I pulled my calf muscle. Not sure how.

DATE	CALORIES
11-1-2013	807
11-5-2013	691
11-7-2013	714
11-8-2013	691
11-11-2013	758
11-12-2013	740
11-14-2013	759
11-15-2013	750
11-18-2013	815
11-20-2013	829
11-21-2013	721
11-22-2013	734

TIME (in minutes)	Details	…
At START (5:00 a.m.)	Set Incline to 4.0 Set Speed to 2.5	Start iPod! J
2 Minutes	Change speed to 2.7	*YAWN* *RUB EYES*
4 Minutes	Change speed to 2.9	*YAWN* *ADMIRE the EMPTY Gym*
6 Minutes	Change speed to 3.1	*YAWN*
8 Minutes	Change speed to 3.3	Where am I?!!
10 Minutes	Change speed to 3.5	AWAKE now!
15 Minutes	Change speed to 3.6	Techno beat DROPS!!
20 Minutes	Change speed to 3.7	Gym is PACKED by now!
25 Minutes	Change speed to 3.8	Starting to feel the burn!
30 Minutes	Change speed to 3.9	It’s getting hot in here!
35 Minutes	Change speed to 4.0	Here comes my treadmill neighbor! *SMILE*
40 Minutes	Change speed to 4.1	Remember that dress? You need to fit in it soon!
50 Minutes	Change speed to 4.2	Barely breathing. Its super-duper hot now!
57.30 Minutes	Change speed to 2.5	Wait! Its over? Almost there princess!
60 Minutes (6:00 a.m.)	END	YAY! You did it!

Vegetarian Snacks Under 100 Calories

I often see a lot of snacks with meat or seafood that are under 100 calories. The list usually includes some highly processed pre-packaged food as well. Since my goal for 2013 was to reduce processed food here is a list of 25 snacks, yes 25, I have come up with. These snacks are all vegetarian and have high protein. I do have some options with eggs to if you don’t eat eggs, skip those!

1. Omelet: 1 egg and ½ cup veggies and spices
2. 1 rice cake and 1 tbsp. peanut butter
3. ½ cup cottage cheese and 1 slice cantaloupe
4. 1 medium size banana
5. 10 animal crackers
6. 1 cup chopped mango
7. 2 tbsp. guacamole and 5 chips
8. 1 hard-boiled egg
9. 1 cup canned mandarin oranges
10. 9 pretzels and ½ tbsp. chunky peanut butter
11. 1 cup sliced apples and 1 oz. low fat cheddar – personal favorite!
12. 10 baby carrots and 4 oz. Greek yogurt ad 1 tsp. ranch mix
13. 4 tbsp. hummus and 2 celery stalks, sliced
14. 3 almonds chopped and 4 oz. Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey
15. 2 tbsp. fat free bean dip and 1 small wheat tortilla and 2 tbsp. low fat cheddar
16. 2 tbsp. light guacamole and 2 celery stalks, sliced
17. 1 pack low cal instant oatmeal
18. ½ cup edamame, shelled
19. 2 cups watermelon
20. 25 dry-roasted, unsalted pistachios
21. ½ cup baby carrots and 2 tbsp. hummus
22. 2 egg whites with a slice of whole wheat toast
23. ½ cup cucumber and 2 tbsp. hummus1 small apple, sliced and ½ tbsp. peanut butter
24. 1 small apple, sliced and ½ tbsp. peanut butter 
25. 3 cups air popped popcorn

Sources:

Spark People

Dr. Jackie Newgent

October 2013 workout update

Fall is here! I have a love hate relationship with the cold weather. Yes, I like the temperatures dropping, the leaves changing colors, the fabulous winter gear BUT it is awful for my skin and can we just take a minute and discuss the overload of baked goods everywhere?!!

I mean really, why?!! I struggle with not eating sweets. This time of the year (till the end of December) is especially hard for me. It’s cold outside which makes me want to stay home and bake goodies … ugggh the downward spiral. To help me stay on track, I am keeping one serving size of the baked goods for me and bringing the rest to work for my awesome new coworkers! 

PS: I switched jobs. Won’t go into too many details but I needed to switch. I am much much happier here!

On to the actual purpose of this entry, my October 2013 workout update. Here it goes …

DATE	CALORIES
10-1-2013	852
10-3-2013	810
10-4-2013	818
10-7-2013	664
10-8-2013	763
10-10-2013	814
10-11-2013	699
10-14-2013	686
10-15-2013	666
10-17-2013	727
10-18-2013	676
10-21-2013	791
10-22-2013	710
10-24-2013	700
10-25-2013	675
10-28-2013	821
10-29-2013	742
10-31-2013	809

TIME (in minutes)	Details	Notes
At START	Set Incline to 4.0 Set Speed to 2.5	Start iPod! J
2 Minutes	Change speed to 2.7	Warm up
4 Minutes	Change speed to 2.9	Warm up
6 Minutes	Change speed to 3.1	Warm up
8 Minutes	Change speed to 3.3	Warm up
10 Minutes	Change speed to 3.5	Warm up
15 Minutes	Change speed to 3.6	Drop it like it’s HOT!
20 Minutes	Change speed to 3.7	Drop it like it’s HOT!
25 Minutes	Change speed to 3.8	Drop it like it’s HOT!
30 Minutes	Change speed to 3.9	Drop it like it’s HOT!
35 Minutes	Change speed to 4.0	Drop it like it’s HOT!
40 Minutes	Change speed to 4.1	Drop it like it’s HOT!
50 Minutes	Change speed to 4.2	WOAH! You got it!
57.30 Minutes	Change speed to 2.5	NICE feeling, huh?!!
60 Minutes	END	YAY! You did it!

Doesn't it make you happy when the gym is empty?!! Makes me super happy! Just me, the treadmill and some awesome beats .... 

Roasted Vegetables - Bhel Style

Looks yummy huh?!!

I think roasting vegetables was one of the BEST things to happen to vegetarians! Steamed veggies have a texture that doesn't suit my pallet and I do think they lose nutrients and taste. For those of you who are not familiar with Bhel, it is an Indian Street Food that is full of flavor and crunch. For this recipe I have paired up those same flavors to make this a fun side. I also chose vegetables that are high in protein.  

Ingredients: 

• Cauliflower, cut into 1 inch florets, 1.5 cups
• Broccoli, cut into 1 inch florets, 1.5 cups
• Lemon, halved 
• Purple Onion, finely chopped OR Onion Powder - Optional
• Cilantro, finely chopped
• Rosemary, 1/4 tsp 
• Sunflower Seeds, 1/4 cup 
• Vegetable Oil, 1 tsp
• Coconut Oil, 1 tbsp
• Salt, to taste 

Direction: 

• Preheat oven to 450. 
• Cut up the veggies in a large bowl - use less or more veggies depending on your portion size. 
• Add melted Coconut Oil, Salt, Rosemary. If you plan to skip fresh onions you may add onion powder in this step. NOTE: Don't add the fresh onions now, they will burn during the roasting process. 
• Give it a quick toss to make sure everything is coated evenly. 
• Line a baking sheet with some foil. NOTE: the baking sheet sides need to be about 1 inch. This is very important, if they are higher than that the steam won't escape causing the veggies to steam instead, i.e. they will be mushy! 
• Coat the foil vegetable oil and place the florets on the sheet. NOTE: They should not be overcrowded as that will cause it to steam as well. 
• Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes. I like to brown mine a tad. 
• Let the veggies cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet. 
• Once cool, move them to the serving bowl or dish. 
• Drizzle some fresh lemon juice, cilantro and onions (onions are optional). 
• Sprinkle the sunflower seeds in the end for an awesome crunch! 
• Serve! 

I usually eat this as lunch. I gain weight very easily so this is a good alternative to stew and salad for me. This pairs up very well with Tofu Sticks (recipe coming soon). 

Polyvore Creation: Radiant Red (Work Outfit)

Radiant Red by heeralpatel featuring navy sailor pants

AllSaints top
allsaints.com

Mango bright colored blazer
$64 - johnlewis.com

Ralph Lauren Black Label navy sailor pants
stylebop.com

Marni red suede flat
theoutnet.com

Jack Spade navy bracelet
bloomingdales.com

Annie Hammer bracelet
maxandchloe.com

Claudia Bradby stud earrings
$48 - johnlewis.com

Boho bracelet
etsy.com

Polyvore Creation: Scarlet Love (Work Outfit)

Scarlet Love by heeralpatel featuring brown gradient sunglasses

Derek Lam white open front cardigan
$1,545 - brownsfashion.com

Joseph pants
$160 - stanwells.com

Lanvin red flat shoes
kirnazabete.com

Handbag
$200 - ourstyle.hu

Amrita Singh stackable bracelet
amritasingh.com

Oasis white wrap bracelet
$19 - oasis-stores.com

Red feather earrings
$4.78 - newlook.com

Tom Ford brown gradient sunglasses
bloomingdales.com

Polyvore Creation: Floral Red (Work Outfit - Casual)

Wear to Work: Floral Red by heeralpatel featuring an ivory cardigan

Dickins Jones ivory cardigan
$46 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kookai brown trousers
$37 - johnlewis.com

Red Herring satin flat
$12 - debenhams.com

Kelly Wearstler bracelet
forwardforward.com

Cezanne earrings
dillards.com

Aris Geldis red and black jewelry
stylebop.com

Polyvore Creation: Bronzed Olive (Work Outfit)

Bronzed Olive by heeralpatel featuring a yellow cami

Topshop yellow cami
nordstrom.com

Forever New pink tuxedo jacket
$95 - forevernew.com.au

Eileen Fisher form fitting pants
lordandtaylor.com

Accessorize cream ballet flat
accessorize.com

Fossil wrist watch
$170 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Roberto Marroni yellow bracelet
barneys.com

SHIMLA seashell jewelry
$67 - debenhams.com

A B Davis earrings
$120 - johnlewis.com

September 2013 Workout Update

September was a GOOD workout month!

I was in a dark place and was very stressed with my work situation so I decided to concentrate on a positive outlet. Here is breakdown of what I did at the gym and a log of my calorie counts. Again, I don't run. I am on the heavier side and its awful on my knees. Also have some lung issues ..... anywho most of you already know that so moving on. Stay tuned for more healthy recipes and updates!

DATE	CALORIES
9-3-2013	745
9-4-2013	807
9-6-2013	762
9-9-2013	877
9-10-2013	799
9-12-2013	805
9-13-2013	775
9-16-2013	807
9-17-2013	708
9-19-2013	714
9-20-2013	796
9-23-2013	735
9-24-2013	718
9-26-2013	832
9-27-2013	816
9-30-2013	760

TIME (in minutes)	Details
At START	Set Incline to 4.0 Set Speed to 2.5
2 Minutes	Change speed to 2.7
4 Minutes	Change speed to 2.9
6 Minutes	Change speed to 3.1
8 Minutes	Change speed to 3.3
10 Minutes	Change speed to 3.5
30 Minutes	Change speed to 3.6
50 Minutes	Change speed to 3.7
70 Minutes	END