Hi all! Wow it’s been a busy week, but in that really good sort of way. I’m starting to adjust to my new work schedule, and planning how to fit in workouts. Today was my 3rd day working at Nourish, and so far so great (see below for a couple new yummy items).
FITNESS
Boo.. I missed workouts both Tuesday & Wednesday due to my schedule (time management & sleep) being all off.
I, out of habit, kept starting to beat myself up about it, but then realize the pointlessness of that, and reassure myself that a missed workout here and there is ok. Hopefully at some point I’ll have to stop reminding myself incessantly.
But this morning was a new day! I got in 30 min. of cardio in the morning, then another 30 minutes this evening. I’m still figuring out my workout plan moving forward (so more on that later), but for now I’m trying to get in at least an hour of cardio each day in order to keep the ‘welcome back carbs’ weight under control.
NUTRITION
Where to begin.. there’s been so much goodness..
Breakfast <3
Wednesday I was craving an old favorite.. so I whipped up PB Blender Protein Ice Cream, but this time layered it with a fantastic new granola find..
This was just a single-serving bag.. which is exactly what I need when it comes to granola 
. The flavor was strong but just right and went perfect with the PB Ice Cream (I promise it wasn’t pink.. haha, crummy lighting).
Today’s breakfast turned out great, and it held me over until mid-afternoon. First I made up a single serving of Sweet Quinoa..
Sweet Breakfast Quinoa
1/4 c Quinoa
1/4 c H20
1/4 c Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
Cinnamon to taste
1 tbsp Maple Syrup (I used 0-calorie Walden Farms)
Mix all ingredients except Maple Syrup together in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until Quinoa is cooked and liquid is gone. Stir in Maple Syrup.
I topped that with Goat’s Milk Plain Yogurt (I love it! I’d seen it on HEAB, but this was my first time trying it),
and fresh Strawberries..
Nourish News
So considering Nourish probably would have been one of my favorite restaurants in Phoenix anyway, it’s pretty cool that I get a meal there each day I work.
Wednesday I went with the Tuscan Chicken Salad (Chicken Breast, Sundried Tomatoes, Carrots and Avocado on Mixed Greens)..
Loved this salad.. but how could you not!
Then today I got the Optima Sandwich (Hummus spread, Avocado, Spinach, Tomato & Chicken on multigrain Bread)..
So I know a lot of you, like me, are huge sweet potato fans. Well Nourish is becoming quickly known for their Sweet Potato fries, which are air-fried without oil. They actually have 4 different kinds (regular, waffle, pepper and tatter-tot/puffed). This was my first time trying them.. and.. ahh.. wow. Now just 3 other varieties to try, haha
I’ve also had the chance to try little bites of the gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookie and Gluten Free Corn Bread.. both delicious. I actually really like many gluten-free products. I don’t think they taste a whole lot like the traditional version, but I like them in a whole separate way. You know.. like Tex-Mex vs. authentic Mexican.. not the same at all, but both tasty goodness.
Mexcian-Style Spaghetti Squash
Dinner tonight was completely thrown together with random ingredients left in the fridge: 1 c Spaghetti Squash, a few tablespoons Salsa, 1/2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast, 1/4 c Veggie Cheddar Shreds, 2 oz Chicken Breast, ~2 tbsp Guacamole Hummus and a dollop of plain Greek Yogurt.. So simple, so good!
Almond Milk Protein Ice Cream is on the menu for dessert.. I’ll letcha know if I come up with anything fun!
FUN
The John Mayer concert last night was great! I was a little bummed at first because it’s a tradition of one of my good friends and I to go together, but it just didn’t work out this year. Fortunately I was with a great group of girlfriends, and it’s impossible to feel too stressed with JM on guitar 
It was crazy hot, and a couple hours into the concert you could see the haze of sweat humidity (ok, probably other things too, haha) above the crowd. But no matter, I definitely wouldn’t trade it to be inside.. there’s just something so lovely about an outdoor amphitheater concert.. especially if you have a drink (perhaps ).
Have you been to any concerts lately? Who? Good?
Gluten-free products.. have you tried them? Do you like? What are your faves?
I can’t believe it’s already Friday.. have a wonderful one!
Fun Links
I just wrote about a similar thing… how life gets in the way and sometimes you just don't have as much time for the usual workouts. But I think you have the right mentality to not beat yourself up about it. What good does that do?! I'm sure your workout felt extra good yesterday!
Your breakfast made me wish I made quinoa instead of oats this morning
And PB ice cream, and Almond milk ice cream!!! How have I not tried these yet?!
Mmmm the food from Nourish looks so good. I would love to recreate those sweet tater puffs. You'll have to get them to share the recipe
Your squash plate looks great too. I ate about a 2 lb spaghetti squash earlier this week. I never get sick of it!
Concerts–O.A.R was a favorite along with Brad Paisley. Both in small venues but so good!! And I just had the "gluten free" conversation w/ a friend of mine the other day–defintely taste so much better/cleaner to me…I don't buy them on purpose but have been noticing that a lot of things I do buy already are GF!
Happy Friday
I just wrote about a similar thing… how life gets in the way and sometimes you just don't have as much time for the usual workouts. But I think you have the right mentality to not beat yourself up about it. What good does that do?! I'm sure your workout felt extra good yesterday!
Your breakfast made me wish I had quinoa instead of oats this morning
And I'm dying to try the PB ice cream and Almond milk ice cream! How have I not made these yet?!
2nd spaghetti squash I've seen this morning reading blogs. I think that's a sign that I must get some
The last concert I went to was The Black Crows and it was fantastic. Happy Friday!
omg I am loving the food at nourish I am SO SO jealous that you can literally work your way through the whole menu LOL! i love the idea of waffle sweet potato 'fries' those ones on yourplate look like tater tots!! MMMM so delicious!
thats awesme you went to John mayer!! i am sure it was a great concert! i haven't been to any concerts recently, kinda bummed about it because I love them!!! I really wanted to go to Lady gaga when she came to Boston, but never got tix because they were $200!!! ahh
anyways, that sexy dirty drink on your previous post looks and sounds amazing, I am so trying that!
xoxoxo
breakfast quinoa is totally my favorite way to have it! i love it with greek yogurt or whipped cottage cheese! but that goats milk yogurt does sound intriguing.
haha seriously "eating at the office" has never sounded better and i'm so happy for you that you're loving your job
Need a restaurant like nourish here in Raleigh (considering I don't eat out, this would be most helpful)! Going to see Jack Johnson tonight, can't wait!!
Wow you weren't lyin about that restaurant's food! It does look delicious! I had no idea you could even make sweet potato tots..how neat!
I do all gluten free. I love kasha, gluten free steel cut oats, brown rice wraps by foods for life, quinoa, Marys gluten free cxrackers
Those sweet potato fries are calling my name! Can Nourish come to southern CA!!!???Glad all is going well with the job. It is hard at first to get the whole schedule down… why can't we all be independently wealthy!!!
The spaghetti squash spagh looks 100% like real spagh! Wow!
love the sweet tater fry info…
and concerts, it's been years but back in the day I used to See TONS of live music and loved it!!