Just not feeling it...

After a weekend of traveling, great exercise, and eating out way too much. My body has just wanted to shut down this week. I know eating out is a big culprit. I am trying to find a balance to get back to eating the way I do normally, but it seems nothing is helping. I know that gluten is almost always ingested when eating out. That is why I usually only eat out once a week for girls night and its usually at a safe place. I ate out 3 times in 3 days, at not so safe places. My stomach feels awful and sore.

3 days of not working out and just wanting to sleep the morning away, I finally got up and did 30 minutes on the elliptical today. I had hoped for more, but the way I am feeling, that was all I could do.

I get really bloated and gain weight when this happens. Not to mention feeling major fatigue, headaches, forgetfulness and anger. I will remember this week for a long time. I have not braved food out like that in a long time (so long I didn't remember) and hope to remember what I feel like and not do it again. Not to mention its expensive!

Today is a new day and I am going to concentrate on getting back to basics. Only raw food items. No processed and minimal veggies.

Exercise: Elliptical
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: .93 miles
Calories: 403
Calories:

Dinner By The Computer

Tonight dinner was had by the computer because I had work to do. I made a gluten-free brown rice tortilla with black beans with some shredded cheese and a side of salsa. To drink I had skim milk.

Healthy Snacks!

This I ate a very healthy snack... more like breakfast was a Dr. Pepper and Gluten-Free Brownies. Since making brownies with gluten... for the <3 for Valentine's Day I had been craving them! So last night I made some and today I ate some!

For dinner I used the other half of my delicious spaghetti squash. I topped it with Classico Tomato Basil and grated parmesan.


I had a small caesar to go along with my spaghetti, which consisted of romaine lettuce, Newmans Caesar dressing, bacon bits, shredded parmesan, and fresh squeezed lemons. Yummy! I could eat this everyday!

Gluten-Free Steak Caesar Salad

I am going to donate blood today and need all the iron I can muster. Last night I decided to make a gluten-free steak caesar salad with lemons. I am addicted to Newman's Own creamy caesar salad dressing. I love Newman's Own products because they have a very helpful allergen information on there website. I went to the grocery store after work to discover that steak was on sale! I prepared my steak for grilling, this consisted stabbing, peppering heavily, and a pinch of salt. I grilled on medium for 12 minutes, then flipped and grilled for 7 minutes, for a gorgeous medium- well steak. I had the steak on top of chopped romaine lettuce which I squeezed lemon on, drizzled the dressing over, added grated and shredded parmesan cheese and pepper. The salad was delightful.

Kaua'i Vacation

I recently went to Kauai for vacation. My first real adult vacation, meaning I paid for everything. Because I eat gluten-free, I knew that this was going to be a challenge. I went with a friend who is very understanding which helped a lot. I packed some of my own foods microwavable popcorn, larabars, and glutino breakfast bars. I did my research for the trip on place to see and restaurants to go prior to the trip.

I read about Sweet Marie's on Gluten Free Mom's blog. I could not wait to try a muffin, I have not had a muffin in so long, I can not even remember. After making a list of activities and restaurants we were off to our adventure after flying 2400 miles over ocean we arrived and were on our way to Sweet Marie's. She definitely makes the most amazing muffins. I had a white chocolate chip banana muffin. My friend who does not live gluten free even loved the baked goods, she had the coffee cake, which I tried and was absolutely divine. We also bought chocolate chip and snicker-doodle cookies to snack on. Not only were the baked good amazing, so was the coffee. Marie was very sweet, and very helpful recommending restaurants that would be gluten free friendly.

I would love to go back just for the muffins. She will send baking mixes to the main land. I have not ordered yet, but I will. Yummy!

Gluten-Free Black Bean Brownies

I have made the most amazing Gluten-Free Chocolate with the help of Whole Foods 365 brownie mix. What you do is take a can of black beans, drain the liquid, then fill the can with water. Puree the black beans and water. Place the brownie mix in a mixing bowl, then pour the pureed black beans and stir the mix together. Spray a baking pan with non stick, and pour in the brownie mix. Follow the baking directions on the box. I always cook them 5 minutes past being done, I prefer well done brownies. I think that the brownies taste better cold. So once cooled, place in the refrigerated for about an hour. You will not be able to taste the black beans at all and they are very healthy for you. I had one for breakfast this morning. Yum!

Gluten-Free Flu

Well... I have had the flu for the past 4 days. Who gets the flu in June! I have been struggling with what to eat. I have searched the celiac forums and found nothing. So, the past few days I have had Pacific's Gluten-Free chicken broth, and rice crackers, and sprite. Today though! I found Amy's organic soups, Chunky Vegetable. It was flavorful and healthy.

Eating out... Gluten-Free

I have turned down a lot of dining out invites the past couple of weeks, when I get asked I get high anxiety thinking about how I am going to order if they do not have a gluten-free menu. Well... I have been adventurous this week. I tried Boston Market, Outback, Pan Asia, and Olive Garden. Boston Market went fine and was really good. At Outback I had a gluten-free New York strip with green beans and a caesar salad. The steak was horrible. They did not even pepper it. It tasted like unseasoned ground beef. I was disappointed with it. I am not sure if this is how it is all the time, but not sure I would go back. Pan Asia is a sushi place by work. I had edemame, when the waiter said that is all, I decided to ask for a gluten-free menu, but the waiter said "What, no we do not have anything like that." It did not make me feel very comfortable. I had no idea that Olive Garden would even have a gluten-free menu because the first thing that comes to mind is pasta. I ordered the mixed grill. The waiter seemed very familiar and was very accommodating. It was much better because he did not make a deal about it and it did not cause a huge discussion and was able to enjoy dinner conversation and did not have to explain myself. I will definitely go back to Olive Garden.