My week in food.

January 24, 2014 | cheriarmour

I promised last week that I’d send what a week in my diet looked like. I don’t break promises, so here goes!

Friday

Breakfast: A banana, almond milk, and peanut butter smoothie. This is one of my favorite breakfasts to make because it tastes like a total treat.
Lunch: Easy! A salad with broccoli slaw and balsamic vinaigrette. I garnished it with some feta cheese.
Dinn: I went really lazy with this one. I had a butternut squash soup that I bought from Harris Teeter.
Snacks: Fage total split cup, a rice krispies treat, and green seedless grapes. Not all at the same time. Duh.

Saturday

Breakfast: A monster trail mix bar and green seedless grapes.
Lunch: A creation that I like to call a zesty rice bowl. I make yellow saffron rice, combine it with black beans, corn, salsa, and a dollop of sour cream. It’s delightful, and super cheap, especially for students.
Dinner: The samsies! I had some left over.
Snacks: The Fage total split cup, a grande latte with skim and two splenda, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Sunday

Brunch: French toast, and fruit. About 1000 mimosas. Sorry not sorry.

Monday

Breakfast: I’m a creature of habit – I went for that same banana peanut butter smoothie.
Lunch: I had more zesty rice bowl left over. So I ate that! Cheap!
Dinner: This.

photo 1 (4) — This is all vegetarian. Broccoli (which I inhaled), chicken fried tofu, and vegetarian mac and cheese. There was enough for me to eat for lunch again the next day.

Tuesday

Breakfast: My same naner smoothie and a large latte with skim.
Lunch: Half of the dinner from the night before.
Dinner: I was craving breakfast for dinner, so I made an egg and cheese sandwich on wheat, and baked some new potatoes (the little baby ones) in lieu of fried hash browns. I love making comfort food a little lighter, and breakfast is definitely my comfort.
Snacks: Before my workout, I made the nastiest concoction of beans – black beans, corn, and salsa. I called it a bean salad. I’m gross, I know.

Wednesday

Breakfast: An Amy’s breakfast burrito. Have you had these? So good.

Lunch: Okay, today was a bad day. I had another Amy’s burrito.
Dinner: I went for the breakfast for dinner again. Yum!

photo 3 (2) — Two fresh eggs from my future sister-in-law!

Thursday

Breakfast: A large latte with skim and two Splenda, and an egg and cheese on whole wheat.
Lunch: Lunch was BORING. Just another salad, with feta, Gardein, and broccoli slaw.
Dinner: This

photo 4 (3) — A Whole Foods Southern meal! Some BBQ Tofu, brown rice, a teeny bit of mac & cheese, and a corn fritter.

A week in my boring meals. They may be boring and repetitive, but they keep me moving. What is your diet like throughout the week? Anything that you consistently eat? Anything that you won’t consistently eat?

I made a Facebook page! And scenes from the week!

January 21, 2014 | cheriarmour

Yous know I love my social media right? So it only seemed fitting that I’d make a Facebook page for the blog, and folks seem to be enjoying it. So here’s the deal, if you love me, and you’d love to interact with me a little more, do a few things for me:

Read the blog obviously.
Follow me on Bloglovin‘ if you’re a fellow blogger. (Seriously, the most useful tool for keeping me and all my blogs organized and in one place, rather than logging on to every single blog.)
And follow me on my Facebook . It’s a little more interactive, because there’s no real lag time between when you comment or ask me a question, and when you get a response, either from me, or from another informed reader.

Okay, moving right along, I hope you guys had an amazing 3-day weekend. Usually I’m a little more service-oriented and reflective on MLK Day, but since I made a little addition to my family…

…I spent a lot of the day doing laundry, straightening up, vacuuming, and using my degree in Psychology to train my little girl to make sure she only poops outside. She’s doing so well! She’s extremely clingy, and she keeps hurting Austin’s feelings, because she’s glued to me, but she could take or leave my husband-to-be. He texted me yesterday and said “I hope Coco starts to like me more.”

My shadow and I went for a run yesterday morning. She’s very tall, and her hair is long. Is that what I look like?

GoodNESS, these Raleigh hills kicked my butt. Look closely at the end of that road. Mama ran ALL of that.

The legs got to come out yesterday, and probably for the last time all week. They’re predicting snow tonight. Woo-hoo! Raleigh never gets any good snow!

And finally, look at this dinner I snagged last night! Me and the nearly-husband met with some good friends from undergrad at the Remedy Cafe, a little joint that features a lot of local, vegan, and vegetarian items. I went with friend “chicken” and some veg mac and cheese. It was awesome, and I split it in half, added a salad, and brought the rest of it for lunch today.

How was your weekend? Hope it was lovely!

On weight loss.

January 17, 2014January 16, 2014 | cheriarmour

This is that time of year where Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, and Hydroxycut commercials are hitting hard and heavy. And that’s certainly not to say that all of these things are bad, I personally think that Weight Watchers is one of the best programs out there. But with everything that’s out there, I’m sure that’s it’s really tempting to try a pill or a chew or something that you sprinkle on your food to help you out to reach your weight loss goals. But truthfully, as someone who lamented over her weight for a looooooong time, rest assured that none of those things will work.

This was me in the spring of 2010, and I think I weighed approximately 160 at my heaviest.

Then here’s me again.

So currently, I rest comfortably around 129 lbs or so, and here’s how I did it. There were no powders, or magic fixes.

I got rid of dead weight. Literally, and figuratively. I started hanging out with people who were like-minded. Instead of spending time at the bar, I started spending more time in the gym and in my bed. Did wonders for the bod.
I did a stint at fat camp. Sorta. I worked at Camp Pocono Trails as a fitness instructor, more specifically a Zumba instructor, and instead of sneaking my own food and going off the plan, I followed the same plan that the kids were on. As a fitness instructor, I really would never make my clients do anything that I wouldn’t do myself, and the same went for food.
I stopped counting teaching a class as a workout…
And put a priority on doing my own workout in addition.
I started using measuring cups to measure my food. Which sounds insane, but if you’re on any kind of plan like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig, they’ll tell you the same.
I started logging all my food in an app on my phone/iPod so I could make sure I was in a caloric deficit on most, not all days.
Annnnd, as I got more into the fitness aspect, I started adding a variety of fitness classes. Yoga, lifting, I tried Barre, swimming.

With all of this said, I can honestly say right now, since I’m not really trying to lose weight, I have pulled back a little bit on logging every morsel that goes into my mouth, with the idea that I simply want to nourish my body, rather than lose part of it.

But my gift to you? If you want it, of course.

For the next week, I will log every morsel and every workout, and bring it to you this time next week. I’ll critique it, cause I’m definitely not perfect, point out the good stuff, and add a few tips for those of you looking to shed a few pounds. Who’s in?

This week’s fit challenge! No alcohol!

January 12, 2014January 12, 2014 | cheriarmour

I just wasn’t feeling it anymore last week. I had two glasses of some cheap red wine at a social thingie, and woke up the next morning with the headache from hell.

You guys know I love my beer, so it was a tough decision.

It really shouldn’t have been enough to make me feel so sick, but the entire next day, I had the nastiest feeling, and I was just done. And for a slightly indefinite period, I decided that I was off the sauce.

I mean, it’s truly not the worst thing in the world to happen to my diet. Alcohol leads to drunkness, bloating, and poor life decisions, so I don’t really feel like I’m missing out on a whole lot, and I swear that my tummy is looking a little more muscular as of the last few days.

I’m no doctor, so don’t be an idiot about this, but if you’ve been toying with the idea of taking a little break from the Devil’s urine, (I kid, I kid), consider taking a little hiatus.

I’m not sure how long I’m gonna go, but I’m feeling pretty good, more clearheaded, and I’ve been substituting beer or wine for some club soda or sparkling water with a little lime, and usually nobody asks any questions.

Of course, two people have already asked if I’m expecting (I’m not), but other than that, it’s been relatively pain-free!

How will you challenge yourself this week?

My Day At Epcot

January 4, 2014January 3, 2014 | cheriarmour

So you guys know I’ve been traveling. I went to visit my youngest sister, who works for Disney, and she’s been begging me for months to come out to visit. I finally did it, and I’m so glad.

I got a full night of sleep, napped with the dog, and finally made it out for a run.

First things – Florida was supposed to be really warm. And it was last night when it came in. But when I exited the apartment to walk the dog, it was like 40 degrees. Also, my bra was out. Lovely. I am really classing Florida up. Also the fashions here are SO questionable.

The favorite purple jacket came with me to Florida, and thank goodness, because it came in handy on the run.

Toward the end of the run, I found a “jogging” trail (I hate the word jogging, ps), and tried it out, and it was lined with that weird bouncy stuff they started to put on playgrounds in the 90s.

Instead of it being a great place to run, I actually was having trouble keeping my footing, and it sort of felt like sand to run in. I’ll stick to Florida roads.

Next, since it was freezing, I dug out this slouchy sweater to embark on my journey to Walgreens, as my sister had no food suitable for vegetarian grown-ups, and I’d forgotten my toothbrush. As cute as I look, I had not brushed my teeth at this point.

The family dog was in tow, and just as sweet as I remembered her. Gah, I truly love animals more than human beings sometimes.

Next, my sister took me to Epcot, which I haven’t been to since I was 16, and on a choir trip.

I insisted she take me to the nearest Starbucks, and it was literally the most insane Starbucks I have ever been in. People from every country, speaking in every language, and I can honestly say I have never been in a Starbucks so crowded in my life.

Kimmy knew I would love anything having to do with Michael Jackson, so we waited to see this Captain E.O. show which featured Michael Jackson in 3-D. The movie finished up with “Another Part of Me” from ‘Bad,’ and we were probably the only two to clap at the end.

We rode the “Finding Nemo” ride, and I got to see some dolphins, that I was so content to sit and watch for a long time.

And then the big ‘ol Manatees, who just ate lettuce all day long.

The Manatees were rescues, one was an orphan, the other was injured and his poor tail was chopped by a boat. They both were so sweet to watch.

Can you tell I stood here for a long time?

Next up was some vegan beef for dinner, which cost me $20. Yikes! I paid $6.50 for a beer. Help!

The beer in question.

And finally, after I’d chattered with a French man who sang Stromae in the World Showcase in French and tried all the wines, we came home to find that the dog had ripped apart a candy wrapper that smelled like food.

Today was a good day.

I hope your day was good! Happy Saturday you guys! I’m feeling mushy and gushy from all this family and Disney time!

I know, I know, I’m so late with a post!

January 2, 2014 | cheriarmour

I’m sorry. But if it makes you feel any better, here is a picture of my cat.

You can’t be mad at me, most especially when I’m giving you photos of my dear sweet Martin, right?

But I have a good excuse. I’ve taken a trip down to see my sister in Orlando (she works for Disney), and I will be running in actual balmy temps for once come tomorrow! Eep! I’m so excited.

But with all the nasty weather in the country, a trip that should have taken me only half the day, took all day. I slept on the plane between Raleigh and Charlotte, and thank you Jesus for my running abilities, because, due to the delays, I found myself running in heels through Charlotte Douglas, and quite hungry I might add.

I hunted the airport for something edible that wasn’t Moes or Sbarros, and came up with this, which cost me $6.38.

Needless to say, Mama was still quite hungry when she finished her expensive “dinner,” and I immediately asked my sister to find me some dinner as soon as she picked me up from the behemoth of an airport that was Orlando’s airport.

So after a harrowing day of travel, Kimmy (the youngest sister) provided me with a glass to ease my travel troubles.

And the best part? This is the only wine glass she owns. I’ve taught her nothing.

So don’t be mad, I promise, I will update you with all the things tomorrow. But in the meantime, I’ve got a serious question for you. I did my 5 miles on the treadmill at the gym yesterday, January 1st, and the gym was totally dead. Where was everyone? When are you starting some of your New Years Resolutions?

Veggie Dinner

January 1, 2014January 1, 2014 | cheriarmour

Veggie dinner is my technical term for the kind of dinners I usually go for on nights after NYE celebrations. Too much cupcakes, too much champagne, and too much of a bellyache that next day.

So the day after too much celebrating, I’ll stir fry up so veggies, throw some eggs in there, and I swear, it tastes just like Chinese food, without the greasy stomachache after. Light on the cals, and light on your tummy!

What’s your go-to post celebration meal?

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2014 | cheriarmour

Goodbye 2013. I’m not too sad to see you go. And I feel like everyone I’ve talked to had one of the most intense years in their life. And for me, it was no different.

But enough about all that.

Last night, we threw one heck of a New Years Eve party to say goodbye to 2013 (good riddance kinda), and usher in 2014, in what I hope will be one of the best years ever.

NYE — We made some nachos that we (I) inhaled for the festivities.

This is all we have left of a night that was full of laughter, music, champagne, and these amazingly stunning cupcakes that a friend made and brought. They were tangy and champagny and awesome.

I only had one of these. I also stole two extras and hid them in the fridge where no one could find them. Woops!

So I’m embarking on my first run of 2014, and feeling loved, happy, and extremely hopeful about the upcoming year. I am so thankful for good friends, good cupcakes, good running, and good alcohol.

Happy Belated Christmas, folks!

December 26, 2013 | cheriarmour

I think it’s the law that the WiFi in your childhood home has to, has to, be incredibly horrid, so I’m blogging a little late from the McDonald’s a few minutes from the border of South Carolina.

I’m avoiding eye contact with like 4 youths who’ve taken an interest in me, and seem to be trying to catch my attention. I’m wearing my headphones and pretending I can’t hear them – but nothing is really playing.

But I digress.

I hope your Christmas, or whatever you celebrate, was wonderful. Mine was really really nice.

I started with some Redbox action with my brother upon my arrival. We watched that Melissa McCarthy/Sandra Bullock cop movie, ‘The Heat’, which I was totally sure was gonna be hysterical, but it was honestly a little off-putting. There wasn’t a minute in the movie that you didn’t hear the f-word. Now don’t get me wrong, I totally live for some some dirty language, but it was really too much for my delicate sensibilities.

Christmas Day, I woke up, and once we got everyone up, we started opening presents. The fan fave? This:

The Soda Stream! My pops, like me, is a huge fan of some seltzer, and we got into making a few glasses before we even started breakfast. My dad kept looking at his glass and saying, “This is amazing!”

So I’m pretty sure I went with the right choice.

So knowing that I’d be probably indulging in a few more cookies than I usually do, I made sure to hit the run in some way, shape, or form a few times while here at home. So when I was sent out for our Christmas dinner, some key Chinese dishes (veggie lo mein, sesame chicken for my brother, and general tso’s chicken for my dad), I put in the order, and left the restaurant on foot to make sure that I wouldn’t make an excuse to skip my run. I ran around the back of the building….and right onto a golf course.

Seriously. I ran, and found myself on a golf course, and it almost looked like another planet, with the amount of balls (hee hee) that were back there.

Like, doesn’t that look just like Mars or something? So my quick run turned into one that was a little longer, around a local golf course as the sun went down.

As predicted, I ate a few more cookies than I planned to before I went to bed last night and watched some Sherlock Holmes with my brother, so this morning, I hit it again, with some time on the treadmill, followed by some time spent with weights.

Some of today’s highlights?

I got to be lazy, aside from my workout, which was fabulous.
I used the Starbucks gift card that my mom got me!
I went to the Whole Foods in Charlotte, and they have a wine bar there. A glass was on special for like $3.00, so of freaking course I indulged! I also walked around, picked some produce with my mom, ate lunch from the hot bar, and got some handmade soap, which is super spensive, but awesome.
And I found my wedding dress today! I’m keeping it super secret, otherwise, I’d post a little pictorial evidence for you.

So onword and upword! Next up! New Years!

What are your New Years plans? Any running related ones?

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