“You need to start posting ingredients and recipes along with your pics.  I gotta start eating healthy.”

Yesterday I posted a picture on my Facebook page of my lunch and it prompted the above comment.

salad

I cannot take credit for making this salad; however, there is a story behind the salad.

Long story short– Thursday of last week, hubby and I took B’Dazzle (our 13-year-old son) to College Station, Texas to see a big football game Auburn VS Texas A & M.  The spirit of Aggieland is unimaginably amazing.  We had a blast!

We arrived home late Sunday; hence, no time for food prep and Monday I returned to work.

So, since I eat healthy and I eat clean, what’s the plan?

Develop a plan!  Hahahah!

In my neighborhood, I have a go to for healthy food on the go.  Nearly two years ago, my friend, who helps me meet my fitness goals, hipped me to Frankie’s Famous Pizzeria and their grilled chicken fajita salad; I’ve been hooked ever since.

Sunday night, I was tired from the flight.  It was late but I knew that I needed lunch for Monday. Since I did not have any leftover cooked food, on Sunday, I ordered the salad (with extra chicken) and kept in the fridge overnight.  Monday morning, I packed my other foods: oatmeal, eggs, apple, shake, avocado half, and grabbed my salad.  All done.

Okay so what’s for dinner?  I had a plan Plan B… Always have a Plan B. 🙂

On Wednesday, I knew that once we returned from Texas, I would need food for the week.  I scoped out the frozen and pre-cooked seafood at Sam’s Club and BJ’s.  Please know, I am not a fan of pre-cooked and frozen foods. However, with a little patience, if you read the labels carefully, you can find some decent options.

bourbon salmon box

After reading the label, I could not resist the anticipated flavor of Bourbon Salmon and it’s Wild caught, so that is an added bonus.

salmon box label

Okay so while the salmon is boxed, the sodium isn’t too bad. Most frozen meals are nearly 1000 mg of sodium, so 173 is doable.  Total fats are hidden, but saturated and trans fats are low.  The 24g of protein makes this a winner for me.  I was very surprised by the 0g of sugar!  I’m jumping in the air!!!  Whoooooop!! 🙂

pre-cooked salmonThe salmon is individually wrapped so you can cook only what you need.

The instructions are quick and easy.  Remove plastic, place frozen fillet on a greased baking dish skin side down, and place on the center rack of oven.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Other cooking instructions are on the box to grill (cool), pan sauté (cool) or microwave (Eeew).

I baked mine; it came out really pretty.  Hehe!

Cooked salmon

The next question is, What goes with the salmon?

Well, as I said before, have a plan.  I keep fresh organic baby spinach in the fridge.

boxed spinach

Of course, nothing beats freshly picked out-of-the garden spinach, but the reality is, my life is busy and I don’t have time for that.  My solution is to keep this spinach in the fridge.  I buy it from BJ’s and Sam’s.

You can use the spinach in a salad or quickly steam it down via stove top or microwave for no more than a minute and 30 seconds.

The label and nutritional value of spinach is why I eat it regularly.

spinach label

plate of spinach

Uncooked spinach

I grabbed two big handfuls of spinach (approximately two cups) and tossed them onto the prettiest plates I could find.

Steamed spinach in a microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Steamed spinach in a microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Then I added the baked salmon…

finished plate

…finished product..  a healthy, colorful, quick, and nutritious meal.  Anyone and I mean anyone can do this.  I cooked enough salmon for lunch for tomorrow.  It’s all packed up.

Finger lickin good lunch!

Finger lickin good and nutritious lunch!

Although I did not add carbs, you could add spaghetti squash (minimal calories), a baked sweet potato, yams, brown rice, black rice, or quinoa.   All of the carbs are healthy carbohydrate options.

Now, tell me that you can’t this!  I betcha you can… As a matter of fact, I know that you can!  Give it a try and tell me how you like it!

Bona-petite! 🙂


There Is Something Good In Every Day

happy

Image courtesy of One Perfect Day Blog via Pinterest

If you follow my blog, you have probably noticed fewer posts in the past month. It happens every year this time.  Everyone in the house is back to the daily grind.  Work, school, football practice, homework, gym, game day… repeat….

Six games into football season, B’Dazzle’s JV team is kicking butt.  With a record of 5 wins and 1 loss, the team is undoubtedly headed to the playoffs.

What that really means is that in November, when evening/night temps in South Jersey drops below 40, momma dukes will be sporting a ski bib, boots, a wool hat, fluffy scarf, and wrapped (me and my chair)  in my big, ragged, but  warm pink blanket.   I get funny looks, but I would rather get the funny looks than be cold.

Yeah I know.  I can sit in the warm car, but for me, it’s not the same.  Roughing it out on the field with him is my way of showing my support.

This week we celebrated B’Dazzle’s 12th Birthday.

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Breakfast with dad, surprise birthday cake, fun at Dave & Buster’s, and cupcakes on the football field, makes for a week of happy days.  #100HappyDaysChallenge #100HappyDaysChallenge4Lexa #Day42

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What’s brewing?

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Remember… I LOVE chocolate…   Lol!!  🙂

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While at The Vitamin Store replenishing my protein powder, I took a quick detour down the loose leaf tea aisle.  Why do I prefer loose leaf tea? Read this and this. Looking to try a new flavor, I read each box on each shelf.  “Chocolate Chai!”  There was no way I was going to walk out the store without this box in hand.

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 Here is the back of the box. As I write this, I am sipping the tea and trying to find the words to describe the flavor.  Umm… let’s see… it’s spicy, bold..   Now I’m sloshing it around in my mouth like I’m wine tasting!  In the center of my tongue I feel like I’m teased with a subtle hint of cocoa… just enough to suggest chocolate. After swallowing the tea, my pallet is saturated with a spicy flavor.  It’s delicious.  I like it!  I’m happy I tried it. The tea is a perfect end to a long day. Boy have I come a long ways from drinking a nightly glass of Cabernet before bed.  Lol!!

Anyways, tea will keep me in my happy mode over the anticipated brutally cold winter. #100HappyDaysChallenge #Day43

IMG_3242.JPGI have wanted shrimp for a week or so now. Late afternoon rain caused football to be cancelled.  No complaints here!  Although a crock pot full of homemade black beans was in the fridge, I took a few minutes to cook this spicy dish.  Shrimp, arugula, and baby spinach over brown rice.  It had kick and I enjoyed every bite!
#100HappyDaysChallenge #Day44

I could be cranky now because I have not worked out in 22 days and it’s driving me nuts. Although I feel physically ready to start again, I have to wait for clearance from my doctor. Meanwhile, I continue to eat clean and drink plenty of water. When I step back into the gym, the beast is coming out!  Watch out, I have my eyes set on another figure competition in 2015!

Thanks for stopping by and sweet dreams! 🙂