recipe: healthy tuna noodle casserole

tonight i made a "healthier" version of a tuna noodle casserole.  i know tuna noodle casserole isn't healthy, but we had leftover tuna salad to use up unfortunately.  turned out super yummy.  i tried to cram it with as many veggies as i could.

a root beer float

yesterday was such a nice, warm day.  the PERFECT day for a big, frosty mug of root beer float!  it was my treat of the day!  been eating so much delicious food since
i broke my fast, lol. 

lunch at smashburger

yeah yeah i know i said we were eating healthy but we always go out to eat on sundays!  i have been better at ordering healthier options like this Avocado Club at smashburger.  duh i wanted a burger and hot dog but this was still really good!  i like that they use a thin piece of chicken and the veggies tasted really fresh.  all of the bread and buns were so soft and delicious too.  i heard so much about this place out in stonecrest and now i know why, yum yum.  we're actually coming back for salads later *oink oink*.

matt's rosemary sweet potato fries and BBQ burger

carolina hot dog: crunchy slaw and spicy pimento cheese

karen walker for anthropologie

   

"hi there" from karen walker

Karen Walker has been designing clothes since she made her first circle skirt for her Barbie doll at age seven.  She's come a long way since then, expanding her line to a full line of clothing, accessories and decor, all based on an undying love of patterns and color mixed together every which way.

basque floral dress $140

i've been excited to see this collaboration by Karen Walker for Anthropologie.  her vintage, feminine silhouettes and modern prints and colors are right up my alley.  i always need more dresses!

floral wing dress $160

acorn dress $150

anthropologie spring

i used to work at anthropologie as the apparel manager...i was there for 4 years.  yeah the hardest part of not being there is obviously not having access to all the great clothes!  i received my april catalog today.  i always loved spring/summer season at anthro the best.  lots of colors, great denim, ethnic prints, chic dresses, and the BEST wedges.  here are some of my favorite pieces from this month's catalog!

i love a loose and flowy maxi dress with bold color like the aija maxi dress from dream daily $158.

 

adore the bold blue ikat print and casual shirtdress style of the ikat frequencies shirtdress $98.  may have to pick this one up for sure!  it would look great this summer with a floppy hat and flat sandals.

 

i love the feminine cut and sassy print of the flared caraz dress by weston wear $158.  i always loved everything weston wear made and this little dress is no exception!  this is screaming for some strappy wedges and a bib necklace.

 

i want the dipped sessile necklace $48, in every color.  these brightly colored, quirky, coral-inspired necklaces would look great with all my solid and striped tees for spring.  never under-estimate the power of a great accessory.  y'all know i loooove costume jewelry!

 

a chic fitting cropped denim jacket $128 by daughters of liberation.  the perfect broken in denim color to add a lightweight layer in the spring.  i always loved daughter's jackets--always structured and well-made.

 

every girl needs a white dress for the spring season and i love this one by leifnotes.  the dot-gleam dress $188 is perfectly light and sheer with an assymetrical hem.

 

anthropologie's best season for accessories is definitely spring.  i love a good leather handbag staple, but that doesn't stop me from owning a million of these embroidered tote bags.  so easy in the summer and adds print and color to every outfit.  sometimes i do look like a crazy bag lady stomping around with my crazy printed tote bag when i'm wearing a ton of color and print too and forget to change my bag.  oh well!  would love to add the felicidad flicker tote $178 to my collection!

dinner at dilworth neighborhood grille

 as part of mine and matt's attempt at a "healthier" lifestyle, we are going to only go out to eat once a week at the most.  we decided we will allow ourselves to have whatever we want, but i do want to make sure i still make somewhat healthier choices--instead of burger and fries all the time!

dilworth neighborhood grille is famous for their delicious crabcakes.  the spicy aoli is so good.  definitely a splurge ;). 

how to use leftover fruit 101

 feeling ever-so-slightly guilty about being a quitter with the juice fast.  the good news is, it puts you in a good mind-set with eating habits afterwards.  you're just excited to put anything in your mouth that you can chew! 

matt and i had a long conversation about how to improve our diet this year.  i tend to pack on the pounds (majorly) during the winter when the vegetables are starchier and i don't go to the farmer's market.  i crave heavier meals and get a little lazy with cooking and we tend to eat out a lot more.

spring time

i can't believe i failed my juice fast!  ohhhh it's ok, i was half expecting it anyhoo.  i still did a mini-cleanse and it gave me motivation to get healthy for the Spring season.  i want to be able to wear my favorite high-waisted linen shorts (shown here, last year). 

i still plan on juicing my dinner a night or two a week...continue eating yummy light meals from Luna's and with local organic veggies from the farmers market which will open later this week!

i will also be utilizing the gym that i joined earlier this year that my friends all go to.  

juice fast: day 4

today i feel:  energetic when i woke up.  not gonna lie, had a hard time getting in as many juices as i'd like to because i was busy today at work.

hunger level: 6/10.  hungry today because i wasn't taking in enough juices.  like i said, the heartier, savory juices make you feel full.  i am craving salty things (i'm a savory girl all the way!) and healthy food like Luna's skinny wich rather than the junkier foods i normally crave.

weight loss: 1 lb



what i've had today:

• kale, grapefruit, orange, lemon juice
• beet, carrot, orange juice
•  fennel, cucumber, celery, spinach juice
• Luna's Power Cleanser:  beets, parsley, carrots, cucumber
• Chopped chicken thai salad with fresh ginger, peanuts, chili and lime
  juice <--what?!  ---see below

oh, i feel as though i've let everybody down!  i felt light-headed and hungry when i got home and decided to have a salad from the thai restaurant nearby.  i didn't eat much, but i ate!  i guess a 3-day juice fast is a more realistic goal for a beginner?  i did 4 days and the next 6 days seemed a bit daunting.  like i said before, my juicer at home doesn't really juice leafy greens, so i was taking in mostly fruit juices at home when i wasn't picking them up at Luna's.  which meant....lots of sugar!  so i was taking in more calories than i wanted... the good news is, i got a taste for juicing!  i definitely appreciate the taste a lot more now, the nutritional benefits, and the boost of energy a fresh veggie juice can give you.  i would like to try juice fasting on a regular basis and build up the ability to go for 10 days.  i also want to start having a large veggie juice in place of dinner a couple nights a week when i've had a hearty lunch--to help maintain weight and get those extra vitamins and minerals.  like i said, they are curiously filling and satisfying...it's okay that i FAILED miserably this time, but i did 3-1/2 days, which is better than nothing, and i will try again soon! 

the perfect summer wedge

 i am dying for these PERFECT summer wedges by Jeffrey Campbell.  $155.  i would wear them with EVERYTHING.  i would wear these with jeggings and a thin tank top or with all of my cute sundresses for summer.

kate moss and  a panda

juice fast: day 3

day 3 of my juice fast.  still feeling a little sluggish and tired today from all the toxins exiting my body.  i did notice my tounge felt sludge-y this morning when i woke up and my breath was stinkier than normal.

it is true though that your tastes adjust and i'll be honest that i didn't really enjoy the taste of juices before this, and now i really like them.  even the super vegetable-y ones.  i also feel good about being so hydrated and taking in a lot of liquid.  i tend to be dehydrated on most days because i just don't think about taking in enough liquids.  i definitely have a new-found appreciation for juicing as well as for eating!  *hehe*

i love the idea of a "cleanse" because it gives you a feeling of a fresh start.  after this cleanse, i will have a new appreciation for food again and really focus on making sure i am taking in yummy and healthy foods to fuel my body.  i have a tendency to get lazy and eat a lot of processed foods when i get busy.  now i know i can grab a fresh-made juice that will give me energy and a boost of nutrients.  i used to be vegan years ago, and i remember how it makes you really *think* about all the food you are putting into your body because you can't just eat anything and everything the way everyone else can.  it really made me more educated on food in general and pay attention to balance and learn alternative ways to season foods.  after this fast i am treating myself to some new bikinis (see photo), a mani-pedi, and eyebrow wax.  i will be spring ready!  and my favorite farmer's market will be opening up again so i will have access to tons of fresh local produce for eating and juicing!

today i feel:  still sluggish and tired.  i normally don't have any type of body odor smells for some odd reason, but i definitely notice some rank today *lol*.  hopefully, it's a signal of nasty things detoxing from my body.

hunger level:  5/10.  not as bad as yesterday.  i wouldn't say it is a "hunger" more than a craving of texture and salt.  like i said before, the juices leave you feeling unusually satisfied and full.  as long as i am taking in a variety of fruits and veggies, i feel satisfied.  every time i finish a juice, i get a boost of energy.  

weight loss:  3 pounds.  apparently a lot of the weight you lose at the beginning is water weight.  it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle of eating nutritious foods and getting exercise in your routine to maintain your weight.

what i've had today:

• orange, apple, pear, lemon juice
• kale, cucumber, celery, carrot, apple juice
• cucumber and lemon juice 
• carrot and orange juice
• celery and pear juice 
• cucumber and pear juice 
• tomato and carrot juice
• orange, apple, pear juice

goals for tomorrow:  hopefully will be feeling more energetic tomorrow.  i will be drinking my juices with gusto and go on a nice walk.  for those of you wanting to try this and are worried about "temptation" around the house.  i've been still preparing meals for matt, but they've mostly been "cold meals" like sandwiches and stuff that aren't as tempting.  it may be harder to stomach cooking a feast with the smell of roasted garlic and everything but preparing small, quick meals has been no problem.  getting in lots of greens and beets, etc tomorrow.  the juicer i have at home right now will not juice greens or kale unfortunately so i am stuck with the veggies it can juice for now.  that is whats nice about being able to grab one at Luna's! 




 

juice fast: day 2

i feel:  tired.  i was full of energy this morning when i got up and had plenty of energy to burn until about 1 p.m.  feeling sleepy and drowsy.
hunger level:  7/10 a lot more hungry today!  the juices are still satisfying and i did a better job today of drinking my juices throughout the day to quell my hunger.  didn't really begin to feel hungry until about 3 pm.  i noticed that "savory" juices like the tomato juice, when drank quickly, makes me feel very full afterwards.





weight loss:  2 pounds

still feeling good about the juicing.  getting a bit harder now for sure.  apparently the first 3 days are the hardest because your body is releasing all the toxins during these 3 days which can leave your body feeling drained.

what i've had today:

• kale, orange, apple, lemon, ginger juice
• coconut water
• tomato, parsley, celery, cucumber juice
• green apple, lemon, kale juice
• coconut water
• carrot, orange, pear juice

goals for tomorrow:  it's my day off, so i will be relaxing.  may try to do some "light exercise"...i.e. just go on a nice walk, if it's nice outside but nothing that exerts too much energy.

juice fast: day one

i feel:  sluggish.  didn't sleep well last night; period just started (of course).  i feel like the sluggishness/ clumsiness i'm feeling today is due more to other factors besides the juicing to be honest.
hunger level:  not bad, 4/10.  i feel relatively satisfied with my juices.  healthier than what i would normally eat.

so far i'm feeling positive and enthusiastic about the juice fast.  i was concerned that i would hate the  taste of most of the juices, but so far everything's been pretty good.  more satisfying for me than just munching on a plate of raw carrots, oranges and kale.  like i said, haven't been feeling too hungry except for when i first woke up.  then again, i ate a RIDICULOUS amount of food the night before which tends to make me feel starved in the morning when i wake up.  

what i've had today: (by 5 pm)

• ionized water with lemon
• kale, orange, apple, lemon, grapefruit, cucumber, ginger juice
• carrot, orange, ginger juice
• tomato, parsley, cucumber juice
• carrot, apple, kale juice
• carrot, apple, kale, lemon, cucumber juice
• carrot, orange, celery juice

goals for tomorrow:  focus on getting more greens and veggies in my juices during the day.  my juicer that i'm using at home does not juice greens very well so i need to make sure that i am getting them from Luna's!  dilute evening juices with more veggies that are easy to juice like cucumbers and celery to lower to sugar content going into the evening.  

hunger level going to bed:  3/10.  actually not feeling hungry at all this evening and pretty satisfied.  day one, accomplished!