Eating Out

Sometimes it's nice to not have to cook, especially when on vacation. I am definitely not someone who frequents restaurants- it's cheaper to prepare and pack food at home and eating healthy (and gluten free) at restaurants can be a challenge. 

After spending all afternoon on the lake under the hot sun I was tired and did not feel like cooking. It took awhile, but we finally got everyone to agree to a small family style restaurant. Small towns tend to love their fried foods and "cholesterol clogging breakfasts" as my mom calls them. While it is a challenge eating healthy is not impossible.

I ordered the Michigan Salad with Grilled Chicken. The salad came on a giant plate- it was enough for two meals (leftovers for lunch YAY!) It had iceberg lettuce and a bit of romaine lettuce, dried cherries, slivered pecans, mandarin oranges, red onions and lightly seasoned grilled chicken. It was supposed to be tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette dressing, but I ordered the the salad without the dressing. 

The salad was better than I expected! The chicken was grilled perfectly and the manderin oranges were not too sweet. I really enjoyed the salad and plan on making my own version at home with some additional veggies and organic spring mix lettuce.

Choppy Waters

It has been a rough day all the way around. I went to change to workout when I started feeling really sick. Ever since my stomach has been really upset and my brain feels like a jackhammer has been at work. Needless to say I never got the chance to lace up my sneakers for a run, which is extremely frustrating.

I didn't dare eat the amazing meal I had planned for lunch with my stomach tossing and turning. Instead, I opted for a bowl of oatmeal (at my mom's recommendation) to be gentle on my stomach. On the bright side I got to try a new brand of gluten free oats I bought- Love Grown Foods Super Oats with Chia. They are amazing and I highly recommend them! 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup (GF) unprepared oats 
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 peach cut into chunks
• 1/3 medium banana
• 1/3 cup vanilla greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon almond butter

In a microwave safe bowl prepare oats according to the directions. 

*If you are using Love Grown Foods Super Oats with Chia I don't recommend using the 1 cup of water they say to use. I only used 1/2 cup water- the yogurt makes the oats really moist and you don't want oatmeal soup.*

After oats are cooked add in fresh fruit, greek yogurt and top with almond butter.

Cabin Days

Nothing like writing today's post while watching the sunrise over the lake. It's so incredibly peaceful. A little clean northern air does the soul good every once in awhile. Yesterday was another busy day of lake festivities, but I managed to squeak away for awhile and check out a tiny gym located in a small town. Surprisingly the gym had really nice, relatively new equipment and I killed my workout! You know you've had a good workout when you leave dripping in sweat.

After a quick stop at the grocery store before I headed back to the cabin to clean up and grab lunch. I am not someone who is usually hungry after a workout, but I know my body needs to refuel. I did not want something heavy that would sit in my stomach for hours so I made a light salad and topped it with one of my new favorites- goji berries!

Goji Berry Salad

• 1.5 cups organic mixed greens
• 1/3 cup diced bell peppers, I used red and orange
• 1/4 cup avocado, cut into chunks
• 3 medium cherry tomatoes, I sliced them into halves
• 1/4 cup pepitas and sunflower seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried tart cherries
• 2.5 tablespoons goji berries

Along with my salad I had some greek yogurt topped with a bit of granola and banana slices smeared with PB2.

I was in charge of dinner last night so, after playing on the lake all afternoon I braved the heat and humidity and slaved away over the hot grill. A little dramatic I know, but it was extremely humid to be grilling. The end result way totally worth it though because everyone kept telling me how delicious dinner was and they want it again. 

I had to laugh because dinner was nothing overly fancy. My dad had requested chicken kabobs so I threw those on the grill along with some fresh veggies. 

Vegetables take awhile to cook on the grill, but the wait is well worth it. Be sure the grill is heated all the way up before putting anything on the grill.

I grilled the veggies for seven minutes and then put the chicken and chicken kabobs on the grill. The meat only needed seven minutes per side, time will vary depending on how thick the meat is. While the meat is cooking be sure to stir and flip the vegetables often so they cook evenly. 

I suppose I should go workout now because I am rapidly losing motivation to do so. Have a great day!