Sunday, January 30, 2011

E: Granola Bars, Weekend & Preggers Update

Hope your weekend has been wonderful!! Here is the “quick” run down of mine.

Friday: After work, errands & housework, I made up a batch of granola bars. I switched my recipe around just a bit:

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup almond meal  (or ground up almonds)
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 package chocolate chips or chunks
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 cup canola oil (can use applesauce)
  • 2 large eggs (can use flax substitute)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well (at first it will seem like there isn’t enough wet- keep mixing!).  Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray. Push mixture into the bottom of pan with the back of a spatula/spoonula. Bake for 28-30 minutes until slightly browned on top. Let cool completely, cut into bars, enjoy!

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Friday night, Josh and I had a date night in! I made tacos for Josh & a taco salad for me. Two ingredients were key in this dinner. 1) TJs Taco Seasoning (that Josh’s Mom picked up for us). I had heard that this stuff is SPICY, so I only used a small amount and we loved it:

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2) A sample of Pace Picante salsa I got from Food Buzz (disclaimer: I received this product for free):

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My completed taco salad with greens, carrots, jalapenos, salsa, ground turkey, refried beans, and a broiled tortilla:

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Saturday, I went to the gym, got my hair done and then enjoyed lunch with my Mama. Saturday night, we hit up Sette with Bryan and Mandi.  Me & Josh:

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Mandi & I:IMG_1272

I was a little boring and got a chicken salad, but it was tasty :)

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Today, probably brunch with friends and cleaning. What are you up to?

Pregnancy Update: 14 week photo(showing BeBand, explanation below)-

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I’m feeling much more energized this week (even given my work travel)! Cravings are about the same, but I seemed to have a thing for popcorn this week too. Things that have surprised me: How quickly my HR skyrockets during workouts. To answer a couple of the questions I was asked:

1. Will you continue to teach classes through your pregnancy? A lot of the instructors I know taught right up until they popped! My swelling issues have prevented me from teaching so far and I’m not sure I’ll be able to go back until after the baby is born. No biggie- TOTALLY worth it :)

2. Is it hard to tone it down in class? Um, yes! Especially Step….I love the explosive moves. BUT I keep my heart rate monitor on and check it constantly to make sure I’m staying under my recommended limits.

3. please make sure to eat enough protein ok? :) I am! I monitor my protein intake every day! My doctor recommended 75 grams per day in the second and third trimester and I’m doing my best to meet or exceed this total. Again, another reason I am adding a little meat back into my diet.

4. Can you still sleep like normal or have you had to change your sleeping position? The recommendation I received from my doctor was to sleep on your side as much as possible, rotating to your back when necessary. After the fourth month, you should try to spend all of your sleeping time on your sides. This was actually a lot easier than I thought it was going to be!! I used to be a belly sleeper, now I find the thought of sleeping on my stomach uncomfortable.

Favorite pregnancy product so far, BeBand’s:

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My regular jeans still fit fine, but are a little uncomfortable when I sit down. These let me unbutton the top button without my pants falling off ;)

Enjoy your Sunday!!

39 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have never heard of a beband, that is super cool!

Lauren said...

What a great weekend! I've had that TJ's Taco Seasoning before and loved it. I think I ended up using the whole thing though because our tacos turned out crazy spicy but I'm a bit of a spice freak. :)

You are looking more and more beautiful each day. I had no idea they made such a thing as bebands but what a great idea. I'm sure its hard to be in that transition period of not being able to fit comfortably into your old jeans but not big enough yet to go up another size. You can tell these were invented by a woman! :)

Take care sweetheart!

Molly said...

awww! There is definitely a little baby in there! How exciting!
good for yor for being aware of your body-bim sure it's hard to cut bac but, like you said,worth it.

Nisrine|Dinners and Dreams said...

I want one your granola bars for breakfast! I'm glad your pregnancy is going well. You look radiant.

Gen said...

Those granola bars look AMAZING!
You look awesome, too! =D
Can't wait for the next update!

The Purple Carrot said...

Mmm, I can't wait until our TJs arrives so I can try all these TJ products people talk about ; )

I really enjoy your pregnancy updates, and glad everything is going well! :D

Christina said...

that beband is awesome! your stomach is adorable and you really look great!

Julie said...

ha! i just used the pace salsa last night for dinner. i loveeee spicy food so i mayy just have to pick up a pack of that the next time i hit up TJs!

there was this woman in my spin class who took spin i swear until like the week the baby was due! and then she got right back to it like as soon as she popped the kid out. i was like ookkkkayyyyy

yay for a fun weekend! today i've just got some relaxing to do and weights at the gym! i should probably get myself in school mode asap too haha. enjoy your sunday girl!

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

The granola looks great. You're too cute. Love all the pics. Glad you're getting your energy back.

Pound said...

yum! the granola bars look tasty! I'll have to pick up some of that seasoning from TJ's.

my fav pregnancy item right now is my jeggings i bought from GAP. loooooove them!

Simply Life said...

i have a friend who was just talking about this band - so good to know!

vanillasugarblog said...

wow. i still can't believe you're pregnant. am i going to be saying this for entire time aren't I? LOLOL!

vanillasugarblog said...

and thank you, for getting enough protein! the momma in me thanks you! ha

Amanda said...

I've definitely noticed that using a smaller amount of the taco seasoning helps a lot! That taco salad looks delicious.

14 weeks! How exciting! You look great!

Unknown said...

i love that taco seasoning mix!!

and those granola bars look like cookie/brownie bars, Mmmm

you look STUNNING

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

I need one of those BeBands for Thanksgiving! ;-)

Sounds like things are going great-- glad your energy has been high!

Corey @ the runners cookie said...

Your bars look fantastic, as always. And you are a glowing mom-to-be! The beband is so cool, what a great idea to not have to buy as many maternity clothes. You are clearly being so careful about monitoring your workouts and getting protein to do the best thing for your baby..first sign of an amazing mommy :)

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

Look at that lil' teeny baby bump, how cute are you!!! I'm so glad that you are doing so well hun :) Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

Annie said...

i love taco salads!!

that beband thing is genius!!

Faith said...

Your hair looks super cute, Erica! Mmm, the granola bars look great. That beband is so clever! I'm definitely going to remember that when my time comes! ;)

Heather said...

Oh, sister, you are just too cute. Glad to hear you are taking care of yourself (and that little peanut!).
Hope you are having a great Sunday!

Autumn @Good Eats Girl said...

You look great! And the BeBand is the best thing EVER!!! I loved it when I was pregnant!

teresa said...

i wish i knew about the beband back when i was prego! you look adorable. i'm going to look for that taco seasoning next time i go to tj's!

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

That beband looks super helpful! Sound like you had a great weekend. Glad your energy is up.
I'll have to pick up some of that seasoning:)
PS - you look gorgeous and so cute always!

Stephanie in Suburbia said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the BeBand. I used it for awhile after I had the baby, too. To hold my preggo pants on for a month or so, and then to fit into my pre-preggo pants with some level of comfort. It's a great investment.

Slowing down is so difficult! That was the hardest part of pregnancy for me.

RunEatRepeat said...

I use that TJ's Taco Seasoning in a bunch of stuff - love it. Mixed with tofu it's a great taco filler or with eggs for breakfast burritos :)

Aggie said...

You are so so cute!!

I have never made homemade granola bars and I really have no idea why since my kids eat the heck out of them. I'd feel so much better making them myself. Feeling inspired...

Loving the updates! :)

I've made a few dishes using Pace salsa...like browning some chicken or shrimp and then just adding the salsa directly into skillet to serve over beans and rice, it kinda makes itself into a "sauce". love it!

MizFit said...

seriously? I JUST GRIN at the words PREGGERS UPDATE.

fittingbackin said...

aw look at you! Cutest mommy-to-be ever! That product is great too and i'm glad to see, though not that i'm surprised, that you're adapting your protein levels, heart rate levels, etc. for the little baby! :) Take care and keep the updates coming - I love them!

alison said...

mmm those granola bars look yummy. you look so cute with a little belly! how fun to watch it via the blog!

RhodeyGirl said...

I really look forward to these updates. You look great!

Holly said...

Love the little bump!! My sister has a BellaBand and LOVES it. In fact, she used it for a month or two after her pregnancies, too! I kind of want one because they look super comfy. :-)

I LOVE your attitude about teaching. Your little one WILL be worth it - completely! And I'm glad for you that you are able to take your classes!

Krista said...

Glad to hear you're doing well! I wish they had something like a BeBand when I was pregnant. What a great idea! And it's been WAY too long since I've made your granola bars....

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

ah I love your updates!!! I also love that you said so maybe you wont be able to teach throughout your whole pregnancy but its TOTALLY WORTH IT! ya know what that has never been more true. So you cant work out AS hard as you would if you werent pregnant, but your pregnant! its a beautiful miracle! Do what feels comfortable and keep with the updates!!! ahh so exciting!!

glidingcalm said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I AM SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!! AHH!!!!

ashley@Quasichick said...

The beband is so neat!! Your mexican food is making me hungry!!

Bridget said...

Love the updates :) You look amazing! Those belly band things sound like an awesome invention! Might be useful on Thanksgiving too ;)
TOo funny, we made tacos Sunday night and I made myself a salad while Brian had tacos. I'm telling you..great dinner minds think alike!

Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

Aww so cute, the little baby bump - you look great!

Kerr said...

I am going to learn all kinds of preggars fun facts with you!