I have been wanting to go canoeing all summer long and here, it is almost over!  The husband and I decided today would be the perfect day, so we got up early and packed up the daughters for a day at the lake.

First, I filled up with a big bowl of AB&B (almond butter and banana) Oat Bran…

• 1/2 cup oat bran
• 1 1/4 cup water
• dash salt
• dash cinnamon
• 4 drops liquid Vanilla NuStevia
• banana
• 1/2 tbsp. almond butter
• sprinkle of sliced almonds

Oat bran is so filling.  Following the serving size on the box makes a ton!  Although I love volume, it was a little too much for me and I couldn’t finish it.  I’ll have to scale back on it next time.  I’d rather skimp on the oat bran than the almond butter

After breakfast, we were off to Marsh Creek Lake.  I’m not sure why we never thought to visit the lake before today.  It is a beautiful place!

The lake covers over 500 acres and draws many boaters to the area.  Sailboats, rowboats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboats were all available for rental.  Because of the vast lake area, the husband thought it best we rent the motorized rowboat so we could explore for a couple hours.  Good thing since about 4 seconds into our scenic ride, little daughter was already asking when we were leaving

I smile and row…

We explored the lake for close to 2 hours, then returned the boat and found the nearest picnic table to eat lunch.  I packed the traditional sandwich and chip fare.

Almond butter and fruit-only raspberry preserves on white whole wheat for me…

along with reduced-fat Kettle chips and a gala…

Then, we headed home and crashed!  All that fresh air knocked us out!

I got moving after a quick 10 minutes of shut-eye and started preparing dinner.  We invited my parents and Gram over for a falafel party.  Yes, FALAFEL!!  I know, I’m still yelling in happiness about these

The falafel party spread included…

• Falafel Republic falafel balls
• whole wheat pitas
• Trader Joe’s Tzatziki sauce
• Hummus
• shredded lettuce
• sliced cucumbers
• sliced tomatoes
• sliced onion
• roasted sweet potato wedges with chipotle guacamole dip
• salad

The chipotle guacamole dip was a big hit with the parents.  In a small food processor, I combined 1 chipotle pepper (in adobo) with 1/2 cup greek nonfat yogurt and 1/4 cup guacamole and blended until smooth.  The heat was a nice compliment to the sweetness of the potato.

My plate of falafely goodness…

We ended the night with a family game of Sequence…

My parents whipped our butts again.

Twice.  

I smile and go.

Have a great day, everyone!

Do you like boating?  Have you tried canoeing or kayaking?  I ogled the kayaks;  I really want to try that next time!

My body was not so happy with me this morning.  The brick workout left me all kinds of sore and ouchy.  In a good way, though!  But, I took the hint and did no formal exercise.  The body said “hallelujah”

The stomach said the same to breakfast!  A cheesy egg white omelet…

and an Ezekiel english muffin with a smear of whipped butter…

Time for fun in the sun!  My eyes can’t get enough of this…

It makes me happy

We decided to beach it all day, so I packed up lunch and snacks.  Funny how I still work down the leftovers, even at the beach!  I brought the last of the FALAFEL! (yes, I’m still yelling about it) and ate them “lettuce wrap style” with a bit of horseradish sauce…

(x 3)

Along with it a salad of tomato, cucumber, carrot and sliced lite string cheese …

I did lots more sitting and reading.  And a little snacking…

Clementines are so sweet!

I finally got off my butt and jumped around in the ocean with the family.  Big daughter took a few pictures of me out there in the surf.  I haven’t had bathing suit pictures taken in a long, long time.  Probably like 20 years.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to look at these.  But, I did.  It was NOT a pretty sight.  I just stared and stared at them, incredulously.  I can’t lie;  they made me feel awful.  I couldn’t help but have a mental pity party ( I make a very concerted effort to NEVER talk about my weight or down myself in front of the daughters).  I was sad about how I looked.  For as healthy as I try to eat and as much as I exercise, I just still can’t believe that I look the way I do.  The husband talked to me about how I felt about the pictures and helped me to realize there are just some things about my body that I may not be able to change.  I’m hippy and bottom heavy and that’s the way I’m built.  And as much as I hate to admit it, age is a factor as well.

However, I decided not to DWELL.  I easily could have.  I even started to feel that “what the hell” eating mentality beginning to surface that moment.  I mean, I had a great excuse, right?  I already looked ginormous in those pictures, so I might as well eat to match it!  Wrong. 

Thinking positive…

• I am healthier than I have ever been in my whole life.
• I treat my body well with foods that are good for it.
• I have made exercise an important and REGULAR part of my life.
• I may not be where I want to be, but I no longer look like this…

Yes, I could still stand to lose some poundage (serious poundage after seeing those pics ), but I know that the work I am doing with respect to changing my relationship with food is more important to this journey and keeping the weight off.

No dwelling.  Happy again, see?…

Onward…

To dinner!

We went to a cozy restaurant in Smithville called The Lantern Light Tavern…

I started off with a Margarita – $2 drink special – who can resist??!!

It was Mexican Monday at the Tavern, so I went with it.  The server brought fresh salsa and chips for the table…

My plate (x 2)…

I ordered the Chicken Fajita Salad with lime dressing which was served in a taco shell that impressed the daughters…

They had fun breaking off pieces of the shell and nibbling!

During dinner, we all got a kick out of the roosters that roam around this quaint village…

We stopped for coffee on the ride back, then took Rocky for a nice walk.  It was a beautiful evening!

Time for relaxing

Have a great day, everyone!

Oooh, I almost forgot… I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a video – One World, One Smile for The Levity Project.  My friend, Lance at The Jungle of Life wrote a post debuting it.  Go check it out;  it will make you SMILE!! ** I’m “smiling” (aka looking like a goofball) about halfway in! LOL! 

How do you feel about having your picture taken?  Do you try to hide your body from the camera?

No better way to start the day than with brownies!  Don’t worry, it wasn’t THAT kind of day!   It’s all good with these…

I saw this recipe on one of my new favorite sites, The Gracious Pantry and I could not wait to try them out!  I made a few minor changes to the recipe based on what I had on hand;  using extra light olive oil instead of canola, 1 cup unsweetened organic applesauce instead of 2 ripe bananas and 3 tbsp. sucanat instead of agave.  They were FABULOUS!  The daughters loved them, too!  I added a small handful of mini chocolate chips to the batter for their waffles and topped them with a dusting of powdered sugar and drizzle of maple syrup.  What a treat!

But, mine were just as amazing with drizzle of PB2…

Seriously, I am in love.  Love, love, love.  Glad the recipe makes 14 waffles because these babies are gonna go fast!

After my lovely breakfast, I kicked my butt to the basement for a 40 minute ride on the stationary bike.  I’m having a rough time getting motivated for these home workouts anymore.  So weird because I had originally begun this whole healthy living journey with home workouts .  It wasn’t until this past September that I started at the gym but, I kind of got used to that routine and miss it.  I just gotta hang in there another week and I should be able to get back to it.

Lunch time rolled around a little later than normal.  I was surprised at how long those waffles held me over!  I decided to continue the food love with my new favorite…

FALAFEL!!!  Same as the other day – with plain yogurt and roasted peppers.  Paired with a simple tomato, cucumber and basil salad…

Headed to my parents house in the late afternoon for a visit and a snack…

Can’t get enough of those Jersey peaches!

We stayed for a delicious dinner prepared by Mom.  I started with a small bowl of rigatoni – a miracle because I can put DOWN some pasta …

Then had roasted chicken with chimichurri sauce and my Grilled Eggplant and Bread Salad…

The salad was a take on Panzanella Salad which is a tomato and bread salad.  In the mix…

• 1 large eggplant, (slice, grill, dice)
• 3 tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
• 2 handfuls fresh basil, shredded
• 2 Ezekiel hot dog buns (split and grilled)
• 1 1/2 oz. crumbled lite feta cheese
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• s + p to taste
• 2 tbsp. evoo and 2 tsp. good balsamic vinegar

Note:  Add the bread to the dish right before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.

A meal in itself! …

Missed my press tonight, but there’s always tomorrow.  There’s also a RUN scheduled tomorrow!  Can’t wait!

Have a great day, everyone! 

Poll:  Pancakes or Waffles?