How Are You Succeeding?

As you know, I'm new to this blogging stuff, and I just this minute realized that a few of you have posted comments! Wow! I had no idea! So please forgive my lack of responsiveness....

Since we are nearing mid-2010...can you believe it...let's check in on our Goals and how well we are meeting them. And let's be sure to put a positive spin on it. Rather than focusing on what you "failed" at and what slipped through the cracks, talk about what you did well, and then expand on how you can improve upon that.

- I have succeeded in keeping my blog going, and I can improve by spending less time worrying about preparation for it. I will spend that time by following Nike's advice and "Just Do It." I realized that I wanted it to be so perfectly planned out, that I never thought an idea was good enough or interesting enough to discuss. While I DO want it to be interesting to my readers, I also want them to have something to read!

- I have succeeded in training a minimum of 6 days weekly to prepare for my 1st bodybuilding show -- which happens to take place 6 days from today! I can thank Coach Adam and my family for helping me achieve this goal. Without them, it would have been impossible to have come this far. To improve upon it, I simply need to stay the course. My real goal included a specific number of contests in which to participate: 3. It just so happens, I'm enjoying this enough to actually WANT to keep going. There is another in August and September. I will discuss it with the family and Coach Adam before deciding which is next.

Where are YOU in achieving your goals? Now that I know people might respond, I'll be looking for your mid-year status report!

RECIPES
A dear follower friend has asked a few times for more snack ideas and I have unintentionally neglected her! To be honest, I wanted the ideas to be perfect and fabulous, yet nothing seemed amazing enough to post. Following my own improvement advice above, I'm just going to put some of my regulars out here!

Baked Cinnamon Apple (1 serving, can certainly be increased to desired amount)
- peel and dice a large Granny Smith apple
- squeeze 1/4 fresh lemon over it, or use a tsp bottled lemon juice
- sprinkle 1/4 tsp cinnamon over apple
- sprinkle 1/4 tsp Splenda (or other sweetener) over apple
- toss to coat
- bake in toaster oven set to 375 until apple pieces are easily pierced with a fork (try 10 mins first and see how they are...increase time as needed).
For larger quantities, bake in a regular oven (and use more of everything). Adjust seasonings to meet your family's tastes!

Desserty Cottage Cheese (1 serving)
- 1/2 c. Low Fat or Non Fat Cottage Cheese
- 1 tsp Splenda
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Combine ingredients and enjoy! I love this one.

Actually cottage cheese is quite versatile! It offers a decent helping of protein with very little fat (if you go the Low or Fat Free route). I love to mix a serving of yogurt with it (choose one of the low cal, low fat yogurts) - Boston Cream Pie being my favorite combo; you could even put the cinnamon apples in the cottage cheese. Fresh berries in cottage cheese is another tasty choice. Basically, I believe that cottage cheese should be a staple grocery item.

Here is one that feels very decadent:
Ginger Pears (4 servings)
- Crush 2 gingersnaps into each of 4 dishes
- Dice 2 large fresh pears and divide evenly over the gingersnaps (you can use canned pears, but unless fresh pears are unavailable, I don't know why you'd want to)
- mix 1 cup vanilla yogurt with 1 tsp cinnamon (can you tell I like cinnamon?) or pumpkin pie spice (or chai spice...whatever spice you like, actually)
- divide the yogurt mixture evenly over the 4 dishes
- Top with a few more gingersnap crumbs if desired and chill about 30 mins to 1 hour or until serving.

This one is easy and delicious for breakfast (or anytime, really)
- 1/2 cup of regular oats (please avoid the instant kind)
- 6 egg whites
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
(you can also add mashed banana or other fruit or sweeteners, or chopped nuts)
Blend with a hand blender, and cook on the griddle like pancakes. It's very runny, so be sure your griddle is HOT and pour carefully.

Other easy snacks:
- low fat string cheese (can dip it in sugar free pudding...)

- low carb tortilla rolled with turkey or roast chicken, lettuce (okay, it's a sandwich)

- mix Canadian Bacon in your egg whites & scramble or make an omelette with diced mushrooms and onions -- this is currently my favorite breakfast

- grill canadian bacon and serve with chunks of canteloupe or pineapple

- oatmeal mixed in yogurt, or oatmeal with the above cinnamon apples (add in a scoop of vanilla protein powder to make the meal similar to apple pie a la mode - but healthier!)

- Smoothies are always great and versatile! Mix up the fruits, mix up the protein powder flavors, even mix up the liquid you use for endless possibilites.
- vanilla protein + orange juice + bananas + unsweetened shredded coconut = tropical shake
- chocolate protein + water + brewed coffee = mocha shake
- chocolate protein + water + peppermint extract (just a touch) = mint chocolate shake
- vanilla protein + oats + water + vanilla extract + blueberries = blueberry muffin shake
- vanilla protein + canned pumpkin + pumpkin pie spice + water = you guessed it!

I could go on and on with smoothies. If you don't have a hand blender, you must remedy the situation right away. Do not pass Go, Do not collect $100. Seriously. I'm not joking here. I recommend the Cuisinart Smart Stick. It even comes with chopper and whisk attachments!

So let me know --
1) How are your goals coming along?
2) What is your favorite healthy snack?