Updates: Healthy Eating

Well, my goal to start making healthier choices has become a pretty fun journey. So far I have made frozen yogurt, banana muffins and chosen a banana or spinach salad as my afternoon snack instead of a KitKat.

Don't get me wrong, I'm still splurging on some Fannie May candies Hubs bought me for Valentine's Day, but I am keeping it under control much more than before. I take one or two pieces with me to the couch rather than the box.

One thing I am learning, however, is the difference between "ultra healthy" and "regular" items. Allow me to explain:

• Frozen yogurt is absolutely fantastically delicious, but it freezes solid. As in, ice cube solid. Chip it away with an ice pick and get nowhere, solid. So I have to plan a little more in advance when I want to have a cup. However, it being more difficult to scoop makes me scoop less. So not only is it better for me, I am eating smaller portions. 
• Muffins without traditional ingredients taste like air, but they give me enough momentum and time in the morning that I can get other tasks accomplished while I eat them and appreciate their lack of calories. I typically have toast with butter and jelly for breakfast, so while the toast is getting nice and toasty I pack lunches and feed Princess. When it finishes, I spread the fatty, sugary goodness all over it and indulge while trying to chew as fast as possible to get out the door as close to my planned departure time as possible (which rarely ever works). 

NOW I can just grab a muffin, munch away while I pack lunches and I actually feel full right away, not like I am craving something more to eat (typical with my toast breakfast). Again, smaller portion and healthier ingredients! Woo hoo!

I'm going to hunt for a more flavorful recipe, but I do plan on continuing to bake healthier breakfast options for myself.

I eat oatmeal at work mid-morning, so I try not to steal the Oatmeal Energy Bites from Hubs; if you were wondering why I didn't just eat those all along. Hot oatmeal with applesauce and a banana is my favorite, so I enjoy that daily.

I am loving how much better I feel about myself, and I feel like my weight gain the last week has really just been for Billy, not the after effect of daily KitKat indulgences.

I'm going to take a photo and update this post tonight, but meanwhile, here is the frozen yogurt recipe I concocted based on my frozen yogurt recipe research.

Mixed Berry Frozen Yogurt

Juice from 1 lemon

1/2C sugar

2C frozen mixed berries

1tsp vanilla

1C plain yogurt

1C Greek yogurt 

Pour lemon juice, sugar, berries and vanilla in a saucepan and stir. Bring to boil, then simmer until sugar has dissolved (about 5 minutes). Mash berries lightly with potato masher. 

Remove from heat and allow berry mixture to cool completely (I placed mine in a container in the freezer for about 30-45 minutes). 

Combine 1C plain yogurt with berry mixture, then 1C greek yogurt. 

Pour into ice cream maker and churn for 30 minutes or until creamy. Enjoy! 

Healthy choices on top of having just bought pants that fit me is making my pregnancy so much more enjoyable!!! I hit the wall at 25 weeks thinking "I don't know how I can continue like this..." but now I'm feeling great again and the next 12 weeks should hopefully be a breeze... minus the mental fogginess. That will be a challenge for me to get used to.