Would you like a brownie w. that milk?

nothing like a chocolate fix mid morning to get ready for PUNCH class. I love kickboxing classes. Even though I'm grunting my way through most of it, you can't beat that feel good rush after class.

Salmon for lunch.

with peppers and mushrooms

aaaand a bit of leftover gnocchi from the other night. Gnocchi- warm pillows of doughy goodness with butter and parmesan cheese. Mmmmmm..

Breakfast this morning: bagel w. cream cheese and smoked salmon. I think I'm overdoing my allowance for fish per week. You're supposed to eat it twice a week and I think I'm averaging about 3-5 times a week :). Just can't get enuff!

Such heartbreaking news.
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/15/egypt.logan.assault/index.html?hpt=Sbin

Defying gravity

I've been eating a lot of the same things lately. Sometimes variety isn't the spice of life :o)

The best bagel sandwich ever!! and so easy..

I've been on a good workout track: BoxFit Monday, Zumba Tuesday, I think I'm going to do PUNCH today :)

Whey protein smoothie for my sore muscles..
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/pubsandbars/the-waiting-room-review-32450.html

I met a friend for lunch at the Waiting Room near Kings cross. You can't beat a lunch for £5! Unfortunately, the chicken breast was pretty dry and flavorless except for the slathering of ketchup and mayo I put on. Good thing the chips saved the meal :)

Breakfast, study, workout, study, salsa. Sounds like a good day to me.

A little bit of Idina to get the day started!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_390681&feature=iv&v=39gpaDnjW4I

Soul mates

Happy LUUUURVE day!!! 
My day got off to a very productive start with some BoxFIT at my gym. My hands are a bit shaky now tho.. I have a feeling I'm going to be feeling some DOMS tomorrow (Delayed Onset of Muscular Soreness!!)

the fuel for my workout : a sesame bagel w. garlic n herb light cream cheese

Lunch:

I sauteed some spinach and mushrooms

threw in some cold pre-cooked chicken tikka pieces

I placed a few tablespoons of quinoa in my wholewheat tortillas, topped with chicken/veggie mixture and a swirlin of siracha

 

Wrapped up nicely :)

I finished Eat, Love, Pray yesterday. Once I started, I really couldn't put it down. I found the author's spiritual journey to be so authentic and her love musings heartbreakingly relatable. Definitely on my must read list. I also couln't help myself; I bought the movie today even though I've already seen it two times :-D I'm such a sucker.

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master..."
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)

Valentimes Day

We had a Korean feast last night to celebrate Valentimes a few days early.

Homemade pajun with fresh batter and loaded with lots of seafood. It was just as good if not better than restaurant pajun. Yuuummmm-O!!!

shots of soju. I swear someone was trying to get me drunk.

marinated beef for the japchae

Jap-chae with inoki and oyster mushrooms

spare ribs marinated in kalbi sauce

minor problem with the broiler oven causing the fire alarm to go off but it was so delicious!

Korean pears just isn't going to cut it for dessert- lo siento!!

more Korean goodies.

chocolates to end the night. :)What an amazing feast!!

Delhi Grill

Smoked salmon and eggs whites on an onion bagel with a banana/crunchy peanut butter. This breakfast is full nutrients with protein from the egg whites, good fat peanut butter, omega 3's smoked salmon, and potassium with the banana.

That was yesterday's breakfast. I had a nutrition test yesterday and I **thankfully**think I passed that one. We only had 3 days to learn nutrtion and how it applies to our everyday lives and fitness. I definitely think we should have spent more time on the subject but unfortunately, since we're not going to be qualified to give out nutrition plans to our clients, 3 days was all that was allotted. I'll have to go back to 3 years of school for that. Food for thought I guess. 

Breakfast this morning before my run.

 

We've been learning in class that eating prior to working out (at least an 1 hour or more if possible before) is a good way to rev up your metabolism and provide you with the energy you need for your workout aka possibly burn more fat!! and boy do I need more of that fat burn. I'm beginning to see an extra layer of fat around my tummy from all my indulgences/vices :o)  

My run today was pretty brutal. I managed to do a total of 4 some odd miles but I had to stop a few times to catch my breath. I'm still a little sick and definitely out of shape. It felt good though to get back to running outside.

Lunch @ Delhi Grill. This Indian joint is near our flat and right in the heart of Chapel Market where all the hustle and bussle is. Cute interior with newspapers from India plastered on the walls and Indian hip hop/r&b playing in the background.
http://www.delhigrill.com/

Dipping sauces. The colors of the two were fantastic. The beet sauce was my fav!

Mixed meat platter consisting of tender marinated pieces of chicken, lamb chops, and sheekh kebabs. The plate came out sizzling and did not disappoint in terms of flavor and texture.

Chicken Makhani

Okra- I needed some sort of veggie in the mix!!

Naan- For some reason this today tasted like pizza dough. Not that I'm complaining. Either way, it was delish.

I would definitely go back to Dehli Grill. The food was flavorful and super tender. The service was also pretty good for London standards. We got a pitcher of tap water AND the guy offered to fill it up when he saw that I was pouring the last glass. What a rarity :P

Throwback song of the day: Jagged Edge "Promise"

Mangia!

Some of my day's eats. Breton chicken on top of quinoa and wrapped up in romaine lettuce.

I have no time to blog these days but I'll have time off next week from my PT program and I'll be back in full force!

Asparagus, boiled then sprinkled with salt, pepper, and garlic salt

Breakfast this morning was simple and delicious. I cooked some egg whites and had them in an onion bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Mmmmm... Omega 3 Essential Fat goodness :)

Now doesn't that make you want to make one yourself?

Dinner tonight was moroccan tagine chicken

with a big handful of spinach. Gotta get my 5 of veggie servings a day :)

Chocolate moouse marshmellow sundae

 

Merengue with layers of crunchy chocolate and strawberries.

What a way to end a beautiful night. Peace!

Stupid, no good, darn test

So I definitely think know I failed my test. It was pretty ridiculous really. I kept flipping through the pages thinking it was going to get easier and it did NOT. FML!!! I guess they don't call it Level 3, Advanced Personal Training for nuttin!! It'll take about 2 weeks to find out the results and until then, I guess I'll keep studying...

We got out early yesterday and I fell asleep for about 2 hours.. I musta been tireeeed!!

Din din. Dun dun..(law and order)

Kefta kababs.

They were so delicious!!!

and a kefta pressed sandwich made with pita bread. Omph..I'm so full..

Breakfast this morning was clean and simple. Cereal, Muesli, blueberries, and strawberry/vanilla yogurt.

 

I'm actually excited to go to class today because we're learning about Nutrition. My favorite subject!!

Song of the day: Justin Bieber (yes, I said it. who knew, I actually dig his songs!! Plus, he's a cutie patootie!!!) "Up"