FMD Week 3 {Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Healthy}

Breakfast

Eggs with homemade salsa

Week 3 of The Fast Metabolism diet is almost done. I went into the week very frustrated due to the number on the scale. Frankly, it hadn't moved since my 4 lb loss the first week. I have been running almost everyday plus doing extra abs, squats, ect and for someone who is a "number" person...not seeing the scale move kills me. Sure my pants are falling off and I feel hard muscle even when not flexed, but I need the number.

Snack

Turkey wrap (brown rice tortilla) and veggies with homemade garlic hummus.

So I realized I must have hit a plateau and how was I going to brake it? First I thought about doing a three day "master cleanse" fast, but I got so busy I never went to the store of supplies..lol So instead I changed up my eating. I didn't completely stick to the strict "FMB" diet this week. What I did was pretty much eat Paleo 5 times a day.

Dinner

Chicken with the best broccoli EVER!

Side Note: So I found this recipe from The Amateur Gourmet called "The Best Broccoli of Your Life" and let me tell you, it was amazing!! I never would have thought to bake broccoli but I am so glad I did. This is my new favorite way to eat these "trees". Served hot on my plate they were delicious but I had the leftovers for a snack the next day cold right out of the fridge and it was still fabulous! You have to try this recipe!!

Breakfast

Power smoothie - Vanilla Almond milk, frozen mango, pineapple, peaches and fresh spinach.

This smoothie was so perfect that even though it was green, even my girls had a glass full. I love how much more adventurous they are becoming with food.

Dinner 

Burger with an avocado cucumber salsa and steamed asparagus.

So 4 days into the week I finally broke the plateau, saw the number change and felt much better. I know it's crazy to let a number control my thoughts and actions, but when you have an eating disorder you have been fighting for longer than you can remember and it is banging at the door trying to convince you "it" is the better way, you have to hold onto something. I want to be healthy, I want to eat healthy...I do not want to open that door again and every day it is a struggle to keep it locked up. I am doing good and that is all I can ask of myself.

Family Fun - Knoebels

Last weekend was opening weekend for Knoebels and we just had to go. Knoebels is a fabulous family amusement park with one of the oldest wooden roller coasters still in use. It is free to park and free admission. You pay for the rides you want by buying a book of tickets or getting an all day pass hand stamp. I really like how they do that so if you have little ones who only like a few rides, your not paying out the wallet for an all day passes.

They absolutely have everything for every age.  Shows, live music, rides and a water park. Here are some of our family favorites...

 High up in the ferris wheel 

 What little girl doesn't love the carousel?

Train ride, with a real working steam engine train!

Family day is not complete with out a soft serve twist! Oh and p.s., the food at Knoebels is amazing! Better than you would expect for an amusement park.

The ski lift..going up...

View of the park from the ski lift

War games

We have only been to Knoebels a few times since we moved here but it has quickly become one of our favorite family get away places. From our town it is almost a two hour drive and so worth it! Knoebels is a great family friendly place to spend the day or even camp for the weekend.

Oatmeal Carob Chip Cookies - Gluten, Dairy & Egg Free {recipe}

I made these cookies last night in anticipation of being able to have a delicious treat today. I was excited for the girls to get home yesterday and to try them because I can count on them for the brutal truth. I hoped they would be excited about them especially since I took a black garbage bag to the pantry a few weeks back and gutted their normal "special sweet treats" stash.

So when they got home and after the backpacks had been emptied I told them I had a special treat...mommy baked! I told them I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Okay so a little white lie, but unlike the way I grew up, my girls do not know what carob is. I realized how sad that was because I LOVE carob! That was our "chocolate" growing up and I forgot how much I loved it until I popped a few unsweetened carob pieces in my mouth while baking...heaven! Pretty sure that explains why I am not a chocolate eater. I have never been a fan of chocolate chip cookies, even warm out of the oven, and can only eat chocolate in very small doses.

Anyways, my girls loved the cookies...wahoo! Score one for mom! When I told them they were "healthy" it helped them to understood that just because I am cleaning up our diets does not mean that we have to live without the good stuff we enjoy.

I found this recipe from The Fast Metabolism Diet website. I added and deleted some items due to what I had on hand and my taste preferences. Enjoy!!!

Oatmeal Carob Chip Cookies:

Preheat oven to 400

1/3 cup raw nut butter (I used Almond butter)

1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

2 Tbls. grapeseed oil

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup organic coconut sugar

1 cup Bob’s Red Mill Spelt Flour

Pinch sea salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 cup oats

1/2 cup organic carob chips or unsweetened chocolate chips 

1/2 chopped raw walnuts

In a stand mixer (can also use a hand mixer) add the nut butter and oil, turn on Med to cream. Slowly add the almond milk and vanilla to the mix. Once incorporated and creamy add the coconut sugar and and mix on low until fully blended.

In a large bowl add all the dry ingredients...spelt flour, oats, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. When the wet ingredients are ready add to the bowl.

Add the carob chips, chopped walnuts and mix and fold in. Once all ingredients have been fully mixed it will look like a thick, sticky batter. Drop by the teaspoon full onto a ungreased cookie sheet (like parchment paper)

Bake for 9-10 minutes until cookie looks dry but not over baked. Let cool and eat! Delicious!!!