Mountains into Molehills

Here in the PNW we have a little candy company called Brown and Haley.

(Maybe you are familiar with Almond Roca ~ no Christmas is complete without it, just fyi)

Well they also make something called a Mountain Bar. 

I loved these when I was little and hadn't seen them in the store in years.  Yesterday my mom and I were in a little local gift shop and they had them.  I plunked down my 69 cents and chose the Peanut Butter one.

As I was about to rip into it, I decided I would just check to see what the calorie count on this baby was. 

230

It stopped dead in my tracks.  I was so excited for my peanut buttery goodness, but I just couldn't justify that many "empty" calories (especially with something the size of a half dollar) so I put it in my purse.  Later in the day, I decided that if I just ate half of it that would be better than all of it.  I ate half of it and it just wasn't as good as I remembered and certainly not worth the calories I just gave up. 

I was bummed yet proud of myself at the same time. 

The old me would have just popped it in my mouth and not given it a second thought (I might have even gotten a second one for the road, tsk tsk) but my newly more aware self took a second to think, evaluate and then decide. 

 

Even though I still ate half of it, I realized that I won't be temped in the future and a Butterfinger mini packs the same punch (maybe even slightly better) and is on 80 calories. 

It all comes down to choices and every calorie saved gets me that much closer to my goal.

Fresh Starts

Happy 2013!!

As with every January 1st we look ahead with excitement for things to come.

Fresh starts always seem to be the theme of the day.

Trying to get a jump start on my New Year's Resolution, I started mine on Dec. 2nd.

I was watching a YouTube video on simplifying and the chick made a good point ~ why wait? 

So I didn't. 

I've really been trying to be more mindful of my eating. 

Most days go well, some are less than stellar, but still much better than before.

Focus on the positive, right??

One of my goals is to eat more eggs.  I'm not a huge egg fan to begin with, but I know they are a good source of protein and good way to start your day.  For me, the secret for eating eggs is to mix them with things I do like so I've been enjoying this little breakfast casserole. 

I whip it up on Sunday and breakfast is ready for the week. 

The best part it is only 230 calories per slice and surprisingly filling.

Pair it with some fruit or a smoothie and you are good to go.

 

Benji's Egg Casserole
3 servings of hash browns
1 C 1% milk
6 eggs
2 oz shredded cheddar cheese
1 C bacon bits (I use the Kirkland "fresh" bacon bits)
In a 9x9 pan layer hash browns, eggs/milk, bacon and cheese
Bake at 350 for 55 min
Makes 6 servings

Enjoy

One of those people...

I have become one of those people.
The kind I have always found annoying.
The kind who get up at ungodly hours to work out.

Not only do I get up at 5:15 to go workout, I have realized that this my ideal workout time.
If I don't go at 5:30, chances are it won't get done.
I guess that early in the morning my brain isn't fully awake and the auto pilot is full swing.
So even though I feel like this

It will all be worth it to look more like this