Did I really just eat that?!

I used to despise counting calories.  I would put pen to paper after each meal or snack and it would drive me to binge eat.  Seriously.  Too much thinking about calories and what I was consuming would stress me out.  But now I have MyFitnessPal and I pretty much love it.
It is fun, at the end of the day, to enter what I have eaten and what workouts I have completed.  It is a great way to keep tabs on how much I am consuming and if I am getting enough calories on days when I teach a lot.
So what's the drawback?  Well...it's right there.  In front of my face.  The handful of M&M's.  The cookie that I popped in my mouth while cooking dinner.  And the numbers don't lie.
It also has been VERY shocking to see how many calories and fat are in restaurant items.  Hidden fillers, sodium and cooking products really add up.

I had one of those shocking moments on Sunday.

Before I begin, I would like to ask you to suspend all judgement on the food, and the name of the food, that I chose.  Take it easy on me, okay? :)

Photo from Perkinsrestaurants.com

We had a very busy weekend so when Sunday morning rolled around we headed to Perkins for brunch.  I ordered the Country Cookin' Benedict.
I am a huge fan of Eggs Benedict and this menu item is English Muffins topped with sausage patties, cheese crumbles, gravy (duh!) tomatoes (for health) and cheese crumbles.  Add a side of country potatoes to make it a meal.  I did choose fresh fruit instead of a Mammoth Muffin.  *pat on the back*
Okay.  So I knew I wasn't ordering health food.  Anything that used a dropped G in the menu name is bound to be packed with fat and calories.  However, it wasn't until I had entered it into MyFitnessPal that I really felt the pounds packing on.

1,561 calories
91 grams of fat

EXCUSE ME?!  That is more calories than I typically take in, after exercise, in a whole day.  And the fat?  That is probably about 3 days worth for me!  Turns out it is under the "Over The Top Specialties" section, so, I mean...I really should have known.


I felt horrible.  Not just after the meal, which I did have a food hangover from until about 7:00 that evening.  But for not being more aware of what I was eating.  I am a Pilates instructor.  A personal trainer.  A fitness blogger.  I should not be eating things smothered in gravy, right?

But.

It was good.

And I don't eat like that every day or even every week or month.

So what is the moral of this tale?

It is horrendous that foods like this exist.  If I wanted a big breakfast, I should have made it myself for less calories and fat and definitely less chemicals.  But it is life.  And we all have moments when we indulge, right?  Will I order that again?  Maybe.  Next year.  Did I let it ruin my week?  No way!

Monday I jumped right back into a banana and peanut butter for breakfast, a green smoothie for lunch and as many veggies as I could eat.

So.  Indulge.  Occasionally.  One meal won't make you fat.  But be aware of what you are eating and how often you are taking in the bad vs. the good.  And make sure you will really enjoy what you are indulging in so that you feel satisfied instead of just wanting more.

Have you ever ordered something and searched it later, only to find out it was a calorie monster?

Do you allow yourself to order gravy covered breakfasts?

Do you count calories?  Do you use an app for it?

It's Day 2 of the Green Smoothie Challenge!  How are you doing?

Today I had one of my favorites:

1 bunch kale

1 bunch spinach

4 strawberries

8-10 grapes

1 cup COLD water

Blend until smooth for a refreshing, energizing drink!

Green Smoothie Challenge KICK OFF + Amazing Grass GIVEAWAY

Welcome to Day 1 of the Green Smoothie Challenge!
I am so excited to be a co-host for this fun event!  Just add ONE green drink to your day and that is it!  So far over 60 people are officially signed up, but I know that there are many others joining in, so WELCOME!

Katherine of Real Food Runner blog is our lovely host, and she has some tips on making your first green smoothie. 

To get the week started I want to share a creamy, satisfying smoothie that will fill you up without weighing you down.  This would be a great breakfast or lunch smoothie.  As I share recipes this week I will also add WHY the foods in the smoothies are so good for you.  I know not everyone is crazy about gulping down a glass of greens, so I am hoping that knowing why will give the extra motivation needed!

Coconut Lime Avocado Smoothie
Half of an Avocado  Healthy monounsaturated fat + Vitamin K for skin & bones, Vitamin E for eyes!
8-10 green grapes   Thiamine for live function, Vitamin C for anti-cancer properties!
1 kiwi  Heart & bone health and so much more!
2 bunches kale   Iron, Vitamin K, antioxidants to fight cancer--truly a super food!
juice from 1/2 a lime   Vitamin C for eyes & skin, lime oil has also been shown to help with the respiratory and digestive system!
3/4 cup coconut-almond milk
dash of honey, agave or maple syrup if desired to add sweetness

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth.  Continue to add extra coconut milk to achieve the thinness you desire.

Y U M !

Go here to officially sign up for the challenge, and comment below to let me know that you are in it for the week!

To celebrate the Green Smoothie Challenge Amazing Grass is sponsoring a giveaway.  Enter now as winners will be selected tomorrow!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The whole point of this challenge is to add greens to your daily diet AND to be able to share ideas with each other.

I would absolutely LOVE it if you leave me your favorite green smoothie or green juice recipe.  
I will share any and all recipes I get from readers later this week!

Be sure to check out the other co-hosts for recipes, fun and some fantastic tips like how to make spinach ice cubes! Kristine // Ashlee // Hope // Jezz

Sunday Social + Green Smoothie Recipe!

Happy Sunday!
I can't believe it is already Sunday and we are nearly to the end of April.  Time has been flying so far in 2013.

Are you taking the Green Smoothie Challenge?  It starts tomorrow and all you have to do is sign up here and add a green smoothie or juice to your day for the next week.

I have spent the last couple of weeks trying out recipes and I can tell you that on days when I have green juice I feel SO much better.  It really is a burst of energy and even my skin feels better.
Starting tomorrow and throughout the week I will be posting recipes along with Kat, Jezz, Kristine, Hope, and Ashlee. 

There will be lots of other fun posts to go along with the challenge so stay tuned!

Now, onto Sunday Social.

1.  What is your shopping weakness?
Oh, man. What isn't?  A great purse.  Cute shoes.  A casual dress that I can wear everyday.  And lets not forget make-up and body products.  I am a shopaholic and there is no way to hide it!

2.  What is your food weakness?
Pizza and sweets.  I can't say no to either.

3.  What is your go to movie to watch when nothing is on?
Spanglish, Good Will Hunting, and Conversations With Other Women are all movies that I can watch again and again.  Oh!  And lets not forget the pick-me-up movies Steel Magnolia's and Beaches.

4.  What is your go-to breakfast food?
A banana sprinkled with cinnamon with a dollop of peanut butter.  I feel best when this is how I start my day.

5.  Do you drink coffee?  If so, how do you take it?
Hells to the yes I drink coffee!  Daily I take it black, but I do enjoy a 2% latte for a treat and I have been known to add cream if I am at brunch.

Now it's your turn!  Answers the questions, grab the button and link up!
Not a blogger?  No problem!  I still would love to hear your answers, so leave them in the comment section below.

Enjoy your Sunday!