Meal Prep Sunday 12.27.15

Sometimes we have to take a moment and thank God for how truly blessed we are. That's exactly what I did after I closed my fridge. All the food that was prepped is a blessing.

I prepped 5 breakfast, 5 lunches and, 5 dinners. And, although the main reason to prep food is so I can know what I will be consuming and have a heads up on my caloric intake and macros for the week - it feels nice to know there is food waiting at home. 

This week I told myself I wanted red meat. I'm not much of a red meat eater. I am the person who always orders chicken at a restaurant. And, I laid off red meats at the beginning of my weight-loss journey because red meats are more fatty. But, if I'm honest, I am just lazy and cooking chicken is a whole lot easier and quicker! 

I always concentrate on what I am going to eat for lunch. For me, this is my biggest meal of the day for several reasons: 

1. Because I have been sitting in a chair for almost 4 hours and deserve some good food to be able to finish the next 4 hours 
2. It's mid-day and even though I am sitting down, I am still more active than what I would be at home and my body can burn the meal throughout the day 
3. I usually workout in the evenings so, I tend to go for light dinner meals since it's so close to bedtime

So! With all that said, take a look at this weeks lunch menu: 

Monday: Salmon & Avocado Salad

Tuesday: Sweet peppers & Curry chicken with veggies and wild rice 

Wednesday: Round eye steak, yams and Sweet snap peas

Thursday: Sweet peppers & Curry chicken with veggies and wild rice (btw... Thursday is new years eve, so lets just assume a lot of alcohol will accompany all my meals!) 

Friday: Curry Chicken Salad 

I wasn't finished with the Butternut soup in this video yet. But, you can see it here. 

Have a healthy week! 

<3 Mariela 

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

I went to three different markets before I finally found a head of cauliflower I could buy. And, all the while I kept thinking "who the hell is buying all the cauliflower in Sunset Park?!". Then, I freaked out a little because I thought cauliflower season might have ended. What? Wait, no. Cauliflower season is all year long. So then I went back to thinking, "who the hell is buying up all the damn cauliflower?!".

As you might of been able to tell, I had a craving. And I was going to be highly upset if I didn't end up finding any cauliflower because I wanted pizza. Yes, that is right pizza. It's one of my favorite sin foods. A sin food being a type of food that you know is not healthy, it's not going to help you loose weight, you'll absolutely love it while you're eating it and, then feel like shit when you enter it into your food diary and realize how many fucking burpees you have to do to burn it off. Sin food. 

But, I had remembered that my Big had made me a pizza once with a cauliflower crust. So that's what I intended to do. I already knew what toppings I was adding and everything. I was really simply tasting the deliciousness in my mouth. A healthy pizza!


Ingredients 

• One cauliflower head
• 1/2 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 
• 1 egg 
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic 
• Salt & Pepper to taste 

Directions 

Okay, so this recipe is suuupeerrrr easy. The hardest part is just dealing with the cauliflower. I take the head and chop up the florets. The pieces I make a a bit big and coarse. It makes dealing with the cauliflower a lot easier. I take the chopped cauliflower and I steam it. If you don't have a steamer you can boil and drain it. However, the less water content that's in the cauliflower the crispier it will get. After steaming the vegetable I place it in the blender. This is the part where having a food processor would be ideal but, I don't have one. Anyways, I pulse the mixer so the consistency of the puree isn't too smooth. After its done I dump the puree of cauliflower in a bowl and mix the rest of the ingredients. Mix, mix, mix. That's it! Prep time is done. I place my prepped cauliflower crust in a flat tray (I use a cookie tray!) and place a thin layer on it. Leave it in the oven for 15min at 450*F. Done. Simple! If it's still a bit mushy lower the heat to 350*F and leave for a little while longer.

I topped my pizza with chipotle chicken, sweet peppers and tons of mushrooms. I pre-cook all the ingredients because I don't want to leave the cauliflower in the oven for too long. So, I sauteed the chicken in chipotle sauce on the stove and grilled the mushrooms and peppers on the George Foreman grill. I sprinkled a bit more cheese on top so it can melt while in the oven. But, really it didn't need it. The cauliflower crust had a nice taste with the cheese it already had. 

Funny story 

I introduced my little brother to an amazing app called MyFitnessPal. I use it religiously and it's helped me be conscience of my eating and exercise habits. As I know he wants to loose weight I told him to insert what he eats and when he goes to the gym in the app. He downloads it, says he'll use it, cool. One day I see that he walks into the apartment with a box of pizza. He had ordered Dominos pizza at 10:30 pm! When he came out of his room, like the sister I am, I go up to him and ask, "Do you know how many calories are in one slice?". No, he didn't (and neither did I). I took his phone, opened up MyFitnessPal and started adding to his food log: 

Dominos medium pizza 

Pepperoni topping 

Bacon topping 

Extra cheese topping 

One slice (one itty bitty slice) was 320 calories. And I told him One itty bitty slice. When I told him this, the little brat kindly remarks, "oh that's a lot. Put down that I ate four slices." 

Ha! Oh goodness.
Well, I hope you guys enjoy this healthy alternative.




Buen provecho.
<3 Mariela 

Central Park Classic Holiday 10K

Live, Love, Run!
Words to live by.

After my last race last month I was feeling so energized that I wanted to keep on running.
So, I signed up for another race - NATURALLY!

I decided to sign up for the Central Park Classic Holiday 10K. That's right, a 10K! That's 6.25 miles and twice as long as my last race. Up until this point all I've participated in are 5k's. So, I was a bit scared that I wouldn't be able to finish the race. I clocked my last 5k at about 33 minutes; and I thought I was running pretty slow. So, I almost tripled my last time allotting myself 1.5hrs to finish.

In the end however, I was impressed with myself. I finished the 10k in less time than I thought I would; 61 minutes! That's amazing to me! I had stopped twice during the race. Once at 3.2 miles (5k mark!) because my pants were falling! They kept sliding down through out the entire race. But, it's crazy how they don't actually fit me anymore. I don't know about you but, that is definitely a Non Scale Victory. hahaha! My weight-loss journey has been nothing but an amazing success. But, anyways back to the race. The second time I stopped was around mile 5. Yes, this was what I was worried about; I wasn't used to running long distances, I was getting tired, at that point my knee started ti hurt so I slowed down! I just kept telling myself that I couldn't give up. And, I did not. I beat my own running pace and my running time is now 9'54" per mile.

I swear I'll get better with each run, every therapeutic session, every step and, every beat.

I didn't take many videos or pictures of my mile marks like I did the last time.

   1) I didn't want my phone to die 

   2) I was really trying to pace myself and run consistently without stopping 

Hopefully you still enjoy the video below!

Listen to this cool mix that I jammed to while running!


Run to the beat! 
<3 Mariela 

A Full Lunch Bag

I am currently in the middle of exams. Waking up early and going to sleep late is nothing new to me. The problem with it now is that I literally want to eat everything! I am a stress eater. I diagnosed myself a few years ago. I just don't know why but, when ever I need to study I think about food and what I could possibly eat. I seriously cannot study without food! I think it's a low key procrastination technique.

Either way, I needed to control it. Suppressing hunger is never the way to go when you're trying to loose weight. When they tell you that you can't have it, it makes you want it more. So I decided that I will just give in to my cravings and that way I can study peacefully.

I am all for meal-prepping food. Secretly, it's a bit of a highlight when my kitchen is a mess with different meats and vegetables all over the place. And, it's okay because in the end I have everything related to food figured out. Usually, when I meal-prep I pack two meals; either breakfast and lunch or, lunch and a snack. This week (finals week) I have meal prepped and packed five meals each day! That's 5 breakfast meals, 5 lunches, 5 dinners and, a whole lot of healthy snacks. Talk about awesome healthy organizational skills! (insert applause please).

Today I packed a full days worth of food in my lunch bag. How everything fit is beyond me. All I knew is that today was the day before my final exam for electrical science and it was going to be a loooong day. I still had to show up to work and I needed to fit a little gym magic in there. And, I did not want to crave crazy things while I was trying to calculate the current of a circuit.

Here's the menu
Breakfast: Protein shake, turkey bacon and, boiled eggs
Mid-morning Snack: Yogurt
Lunch: Mashed yams, mushroom cream & wild rice soup (seriously this recipe is delicious!)
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Bosc pear and string cheese
Dinner: Grilled chicken with vegetables and avocado
Evening Snack: Blueberries and protein bar (a delicious and healthy studying snack!)

Now, I am sorry for anyone on a mobile site that can't view the video above. But here's the magic that overloaded my lunch bag today. Meal prepping is a bit time consuming because you're cooking meals for the entire week in one day. But, you save money (lunching out in TriBeCa is not cheap!) and for those of us who want to eat a bit healthier it stops us from making bad choices; like ordering Chinese food because you were to tired to cook dinner (been there, done that, multiple times).


Stay healthy!
<3 Mariela

Meal Prep Sunday

The key to any weigh-loss journey is PLANNING!
If you plan to win, you will win!
If you fail to plan, you will fail!

A healthy and successful weigh-loss starts in the kitchen. Cannot stress that enough! Yes, going to the gym and pushing it to your limit then showing off a sweaty pic post workout rocks! I am soooo guilty of that. But, going to the gym takes super dedication and commitment. Lets be honest, we do not all have the time. It is super important to cook fresh, nutritious and yummy food in your kitchen. That is the real workout for your body. When your body stops trying to breakdown all the trans fat that you are consuming, when the sodium you take in doesn't make you feel bloated and, when nutrients are utilized to the max... well your body will amaze you!

You do not have to get on a crazy diet. Everyone used to ask me (and still do) what diet am I on. I'm not on a diet- I am eating healthy and I eat everything to moderation. Once you learn how to moderate what you consume you'll learn the right portions for your body and best of all, you will not over indulge on a craving! It takes time guys. But, I believe in you.

It's a simple saying: if I can do it, you can do it!

Take a look at my meal prep for the upcoming week! I love Sundays!

Kiss the chef!
<3 Mariela

Honey Grilled Salmon

I had so much fun snapchatting about my meal prep process yesterday. What if it became a regular thing? I LOVE to cook. However, I do not enjoy doing the dishes afterwards. And I really do LOVE food shopping (it's second after shopping for school supplies), I just don't like waiting in line at the register to pay. Lol so let's just say that cooking is a love-hate experience for me.

Well there is one recipe that I just wanted to share with you guys because it was BOMB! I made honey grilled salmon and yes, I shall be making this again. I'm not a big fan of seafood person; I do enjoy calamari but the majority of the time at restaurants the dish is fried, so that's a no with my current lifestyle change (healthy & fit baby!). Next in line is salmon. I can eat a well prepared salmon any way you lay it on me; it's usually what I order at restaurants because it's full of good nutrients, low in calories and I am trying to be fancy on the low-low.

Honey Grilled Salmon

• One 5oz salmon fillet (1 inch thick)
• 1 teaspoon of Adobo
• 1 tablespoon of garlic power 
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey 
• 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil 

Okay this recipe is simple, simple! Sprinkle the adobo and garlic powder on the salmon and rub the herbs in. Next pour the raw honey on top of the fillet and spread. Let it marinate for 15 minutes. The honey should still be visibly sticky - do not let it go dry! Next, spread the coconut oil on the hot grill and place the salmon. You should hear a very romantic sizzling that would be the honey on the grill; cook salmon for 8 minutes. I used my George Foreman grill so, it didn't matter what side of the filler touched the grill because they both did! But, if you're using a regular grill place the salmon skin side up to cook. 

I paired this delicious fish with a fresh avocado lettuce. What will you pair it with? 

And below is that awesome snapchat video. Buen Provecho!

68lbs GONE!

Let the record show that on November 22, 2015 I, Mariela, reached my weight loss goal! 

Did you hear that? I REACHED MY GOAL WEIGHT! That is 68lbs GONE! 

Gone and absolutely never, NEVER, EVER coming back. 

I started my weight loss journey in May 2015. I was my heaviest ever and I felt it everywhere. 

I didn't always used to be big, I would say I was average with a good enough dose of physical activity to keep me at a good place. I really liked the way I used to look. Then somewhere in between junior and senior year of college I gained some weight. "Freshmen 15" is an understatement. It was more like "you just gained 35lbs in a semester and you need to chill the fuck out". But I didn't know how to make better choices. Eventually, the stress with school, the sorority, my (at-the-time) relationship and being 400 miles away from home really took a toll on me. I couldn't even begin to start working on myself even if someone handed me a step by step manual. At that point I just didn't know how to be happy. In the end, I left school and gained even more weight. Eventually the weight gain stopped. It didn't mean that I had any weight loss- I just remained at the weight I was; fat. However, I had moved back to NYC (where my legs where my main source of transportation- I walk everywhere) and little by little I started to feel okay with my inner-self and wanted to go out more. 

On the inside, my inner demons were battling with depression and slowly winning. Major improvement in my life. Going to church, praying daily and keeping faith may seem cliché to some but, that's how I maintained control of depression. It's how I maintained control of ME. On the outside however, the mirror won each and every time. My clothes were tight and not fitting properly, I thought I looked a mess, going shopping was never a favorite of mine (even before the weight gain) but, now I dressed it. Every time I'd talk to my mother she'd somehow find a way to mention that I've gained too much weight and say that she'd want to see me the way I looked before, when I was "skinny". I want to start by saying that many of the women in my family are vain (Sorry! Not sorry!) and only care about appearances. I can't blame them, they grew up always hearing that a woman needs to be presentable for her man, she needs to be sexy, she needs to cook and clean. So I took her remarks and everyone's else's with a grain of salt. Because I knew I was never going to be that woman who did shit to appease to any man. I knew I was worth so much more than the way I looked; I'm intelligent, know how to read construction plans, can apply engineering calculations and, can manage any construction project thrown my way. But those comments still hurt. They cut. Yes, I was big but, I am still that girl with the same heart and love. 

Eventually I said enough. I told myself I would start going to the gym. The local gym near my house was having a promotion; $99 for a year. A year! How can you go wrong with that? Plus, it was open 24hrs, it was walking distance from home- really no excuses. So I went & registered. I paid the fee, took a tour around the gym, the lady who took care of me told me to come pick up my ID in a week. One week but, I didn't go. Ever. I kept telling myself I would go but, truth of the matter was that I was too lazy. Months and months went by and I would walk past the gym when ever I'd go to the bank and keep on walking. But hey, at least I was walking! 

It might of been intimidation but, I just couldn't be on a machine. I missed the freedom of the north country (where I went to school). I wanted to get in a river and kayak, I wanted to go hiking and ice skating. I wanted to take a long camping vacation. I figured something about myself along the way, I am a bit outdoorsy and I like it. So, I began to jog a little; head phones in, music in my ears and I felt the freedom I was missing. Summer of 2014 I gave myself a new challenge: run across every bridge connected to NYC. It might of been the excited bridge-designer-wanna-be in me but running across those bridges was exhilarating. I would look at the suspension cables and automatically think about the torque and tension keeping this bridge from collapsing into the Hudson River. 

And then, I met a boy. A boy who enjoyed to constantly eat out at restaurants. And that healthy kick of making smoothies and going to buy fresh fruits and vegetables every weekend died. This said boy drove everywhere because when it came to taking the MTA he just "wasn't about that life". Of course I was hanging out with him all the time so, the constant walking I was proud of barely was there. I went from walking an average of 25,000 step on a regular day to barely walking 4,000 steps. Eventually we moved in together - to the Bronx out of all crazy places! I didn't completely feel safe in the neighborhood I was in and the night runs that used to cleanse my soul never happened. I gained 30lbs during the time I was with him. I was at my absolute heaviest weight ever. EVER! I didn't feel attractive, lost all sexual drive, lost my confidence, felt isolated from the world, missed my family and friends, and I stopped going to church. The more I realized how out of touch I was with myself the angrier I became.

Eventually, I started going to the gym. I logged in all my meals. I began to food prep. I started going out during my lunch time to walk around the neighborhood and get extra steps. I became super engaged in MyFitnessPal. I found a platform where I could be honest about my weight, my sadness, my willingness to try and received the most amazing support. Although the boy was supposed to be on this fitness change with me - he still enjoyed to go out to eat; okay, I looked for light options, lower calorie dishes, or just portioned out my meals so I'll have something for the next day. When he was eating cookies in bed I walked to the kitchen and got an apple. I started making my shakes again; full of green vegetables and fruits. I went out and bought a weight watchers cookbook - and making meals in the kitchen was fun again! 

Somewhere along the way my boyfriend and I broke up. Many people thought I was trying to get a "revenge body" after the breakup. No, that was not the case. I was so sad while I was with him and I couldn't figure out why. Yes, we broke up but I was not about to let that stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I kept going to the gym. Kept speed walking on the treadmill until I was able to run. I finally walked all the damn bridges! And slowly, my happiness creeped back in. And when I saw the results I was getting - forget it, I was hooked to doing good. In August I was beyond feeling myself with my progress. But, today, after reaching my goal I am just happy. Simply happy. Yes, I think I look amazing as fuck! But, I am so proud at myself for being so determined. For not giving up. For not skipping the gym on evenings when all I wanted to do was go home and forget the shitty conversation I had with the contractor because he closed up walls and there was no way to know if the wall was insulated or fire-rated properly except to knock it down. I gave up alcohol for nearly 6 months! Do you know the times I just wanted to have a glass of wine and relax? But, no thank you. I'll pass. Fast foods like Chinese take-out, pizza hut and, McDonald's became a thing of the past. Saved money in my pockets and lost inches around my waist. It was hard work! But, along the way I found myself and it became a lifestyle I loved. It was disciplined and kept me on schedule - I am a planner so, it all worked out. 

Am I stopping here? Absolutely not. I just made another goal. I'm going to keep pushing myself. Settling is not something I ever want to compromise on again. So just wait for my next progress blog - it'll be better. Because I am a better woman today. 

Starting Date: May 11, 2015

Staring Weight: 198 lbs 

Current Date: November 22, 2015 

Current Weight: 129.9 lbs

Yes, you can do it! 

<3 Mariela

Hey, I can do this!!

My first progress picture. Four months of hard work!

                                            

Hello! 

So this is my first post in regards to my weight-loss journey. I just came back from vacation- a little scared to get on the scale! Lol But screw it! I've lost 40lbs since I started this marvelous journey and if I gain any of them back I know I can loose them again.

I initially started this weight-loss journey because I really hit a point in my life where I would just cry for no reason. Looking from the outside in, I was fine. I was doing fantastic at work, had been given a raise, my projects were all excelling within budget and schedule. I was planning to go back to school & although that was a stress and a half my ducks were lining up nicely. At the time I was in a relationship and even that seemed fine. He supported me when I needed him and encouraged me to hit the gym. But when ever I went into my closet I felt discouraged, I would get dressed to go out and feel absolutely miserable. Working in an office and dealing with clients, I would always get dressed up: business dresses, heels, makeup and accessories. That quickly stopped. I told myself I wouldn't get all fancy because I had a long commute and didn't want to wake up any earlier just to put on foundation. But the truth was that I just gave up on myself. I felt super sad all the time and it showed! I stopped wearing makeup, didn't get dressed up for work, I had not been in a salon in months! And all this affected me but, also those around me. I felt bad about myself so I pushed those who cared away; family, friends, loved ones. I seriously did not like this person I became- she was ruining my life. 

But now it's been 3 months. And I feel great. I have lost 40lbs and it feels amazing. I look in the mirror and don't flinch away. Haha! I'm short, 5 feet. So you can notice absolutely everything! But you also notice the loss. And seeing my progress makes me want to go further and see what more I can accomplish. I don't feel sad as much as I used to. Going to the gym and working out, burning calories and sweating bullets it all fuels me with happiness and hope. I go running and at the end of it I'm puffy, sweaty and out of breath but wow, emotionally I am at 150%. It makes me feel like I can keep going through life.  

I think my weigh-loss has been healthy. There are some who have asked if I'm starving myself or over working at the gym. And hearing things like that makes me sad, the answer is no. I exercise regularly, I stuff myself with proteins, vegetables and fruits, I gave up alcohol (except for that minor moment at the resort  lol) and there is no more fast food nor junk food. I feel proud of myself. I know I have always been a girl who gets the job done right; work has never been a problem to me. And I'm looking at this journey as the ultimate project. And I know I can do this. I was upset at myself for close to a year. Now I am appreciating everything that I am. I am smart. I am kind. I am forgiving. I am beautiful.

Starting Date: May 11, 2015

Staring Weight: 198 lbs 

Current Date: August 21, 2015

Current Weight: 156.1 lbs

At the hotel. 

                                                           

At the hotel.

                                                           

La Isla Saona 2015

                                                               

Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 2015

                                                               

Let the Beet in!

All week I've been adding beets to my smoothie! 

I've had a real high on making my breakfast very liquid but hearty too! I've been going to the market and buying fresh fruits and vegetables. I'll even say I've had more spinach than I ever had in my life- I'll start looking like Popeyes soon! 

Each morning I wake up and slice and dice a few pieces of fruits and either add cucumbers, spinach or both! One time I decided to add a beet. They taste good in potato salad and are high in iron- which unfortunate for me my body does not have enough of. Well, if you've had my mothers potato salad you'd notice it's pink and that's because beets stain absolutely everything. 

After peeling and slicing it up my cutting board had pink stains, the knife was bleeding in pink and my hands looked like I dipped them in paint and never washed. So be warned! Use gloves, wash up everything right away and do not get it on your clothes! 

I threw it in the blender and had a very, very thick shake. I enjoy some pulp in my drinks but this was too much. So the second time I decided to add beets to my beverage I took out an old family helper- the juicer (which has been collecting dust, untouched for over a year). I juiced a bunch of beets, which were about four heads and it gave me 100% pure and pulp free beet juice. It made so much of the dark red liquid that I have been adding it to my smoothies all week long! 

So far I've tried two variations: 

Smoothie #1:

•Beet Juice

•Almond Milk

•Kale

•Blueberries

•Green Apple 

•Strawberry meal plan from Herbalife 

•Protein Powder 

Smoothie #2: (featured on the pic above!) 

•Beet Juice 

•Almond Milk

•Kale

•Strawberries

•Black Berries

•Seedless Green Grapes

•Cantaloupe

•Vanilla meal plan from Herbalife 

•Protein Powder 

Enjoy!