Chia Seeds

I bought a bunch of Chia Seeds at Winco awhile ago for a recipe and I wasn't sure what to do with them or why they were good for me, so I found this article that gives a list of health benefits. Check it out. I've been putting a teaspoon or two in my protein shakes. I also put them in my protein bars.

http://www.nuts.com/cookingbaking/chia-seeds/premium.html

Chocolate Spiked Oatmeal Cookies

I made these for a party on Friday and they were delicious and I had a few compliments on them. Try them out! I found the recipe on cleaneatingmag.com.

INGREDIENTS:
Olive oil cooking spray
1 1/4 cups quick-cook old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 tsp flaxseed meal
1 tsp cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup raw honey
1 large egg white
2 tsp unsalted almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark bittersweet chocolate chips (about 40 grams)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, egg white, almond butter and vanilla.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients all at once and combine. Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide batter equally into 16 mounds (about 1 rounded tbsp in size) and arrange evenly spaced on prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a slightly dampened spoon, flatten each mound into 2 1/2-inch circles. Bake 9 to 10 minutes, until golden. Cool on sheets for an additional 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely. Stored in an airtight container, cookies will keep fresh for 2 to 3 days.

Progress Photos

I've been wanting to do take progress photos for awhile and I finally got around to it. If you've noticed I haven't been posting my weight and inches lately. I've been been pretty upset since I have lost much week to week but I'm trying to give up my obsession with "the numbers." Numbers aren't everything and it's definitely not the only way to track progress. I found this quote on the Health & Fitness Personified Facebook page. (I recommend this page) "The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. That's it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength  or love. Be more not less." I try to read this everyday when I think about stepping on the scale. I want to be lean and fit and the only way to track that is by photos. So... here it goes, my photos my before's are from September 16, 2012 and my After's are from yesterday November 30, 2012! I haven't hit my goals yet but I'm pretty happy with my success so far!