Lentil Flaxseed patties

1 cup of green lentils
5 cups of water
3 tbsp of flaxseed
2 tbsp of onion powder
1 tsp of cumin
1 tbsp of black seeds (optional or sesame seeds)
1 tsp of olive oil

Boil lentils until completely cooked on medium heat. Shut off stove. Add all other ingredients and mash together. Turn on oven to 350 °F. Take mashed lentils and make into 10 patties. Bake for 25 minutes. Enjoy.

Calories 87 Calories from Fat 12

Total Fat 1.4g 2% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 6mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 12.7g 4% Dietary Fiber 6.8g 27% Sugars 0.9g Protein 5.7g

Nutrition Grade A * Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 142 g

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value*

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 2% Calcium 3% • Iron 10%

Nutritional Analysis
Good points:
Low in saturated fat
No cholesterol
Very low in sodium
Very high in dietary fiber
High in iron
High in manganese
High in phosphorus

Cream of butternut squash w curry. (Vegan)

2 cups of butternut squash
1/2 cup of pecans (or walnuts)
1/2 cups of oats
8 cups of water
2 tbsp of curry
1 tbsp of olive oil
2 tbsp of dried parsley
2 tbsp of dried chives
2 tbsp of dried onion
1 tbsp of minced dried onion
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 tsp of salt
2 tbsp of dried garlic

Boil the squash for 10 minutes of medium temp w 4 cups of water. Boil oats separate in a pot for 10 minutes in 4 cups of water. Let cool for 5 minutes. Add squash, oats, pecans in blender until all smooth. Replace back on stove and add the olive oil and spices. Cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Serve.

Very creamy and nutty flavored. You might want to add a little more salt.
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Calories 175 Calories from Fat 124

Total Fat 13.8g 21% Saturated Fat 1.4g 7% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 602mg 25% Total Carbohydrates 14.2g 5% Dietary Fiber 4.1g 16% Sugars 2.6g Protein 2.8g

Nutrition Grade A * Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutrition Facts Serving Size 581 g

Amount Per Serving

% Daily Value*

Vitamin A 154% • Vitamin C 34% Calcium 9% • Iron 11%

Nutritional Analysis Good points No cholesterol High in manganese Very high in vitamin A High in vitamin C

Bad points High in sodium

I used the following link to figure out the nutritional value.
http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php

A promise to myself

A little over a year ago (going into 2012 to be exact), I made a promise to myself to lose 25 pounds by the time I turned 25 on June 26. I didn't realize that 2012 was going to be a year that really tested me. A lot had occurred (too much personal details to share on a public site). And my promise to myself went by the waist side along with the love handles that came with them. I was struggling with many different things in 2012 that I honestly wasn't focusing on myself and I put on weight, a lot of weight. At my heaviest I was at 147lbs (I'm 5ft by the way). Waaaay overweight!! eeekkk!!! I started running and doing 5k races 2x a month. Slowly weight was coming off, however I still didn't change how I ate and would eat chocolate every day. It was my crack!

When I went to go see my parents in Dubai in Oct, I was in shock in how much weight I put on since I saw them last in Feb of 2012. My dad embraced me at the airport and pinched my love handles saying, "Omama, what are these!?" I brushed it off and jokingly said, "Baba, winter is approaching soon and I need fat to keep warm." After hanging out with my family and their friends we finally headed back to the hotel we were staying at. My favorite part was about to take part.....getting clothes!!!! As my mom handed me all these different outfits, I was getting upset with her (really myself) that she bought me LG & XLG clothing! I flipped out saying I'm not fat and why would she get me such huge clothing. I WAS IN DENIAL!!!! I tried on the clothes she got me and they all fit...some were a bit snug. I was modified! I didn't indulge in my favorite foods the 2 days I was in Dubai and watched what I ate.

When I got back to the states, I started going out more on the weekends, dancing and losing some weight.  I decided I was going to get serious about my health and weight!

::::Breaking point::::

1) I work in the Insurance industry, it was heartbreaking to see people in their 30s, 40s on high blood pressure medicine and diabetes. I said, No Way is that going to happen to me!! I want to live!! So I started eating cleaner.

2) I started talking to more men and surprisingly, dudes with 6 packs were interested in me. Whoa!! Not that I'm shallow and go for what a person looks like, however someone with a good looking FIT BODY is a turn on. Getting fit was a motivated. I started working out more.

3) I felt like I was constantly lacking energy (and I'm extremely energetic). I didn't like it. So I asked friends, family, and a few associates to hold me to a challenge to better myself.
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Honestly it was the 3rd breaking point that REALLY pushed me. Because now I had to perform and get results.

I started doing Bikram Yoga after a dear friend encouraged me to sign up. That REALLY helped in eating clean and losing weight and wanting to be healthy!!

So now I am fulfilling my promise, although it's a year past due. My goal is to be at 110lbs by June 1st. I want to have a fit, clean, healthy, smoking body!!

I'm starting to accept my body and it's been exciting in watching the inches come off!!! I can finally fit into my size 2 pants (a bit snug and still have that muffin top). I'm currently at 134.7lbs. I have green smoothies 6 days out of the week. I have cut out pasta, rice, baked goods, soy, and dairy out of my diet. I don't eat red meat. I consume seafood once a week and turkey (which I will be cutting out except for 2x a year) once a year. I have increased my fiber in take (thank you flaxseed) and how much water I consume. I feel alive!!

Even my sweat smells clean. It's free of toxins!!

I haven't ate pizza in 2 months and haven't had chocolate in over a month. I am truly amazed at my discipline level!

What's crazy is I've been attracting people who care about their health and body into my life. I decided that I don't want to just go out to eat as "hanging out with someone." I want to get my heart pumping, challenge myself, and have fun.

I have changed the mentality of a fat kid to a skinny kid. I should actually say Fit Kid!!

Today I realized that never in my life have I ever had a flat stomach. I've always been that "fat kid" or "thunder thighs" as my brothers would call me when we were kids. Well NO MORE!! I'm Quarter of a Century young and going to be seeing 26 in a few months. Time to look the ABSOLUTE BEST IN MY YOUNG LIFE!

And the song/video that has boosted my energy and is now my theme is Now or Never: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym4dGPLd5Ww&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I'm LIVING my LIFE!! 

Get it right. Get it tight!!

Lentil Pecan patties

Lentil-Mushroom Burgers
1. In a medium-size pot, bring 2 1/4 cups of water to a boil, then add 1 cup dried green lentils, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/4 cup chopped onions. Simmer for 35 to 40 minutes.
2. Combine 3/4 cup chopped walnuts, 2 cups bread crumbs, and 1/2 cup ground flaxseeds in a small bowl and set aside. 3. In a separate pan greased with olive oil, sauté 1 cup chopped onion, 2 minced garlic cloves, 3 cups finely chopped mushrooms, and 1 1/2 cups finely chopped kale or other winter greens for 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly. 4. Remove lentils from heat, add 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, and mash ingredients together. 5. In a large bowl, combine lentils, sautéed vegetables, and bread-crumb mixture. Cool in a refrigerator. 6. Using your hands, form patties and fry or grill until lightly browned and crispy on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes each side. Serve on a toasted bun or on their

Cream of Mushroom w Spinach and carrots

8 cups of water
1/2 cup of oats
2 cups of spinach (fresh or frozen), chopped
1/3 of almonds (sliced)
1 big red onion, chopped
8 mushrooms (baby size), chopped
2 carrot sticks, chopped
2 tbsp of olive oil
1/2 a yam (baseball size), chopped into cubes
Tsp of salt
2 tsbp of garlic powder
1/2 Tbsp of crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper powder
1/2 tsp of black pepper
2 tbsp of onion powder

Saute mushrooms and onions w olive oil for 5 minutes on medium heat Add spinach. Add 3 cups of water and oats in pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off stove and let cool.

In a pot boil yams and 3 cups of water. (Low heat)

In blender mix chopped carrots and almonds w 2 cups of water until creamy.
Add carrot/almond mix to yams.

Add onions, mushrooms, spinach, oats in blender until smooth. Add to boiling yams.

Add spices. Cook for 10 minutes on low heat.

Enjoy.

Total calories: Per bowl (16oz) 190 calories.

Creamy Zucchini w/ mushrooms and peas

1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons oil
3 or 4 medium zucchini chopped
A half of a big yam cut in small pieces
1 cup of chopped up mushrooms
1 cup of peas
6 cups water
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons parsley (dried)
2 tbsp of chives (dried)
3 tbsp of ground garlic
1 tsp of black pepper
1tbsp of onion powder

Saute onion in oil. Add chopped zucchini and cubed yams. Saute for 5 minutes.

In a pot add water, oats and sauteed onions, yams & zucchini. Boil for 10 minutes on medium heat.

Cool for 10 minutes. Add to blender until creamy. Add spices.

Reheat in pot.

Saute mushrooms. Add mushrooms to the pot. Add peas to pot.  Cook on low/medium heat for 10 minutes.Add chives and parsley. Turn off stove.

Enjoy.

Total calories:700 for the whole meal! A bowl of soul is approximately 160 calories.

Date Spinach Smoothie

Yum!!

4 dates
1 cup of spinach
1 celery stick
1 carrot
3 tbsp of flaxseed
2 tbsp of sunflower seeds
3 cups of water
1 tbsp of cinnamon powder
1 tbsp of ginger powder
1 tbsp of cayenne pepper powder
1 tbsp of crushed red pepper flakes

Put in blender until all smooth.

Enjoy!!

Kale smoothie

One banana
2 handfuls of kale
Celery stick
Carrot stick
2 cups of water
2 tbsp of flaxseed
Pinch of ginger spice
Pinch of cinnamon spice

Blend it up. One delicious smoothie

Pruins & Turnips twist

This was delicious!!

-tsp of coconut oil
-a handful of turnips chopped
-a handful of mushrooms chopped
-a handful of diced onions
-a handful of spinach
-a handful of prunes
-a tbsp of crushed red peppers
-a tbsp of cumin seeds
-a tbsp of onion powder

Sautee them all together and this is what you get!!! Absolutely magnificent!!! Yum!!