Thursday, March 12, 2009

Pretty Pictures of Food

by Meghann on March 12, 2009

First of all I want to thank my wonderful sister, Kelly, for taking the time to write the wonderful guest post for me this afternoon. I also want to thank her for allowing me to post a couple of pictures which show a fraction of her injuries.

The one of the inside of her arm reveals the treadmarks that run along the right side of her body and the one of her back documents the road rash her body endured from hitting the paved road. I don’t think I will ever get over how lucky we are that she survived with just exterior injuries.

Once again, Thanks.

Now on with the show…

For some reason today felt very slow. I could feel myself slowly crawling to the end of the day.

For my midmorning snack I decided to be creative with some cottage cheese. I always see others top their cottage cheese with jellies and sweet stuff so I thought I would try adding some Lemon Curd to mine. Please don’t ask me what I was thinking because as soon as I added it I knew it was a bad idea.

DSCN2673.JPG

I ate the funny tasting cottage cheese with 4 harvest wheat crackers. I think I’m going to stick with plain ole cottage cheese from now on.

My lunch made up for the not so smart snack and was wonderfully tasty and filling to boot.

DSCN2674.JPG

I made a Fish Wrap with the leftover oven fry Tilapia I had last night.

DSCN2675.JPG

In the Flat-Out wrap I had the Fish, Banana Peppers, Roasted Red Peppers, Mixed Sprouts, and Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce. It was a great mix of yummy flavors.

On the side I had a small Kosher Pickle

DSCN2678.JPG

… and Fuji Apple slices.

DSCN2676.JPG

Mmmm… I really need more apple in my life.

Though lunch was filling I still needed a snack around 4:00 and munched on a Coconut Dark Chocolate Kashi Granola Bar.

DSCN2681.JPG

After work I was ready to Shred It with Jillian Michaels. I don’t mind the cardio or ab work, but those weight and leg combinations are killer. The whole time I was dreading the final strength segment where you have to side lunch while lifting your arms. How I loathe that move so. :(

At least, Jillian helps me work up an appetite. I like how doing the 20 minute session is the perfect length for a quick work out after work, however, I don’t like how it defers me from my dinner. The whole time the only thing on my mind is what I’m going to eat, so by the end I am ready to raid the kitchen!

Tonight’s raid involved Pasta Galore.

DSCN2684.JPG

The other day Racheal Ray was doing a ‘Healthy Eggplant Parmigana’ (which after she stuffed it in an oversize white roll with a pound of mozzarella on top, is not very healthy in my opinion…. I’m just saying) However, I really enjoyed the overall concept of the meal and decided to make a pasta version of it with my own modifications.

  DSCN2686.JPG

I diced up half an eggplant and cut up some brussel sprouts and carrots. Then I roasted the veggie combo at 420 for 15 minutes. Once crispy I added the veggies to a pot of Spicy Basil Sun Dried Tomato Sauce I had in the fridge. When the sauce was heated through I mixed it up with some Whole Wheat Rottitoni and topped it with a shredded slice of Swiss Cheese (the only cheese I had on hand)

DSCN2685.JPG

It was a yummy, easy dinner that (thanks to Racheal Ray) was done in less then 30 minutes. :)

Even though the pasta was a carb filled meal I was really craving some Garlic Bread so on the side I had a piece of Pumpernickel Bread that I smeared with a little bit of butter and Garlic Powder. It was just what I needed to wipe the bowl clean. :)

DSCN2688.JPG

Dessert was 4 lovely GIrl Scout Thin Mints.

DSCN2691.JPG

Do you know a serving of Thin Mints is 4 cookies and a swerving of Tag Alongs is 2 for 150 calories?!?!? That doesn’t stop the tag alongs form being my favorite though!

Now I have a MONTHs worth of laundry folded on my table and ready to be put away before my guests arrive tomorrow. Blah… that’s a big pile of laundry staring at me.. not cool….not cool…

{ 34 comments }

Guest Post: Kelly’s Side of the Story

by Meghann on March 12, 2009

Hey to all of Meghann’s Readers,

Not that you all haven’t heard enough of this but it still is important to drill home the important lesson that was learned on Sunday night – Wear a Helmet!

Personally growing up I’ve always hated helmets. I never wore one as a kid riding around the neighborhood. They are bulky and slightly uncomfortable. At the beginning of the spring semester I started riding a mountain bike to school twice a week. I didn’t have a helmet at first but thought it was important that I buy one after I realized how fast I could get going in the hills of Tallahassee.

Product ImageI went to target and bought a $21.99 Bell helmet (Adrenaline M211X). The cheapest helmets were around $16, but they did not fit me very well when I tried them on in the store. I opted for one that was a little more money because it had a plastic adjustable liner on the inside that I could fit to my head shape and size.  I also adjusted the strap beneath my chin tighter because after a few rides I noticed my helmet would slip into my line of vision. Not only is it important to wear a helmet, it is important to wear one that fits properly.

At the time of the accident the car that ended up on top of me came out of no where. One second I was fine and the next a car was in front of me and I only had miliseconds to decide a course of action. I DSCN2622decided to swerve right (which was probably the wrong decision thinking now). This caused my bike to fly away from the car and me to fly to the ground under the car. I must have landed on my back because that’s where I feel impact pain.

The car then ran over my whole right side including my leg, hip, shoulder, arm and head. I remember the car running over my whole body, but I specifically remember it going over my head. 

I was in an extreme amount of shock right after the accident and I remember wondering if my brain was working and hoping I didn’t have brain damage. After an ambulance ride, a helicopter ride, x-rays of my whole right side, and a ct scan of my head and neck I was cleared to leave the hospital that DSCN2604night feeling weak, extremely nauseus, drugged, and with lots of deep bruises. I have been called rubber woman, wolverine, and a certified badass. But without my helmet I would be none of those things. We all know I wouldn’t be here without it. I will treasure those broken pieces of helmet forever.

On Sunday I was only 15 minutes and 4.28 miles away from home when the accident happened so don’t think you are immune because you aren’t going very far for very long. Even a leisurely bike ride deserves a helmet. It is worth a million times over to feel a little silly and pay a little money to have your life. DSCN2614

Many people have asked me if I will keep riding my bike and pursuing outdoor activities. Of course I will! I think for now I will keep to designated bike trails that are away from cars. I will run as soon as my body tells me I can. I love to exercise and am not one to just sit around. I like to keep active and enjoy my life. If anything I will be coming back with a vengeance. I want to be stronger than ever before. I eat healthy and exercise because I want to live a long fulfilling life.

{ 42 comments }

Peachy Keen

March 12, 2009

Good Morning One and All! I am so glad its Thursday, I think I will definitely be relieved when this week is finally over. Just two more days and its the weekend for me. As my body slowly adjusts to the time change I’m finding it easier and easier to get out of bed so more »

Read some more →