Full Disclosure: Entry #8 (Saturday 3/19/2011)

Day #8....What a fantastic day.  Each and every day I get the chance to spend with my family is precious.  With the busy schedule that I keep during the week I am learning to allow much more time on the weekends to hang out and focus on time with my wife and kids.  It was also a great day for eating as I was able to have enough time to plan and create meals that helped meet the nutritional goals I have set for myself.  Having the extra time to put together meals is something I need to work on during the week, so I am not missing my caloric intake so frequently.

Food Log:

Breakfast: 1 Egg, 2 Red Potatoes, 1 Slice of Multigrain Toast, 1 Slice Turkey Bacon, Green Tea. (513 calories, 7.5 fat, 2 sat. fat, 21 protein , 10 fiber )

Lunch: InnovAsian Spicy Beef and Broccoli, Sesame-Ginger Mushrooms, Brown Rice w/ Black Beans, Corn, Peppers and Onions, Apple.  (843 calories, 11 fat, 3 sat. fat, 47.5 protein, 17.5 fiber)

Dinner: 4 oz. BBQ Grilled Chicken Breast, 1 Ear of Corn on the Cob, Assorted Grilled Veggies, 2 Slices Garlic Multigrain Toast, Sauteed Snap Beans  (567 calories, 8 fat, 1 sat. fat, 52 protein, 17 fiber)

Snacks: PowerBar Harvest Grain Energy Bar (250 calories, 5 fat, 2.5 sat. fat, 10 protein, 5 fiber)

Total Nutritional Data: 2173 calories, 31.5 fat, 8.5 sat. fat, 130.5 protein, 49.5 fiber

Water: 148 oz.

Exercise: Treadmill (20 mins./1.2 miles @ 3 incline), 30 mins. Express Workout (mix of step aerobics and weight training), Exercise Bike (20 mins./4.5 miles @ level 10)

Featured Meal: InnovAsian Spicy Beef and Broccoli w/ Sesame-Ginger Mushrooms
                        

For this lunch, I used a meal by InnovAsian and added a little of my own upgrades.  InnovAsian included in their meal the spicy sauce, seasoned beef and the broccoli and carrots.  First, I heated 2 tsp. of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for about 2 mins., then I tossed in the veggies and beef and stir fried them for about 2 mins. Next, I added the spicy brown sauce, reduced the heat to medium-high and cooked the veggies and beef in a covered pan for about 7 mins.  While that was cooking, I cut and sauteed some mushrooms in a Sesame-Ginger sauce.  I added a little extra ground ginger just to heighten the flavor.  I took a cup of leftover brown rice that we had mixed with black beans, onions, peppers and corn and heated it in the microwave for about 2 mins.  As you can see, I plated the rice in the center of the dish by scooping it into a measuring cup and surrounded it with the Beef and Broccoli mixture.  I topped it all with the Sesame-Ginger Mushrooms and threw on a nice sprig of flat leaf Italian Parsley for a little garnish.  This was a simple and easy way to brighten up and add a personal touch to a boxed frozen meal.    

Wrap Up:  It was great to hit my nutritional marks and to see that I can plan meals that are calorie dense and still tasty.  Going forward, I am going to try and take more time the night before to prepare breakfasts and lunches that will give me a stronger caloric start to my day.  After one week of doing the food tracking, I have noticed that I back load a large number of my calories for the day, because I do not have very calorie dense meals in the mornings and afternoons.  If I can plan a little better and have the meals available before I leave for work in the morning, I know I can become more consistent with getting to my calorie goals.  Also, I have now made it to the gym on consecutive days and am loving it.  It is a great feeling of accomplishment to get to the gym and get in a workout.  My energy levels have been greater and I have had a much more satisfied feeling about the day.  One week is in the books...only two more to go and hopefully this routine will me my new habit!