A Monster Green Smoothie Kind of Day

     Phew! Glad today is winding down!! Crazy day here at the office, but still in good spirits. I had a great workout with my trainer Susie last night. She always perks me up and makes me feel stronger. And today, I feel the muscles that were not strong enough and am a little sore. But I love it and can't wait for another round tomorrow. Tonight is also my session with my nutritionist ( I heart Skype!) which I think will do wonders since I have been a little down and confused this week. Funny, listening to the professionals really does help!! Who would have thought.
     Today I branched out a bit in my food choices.  I found a recipe for a "Monster Green Smoothie" on Pintrest (I heart Pintrest) and it looked interesting.  The recipe claimed it tasted great and provided a lot of good nutrients.Some for energy, which in hindsight, today I needed with my semi-high maintenance boss! Well, I wrote down the recipe, got all my ingredients out: (spinach leaves, frozen strawberries, yogurt, peanut butter, ice, Chia seeds, almond milk) then measured, blended and hoped for the best! I was a little leery using spinach in a morning smoothie, I couldn't believe it really tasted GOOD. But when I was done blending, and taste tested it was DELICIOUS!!! Thick, creamy and tasty (and really green!). I took this concoction in for my husband to try, who looked at me like I had four eyes when I requested he taste. He is definitely more of a cheeseburger and beer man to say the least! But I was just tickled it tasted good, and couldn't wait to try it in the morning. Today, it was filling and tasty like I expected!! I was also proud of myself for branching out and trying this. In the past I wouldn't have DARED try it because I didn't know the EXACT calorie count or I would have figured out that calorie count and decided not to try it  because it had over what I thought was the appropriate amount of calories for breakfast. Which that acceptable point to me at one time was about 150 calories, tops. So by doing this I took a step in the right direction and also found a new, delicious smoothie that  I will have again tomorrow!
     So, the day is wrapping up and another way I may branch out this evening before my Skype session is to have a nice glass of wine while making dinner. Now, anyone that KNOWS me KNOWS I like my cocktails. But in the past, even up to recently, I wouldn't allow myself a simple glass of wine or cocktail at home after work most weeknights because again...I didnt' think I should allow myself the calories during the week (weird I know, because weekends weren't  and aren't this way!). Now, happy hours with friends and co-workers was always an exception in this mixed up thought process. But to have a glass to relax at home was often very hard for me to do. I would pour a Glass, taste and throw it out ( I know Mom! Sorry!), thinking it tasted "funny" when really I was thinking about the "empty" calories in the glass. I ignored the fact I REALLY wanted it. Once I came to realize how distorted in thinking this was, I realized I CAN have a glass of wine (or 2!)  after work if I want (if only I could have it AT work some days). It goes along with the intuitive eating principles that nothing is off limits, an everything in moderation sort of idea. So, tonight, I may just branch out for a second time today and have a glass of one of those bottles of wine in my refrigerator that sit unopened. Cheers everyone!

MMM...the Monster Green Smoothie...this is the picture from Pintrest! Mine was JUST about that color..and AMAZEBALLS!!