Banana Blueberry Crumb Muffins recipe – 174 calories

Summer Smoothies with Coconut

My favorite health food store in NYC just started selling raw young thai coconut meat from Exotic Superfoods in the freezer section. I was delighted, because it’s summer and I love making smoothies and ice cream with coconut. The meat comes in a 16 oz. package with strips of soft coconut meat. I defrosted it in the refrigerator for one day, then used it all week long to make smoothies for breakfast or after my workouts.

It is so convenient and a heck of a lot easier than traveling down to Chinatown to buy young coconuts, taking them back on the subway, and cracking each one open with a butcher knife (making a mess of my kithcen). That’s fun too…but it is seriously exhausting to lug those coconuts around.

Last week I made my first smoothies with the raw coconut (see recipe below). It was so good, so I made the same smoothie all week. A few times I added a half of banana and left out the agave. This one is perfect for summer and is great for keeping your skin shiny and moisturized. I plan to pick up more of the frozen coconut meat this week. Any ideas for new recipes?

Coconut-Pineapple-Raspberry Smoothie

(makes 1 small smoothie)

The Equaliser 'tween Wellness and Sustenance, and Practice

Weight Watchers and Swimming

First off... I don't know what happened to my last blog post. Blogger has been having so many issues lately... but I know I have blogged since 5/19!



Life is finally slowing down and it's starting to feel like summer!



School was out on May 28, but I started teaching summer school on May 31. I will do summer school until June 17, so it's only 3 weeks. And the money is great for only 3 hours a day.



My birthday was great. I ate a lot, but didn't go too crazy. And I really enjoyed myself. It was worth taking a diet detour.



But now, it's back to business.



I am officially back on Weight Watcher's as of yesterday. My bff and I joined the online program together. I still plan on drastically reducing my carb intake (because I know it works), but I figured that Weight Watchers could definitely give me a tracking system and accountability. I mean, it's definitely worked for me in the past.



I have to admit that I like the new program. Having all fruits and veggies as zero points is great. It also looks like you are able to bank your activity points, too. All I know is that I am willing to give it my best shot this summer.



Another HUGE thing has happened that might help me with my weight loss. I am learning how to swim!



On Friday, my bff went to the pool with me and the kids and started trying to help me learn to swim. Before Friday, I have always been TERRIFIED of water. As long as my feet can touch and I am in control I am okay, but otherwise I am so scared of drowning. Well, on Friday I learned how to float on my back... all by myself! No floaties, lol!



And let me tell you, the feeling was exhilarating! So yesterday, I went back to the pool to practice some more.I am now able to swim on my back, and I can go backwards and forwards, lol. I don't know if this is really counted as swimming, but hey, it was awesome for me! And such a workout! After doing 1.5 laps, my arms, legs, and abs were so sore! But I felt so great. It's definitely going to be something I try to improve on this summer!



I feel very positive right now, and I think that this summer will definitely be a time to rest and focus on me. It's about time!

Weight Watchers and Swimming

First off... I don't know what happened to my last blog post. Blogger has been having so many issues lately... but I know I have blogged since 5/19!



Life is finally slowing down and it's starting to feel like summer!



School was out on May 28, but I started teaching summer school on May 31. I will do summer school until June 17, so it's only 3 weeks. And the money is great for only 3 hours a day.



My birthday was great. I ate a lot, but didn't go too crazy. And I really enjoyed myself. It was worth taking a diet detour.



But now, it's back to business.



I am officially back on Weight Watcher's as of yesterday. My bff and I joined the online program together. I still plan on drastically reducing my carb intake (because I know it works), but I figured that Weight Watchers could definitely give me a tracking system and accountability. I mean, it's definitely worked for me in the past.



I have to admit that I like the new program. Having all fruits and veggies as zero points is great. It also looks like you are able to bank your activity points, too. All I know is that I am willing to give it my best shot this summer.



Another HUGE thing has happened that might help me with my weight loss. I am learning how to swim!



On Friday, my bff went to the pool with me and the kids and started trying to help me learn to swim. Before Friday, I have always been TERRIFIED of water. As long as my feet can touch and I am in control I am okay, but otherwise I am so scared of drowning. Well, on Friday I learned how to float on my back... all by myself! No floaties, lol!



And let me tell you, the feeling was exhilarating! So yesterday, I went back to the pool to practice some more.I am now able to swim on my back, and I can go backwards and forwards, lol. I don't know if this is really counted as swimming, but hey, it was awesome for me! And such a workout! After doing 1.5 laps, my arms, legs, and abs were so sore! But I felt so great. It's definitely going to be something I try to improve on this summer!



I feel very positive right now, and I think that this summer will definitely be a time to rest and focus on me. It's about time!

Manic May

Sorry no blog post for a week, but as usual, life is crazy.



The end of the school year is here... only 5 more days with students and two inservice days to go! Tomorrow is field day, so I am trying to get things together for that.



On the weight loss front...



I am still trying hard. My goal right now is to do the best I can to stay low-carb, and I am literally taking it meal by meal. There are so many parties, celebrations, and potlucks it is so hard to just say no to EVERYTHING. To top it off, I am going out of town this weekend, and then my birthday is next week (and I plan on celebrating BIG this year). But so far, my weight has remained steady. I have gained about 1/2 lb, so not bad. Overall, I am still eating much less carbs than normal for me. And I feel so much more conscious about my food choices.



Yesterday, we had a potluck at school, where I gave myself permission to eat what I wanted, including dessert. Out of habit, I put about 3 different desserts on my plate... and only ended up eating one! Everything tastes so sweet now, it was just *enough*. And I didn't feel the need to keep stuffing the rest in my mouth. Being able to make that choice feels good. It feels very "real life"... I would love to be at goal weight one day and still be able to enjoy dessert every now and then.



I also received a blog award the other day from Chrissy... Thanks! I never follow blog award rules... sorry... but I am so appreciative!

The trump weighting departure drill syllabus