P90X Preparation: Grocery Shopping (Week 1)

Week 1 Grocery List

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Turkey bacon
• Turkey pepperoni
• Extra lean ground turkey
• Veggie sausage patties
• Liquid egg whites
• Beef broth
• Multigrain english muffins (Thomas; 100 calories per muffin)
• Whole wheat bread (Nature's Own; 40 calories per slice)
• Rolled oats
• Instant oatmeal
• Whole grain brown rice
• Vanilla yogurt (Dannon Light & Fit; 110 calories per cup)
• Low fat shredded mozzarella
• Skim milk
• American cheese (Kraft; 25 calories per slice)
• Swiss cheese (Kraft; 25 calories per slice)
• Low fat string cheese
• Canned pineapple chunks
• Apples
• Bananas
• Raspberries
• Blackberries
• Sliced baby portobello mushrooms
• Carrot sticks
• Celery sticks
• Roma tomatoes
• Red, yellow & green bell peppers
• Sliced jalapeno peppers
• Frozen corn
• Honey-glazed frozen carrots
• Lower sodium soy sauce
• Red wine vinegar
• Peanut butter
• Raw almonds
• Marinara sauce
• Salsa
• Protein bars (CLIF Builders, Atkins)
• Protein powder (GNC's AMP Wheybolic Extreme-60)

I raided Trader Joe's first then GNC and Harris Teeter. In the end, I threw down about $100, but at least a few of these things should last more than a week. (Here's lookin' at you, soy sauce and red wine vinegar). In addition to the things listed above, I had to make sure I had a few spices in my cabinet.

Spices

• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cumin
• Chili powder
• Paprika
• Ground oregano
• Cilantro
• Dry taco seasoning
• Garlic salt
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Crushed red pepper
• Ground mustard

RECIPE: Better-For-You Breakfast Sandwiches

BETTER-FOR-YOU BREAKFAST SANDWICHES

Veggie Sausage Breakfast Muffin

Per Serving (entire recipe): 1/2 carb, 1/3 dairy, 2 protein; 385 calories

Ingredients:

• (1) 100-calorie whole wheat english muffin (100 calories)
• (2) veggie sausage patties (160 calories)
• 1 oz. low-fat shredded mozzarella (45 calories)
• 3/4 cup liquid egg whites (or 6 egg whites) (90 calories)

Preparation:

Scramble egg whites over medium heat. While the eggs are cooking, split the muffin and toast lightly. Microwave the sausage patties until hot. Place one sausage patty and 1/2 of the cheese and scrambled eggs on each muffin half. The muffins will be piled high with eggs so you're going to want to keep a fork handy. Enjoy!

RECIPE: Pepperoni Pizza Bites

PEPPERONI PIZZA BITES

Per Serving (entire recipe): 1 carb, 1 dairy, 1 protein, 1 condiment; 465 calories

Ingredients:

• (2) 100-calorie whole wheat english muffins (200 calories)
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce (50 calories)
• 1 oz. turkey pepperoni (70 calories)
• 3 oz. low-fat shredded mozzarella (135 calories)
• 1 tbsp liquid egg whites (or 1 large egg white) (10 calories)

Preparation:

Set oven to broil. Split the muffins and place all four halves on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine mozzarella with egg whites. Layer an equal amount of marinara, mozzarella and pepperoni on each muffin. Place in the oven for 3 minutes (or until cheese has melted and begun to brown) then enjoy! :)

Goodbye, Oreos

Dear Oreos,

This is difficult for me to write, but... I want to see other snacks. Actually, I need to see other snacks. The healthy kind. And I know what you're thinking: "You mean the kind that usually ends up covered in mold because it just doesn't satisfy your sugar cravings the way I do?" Yep, that kind. I know I've said this before. I know I've tried to leave you only to come crawling back when you show up at a party or in my kitchen cabinets the day after a particularly convincing sale at Harris Teeter. But I mean it this time. I'm leaving you. I'm leaving your sweet chocolate goodness, your white cream filling, your rows and rows of delicious, straight-to-my-ass sandwich cookies. People always say "It's not you, it's me." But it really is you. You seemed like such a great catch when milk first introduced us, what with your deceivingly innocent 52 calories and all. But deep down, you're just sugar and flour, and you did everything you could to work your way into my digestive system. Like "Requiem for a Dream," but with high fructose corn syrup. So I'm done with you. You and all your friends, too. I'm done with Funfetti cupcakes and that Lucky Charms knock-off of Target's that I love so much. I'm done with Starburst jelly beans and gummy bears and Butterfingers. I wish I could say that we can still see each other, but you and I both know I don't have that sort of self control. Goodbye, Oreos.

Sincerely,

F.