A Week in the Zone: Monday

I had to eat an extra snack today — my stomach was growling when I left for Bootcamp and throughout the day, it felt like it got empty quick and let me know it. I was really happy with my food choices today — although I did eat a lot of dairy, so I’ll try to reign that in a little tomorrow. I did not give in to an afternoon urge to snarf one of the bite-size Reese’s peanut butter cups that our HR manager keeps on the corner of her desk. Yay, me!

Check it…
(Read the photo chart left to right, top to bottom, to see my meals and snacks in order.)

Pre-Workout, 6:15 a.m.
Water
Advocate Catalyst

Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.
4 blocks P+F, 3 blocks C, 7 WW points
2 oz. ham
1T protein powder
1/2 c blueberries
1/4 c Fiber One (7 grams of fiber!)
1c 1% milk
12 almonds
decaf tea with 1 Splenda
fish oil, glucosamine, Juice Plus

Snack, 10:30 a.m.
1 block P+F+C, 1 WW point
Yogurt cup

Lunch, 12:30 p.m.
4 blocks P+F, 3 blocks C, 7 WW points
4 oz. Moroccan pork chops
1 c sauteed cabbage
1 c sauteed zucchini
1/2 Pink Lady apple
5 black olives + 9 almonds
fish oil, glucosamine, Juice Plus

Snack, 4:00 p.m.
1 block P+F+C, 2 WW points
Snack mix:
1/2 cup red grapes
2% string cheese
3 almonds

Dinner, 6:45 p.m.
4 blocks P+F, 3 blocks C, 7 WW points
4 oz. mole pork chops (see below)
1 c cauliflower sauteed with Penzeys Southwest seasoning
pink grapefruit
12 almonds
fish oil, glucosamine
decaf tea with 1 Splenda

Snack, 9:30 p.m.
1.5 blocks P+F+C, 2.5 WW points
1 T protein powder
1/2 c blueberries
1/2 c 1% milk
3 almonds

I made up the spice blend for the Mole pork chops because I love those flavors, but most recipes I’ve found for mole sauce are not exactly Zone-friendly. This is a close-enough approximation to enjoy the taste.

Mel’s Mole
Makes enough spice mix for approx. 1 lb. of pork or chicken.

1. Mix the following together in a small bowl:

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2. Cut your protein into cubes or strip and place in a plastic bag.

3. Sprinkle generously with garlic salt and shake the bag so the pieces are evenly salted.

4. Add the spice blend and shake shake shake, shake your protein… shake your protein. (Sorry! I had a K.C. and the Sunshine Band psychic break for a sec.)

5. Heat a pan, spray with Pam, and brown the meat.

6. Eat!

I realized too late that some avocado and/or green salsa would have been AWESOME with the pork chops. Next time! (Like maybe lunch on Wednesday.)