Today is a SNOW DAY here in Texas! Meaning my office is closed and hopefully Friday too, in order to have a fabulous 5 day weekend!  I only hope that the snow does not ruin any weekend plans.

This weekend Chris and I will be attending the Vagina Monologues.  The Vagina Monologues is part of an amazing global movement called V Day. www.vday.org. 

It addresses violence against women and children. We went to the play last year and it was humorous but also some monologues were sad.

Extra Bonus: RENT is being performed on stage by our local community college.  Chris and I are going with a group of friends on Friday. I love this musical… I’ve got all the songs on my ipod, cd in car and the movie.

 I tend to break out the RENT soundtrack when I have parties…all the straight people tend to leave. Wait! maybe that’s why I have few straight friends attending my parties.

What to eat on a snowy day…something warm.

Breakfast:

Baked Oats with Banana

Missy always pops up when she smells something cooking in the kitchen.

Agenda in the snow:

• 30 Day Shred- (I don’t run in the snow, so no 2 miles)
• Post office – mail packages and V-day cards
• Grocery store
• Cleaning

 I might as well take advantage of this day off and get things rolling.

Anyone stuck indoors or having to work in the snow? What’s your snow story?

 Vitalicious asked me to share their new giveaway with my readers.  I know diamonds are my best friends!

While Vitalicious’ nutrient-packed, 100-calorie VitaTops and VitaMuffins are the perfect gift all on their own, they are sweetening the deal with a genuine, diamond-studded Tiffany Pendant valued at $800! This is going on through February in honor of National Heart Month and Valentine’s Day:

To enter, visit http://www.vitalicious.com/diamond-sweepstakes.html.

Even if you don’t win the Grand Prize, you will be automatically entered to win one of 150 one-monthsupplies of VitaTops!

They’ll notify winners in March.

Have a great Thursday!

Working two different positions at work is going great so far. I’ve been quite busy so excuse my absence from updating and reading.  I also did not feel the need to update the blog and bore readers with repeat meals.

Last night, I used virgin coconut oil to cook YUMMY chicken.

Yes! good ole fashion fried chicken.

The Way to a Southern Girl’s Heart

I’ve eaten 80% clean this week besides gobbling up the strawberry bread.  I have to say I rarely miss fried foods, but I can’t resist the smell and taste of fried chicken.

My first time cooking fried chicken and it was a success!

Chicken, green beans and a tomato/cucumber salad

French Toast on a Saturday

Ingredients:

1. 1 egg
2. 1 tsp cinnamon
3. 1 tsp vanilla extract
4. 1/4 cup Almond Breeze
5. 1 banana

Drizzled with agave nectar

Fitness:

A 3 mile run courtesy of Missy, in the cold. I initially bundled up for a quick walk in the park, but she insisted on running.  I left the camera at home but here she is afterward relaxing on the couch.  She’s got a sheet, we let her sit on…too much dog hair!

Can you tell she is tired?

Have a great Weekend!

Any Super Bowl plans, who are you cheering for tomorrow?

Best way to start a Hump Day is with some strawberry bread.

Homemade Gourmet’s Strawberry Bread

1. Bread Mix
2. 2 eggs
3. 3/4 cup oil
4. 10 oz bag frozen sliced strawberries

(pic courtesy of homemadegourmet.com)

I’m glad my Mother gave me this break mix to try out!

A reader asked me if 28 Days of Exercise was healthy? I wouldn’t recommend for everyone to try this, especially if your new to fitness. You should always consult a doctor before beginning an exercise program.  You have to know what your body can handle.

My 28 Day Fitness Plan:

• Morning Yoga~  Mon, Wed, Fri
• Cardio~  Mon, Wed, Fri (After work)
• Running~  Tues, Thurs,
• Yoga~  Sat, Sun

My cardio workouts are about 30-45 minutes long. I’m currently doing 30 day Shred, Firm Sculpt and  Tae-bo. Alternating between these workouts, in order to not get bored.

I completely forgot I opened a formspring account weeks ago and I see many bloggers are using it now! So, if you have any questions for me…ask away!

You can find me at http://www.formspring.me/NiccisNiftyEats

February is my favorite Month of the year.  I get to celebrate Black History Month, Valentines Day and my Birthday.  I’m looking forward to new things and mini goals for the month.

February Goals

• Exercise for 28 days
• Pack lunch Mon-Fri ( I ate out too much last week)
• Bedtime before 10pm

Well…I’m guessing you can see I’m not in bed yet. lol

Black History Month Fact:

Dorothy Dandridge

November 9, 1922- September 8, 1965

She was the first African American to be nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Actress category and the third African American to receive a nomination in any category overall.

I loved Dorothy in ”Carmen Jones”, I think she is just lovely.

Whose your favorite Hollywood Actress/Actor from the past?

Happy to sleep in this Saturday morning and spend the day hanging out with the boyfriend. We have plans to lounge around and then do some apartment cleaning, followed by lunch somewhere around town.

I really wanted to try baked oats this morning, so I put together a delicious recipe.  Oats for myself and scrambled eggs with toast for Chris.

Strawberry Almond Baked Oats

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 cup oatmeal
2. 1/4 cup plain Almond Breeze
3. 1/2 Tbs cinnamon
4. almonds
5. 1Tbs Almond Butter
6. 1 tsp agave nectar
7. 1 tsp brown sugar
8. 1 tsp chia seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Mix all ingredients
3. Pour batter into mini casserole dish
4. Top with strawberries and blueberries and more almonds
5. Bake for 20 minutes

Dive Right In

Giveaway Winner

The Winner of the new book by Sparkpeople.com ”The Spark” goes to Morgan at ”Live, Love, Eat and Play”.

Congratulations!!

Morgan Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 6:06 PM edit 1
Remember-you can always do one more…one more step, one more breath, one more rep!

Please send me your address and I will send you this great book.

I hope everyone has a lovely Saturday.  Stay bundled up if it’s cold where you live…it’s freezing in Texas!

The great people at SparkPeople.com have sent me a copy of their new book to giveaway.

The Spark is a book filled with tips on losing weight, getting fit and transforming your life.

1. Exercise and Eating Plan- broken into 4 simple steps
2. Before & After pictures of the most successful members
3. Tons of success stories and motivation

I’ve been a member of Sparkpeople for over 4 years and I like their online community.  Check out their website for more information.

To enter leave a comment below with your favorite ”motivational tip”.

The winner will be picked on Saturday morning.  Sorry this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.

I was happy I did not spend all day and night at work. The Board meeting let out around 7:00 and that was better than 8:30.  I don’t think anyone wants to spend that much time at work. Thankfully Board meetings are once a month.  Today went by super fast and I think I’m getting nervous as the week ends. I start my new position next Monday. I think it will be crazy doing two jobs, having two offices but the extra income is a bonus.

Breakfast:

Greek yogurt and granola

Snack Time

Orange, apples and Coconut water

I was feeling this lunch today, considering I’m a wimp and it was freezing outside…maybe just myself being silly. I can’t believe snow is in the forecast for later this week…Crazy Texas Weather!

Lentil soup and spicy grilled cheese

Dinner

Roasted carrots, steamed green beans

I really loved the rice and grounds (meat free) mixture!

Quorn Grounds, seasoned with spices and tossed with brown rice. Yum

The Ultimate Vegan Dessert

No picture…I gobbled the brownie up before I remembered to snap a shot. lol

I made Vegan Black Bean Brownies from Happy Herbivore for a bake sale tomorrow.  You know  I had to make a small test batch to make sure they were yummy…they were.

Night,

Nicci

Wednesday Giveaway… Be on the Look Out!