Olive-rosenmary bread

3/4 cup almond paste at room temperature
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon agave nectar (or agave syrup)
1/4 cup blanched almond flour
1/4 cup arrowroot powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary ( I use dried actually, like it better)

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 7 by 3 inch loaf pan with grapeseed oil and dust with almond flour.
In a large bowl, mix the almond butter and olive oil with a handheld mixer (or fork) until smooth, then blend in the eggs and agave nectar.
In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, arrowroot powder, salt and baking soda.
Blend the almond flour mixture into the wet ingredients until thoroughly combined, then fold in the olives and rosemary.
Pour the batter into the loaf pan.
Bake for 45 to 55 min. on the bottom rack of the oven, until a knife inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
Let the bread cool in the pan for 1 hour, then serve.

I also put slices of the olives on the top + extra dried rosemary to make it look nicer!
It tastes great, you can eat it like this as a snack or as a sandwich with topping (hummus, cream cheese, omelette etc.)

Results summer challenge

I didn't really take before pictures, stupid.
Posting one from the side, and then the after pictures. Back still needs a lot of work, I've now noticed. The rest as well of course. Will take pictures again at the end of August and hoping for better results - from all sides!The black shirt is from before, the red from today.

Well here goes, see if this works (I'm a photographer, but this is a very amateurish happening)

End of Summer Challenge - Measurements

After 30 days I'm happy to see some results.

I've only been ED compliant (with some small blips and 1 day of major blips).

2 workouts a day, I still don't get why that changed during the challenge to having to do 3. Anyway, made my choice to stick with 2.

I managed 2 fasting days, the second one was unplanned and I've realized that it's easier to do than I thought, but not eating a lot the day before doesn't work that well. The day after the second fast I was very hungry and ate a lot more than I should have. And not all ED compliant.

My measurements:

weight before: 146.7 

weight after   : 142.3

lost 4.4 lbs

Hips before and after: 41" - 39.5" lost 1 1/2"

Waist                       : 33" - 31.5" lost 1 1/2"

Breasts                    : 37" - 36"    lost 1" 

Arms                       : 11.5" - 11.5"

Legs 4" above knee : 17.5" - 17.1/4" lost 1/4"

Legs 8" above knee : 20.3/4" - 20"    lost 3/4"  

Pleased with this result, but still some pounds and inches away from my goal.

I will take a few days off, only walking, which is convenient for the next 3 days as I have to get to my receptionist job - walking - and some extra walks if it will stop raining!

Food will be ED compliant of course, will go back to 80-20%. I love my morning coffee, and will have a few more meals with rice or couscous or bulger.

Need to take pics, but don't have a proper mirror, tried with the mobile phone, but will have to do this later with my camera and tripod. Hopefully tomorrow.

I enjoyed this summer challenge, the FB option certainly worked, although it was tough for the people not on FB, the forum emptied out and it was a bit lonely over there. So I kept commenting there as well.

And finally, as Dax keeps saying: AND NOW WE DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN! 

Summer Challenge - day 1

Starting another Dax Moy challenge! 2 workouts a day, I'm hoping this is much more doable than the usual 4  workouts per day Dax requires.
As I only saw the emails about the challenge this morning, I haven't done any preparations yet.
But most of the stuff in my possession, water filter and supplements. Just need to buy some zinc.
I had my morning coffee before reading my emails, so alas....
Off to do a quick 4 minute workout, then off to the chiropractor - neck and back stuff.

day 6 map 2012 - with measurements

Day 6 already, time flies when you're having fun - or doing a Dax Moy challenge.
I've already finished my regular workouts for the day, because after dinner I want to get to the gym for a cardio workout. I have a free pass for one week only, and want to make the most of that. Just to see if it's something I might want to do in the future. And will even try to do a zumba lesson in the weekend... well, it's a plan.

The spiderman is improving, but the lunges are killing me, my quads scream in protest every time I do them. I certainly will have to practice these more, to keep these muscles in shape.
I haven't really been trying to improve my densities, so far I have just paid attention to good form. Started with the 1 kg weights, and am now alternating between 1kg and 2 kg. That counts as an improvement!

And today after my 1 o'clock shower I measured those problem spots again. Lost 1 inch from my waistine (just over my navel) and 1 1/2 inch from my belly. Great - feel a little less disgusted with myself.

The real challenge will be if I can combine all the workouts and preparing food with the new photo assignments that are coming my way. I thought it would be a quiet work month (only receptionist job) but that was just wishful thinking. Moneywise it's great, because my trip to Australia is only 5 weeks away!

Walking again!

Sprained my foot 22nd December and had to bike instead of walk. But today first day walking again. Really happy about this.
Also able to do more of the required Dax Moy moves, like lunges and pushups off the floor. Haven't done these for a while and really hard. I expect a lot of improvement in 30 days. I'm quite pleased to be doing the meltdown exercise again, and ask myself why I haven't been doing this for so long. It's a great short exercise, and you can vary with different moves to keep it from getting boring.
Will try to keep doing this after the challenge (good intentions!?)
ICP has never been a favourite, but so far so good. Hate walkouts, and the sprained foot has given me an excuse to not do them until now. But will have to start on those as well - tomorrow.

A little extra motivation

Today I decided to remeasure myself, so after today's shower - around 1 pm, before lunch, I took my waist AND belly measurements again. So the waist measurement, just a little above my navel is 33 inches. It's my trouble spot and makes all my clothes sit uncomfortably.
And around belly at most protruding point: 40.5 inches. Disgusting!!
It certainly makes me extra motivated to exercise and stay away from all the sugary foods.
Today I didn't give it my best because of all the muscle aches, no excuses tomorrow, need to get rid of those fatty inches. Only 6 weeks left before my trip to downunder and determined to have the same weight and inches as before my last trip, which was only 10 months ago.
I'll say it again: disgusting!

day 1 - map 2012

Proud to announce: I did my first meltdown!

My short term goal is to lose the weight I gained the last few months, not sticking to ED and eating lots carbs, especially treats like apple pies and cookies.
My long term goal is to be ED compliant 80% of the time, feeling healthy my no. 1 reason for doing this. Having good mobility and some muscle strength are important to me also. I love to go for walks and hope to be doing this well into my 80's. (better not sprain my foot again any time soon, restricted in moving around very upsetting).
 

MAP challenge 2012

I've taken measurements, I knew I'd gained a lot the last 2 months and especially the last 2 weeks, lots of carb foods and no walking or exercising because I sprained my foot - but still.... ouch!

Bodyweight in pounds: 145.2 pounds
Chest: 37 inches
Belly: 31 inches
Upperarm: 11,5 inches
Hips: 41 inches
Thigh 4 inches above kneecap: 16,5 inches
Thigh 8 inches above kneecap: 20,5 inches.

My old pic from the MAP 2010 challenge (before) will be my starting point. I will take a new picture at the end of the challenge, hopefully looking a lot sleeker!