oatmeal cookies

If you are on the Medifast program you either like the oatmeal or you don't. And if you are like me, you are most definitely not a fan of it. Well, I have a solution...make cookies! Even if you are not on the Medifast program, I am sure you can use any packet of instant oatmeal mix out there...but, I have not tried it, so don't take my word on it.

Step One 
Gather and measure out your ingredients...

You will need:
1 packet of Medifast Oatmeal (I used the brown sugar one) or any packet of instant oatmeal
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup of water
1/8 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Step Two
Next mix all your dry ingredients together and then add the wet ingredients and mix until the batter is moist. Then allow the batter to sit for about 5 minutes so it can become a more thicker consistency.

Step Three
Spoon batter and place onto a greased cookie sheet. I also put down parchment paper just in case.

Step Four
Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Cookies will be fairly soft, so you can leave them in a little longer to harden if you like. Then allow them to cool before you eat them...well, at least try to wait.

Step Five
Enjoy!!! Also, all of the cookies you make count as only 1 Medifast meal!

xoxo,
Toni

day ten...we will overcome

photo cred: Kathy Gilbert via instagram

I learned a lesson tonight. And I learned it through a song—God can work in any way He likes, and tonight He used Jeremy Camp to teach me that lesson. I went to the tribute tonight honoring Pastor Chuck Smith and being taught a lesson was the last thing on my mind. I figured it would be a time of remembering and just enjoying the speakers and music. But oh no...the Lord likes to work all the time...even at a tribute.

So anyways, Jeremy Camp was singing this song called "Overcome". And in the song he sings "every victory is Yours". Every victory that I experience is only done because of the Lord. He is the reason I have victory in those tough moments. He is the reason I was able to say no to fast food when my whole family was eating it after the tribute. I just sat there drinking water. And you know what? It wasn't hard at all! All glory to the Lord alone. Jeremy Camp then goes on to sing, "We will overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony, everyone overcome". This is just an encouragement for me concerning the future. I will overcome my addiction. I will overcome my destructive sin habits. But it's not because I am so wonderful and great, but rather because Jesus died on the cross for me and had victory over sin. Since He already paid the price, I too can have victory through Jesus Christ.

I hope that encourages you as much as it did me. You can listen to the full song by going here.

Okay, now onto the eats for today. My meal times were a bit off because I slept in this morning, but I still got my 5 medifast and 1 lean and green meal in.

Breakfast: Pineapple Mango Smoothie

Wonderful start to the chilly morning. I am loving this weather by the way. I absolutely just love the cold...and rain! We are supposed to be getting rain for the next two days! Bring on the warm chunky sweaters and boots!

Morning Snack: Meatball Casserole

So technically this is my lunch, not morning snack. I made a comfort food lean and green meal. So delicious! It is a meatless meatball casserole. Basically it is just mashed cauliflower on the bottom, meatless meatballs on the top and then a little bit of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top. I know it looks like a lot, but it was a small, shallow pyrex dish—perfect portion size for one. Kept me pretty full for the rest of the day!

Click here for the recipe!

Medifast Lean and Green Breakdown:
Lean: Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs (6), 1/4 cup of light mozzarella cheese
Green: 1 1/2 cups of cauliflower, 1/4 cup of Trader Joe's marinara sauce
Healthy Fat: 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil

Lunch: Cinnamon Pretzel Sticks

I didn't grab a picture of these because I was eating them in the middle of the tribute. Note to self: Don't bring an extremely crunchy snack when you know it is going to be silent all around you. ;)

Afternoon Snack: Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cookies

I ate these at the tribute as well. I was able to snap a picture of these because I made them before I left. I will post the recipe for these soon as well...SO GOOD!

Dinner: Cinnamon Roll Crunch Bar

Yeah...didn't get a shot of this either. At this point we were driving in the car and it was too dark.

Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookie Soft Bake

Do you notice the background? It's my blog post! I was actually eating dessert while writing this post. I also added a tad more water then the directions called for, and it turned out great! Usually it is pretty hard and crumbly, but tonight it was soft and chewy. Loved it!

It's getting late, so I am off to bed! But I pray you all have a blessed week!

xoxo,
Toni

day nine...what's your reward?

Today was the day of the men's conference. Yes, I am a girl who went to a men's conference, but I am going for work. This was actually my 12th men's conference. But I like it, keeps me busy and on my feet—aka...I am burning calories all day long. Can't go wrong with that!

As far as my eating goes, I did very well! All glory to the Lord! But, I will admit it wasn't easy. In years past, men's conferences were always a day full of eating—before, during, and especially after. At the end of the day we would all usually pack up and then go to a restaurant and eat our little hearts out. It was my way of rewarding myself for working such a hard day. I mean, I deserved it, right? Well, not today. My body does not deserve to be tortured by eating food that will harm it.

This year, I rewarded myself, but in a completely different way. No food was involved. Instead, I went home, took a nice hot bath, put on my comfy pj's and simply relaxed. So much better than gorging myself. I felt better and was relaxed at the same time. Win-win for me! But I will admit, it was hard to say no to dinner (especially when it was at my all-time favorite restaurant). Now, I could have gone and ordered a lean and green meal, but I don't think I am quite ready to venture out into the restaurant world. I would rather cook the food myself anyways—that way I know exactly what I am putting in my body. Most places serve healthy food, but load it with seasonings and salt.

With that said...here is what I did eat today...

Breakfast: dark chocolate shake

So I woke up at 5am this morning and got ready to work the men's conference. Right before I left, I whipped up a shake and took it with me. Perfect on-the-go meal. I used the starbucks cup so I could just throw it away and not worry about bringing home my cup...in case you were wondering.

Morning Snack: calorie burn cappuccino

Love, love, love this drink. I had mixed feelings about it earlier, but I ended up liking it. I already have my next Medifast order in the cue and this is definitely on it. Plus, it lasts a while and keeps you full for quite some time.

Lunch: apple cinnamon muffins

Once again, I had to postpone my lean and green meal until I got home. So for lunch I had the same muffins I ate yesterday. They are way better than just the oatmeal in my opinion. I will probably be making these until I run out of oatmeal. :) And yes, this is the same picture from yesterday.

Afternoon Snack: cinnamon and brown sugar cereal crunch

This isn't the prettiest picture, I know and I am sorry. I literally took it while helping a customer. But a picture is a picture, right? Hopefully I can make up for it tomorrow. :)

Dinner: turkey salad...and a sugar-free monster

Well, back to the same old dinner. But that's okay. While everyone went out to eat, I stayed home and ate this. And while I was eating, I was thinking about how I would be feeling if I did go out and eat what my flesh wanted. I would have had momentary pleasure but then guilt would have set in for the rest of the night. It just is not worth it. I also had a sugar-free zero monster with my dinner. I kind of figured this was my "treat". I try not to have diet cokes and sugar free drinks, but on occasion I will. And today was an occasion for me.

I then went outside and saw this...

I was speechless. I love sunsets like these. I just felt like the Lord was saying, I'm the ruler of this world. I know all about you and what you are going through. You will make it through this time. Just hold fast to Me and My Word. That was all I needed to hear. God is with me. What more do I need?

Dessert: S'mores Crunch Bar

This bar was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. As you can tell, I had a little bit of fun with this picture. I think it's cute. who doesn't like a cute little bird on a bough? Plus, the s'mores bar is just too amazing not to have a bird. ;) I really like this bar and can see myself eating this everyday for the rest of my life. Just kidding...sort of.

I hope your day was as blessed as mine! Remember...rewarding yourself does not need to involve food. Go get a pedicure instead. ;)

xoxo,
Toni