*CLOSED* September Challenge (AggieCass & Friends)

AggieCass09

Y'all are rocking it this week!!!

To address some of the questions y'all asked:

I think if your number was green a the end of the day you are good even though u went over the number you planned. Having too much of a deficit isn't good either!

I want to see pictures of the wedding dress! I remember being all out of my routine when I was planning my Wedding too. Can you Do your work outs in the morning So they aren't missed?

My dog also gives me encouraging kisses during the push ups and runs under my legs during wall squats! Dogs are the best.


I'm doing great with all the goals this week and saw 156.8 on the scale this morning....a number o haven't seen in months!


Keep it up and ill post the next challenge tomorrow

nicolina823

I want to see pictures of the wedding dress! I remember being all out of my routine when I was planning my Wedding too. Can you Do your work outs in the morning So they aren't missed?

Here is a picture of the dress It will have a matching 2in belt around the top: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3330
I'm not very good at putting them in the post. Sorry.


As for this mornings weigh in TOM and not being on my A game, gave me a +2 on the scale

The bridal shop measured me with 2 bras and my clothes on: 42 bust, 33.5 waist and 47 hips.

My long term goal: 37.5 bust, 29.5 waist and 40 hips. <----this is smaller than I'm allowed to go for the dress though

ecmcnamee

Happy Monday .. this was a great week and an awesome challenge week .. proud to say I rocked it all the way!! Hit both goals and accomplished both challenges every day ... I'm stoked. Lost a pound and unless I measured wrong last week or this week .. lost 1.5 inches .. I totally changed up my eating and really tried to watch carbs and increase protein and fiber ... working?? Hmmmm maybe .. have a great day!

thedreamhazer

I want to see pictures of the wedding dress! I remember being all out of my routine when I was planning my Wedding too. Can you Do your work outs in the morning So they aren't missed?

Here is a picture of the dress It will have a matching 2in belt around the top: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3330
I'm not very good at putting them in the post. Sorry.


As for this mornings weigh in TOM and not being on my A game, gave me a +2 on the scale

The bridal shop measured me with 2 bras and my clothes on: 42 bust, 33.5 waist and 47 hips.

My long term goal: 37.5 bust, 29.5 waist and 40 hips. <----this is smaller than I'm allowed to go for the dress though

Beautiful dress! I love Maggie Sottero! You're going to be a goregous bride

AggieCass09

This week's challenge is:

Monday: Plank two sets of 1 min
Tuesday: Push ups, 5 more than you did last week AND on the group MFP thread share your favorite healthy recipe with the group.
Wednesday: Plank two sets of 1 min 30 sec
Thursday: Wall squats 2 sets at 15 seconds longer than what you did last weekend
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Plank two sets 2 min
Sunday: Max push ups. Do as many as you can with out stopping and record this number on the thread along with how many you started with.

If plank is too challenging at that given interval, add one more period of rest. i.e for Monday you'd do four sets of 30 seconds. If you aren't shaking during the last 5 seconds you aren't pushing yourself hard enough! Remember to keep good form with elbows and toes on the ground with out sticking your bum up too high or holding your shoulders near your ears.

AggieCass09

I want to see pictures of the wedding dress! I remember being all out of my routine when I was planning my Wedding too. Can you Do your work outs in the morning So they aren't missed?

Here is a picture of the dress It will have a matching 2in belt around the top: http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?style=A3330
I'm not very good at putting them in the post. Sorry.


As for this mornings weigh in TOM and not being on my A game, gave me a +2 on the scale

The bridal shop measured me with 2 bras and my clothes on: 42 bust, 33.5 waist and 47 hips.

My long term goal: 37.5 bust, 29.5 waist and 40 hips. <----this is smaller than I'm allowed to go for the dress though

that dress is BEAUTIFUL!!! and with you in it it will be nothing less than stunning. As for TOM, i don't even step on the scale that week since the number isn't real anyways. And they can always tailor the dress...mine was a size 12 when i ordered it but after alterations were all said and done I was an 8 (and BTW...wedding dress sizes are WAY small...sucky!). You are lucky to have found MFP before your wedding...i wish i had since im 15 lbs lighter and way more toned!

AggieCass09

Happy Monday .. this was a great week and an awesome challenge week .. proud to say I rocked it all the way!! Hit both goals and accomplished both challenges every day ... I'm stoked. Lost a pound and unless I measured wrong last week or this week .. lost 1.5 inches .. I totally changed up my eating and really tried to watch carbs and increase protein and fiber ... working?? Hmmmm maybe .. have a great day!

definitely the protein and fiber!!! keeps your full longer and doesn't cause bloating! Way to rock this challenge!!!

jalysons

Hi,

Sad to say I have gained 1 pound. This is the same pound I have gained / lost the past month. SO so frustrating.

I did the exercise challenge everyday, BUT someone did not do well with water. Only 4/7 days. Wow, that stinks.

My meaurements are still stagnant as well.

I am so impressed with you all that lost inches. That is awesome.

Happy Monday
Jenn

ecmcnamee

I'm not sure if we are supposed to post our results from the challenges here but just in case and since my day is going to go beserk here in about 15 minutes .. I'm going to:

Monday 12 real pushups
Tuesday wall squats ... each for one minute
Wednesday 18 real pushups (very impressed with myself)
Thursday wall squats ... 1st one - 1:20; 2nd one - 1:30
Saturday 23 pushups ... I seriously struggled to get the last 3
Sunday wall squats ... 1st one - 1:37; 2nd one - 1:49 ... these were hard

I'm outta here .. happy Monday!

ecmcnamee

Hi,

Sad to say I have gained 1 pound. This is the same pound I have gained / lost the past month. SO so frustrating.

I did the exercise challenge everyday, BUT someone did not do well with water. Only 4/7 days. Wow, that stinks.

My meaurements are still stagnant as well.

I am so impressed with you all that lost inches. That is awesome.

Happy Monday
Jenn

I completely understand your frustration .. I've played with about 4 pounds all summer .. this week was the first week in that time that I've seen a loss on a consecutive week ... stay persistent ... I had to completely change up my workout routine .. I started adding HIIT intervals into the elliptical so I was blasting up calories and I really took a hard look at my diet and have tried to watch my carb intake and upped my protein and fiber ... just a few things to think about. Feel free to add me as a friend as I always need someone to commisserate with!! You can do this!!

Jessies_journey

Argh - frustrated! No loss - actually no loss since the beginning of August! Going to switch it up - going to start Ripped in 30 today - and increase my protein. Hopefully that'll jump start something! Have a great week!

AggieCass09

to clarify, you will be recording how many pounds you lost or gained since last week...the total number of pounds lost/gained is already calculated in the last column of each section. If you lost pounds your number should show up as -# and if you gained it will be positive.

aprylkemper

Saturday was my first half marathon and I carbed up for it, which helped fuel me through the race and get a great finish time but not so hot for the scale, plus yesterday was a rest/recovery day. I don't doubt this is temporary fluctuation but still hard to record for the weigh in. Looks like everyone has been doing really well! Congratulations on all your efforts last week!

thedreamhazer

I think that this challenge is the best thing that could have happened to me at this point for my weight loss. No joke. I just looked at my progress for the past year (line graph form) and I actually cried. How pathetic is that? I'm at work, so it was silent but it was still so bad I was choking back sobs. The body fat calculator I've been using since the beginning is what really did me in. I know calculator aren't the best, but since I consistently use the same one, it's not worthless data.
One year ago, it calculated my body fat % at 30.9% (this was after losing 18 lbs). I've only lost 8 lbs in the following year. But today I calculated my body fat % at 24.7%.

I'm such a baby. I'm crying again just thinking about it. I'm so happy that I'm a total wreck!

ecmcnamee

I think that this challenge is the best thing that could have happened to me at this point for my weight loss. No joke. I just looked at my progress for the past year (line graph form) and I actually cried. How pathetic is that? I'm at work, so it was silent but it was still so bad I was choking back sobs. The body fat calculator I've been using since the beginning is what really did me in. I know calculator aren't the best, but since I consistently use the same one, it's not worthless data.
One year ago, it calculated my body fat % at 30.9% (this was after losing 18 lbs). I've only lost 8 lbs in the following year. But today I calculated my body fat % at 24.7%.

I'm such a baby. I'm crying again just thinking about it. I'm so happy that I'm a total wreck!

You rock ... thats a huge accomplishment and you should be very proud ... sending you a big cyber hug!!

nicolina823

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I was physically hit by a car today while walking to my car! Why can't I catch a break???

I walked out of work looked both ways in the parkinglot for any crazy drivers. My client was in her car on the phone. I made it almost 1/2 way through the crosswalk before I heard the transmission rev and I looked over. All I seen was a silver streak and her pulling the visor down. I tried to run but before I knew it I was on the hood and she slammed the breaks and I went flying! I have to wear this getup for a week. I am so sore and bruised.

I was in such shock and had to be nice because she's a client I just shoved my hand in her face to make her stop screaming. Then I got up cried for a second and burst into a fit of laughter and tears. Then I said you just ran me over with your F'N car! Was my teaching that bad?!?

To top it off I was running late for work so I only shaved 1/2 my leg and the x-ray tech was hot! Just my luck!

How on earth am I supposed to go to my cousins wedding on Sunday? I just want to work out.

AggieCass09

I think that this challenge is the best thing that could have happened to me at this point for my weight loss. No joke. I just looked at my progress for the past year (line graph form) and I actually cried. How pathetic is that? I'm at work, so it was silent but it was still so bad I was choking back sobs. The body fat calculator I've been using since the beginning is what really did me in. I know calculator aren't the best, but since I consistently use the same one, it's not worthless data.
One year ago, it calculated my body fat % at 30.9% (this was after losing 18 lbs). I've only lost 8 lbs in the following year. But today I calculated my body fat % at 24.7%.

I'm such a baby. I'm crying again just thinking about it. I'm so happy that I'm a total wreck!

YOU ROCK!!!!! THIS IS A HUGE SUCCESS!!!!

AggieCass09

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I was physically hit by a car today while walking to my car! Why can't I catch a break???

I walked out of work looked both ways in the parkinglot for any crazy drivers. My client was in her car on the phone. I made it almost 1/2 way through the crosswalk before I heard the transmission rev and I looked over. All I seen was a silver streak and her pulling the visor down. I tried to run but before I knew it I was on the hood and she slammed the breaks and I went flying! I have to wear this getup for a week. I am so sore and bruised.

I was in such shock and had to be nice because she's a client I just shoved my hand in her face to make her stop screaming. Then I got up cried for a second and burst into a fit of laughter and tears. Then I said you just ran me over with your F'N car! Was my teaching that bad?!?

To top it off I was running late for work so I only shaved 1/2 my leg and the x-ray tech was hot! Just my luck!

How on earth am I supposed to go to my cousins wedding on Sunday? I just want to work out.

OMG! get better and worry about working out later! This is awful...i cannot comprehend!

AggieCass09

Saturday was my first half marathon and I carbed up for it, which helped fuel me through the race and get a great finish time but not so hot for the scale, plus yesterday was a rest/recovery day. I don't doubt this is temporary fluctuation but still hard to record for the weigh in. Looks like everyone has been doing really well! Congratulations on all your efforts last week!

your blog on the half was AWESOME....i'm still mad at your cheerleaders for being LATE--even though you rock for running it SO fast! My PR is 2:22 so i'm shooting for 2:10 on my next one,...you've inspired me!

ecmcnamee

<

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I was physically hit by a car today while walking to my car! Why can't I catch a break???

I walked out of work looked both ways in the parkinglot for any crazy drivers. My client was in her car on the phone. I made it almost 1/2 way through the crosswalk before I heard the transmission rev and I looked over. All I seen was a silver streak and her pulling the visor down. I tried to run but before I knew it I was on the hood and she slammed the breaks and I went flying! I have to wear this getup for a week. I am so sore and bruised.

I was in such shock and had to be nice because she's a client I just shoved my hand in her face to make her stop screaming. Then I got up cried for a second and burst into a fit of laughter and tears. Then I said you just ran me over with your F'N car! Was my teaching that bad?!?

To top it off I was running late for work so I only shaved 1/2 my leg and the x-ray tech was hot! Just my luck!

How on earth am I supposed to go to my cousins wedding on Sunday? I just want to work out.

OMG that's horrible!! I hope you feel better soon!

aprylkemper

<

---

I was physically hit by a car today while walking to my car! Why can't I catch a break???

I walked out of work looked both ways in the parkinglot for any crazy drivers. My client was in her car on the phone. I made it almost 1/2 way through the crosswalk before I heard the transmission rev and I looked over. All I seen was a silver streak and her pulling the visor down. I tried to run but before I knew it I was on the hood and she slammed the breaks and I went flying! I have to wear this getup for a week. I am so sore and bruised.

I was in such shock and had to be nice because she's a client I just shoved my hand in her face to make her stop screaming. Then I got up cried for a second and burst into a fit of laughter and tears. Then I said you just ran me over with your F'N car! Was my teaching that bad?!?

To top it off I was running late for work so I only shaved 1/2 my leg and the x-ray tech was hot! Just my luck!

How on earth am I supposed to go to my cousins wedding on Sunday? I just want to work out.

OMG that's horrible!! I hope you feel better soon!

So sorry about this! I will be praying for you because I know sometimes it just feels like everything goes wrong at once! ***hugs***

aprylkemper

Saturday was my first half marathon and I carbed up for it, which helped fuel me through the race and get a great finish time but not so hot for the scale, plus yesterday was a rest/recovery day. I don't doubt this is temporary fluctuation but still hard to record for the weigh in. Looks like everyone has been doing really well! Congratulations on all your efforts last week!

your blog on the half was AWESOME....i'm still mad at your cheerleaders for being LATE--even though you rock for running it SO fast! My PR is 2:22 so i'm shooting for 2:10 on my next one,...you've inspired me!

Thanks soooo much, Cass! It was cute because they had made little signs and everything and my little 4 year old saw me walk up to them and immediately held up his 'WAY' (for WAY TO GO!) sign upside down

aprylkemper

So for my favorite recipe, it's hard because I have so many favorites, so I will cheat and share a few....I get a lot from www.skinnytaste.com and recommend you check it out too but here are a few I've made up.

First - Fage 2% Yogurt 7 oz, 12 g of OhYeah! Vanilla Creme or Cookies & Creme protein powder and 14 g World Table Praline Pecans crushed. Great protein, very filling and if you like it a bit sweeter, you can add a packet of stevia. I would rather eat this than a candy bar...it is so good!

Second - I buy a whole chicken, cook it in the crock pot and then pull the meat off to use for various things all week. One of my very easy favorites is: 2 oz of Harvestland Cooked Chicken breast, 1 oz of Neufchatel or Fat Free Cream Cheese and 2-4 oz of Marketside Salsa (lowest sodium content I've found so far). It's a filling and easy snack and you can spread it on something like a wrap or just eat it plain

AggieCass09

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September Challenge- Week 2 Recap

Goals- All SEVEN days met!
Shannon (shannonaufman)
Claudia (ClaudiaV05)*
Beth (ecmenamee)

*and extra congrats goes to Claudia who has completed all of her goals CONSECUTIVELY for the past two weeks! Keep it up!

Challenge- All SEVEN days met! (Looks like I need to make 'em more challenging!)
Shannon
Beth
Susan (thedreamhazer)

Weight (please make sure you are putting your numbers in properly; a LOSS of weight is a negative number while a GAIN of weight is positive)
For week 2:
1) Cass (aggiecass09) -2.2 lbs or -1.35% of starting weight
2) Heather (hrshipley) -2.0 lbs or -1.25% of starting weight

Overall (weeks one and two):
1) Cass -4.4 lbs or -2.71% (there is something to lifting heavy weights and zig-zagging those calories; i haven't lost this much all year combined!!!)
2) Lauren (aggielauren) -3.0 lbs or -2.19%
*There were five ladies who were SO close to that #3 spot...so keep up your hard work*

Inches
Week 3
1) Kayon (candykay89) -3.5 inches or -2.41% of starting inches
2) Kara (kiwikara) -2.0 inches -1.45% of starting inches

Overall
1) Kayon -4.5 inches or -3.10% of starting inches
2) Dawn (runningaggie) -5 inches or -2.69% of starting inches


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My Favorite Recipes:

Breakfast- Whole Wheat Pancakes (served with Nutella and Bananas) http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AggieCass09/view/recipe-update-71154

Smoothie- (this changes by season but right now its my pumpkin pie protein smoothie) In a blender combine: 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition French Vanilla Whey protein, 3/4 cup skim milk, 1/2 cup pumpkin (from can), 1/2 container Dannon Okios Plain Greek Yogurt, Pumpkin Spices (nutmeg and cinnamon) to taste, and 1 tbl fat free cream cheese. Add ice to desired texture. Nutrition Facts: Calories 318, Carbs 31, Fat 3, Protein 45, Sodium 266, Fiber 7. YUM!

Dinner- Summer Veggie Crepes http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/330986-sweet-savory-crepes I cannot take credit for creating this one but its soooo good. I haven't tried the Mexican filling yet either.

Dessert- Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Non-Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting. They don't even taste vegan! http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/AggieCass09/view/peanut-butter-nearly-vegan-cupcakes-144760 <-- If i had to pick one i'd be this one!

Enjoy! And congrats again to this week's winners!

thedreamhazer

Tuna Fish Tacos!

I just made these for dinner last night, and I'm SUPER happy with how they turned out! This recipe yields enough for four, but my partner and I split it in two. We were super-full afterwards!

1) Slice half a yellow onion and one green bell pepper. Sautee in a minimal amount of olive oil (I use the spray for a couple seconds). Once vegetables start to soften, add 1/2 cup water and 1/2 packet low sodium taco seasoning. Continue to heat, reducing water and stirring occasionally.

2) Drain two cans of chunk light tuna in water. Flake in bowl with 1/2 tbsp salsa and sprinkling of low sodium taco seasoning. Set aside.

3) Chop green cabbage to your liking. You may use lettuce, but I prefer the texture of cabbage. Chop as much as you want for a topping, it doesn't change the calorie content much. Set out fat free refried black beans, about 1/4-1/2 cup per person. This recipe nutritional data is calculated for about 1/3 cup per serving. Set out cheese for topping as desired. I used Kraft Touch of Philadelphia Queso Quesadilla, 1/8 cup per serving.

4) Spray frying pan with a small amount of olive oil (or however you prefer to grease pans). Warm corn tortillas over low heat (about 30 seconds per side). I use El Milagro corn tortillas for 50 cal each. I used a total of 8 for this recipe.

Finally: Enjoy! Let people use the toppings (cheese, salsa, cabbage) to their liking.

Serves: 4

Calories: 320
Sugar: 5
Fat: 5
Protein: 24
Sodium: 905
Carbs: 48

gatorflyer

One of my favorite pretty healthy recipes is a Lowfat Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Yield of the original recipe was 8 Servings (~ 1 cup) but we changed it up to make it really low fat and hence can have a little more, so we usually get about 6 servings out of it. You may find other ways to change it up to suit your needs:

Lowfat Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients
• 3 quarts water
• 1 (12-ounce) package broccoli florets
• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (about 1 ounce)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1/4 cup dry sherry
• 1 can (10.75oz) reduced-sodium 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• Fat free Cooking spray to coat pan

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°. Bring water to a boil in a large Pan over medium-high heat. Trim chicken and cut into bite size pieces. Add broccoli to boiling water, and cook 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Transfer broccoli to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Add chicken to boiling water; reduce heat, and simmer 10-15 minutes or until done. Add chicken to bowl with broccoli and mix.
Combine milk, flour, pepper, and nutmeg in a saucepan on medium heat, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; stirring constantly. Remove pan from heat and add mayonnaise, sour cream, sherry, cream of mushroom soup, and 1/2 cup cheese to this mixture, stirring until well combined. Add entire mixture to broccoli and chicken mixture; stir gently until combined.

Coat a 13 X 9 baking dish with cooking spray and spoon mixture into the dish. Sprinkle top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 50 minutes or until mixture bubbles at the edges and cheese begins to brown. Remove from oven; let cool on a wire rack 5 minutes.

Nutritional Information
6 Servings
Calories: 310
Fat 7
Protein 31
Cholesterol 64
Sodium 1078 (this might not be correct - need to reevaluate - I removed the worchestershire sauce from recipe
Carb 23
Fiber 3
Sugar 12

Hope everyone has a great week!

ecmcnamee

One of my favorite recipes is Chicken Barbecue ... this can feed my family for a couple of days ..

6 boneless/skinless breast
1 12oz bottle of your favorite bbq sauce
1/1 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 T Worcestsire Sauce

Basically you just mix all the ingredients in the crock pot and add the chicken ... I cook about an hour on high and then turn it down to low for about 6 hours. Shred the chicken and I use about 1.5 cups of the sauce and pour over. I figured out that a 4 ounce serving is approximately 155 calories

thedreamhazer

Okay, I know we're supposed to do this on Sunday (and I will) but I have to share anyway.

Today, I did 31 pushups in a single set. Hands and feet. No stopping. Good form. I've never been able to do over 20. This challenge rocks. You all rock. The world rocks! Rock on!

kiwikara

Hey everyone! For starters, I think we should share recipes more often!!! I am always looking for new ideas. I don't have a LOT of time today so here are two of my easy recipes. One is a snack and one is a lunch/dinner main dish.

Snack:

*1/2 cup greek yogurt
*1/2 tablespoon Jello Sugar Free Pudding Mix, any flavor (I like cheesecake or lemon)
*a touch of Truvia or Splenda
Stir til blended and thick! It's a delicious snack-like dessert! Yum yum

Calories: 78, Carbs: 8, Fat: 0, Protein: 12.

Sometimes I will throw a tablespoon or 2 of vanilla protein powder in with it on my weight-training days!



Go to Dinner when I am alone:
Tuna Melt!
*1 can (4 oz) packed light tuna (in water) – (every can has a different *true* amount of tuna in it. I recommend draining and weighing it)
*½ tablespoon kraft light mayo (different light mayos have different amounts of calories)
*Mustard to taste
*Dill Weed and Garlic to taste
Mix tuna together and put in an Orowheat Sandwich thin with a slice of 2% cheddar cheese.
Spray both sides with Pam and cook in a pan like a grilled cheese.

Calories: 283, Carbs: 22, Fat: 8, Protein: 32

SO GOOD

aprylkemper

Hey everyone! For starters, I think we should share recipes more often!!! I am always looking for new ideas. I don't have a LOT of time today so here are two of my easy recipes. One is a snack and one is a lunch/dinner main dish.

Snack:

*1/2 cup greek yogurt
*1/2 tablespoon Jello Sugar Free Pudding Mix, any flavor (I like cheesecake or lemon)
*a touch of Truvia or Splenda
Stir til blended and thick! It's a delicious snack-like dessert! Yum yum

Calories: 78, Carbs: 8, Fat: 0, Protein: 12.

Sometimes I will throw a tablespoon or 2 of vanilla protein powder in with it on my weight-training days!



Go to Dinner when I am alone:
Tuna Melt!
*1 can (4 oz) packed light tuna (in water) – (every can has a different *true* amount of tuna in it. I recommend draining and weighing it)
*½ tablespoon kraft light mayo (different light mayos have different amounts of calories)
*Mustard to taste
*Dill Weed and Garlic to taste
Mix tuna together and put in an Orowheat Sandwich thin with a slice of 2% cheddar cheese.
Spray both sides with Pam and cook in a pan like a grilled cheese.

Calories: 283, Carbs: 22, Fat: 8, Protein: 32

SO GOOD

I agree about sharing more recipes - I love having something new to try when I get tired of my go-to meals!