I lost 2 more lbs last week. As a breastfeeding mom, I want to lose 2 and only 2 lbs a week, which is extremely difficult when you are weightlifting, dieting, and nursing. Too many calories, too few calories..ugh. Last week I managed to achieve the 2 lb goal, which brings me back into the 120′s. This is a huge milestone for me! I am almost back to my pre-pregnancy weight (my goal is 120) and my muscles are becoming more toned (exciting!).
The coolest thing I did was to enlist my husband’s help. Not only did he set me up with a home gym, but he has taught me how to work out…. squats, deadlifts, oh yeah. It is way more effective (and way less boring) than strictly jogging on a treadmill. On my cardio days, I jog on the treadmill or go crazy with some techno and my Bosu Ball (it is hilarious). One of the coolest motivators is having time to rejuvenate away from the kids.
Anyway, all this working out talk has made me hungry again, so let’s talk menus…
GLUTEN FREE MENU
Monday: Marinated Flank Steak with Roasted Vegetables
Tuesday: Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Wednesday: Meatloaf (use oatmeal, agave as sweetener, turkey/lean beef mix) with Peas and a Mixed Green Salad
Thursday: Broiled Fish with Salsa/Avocado Topping, probably served with Pinto Beans/Cheese because it is Jude-friendly.
Friday: Shrimp Feta Greek Salad
Favorite lunch idea this week: Lettuce wraps (use FRESH huge green lettuce leaves) rolled with reduced fat pepper jack cheese, red peppers, avocado, maybe a slice of organic chicken breast, and a little mustard (sometimes salsa). Jude eats his the meat and cheese with a toothpick sans lettuce and LOVES the avocado with crackers or chips. With toddlers, it is all about presentation.
Go visit Asparagus Thin for more great menu ideas at the Gluten Free Menu Swap.
My Monday Mommy Brag:
If you liked this post, please Stumble it! or Add to Del.icio.us.
Posted by Natalie
Filed under: gluten free menu
More Posts Like This:
- Gluten Free Menu Swap- May 19, 2008
- Gluten Free Menu Swap- June 16, 2008
- Menu Plan Monday- September 24th
- Gluten Free Menu Swap- March 31, 2008
- Gluten Free Menu Swap- April 7th
I am 
I am 
I am 
Join
Natalie,
Your children are beautiful! Congrats to you on your weight loss. I’m catching up on reading and love the ice cream recipe. I’m going to try it tonight…my ice cream bowl has been in the freezer for a while just waiting for me to make something yummy.
I have been doing menu planning myself and am going to start posting my weekly menus. I planted an herb garden this weekend with Melanie’s help (Gluti Girls). I’ll be so exited to be able to open my back door and grab a bunch of parsley, cilantro (6 all together) or whatever!
Take care.
I love reading your blog. I have been GF for three years and wish I were a strict as I should be!! I am a good celiac for months and then fall off the wagon and find myself picking at gluten items. You are an inspiration for me to stay on track as my health suffers greatly from my cheating. What book are you using for your South Beach Diet? I have been working out since January but now need to alter my diet. Thanks for your blogs, Heidi from Wyoming
Congrats on your weight loss, Natalie! Good job.
I’d love to get your quinoa stuffed pepper recipe. How do you make it?
Yay for you!
Ditto on the request for a quinoa stuffed pepper recipe.
Good for you!
And — what a cute kid! That’s a mighty big stack of legos he’s working on.
I also use Napa Cabbage as “wraps” for salmon salad, tuna, or whatever. The leaves make great little “boats” to hold your fixins.
In good health,
Melissa
Natalie,
Lol, hearing about weight loss seems weird to me since I am also lifting weights to gain muscle, but congrats! Your menu looks delicious, what a surprise
One of these (less crazy) days we should meet up and lift weights then crash the Triangle meetup group, right? Yeah, I put in a “less hectic world” order with God long ago… I am being cosmically laughed at for such a ridiculous request of course.
Oh, I love lettuce wraps! I use steamed red cabbage leaves in the fall/winter too. Very healthy/handy and best of all gf quickies!
Congrats on losing the baby weight! I hardily recommend Pilates, if you’re looking for a core strengthening routine. I bought a book years ago that I still use, and it completely changed my body.
I’ve been pretty lucky this time around with the pregnancy weight–the Science Teacher and I have prioritized gym time so even if nothing else gets done we both usually get our 45 min. at the gym. It really keeps me sane. With gym, I can be Mommy all day, no problem. Without gym, Mommy starts getting resentful. With two kids, though…it seems that much more challenging to schedule exercise/self time. Extra kudos to you for managing with two!
Cindy- I am exercising to put on muscle, but the weight had to go first! I am assistant org. of that meetup now, so I suppose I will have to plan something!
Kara- My hubby and I have done that for each other too and it has made a big difference even in the quality of our time together. I guess we both needed some gym time! The second baby weight was harder for me to lose, but I carried Dan for a month longer and he was 3 lbs bigger. Mostly, my muscles needed a lot more rehabilitation- Now that I am working out at home I am going to try and work out more in my next pregnancy to help that.
Hey, found this site searching for Gluten free recipe ideas as my 6 year old son and 10 year old daughter are on a 100% no gluten, no dairy no processed sugar diet.
I think a lot of the recipes here are great, inspiration for sure but I felt the need to point out that oats contain Avenin that many GF ers must avoid also.
Hey Kitty!
It is hard for some people on the gluten free diet to eat oats- I myself had to gradually reintroduce them into my diet. My favorite sub for oats is quinoa. I have recently cut out a lot of refined sugar and have been using agave syrup. Thanks for commenting!
I have been a lurking admirer of your recipes and writing for a long time, but seeing that you are now a weight training mama is what brought me out of the woodwork! That’s awesome and best case scenario, your weight stays the same but the inches keep coming off. I am a definite advocate of strength training for women (just one of the many pillars of healthy lifestyle-hood) and am always so happy to hear that other women enjoy it too. I was just saying to someone earlier that because input=output when it comes to all energy, great food fuels great workouts, which fuel a great-looking, great-feeling body!
Well done and thanks for sharing your gorgeous recipes