Last Wednesday, I was getting a pedicure, and noticed a black mark underneath my big toe’s nail. It was a little alarming, as I had recently read somewhere that black marks, underneath the toenail, can be indicative of melanoma. I’m not typically anxiety prone with health issues… I simply go to the doctor and get it taken care of, but this one freaked me out. I was shaking, and crying, on the way home, my mind racing to the absolute worst case scenario. I immediately made a dermatologist appointment….
Yesterday, I visited the doctor… she believed the mark was due to trauma (i.e. a blood blister) since I am an active runner, and this is frequently seen in such cases… but we decided to monitor it and revisit the mark in two months… with hopes that it would grow out with the nail. Yet, while I was there, we decided to do a full body scan. She immediately noticed a “jagged” mole on my upper back and decided to remove + biopsy it….
The funny thing is, I’ve been meaning to make an appointment to get my skin checked, but it’s something I never followed through with. I rarely get pedicures, and that marking shook me into immediate action. And while the initial reason for the visit is likely benign, I never would have visited for the mole she was concerned about…. and who knows what would have happened if I hadn’t. All that to say… taking care of ourselves is so important… going to the doctor, eating healthy, taking care of our mental health… it’s all imperative to living a well rounded, healthy, life…..
And recently, I’ve been receiving a few requests for another 5 Day Meal Plan…. so, today, I complied a M-F plan of what I ate over the past two weeks. It’s all tasty, nutritious, and leaves me feeling fully satisfied. It’s not intended for weight loss, but for clean eating ideas and suggestions……
Monday
Breakfast: Egg Scramble: 2 eggs + 1/2 cup egg whites, scrambled with mushrooms, spinach, + cherry tomatoes. Topped with salsa verde + 1/4 avocado
Snack: 100 calorie perfect bar
Lunch: Tuna Salad: Mixed spinach + arugula topped with 1/2 cup quinoa, 1 can Safe Catch Tuna, shredded carrots + cabbage, edamame, hummus, and mixed with Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing.
Snack: Beet chips + hummus
Dinner: Cauliflower Pizza- cauliflower crust topped with Trader Joe’s vegan cashew, basil, pesto spread, 1/2 cup regular cheese (or I use this dairy free alternative), red onion, sautéed brussels sprouts, prosciutto, black olives. Bake according to directions.
Dessert: Handful of Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Granola
Tuesday
Breakfast: Chia Seed Pudding topped with Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Granola + raspberries
Snack: Hard boiled egg
Lunch: Veggie Salad: mixed arugula + spinach topped with Hilary’s Eat Well Veggie Burger + 1/4-1/2 cup Trader Joe’s Lentils…. shredded carrots + cabbage, edamame, dried cranberries, sliced cucumber, and mixed with Trader Joe’s Green Goddess Dressing.
Snack: Chocolate Banana Protein Smoothie (featured in photo)
Dinner: Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi (cooked with Chosen Foods avocado oil) and mixed with Trader Joe’s almond butter turmeric dressing…. and served with baked asparagus + Braut Hans chicken sausages.
Wednesday
Breakfast: Açaì bowls
Snack: Blueberry lemon zest muffin
Lunch: Same salad as Monday with turkey slices instead of tuna
Snack: Apple slices with almond butter
Dinner: Salsa verde shredded chicken tacos: used Siete tortillas and topped with avocado + pico de gallo. Sautéed bell peppers + onions for a side.
Dessert: Pressed Juicery vanilla freeze
Thursday
Breakfast: Protein Pancakes topped with almond butter + raspberries
Snack: 100 calorie Perfect Bar
Lunch: Left over tacos from Wednesday night’s dinner
Snack: Blueberry Smoothie
Dinner: Trader Joe’s carrot noodles (so. good.) cooked according to directions and mixed with Trader Joe’s almond butter turmeric dressing and topped with green onions. Served with cooked ground turkey (1/2 cup) + steamed broccoli.
Friday
Breakfast: Same as Monday
Snack: Apple slices with cinnamon
Lunch: Turkey Wrap- Siete tortilla topped with hummus + avocado, turkey slices, spinach, shredded carrots, and topped with Trader Joe’s green goddess dressing. Side of Kale Chips.
Snack: Naturally Clean Eats Bar
Dinner: Take-out….
Dessert: Wine + Pressed Juicery Freeze
Annnnd, sharing a few of my favorite workout looks as of late….
(Capris | Sleeveless Sweatshirt | Bra)
