The first day of our Insanity workout program, Paul didn’t waste any time going online to research the calorie content of coffee. Lucky for him it only contains two per cup (sans cream and sugar, of course.) He’s set.
Simultaneously, I raced to find out how many calories are included in my favorite cookies and potato chips. I am clearly screwed. Like this was news…denial is strong.
I knew from the onset that the exercise program was going to be hard. Punishing-hard. But the food restrictions are what would do me in.
Okay. Fine. I can live without cheese for two months (barely), but I’m a snacker. Big time snacker. What can replace my mid-morning (and mid-afternoon, ahem) caramel corn and chocolate bark binge? Time to get clever.
I started digging into my complimentary box of goodies from Oh! Nuts (which included pine nuts, roasted soy nuts, dates, dried figs, wasabi peas, dried apricots, and roasted shelled pistachios. All fresh. All yummy. SCORE.) I could literally just shovel it all in by the handful. Well, I could have two weeks ago, anyway.
So, I took my favorite pistachios and placed them on top of dried apricots, with ricotta, and a little honey. Is it an even trade for the chocolate bark? Hell no. But it was a fantastic little afternoon snack, getting me through until dinner, loaded with potassium, calcium, and protein.
I only had four. On day 61, I’m having 10.
Print ingredient details (inspired by Eating Well)
The Giveaway
One lucky reader has a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Oh! Nuts and try out some of their delectable nuts and fruits, or chocolates or candy. Or granola or coffee. There’s more…go check out their amazing selection.
There are two ways to enter: (1) leave a comment on this blog or (2) go “like” us on Facebook.
The drawing closes on Sunday, September 26th at 8pm PST.
UPDATE 9/26/10:
Random.org decided that Julie Ellen Weston is getting that $25 gift certificate. Congrats, Julie!
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
It would be nuts if I win.
Yes I’m a dork. I can’t help it.
So many good choices.
yum, that looks delish! and I LOVE wasabi peas :P
I love nuts too! And I use ricotta in many recipes :) I recently started my “healthy eating” plan too….I’m down 5 pounds….more to go. Oh Nuts has great selections! Thanks.
I never would have thought of that combination! Looks delicious!
That looks really good I so love nuts!!
sounds great!
thanks for the giveaway.
Wow, that’s a really interesting recipe I love Oh Nuts! They have so many nuts chocolate and coffee Oh the possiblities! LOL! :)
These look really good… my kids love fruit so these would be a good snack
Thanks for sharing your story! Everything looks and sounds great :)
Those look healthy, colorful, and really yummy! Thanks for sharing and inspiring
oh, yum! I love to snack healthy, especially since I’m such an avid snacker (lol). :) Thanks for the giveaway!
I love nuts, especially with carbs attached!!
Love nuts of all sorts, and can never have enough!
Dad – And it’s homemade. WAS homemade. I had to finish it off before we started Insanity so I wouldn’t be tempted. I’m making more right when we’re done!
Brad – I’m not trying to lose weight, just trying to get in better shape. Will check out your site, thanks!!
Kelly – Yea! You can alter it to your liking, since you’re not restricted to the Insanity craziness. Let me know what you think.
Alison – Ditto!! I love making new awesome foodie (and otherwise) connections. Thanks so much for reaching out.
Valerie – Thanks, Valerie!! As much as I hear I’m crazy (and I know it’s true), I still love to hear some words of encouragement. I’ll take all I can get!
Good for you! Stay strong and stick to your guns – you’ll be ever so glad you did. I know from personal experience that counting calories can be hard (especially when I love sweets so much!) but it can be done. Good luck!
Wow. These look great! So glad I found you on twitter today! Nice to meet!
did not get pistacios on my last trip, love em!
yum, back to the store for apricots and more nuts! This sounds sooooo good!
Buy the P90X Recovery Drink and start eating a protein bar during the day. You will burn ridiculous amounts of calories doing Insanity. I’ve burned over 900 calories in some of the workouts. Insanity is about getting fit not just losing weight. Click on my link to check out the drink and protein bars.
I’ll take what Jen leaves over, but first, YOU HAVE CARAMEL CORN IN THE HOUSE???????? All of a sudden, I feel very weak. I haven’t had caramel corn since I went to the circus, and that was in 1948. I’m too weak to do ANY exercise. STOP this insanity, and bring me desert.
Delia – They do have an amazing selection. Thanks for playing!
Tricia – Indeed. I’ve been eating a handful of raw almonds mid-day and it’s incredible how long that can carry me.
Emily – Mine too. Thanks for stopping over!
I’d love to win. Nuts are a staple in my diet.
Nuts are such a great energy boost.
I think I would love anything from the Oh Nuts store. Great giveaway!
Rachel – I knew you’d ride me! Lol. It’s not to lose weight, but more so to get in shape. There’s a difference, trust me. My upper body is weak like a wet noodle.
Jen – Can you hear the bag opening…just waiting for you. Sunday? It will be easy to save some, since, well, the Insanity approved amount is no bigger than a rabbit turd. Waaaaa.
Chris – Right. Motivation. Like a piece of pie at the end of the rainbow!
Debra – Well, to be clear…I don’t like exercise. That would really make me crazy, right? And I’ll take all the luck I can get, so thank you!
I love nuts and fruits ! I really dont like exercise but do enough to get me by. Good luck with 60 days, I would need it.
Good to hear that your motivated enough to do the workout. Thanks for the giveaway!
A. Those look like a really yummy snack to me. I will try them…or you can make them for me.
B. I would like the wasabi peas and roasted soy nuts if you have not eaten them. And if I have to choose one, I’ll take the peas. ;o)
C. I would like the gift certificate.
I have a question. Why on EARTH are you doing an INSANITY workout? You weigh 2 lbs. lady! Eat some bark and be merry! And Paul too? WHY?!
You do not have the chub rub that I do. If anything I should be the one doing it, not you. Not that I would. I don’t do “insane” things because they are dangerous. ;)
I love love love love love pistachios. Like, super duper love. And that snack looks yummay!
Shelley – Sounds similar to our post-workout. We sit in the corner and cry.
Peg – Great point! I wasn’t even thinking about Fall or the holidays.
Great giveaway! With fall officially here and the holidays coming you can bet there will be extra baking with nuts and dried fruit.
I love nuts! And you’re nuts for doing the insanity workout. My neighbors tried it a few months ago. I just laughed in the corner while eating my Doritos.
Natasha – Thanks!
Tra – Nut and dried fruit fanatic here, too. I have a slight obsession with homemade trail mix.
Andrea – I’m wobbling too. Good god, it took 3 hours after day 1 and day 2′s workout before my legs weren’t shaking. Today, Day 4, is the first day that I can actually bend down without crying. Will absolutely post my results…helps keep me committed.
Lo – Craziness is a prerequisite to sign up for this exercise program. I think it even says it in the brochures ;-)
Been trying to determine whether or not I think you’re crazy… and I think I’ve established that you definitely are. But, that’s OK. I like a little bit of crazy. Keep us posted!
Oh, yeah. And nuts are OK too :)
Hmmm, I have all those ingredients downstairs, even ricotta cheese! Thanks for the recipe and good luck with the Insanity workout. I did my first weight-room workout in about three months on Tuesday and today I’m hobbling rather than walking, even though I really took it easy for the first time back. I admire you for committing to 60 days and will be interested in your results.
ooh giveaway! i love cashews, pistachios, and walnuts. serrrrrriouss nut fanatic here.
The little bites of apricot, ricotta, and pistachios look so scrumptious!
Katie – Thanks, Katie! I’m posting daily updates on Twitter and weekly updates on Facebook. I will also do before and after pics at the very end.
Nive – Thanks for participating!
Joanne – Ya, I think I forgot to mention in the initial post that we were both doing it. It was actually Paul’s idea! I can already see he’s going to be more fit than me. And not miss white bread as much. Totally bogus.
I didn’t realize you and Paul were doing this together! I would say how fun. But it’s no secret that guys are better at losing weight, getting fit, and not craving carbs than we are. Sucks.
I love everything you’ve just listed for Oh Nuts! Damn those canapes look good. Ricotta. Yum.
awesome canapes and thanks for this giveaway too…
Yum! I’ll have to try these they look delicious! You have to keep updating us with your insanity workout – I’ve just been running because it’s really the only workout I can stand doing. Let me know how it goes, I’m really interested!
J – Yes! No cooking required. Or sweating.
Kristen – Having to limit your snacks forces you to be clever in the kitchen!
Astrid – Oh, the nutella and goat cheese. Yes, those are very dangerous. And why did you have to remind me of them now?? Torture.
Lisa – I guess that means you like me…you really really like me ;-)
Elisa – Lol. Well, brie is dairy. So is ice cream. I’m with ya.
Stephanie – Totally. I would never have committed to this if it meant a lifetime without pie, brownies, and cookies. 56 days left! In other words…an eternity.
Kelly – THANKS!
Insanity is an awesome program! go you!
I think I’d die if I had to limit my snacks. The 60 days will fly by though, you can do it!
i admire your strength…i managed to make it to the gym twice this week (after not going for a month), but i’ve balanced it out by eating a wedge of brie all by myself in two days.
I already like you…on Facebook too :) Oh nuts reminds me of Nutsonline where I buy all my stuff. I love apricots! Yum!
Those apricots are awesome. I love the combinations you come up with. I still haven’t tried the nutella and goat cheese sandwich. I think I am terrified of how delicious it will be. I would love to try the nuts.
What a clever recipe! Will definitely try these! I love me some apricots!!!!
Those look good actually. And I could totally make them, as opposed to, say, doing the Insanity workout. ;-)