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Danielle - Bonnie
We are mothers and we love: losing weight, working out, and being healthy.
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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Sweet Potatoes and Yams - What's the Difference?

Hello, Danielle here. Yesterday a post of mine on Facebook about eating Greek non-fat yogurt some how morphed into a conversation about sweet potatoes. I'm not sure how it happened, but I'm glad that it did. I have never eaten a baked sweet potato. My only real memory of eating them before now is the super sicky overly sweet casserole of sweet potatoes smothered in melted and browned marshmellows that my mom would make. I just remember thinking to myself that it tasted like a desert and I didn't like it. 

So as I was patiently and hungrily waiting my for my husband to come home for lunch (he had to run by the store to get me a sweet potato), I got a phone call from him. He was searching the fresh vegetables at the store trying to find one, but all that he found were "yams". I knew fairly well that they aren't the same, but I didn't know why. After a few minutes on my laptop and through the magic that Google is, I now know the difference. And knowing is half the battle, after all. ;) I guess that us southerns decide to label all sweet potatoes as yams...I don't know why. I doubt that any of us have actually seen a yam.

I scrubbed that tuber (thanks Google) and then stabbed it with a knife repeatedly, rolled it up in a paper-towel like a burrito, and nuked it on high for 4.5 minutes...I was starving by the time it was done. I got it out, split it down the middle and added a tsp of unsalted butter (yeah, the real stuff), then 3/4 of a tbsp of Simply Sour Cream, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and then to top it all off, a handful of shredded organic baby spinach and I can't forget the freshly cracked pepper and a dash of cumin. It was DELICIOUS! I ate it all and then pouted at the empty skin that remained. 

 calories-223 / fat-10gm / protein-4

I didn't have any snacks yesterday (shocking) until after my workout. Some how the day had just totally gotten away from me. And before I realized it, it's already 5PM and my husband called and was asking what dinner was going to be. I had no clue and then he spoke the most beautiful words I could ever hear - "Want me to get pizza?". Yes, yes, yes! Oh how I love pizza...No one has to cook and clean up is a breeze. Now if you over indulge on the pizza it can be the down fall to any and everyone trying to lose weight and to get healthier. But I have it down to a science now. I only eat 2 slices of thin crust - cheese, if I have fewer calories left by dinner I only have 1 slice (yeah, we eat pizza about 2 times a month and I love every minute of it). Thinking back to how I used to eat, I'm sure that I could have wolfed down half that warm ooey gooey cheesy goodness and then had a giant bowl of ice cream to top it off. Oh, how things have changed. Instead of eating more slices of pizza, I make sure that I have a giant salad on the side and if I still feel hungry after I'm done, I get more salad - no more pizza.

 calories-550 / fat-28 / protein-20

After dinner, I changed and then I headed to the gym. My home away from home :) I started out on the Elliptical for a nice 7 min warm up. My butt and thighs were still very sore from the work-out I tortured them with on Mon. After the blood got to pumping and the muscles were warm, I hopped on the Treadmill and ran for 7 mins (speed varying from 4.5 to 5.7). I had hoped that I would be able to run 2 miles in less than 28mins (I'm new to running) but my stems just couldn't handle it. If I had been able to stick it out I would have ran a 14min mile. That's pretty stinkin good for me. But I gave up on trying to achieve that goal and I set the incline to 11.5 and climbed for 7mins. I was drenched in sweat by the end of those 14mins. I then made my way over to the weight machines and I worked on my calves, my arms, and my thighs and butt for 40mins or so. I really do enjoy the work out I get from the machines and the free weights. Don't be afraid of them...they won't bite.

  calories burned 572

After my work out I came home and had to fuel my machine. Which means I get to eat more - woohoo!! (I really do enjoy food and I LOVE to eat) I had a packet of Justin's Maple Almond Butter with one cinnamon graham cracker and a protein shake - made with Six Star by Muscle Tech Vanilla Whey Protein (1 scoop), Silk Vanilla Almond milk (1/2 cup) and Silk Pure Almond Dark Chocolate milk (1/2 cup). Yum yum! All in all a great day!!
calories - 490 / fat - 23 / protein - 32

Until tomorrow, be strong, don't give up. We all have crappy days that bring us down, determination is what you do after you have fallen. I choose to get up and get back at it...what will you do? 

My stats for yesterday: calories - 1,424 / carbs - 94 / fat - 62 / protein - 70 / sodium - 1513 / water - 48oz (I slacked off on my water, I need to get back to it!)

P.S. - And no, I didn't take the time to explain the differences of the two, so if you are overly curious about the difference between a sweet potato and a yam - Google it ;)

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