The Writing Void

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I feel like one pooped puppy!

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I got sucked into a freelance writing void until almost 8 PM, and when I came to, I realized I was starving!

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(Megan, is this your plate?)

 

I made an easy steamed asparagus, kidney bean, and hummus wrap:

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Plus, a HUGE spinach salad with Green Goddess dressing:

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Afternoon snacks included the usual suspect, Pumpkin Yogurt:

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And a handful or two of dried blueberries, which I’ve decided are basically candy.

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The Spark Giveaway

 

Have you ever been to SparkPeople.com?  It’s the largest online health community, and it offers tons of tips and tools for losing weight or getting into shape in a healthy, sustainable manner.  From the experts who created SparkPeople.com comes The Spark, a ground-breaking book about transforming your life and your idea of what dieting means.

TheSparkCover (1)

Here are the 5 lucky winners of The Spark giveaway, plus their healthy living tips:

 

  • Denise: My No. 1 tip is to stay centered and balanced is thank God for all of the CRAZY GREAT THINGS that your body and mind CAN do instead of focusing on the few things that it CAN’T (yet!) do!!!!!
  • Lori (Finding Radiance): My tip is that small changes add up over time to big health benefits! Too many times we try to overhaul everything at once, get overwhelmed, and quit.
  • Katie: My tip is that leaning on friends IS alright. Having a cheering crowd does wonders for your motivation and self esteem! 🙂
  • Sara (However Absurd): Don’t compare yourself to other people; do what you can do, do it as well as you can, and take care of yourself!
  • Ashley: My number 1 tip is MODERATION! Don’t indulge in too many desserts, but don’t deprive yourself either. Don’t sit on the couch all day, but don’t let exercise rule your life. Yep, it’s not that easy, but moderation is the key to a healthy life!

 

Check out the comments on the giveaway post to read more than 350 really amazing and insightful healthy living tips!

{ 41 comments }

 

  • Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers January 14, 2010, 8:39 pm

    i love the maggie pic! i love when you include pics of the pups b/c they always make me smile. 😀

  • Runeatrepeat January 14, 2010, 8:41 pm

    She is adorable 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing January 14, 2010, 8:43 pm

    Love Denise’s tip, so so so true!!!

  • Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore) January 14, 2010, 8:51 pm

    I used Spark People for a little while and found everyone to be so helpful. I do feel like the site itself is a little overwhelming with all the “flair”, You LOVE the asparagus and kidney bean combo. For someone who isn’t crazy for the veg, you sure got your servings in tonight. Good work.

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 14, 2010, 9:12 pm

    I’ve been meaning to try that asparagus combo — always looks so yummy on your blog! 😀

    Dried fruit is just as good as candy. I’ve been eating dried cranberries by the handful this week.

  • Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg January 14, 2010, 9:15 pm

    Awwww…love tired pooches 🙂 Is it me, or do sleeping dogs smell really good?

    Good work getting writing done!

  • lauren @ Eater not a runner January 14, 2010, 9:22 pm

    Love the tips! And the puppy pic is too cute 🙂

  • Estela @ Weekly Bite January 14, 2010, 9:33 pm

    Maggie is too cute for words!

  • katherine January 14, 2010, 9:35 pm

    Dried blueberries are the BEST! I’ve been eating them every day in my oatmeal and I’m in love. Hot, cold, anywhere in between. They’re just so delicious.

    Adorable puppy picture, by the way!

  • ashleigh January 14, 2010, 9:43 pm

    I have got to try that pumpkin yogurt out! I eay kidney beans like they are going out of style because of you! I add them to everything. I used to be mainly a chickpea girl but after seeing kidney beans on your blog all the time I realized how DELISH they are.

    • Caitlin January 14, 2010, 10:13 pm

      hahah kidney beans are amazing. have you baked them into a rice and cheese casserole?

  • Casey @ SpicyandSweet January 14, 2010, 9:49 pm

    Maggie is just the CUTEST!! 🙂

  • Sara January 14, 2010, 10:02 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway, Caitlin! It’s exciting to win. 🙂

  • Heather January 14, 2010, 10:04 pm

    Why haven’t I been putting asparagus in my wraps? 🙂

  • Ali@ Food, FItness, Fashion January 14, 2010, 10:05 pm

    That wrap looks good! Asparagus is one of my favorite foods ever!

  • Jayce January 14, 2010, 10:06 pm

    I need to try this wrap tomorrow!!

  • Katie O. @ Fit to Wed January 14, 2010, 10:07 pm

    I love that picture of Maggie- she is so cute!

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) January 14, 2010, 10:16 pm

    Cuteness!! I think most dried fruit is delicious, and absolutely love dried blueberries AND dried cherries!

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) January 14, 2010, 10:26 pm

    Those wraps look so good! I am loving wraps at the moment 🙂

  • Kara (@ Kara's Marathon) January 14, 2010, 10:28 pm

    Maggie is so adorable! It looks like she’s smiling while she’s sleeping 🙂

  • Jenna January 14, 2010, 10:29 pm

    Great combo in your wrap!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) January 14, 2010, 10:41 pm

    Your salad looks perfect!

    Congrats to all the winners! What a great prize!!

  • ashley January 14, 2010, 10:45 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway! I look forward to reading all the other healthy living tips :-).

  • Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen January 14, 2010, 10:55 pm

    you totally had a Meghann dinner! it looks so good though…asparagus and hummus – holy yum!

  • eatingRD January 14, 2010, 11:09 pm

    so glad to hear your foot is doing better! I just got to read your race recaps and you are amazing girl. I look forward to seeing your new weight training schedule, and more swimming and cycling! I’m starting to run more and want to train for a sprint tri and a metric 🙂

  • Karla January 14, 2010, 11:22 pm

    Looove the doggie pictures!!

  • Amber K January 14, 2010, 11:23 pm

    Congrats to the spark book winners! It is a neat book and an even BETTER website! =)

    That veggie wrap looks good! I’m planning on having my own hummus wrap tomorrow for lunch. Can’t wait.

  • Jenny January 14, 2010, 11:36 pm

    Congrats to all the spark winners and thanks for sharing the healthy living tips! Such great advice 🙂

  • Lauren @ Reading and Running January 14, 2010, 11:55 pm

    Awww look at the belly!

    And I need to get some pumpkin ASAP before it disappears from store shelves…

  • sophia January 15, 2010, 12:00 am

    Lol, I can’t ever imagine you lying like that with the little puppy pooch, but I definitely know the feeling of being “pooped”!

  • Jasmine @ Eat Move Write January 15, 2010, 12:23 am

    Dried blueberries ARE candy, aren’t they?

  • Freya @ foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com January 15, 2010, 4:55 am

    Awh Maggie is so beautiful!
    I think dates are the best ‘healthy’ sweets, they beat dried blueberries any day 😛

  • christie, honoring health January 15, 2010, 6:30 am

    Love that pic of Maggie!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) January 15, 2010, 7:50 am

    Gah she’s so cute. I’m kinda glad you still sneak in pics into your posts even after making a puppers tab 😉

  • Courtney January 15, 2010, 7:58 am

    Just wanted to say I love the pic of Maggie!! She is cute liitle dumpling of sleeping dog <3
    Courtney
    adventures in tri-ing

  • chandra h January 15, 2010, 8:17 am

    i agree, dried blueberries are basically candy 🙂

  • Katharine January 15, 2010, 8:22 am

    Asparagus is one of my fave veggies but I never thought of it as a sandwich/wrap item! Love it. I can always count on this blog for delicious (and healthy, of course) food items. 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat January 15, 2010, 9:03 am

    That wrap looks delicious! Asparagus is a favorite of mine too 🙂

  • Amanda January 15, 2010, 9:50 am

    Green Goddess dressing is the best thing on earth! And that wrap looks delicious. I’m going to be trying your savory oatmeal recipe soon (can’t remember the name right now), but the one with the kidney beans, cheese and broccoli. I’m excited about it! The hubby thinks its going to be gross though.

  • MegaNerd January 15, 2010, 10:46 am

    Yep! That’s my plate! I think you have my cookie sheet too…

  • Amanda @ Cakes and Ale January 15, 2010, 1:43 pm

    Way to go with the veggies!
    I love to swim, and I swam on teams throughout my kid / teenage years. I’m thinking about doing a sprint triathalon in June, so I’m psyched to get back in the pool!

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