Fast Food lunches for a 21 Day Fix vegetarian on the go

So I get a lot of questions about the 21 Day Fix - the plan that gives you colored containers & limits to how many containers of each one you can have a day & one of the questions that always comes up is "Can you eat out?" ... of course you can.

& for me, being a vegetarian, you'd think it would limit my options even more. Nope.

& first, I do want to say that life is busy & I get its not always easy to bring your lunch, but of course, you are going to have healthier options & more control over your calories if you brown bag it.  But for those days where you forget your lunch, or want to just get out of the office for fresh air (me, every day) then if you are watching your food or following a meal plan using the 21 Day Fix containers, you are not left out to dry.

Here's some of the places that you will find me eating lunch at... & I know a lot of you know these already, but sometimes its just good to have a list in front of you. I know for me, I keep a list of options in front of me at work so I can decide ahead of the game where I'm going to eat for the day / week.  Planning ahead is a huge part in healthy decisions!

McDonalds

I am so happy that McDonalds has changed where you can get breakfast all day long. For me, I am snagging up on Egg McMuffin's all day long - I just ask for it without the Canadian Bacon.  & the egg is great protein which keeps me pretty full for a good long while.

Burger King

Thank you Burger King for offering a Veggie Burger.  I know some people don't really care for a veggie burger - I think they are delicious.  Probably an acquired taste. I know the Hubs didn't care for them at first, but now, he eats them happily.  Again, good protein, you get some veggies on this. I do ask for it without mayo though & some times I'll even take the top of the bun off & just eat the bottom piece of bread.  Save calories any where you can, right?  & yes, that is the same veggie burger by Morning Star you can find in your freezer section at the grocery. I'll actually buy some of those & take to work & leave in the freezer.

Taco Bell

Minus the meat please

Well of course I go to Taco Bell for a Taco... & did you know, you can sub out the meat for refried beans?  & its delicious!  Bean Tacos for the win every time! Side note - the soft tacos are higher in calories with that doughy shell. Stick with the hard shells.

They also have a Fresco Menu that they don't advertise as much but it a healthier option where they take some of the cheese off & add in lots of a pico de gallo sort of mix.
 I'll get their Bean Burrito as well as another option.

Jimmy Johns

Confession - I would eat Jimmy John's sandwiches every day if I didn't have any problem with weight.  That bread. Oh my word. Amazingly delicious.  But carbs hate me.  So I go with the #6 Veggie Unwich without Mayo.  I do keep the avocado because I'm not afraid of healthy fats. No siree. Give me all the avocado.

& if you have great restraint, the Thinny Chips are the best chips ever in my opinion - but of course, potato chips are never great for you so if you can eat half the bag, then go for it.  Take a buddy & share.

Q'Doba

You know you can get a Salad there without the shell... & load that baby up with the fajita veggie toppings. Oh yes you can.  I actually use salsa as the dressing too which is fabulous & perfect for the mexican salad taste.  Add in some black beans & a little bit of rice if you want & viola - a healthy lunch!

Subway

Well, DUH on this one, right?  Subway is probably my most frequent visited lunch places, as you can imagine.  & thank goodness they started the reward points because I've earned so far like 6 full free meals - drinks, chips, sandwich - the full thing. I keep my Subway card cranking.
But of course, there is a veggie sub, but my favorite is again, another veggie patty - but I actually like it on Flatbread -& they now have wheat flatbread which is super yummy.  Load up those veggies.
I've even gotten a salad with the veggie patty added on there for some 'meat' to the salad.
& I stick with mustard or honey mustard for a dressing.

It is funny because I can't tell you how many times I have ordered the veggie patty & someone either in front of me or behind me turns & asks, "What is that?" ... its not something you see every day.

I'm still needing to try their egg sandwiches for lunch since it looks like they have taken the route of McDonalds & serve breakfast sandwiches all day long.

& Subway now also carries a Tomato soup that is only 140 calories for a cup. It's really good & I was downing that when it was cold all winter long.

TIP:  I usually like to keep carrot sticks with me every day to take to work - it works as a great side to the veggie sandwiches - sort of a cop-out french fry.

So see, you can eat out for lunch with a healthy life style.

... & if anyone is doing the 21 Day fix or the container system & wants to know the breakdown of any of these, feel free to ask me about a certain one - I'll be happy to talk to you about it.

____________________

Day 12-17 / 56

*Push ups are getting stronger

* I rubbed my arm for an itch & actually felt a muscle! I made Ricky come confirm

* Actually am thinking of ordering a chin up bar assist.  Using a chin up bar is something I NEVER thought I would ever use. 

* I miss running... but man, my knee has been aching lately

* I freaked out at a weight gain this week, but love my Chiseled Knitter partner talked me off the ledge & reminded me of my own post I did last week that you sometimes have to gain to loose.

Pressing On to another week!!!

The weekend that love blessed me.

This post may be a little scattered.
My brain - its has the case of the Mondays.
Plus, I'm recovering from a busy weekend.  Like, I usually try to get a post started on Sunday evening so I can kind of decompress & get my weekend thoughts together.  Nope, it was 11:00pm last night & I was still editing pictures & had to make myself stop to get ready for bed....
So this is a spur of the moment, gather it up quick post...

To sum up the weekend though, I'll just say it was FULL OF LOVE...

I ended up getting to photograph a 50th anniversary celebration.  First of all, I have to say, I love photographing events.  Its where you see so much happiness & joy & love for friends & family.  All in its natural environment.  The best way to take pictures.

I had spoken with this woman over the phone a few times to set up the date & time & all the details but never met her in person till she walked into her party... & when she saw the girl with the camera, she ran over & hugged me so tight & was like, REBECCA! like we were best friends for years.  I immediately loved her & her precious husband & all of their adorable family.  They just made my whole Saturday night so enjoyable.

It was pretty cool though to look through their old pictures & see their slide show movie & see what 50 years has brought this couple.  Let me tell you - I got choked up so many times during the night.  Especially when the video is playing & the song by Martina McBride, "Blessed" came on... the bride was dabbing at her eyes & her daughter turned & smiled at her & there was just a life time of memories on the screen.  I am a sap. Admittedly.  & the sap came through. I was totally wiping my own eyes.

& when the groom gave a little speech on how as we grow up, time seems to go so slow.  From wanting to get to go to school, to move up through high school, to purchasing that first car, to graduating... it all seems like time drags. But he said this past 50 years with the love of his life has went by too fast.  Yeah, I had to ask for a Kleenex.

I loved it too because they had members from their original bridal party there.  How special is that?  & let me tell you, the grooms side?  Doesn't matter what the age is - groomsmen are always going to be the life of a party.

The groom with his original best man

Look at the picture in the video... its the same picture they did earlier for me :) Is that the coolest or what?

& then Sunday, I met up with another couple to do their engagement pictures.

Now the cool thing about this young lady, I did her Senior Pictures 4 years earlier. I so love & adore when I get to keep up with people & families I take pictures of.  I mean, I meet a stranger & hang out with them for about 2 hours - but by the end of those 2 hours, I have asked so many questions & talked to them about their life, that I get totally invested in them... & love to hear how their journey takes them.

This young ladies journey has led her to such an incredible young man.  The whole session, he was like, "Whatever she wants'... "whatever makes her happy"... "Let her decide"... & he would help her carry her clothes, or help her walk across a holey field.  Just a gentleman.

I haven't got to start editing their pictures yet... but wait, I'll share some when I do

I thought of the difference in these couples... One starting out together.  One who has shared a life time together.  It's funny to see the different places that love exists.  But what a beautiful thing that it does exist.

& yes, my weekend was swamped with church & a wonderful service where 8th grade kids took over & working out & cleaning the house & Bible Journaling...

but it was all over shadowed by me being blessed enough to get to share a little bit of time with 2 amazing couples & get to see love in motion, active in lives.

I was blessed.

Friday Favorites

Favorite Veggie Burger

Vegetarian Sweet Potato Veggie Burger

I am a huge fan of making home made veggie burgers but most of them involve black beans
I've totally got to try this. It sounds delicious!


Favorite Outfit



I sort of like NEED that yellow blouse!
& add in that bag!
I'm happy to see yellow gold back in style

Favorite Toothpaste



I've been trying everything I can to make my dental issues feel better
(Yes, my mouth is still in pain & I'm STILL having issues)
so when my friend suggested I try a more natural toothpaste with essential oils in it, I'll give anything a try at this point. & while its not really taking the issues away like I want it to - I still am loving this tooth paste. The taste is so clean & fresh & I really think its making my teeth a little bit whiter - & for a tea/coffee addict, that's saying something.
& I love things that are more natural - this doesn't have any fluoride or any synthetic dyes in it.
Give me natural products that work any day.

Favorite Beauty & The Beast





Favorite God Thought

Favorite Coffee Mug




Favorite Animal Happiness

Favorite Funnies

... when someone starts talking to me about politics

... how my weekends usually look

... when people make fun of southern accents

... when the weather man says its going to warm up & actually feel like Spring



... me at 4:00pm



HAPPY FRIDAY Y'ALL!!!!!

Lots of food, sleeping upright & I'm running THANGS!!! .... Thankful Thursday #72

This week I am THANKFUL for:

(The number go with my One Thousand Gifts Journal - in other words, ignore them)

417 / AC Repairman! We finally got someone to come out & fix our unit.  & for now, he's got us going without the need to buy a whole new system. Hopefully what he did will last us for awhile.

418 / Avocado toast.  With tomato. & feta. Enough said.

419 / A window at work by my desk. I love that I can see outside during the day. I spent many years without a window & appreciate that I can see what the day looks like.

420 / New doggie door flap installed.  We have a doggie door to our enclosed back porch that the dogs go through 100,000 times a day. Harvey Dent takes credit for 99,000 of those times. That dog is always in & out. But he honestly was in & out so much that he wore our flap out & it was hanging by a thread & finally we had to take it down & then go on the hunt for a new one - which wasn't easy - or cheap. Dang. Not cheap at all.  We had to order it online & it finally came in & we are back in business.  Let's see how long this one lasts.

423 / Quiet Friday afternoon.  I didn't get off work 2 hours early this Friday but it seems everyone else took out early & a quiet office on a Friday afternoon is nice... not AS nice as being off myself, but I'll take it.

424 / Familiar face nurse.  When I went to go sit with my friend at the hospital, I look up & see who their nurse was.  One of my dear friend's daughter!  I didn't even know she worked in that hospital! I think God puts people in the right spot at the right time.  So cool.

425 / Meeting Harrison.  Like I said on Monday, I hate the circumstances that brought my friend from Colorado back to Indiana, but I was so happy to get to hold this baby & kiss his little face.

427 / Did my nails. I haven't had color on my nails in monthssss.  Just haven't had time to deal, but took the time to do them over the weekend & now I feel like I have fancy hands right now.  Forgot how happy it makes me to have good nails.

431 / Roses survived the frost.  Sunday morning, they were all on the news telling how to save plants from the frost. (You apparently spray them down before the sun hits them with the frost on them?  I never knew that) But we took my potted rose bush in our enclosed porch for the winter & had beautiful roses all year long & I was going to be so mad that I finally sit them back outside, because hello? It's Spring... only to have them frost over & die.  But they made it & I have 2 new blooms right now. Whew.

Totally me checking on our roses

433 / Filing done at work. I have had a pile of papers that have needed filing since the beginning of the year that I just kept putting off & putting off & putting off. I finally took the time on Monday to take care of it. Life looks better now at my desk where the top of my filing cabinet is cleared off.

434 / Need bigger weights! I can already feel a difference in just 2 weeks of my Hammer & Chisel program where I am wanting to up my weights.  This is exciting for me.  A wimpy girl.

435 / Warm tomato soup on a cold night. It's like we're back in mid-winter & that means warm soup hits just the spot.  Comfort food at its finest.

436 / Fit in a smaller size!!!  I'm the person that can loose a lot of weight, but still always seems to wear the same size. How is this possible?  Granted, they are looser & I'm lazy about trying on clothes so I just stay in baggy clothes, but I got a pair of shorts online & took the jump of ordering a size smaller then I normally do. They came in & I was a nervous wreck but put them on & they fit perfectly!!!! I did a happy dance.  Totally.

437 / Backrest Pillows.  My vertigo is still kicking me in the butt - or I should say in the head - lately.  I'm finding that laying flat or laying down aggravates it. Apparently my ears are really wonked out right now.  So I found an old upright pillow - you know the kind - the ones that every college dorm or teenagers room has.  It's been keeping me where I can sleep at an angle to help with the dizziness over night.  Waking up with the room spinning has NOT been a fun time lately so this pillow is my friend right now.

438 / Heater! To make this post go full circle of life, this goes back to the first Thankful thing with the repairman coming out. We thought he was repairing our AC - but with this stupid weather, we've had to turn our heater on... & it works! Thank goodness. I've been freezing for days so it was so nice to go to bed with regular jammies on & not 3 layers of jammies.

What blessings have you had in your life this week?

Amazoning ... my latest haul

I haven't actually done this one in awhile... maybe because I'm TRYING to keep the online shopping down a bit.

I will say, where my credit card got hacked & I had to wait for a new one to come in - I got my statement in the mail yesterday & was shocked to see it was like $450.00 less than normal. That was a fun surprise!  & now I'm wondering what I can spend that extra $450.00 on.

Dental bills. The answer is always dental bills.

But that is encouraging to know I can NOT spend if I have to.

Anyways - here's some of my latest haul from Amazon
& no, I dont get any compensation from this - I'm just showing my weird shopping habits.

Mueller Max Knee Strap

Yep, you've seen me get this before, but I went back & got another 2 pack of these because 1.) I like them & usually when I like something a lot, I make sure I get another one for back up in case they stop making them. & 2.) Got some extra of these for Ricky. He has knee issues as well & he wanted to try this out.  We are a house full of containers of knee braces if anyone needs any.

Tinkle Eyebrow Razor / 3 pack

This is an odd one I guess, but I saw this recommended on an YouTube video & they were cheap enough so I ordered a pack - its like $4.25 for 3 & free shipping if you are a Prime user.

They are meant to remove the fine hairs around your eye brows & neck & face. I get my brows waxed but love using this for around the areas in between.  I also have this one stupid hair on my face that wants to pop out (thanks hormone changes) & this little razor takes care of it quick & without plucking.

BalanceFrom High Accuracy Premium Digital Bathroom Scale

My old scale is basically a dinosaur. It is so old that the edging is peeling away on the feet plate. 

So when I saw this as a Daily Deal, I went ahead & ordered it.

I really like it - its very smooth to step on & I love that it shows your current weight as well as your weight from the time before you weighted (The blue is current weight/ green from the time before)

... the only downside of that - only one person can use the scale to be able to track that info. 

Like if Ricky gets on the scale & weighs & I go get on it, it will be HIS weight that I see in the green.

That's also something good to know if you dont want someone seeing your weight.

But I do like the scale & for the price, it was a great deal.

(Right now, its on sale for $19.95 Prime!)

BBK Series Professional DSLR Camera Shoulder Bag

I have all the same camera bags for all my Nikon cameras - they are back pack style & I really like them. But I have been using a cross body little bag for sessions so I can take an extra battery & SD cards for when I'm moving around.  I have been wanting to take my camera with me with more lenses & flashes around to more places - on sessions or in life in general - & love the ease of a cross body style bag, so got this.  I LOVE IT!  

it holds so much! & I love its waterproof & doesn't show dirt easily.

This is something I can totally take out on an outing & throw my wallet in & use as my purse & camera bag.

I will say - I ended up getting this bag for under $40.00 - & the exact same bag was selling on Amazon for $69.99 ... not sure why its so much cheaper from one vendor than all the others - but was glad I found it at such a discount price.

Moleskine Classic Notebook - Squared

Because I can never get enough Moleskine journals

 & because I can never find the 'squared' journal pages in stores.

I am a person who loves to make grids & charts & boxes to check off - so the pages that are already ready for me to make a perfect square?  That's the kind of journal I need.... & have a few dozen of

If you Bullet Journal - this is a MUST!!!

Styrofoam Wig Head

Again, proof you can find pretty much anything on Amazon.

This is what I use for my knitted hats for my Etsy store now.

I dont mind modeling my scarves & cowls but not sure how people feel about a hat on someone else's head.  Ricky gets weirded out about that - like he hates when I try on a hat in a store...
"You dont know whose head that's been on!" 

... & I'm the germaphobe on the family?

Anyways - this works out as the perfect hat model for me.

& I really like keeping it on my shelf with a hat on to keep its shape. 

Books

The Last Time We Say Goodbye - already read / will put in next book review
Life & Death - I love all things Twilight & really surprised I haven't heard much about this retelling of it.
Upstairs at the White House - I love First Ladies as much as I do the Royal family so excited to read this one too.

So what's some of your latest buys at Amazon you've bought?