Easy. Sometimes I wake up and I think… easy. Like when we have 10 people in town. What’s easy to make for breakfast? Last time my solution was the not-so-glamorous bagel, so Hubbs suggested we keep pancake mix on hand (the just add water kind) in case we have people over and need it. Well, the only problem with keeping easy pancake mix on hand is that it’s easy for me to make a lazy breakfast for myself 🙂

So I did,

Enter: cheap, easy pancake mix.

Don’t be fooled by the ‘Complete’ ‘Wheat’ Nonsense. The first ingredient is enriched bleached flour (no no), but at least the second is whole wheat flour. And even though it says 0 transfats per serving, looking through the list of ingredients, there are definitely a couple partially hydrogenated oils. BIG no no. But it was there, and I was lazy, so I proceeded.

I cut the smallest listed ingredient amounts in half (half of 1 cup, easy… 1/2 of 3/4 cup? … figuring that out before coffee was hard ;)), but I just wanted 1 big pancake, so I did it.

Then I decided to give it some staying power, so taking a hint from The Fitnessista, I decided to add some protein powder. 1/2 a scoop… For an added 11 g of protein.

Sorry for the poor picture quality this morning, it was easier to use my old, crappy camera.

The result? A delicious, vanilla blueberry pancake- cooked perfectly and delicious! …and smiling back at me!

Then I drizzled some maple on his face.

And then he was gone. Easy as pie. Well, easy as a pancake.

Keeping with the easy theme, Hubbs shared a really neat video with me. It asked the question, “would people be more likely to take the stairs if it was fun?” See for yourself! Really, take the time to watch it…. it’s neat! And it only takes 90 seconds.

Fun Stairs

Pretty interesting, huh?! Don’t you wish your stairs were like that? I loved it because I thought it really showed that it you make something fun and easy, you won’t have to force people into it; they will want to do it. It drew a perfect parallel for me to healthy eating. The minute you tell someone it’s a healthy recipe or something is good for them, their first reaction is “EW“. You tell them how important it is to be healthy, and they think “how dull… I want to enjoy my life“. But if you show them by example what being healthy is…. all the delicious flavors and foods, fun activities, the feeling of being energetic, not feeling deprived, etc… then I believe they will be more drawn to living a more healthy lifestyle.

That’s why I admire each and every one of you. Whether you read about healthy living, or write about healthy living, you’re all doing your part by living (as Oprah would say it) your best life. And even though you may not know it, your healthy lifestyle is influencing those around you. Maybe someone you know took the stairs instead of the escalator, or maybe they tried spinach in a smoothie, or maybe they decided to look at a food label… whether you see it or not, you’re making a difference. Cheers to you! 🙂

::Steps off soap box::

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My favorite thing about making a delicious dinner? Having leftovers for lunch! And that’s what I had today… last night’s meal… mini-sized.

Again, I used my miserable camera… sorry, but better pictures are on yesterday’s blog 🙂

After another couple hours on the computer, I had to get away and look at anything other than this tiny screen.

So I grabbed Koda-bug and we walked down to the tennis courts (about 1 mile round trip) to sign up for a court for later.

Whew- *NEWS FLASH*, it’s hot out. But it felt great to move around.

Bug thought so, too (mid-pant) 🙂

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My productive afternoon included a snack, of course!

Plus a handful of almonds before we hit the tennis courts. WOW. Today really wasn’t my day for tennis. I had no power and poor accuracy. Luckily, I am still able to enjoy it even though I totally sucked it up 🙂

After losing 2 sets, and not having plans for dinner, we decided to hit up our favorite Mexican spot, Sauzas. They know us there. Really.

Now I’m transferring to the iPhone to upload Mexican pics. I hate to admit it, but I overstuffed myself a bit. That hasn’t happened in the longest time, but the combo of sweatin’ out on the court for 1.5 hours and being starving when I arrived led to overindulging. But let’s be honest, part of me enjoyed it 🙂

I had only 1 fajita, but paired with a 1/2 basket of chips, I was (and still am!) stuffed.

Now I’m back home, cuddled up on the couch, listening to Hubbs practice the piano and questioning what was up with the ending of The Hills?!

Seriously… Was it all fake? All the way back to Laguna? I refuse to believe if. What’s your thoughts??

Or am I the only one that still watches “reality” tv targeted towered 14 year olds? 😉