Good Morning! This weather makes me happy. I like being able to walk outside for an hour during lunch! Today I am going to do a continuation of my weekend at school. I made a big breakfast before I left the house to make sure I could last all morning.
1 egg and 2 egg whites with mushrooms, vegan mozzarella cheese, and ketchup on an Ezekiel wrap. It was delicious and did the trick at keeping me full for a while!
I got to school at 9 and immediatly knew it was going to be a good day when we were told a celebrity personal trainer would be working with us first. The trainer was Joel Harper, creator of the Fit Pack Workout DVD.
We were told to get up out of our chairs for a 15 minute workout! We started doing all kinds of moves like neck rolls, hip rolls, jumping up and down, etc. Imagine 1100 people in a huge theatre doing hip rolls. It was a lot of fun! He also showed us some stretches we could do while sitting which felt very nice. It was a great way to start the morning.
Next our teacher spoke to us about vegetarian diets and how to reduce animal foods. He spoke about some of the reasons people go on these diets- Mad Cow disease, genetic engineering, animal rights, and/or to live longer. He also mentioned that some people end up going on the “junk food vegetarian diet.” There are plenty of foods that do not contain meat but are also artificial junk. I liked this line that he said,”You do not want to be cruel to animals but you do not want to be cruel to your own body either.”
He said most A or B blood types are less dependant on animal foods. Quinoa and beans are great sources of protein for vegetarians. Beans can be “challenging” for some people so he recommends using smaller beans, cooking them well done, adding no salt, soaking the beans, adding spices, or eating refried beans.
Cravings
Next we talked about some reasons people get cravings. I found these pretty helpful and could relate to a lot of them:
- Not enough water
- Primary food (missing love, exercise, meaningful career, relationship).
- Balance between yin & yang (inside coming out). For example, if I craved ice cream as a child, I will want it more now because it will give me comfort because of my relationship with that food. Very true by the way!
- If you don’t have food for a while and then have it, you will crave it more now.
- Cravings by season (summer-ice cream, winter-animal food)
- Lack of nutrients (crave salt because of lack of minerals)
- Crave non-nutritional forms of energy (alcohol, coffee)
- Hormonal (chocolate before menstruation)
Next Arthur Agatson, author of the South Beach Diet spoke to us. I was pretty excited about this one! If you’ve read my “About Me” section before, you would know that I originally lost a lot of weight after reading this book. I never knew about whole grains, refined sugars, and the glycemic index before reading it. This was not just a diet for me. It really changed my entire way of eating right before I entered college. I kind of wanted to give him a giant hug! His talk was a lot of graphs and science so I won’t get into it too much but it was fun to hear him speak.
Lunch!
I walked over to Lenny’s Sub Shop and got the best wrap EVER.
Look how pretty! I got the Vegetarian Delight: Avocado, romaine, tomato, carrot, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, red cabbage, sweet peppers & honey mustard
With some soy crisps on the side. This was seriously the perfect wrap. I loved all the pretty layers and the delicious honey mustard! I might be back every time I have school!
Later in the afternoon, Lynn Goldstein spoke to us. She is a registered dietitian and also went to Integrative Nutrition. She went through each of her sessions and what she spoke about with clients. She showed us how to calculate body weight, calories, body fat, etc. She spoke a lot about digestive issues as well. If you guys want me to get into more detail let me know. That could be a whole separate post in itself! I know everyone wants to learn more about constipation, IBS, and gas! It was cool to see how she incorporates what she learned at IIN with her nutrition practice. She focuses more on primary foods when with her clients (mood, energy, relationships, energy, and stress etc).
The highlight of Sunday was when our teacher told us to get up and stretch. We do this several times throughout the day along with deep breathing. This time he told us to start jumping up and down. All of the sudden the lights go off, strobe lights start flashing, and he starts blasting, “The World is Mine!” (Techno song that I love). Everyone just starts dancing and going crazy! There was so much energy in the room. I’ve never had so much fun at school.
After class, I went to Core Fusion and then Applebees for dinner! The first thing I saw on the table was this:
The Skinny “Bee” Margarita! Love it!
It tasted great! Hard to believe it was just 100 calories! I started with a house salad.
I got something from a new section on the menu “under 500 calories.” I got
Seasoned, grilled shrimp skewers on citrus island rice served with seasonal vegetables. This was 330 calories I think? Kind of hard to believe when I saw how big it was!
The shrimp was delicious! The sauce was a little spicy but nothing I could not handle. The broccoli was good but a little buttery. I ate 2 rows of shrimp and saved one for dinner yesterday! Yum!
I have some homework so I am off!
1) Do you like reading about what I learned in school? Do you want more/less detail from my notes?
2) What is your favorite thing to get at Applebee’s?
Related posts:
I definitely enjoy hearing about your school experiences.I’m interested in what they have to say about IBS for sure.I’ve been considering going back to school for integrative nutrition,but it’s just not in the cards right now:-( I do love hearing about it though:-) cc
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I love hearing about school! And I’d really be interested in learning more about what digestion. Gotta try that skinny margarita!
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I love hearing about what you’re learning!
It’s actually very motivational for me, I’ve been thinking off and on for a while now about becoming a personal trainer or a nutritionist or something- so this is great. Just one more thing to look into in September when I make the move to NYC!
I would definitely love to hear more about the integrative nutrition as well!
Have a good week!
cheers!
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Before I even saw the question you asked at the end of this post I was going to say how much I LOVE reading about what you’ve been learning at school. It seriously makes me want to go to nutrition school myself. I’m so jealous that you got to meet the author of the South Beach Diet! I’m very much on the same page when it comes to the fundamentals of the glycemic index.
Your breakfast looks bangin’, by the way. A breakfast burrito is so filling!
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That marg is only 100 cals?? Sign me up!!!
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i LOVE learning what you learn at school! it’s a nice refresher
definitely agree with the part on chocolate cravings monthly haha. and of course i crave unhealthy foods when i eat unhealthy.. it’s a vicious cycle, but the less processed/unhealthy foods i eat, the less i crave them. however this is NEVER true with me and sweets lol.
100-cal margarita is a fabulous addition to applebees’ menu. i like their salads a lot
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I like hearing about school. The cravings thing was really interesting.
I haven’t been to applebee’s in FOR-EV-ER! But that margarita looks good.
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Very interesting stuff! I’d love to hear about the cravings!!
Any margarita that’s 100 calories sounds good to be
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Wow school is really teaching you a lot! Im impressed!
my coworkers order form Lennys all the time!
i should try them!
and the margarita is only 100 cals??? crazy!
i have had a few dishes from Applebees… my problem is that they always mess up my order : (
the shrimp looks fab though!
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Missy Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Yes! Get Lenny’s! You will love it.
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Hi I am a new reader to your blog!! and I love hearing about your school!
I would also LOVE to hear more about IBS, as I experience IBS.
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Wow, I want to go to your school!
I know some vegetarians who definitely eat a lot of junk food, but thankfully most I know now have shown me it isn’t always that way. People think their diet is limited, but it doesn’t have to be at all!
I would LOVE to hear what you learned about digestive issues. This girl loves her beans and veggies, which seriously leads to mayjuh tummy issues. I’ve learned not to eat a lot on dates, let’s just say.
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Hey girl, I love reading about what you’re learning! I like that you break it down and make it concise and easy to understand. That bit about craving salt indicating a lack of minerals is especially interesting. I’m going to have to look into that because I have the world’s biggest “salt” tooth. What is the name of your school again? Keep up the sharing we really appreciate it and I bet it helps it stick in your head better. Ps- really jealous of that beautiful wrap! haha have a great day!
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Missy Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Institute of Integrative Nutrition!
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I want to do the course that your doing! I’m soo jealous I’m planning on taking nutrition but I want to do exactly what you are doing, where do I sign up! haha. seriously though.
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I’m so glad you are enjoying school and that we get free lessons too! I love wraps and I’m jealous of people who can wrap theirs without making a mess!
Of course you like Lite Choice- you are their spokesmodel
!
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I really enjoy reading about what you learn in class. I’ve been wanting to find an online nutrition class I can take but haven’t found one I really like yet. So it’s nice being able to learn from your experiences!
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I started my path into vegeteriansim for health reasons… and it has been the best decision for me personally. I am a AB blood type and its funny a good meal to me is quinoa and veggies
I haven’t been to Applebease in a LONG time.
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that class sounds awesome! That is sweet you got to talk to the south beach guy haha. those margaritas sound soo so delicious <3
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I love hearing about what you are learning in class. Sounds like an awesome class. Very interesting!
I don’t even remember the last time I was at Applebee’s…
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That’s awesome about the skinny margarita! I wonder how much alcohol is actually in it then since it’s so low in cals? LOL! I’m not a huge fan of Applebees at all. I feel everytime I’ve gone I get bad service or bad quality food. I think I’ve had a salad there I really liked.
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lennys looks like such a great place! i had no idea of them and it looks like there’s tons all over the city! good to know that it was so delish.
hahahaha thats hilarious that everyone got up and started dancing. sounds like a free concert
i love hearing about everything you’re learning!!! keep sharing
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I never heard of the Skinny Margaritas before. I might have to take a trip to Applebee’s now!
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Knowledge is power so keep it coming!! As long as you keep posting pics of yummy drinks, I will read whatever you write lol
As for Applebee’s, I worked there for four yrs in college and haven’t been back since. We used to get the food half off or free so I have had enough of their food to last my through this lifetime
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I’ve only just stumbled across your blog today, but as someone who is just learning about nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, I definitely like hearing from someone who’s getting lessons from professionals! In fact, I was just having a craving and reading your post made me realise I haven’t had a drink in a while so I’m probably just thirsty.
And I’ve never been to an Applebee’s (I live in Canada – I don’ t know if we have them), but I’d love a restaurant that has skinny margaritas and points out low-cal meals! I’ll have to check one out if I ever get the chance.
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Hmmm I wonder if Applebees is paying Bethenny from the Real Housewives for her recipe????
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Wow to that wrap and wow to that margarita!!
I worked at Applebee’s while I was in college. We did not have those margaritas then. I really liked the fried pickles. But I think those were regional and they only lasted a short time. Also, they had this horseradish sauce that went with the onion peels…YUM!
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I love your breakfast wrap. I’d make something similar for lunch. I’ve never been to Applebees if you can believe it! lol
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i LOVE hearing about your school! it sounds so interesting and I have a freiend who is very insterested in teh program, so I told her that you are going and love it! thats awesome that the lights went out and everyone started dancing haha, i can only imagine that theater when that happened!
i haven’t been to Applebees in SO long so I dont even know what the menu lookslike but that looks GOOD! and the margarita looks even better
oh and that lennys wrap?!?! I love when they pack them up like that!
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Wow, sounds like school is going really well! Glad you like it
And that wrap does indeed sound wonderful. I love when dishes are so naturally colorful!
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Is that the same margarita as Bethenay on the Real Houswives?
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I find it very interesting and very true the talk about cravings… specially the primary food part!
yes, keep letting us know what you learn from school! 
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