I forgot to mention in my previous posts that I was going to a barbecue tonight! I wanted to ask you guys what I should bring, but I ended deciding on a dessert I’ve been wanting to make forever. Keep reading to find out!! 
(C’mon, I work in broadcasting, I know how to do a good plug!)
I started my day off with a little of this:
This pilates dvd is the first exercise video I ever bought, and it’s still my go-to one. Definitely not as challenging as it was a year and a half ago, but I still enjoy the moves!
I did the abs, “burn",” and flexibility sections. A nice 30 minutes of light activity to get my day started. I used to do pilates every morning back in the day. It’s a habit I should probably get back into!
I usually have to eat the second I roll out of bed. So after 30 minutes, I was staaaarving. Enter toaster waffles.
This was probably one of my best waffle combos yet!! Two Nature’s Path Flax Plus waffles, fresh strawberries and a sauce consisting of a tbsp of almond butter, sugar-free maple syrup and vanilla almond milk each. The sauce was to die for. I want to put it on everything I eat now. I also had my favourite protein pillow (microwaved egg whites) with little laughing cow cheese surprises inside.
Then I made my bbq contribution! It consisted of two ingredients.
That’s it!! One box of cake mix + 350ml of diet coke. I turned it into cupcakes because I’m a fan of pre-portioned desserts.
I’m not a huge fan of icing though, so I put a glob of peanut butter and some butterscotch chips on top instead.
They came out looking (and smelling) quite normal!!
I of course had to try one before heading to work to ensure they tasted okay enough to feed to other people
Success!! These are crazy moist and taste just like normal cake. By no means healthier than cake made the regular way, but it does at least cut down on the calories some. Maybe 100-150 calories a cupcake? The glob o’ PB was an interesting texture. I think I might swirl it around a bit in my next batch. I still have half the batter in my fridge waiting to be licked clean for when Chris is home next.
Then it was off to work where I spent the morning walking around in the drizzle asking people how two straight weeks of rain has affected their spirits. My hair may never return to a normal size.
Lunch was not very animal friendly, but it was delicious.
Ham and turkey slices on a pita with spinach, tomato and laughing cow cheese. I also had some carrots on the side. I’m equally mean to both animals and plants.
No afternoon snack photo, it was a yogurty, delicious-ey mess.
I also got to interview the race director for my triathlon on Sunday! My radio station loves doing sports stories, so I thought it would be fun. Super nice guy. I only got to talk to him over the phone, but he told me to come chat with him at the orientation tomorrow. Totally made me feel at ease. Some more fun facts: Elizabeth Seiffert, a professional Ironman athlete, will also be there to show us the ropes tomorrow. AND, the race director told me the Fredericton tri is known as one of the best courses for beginners in the country 
I came home and had a quick snack before heading to the barbecue. I was starving, and I knew supper would still be a while off.
Wasa fibre rye crackers with honey, cinnamon and raisins. Wasa bread is my go-to snack to keep my hunger at bay before a meal. I get really woozy when I wait too long between meals, and this stuff always does the trick when I’m forced to wait.
Unfortunately, I have no photos to share from the bbq. It was with my co-workers, who don’t know about the blog (yet! They will once I get the new, more professional one on the go). I also don’t know my co-workers very well. Even though I worked at the station for two years part-time, I never spent any time working alongside them. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know them, especially since I’m a full-time employee now.
My eats were the typical barbecue fare, and instead of being picky, I had a little taste of everything. A devilled egg, a bacon wrapped scallop, loads of veggies, a hot dog (!), and a scoop of potato salad, coleslaw, broccoli salad and caesar salad each. Then I had a small piece of peanut butter fudge swirl cheesecake to top it all off! Nope, not healthy at all. But, socializing and getting to know the people I work with was more important than being nitpicky over my food. I ate till I felt satisfied and don’t regret a bite. Besides… I’m doing a triathlon in two days. That deserves a hot dog, no??
Tomorrow though, will hopefully consist of more fresh stuff, and less dead pig and mayo! 
Question: How do you handle those types of social environments? Do you stick to “safe” foods, or do you splurge a little?
It should be added that I usually don’t go to bbq’s like that often. I bet my food choices would have been different if I had to eat like that every weekend…
Hope everyone gets a good start to their weekend!!
You know what works well for cake mixes? Just mix the cake mix with a 15 oz can of pumpkin. Makes it super moist – same principle as the diet coke, but it gives you fiber instead and you can’t really taste the pumpkin, although spice cake is my favorite mix to use for this. And I am all about the icing on cake!
I still struggle a lot with social events, but sometimes it depends on how well I know people. If I am uncomfortable and don’t know a lot of people, I tend to eat less. Around friends and family I will eat much more.
Susan, just ENJOY yourself! If you bring safe foods, I know I will be really awkward and paranoid abt ppl staring at me. It just makes me an odd one out…You said you don’t go to such events often…so once in a while, splurging won’t harm you the least bit! Since you don’t eat this way often, why not grab the chance to diverge from your usual eats? And more importantly, just have FUN! Social events, though centered around eating, is called SOCIAL for a reason…it’s to mingle with ppl, not obsess abt food! At least, that’s what I always tell myself when I have to go a social dining event…It’s a bit hard, but when you let your fears go, it’ll be SO worth it!
and your waffles look amazing, darling!
Slemon here we come
http://www.mmsc.ca/web?service=album/7684
You know, I usually splurge at things like that…and for me, they seem to be popping up more often that I’d like. I am trying to stick to “worth it” treats, and I’m trying to be smart about things like loading up on veggies/fruit so that (in theory anyway) I have less room for desserts (which is always my weakness). I wish I had more willpower or whatever you want to call it at social outings…but I just don’t, not right now anyway
I’ve never had the coke cake but I hear people talk about it all the time! It seems so strange to me, but I do love diet coke and chocolate cake, so what’s not to like?!
I hope you have a great 4th weekend!
Chris, I think they may have registered you incorrectly. They have you listed as driving a foreign car!!!
I’ve read many times about cake mix with diet softdrink but have never tried it. I love your little cupcakes! They look great, and the PB and butterscotch chips make it look soo yummy. And you say your aren’t a baker? Pfft. Looks great!
When I go out to a BBQ etc, what I eat depends on my mood. If I want to keep it healthy, I’ll have some meat and salad and skip dessert. Or I might have a couple bites of dessert. If I feel like something sweeter, I let myself have it. I’d rather have a little rather than crave it and then binge later (which is something I’ve had problems with in the past). But generally speaking, I try to stay ’safe’ but within reason.
You have to try the ricotta cheesecake! It’s actually a NROLFW recipe (on pg 104). I skip the sour cream and add a little flax instead. It’s reallly good
And I’m glad you had a little real cheesecake today too.
I like the diet coke and cake mix trick! I also like the pumpkin combo that Lori mentioned
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW!!!!!
(Can’t wait to read the race recap!)
Oh my gosh – those cupcakes sound heavenly!! I haven’t tried the diet soda trick but it I’ve heard great reviews of it
At social outings I make do with what I’m given. I’m a vegetarian in a very meat and potatoes part of the country so a lot of the times my meal might just be a hot dog bun with the fixings – I don’t get upset or anything because I’m there to enjoy being with my friends and family. Don’t worry about not being too healthy! Everyone deserves a break from time to time.
If I was doing a triathlon in the coming days, I’d be eating a big chunk o’ cheesecake for sure! Susan- you eat so healthily, what’s wrong with splurging now and again? I go by the 90/10 rule…90% healthy, 10% ‘fun’. Life’s too short to live obsessing over food- socialising, being with friends/family, having fun and doing things you love are what matters
The cupcakes sound great! I’ve heard about the diet coke method but never seen them actually being made.
I bought tzatziki today- YAY!
I like the cake mix + pumpkin method
I usually splurge a little at those events, if there’s “worth it” treats. I’m a huge cheesecake fan, so that peanut butter fudge swirl cheesecake would definitely be worth it to me!
How long do you microwave your egg whites? I’m thinking about trying them out because they seem so easy.
The cupcakes look delish – I totally agree with pre-portioning, too!
I usually let myself have a little bit of everything in social situations. Otherwise, I leave feeling deprived and end up overeating later anyways.
Hey Danielle! I microwave my egg whites in a small bowl (maybe the size of one cup?) for about 2 minutes. I usually spray it first with non-stick spray so it pops out easily. I love to spread laughing cow cheese on it, but I’ve seen lots of people do salsa/hot sauce too
have fun at your BBQ!!
those chocolate pb muffins sound delicious!
i have always wanted to try the soda/cake thing. looks like it worked well! and i love your additions. ok i am trying to get through your 3 new posts so i can read about your RACE!
[...] made the rest of my diet coke cupcakes for Chris this afternoon as he was heading back to work today. Not to toot my own horn or anything, [...]