Happy Sunday everyone! Sorry for the lack of posts lately. I will hopefully have a few ready for today.
So I went out last night with a few people. Chinese buffet anyone? Chinese food has not been on the menu for me since I started this venture. I've had Japanese (sushi lol). It's safe to say I will never eat Chinese again.
Granted, I over did it; had ice cream as well. Figured, "I've been so good, I deserve to enjoy it." This also ended up being the gateway to tones of M&Ms & white cheddar popcorn. The outcome was quite terrible. Woke up with what I'd call a sugar & toxic food hangover. I felt like I was back in college; how you felt the morning after a crazy weekend party. Started feeling sick on the ride home too but my thought, "it's late & my luck a cop will see me on the side of the road puking my brains out & think I'm intoxicated." Made it home just in time!
Now, I need to pump up on as much tea as possible & try to get my stomach back to normal. I have a small workout scheduled & a three mile run to complete (I started half marathon training). I can't let this bring me down.
Lesson:
I will stick to eating sushi.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
There is green stuff in my drink
Delicious green stuff that is jam packed with good nutrition for your body! 
I decided to finally take the plunge & try this so called Green Monster. I was stalling when I first read about it a few months ago because one of the main ingredients that gives it that lovely green color... Yup it's spinach. My first thought was... "G-ross. I'd rather eat a spinach salad than mix it with milk & fruit."
But it's true what other people have said about it. You do not taste the spinach at all! Plus its a good way to get extra nutrients & sneak in extra veggies!
Green Monster
Adapted from Oh She Glows
1 Serving
1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
1 oz ripe banana, preferably peeled + frozen
1 cup spinach
1 ice cube
1 tbsp protein powder of choice, optional
- Add milk, protein powder, spinach, banana & ice cube on top. Blend until smooth.
I decided to finally take the plunge & try this so called Green Monster. I was stalling when I first read about it a few months ago because one of the main ingredients that gives it that lovely green color... Yup it's spinach. My first thought was... "G-ross. I'd rather eat a spinach salad than mix it with milk & fruit."
But it's true what other people have said about it. You do not taste the spinach at all! Plus its a good way to get extra nutrients & sneak in extra veggies!
Green Monster
Adapted from Oh She Glows
1 Serving
1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
1 oz ripe banana, preferably peeled + frozen
1 cup spinach
1 ice cube
1 tbsp protein powder of choice, optional
- Add milk, protein powder, spinach, banana & ice cube on top. Blend until smooth.
It was so good! I'm definitely going to make this more often. I think I'll add more spinach to it next time too.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
It's paying off
So after body blast tonight, I stopped to talk to the instructor to tell her how much I enjoy taking her classes. She said to me, "Thank you so much! You're in fantastic shape!! This is all about maintaining for you. You have probably been this way your whole life!" Then I told her no I haven't, that I've recently lost 20lbs. She looked at me in such shock, "What's your secret!?"
It was so rewarding to hear that from her because honestly, this whole change has been a lot of work.
Note: Everyone’s body is different! I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or Registered Dietitian. What works for me may not work for someone else. For specific questions regarding your diet & exercise, contact a professional.
...but this is my break down.
My not so secret: A lot of research & dedication, support from a few & Turbofire.
First, I had to start looking into nutrition; & when I say I had too… I had too. I'm going to try & keep this part short, I'll write more about it later.
I have been back & forth to my Doctor. for the past two years because my body has just been off. No motivation, I'm always tired, cold & I was just unhappy. I finally decided to stop pushing it off & go get checked out (I'm as bad as a guy when it comes to going to the Doctor.). I've had blood work multiple times, been tested for everything under the sun; diabetes, anemia, et caetera. I've had an EKG. All they found was a Vitamin D deficiency & low blood pressure (When I was laying down it was 100/60… I sat up it dropped 90/50). I was told to take a Vitamin D supplement & eat more frozen meals, drink PowerAde or Gatorade. Then things got much worse this past summer.
I have had bad stomach issues that I started to notice a lot in High School. Me being me I ignored it of course, until it got extremely worse in July 2011. I was uncomfortable; my body looked bloated & packed on major poundage (22lbs) . Back to the Doctor I went. He started me on a ten day cleanse & told me during that time to remove certain things from my diet & try to reintroduce them. If I started acting up again, then we found the problem. I immediately started doing nutrition research. I was determined to find out what the hell was wrong with my body once & for all! I was tired of feeling the way I did.
Nutrition Research: A whole lot of it! From different books & materials (I started out with The Eat Clean Diet Recharged & several online sources). I decided to cut out processed foods & sugar as much as possible. This was very challenging, because I always looked for convenience with my schedule. Now, I'm not saying that I ate out every night. I just bought & made things that were loaded in preservatives. I refer to those foods as "toxic foods": the enemy. I also cut gluten from my diet after reading an article in Oxygen Magazine... I had most of the symptoms of a gluten allergy (I have not been tested, but I was advised by my doctor to remove things from my diet to see what worked. You should consult a Doctor before making any diet changes, like going gluten free.)
Clean eating is not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
The easiest way I can describe it, is that everything is fresh! If it can go bad, I eat it. I follow most of the "rules", but not all of them. Don't let the word "clean" make you think that food has to taste like cardboard. I would not have lasted five seconds if it was. I love spice, I love flavor & food! That's why spices exist, so use them! I do still use condiments for cooking like Dijon mustard, salsa, hot sauce et caetera, but I don't over use them & I buy the natural versions because they have less additives. Also, no salt-added! I can add my own salt, thank you.
More importantly, I have learned how to feed my body the right food it needs for natural energy & to function like normal; I eat six times a day (I have never been a breakfast person, now I eat it everyday), I have learned good carbs from bad carbs, certain fats are actually ok, non-fat is not necessarily better for you... I could seriously keep going.
Yes... I do allow a "cheat" meal or snack. Yes I said or.
I know it will make my body lag the next day, but I feel I'm aloud to treat myself. But, I also have to have self control. I don't have a full out cheat day, I have a snack or a meal once a week or once every two weeks. Mine are usually the meal, I just watch my portions.
With mild exercise (which mostly consisted of moving) I dropped 15lbs in two months. Yes, I thought it was pretty fast; but I realized my body was finally absorbing the nutrients it's needed & naturally detoxed itself. Now by exercising six days a week & strength training, I’m building muscle- which is burning fat, which is what helped me lose the last 5lbs.
The change in my eating habits hasn't only helped my body; it's had a huge impact on my mind as well. I’m confident in myself (which I have never been a day in my life), I have a positive mindset, I'm full of energy & I'm happy. I feel like a new person.
It was so rewarding to hear that from her because honestly, this whole change has been a lot of work.
Note: Everyone’s body is different! I am not a doctor, nutritionist, or Registered Dietitian. What works for me may not work for someone else. For specific questions regarding your diet & exercise, contact a professional.
...but this is my break down.
My not so secret: A lot of research & dedication, support from a few & Turbofire.
First, I had to start looking into nutrition; & when I say I had too… I had too. I'm going to try & keep this part short, I'll write more about it later.
I have been back & forth to my Doctor. for the past two years because my body has just been off. No motivation, I'm always tired, cold & I was just unhappy. I finally decided to stop pushing it off & go get checked out (I'm as bad as a guy when it comes to going to the Doctor.). I've had blood work multiple times, been tested for everything under the sun; diabetes, anemia, et caetera. I've had an EKG. All they found was a Vitamin D deficiency & low blood pressure (When I was laying down it was 100/60… I sat up it dropped 90/50). I was told to take a Vitamin D supplement & eat more frozen meals, drink PowerAde or Gatorade. Then things got much worse this past summer.
I have had bad stomach issues that I started to notice a lot in High School. Me being me I ignored it of course, until it got extremely worse in July 2011. I was uncomfortable; my body looked bloated & packed on major poundage (22lbs) . Back to the Doctor I went. He started me on a ten day cleanse & told me during that time to remove certain things from my diet & try to reintroduce them. If I started acting up again, then we found the problem. I immediately started doing nutrition research. I was determined to find out what the hell was wrong with my body once & for all! I was tired of feeling the way I did.
Nutrition Research: A whole lot of it! From different books & materials (I started out with The Eat Clean Diet Recharged & several online sources). I decided to cut out processed foods & sugar as much as possible. This was very challenging, because I always looked for convenience with my schedule. Now, I'm not saying that I ate out every night. I just bought & made things that were loaded in preservatives. I refer to those foods as "toxic foods": the enemy. I also cut gluten from my diet after reading an article in Oxygen Magazine... I had most of the symptoms of a gluten allergy (I have not been tested, but I was advised by my doctor to remove things from my diet to see what worked. You should consult a Doctor before making any diet changes, like going gluten free.)
Clean eating is not a diet, it's a lifestyle.
The easiest way I can describe it, is that everything is fresh! If it can go bad, I eat it. I follow most of the "rules", but not all of them. Don't let the word "clean" make you think that food has to taste like cardboard. I would not have lasted five seconds if it was. I love spice, I love flavor & food! That's why spices exist, so use them! I do still use condiments for cooking like Dijon mustard, salsa, hot sauce et caetera, but I don't over use them & I buy the natural versions because they have less additives. Also, no salt-added! I can add my own salt, thank you.
More importantly, I have learned how to feed my body the right food it needs for natural energy & to function like normal; I eat six times a day (I have never been a breakfast person, now I eat it everyday), I have learned good carbs from bad carbs, certain fats are actually ok, non-fat is not necessarily better for you... I could seriously keep going.
Yes... I do allow a "cheat" meal or snack. Yes I said or.
I know it will make my body lag the next day, but I feel I'm aloud to treat myself. But, I also have to have self control. I don't have a full out cheat day, I have a snack or a meal once a week or once every two weeks. Mine are usually the meal, I just watch my portions.
With mild exercise (which mostly consisted of moving) I dropped 15lbs in two months. Yes, I thought it was pretty fast; but I realized my body was finally absorbing the nutrients it's needed & naturally detoxed itself. Now by exercising six days a week & strength training, I’m building muscle- which is burning fat, which is what helped me lose the last 5lbs.
The change in my eating habits hasn't only helped my body; it's had a huge impact on my mind as well. I’m confident in myself (which I have never been a day in my life), I have a positive mindset, I'm full of energy & I'm happy. I feel like a new person.
Conclusion: Processed food & my body do not work well together.
I will post about exercise later... this post was huge!
I will post about exercise later... this post was huge!
What I believe:
Figure out a game plan & make small changes one at a time so you don't get overwhelmed. (I should have done this because I was very overwhelmed with everything!)
You need good nutrition to get the results you want for your body. You can not out exercise a bad diet!
Do not starve yourself! Don't skip breakfast.
You need good nutrition to get the results you want for your body. You can not out exercise a bad diet!
Do not starve yourself! Don't skip breakfast.
"If your food can go bad, it's good for you. If it can't go bad, it's bad for you!"
I don't buy anything if I don't understand the ingredients. I'm a hardcore label reader.
I do not buy all organic! Certain fruits & veggies yes, ones with thinner skin.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Usually a BIG no no!
Went to Cardio Barre for the first time tonight. It has the same instructor as the Brazilian Body Blast class, I think she is great! Love her energy. Of course after class I had to run to the store because I needed some spinach... & I was starving. My whey protien wasn't cutting it. Usually that's one of the worst things you can possibly do, big no no unless you have real great self control... I openly admit I sometimes lack this.
Well... this is what I picked up...
I looked at it when I got home & laughed. Five months ago you better believe that basket would have been full of Swedish fish, ice cream, lean cuisines & chips et caetera. It just showed I'm making better choices for my body & I've formed a really good habit. I don't even have to really think about it anymore.
Well... this is what I picked up...
 |
| Wow |
I looked at it when I got home & laughed. Five months ago you better believe that basket would have been full of Swedish fish, ice cream, lean cuisines & chips et caetera. It just showed I'm making better choices for my body & I've formed a really good habit. I don't even have to really think about it anymore.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Chocolate peppermint cookies
I go through what I like to call my holiday flavor stages. Fall: All about the pumpkin, apples & spices. Winter: Mint & peppermint. Spring & Summer: I'm kind of spacing on that right now. I know one is pineapple.
My first attempt at making these cookies was an absolute failure. I used the wrong sugar... long story short they imploded when I took them out of the oven & almost ruined my cookie sheets
. I was so disappointed. So I figured I'd give it another shot, with the right sugar & nailed it!
These babies are crispy on the outside & chewy/soft on the inside.
Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Adapted from Dashing Dish
15 min (prep time)
About 12 cookies (I had more)
* marks what I substituted
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar OR for sugar free option *she used Ideal, I used Domino powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder1/2 tsp baking powder *Aluminum-free baking powder
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp salt *sea salt
1 tbs skim milk *Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
1/8 cup Andes peppermint crunch baking chips *I just used the regular Andes peppermint crunch indulgences, crushed up 2 pieces & I had enough for all my cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
My first attempt at making these cookies was an absolute failure. I used the wrong sugar... long story short they imploded when I took them out of the oven & almost ruined my cookie sheets
. I was so disappointed. So I figured I'd give it another shot, with the right sugar & nailed it!These babies are crispy on the outside & chewy/soft on the inside.
Guess what?!
They are flour-less!
Chewy Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
Adapted from Dashing Dish
15 min (prep time)
About 12 cookies (I had more)
* marks what I substituted
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar OR for sugar free option *she used Ideal, I used Domino powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder1/2 tsp baking powder *Aluminum-free baking powder
2 egg whites
1/8 tsp salt *sea salt
1 tbs skim milk *Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
1/8 cup Andes peppermint crunch baking chips *I just used the regular Andes peppermint crunch indulgences, crushed up 2 pieces & I had enough for all my cookies
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or foil sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix together powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt & baking powder in a bowl.
- Place egg whites and milk in another small bowl, & stir to combine. Mix wet & dry ingredients together, until just combined, but don’t over beat.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop up cookie batter, & use a teaspoon to drop cookie batter onto prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle peppermint chips on cookies, dividing evenly between cookies.
Bake cookies for about 15 minutes, & enjoy!
I kept them in an air tight container & they stayed fresh until the last cookie. My Grandma & Grandpa had some. Grandpa of course is still raving about them. My nicknames from him have evolved from Dee, my genius, & now cupcake kid.
I think I'll try them with the regular Andes next time!
- Place egg whites and milk in another small bowl, & stir to combine. Mix wet & dry ingredients together, until just combined, but don’t over beat.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop up cookie batter, & use a teaspoon to drop cookie batter onto prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle peppermint chips on cookies, dividing evenly between cookies.
Bake cookies for about 15 minutes, & enjoy!
I kept them in an air tight container & they stayed fresh until the last cookie. My Grandma & Grandpa had some. Grandpa of course is still raving about them. My nicknames from him have evolved from Dee, my genius, & now cupcake kid.
I think I'll try them with the regular Andes next time!
Houston we have a couch
You don't understand how exciting this is for me. You're probably thinking, "Wow she's nuts... what is so exciting about a couch?!" I have all my furniture, everything is pretty much set up & where I want it. Even though I loved using my living room as a huge open work out area (my work out space in the loft isn't quite done yet... loft is in hott-mess stage at the moment), my condo just looked so empty with out a couch. I've been sitting in my lovely pink Gander Mountain camping chair while playing Black Ops & watching movies. The couch was ordered on 11/20/11! Didn't think it was going to take so long, but apparently it was being manufactured & shipped from Massachusetts.
So here it is! The couch... in all it's glory...
Grandma even got to enjoy it... she's too cute.
Now I'm all set! Plus I still have room to do my workouts... that makes me a happy camper
I tested it out & did some Turbofire: Fire 45 EZ Class, Core 20 & Stretch 10. Oh yeah!! I even did it with the hand weights on for the first time... loves it!
Now I'm just enjoying some time breaking in my couch doing some food / workout research watching Elvira's Movie Macabre. I freakin' love her, she's one of my idols. Any Horror fans... can you guess the Movie she's featuring?!
So here it is! The couch... in all it's glory...
Grandma even got to enjoy it... she's too cute.
Now I'm all set! Plus I still have room to do my workouts... that makes me a happy camper
I tested it out & did some Turbofire: Fire 45 EZ Class, Core 20 & Stretch 10. Oh yeah!! I even did it with the hand weights on for the first time... loves it!
Now I'm just enjoying some time breaking in my couch doing some food / workout research watching Elvira's Movie Macabre. I freakin' love her, she's one of my idols. Any Horror fans... can you guess the Movie she's featuring?!
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