Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Change Is Good + WIAW

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Change is inevitable.

Except from vending machines.

One of my favorite policies it to change something that isn’t working.  If you aren’t happy, make a change.  Don’t sit around in a puddle of mud complaining about how dirty you are.  That knight in shining armor isn’t going to show up on a unicorn and rescue you.

unicorn mirror

Incidentally, my unicorn name is Helleborine Cheeky Rump.

I realized my job wasn’t the right one for me… so I’m making a change!  More on that to come.  In the meantime, I’m taking a little break.  The best kind of break – I’ll be traveling to Switzerland next week!  The wonderful Lucie has offered to be my guide.  I am SO EXCITED to meet her in person and have some adventures.  She’s already living up to her blog name (Fit Swiss Chick) – we’re booked for hiking, running, and cross fit!

Naturally, I needed to make some purchases for my travels.  DSW and TJ Maxx are full of deals right now… I probably spent too much but think of how much I saved!  LOL!

 

This WIAW is week 3 working through my intolerances per my Alcat test.  I’ve been pretty good about it and still happy with the results… but I’m not going to Switzerland without eating cheese.  #sorryimnotsorry

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Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!… 

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Gut Health Supplements + WIAW

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I’m learning to accept help.

At least when it comes to my gut.

After learning the results of my Alcat food intolerance test, I was determined to do whatever it took to fix it.  With Megan’s help, I immediately eliminated the foods I’d developed intolerances to.

Then I accepted help from a couple of friends that know a LOT about digestive health: Lindsay and Brittany.  They suggested a few supplements to further help my intolerant tummy.

Supplements for Gut Health

For a little more education, check out Lindsay’s post here.  After doing some of my own research, I decided to take the following.

My Gut Health Supplements

  • Aloe Vera Juice – Aloe is a detoxifier and an anti-inflammatory; it soothes the digestive tract and decreases the amount of unfriendly bacteria in your gut which keeps intestinal flora in balance
  • Stress B-Complex – The B’s help to regulate adrenals, helping the body deal with stress (which has a huge impact on digestion)
  • Matcha – Aside from the fact that I like the taste, matcha is a detoxifier and helps with relaxation
  • Betaine HCL – Good for the producing the acid needed for breaking down foods and optimizing use of nutrients
  • Probiotics – Regulates the healthy bacteria in the gut (and the lady parts)
  • Colostrum – Antibodies from cows (vegans, cover you ears).… it’s touted as a “super food.”  It protects the gut, helps the body to maintain proper metabolic levels, may have anti-aging benefits and increase muscle mass and muscle growth, and has been reported to have mental health and sleep-quality benefits.  Further reading said it even shortens recovery time from strenuous exercise.  If it works… whoa.

I ordered all of these from iHerb (where I also get my peanut four).  Use discount code USO924 for $5-10 off your order!

This WIAW is week 2 with my food intolerances eliminated from my diet.  I know I’ve slipped up a couple of times (I’m only human… a sad realization), but I’m militantly avoided everything in the most severe category.

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Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!… 

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Sriracha Grapefruit Salmon

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Who needs TV when you have Whole Foods?

Yes, I grocery shop for entertainment.

I had no need to be at Whole Foods last Saturday… but the salmon was on sale for $11.99 a pound.  Who am I to turn down a good price on salmon?  A pretty pink slab of fish in hand, I noticed the shrimp.  I almost passed it up because it had the shell and the tail, but the awesome fish guy said they’d steam and shell it for me while I shopped!

This isn’t about the shrimp (but did you know they’d do that?!).

Grapefruit Sriracha Salmon… 

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(Mostly) Raw Vegan Taco Salad

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Have you ever met a raw foodist?

I don’t get it… 

I do get that it can be fun sometimes though!  Like veganism.  It forces creativity, which I love.  Also, I love bacon.

A raw vegan taco seems strange, but this was so good it even surprised me.  You could go all raw if you took the time to marinate the mushrooms and omitted the lentils.  I’m not that patient.

Raw Vegan Taco Salad

While it didn’t include bacon, I barely missed the meat in this vegan taco salad creation.  Sautéing the mushrooms with aminos gave it a delicious saltiness the was reminiscent of meat.  Plus, anything you top with guac is a win.

I also love having a texture contrast with the crunchy raw bell peppers.  A bite of that with the creamy guacamole and juicy tomatoes was a fiesta in my mouth.  #twss

Vegan Taco Salad

On the side I had some dehydrated kale chips, courtesy of Whole foods.  Gotta have chips with my guac!

(Mostly) Raw Vegan Taco Salad

(Mostly) Raw Vegan Taco Salad

Taco “Meat”

  • 1 portobello mushroom, diced
  • 1/4 C cooked lentils
  • Juice of 1/2 orange
  • 1 garlic clove, minded
  • 1 green onion, chopped
  • 2-3 sprays Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (~1/8 tsp)
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • Sprinkle of cinnamon

Guacamole

  • 1/2 ripe avocado
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 jalapeño, diced
  • 1 T onion, diced

Toppers

  • Bell pepper
  • Tomato
  • Mango
  • Cilantro
  • Freshly ground pepper

Cauliflower “Rice”

  • 1 C cauliflower florets, pulsed in food processor to a rice-like state

Sauté taco “meat” ingredients until tender.

Meanwhile, mash together guacamole ingredients.  Prep desired toppings and cauliflower rice.

Plate rice and stack remaining components on top.

Take a picture (because it’s pretty) and enjoy!

 

How have you enjoyed making co-workers, friends, or family stare with strange but good creations this week? The link up rules can be found here or by clicking on “Strange But Good” in the menu bar above. In short, I want to see what concoctions have earned you weird looks from co-workers, family and friends! Post your Strange But Good creations, grab the logo below for your blog, and link up here.

Sprint 2 the Table

 

 

Remember to use #strangebutgood in any Tweets and Instagrams of your creations. 🙂



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I just realize I should have saved this recipe for Cino de Drinko Mayo! 

Do you like raw food?

Will you celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

Protein Lessons + WIAW

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Learning lessons is a theme in my life lately. 

Some I’d rather not learn, but that’s another story.

Despite having done this cleanse 3 times before, I’m learning a whole new lesson with this one.  It’s about protein.  I had NO idea how much energy and strength I was getting from all the protein I took in!  The first 10 days of the cleanse are meat-free.  It also eliminates common allergens, so I can’t even replace that protein with soy, dairy or eggs.

I have a delicious, clean pea protein powder from Growing Naturals that accounts for most of my intake.  I also have some from quinoa, lentils, and seeds… but that’s really not much.  With the “rules” of the cleanse, I end up eating about half my normal amount of protein and twice the carbs.  Carbs give energy, right?  Notsomuch.  I’m tired.  I’m sleeping more and having to lift lighter.  Apparently carbs give energy when you have enough protein.

back/tri workout

I did get through my back and tri workout.  Fueled by dates and tahini, I took a moment to twerk in the empty squat rack for Arman and Lucie.  Refueled with a protein smoothie made with strawberries, raspberries, basil, coconut, and spinach.

Lesson two is hunger.  I’m a bottomless veggie pit.  I eat stacks of vegetables (and fruit), but they don’t have the same staying power that protein does.  Kudos to the vegan body builders out there… I have no idea how they do it!

Curious about protein?  Click here for a piece I wrote for Growing Naturals on the importance of protein before and after a workout.  And then check out these 30 High Protein Breakfasts from many of my FitFluential friends!

This WIAW is the end of my first week on the 21 day cleanse.  I’m definitely in a good groove, but anxious to add some lean protein in on Friday!

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Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!… 

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Cleaning Up My Act + WIAW

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It is time I clean up my act.

Let’s be real – it’s beyond time.

It’s generally pretty easy for me to keep my diet in check during the week.  The weekends… it’s another story.  Since I’m not competing this year I haven’t been following any real nutrition plan.  Of course, I took that to the extreme.  

What I know about myself is that I love to indulge.  I also know that when that starts happening too much, I feel like crap.  It affects me physically and mentally.  I’ve been struggling lately, and I know it’s time to reign it in.

bulking

For a few years now I’ve been doing my own version of a cleanse… it’s really more of a jump start though.  Basically, it’s eating super clean and eliminating common allergens like eggs, dairy, nuts, and gluten.  The first 10 days is meatless.  The last 11 days include chicken and deep sea fish.

I’m only through Day 1, but here’s my first reactions:

  • Not taking pre-workout is hard
  • I’m going to need to buy a lot more veggies
  • Some of the dishes I made when doing this previously are really good – I’m excited to bring them back
  • Fruit can make a fun ice cream dessert
  • Good lord, I miss meat

This WIAW is my first on the 21 clean(se).  I’m still working out the best foods to bring and when to time protein and carbs to get the energy I need.

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Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!

Breakfast:

My morning cocktail had to be modified.  The Aminos I usually use aren’t really clean, so I modified by using ACV and juice from half a lemon.  It wasn’t too bad.

Cleanse meal #1 was chia pudding.  It’s been a long time since I’ve made a chia pudding, but I used to eat them all the time.  Today’s was a berry theme, with my favorite pea protein for added stay-power.  I served myself in a martini glass… 2 cocktails in one morning! 😉

Berry Chia Pudding

Berry Chia Pudding

In a small bowl, mash berries until they are a chunky puree.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 2-3 hours).

In the morning, uncover and stir.  Add additional liquid or sweetener as needed.

Mid-Morning Snack:

This happened in two parts.  My new pre-workout was dates stuffed with tahini.  It was delicious, if not a little messy.  It was slow to get going on my workout, but I felt better once I got into it.

Dates and tahini

Post-workout I made sure to get my protein and carbs in.  Can’t lose my gains!

This is my Liquid Sweet Potato Pie made with a date instead of Stevia (Stevia is permitted, but I’m trying to limit it), no extract, and – knowing I have a lot of greens coming my way – I left out the spinach.

Sweet Potato Pie Shake

Lunch:

Salad of epic proportions and a creamy red pepper soup.  See what I mean about the greens?

Soup and salad

Afternoon Snack:

Roasted veggies from my trusty Tupperware.  Brussels, shiitakes, broccoli, and eggplant with coconut oil, cumin, and cayenne.  Coconut oil is a very, very good idea when roasting things.  Why do I always forget to use it?

Roasted veggies in coconut oil

Dinner:

I was starving.  Not gonna lie.  I forgot my quinoa at home, so I missed my delicious, filling carbs.  The better to fuel with when I got home!

Sautés are a quick and easy hanger cure.  I tossed some red pepper in a pan to soften while I washed and chopped kale.  Then, I added the kale and some pico de gallo to the pan, cooking until the leaves were just beginning to wilt.  Lastly, I mixed in the pre-cooked quinoa and a bit of lime juice to warm.  Toss it all in a bowl and top with avocado and freshly ground pepper.

Quick quinoa bowl

Dessert:

Super clean, #strangebutgood dessert.  I made protein ice cream by mashing together half a banana, some avocado, pea protein, cinnamon, and unsweetened coconut milk.  I froze it for a couple of hours, then blended it in my Vitamix.  Topped with cinnamon-honey coconut flour fluff and cacao nibs.

Color = questionable.  Taste = good!

Avocado-Banana Protein Ice Cream

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Day 1 done.  20 to go.

Have you ever needed to clean up your act?

What is your favorite pre-workout?  Do you keep it clean?

Strange But Good Bison Cakes + WIAW

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Fast food wine shakes?

 

Something about liquor and dairy scares me.

Red Robin ain’t skeered.  They are rolling out a boozy little ice cream number mommy can enjoy.  Wine.  Ice cream.  The shake?  A Mango Moscato Wine Shake made with wine, vodka, mango puree and vanilla soft serve.  Hmmmm…

Moscato Wine Shake

Photo: Red Robin

The target market is 35- to 49-year-old moms “in need of a break.”  A $7.49 break.  It better be a big shake!

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This WIAW I had a seriously fun day of food.  You can’t go wrong with pancakes for dinner!

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Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!… 

Read More »

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