Life is a jungle gym.
Did anyone else read Lean In?
In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg refers to your career being a jungle gym rather than a ladder. The same goes for life. The secret, in my opinion, is to be flexible and not to let things get too under your skin.
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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.
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!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…
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.
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:
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.
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!
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! 😉
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.
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.
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.
Salad of epic proportions and a creamy red pepper soup. See what I mean about the greens?
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?
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.
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!
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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?
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…
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!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…
Meatballs are the ultimate winter food.
Too bad it’s normally more like spring by now!
With the weather still cold, I prepped a big batch of balls this week. Rather than going the traditional route, I opted for a mustard-laced turkey version.
These Dijon and thyme balls were full of flavor. Because I baked them, they were light enough not to put me to sleep after lunch.
Thyme is a herb that I love but rarely think to use. It retains a fresh flavor even after cooking. It’s pungent but not offensively so. With the spiciness of Dijon, it made for the perfect turkey meatball mix.
Recipe at the bottom of this post….
How much water are you drinking?
Some days I get half my steps in walking to the bathroom.
When I first met my trainer, he told me I needed to drink at least 124 ounces of water a day. I’m not sure what I was drinking before, but it probably was barely half of that.
It was really hard at first, but after about a week my body adjusted. I went from feeling like I was going to float away to finding myself craving more!
Original art by Allie Brosh
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The green-eyed monster has struck.
Isn’t envy a deadly sin?
I see waffles everywhere. All the cool kids are posting pics on Instagram. I am big enough to admit… I’m jealous! I know I could purchase a waffle maker, but I just don’t have room for more in my kitchen. They aren’t really that different from pancakes and I can make those quite easily. (<–That’s what I keep telling myself.)
Then I saw this:
Photo: Taco Bell
Taco Bell announced it is coming out with a waffle taco; the “AM Crunchwrap.” No, I don’t want Taco Bell. I’ve actually never eaten at Taco Bell. What I is to make my own Mexican waffle!!!
This weekend might bring a waffle maker to my house. This WIAW I (happily) settled for breakfast nachos.
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This WIAW I felt a little scattered. Between a dentist appointment and work, I actually almost forgot to eat! Almost. Who could forget about a sandwich on pretzel bread?!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…
Atlantarctica no more!
Working from home was nice, but the cold was no bueno.
This week we are finally thawing out down South (sorry about your luck, in the Northeast). While I hope it’s here to stay, I find myself craving a getaway. To some place thing warm.
Now that they aren’t shut down, California’s Huy Fong Foods factory (a.k.a. where Sriracha is made) is giving tours of the factory! It’s purportedly to educate people about “how our Sriracha is made and how delicious it smells” after near-by residents complained that the spicy Sriracha production caused “unpleasant odors and burning eyes.” Wusses.
Source: http://theoatmeal.com/
Who’s up for a field trip???
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This WIAW I’m back in the office and on the wagon with meal prep. I brought back a few favorites, and learned to cook something new!
Read on for my eats, and then check out Jenn’s blog for everyone else’s delicious creations!…
