Healthy Living Survey

I saw this on Carrots n' Cake today and I thought it would be something different for you to read.

1. What did you eat for breakfast?

Celery, Apple, Blueberries and Almond Butter. Really anything with almond butter makes the day better.

2. How much water do you drink a day?

I am obsessed with my camelbak water bottle. I usually have 72 - 124 oz a day. I drink more water when I workout more. I also drink a lot of tea.

3. What is your current favorite workout?

RUNNING! No matter how many times I tell myself I am going to cut back I just keep coming back to that pavement. I am really digging strength training lately.


4. How many calories do you eat a day?

No clue. Apparently, I am supposed to be eating between 1,200- 1,500 however when I did that I could not lose weight. So now I just eat Paleo and I eat as much as I want. I have never felt better.

5. What is your favorite healthy snack?

If it is a veggie/fruit and covered in almond butter I am game. I usually have some sort of almond butter snack because it is easy to bring to work.

6. What do you usually eat for lunch?

Salad in a jar: so easy and so versatile.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?

Legs. They might be short but they can squat 200 lbs and run over 20 miles.

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?

Abs. I hate planks.

9. What are your bad food cravings?

Chocolate and beer. I used to dream about ice cream but since going Paleo I really just dig a good piece of dark chocolate.


10. Do you take any supplements?

I should be taking a multi-vitamin but only when I remember it.


11. How often do you eat out?

MAYBE once a month. The newlywed budget doesn't allow for much more than that.


12. Do you eat fast food?

I have not had fast food for a long time. It is usually when we are traveling so maybe three times a year. Since going paleo I now crave healthy treats instead of McDonalds.


13. Who is your biggest supporter?

John and my close friends. They always support my sometimes extreme healthy lifestyle.

14. Do you have a gym membership?

You bet! I have always worked at a gym so it seems silly not to have one.

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

8 or more. I love to sleep.

16. Do you have a cheat day?

Not since going off of Weight Watchers. When I "cheat" I feel guilty. I am now working on appreciating treats and special occasion food and then recognizing how I feel afterwards.

17. Do you drink alcohol? 

Does a bear sh!t in the woods? Again, not since Whole 30 but I really enjoy hard cider and microbrews.

18. Do you have a workout buddy? 

Sometimes. Since I normally have to work I don't but I love having John come with me since it keeps both of us more accountable. 

19.What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a Healthy Lifestyle?

I have gained more self-confidence. This is an ever changing process and I think I am beginning to mature in what I think is "healthy". I enjoy setting a good example and value feeling healthy more than anything. 

20.What was the last healthy thing you did? 

I prepared a healthy breakfast and lunch for today. 

FOOD!

The time has come where I actually upload all of the food pictures from my phone so that you can see them. I have really enjoyed this challenge and feel awesome. However, I am ready to dive into some chocolate and beer. The little voice in my head is telling me maybe I should keep going if I am still having the occasional irrational cravings.... i.e. frosted animal crackers?!? But then the other voice in my head is saying, " You are going to EC this weekend to see all of your friends. End the challenge 4 days early so that you can go out and have a good time!"


Really, it is a constant battle, so please leave some advice.

While you think of a solution to my problem you can enjoy these Whole30 Compliant food pictures.

Jalapeno Cilantro Chicken Salad-in-a-Jar

Green Smoothies are BACK! Eggs, mushrooms and Siracha w/Ketchup (as whole30 as I could get)

Pizza Egg Cups

French Toast Scramble --- best breakfast ever (maybe just because I freakin' love almond butter)

Awful picture....Cocoa Chili with a Sweet Potato

(side note: if you have a chance to make this you should...cocoa in your chili....WOAH it changed my life)

Paleo Apple Pie: Apple, Penzey's Apple Pie Seasoning, Rasins, Dried Cherries & Almond Butter

This challenge has been really easy for me. I enjoy eating Paleo and find it relatively easy. It is nice to tell myself no for a while, especially after the holidays. I think the part that gets me through is that I can eat as much as I want and I don't feel bloated, guilty or lethargic. I will admit I probably eat too much fruit and almond butter than I should but I also have 2 hour workout sessions three days a week. In the paleo world that isn't considered "ancestral", but whatever I love it. 

No matter what I decide, I am planning on posting my measurement and weight results on Friday. I will leave this post with saying, I have an amazing support system. My husband and friends have been awesome during this whole month. 

Reflecting

As I get ready to teach and workout this morning I realized that I have not posted in a while. I am on the last leg of my Whole 30 journey and it has had its ups and downs. My hope is to flood this blog with meal ideas and recipes so that it might inspire others to try a Paleo lifestyle. I can't say I am totally convinced that Whole 30 works yet but then again I generally live a healthy lifestyle so maybe I won't see the results like others. Either way, I feel wonderful and enjoy the food I eat.

Thursday Thoughts

Some of my goals for the new year are to focus on adding in weight training 3-4 days a week and taking a break from running. Once I get closer to my marathon training I will add running back in. My 2012 goal of running 1,000 miles was achieved but it also made me burnout.

I am continuing the Whole 30 and am having great success. No cravings or crazy dreams. My skin is better and my pants are looser. I am 1/4 of the way through and I might just keep continuing on through February.

Day 8:
Breakfast: Eggs, Ham and Mushrooms
Lunch: Salad with Chicken - it was a potluck....so hungry after
Dinner: Salmon and Kale Chips

Day 9:
Breakfast: Eggs, Ham and Mushrooms
Lunch: Broccoli and Chicken Thighs
Dinner: Provided at a conference....lets see how they do.

Loving this healthy lifestyle.

Day 5, 6 and 7

WAY behind! I know, I know, I had a wonderful relaxing weekend but then got sick on Sunday so I lost my food prep and any productivity.

Day 5: 
Breakfast: Salad & Fried Eggs
Lunch: Apple, Almond Butter, Lara Bar, Almonds (I went grocery shopping and had weird cravings)
Dinner: Kale Chips
WOD: Rest

Day 6: 
Breakfast: Bacon, Eggs and Banana
Lunch: Tuna Salad and a Clementine
Snack: Jerky, Apple and Almond Butter
Dinner: Paleo Rainbow Chili
WOD: Arms & Aerobics

Day 7: 
Breakfast: Bacon, Celery, Apple and Almond Butter
Lunch: Tuna Salad and two Clementines
Snack: Almonds and Blueberries
Dinner: Lettuce Wraps
WOD: Legs, Sprints & Aerobics

Now it is time to confess...I have a nut butter addiction. I love it. I need to cut back but it is so easy to bring to school. Alas, I just don't care. Good thing I have some awesome workouts planned to help compensate for my love of the nut butter.

I am doing really well with not craving anything. However, my student have brought "treats" in every day so now I look like a hoarder since my desk drawer is filled with stuff I can't eat.

Whole 30- Day 2

Today was rough, I don't know if it was the effects of Whole 30 or the flu bug that is going around. Whole9 posted a timeline of what your body goes through during this process. I could definitely identify with some of the "symptoms". Whatever the case may be,  I am dragging @$$. I did a better job of packing food today but then had no appetite.   I have a part time job at a local fitness club. I usually look forward to teaching classes but tonight I could hardly stand. I couldn't find anyone to cover for me so I hoped for the best and gave it my all. Not my best class, but what can you do? My intentions of having a endurance workout tonight were shot, so I just decided to prep some food and go to bed.

Whole 30-Day 2 Food Journal: 

Breakfast: 
Coffee with Coconut Milk
Egg Cups
Banana

Lunch: 
Chicken and Bacon Salad

Snack: 
Blueberries and Almonds

Dinner: 
Shredded Beef
Celery and Apples with Almond Butter

After class, I had a burst of energy. Okay, really it was because I had meat out to make jerky and I knew I needed to use it up. I decided to make roasted vegetables, beef jerky and Rainbow Chili.

I love roasting veggies because it is an easy way to make everything at once. I usually just use what I have in the fridge. Today it was sweet potatoes, onion, zucchini and mushrooms.

Veggie Roast: 
Any vegetables
Olive Oil or Ghee
Spices of Choice

Preheat oven to 325, place potatoes in for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, place the rest of the veggies in pan and continue to roast for another 20 minutes. Stir if needed.


One of the best wedding gifts we got was a jerky gun and dehydrator. Seriously, talk about a money saver. You can use ground beef or thinly sliced steak. Season your meat and plug it in for 6-7 hours.

I realized I had way too much meat so what is a girl to do.... make chili. I decided to make Rainbow Chili....aka throw in what you have. I actually achieved getting in almost every color of the rainbow.  This wasn't too hard since John was helping me chop all the vegetables. We rarely get to cook together so this was a lot of fun.

No Fuss Rainbow Chili: 

Bell Peppers
Onion
Jalapeno Pepper
Sweet Potato
Zucchini
Roasted Tomatoes
Chicken Stock
Ground Beef

Beef Bouillon
Sea Salt
Chipotle Seasoning
Lime Juice

1. Fry up ground beef.
2. Chop veggies.
3. Put in Crockpot.
4. Turn on Crockpot.
5. Sit for 8 hours.
6. Turn off Crockpot.

Donezo.

What is your favorite "no fuss" meal?

Whole 30 - Day 1

I had the best intentions of taking pictures of my food - Fail
However, in my defense it was the first day back and so my focus was on my favorite group of third graders. So here it is folks, Day 1 of the Whole 30:

Breakfast: 3 Egg Cups

Lunch: Clementine
Tomatoes and Shredded Beef on Spinach

Snack: Apple and Sunflower Butter

Dinner: Salmon and a Sweet Potato

Snack: Almonds and Turkey

Workout: 1 Mile Run/ Legs

My goal for tomorrow is to plan my meals better and eat more veggies!