I'm back! I also planned out all my brekfasts/dinners which i'm keeping on a spreadsheet and rating as i go to eventually build up a default grocery list/prep needs. My goal is to not only make my life a little easier but to also waste less food! yay!
Tonight I'm making a clean eating version of meatloaf and cesar salad. I'm so excited for some delicious healthy home cooking! Which is totally what i need since i'm starting a cold or a really bad bout of allergies, i haven't quite figured it out.
I've re-signed up for livestrong so I can chart my caloric intake and see if i'm where i should be, but to be totally honest I don't really know where that is? I'm not sure if i should jsut focus on eating healthful foods in appropriate servings. I'm really having a hard time lettign myself feel guilty for enjoying healthy foods. I don't know i guess i'm sort of doubting my abilities to make good choices and blogging to no one isn't really as helpfull as i was hoping....
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Surviving the weekends
Okay, so sushi went REALLY well...but it pretty much ended there. I'm not going to dwell I'm doing a bit of a detox today and have decided that i have to treat food like an alcoholic would treat alcohol. I'm not ready to face bad options (ie: restaurants) yet, much like an recovering alcoholic would avoid a bar. So here's the down low... I'm working on making a meal plan for the week, it's will be loosely structured sort of a "choose any 1" etc...We're also going to work on getting that exercise in either hitting the gym or weather permitting exploring our neighbourhood. So that's the bleak weekend update....I'll be back once i get my food plan organized.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Some old habits die hard...
So yesterday was “Jersday”, which for me means a very late night. And with all the season finale excitement, I got the late night munchies which led to a very bad food choice (or should I say anti-food choice). I ate a whole serving and a half of this terrible treat and I’ll be honest with you I didn’t enjoy a second of it. It was filled with regret, followed by remorse and a very upset tummy. I learnt my lesson, so I think I’m going to sum it up to a learning experience instead of dwelling on a “failure”. I choose to view it as a stumbling block not a fail. Pick up, dust off and continue.
But now I’m faced with a bigger concern, it’s the weekend! How am I ever going to survive the weekends!?!
I made sure to start my Friday off right with a Vega whole food optimizer protein shake, with added chia and flax. Once you get over the grassy taste you can truly appreciate this amazing clean and green protein beverage. It’s fantastic vegan, gluten free and additive free! Now I wouldn’t replace every meal with it, but it is endorsed by clean eating and the thrive diet so it is a good high speed alternative especially when you add in all sorts of good foods like spinach, seeds, fruit etc into the mix. I also packed healthy foods to get me through the day: edamame, low fat cheese, apple, seed mix, cucumbers slices, fresh peas, a few olives and 1 square of 80% dark chocolate for a little pick me up. I’m quite proud of myself so far.
Though tonight may be a bit of a challenge…it’s a sushi date!
Though I’m going to be smart about it, start with miso soup and/or edamame, steamed veggies/ baked tofu, sashimi with ginger and very little low sodium soy sauce, maybe a few pieces of sushi (fish/rice/veg). I’m going to be really good and avoid all the tempura and saucy rolls. I’m also doing my caloric research on my lunch break today to make sure my choice are the best they can be. I definitely need a game plan. Sushi/Japanese is one of those adventures that can be amazingly healthful or just downright terrible. Wish me luck!
But now I’m faced with a bigger concern, it’s the weekend! How am I ever going to survive the weekends!?!
I made sure to start my Friday off right with a Vega whole food optimizer protein shake, with added chia and flax. Once you get over the grassy taste you can truly appreciate this amazing clean and green protein beverage. It’s fantastic vegan, gluten free and additive free! Now I wouldn’t replace every meal with it, but it is endorsed by clean eating and the thrive diet so it is a good high speed alternative especially when you add in all sorts of good foods like spinach, seeds, fruit etc into the mix. I also packed healthy foods to get me through the day: edamame, low fat cheese, apple, seed mix, cucumbers slices, fresh peas, a few olives and 1 square of 80% dark chocolate for a little pick me up. I’m quite proud of myself so far.
Though tonight may be a bit of a challenge…it’s a sushi date!
Though I’m going to be smart about it, start with miso soup and/or edamame, steamed veggies/ baked tofu, sashimi with ginger and very little low sodium soy sauce, maybe a few pieces of sushi (fish/rice/veg). I’m going to be really good and avoid all the tempura and saucy rolls. I’m also doing my caloric research on my lunch break today to make sure my choice are the best they can be. I definitely need a game plan. Sushi/Japanese is one of those adventures that can be amazingly healthful or just downright terrible. Wish me luck!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Random Side Note....
I'm REALLY hopping we get to make it out to the Healthy Haven tonight! Fingers crossed!
http://www.thehealthybutcher.com/thehealthyhaven/
http://www.thehealthybutcher.com/thehealthyhaven/
What a DAY and it's only noon!
First I want to preface this post by saying: I tip my hat to all working parents out there (actually parents in general) that still make healthy meals for dinner every night. You are superstars!
So last night proved to be pretty hectic. We had a huge snow storm which caused my 6km 15min rush hour commute to turn into a 6km, 1.25hour rush hour + closed highway traffic commute. Needless to say it was not what I really wanted to spend time doing. I can’t imagine coming home to a brood of ravenous younglings to boot! After taking a hot bath to get the chills out of my bones, I noticed the news was already half over and dinner hadn’t been started, nor did I defrost anything last night. Great!
The old Mel would have opted to order in, but I put that Mel on the shelf and new Mel rolled up her sleeves and dug deep for energy and inspiration! I prepared a very satisfying meal of steamed brocollini, baked herbed organic potatoes (from our CSA!), baked shrimp and pork tenderloin. I was quite impressed with myself! I even made sure to cube and marinate a brick of tofu for tonight!
(in case you were wondering: we’re doing “stir fried” kung pow tofu with veggies on soba noodles (or Quinoa I haven’t decided…)). I thought I was doing pretty well till 6:45am today.
5am comes and goes and I’m still sound asleep…great! Needless to say I wake up at 645am still bleary eyed my heart starts to race as soon as I see the clock. How am I supposed to get to work in time! There still snow all over, it’s cold, I’m late! Old Mel would have skipped breakfast and hurried off to work lunch less (which I also prepared in advance, sweet!). But I didn’t! I’m still sort of gloating at my own success! I made my oats like usual (though I did cave for a cup o’ joe), though I didn’t get to eat them at the table I managed to multitask eating oatmeal and getting myself dressed (luckily I didn’t spill!) Not the prefect breakfast experience but better than nothing!
So I now find myself at work having just enjoyed a green tea, some berries and peas. I’m happy that I didn’t let stress get to me! I really think eating better has really helped me. Old Mel would have been not only stressed mentally but physically from not eating all day/night. The little things really add up!
Now if only I can get my late night snack cravings under control!
So last night proved to be pretty hectic. We had a huge snow storm which caused my 6km 15min rush hour commute to turn into a 6km, 1.25hour rush hour + closed highway traffic commute. Needless to say it was not what I really wanted to spend time doing. I can’t imagine coming home to a brood of ravenous younglings to boot! After taking a hot bath to get the chills out of my bones, I noticed the news was already half over and dinner hadn’t been started, nor did I defrost anything last night. Great!
The old Mel would have opted to order in, but I put that Mel on the shelf and new Mel rolled up her sleeves and dug deep for energy and inspiration! I prepared a very satisfying meal of steamed brocollini, baked herbed organic potatoes (from our CSA!), baked shrimp and pork tenderloin. I was quite impressed with myself! I even made sure to cube and marinate a brick of tofu for tonight!
(in case you were wondering: we’re doing “stir fried” kung pow tofu with veggies on soba noodles (or Quinoa I haven’t decided…)). I thought I was doing pretty well till 6:45am today.
5am comes and goes and I’m still sound asleep…great! Needless to say I wake up at 645am still bleary eyed my heart starts to race as soon as I see the clock. How am I supposed to get to work in time! There still snow all over, it’s cold, I’m late! Old Mel would have skipped breakfast and hurried off to work lunch less (which I also prepared in advance, sweet!). But I didn’t! I’m still sort of gloating at my own success! I made my oats like usual (though I did cave for a cup o’ joe), though I didn’t get to eat them at the table I managed to multitask eating oatmeal and getting myself dressed (luckily I didn’t spill!) Not the prefect breakfast experience but better than nothing!
So I now find myself at work having just enjoyed a green tea, some berries and peas. I’m happy that I didn’t let stress get to me! I really think eating better has really helped me. Old Mel would have been not only stressed mentally but physically from not eating all day/night. The little things really add up!
Now if only I can get my late night snack cravings under control!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Over coming time: Eating throughout the day
Second post today, I figured it followed the first post well, but day time eating needed it's own blog because it is a big part of my life style change.
So now that my body is getting used to being supplied proper food energy throughout the day, it's starting to ask for more!
Breakfast usually starts off the day around 630-7am so like clock work I begin to feel those very recognizable tummy rumblings around 10-11am so this is when i like to have my mid-morning boost (I must say yay me for learning to listen to my body).
It's time to dig out my trusty cooler bag which I've stocked full of healthy foods to get me through my 8-10 hr day away from home. Now the question is what to choose?
I usually start my day with a good complex carb/protein snack. Today it was 1c of strawberry slices (man i can't wait till local season!) and 28g of "not nuts" mountain mambo trail mix. This is a fantastic organic all natural mix of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit and chocolate nibs (all gluten, nut allergen free and vegan! ) This, along with water, green tea or a coffee (1-2 times a week) gets me through the rest of my busy morning.
So as the clock advances lunch gets closer and I'm itching to stretch my legs and get away from my desk for a few minutes. I take this chance to walk across the office to fetch more water in my reusable bottle and take the stairs down to the further bathroom. It's not much but it gets me out of my seat.
Back at my desk I sort out my lunch, here's the thing about me. I'm still REALLY struggling with eating an actual meal for lunch. I think my body hasn't quite adjusted back to a day time schedule yet. I know this about myself so when most people bring salads and sandwiches or left overs I know that I respond better to "picnic style eating" so a lot of small, snack-like foods. It allows me to eat a healthy amount of food without having it feeling forced. Because hey, food is amazing so why have a negative experience every day!?
Getting back to my lunch, I follow the same principal of complex carb/healthy fat/protein. Today i had assorted veggies (grape tomatoes, cucumber slices, turnip segments), with 4-5 green/black olives (watch the salt content i find not eating out of the jar helpful!) I paired that with a brown rice flat bread spread with black bean hummus and piled with fresh spinach. Delicious!
Around 3pm I start getting that ever present mid-afternoon slump. I'm sure you all know that feeling work has become stressful, tiring and tedious and your body aches for activity and more fuel. So this is the BEST time for me to have a nice snack to get me though. Again, I follow that CC/PR mix. Today, I'm going to have the left overs of veggies from lunch and 1c of 1% organic milk. (remember to drink lots of water throughout the day, i know it can be really hard to remember so keep a bottle/glass visible at all time, i found that it's helped me A LOT!)
This has been a pretty typical day for me as of late and I can't imagine going back! I've been feeling so good!
I'm hoping that since I seem to be getting this food thing that I can improve my activity level and really turn my life around!
Up next...finding the motivation (dinner, gym and beyond)
So now that my body is getting used to being supplied proper food energy throughout the day, it's starting to ask for more!
Breakfast usually starts off the day around 630-7am so like clock work I begin to feel those very recognizable tummy rumblings around 10-11am so this is when i like to have my mid-morning boost (I must say yay me for learning to listen to my body).
It's time to dig out my trusty cooler bag which I've stocked full of healthy foods to get me through my 8-10 hr day away from home. Now the question is what to choose?
I usually start my day with a good complex carb/protein snack. Today it was 1c of strawberry slices (man i can't wait till local season!) and 28g of "not nuts" mountain mambo trail mix. This is a fantastic organic all natural mix of sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit and chocolate nibs (all gluten, nut allergen free and vegan! ) This, along with water, green tea or a coffee (1-2 times a week) gets me through the rest of my busy morning.
So as the clock advances lunch gets closer and I'm itching to stretch my legs and get away from my desk for a few minutes. I take this chance to walk across the office to fetch more water in my reusable bottle and take the stairs down to the further bathroom. It's not much but it gets me out of my seat.
Back at my desk I sort out my lunch, here's the thing about me. I'm still REALLY struggling with eating an actual meal for lunch. I think my body hasn't quite adjusted back to a day time schedule yet. I know this about myself so when most people bring salads and sandwiches or left overs I know that I respond better to "picnic style eating" so a lot of small, snack-like foods. It allows me to eat a healthy amount of food without having it feeling forced. Because hey, food is amazing so why have a negative experience every day!?
Getting back to my lunch, I follow the same principal of complex carb/healthy fat/protein. Today i had assorted veggies (grape tomatoes, cucumber slices, turnip segments), with 4-5 green/black olives (watch the salt content i find not eating out of the jar helpful!) I paired that with a brown rice flat bread spread with black bean hummus and piled with fresh spinach. Delicious!
Around 3pm I start getting that ever present mid-afternoon slump. I'm sure you all know that feeling work has become stressful, tiring and tedious and your body aches for activity and more fuel. So this is the BEST time for me to have a nice snack to get me though. Again, I follow that CC/PR mix. Today, I'm going to have the left overs of veggies from lunch and 1c of 1% organic milk. (remember to drink lots of water throughout the day, i know it can be really hard to remember so keep a bottle/glass visible at all time, i found that it's helped me A LOT!)
This has been a pretty typical day for me as of late and I can't imagine going back! I've been feeling so good!
I'm hoping that since I seem to be getting this food thing that I can improve my activity level and really turn my life around!
Up next...finding the motivation (dinner, gym and beyond)
Breakfast-Understanding the need for fuel.
Okay I'll admit it...I'm "not a breakfast person" or at least I wasn't.
I used to have every excuse in the book to not eat in the morning. Rather then nourishing my body first thing in the morning I used to down caffeine which would give me the "energy" to work straight through the day leaving me ravenous at 5pm when i, without fail reached for the insta-satisfaction of cheesey, fatty, greasy foods (oh pizza). This starve/binge cycle is not healthy but i never really understood just what kind of damage I was doing to my body.
I've been reading a lot lately and have realized that i was causing a toxic environment inside of myself. An environment that if continued would no doubt cause a lot of sickness and maybe even an early death.
Anyways, moving to my point.
Breakfast: so very important! I've been starting my day with a complete breakfast for the last two weeks and boy can I tell there is a difference! Now i may not be an expert (I'm probably the experts nightmare) but there's no denying the difference i feel.
So you may be asking yourself, what do you eat?
Well the typical week day "hot" breakfast has to be quick to prepare and of course nutritious and delicious. So here it is....
1c oats (if i need to eat at work i love the Quaker 100% oats)
3-4 walnuts/pecans
1-2tbs hemp hearts
1tbs chia seeds
1/2 banana
hand full or berries (blueberries mmmm!)
a dash of cinnamon
and a splash of milk/soy milk
This breakfast gives me a good balance of protein/complex carbs that i need to start my day. If i feel the need for extra protein I'll whip up a few egg white or a whole hard boiled egg. I usually drink 500ml or so of water first thing after I get up and another 500ml after breakfast when my omega 3 and CoE Q10 supplements (make sure to research if supplements work for you before trying).
This give me incredible energy to trek to work and start my busy day.
Next...snack, lunch and more!
I used to have every excuse in the book to not eat in the morning. Rather then nourishing my body first thing in the morning I used to down caffeine which would give me the "energy" to work straight through the day leaving me ravenous at 5pm when i, without fail reached for the insta-satisfaction of cheesey, fatty, greasy foods (oh pizza). This starve/binge cycle is not healthy but i never really understood just what kind of damage I was doing to my body.
I've been reading a lot lately and have realized that i was causing a toxic environment inside of myself. An environment that if continued would no doubt cause a lot of sickness and maybe even an early death.
Anyways, moving to my point.
Breakfast: so very important! I've been starting my day with a complete breakfast for the last two weeks and boy can I tell there is a difference! Now i may not be an expert (I'm probably the experts nightmare) but there's no denying the difference i feel.
So you may be asking yourself, what do you eat?
Well the typical week day "hot" breakfast has to be quick to prepare and of course nutritious and delicious. So here it is....
1c oats (if i need to eat at work i love the Quaker 100% oats)
3-4 walnuts/pecans
1-2tbs hemp hearts
1tbs chia seeds
1/2 banana
hand full or berries (blueberries mmmm!)
a dash of cinnamon
and a splash of milk/soy milk
This breakfast gives me a good balance of protein/complex carbs that i need to start my day. If i feel the need for extra protein I'll whip up a few egg white or a whole hard boiled egg. I usually drink 500ml or so of water first thing after I get up and another 500ml after breakfast when my omega 3 and CoE Q10 supplements (make sure to research if supplements work for you before trying).
This give me incredible energy to trek to work and start my busy day.
Next...snack, lunch and more!
Monday, March 21, 2011
The journey Begins....
First of all welcome to my blog!
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to humour me and all the crazy things I have to say!
So let's get to it, what am I here for?
It's simple I'm keeping this blog to show that changes are possible. I'm a reforming food abuser meaning I was (and maybe still am) addicted to all those fantastic chemical laden goodies we surround our selves with every day. Refined sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, salt, trans-fats, artificial flavours galore! Well it's time to cut that out!
Yesterday, we cleaned out the pantry/fridge/freezer. We got rid of all sorts of questionable products and replaced them with many delicious whole foods. You know foods that don't have ingredient lists.
That's nice but what else?
The next part of my mission is to consider the environment and sustainability. I want to minimize my impact on our planet and the best way to do that is through changes behaviour. I will focus on local eating (made easy as we are already part of a fantastic CSA-more on that later, link in the side bar) and organic eating (double win for the CSA!). I know this is not an easy task, but I need to make these changes and i'm hoping blogging will help as it seems to have help others in meeting their goals.
That's pretty cool, but is it worth my read?
I'm going to attempt to blog daily but no promises as my schedule can get a little crazy but fear not, I will try my best!
So now that you're here follow my blog, leave me comments and stories, link me articles and resources. Let's have fun and get healthy!
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to humour me and all the crazy things I have to say!
So let's get to it, what am I here for?
It's simple I'm keeping this blog to show that changes are possible. I'm a reforming food abuser meaning I was (and maybe still am) addicted to all those fantastic chemical laden goodies we surround our selves with every day. Refined sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, salt, trans-fats, artificial flavours galore! Well it's time to cut that out!
Yesterday, we cleaned out the pantry/fridge/freezer. We got rid of all sorts of questionable products and replaced them with many delicious whole foods. You know foods that don't have ingredient lists.
That's nice but what else?
The next part of my mission is to consider the environment and sustainability. I want to minimize my impact on our planet and the best way to do that is through changes behaviour. I will focus on local eating (made easy as we are already part of a fantastic CSA-more on that later, link in the side bar) and organic eating (double win for the CSA!). I know this is not an easy task, but I need to make these changes and i'm hoping blogging will help as it seems to have help others in meeting their goals.
That's pretty cool, but is it worth my read?
I'm going to attempt to blog daily but no promises as my schedule can get a little crazy but fear not, I will try my best!
So now that you're here follow my blog, leave me comments and stories, link me articles and resources. Let's have fun and get healthy!
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