If you're a Central Ohio dweller, can we just talk about today's sunrise? Holy cow. It was BREATHTAKING! I wanted to snap a picture but sadly I was driving the opposite direction and my feeble attempts at taking a picture through my filthy rear windshield weren't working out too well.
Last week I decided to try my hand at the New Body Makeover by Blogilates. This also happened to coincide with the Love Your Body Challenge by Tone It Up. These two challenges happen to match up with two of my goals for this year. (1) to eat healthier and (2) to move my body more. I struggle with the diet aspect mainly. I decided to take last week and this week to focus on getting my nutrition up to par. I failed miserably last week. I have noticed that if I fail to plan, I plan to fail. If I don't meal prep or have a sound game plan for my day/week then I fly off course. In all honesty, even with my straying far from my intended meal plan, I didn't do too bad. I really the breakfasts I've had on this plan. I decided to stick with something simple -- oatmeal. I cooked steel cut oats, plain in water. I like the oatmeal to be thicker (you'll see why here in a minute). I take half a banana and mash it in the bottom of a plasticware container. I add a serving of the oatmeal on top and mix it together with a dash (or three) of cinnamon. (I really like cinnamon) Last week I added dried cherries -- this week I added blueberries I picked this past summer and froze. Then I put that thick porridge in the fridge to hang out until I'm ready for it. In the morning I grab out the container, microwave it for 1-2 minutes (depending on how hot I want my cereal that day) and then I drizzle some milk on top. (that's why I like it to start thick...the milk thins it out and gives me a calcium boost) I seriously don't even miss the sugar because the cinnamon and the banana make it DELICIOUS!
My coffee is another matter entirely. I am cutting back on the amount of sugar but black coffee and I just aren't pals. I'm trying to not use the chemical sugar free sweeteners/syrups because I have read that real sugar is actually better than the chemicals from a 'clean eating' standpoint. This makes sense. However, I know in my heart of hearts that I am a sugar and carb junkie. My morning coffee is only perpetuating my sugar use.
Lunch has been a delicious rice and lentil salad. I added some veggies (carrots, onion, scallions) and I slice and egg on top. It doesn't sound like much but the dressing I whipped up with it is quite delicious and vinegar-y. I like.
Dinner has been primarily the area where I falter. The plan was for tilapia, sweet potato and broccoli or wilted spinach. However, I find myself eating other things. Nothing necessarily horrid, but not what's on my plan. This week I opted to grab a few soups to supplement my meals. They are by no means 'clean' but I think once I get the hang of the whole eating what I plan that I can then venture back into making my own soups. (I love making soups!)
Snacks have primarily been veggies with some hummus or fruits with nuts. (apples/oranges with almonds or nut butter)
I find myself looking for more and more recipes that I can incorporate into my new lifestyle. This one came up on my Facebook feed today. It's a recipe for overnight oats/summer porridge that sounds simply divine. It's still a little cold here in the Midwest, but I see this being a staple during the warmer months. I have seriously rather enjoyed having my meals all prepped up and ready to grab in the morning. It makes sticking to the 'plan' a lot easier from the start of the day. :)
Snacks have primarily been veggies with some hummus or fruits with nuts. (apples/oranges with almonds or nut butter)
I find myself looking for more and more recipes that I can incorporate into my new lifestyle. This one came up on my Facebook feed today. It's a recipe for overnight oats/summer porridge that sounds simply divine. It's still a little cold here in the Midwest, but I see this being a staple during the warmer months. I have seriously rather enjoyed having my meals all prepped up and ready to grab in the morning. It makes sticking to the 'plan' a lot easier from the start of the day. :)
I intend to add some salads into the plan for lunches that incorporate more greens, but I am also really loving the whole lentil salad. I am envisioning a southwestern black bean salad with quinoa and corn (and a healthy dose of cilantro!)
I am finding that a lot of the 'clean' recipes I've come across seem to rely heavily on meat. Chicken to be precise. While I don't mind eating fish (as a pescatarian) I draw the line on land dwelling fleshy animals. I am a little wary of relying so heavily on any one protein source as there bound to be vitamins and minerals that it lacks. So, I have been focusing on fish, eggs, and beans. This weekend I broke down and also bought a few pots of yogurt. I realized when I got home that I had failed to even look at the nutrition info and ingredient list as it's far from 'clean' but I am not one to waste food.
What are some of your favorite healthy/clean meals?
This week I am once again focusing on my food choices but I am also working on incorporating some movement into my daily routine. I believe the dogs will be getting some actual walks instead of a quick trip out to do their business. (Chihuahuas don't tend to require walks like larger dogs. They get a lot of exercise just playing indoors) I will also be hooking up the Wii again and trying my hand again at some Wii fit games. I know they're not a substitute for physical fitness but as it's the winter and I'm also working on my budget, I needed to cut some corners. I have workout DVDs as well that I will be blowing the dust off and revisiting. My current favorite is the Beach Babe DVD by Tone It Up. I am also thinking of purchasing the POP Pilates DVD by Blogilates as well. However, again, I'm trying to cut back on my spending.
Do you have an app/website you frequent for fitness inspiration/diet advice/workouts? Blogilates and Tone It Up are both apps and websites that I frequent and love. What are some of your favorites? Let me know so I can check them out -- a girl can never be too informed.
S&S-
Shannon
This week I am once again focusing on my food choices but I am also working on incorporating some movement into my daily routine. I believe the dogs will be getting some actual walks instead of a quick trip out to do their business. (Chihuahuas don't tend to require walks like larger dogs. They get a lot of exercise just playing indoors) I will also be hooking up the Wii again and trying my hand again at some Wii fit games. I know they're not a substitute for physical fitness but as it's the winter and I'm also working on my budget, I needed to cut some corners. I have workout DVDs as well that I will be blowing the dust off and revisiting. My current favorite is the Beach Babe DVD by Tone It Up. I am also thinking of purchasing the POP Pilates DVD by Blogilates as well. However, again, I'm trying to cut back on my spending.
Do you have an app/website you frequent for fitness inspiration/diet advice/workouts? Blogilates and Tone It Up are both apps and websites that I frequent and love. What are some of your favorites? Let me know so I can check them out -- a girl can never be too informed.
S&S-
Shannon
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