Eating in Another Country

My Trip to Europe - 

I am getting a little anxiety about my upcoming trip!  I am going to travel for 18 days to Paris, London, Amsterdam, and hopefully Brussels.  

I am not very nervous about Paris, because I plan on walking everywhere and they serve such small portions.  I am still going to try to avoid wheat and cow cheese in most of my meals, but I do plan to have at least one of France's famous baguettes or pastries!

London I think will be easy because they seem to eat light and there should be lots of salads available.  Lots of tomato slices and egg whites I hope.

I have no idea what kind of food they eat in Holland???  I am thinking lamb maybe?...Anyone know?  I looked up a little on Google, and it worries me a lot.  Both websites say breakfast is usually a 'cheese sandwich and a cup of milk'...ummmmm the 3 things I don't want to eat.  Then lunch was usually break and cheese and maybe a pancake or crepe sort of thing....again all the foods I cant eat much of.  It sounds like they eat a lot of chicken and pork, so I might start to enjoy pork more :-/

One thing I think might be in my favor is that their animals (chickens, pigs, cows) are probably raised in a more natural way.  They are probably feed fewer hormones and chemicals, so hopefully the meat is cleaner in Europe then in the US.  I hope I hope I hope!!!

I will eat the local food obviously and just try to keep my portions small and limit my wheat and cow dairy at most meals so it will effect me less when I do eat it.

I am also worried about my coffee...they don't usually drink coffee 'to go', hahahaha...this was a problem in Italy too.  You might see me blogging from a coffee shop because I was forced to stay there.

Dairy vs. My Skin

My Skin is Freaking Out 

Ugh!!!!!   That should actually be the title of this post, but no one would know what it was about...for some reason my skin has an absolutely horrible reaction to Dairy (just cow dairy).  I break out in direct response to any dairy in my diet.

This might seem like a very simple thing to avoid and usually I do a good job (although I love cheese I just switched to Goat Cheeses, problem solved).  However, it has been increasingly difficult I have realized to give up my Venti Iced Americano with Half and Half and One Sugar.  I love this treat during a sunny day!!!!  I can sometimes find Almond Milk to take the place of half and half, however that is tricky when I am traveling and since Starbucks only has Coconut milk and Soy Milk I am usually out of luck there.

I have tried Soy milk and I don't like it, plus I have been hearing more and more that women are sometimes getting way too much soy.  (I eat a lot of soy beans so I try and avoid it everywhere else).  I have tried coconut milk and I don't like that either...not thick enough.  I also have thought about non-dairy creamers but they seem highly processed and not very healthy.  

• Do I just give up the drink completely?  
• Do I find a replacement...Berry Refresher (I like those)...they are not the same as a yummy iced coffee tho?
• Do I just deal with the skin reaction and try to keep it under control with topical treatments (so expensive)?

Still trying to decide what to do...what are your treats that you refuse to give up no matter the consequence?

Well since it has been sunny I have had the worst skin and that is the ONLY dairy I have added back into my diet:(  It is so frustrating!!!!!  I am now completely convinced that a lot of our 'ailments' and 'annoyances' are directly related to what we put in our bodies.  

I recently spent a couple days as a guest and of course eat what they had made and prepared for me...it was way off from my usual restrictions, but I would never refuse a meal that someone else has taken the time to put together.  The food was delicious, but my body was not the same afterwards.  I have been sluggish and my skin is breaking out like crazy.  I feel puffy and bloated, I cant wait for those things to get out of my system and feed my body the fresh whole foods it is used to.  Its like I put molasses in the engine of my car and went for a long drive.  UGH!!!!

All the food was filled with meat that wasn't fish, wheat, and dairy.  It is a constant struggle to just live a normal life and also be good to your body and brain.  It explains a lot of what is wrong with Americans and how hard it is for us to make good decisions with what we are surrounded with.

I am going to spend this week trying to clean my eating and add a little more water and tea to my day and make sure I go to my workouts each day.  That should get my skin back on track soon.

Can You Read the Ingredients -

Do You Know What is in your favorite bar?  

I went just about a couple months without any processed foods, and in all honesty it is just not possible for me to live that way.  Now I eat ‘bars’ and some chips, but I am just careful about what is in them, especially ‘Nutrition’ Bars'.  Some of them have some very strange ingredients that I cant pronounce and cant figure out what they are.

I recently found a replacement breakfast at Starbucks (I used to eat the Spinach and Feta Wrap).  It is now a banana and a Kind Bar.  I am in love with these bars; they have the simplest ingredients ever!!!  They are also only 180 calories….a nutritionist once told me that snacks should be under 220 calories for a person with my build and energy output.  (In order to maintain where I was…about a 1600/ day calorie plan).

Kind Bar –

Mixed Nuts, (peanuts, almonds, brazil nuts, walnuts), dried fruit (raisins, apricots, vegetable based glycerol, pectin, citrus fiber, citric acid, dates, honey, chicory fiber, Non GMO Glucose, puffed rice, flax seeds, soy lecithin

They also claim to be...

• All Natural
• Gluten & Wheat Free
• Low Glycemic Index
• Dairy Free
• Low Sodium
• No Sugar

These are all buzz-words, and I rarely trust the front of any package (marketing tricks), but the back of this item seems to match the front, so I feel good about them.  I still only eat them a couple times a week in an emergency, but they are fabulous for fast or in the car…or like yesterday, at the Airport.

Food at an Airport at 530am..,.

Trying to find something without Dairy or Wheat at an airport is impossible!  The cases are filled with sweat treats and sandwiches made of all simple carbs (aka, sugar).

The only places open are serving begals or sandwiches... Eventhough the airport is packed!  I did find oatmeal, but that is tricky to eat at the gate or with all your bags.  

I did anticipate this problem, so I have apple slices from home and I got a Kind Bar and black coffee.  

I realized on my last trip that there are only 2 items on the flight menu that I can eat as well... And they have been out of those items twice now.  One is Cashews and the other is a salad, I just have to pick around the cheese and weird meat cubes (I think they labeled it as chicken).  

Hopefully I will just sleep on this flight and hold out till an early lunch!   'Doing lunch' in LA is always a fun time with a million healthy fresh local options:). 

Core Class - My Humble Opinion

Core Workout Class

I went to a ‘Core Class’ at Columbia Athletic Club the other day with my husband.  It is just 25 minutes long, but the whole class is focused on core strength and abs. 

I was skeptical of course, because I am a firm believer in the idea that you can't ‘spot reduce’, but I wanted to try to give it a chance.   I feel like the people who go to this class are thinking it will give them a flat tummy or abs.  It will not!!!!  If your intention is to just engage your core as a focus then I suppose it is worth it as a suppliment to another workout...still not really sure.

There was a 5 min ‘warm up’ to kind of stretch and get your muscles warm…there isn’t really time for much more then that so it was a good attempt, but sort of pointless in my opinion.

Then we did some floor work…

• ·      Legs lifted a few inches off the ground and fluttering the hands up and down similar to what they do in Pilates
• ·      Single leg V-Ups or Scissor Kicks kind of, again it was a little hard for me to figure out what these moves were really doing for me…but I tried to follow
• ·      Push up position…knees to opposite elbow – the only exercise that really felt like it was working me hard to the point of fatigue
  
• ·      Rest - Stretch
• ·      Into Circuit 2 which was very similar to circuit 1 it just was bicycles and plank rocks for 30 seconds or so each

Here is my frustration to classes like this…it is not actually doing anything.  Just movement camouflaged as a workout to try and convince its participants that they will see some kind of result.  I don’t even think that anyone would leave that class with a stronger core in any way and they certainly wont leave with a flat stomach or abs.

It is a shame, because I think that is one of the biggest problems with all these fitness ‘trends’…it is often just a way to pretend you are working out without actually having to workout. 

The best measure to a good workout is what do the people who are doing it look like and what does your trainer do for a workout?  If it isn’t that class or that particular workout, then it is time to save your money and your time and do what they are doing.

Our bodies are designed to do movements that simulate hunting and gathering and working for our food and shelter….so use your body that way.  ‘Athletic Ability’ has very little to do with it…balance, coordination, and endurance are all achievable skills.  Some have better natural abilities then others, however everyone has the ability to have it at some level if they are WILLING TO WORK FOR IT!!!

Favorite Meals at Restaurants

Favorite Places to Eat and Stay on Track - 

I work downtown Kirkland and I live in Juanita, so I have found a few restaurants with a favorite dish that I can get without getting too far off of my nutrition  and eating regiment.  Learning to eat out and modify what is on the menu is a really important skill and it will help you stay on track.

I was a little embarrassed at first to make so many adjustments to a menu item, however it is worth it and enough people start to demand healthy options then we can change an industry!

If there is one thing I hate more than anything it is 'restarting' something after loosing my way.  It is so much harder then just sticking to it.  My changes and choices are meant to be lifelong (not a diet), and I have to be able to eat out and enjoy myself...so it will only work if I can find a way to make adjustments.

Here is what I would recommend....

Hectors - 

1. Seared Tuna Bites
2. Salmon Salad (this has goat cheese and beats in it so it is super filling and colorful)
3. Hummus Platter - No Pita, Ask for Extra Veggies (cucumber, carrots, celery, tomatoes)

Milagro - (limit your chips and salsa intake...put some on a plate and ask the waitress to take the rest away)

1. Shrimp and Avocado Salad - dressing on the side and no avocado paste (it comes with way too much and everything looses its flavor)

Qdoba - (this is a really good one, because it is fast and inexpensive)

1. Naked Burrito - comes in a little bowl, no tortilla - I only get wild rice, sauteed veggies, black beans, just a little guacamole, pico de gallo, medium salsa)

Joeys - (I love this place, because I dont have to make any adjustments to the menu...there are several things I can order)

1. Spicey Edamame
2. Ahi Tuna Salad 

Brix - 

1. Hummus Platter (this is enough to share with 2 people or more) ask for all veggies
2. Beet Salad (add prawns)

Tried a New Workout

I Cheated!!!

My girlfriend was brave and came with me to my Crossfit class so I decided to join her at her favorite workout at Baseline Fitness in Kirkland.  

I have to admit that I was worried I wouldn't get a good enough workout so I did go to Crossfit in the morning, but went to the noon class at Baseline.  The class was totally full, so it is super popular!  It was a combination of Treadmill and TRX and some calisthenics.    

The treadmill was a reminder of why I dont run as much anymore...haven't run in like a year, so that was crazy.  I had really bad IT band and Hip problems, so I had to limit my runs to just a couple times a month.   It was a lot of cardio, which ironically I was used to do for fitness and I never gained the results that I wanted.  As my husband always tells me...I need to be working smarter not harder!  That is what Crossfit has seemed to do for me, since I am in the best shape of my life and I workout way less then I ever have before.

The workout...

15 min on the treadmill range between 'energy output of level 6 - 10'  Energy output is like a 1 on the couch and level 10 sprint at an incline.  The interval training I am always a fan of, because it is a great fat burner.

Then we would switch with the other group and use a sandbag for squats and hop over the bag for legs.  Side lunges holding the sandbag (these are awful, always been very weak in that area).
Surfer jumps which are kind of like Burpees but you jump up into a surfing position.
A few arm exercises with the TRX band and knee to elbow jumps.

Most of the workout was cardio, which would have been my favorite kind in the past, but since I have experienced the improvement from intense weight lifting over the last year, I am totally sold on weights vs cardio.

I would probably go back for a few classes in the future, but it is not enough strength for me...and I honestly didn't realize what great shape I was in until I tried other workouts!!!  I am still fiercely loyal to Crossfit and have the results to prove it..both in body changes and in overall stamina and strength.

I really should be doing some more cardio maybe, because I have a weakness....My worst enemy is wine, and with this nice weather...I have been having drinks on the patio almost everyday!

Thats all for now!  Gonna get in bed and ready for Crossfit tomorrow morning:)

Easy Rules for Eating Right

The Easiest Rules for Healthy Eating

These 2 basic strategies will help you make better decisions, and you don't have to think too much!  It is really very easy.  If you want to eat better and feel better it seems there is a million different suggestions that nutritionists, trainers, dietitians, friends, family, and doctors give you.  All of it is probably really great information and useful and accurate, but it becomes overwhelming and then we often don't change anything.

Here are my two rules that I try to stick to with every single meal and every single shopping trip.

1.) Always Have a Colorful Meal (you plate should never be full of all beige food) - Veggies, fruit, and meat that is colorful often means that it is packed full of good nutrients and vitamins.   So when I am having a salad I make sure the lettuce has a lot of different colors of green (not just iceberg), then add things with color like tomatoes, peppers, olives, corn, cucumber, and zucchini.  That is why meat is not meant to be breaded, and really great starches have some color, like baby red potatoes and sweet potatoes.  Even wild rice and beans have a little more color then wheat and mashed potatoes.

2.) Only Shop the Outer Perimeter of the Grocery Store - The most nutrient dense foods and the healthiest are around the outside of the grocery store not down the isles.  There are a couple exceptions of course (balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil, peanut butters, and tuna fish).  When you are shopping make sure you are buying foods with lots of color to them and an expiration date;)

Those are my 2 rules and it works really well for me.  Try it and I think you will find that keeping it that simple will instantly make a difference in the meal choices you make.

Will Power is Over-rated

Will Power is Totally Over-rated, when it comes to Portion Control!

I get asked all the time how to eat more healthy and make better decisions with regards to food, and the truth is that although I don't really like a lot of bad foods...I love food!!!!  I can out eat most grown men easily and not even feel overly full!  So my biggest struggle isn't necessarily processed, fatty, high calorie foods...its that I want to eat everything in front of me and then have seconds! 

When it comes to portion control I don't use will power, because I simply don't have it!  Last night was a perfect example of this.  Weakness - Sweet Potato Fries with extra salty seasoning!  I have had them at The iPic Movie Theater before and I love them, but they come in a huge basket enough for 3 people.  I ate most of them last time I ordered them, plus a salad and prawns, plus popcorn in the movie.  I had a stomach ache when I got home and felt horrible the next day.  I remembered that and wanted to avoid it this time, however knew that if the fries stayed in front of me, I would eat them all. 

I did 2 things last night, I had the fries come when my meal instead of as an appetizer.  That way I didn't snack on them right up until my salad arrived, because I would!  I also grabbed a handful of them, put them on a side plate and had the waitress take away the basket before she even left or table.  This was kind of embarrassing, I already was annoying with my salad requests...but it worked.  I didn't over indulge, but I got to have my favorite thing...and saved a little room for popcorn (another huge weakness). 

I would absolutely recommend to everyone out there to ask the waitress to box up half before they even bring it out or take away half of anything you order that is a 'treat' for you.  We never need the actual amount that they give us at a restaurant and you will feel way better that night and the next day.  Don't rely on will power to keep you from eating something you love when it is right in front of you.

I practice the same thing at home.  If I don't want to eat the entire thing, then I don't have it at the house.  Triscuits....I will eat the whole box so we don't have them at all.

Running Pain, Worth It?!?

Running - Pain vs Joy

I have always loved running...and when I say running, I mean a slow jog.  It relaxes me and I can think things thru or get lost in my music if I need a distraction.  However, over the last few years, my hips have started hurting so bad it keeps me up at night.  I have tried everything...Physical Therapy, stretching, foam roller, massage, and reflexology.  Nothing was helping...shooting pain down my legs, tight hip-flexer joints, and a no ability to sit for longer then an hour. 

I had to give up running as my form of working out, and that is when I found Crossfit...(see my blog about Crossfit).  The pain went away almost immediately!  I still stretch my IT band with the foam roller some nights and go to reflexology about once a month....I like the Chinese Foot Reflexology service because it is only $25 and you stay clothed...and they work a lot on pressure points. 

I still run on really sunny days...I love to run up and down Lake Washington Blvd, pretty views of the water, lots of people, and great hills for wind sprints.  Just went on a run instead of Crossfit yesterday, because it was so hot and pretty outside. 

To break up my run a little these days (to avoid the hip pain) I do a hill sprint about every half mile, then I stop and do walking lunges whenever I get to a park.  If it is dry enough, I do some abs too.  This seems to give my legs a short break so they dont get so tight.   I also try to keep my runs under 3 miles so it limits the constant pounding on my joints.

Hill sprints help improve my cardio and tighten everything up, because it uses every muscle.  You also burn a high amount of fat as your heart rate comes back down...that is why interval training works so well.   If you are trying to get in shape it is the best thing to do...it will give you really fast results.

Whenever I am on vacation I still go for my runs, it is such a great way to see the area you are staying in and find things you wouldn't see just driving around.  I also try to find a crossfit gym close by and go to at least one crossfit workout.   Keeping your workouts different and unpredictable will help your body continue to improve and you are less likely to get bored.

Workout Routines

Crossfit Workout Routine

I have been doing Crossfit for about a year now...but I have been serious and consistent with it for about 6 months.

I started out with individual training sessions twice a week.  This allowed me to get stronger without hurting myself and learning proper technique.  It was definitely a financial commitment, but your health is priceless and so that was my decision.

The classes are intense and I am competitive so I got sick of being last every single time...going more then 3 times a week made the biggest difference.  I was able to recover quicker each time so I was less sore and could continue to work those muscles the very next day.  I also started to stay after and choose one exercises that was particularly difficult for me, and I would do it after the workout to get better at it.

For example I was terrible at Double Unders, so after each workout I would commit to doing 50 no matter how long it took me.  Then I would commit to doing 100.  Then I would try to do 20 in a row, then 30 in a row and so on.  It helped tremendously.

I noticed a difference in my body after just 3 months and it continues to feel stronger and better definition.  Strength is so important for women over 30, and I didn't want to wait to long to make it a habit.

I have found my favorite workout, and I actually really really enjoy going so its not hard to work it into my day and week.

The best part for me has been the small accomplishments along the way.  Doing your first unassisted pull up, first handstand push up, 10 chest to ground push ups in a row, faster times on my 400 meter run.  All of those things written in my journal so I can go back and look at them and see how much I have improved.  Very helpful and motivating.

Crossfit Regionals are this weekend so I will have a blog about that too.  Gonna be some bad ass chics there!!!  So fun.

Breakfast Favorite

My favorite breakfast is egg whites scrambled with fresh veggies and maybe left over shrimp or salmon from the night before.  

Today it was shrimp, green and yellow zucchini, onions, a couple baby red potatoes, and mushrooms.  A glass of orange juice of course and a BioSill pill for my hair and nails:). 

Went to Crossfit this morning, 7am class....ugh.  That is early for me:(. I made it tho, and it was a really good workout today, #noinjuries

Worked on my Clean and Split Jerk.  

Then the workout was....

12 wall balls (14#'s)

50 double Under jump rope

3 burpees

14 wall balls

40 double unders

6 burpees

16 wall balls

30 double unders

18 wall balls

9 burpees 

29 double unders 

21 wall balls

12 burpees

Get in Shape Quick

Fast Results

My favorite thing to do when I am trying to get in shape fast or want to tone up for an event...

1. Running Hill Sprints -
• You burn the most fat as your heart rate comes down from its elevated state...so doing sprints with recovery in-between each one will not only get your heart in excellent shape it will also tone and burn fat fast!  Start with like 3 sets, sprint up a hill for about 45 seconds and then walk down and recover so you can talk easily.  Then go again.  Increase a set each time you do this until you are up to 10 total. 
2. Cut Out Alcohol -
• I know it is so sad....but it makes a huge difference
3. Stop Eating After 7pm -
• This is hard for me, so I just go to bed
• I eat dinner, let it settle then get ready for bed and do a handful of exercises (push ups, squats, lunges, and stretches) then I go to bed and drink tea or water.
4. Carbs Only at Breakfast and Lunch -
• It is silly to cut them out completely, you will be hungry all the time.  I just take them out of dinner and add extra veggies or maybe peanut butter with my celery
• Keep them ALL complex, wild rice, sweet potato, or homemade granola
5. No Sweets -
• I think this is obvious, but just a good reminder.  Just say no.  It is useless food and does nothing for you and you can do it...you will feel so much better the next day

That is all!  I think once you just decide that you are gonna do it and look at food as a necessity and not an event it will be a lot easier.  Plus if you are bored because you have all this extra time not eating and drinking then you can prepare your fruits and veggies for the next few days or long walks on the treadmill will help burn fat.  Slow...long workouts also burn fat.  And don't forget strength...so important to build muscle.

6 Month Update

My 6 Month Update 

So I haven't blogged about my nutrition challenge in a long long time, and I think it is time to start up again.  I have been asked what I do for my workouts and what I eat, so it seemed like a good time to start sharing again.

I started changing my diet in late December 2012 and so it has now been 6 months of tyring new things.

1.) Juicing

• I really did want to incorporate juicing into my diet, and I completely failed at that.  I was really only able to do it a couple times...I never developed a taste for it or a routine so it never really stuck. 

2.) No meat, poultry, or pork...fish only.  

• I cut out all meats except for fish.  I do still eat egg whites.  That has been very very easy.   I don't really miss anything.  There have been a few times when I have eaten what someone has made for me so that I am not rude, but I really haven't had a hard time with this new routine at all.

3.) No dairy

• I have tried this one before to help improve my skin. and it works really really well.  There are only a few things that tempt me....cupcakes...cookies....half and half in my iced americano.  Whenever I have one of these items I notice it in my complexion and energy level right away!  It is enough to discourage me about 90% of the time.  

4.) No wheat

• I cut out all wheat (not gluten) just wheat...(not carbs).  I still eat red potatoes and sweet potatoes, I eat rice and oats  and corn or corn chips.  The only thing that made this part challenging was eating things on the go, like in the car.  I had a really hard time finding foods that I could eat when I was in a really big hurry and walking or driving somewhere.  Otherwise I have noticed a huge difference in my energy level and I sleep better without a lot of wheat in my diet.

Side effects of this diet change.  I lost 10 lbs immediately and kept it off all 6 months:)

I will continue my food diary as part of this blog as well as my daily crossfit log in case anyone wants to know about my workouts.  My 'after' pics will be posted by the end of the week as well.  

I still plan on finding a way to incorporate a wider variety of veggies and fruit into my day thru juicing.  

Out to Dinner or Events

Going Out to Dinner or Special Events -

I ran into a special circumstance that I noticed caused a huge problem for me staying on track with my nutrition plan.

• It started with a longer then expected day at work so I ran out of snacks that I brought from home 
• Then I ordered a salad from a local restaurant, but didn't have time to eat it because we were too busy at work
• Next I had to go straight to an event that I was already late to attend
• There wasn't any food at the event that I could eat (pizza, chicken skewers, deep fried shrimp, veggies with ranch dipping sauce, and bread)
• The restaurant would not make me a salad

I decided to leave the event for 20 minutes and go down to a restaurant that would make me a salad with Ahi Tuna.  I had to go by myself so it was a little awkward leaving the party, but I did feel like I was going to faint from hunger and I knew I was going to feel like crap if I ate the food at the party so I made the decision to stick with my plan and find food that fit in it.
I guess I am surprised at how difficult it can be and I understand how frustrating it is for people when they cant find things to eat that fit into a healthy balanced eating plan.

I wish that the popular party foods didn't have to be so empty and void of nutrition!!!  Maybe one day it will be easier for people to find nutritious choices at events and parties.

Ever tried it?....love the Wheatgrass! by Ryan Leopold

Wheatgrass is one of the most potently healthy substances on earth. Yet for some reason it is still not mainstream – even though there are thousands of wheatgrass benefits that are so clear and felt so quickly.  I have mentioned wheatgrass several times on this blog and to be honest, it is one of my favorite things ever!  I really do love the taste AND I love the immediate energy boost.  Since I like the taste and the feeling from it, I felt I would share some of the health benefits I discovered.  

You can find fresh wheatgrass at local juice bars, jamba juice and some health food shops like PNC.  

This is a new juice bar we visited in Seattle called Healeo.  

Wheatgrass benefits are so easy to achieve and feel because:

• 30mls of freshly squeezed wheatgrass juice (a wheatgrass shot!) is equivalent in nutritional value to 1kg of leafy green vegetables
• Wheatgrass contains over 90 minerals, including high concentrations of the most alkaline minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium
• It contains the essential enzymes: Protease (assists in protein digestion), Cytochrome Oxidase (a powerful anti oxidant), Amylase (facilitates digestion), Lipase (a fat splitting enzyme), Transhydrogenase (strengthens the heart muscle) & Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) (found in all body cells and is known for its ability to lessen the effect of radiation and slow cellular aging)
• Just one teaspoon of Wheat Grass powder, weighing a mere 3.5 grams, is nutritionally equal to an entire spinach salad weighing a full 50 grams – it packs a punch!
• Wheatgrass has more vitamin C than oranges and twice the vitamin A as carrots!
• Wheat grass juice helps your body to build red blood cells which carry oxygen to every cell. By increasing the oxygenation the body you can help offset smog and carbon monoxide and increase your endurance during physical exercise
• It also contains 19 amino acids, the building blocks of protein making this one of the most powerful wheatgrass benefits

Superbowl Snacks

SuperBowl Snacks - 

We had a few people over for the Superbowl yesterday, and we know 2 things for sure about the Superbowl...there will be a winner and there will be unhealthy food!

I am trying not to have 'cheat days' or an exact time frame for this project because I want it to be something that I can continue and I can keep up in ANY circumstance.  I was on a mission to find snack foods that will be healthy and within the guidelines of the food I want to fuel my body with.

As a reminder I am only eating Fish and eggs as my animal protein, no wheat, no dairy, no processed sugars, and almost no processed foods.

This is what I decided to serve, and what I ended up eating....

• Veggies and Hummus
• Fruit (apples, pear, strawberry)
• Popcorn (just salt added)
• Multi Grain Corn Chips (Should Taste Good brand) with homemade Guacamole
• Roasted Potato / Pineapple / Red Peppers / Chicken Meatballs baked together in the oven (I had sauteed shrimp in mine)
• Gluten Free Cookies from Sweet Cakes (and cake pops)

I had mostly popcorn and veggies...I had 2 cookies and 2 cake pops.  I was drinking champagne and a glass of wine at the end of the night.  This morning I feel puffy and a little bloated:(  I could tell a big difference in how I felt by not having the proper portions and way too much 'empty' calorie food (corn chips, popcorn, sweets).  

It was good tho, cause now I know it isn't worth it and I wont be tempted to eat it again...even on special occasions like the Superbowl.  

Fruit as a Dessert

Can Fruit be a Delicious Dessert?...I challenge you to try it!  

I tried a new receipt for dessert tonight. Still avoiding all dairy and processed foods, my options have been limited. I have been having a square of 80% cocoa chocolate bar... That is getting old.

So yesterday, I froze 2 bananas and decided I would put them in my Magic Bullet and make 'ice cream'. I added a spoon full of brown sugar, a sprinkle of nutmeg, a little almond milk, and blend.

Make sure to cut the banana up to small frozen chances so it blends easily.

Add some Raspberries or a Strawberry, some cinnamon, and put it in a fancy glass and you will feel just like u r having a rich calorie filled dessert:)

My Mother - by Sequoia Leopold

Mother Knows Best - 

My mother is probably going to live forever and I think I just got the receipt for it today.  Her famous homemade granola!  My mom has eaten organic and fresh and local and unprocessed foods her whole life, effortlessly.  She shopped at organic local grocery stores before it was chic and always tried to convince me that fruit was a desert (even going as far as to freeze the dessert).

Now that I am trying to improve my overall life thru nutrition, what better way then with my mothers homemade granola.  I am getting much better in the kitchen these days!

I grew up on this stuff as much as I fought for Lucky Charms they never appeared in my house.  I am lucky now as I have an amazing immune system and I know it is from my childhood.  One year (birth to first birthday) in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri with no Anti-bacterial spray or handy wipes will do that!!!

Belt - Switzer - Leopold Granola 
Old Fashioned Oats
Sweetened Coconut Flakes
Wheat Germ
Sunflower Seeds (raw)
Brown Sugar
Honey
Molasses
Vegetable Oil
Flax Seed***
Sesame Seed
Walnuts
Almonds ***
Pecans
Dried Apricots
Dried Papaya
Dried Mango

Spread it out on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until just barely crispy...then let it cool, bag it up and ready for breakfast each morning.  You only need about 1/4 cup.

I eat mine with Almond Milk and fruit.  It also makes a great snack during the day (keep it in your car so you are not tempted by drive thru's and Starbucks)

Also a great alternative to Gold Fish Crackers for little ones!

Test Results are In...by Ryan Leopold

At the beginning of this challenge, I went to Sound Natural Medicine in Kirkland to get by blood tested for food allergies.  Dr. Lisa Wada came highly recommended so I thought I would do the test and see what the fuss was all about.  So after 3-weeks or so, I went in to get the results.

The test basically looks at your blood to determine how you will react to different kinds of foods like dairy, gluten, meats, veggies, nuts and grains.  Apparently we all react different to various kinds of foods but our bodies specifically react worse to certain foods.  I have always felt off and had stomach issues with things like heavy cheese products such as pizza.  To my utter disappointment, I have a strong food allergy to dairy and specifically cheese, milk and yogurt!  I also tested high on one of my favorite things...eggs!!!  The egg one is really annoying because I love breakfast and I have been really into egg while omelettes and scramble's of late.

Dr. Wada encouraged me to take at least 6-weeks to test the results for myself so I guess I am going to avoid all dairy and eggs and see how I feel!  My overall plan for optimum health and performance is to keep trying different things to see what sticks.  I do not plan to never eat eggs or dairy but if I feel better without them then maybe I simply eat less of the things my body reacts bad too and increase what I know my body prefers.

If you want to get a blood test for allergies, here is the link to Dr. Wada's practice:

Sound Natural Medicine

To be honest, things challenge has really not been that hard.  I have lost about 7-pounds so far and that really was not my goal.  The only hard part is taking the time to get fruits and veggies into my meals...it is a lot easier to eat convenience foods especially when I am busy.  Almost 30-days into the 90-day challenge and things are going great and I am loving the way I am feeling for sure!

Ryan

fat, sick and nearly dead!--by Ryan Leopold

I don't know about anyone else but I am really getting into nutrition based documentaries on Netflix!  I find them fascinating and eye opening to say the least.  There are a ton of them on Netfilx and the one that I liked the most so far is called.. "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead".  If you have not seen it, check it out, the stories are great, inspiring and the content makes a ton of sense.

Another great documentary Sequoia and I watched last night was Engine 2, a follow-up to "Forks over Knives".  I strongly recommend this one as well.

One of the things that stood out to me was when they interviewed a doctor, his name is Dr. Joel Fuhrman, he is the author of the book "Eat to Live".  In the movie he talked about his food pyramid, at least the one he supports in his program.  I felt it was a really good guide for eating a whole food, nutrition, plant based diet.  As you can see from the picture, he has his recommendations on what to eat each day and week.  It seems like a great model for optimum health without cutting EVERYTHING out by simply increasing the good and decreasing the bad.  Sooo more veggies and fruits and less meat, dairy, flour and sweets.  This is the model I have been working off for my challenge so to see it visually helps me out a ton and will hopefully keep me focused.  I am still progressing to get to the point where I follow this on a more regular basis but I think I have done a pretty decent job so far...BUT, a work in progress!

Great workout today, I will get my cardio in tomorrow and yoga on Saturday.  Meals went well today as well.  Eggs whites with veggies in the a.m. with red potatoes instead of toast.  Juice guy around noon then some veggies as a snack.  I had a little chicken teriyaki for dinner with brown rice but I only ate half the order and saved the rest for later.

I will start my cleanse after the Super Bowl.  Really looking forward to that especially after I watched Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead!

Out for now....Ryan