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.