Some Food and an Update!

credit: www.idontwannagrowup.com

First, the update. 

Today is Day 4 of the Whole30 challenge. I seem to have more and more energy when I wake up in the mornings now. I feel like a completely different person, even a happy morning person! I can't remember the last time I felt that way. I always thought 6:30 was so early, but it's not so bad right now. It does help that it's light out; I have a feeling that winter mornings are still going to be a bit more difficult since they're still dark when I get up, but we'll see!

Until then, no more of looking like this in the mornings: →

Kill All Things!

I believe that hubby has moved into the Kill All Things stage of the process a bit more quickly than I did (or will... hasn't happened yet). He's had a stressful week though, so I'm sure that doesn't help much. If you remember from my post yesterday, here is the timeline that is expected:

Day 1: So what's the big deal?
Days 2-3: Hangover
Days 4-5: Kill All Things!!
Days 6 - 7: I just want a nap!
Days 8 - 15: Boundless energy, now give me a darned Twinkie!?
Days 16 - 28: Tiger blood! Feeling awesome!
Day 29: HolyOprahIt’sAlmostOverWhatAmIGoingToEatNow?!?!?!

Day 31: Deep breathing, and maybe some ice cream.

I feel like my emotions have been pretty mild up to this point. I did have headaches the first few days, but I think I may avoid that today. It would be nice! : )

Unfortunately, the days where you just want to take a nap (Days 6 & 7) fall directly on the day that hubby is planning on going on a kayaking trip with some friends from church... so, I hope he isn't too tired by then. It'll just be a day trip though, so hopefully it won't be too much for him.

Recipe: Beef Stirfry

This recipe is from Paleo on a Budget and works for the Whole30 plan.

Ingredients

Credit: paleoonabudget.com

• 1.5 lb ground beef

• 1 bag frozen veggies {Mixed bag… I used carrots, broccoli and cauliflower for mine!}

• 1 medium onion, sliced

• 1 medium fresh tomato, chopped

• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder

• 3 tsp Basil

• 1 tsp Dill

• Salt + Pepper

• 2 tsp Oregano

• Lemon Juice to taste {Or Apple Cider Vinegar}

• Coconut Oil {or fat of choice}

 

Instructions

1.) Get a big ‘ol skillet heating with some coconut oil, and slice up your onions. When they’re all pretty toss them in the pan to start to sweat, you don’t want them caramelized just translucent.

2.) Once those get to a good spot, toss in your frozen veggies and let them cook for a few minutes, then add in your ground beef and continue to let it all cook.

3.) Once it’s almost cooked all the way through, add in your spices / herbs and Lemon Juice. Stir and finish cooking.

4.) Literally seconds before your ready to serve toss in your tomatoes and give a quick stir. That way you still have the cold bite of the tomato and still tastes “meaty” {and hasn’t softened}.

 

Note:

I will say that I added in a bit more garlic ( I really like garlic) and I added in some sweet potatoes rather than making them on the side.  This recipe was delicious though, and a balanced meal full of healthy protein, fat, and carbohydrates! To read the original post from Paleo on a Budget, click HERE.

Breakfast: To Eat It or Not To Eat It?

I would say the answer would be both! Eat it, but don't eat it!

When I say it it, I mean that you should eat something within a half hour of waking up. Studies have shown that eating within that time frame boosts your metabolism and it gives you the energy you need to get through your day. It also means that you won't be starving yourself after your fast (sleeping), so when you do decide to eat, you won't pounce on anything that crosses your path.

Eating breakfast isn't just important for adults though. Kids need that boost in the morning too. Studies show that people who eat breakfast in the morning are better-able to perform the required tasks of the day, but also children who eat breakfast are less likely to be absent from school.

I have noticed that you kind of train your body to get used to this. I used to skip breakfast, which is bad, I know now. And I was also very heavy during that time (which is also very common for people who skip breakfast). But when I skipped breakfast, I noticed I wasn't as hungry in the morning. Once I started eating breakfast, I'd hear my belly groaning each morning within minutes of getting out of bed. Just like most other animals, it gets on a schedule and likes to stick to it! I can't vouch for others, but that was my experience, so even if you think you aren't hungry in the mornings, try it for a week or two and see if that changes.

Ok, now, when I say "don't eat breakfast!", I mean do not eat the foods we have all come to know, and love, as breakfast foods. This means waffles, pancakes, french toast, donuts, muffins, bagels, and cereals! I don't care if it says "Nutri" or "Natural" or "Fiber" or "Gluten-free" on the box/bag/can ... check the labels. Check the ingredients. If you can't pronounce the ingredients on the list, then you should put it down and go find something that wasn't created in a laboratory. The food industry has got a sneaky way of marketing their products. They can get away with "less sugar" and "natural" because there aren't very good guidelines for what they have to take into account. For example, sugar is hard to track because there are many different types of sugars and they aren't required to include all of them on the nutritional guide. So here is my solution to that:

grams of carbohydrates / 4 = tsp of sugar that you consume with each serving

ex: 20 g of carbs / 4 = 5 tsp of sugar

Ok, so that is just one serving. How many of you eat just one serving of cereal? Anyone? I know most cereal serving sizes are 1/2 c to 3/4 c and I know that I used to fill that bowl to the top! And sometimes I would even go back for a second bowl. That is a lot of sugar, which we know is very bad for you.

So now that I've told you what not to eat, what should you eat?
I would recommend getting in the 3 key food groups: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. And by "carbohydrates" I mean veggies! So a plate of eggs (protein/fat), veggies (carbs), and half of a sweet potato (carbs) with real butter (fats) will not only fill you up and be a great balanced breakfast, but it also is super delicious!

If you insist on finding something prepackaged, due to lack of time or resources, just check the ingredients list and see exactly what they are putting in the product. I can't say I have checked every label, but it is easier, for me, to just shop the perimeter and stick to real foods without the boxes or bags.

Another great option is to make breakfast foods ahead of time so you can just grab them and go. Casseroles are great, quiches are delicious. One of my new favorites is making meat muffins. That doesn't exactly sound the best, I know, but I'm talking like meatloaf in a cupcake tin. You can throw just about anything into some eggs, whip it up, pour it in muffin/cupcake tins ... 20 minutes later you have got meat muffins to last you all week that you can grab, heat, and go! It's also nice because you can include the 3 key food groups in them and get the balance all in one item.

Below is one of the recipes that I tried recently and thought was pretty good. I made them last night, breakfast for dinner, but my husband will be saving the rest for his breakfasts this week (he doesn't enjoy cooking and doesn't like waking up early to do it, lol).


Southwestern Omelet Muffins
 (found on Fast Paleo)

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces breakfast sausage links, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, assorted colors, chopped small
• ½ cup green onions, chopped small
• ¾ cups kale, chopped small
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves chopped fresh garlic)
• 4 ounce can green chiles, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (I omitted due to not liking cilantro)
• 1 dozen eggs

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Heat large skillet on medium high heat. Add sausage and brown all around.
Add peppers and kale and cook to soften, about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat eggs with remaining ingredients.
Add sausage and veggies.
Line muffin tins with papers and divide egg mixture among them, filling about ¾ full.

Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the center is firm to the touch.


So, eat your breakfast, but don't eat breakfast! ; )
Enjoy!


Sources:
Mayo Clinic
Fast Paleo
WebMD

Product Review: Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown

Today I tried a new workout: Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown. I got it for Christmas, but haven't been able to bust it out until now. I am definitely not an expert on Yoga, so I don't know what is the norm. The only other yoga I have done is P90x Yoga. I can say that the two styles are very different. Where P90x Yoga is very centered on power poses (holding strength poses for extended periods of time), Jillian's approach is more dynamic. She created her program to incorporate the same basic poses as the P90x Yoga, but includes reps with it before having you hold the position for 15 seconds. Let me tell you, 15 seconds may not seem like a long time, and isn't when you compare it to P90x, but after doing reps, you will feel the burn.





For example, one move is a Warrior 3 pose. In this position you are balanced on one foot while your other leg is parallel to the ground, creating a right angle. You hold this position, but only briefly, and then come down into a squat ... then back up to Warrior 3. You do the reps, then you hold for 15 seconds. Then move on to the next move.

The work is, as always, modified to be suitable for beginner, moderate, or advanced level participants. It also does not require any equipment, not even shoes, as you do this workout barefoot. The workout lasts about 35 minutes, so it easily fits into your schedule... especially when you compare it to the 1.5 hours involved in P90x Yoga. That being said, it doesn't involve as much stretching as it does strength training, but it packs a punch for a half hour workout. There are two levels too, so once you feel you've mastered the first level, you can move on to the second one for more of a challenge.

I think yoga should be included in weekly, at least, because it is that flexibility and balance that help you with all of your core and strength and even cardio workouts. They also help reduce the chance of injury when working out or just in your daily routine.

I kind of got the feeling that Jillian doesn't do yoga regularly because she admits to not being all that balanced or flexible as I believe she may be if it were a regular routine. On the one hand, it might help you feel more relaxed to know that even Jillian Michaels can't do it perfectly. But on the other hand, it came off to me that she may not really think yoga is a necessary part of her routine either. It was just my first time doing the program though, so my opinion may change. I love Jillian and her attitude throughout this workout is great. I wish there were a bit more stretching involved, but I can always look to another yoga DVD if I want to stretch throughout the workout.

Pros: 

30 minute routine that fits into your schedule
The moves are easily modified to fit your fitness level
No equipment necessary
Not a boring workout at all
$8 online is a very good price
Two different levels to master

Cons:

Not as much stretching for the yoga I am used to