HEALTH // MAKING + DRINKING CHANGE

After getting to know our new insurance last week I discovered that the big, beautiful body I long to embrace is actually quite out-of-shape and headed toward heart problems + obesity complications, if left to it's unhealthy ways. Sooooo naturally I jumped head first into a new eating regime and exercise plan. Naturally. Starting back up with myfitnesspal.com has been a lifesaver for me. You input your weight + goal weight + number of workouts you intend to do weekly and it gives you a target number of calories to consume daily. Easy enough. I also decided to give myself some pretty lenient but results-achieving rules for starters:

1. Replace one meal per day with a smoothie of equal calories. That means that if I'm skipping breakfast and typically consume 400 calories at that time, my smoothie should be about the same, and it is, but now it's mostly fruit + veg. win/win.
2. I will incorporate at least 2 workouts/week. Coming from a mostly-sedentary winter lifestyle this is a big jump. I love reading about Erica and her stay-fitted-ness because preggo mamas that look like living goddesses are inspiring to this typically non-exercising mum. This week I have been able to get in a workout every day and really hope I can keep that momentum up!
3. Weigh-in every day. I start the morning on the scale. Some people are against it but for me knowing I will see those numbers in the AM both keeps me accountable + excites me. This week I saw the scale drop 11 pounds. I am chalking it up to losing water weight. Any alternate opinions here?? I'd love 'em!

It helps to have good friends like my girl Becky she's made a total-body transformation since having her last baby boy and is always on the other end of my cell when I need fitness motivation or healthy eats ideas, and Dena from livelovesimple.com she's eating + sharing the importance of raw foods in daily diets- love that girl!

 

Without further ado here is what I drank, cheers!

I'm happy to provide specific recipes upon request, just leave your info. in the comments below + cheers!

 

 

 

This one was a treat for my hubs. I found the inspiration browsing Pinterest and had to recreate it for him. Peanut butter, honey and bananas are all high calorie foods soooo he was gracious enough to let me experiment on him, without ingesting the calories myself. Whataguy.

 

My favorite of the week! This liquid love is packed with feel good grub and the flavor was spot-on. Tart cherries aid in circulation and blood flow, ginger wakes you up and eases stomach bloat, indigestion + so much more, cucumber hydrates and balances pH, kale is just amazing, and on and on...

 

 

I call this one Incredible Hulk - partly because it's served in a 7-11 cup my husband can't part with, and partly because it's green-laden goodness gave me strength and energy for a go-getters kind of day which included lots of calorie exertion: cleaning, shoveling snow, and a mini elliptical session.

 

 

 

This smoothie got the job done, but lacked in flavor a bit for my taste. I prefer cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, or some other flavor-booster on my palate.

 

 

While the oatmeal was a good idea in theory (it kept me full, it's high in fiber + protein and lowin calories) it was a bit hard to choke down once I let the smoothie sit a bit. I usually drink a smoothie over the course of an hour +, and that amount of time with oatmeal made for some gelatinous goo, if you're the type to guzzle it down this would be perfect for you!

 

 

 

 

Romaine Lettuce is great in a smoothie because it tastes like nothing - it's a smoothie blank canvas if-you-will. Carrot adds a sort of gritty texture. I usually try to use only 1/2 of a banana (half the calories, same amount of smoothe + creamy texture) but this smoothie would be best with a whole nanner inside.

 

Sidenote: all of these smoothies, with the exception of the coffee-laden one, were tested on my tots (now 2, 2, + 1) and passed with flying colors so please:           See what I did there? ;)

HEALTH // OR LACK THEREOF

Taylen


Things change SO fast around here!   We went from go-go-go status - foraging wild food - canning said food - visiting with friends + fam   to three tots with fevers I'm with Hillary - it's always teeth and a daddy laid up with one less tooth.  - Sigh -   Enter Super Parenting mode:  Checking temps, Making snacks Cleaning house + puke + icks   Oh wait, it's just another day in Paradise.   No really, I am so lucky to be a mom to twins, and the sweetest baby girl, and wifey to my amazing hubs!   It seemed like everyone was on the mend and then WHAM I'm sick. But no, no I'm not. Mom's do NOT get sick days! - Sigh Again -   Alas, Even when life's not so good, Life is still good!  

 

 
 Dayr   please:   PS- hang with us for a few more days, we've got tons of fun Fall goodies for you, coming soon!

HEALTH // ARE THEY GETTING ENOUGH TO EAT?

The spread at a recent family gathering - plenty to choose from for the plant OR the meat eater.

That is a common question that runs through my head when feeding our babies clean and mostly plant-based foods.

I'm stuck in my old mentalities of meat = a full belly. I am quick to forget that satisfying protein can also be found in: beans, nuts, tofu, meat substitutes, and quinoa (a complete protein full of all the essential amino acids!). 

Another helpful tip to remember: kids eat what they need, when they need it. Furthermore their food cycles are not 24 hours like adults, but instead a few days in length. Meaning a portion of fruits or whole grains may last them far longer than would sustain an adult. PHEW! 

I let myself off the hook a bit. Mealtime is more fun, after all, when I stop playing Food Police and enjoy my tots' healthy appetites for life.

We've been enjoying a heck of a lot more clean and plant-based foods. Here's a recipe for a recent crowd-pleaser: Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese, adapted from Better Balance Fitness (one of my favorite clean lifestyle FB pages!).

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

• 1 Sweet Potato, steamed and cut into chunks
• 1/4 C. nutritional yeast
• 1 C. milk alternative, we used soy
• 1 teaspoon salt, we used pacific grey
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
•  pasta of choice, cooked 

While the sweet potato is still hot add it and all other ingredients to a blender, food processor, or bowl large enough to hand-mix. A blender is not necessary but will ensure a creamy macaroni-and-cheese-like texture. Blend until creamy and serve over fresh whole grain pasta. Yum!

For leftovers I served with quartered compari tomatoes and sliced avocado - delish!

 

 

 

 

HEALTH // STAY MOTIVATED

The following is a sponsored post by Ozeri and contains affiliate links. The opinions are my own. I received the below mentioned product. I was not compensated in any other way.

Lately I've been failing at physically being healthy. I'm not getting down on myself too much though, because I've been mentally and emotionally healthy and those are just as important.

 

Despite the fact that I've had frozen pizza + fast food + tons of treats this past month there are a few things I've been doing right. 1. Thinking and being conscious about the foods and drinks I put into my body. 2. Staying aware of my body movements using my Ozeri pedometer.

 

I'm not running for exercise or even walking regularly like I was before, but the awareness I have over my movement has had a great deal of positive impact on my life.

 

I've had the pleasure of using an Ozeri pedometer, which in summary is like a pedometer on steroids. Its full name is Ozeri 4x3motion Digital Pocket 3D Pedometer with Tri-Axis Technology which I shamelessly copied + pasted because I can never get the order right!

 

Some of its amazing Specs:

Records steps, distance, speed, calories and time, 3 Recording Modes: Today, Split & Total -- with a split screen display for multi-data views. Tri Axis technology means it has superior motion detection in any position, Counts up to 1 million steps with 7-Day Memory, and includes a built-in Clock, Calendar & Sports Timer and Auto Sleep Mode technology. Used by professional athletes, the 4x3motion boasts an ultra slim design that fits in any pocket, and features a blue back light for night viewing. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

 

Sounds a bit intimidating, right? It is. Especially that last part about professional athletes of which I am far from.

 

I had mine out of the package and working for a walk in just a few minutes. It was the battery-saving plastic that had to be removed that ultimately tripped me up. Go figure. I can maneuver around mountains of toddler toys and through the poopiest of diapers but give me modern technology and nope! No dice!

 

I recommend this pedometer for anyone wanting to become more active, or more aware of their physical movements in general. It can only improve your health and that is worth all the money in the world. Not to fear, it won't cost you more than $30.00!

 

 

 

 

HEALTH // BODY WORKS HEALTH SHOTS



Self portrait during a recent breakdown. Not flattering. Just real.

"I don't like a nap", "I tired", and other general cries of disgruntled children are what we hear from first light of day until late into the night.

 

It can be maddening. In fact just the other day while stressed to the max I began to laugh like a dark movie villain. I don't know where it came from other than some dark place inside and it was coming whether I allowed it or not. It was frightening. Sort of like my kids when they don't get their way. You know the fear?

 

I digress. There are days when we will do just about anything to rev up our engines, get a final burst of energy, make it through the last hour, etc. etc.

HEALTH // EAT SMART DIGITAL BATHROOM SCALE

Awe, how sweet. You thought I was actually going to show my real weight!? Get real!

I decided this year not to make a New Year's resolution and lo-and-behold I've been gung-ho with eating right and exercising. Whodathunk!

Of course, I am human, and there are days when I completely fall off. Last nights pizza + donut dinner, anyone? When that happens I have had the greatest success with this mantra: "Get Started, don't quit." I've found that I have an easier time getting back in the swing when I'm quick to forgive myself and move on.

That being said getting exercise outdoors in Northern Michigan in the middle of March can be a challenge.

I've been enjoying the free Youtube exercise videos I've found. Equally delightful are the strange glances from the other parents at toddler open gym when I bounce around the floor playing while they stand watching their tots. To each their own, but I channel my inner husbandly monologue that says "life should be exercise enough, who needs a gym membership?" Between the jumping, bouncing, fetching kids out of the foam pit (made up of big blocks that my boys call "tofu" - how adorbs!) I'm happy to count it as exercise.

All the little things must be adding up because I've started to see an improvement in the numbers on my Eat Smart Digital Scale!

I love having it around, it makes losing weight a fun challenge. Not to mention the clear facade makes it so the scale blends into my (or anyones) bathroom with ease. READ: NO ONE HAS TO KNOW!

Bonus: my super awesome scale came with a measuring tape to calculate progress on arms, thighs, hips, waist... The list is endless! Score!Perfect for the type A or exerciser who needs to see #'s drop fast. Me.

Exercise combined with the accountability of online food journaling have made a great improvement in my life.

Blends quite nice with the existing bathroom decor.

One for YOU!

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EDIBLE // TART PROTEIN SMOOTHIE

We are loving liquid food!

Here's a recipe for a quick, bold smoothie that will wake up your taste buds and tummy.
It's great first thing in the morning & has about 25 grams of protein!

 

 

Tart Protein-Packed Smoothie

 

• 1 C Greek Yogurt
• 1 T Chia Seeds
• 1 T Honey
• 1 Kiwi, peeled
• 1/2 Orange, peeled
• 1/4 C Tart Cherry Juice

Blend well and enjoy!

Are you a smoothie scientist, too? What do you create?

       

HEALTH // WHAT DOES WFPB MEAN?

You may have heard me refer to my diet as Whole Foods Plant-Based (WFPB) and that's all well-and-good, but what does it really mean?

Let's break it down.

Whole foods means the whole food, all of its parts; whole grain oats, whole grain barley, whole grain millet, etc. And breads and pastas with first ingredient being whole grain oats, flour, etc.

HEALTH // VEGAN MEAL OPTIONS

The other day we stumbled upon the movie Forks Over Knives on Netflix. In summary it's a documentary about the danger of eating protein derived from animals. It focuses on the health benefits of eating a whole foods, plant-based diet. I was so very inspired by the film that I decided immediately to begin making healthy choices for my family, in order to (hopefully) avoid many diseases and complications that cause unnecessary pain, suffering and loss.

I'm sharing some of my (and my husband's) creations with you, should you decide to take your health into your own hands, too!

And yes, the twins love the improvements so far!

Day 1 consisted of oatmeal with diced apples, raisins and pure maple syrup for breakfast, quesadillas filled with black beans, avocado, red onion and zucchini for lunch, pretzels with garlic hummus for snack and rice with red beans and ancho chilis for dinner (YUM!)

Day 2 was quinoa for breakfast (Bob had his with cacao nibs), quesadillas filled with black-eyed peas, avocado, red onion, quinoa, and zucchini for lunch, orange, apple, and pear slices for snack, and whole wheat spaghetti with marinara sauce and spinach salad for dinner

In the spirit of being frugal and cutting waste, we incorporated some of the animal products we have left over into most meals (a little milk in our coffee, a piece of cheese, a few slices of low fat turkey) and will continue to do so until they're gone.

I already feel healthier, and like I've done something wonderful for myself and my family. I even found the motivation to get back into a workout routine! For a while with our twins it seemed we would never get back in the groove, but I feel now we have. Should be an interesting and slimming fall and winter. I look forward to sharing some yummy vegan or nearly-vegan eats with you. If you know of any Blogs or websites where I can find animal-free-eating inspiration, please share those, too!

 ps-  This is not your typical "twin Tuesday", I know, we'll get back to those next week. Thanks for letting me get this out of my system! haha, get it?