I Do It For My Health

Damage Control

2011-09-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

After having my baby I was more motivated than ever to get fit, eat healthy, and lose the baby weight. I was proud when I conquered those goals and was happy to feel that I was the healthiest I'd ever been in my life... But then it all just started slipping. I was weighing in at the lowest weight I'd been since high school so I took more liberties than usual (liberties being in the form of portion size, cheesy foods, and anything having to do with chocolate). Slowly I was back to what I consider my "go-to size."

AND then vacation came. And, like I'm sure you're guessing, even more liberties were taken. It could have been the buffet breakfasts EVERY morning, or the burger joint we hit while getting lunch in Yellowstone, but lets be honest, it was all of it. I came back from vacation a couple pounds heavier and feeling more like a sloth than a fitness and health buff. So, now what?

Here is what I am not going to do: I am not going to get down on myself, call myself negative names, or even regret what I consumed while on vacation. What I am going to do is use this little setback as motivation. I am going to get back on my work out train, including working out MOST days of the week (good philosophy, right?). And I am going to get back to cooking more meals at home and snacking on fruits and veggies rather than those carb-loaded snacks I've taken to.

The moral of the story: setbacks happen. Big whoop! For me, I will look at this setback as a good thing because it may just be the spark I need to get me back on track :)

An Inside Job

2011-08-23T11:21:00.000-07:00

I'm so lucky to have married someone who, like me, wants to live a healthy lifestyle. Recently, Nate and I ran the Surf City 5k on 4th of July. I asked Nate to help me keep a challenging pace and he was game. With Nate's help I got a PR of 23:43.

I had to share this photo. This is the two of us running in together. As we were getting closer to the finish line I told Nate I was going to sprint it in... I think he had slightly underestimated my speed ;)

I love that one of my biggest supporters of a healthier me is my husband. It makes everything easier when support is an "inside job."

AFC Half Marathon

2011-08-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I conquered my first half marathon after having Landon. My official time was 1:57:06. Although, it wasn't my very best time (even though I did beat my last time I ran the course), the day after I am feeling good and proud of what I've done. The course is a pretty tough one with a nice 1 1/2 mile hill starting at mile 11 (like a cruel, cruel joke), BUT I'm happy and have that feeling of accomplishment that comes with setting a goal, training for it, and then finishing it. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to it, you really can do anything. And for me that means that with all the craziness of motherhood, I still can make time to live a healthy lifestyle :)

Now for some pics. This is me nearing the finish when I catch my first glimpse of my cheering squad - Nate and Lando. (Is there such a thing as an attractive running picture? I think not.)

My prize :)

A very special thanks to my boys, my loves, my cheering squad. I can't tell you how many times I thought of these two while I was running. I knew the quicker I ran, the sooner I'd see them. Great motivation :)

The Power of Compliments

2011-04-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

You know that day when you are feeling a little run-down? You're not sad, you're not mad, but you're not happy either. You're just sort of there; going through the motions. But then something happens. You run into an old friend and they mention that you're looking great or that your child's smile is the cutest they've seen. Soon you find yourself smiling and enjoying your day. You're no longer going through the motions, but loving life once again.

I don't know if anyone has experienced this, but I definitely have. There are days when I am low on sleep, feeling disheveled, or just being hard on myself about something (a common tendency of mine). It's amazing what happens when someone then compliments you. And it's especially funny when they compliment the very thing you've been kicking yourself over. I've noticed that even a compliment in passing brings a smile to my face.

This is why I've come to the conclusion that I want to try and give out more compliments. It's not hard. It's not expensive. But it has the power to completely turn someone's day around. I've been very appreciative of any compliments I've received lately and I guess I just want to pay it forward in a way. So beware if you see me... I may just tell you how great you are ;)

Still Stridin'!

2011-04-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Can you believe that this is where I get to work out? Pretty gorgeous.

And can you believe this is who I get to work out with? Pretty cute (if i do say so myself).

I'm still loving my work-out group, Stroller Strides. I was so drawn to it, I'm now a certified trainer and get to sub all over the city. This company doesn't use motherhood as an excuse to let your health go, instead it uses motherhood as motivation to be as healthy as you can be. The choice of living a healthy lifestyle doesn't just end with you; those babies in the strollers are witness to the healthy eating and exercise we choose for ourselves. And it's likely to influence their sparkling futures.

You may not have a local Stroller Strides or you may not even have children yet. Just know that your choices affect more than you. They affect you, those around you, and those in your future you may not even be imagining yet. The choice to be healthy is exactly that; a choice. It's up to you to choose it.

Shocking the System

2011-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

I was searching for yoga images when I came across this gem. It's simply titled "Yoga Grandma." At first I laughed... come on, it's a little shocking to see. But then I was really impressed. If I can do this at her age, I'll be doing pretty good, I think.

Last night I took a yoga class taught by our very talented friend, Anga. I was feeling as though my body was needing a break from my every day work outs and needing something different; a little TLC, if you will. Yoga has always been something I've enjoyed, there is absolutely nothing like it. Mentally it transports you to another place, and physically it does so much good for your body, I can't even list it all. Sadly, it had been about a year and a half since the last time I "practiced" in a studio (check out me using the yogi lingo!!).

Now, I'm not saying yoga is for everyone, but I truly believe you have to shock your system, once in awhile. Our bodies are very adaptive. If we do the same things over and over, it's going to get used to it. When our bodies become used to something, our muscles and progress hit somewhat of a plateau.

That's why I try very hard to keep my workout routine, far from that - a routine. We need to spice things up and continue to challenge ourselves by trying new things. I'm not saying runners should stop running, or swimmers stop swimming. I'm just saying that running is great, but maybe try a kickboxing class once in awhile to hit that core and upper body you may be lacking.

Also, change is fun! The last thing we want is for exercise to feel boring, mundane, or "same ol'." After last night I realize that a year and a half was far too long of a break from yoga. I'm looking forward to adding in a class or two every couple of weeks.. I mean, why not, really?

One more for the road. The same "Grandma" doing crow pose. Pretty inspiring.

Images are product of Barcoft Media

Leftovers Advocate!

2011-03-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Truth be told, I used to HATE leftovers. Boy was I ignorant! Luckily, I am now older and wiser (well, at least about leftovers, anyway). Here is the glory of leftovers:

- They are ready to eat. I love heating up a full, balanced meal in 2 mins or less.
- It cuts down on your having to prepare one more healthy meal. You make one deliciously healthy dinner and you don't have to think about your next two lunches.
- When I have something healthy ready to eat, my hunger doesn't drive me to make poor eating decisions.
- It's a money-saver! Less money spent on food, means more money to spend on other things (Can you say iPad 2?!!)
- It's a time-saver! This kind of goes with the first bullet, but I can't tell you how nice it is being a mommy and being able to just pop something in the microwave. Leaves time for chasing around a rolling baby who likes to play with anything that he shouldn't :)

So, what can I say? I am a full-blown leftovers advocate. I don't see a downside to leftovers, at all. In general, they just make being healthy easy. And when healthy options are available and easy, we are more like to choose them :) Happy eating!

Spotlight: Spaghetti Squash

2011-03-09T21:17:00.001-08:00

So some of you might be thinking, "What the heck is that yellow pumpkin-looking thingy?" Well, folks, THAT is a spaghetti squash. My newest healthy love. Now I don't get to eat it all the time (Nate thinks that a meal without meat, is not a meal at all, so I only eat it when he is out of town), but when I do... deeeeeeee-lish! It's nice to mix things up and I was introduced to this veggie so late in my life (yes, my whole 28 years), so it's like a treat! I know there are probably a dozen different ways to eat it, but I thought I would let you know how I've been eating (and re-eating) it. If you've never tried it out, give it a try! So here it is:

Nikki's Spaghetti Squash

1 Spaghetti squash
1 cup spaghetti sauce of your choosing
1/4 parmesan (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup or so part skim mozzarella

Put whole Squash in microwave for 6-7 minutes to soften skin. Cut lengthwise and remove seeds. Put skin-side up on baking sheet and bake at 350 for 45 minutes (or until tender), rotating once or twice. Remove and fork out spaghetti strands into a baking dish. Add salt, pepper, parmesan, and sauce, and mix together. Sprinkle mozzarella over the top and bake until cheese looks like melty, partly golden deliciousness.

Hope you likey!

A Simple Lesson of Cause and Effect

2011-02-23T14:10:00.000-08:00

Wikipedia (I know, not the trustiest of sources) states that cause and effect is when "an action or event will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event." It's a simple concept really. One that my 5 month old is already learning himself, as he pushes buttons on his toys to hear music or cries to be fed. But for this blog, I want to look at a particular cause/effect I see taking place in my life.

Cause: Exercise
Effect: Eating healthy

And really, these two could be swapped around, as well. There is something about working out that then makes me want to eat healthy. It's as if my body becomes a machine and food the fuel. I want to eat the right things so this machine keeps running smoothly (and without the feeling of a gut bomb, that the unhealthy foods leave me with). The more I work out the healthier I eat the better I feel. When I say that I "feel better," I mean both mentally and physically.

I'm loving how my life has become even more wrapped around health and fitness thanks to Stroller Strides. Honestly, who would have thought that I would be the healthiest I've ever been after having a kid? Not me. But BOY does it feel good :)

Feelin' Good

2011-02-15T09:48:00.000-08:00

I thought it was time to update on not just what I'm doing, but also my state of health. The answer: great! I'm feeling better than ever in terms of my working out and eating. With the help of soccer, Stroller Strides, and running with my Husbo, I'm working out about 5 times a week. BUT believe me, I'm making sure not to overdo it. If I feel like I'm exhausted and need a day off, I take it. Part of being healthy is knowing when to rest, and so I do.

In case you are wondering, I have been pre-prego weight for a few weeks now... but here's the thing. I kind of realized (through the help of SS training) that I was a little too focused on losing the pregnancy weight. It's all about "patience and perseverance." It's easy to be get focused on weight, I needed a reminder that health is a state of being and not a number.

I took this pic on my way to SS last Friday. Working out just makes me FEEL better.. and I think it shows.

It's Official...

2011-01-27T12:32:00.000-08:00

I'm attending the training this weekend to become a certified Stroller Strides trainer. I can't say that it does not scare me a little bit. I've always been interested in becoming a trainer, but now that it's really happening, I kind of feel like "Yikes! Am I ready?" Well, ready or not here I go. I'm really looking forward to learning more about what's best for our bodies and I know that nothing but good can come out of this.

As soon as I finish training this weekend, I immediately begin team-teaching the following 4 weeks. I'm gonna be one busy mama! Wish me luck, and keep your fingers crossed I don't absolutely suck at this ;)

Taking the Next Step

2011-01-19T11:57:00.000-08:00

I've talked a little bit about my Mommy workout group, Stroller Strides, but I thought I would add this link to a quick blurp CNN did on a nearby group. The one featured is not the exact group I attend, but it will give you a little idea of what I'm up to 3-4 mornings a week. Click here to see.

I've just returned from my work out and I have to say, I feel great. It gives me a sense of pride and, as mentioned in the video, it gives me a little community that acts as a support group as I go through the trials of motherhood. I know not everyone is a mommy out there, but as I've said before, it's always easier to get out and exercise when you have a partner or group to get you motivated. So get out there and find one!

I may be jumping the gun by mentioning this, but I'm actually taking the first steps to becoming a Stroller Strides instructor. I'm looking forward to going through the training and learning even more about how our bodies work. I will definitely keep you posted!

More "Doing" in 2011

2011-01-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

When I asked my husband what he wanted for Christmas, he surprised me by saying he wanted a book of hiking trails in San Diego and some hiking gear. I have to admit, I was slightly surprised. Not because it was out of his character, he's very fit and active, I just wasn't expecting it. But he explained that too often, we would talk about wanting to go hiking, surfing, running, walking, etc., but then we would let the day pass without actually going out and doing it. So, this is one of the presents Nate got for Christmas (highly recommended at REI):

Our goal is for there to be more "doing" in 2011. The hardest thing about being active is the getting out and doing it, and we are vowing that we are going to make ourselves move. I can easily hit the gym, but my husband is more of an outdoorsy type. And to be honest, I prefer it, too. We do live in the best state in the USA ;)

Last weekend we ran at the beach and hiked a new trail in San Diego. It's amazing how great we felt after. We kept saying that there is no reason why shouldn't be doing this sort of thing every weekend. I'm looking forward to this get-up-and-go attitude we have. Speaking of, we are off to run the boardwalk at the beach. Woohoo to more "doing" in 2011!

In the Spirit of New Year's Resolutions

2011-01-04T11:26:00.000-08:00

Although, I'm not big on making New Year's resolutions, I do always go into the new year with some fresh hopes. The number one New Year's resolution people seem to make is to lose weight. Personally, my goal is to continue cooking at home. Although, I'm not saying I want to "lose weight," I do believe cooking at home is indirectly resolving for a healthy lifestyle.

In the spirit of the number one resolution, I thought I would share an article I found yesterday. The article is titled "Dr. Oz's Top 5 Mistakes Dieters Make." I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Dr. Oz, nor have I seen his show, but these five things are definitely 5 rules that I live by... or, at least, try to avoid.

To summarize the list, here are the "Top 5 Mistakes Dieters Make":

1) You crash diet - I've always been against crash dieting. Becoming healthy is all about lifestyle changes. Obviously, crash diets are not made to be followed forever. As soon as you stop the diet all the weight comes back, and usually more.

2) You skip breakfast - I understand that people do this because they "aren't hungry" or they think, hey, I'm cutting calories, but research doesn't lie. So get up, have some breakfast and get that metabolism working!

3) You drink extra calories - Beware of those high-calorie beverages! I'm talking to you, Starbuck goers! If you are a coffee drinker, like myself, opt for plain coffee or (my new favorite) an Americano. Those Peppermint Mochas with whip add a lot of calories to your day. And the thing about drinking calories is that they don't make you full, like eating them would.

4) You don't snack - It's all about healthy snacking. Putting your body into starvation mode makes your inhibitions go out the window, prompting you to make poorer choices later. Keep healthy snacks near you or in your car (my glove compartment often holds my snacks safely).

5) You don't drink enough water - I discuss this one a lot. I have to really work hard at this one. For some reason, my brain will just go hours without asking for water, but I know that drinking more water helps me to feel better. And research shows, those who drink more water, eat less. Plan and simple.

A very interesting point brought up in the article is a safe and healthy way to lose weight. Dr. Oz suggests tracking what you eat in a food diary and then figuring out a way to cut out just 100 calories daily. Think about it, 100 calories is nothing. Your body won't even register that you are on a diet! I'm sure I could do this easily with just the slightest change to my portions. 100 calories seems so doable, right?!

I'm sure I've done a fantastic job of summarizing this article ;)..... but if you'd like to read it for yourself, click HERE

Oh, and in case you are wondering, 4 more pounds to go!

Sloooooow Progress

2010-11-04T13:05:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately, reality has set in. This last amount of weight is not going to come off easily. I never thought losing pregnancy weight was going to be a breeze, but I figured if I made the right choices I would shed off the weight in a few months. Now, I tell myself not to worry, I will lose the weight. Things just might take a little longer than expected.

More bad news: the weight is in my stomach, aka my "problem area." Ugh. My tummy has always been my biggest battle in weight loss. And now the war just got bigger. BUT, I'm trying to stay optimistic. In moving forward, I have to look at the good and the bad things I've been doing. In an effort to stay positive I better start with the bad and end with the good. Here it goes...

The bad:
1) I am having a difficult time breaking out of the prego mentality. I would say as a whole I ate healthy during the pregnancy. BUT, when you're pregnant it's okay to steal a chocolate here and have an ice cream there. Even my doc said to enjoy these indulgences once in awhile. Well, now I'm not pregnant, but I'm still enjoying these small indulgences. The thing about sugar (and artificial sweetener, for those of you thinking you're safe), the more you eat it, the more you crave it.
2) I haven't been drinking nearly as much water as I did when I was pregnant. I remember noticing all these small benefits to drinking a lot of water: I felt good (or in other words, rarely felt ill), I had energy, my eyes were clearer than I'd ever seen. The last one sounds funny, but it's totally true! I've always dealt with dry, red eyes. As soon as I bumped up my water intake, my eyes were white. Recently, I've noticed that with the reemergence of diet soda in my life, my eyes are back to being reddish.
3) I wasn't moving around enough during the day. Partly because I had a new baby at home, my day to day movement slowed way down. I'm not talking exercising or even taking walks, I mean I was posting up on the couch and staying for most of the day. The sad thing is that sitting around just isn't me, but I thought that's what you do when you have babies (and maybe it is slightly true for having young infants).
4) The month of October was a record-breaking month for eating out for me and my husband. We went out more than we ever have which is not good for our pocket-books or waistlines. I wasn't cooking nearly as much as I usually do, so therefore, didn't have complete control over what was being put in my mouth.

These four things are definitely affecting my goals/health. Luckily, none of them are difficult to change. I've approached November as my renewed starting point. I am and will continue to keep these things in mind as I continue to move forward in this weight loss journey. Not only have they affected my weight loss, but also my overall being. I feel better when I am doing the opposite of those things.

The Good:
1) I got the green light to exercise from my doctor two and a half weeks ago and I haven't looked back! I've been out there doing my thing at least 5 days a week which has been great. I'm feeling stronger and stronger each day and I know I will be back to my old self soon.
2) All things given, I've stayed positive. Yeah, things are going slower than expected, but never once have I thought that I'm not going to get down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I heard someone today say that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% attitude. It's with this mentality that I continue believing that I can lose this weight.
3) Not doing it alone. I've said it before if you can get yourself on a team or in a group, working out becomes easier. For me, I'm back to playing soccer and I just joined a mommy exercise group called Stroller Strides. Did I ever think I'd be the mommy group type? No. Am eating my words? Yes! Doing something like Stroller Strides (or any exercise group) makes exercise easier. First, because it gives you an appointment. Stroller Strides meets Mon-Sat 9:30-10:30. My goal is to make it at least 4 times a week. I'll try for Mon-Thurs, but if something comes up (aka baby), then I have Fri or Sat to make it up. Second, because it turns into a social event, as well. I look forward to seeing the other ladies, making getting up and going that much easier.
4) I'm back to cooking. I can honestly say that I haven't paid for a single meal this week, breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Cooking gives me control of what I'm eating AND definitely helps me when it comes to portion control. I love eating out, but eating out should be an occasional thing. I want to continue to cook healthy at home because it is delicious and will help me with this weight-loss task at hand.

So there you have it. This has been the good and the bad. I have 11 pounds to go and I know that means cutting out the bad and continuing the good. Wish me luck!

Delicious Find

2010-10-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

Recently I was introduced to this delicious and healthy salad dressing and I knew I had to blog about it. Basically my sister's friend told her, she told me, and now I am telling you. This stuff is delicious and even better, healthy! Galeos' dressings are all natural, Gluten Free (if you're into that), and made with organic ingredients. It's creamy texture comes from miso and I love that instead of sugar this dressing uses pure honey to add sweetness.

If you want to give these dressings a try, check out your local health food store. Luckily, it has also started to arrive in more popular supermarkets, like Vons (Woohoo). I love, love, love the Miso Toasted Sesame Seed Dressing and Marinade. For 1 Tbsp you are looking at 2g Fat (remember the ingredients make this good fat), 22 calories, 35mg sodium, and 0.5g sugar.

I'm yet to try it as a marinade, but I'm sure it would be delish! Hope you enjoy!

**I almost forgot the ringing endorsement! The week after my sister had told me about this dressing, I was watching "The Biggest Loser." Contestants went to trainer Bob's house and what was sitting right there in his refrigerator? Two Galeos dressings, the Toasted Sesame and the Caeser. If that's not enough, Jillian Michael's recommends this Galeos Miso dressings on her website. If it's good enough for these two, it's good enough for me :)

It's Go Time

2010-10-19T14:55:00.000-07:00

Six weeks have passed. I got the OK from the doc so now all there is to do is to lose this lovely baby weight. Okay, so it's not lovely at all. I feel like it's this flab that isn't even mine, but has come from some foreign place or something. I can't be too mad about it though, it did help keep the little guy healthy, safe and happy :)

But now that I have the green light, I can't wait to get started losing said flab. As of yesterday (the last time I weighed myself), I have 12 pounds to lose to be back to where I was when I got pregnant. I could stand to lose a little more than that, but for now, I'll just focus on getting back into pre-Landon shape. One goal at a time, right?

Here's the reality check.. I need to lose weight and get back into shape, and I need to do it all with a newborn to take care of. There is always something in life that makes working out seem impossible whether it be a job, kids, etc. etc. But I'm not going to use Landon as an excuse. I can be a good mother and still fit in working out. To be honest, I'll probably be a better mother because nothing keeps me more positive mentally than working out. I'll try and do whatever work-outs I can with Landon, and when I can slip away and go to the gym or go for a run, I will (Fortunately, I have an awesome husband who is all for taking over baby duties when he is able). Today, Nate's gone all day for work and it's raining outside so I did a yoga video. I just have to do what I can, when I can :)

I'm hoping to be better at updating this blog now that I am back. I'll probably use this to update my progress, express frustrations, and, as always, share any tips I pick up along the way. Stay tuned for more!

My Snacking Must-Haves

2010-08-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

There are a few items that can always be found in my kitchen. Because I'm someone who usually has at least one snack a day, I like to be prepared by having snacks that help me feel good and healthy (no one likes an afternoon guilt trip). The 6 items below are kind of my go-to snacks. I always have them on hand and they help give me energy to make it to my next meal. Also, I added a bonus summer item (for a little hot weather indulgence).

Without further ado, here are my snacking must-haves:
1) Almonds - These always help suppress my mid-afternoon hunger and are a deliciously nutritious item that can easily be kept in an office desk.

2) Light and Fit Yogurt - Love, love, love this yogurt. Vanilla, especially, is delicious enough to feel like you are sneaking sweets. Luckily, these yogurts are only 80 calories. If you are wondering, after vanilla my favorite is peach :)

3) Soy beans - I ALWAYS have soy beans in the freezer waiting to be cooked up and eaten. I love to buy the box of Peggy's Premium Edamame at Costco. Three minutes in the microwave and they are ready to go. Such a great source of protein and for those pregos out there looking for natural sources of folic acid, your search is over.

4) String Cheese - Again, this is an item I get at Costco. What else can I say other than it is low cal, delicious, cheap, and easy. I can honestly say I had one string cheese every day I taught last semester.

5) Reduced Fat Wheat Thins - I'm not a huge advocate of "diet food," but these delicious crackers are a different story. Sixteen crackers for 130 calories is totally worth it in my book. And sometimes you want some carbs.. When that happens I grab for these. They can easily be paired with string cheese or our next snack...

6) Hummus - Sooo delicious. Naturally low in fat, this is another protein-rich snack. Usually I make my own, but if you have to buy hummus just be sure to check labels.

Alright, as promised.. your summertime treat:
Skinny Cow Truffle Bars - These things are delicious! I was sure that there must be something secretly wrong with these bars, but after seeing them talked about on the Today show, I have put my worries to rest. They are 100 calories and perfect for a little summertime indulgence. Chocolate or caramel are our favorites.

These are my snacking must-haves and while I do have others, these stay most consistently in my fridge or cabinet. Anybody have any snacks they want to share?

Happy Snacking!!

Looking Forward

2010-07-14T09:23:00.001-07:00

As I'm getting closer and closer to the end of this pregnancy, I've noticed this little excitement growing. Yes, I can't wait to meet our little man and to watch our family grow from 2 to 3, but the other source of excitement is the chance to get back into my active lifestyle. This nine month break has left me with a renewed desire to be fit and healthy in my life.

I've thoroughly enjoyed all of my walking throughout the pregnancy, but I'm looking forward to quickening the pace a bit. I'm already contemplating signing up for the Carlsbad Half Marathon in January '11. I love that half and like the idea of having a goal set even before Baby B makes his debut. Over-ambitious? Not really sure.

Although I have more than two months to take it easy, I can't wait for my upcoming challenge of losing this baby weight. So far I've gained around 25-28 lbs, so to get back to my "fighting weight" will definitely be my biggest weight loss challenge yet. I plan on taking it one day at a time. It's always healthiest to be realistic in goals and I would never go on some crash diet to lose the weight. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

2010-06-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

This pasta has become a staple in our house. The recipe is straight out of the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book. The edition I have is for Breast Cancer and there is a recipe section in the back called "Recipes for Life." This healthy recipe is delicious and easy. If possible, the leftovers are even better than the initial dinner. Try it out!

12 oz. fresh or frozen large shrimp
8 oz. dried whole wheat linguine (I use spaghetti)
2 Tb olive oil
1 or 2 fresh jalepeno chile pepper, finely chopped (as you can see in the pic, I didn't "finely" chop. Nate and I like it a little spicier)
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
2 cups chopped tomatoes (4 medium)
shredded Parmesan (optional)

** As with all recipes, I add more garlic and more freshly ground black pepper, cause that's the way I roll

1. Thaw shrimp if frozen. Peel and devein (if needed). Rinse shrimp; pat dry. Set aside. Cook linguine according to package directions; drain. Keep warm.

2. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add jalepeno pepper, garlic, salt, and black pepper; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add shrimp; cook about 3 minutes more or until shrimp turn opaque. Stir in tomatoes; heat through.

3. Toss linguine with shrimp mixture. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

To make it easy, I use frozen shrimp I get from Costco, they are deveined and peeled for you. If you want to make it real easy on yourself, use already cooked shrimp. Make sure not to burn your garlic. Oh, and if you're worried about the spiciness, don't be. It's nothing you can't handle, believe me. Hope you enjoy!

Walk On!

2010-06-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

I realize I haven't been updating.. It's a little hard to write about my fitness when I'm continuously getting larger and it's a good thing. My main exercise throughout the pregnancy has been walking. I walk just about every day and do weights 2 or 3 times a week (just 5 pounders). I am by no means over-exerting myself; I do enough to stay healthy and keep the baby healthy. All the books say that you should exercise so that you feel invigorated when you are done, not exhausted, and I happily comply.

Recently, a celebrity Mama talked about how she watched her weight while she was pregnant. She has received a lot of flack for this, and many say what she was doing was unhealthy. My doctor and the books I have would completely disagree with such put-downs. My doctor monitors all of her pregnant patients' weight closely. The idea is that if you gain too much too fast, you are putting your baby at risk for things such as diabetes and other complications in their lifetime. The famous "Pregnancy Bible", What to Expect When you are Expecting, claims that exercising while pregnant helps you in numerous ways, such as benefiting your health, mood, sleep, back, labor and postpartum recovery. How does it help baby? Many ways, by benefiting baby's fitness, sleep, and even intelligence (yep, there is research that shows that working out during pregnancy even helps baby's brain power). So while I don't over-do exercise, I do keep it a regular part of my schedule. The way I see it, only good can come from it!

All in all, I love pregnancy. It's such a happy and exciting time. I continue to try and keep my body in it's best health (not an easy task when your craving cheesy goodness and ice cream). And while I do slip-up here and there, I always just try and continue to make healthy choices.

Here I am at 27 weeks in my walking gear (this is for you, JuJu):

A Recent Find

2010-04-26T15:26:00.000-07:00

One of the staple meals in our household is a good ol' fashion stir-fry. Growing up, my mom always made our stir-fry using a pork tenderloin. I've always done the same, sometimes I substituted with chicken, but it always tasted best with pork. Recently, however, I've discovered a healthier (and more cost efficient) substitute. Turkey breast tenderloin:

Turkey breast is one of our leanest proteins and is an excellent source of iron, zinc, and others. The best part about it, at least according to my husband, is it tastes great! You will not lose any flavor with this substitution.

Speaking of stir-fry this is what I do. Add a little oil to your pan/wok and heat for just a second. Add your chopped meat and cook until meat is completely cooked through. Add veggies (to make it easy on yourself grab a stir-fry bag in the vegetable aisle) and saute until softened, but still have a little bite.

Pour on your favorite, healthy teriyaki sauce (watch for high sugar). Stir. If your sauce is too thin you can always add a little corn starch to thicken and better coat your meat and veggies.

Serve over brown rice. Enjoy!

Eating, Drinking, and Sleeping for Two

2010-03-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry for the impromptu hiatus, but to be honest, I wasn't sure how to explain my health decisions without spoiling my big news. The truth is that I'm pregnant. I'm 13 weeks, which means Saturday I will be out of the dreaded 1st trimester. Nate and I are as happy as could be and can't wait for our little one.

What does this mean for me and my health? Well, there have been a couple of big changes in my eating and working out. The biggest changes in my work outs is that I am no longer running and keep any weight training light. Although some say running is okay during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, I've chosen to omit it due to the extremely high heart rate I get while running. Basically, when I'm running at a comfortable pace, able to talk even, my heart rate is high to the point where it would be dangerous for some people. With this in mind, I thought Why take the risk? and have been walking and riding my bike, instead. It's been nice to slow down the pace of my working out... BUT I know that once I have "peanut" I'll be signing up for the next half marathon :)

As for my eating, I feel like I am eating a TON. I get hungry more frequently and hunger pains come on fast and furious. I think because of the intense hunger (and probably prego cravings) I have eaten a couple things, I wouldn't normally consider. For example, I've had cheeseburgers a couple of times and anything cheesy and of the Mexican variety is often on my mind. Fortunately, I have by no means let myself go. I have only gained 2-4 pounds, which is good for first trimester.

Some positive changes I have made include trying to eat A LOT more vegetables. Broccoli is a natural superfood and I love carrots and celery, so I create my own little veggie tray for snacking. I've found that cutting up a red bell pepper and taking it as a snack or part of my lunch is delicious (and high in Vitamin C). Also, I am avoiding nitrate-high foods like bacon, peperoni, cold cuts, and sausage. I never ate too much of these things before, but I am choosing to completely skip them now (bye, bye peperoni pizza and antipasto salad!). Finally, I am trying to not have too much soda or artificial sweetners. My doctor has given the okay to sucralose and aspartame, but I am happy to avoid them if I can. As a soda lover, I find that a great substitute for me right now is delicious Izze:

Izze's are 70% real fruit juice and 30% sparkling water . I love, love, love grapefruit and pomegranate. They are a great when I want something with a little natural pick-me-up (I'm not drinking any caffeine). Oh, also, I've found that the cans are cheaper than the bottles. So instead of buying the bottled Izzes in the soda aisle, head to the juice aisle, you will find the canned ones next to the Kern's.... And, now, I just talked myself into having one. It's pomegranate :)

Since being pregnant, I am drinking A LOT more water. Drinking more water is necessary when pregnant, but also just helps you feel better. You can start feeling sick if you haven't had enough water.

Finally, my most glorious accomplishment since being prego: sleep. I have never been much of a sleeper, but boy do I make time for it now! Early on, I was taking 2 hour naps, which is completely unheard of for me. Now that I am further along, I can make it through the day without a nap, but am often in bed around 9pm. The bottom line is that I am allowing myself to listen to my body. If I'm tired, I sleep. That's it.

What I am consciously aware of is that what goes in my mouth is shared by another. My body has a current tenant so I need to be sure that it's a Hilton, not some two-star hotel. And, although most of you out there are not pregnant, these changes are ones that benefit all.

Long post this time! Phew! I will try to post soon. If my dinner of Healthy Spicy Shrimp Pasta comes out delicious tonight, maybe I will pass on the recipe :)

Resolving to be Healthy

2010-01-05T13:25:00.001-08:00

I'm not the type to make resolutions. However, if there was a resolution for me this year it would be to be the healthiest person I can be. This means making almost all meals at home, it means exercising, and it means allowing myself time to rest. Making my meals is somewhat challenging because it feels time-consuming, but really making our dinners is something that I enjoy. As I've said before, the more I cook, the more I love it. I love the control you have when choosing what ingredients you will be consuming. I'm always suspicious of those too good to be true "low-fat" options in restaurants.

As for exercise, I am trying to stay consistent with getting my body moving at least four days a week. For me, personally, this seems like the easiest goal to accomplish. It helps to have a work out partner (Nate), and a frequent walking buddy (Turi). I recommend that anyone who needs help with consistency finds a partner right for them.

Lastly, rest. This year I am all about allowing myself time to relax and rest when I need it. Never in my life have a been a person who requires naps. I used to feel like napping was a waste of time; sleeping happens at night. Fortunately, I don't believe this anymore. Our bodies need time to recoup. More rest means fighting off more disease and destressing. Two things that will be important to me this year.

All in all, I think 2010 will be a great, healthy year for me.

How are the Holidays Going?

2009-12-26T13:59:00.000-08:00

Wellll... To be honest, I haven't been perfect. Holidays and food seem to go hand in hand and my holidays definitely reflect this. Fortunately, the major feasting is now over and I can get back to my normal, healthy choices. I definitely have to be grateful that even when things are busy over the holidays, I can still keep a consistent workout regimen. Without my workouts, I would surely fall victim to the holiday pounds.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays as much as I am. Remember, don't fret if you haven't been as healthy as you like... just get movin'!

What's for Lunch?

2009-12-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

Throughout my journey of being healthy and maintaining my weight there has definitely been one significant change. I make most of my meals. I love cooking and have gotten better at it throughout the years. The truth is simple. When you make your own food, you can control what you eat; you choose exactly what goes into your mouth.

The easiest meal to eat at home is breakfast, of course. Cereal, oatmeal, or toast and yogurt are easily prepared and eaten. The next easiest meal to prepare yourself is lunch. Now think about something for a minute. If you choose to always prepare/make your lunch, you already have 2 meals a day that you are in complete control of.. and 2 outta 3 ain't bad. When I started making my lunch everyday was when I really started having a consistent, healthy diet.

For this post I thought I'd share a very frequent lunch of mine. Take a look at the salad I just had for lunch:
Ingredients are romaine lettuce, chicken, apple, avo, almonds, celery, little bit of feta, and a fat-free (low sugar!) balsamic vinaigrette. I like to think of my salads as somewhat hearty because they actually make me full. I find that if you have too much lettuce and not enough protein, you can get hungry shortly after. Also, I like to put apples in my salad because its delicious and helps kick hunger. This salad I had for lunch happened to have chicken breast in it, but normally it's just good ol' deli turkey breast slices. Recently, I've cut out most of my cheese-eating, but I feel like a little bit in your salad won't hurt. If you can omit cheese altogether, great.

You may have noticed my little "low sugar!" note above. When/if you choose fat free dressings (or other fat free products for that matter) make sure to check sugar. Often fat free = tons of sugar, which is no better for you.

So, that's it. That's what's for lunch. If it's not salads, it's sandwiches, but the idea is always the same. Make your lunch yourself and pack it with all the healthy "goods" you can.

Life Changes

2009-11-16T09:45:00.000-08:00

I want to take a moment to talk about life changes. There are two people in my life right now who have made the decision to live a healthier life and I have got one thing to say to the both of them.. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU! Both have decided that it's time to jump into action and even lose some unnecessary weight. Having made that decision myself, a few years ago, I know that it can be hard to finally choose to be healthier and can be even harder sticking to your goal. But here's the thing - YOU CAN DO IT.

Everyday that you get yourself up and choose the healthier food and choose to go for a run,walk, or do any other exercise, just know that I am proud of you. Be proud of yourself for changing your life.

Yesterday I was in a wedding and there were people there who I hadn't seen in years. One told me that he hardly recognized me. At first I didn't get it. I thought, 'I'm still brown-haired and freckle-faced, what's so different?' After thinking about it, I realized that the last time this particular person saw me, I could have been 20 lbs heavier. Kind of a big difference in appearance. Take a look..

Before (probably my heaviest and most unattractive picture):

After:

After losing that 20 lbs. I am happier and take pride in the healthier choices I make. For me, I didn't have a goal weight, I just knew it was time to make some changes. Also, it didn't happen over night. I am happy to say that I didn't lose weight trying a fad diet, using supplements, or starving myself. I lost weight the old fashion way- watching what I ate and working out. The choices I made may have made it a longer process, but it has proved a successful one since I am still maintaining my weight.

So to the two of you and any others that have made the decision to live a healthier life, I applaud you. You have a happy, healthy future to look forward to.

Back At It

2009-11-06T13:39:00.000-08:00

When things get crazy in my life I have a hard time keeping a consistent work-out routine. Luckily, I finally seem to be getting some control over my schedule and I've been working out like a good girl :) This week, I should get 5 days in, which ain't too shabby, if I do say so myself.

Although I've been working out more, I still haven't been doing a good job of keeping up this blog (as you may have noticed). This is partly because I feel like, "What do I know?" and "Who am I to offer advice/suggestions?" But again, that's just not the point of this blog. I'm doing this to keep myself healthy and if I say something of interest to you along the way, great.

So what I'm saying is.. I'm gonna try and be better about updating (Do I hear crickets chirping?). Talk to you soon!

I Know What You're Thinking..

2009-10-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? Well, to be honest, I am so busy I feel like my days/weeks/months are FLYING by. In this incredibly busy time I've come to realize a few things:

1) Thank goodness for organized sports - I play outdoor soccer every Sunday and sub on a Thursday night indoor team. If it wasn't for organized sports, I'm not sure I would be getting in enough exercise during this busy time in my life. With organized sports you have to schedule the workouts, making it more likely that you will do them.

2) It's all about balance - As busy as I am now, it's hard to get even three workouts in a week. Therefore, if I'm not getting it done in the gym, I need to get it done on my plate. It's all about balance. I know that I need to watch what I eat even more than usual when I am not burning up calories in the gym.

3) Sleep and water, water and sleep - When you are busy, stress levels are high and your body is working overtime. Right now I am really trying to keep healthy with as much sleep as possible and keeping hydrated with lots of water. Sleep and water aren't just healthy for your body, either; the two contribute to mental health, as well. So drink up and catch some Z's!

A Look into my Cupboards

2009-09-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

I did a little reflection today as I was whipping up a turkey sandwich for lunch. While I was putting together my delicious sando, I noticed something about my cupboards... They are a pretty decent refection of my diet. I know what your thinking. Something like, Duh Nikki! That is where you get your food to eat, but what I mean is... as I looked around I saw a lot of whole grain, enough protein, good fats (like nuts, etc), plenty of dairy, lots of fruit, but something was lacking. Can you figure out what it is?

I'm lacking vegetables! I do have some, I have salad, edamame in the freezer, and stir-fry veggies for tonight, but I just feel like it's not enough. A recently read an article in Runner's World about plant-heavy dieting and how beneficial it is for you (not diet as in dropping a quick 10 lbs, diet like what we eat everyday). It must of been what led to my reflection in the kitchen. Here's the thing, I love veggies. I could eat them all the time. AND I never met a veggie I didn't like. BUT veggies go bad so quickly, I hesitate to buy them. Am I the only one that feels this way?

So here's a question; what do you do to keep your veggies fresh? I'd love to hear some answers. Or, if you feel the same as me, I'd love to hear that too. Leave your comments!

Quinoa Chili

2009-09-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law and it is delish! If you haven't heard of it before, quinoa is a superfood that is really good for you. Quinoa is somewhat new to the health world, but quickly gaining popularity. So far, this is the only quinoa recipe I have, but if I find more I will let you know. You can find quinoa at your local health food store OR you can get a bag of it at Costco for $8 (the bag will take me months to get through).

Quinoa Chili

2 cans kidney beans, rinsed & drained (really you can use any beans and different beans offers different health benefits, find one right for you)
2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp. cayenne
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 cup quinoa, rinsed in warm water
1 cup frozen corn
1 can tomato sauce, low salt (about 2 cups)
1 cup water

Heat oil in pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender. Add salt, garlic, pepper and spices. Saute for 5-10 minutes. Add rinsed quinoa and stir in. Add corn, tomato sauce, and water to onion/quinoa mixture. Simmer together 20 minutes. Add beans to the pot and simmer another 15 minutes. Serve with grated cheese, sliced avocado or anything else you like on your chili. Makes 6-8 servings

I've Been Bad

2009-09-14T09:53:00.000-07:00

So, the last time I posted was the last time I ran. Yikes. During the run, I felt pretty good and was happy I did it, BUT my coughing got worse again and my doctor recommended no running until I was REALLY over my sickness. Bummer.

Here I am, 11 days later, feeling like a cow, with only 1 workout under my belt (yesterday, I played soccer- cough seemed fine). This isn't the first time I've had a setback in my working out. This time it was because I was sick, but come on, we all go on vacations, or have lapses of no motivation where the last thing we want to be do is work out.

Here's what I'm going to do..

I am not going to fret. Setbacks happen. Sitting around pouting is not going to work off the possible extra lbs. I packed on in the last week and a half.
I am not going to weigh myself. Everyone is different with scales. Personally, if I actually see that I have gained weight, I can get really down on myself. After a solid week or so of working out, I will hop on the scale. This usually helps because maybe you've already cut a couple pounds off and then will feel less depressed about what you have to accomplish.
I am going to get moving. I plan on running a few times this week and also will plan ahead at least one work out class at the gym (love, love, love kickboxing).

That's my plan. To be honest, I was a little embarrassed to talk about my weight gain on the blog, but I'm over it. That's not the point of this blog. Bottom line is, what I've done, needs to be undone. So here goes nothin'.

No Motivation

2009-09-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

It's happened again.. It creeps up on me without warning, leaving me to feel victim to its attack.

I am lacking motivation to work out.

I've been sick, I had a super rough 8 mile run Saturday, I have work in an hour and half, I'm feeling tired.. Can't I just put off my run one more day?

I hate the feeling of having no motivation. I feel guilty for feeling it, and also, can't shake myself out of it. What to do? What to do? Honestly, as I write, I'm still not sure. I could go quickly before work and get it done, or wait until after work. The problem with waiting is that I know this feeling of having no motivation could increase after a 5 hour shift of waiting tables. Maybe I should just go.

This time I'm not going fall victim. I'm gonna get my stuff on right now and not think about it for one more second. I'm gonna start running before I can tell myself "no." I know once I start, the battle is over. Okay, I'm off.

A Healthy Speed Bump

2009-08-25T09:39:00.000-07:00

In a perfect world, we would be able to follow our work out plans and training regimens to a "t", without interruptions. BUT, come on, that's just not likely. Life seems to throw speed bumps at us sometimes, and to that I say, "Relax, it's no big deal."

My speed bump this week came in the form of a killer cough and cold. I've been laid out for the past few days, unable to run, work out, or even get out of the house (except a quick stop by CVS for some meds). It can be frustrating to be stuck at home and feeling like I am falling off the work out wagon. Thinking things like, I have a half marathon in a month and a half and haven't worked out since last Thursday!! This is the truth, but I really believe that worry and stress aren't going to help anything. Obstacles can come out of nowhere sometimes, in all different forms. Just remember to calm down. When you can get back to working out, you will- maybe even with a little more motivation than when you left.

When life throws you a speed bump, just remember that it will only slow you down for a little bit. You can still make it to your destination in time.

Jot Down Your Workouts

2009-08-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

One tactic I like to use to stay healthy and keep on track is writing my work outs on a calendar. This way I have a record of what I've done to both be aware if I've slacked off a bit, and also to see what I've accomplished (being proud of your work is great motivation). Personally, I use my iCal, but any calendar, journal, etc. will work. Here is what my month is looking like so far.

As you can see, my second week of August was a little lax (I was on a ranch in the mountains, nearest gym was at least an hour away), but after that I picked it up and did a 4 day work out week.

This isn't something that takes a lot of time to do. Just jot a quick note and move on with your day. This little thing has been a great motivator for me. I love seeing what I've accomplished, and believe me, when you're not feeling like you want to hit the gym, but notice you've only been once in the past week, you will get your butt to the gym.

So, try it out! I don't include my walks with my dog, but you may want to. It's your tracking system, do what you want with it!

Meal in a Muffin

2009-08-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

This recipe is easy, healthy, and delicious. After I got an email from Nate at work saying, "mmmmm... Meal in a Muffin," I thought I should share.

I am yet to try substituting Splenda for the sugar, but I'm sure it will work just fine. Personally, I don't think there is enough sugar to worry about.

Ingredients:

1 medium carrot, grated
1 lg apple, grated
2 eggs
1/2 c olive oil
1/3 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c coconut (I bought flaked coconut)
1/3 c craisins (or raisins if you prefer)
1/3 c chopped nuts
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c oats
3 Tbl wheat germ
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Mix all ingredients. Fill muffin cups 3/4 full (batter made 12 muffins for me). Bake at 375 for 20 mins.

Get Up and Do It

2009-08-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

When it comes to making sure you complete your work outs I've got one thing to say, "Get up and do it." By getting up in the morning and doing your work first thing, you will have less excuses and be more likely to get your exercise in for the day.

I've read this in many fitness magazines, but it really became apparent to me when I started training for half marathons. While training for these races, it's not the weekend long runs that are hardest to complete (actually, they are probably the easiest because you have a week to mentally prepare for them). The hard runs are in fact the shorter, middle of the week runs. The shorter runs are just as, if not more important than your long runs, but the motivation to do them can be lacking. This is probably because it's the middle of the week and we are usually our busiest. So to that, I repeat, "Get up and do it." Get your work outs done and move on with your rest of your day. You will feel refreshed and won't have to think of that pesky 4 mile run you need to do later.

Why This Blog?

2009-08-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

Here are the facts. I'm not a Nutritionist, Personal Trainer, or Lifestyle Consultant. I am just an ordinary girl trying to live a happy, healthy life. This blog is not a place where I plan to dictate to you how you should be living your life, or the right and wrongs about health. No way. Not me.

What I do want to do is write about health in a true, unfiltered way: the ups and downs of weight loss and weight gain, the difficulties of implementing health into our busy lives, etc. I want to share recipes, workouts, and/or goals that I hope others will benefit from.

And, this blog is not just for you. It's for me too. With this blog I will be accountable for my fitness and health, to help keep it on track.

So let's do this together, one post at a time.