Daily-O Paleo: Observations

Welcome to day two of the Paleo way of life!

I know it's probably too soon to have any real observations but I do have a few from just the past day and a half that I feel I should get off my chest as to prevent an explosion.

Cumin is my new fave.

1. The food is pretty great actually: I'm lovin' breakfast. This morning we had two eggs, sunny side up, with 2 bacons, slices of avocado and some homemade pico de gallo. Awesome. Everything else seems to be easy, lunch is normal and having a snack is nice. Dinner's are yummy but weird, mostly because I'm used to having to pair my meat with something. Like tonight we have an amazing tasting Mexican beef stew and I feel like I should be paring it with rice or something. But that's ok, I like meat enough to eat on it's own! 

2. My sweet tooth is lonely: I have SUCH a sweet tooth. I spent a good part of last night at work craving sugar. I think it's because I associate work with candy haha! That'll be a rough one to get over.

3. The cooking and cleaning is a little... excessive: Like I said, it maybe be a BIT too soon to tell but I spent a good part of yesterday cooking and this morning. I finally sat down after making breakfast, lunch and dinner and cleaning the kitchen. That means I spend the majority of my free time cooking and cleaning. I need to find a system and fast. If I have no time to do what I want or what I have to do, that I'll be an angry bird.

4. Avocado and coconut: Two of my favorite foods make daily appearance in my diet and I love it. Coconut and avocados are spectacular. 

Lunch!

Other then that, everything seems to be going alright! I'm just finishing up my lunch, tuna with celery, pickles, dill, salt/pepper, mustard and homemade mayo (which was an interesting experience to make and an even more interesting taste) and tomatoes with an avocado. Then I'm going to get ready for work, pack up my dinner and my snack and head to work...hopefully to get some coure work done.  

Happy Valentine's Day--2013

Today is Valentine's Day and I like it. I like this holiday because I love love. This week I spent a lot of time making treats for my coworkers, the dancer's at the school and Jake. I made truffles, chocolate covered pretzels and rice krispie treats. It was so much fun!

Making truffles!

But now I'm sitting here, on the actual day, and I have like the worst tummy ache. Ug.

Next month is an exciting month for me. Jake mentioned starting something called Whole30 and, after discussing it a lot and looking into more details, we've decided to see how we can make the Whole30/paleo idea part of our everyday life.

As I've discussed before, working out, being healthy and eating well are really important things in my life. But occasionally, I have a hard time sticking to my ideas and plans. I think my life now causes me to eat as a comfort, as a way to hang out with people and as a way to spend time. But I have literally had enough. I have a problem with eating and I want to control it.

So we bought a great book and I've been doing extensive reading on the subject. I am so excited to start the paleo diet! Honestly, I hate using the word "diet" because for a lot of people, including myself, it stimulates thoughts about restrictions and "can't have" and being bad but I'm trying something new. I'm trying to look at it like a good thing! I think trying this out will help me feel physically better and will give me that confidence that I need!

A few years ago, I lost a ton of weight for a work weight loss challenge. While I didn't reach 2nd place and my goal weight in a completely healthy way, I found it easy to do so because I was being challenged by someone. I think that drive was good for me.

I'm hoping to bring that challenge with me as I challenge myself to be happy and healthy...it also helps that I'm going to a rave in Vegas in June and really want to be comfortable in my body!

So next month starts a better, healthier, happier me! I really want to get started ASAP but literally the day we decided to go for it was the day we went grocery shopping and bought a bunch of stuff and I don't want to waste it. I'm really excited, you guys, like really excited.

I'm going to be keeping a blog/journal about what I eat, how it makes me feel, how I'm coping with the process and all my thoughts in between. I think it's going to be good.

Feel My Kick!

Guys....I think I found it...I think I found the exercise class that I want to take every day from now until eternity...

KICK BOXING!!!

Great Fitness.

I'm telling you guys, I am so glad I went! A girl I work with asked me last night if I would go and on a whim I decide to go! I'm trying to get super serious about this hot body for Vegas thing. 

{I'm going to Vegas in June for EDC 2013  and I am determined that I will be comfortable in a swim suit top and shorts. It's been a long time since I've felt sexy and confident in little clothing and I don't want to ruin my trip being self conscious.}

So in efforts to achieve this, I'm taking my exercise and food very seriously. I'm using my FAVORITE food tracking tool: My Fitness Pal and making sure I put everything in there, even the pick velvet cupcake I just consumed (I know, I know, I shouldn't have eaten it but Jake bought it for me and it was a really sweet moment and it was....really good...and I believe I shouldn't deprive myself... :) ). It's a really great way to keep yourself on track.

So on that note, I'm going to keep moving since I can already feel my body aching from this morning and I think if I stop I may never get started again!

Nike+

Running.

Over the past month or so, I have set a goal to run 3 miles in 30 minutes by December 17th (the date in which I return home to Oregon). I started running a few weeks ago and was doing pretty good, until last week when my energy plumited and I chose to sleep in as much as I could to get through the last week of my hectic schedule.

But now, with 10 days left before I return to Oregon, I only have so long to get my butt into gear and reach my goal! I only have experience running indoors on a tredmill so far but am interested in finding my way into the great outdoors!!

So I'm out gathering information now:
If you are a runner, which do you prefer? Indoors or outdoors? I've heard outdoors is hard but I just get so bored in the gym and it's gets so hot, too!

I also just downloaded Nike+ Running app and am pretty excited to use it! For Christmas, I've asked for new running gear. I'm currently running in oversized t-shirts and yoga pants. I think that if I get some proper running pants and a better sports bra, I'll get more into it. You know, once you put money into something you feel like you have to use it all the time. That's exactly how I am!

On that note, does anyone have any running gear recommendations? I was just going to go ahead and get some Nike gear when I can afford it but if there's a brand out there that I don't know, it'd be nice to hear about it!!

Addicted To: Yeast.

Guys, I think I'm addicted to yeast. And I'm super upset with how gross that sounds.

1.

Okay, I know it sounds kind weird and especially gross but it is delicious! I'm serious too. 

I first had nutritional yeast my freshman year of college. My roomie at the time was from an extra-hippie area on California and brought this snack up to Oregon with her. She gave me a bowl of home-popped popcorn covered in nutritional yeast.

And from that day on, I was hooked. Now I make it probably every over day. To my delight, Jake's tastes have changed with my persistence and he went from cringing every time I mentioned the Y word to actually requesting it. *Sniff* I'm so proud.

Now if you're still a little weary, you can read about it over here to sooth your soul. But if you're ready to try it out, let me share my fave popcorn recipe with you!

2.

Okay so this crazy simple and you'll get hooked and thank me, I promise. In a saucepan pour enough popcorn kernels to cover the bottom of the pan one kernel deep, so no layering. Then add enough oil (I use olive oil) to gentle coat the kernels. You don't want them swimming. Don't forget to cover with a lid first! Turn the heat to medium/high and wait for a few minutes. Once the corn starts a-poppin feel free to shake the pan a bit so things don't burn. When the popping starts to peter out, remove from the heat and pour your delicious popped corn into a bowl. 

Now you can apply the nutritional yeast to your liking! Personally, this is how I do it:

1. Spray corn with olive oil cooking spray. 

2. Shake a good amount of yeast onto the piping hot kernels, like I put a LOT because I love it so much.

3. Sometimes I add a little seasoning salt or Old Bay seasoning. Occasionally taco seasoning for a kick.

I recommend starting out with a little amount so you can work into it. It's so good, guys, please go try this! And it's relatively healthy! 

Now, since I love it on popcorn, I started wondering what other concoctions I could create! And I found these recipes that I've now added to my Must-Try list!

3.

"Cheesy" Kale Chips. Um. Delicious?! 

4.

Mix in is as a topping! Try it in Cauliflower Mash, another delicious healthy recipe! 

In my research it looks like the yeast is best used in recipes as a salt substitute and a cheese sub. I'll have to play around with it and let you all know how it turns out.

Do you know any cool ways to use it?!

My Health Kick

So, people, I don't know if you know this but...I love ice cream. Like if it was really good for you then I'd probably be the healthiest person on the planet...

But in my recent wave of healthy eating, I have been on the search for an ice cream replacement. And I think I found it!!

Yummy!

Start with some bananas. Now I don't really like bananas but I super love them like this! I used 2 but you can use up to, well, any amount really! The recipe I based my creation off of called for 5-6 bananas.

Take the bananas you want you use and cut them into pieces on a plate then place in the freezer to freeze. Meanwhile, mix together equal parts peanut butter, maple syrup and a dash of vanilla extract (I used almond extract however, still delicious). Then add oats. I put in twice as much as I did peanut butter and syrup (so 1/4 PB = 1/2 oats). Mix together to make a thick mixture. You can ad chocolate chips but I didn't have any.

Once your banana pieces are frozen, put them in a blender and process till creamy. Mix in the peanut butter/oat crumbles with a spoon. I've put my ice cream back in the freezer to get a tad harder but you can eat it then and there if you want!!

Oh, I added a touch of nutmeg too. SO EXCITED for it to be done (I'm still waiting...)

You should try it!

What kinds of variations do you think you could make on this recipe? I was thinking about trying this and using berries and bananas? Hmm...

Dear Me.

A good friend once told me, 

I can't let anyone love me until I love myself.

I'm pretty sure my whole world shattered in that moment, ya'll. And it was from that moment that I struggled with loving myself. To this day, at age 24, I still struggle to love myself. So how do I start?

Thank GOODNESS that Wikihow has all the answers! Lets look at their suggestions and see how well I do.

I Love You, Me.

1. Treat other's with love and respect: I think I'm doing a good job at that! I give everyone the same respect that I think I deserve.

2. Create goodwill and thankfulness by practicing random acts of kindness and sharing your being to many: Okay, I don't think I do this...yet. I have a project in the works right now where I would be sharing my positivity and (at least trying) to spread random acts of kindness...More on this later!

3. Express yourself, perhaps in letters or articles when you have a topic: Oh my garsh, blog much?! I do that! Actually, I think I've really starting doing that. I tried so hard to be every other cute blog out there but it's just not me. So I'm sticking to my guns :)

5. Forgive yourself: *Note: I will be skipping some numbers because there are 24 of these so...* This is something that I think I need to work on. I put myself down way too often. I mean Jacob and I used to fight about it bc he hates that I do it. So I'm working on that. 

6. Post positive statements everywhere so you can smile: Two post it's that are a must on my mirror, "You are beautiful," and "I have courage."

10. Be persistent: I should keep at loving myself. I def go through phases where I'm super positive and upbeat and love myself then literally 12 minutes later I'm down in the dumps. I just need to believe in myself!

13. Hug yourself: Okay :)

20. Do what you love: I spend at least an hour each day blogging, which is something I love. I also have been exploring dance classes for when I have a job. Doing something you love lifts your spirits and reminds you what real joy feels like.

23. Don't compare yourself to others: Oh, I do this a lot. I think I majored in it in college. I have to stop doing this. Anyone got pointers??

24. Stop trying to be perfect: I think I have that one in the bag. I am so okay with not being perfect. I'm probably the weirdest person I know and I am darn proud of that!

Sorry for all the mushy self-love but I'm feeling like I'm in the need right now. I've been job hunting for what seems like YEARS now and, with no end in near sight, I just need a little affirmation that I can do this. And who better to be my pick-me-up then, well me!

Do you have any tips on reaching self love??

Check out the full article here.

Olive Oil: The Oily Benefits!

I received an e-mail from my mother the other day.

She was telling me about using natural oils instead of lotions!

I think thank lotions are so deceiving.

They're always coming out with some new, better and

more magical then the other brands.

I know personally, I'm addicted to Dove.

I mean, it helps that my boyfriend works for their

parent company....

And yes, sometimes I feel like this:

Source.

Maybe I should give it up for a month and try using natural oils

to see how my skin differs!

My mom sent me an article on the issue and I thought it was interesting.

It makes sense that natural oils work best as lotions,

but I just never tried it.

I think coconut oil would be my favorite, I love coconut.

But how can you work olive oil into your beauty routine ?

You can moisturize, shave your legs, take off make up, exfoliate your body (by adding sugar to your oil..or you could make cookies...haha), you can use it on babies, and in your hair!

It seems like the benefits are endless.

Source.

Who thinks they could give up lotions for a month and try this out??

Move Your Body.

While I was reading through some of my blogs this morning,

I came across this video and am now super in love with it!

I already love Beyonce for her woman power and her healthy, curvaceous bod,

and now a good message?

Awesome :)

Watch, bob your head, tap your feet and enjoy!

(Oh an go visit Alivia to get her views!)