Most Important Meal

So as I venture into a world of healthy eating, there are challenges matched with fun discoveries.  I wouldn't say I was a horrible eater before, but I definitely came with the notion that I could eat anything within reason and have an occasional cheat day (which I still believe), anything that was low-fat or low-calorie was healthy, and labels are too confusing.  Some challenges to incorporating a better outlook on one's health can include finding the will to work out on a more regular basis, eating less of the "bad stuff," and watching not only nutritional information on labels but reading the INGREDIENTS as well.  Basically, being healthy isn't always fun, it takes a little more food-for-thought, and there are a lot of misconceptions.

In the past few months, I've learned a lot about what I should and shouldn't buy, what I should start buying, and when/how I should eat.  Taking small steps to change your outlook on physical activity and healthy eating can be difficult, but I've found it to be more rewarding and...dare I say...fun!

Okay, so I began this journey towards health when I met this guy.  I didn't really start because of him, but his active lifestyle and wellspring of nutritional information definitely knocked my brain into gear - with my body sort of following in the physical realm as well.  I first learned (although I was already fully aware) that instead of a lousy breakfast, you should have a substantial breakfast because, as we've all be told growing up - it helps us do better on tests.  Since life, you may say, is one big test - you might as well start your day off with a healthy start.  With that comes the fact that Poptarts are the worst breakfast and those packaged Cinnamon rolls and donuts that you can find at the gas station are probably right up there as well.  You're probably thinking...well, duh...we all know this.  And yes, we do...I do...and even though I have not had a poptart since high school, I was still a fan of cereal or keeping my breakfast as small in calorie count as possible.  Instead, I realized I should eat more than 100 calories for breakfast - So, I learned that you can have two eggs, a piece of whole wheat toast with natural peanut butter, and a half cup of organic vanilla yogurt topped with fresh blackberries - you'll ace any test thrown at you. 

Now...seems easy...and yummy.  But it is easy to go wrong.  And labels can be hard to trust because labels can easily lie and mislead with their "low-fat" and "low-calorie."  So, looking at ingredients is important.  Why?  Well because if you just use any peanut butter, you might find that there are hydrogenated oils, which you definitely want to stay away from.  Instead, the only ingredient your peanut butter should have is....peanuts.  Wait...you're probably thinking that is the nasty kind of peanut butter that isn't good.  Lies...all lies.  If you go to your grocery store, I think you should try to pick up Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter, or TraderJoes has a great all-natural peanut butter that is pretty darn tasty - both only contain peanuts.  And as far as yogurt - I once thought the "Active & Fit" or low-fat was a-okay, but then I realized after looking at ingredients that there are a lot of artificial sweeteners to get me "Active & Fit," that dreaded high fructose corn syrup stares me straight at the gut, and other chemicals I have no idea what they mean, how to pronounce them, or what their function is are eternally listed off at the end.

A little overwhelming when what you thought was healthy may not be as healthy as you thought...and this is just breakfast - I didn't even mention that the toast should have its first ingredient listed as whole wheat or that you may want to consider using one whole brown/organic egg and the other be egg whites only.  There is a lot to learn, but as difficult and hard it may seem at times, I've enjoyed learning, trying new food (hello homemade chickpea and black bean burgers), and feeling better and knowing that I'm putting healthy stuff into my body that makes being healthy worth it.

So...as I continue giving you my adventures in healthy eating, I hope to reveal findings - what I learn, health advantages, health concerns, what's just interesting, what tasted really bad, what was surprisingly delicious, and maybe leave you with a few recipes like:

This breakfast I'm pretty in love with:

1 egg w/ 1/4 cup. egg whites (Eggland's Best organic Brown eggs/Eggbeaters - egg whites)
1 handful of spinach
salt/pepper to taste
1 slice of 100% whole wheat toast with Smuckers or TraderJose all-natural peanut butter
1/2 cup Vanilla low-fat Organic Yogurt (TraderJoes) - fresh berries if desired

I usually wilt the spinach first over medium heat.  Add the egg/whites and salt and pepper to scramble.
Toast the bread and spread with peanut butter.
Top the yogurt with fresh berries.

And this one I'm more in love with (and often find eating for dinner)...

Southwestern style:
1 egg w/ 1/4 cup. egg whites (Eggland's Best organic Brown eggs/Eggbeaters - egg whites)
1 handful of spinach
pepper to taste
dash Chile powder
dash Cheyenne pepper
1/2 cup black beans - heated
3-4 slices avacado'
fresh cilantro
salsa
I usually wilt the spinach first over medium heat. Add the beaten egg/whites with pepper, Chile powder, Cheyenne pepper and let sit in medium pan to create an omelet.  I usually find that once the bottom of omelet is cooked you can lift it and let the remaining liquid fall beneath the cooked bottom. Once most of the egg has cooked and there isn't too much liquid on the top, you can flip it over easier.
Heat up black beans with liquid from can while egg is cooking.
Once your egg is cooked, transfer it to a plate and top with heated black beans (I usually try to drain the black beans before putting on my egg).
Top with slices of avocado, fresh cilantro, and salsa if desired

Happy eating!

Perfect Pair

When you think of pairing chocolate, one of the things that comes to mind is...wine...maybe even raspberries or espresso or peanut butter.  I'm pretty sure I've tried all combinations, but you know those orange shaped and wrapped and flavored chocolate?  My mom loves those.  At first I didn't, but now...oh man...now I love the pairing of chocolate and orange!

So as I had another opportunity to bake for a party, I whipped up my own version of the unique and delicious combination of chocolate and orange.

Chocolate Cupcake with Orange Buttercream

Garnished with Orange Zest



Coming Soon...

So...life is crazy.

These past few weeks and the ones looking ahead tend to always be...BUSY!  I have so many posts I want to share and quite a few have to do with the creative juices that have been flowing lately.  Unfortunately, you are going to have to wait until after this weekend to get something substantial due to birthday parties, graduation parties, and baby showers.

However, I am leaving you with a few things.

1. Pinterest.com - go start pinning.  It is picture heaven and every girl's dream.  Super fun to get ideas from this site and you can make it personal.  Beware, it is a time sucker.
2. I joined Twitter due to my job (I know, right), but now that I am on this thing and have given my go at "tweeting," I'm a huge fan!  There is a wellspring of information that you can get from being on Twitter, and I'm excited to share on my blog some of what I find as I act like a birdy.
3. I'm baking something yummy tonight...
4. Sharing about my adventures in organic, natural, fresh, and mostly vegetarian cooking
5. Two of my own craft/art projects coming your way!

Sound of White

Picture a room with white walls...nothing else.

Now...put a group of men in this room and ask them to describe it.  Well, they would call it a...um....white wall.  Maybe a creative guy would say....plain wall.  Then maybe a guy would find some Family Guy reference, they all laugh. End of discussion.  From their perspective, there is nothing else to talk about.

Switch gears.

Put a group of women in this white-wall room and ask them to describe it.  Well, they may start with the description of "white china" walls.  Some one would inevitably go "Ohhh...nice description," which would eventually lead to this group of girls talking home decor.  You know where my head goes...neutral color palate...white walls, antique finished furniture, sackcloth/linen pillows in tan or beige, Hydrangea flowers sitting in a clear vase, maybe a pop of color like navy (on pillows, a chair, a seat cover, a glass votive on the mantle...wait..yes...there is a fireplace in my imaginary room).  Woah!  You just got yourself a whole room.  FROM A WHITE WALL.

Complicated.  Girls think...a lot.  This thinking can be a battle to fight.  Not that thinking isn't good, but it can often get us in trouble if we let ourselves "go there."  Go where, you ask?  Well...anywhere.  Girls are like spaghetti...they intertwine every detail of their life with another - whether they are related or not and somehow we think into the future and make sure we consider if we need leftovers for tomorrow.  It can be exhausting - this thinking, analyzing, nit-picking, wondering, speculating, assuming, confirming, denying, questioning, revising, re-revising.

Sigh.

My brain needs a break.  Which is exactly my point.  How many times do I have to remind myself that all of those -ings can often be useless and only make things worse.  Women like control...women want to be in control and to know what is coming - I do at least.  Don't get me wrong - I like surprises, but usually, I don't want to wait and I want clarity and answers.  Well, God is funny and doesn't work on my time...and that is always a good thing that I realize after-the-fact.  The part I just need to continually work on is patience and trust.  I think I gave up trust today.  I wanted to do my own thing...didn't want to care to do it right anymore...wanted to know answers and  know "the plan."  No worries, I still don't know "the plan" and I know I never fully will, but I guess that is what makes me come back to stand in a white-wall room and let Him paint the picture.

Pancakes

Good morning!!

I've officially completed my Bootcamp class for today.  Yes, I have been crazy to do this and wake up at 5:00 so Darlene, the class instructor, can ferouciously kick my ass into shape every Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes Saturday mornings.  It is a vicious class - I'm sore, sometimes I feel like I could pass out or throw up, and other times I feel like the female version of Rocky when I run for four minutes at a 10 incline and do other crazy workouts within an hour.

So...with Bootcamp and a boyfriend that has a Nutrition and Fitness degree, the way I view my "active" life and the food I eat is slowly being transformed.  Ignore the last bit of chocolate bunny I finally demolished last night (hey, it's dark chocolate - so it is healthy, right?!).  Anyways...back on target.  Since the sun is out right now, I'm feeling energized from my workout - even though it was impossible to keep my arms up to wash my hair or put on my mascara, I'm in a good mood, feeling in shape, and feeling good about the things I'm putting in my body - for the most part.  It is Cinco de Mayo so I'm not too sure how well I'll do tonight, but I'm starting the day out right....and eating my version of Banana Pancakes:

1/2 c. oatmeal (before cooked)
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter (the only ingredient is peanuts and less than 1% of salt)
1 banana

Just cook up that oatmeal, add a little cinnanmon and peanut butter and add the banana into the mix when it is done cookin' and you've got yourself a great and filling breakfast that is super healthy for you!