Food:
I decided to follow the Quantum Wellness Cleanse eliminating all alcohol, gluten, caffeine, sugar, and animal products (with my exception of eggs). My choice to eat healthier, whole foods has left me feeling much better about my decisions this week. I didn't notice a big difference in how I felt at first. That changed when I did cheat and have an ice cream snack with a friend Monday night (to celebrate the Bachelor premiere). It was delicious and I was ok with my one little cheat, but the snack left me feeling not so great. It is amazing how sugar can affect your body when you haven't had it in a bit. I feel that my body has recharged in a way, requiring less sugar now than it did before.
So instead of Christmas Cookies and pies, what have I been munching on this week?
To start my day I enjoy a Buckwheat Bake or one of these delicious Egg Quinoa Bakes from Edible Perspective. I made a huge batch of both last week and have been enjoying them for breakfast since. Sometimes I will toast a gluten-free English muffin to go with the egg bake. I love that I took the time to make these in advance. It makes breakfast so much easier. I just take them out of the freezer, pop it into the microwave and in 3 minutes I am ready to eat!
Photo credit: Edible Perspective
Lunches are always leftovers around here. That's how I do it. It's quick, it's easy, and usually doesn't require much mess. I can't think of a single instance this past week that lunch wasn't leftovers.
So then let's talk dinner. Alex and I are meticulous meal planners. Each dinner each night is planned out, pinned, and a grocery list is made. We shop for only the ingredients on our list and we eat exactly as the meal plan says. Rarely do we move away from the plan. Here's this week's meals:
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Monday: Tempeh Helper
Tuesday: Butternut Squash Fries (potluck)
Wednesday: Savory Veggie Buckwheat Bake & Salad
Thursday: Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Friday: Rutabaga Egg Nests
Saturday: Baked Polenta Pie
Sunday: Potato Soup
You can find all meals on my "This Week" board on Pinterest which links to the original recipe. I can already tell you that Tempeh Helper is delicious!
So how have I done sticking to my eating goals? Well I mentioned above that I had dessert over at a friend's on Monday. I could have said no, but I ate it anyway. And I didn't really feel any guilt over it either. I also had a slice of whole wheat bread the other evening as a snack. Alex baked some fresh in the bread maker and the smell was just too intoxicating to say no. It wasn't gluten free but it was good. Lastly, I realized that there is sugar in the soy milk I have been drinking (no wonder it tastes so good) so I should probably eliminate it as well. But other than those three slip-ups, I have been on target. I truly enjoy eating this way and am really happy to be back to healthy eating (and almost vegan again)!
Fitness:
I am really excited to write this piece. Let me first say: it is hard to make time to exercise as a working mom. It truly is. The fact that I have made it out at all deserves a pat on the back. What I love about life right now is that any small accomplishment feels large, so there is no room for guilt over missed workouts and unattained goals. I know it makes a difference if I do anything at all.
So what I have been up to? Last week I squeezed in a run with my friend Jenna. I didn't wear my watch but I'm sure we went past 3 miles. I took the weekend off. I wanted to do something but it just never happened. And I really didn't feel bad. But it gave me the motivation to start Monday off right. While Alex picked up Eleanor from the babysitter's I charged out of the house for a quick (for me) 5k.
Again, Tuesday I had high hopes for squeezing in a workout. I planned to meet Jenna at the gym but as the clock ticked close to 9:30am I realized we weren't going to make it. The day continued to slide through my fingers but I was determined. Finally, after Eleanor went to bed for the night I rolled out my yoga mat and completed this circuit. In between each set I did burpees and pushups to get my heart rate up. It was a distracted workout, interrupted several times by a crying baby and whining puppy. But I still broke a sweat and felt very accomplished after. That's what counts.
I am already playing today through in my head and wondering where the workout will happen now. It doesn't seem to fit into my days, but the point is to make time, not find time. Where will I make time today?
How are your 2013 goals going? Have you already slipped up (like me) or felt discouraged. Let me assure you it is ok. Just don't give up.
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