Motivated Monday - Still Here... and Still Motivated!

Yes, it has been two weeks.

2 crazy weeks of illness, holidays, storms, internet outages and general mayhem. Basically, life as normal.

This is the time of year I start thinking back upon my accomplishments and goals from 2012. I like to think about all areas of my life, fitness included. Many people set their fitness and health goals at the new year, and  I think, done right, it can be healthy. Of course, I try to be realistic and specific with my goals.

I hit a little bump this past year... well, baby bump to be more accurate. It wasn't unwanted, but still took me by surprise. I think Mother Nature took a little longer than I had hoped. Things are set for the end of Spring to welcome baby #3 to our family.

Did it slow me down? Well, yes. Did it change my motivation? Definitely.

2013 for me will not be about a size, a shape or skinny jeans. It is a year to be healthy and happy both mentally and physically. I expect to go through many more changes... from pregnancy, to birth and then breastfeeding and juggling another little person for our family walks and exercise. It is a challenge I am up for. I am armed with our double jogging stroller and Ergo carrier.

My first step? Continuing to cut out processed foods from our home and diet. I finally bit the bullet and ordered my dream grain mill. Yes, I can do whole grains they way they are supposed to be done. Flour, freshly ground is living... the germ and bran require refrigeration after grinding. We are going to try to grind as needed for the added health benefits, but it is a small trade off.

I purchased a WonderMill on Amazon and our first success were simple whole wheat pancakes. It was amazing how much more filling the freshly ground whole wheat was. Yes, even over the store bought whole wheat! They had a lovely nutty flavor as well. This year we will be growing some wheat on the farm, so I look forward to fresh grain as well.

As for exercise, I am still loving the Knocked-Up Fitness DVDs, Prenatal Yoga and time on my treadmill. I can feel the changes already starting in my hips and joints, but am embracing the familiar feelings as this pregnancy progresses.

Winter is our favorite time to get out and play as a family. I am looking forward to a few cross country ski trips with my kids. Finally my son was old enough for his own boots and skis. I am such a proud mama! No downhill for me this season, but I won't be pregnant forever. So far we have only been up once to cut our Christmas tree and play. With all the snow that has been falling in the Oregon mountains, it won't be our last trip.

Exercise Goals:

• Walking 12 miles a week+
• 5 days a week pilates or yoga practice
• 3 Cross-country trips out with the family
• 5K Training for Fall
• P90X for September

Finally I have more energy (not tons, but I'll take it!), a healthy appetite and motivation to enjoy this new baby journey. I am not sure the scale has been very forgiving over the holidays, but I am ready for the balance of exercise to appetite to shift.

Not horrible. I was 204 lbs at the end of the Mamavation Grad campaign 2 weeks ago.

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year. Don't be afraid of your resolutions... they are yours to create and challenge yourself with. They are not there to discourage or obsess over. Here is to a healthy and happy 2013!

Motivated Monday - My Back, Has My Back

There is nothing more humbling than not being able to move. Let this be a warning to you/love letter to a body part that makes my every movement, every action easier.

Oh, yeah... this is all about my back.

Saturday morning we went on our annual pumpkin patch trip. My husband drove the pumpkin wagon and we set out with our friends and an army of little people in search of those perfect orange orbs. My son was dressed as a dinosaur and my daughter was a fabulous little peacock.

Off the wagon I admired the smiling faces surrounding me. Kids were darting in every direction all looking for their ideal of "perfection". A medium sized, round pumpkin caught my eye. The stem was cut, but there were a few loose tendrils still holding on. I set my right foot ahead of me, grabbed with both hands and pulled with all my might.

*POP*

I felt it down deep in my back. I couldn't move and my hearing started to go, my eyesight got fuzzy. I called for my husband to come quickly before I collapsed.

Only I didn't. I stood rooted to the spot, but unable to move. With two guys on either side of me, they helped me back to the wagon. I slumped there and had to watch the fun out in the field.

Back home I was flat on my back. I couldn't walk, I was in pain and so frustrating.

Over the next two days I slowly regained my strength and the ability to move. At first it was just in one direction, sitting up was painful and walking was hard. Slowly I regained the ability to bend some, then twisting and now I can finally lift small items and walk without support.

What does your back do? So many amazing things.

This week I don't have a weigh-in to share, even though our Graduate campaign begins today. I didn't finish my entire workout - Tae Bo was a little intense for my shaky core muscles. But each day I am getting stronger. Each day I will love the mobility I have, and work hard to build up the strength on my core.

I love my back and I plan to take better care of it so it can "have my back" for years to come!

*Update* Just wanted to add this week's scale pic:

I lost 1.6 lbs this past week!

GOAL: 175lbs  - Current 208.6lbs  = 33.6lbs to lose

        9/2                Current 204.8lbs = 29.9 lbs to lose

        9/9                Current 203.4lbs = 28.5 lbs to lose

        9/16              Current 202.6lbs = 27.6 lbs to lose

      10/15              Current 201.2lbs = 26.4 lbs to lose

      10/23              Current 199.6 lbs = 24.8 lbs to lose

Have you ever had a back injury? What is your favorite core exercise?

Motivated Monday - Learning to Prioritize...Me!

Do you put yourself first?

Okay, I don't either. I have the kids, my husband, the housework and family all lined up before myself and usually I just give up. Should I? Of course not, but it happens more than I care to admit.

This past week I forced myself to carve out a little more time for myself. Yeah, just a little. Things have been busy around here and I am doing what I can, but the truth is I need to do more.

I tried waking up earlier...

and my 3-year old woke up every morning within 10 minutes. No, didn't even matter if I moved the times around. She has super-spidey senses.

I tried sleeping less...

That is just not okay as I creep farther into my 30's. No joke. I need my sleep.

So here is the goal for the week: Organize. I need to organize my home, my life and my priorities. Does that sound like a big goal? You betcha! I have been eyeing the plans to tackle one room a day and set a weekly schedule to get everything done. In the past I have tried to do too much in one session. So this time I am going to truly limit myself. Now, everyday I still need to cook, do dishes and clean the kitchen and sweep the floors - Ugh... the goal will be to do only 2 loads a day and the basics of everything else.

So here is my Cleaning Schedule:

Monday - Bathroom (downstairs)
Tuesday - Vacuum upstairs & downstairs, organize playroom
Wednesday - Mop, dust & pledge
Thursday - Bathroom (both)
Friday -  Big laundry day
Saturday - Bathroom (upstairs)
Sunday - Food Prep for the week, deep clean sink

I hope this leaves a bit more time in my week. I have some fun new recipes to try for the week. Last week I tried the overnight oats from Pinterest and liked it! I really need to have easy breakfasts so I don't eat too late. Here is my meal plan:


Monday - Eggplant Roll-ups, salad, baked apples
Tuesday - Dairy-Free Corn Chowder
Wednesday - Cinderella Princess Party - Sandwich bar, raw veggies, salsa and fruit
Thursday - Leftovers or Breakfast for Dinner
Friday -  Black Bean Burgers, homemade buns and fruit salad
Saturday - Turkey Cabbage Rolls
Sunday - Roasted Veggie Pizza

As for exercise for the week? My daily walks and regular workouts should be good. I also want to slip in nighttime yoga a few times (3?) this week. I always sleep so well afterwards.

Okay, what do you have scheduled/planned for the week? Are you planning on making yourself a priority?

This week on Mamavation TV, Kelley O. Konnors will be our guest to talk about Menopause. I recently did a post all about the new Poise products to help with Peri-menopause symptoms. Check out my post HERE. 

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Schick Intuition and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity preventionand weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Motivated Monday - Oh, Snap! How is it Monday Already?

Ever have those weeks?

My eating, blech, my water intake, horrible... somehow I survived the week but in the course of things I kinda fell off the map.

But here's the thing, my body is still going. My shoes still work and my pedometer is waiting. I don't want sympathy because it was a choice. Albeit a bad one,  I made the choice not to find time. In fact I crashed. With so much to do I felt like a wind-up toy that was taking its one. last. step. So last night I went to sleep. The kitchen sink held a night's worth of dishes, filled laundry basket in the living room, but I headed upstairs around 10pm.

Best choice of the week.

Today I will grab breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs, veggies, avocado and coffee
I will carry my water bottle everywhere with me
I will go on a 3 mile walk with my kids
I will do my Mamavation Grad workout
I will go to bed by 10pm
...and I will smile, laugh and cuddle my kids.

I did though create my week's meal plan. Yay! I don't do well faced with last minute eating options. I like to shop ahead of time and be very prepared to feed my family. So here it is:

Meal Plan 9/17
Monday - Taco/Tortilla Soup (a cross between the two with chicken, beans and loads of fresh tomatoes)
Tuesday - Basil and Summer Squash Pasta, rubbed kale salad with tomatoes
Wednesday - Tuna Casserole, salad
Thursday - Baked Spring Rolls, gyoza, egg drop soup
Friday - Orza salad, raw veggies, steamed corn and pumpkin soup
Saturday - Oyakodon, salad, shyoyu steamed pumpkin
Sunday - Kale and leek ravioli, salad, fruit salad

Here is my favorite meal from last week. Quinoa with goat cheese, zucchini and corn, steamed broccoli, tomato, sliced green peppers and a smear of garlic hummus for dipping. Yum!

As for my scale pic? Well, I cringed at the thought of stepping on it this morning. To my surprise there was still a loss... not big, but I will take it!

I lost .8 lbs this past week!

GOAL: 175lbs  - Current 208.6lbs  = 33.6lbs to lose

        9/2                Current 204.8lbs = 29.9 lbs to lose

        9/9                Current 203.4lbs = 28.5 lbs to lose

        9/16              Current 202.6lbs = 27.6 lbs to lose

Now I just keep thinking what the number could be if I actually work hard this week. My goal is to try!

Motivated Monday - How Do You Beat PMS Symptoms?

This week I want to talk about the inevitable. I exercise, I am trying to make healthy choices but one week a month I feel like I lose control of not only my body, but my mind and my motivation.

Cramps, bloating and fatigue are not exactly helpful when facing the daily workout. Besides wanting to eat my weight in chocolate and carbs, I also want to curl up and go back to sleep. Sadly, almost none of these will actually help my symptoms. With a little research on Google here are some tips for making the most of "that time of the month" that worked for me.

Exercise - This might sound silly when you don't even want to move, but getting up going for a walk might do  you a world of good. Increased blood flow and good endorphins abound with this simple act. I went for my usual walk, but slowed down my pace a bit. Afterwards I definitely better. I even had more energy and was ready to make some better choices later in the day. This was a clear winner.

Dark Chocolate - Yes, I crave chocolate, but usually reach for the milk variety. Dark chocolate has antioxidants making it not only a healthier way to give-in to my cravings, but delicious as well. I usually go with 70% or higher, but have to find a balance between healthy and still tasting good.

Flax Seed - This is one I hadn't heard before. I usually throw it into my bread, my smoothies, etc. anyway, but flax seed helps to minimize the production of prostaglandins, which might contribute to cramps. They do increase blood clotting. So I threw an extra handful into my mid-morning smoothie snack filled with extra antioxidant loaded berries.

Dark Leafy Vegetables - This is one I have always heard works for cramps and I usually try to eat them daily. Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach or broccoli contain calcium, and or magnesium. I try to keep them around and have a stash all chopped up and ready to either steam or grab as a raw snack. In the past I noticed these work best if eaten before my cycle starts, but I am sure they don't hurt to snack on while having an "off" sort of day.

Lemon Water - Drinking water can help flush out that bloated feeling but I like to add slices of lemon to mine. Lemon juice is a natural diuretic and can help with water retention, plus, I love how fresh it makes plain  water taste.

Of course, when all else fails I do love my Aleve... or Naproxen Sodium (if you are looking for the generic version).

Okay, how do you deal with PMS symptoms? Any good tips or tricks?

Weekly Update:
This was not the best week for me. I never found my energy or motivation having gone from being sick to my time of the month. I hope by continuing my daily walks and eating well I won't backtrack, but will keep going  - even if it is just slow and steady. I wanted a bigger number, but I can't complain.

GOAL: 175lbs  - Current 208.6lbs  = 33.6lbs to lose

        9/2                Current 204.8lbs = 29.9 lbs to lose

        9/9                Current 203.4lbs = 28.5 lbs to lose

I lost 1.4 lbs!!!

I have already promised my grad challenge buddy, Angela, I am going to work my behind off next week to make up for this. Remember, my weight also affects her in this challenge. I have already done my meal planning so now I need to concentrate on my water, sleep and exercise. Wish me luck!

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Salba Smart and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

Motivated Monday - Not Exactly as Planned

Welcome to Monday... yeah, I know I post this on Sundays with the intention of everyone seeing it on Monday...

Last week was the first of our unofficial Mamavation Grad challenge. We did the same workouts as the Mamavation Moms, kept food journals and supported our teammates and the group in general. It really was a crazy ride!

For starters I hit the ground Monday night running. Sadly, I missed the twitter party, but did catch Tina and Rachel's announcements. (Congrats ladies!!) Monday was the day to begin our challenge but I was traveling by car from Eastern Oregon. I tried my best to make good choices as we ate while traveling and I couldn't get to my workout till late. Somehow I dragged myself though.

The week was great. I snapped some pics to highlight what I was eating. I have been eating really well - healthy, fresh, delicious and colorful:

I did not sacrifice on flavor or feeling full... not one little bit!

Near the end of the week I started to get derailed... first on Thursday my husband and I got our first real babysitter (not grandparents) and went to a local winery. I rarely drink so this was a real treat and splurge for me. They also distilled spirits and I fell in love with the Lemoncello. Though, the butterscotch was also lovely. 

Friday was my daughter's birthday and I was very busy getting ready for that. Special meals to make, a cake to decorate and lots of reading to and cuddles with my little 3-year old. As the day wore on I was not feeling well, but nothing gets in the way of a toddler's big day!

Saturday I was in the urgent care waiting room wasting half my day. Ugh. As I waited I walked the parking lot. I do hate those cold, quiet waiting rooms. Sent home with antibiotics and an order to sleep and drink lots of water I knew it was time to respect my body.

So there you have it. Monday I will officially go back on track with my exercising. Today I will swim and walk, but head to sleep as early as I possibly can. I will only be successful if I respect and listen to my body's needs. Right now it is healing.

Now, the week was not a loss. In fact, as I stepped on the scale I saw my initial hard work had really paid off:

That is a loss of 3.8 lbs!!!

I attribute it to my daily walks, watching what I am eating and pushing my body farther than usual. It payed off to stretch outside my comfort zone.

Last week my goal was to lose 25lbs total during the campaign, but I have decided to aim for getting down to 175lbs. So I would need to lose 33.6lbs. 

GOAL: 175lbs  - Current 208.6lbs  = 33.6lbs to lose

        9/2                Current 204.8lbs = 29.9 lbs to lose

I have already pinned several new ideas and inspiration for this week's meals. I love salads, but need to keep them mixed up so I don't get bored. This week I will be using more chicken and probably writing up my baked veggie egg rolls pictured above.

For exercise I will be resuming my daily walks and trying to get more yoga in before bedtime. I have a candle light yoga DVD that helps me to get an amazing night of sleep. Sleep and giving my body time to repair after all the abuse is so important for my weight loss journey.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Dole and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway. All opinions and experiences are my own.

Motivated Monday - Stepping Up to a Challenge

When this post goes live I will be having fun with my family at PKU family camp. It is the highlight of the Summer for my kids, and even my husband and I appreciate the chance to get away from the usual routines. This year will be a little different because when I return I will be going back to boot camp.

Remember Mamavation? Remember my journey as a Mamavation Mom?

Okay, it was amazing! But, the weight has been creeping back up. I haven't made exercise a priority and it is all back like an unwanted house guest. (At least guests are easier to kick out!)

I will return from camp to hear who is part of the newest Mamavation campaign as well as joining them in the workouts, logging and hopefully... losing. But this time around I won't be alone on my journey. No, Leah has paired us up with other past grads. I am buddied up with Angela from Nine More Months. We actually were in a campaign together and I am stoked to cheer her on and get support from her.

This is it... a plan, tracking my eating via online journals and really being public about my journey... again. Ready to join me on this wild ride? I am excited to really push myself and see what Mark has in store for our workouts. Should this time around be easier? Well, I am sure I will face new challenges, but I am eager and willing to face them.

Sorry to say I will miss the twitter party and will even be showing up to this challenge a little late... I am determined to squeeze in my Monday workout before crashing after our 4 days away and eat the best I can despite traveling.

And who am I? I am a Mom of two who loves food, never finds time for exercise and has about a million and 5 reasons not to sweat. Yeah, I am a work in progress. Ready for some pics?

No, I will not be enlarging them, thank you very much! It gets a little easier to post the "before" shots, but I wouldn't really call it easy. I just keep reminding myself that every adventure has a beginning... and this is mine.

I don't have a workout or meal plan to post today because I am waiting for some of it and need time to tackle the rest. Monday will be a very busy day for this mama. I do have a goal though, I want to work on my middle... shrink, slim, tighten and tone. Anything to bust that gut I have developed.

...and Leah asked for a weight goal. With my eyes on the prize I am putting down 25 lbs. Honestly a number is hard for me to pull out. I want to be under 200 lbs and well on my way to 140lbs. Of course that will come with time and hard work. For this challenge I am going to bust my behind for a cool 25 lbs!

I hope you will join me on this journey. Have a great week.

#Mamavation Monday - Banishing the Crazies!

Ahhh... the post that almost wasn't...

This past week my Mom came to visit from Florida and the week felt more like a "staycation" than a regular week. Laundry went undone, there was much to do and schedules were a little more lax.

Some of you know it was a challenge for me. I am proud of all my Mom has overcome, cancer, abusive relationships and me! But there is something about having one's parent under the same roof that stirs up things from the past. There was some butting of heads, like over the footwear for kids to wear to the park, what should be fed to my chickens, etc. It was the little things that added up.

I am proud to say, though I didn't get my walks in, or exercise DVDs, I controlled what I could. All week I shared some of my favorite healthy recipes with her. From rubbed kale to millet patties, we had several plant based meals and got an array of gorgeous colors on our plates. It is important to me in times of stress to control the few things I can... like my food. Oh, and I should say there was no emotional eating! (yay!)

My kids had an amazing time and overall it was a good visit.

That behind me, it is time to get back on track. It amazes me how one little week can derail routines. I began today with our usual walk and plan to end the day with a little candle light yoga. It is a start and every journey must have one.

My goal this week is to really get my sweat on. Luckily I haven't been gaining any weight, but losing has been slow so it is time to add in more time, activities, bike rides, etc. I am pretty sure I can find another 30 minutes of movement in my day but haven't decided exactly what to do. I might just play it by ear this week.

This week I am thrilled to say our leeks are ready! They smelled lovely as I pulled them from the garden. They are also ready in our market, but they won't last long. Are leeks in season in your area?

As for food, the farm is in full swing, so lots of fresh veggies to work with! Here is my Meal Plan:

Mon. - Leek & Shallot Pasta
Tue. - Crock Pot Mediterranean Stuffed Bell Peppers
Wed. - Zucchini Noodles Alfredo
Thur. - Chicken Fajitas
Fri. - "Farm Fresh Dinner" - fresh corn on the cob, melon, sliced veggies, baked egg rolls
Sat. - Broccoli Frittata
Sun. - Chef Salad - Poached Chicken, boiled eggs, avocado, corn, greens

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

#Mamavation Monday - Hold Me!

Furious preparations are underfoot....

As I get set to post this my Mom is coming to stay for the week. No big deal? I think everyone has a unique relationship with their parents. Whether you fear, love or dread their visits ... they take us back in time. No longer will I be the queen of the roost, my Mom will be here.

At dinner my son mentioned that my Mom should try something I made. We have rules in the house to try a bite of everything on our plate before being excused, so my son was confused when I said she might not want to try it. My son was bewildered. I could see his mind racing. Unfortunately I think he picked up on the fact someone in the house wouldn't have to listen to me! Ugh...

In reality I am not sure how much will get done around here. I look forward to spending time with her and doing some fun craft projects with the kids. I will be trying to fit in the daily walks but it will be impossible to get my late-night treadmill time.

I plan to concentrate on what I can control... our meals! So, here is my meal plan for the week:

Mon - Taco Salad - meatless Monday with kidney beans and loads of veggies!
Tue - Smoked Pork Loin, BBQ potato salad, light slaw
Wed - Shredded Chicken with Peanut Sauce over a bed of zucchini, summer squash & carrot "noodles"
Thur - Chicken salad in a cantaloupe bowl
Fri - Eat Out!
Sat - Farm Fresh Dinner (whatever comes out of my garden or out of the field)

This past week I spent more time cleaning than exercising. That should have been healthy, but I also wasn't sleeping well. It is a bad combination. I feel rather puffy and can't wait to get back on track after my Mom leaves.

I hope everyone has a great week and stays motivated!

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Unreal Candy and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Monday Motivation - Clawing Out of a Funk

Last week I finished the 2weekchallenge and though I got through it many of the days I "just" did. Low energy, sleepy, cranky and unmotivated. I felt like I was sleepwalking through my days. So frustrating! The funk or fog lasted almost 2 weeks.

What caused it?

Well, probably several things. We co-sleep part time with the kids and my daughter had some pretty rough nights. Instead of snuggling with us for a few hours in the early morning, she wouldn't sleep in her bed at all without a fight. She tossed, turned and woke up every few hours. 3-year-olds are pretty fierce kickers and hitters. Needless to say, neither my husband nor I got a good night sleep. We discussed things and are pretty sure this slowly started sucking the life out of both of us.

Even though I was heading to bed by 10pm, I awoke feeling more tired than when I went to sleep. Housework backed up because I wasn't productive, I finally sacrificed my workouts and my temper was short. So how did I claw my way out of that funk?

Adding in some nighttime Yoga was my first step. Stretching and breathing prepped me for a full night of quality sleep. That first night I slept a little better.

The next day I walked and added in yoga. We tried to keep my daughter more comfortable and were firmer about her spending more time in her bed.

The funk is lifting! I can't say it is easy, but I had to make my health a priority. Sleep and exercise affect so much of the rest of my day, they can't be overlooked or sacrificed.

So my question for you is, what do you do to banish a funk? What causes you to loose motivation and energy?

Fuel
To help out with funk-busting, I prepared this fun meal-plan for the week:

Mon - Garden Pizza (loaded with fresh veggies & sauce from goodies in our garden & fresh mozz)
Tue - Millet Patties over a bed of veggies
Wed - Broccoli Fritatta
Thur - Grilled Chicken & veggies
Fri - Stir Fried veggies & tofu over brown rice
Sat - Taco Salad
Sun - Breakfast for Dinner

Exercise
Gotta keep moving to benefit from those happy endorphins! I also need to get the house de-cluttered and the back room cleaned out for a visit from my Mom. So much to do this week.


Mon - 1 hr. walk/ Cardio DVD/ nighttime Yoga
Tue - 1 hr. walk/ weights
Wed - 1 hr. walk/ Dance DVD/ nighttime Yoga
Thur - 1 hr. walk/ Cardio DVD/
Fri - 1 hr. walk/ weights
Sat - 1 hr. walk/Cardio DVD/ nighttime Yoga
Sun - 1 hr. walk/ family bike ride

So, what do you have planned for the week?


*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by GoVida Foods and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday - Green

I hope you had a fabulous week!

The sun was shining, we got outside everyday and we have been eating our fair share of green.

We started out a few days with our favorite Green Monster Smoothie. Our recipe changes depending on what fruit we have on hand. Here is my basic recipe:

1 sml. can Pineapple chunks in juice
1 c. packed baby spinach
8 oz. homemade Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. Flaxseed oil
1 c. frozen fruit of choice - I throw overripe bananas, strawberries or peaches in the freezer overnight.

But that isn't the only green showing up in my kitchen right now. Our green beans are ready!

At only 40 calories in a 4 oz serving, I like to snack on them raw. My kids tend to eat the most while out picking them fresh from the field. Though I enjoy them slightly blanched, too, be careful not to overcook them or pick old woody beans.

Recent surveys show that 60% of all commercially grown green beans are produced in the United States, with large amounts of green bean acreage found in the states of Illinois, Michigan, New York, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Yep, shout out here to Oregon. We only produce enough for our market, but those rows of beans are mighty beautiful.


So this week we will be eating our fair share of green beans. They are considered a starchy vegetable, but remember they are not processed and natural. Just watch your portion sizes.


Okay, speaking of food, here is my week's meal plan:


Monday - Grilled Chicken and Peaches with Green Beans and Orzo - From Augusts' Better Homes &      Gardens magazine
Tuesday - Spaghetti & Meatballs, salad
Wednesday - Meatless Taco Salad
Thursday - Potatoes, spinach and mushrooms with scrambled eggs
Friday - Go Out!
Saturday - Garden Veggie Pizza, salad
Sunday - Broccoli Crustless Quiche, salad


Exercise:
I enjoyed finishing the 2weekchallenge, but sadly didn't see the scale budge much. My energy level was pretty low so this week I am working on more movement, more steps, more sleep and strength training. It is always a challenge to fit into a busy schedule, but with a goal of being as healthy as I can... I just need to do it.


I set a goal of 100 miles in a month. I want to see how far my feet can take me with a combination of walks, training runs and treadmill time. Did I mention that I get so bored on the treadmill? Working on that though. Having Coach Erika, from FFIT at Home  on Mamavation TV this week sounds great to me! I am hoping to even make the show this week. I am pretty sure my DH owes me for being absent the past couple of Monday nights.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by FFIT.

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by FFIT and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday - All Juiced Up

How was your week?

I had a good one. I found some fun and delicious new ways to stay hydrated, found a fun new website, and got my juice on with the kids!

I know I have written about zesting up my water before. My usual favorites are mint, basil, cucumbers and any combination of citrus slices. This week since the berries are in season I discovered a love of berries in my usual water.

Usually I am not a raspberry fan, but our crop is really good this year and they only gave off a subtle flavor. I froze both my raspberries and blueberries before putting them into the pitcher. As they thawed they released some juice, flavoring the water nicely. The cucumbers were sliced with a small fondant cutter to add a little patriotic flair to our 4th of July festivities.

I have been having such a hard time remembering to drink water that I started filling up a pitcher in the morning and grabbing a glass as I walk past. I try to mix up the flavor each day, but it is always simple, fresh and natural. There is something about seeing the fruit and water that gets me excited to drink it. That is a feeling I don't usually have with a water bottle.

In other news, while browsing Pinterest I found a great site, Rabbit  Food for my Bunny Teeth, which had loads of info about veggie packed recipes as well as some fun juicing ideas. I fell in love with Catherine's site because she stresses being plant strong and even talks about how vegetarians can be unhealthy too if they just eat Oreos. I had a vegetarian friend who only drank beer and ate cheese pizza... he was not a poster boy for the label. My husband and I consider ourselves "Flexitarians" and don't stick with one mold but eat a plant based diet.

She did a classic 5 day cleanse and documented it. Though I haven't tried a complete juice fast/cleanse yet, I still had fun trying the recipes.

I ended up making  Sherbet Lemonade, Spring Best and Mean Green from her site to enjoy with the kids. Yum!! I am really looking forward to our fresh beets this Fall. The kids were impressed with the rainbow of juices we ended up with. In the end my son's Braeburn apple and carrot juice was everyone's favorite.

Have you tried juicing? What is your favorite recipe?

Now this was a great week and I want to keep the momentum going, so here is my plan for the week.
Meal Planning:
Sun. - Lamb stew with couscous en papillote
Mon. - Grilled Stuffed Burritos - from inspiredRD.
Tue. - Homemade Marinara Sauce packed with veggies over hand rolled noodles
Wed. - Protein Power Goddess Bowls
Thur. - Taco Salad
Fri. -  Breakfast - spinach/mushroom potatoes and scrambled eggs

Exercise:
I am continuing with the 2 week challenge and plan to get in my daily walks, but right now my energy has been low and I have been extra sleepy. So I will be focusing on getting sleep, eating well, keeping up with the house and garden, and reducing my stress level. With two small children that is a challenge some days.

Mamavation TV - come join us Monday night because Melissa Paris is back to talk about training with weights.

*Disclaimer This post is sponsored by Omron and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday - a 5K and a Plan

Happy Monday everyone!

This past week was busy... of course! It is Summer, right?

Saturday was the 3rd Birthday of Mamavation and a 5K to celebrate. I grabbed my walking buddies and off we went.

Don't even ask how I will juggle 3 kids on walks. I guess I will cross that bridge when I get there. My little buddies do enjoy the walks, but often need bribes to keep from asking the age old question, "Are we done yet, Mom?"

And for my totally blurry, totally sweaty after shot... well, here it is. Ta-da!

At the end of my walk one thought popped into my mind. Why don't I do this more often? Don't worry, I'm not planning on becoming a marathoner anytime soon. No, I just wondered why I don't continue to improve my time/pace/endurance.

I have thrown down the gauntlet. I mentioned this in the Mamavation Facebook group and there were a few people interested. You can join in on the forum conversation about making this a regular thing. Go here: http://mamavation.com/forums/index.php/topic,934.0.html Be sure you are signed up for the forums, but I would love to see more people join in.

So, I have a month to see if I can beat my time. I can do it! Are you in?

This week's Mamavation topic is about Home Workouts. I am all for those and have the workout DVD collection to prove it. I don't have a gym close by, nor do I have a gym membership anymore. All of my workouts have to be created around watching my kids, preparing meals, keeping up the house and naptime. But, it can be done. I am completely in love with my Xbox 360 controller free workouts (The Black Eyed Peas have a great dance game) and also hardcore fast workouts with Jillian Michaels.

No Meal Plan yet this week, so many things are coming into season and I tend to cook what my husband brings home after work. Yesterday we enjoyed the first cucumbers out of the field - they were amazing!

Catch my Greek Chicken Pita recipe on Mamavation.com & link up your own healthy recipes, too.

Have a great week and I can't wait to hear how you all plan on improving your 5K stats and setting personal bests!

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Birds Eye and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday - I Love Fresh Food!

Happy Monday everyone! How is Summer treating you?

I'd say that Summer has been pretty sweet so far here.

This past few days have brought more clouds and rain than we would like, so I am out enjoying and picking what we can. I love all the fresh local produce.

If you read my post last week you will know I embarked on a week of salads. It was great! ...yes, my husband was a real trooper. In truth they were delicious, contained protein and were full of fresh ingredients. It was also the easiest food prep week I have had for a while. Though we won't be just having salad this week, we will be keeping the greens piled high on the table.

One rotisserie chicken lasted most of the week... dressings were simple (oil and balsamic or lemon juice) or homemade.

The family's favorite meal of the week was a Greek salad with chickpeas, feta, lamb patties and steamed artichokes. My son devoured a whole artichoke himself. I will be posting this recipe later and we have it on the menu again for this coming week. Yes, that is a glass of wine... I guess it is proof that I drink once in a blue moon. It was really good, too.

We also tossed a simple Chicken and black bean salad with lemon juice and apple cider vinegar. Very tasty! Other nights I just threw leftovers together over salad. My favorite was a lemon juice tossed lentil salad that went nicely over a bed of my garden greens.

Then my favorite night was the spicy Bibimbap dinner! It was a little on the hot side for my husband. I had to make-do with a cast iron skillet to get the rice all crispy. I added a doll-up of fermented pepper sauce and mixed it all up. Filled with cucumber, mung bean sprouts, zucchini, carrots and kimchee... Mmmm... it was heaven!

I hope that gives you some fun inspiration for this week's meal planning. Here is my plan to help get me eating right:

Mon. - Kale stuffed Q-ball squash, Wild Rice, Grilled Chicken
Tues. - Broccoli Frittata
Wed. - Pizza Party!
Thur. - Taco Salad
Fri. - Breakfast for Dinner, waffles, fruit salad, smoothies
Sat. - Lamb Gyros, Greek Salad, Cherry & Biscoff cookie parfaits
Sun. - Tuna Casserole, salad

I am excited to post that I lost 3lbs this week!!! Yup. I said goodbye to Mirena, ate well and got out with my kids to U-pick. Summer is looking fine.

Can't wait to join you ladies in the Mamavation 5K this weekend! I have been breaking in my new running shoes in honor of it.

For this week's topic, Are you overdoing it? My answer is, usually... but not right now. The pace of life right now is ever changing. We eat what we pick and I am outside more with the kids. The good news is I am getting more steps into my day, moving more, but not regularly exercising. Life is just too chaotic! My husband pops in at random times for meals and there is so much to do. I need to push for my strength training, but will not sacrifice my sleep right now. It feels so good to be well-rested.

*This post is sponsored by FFIT and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

#Mamavation Monday - A Week of Salad Begins

Summer begins this week and I love the chance to eat fresh, simple and healthy.

This week as I was meal planning I kept writing down salads. Not intentionally, I always browse my magazines, Pinterest and blogs for things that make me hungry. This week the variety isn't lacking, but the theme running through most of the week is salad.

Now, if you are thinking of the same old iceburg and grated carrot salads, you would be sorely mistaken! I am going to be maximizing a rotisserie chicken and even going meatless for a few. With the warmer weather here, does your menu change? What foods does your family ask for? My husband and I prefer real food that is simple and fast to eat.

2 cups of fresh lettuce and dark greens goes a long way to fill a plate. This Southwestern Chicken salad was tossed with a simple olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing and was so yummy! Check out the rest of my menu plan for the week:

Meal Plan 6/18- 6/23

Mon. - Bibimbab (not a salad, but a Korean mixed rice bowl. Really good!)
Tue. - Mediterranian Lentil Salad, Baked Sweet Potato
Wed. - Lamb Burgers (bun-less) over a Greek Chicken Salad
Thurs. - Black Bean and Brown Rice Salad with a fresh Tahini dressing
Fri. - Horiatiki Greek Salad (no lettuce), fresh Pita Bread
Sat. - Curried Chicken and Grape Salad
Sun. - Seafood and Veggies baked in Parchment with a Ginger Miso Glaze

Most mornings I have been adding a different juicing recipe to the mix. This past week we fell in love with a "Morning Sunrise" juice from lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit and carrots. Do you have a favorite juice recipe?

Sleep & Exercise

This past week I was working through Bob Greene's book, 20 Years Younger. I am still working on sleep, but was hit with some massive allergies. This meant even when I slept for 8-9 hours a night I was still exhausted. I just need to get a hold of my seasonal allergies - I am taking daily Claritin and Benedryl as necessary. They leave me rather sleepy (even with 2 cups of black coffee) and unmotivated. Can't wait for the cottonwood and grasses to pass so I can be more productive.

This week I will add to the sleep goal with exercise. I want to walk/jog for 1 hour everyday to bump my steps up from 10,000 to 14,000 a day. Luckily, the longer daylight hours will help with this one. I can't wait for the Mamavation 5K at the end of the month and for strength I am still focusing on my core.

So much to do but this work in progress is trying to make the most of every minute. So, what are your goals for the week?

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Dole and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway.

#Mamavation Monday - I am THAT Mom

This week's topic for Mamavation TV is Childhood Obesity.

I wasn't sure I had anything to add to the conversation...

I am a Mom who has cheered on every pound my children gained, cried as they lost and prayed that they would somehow find their way back onto the growth chart since birth. Fruit and vegetables do not pack on the pounds, but carbs like potatoes and sugar do. When you can see every rib in your one year old, you begin to look at food... and calories differently.

I understand obesity is a big issue in the US, but it is something I can't relate to. My children have actually had the opposite problem. When sitting down to write this post I thought about my own experiences and the harsh criticism and comments from people who are quick to judge me as a Mother. Yes, even family has taken issue over what I feed my children. So today I offer you a unique perspective in the Childhood Obesity conversation about passing judgement.

I pass judgement on my own weight gains, food choices and lifestyle all the time. The more I look at myself and make changes for my family, the harsher I am on my own failings. The flip side is to be careful of the judgement you pass on others as you learn more about food and living a healthy lifestyle.

While enjoying a night out at Red Robin with my family we ordered our usual favorites. My children have PKU and we can only feed them medically modified foods (purchased through our children's hospital) or fruit and vegetables. My kids love french fries and luckily potatoes have become my starchy friends. Fried foods carry more calories and potatoes are a great carb if you want to gain weight. Along with their fries they had their usual baby carrots (no dip due to the dairy), steamed broccoli and mandarin oranges. As my son happily munched on his fries an older woman in the booth next to us rolled her eyes at me and loudly started talking about what people feed their kids. Okay, first of all we were in a burger restaurant. I also understand that my child's meager plate might have looked odd, but I was within their recommended diet and I like taking them out to eat sometimes as a treat.

This wasn't the first time I have heard comments about my parenting and what I feed my children, but it didn't hurt any less.

The truth is we are all trying as parents. As we all make healthier choices for our family I want to urge you to be sensitive to the situation of others. As I enjoy my steel cut oats for breakfast, or my farm raised meat at dinner it pains me that I can't share these healthy foods options with my children. I don't expect others to understand, but I do want people to be aware that in rare situations "healthy food" might be defined differently. 

I hope we can all lead by example with our healthy lives, free of judgement for others and the current path they are on. Just as I don't want to be defined by my weight, I don't want my children to be defined by the food they eat... or can't eat. Of course the real challenge is for me to not eat like my kids do and share the vegetable and fruit options that we can.

I am THAT Mom... and am proud to tell you why.

________________________________________

This past week I really got into Bob Greene's 20 Years Younger. The book has really spoken to me, and not because I am chasing any sort of "fountain of youth". No, I am enjoying it because it points out ways to be the healthiest me right now. Weight loss may be a byproduct, but it is not the only focus of the book. Right now I am concentrating on the chapter on sleep and scheduling out my days to get everything in. This means to bed by 10pm and up at 6am. Okay... that hasn't come yet. I have gotten at least 8 hours every night this week which is great, but I am working on getting up earlier, too.

That is the hard part. I can hit snooze a dozen times in my sleep...

If you have read his book, what do you think? Has anyone put his suggestions into action?

My Meal Plan:

Sunday - BBQ: grassfed, hormone free beef, grilled veggies and roasted sweet potatoes
Monday - Poached eggs with Chard over brown rice
Tuesday - Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs
Wednesday - Meatless Taco Salad
Thursday - Tofu Stir Fry over brown rice
Friday - Go Out!
Saturday - Chicken Fajitas

Exercise:
Daily -  3.5 mile walk, gardening
3x a week - DVD workout of choice

This is my basic plan for the week. Of course, life is always good about throwing a monkey wrench in the works, but this gives me a starting place. What are your food and exercise goals for the week?

Be sure to check out my Beautifully Baked Ratatouille Recipe on Mamavation this week!

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Joy Feldman. Two blogging carnival participants will each receive Is Your Hair Made of Donuts book. To be eligible inlcude the following disclmber and link back to Mamavation website.

*Disclaimer - This post is sponsored by Joy Feldman and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post. Link up your post here.