by LT MarathonGirl | Jan 2, 2016 | Diet, Self Development, Whole 30
The top reason I have stayed with the same employer for over 20 years (dating myself) is that it is so great to work for a company with tremendous opportunity that encourages you to grow as a person. Several years ago they made it even more fun to do so with the 68 Day Challenge. Check it out here on Facebook: The 68 Day Challenge.
The challenge I am taking on this year – the Whole30 Program. 30 days of cleaner eating for better health. No grains, beans, dairy, added sugar, and alcohol for 30 days. What is attractive about this program?
First, anyone can do just about anything for only 30 days. Next, I love this philosophy that eating healthy is easy, it’s the psychology that gets in the way.
So, the challenge is 68 days and the program is only 30. No worries. This isn’t a program to jump right into. The first few steps that I am working on now:
- emptying my pantry of temptation
- reading It Starts with Food
- meal planning – for family members on the plan and those not on the plan
- schedule planning
This last one, schedule planning, has actually been the hardest part so far. Why make this program more difficult by trying to do it when there is extra temptation and will power busters? We’ve (I’m lucky that my husband agreed to go along on this journey) moved our start date from February 23rd (the day after my husbands birthday) to January 4th (let’s stop talking and get started) to January 8th (really, you have 2 business dinners this week).
by LT MarathonGirl | Jul 6, 2014 | Uncategorized
“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
My garden is my pride and joy. I love being able to relax in the back yard with a different scene almost daily depending on what is in bloom. Tucked away in the blooms are edible delights that almost look too pretty to eat. Chives in the spring and fall, strawberries in early summer, blackberries in late summer, and herbs almost year round.
Not big on rum, a server at my old favorite restaurant (so sad that it is gone) talked me into ordering a blueberry mojito. I have to say, it was fun summer awesomeness in a glass. It was this morning’s inspiration for our morning smoothie.
Blueberry Mojito Smoothie
Printable Version
Ingredients
- 1 banana
- 1 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
- 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves
- 1 small handful kale
- 1 slice lime
- 1/2 c water
- 1 c ice
- 1 squeeze agave
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Instructions
- place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth
by LT MarathonGirl | Mar 27, 2014 | Uncategorized
Peas and carrots
Chocolate and peanut butter
Oreos and milk
Eggs and bacon
Bacon and eggs
Burgers and beer
Pizza and . . . pizza
Perfect food combos. Now there is a new match made in heaven…
Taco Bell and breakfast.
My favorite food and my favorite meal.
If you didn’t give up fast food for lent and are going to dare the new breakfast menu here’s a look at the nutrition value of what they have to offer, from Taco Bell’s website.
by LT MarathonGirl | Mar 26, 2014 | Uncategorized
At a networking breakfast yesterday, someone mentioned leaving the skin on kiwi when you make
smoothies. It just didn’t sound right to me, but then someone added “my kid eats kiwi with the skin on like an apple”. OK, but kids eat worms too. I still wasn’t 100% sold, but I tried it this morning anyway – you couldn’t tell they were in there. Believe me, if anything was funky our 10 year old would have called us out.
Thanks for the great tip.
I did some research this morning, there’s actually a California Kiwifruit Organization. I found out that by leaving the skin on the fiber value is tripled and more of the vitamin C is retained. Hey, I just like that it’s a shortcut in the morning.
According to Wikipedia to have “skin in the game” is to have incurred monetary risk by being
invested in achieving a goal. In my smoothie recipe having skin in the game is to retain more of the vitamins and add fiber.
Skin In Kiwi Smoothie
printable version
Ingredients
- 2 oranges peeled
- 8 strawberries
- 1 slice lime
- 1 inch slice pineapple peeled
- 2 kiwi, ends cut off, but not peeled
- 1 cup ice
- 1 cup water
- 1 squeeze agave
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Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!
by LT MarathonGirl | Mar 8, 2014 | Uncategorized
Sometimes it’s not the foods our kids (and husbands) won’t eat, it’s the way they are prepared. For instance, most people steam brussel sprouts. Yuck! You can’t get most people to buy in to them this way. Try roasting them with olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and orange peel. DELICIOUS! The same goes for asparagus. Steamed, not so liked. Grilled or roasted it takes on an entirely different flavor, and texture, that will get more wins and empty plates.
I find that the best way to make sure that my family gets enough vegetables is to hide them in a fruity flavored smoothie. Sometimes I sneak a few too many veggies in there and I am busted. Sometimes I hit a home run like with this limey flavored smoothie.
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Hide the Spinach, An Antioxidant Smoothie
Printable Version
Ingredients
- 1 orange peeled
- 2 kiwi peeled
- 1 banana
- 1 lime wedge
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup ice
- 1 squeeze agave
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Instructions
- Put all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Wait to see if anyone detects your secret ingredient. I bet that they can’t
