JMT Week 2
One week done and I’m still alive! The fires sure made me nervous that we wouldn’t even make it to the trail, let alone this far. There was a bit of smoke from the fires during the first few days but its pretty well cleared …
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JMT Week 1
Two or three years ago I watched a movie called “Mile, Mile and a Half.” It was about the experience of a group of friends backpacking the John Muir Trail together. The scenery and challenge called to my inner adventurer, BUT, I didn’t have anyone …
NO Sugar January
My sweet tooth is colossal! Sometimes I feel in control of it, sometimes I binge on the sugary goods for days, or weeks, at a time. When I was in high school, my mom would give me lunch money. Half of it would buy me lunch, the other half would buy me a king size Snickers bar. I’m pretty sure I had some sort of sugary candy bar every day for almost four years. That definitely helped build up a solid foundation of sugar addiction. As an adult I have continued that bad habit with things other than Snickers bars. When my second son was born, any time I would pump in attempt to have a stock of breast milk for when I was working, I would snack on double stuffed Oreos. When I became a bartender, it turned into margaritas filled with a sugary drink mix, that also led to another addiction. I never really thought I had an addictive personality until I tried to quit my addictions.
Two years ago, a friend of mine told me she was quitting sugar for the year. She still had honey, but no cane sugar or alternative sugars. Last week I thought to myself, after having a sugar filled weekend, that I would try a year sugar free. My friends told me I might be crazy. Which, I might be! Since thinking the year of no sugar through, I’ve decided to start small and make this goal more attainable. Every month will have some sort of sugar challenge, but not the 100% denial. I haven’t made a complete plan for the year, but I’ve got at least the first three months planned out. January is 100% no sugar. February is only sugar alternatives like honey, agave, or stevia. Not only will February be only alternative sugars, it will be only one day a week. I’m not setting that day to a specific day because there may be a birthday or a holiday to enjoy! March is going to continue with the one day a week treat, with less restrictions on what kind of sweet. I’m trying to build my mindset into a lifestyle that allows for a treat on occasion, not the mindset that wakes up thinking I WANT SUGAR!!! #thestruggleisreal
You’re probably thinking, sweet, good for you, but why are you sharing this with me? Misery loves company, and of course I’d love to challenge you to hop on the “No Sugar January” bandwagon too! But really, I want to share with you how I’m going to cut the sugar and still enjoy healthy treats throughout the month. Success needs preparation, and I plan to be prepared to the hilt!
My Plan
Mindset Matters
It’s easy to get caught up in the “I can’t have this” mindset. It’s important to focus on what you CAN have rather than what you can’t have. Yes, I love sugar, but I get to eat these delicious raspberries! They are going to fuel my body and have even been said to fight cancer. Getting healthier and feeling better is a positive thing, so cheer yourself on for the positive changes you’re making by choosing the better option.
Fruits
I’ve done sugar detoxes before and every time I’ve noticed how much better fruit tastes when I’m not eating the processed treats. Fruit is loaded with vitamins and not nearly as many calories as a candy bar. I’m not saying you should overeat on fruit, but try substituting it as your dessert. It helps me to save it for the evening because it’s the sweet treat at the end of the day that I look forward to. You could also plan to have it during the time you know you crave sweets the most, maybe mid-afternoon when you’re ready for the workday to be done, and you’re bored and want to reach for a snack.
Meal Plan
Being full likely means you don’t want to eat. Depending how your meal schedule is, plan for a big breakfast and a big lunch so you won’t be tempted during the day. If you eat small meals throughout the day, make sure you plan them ahead. Freedom means more room for error. If I wake up knowing that I’m having roasted veggies with hummus and a protein shake, I’m less likely to grab at the easy make box of cereal in the cabinet.
Fruity Hot Teas
Not gonna lie, I love coffee like the rest of the world. If it’s easy to make or drink, it’s hard for me to pass it up. I guess I should clarify that it’s the sweet creamy goodness that I desire most. I’ve found that having a variety of herbal teas available makes it easier to say no to that sugar and caffeine fix. The caffeine doesn’t really give me the energy I’m looking for anyways, and the added fat on my love handles doesn’t fit in my jeans. I really enjoy the two teas below with no sugar added. Sure it’s an acquired taste, but knowing what I’m working for always helps me like the healthy option better.
Dates (not date night) or Applesauce
I mentioned fruit before as a substitute but did you know that dates or applesauce is a great substitute in a lot of baked recipes. I’m not saying to make any of these recipes daily, but when you’re really feeling like you need something sweet, like when aunt flow comes for a visit, you’ve got a back up plan. I put a few links to some fun recipes that use dates as a sweetener. I must note that I’ve never tried these specific recipes but I love the Minimalist Baker’s cinnamon rolls, so I trust her recipes. I love trying new recipes so you better believe all of these will be part of my emergency sweet tooth fix plan.
Ready Freddy?
I don’t know about you but I’m feeling confident that I can do this! January starts next week and I’m glad to have the tools for success. Are you ready to commit to 30 days of getting back on track after the sugar loaded holidays? I’d love to add you to my free online accountability group. Like I said before, misery loves company, but really, it helps to be surrounded by like minded people who are fighting the same fight.
If you beat me at trying any of the recipes below, I hope you’ll share your feedback with me!
Who doesn’t love brownies?!? If you don’t, I’m not sure we can be friends…
It’s a little cold out but it’s never too cold for a milkshake.
I want to try the chocolate pudding. That’s a simple dessert that I miss since going vegan.
Send me a message if you’d like to join my free accountability group!
My First Inch of the PCT
This year has been a year of self discovery. And sharing about this adventure is LONG overdue. It all began with a “Why not?” And an unexpected friendship after such a long time searching for a friend that would do the things I’d been dreaming …
Lemon Raspberry Muffins
I love fresh baked goodness. Especially when it’s sweet and tangy. I love that these muffins don’t require a lot of sugar and still taste delicious. Plus homemade always seems to taste better than the boxed mixes, maybe it’s because you get to put the …
Birthday Buddies!
This is definitely not a healthy recipe, but if you’ve been following me long, you know I’ve got a sweet tooth. If I’ve learned anything about my sweet tooth, it’s that if I deprive 100% it turns into a binge monster. What better to enjoy a sweet than in celebration of birthdays? August has some of my favorite people’s birthdays! And since I’ve recently found my love for Chex Muddy Buddies again. #sogood I decided to try my hand at making some “Birthday Cake” inspired buddies. After I mentally made my own recipe in my head I found some other recipes online too, be sure to check them out too. The fun part of cooking is the experiment process. These are on the really sweet side so a little bit definitely goes a long way. 🤔 May work well in a mix with pretzels and peanuts. #sweetandsavory ??? Maybe next August I’ll try them out like that. Or October, for one of my other favorite people’s birthday month.
The ingredient that makes these Buddies would have to be the Biscoffs Cookie Butter. I tried it some time ago and have had to tell myself no to purchasing it because I could eat the whole jar in a week. So delicious! I wish I could describe the flavor and do it justice. It’s usually by the peanut butter, my other guilty pleasure. Birds of a feather right?
Ok, enough blabbering right? Give you the recipe!
🎈🎉Birthday Buddies 🎂🎁
Ingredients
9 cups Rice Chex
1 cup White Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Biscoffs Cookie Butter
1/3 cup Margarine
1 tsp Imitation Vanilla (Extract gives a weird consistency)
1 cup Powdered Sugar (may need more)
Sprinkles to your liking!
The How To:
1. Measure Chex into a large bowl and set aside. Measure powdered sugar into a gallon size ziploc bag and set aside.
2. Add white chocolate chips, Biscoffs cookie butter and margarine into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in high for 30-60 seconds. Stir and heat again if necessary to make it all melty and delicious. Add in the vanilla.
3. Pour over the Chex cereal and stir until evenly coated.
4. Put gooey Chex mixture into the ziploc bag with the powdered sugar and shake it until it’s all covered. Add in your sprinkle choice and shake it up again to distribute all that sparkle and birthday pizazz.
5. Serve them up in a big bowl to share, or portion them out in little ziploc baggies and throw them in the freezer to pull out as a treat once in a while!
Happy Birthday to all you August babies. Hope you enjoy your month, and that your loved ones spoil you like you deserve!
Special shout out to my first born, Damien. I love you beautiful son. ❤️
Deodorant…
Exercise is life up in here. If I miss my workout, I tend to be grumpy, less patient, and if I miss it repetitively I tend to get a little depressed. There’s no secret that I’m a sweaty beast when I work out, my kids …
1.14.18 to 1.20.18
Week 3 of Me This week didn’t go 100% as planned but allowing flexibility in my routine has become important. It’s easy for me to become “obsessed” about not missing a workout. But I know that becoming obsessed over my workout results in a lack …
White Bean & Cabbage Soup
I don’t think I could ever get too much soup, it’s one of those things I could eat every day during the cold winter months. I’ve learned so much about the different benefits of eating beans and cabbage, garlic and onions, peas and lentils, and so many other souper soup ingredients. Even leeks, which I had never heard of until last year… I was seriously the girl who only ate salad, or broccoli and a few other veggies in between. Branching out and trying new things has really made cooking interesting, fun and tasty! Plus I just feel good.
I am pretty sure I was suffering from leaky gut before I opted to do “Microbiome Bootcamp” in September. If you’ve never heard of leaky gut, or gut health, please take a listen to this {{podcast}} by Chalene Johnson, it’s actually a 2 part series but so much good information. Of course I self diagnosed myself, after not only listening to this podcast but reading a few books on gut health, and realizing I had an upset stomach almost every night! After deciding I was sick and tired of feeling, sick and tired, I committed to following the meal plan in the book “The Microbiome Diet,” by Raphael Kellman, M.D., and it did the trick. It’s basically a process of elimination, and then focusing on eating really good foods for the bacteria in your guts. I realized that my system is sensitive to gluten and soy. If I keep the amount of those two foods to a minimum, my stomach is happy. If I eat too many, my system reacts sort of like a food allergy does, a little bit will makes you uncomfortable but a lot will result in a full on reaction. But really the whole plan is about balancing the good bacteria in your gut.
When I found the White Bean and Cabbage Soup recipe on Facebook, all I could think was gut health! Leeks and carrots are a couple of the gut health superfoods that Dr. Kellman talks about in his book. I decided to tweak the original recipe a bit because black pepper can be a system irritant, and I didn’t have a few of the original ingredients. I think it worked out rather nicely.
White Bean & Cabbage Soup
Ingredients
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- 1 Leek, roughly chopped
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- 2 Carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, add more if you like a little extra heat
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 Carrots, thinly sliced
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- 1 tbsp Celery Seeds
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- 1 small Green(or Purple) Cabbage – shredded
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1/4 cup Dry Dill
- 10 Sprigs Thyme or 1 tbsp Dry Thyme
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- 15 oz canned Fire Roasted Tomatoes, diced
- 10 cups Vegan ‘Chicken’ Vegetable Broth
- Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
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- Himalayan Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste (optional, I say optional because black pepper is an irritant)
- 2-15 oz canned White Navy Beans, drained and rinsed
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- 1/4 cup Italian Parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup Italian Parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp Fresh Chives, snipped
Directions:
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Heat up a large soup pot over medium low heat. Add the leeks with a splash of water and a shake or two of salt.
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Stir in the carrot, red pepper flakes, cumin, and celery seeds, cook everything together for about 5 minutes until the leeks have softened.
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Add the shredded cabbage, bay leaves, dill and thyme, (add optional black pepper here) give it a stir and cook together another 5 minutes or so until the cabbage has softened. Cooking with a lid on the pan will help steam the cabbage and soften it up faster.
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Pour in the tomatoes and vegetable broth and bring to a simmer. Let the soup simmer covered for another 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings with more Himalayan salt and the apple cider vinegar.
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Add the navy beans to the cabbage soup. Cook a few more minutes until just warmed through.
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Serve hot, garnished with the fresh parsley and chives. The garnishes gave the soup extra flavor. Try adding more beans, or even cooked quinoa for a heartier dish.
Enjoy hot now, and reheated tomorrow for extra flavor absorption into the cabbage and beans!
Question for ya…
I changed the order of ingredients from the original recipe to the order of use. Do you think it’s more helpful to leave canned ingredients, spices, and produce grouped together or to have them in order of use? I’d love your feedback. <3
1.7.18 to 1.13.18
Week 2 of Me: I’m learning to love pushing myself past my own expectations again. Boot camp at the gym was such a driving force before because I wanted to compete with whoever it was next to meet busting out push ups too. Having signed …