Eat to Live

Something I am constantly working on is purposeful eating. I have always had a love for food and growing up we always planned trips around restaurants we wanted to try. One of the first things I asked my husband was if he was willing to try new foods...this was the only way things were going to work!

 I. LOVE. FOOD. 

Once I started eating cleaner and eventually Paleo I started to look at food differently. It may have taken over a year to fully understand it but now the battle to balance what my body wants compared to what it needs is a small one.

When it comes to treating myself to what I want I hate calling it a cheat! I think of it more as a special meal that I put a lot of thought into. I want it to be something Ill enjoy...not something that Ill feel regret, guilt and ashamed about. I wouldnt want to put junk in my body no matter how good it tasted! Yes, Ive had cake over the last year but too many days of "cheating" only hurts your body in the long run. 

I try to do one special meal a month and I try to make it something that still mimics the real thing, like Dark chocolate mousse made from coconut milk or something I don't get to have very often like raw tuna. Even trying a new recipe is a great way to show your taste buds some love!  All while still making smart choices!

Monday Mommy Transformation

This week Im featuring Jessica's journey! Ive been following her on facebook for quite a while so when I heard she was a Sweat Pink Ambassador I jumped at the chance to share her story! Enjoy!!

What was your life like before you started your journey to better health? 

Before I started my journey to health & fitness I was depressed. I had no self esteem, self worth or confidence in myself. I didn't know anything about being healthy or how to eat clean. I always thought "eat less, weigh less" and I tried ever diet pill, extreme diet etc you can think of! I would lose weight a lot of the time but gain it right back & usually double.

What motivated you to make a change? Well, I started my journey in September 2010 for the first time at the weight of 181 ...and I admit back then it was for the wrong reasons..I just wanted to get skinny then. I didn't even consider fit. By December 2010 I was down 29 lbs but in January 2011 found out I was pregnant with twins. While pregnant I changed my whole outlook. I researched fitness & healthy eating..I was very motivated to get it right this time. After I had my twins August 19th, 2011 I walked out of the hospital at 183. I was motivated bigger than life!! I had 6 weeks of C-section recovery time and it was HARD to keep myself recovering! Haha. Having my daughters changed everything for me. I wanted to get healthy for them..I wanted to set an example for them. I never wanted to be too out of shape to keep up with them! So..this time..I did it for the right reasons..my daughters!

How do you involve your family in your journey? I have a jogging stroller & on the weekends I will take the girls out on a run with me. Or my husband, me & the kids will take long walks on this gorgeous trail we have where we live. Also, I love doing races so my family is always on the sidelines cheering me on :) 

What is your biggest accomplishment so far? This one if tough for me because everything I have accomplished so far is far beyond my wildest expectations!! But, I used to hate running so knowing I found a passion in that..is a great accomplishment in my eyes. 

Who inspires you? My daughters mostly! And other moms who set aside excuses & make it happen!

When your in a slump what do you do to shake it? Remind myself where I started. I never want to be that unhealthy person again so giving up is not an option!

-What future goals do you have for yourself? I have SO many! I love strength training so really challenging myself in the weight room is one. Also, I  have been training for a marathon that I will take on in 2013. In a few years when my daughters are older I really want to train & compete in a bikini competition..my reason for waiting on that is my daughters. They are only babies once & I do not want to miss one minute of them growing up!! But, I WILL do it someday!! For now, my goals are just to keep up in the gym 5 days a week, get my long runs in on Sundays and be healthy, happy, eat clean & train mean!

How did you do it? No excuses!!! I don't always have the time to workout or eat clean, I mean my whole journey has been while my daughters were infants...but it's important to me so I do it!! I get up at 4 am before my husband or the babies are up and I get my butt in the gym. I prep my food daily and journal everything. I don't let myself have excuses because when I do that's when things crumble!

What is one of your favorite recipes? Jamie Eason's turkey muffins...I'm obsessed :)

Click HERE to check her out on Facebook!
Instagram: jessicansmith12 

Meal Prep

This MEAL PREP post can be found by clicking:

Egg cups

For a quick and easy breakfast that you can eat through out the week egg cups are a must! With or without meat they still taste amazing!

Ingredients

• 2 Green onion
• Mushrooms
• 2 Zucchini 
• 2C Spinach
• 12 eggs
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoke flavoring/spices
• Bacon (or other meat, optional)

( I halved this recipe to try it out)

Preheat oven to 350. Oil cupcake pan.

Beat eggs in a bowl, set aside. 

In a food processor or vitamix blend onion, mushrooms and zucchini (and meat if using). Add to eggs. Blend spinach and combine with egg mixture. Salt and pepper and add smoke flavoring or other spices. Pour 1/4 cup of eggs in each cupcake spot. 

Bake for 25 minutes or until center is cooked. 

Top with avocado and enjoy!

These can be reheated through out the week for a quick snack or breakfast. 

Thankful Thursdays

During the month of November Ill be doing my Thankful Thursday Link up with some other blogs. This is a way to really keep my heart and head where it belongs and remember what is important.

• This week I am thankful for the safety of my family. As many of you know my husband, mother and sister were all visiting family in NY and NJ this past weekend and their trips took a horrible turn with the arrival of Sandy. Every single person Im related to (minus my brother and father) were affected by Sandy. I feel for all the families that have lost things they hold dear. {Red cross donations can be made HERE}
• I am thankful for my children. For the first time I am a mom to 2 boys and taking care of them alone has been quite the learning lesson! I am reminded to be patient and understanding. 
• Im thankful for will power! Halloween has been a true test to that! With many pounds of candy sitting on my table (and my son constantly looking over it) I am tempted by the smells of chocolate and sour treats. I've stayed strong and avoided eating any!
• Im thankful for the Navy. The men and women on this base have kept us safe through the bomb threats made earlier this week. As frustrating as some of it may be, I feel safer knowing we are protective by brave men and women on a daily basis. 
• I am so thankful for my friends. I have an amazing group of ladies doing a Paleo challenge that started this week! Even though I may not actually know many of them, Im glad to have their support and support them on a daily basis! Keeps me honest and ready for more!