I have been walking for five nights now. Its been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit so I'm going to continue to walk until its second nature. I walk for about 2.5 miles and it takes me 40 minutes. I enjoy walking so much that this morning (August 7) I walked to my neighborhood farmer's market. This particular farmer's market is quite small but I was able to get some really good stuff. I tried and purchased pickled squash and it was delicious taste similar to a pickle. I will go back in two weeks to sample the pickled zucchini. I also purchased some mango salsa really good. At another vendor, I picked up 3 varities of hummus and some pita bread and of course I got me some grapes, strawberries, cauliflower, and lettuce. Once my outing was done, I peacefully walked back home and just in time because the weather was really heating up.
Once home I made me a green smoothie. I have been using spinach in every smoothie and decided it was time for a change. I used mustard greens this time. I don't measure my ingredients but I'll tell you what I used and you can add or take away what you like.
Ingredients:
1 apricot
1 peach
1 banana
1-2 handfuls of mustard greens
1/2 cup water
ice cubes
I put the water into the blender first then I put in the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Now that Ih ave my wonderful Blendtec blender I just press the smoothie button and 30 seconds later, I had a beautiful smoothie. When I took my first sip, it was bitter but after a few sips, I could know longer taste the bitterness. I was sad when my delicious creation came to an end but there is always tomorrow. My daughter (15) ask me to make her a smoothie but to omit the banana and use for fruit then veggies. If it means getting her to eat more fruit and veggies, I will make her smoothie the way she likes it. Overtime she will get to a 50 -50 ratio. For my sons, I willhave to put in more fruit then veggies because they aren't to thrilled with the green color however, I will create some funny names for the concoction like alien slime to get them interested. My husband said absolutely no. He wants only fruit smoothies but I will find away to slip in a litle greens.
For dinner, I made the family fish tacos which were a hit. I topped them with the mango salsa from the farmer's market and a side of beans. Everyone was happy. At 8:00, my husband and I will be going on our nightly power walk.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Watermelon- banana smoothie
Had some watermelon that was not realy sweet No one was eating it. didn't want to throw it out so I made a smoothie.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups watermelon
1 banana
1-2 handfulls of baby greens (I used baby spinach and arugula already on hand)
Since watermelon consist of a lot of water you may not need to add more
I put in a few ice cubes because I like my smoothies cold.
I blend my fruit first then add the greens. I'm not using a high powered blender yet.
Pour into cup and enjoy I know I am.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups watermelon
1 banana
1-2 handfulls of baby greens (I used baby spinach and arugula already on hand)
Since watermelon consist of a lot of water you may not need to add more
I put in a few ice cubes because I like my smoothies cold.
I blend my fruit first then add the greens. I'm not using a high powered blender yet.
Pour into cup and enjoy I know I am.
First smoothie
The first green smoothie I ever made consisted of 1 banana, a handfull of baby spinach, and water to help everything blend. To my surprise, I liked the drink. I could taste the banana and very little spinach. I then began to search for more green smoothie recipes. I was under the impression that I needed someone else to tell me how to make the smoothies. Well my research has paid off. I now put almost any thing on hand in my smoothies.
I'm still experimenting on what to put into a smoothie and visit other websites often that have simple recipes. I very rarely add sweetners or dates to my smoothies. Fortunately, I have been selecting ripe fruit but recently I purchased some kiwifruit that was not ripe and rather tart. I had to add a sprinkle of raw cane sugar to my smootie. I did not want it to be sweet just enjoyable. I will be investing in agave nectar and raw honey because I want my children to enjoy the smoothies as well.
I'm getting ready to make a smoothie with watermelon that I purchased that just was not sweet enough for my family to enjoy. I do not want to waste the watermelon so I will put it in a smoothie. I'll let you know how it turns out.
I'm still experimenting on what to put into a smoothie and visit other websites often that have simple recipes. I very rarely add sweetners or dates to my smoothies. Fortunately, I have been selecting ripe fruit but recently I purchased some kiwifruit that was not ripe and rather tart. I had to add a sprinkle of raw cane sugar to my smootie. I did not want it to be sweet just enjoyable. I will be investing in agave nectar and raw honey because I want my children to enjoy the smoothies as well.
I'm getting ready to make a smoothie with watermelon that I purchased that just was not sweet enough for my family to enjoy. I do not want to waste the watermelon so I will put it in a smoothie. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Lifestyle change
So I decided to make a positive change in my lifestyle. After having my 2 sons, I gained 40lbs. majority came with my oldest son. When I was pregnant with my oldest son, my mother passed away. Instead of crying I turned to food. Food became my crutch. Whenever I would think of my mother, I would trun to food. My favorite was a chocolate shake from Baskin Robbins.
After having my son, my once size 3 133lbs was replaced with a size 12. I didn't care because I felt as if life was not the same. My best friend was gone for good. I missed our phone calls and just being together. Up until then I had know idea what a food addiction was. I was truly addicted and needed help.
I decided to join a medically supervised weight loss program through my hospital. I did not like people asking me if I was pregnant. A good friend whom had lost her mother also became my confidant and talked to me about getting myself togethet. I program was excellent. I learned techniques to deal with my addiction. I began drinking more water, eating or shall I say snacking less, and exercising. After 20weeks on the program, I lost 20lbs and was elated. A month later, I was pregnant with my second son. I could no longer survive off of 1000 calories or less a day and had to eat more if I wanted a healthy baby. I tried to make healthy choices and limit my snacking. I continued to workout but informed the lady of my condition. 23 weeks into my pregnancy my water broke and I was hospitalized until I delivered my son. My son was born at 25weeks 5 days and he was 2lbs 5 oz. Once again depression takes over and I began eating uncontrollably again. I wasn't able to take my baby home with me. Food became my baby. I ate to relieve the pain of not having my baby with me. I didn't want to alarm my family so I just ate instead of talking about my feelings. Being a size 3 was the furthest from my mine.
I continued on this downward spiral until I saw a picture of myself and I looked horrible. My stomach was huge I looked maybe five months pregnant. Disgusted, I pulled out my notebook that I obtained from the weight loss program and began following the guidelines. Several of my co-workers and I started walking during lunch time. I was feeling great. My jeans began to fit loose and I was in a size 8. However, all things came to and end once summer vacation began. I no longer had my walking buddies with me and my old jeans began to fit again.
Upset with myself, I decided that I had to make a drastic change not only for myself but for my 3 children. I purchased an elliptical machine and began eating salads everyday for lunch. Jeans started getting loose again. I was determined to stay motivated this summer so I adopted a motivation buddy. Between the two of us we started researching and looking into detox programs and making healthier choices. Oh I forgot to mention for lent I decided to give up chicken and turkey (I gave up pork and beef 19 and 18 yrs ago). I felt so good. Together my cousin (motivation buddy) and I started detoxing and making better choices. We both completed a 7 day diva detox. At the end of the program, I lost 10lbs.
Now I have a green smoothies everyday for breakfast, either a large green or fruit salad for lunch, and a modest dinner. I still feel myself releasing weight and I need a belt for my jeans now. My children are even eating healthier. I keep my refrigerator stock with fruit and vegetables. If my children want a snack, I have a cabinet full of healthy snacks. My children even like drinking green smoothies with me.
After having my son, my once size 3 133lbs was replaced with a size 12. I didn't care because I felt as if life was not the same. My best friend was gone for good. I missed our phone calls and just being together. Up until then I had know idea what a food addiction was. I was truly addicted and needed help.
I decided to join a medically supervised weight loss program through my hospital. I did not like people asking me if I was pregnant. A good friend whom had lost her mother also became my confidant and talked to me about getting myself togethet. I program was excellent. I learned techniques to deal with my addiction. I began drinking more water, eating or shall I say snacking less, and exercising. After 20weeks on the program, I lost 20lbs and was elated. A month later, I was pregnant with my second son. I could no longer survive off of 1000 calories or less a day and had to eat more if I wanted a healthy baby. I tried to make healthy choices and limit my snacking. I continued to workout but informed the lady of my condition. 23 weeks into my pregnancy my water broke and I was hospitalized until I delivered my son. My son was born at 25weeks 5 days and he was 2lbs 5 oz. Once again depression takes over and I began eating uncontrollably again. I wasn't able to take my baby home with me. Food became my baby. I ate to relieve the pain of not having my baby with me. I didn't want to alarm my family so I just ate instead of talking about my feelings. Being a size 3 was the furthest from my mine.
I continued on this downward spiral until I saw a picture of myself and I looked horrible. My stomach was huge I looked maybe five months pregnant. Disgusted, I pulled out my notebook that I obtained from the weight loss program and began following the guidelines. Several of my co-workers and I started walking during lunch time. I was feeling great. My jeans began to fit loose and I was in a size 8. However, all things came to and end once summer vacation began. I no longer had my walking buddies with me and my old jeans began to fit again.
Upset with myself, I decided that I had to make a drastic change not only for myself but for my 3 children. I purchased an elliptical machine and began eating salads everyday for lunch. Jeans started getting loose again. I was determined to stay motivated this summer so I adopted a motivation buddy. Between the two of us we started researching and looking into detox programs and making healthier choices. Oh I forgot to mention for lent I decided to give up chicken and turkey (I gave up pork and beef 19 and 18 yrs ago). I felt so good. Together my cousin (motivation buddy) and I started detoxing and making better choices. We both completed a 7 day diva detox. At the end of the program, I lost 10lbs.
Now I have a green smoothies everyday for breakfast, either a large green or fruit salad for lunch, and a modest dinner. I still feel myself releasing weight and I need a belt for my jeans now. My children are even eating healthier. I keep my refrigerator stock with fruit and vegetables. If my children want a snack, I have a cabinet full of healthy snacks. My children even like drinking green smoothies with me.
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