Tuesday, December 17, 2013

SAD

Do you ever feel down?


The winter time is strongly correlated with the holidays and drinking hot chocolate and eating cookies and pie. It also means that people are together with their family, eating, talking, playing, and hopefully enjoying a few presents to share. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes we don't have a lot of family around us, or our family bonds aren't as strong as we would like them to be. Its sad, but its life. Life isn't so perfect, but that's a topic for another day. The fact that the weather isn't so optimal to keep your spirits up created a problem in our everyday lives.

People periodically experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) AKA the winter blues. This period is mostly caused by the lack of light one experiences. Mostly, SAD is cured when one exposes themselves to light, even if its for a short period of time. Most scientist (http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/seasonal-affective-disorder) believe that this is caused by the bodies' internal clock, which is regulated by the sun. It is innate to know when to wake up and go to sleep because our bodies are directed by natural sunlight. However, if we wake up and its always gloomy outside, our internal clock doesn't know how to process the information, the use of artificial light does not help provide the warmth and vitamin D that the sun's natural exposure would of.

So what are natural remedies to prevent feeling SAD?
1. If you have the time and money you can always go to a light box ()
2. Vacation to a light sunny place.
3. Exercise
4. Eat right
5. Fill your house with holiday spirit or with tropical items such as a tiki or hulas
6. Eat tryptophan rich foods such as fruits (apricots) and basmati rice
7. Limit alcohol and caffeine
8. Surround yourself with lighthearted people who often laugh or are very "happy go lucky" (just don't feel jealous that they are so gleeful, it might rub off on you)


So there is my list. Also remember to eat plenty of good carbs. If your glycogen storage tends to dip, you may feel a negative ship in your mood because you cognition isn't working properly. Besides that try to enjoy the weather and take it as an opportunity to go out and relax and use it to wind down and drink some yummy tea. Live in the moment and encourage your body to wind down.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

WIAW



Does anyone get up early to run and think that God decided to paint a beautiful picture for them and only them? No? Okay. Despite the freezing cold temperatures, I always get super excited when I am running and get to see the sun rise. Its like a gift that was meant for only me and I love it dearly. 
Recently, it was my birthday and I got one of these bad-boys as a present. I tested it out today. 
Hmm, I am not completely sure how I feel about it. 

So breakfast was a repeat  of an oldie but goodie. Frozen (leftover pancakes) crumbled up over applesauce and diced pears. 

Snack was pb, celery and pineapple (yes, I know this is an orange)

The infamous daily smoothie. 

with leftovers: Spaghetti squash with beans, peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. 
Veggie burgers and cornbread. 

Then the snack-age began.....

Homemade papaya roll 
edamame  

Cereal and yogurt 

persimmon and cutie 

Dinner was soup and a corn muffin .. okay, two corn muffins
dessert was a chocolate chip pumpkin muffin with shaved almond milk
Then I decided to have apples with Pb and another muffin....oops. 
I think the hungry beast within me is tame....for now at least. 



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

WIAW

Do you guys ever fall into food ruts where you eat the same thing over and over again? I tend to eat the same thing every day for breakfast: Oatmeal
Lunch: leftover soup 
snacks: apples and PB

So, I am trying to change it up a bit and add other foods to my diet. 

I started running in the park. Its really nice to run with other people, it also helps me with my speed. They help me stay motivated and keep up my pace so I don't have time to stagger around. 

For breakfast, I opted for pumpkin pancakes and soy yogurt with fruit on top. It was a nice change, but it didn't seem soo filling as normal oatmeal. 

I can't let go of celery without PB for my morning snack because celery alone is too salty. But I did trade in the apple for an orange. 

I made this spicy quinoa and chickpea dish. It was perfect to pair with my sweet potato for lunch. 

Some things never change! 

Ice cream with bananas and sprinkles to end the night. It was awesome and a nice change. 

Post Thanksgiving Thoughts



So now thanksgiving day is over. Finally, time to rest and reset. I have been reading a lot of other blogs lately such as TheRealLifeRD and RunEatRepeat. They are doing some type of challenge. I feel that they are all inspiring individuals and we should all steal some of their ingenuity and complete a challenge.
 
I love the fact that Robyn decided to focus on resting and bringing peace to one's life. She also stresses that we live in a low calorie world where everyone decided to diet themselves thin instead of trying to create a healthy environment.
 
Monica from RunEatRepeat decided to perfect or try a new exercise or routine each day. She focuses everyday as a start to new healthy living. I love her idea because sometimes we tend to think of exercise as only running, only weights, only using the elliptical. But there if more to it. Circuit training is a fantastic workout that you can do in half the time because it forces you to challenge your body and do something different. Also, circuit training increases your heart rate and increases the after burn affect that you will experience. Thus, its a nice way to spice things up every now and then. However, including just one or two moves will challenge your body to do something different.
 
While I am not following any specific guide or plan I am stealing snippets of both of these fabulous ladies ideas. I am going to work on limiting processed foods and sticking to whole foods this month (limiting sugar *read*icecream*read) to two or three times a week. I am also going to try to eat REAL food at meal times. I can't just rely on a simple pb&j. Even though its wholesome and good I am an adult and need to start eating adult food. I need to get creative and start trying out new things. My little kid pallet is so used to fighting the urge to branch out but now is the time. Plus that means I can try new recipe's such as Pumpkin Chocolate Brownies right?
 
Also, I love running. Running may or may not love me in return. Also, the weather may not be so fond of runners because it rains on our parade (haha...okay not soo funny). But now I am going to try to include strength training, circuit training, and some other shenanigans to move my tooshie. (The fact that I also have just ordered a new dumbbell set from amazon helps to). I want to get stronger, leaner, and fitter (yeah, they all mean the same thing but I just want to exaggerate the point). I want to challenge my body so I can have the agility that I always wanted. I am no longer that chubby kid who would sit with a family bag size Doritos and a 2 liter bottle of coke and watch cartoons everyday. I am now a fitness and health enthusiastic who should start to emphasize it in my own life.
 
Cheer my friends!  

Friday, November 29, 2013

Happy Post Thanksgiving!


Thanksgiving is meant to be full of festivities, instead people are starting to dis-guard the holiday in order to start their shopping for Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I love deals and specials. I mean, why pay full price for an item that you can get for 50% off right? But discounts aren't the problem here. The problem is that people are being forced to work ON Thanksgiving day or are abandoning their family or loved ones in a way to save a spot in line in the freezing cold so that they can be sure to score some pretty sweet deals on new toys. The fact that stores open on midnight Friday, forces people to rush through the traditional festivities. Its a literal drive-by in terms of eating.
 
I feel that everyone is forgetting to be Thank-FULL on this special holiday. This is the only holiday that forces us to spend time with family without expecting gifts or any other type of monetary or physical payment. It also forces us to focus on being FULL. As in full of love, life, happiness, and lets be honest--stuffed to the brim of yummy food.
 
Even though there has been talk about boycotting Black Friday, it would be very difficult to establish. Many people don't believe in the traditional thanksgiving tradition so they don't care about spending the evening out in the cold waiting for a good deal. Also, many people are greedy with their money. Good deals are hard to come by. This is the day where the stores want to make the most money. But don't you think they will be able to do so if they open the doors at 8 or 9am instead of 12? Wouldn't the margin of profit be the same. Only, the employees won't feel the drag of waking up in the wee hours of the morning for something that isn't even going to benefit them.
I bet people who shop on Black Friday actually end up spending more than they originally intended because of the deals they see (of stuff they don't need) and end up regretting the purchase.
 
 
To all, I really hope you have a blessed day and hope you enjoy this guilt free day. Enjoy it with the ones who matter most in your life, enjoy the memories and traditions. Keep them alive and try to be happy. Lets try not to focus on materialistic items and be happy.
 
Eat! Enjoy! Live! Love! Laugh!!!
 
Went for a run on thanksgiving day 

said hi to the ducks 


ate some really yummy food

had like three plates of dessert
Went to bed like a happy camper 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Spaghetti Squash Pancakes!

Do you ever feel like you only eat fruits at breakfast and not enough veggies. I mean, I can down veggies at every meal but breakfast is always the hardest. So I decided to experiment with the leftover spaghetti squash that I had in the fridge. Since it was PANCAKE SATURDAY I decided it was the perfect time to test it out. 

First I mixed my normal oatmeal pancake mixture 

Then I added the squash 

The batter was really thick, which was perfect for the recipe 

They turned out great, slightly sweet 

And made perfect with applesauce and fruit on top
(does anyone else wait for their pears to turn yellow and spotty to eat or just me?)

nosh away 

Spaghetti Squash Pancakes: 
1 cup of oats (1/2 cup made into oat flour)
1/4 cup of wheat bran 
1 tbs flaxseed (to made flax egg)
1 mashed banana
1/2 cup of applesauce 
3 tbs of agave 
1/4 cup of whole wheat flour 
pinch of cinnamon 
1/2 tbs baking powder 
1/2 tbs vanilla extract
1-2 cups of cooked spaghetti squash 
about 1 cup of milk 

directions: mash the banana. Proceed to mix with the applesauce and spices. Make the flax egg and add it to the mixture along with the sugar. When mixed well add the rest of the ingredients one at a time, make sure the squash is last. 

Proceed to make like pancakes. You need to flatten the mixture so that it cooks well. Let them cook about 5 minutes on each side. 

Meeting new people!


Ever feel like this?

So I just started working which may explain the lack of blogging as of late. However, I would like to say that I have met some of the coolest people at work. Its interesting how some people who share the same life experiences were placed on your life path and serve as an emotional support. You learn that you really can't judge a book by its cover and that each individual is different and experiences shape the way we are today.

I have always been searching for that "ultimate" friend. The one who would never judge me or who will always be there for me no matter what. It sounds corny and all but its true. Sometimes a girl just needs someone other than their mom to talk to. Sure, I have best friends but they aren't the "ultimate friend" I am looking for. I feel like my best friend (who is a guy) is very versatile, but there is some things that I know for a fact he wont understand. Its just that female bond that I crave. I also have a female best friend, well not "best" just the one whom I talk to more. When we are together, we have such a great time but when we are apart, we don't really make the effort to stay connected as much as we should.

I have always envied people who have found their friend early on in life and grow up together so they know virtually everything about each other. But I suppose it wasn't my time and I will eventually get there. Hopefully, now that I am meeting new and interesting people I will get that chance. I can feel something different coming! Something great!

BTW. Running is not affected by my work schedule. I just have to wake up a wee bit earlier at times so I can still take care of my sisters and such. But its a sacrifice I am willing to make!
Christmas comes early at my house

I've been eating these applesauce/chocolate chip muffins all week!

Squash and corn muffins!

The lovely park 

Oatmeal with applesauce and peanut butter! 

pancakes


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Healthy Body Image

I ran through the park today, it was nice and peaceful. I even saw quiet a few ducks at the pond. It was nice to have a different route to continue on. That way I wasn't stressing over using the same route and getting board the entire time. Even though I was running in circles, it was a refreshing experience and saw something new at each loop. 

The day started out like this, yet it was prefect for running. 


Healthy Body Image

I don't know if you are like 99% of females and males out there who are completely obsessed with their bodies and body type but you are about to listen to my rant.

Why it is that female are judged more easily them males in out society?
Maybe it’s the fact that men don't judge what their fellow peers do. They simply exist and never really consider checking out their fellow "bros". Or perhaps its simply because men don't care. As long as they are having fun, there isn't a need to pay attention if your jeans are too tight, if your "bingo wings" wave when playing pool, or if your stomach looks bloated in that shirt. I have never heard guys complain about their weight unless if they had a serious medical condition due to it. But for the most part, men are happy to exist, to be part of this environment regardless of what they look like. They are having fun experiencing life.
*A cue to take from men is to be carefree. Not to stress out of the small fluctuations on a day to day basis. The happier you are in life, the more positive you are and secure in your person. Then you will cause yourself less stress.
    The less stress you have in your life, the less cortisol you develop which will mean that your appetite will be suppressed.
    The less stress you experience the less you feel negative and the more you concentrate on what you put in    your mouth.
    Less visceral fat will be stored in your midsection due to stress. (the reason why we crave carbs when stressed-always opt for slow releasing carbohydrates during those moments)

This information is insane. The average women out there are curvy and thick in the literal term. Women are not meant to be stick skinny. They are meant to bear children, work hard, cook and clean, lift heavy items (groceries and children), and carry out all the same task that a man is expected to do (not trying to sound sexist). But women need energy and if they spend all day daydreaming about having visible abs or being the slimmest person in the room. It’s not an excuse to be overweight, however it is an explanation that females shouldn't look like the rail thin supermodels in the magazines. It also gives you a view of what you see, at 5' 10" the average supermodel's BMI is 17.2 which is underweight or unhealthy. At 5'3" the averages women is around 29 which means that they are somewhat overweight. We are not comparing the two because other factors such as muscle affect BMI however it’s just an insight to explain that the huge difference between the weight of supermodels and the average female. The average women were not designed to look like a supermodel. Technically, those women use extreme diets and exercise regimes to look that way. THEY ARE PAID to be thin. The average women have to work and look after her family, "ain't nobody got time for that" in term of stressing out.
*Note to take away: Your focus should not be on what you look like. You should take your health and analyze it. Are you clinically overweight? If yes, find out what is at the root of the problem and learn how to modify it to meet your daily needs. Find simple modifications that get you HEALTHY. Skinny does not mean someone is healthy; a person can be suffering from IBS, chronic fatigue, anxiety, anemia, malnourished, etc. because they are skinny. Because they spend so much time obsessing about being a certain size that they sacrifice everything to be that shape. If someone forces their body to do something that it wasn't inclined to do such as survive off of low calorie diets or exercising 2+ hours a day without proper fuel. Their body will revolt on them and begin to shut down. Concentrate on having the ability and vitality to do what you want in life.

We need to get out of the "perfect body" mentality 


Only two percent of women globally consider themselves beautiful
This is one of the sadist statistics that I have ever seen. If only two percent of women consider themselves beautiful, we need to do something about this. There is either a flaw in how we create these beauty standards or there is a flaw in how we treat women. Consider your personal life, when is the last time you told someone they are beautiful or cute or pretty. Heck, when is the last time that you gave someone a compliment? To be honest, I can't remember the last time I told my mom she was beautiful. I can't remember the last time I told my sisters they looked nice. We say we live in a society of constructive criticism. But can it be that we always leave out the constructive part and only dedicate our time to criticism. Think about it, on magazines and tabloids we love to catch up on the gossip behind fashions "best dressed" articles. But deep down we are eager to see the "who wore it best" "worse dressed" "nips and slips" "what was she thinking" etc. type of articles. It is a hideous love we have to shaming women and taking out the joy of day to day living.

Researchers have found that "fat talk"—phenomena in which a person makes negative claims about their weight to others—is an expected norm among women and a way for them to appear more modest.
What is considered “fat talk”? Because the “fat talk” that I hear around me has nothing to do with being modest. Its all pure criticism and rude people talking about nonsense. They start to nit-pick at points on their body and later on they believe all the self criticism. I seem it countless of times where adolescent girls grab the inch of skin on their triceps, claiming that the loose skin is baggy or consider it “bingo wings” then they are hating their arms and always seen in long sleeve shirts because they don’t want to expose their flaws. These girls are filling their mind with superstition so that they begin to see and develop the image of the person whom they think they look like and see it in the mirror daily.
While concentrating on other people’s flaws they are also leading a life full of disapproval and make that part of their daily struggle. They start to critique others which then lead to comparisons. When people start comparing themselves, that’s when the trouble starts. No two people can look exactly the same, genetics, physical activity; lifestyle and even geographical location have an impact on the body type of a person.
*Note: There is no way that fat talk makes you appear modest. Fat talk makes you appear insecure and spiteful. People use it as a way to beg for compliments or to disrupt the daily behavior of others.

Weight gain does happen after marriage, because you have kids, a job, life, and stress building up on you. You can't have a perfect figure forever! 
Nor should you try to be perfect, just healthy! 
No thigh gap here

but I am happy as this cute little monkey. I wonder if they make these in adult sizes as well......




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

What I ate Tuesday!

Hey guys, I haven't been posting in a while because I finally got a job! Yes, I am no longer bumming out on the couch....not saying that that has every happened before. But I actually started job training. It was so cool, to be out of the house and actually doing something. Don't get me wrong, it was a little intimidating because I had to talk to different people and training is such a pain. However, so far I am super happy with whats going on. Oh, btw. My grandparents had also stopped by for a quick visit! They hardly ever come down since they live about 700 miles away. But it was refreshing to have them hear so we can all hang out and talk.

Okay, so lets get this show on the road.
I woke up and did a nice 6.5 mile run then off for breakfast! 

Breakfast was a nice little bowl of leftover pancakes (3 mini) with a cup of soy yogurt and chopped apples and pears to top it off. 

Then I went to work!!!
Sorry I am kinda excited because it's kinda a big deal. 
On my way home (I walk to work....eco friendly)
I ate a bag of steamed soy beans 
Then I was ready for lunch
Green smoothie 

Left over tofu nuggets, ketchup, hummus, and veggies
I had a small snack of a homemade pumpkin muffin and an apple
For some reason, I was starving this day, perhaps it was all the extra walking and I has a snackert (snack+dessert)


Banana +pb+chocolate chips
YUM! 
BTW, we did some shopping and we say what the inside of a boot looks like:

Dinner couldn't have come any sooner as 
Couscous, lentil curry, nutritional yeast, roasted broccoli, and a piece of homemade cornbread 

Now on to dessert: 
Bananas with cocoa powder+soy-milk 

almonds with chocolate chips. 

I am pretty sure I also had an apple added somewhere in there.  
Especially because I was chopping all of these for some homemade applesauce. 

Oh by the way, I fell down while running and I hit the ground hard. 
You know those fall that you have where you don't scrape yourself yet you cause much more inner damage? It was one of those fall. I couldn't walk properly the next day and my arm was super sore from the impact, a basic reach would cause pain. I felt like a lifeless zombie throwing my arms around. It was quiet pitiful if you ask me. 

But I should assumed something bad was going to happen judging from the looks of the sky. 

I hope everyone has a pain free day today!