Sunday Relaxin: Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all those lovely mamas out there! I enjoyed spending Sunday relaxing and laughing with my family. Korenne came over to mom's and we went to this greenhouse to help mom pick up things for her garden. Mom and Jason put out a garden every year and they grow some delicious produce! She got a variety of things: tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and I think cabbage too. Korenne got a strawberry plant! 

This is what I love about summer! When I was a kid and we would go to these greenhouses I would get bored so easily, but even though it was really humid I enjoyed being outside around the plants and out in the sun. My niece also tagged along :) She is adorable and growing up every day! It's crazy how I can just sit down and have a normal conversation with a 7 year old. But, she is very mature for her age.

I didn't take any pictures yesterday because I wasn't on my phone very much. You'll see this a lot of my blog... I'll write about it, but I won't always have pictures. I don't like always being on my phone, I'm able to separate myself from the social world to enjoy the important things in my life. I do have a few pictures of the women in my life that have been my mamas (my mom and my sister)!

 

 

After I got home from my Mother's Day weekend, I immediately wanted to get out and enjoy the rest of this beautiful day. I asked Grace if she wanted to go on a walk to Ritter Park. We walked for almost 2 hours chatting away. I loved taking my time, enjoying the warm weather and sunny evening. Sunday is my day off, but I still try to be active especially in the summer when it is so beautiful out. I can't wait to go hiking and camping later on!

I hope you all had a great weekend and now it's back to classes, work, and a half marathon to train for! Have a great day ya'll :)

Little updates here and there. Running, roommates, and work flow

A woman I work with told me that people come into your life like sand paper. Sand paper makes the walls better, and they prep them for paint. People who are like "rough" sand paper in your life,  are put there to make you better. As you are going through life, you are going to find people that will mold you into a better, stronger you. How you handle those people determines how smooth and prepared you will be later in life.

My roommates are my best friends. I wouldn't trade anything for the friendship we have. I saw this quote on Tumblr that says, "Sometimes, you can find your soul mate best friend." Not only is this statement true, but I've found mine. Grace is my biological sister... somewhere I know we are related. We are too much alike that I don't even know where to begin. With all of our awkwardness, our same thinking process and sense of humor, we can always tell what the other is going to say or think before it happens. 

Anyways, my friends are my support system. They tell me when I'm being irrational and they tell me when I've done something awesome. Grace and Garrett both enjoy eating healthy, and Grace is my running partner. 

It is very important to have those people in your life that will support you, criticize you when it's needed, and love you for everything you are. Do you know any soul mate best friends? 

Work is going pretty well. But with school I haven't really had much time to teach or start a new class on my own which I really wanted to do before I left the kitchen. I am going to miss all of the people and the kids, but I will take everything I've learned and keep going. I loved being able to work with a variety of dietitians and meet so many people. I've learned so much while working at HK and I'm so happy I got that opportunity. I'm not sure what they have in store for the kitchen but I hope it will be as influential and as fun as it is now!  

One of the main things I'm gonna miss is teaching the kids at St. Joe. The preschoolers are absolutely adorable and really learned what it means to eat healthy and how. Teaching them taught me as well. It taught me the importance of helping people realize what they put in their bodies really matter. Kids soak up information like a sponge, so it is important to teach them things they will want to keep up with. 

AND THEY LOVED AVOCADOS! :)

Jamie Oliver created what we know now as Huntington's Kitchen. It was his mission to bring cooking back into the kitchen and also help families become a lot closer and healthier. Cooking your meals at home for sure is healthier than eating that same meal in a restaurant. You control your portions, your ingredients, and how much you put into the meal. I love what Jamie started and I was so happy to help continue it. I used his 10 week teaching plan for my kids at St. Joe. The class is learn your fruits and vegetables and boy did they learn. 

Each week, I brought in a new fruit or vegetable. I asked them what they thought.. Fruit or veggie? And I'm so proud that as the class continued they really knew their produce! I taught them about asparagus, spinach, strawberries, and other delicious fruits and veggies! With my mini nutritional background, I informed them what vitamins and minerals were in the produce and why those are good for you. This is how I learned as well. Teaching someone else also teaches you. I'm really gonna miss everyone. Even the kids in the classes at the kitchen! Even my niece came to some of the classes!

My Running

This semester has killed me. After classes and my body conditioning class at the gym 3 days a week, I barely had the energy to run. There were days I sat in bed studying for 5-6 hours out of the day. And let me tell you.. after laying in bed all day I definitely didn't have the urge to run. But as sad as it sounds, I'm going to be honest with you, my runs were spontaneous and only when I felt like it. There were some weeks I didn't run at all. And to tell you again... it decreased my endurance. Which now, I'm trying to get back. But things like that happen and how you deal with that and all of the negative thoughts is what matters the most. I'm posting my runs because I want you to know I'm not perfect. I'm honest. I stop, I stretch, I sometimes only run 2 miles and then quit. 

But, what I want you to take from this and my blog altogether, is, keep working towards your goals. Even if it takes you a long time and many set backs, remember why you started and keep going. 

Summer is going to be scorching! May runs for me have been exhausting. The other day I ran in 90 degree weather, but only at 7pm. I try to run in the evenings because It helps me wind down. After working out I sleep so much better. 

I got these Think Thin bars at Kroger in the organic section and I really like them! I'm not a fan of the caramel kind, but the chocolate fudge are pretty good. They have 0 grams of sugar, 8 grams of fat, and 20 grams of protein! I eat them as a quick recharge after my runs if I'm on the go and I can't cook something right away. 

I always wake up hungry

Breakfast is so important to me. If I eat a balanced one! Without breakfast and having all that coffee in my belly, I would be one lost gal.

Breakfast....
Motivates me to eat healthy throughout the day
Gets my metabolism fired up
Keeps me full and focused, especially with tons of protein
literally what is says... Breaks that fast from the night before
And it makes me energized!

Here are a few meals that are my go-to breakfast-

After a work out:
One whole grain waffle with all natural peanut butter and a drizzle of honey. I buy all natural peanut butter and I make sure to look at the ingredient list to see if there is any salt added. It should only consist of peanuts and peanut or palm oil. I like the oil on the top that gets separated. I mix it up pretty well, but if you don't enjoy that you can always try another without the oil on top. Just make sure you check the ingredient label to see if any funky things are added. :) Almond butter is also a great source of protein!

Eggs with peppers, spinach, mushrooms, onions, and zucchini. I LOVE EGGS! I love mixing it up every now and then with different veggies. I put everything possible in my eggs! I add squash, peas, all kinds of vegetables. I love a variety. Sometimes I'll use one egg yolk and one egg white, but other days I'll eat the yolks.

Cottage cheese is also yummy. Some don't enjoy the taste, but I find it delicious and it's low fat loaded with protein. One serving, 1/2 cup has 17 grams of protein! What What??

And a fruit of your choice! I love raw fruit because it has the fiber and all of those extra nutrients. Sometimes if I'm in a hurry I'll make a smoothie though.

 

If you ever have left over asparagus, just eat em for breakfast. I'll put them in a pan, crack an egg over top and season, then put a lid over top to steam cook the egg. mmm, it is super delicious!

Ever remember grandma making hashbrowns for breakfast? Well, they may not be as healthy, but you can definitely have those without the extra fat. I like to cook my potatoes in coconut or canola oil. Good saturated fat and a lot of polyunsaturated fat. I'll grate them in a bowl, but you have to make sure to squeeze all of the water out with a paper towel or they won't be firm and crispy. After a little pepper, I don't even need ketchup! 

I made these light and fluffy raspberry bars and they were perfect for breakfast. They weren't as healthy as I would have liked because I used a lot of brown sugar and all purpose flour, but pairing it with some protein really got me going in the morning. I always like to include fruit in my breakfast because during the day I'm always eating veggies and my protein.

You can prepare breakfast in so many ways. If I were to eat a heavy meal, I would always want it to be breakfast. It keeps your full, especially when you have that fiber and protein on your plate. I always try to pair my carbs with protein. It balances out your metabolism and keeps your glucose levels regular. 

What foods can you include on your plate for breakfast?

Woah baby, it has been a while....

Hey everyone!
Sorry for the break, but I shut down my blog for the spring semester. I was so wrapped up with classes and the kitchen, I just didn't have the time to write about everything. A few things have changed and as always, I learn something new about nutrition everyday. I'm still running, but let me tell you; the last few weeks with finals and work, I haven't laced up my shoes very much at all. But it is okay because summer is here and even though I'll be taking classes, I'll have a lot more time to spare. I'm training for a half marathon this summer so I'll be running an awful lot! I'm so excited, and I can't wait to accomplish another goal of mine.

A few minor changes in my life:
1. Got a tattoo
2. Cut my hair
3. been eating more protein and less dairy products. I still consume milk and yogurt, but just a limited amount. It's been upsetting my digestive system so I'm trying to consume a little less than I used to.
4. Training for a half marathon
5. Grace and I are moving into our own apartment near campus. We are super super excited!
6. I'm learning to rely on myself for happiness and not seek it in other things.
7. I'm no longer going to be working at Huntington's Kitchen as of May 16th. My boss is resigning, and I can't bring myself to continue working without her. I'll miss her so much, but this will bring other opportunities in my life which I look forward to.
8. I've learned to keep it simple, enjoy the little things, and it's okay to have unhealthy food... in Moderation!

Sooooooo I went to Florida for spring break (that's where I got my lovely piece of art) and I had a blast. I took some photos to share with you. :)

 

This was the first day I got there. I went to North Fort Myers beach, and I loved it! I had so much fun getting away from school, Huntington, and even my roommates. I love them, but it is always nice to have a getaway. The first night we went to a little bar. I didn't drink, but I was starving, so I got a blackened Mahi Mahi with vegetables. It was amazing, and I could definitely tell the difference in the freshness of the fish. That was my "Welcome to florida drink!" It was rum and pineapple orange mango juice and a little splash of cranberry. mmm!

I had so much fun with these girls. This is the day we went to the beach and I was burnt to a crisp. Stupid me didn't reapply sunscreen... BAD. But you'll see a little later what I mean. 

This is a collection of pictures I took while I was there. The necklace above, I bought at Plato's closet. I fell in love with it immediately. It doesn't open but it goes with so many items in my closet. 

Michelle, RuthAnn and I went to Pinchers the last day. It was delicious! I got the fish tacos, so so good.

Told ya I cut my hair! So much lighter and it feels healthier. 

I got a blackened grouper sandwhich with fresh chips at a place on the beach. Oh I loved it! 

  

At Pinchers! Beautiful view right? 

So remember when I said I got a tattoo? Well... I did. And that is another thing I couldn't help but fall in love with. Even with the pain towards the end, it was so worth it.

Going into this I wanted something to start a half sleeve, but now, I really just like this. I wanted a Mandala and a lotus mix and this is what the artist came up with and I couldn't be more pleased. I feel it's a perfect start if I wanted to get more, or it's fine the way it is. I Never thought I would actually get a tattoo, but those who know me... once I make up my mind and I really want something, I will go for it! I told my mom the day I was getting it... hmm, big surprise.

Usually people think of a vacation as an excuse to eat as much as you want, drink, and be lazy. I definitely ate a lot! And I definitely drank. But when I ate, I ate 80% healthy and well... maybe 25% unhealthy ;) I also got some running in while I was in FL. If I was on the beach, I would have ran every morning, watching the sun come up. But, I stayed with friends, so I ran in their neighborhood. And Boyyy was it HOT. There were a few days I didn't wear a shirt, just a sports bra. And that wasn't cool for my burns. Literally. 

I don't want to be weird about drinking, because I drink but I want to touch on this topic for a sec. I for sure do not go out every week or weekend and drink to get drunk, but occasionally I'll go out with friends and drink a beer or a glass of wine. I do not let myself get to the point where I'll regret drinking or even get sick. I have enough problems with my digestive system and getting sick as it is, so I only want to drink when I feel like it. I feel moderation is the key here and remember 2 servings of alcohol for men a day and 1 serving for women. Only 7oz are recommended. So that means you can't feel up a whole cup of wine and call that a serving ;) I know that we are all human and even as a dietetics major, I slip up.

Always be safe and smart, and always know to take control of your consumption. 

Andddd this is my sunburn...
Looks rough doesn't it.

Thank goodness that my burn healed before I got my tattoo.

I had an awesome time in Fort Myers. I met so many cool people and I can't wait to go back to visit them. Who knows, maybe I'll find myself packing up and moving there after graduation. pshh... that's in another 2 years. whew! 5 years of college is enough! No more changing majors. 

Thanks everyone for making my time there amazing! I hope to see you all soon :)

As soon as I got back I fell back into my routine. I had just enough days to prepare for the remainder of the semester. The next morning I woke up with some tea and yoga. It set my mind to be motivated and get through the following week.