Healthy living and what we typically eat

I was looking through some of my old posts today and came across this one I did in the very first month of my blogging venture.

Not much has changed and it's great to see that we are not on any yoyo diets, this is now our healthy lifestyle.

June 2012

Here is what we ate today....

Almond Milk

I occasionally substitute cows milk with almond milk which is 1 cup of almonds blended with 2 cups of filtered water (or just depends how thick and creamy you like it). I know some recipes suggest to soak the almonds overnight, I find the result is the same......so just keep blending the almonds until they completely infuse into the water making it look all creamy like milk. Then strain in a cheese cloth and voila! you have an amazing tasting milk alternative, especially for those that get some tummy bloating after having too much cows milk.

Breakfast ~ Quinoa with strawberry, kiwi and raspberries

Simply cook the quinoa as per package instructions, add milk and load up with fresh fruit and there you have an amazing supportive and clean eating breakfast that will keep you fuelled for the morning!

Quinoa with strawberries and kiwi fruit

Morning snack ~ Yogurt with pineapple pieces

Super fast, as there is always yogurt in the fridge and if ever your fresh fruit supply is down, make sure you have some handy "tinned" fruit to add. Also nuts are power protein food!

Yogurt with pineapple

Lunch ~ Salmon beetroot salad with corn kernels

We had salmon last night and this was my left over. Mixed some salad, canned corn kernel and beetroot. Super fast, super tasty!!!! Simply splashed vinegar and olive oil and voila!

Salmon beetroot salad

Afternoon snack ~ Chick peas, celery, gala apples with dip

Our kids are famished when they come home from school and kinda and love this snack. We also incorporate rice crackers too

Chickpeas with with dip 

Dinner ~ Poached chicken with broccoli & peas on a bed of rice

These are considered my cheat nights, where I just wrap the chicken in foil and spice accordingly, in a steamer beside the broccoli and peas whilst the rice cooker does it's magic. Then crumble feta cheese over it. There's no slaving over a hot stove for this ripper dinner!

Poached chicken with broccoli and peas

So that was our day of meals. I hope it gives you some insight on how you can eat healthy and colourful dishes and not spend too much time in the kitchen. I'd rather play "cars" with our kids, as I did while dinner was steaming away :-) XxDani

Do you plan your meals and keep a record of what you eat? 

SATISFACTION

Watermelons are BACK!!! YEAH

What a fabulous word…YES…I would have to say that I am content with a lot of things.  I do not have to look for approval or contentment outside of myself, worrying about the whole “I am not good enough” thing.  Maybe, when I was younger and not older and wiser like today, I would run around trying to please everyone, and put my own feelings aside and even to a non boundary fault…YUCK YUCK…and OH did I say YUCK.  This journey I call life has blessed me with many discoveries of positive growth and has opened my eyes to seeing all that I have gone through as part of that process.  If you have read my bio, you can understand a bit of what I am talking about.

I want to really dig deeper into my satisfaction though as it relates to my fitness and maintaining ME at 48.  YES…I am serious about my health, maintain a good quality of life, and the outer shell benefits of that…of course…LOVE it.   I would not be truthful with you if I did not admit that.  The point I am trying to make is that I am content…I do not need to look further , to look better, to be thinner, to be leaner, to be more muscular…I am truly content with my work and maintenance feels over the top satisfying .  I can and do get satisfaction each day as I live being the BEST me with all my limitations…I am GOOD.

I have been around the block to hear and see so many people who are not happy even when they reach their goals and even living their goals…meaning a healthy lifestyle…it is still not enough.   It saddens me because that is a deeper issue…the one that haunts within, the one that may creep in from the past or be caused by the past or even the present.  Let me tell you being a positive advocate for counseling, therapy, and woman of strong faith …this would be the time to visit that part of life…to see what the heck is going on to cause such unhappiness and nonacceptance of self.  Been there, done that, and greatly appreciative of all that I have learned and having God on my side through the process…HIP HIP HOORAY, HEALED, and Happily Ever After Content!

Daughters are Fabulous

I look at myself and NO…no longer that 20 something that I see in both my daughter and stepdaughter…absolute peaches and cream skin beauties they are…WOW…I marvel in that for them.  But that is how it is supposed to be…48 comes with love lines, and battle scars that I have earned from my journey of life, having children,  surgeries, and the overall aging process…I mean really…am I supposed to look 20 something... A BIG NO…I am being real here…seriously…and I will not undergo any process on my face to take away the privilege and honor of being ME.  Will I do my BEST to be my BEST…of course…I am trendy, not frumpy, and love to feel sexy.  Being healthy satisfies all those things for me and that is who I want to be…ME. 

I believe in the word “enough”, and when it comes to my fitness…it is good enough.  Satisfaction applies to so many things in my life…the contentment of being healthy is just a part of Darla…I do not believe that the grass is greener on the other side, wanting to outdo the “Jones’” , and that more is better.  I do believe in the saying “I may not have the best of everything but I make the BEST of everything I have”, that less is more, enjoying the simple things, in not sweating the small stuff, and in daily miracles.  It is important for me to feel satisfaction, contentment, and value every moment...If I did not do that…I do not think that life would make sense.  You may see Darla, the fitness expert, but let me introduce you to Darla, the satisfied person.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN YOUR FACE MOTIVATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

GREAT MOTIVATION TO MOVE IDEA

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Healthy Quinoa Chicken with Sun dried Tomato & Fresh Basil

 

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  If you are inspired, LIKE my entry, leave a comment and I look forward to responding! 

 

Have a Fabulous Week!

 

Stay Healthy!

Darla:)

 

It has to be GOOD ENOUGH

I AM GOOD ENOUGH!

In this world of extreme perfection and nothing being good enough, I say it has to be good enough…I will go farther than that and say IT IS GOOD ENOUGH…I mean really…YUCK…otherwise I would be such a miserable person always searching for something to fill some void I think I am missing.  You know what…I AM good enough.  I can recall a time in my life where I did struggle with the whole “not good enough” thing, always trying to please someone and giving so much consideration into what others thought of me…OMG…what a horrible way to be and so anxiety producing…just thinking back about it…I now laugh and am so thankful for being older, wiser, and so much better.  I guess it had to be a part of my journey of learning and maturing into the healthy woman I am today. 

Perfection and pleasing are tossed to the side, and just being the BEST version of ME each day is my goal.  I am not saying that I do not enjoy pleasing people with my cooking or something fabulous like that…I am talking about the warped thinking of “why did they not approve of this or that about me, or not like how I did something”…there is truly a difference.  Why did I even care???  WOW…talk about unhealthy thinking of the past.  What the heck does this have to do with maintaining my now 48 year young physique…I SAY EVERYTHING. 

It is my state of positive thinking and ACCEPTANCE of Darla, with all my imperfections and physical limitations that motivate me each day.  It is that “feel good” feeling that completely coats my spirit and provides an “AH HA” moment each day for me…I mean it can make me feel like a kid, not take things so serious, and free me to be ME…IT IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!  It is that whole not sweating the small stuff in life anymore and letting go of things I can’t control… YAHOOO …. YES…this is healthy, I feel healthy, I love how I take care of ME and I accept that about ME,  and it feels better than good.   I will go farther than good and say that it feels pretty darn GREAT! 

Starting the Weekend with this In Your Face Motivation!

Personal Goal:  OK everyone…I want to blog more and I am praying for more time to do this.  My goal is to MOTIVATE through my writing at least one time per week.  I have been utilizing my Stay Healthy Facebook because of its’ quick and easy download of this or that in seconds and I still plan to maintain that as long as FB does not continue to try and regulate business pages.  My passion and “want” is to channel the same feel of what I like to call “In Your Face” MOTIVATION posters here, along with helpful links, recipes, and exercise ideas.  I like that the Blog is individual and very personal…this is more down to earth and ME to MOTIVATE you.  So, even if I write a brief paragraph about my thoughts for the day or week, I am on board for that…how about you?

Check out my Stay Healthy Feature on pg 36 of  the June issue of Natural Muscle Magazine!

Stay Healthy Quinoa Chicken with Fresh Basil

Looking for an In Your Face MOTIVATION to move IDEA…I LOVE HIIT Workouts!

(My modifications...negative pullups for the pushups to protect my neck)

Thanks for stopping by my Blog, hope you enjoy the content, and if you have not become a follower yet, I would love to see your face on my friend's list.  Let me know if you LIKE this entry, I look forward to reading your comments, and I am always in the mood for a Protein Shake;)

Have a Fabulous Weekend!

Stay Healthy!

Darla   

 

Getting it All In!!!

Motivation of the Day: If you always have an Excuse You Will Never get it done.

A Sweaty ME earlybird workout today!

This morning has already blended into this afternoon….what a day already. Up at 6am to have my one cup and the aroma of the spiced chicken and oats filled the house…..YEAH!!! Now…I love that kind of time saver…several meals for the week…DONE! My spontaneous self took advantage of the moment and my hubby was kind enough to film the Crockpot event. Just back in town yesterday, I had lots to get ready for with work and getting back on track….that wonderful feeling of being back home is so nice. I love to get away, but enjoy the routine of having my foods ready to go, sleeping in my own bed, etc. Well…yes, I had lots to do, and I am jamming around here today in a flurry and multi-tasking in a huge way. While I am putting together my Blog videos, I am also putting away my chicken and oats into containers for the week…a load and load scenario. It works…and I will not let having much to do get in the way of getting in my workout. I could simply say…too many files to prep, food to cook, laundry to do, emails to answer, blogs to write, articles to prepare, recipes to create…on and on…and I know that many people DO that. Not this girl….hence the motivational saying for the day. Really, the laundry will still be there and the dishes will too….what does not remain the same from moment to moment is ME and YOU. I refuse to deprive myself of the moments that matter….and one of those is taking care of me….because…my health is my wealth. It is a thrill ride to challenge myself and see how efficiently I can multi-task and get it all in….do I feel a bit of pressure….YES…but…healthy pressure can be a good thing. It drives me to be an efficient person, trainer, wife and mother. If I did not follow through and created excuses for things…YIKES…what the heck kind of life and person would I be? How could I exemplify to myself, family, friends, clients, and YOU the importance of a Stay Healthy Life. I really would not even be here creating this Blog for you….because there would be some sort of excuse to not do that….No Way. I am not that kind of person….I will get it all in. Even through camera technical difficulties today…you will see in the videos….I did not get discouraged…but continued along at a good pace to complete my daily goals. I fit in completion of my Blog in between my clients and still was able to get the food in the refrigerator…do I have crock pots in my sink…YES…but they will be there when I get off work all soaked for an easy clean. Being successful at anything in life is about balance, no excuses, and getting it all in. I not only have a goal but I reach for those goals…..My goal for today was to complete my workout before my clients, finish this Blog before client 3, get my Crockpot meals into the refrigerator, review files, and answer a few emails….and I DID IT!!!! How do I feel….Accomplished….No Excuses for this Girl;)


My Nutrition for the Day:



Coffee, one cup please

I buy chicken in bulk for crockpot

1-Post workout Shake
2-Powered Up Oats
3-B/S shredded chicken on sprouted bread with avocado
4-Fruit & 2 protein balls
5-Egg White Scramble with Spinach Salad
6-Protein Pudding


My Workout of the Day:

ARC Trainer 35 minutes – Strength Interval


Body Work ~ completed 4 sets of the following


Negative pull ups 10 reps
Lunge back kick forward 25 reps per leg
Leg Extensions 25lbs @ 25 reps
Hamstring Curls 25lbs @ 25 reps
Lunge back kick forward 25 reps per leg
Low Rows 30lbs @ 25 reps
Lunge back kick forward 25 reps per leg

Post Shake Coming Up!

IF YOU ENJOYED THE CONTENT, LIKE IT, LEAVE ME A COMMENT, AND IF YOU LIKE…OFFER ME A SHAKE;)


STAY HEALTHY!

My Chicken Salad for Dinner Tonight!!!!

You Can Make This!!!!!

Hi Readers!!!

Tonight's blog is having dinner with you tonight. I want to show that eating healthy is fun, simple, requires no measuring, and is not about getting caught up in the numbers, percentages, etc.... I put this together in about 25 minutes (less if the chicken was pre-cooked). All you have to do is open one can, chop a few vegies, throw over mixed greens, and enjoy a Stay Healthy Meal!!!

1 chicken breast seasoned with Trader Joes 21 Salute Seasoning and cayenne pepper (I like things spicy) and placed in Pam sprayed pan, and a drizzle of Yoshida's gourmet sauce and water, cover and simmer, turn over 1/2 through cooking and continue to simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Cut the chicken breast in half or thirds....they are always too big. Save the remainder for meals tomorrow.

The Rest of the Ingredients...

1 can kidney beans (drain and use 1/2)

1 bag of spring mix (I use one large handful)

1 sweet onion (as much as you like)

5 small red and yellow peppers (chopped)

1 roma tomato (the whole thing)

1/4 fresh avocado (sliced)

Grab a dinner plate and start layering...handful of spring mix, 1/2 can kidney beans, chopped onion, pepper, and tomato, and sliced avocado. Slice or chunk the chicken and place as the last layer. I dig into this without dressing....enjoy the textures and tastes of every bit of the dish!!!!

I will be sharing ideas like this one on my virtual online personal training site available soon. http://fitness-4-you.com/Upcoming%20Events%20Page.htm

Stay Healthy!!!

Darla