Climbing back on the bandwagon. . .now where did I put my tuba anyways??

 
(hmmm. .wonder who got a hold of my camera???)

Get it?? BAND wagon!!

I promised some clean eating lunch ideas and here they are:) I've been procrastinating because I had this big idea of actually making them and taking awesome pictures so I can show you what these tasty creations look like. . but it just wasn't happening. .so fuel up your imaginations and forgive me!

After baby #4 (Moses) I've been dragging my clean eating heels and not exercising, it doesn't feel good and I'm slowly cluing into the fact that I NEED to be strong, fit and healthy in order to deal with my life. End of story. No excuses. I heard something the other day that inspired me. . .

DON'T USE YOUR CHILDREN AS EXCUSES AS TO WHY YOU CAN'T GET THINGS DONE, EXERCISE, EAT HEALTHY, BLAH BLAH BLAH. . ..THEY ARE REASONS TO DO IT. . NOT EXCUSES WHY YOU CAN'T!!. . .THEY ARE THE VERY REASON WE NEED TO KICK OUR OWN BUTTS IN THE MORNING AND GET OUR LIVES ORGANIZED, PRODUCTIVE AND IN ORDER. .. amen to that eh?? I needed a wake up to get back on track. . .I'll be honest, every few months I crash and feel overwhelmed, exhausted and down. Flitting from project to project and not really honing in on my priorities. I see the pattern now and it's time to put an end to it. ..

My two week challenge. . .(feel free to join me:)

I'm starting with SIMPLE. Going to bed by 9-9:30 every night.

Waking up at 5 am to exercise or do yoga.

Spending time with my Heavenly Father every morning for at least 30 minutes. (Seriously, when I don't make time for God it corresponds directly with my productivity. . .or lack there of I should say;)

Jumping back on the eating clean bandwagon:

    - drinking enough water all day

    - eating protein within 20 minutes of waking

    - no processed junk

That's it, that's all. The days of the 50 item "to-do list" are over. It's overwhelming and if I end up failing by lunchtime every day, I trash the list anyways. . 5 items max.

So. Early to bed, early to rise, Spending time with the Big Guy upstairs, fueling the body with clean goodness and exercise. Done.

3 awesome clean recipes:)

Lettuce and Smoked Salmon Wraps

3 leaves of Romaine Lettuce

3 tablespoons of reduced fat herb and garlic Philadelphia cream cheese

Smoked salmon

thinly sliced purple onion

capers

Basically you lay out the lettuce, spread on the cream cheese and lay everything else on top. . voila. easy. done. and packed with omega 3 and protein. My kids love this quick lunch, minus the capers. . it makes you feel full because of the healthy fat and protein, but you get absolutely no bloating out of the deal. .. .it's a good one:) Sorry for the lack of picture:(

This carrot soup recipe is amazing and really kid friendly. .

Carrot Soup

6 large carrots shredded

2 med. potatoes cut into cubes

1.5 cups of chicken broth

1 tsp. worchestershire sauce

1 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp paprika

1 large spanish onion chopped fine

3 cups milk

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 cup chopped parsley

You will need two pots. In the first pot combine the first 7 ingredients and bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer for 15 minutes or until veggies are tender. In the second pot saute the chopped onion in a bit of butter or coconut oil until soft, add the milk and sprinkle in the thyme and parsley. Then combine the two pots and stir. I always take out half the soup and blend it in the blender until creamy and add back into the soup. . .it's fantastic that way! Enjoy:)

Oh and here's a hot tip. . .if you live near Winnipeg, go to the Crusty Bun on St. Mary's road and pick up some pumpkin seed buns to go with this soup. . soooooooo chewy and delish. SERIOUSLY, the best buns I've ever eaten. . EVER. (Sorry to all Grant's Mennonite relatives who might be offended by this;))

. . .o.k.. .I made this next one up myself. . and to be honest, only Leo and myself liked it, but the rest of my family is obviously nutbar, cause I thought this was quite inspired. . .

So. First you make some healthy chili for your fam and eat it for lunch for a few days till everyone is sick of chili, then you do this!

The Cauliflower, Chili, Cheese Wonder meal of Yum!

One head of cauliflower chopped into large pieces

1 cup of skim milk

1/2 cup of shredded jalapeno mozza cheese

2 cups of leftover chili

Steam cauliflower and lay in casserole dish, combine chili and milk in a saucepan until hot, pour over cauliflower and sprinkle cheese on top. . .it's a 3C delight! The Cauliflower, Chili, Cheese Wonder meal of yum. Yup. That's the official name;) It was tasty and healthy and a good way to stretch the grocery budget if I do say so. .. anyone else notice the cost of groceries is RIDICULOUS lately?? You can buy a head of cauliflower for $2.50. . .just say'in:)

. . .the lowdown lately. . .our exchange student from France arrived yesterday so I'm trying out my francais on him. . . he keeps smiling and laughing? I must be better at francais than I thought!? So with a guest in the house, I'm pulling out my cooks hat again, my run of scrambled eggs every night for supper is over. My fam will be relieved:)

Starting Monday I'm cataloguing my new routine of early to bed, early to rise, just to keep myself accountable. .. hope it doesn't bore you to death! I also took a "before" picture. . .which I just have to say was quite the wake up call. . .try taking a photo at yourself from a true angle, meaning line the camera up with your belly button instead of angling down (which makes you look like a malnourished waif in desperate need of a burger;) I'll tell ya right now, I'm not posting that crazy pic until I have an "after" photo to put beside it. . argh! Now, don't get me wrong here. . .it's not all about what you look like. . .it's about being toned, strong and fit and not having extra rolls flopping over the jeans. . .I have a rant percolating about how we've taken this whole "love yourself just the way you are" movement waaaaaaaay to far. .. .it may sound rude or bold or nasty but really, it's not. . .it's coming. so beware. There are plenty of us who might be loving ourselves right into obesity and heart disease. . .and that's bunk. .. but that's not for today. . .

Try those recipes. . really. .. they rock:) And if you feel like doing the early to bed challenge with me, it starts Monday. . .come along for the ride and let me know how it works for ya!

be mighty.

 

Comments

[Ky]

Seriously considering taking that challenge with you. I was going to start by actually waking up when my alarm went off this morning, until the big Monday morning roll-over happened... Tonight seems like a good night to be in bed at 9.
Good luck to you ;)

[Colleen]

Ha Ha!! I crashed and burned too:( After a weekend at the lake and the unpacking and staying up reading till midnight for a board meeting today. .I goofed it royally. . but am sooooo not giving up!

[Ky]

I'm not giving up either. I was in bed before 10 last night, but missed the 5am wakeup... Tomorrow is my day! Jillian is already sitting on my kitchen counter staring at me. ;)