Eating Clean

I just completed a 7 day clean eating challenge...of which I made 4.5 days until I caved.  Let me tell you about those 4.5 days.

My goal was to eat only real food (nothing made in a factory).  Mostly I ate fruit, veggies, chicken, beef, eggs....and dark chocolate (it's allowed on a clean eating diet....really!).  We weren't supposed to eat any dairy, but I did put greek yogurt in my smoothies a couple of times...it helped me get another protein in and I like it to make my smoothies thicker.  Whole grains were allowed, but I've been trying to limit my gluten, and thus, only had 1 slice of 100% whole grain bread one of the days because I was tired of eggs for breakfast. 

I ate every 2-3 hours and tried to have a protein and veggie with every meal.  I also made sure to include a couple of healthy fats every other meal or so.  For those, I used coconut oil to cook my eggs and veggies with and had a handful of almonds too. 

Here are a few samples of my meals:

So, why am I doing this??  I don't need to lose weight, but being skinny doesn't = healthy.  I have had stomach issues for most of my life and have never tried to figure out what was causing it until recently (because having to cart 2 little ones into a public bathroom with you is not fun!).  I tried a dairy free diet as there is some dairy intolerance in my family, but I only lasted a couple of days.....then I tried gluten free...and only lasted about 4 days.  Fast forward a couple of weeks.....actually no, back up a few months........

I was looking for a low intensity fitness program to do at home when I came across a brand new program called Piyo.  It's a mix of pilates and yoga.  It sounded like exactly what I was looking for!  Only problem was, it didn't come out until June!  Darn.  I will wait a few months.

Okay...back to a couple of weeks after trying a gluten free diet.  A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she was going to be starting a Piyo fitness support group as soon as the DVD came out.  Of course I jumped on that...because I know that having support helps keep me motivated and accountable!  When the DVD arrived at my house, it came with a nutrition plan....which consisted of eating REAL food....ie, plants and animals....nothing made in a factory.  So I decided that if I'm going to spend the next 8 weeks working out every day, I may as well follow the nutrition plan to get the most bang for my buck.  Plus, I have read/seen/heard that toning your body is 80% diet and 20% exercise.  And toning is what I was aiming for.  And, maybe, just maybe it would help clear up my stomach issues. 

So....3 weeks into the fitness program I had been following the nutrition plan about 70% of the time.  At this point, the same girl who started this fitness support group, asked if anyone was interested in doing a 7 day clean eating challenge.  I figured I may as well since I'm already more than half way there anyway....I'll eat 100% clean for 7 days...it's only a week of my life...can't be that hard. 

I went to the grocery store and stocked up on produce, chicken and eggs.  You wouldn't believe all the veggies I ate!!!!  Remember that post awhile back when I mentioned I MAYBE ate 1 veggie per week....yeah, I ate 9 different veggies in 1 DAY!!!   I didn't even know I liked that many veggies!!!

So...at the end of just 3 days I felt so amazing!!! I wasn't bloated any more (which tended to be 100% of the time for me...causing people to ask me when I'm "due")....it's amazing how eating processed junk makes you feel so heavy in your stomach.  I felt so much lighter and just generally very healthy.  I know it sounds so cliché...but I really felt so good from the inside out.  I was waking up with lots of energy and never got tired during the day. 

By day 5, I felt like a new person.  Crazy...just 5 days!  I went to the grocery store and turned down a free sample of a chocolate chip cookie.....did you hear that?!?!?!?!?!  It was tough, but I did it and it felt good.

Fast forward about 4 hours......we had a BBQ at our house and as the food started coming into the house I thought, "okay, I can pass that one up......I don't want that one either....I won't be heartbroken if I don't try that one....."  And then.....the desserts.....Oh the desserts!!!  They started pouring in.  Oh no!!  I'm gonna break...I'm so gonna break.....

My plate was 80% desserts!!!  And I had seconds!  And I didn't regret it!  Oh the yumminess!!! 

Fast forward to bedtime.....I lay down in my bed and think I might throw up.  I didn't even have any alcohol, but I feel like I did.  I felt so full and so gross.  I managed to relax and go to sleep, but the next morning was even worse.  It felt like a hangover.  I was so groggy and bloated and dehydrated and just lifeless.  My whole day felt that way.  I still didn't regret eating all of those sweets, but I did hate that I had come so far and now I have to start over.

We had leftovers to finish on Sunday and today, while I started my day awesome, I finished it poorly...HAD to eat the last piece of strawberry rhubarb crisp in my fridge!!  (and yes, I HAD to have the donut from the grocery store today too...it was the one thing I kept craving during my 100% clean eating).  Tomorrow though, is a new day and we are starting a new challenge....so back to the eggs and veggies I go.  I'm looking forward to it....it was almost a "high" to feel so good and I'm excited to get that back.

This time around though, I think I will do more of an 80/20 clean eating.   And I will choose my 20% carefully.  I think I may not have indulged in quite so many sweets on Saturday night had I allowed myself to have one or two sweeter items in the prior few days. 

Something else I learned in those few days is how much mindless eating I do.  Normally when I give my kids a snack (which is never real food), I have a bite too...it was like a hand slapping me every time I even thought about biting the head off the teddy graham :)  I also used to grab a handful of whatever I could find in the pantry every time I opened the door...which was a lot!  By having more actual meals throughout the day and eating real foods, I never had the urge to snack and had to remind myself of my goal as I eyed something in the pantry. 

I did not make my family suffer through eating bland boring real food, and while I know I would be doing them a favor making them eat more veggies, I would rather have a happy family than unsatisfied, still hungry, crying little kids to listen to all day (I know, they would eventually get over it and adapt, but I just can't rob them of a goldfish eating childhood, right?) 

I did take a "before" picture a few weeks ago when I started Piyo and eating better...hopefully at the end of 8 weeks I will have a distinguishingly different picture to show! 

Beautiful Day, Beautiful Life

As my daughter and I went for a little walk outside on this GORGEOUS morning, it hit me like a ton of bricks how wonderful life is right now!  The past few days have been amazing as I have gotten to do some fun things and spent time with people I love to be around. 

Twice this past week I took Rylee to the Madison County fair.  Watching her get so excited about petting the animals...along with many other simple pleasures we've both enjoyed...has got me thinking about how simple life really can be and how those simple things can make life so much more enjoyable.

As we neared the river on our walk, Rylee wanted to throw rocks into the water.  I watched her pick up rocks and launch them in for about 20 minutes.  I was so enlightened by this simple task being so exciting to her...it gave me goosebumps to watch and hear her glowing.  At one point I wished I had my camera to capture the moment, but then I realized how glad I was that I didn't have it with me....because I would have spent time trying to get the perfect shot, rather than soaking in the moment.

While she continued to play I started to look around me.  I mean really look around...taking in all of the sights, sounds, smells, feels.  Something I already knew to be true, seemed to soak into my skin...that I am so blessed in this life.

I am blessed to live in the middle of nature.  There are no concrete buildings blocking my view of this beautiful planet, there are no weird unexplainable smells or sounds, there is no hustle and bustle of people trying to keep up with one another.  I am instead surrounded by the pure beauty of nature.  Just that thought alone is so calming. 

I am blessed to have family and friends who love and support me and who I love and support in return.  I am blessed to have good health and have children who are healthy and happy.  I am blessed that my husband and I can provide basic necessities for ourselves and our children, along with some extras. 

I am blessed to be able to wake up (almost) every day without a care in the world.  I know that each day will be what I make of it....it can be a positive day, or it can be a negative day....all depending on my attitude.  I know that if I rid myself of negativities everything will work out just fine and it always does.  In fact, as I dug deep within my thoughts today I discovered just how amazing I can really feel when I'm positive.  I felt very light.  The giant hill I had to walk back up that normally drains me, wasn't even a little hard today....I barely noticed the steep incline at all.  My positive thinking was very powerful this morning. 

I've always believed that our thoughts can be dangerous...good or bad.  I wish more people would just "be" in this world, rather than worrying about what other people are doing or caring what others are thinking of them.  I've said many times that I wish I lived back in the days of "simple", before our minds were being filled with so much garbage.  If we could just all think happy thoughts, be positive, and take care of ourselves...maybe all of the world problems would be solved ;)  Hey, we're thinking positive here, right?!?!

I had a few more thoughts on the beauty of life and being positive....but I think I want to stop there for now so I can make my family lunch and we can go back outside and enjoy this beautiful day (and by that I mean, the hammock is calling my name...hehe). 

Have a wonderfully blessed day Friends!!  BIIIIIG HUG!!!!! 

Outdoor Summer Concerts

Last night I checked off concert #1 of 4 for this summer (although it's quite possible I will attend more than 4).  The concert didn't disappoint and I remembered exactly why I love outdoor summer concerts so much. 

First of all, they are usually cheaper and easier to get tickets to.  I have given up on big arena concerts....it never fails that I go online right at the start time of ticket sales and ALWAYS get nose bleed seats...what the heck???  I don't get it.  I pay good money and have to watch the concert from a mile away...no thank you.  I even sent my husband to the ticket office once and he was 4th in line...and we still got crappy balcony seats (as did the person 1st in line).....no one stands and dances in the balcony...boring! 

Second, who doesn't love to be outside on a beautiful summer night hanging out with hundreds of your "closest" friends listening to live music???....and lets be honest, at a concert everyone is your best friend!

And finally, my favorite reason that outdoor summer concerts rock....they are usually much smaller venues, making for a much more personal experience.  Last night's Frankie Ballard concert on Main Street in Ames was a perfect example!  There were several hundred people there, all standing as there wasn't seating at this concert (which also makes it awesome, because you can get close to the stage), and Frankie decided he needed to "party with his friends" and he came out and mingled with the crowd.  While the band played Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock & Roll", Frankie talked to people, took pictures with them, and even drank their beer :)  He made it all the way to the back...we got "high fives" from him...he even talked to people on the sidewalk who were watching the concert for free since you could see the stage from outside the gates.  It was so fun!  I especially loved when he talked about hanging out with Bob Seger's band in Des Moines one night...he mentioned the High Life Lounge and Hotel Fort Des Moines! 

Frankie and his band were about 2 hours late...TWO of their flights from Dallas got canceled yesterday and they ended up having to fly to KC and renting a car (actually he said it was a Dodge mini van) and driving "100 mph north on 35".  He said he hasn't missed a concert in 10 years and didn't plan to miss this one.  He definitely made up for being late by being so engaging with the crowd.  He also said he would stay out until 3am meeting everyone afterwards for pictures, autographs, etc.  He was a great entertainer...and much more enjoyable than watching a singer/band perform half an arena away on stage. 

I also got to hear a local singer, Danny Grause, out of Nevada for the first time.  They were very good too.  They played some original songs as well as some covers...Charlie Daniels even!  I will be seeing them again somewhere I'm sure!  ...and I ate Battles BBQ for the first time last night...Yum!

Even though I stayed up WAY past my bedtime last night (concert was over around 11:15...2 hours later than planned), I'm doing pretty well today --- I think I'm on a "concert high".  I love live country music, summer nights in Iowa, and putting them both together!!! 

Next up:  Florida Georgia Line and Jake Owen at the state fair (and maybe a couple of "free stage" concerts at the fair) and then Jerrod Niemann at another small outdoor venue in Ames....Can't wait!!!!  On my bucket list is to spend a week in Nashville, TN listening to live country music every night...who wants to go with me?? :) 

In case you have no idea who Frankie Ballard is (don't feel bad, I only knew 3 of his songs), here are a couple of my favorites; enjoy!:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWv1HFenAA8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tQk7m2P3AU

Shop Local!

I don't know how much truth there is to this, but it sounds legit to me......

 

So, are you supporting your local businesses??  I used to drive to the city 1-2 times per week for things, but in an effort to decrease spending on gas and reduce the amount of miles I drive each week, I have started wandering into local businesses and visiting local farmer's markets to find what I need.  I am so impressed by some of the shops!!  Besides discovering lots of super cute shops, I am surprised at how many items they sell that are made in Iowa too!  Sure, they may be a little more pricey than something similar you can buy in a big box retailer, but it's worth spending a little more to know you are supporting fellow Iowans! 

 

I was in one of my new favorite stores, called re:home in Winterset (if you love repurposed items for house décor, definitely put this place on your list!!!!..as well as all the other super cute shops in Winterset), when I overheard a lady say she was from a town about 40 miles away.  She stated that her town used to have lots of little cute shops like this one, but they all went out of business when Wal-mart came to town.  This is so sad.  Yes, Wal-mart is cheap and convenient...but everything they sell is made in China (okay I made that up).  Aren't we being better citizens of our communities if we take the time to visit our local shops and make similar purchases there....plus your item will likely be of better quality, depending on what you are buying. 

 

In addition to brick-and-mortar stores, what about supporting local artists/crafy-people who make their items in home and sell them on their personal websites, facebook pages, and/or etsy.com??  I know tons of people who fall into these categories...everyone from cake makers, baby items, jewelry makers, scarf makers, hat knitters, painters, wine makers, etc.  If you need it, I might know someone local who makes it.  How about buying produce from farm stands or farmer's markets?  Beef from a farmer?  What about buying local wines and beers?? 

 

Let's even talk about restaurants.  My husband and I were just talking the other day about how tough the restaurant biz must be since so many seem to come and go (specifically we were talking about Hooters being taken out by Twin Peaks).  We rarely ever dine out, but when we do....it's usually a local joint.  Those are our tried and true favorites.  Besides, the lines are always so long and the prices so much higher at chain restaurants.  Been to the Hitchin' Post lately???  (see exit 56 on I-35 South)

 

We also have been trying to use more local service businesses.  I just dropped my national bank for a local one.  We hired a local company to clean our carpets...which also came from a local company...as did the rest of our flooring, an appliance, and countertop (Shop Royal Flooring in Altoona!!! and soon to be in Urbandale).  We are looking into some local painting businesses as well.  It's fun to keep our money local and know that we are keeping someone employed!  Plus, our experience with local services is that they take better care of you! 

 

The next time you need to buy a gift, or request a service, try visiting a local shop that you have never been in before...it may just become your favorite!!  You don't want it to go out of business before you even have a chance to check it out (that happened to me a couple of times and made me sad).  Do your part as a citizen of your community and shop local to help keep the money in your community and your fellow neighbors employed :)

 

 

Summer for the Win!

Fall has always been my favorite season…until this year.  I think summer may be taking the trophy this year.  The season has just begun, but I already feel like it is half over.  We have done so many things and my summer “to do” list is nearly complete.  I realized that this is the first summer in 16 years that I have been able to do “whatever I want”.  The past 16 years I have had to work during the summer, and last year had a newborn.  After the terrible stuck-inside winter we just had, I knew I wanted to make the most out of the spring/summer/fall, and I have definitely done so thus far! 

Any day that hasn’t been raining we have been outside and/or away from the house.   Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we are busy all day every day, but I try to make sure that even on our days at home, we get outside a couple of times for at least 30 minutes and I try to make sure we do something fun when we are outside.  Some days, a trip to the grocery store is our “fun”, but I try to make sure we enjoy ourselves while we are out…maybe I take the long way to watch a train go by or to see the really big horse farm….sometimes we go for a walk first or play at a park and then get groceries last. 

Most of the items on my summer list are FREE too!!  That was my “must” when I made my list.  However, I had 2 swimming pools on my list and both charged $11 for just Rylee and I to swim…ugh!!  How do large families go to the pool all summer?!?!?!  Unfortunately we both really enjoy pool time, so we will probably go again a few times this summer.  Luckily though, Rylee also enjoys swimming in her own pool and playing at the free splash pads/wading pools. 

Parks have definitely been our most frequented places this year.  I would say we go to at least 1 park each week, but more like 2-3.  It’s the best summer activity in my mind…it’s free, it’s outdoors, it’s social (for kids and adults), and the kids never get bored with them!  I,however, get crazy tired of pushing Rylee in the swing…it’s all the girl wants to do…ugh…must find parks with no swings!!   We have also had some “two-fers” at the park…our small town park is right beside the high school baseball and softball fields and as luck would have it, there have been games going on while we were playing (games in the middle of the day???)…I enjoy watching them and Rylee has really started getting into them as well…”swing batter!!”, she yells J  Today, she got to throw back a foul ball!  She tells me she is going to play when she gets bigger...I would be okay with that...hopefully she will last more than 1 summer like her whimpy Mom...it was just too hot for me ;) 

We also have visited the zoo several times this year.  I invested in the family zoo pass, which is really a wonderful deal!!  The more you go, the cheaper it is (unless you give in to train and carousel rides each time).  It only takes an hour or two to get through the zoo and there are plenty of places to have a picnic outside of the gates….lucky to live near a small zoo! 

Speaking of animals…we also discovered last week that we can visit the horses at the horse barn on ISU’s campus…we spent about an hour there a night last week.  The students were there working and invited us in to the barn, let us pet a horse and answered lots of questions!  What fun!  Rylee and I want to get a horse, but somebody told us “no” ….fun sponge! 

Yesterday we tried out our “kids bowl free” pass.  If you don’t know about this program, look it up!!!   We all enjoyed ourselves (though we learned to go on Wednesday next time for half off shoes and adult bowling)….Rylee even told me “thanks for bringing me bowling mom!”  I think her favorite part was when “Let it Go” started playing on the radio there J 

So thus far we have completed, parks, pools, zoos, bowling, splash pads, farmers market, dairy open house, movie at jack trice, carousels and added several other “not on the list” items.  My list for next summer has expanded!! 

I’m looking forward to all of the county fairs coming up, as well as THE fair, so we can experience the sights and sounds of summer fairs…as well as parades too...starting on Friday!!!   Bring on the buckets o' candy we don’t need ;)

I’m also hoping to get in a few outdoor events with girlfriends…music nights at the wineries, zoo brew, and LOTS of country concerts….I have 4 to go to within 1 month!!!  Excited!!! 

I’m glad there are still about 4 months of nice weather left (anything that doesn’t involve snow or jackets is considered “nice” in my book)…we have plenty of time to finish our summer list and enjoy the outdoor world!  Hoping to get “camping in our yard” checked off tomorrow J 

Ahh, just thinking about all the stuff we can do when it isn't winter makes me want to move somewhere that doesn't have "heavy coat" weather.....remember that post I wrote about all of us moving together.....anyone ready?????