I have always been an active person. I grew up competing in gymnastics, participated in cheerleading, tennis, soccer, and cross country in High School. I also cheered in college. After college I started running A LOT. I ran my first half marathon in 2007, and have ran 3 others since then. Even though I was running ALL the time my weight wasn't changing and neither was my body and I could not figure out why? That's when I decided I needed a trainer.
Abbey Snell, my personal trainer and dear friend, came to my rescue. I have known Abbey since she was 9 years old!!! So, I called her up and she came up with a personalized program just for me. This involved a nutrition program, cardio, and strength training. I had NO idea how much I didn't know about fitness and nutrition! It was astounding to say the least, and I am still learning new things everyday.
One thing and probably one of the most important things I have learned is that 80% of what your body looks like is due to your nutrtition! YES you read that right 80%!! Have you heard the saying "you are what you eat" well its very very true. Don't believe me? Try it I dare you. Eating clean has been the best thing I could have done for myself. It was hard to transition to the lifestyle but now that I have I will never look back. Especially since my fiance does not share the same thinking about food that I do. But we eat together all the time and I can ALWAYS find something to eat no matter where we go or what we cook at home together.
Tips for eating clean:
- Whole grains
- protein
- vegetables
- No fried food
- No refined sugar or flour
- Drink LOTS AND LOTS of water
Here is one of my favorite clean recipes right now. It is from Abbey Snell Fitness. I had the flu a few weeks ago and the only thing I
Whole Wheat Protein Pancakes
1 whole egg
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 skim milk or unsweetened almond milk lite
2.5oz container baby food applesauce
1 tsp brown sugar Splenda
3 tsp Baking powder
*Combine ingredients and cook on griddle over medium heat.*This makes about 5 pancakes. If cooking for 2 or for leftovers, I would recommend doubling the recipe.
Another one of my favorite "clean comfort food" recipes I have tried is Mac-n-Cheese.
Here it is from Oxygen Magazine
Clean Mac-n-Cheese
1 lb brown-rice elbow macaroni
2 cups puréed butternut squash or pumpkin
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or beef)
6 oz goat cheese
1 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp coconut oil
2 cups chopped greens (optional)
1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Coat a 9"x13" baking pan with coconut oil and set aside.
2. Boil 4 to 6 cups of water in a large pot. Add macaroni and cook about 10 to 12 minutes, until pasta is tender but firm, then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
3. Cook squash and broth together in a large saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until well combined, then increase the heat to medium until almost simmering.
4. Remove pan from heat and stir in goat cheese and sea salt. Stir until smooth with no lumps.
5. Pour squash mixture over macaroni and stir gently to combine. Transfer to the baking dish and top with grated Parmesan.
6. Bake for 20 minutes, then broil for an additional 3 minutes until top is crisp and brown. Serve.
