Month: January 2016

Book Breakdown: Eat Yourself Calm

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    • Title: Eat Yourself Calm
    • Author: Gill Paul and Karen Sullivan
    • Genre: Health/ Nutrition/ Cookbook
    • Grade: A

I picked up this book at Urban Outfitters last week because I thought it could help me achieve my goals for this diet habit and the goals I had for my previous meditation habit. I also loved the design elements and photographs.

Part 1 of Eat Yourself Calm is about how the food you eat impacts your ability to cope with stress. It includes what foods can help combat stress and a guide of what to eat for specific symptoms like irritability or low energy. It concludes with a meal plan that seems pretty intense.

Part 2 is a variety of recipes that utilize the ingredients discussed in Part 1. It is broken down by course, and I am especially excited to try the healthy, calming desserts. I am most intrigued by the Mango Brulee:

  • 2 large, ripe mangoes – peeled/stoned/sliced
  • 2 teaspoons rum OR vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
  • 6 teaspoons brown sugar

Divide sliced mangoes between 4 small ramekins filling them half way, then drizzle rum or vanilla and sprinkle cinnamon. Spoon yogurt on top and level. Sprinkle the brown sugar on top. Low broil for 5 minutes until sugar browns and bubbles.

Doesn’t that sound amazing?! I’m sure this will pop up on my Instagram feed soon.

Do you have a favorite healthy recipe that helps you relax? Please share the recipe in the comments!

Documentary Details: Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

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I have been talking about our new healthy eating habit to pretty much anyone that will listen. A coworker was really excited by the idea, and told me I needed to watch the Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead documentary for inspiration. It is the story of one man’s adventures in juicing as a means to get down to a healthier weight, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I felt like Joe was very relate-able, even though he is more well off than the average viewer. His motivation for documenting his weight loss progress mirrors my own motivation for starting this blog. I also found him to be a very generous spirit and loved that he took some of the people he met on his travels under his wing. Finding liked minded people to help you on your journey is key!

I really liked that they showed health care professionals in the documentary, and that both Joe and Phil met with physicians before they started the “reboot.” It helped me see it as a viable option as opposed to a story about someone who starved themselves for two months. I don’t think I could do a 60 day challenge, but I am very interested in trying one of the shorter challenges.

Reboot With Joe is the companion website to the movie. I have saved the link for future reference since Clayton and I are motivated to try the 3 Day Plan. They also have modifications you can make to the plan that would accommodate blending instead of juicing. But we’ve got to finish our current habit before we take on a new one. Baby steps!

I’ve got Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead 2 on the docket for this weekend. Will you be giving it a go?

Food Friday – The Start

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A new habit for the new year!

Clayton and I went back and forth for weeks discussing what my new habit should be. We both wanted to make more progress in improving our diet and looked to the 8 Weeks to Wellness program for inspiration again.

Habit: Plan and eat one 8WW approved meal everyday for 66 days.

Start Date: Sunday, 01/10/2016

Projected End Date: Tuesday, 03/15/2016

Action Plan:

  • Try 2 new recipes from SparksRecipes
  • Try 2 new recipes from the 8WW workbook
  • Keep a photo journal on Instagram
  • Track our weight every Sunday
  • Post weekly progress on Fridays about developing better eating habits

Incentive: If we build our meal habit AND lose 10 pounds each over the course of the 66 days we will take a trip back home to attend Cubs vs. Angels opening day game!

8WW Meal Day 4: 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta with meat sauce, side salad, and steamed broccoli and cauliflower.
8WW Meal Day 4: 1/2 cup whole wheat pasta with meat sauce, side salad, and steamed broccoli and cauliflower.

Lofty Goal: Being healthy

I have less action items for this habit than previous ones because I think this habit will take up more of my time than any of the previous ones. You might also find our incentive to be a little extravagant. We figure losing 10 pounds is a big deal, and this is something that will keep both Clayton and I motivated. I will get to see my family, and Clayton will bend over backwards to see Cubs opening day!

Wish us luck and please share any of your favorite health recipes in the comments!