November 2008 Archives

In hibernation.

I got these amazing running tights recently. They're cozy, warm and they're actually long enough. I'm a tall girl, and the world has been subjected to my ankle-length running pants for too long.

So how do the tights perform in action? I wouldn't know. So far, I've only used them as pajamas. For what it's worth, they are really comfortable PJs.

What is with me? Maybe it's the shorter and colder days, or that mystery sickness that knocked me on my butt the other week -- all I know is that I have been l-a-z-y.

I'm not stressed about this fitness drought, though. I consider the last couple of weeks my body's natural response to the intense training regimen of the past six months. I needed a break, and winter is a natural time for our bodies to slow down a bit.

Another bonus is that with all this down time, I'm actually excited to get back into running. I love winter running -- armed with the right gear, of course. And without the intense training schedule, I've had time for morning yoga, long walks and even some strength training (I'm restarting that hundred pushup challenge -- second time's a charm).

Our December fitness feature ("The Fitness Almanac") sheds some light my seasonal shifts:

Come fall, animals and plants carefully allocate their resources so they will survive the winter. Take some time to consider how you can sustain yourself through the coming season, as well. You should be seeing and feeling the fruits of your labors, having followed your fitness and nutrition goals for much of the year. As the weather cools, the days shorten and the leaves change colors. This can be an invigorating relief from the sweltering heat of the summer, and you may feel your energy pick up in October.

As the months progress, however, it's natural to grow more quiet and introspective again. What's your vision for the holiday season and the upcoming new year? What accomplishments are you proud of this year? What dreams and goals will you explore next? 

My vision for the upcoming year is all about balance: mind-body balance, work-life balance, balanced nutrition and so on. The answers to the other questions are things I'm mulling over, and will need to reflect on in another post.

Have you started thinking about your goals for the coming year?

(Photo by rachaelwrites.)

We all have weak spots in our eating habits: trigger foods that we just can't seem to say no to, the tendency to skip breakfast or eat a rushed lunch at our desk, or forgoing variety for the same-old meals we always make.

These day-to-day habits are one thing, but today as I was brewing a cup of hot cocoa (see: my greatest weakness), I got to thinking about some of the wildest, craziest decisions I've made around food in the past.

See, when your relationship with your body or with food is out of whack, you tend to do some really unhealthy -- and downright strange -- things.

Case in point: Last winter, I was craving a cup of hot cocoa (a.k.a. a brief sugar high followed by a major crash and burn). Unfortunately, we were out of milk. At this point, a sane person would probably give up the quest and move on with their day. But I was a woman obsessed. I NEEDED my sugar fix (or at least, that's what my imbalanced blood-sugar levels made it feel like).

We didn't have milk, but we did have half and half. So I made myself a cup of hot chocolate using half and half. And what's more, I DRANK it. At least about a third of it, until I felt so sick that I couldn't force anymore down. (Just thinking about it still makes me a little nauseous.)

Remembering that odd and embarrassing moment today made me incredibly grateful for how my relationship with food has evolved over the past year. That's not to say I don't make mistakes, or that there aren't areas I could improve on, but I feel so much more comfortable with my choices. Food is something I enjoy and savor these days, not something I fear or constantly fight against.

So I've shared one of my cringe-worthy food foibles. Now it's your turn! Has your diet ever led you to do something a little wacky?

(Photo by eszter)

How's that for a flashy headline?

See, I know I've been going on and on about the benefits of detoxing. (For the record, I'm talking about "cutting out allergens and processed foods while eating a bounty of whole, fresh foods" NOT "mega-colon-cleanse grapefruit" detoxing.)  And there are many wonderful things about the process.

• It balances your blood-sugar levels
• It cleared up my skin
• I had more energy, and felt an even supply of energy throughout the day
• It curbed my weird cravings and mindless eating
• Reaffirmed that cooking healthy can be fast and easy
  
• Oh, and it rids your body of toxins and the resulting inflammation!

But it's not all painless revelry.

• The first couple of days just suck. There's no other way to say it. You want the foods you can't have, you might feel foggy or have a headache, and you'll probably be tired.
• Some people might experience body odor or gas as your body eliminates toxins. (Not me, of course. Ahem.)
  
• Certain elements of the UltraSimple program are a wee bit challenging. Choking down a shot of EVOO in the mornings? *hork*
  

Surprisingly, the olive oil shots didn't turn out to be the most unpleasant part of the experience. It was the UltraBroth. One of the main components of The UltraSimple Diet is this vegetable broth that you drink throughout each day. The recipe is simple: buy a ton of vegetables, put in water and heat for an hour or longer.

To save time and money, my detox compatriots and I decided to all chip in and make a big batch of broth to share. It was a detox party! 

First, we celebrated our impending doom detox with a pizza.

We cut up all the vegetables in the world and put them into a large cauldron.

Look at all those lovely veggies. No really, look closer.

Mmm . . . looks so healthy and delicious! Well, looks can be deceiving, because this was the final product:

Recently, two of my coworkers and I decided to do The UltraSimple Diet detox. If you've been following this blog, you know that we've been here before.

One great thing about detoxing is that it always reminds me just how easy it can be to prepare healthy meals. One of my favorite dishes from the week was also one of the easiest.

All in all, that beautiful plate took me about 15 minutes (using a leftover sweet potato -- it'll take a bit longer if you need to bake one). Here's how I did it:

Mashed Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes

1 Small sweet potato, baked
Cinnamon

Bake a sweet potato (about 40 minutes at 450 degrees F). Mash the whole thing (skin, too!) with cinnamon. I imagine this would also taste good with a bit of rice milk or butter mixed in -- experimenting is encouraged!

Baked Cilantro Chicken

1 organic, boneless skinned chicken breast
Fresh cilantro
1 tbs. of extra-virgin olive oil
Half of a lemon
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Put chicken in a baking pan. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Add cilantro and salt and pepper. Bake for about 10 minutes at 350 to 400 degrees F. Add more fresh cilantro after the chicken is cooked.

Sautéed Collard Greens

1 Garlic clove, minced
2 tbs. of extra-virgin olive oil
Variety of dark, leafy greans
Half of a lemon

Mince a clove of garlic. Wash a variety of dark, leafy greens and tear into pieces (compost the tough stems). Heat the olive oil and garlic in a large pan.  Add greens and sauté until soft (but still bright green). Drizzle with lemon juice before serving.

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Cook the sweet potato first, then throw the chicken in the oven and sauté the greens while the chicken and sweet potato finish baking. Then put everything on a plate and marvel at the beautiful meal you've just prepared. Then eat it. Double, triple or quadruple the recipe as needed.

BONUS: For dessert, snack on a handful of frozen organic cherries (my new addiction). I find, however, that the mashed sweet potatoes are dessert enough for me.