::*::protein protein protein::*::

Do you believe when they say that your taste-buds change every seven years? 

I could never fully grasp the concept of that until quite recently. 

I'll fill you in on a little secret that many people in the past would despise me for. 

I. 

HATED.

SWEETS.

Like, legit...didn't like em AT ALL. The pantry could be filled with chocolates, the freezer overwhelmed with ice cream and cheese cakes, there could be cake on the counter and cookies on the table and all that I thought of was..."meh". 

If I had to choose between a bowl of mashed potatoes and a chocolate bar - pass me the fork and add a little gravy, baby!

But...the last few months, something infinitesimal has shifted.

I could quite literally describe it as waking up one morning and thinking to myself, "Dear God...I really could eat a pie for breakfast!!"...and the rest...is history.

::*::sweet:smoothie::*::

Apple Pie Smoothie

Lately, I've been seriously craving a mountain size amount of sugar - now if you know me, you would think that this is absolutely bizarre because I don't like sugar! I don't like anything remotely sweet! But in the last 6 months, I've done a complete 360 and all I want is apple pie, Turtles, Ferrero's, ice cream, cake, cheese cake, cookies, muffins...you name it, I want it all!!!! And no, I'm not pregnant, lol. 

But, with my current training going on and eating hella clean, apple pie is just not in the cards for me. :( Sniff Sniff. 

That's why I am always ecstatic when I find new smoothie (or health-conscious recipes in general) that satisfy my new-found sweet tooth. :) 

This recipe is one I stumbled upon on the MBG site - enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

5 raw almonds

1 red apple

1 banana

3/4 cup nonfat strained yogurt

1/2 cup organic nonfat milk (or almond milk)

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

-S.*

{Image: LeanItUp}

::fighter::

If you know me well, you know that once I get really passionate about something, I tend to go all out. 

It really could be anything - from my all time favorite: animals...to art...to music...to scarves...to my vitamix blender...cooking....perfumes...motorcycles...

Now it's turned to fitness...and every so slowly (or quickly!) has it veered towards the world of mixed marital arts and boxing. 

::thuggin:cauliflower::

A friend of mine, Keverino, recently got me the super popular cookbook called "Thug Kitchen". 

I first off want to start by saying that there has been a lot of backlash regarding the term 'thug' being used {apparently it's racist} and all the f*$ks that are not given throughout the book with quite the colourful language being peppered throughout. 

Let me tell you - I freakin love it. It's so gawddamn refreshing!! 

It makes me LOL along with having my mouth water by looking at all the amazing recipes that are in there. The blog is just as great {just an online version of the book}. But honestly...the cookbook is great and I had no idea until I got my grubby paws on it, that it is vegan! No meat recipes in there my friends...so it's time to get a little creative {and feel like a badass} in the kitchen! 

Honestly - when comparing vegetarian cookbooks such as this one to one like "Oh She Glows", Thug Kitchen wins through and through. It's FUN to even read! The pictures are awesome {although there isn't a pic for every recipe and that is OK sometimes} and unlike Oh She Glows, there aren't a million ingredients that you need to purchase to make a recipe. I am NOT disappointed in this book and definitely think it should be on everyone's Christmas/Stocking Stuffer wishlist this year. 

::waffles::

Recently I have had some sort of weird obsession with waffles...I think it's become Trav and I went to the 50's diner a while ago and while there I ordered a pecan waffle with honey and poured on the maple syrup...now usually I am not a sweets girl...I just prefer savoury. But I was in total l*o*v*e eating this breakfast. OMG. So ever since then, I have been on the hunt for a waffle-maker...but could never find the one that I wanted and at a cheapish price...my BFF then recently got me one as a gift!! I couldn't be more excited! 

My new baby. ;)

::foods:that:outwit:even:the:healthiest:people::

A lot of people feel that when they go on a diet or change their lifestyle around for the better that they can eat so called 'healthy' foods with abandon.

That's soooooo not the case unfortunately. Just because quinoa is healthy for you doesn't mean that you can sit down to a huge bowl of it - did you know that you have to portion these little seeds just like your regular old pasta? And it packs just as big of a caloric punch! Of course that doesn't mean that you should go back to eating unhealthy - these beguiling foods ARE good for you and do the body good - you just have to realize and pay attention to your portion sizes. 

I am in for one rude awakening...as I am sure some of you will be too. 

To be honest...I have hit quite the plateau after losing 50+ pounds. I am just STUCK...the scale will NOT go any lower than 129, no matter what I do....and I know that I still have work to do...as I am carrying around a spare tire and just feel flabby in all the wrong places. :/ So I need to overhaul my diet. I KNOW THIS!! And although I sit there and say to myself "geeze, I eat so freakin' clean all the time, what gives?" I know it's my portion sizes. I keep skipping that chapter all the time. It's SO important for weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight as well. Everything is super-duper-sized and it's not our fault...we were brought up that way. Everything is supposed to be bigger and better, right??
But that's not the case....with bigger {but not better} foods, comes super-sized waist lines and ridiculous cravings {addiction, anyone? thanks food industry - NOT!!}.
Trust me. I know. When I eat my pasta my Mom says I eat like a farmer...I can probably put away a good 4 cups if not more!! But that isn't right...not for my little ol' organics and gut...no wonder that damn spare tire is there to stay! :/
So it's time to recondition this ol' diet of mine...and get back to kicking some ass.

But first...I am here to share with you some foods that are taking you to the cleaners...if you don't edu-ma-cate yourself on them and reign in those suckers - portion wise. 

::raw:carrot:cake::

I found quite the delightful recipe online today on one of my favorite sites: MindBodyGreen.

I am really trying to transition to a completely organic and healthy way of eating – which takes a bit of work. I work at a huge University with quite the cafeteria…although after working here for nearly 6 years all the food gets soooo boring – YAWN! Not to mention that there are a lot of foods that they sell there that are just so unhealthy. Sure they have a salad bar that caters to some vegans or people that have a gluten intolerance, but I am not sure I would be able to get through a day on a bit of quinoa with carrots. :/ This caf can definitely use some work!

Anyways! I try and eat as healthful as possible and obviously that has worked for me in helping me sustain a 50lb weight loss! But now it’s time to play around a little. :) Since quitting a lot of crappy foods such as refined starches and alcohol I have been craving sweets a little more than a bit lately. I have been hording chocolate like nobody’s business! Another thing, is that I have barely been cooking! That’s right…I used to cook every single night, no matter what time it was, I would try new recipes constantly, but with a full time job, full time school and full time everything else, I just don’t have the time or energy so a lot of the times Travis will make his own dinner {usually pizza, he is a fiend} and I will have salads. Lots of salads. Obsessed with arugula lately. And feta cheese!

So….it’s time to get back into the kitchen and try new things! So this is the first thing I am going to give a try, especially this long weekend that is coming up! 

This recipe is apparently not only healthy but gluten-free, dairy-free and suitable for vegan and Paleo eating plans! :)

Maybe Trav and I can work on this one together. :P

::my:slacker:smoothie::

Happy MONday!

I am, for serious, not a Monday person...I TRY and TRY to be, but it just doesn't work out for me. I like my Monday's low-key...and just want to get through the day {lol} but today is going to be far from low-key. I just want to get through this day and then go home to my comfy bed. :) 

::holistic:nutrition::

I am still tweaking the page! But I think I am pretty content with the way that it looks. Minus a few blips here and there. So please be patient with me! I am working on fixing this all up. 

Anyways!

I can't believe that Fall is ALMOST here! But it is pretty much my favorite season so I am totally fine with that. ;) Well, other then the fact that I am supposed to be done school shortly as well which is FREAKING ME OUT!!!
I have one more module left and 11 case studies left to do - the case studies are what's killing me - but I will persevere and do well! 

I receive many questions about school. What I take, where I take it, what I can do with it in the future, what I study, etc etc. 

I figure I may as well just do a little blurb answering all these questions. :) 

And who knows, it might help someone else make the decision...take the plunge...to go into holistic nutrition or preventive medicine themselves. We'll start off with the basics and go from there.

::back:to:the:gym::

Is it Fall out there or what? 

One moment I am cranking that AC dial and the next I am considering turning the heat on. What is with this weather?! 

To be quite honest, I don't really mind it other then the fact that it's throwing me for a loop because I am thinking it's late August or something. When it's only mid-July....it really is beginning to feel like Fall in the dead of Summer! Not right! 

Because after all, you know that I am *obsessed* with Autumn. But I am not going to get crazy about that just yet...I don't want to wear the novelty out on that before September even hits! 

I signed up for the gym again! Yea yea yeaaaaaa. Why did I sign up for the gym? Because I miss the crap out of it, I really do!! I used to LOVE going to the gym with Travis and some of our friends. You felt absolutely fabulous afterwards and I remember the time where I would see my calves when I flexed them and what an accomplishment THAT was! I want to get back to that. I want to get serious this time as well. Of course it helps that my schooling has taken me to new levels when it comes to my own knowledge now on fitness and nutrition so the sky is the limit at this point in my books. Or at least, this is what I'm thinkin. ;) 

::read:your:labels::

I love to grocery shop...I am a different breed all my own, but I do! I love to try out new grocery stores and see different types of foods and products - nothing makes me happier than going grocery shopping in California {home} - all those stores that we don't have here in Canada - some that are just straight up organic {love you LA} and it's not that expensive either!
The only thing that I hate is unpacking groceries...ugh. 

Lately, whenever I go grocery shopping, I check the labels of pretty much everything I pick up - I no longer shop in the middle aisles and if I do, I pick that box right up and make sure that it is as natural as possible {a lot of the times, it's not}. Nothing drives Travis crazier than us taking forever at the grocery store because I must read all the labels. ;)

::oil:pulling::

A friend recently asked me my thoughts on oil pulling - hmm...well, I have heard about it but I never really looked INTO it but it intrigued me and I am not going to lie - it feels nice when people ask me my opinion on things regarding health and nutrition. :) 

I decided to look into this 'oil pulling' a little more and try it out myself. 

But first, let me give you guys a little background on it. 

::detox::

 My 3-Day (okay, 3-1/2) Detox

I did it!!! I didn't want to but I did it! Lol. I embarked on what some may call a 'metaphysical' journey...hmm...I wonder why people would call a detox that...I must admit though, that it definitely was an eye opener for me. I am not sure what exactly compelled me to try this detox but I went for the gusto anyways. To be quite honest, it started with a smoothie in the morning and than afterwards I decided that I would have a smoothie for lunch - the cafeteria where I work is slowly closing up shop because students are leaving so there really isn't anything healthy here to consume. 

Anyways - let me recount to you my three days...what you could possibly expect from and maybe do differently, lol.

::dandelion:root:tea::

When the flower dandelion comes to your mind, you probably automatically think about that annoying weed that you would spend endless hours pulling out of your lawn during the Summer months...my Dad wasn't particularly fond of the fact either when those familiar puffballs started to show before they turned into sunbursts of yellow because my Sister and I would frolic around the front and backyards blowing their seeds every which way...let me tell you...lots more dandelions would show up.
I can now appreciate the fact as an adult, how much a pain in the ass and hard work it is to keep a yard looking put together and weed-free. 

::avocado:blt:with:maple:tempeh:bacon::

In The Kitchen...

I have never tried fake anything before...well...actually that is probably a total lie. A lot of food that is out there is fake and overly processed. Man made. Like fast food and such...but I mean like, fake chicken, beef or bacon. That sort of thing...like Fakin' Bacon. I am not sure why it scares me. I guess you can't compare it to the real thing, but the real thing isn't necessarily healthy if you eat it all the time and the fake stuff...well, apparently it's a lot better for you. 

I have been perusing MindBodyGreen for the past week and have been looking through their recipes - a lot of which are vegan, but are *healthy* and that is what we are going for here. This Fakin' Bacon sandwich that I found actually looks quite tasty and I am intrigued and would like to give it a try. Therefore, I am going to share this recipe and then go to the grocery store and look for this Fakin' Bacon and try this recipe and let you know exactly my 2 cents on what this whole rage is about! 

Bon Appetit!!

::smoothie:time::

Man oh man…I have had a rough last couple of days…I mean…the last two days have been particularly brutal, anxiety-wise. I have to make some big changes in my life and change is scary! Who likes change? Especially when you are so into your habits. That’s what they say, don’t they? We are creatures of habit.

Anyways…to begin, really, I have been doing fairly well on my lifestyle-change. Drinking my smoothies every morning and my smoothies consist of spinach, green apple, pear and pineapple. I also add some chia seeds to it with Jarosil and then filtered Brita water. OH! I didn’t explain…I got a Nutribullet so I have been obsessed with that thing! Other than my slow cooker and panini press, the Nutribullet is my new favorite kitchen appliance. 

::a:new:chapter::

Why do we start things on Monday's? 

Is it because it's the beginning of a new week or is it just our excuse to throw all caution to the wind on Saturday and Sunday? 

To be quite honest, I was going to start something today but found myself in the kitchen at 4am gnawing on cold fried chicken. WHO does that?? 

I have had the most strangest cravings lately...

Not only that but I have just been feeling awful all around. I have crazy mood swings, anxiety, I guess you could say that at times I do feel a bit depressed. I have the most awful digestive issues that I have never experienced before, headaches, I have difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irritability. You name it. And for what seems like my umpteenth doctor's visit, no one can figure out what's wrong with me. My blood work is coming back normal...but other then that I'm pretty damn healthy. 

So it shouldn't come as a surprise to me that amidst my studies of preventive medicine that a light bulb went off. 

I feel like shit because I eat like shit. 

Seriously. 

::way:better:mac:&:cheese::

Growing up we never had a lot of processed foods on our plates when we sat down for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

Of course there were times where my Sister and I would lament on how we want chicken nuggets and Kraft dinner because all our friends were eating it. 

To be quite honest, looking back I am glad that my parents wouldn't allow it into the house. 

I'm not saying that people who did eat {or are eating} it are "crazy", I just learned from an earlier age than most that processed foods were simply not "good" for you. 

I guess it is also coming from what I have been reading for school...about how "evil" processed foods are...because honestly, that's what they are...evil! They *wreak* havoc on our bodies and we just don't know it because we don't *see* it. I think it is very important in today's day and age to feed our children and ourselves with nourishing, good quality foods. Not crap! 

I could go on a whole big rant about processed foods and the company's and people that back them up but that is going to take way too long and I don't think anyone cares at this point on a Thursday morning. 

Like, is it the weekend yet? 

Anyways...

::mag:withdrawal::

You know what day it is today!?!!
Tuesday!!!

Lol.

That meeeeans...NEW MAGAZINE DAY!!

I have been in total magazine withdrawal...being on the trip, not finding the ones I want and packing and everything. I need something to read one of these nights to unwind with a big cup o'tea! 

Okay that is enough. 

Anyways! A little update with what is going on. Lots is going on. We have been packing and slowly getting ready for our big move which is one week from tomorrow. We are super excited. But there are lots of things we gotta do that are a tad overwhelming. We are grateful to the people that are helping us as well. :)

I have been also trying to get back into the groove of things as last week was the slowest week of life. It always is when you get back from vacation - and I sooooo miss California. 

I miss my parents and Oskar oodles. 

I plan on moving to Cali. ;) 

Other then that...blablabla...I just figured I would give you all an update that read daily. 

Now I go on my magazine websites to see who is on the cover for this month...

IFBB Bikini Pro Amanda Latona is on the latest issue of Oxygen's magazine cover. 

::giuliana:rancic::

I never really cared much for Giuliana Rancic when I saw her hosting E! or any award shows that I may have caught in the past...the only thing that caught my attention was how fit she was...or stupid-skinny, whichever you prefer. 

It wasn't until I sat down with Chichi after a kickass workout with Jillian and I saw there was a marthon of Giuliana and Bill on E! one afternoon that I began watching and than got a bit more interested in the show. She really was thin!