Contrary to the beliefs of my clients.....I struggle with my diet. I'm always trying to find ways out of cooking and shortcuts though I know more than most, the basis of good nutrition is solid whole food eating. Sigh....at least I LIKE the taste of vegetables.
When my son turned three, his birthday age represented the number of foods (if that's what you call it) he would eat. Only eat. Veggies are not included. And so daily upon returning home from fitness projects, bears the cute little face of the hardest challenge I've ever trained: Luke's eating.
I juiced his veggies for a year. That stopped when I wanted a life at home back. I supplement and lie. Protein powders and "it's a chicken treat" for a piece of fish. I almost got him to eat a kale chip which would have made mama do a back flip and happily see my chiro.
But I did have a recent triumph!! Luke LOVES popsicles. He loves the eating process and the fact that they're portable more than anything. So I decided to make one for him. Frantically searching for the popsicle molds in the store, super savvy price matcher Mickey, suggested I just use a dixie cup and plastic spoon. The plan was getting even better.
Greek yogurt has a TON of protein so I mixed some of that with Whole Foods 365 Kids veggie powder. A little bit of agave and super small ripped up kale and I set the deceiving cicles of mama love in the freezer. Wait.
Luke loves to open the freezer 20 times a day even though we haven't been to the store to see if magic ice cream appears. It did. He froze himself when he saw it and looked at me. I played it cool. If TOO anxious Luke knows there's something green involved so I pretended like he couldn't have it and they were mine. I allowed him one if he put his toys away.
He ripped that sucker out of my hand and disappeared so fast I signed him up for track. I followed, dying with anticipation. Crap, he saw me! He took another discerning look at his home made and now questionable frozen snack. Then he looked at me. He watched my every move as he stuck out two millimeters of his tongue for a sample. Then came the full monty sugar craving, 3 food eating only, loud mouth.....he ate it!! Kale, veggie powder, and protein down the hatch!!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Golfing with Mike at Callaway!
It took 2 seconds for me to become addicted.....nothing satisfies like the WHACK of a golf ball, boy!
My son and I had our very first golf lesson with Mike the golf pro at Callaway Golf next to Town Square and my son and I now are also pros. Or so how I see it. Pros such as myself can actually HIT the ball now and understand the biomechanics and beauty of sending that sucker fly. Pros such as my 4 year old, Luke, keep their attention on the golf task at hand for more than 6 seconds and hold the instructor's hand (Mike his new best friend) on the way to getting the next set of clubs.
Mike is magic. His instruction is impeccably fueled by: Patience, kindness, humility, and flexibility. I watched closely as Mike introduced my son to his new way to hit something (oh great). He immediately figured out that there's only so much info Luke can take before he does his own thing. So Mike let him. And I held myself down to the bench in an attempt to keep my micromanaging self from running up to my son and making his feet "straight" and hands "one on top." The result of Mike's flexibilty and Luke's creative style made for what I thought was the impossible: Luke engaged in something relatively organized while taking instruction.....and liking it. He can't wait for his next lesson with "his Mike."
And I can't wait to hit that thing again and give being a golf pro a try. Or at least use it as a focus/meditational tool. I can sincerely tell you that while focusing on all the moons and stars that are your biomechanics that need to align before you make that undeniably satisfying ball/club contact; I'm not thinking about any other garbage in my life. I'm addicted. And I'd like to share it with you.
Call or email Mike for your lesson. He's amazing. If you're interested we can maybe work out a group lesson. You can laugh how I'm soooooo out of my gym/triathlon element and the farthest thing from a pro (self proclaimed) and how I cheer myself on even for the crappiest hit that rolls along the ground. Mike 702 578 7270 canmdgolf@gmail.com.
My son and I had our very first golf lesson with Mike the golf pro at Callaway Golf next to Town Square and my son and I now are also pros. Or so how I see it. Pros such as myself can actually HIT the ball now and understand the biomechanics and beauty of sending that sucker fly. Pros such as my 4 year old, Luke, keep their attention on the golf task at hand for more than 6 seconds and hold the instructor's hand (Mike his new best friend) on the way to getting the next set of clubs.
Mike is magic. His instruction is impeccably fueled by: Patience, kindness, humility, and flexibility. I watched closely as Mike introduced my son to his new way to hit something (oh great). He immediately figured out that there's only so much info Luke can take before he does his own thing. So Mike let him. And I held myself down to the bench in an attempt to keep my micromanaging self from running up to my son and making his feet "straight" and hands "one on top." The result of Mike's flexibilty and Luke's creative style made for what I thought was the impossible: Luke engaged in something relatively organized while taking instruction.....and liking it. He can't wait for his next lesson with "his Mike."
And I can't wait to hit that thing again and give being a golf pro a try. Or at least use it as a focus/meditational tool. I can sincerely tell you that while focusing on all the moons and stars that are your biomechanics that need to align before you make that undeniably satisfying ball/club contact; I'm not thinking about any other garbage in my life. I'm addicted. And I'd like to share it with you.
Call or email Mike for your lesson. He's amazing. If you're interested we can maybe work out a group lesson. You can laugh how I'm soooooo out of my gym/triathlon element and the farthest thing from a pro (self proclaimed) and how I cheer myself on even for the crappiest hit that rolls along the ground. Mike 702 578 7270 canmdgolf@gmail.com.
9/11. A hot run monument.
I hate that the show "Rescue Me" was cancelled. I hate it not only because the character development was brilliant and the content/acting utterly amazing, but I hate that it was cancelled because it was a television monument of sorts for moment in history when time stood still: September 11th.
So now one of the ways we remembered that day is gone and so is my view of Dennis Leary....crap.
Two days ago we turned off the T.V and went to bed. Mickey and I had a long bike and run in the morning and if we didn't get up at my usual ungodly hour, we were good as triathlete rotisserie. The ride was hot as Lakeshore Dr can deliver in August, and the run, well.....the edges of the road wavered and the souls of my shoes stuck. Not to mention our own very souls were pretty tired.
All you could hear was the breathing when we ran. We didn't speak. Without words we dually noted how the breeze had stopped and our backs were engulfed in heat. It was inescapable. Unless we kept running. Which we did. And we escaped.
For every tough training and race, I try to think of something strong to pull me through. My son, cancer survivors, a story of triumph, anything. I try to give it a purpose instead of taking it personally. After Mickey and I crawled away from the veritable flames and into our car, we drove by another crazy person running along the road, whom Mickey knew, to see if he needed water. They chatted for a while about how difficult it's been to stay motivated during the end of the season for the long races. Mickey mentioned, "I know it sounds weird, but one of the only things that gets me off the couch to train for World's is the fact that it's on 9/11." Not weird at all, actually.
It then occurred to me that my hot run had it's purpose. It was a moving monument. I will suffer a short, meaningless period to remember the lives/families that DIDN'T escape and honor their courage.
I hope everyone can find their simple monument. Then share it. So we can remember.
So now one of the ways we remembered that day is gone and so is my view of Dennis Leary....crap.
Two days ago we turned off the T.V and went to bed. Mickey and I had a long bike and run in the morning and if we didn't get up at my usual ungodly hour, we were good as triathlete rotisserie. The ride was hot as Lakeshore Dr can deliver in August, and the run, well.....the edges of the road wavered and the souls of my shoes stuck. Not to mention our own very souls were pretty tired.
All you could hear was the breathing when we ran. We didn't speak. Without words we dually noted how the breeze had stopped and our backs were engulfed in heat. It was inescapable. Unless we kept running. Which we did. And we escaped.
For every tough training and race, I try to think of something strong to pull me through. My son, cancer survivors, a story of triumph, anything. I try to give it a purpose instead of taking it personally. After Mickey and I crawled away from the veritable flames and into our car, we drove by another crazy person running along the road, whom Mickey knew, to see if he needed water. They chatted for a while about how difficult it's been to stay motivated during the end of the season for the long races. Mickey mentioned, "I know it sounds weird, but one of the only things that gets me off the couch to train for World's is the fact that it's on 9/11." Not weird at all, actually.
It then occurred to me that my hot run had it's purpose. It was a moving monument. I will suffer a short, meaningless period to remember the lives/families that DIDN'T escape and honor their courage.
I hope everyone can find their simple monument. Then share it. So we can remember.
Friday, August 19, 2011
How to make fitness stick
The birth and death of the fitness conviction usually goes a little something like this:
-Set the intention. Gym everyday! Lose 20 lbs in a week!
-Day 1. Early rise, gym, feelin' great.
-Day 2. Same. But a half hour later.
-Day 3. "I will change up my schedule and go tomorrow."
-Day 4. Didn't go.
-Day 5. Eat crap. "It's okay cause I'm going to get BACK into my gym routine."
-Day 6. Planning to repeat day 1. "I did after all, pay my trainer!"
The pattern can grip your life, consume your conscience like no other and be utterly paralyzing. Why can't I get fit and keep adding wellness routines to my life? Why can't I wake up in the morning? Why does this seem to be so easy for everyone else and not me?
Few things make me happier than giving the answer to these questions (Simple acts of love and exploit from my 4 year old are the biggest competition). The solution to fit woes is totally simple to understand, but challenging to fully embrace. When most are motivated to change their lifestyle, they immediately associate exercise or good eating routines with something 'extra' in their day. Possibly even a 'frivolous' way to spend time. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When it comes to wellness, all ELSE is frivolous. It's time to categorize exercise and eating right with survival necessities eating/sleeping/shelter/family care. You have time for that!
How do you plan your daily life i.e work, childcare, home responsibilities, etc? How do you plan all the things that make your life continue? Well that's exactly the same manner in which you must schedule your fitness routine. It is not extra. It is not a big deal. It is not something special. It is not something difficult. It is not something easy. It is not something for which you need to be 'mentally and emotionally prepared'. It does not define you. IT IS AN AVERAGE, DAILY ROUTINE TO WHICH YOU MUST STICK JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER MEDIAL YET UTTERLY IMPORTANT TASKS IN YOUR DAY.
Now.....what's your schedule look like?
-Set the intention. Gym everyday! Lose 20 lbs in a week!
-Day 1. Early rise, gym, feelin' great.
-Day 2. Same. But a half hour later.
-Day 3. "I will change up my schedule and go tomorrow."
-Day 4. Didn't go.
-Day 5. Eat crap. "It's okay cause I'm going to get BACK into my gym routine."
-Day 6. Planning to repeat day 1. "I did after all, pay my trainer!"
The pattern can grip your life, consume your conscience like no other and be utterly paralyzing. Why can't I get fit and keep adding wellness routines to my life? Why can't I wake up in the morning? Why does this seem to be so easy for everyone else and not me?
Few things make me happier than giving the answer to these questions (Simple acts of love and exploit from my 4 year old are the biggest competition). The solution to fit woes is totally simple to understand, but challenging to fully embrace. When most are motivated to change their lifestyle, they immediately associate exercise or good eating routines with something 'extra' in their day. Possibly even a 'frivolous' way to spend time. This couldn't be farther from the truth. When it comes to wellness, all ELSE is frivolous. It's time to categorize exercise and eating right with survival necessities eating/sleeping/shelter/family care. You have time for that!
How do you plan your daily life i.e work, childcare, home responsibilities, etc? How do you plan all the things that make your life continue? Well that's exactly the same manner in which you must schedule your fitness routine. It is not extra. It is not a big deal. It is not something special. It is not something difficult. It is not something easy. It is not something for which you need to be 'mentally and emotionally prepared'. It does not define you. IT IS AN AVERAGE, DAILY ROUTINE TO WHICH YOU MUST STICK JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER MEDIAL YET UTTERLY IMPORTANT TASKS IN YOUR DAY.
Now.....what's your schedule look like?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Hey it's ok to have more than a handful of THESE chips!
When it comes to veggies, Kale is king. A veritable superfood, Kale handles business in our bodies. The problem- not everyone's palate appreciates the flavor or especially the texture.
But this recipe really uses that paper plate like texture and fascilitates the ability to ingest the healthiest snack wherever, whenever. Kale chips! Not only healthy and delicious, but SUPER CHEAP!
Ingredients: Kale ripped up into chip size. Olive oil. Seasonings such as garlic, pepper, anything salt free such as Mrs. Dash, chili powder, or any flavors you desire. You can even do sweet combinations like cinnamon and Stevia if you're looking to get your kids to snack on something healthy!
Process: place kale pieces and olive oil plus desired seasonings into large mixing bowl. Make sure all pieces are evenly covered with oil and seasonings. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400+ degrees for 10 min max. Depending on your oven's heat, you may just broil them for 5 min or so. They should be super crispy. WATCH THEM CLOSELY BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY TO BURN THEM! I burn a batch every time it seems so hopefully you will do better than me.
Leave them out for half a day before bagging to ensure they're dried and crispy. Then take them on the road and please.....enjoy more than one!
Love Nancy
But this recipe really uses that paper plate like texture and fascilitates the ability to ingest the healthiest snack wherever, whenever. Kale chips! Not only healthy and delicious, but SUPER CHEAP!
Ingredients: Kale ripped up into chip size. Olive oil. Seasonings such as garlic, pepper, anything salt free such as Mrs. Dash, chili powder, or any flavors you desire. You can even do sweet combinations like cinnamon and Stevia if you're looking to get your kids to snack on something healthy!
Process: place kale pieces and olive oil plus desired seasonings into large mixing bowl. Make sure all pieces are evenly covered with oil and seasonings. Place on baking sheet and bake at 400+ degrees for 10 min max. Depending on your oven's heat, you may just broil them for 5 min or so. They should be super crispy. WATCH THEM CLOSELY BECAUSE ITS SUPER EASY TO BURN THEM! I burn a batch every time it seems so hopefully you will do better than me.
Leave them out for half a day before bagging to ensure they're dried and crispy. Then take them on the road and please.....enjoy more than one!
Love Nancy
Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)