Body Fuel. You Are What You Eat?

I was talking with a friend the other day about how sad it is that it costs so much to eat well.  Quality food can be expensive!  The sad thing is that there are so many families that can't afford to buy the good stuff...the organic fruits and veggies, nuts, etc..  Sad that the food that is cheap is also the food that is the poorest fuel for our bodies.

We do not by any means have a perfect diet!  I have a TON to learn about nutrition, making healthy recipes and making sure I'm getting (and giving my family) the best foods. I try.  It isn't always easy though.  Or cheap. I guess I'm willing to pay more for good food when I can. And I'm thankful that I can for the most part.  If I had to choose between eating well and having lots of new stuff that I don't really need then I'd choose to spend my money on food any day.  Food is my fuel and what I am eating has so much to do with how I feel and how I perform as an athlete!  So I'll take the fresh fruits and veggies over the iphone, the new television, or the expensive pair of jeans (okay, I like the jeans too..tough choice).

  Today I had to get a few things from Whole Foods that I can only get there and as those of you with kids know, keeping the number of stops you have to make to a minimum is ideal so I did most of my weekly shopping there.  Good grief!  They should name this place Whole Pay Check!  Although I spent way more than I would have at Safeway, I feel good about the food my family will be eating.  I of course still have things like Mac n' Cheese, processed cereals, crackers, candy, and lots of other easy foods that I stuff down my kids' throats on a daily basis.  Like I said, I try and have lots of improvements I could make.  Since I don't enjoy cooking or  finding and following new recipes, I buy a lot of fresh foods that we can just eat as they are.  I wish I enjoyed cooking and creating new food creations...it isn't even that I can't (I can actually cook pretty well) but  I just don't enjoy it like some do!  If I had all the money in the world, I would totally hire a personal chef!

Here are some of the foods we will be eating this week (and I know that it isn't all good for us either!):

Yes, I know honey grahams in a natural looking box are still graham crackers and not the best food choice but it keeps my 16 month old happy during those times when I need him to stay happy (like in the car, store, etc.)  And contrary to some diet beliefs, we eat a ton of eggs in this house!

 Fresh fruit.  An absolute MUST HAVE in this house! Can't live without.

For tonight's easy-to-prepare Fish Taco dinner

Not the healthiest, but I. LOVE. Cheese!!  My favorites are Gouda and Havarti.  I like them all really.  Cheddar is usually the basic staple around here though.  

I thought I'd try out some new supplements.  We've been taking this stuff called Udo's Oil to get our Omega 3-6-9.  Anyone out there able to tell me the pros and cons of oil vs. the capsules?  Also, Can anyone tell me if these products are any good?  

God's Candy...More Fruit.  Raisins are my main magic trick for keeping my 16 month old content when he doesn't want to wait while I cook dinner.  And grapes don't last long...I bet they will be gone by tomorrow.  

So happy to have his raisins!  And yes, I feed my kids on the floor sometimes.  

 More MUST HAVES.  Yup, the veggies too.  

For Date Night tonight.... Gouda, wine and apples.  Yes, I know, it is cheap wine but I'm really thankful that I am still able to drink the lower budget wine and be just fine!  Not as cheap as my husband's Trader Joes' Three Buck Chuck that he drinks.  

What are some MUST HAVE food items in your household?

Amanda

32!

Having a weekend away in Napa with my girlfriends was a great way to celebrate the end of my days as a thirty-one year old.  I had time away from my crazy but wonderful life as a mother and had the perfect setting to reconnect with my girlfriends.  I had more wine than I usually have in two weeks, ate way different from my usual diet, and didn't exercise nearly as much as normal.  As most people with a running problem can relate, I came home feeling like I need a good solid workout to get my endorphins going and the sweat flowing!  In light of turning thirty-two, I thought I'd give my workout a little twist:

*  3.2 miles on the elliptical in just under 32 minutes
*  1.32 miles of running on the treadmill (the last .5 was at 8 minute mile pace which is a huge step in my recovery!  Seeing light at the end of the tunnel!)  Felt Incredible!
*  32 lunges
* 32 squats without weight
*  32 push ups (2 sets of 16)
* 3.2 minutes of stretching (okay, might have been a bit longer but that ruins the 32 theme)

Now in light of motherhood, running and life in general, here is a list of random things on my mind.

1.  Coming home to my husband and kids after a weekend away was absolutely wonderful!  I missed them so much and from the love they gave me, I know they missed me too.  Even though I feel crazy and unraveled many days, it is days like today that I remember how much I love motherhood and being a wife.

2.  This is one of the gifts my husband and kids had for me for my birthday and to welcome me home.

3.  And these:

4.  Here is another one of my birthday presents and  a book I'll be starting this week.  And here is the link to the official Born To Run fan site: http://borntorun.org/



5. I'm also starting this new book called When Did I Get Like This? by Amy Wilson.  I can already tell that it will be a book I will enjoy and can relate to as a mother with three kids under the age of six.  I also enjoy reading her blog.  She is real and makes me feel normal about my crazy mom moments. 



6.  The girls thought I could use some magic wands too.  I think these might come in handy this week when I'm needing down time.  They'll help to remind me to focus on the positives and be in the present with my children. 

7.  My appointment with my sports chiropractor today was awesome.  Dr. Forcum was so excited to see the progress I've made and how great my hamstring is looking compared to last time!  This makes my runner heart happy!

8.  Sticking your head out of a moving limo in beautiful Napa Valley is a MUST.  Really makes you feel like a kid again.  Or a dog.

9. Life is too short to always be second guessing myself.  I'm really hoping to work more on loving myself for all that I am and not trying so hard to please others.  Every year of life I get a little better at this.

10.  Life is so much better with daily exercise.  Everything is more enjoyable: food, drink, family, body image.  And if the exercise is running...Even Better for me!

11.  Note to self:  When getting together with a group of women for a girl trip, try not to talk the entire time and  let the quiet and more reserved girls have enough wait time to get a word in too! Getting a break from kids was exciting and I could not shut up! 

12  Fresh veggies and fruits are a must to have in my body every day!  I just feel blah without it and really hope to be better about making good food choices.  Vacation doesn't count.

13.  Since I'm speaking of fruit, and just so nobody thinks we take ourselves too seriously around here:

What is something you get better at with age? or What is something you hope to be better at in your next year of life?

Amanda