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

Return to Napa

My first marathon was the Napa Valley Marathon in 2003.  I'm not quite sure how it came about that I chose Napa as my first marathon destination.  We drove down from Portland, ran the race and came right home afterward.  That was it.  There was no wine tasting or even driving around the beautiful vineyards.  From time to time, my friends comment on how strange it was that I chose this marathon randomly without any intention or interest in what drives most people to beautiful Napa Valley. It ended up being well worth the drive.  I enjoyed all 26.2 miles of open road and beautiful countryside and I loved the fact that I was alone for most of the race.  It was glorious.  Beautiful.  I loved running the distance for the first time and having no expectations of what a marathon should be or what time I should run.  I just let my body move and wasn't held back by fear or self-limitations.  I may not have experienced Napa Valley the way many do...through vineyard tours and wine tasting, but I experienced new heights in my running life.  I ran a 3:22 that day and somehow, on that open road through Napa Valley, I came to believe that I could do anything I set my mind to.  I came back to Portland with a new understanding and confidence in myself.  Those 26.2 miles through wine country taught me that I had a strength I didn't know about.

 This weekend I returned to Napa to do what I didn't do the first time.  Experience the vineyards and the wine!  My college girlfriends and I decided to meet up for a weekend of wine tasting and tours. What a much needed break from motherhood! The time spent with my girlfriends was definitely one to put on my list of soul foods.  At one point we were at a big table with five different wines to try, different fine cheeses matched with each wine, and someone explaining it all in detail.  There was a happy little part of me that felt like a girl playing grown up.  The lady across from me swirled the wine in her cup, took in the scent before sipping it and showed with her expression that she could distinguish the slight differences that set each wine apart. She knew her wine!  I didn't pretend to know about the art of wine tasting.  I just soaked up every second of it.  I joyfully tasted each different kind of wine, savored each piece of cheese and loved this time to be with girlfriends!

For some of the trip, I couldn't help thinking about my first trip to Napa and how much I miss running. I mean, I really miss running...running the way it was before my fall in the forest.  I took a short run around the park the morning before our tours and I couldn't help but be slightly discouraged at my inability to lift my right leg enough for a good running stride.  I know that it will take time to strengthen my hamstring again. I'm trying to remain positive and hold onto the belief that I will run fast again and hopefully better than ever before.  It's hard to not be able to run like I used to and I know that under my positive outlook and optimistic goals, there is that small voice in my head that wonders if running will ever come with ease again.  I know it will.  I have to believe that.

So, after an amazing weekend with my girlfriends in beautiful Napa Valley,  I'm ready to hit my week strong and set some goals to focus on!

Weekly Goals:
*  Stay positive and trust the healing process....believe that I will run fast again.
*  Eat lots of healthy food consisting of mostly veggies and fruit (I don't get nearly enough fruit!).
*  Find a new favorite recipe
*  Be present with my children and enjoy them fully
* EXERCISE---Jillian, swimming, yoga, and hopefully more and more running
*  Recover from this wine drinking weekend!

Happy Monday!

Amanda