It doesn't get more "unclean" than this. Just like the article says, we all know McDonald's food is not natural or good for us. One artist took steps to showcase this very fact by letting the ingredients of the famous Happy Meal sit on her table for months at a time. Her photographs reveal that the meal sat, virtually unchanged all this time. Pure, Clean food would have rotted and been covered in maggots. No wonder we feel so ill after indulging in what our body feels is a very un-happy meal....
Check it out here: http://www.refinery29.com/happy-meal-art-project.php/slideshow/1/#image-9
Friday, September 17, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Where did time and the summer go???
WHOA! The summer flew by and it has been months since my last post. Not really acceptable but I'm gonna cut myself some slack. To say I've been busy is an understatement. The fired my co-worker so I took on all of her work, we've been traveling, camping, hiking, and we got a puppy! So, that's where the busy came from.
The other area I am going to cut myself some slack is the clean eating area. We completely fell off this summer and have eaten pretty crappy. We've been feeling terrible lately (lethargic, bloated, lazy, etc) and we knew it was time to get back to our healthy eating lifestyle. The break has been long enough and quite frankly, I am tired of eating crap and feeling like crap. The processed and bad foods are like putting poison into my body. Enough is enough.
That being said, we (Pete and I) agreed that we wanted to jump in 110% and do it as a team. We work well together like that! I made up the excel spreadsheets and took Sunday afternoon to prepare a meal plan for the week, to go shopping, then do the prep work. SUCCESS!!! Today I am back on track and feel fantastic, though I will admit, I did feel a little sad passing Starbucks knowing that I wouldn't be getting my coffee and breakfast sandwich. My tummy wasn't sad, though, because it was full of scrambled egg whites and oatmeal. YUM!
I do want to comment on my checkout experience at the grocery store yesterday. I want to preface this by saying that we all know I am in no position to judge others and I have been keeping that in mind. As I loaded the contents of my cart onto the conveyor belt, I glanced at what the people in front of me had put on the belt. Multiple packages of cookies, candy, ice cream, soda, etc. I didn't see one vegetable or fruit. I then glanced over, without meaning to, to check out the owners of the yummy looking but poisonous goodies. I have to say I wasn't surprised when it was a VERY obese couple. Immediately my heart sank. For some reason I felt guilty for having a conveyor belt of fruits, vegetables, and clean foods lined up. I think this is because I didn't want them to feel bad about themselves. I've been there and it sucks. I also felt like I held some knowledge that maybe they weren't aware of. Now, we all know that probably isn't the case, I am just the ultimate excuse maker and was trying to find something to make myself feel better. One thing I can say is that the experience made me hyper aware of why it is I chose the clean eating lifestyle and how important it truly is to me and my family's well being.
I know this is yet another post where I am talking about re-starting this endeavor. I definitely feel like I keep "falling off" but the one thing I am proud of is that I stand right back up, dust myself off, and go at it again. Many studies show that people trying to quit smoking try up to 13 times before actually quitting. So, I feel like if they can do it, I can succeed at making the clean eating program an actual lifestyle. Practice makes perfect, right?!
The other area I am going to cut myself some slack is the clean eating area. We completely fell off this summer and have eaten pretty crappy. We've been feeling terrible lately (lethargic, bloated, lazy, etc) and we knew it was time to get back to our healthy eating lifestyle. The break has been long enough and quite frankly, I am tired of eating crap and feeling like crap. The processed and bad foods are like putting poison into my body. Enough is enough.
That being said, we (Pete and I) agreed that we wanted to jump in 110% and do it as a team. We work well together like that! I made up the excel spreadsheets and took Sunday afternoon to prepare a meal plan for the week, to go shopping, then do the prep work. SUCCESS!!! Today I am back on track and feel fantastic, though I will admit, I did feel a little sad passing Starbucks knowing that I wouldn't be getting my coffee and breakfast sandwich. My tummy wasn't sad, though, because it was full of scrambled egg whites and oatmeal. YUM!
I do want to comment on my checkout experience at the grocery store yesterday. I want to preface this by saying that we all know I am in no position to judge others and I have been keeping that in mind. As I loaded the contents of my cart onto the conveyor belt, I glanced at what the people in front of me had put on the belt. Multiple packages of cookies, candy, ice cream, soda, etc. I didn't see one vegetable or fruit. I then glanced over, without meaning to, to check out the owners of the yummy looking but poisonous goodies. I have to say I wasn't surprised when it was a VERY obese couple. Immediately my heart sank. For some reason I felt guilty for having a conveyor belt of fruits, vegetables, and clean foods lined up. I think this is because I didn't want them to feel bad about themselves. I've been there and it sucks. I also felt like I held some knowledge that maybe they weren't aware of. Now, we all know that probably isn't the case, I am just the ultimate excuse maker and was trying to find something to make myself feel better. One thing I can say is that the experience made me hyper aware of why it is I chose the clean eating lifestyle and how important it truly is to me and my family's well being.
I know this is yet another post where I am talking about re-starting this endeavor. I definitely feel like I keep "falling off" but the one thing I am proud of is that I stand right back up, dust myself off, and go at it again. Many studies show that people trying to quit smoking try up to 13 times before actually quitting. So, I feel like if they can do it, I can succeed at making the clean eating program an actual lifestyle. Practice makes perfect, right?!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Hotness!
No, I'm not talking about ME! hahaha! I've been secretly dreaming about taking a hot yoga class. I finally worked up enough courage to try it last night. I had this impression in my mind that I'd walk in and there'd be a ton of Barbie and Ken look alikes, all doing perfect poses, which would make me feel out of place. Oh, it was quite the opposite. I was very happy when I walked in and saw people of all shapes and sizes. A third of the class looked as lost as I did. I must say, though, that I felt pretty at home in the 105 degree temperature - me being from Vegas and all! I won't lie, I didn't make it through 100% of all the poses. I'd say I did 90% and had to rest on my mat to regain my composure the other 10% of the time (had to make sure I didn't puke or pass out). I definitely left feeling like I accomplished something and it was even greater to see that I fit in just fine.
Speaking of accomplishing something. I came across this website yesterday and now I am inspired to try something new. It's a program called C25K. It stands for "Couch to 5K". Basically, it's an easy training guide to tranform you from couch potato to a 5K (3 mile) runner in 9 weeks. The premise is that you commit to training for 30 minutes / 3 times a week. It's designed for people who have never ran, hate running, or just need a little help. Pete and my mother in law have committed to doing it with me. That being said, there is an "Iron Girl" run at a local lake in September that I'd like to try and finish, so this is the goal I'm working towards. I'll keep you posted on how that goes as I've never participated in anything like that.
Here is the C25K site that includes the 9 week running plan. It's quite simple, actually.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Speaking of accomplishing something. I came across this website yesterday and now I am inspired to try something new. It's a program called C25K. It stands for "Couch to 5K". Basically, it's an easy training guide to tranform you from couch potato to a 5K (3 mile) runner in 9 weeks. The premise is that you commit to training for 30 minutes / 3 times a week. It's designed for people who have never ran, hate running, or just need a little help. Pete and my mother in law have committed to doing it with me. That being said, there is an "Iron Girl" run at a local lake in September that I'd like to try and finish, so this is the goal I'm working towards. I'll keep you posted on how that goes as I've never participated in anything like that.
Here is the C25K site that includes the 9 week running plan. It's quite simple, actually.
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
Friday, May 21, 2010
Today is Dedicated to My Husband
Today is a really special day for me and for Pete. No, not our anniversary - that is this Sunday. Today is the culmination of 5 long years of hard work and dedication. Today is Pete's last class of a 5 year sheet metal apprenticeship - GRADUATION DAY!
Back in 2004 Pete and I decided to join a small group at church. We walked up to the table and told them our interests and they assigned us to a group and put us in contact with Carl & Amber Simon. We didn't know a single person and had no idea what to expect. As we bravely knocked on their door we were greeted with warm, smiling faces. Over the next year that group grew to over 6 couples and we met some of our best friends there. All friends of a lifetime. Four of the men in that group were sheet metal workers and they convinced Pete that it was a great career filled with promise and great provisions for a growing family (we were expecting Jordan).
Pete decided that it sounded like a good gig. Who doesn't want a free education and a $45 an hour paycheck after 5 years? Not to mention wonderful benefits and a semi decent pension. Needless to say, he studied hard and passed the entrance test. Let me preface that by telling you that Pete always told me that growing up he was not a good student, made mediocre grades, and essentially hated school. So for him to take that first step, study for this hard test, and pass it, was an accomplishment in and of itself. Not to mention the endless school work and tests he'd endure over the next 5 years.
When we lived in Vegas he had to be at work at 5am, work all day (mind you - this is HARD physical labor - no desk job here) and then drive across town and sit through 4 hours of class EVERY NIGHT of the week. This was a continuous cycle until we moved to Seattle in April of 2008. At that time, he transferred to the school in Everett. Here they do the apprenticeship differently. Every few months the apprentices have to go to school all day for one week at a time. Mind you, they miss work for that week, therefore, missing a whole paycheck. To say it has been an adjustment is an understatement but has been well worth it. At least he's home with the family every night.
The road to becoming a sheet metal journeyman has been challenging. I don't think anyone (except fellow trade workers) understand what it's like to work in a Union Trade. It definitely isn't the cushy concierge desk job that Pete came from. He's on his feet all day, lugging heavy materials, keeping a fast pace, working with sharp metal (if only I had a dollar for every cut he's had - I'd be rich), working with employees who are lazy, rude, belligerant, and could care less about others. Always busting his butt to prove himself so he can keep his job. It was an adjustment. We've had experiences I can't even begin to describe. One cut finger led to an office visit where the doc sterilized his instruments with water ran through a coffee pot to get it hot as they didn't have running hot water in the building. And we don't even live in a 3rd world country here people! That finger took many painful office procedures and months to heal. Hammers falling from 40 stories above and landing 10 feet from you. Wind storms blowing debris off of a 30 story high rise - basically turning them into deadly projectiles. Falling off ladders, crawling in tight dark spaces, drilling your fingers. Watching co-workers get injured, crushed, airlifted from the job site - knowing that could be you. Multiple layoffs due to lack of work or politics. The latest was the day before Christmas. Did I mention this has been a WILD ride?
Not all of the experiences of the past 5 years have been bad. Actually, MOST of them have been good. We've made great friends, Pete's had the opportunity to minister to people in ways you couldn't imagine. He's known for getting people to come check out church with us and then they never seem to leave :) We've had wonderful family time, he doesn't have to travel for work, he gets paid a great wage and it's been steadily increasing every 6 months for the past 5 years. We have good insurance. Most of all, it's afforded him the opportunity to spend quality time with his family, which to us, is the most important aspect.
Looking back, very seldom have I told Pete how much I appreciate his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The sacrifices he has made have not gone unnoticed. Today I celebrate all that he has done and all that he has accomplished for the sake of bettering himself and providing for our family. I look back and realize how far we've come and how blessed we truly are. Most of all I give thanks for being privledged enough to have this wonderful man as my husband, my partner, and my best friend. I couldn't have planned this journey better myself nor could I have picked a better person to share it with.
Thank you Pete, from the bottom of my heart for being the best example of what a real man is. Your love, guidance, strength, and courage is an inspiration to me. You are an incredible human being. Today I celebrate YOU and all you have accomplished. Congratulations baby! I love you!
Back in 2004 Pete and I decided to join a small group at church. We walked up to the table and told them our interests and they assigned us to a group and put us in contact with Carl & Amber Simon. We didn't know a single person and had no idea what to expect. As we bravely knocked on their door we were greeted with warm, smiling faces. Over the next year that group grew to over 6 couples and we met some of our best friends there. All friends of a lifetime. Four of the men in that group were sheet metal workers and they convinced Pete that it was a great career filled with promise and great provisions for a growing family (we were expecting Jordan).
Pete decided that it sounded like a good gig. Who doesn't want a free education and a $45 an hour paycheck after 5 years? Not to mention wonderful benefits and a semi decent pension. Needless to say, he studied hard and passed the entrance test. Let me preface that by telling you that Pete always told me that growing up he was not a good student, made mediocre grades, and essentially hated school. So for him to take that first step, study for this hard test, and pass it, was an accomplishment in and of itself. Not to mention the endless school work and tests he'd endure over the next 5 years.
When we lived in Vegas he had to be at work at 5am, work all day (mind you - this is HARD physical labor - no desk job here) and then drive across town and sit through 4 hours of class EVERY NIGHT of the week. This was a continuous cycle until we moved to Seattle in April of 2008. At that time, he transferred to the school in Everett. Here they do the apprenticeship differently. Every few months the apprentices have to go to school all day for one week at a time. Mind you, they miss work for that week, therefore, missing a whole paycheck. To say it has been an adjustment is an understatement but has been well worth it. At least he's home with the family every night.
The road to becoming a sheet metal journeyman has been challenging. I don't think anyone (except fellow trade workers) understand what it's like to work in a Union Trade. It definitely isn't the cushy concierge desk job that Pete came from. He's on his feet all day, lugging heavy materials, keeping a fast pace, working with sharp metal (if only I had a dollar for every cut he's had - I'd be rich), working with employees who are lazy, rude, belligerant, and could care less about others. Always busting his butt to prove himself so he can keep his job. It was an adjustment. We've had experiences I can't even begin to describe. One cut finger led to an office visit where the doc sterilized his instruments with water ran through a coffee pot to get it hot as they didn't have running hot water in the building. And we don't even live in a 3rd world country here people! That finger took many painful office procedures and months to heal. Hammers falling from 40 stories above and landing 10 feet from you. Wind storms blowing debris off of a 30 story high rise - basically turning them into deadly projectiles. Falling off ladders, crawling in tight dark spaces, drilling your fingers. Watching co-workers get injured, crushed, airlifted from the job site - knowing that could be you. Multiple layoffs due to lack of work or politics. The latest was the day before Christmas. Did I mention this has been a WILD ride?
Not all of the experiences of the past 5 years have been bad. Actually, MOST of them have been good. We've made great friends, Pete's had the opportunity to minister to people in ways you couldn't imagine. He's known for getting people to come check out church with us and then they never seem to leave :) We've had wonderful family time, he doesn't have to travel for work, he gets paid a great wage and it's been steadily increasing every 6 months for the past 5 years. We have good insurance. Most of all, it's afforded him the opportunity to spend quality time with his family, which to us, is the most important aspect.
Looking back, very seldom have I told Pete how much I appreciate his hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The sacrifices he has made have not gone unnoticed. Today I celebrate all that he has done and all that he has accomplished for the sake of bettering himself and providing for our family. I look back and realize how far we've come and how blessed we truly are. Most of all I give thanks for being privledged enough to have this wonderful man as my husband, my partner, and my best friend. I couldn't have planned this journey better myself nor could I have picked a better person to share it with.
Thank you Pete, from the bottom of my heart for being the best example of what a real man is. Your love, guidance, strength, and courage is an inspiration to me. You are an incredible human being. Today I celebrate YOU and all you have accomplished. Congratulations baby! I love you!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Thursday's menu
Just thought I'd share today's clean menu so you can get an idea of what I'm eating. First, though, I had a random thought that I'll shyly share. I'm not sure if it's my outfit or what, but I FEEL thinner today. It always seems like as soon as I start eating right that the roll on my stomach from having a baby (thanks JJ) seems to be less prominant. It may just be my imagination, but either way, I'll take it! I'm focusing on one positive thought to vocalize and make as my truth each day. Today's is: "This healthy lifestyle is already benefitting me and I can tell because my "baby roll" is shrinking." haha! Love it!
Breakfast
Breakfast
- 1/4 cup egg beaters scrambled with green onion and Mrs. Dash (goes great with eggs and eliminates the need for salt)
- 1/2 cup pineapple
- big glass of water
- coffee with splenda and a tiny bit of f/f milk
- 1/2 cup f/f cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup pineapple
- 16 oz. water
- Tuna mixed w/ dill pickle relish and a small amount of light miracle whip (less than a tbsp)
- Whole wheat pita
- Diet coke w/ lemon
- Handful of almonds (no salt - dry roasted)
- Container of light yogurt
- 1 orange
- 16 oz. water
- Spinach salad w/ veggies and a splash of balsamic vinegar & olive oil
- 3/4 cup sweet potato cubes
- 4 oz. grilled boneless pork chop
- Either 1/2 cup sugar free / fat free (f/f) jello or a handful of fresh cherries (the latter sounds better actually)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Monday weigh in
Ok - being the true lady I am, I won't divulge my actual weight, but suffice it to say that I'm pretty much where I was the last time I gave you a weight update. Pete is at 185.5 and his goal is 178. Only 7.5 pounds to go. He can do that in his sleep! I am so excited that he's almost there. My immediate small term goal is 5 pounds down. I can do that pretty quickly. W-A-T-E-R - must drink lots of it! And keep packin' my lunch. I'm on top of it.....
Here's the nice, professional looking picture I set up just after my shopping trip yesterday. SO PROUD!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Lifestyle re-start
Well, I won't be telling you anything you haven't already heard, but the past month has been really hard for me in terms of keeping up with the Eating Clean lifestyle (the past few weeks have been difficult for Pete, too). There's great news though - I didn't fall off the bandwagon too far and I knew there's never a better time to re-commit than now. In the "olden days" I'd have fallen off so bad that it'd take me gaining back 20 pounds before I'd get depressed enough to re-commit. I haven't gained any weight back and I'm not depressed. What I am is re-committed to eating clean, exercising, and being positive.
I went on my regular Sunday grocery store expedition a few hours ago. I felt so proud when I got to the check out stand and half of my cart was fresh produce. I don't think there was a single non-clean food on the conveyor belt. I took a picture of a sample of the items I bought and will be uploading it shortly. I've also listed some items below. I noticed that over the past few weeks I've slacked on bringing my cooler of 5 small meals to work and most of the fresh veggies were withering away in the bottom of the crisper. Poor veggies! In an effort to keep that from happening, I took about 45 minutes after I got home to prep a ton of food. I cut up all kinds of veggies, made hard boiled eggs, etc. Now the fridge is full of great foods just waiting within an arms reach. I made a salad for dinner and asked Pete if he wanted green onions on his - he said "nah, that's too much work". I then said "nope - they're already chopped up right in this container - want some?!". It's so convenient when it's all ready and just waiting to be eaten. Almost more convenient than a fast food drive thru!
I will be attempting to write to the blog more often but I can't make any promises. It's definitely at the top of my list though. I may actually begin posting some of my daily food journals for you to check out. I can't wait for tomorrow's weigh in so I can get my new baseline. First goal is 5 lbs down. I also have to work really hard this next week to get all of my water in. We're having nice weather and have gotten our bikes out so fitness shouldn't be hard to get in. My exercise today was a ton of gardening and yard work.
I'll be talking to you soon - below are some foods from my shopping trip today.
Turkey breast, peppercorn pork tenderloin (these are fast and yummy cooked up on the George Foreman), roasted chicken, turkey italian sausages (great in whole wheat spaghetti dinner), hummus, jicama (my 1st time ever buying it - wish me luck!), mushrooms, squash, eggplant, cherries, oranges, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pitas, fresh ground almond butter, eggs, peppers, onions, no sugar added applesauce, lite yogurt, spinach, and so much more.
I went on my regular Sunday grocery store expedition a few hours ago. I felt so proud when I got to the check out stand and half of my cart was fresh produce. I don't think there was a single non-clean food on the conveyor belt. I took a picture of a sample of the items I bought and will be uploading it shortly. I've also listed some items below. I noticed that over the past few weeks I've slacked on bringing my cooler of 5 small meals to work and most of the fresh veggies were withering away in the bottom of the crisper. Poor veggies! In an effort to keep that from happening, I took about 45 minutes after I got home to prep a ton of food. I cut up all kinds of veggies, made hard boiled eggs, etc. Now the fridge is full of great foods just waiting within an arms reach. I made a salad for dinner and asked Pete if he wanted green onions on his - he said "nah, that's too much work". I then said "nope - they're already chopped up right in this container - want some?!". It's so convenient when it's all ready and just waiting to be eaten. Almost more convenient than a fast food drive thru!
I will be attempting to write to the blog more often but I can't make any promises. It's definitely at the top of my list though. I may actually begin posting some of my daily food journals for you to check out. I can't wait for tomorrow's weigh in so I can get my new baseline. First goal is 5 lbs down. I also have to work really hard this next week to get all of my water in. We're having nice weather and have gotten our bikes out so fitness shouldn't be hard to get in. My exercise today was a ton of gardening and yard work.
I'll be talking to you soon - below are some foods from my shopping trip today.
Turkey breast, peppercorn pork tenderloin (these are fast and yummy cooked up on the George Foreman), roasted chicken, turkey italian sausages (great in whole wheat spaghetti dinner), hummus, jicama (my 1st time ever buying it - wish me luck!), mushrooms, squash, eggplant, cherries, oranges, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pitas, fresh ground almond butter, eggs, peppers, onions, no sugar added applesauce, lite yogurt, spinach, and so much more.
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