Nurturing yourself | You are what you eat

There's no way around it.  You simply are what you eat.

Our bodies are wonderfully complex packages filled with intricate systems and delicate balances.

  How can we expect it to function 

optimally if we are not nourishing it properly?!

This is not about weight, though you will undoubtedly see some benefits there too.

It's about feeling your best.  Odds are you're probably not even aware of not feeling well 

until you start to experience what "feeling well" is really like.

It's about being your best.  The best example you can be for others.

Hello, my name is Krista and I am a sugar addict.  

That's right, bring on the chocolates and every cookie variety under the sun.  

Don't even get me started on icing.  I'll slather it on anything.
For a while now eating sugar has been giving me major headaches.  

Do you think I listened to my body?

Well, not until recently and even now it is still a struggle that I don't always win.

What's your vice?
Maybe you don't feel like you really have one. 

 But consider this.  

We are fearfully and wonderfully made by the ultimate Creator.  

Don't you think He would provide us with the perfect nutrients to care for ourselves?

I believe that everyone's nutritional needs are unique to them but
there's no doubt there are all natural foods out there that can support them all.

 I certainly still struggle with eating healthy but I have been able to incorporate
so much more fruits and vegetables into my diet.
And I have decreased the amount of sugar and processed foods that I consume.
My complexion has improved, my weight has improved,
and my general feeling of health has improved.
It's all part of nurturing myself and striving to be the best I
can be inside and out.

I don't strictly follow any particular diet/eating plan out there.
I've simply been experimenting with new natural foods and finding out what works for me
and I strongly encourage you to do the same.

I've looked into clean eating, organic eating, sugarless eating, paleo eating,
and gluten free eating.  There's a little something from all of these that can
be taken away and applied to your own eating habits.

Below are some great links that have helped me and I hope will help you too.

1. Eight Steps to stop feeling like crap
2. Living lifestyle
3. Snack idea to cut out processed foods
4. Detox your body
5. What is clean eating?
(for some reason it will not let me link this one for you,
please copy and paste in browser to view
http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/what-is-clean-eating/)

I'm getting more into organically grown produce, we don't realize what
the toxins on our produce are doing to our bodies.
Here's a quick cheat sheet on what is best to by organically grown.

Mostly I just want to encourage people to think twice about what they
are putting into their bodies.  It's not as hard as you think to make changes.
Yes it takes a little prior planning at first but you've conquered
harder things right? :)

Happy and healthy eating friends!

Nutrition...uh...I don't get it

Is anyone else as completely confused and overwhelmed by the idea

of trying to eat right?  

I mean, should I be watching calories, carbs, sugar, sodium, processed foods, protein, fat or what!!!???  I'm sure the answer lies in some combination of all of these....

that means I'm in big trouble :)

Why re-evaluate what I eat?  

#1 I'm no spring chicken , more like a mid-summer chicken.  

I'm 33 (sshhhh almost 34) and while I don't believe that makes me old by any means, my body is starting to tell me otherwise.  The things I used to be able to do to lose weight aren't working as well.  Things are sagging, yes, sagging! And that nagging aching in my knees?  Oh please tell me it's not arthritis already!  I better start paying some serious attention to nutrition if I want to prevent things from getting worse and avoid illnesses and all those nasty things that go along with being overweight.  I want strong bones, healthy muscles, and a good immune system for as long as possible.

#2 Keep my weight under control.

Aahhh, the lifelong struggle.  I've been in about a 14 pound weight range over the last 2 years.  Technically I guess I'm 8 pounds out of my "healthy" weight range but truthfully could use to lose probably more like 10-15 pounds. 

Of course as I write this a co-worker of mine has entered the room eating a large slice of the fabled "Oakmonter" cake.  Any of you local in Pittsburgh may know what that is.  The bottom is chocolate cake and the top is cheesecake with a layer of fudge in between.  Then generously swabbed in chocolate icing with crushed Hershey bars and cherries on top.  I mean come on!  The force is strong but I am so far resisting :)

So the current nutrition theory I am buying into is trying to eat all natural and cut down on sugar.  Well...just trying to eat mostly natural cause I know I can't go all the way.  I have to assume this is an OK way to go, I mean , if God made it, it should be good for you right?  The trouble is to find foods handy and convenient to grab in a hurry.  

This mama is on the move!

If you have any tips or links on healthy eating, please share!

I thought I'd include a healthy recipe that I love, at least I think it's healthy ;)  I found it long ago on Spark People.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

Love when these are fresh out of the oven, crusty on the outside and soft on the inside!

Ingredients

1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant) 1 cup non-fat milk 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 egg whites 1 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. sugar raisins or nuts (optional)

Directions

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.
In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together.
Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until just combined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.
Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will be tough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan.
Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.
Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.
These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12

Nutritional Info

• Servings Per Recipe: 12
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 93.5

• Total Fat: 0.5 g
• Cholesterol: 0.4 mg
• Sodium: 196.2 mg
• Total Carbs: 20.5 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g
• Protein: 2.9 g