Sneak Peak Into My Eats

What does a real-foods eating, chocolate craving, recovering life-long vegetarian eat to slim down, stay energized, and be well? There are no rules other than to consume ingredients that I deem ok/safe/healthy based on my own current food beliefs (which are always evolving as I learn more and try things out for myself). Although this isn't Paleo, vegan, GAPs, etc. I've limited the dairy, grains, and legumes and am only having sugar in the form of fruits and vegetables. Foods are mainly local, organic, and seasonal. Here's a list of my current go-to foods:


Helpers
I don't endorse any brands/products and prefer my supplements to just be extra nutrients and minerals not taken in pill form. This list of nutrients mainly gives me that extra boost, wards off sickness, helps me feel full (fats) and keeps sugar cravings in check
Prenatal Vitamin while nursing- I alternate between a few to mix it up
Fermented Foods/Probiotics: kimchi, sauerkraut, any vegetable I've fermented- so cheap and easy!
Apple Cider Vinegar- great for getting sugar cravings in check
Coconut Oil
Ghee
Raw Butter
Duck Fat for cooking when not using butter/ghee
Macca
Chia
Chlorella
Spirulina
Egg Yoke
Garlic
Ginger
Turmeric

Breakfasts
Fruit
Veggies
Eggs- I just found local farmers who don't feed their chickens corn!
Quinoa mixed w/ anything (I'm going to reintroduce quinoa into my diet starting today)
Homemade bone broth- so nourishing at 4:30am!
Leftovers
Whole Yogurt (typically goat)

Lunches
Shakes & Smoothies (no boxed 'milks' with carrageenan, otherwise anything goes)
Leftovers
Loaded Salads- veggies, meat, egg, beans, avocado, fermented veggies
Tuna Salads
Egg Salads

Dinners
Rice Pasta- occasionally
Brown Rice occasionally w/ toppings- kimchi, veg, meats
Quinoa w/ Avocado or other veggies/stir fries
Cauliflower 'Rice' w/ toppings
Spaghetti Squash w/ mix-ins as a pasta dish
Sweet Potato Hash w/ Egg
Roasted Whole Chicken
Organ Meats- mainly liver which I buy extra of for super cheap
Wild Salmon- FYI, Alaskan is always wild and Atlantic is farmed
Beans
Stews
Lots of Veg- roasted cauliflower, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, chard, spinach, squashes, kale
Polenta- might start using

Snacks/Random
Avocado- this should be in every single food category as we eat it anytime with anything
Bananas- not local but a big food staple in our house
Nut Butter (raw cashew & almond) w/ Celery 
Raw Nuts
Jicama
Oranges & Grapefruits from the in-laws and Mom's trees
Fresh Fruits
Sliced Veg
Dips- garbanzo, lentil, black bean, tzatziki and other concoctions we make in the blender
Roe
Olives
Seaweed

Treats
Kombucha
Cocoa

Substitutes for Vices
Switch out latte & pastry break for a walk to the beach break
Switch out snacking on sweets at work desk for sipping water with added fruit
Switch out snacking on chocolate at home for taking walks, cleaning, and reading

We do have more food than this in the house. My hubby's staples are flat bread for his spicy dips, sourdough bread, cereal, oats for his smoothies, granola, coffee, and dairy in the form of milk, cheese, and yogurt. He would also love to have the fridge loaded with hot dogs, sausage, bacon, "luncheon meat", beer, and every type of hot sauce and mustard known to man. He's got some crafty friends that make beers and hot sauces which are the ultimate gifts you could ever give him :)

The baby eats what I eat. He just turned 10 months and his current favorites are chicken, avocado, strawberries, egg yoke, carrot & cucumber sticks, and Daddy's fruit purees.

I hope you've enjoyed this sneak peak into my kitchen. Please share some of your favorite food staples with me!

Hott Mama's 12 Week Challenge

And so it begins. I've submitted myself to a weight loss challenge. I'm not a fan of weight loss challenges because I strongly encourage clients, friends, family, and even perfect strangers not to focus solely on weight and, instead, find additional indicators of health and vitality. But with that said I'm actually super uber duber excited for this challenge! It's a 12 week challenge with a bunch of Facebook strangers and one friend- the "Hott Mama's" group dispersed across the USA. We pay $10 via PayPal, submit our before photos, measurements, and goals/plan and then weigh-in weekly. At the end of the 12 weeks we each get three votes on our favorite transformation and one winner takes all!


Here are the two main reasons why I'm excited about the challenge
1) Encourage other moms and be encouraged by them, and maybe make a few friends along the way as we get to know each other via Facebook over the next 12 weeks. I've seen pictures of these moms in their underwear- the least we could do is 'friend' each other on Facebook now and strike up some conversation.
2) I'm using it to kick-start my new journey away from just 'Fitness Professional' and into 'Wellness Coach' since my passions lie not only in helping others workout but also in helping them create clear paths to overall better health and wellness. So I will use myself as an example. This isn't just a weight loss challenge but a chance for me to transform my life in many little ways that will add up to one big healthy overhaul.
3) When this is over, rocking a pair of bright pink workout capris I just bought for $9.99 at Marshall's as well as the super cute shorts worn in the before pictures which fit loosely a month into pregnancy and now are so tight.
4) Going to Lululemon with Nicole and picking out fun new clothes for our transformed bodies!

For now I'll share with you my goals and action plan. Check back in 12 weeks and you'll see me in a sports bra and booty shorts 'cause at the end of the challenge I'll share with you the before and after pictures, weights, and measurements!

Goals: Decrease body fat (maintain nursing), tone arms/abs/legs to feel good in bikini/shorts, improve shoulder acne + redness on back of arms
Plan: Eat real food + increase activity

It's really this simple. Clients are always encouraged to elaborate on their goals and action plans, being as specific as possible to account for 'life stuff' and not leave any room for interpretation (excuses) along the way. But I've chosen to keep my plan as simple as "eat real food and increase activity" because I believe those two things will address all my goals.

Please leave your comments, stories, and encouragement in the comments section. I'll share some progress reports along the way and post the before & afters after May 24th.


Stay tuned!

Amanda
PS- Regarding the attached picture: you can notice changes in your body well before 4 weeks! And please don't hang in there for 12 weeks just for the sake of  others noticing, do it for yourself first and foremost ;)