Ring in the New Year with Smoothies

Beet-alicous

I made it through the holidays and actually lost a few more pounds. I now weigh 189. Holidays can always be hard on diet/fitness routines and the average person gains 6 lbs. from Thanksgiving to New Year's. My only goal during that time was to  not gain anything. Which was a success because I actually lost about 2 more pounds.

Now that it is the beginning of a New Year . . .  I must double my efforts. I watched a motivational movie Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It is a great film about weight-loss, health and determination. It really inspired me, but the film maker method is juicing all his veggies and fruits. I am a great fan of fruits and veggies, but not of juicing. I understand the whole process of helping your body digest your food and in a liquid state your blood receives the vitamins and minerals more quickly for a fast, great impact. But I think you can receive the same benefits plus the fiber and protein with smoothies instead. Smoothies are better for your glycemic levels and it keeps you fuller longer.

My Little Ninja at work!

Not-your-average-Granny Green Smoothie

Juicers can be expensive and everyone seems to already have a blender. I happen to already have a Ninja. I know my friend Sherry just got herself a Vitamix (btw thanks Sherry for encouraging this post). You may have one of those cute Bullet mixers . . . or maybe a Walmart special. No matter what type of blender you have the year 2015 is going to be my year of health, so join me in making smoothies, losing weight and getting healthy.

Here are a few tested smoothies to get you started . . .
Please share your great smoothies recipes with me  . . . . I am looking forward to it! 
Have a Blessed New Year!

Beet-alicous 
1 fresh beet (chopped)
1/2 cup of frozen blueberries

Super-duper Green Smoothie

1 celery stalk chopped
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of mixed berry juice

Not-your-average Granny Green Smoothie
1 small granny smith apple (chopped)
1/2 a small cucumber (chopped)
2 celery stalks (chopped)
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of water

Berry-Kale Smoothie
1/2 cup of frozen blueberries
3 kale leaves (ripped or chopped)
2 ice cubes
1/4 cup of water

Super-duper Green Smoothie
1 small granny smith apple (chopped)
1 celery stalk
1/2 small cucumber
1/3 cup of chopped honey dew melon
1/2 teaspoon of spirulina powder
2 ice cubes
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 Tablespoons of water

AND MORE RECIPES TO COME SOON!

Know thy weaknesses

So I am now on day three of my quest and I have already been faced with some challenges. Here is how I handled them. I went to the library and checked out some fitness books. In one of the books there was a quiz. The quiz told me about the reasons I eat. I scored highest in the Emotional Eater and the Mindless Eater categories. It makes so much sense. I eat when I am happy or depressed. I also tend to steal bites here and there when cooking or at social events. I tend to have a big appetite which will be the most challenging during this quest. But knowing my weaknesses is one step to a healthier me. Be sure to check out some helpful links at the end of this post.

I know I like to feel satisfied and full at the same time. So I am looking to find foods that will keep me fuller longer. Asking myself which calories are worth it to me. Keeping a food/activity log is helpful to keep me aware of what I am doing and eating.

Day Two:

Breakfast: coffee w/ 2 teaspoons raw sugar, 2 Tablespoons of goat milk = 58 calories

loaded veggie 1 egg omelet and mini blueberry/oat smoothie
Breakfast Total - 318 calories

Awesome Leftover-Turkey Soup ONLY 185 calories

Lunch: Awesome Leftover-Turkey Soup
 (I made this quick soup with 2 chopped celery stocks, 1/2 cup of chopped peppers/onions, 1 cup of california blend frozen veggies, 2 cups of veggie broth, 2 oz of turkey) This soup was only 185 and it was so filling I split it with my daughter.  I also had some kombucha and a 8 wheat crackers.
Approx. Lunch Total 300 (because I split the soup)

CHALLENGE ONE: Dropped the kids off at the library to do schoolwork and I took the time to do a 15 minute brisk walk. I tried to go longer but with all the water I have been drinking  . . . I needed to quickly walk back to the library. LESSON LEARNED- GO POTTY BEFORE WALKING

Snack: Green Tea w/ Honey and turmeric
1/4 cup of homemade unsweetened apple sauce sprinkled with cinnamon (which helps with blood sugar)
1 brown rice cake with 1 Tablespoon of natural peanut butter
Snack Total = 136 calories

CHALLENGE TWO: Supper became a quick challenge. We usually film a local t.v. for a woman and she treats us to pizza. It got cancelled and of course I had not prepared supper. The kids begged for pizza. We ordered their usual and I calculated a salad (look below for a cool salad calculator I found). I also had 1 slice of cheese pizza . . . if I deprived myself I would not last long on this quest. I was happy at the end I filled my craving and was still within my calorie intake for the day.

CHALLENGE THREE: Rob teased me about my diet and tempted me with my favorite creamy garlic dressing. I quickly called him a diet sabotager as I poured my lite-Italian on my salad. ( Note: he felt really bad about teasing me and called from work today to apologize and say how proud of me he was . . . I knew he was teasing me . . . but it was a good example of how we can let others around us effect our ability to succeed at something.)
Supper Total = 643

Day Two Total = 1403 calories

Awesome product.
Adds protein and flavor
to smoothies
without a lot of calories!

Day Three:
Breakfast: I drank my coffee black so I could add honey to my smoothie (learning to make these trade-offs will pay-off, this is not a have your cake and eat it too quest!)
Smoothie
with goat milk, honey, oats and an awesome thing I found at BJ's PBfit. PBfit is an all natural peanut butter powder. It is made with dried peanuts and somehow they extract the oils so it has less calories but still the same amount of protein.
Breakfast Total - 298 calories

Lunch: Last day of turkey left-overs salad, with homemade croutons I made with homemade bread (a know bread is calorie dense -but it was well worth it), olive oil and garlic.
Lunch Total - 419 calories

It was raining today so I went over to my neighbor's house to do Just Dance on their XBox. I had so much fun. The kids stayed home and made cookies of course! Did it for 30 mins.  . .  estimated calorie burn = 300 calories

Snack:
2 small gingerbread cookies (which are the least calorie cookie you can chose from)
Green tea w/ honey and turmeric
Snack total = 122

I whipped up some pasta for the family and I left aside a small portion for myself. I tossed my pasta with garlic and 1oz of turkey. I filled myself with Curried Squash Soup.
Supper Total - 430

Day Three Total = 1269

Now I am off to Choir Practice . . . and feeling great!

A few helpful links:

Why you can't stick to your diet & 5 easy fixes . .

Salad Calorie Counter