LOVE AND CHOCOLATE
Guess what?!?! Kat Eden from BodyIncredible.com very kindly asked me to write a guest post for her oh-so-popular health and fitness blog. It was published yesterday. It's call "Love and Chocolate" and you can read it here.
I'd love you to come and dip your toes in a world of chocolate-swilling, the healthy way!
I'd love you to come and dip your toes in a world of chocolate-swilling, the healthy way!
BREAKFAST
The old Meat 'n' Nut breakfast is awesome. I'm a convert. I have never felt more satisfied and energetic as I do after these breakies.
Today I had a Grass-Fed Organic Beef Burger with 1 slice of Applegate Farms Organic Turkey Bacon and 10 Raw Organic Pecans.
Today I had a Grass-Fed Organic Beef Burger with 1 slice of Applegate Farms Organic Turkey Bacon and 10 Raw Organic Pecans.
MORNING SNACK
A Decaf Black Tea with 1.5 Tbs Cream.
LUNCH
Buffalo Mozzarella and Turkey Bacon Salad.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: BUFFALO MOZZARELLA AND TURKEY BACON SALAD: Fry 5 strips of Applegate Farms organic turkey bacon in organic butter. Chop into bite-size pieces. Chop 2oz buffalo mozzarella and add to 2 cups chopped leafy greens, zucchini and green beans. Dress with 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar and 1/2 Tbs raw sesame seeds.
Skinny Bride Mission Recipe: BUFFALO MOZZARELLA AND TURKEY BACON SALAD: Fry 5 strips of Applegate Farms organic turkey bacon in organic butter. Chop into bite-size pieces. Chop 2oz buffalo mozzarella and add to 2 cups chopped leafy greens, zucchini and green beans. Dress with 1/2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp balsamic vinegar and 1/2 Tbs raw sesame seeds.
Half a cheeky Green Tea before the gym.
AFTER-GYM SNACK
Yay, I'm back on track! I did a huge cardio workout at lunchtime and really worked up a sweat. My throat still hurts but I am back to my old energy levels (almost). It feels so good to be back.
After the gym I ate a boiled Organic Egg ....
After the gym I ate a boiled Organic Egg ....
.... and another one with Yellow Mustard ....
Mmmmm, tumeric, the superfood.
Mmmmm, tumeric, the superfood.
.... and 1/2 Tbs Raw Organic Cacao Nibs ....
.... with a Decaf Black Tea and Cream.
AFTERNOON SNACK
14 Raw Organic Almonds.
DINNER
Dinner tonight was a bowl of my delicious Green Soup. Ooooh, I can just feel the nutrients buzzing through my cells.
I followed it with an Applegate Farms Organic Turkey Burger topped with melted String Cheese and a few slices of Organic Portabello Mushrooms cooked in Organic Butter. Yum. I threw a handful of Organic Baby Spinach on the side for a bit of color.
I have a dirty little secret. It's hidden deep in my closet and even though I want to share it here, I'm hesitant. I'm worried about people's pre-conceptions, which I understand first hand as I harbored the very same preconceptions myself only a week ago.
it all started with Kat Eden waxing lyrical about a guy named Dr. Jonny Bowden. I googled him, joined his mailing list, bought his book and now I'm a convert. This guy is the epitome of super healthy nutritious fit living. I am sold on everything he says. I also highly respect Kat's opinions as she's clearly transformed her own body following Dr. Jonny's advice, (among others). The proof is in the pudding when you see how fit and trim she looks.
Both of them, Dr. Jonny and Kat, advocate a controlled-carb nutrition plan. And what surprised me most of all was Dr. Jonny's glowing report on .... oh, I don't know how to say this word without conjuring boos and hisses .... but here goes .... Dr. Jonny's glowing report on Atkins. ("Boooooo, hissssss!")
Yes, I know.
I totally understand.
That diet died in the 90s right? It was unhealthy, ill-advised and bound with a host of negative side-effects?
Right? ..... Wrong.
According to Dr. Jonny the bad press for Atkins came from millions of naysayers who have never even read the Atkins book. Or even attempted the diet themselves. They're judging the entire eating plan on the merits of the first 2-week initiation period, which is quite strict against fruit. But as the diet progresses beyond initiation, it actually introduces more and more healthy carbs in a very sensible manner and tailors the diet to the individual.
The fact is, it's sound research, and it has helped billions of people, really obese people, lose gazillions of pounds. Now that time has marched on and science has discovered the benefits of controlled-carb eating, the Atkins-style of nutrition is getting another look in. Unfortunately for Dr. Atkins himself, (well, he's dead now, so I'm sure he's not worried), his name was so sullied by the bad press of the 80s and 90s that most people would turn their noses up at anything with his name on it.
But thanks to Dr. Jonny, I'm giving Atkins a go. It makes sense. It falls in line with Paleo Eating, which definitely rings true from an evolutionary point of view. And since I've been upping my fat and protein intake this week, I've been feeling F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. I can't even begin to tell you how good I feel. Instead of being controlled by food, I'm discovering a wealth of delicious full-cream taste sensations that I'd previously banned in my low-fat diet for the last 20 years. I'm never hungry and I don't crave carbs or sugar.
Now here's the thing. I bought the Atkins book (for $2 from a Thrift Store - sweet!), but I am embarrassed. I won't read the book in public and when friends come to visit, I hide it deep at the back of the bookshelf. Atkins is not cool. As a dirty little secret, I'm only about 1/10 of the way through, but I'm excited. Dr. Atkins revised his book in 2002, (I bought the New Revised Edition) and it's much more palatable. It addresses the issues of the first book that caused public outcry.
Today was my first day of really tracking my carb intake, and it is stringent! Atkins recommends, I think it's 20g of carbs daily for the first 2 weeks, and as much fat and protein as you want. Check out what I've eaten so far today .... I've already consumed 34g of carbs. I'm over the limit and I I've eaten nothing but a few cups of green veggies and 1/2 Tbs of cacao nibs. Aaaarrgghhh. I'm not following the diet 100% strictly yet. (In fact, I'm not sure if I ever will). I have never been a fad diet girl. I prefer to mix and match what works for me personally in a logical, healthy, sustainable manner.
.... Hang on, I juste read in Atkins that you subtract the fiber count from your carb count. Perhaps I am close to the 20g then ....
It dictates no nuts, fruit or dairy in the first 2 weeks, (except full-fat cheese, butter and cream), but I'm easing my way in. Anyway, it's a start. It's an interesting experiment, and although I'm not sure whether it will work, I'm interested to have my own real life opinion on Atkins before I write him off like the rest of the world. I feel incredible right now, and that's all that matters. Either way, I'm simultaneously getting back on track with the lower-calorie eating and exercise, so I should start losing weight again soon. (This burn-out week-and-a-half has stalled the Skinny Bride Mission like you wouldn't believe. But my body, mind and soul lapped it up with appreciation).
I have a dirty little secret. It's hidden deep in my closet and even though I want to share it here, I'm hesitant. I'm worried about people's pre-conceptions, which I understand first hand as I harbored the very same preconceptions myself only a week ago.
it all started with Kat Eden waxing lyrical about a guy named Dr. Jonny Bowden. I googled him, joined his mailing list, bought his book and now I'm a convert. This guy is the epitome of super healthy nutritious fit living. I am sold on everything he says. I also highly respect Kat's opinions as she's clearly transformed her own body following Dr. Jonny's advice, (among others). The proof is in the pudding when you see how fit and trim she looks.
Both of them, Dr. Jonny and Kat, advocate a controlled-carb nutrition plan. And what surprised me most of all was Dr. Jonny's glowing report on .... oh, I don't know how to say this word without conjuring boos and hisses .... but here goes .... Dr. Jonny's glowing report on Atkins. ("Boooooo, hissssss!")
Yes, I know.
I totally understand.
That diet died in the 90s right? It was unhealthy, ill-advised and bound with a host of negative side-effects?
Right? ..... Wrong.
According to Dr. Jonny the bad press for Atkins came from millions of naysayers who have never even read the Atkins book. Or even attempted the diet themselves. They're judging the entire eating plan on the merits of the first 2-week initiation period, which is quite strict against fruit. But as the diet progresses beyond initiation, it actually introduces more and more healthy carbs in a very sensible manner and tailors the diet to the individual.
The fact is, it's sound research, and it has helped billions of people, really obese people, lose gazillions of pounds. Now that time has marched on and science has discovered the benefits of controlled-carb eating, the Atkins-style of nutrition is getting another look in. Unfortunately for Dr. Atkins himself, (well, he's dead now, so I'm sure he's not worried), his name was so sullied by the bad press of the 80s and 90s that most people would turn their noses up at anything with his name on it.
But thanks to Dr. Jonny, I'm giving Atkins a go. It makes sense. It falls in line with Paleo Eating, which definitely rings true from an evolutionary point of view. And since I've been upping my fat and protein intake this week, I've been feeling F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C. I can't even begin to tell you how good I feel. Instead of being controlled by food, I'm discovering a wealth of delicious full-cream taste sensations that I'd previously banned in my low-fat diet for the last 20 years. I'm never hungry and I don't crave carbs or sugar.
Now here's the thing. I bought the Atkins book (for $2 from a Thrift Store - sweet!), but I am embarrassed. I won't read the book in public and when friends come to visit, I hide it deep at the back of the bookshelf. Atkins is not cool. As a dirty little secret, I'm only about 1/10 of the way through, but I'm excited. Dr. Atkins revised his book in 2002, (I bought the New Revised Edition) and it's much more palatable. It addresses the issues of the first book that caused public outcry.
Today was my first day of really tracking my carb intake, and it is stringent! Atkins recommends, I think it's 20g of carbs daily for the first 2 weeks, and as much fat and protein as you want. Check out what I've eaten so far today .... I've already consumed 34g of carbs. I'm over the limit and I I've eaten nothing but a few cups of green veggies and 1/2 Tbs of cacao nibs. Aaaarrgghhh. I'm not following the diet 100% strictly yet. (In fact, I'm not sure if I ever will). I have never been a fad diet girl. I prefer to mix and match what works for me personally in a logical, healthy, sustainable manner.
.... Hang on, I juste read in Atkins that you subtract the fiber count from your carb count. Perhaps I am close to the 20g then ....
It dictates no nuts, fruit or dairy in the first 2 weeks, (except full-fat cheese, butter and cream), but I'm easing my way in. Anyway, it's a start. It's an interesting experiment, and although I'm not sure whether it will work, I'm interested to have my own real life opinion on Atkins before I write him off like the rest of the world. I feel incredible right now, and that's all that matters. Either way, I'm simultaneously getting back on track with the lower-calorie eating and exercise, so I should start losing weight again soon. (This burn-out week-and-a-half has stalled the Skinny Bride Mission like you wouldn't believe. But my body, mind and soul lapped it up with appreciation).
After dinner I had 6 Raw Walnut Halves ....
.... and a stick of Frigo String Cheese.
I also had 1 Tbs of Greek Gods Plain Yoghurt. I'm umming and ahhing as to whether to allow more carbs today or not. Might need a pre-bedtime snack.
I also had 1 Tbs of Greek Gods Plain Yoghurt. I'm umming and ahhing as to whether to allow more carbs today or not. Might need a pre-bedtime snack.
.... oh, and a Coconut Water Icypop.
I still had a tiny void in my belly, so I drank some Psyllium Husks and I was golden.
PRE-BEDTIME SNACK
1/2 cup Greek Gods Full-Fat Yoghurt and 1 Tbs 100% Peach Compote.
Fruit is totally anti-Atkins but life enjoyment is far more important to me that rigid adherence to a hard-core diet plan. Besides, I've only got about a week left in this city and a fridge full of delicious, organic, expensive dairy and fruit. I don't believe in waste .... :)
Fruit is totally anti-Atkins but life enjoyment is far more important to me that rigid adherence to a hard-core diet plan. Besides, I've only got about a week left in this city and a fridge full of delicious, organic, expensive dairy and fruit. I don't believe in waste .... :)
STATS
TOTAL CALORIES: 1719
CALORIE DEFICIT: 520
EXERCISE: Stairmaster 20 mins + Elliptical 20 mins + Brisk Walk 100 mins
CALORIE DEFICIT: 520
EXERCISE: Stairmaster 20 mins + Elliptical 20 mins + Brisk Walk 100 mins