It's Your Body

After being at the farm for five days I'm heading home this morning. Bryan had a semi-whoopsie-daisy accident this weekend and decided to take the day off yesterday instead of sitting at a desk all day. While we were inside eating lunch, I surfed the web for local races. It was very frustrating to find that there really are none in our area. {I'm not driving an hour and a half for a 5K.} Surprisingly, I did find a 10K in a neighboring town for May 12th. I've never run a 10K race before. Sure, the dirt roads are one thing, but I'm already getting butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it. This first one I am not doing for time. Like my dad said, I'm going to go out and act like it is any other day of running and log the miles. It has been years since I've run races, but I'm pretty excited.

I am very competitive, thus it is hard for me to think about running anything and not timing myself. I don't like doing something just to do it, I want to do it and be good at it. I might suffer from a slight type-A personality disorder.

We are now into month four of the year. How is your exercise plan? Does it still exist? My goal was to live a healthier lifestyle all the way around-from exercise to eating. I've been chug-a-lugging a ton of water lately. My advice if you struggle with that? Get a 24oz. Tervis Tumbler {straw + lid} and carry it with you everywhere you go. I drink anywhere from 4-7 of these a day.

Click here to order one.

If you are feeling discouraged right now, don't let yourself get down! It's not about having the perfect body to squeeze into a swimsuit for the summer months. It's about being healthy for YOU! It is a life-long commitment that only you can make for yourself.  

Starving yourself or skipping a meal will not help you at all. If you try to lose weight the unhealthy way, it plus more will come back to bit you in the rear. I stand behind the age-old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You've got to have protein to keep your body going between meals. Energy has to be coming into your body in order for your body to be able to burn fat and get rid of it. For portion control at meals try to remember this:

I am always trying to think of new ways to cook green veggies, which I think need to be incorporated into every meal. Brussels sprouts have become a new go-to green veggie in our house. This recipe I have made at least three times now.

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Maple Cayenne Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved lengthwise
1 Tbsp. olive oil
salt to taste
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400*F.
2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and salt and spread on a rimmed baking sheet.
3. Roast 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. They should be tender and browned.
4. While the sprouts are roasting, in a small bowl, combine maple syrup and cayenne pepper.
5. Pour the maple syrup/cayenne mixture over the sprouts, stir to coat, return to oven for one more minute.

6. Serve and enjoy!