Let's start a Revolution

It's almost the end of January, and I know 99% of you made some sort of "be more healthy" goal for 2015. and for many people this goal includes dieting, exercise, and pinning excessive amounts of thinspiration pins on Pinterest. we're going to cut out all processed sugar, or get to the gym every day until we have that perfect six pack that we see on those Pinterest models. or we're going to join some marketed "health" product to lose weight (which of course involves losing money because you have to pay a fee to get their special products in order to lose that weight).

and the list goes on.

but when did living a "healthy lifestyle" equate dieting? or when did the "perfect" size become 10 pounds lighter than you already are? why is it that we are never satisfied with our bodies?

for over a century women have been changing their bodies to fit what society says is perfect. from corsets for tiny waists, to binding feet, to wrapping our chests to looks like we have no chest, to making our hair enourmously huge, we as women have let the world tell us what beauty is. specifically media has been telling us that we are not enough- that our bodies are not enough. but who are they to tell us?

in media our bodies are shown as parts. a pair of legs; some plumb lips; perfect abs; the silkiest, thickest hair.

newsflash: we are MORE.

why is it that we are constantly allowing ourselves to be objectified? and why are we objectifying others? "I'll be happy once I lose this muffin top." ""I need to tone up my arms." "I want to get a six pack." "I need to get the perfect swimsuit body before summer." and the list goes on.

I may be wrong, but if we are constantly belittling and judging ourselves and others, how are we ever supposed to do anything, let alone change the world??? We have got to stop it! but how?

my friends at Beauty Redefined are heading a revolutionary campaign to not only take back beauty, but to redefine beauty. my thoughts today have been based off my own indignation against dieting and thinspo, as well as an inspirational presentation done by these powerful women in my singles ward.

because I am a Latter-Day Saint, and I believe strongly that Heavenly Father gave us our bodies as a precious gift, may i share with you a quote from one of my favorite men? President Uchtdorf said, "When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following: Stop it!" Girls, this includes hating, ignoring, ridiculing or wanting to cause harm to our own bodies. 

so let's stop. let's rethink. let's be more- more than our bodies, more than the lies that media tells us, more than what we've trained our brains to think is perfect. 

[i will be doing a series of posts on the subject of body image, media and how it affect body image, dieting, and redefining beauty. i hope you join me, add your thoughts and comments, and check out beautyredefined.net]

march nutrition update

remember how it's National Nutrition Month? here is a little update on what i'm doing to celebrate and become healthier!

i'm still doing the 21 day no junk food challenge- but only loosely. every time i start one of these "all or nothing" diets i think it's going to be great. but it's not. i have been eating a lot healthier and eating way less sweets than normal. i don't think i will be doing an all or nothing diet for a while here. maybe i will cut out one thing at a time (i.e. chocolate, ice cream, etc.) for a week or a month. but all those things at once is just totally unrealistic for me. besides what's life without a little celebration? [i ate a piece of delicious chocolate cake last night because it was the day of birth of Heather's baby!]

i decided one way i needed to get my plate in shape was to drink more milk. i usually drink almond milk but that's getting expensive. plus it doesn't have the same minerals as real milk. so i bought a gallon of milk last night and my goal is to drink it all before it goes bad. at least one glass a day (besides what i put on cereal or in smoothies).

i have also been trying to snack healthier. i know pretzels and chips and salsa aren't the best snack foods, but they are better than sweets.

ultimate win: i have yet to touch my Girl Scout cookies. those will wait until the 22nd. go me!

what are you doing for Nutrition Month?

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month. [I know I totally failed at posting about heart healthy foods and such last month, but this month I vow to do better!]
The theme for National Nutrition Month 2012 is "Shape Up Your Plate."

So much of being healthy has to do with nutrition! So often what we eat is totally out of proportion with what our body really needs and with what is healthy. We tend to load our plates with sugary carbs and fats, leaving little room for vegetables and fruits. We get our protein from high fat sources and our carbs from white bread, white rice, and other less-than-healthy choices. I will admit that I am not the most healthy eater, my excuse being that I don't have time or money (I mean I am a poor, stressed-out college student). However, my ultimate goal, what I think an "in shape" plate looks like, is basically like this:

source

One of my favorite (dinner) meals as of late has been this- rice with cream of chicken soup on top (low fat of course), baked asparagus, and a small side of fruit (berries, orange slices, etc). It's really filling!

This month, in celebration of National Nutrition Month (and because it's almost spring and I want to look good in a swimsuit this summer) I am doing the 21 Day No Junk Food Challenge! I will finish on March 21 at midnight. I hope that I can get some good eating habits from this and not be such a snacker/sweet tooth. For some accountability I will be doing weekly updates on the Challenge- starting with week one this Thursday. Wish me luck!

If you want to read more about National Nutrition month, follow the blog, here.

broiled grapefruit

i got the idea for broiled grapefruit from pinterest.

i love grapefruit and grapefruit is really good for you, so i decided to try it out this morning after my run!

here are the results:

for some reason i can't rotate this

i loved the broiled grapefruit! 

the broiling brought out a lot of tang and sweetness.

i didn't shudder eating it (like i sometimes do because of the bitterness). 

i am definitely trying it again!

some facts about grapefruit:

- it is a weight loss food. high in fat-burning enzymes, it also has a high water content and little sodium.

- prevents arthritis

- works as an antiseptic

- helps prevent cancer through antioxidants

- helps lower cholesterol levels

- helps treat the common cold

i love eating grapefruit! it is in season right now and often goes on sale at macey's or sunflower market. i like stocking up on a lot because they last a long time. they are also a quick and easy breakfast. 

the green monster

my mom and jessie have been really into the whole green drink thing lately. i lurv spinach (i know it's weird) so i thought i might as well try it. my mom's recipe calls for a banana, 6 cups spinach, dates (those weird fruits from Israel), and water. it smells like a fresh mowed lawn. yum. but it actually isn't too bad. and it gives you tons of energy! (who needs those caffeinated sodas when you can drink spinach?)

so this morning i desired something to get me out of the "monday slump." instead of turning to something sugary (for example, the pan of brownies sitting invitingly on my stove top) i made my very own green drink!

a few baby carrots

a lot of spinach

a few strawberries 

about 2/3 cup of OJ

it's quite delicious. the OJ does add extra sugar but it also masks the bitter spinach-ey taste so you feel like you are drinking food, not a bunch of ground of grass. i like it! future breakfast food? snack food? i think  yes! 

a now i feel good enough to buckle down and study for my physiology test which i will take in 3 hours. woo!

hummus and veggie wraps

yummy hummus

National Nutrition Month is almost over! what?! I got caught up in March Madness and forgot about my studious goals to post on nutrition/health. but this last week i got very domestic and made hummus. because hummus- veggie wraps are delicious! hummus is made from garbanzo beans and is pretty delicious. but addicting. store bought hummus can be expensive so i decided to try my hand at making my own. here is what you need:
1 can garbanzo beans
garlic
olive oil
lemon juice

blend in a blender until it is the consistency you want it to be.
now comes the fun part. making the wrap. required ingredients:
whole wheat tortilla
hummus
lettuce or spinach
any veggies you want (tomatoes, zuchinni, cucumber, black beans, etc.)
cottage cheese

spread hummus on tortilla

add lettuce and black beans

add any other veggies you desire, as well as cottage cheese

enjoy!

this is one my favorite meals! my friend sam and I discovered it one sunday afternoon and i was hooked. I even had it for my birthday dinner. I got my sister addicted. And well, you get the idea. it's goooood. and healthy!

weekend update: crazy cravings and fighting cancer

remember how i decided to go off sugar for the month of March? yeahhh.  i was doing so great at it and then Friday night i got these cravings for something sweet. i decided that i could eat treats on weekends and on dates [because that is rude to turn down stuff like that on a date ya know].  so i went to Brick Oven with friends on Friday and got a delicious cookie monster. I didn't feel guilty either. BAD. after splurging a little this weekend on treats (ok not like a ton) I've taken back my decision to have treats on the weekend. I can have treats on dates and I will not be going to the end of March because we are celebrating Adam and Sarah's birthday's on the 27th. deal?

this is about what the cookie monster looked like

on another note, i did do something really cool and health related this weekend! every year BYU Cancer Research Society holds the Rex Lee Run. All the proceeds go to research to find a cure for cancer. I got extra credit in physiology for doing the run, but I was planning on doing it anyway. Over the past few years it has become more and more clear to me how prevalent cancer is in our society and how it affects young and old. I was proud to run in honor of those who I know have fought cancer. It was also exciting because I PR'ed! I was hoping to do so and I was thrilled when I crossed the finish line!

i didn't take pictures at the race but my friend Emma did so
 i'll get them on here soon. this is the t shirt and bib!

every weekend i think i'm going to have tons of time to sit around, take a nap, and watch Gilmore Girls. and every weekend, i am dead wrong. but, it's ok. this weekend had a mixture of good and bad. [the bad was mostly the BYU vs. SDSU tournament game. i don't wanna talk about it.] good things included:

an epic winning game against UNM
lunch with one of my most favorite cousins
hanging out with Andrew, Nate, and Tessa Friday night
seeing Letters to Juliet (i actually truly loved this chick flick)
Rex Lee Run
Costa Viiiiida (i may or may not be addicted)
Spoon it Up
seeing Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs for the bajillionth time
laughing with Sam
baguette with nutella and laughing cow cheese
making new friends
cooking a home made meal
talking with Shalise

this is from Shalise's birthday breakfast, but i just want to say how
awesome she is and it is amazing how alike we think!
 i'm going to miss her while she is gone!

Monday's are such blah days especially when your roommate doesn't have school and gets to do fun things all day. how lame is that? oh well, i'll get over it.

my pyramid

eating healthy can seem like such a hassle. it's so easy to go the easy way- the microwave meals, canned soups, and freezer foods. it's so much faster to warm up some easy mac than to take some time to eat a salad or bake a potato. if you are used to eating these home "fast foods" then salads and potatoes don't even sound good. but, being healthy can be easy and fun! there are so many free resources you can use. one of my favorites is mypyramid.gov. the USDA developed the new My Pyramid a few years ago. It's purpose is to teach people about nutrition and food groups. Their website has tons of resources including dietary guidelines, personalized eating plans, how to plan a healthy menu, and weight loss information. so go ahead and check it out! the first step to healthy eating is to be educated about it. so, over the next few weeks i'm going to share some if my favorite healthy, nutritious, and delicious recipes. i hope you enjoy reading about them and maybe make some changes in your eating habits!

my first goal for the National Month of Nutrition has been decided.  starting tomorrow i will not be eating any sweets!this includes: brownies, homemade oreos, sweet muffins, cookies, cake, cheesecake, candy etc. i'm usually pretty good about not eating treats anyways, but sometimes i get in a funk and then i consume as much sugar as physically possible. lately, it's taken a lot of self control not to binge [why yes, i did just use that word]. each day i say "today i'm going to be healthy." but it's not working so i've just decided to quit cold turkey. for the month. i will, however, allow myself frozen yogurt and [my favorite] all natural licorice. everything else- taboo.  i am going to find something else to make me happy.

service.

running.

music.

singing.

dancing.

getting ready for africa.

blogging.

byu sports.

friends.

writing missionaries.

any other good ideas?

here's a challenge to all my blogging friends: make a goal for this month. one that will make you a healthier YOU. give up an unhealthy habit. take up a new form of exercise. get more sleep. or simply eat more veggies.  i'd love to hear about what you do to become healthier this month!

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month! 

So to celebrate and get started eating healthier [because who doesn't want to look good this summer] i'm going to do posts on nutrition, exercise, and health in general. i've already got a few in mind so get ready for it! if you have a particular subject you'd like to hear about send your thoughts my way!


ps. is it just me or does the rain have an effect of making a person very lackadaisical?  or maybe its just the migraine that made me want to sleep for 2 hours and miss my genetics review...

a crockpot celebration of post #200

i have had this beauty since my brother got married















(thank you adam for getting married and, in the process, obtaining new crock pots)

but i never used it. . . until tuesday.


here's what i stuck in it:
chicken tenders
carrots
potatoes
BBQ sauce
a smidgen of H2O


does it look delicious? it sure was delightful after a long day of snow, school and work.






ps happy 200th post to me!!!

my life be like...

about the lack of postage. . . let me explain

january has been crazy.

why?

tough classes- genetics, physiology, stats
a new calling in the relief society presidency
working out for rugby
trying to survive the winter months

oh yes and attempting at a social life

here is january so far in photos
sarah king left on her mission

i am addicted to soy milk

i'm fund raising for africa
(read about it here)
buy a headband!

i have two new roommates who are awesomespice
(yes i stole that from this blog)

i've been eating a lot of frozen yogurt


i luau-ed
lovin the suspenders

my life has been stressful and yesterday was super disappointing. but the outlook is good[ish] and i am positive [or trying to be]. hey, i'm just gonna fake it until i make it.





ps. remember my favorite missionary?
please pray for him. k thanks.

breakfast of champions

it's time for a little accountability

healthy food and exercise?

gross. please give me some moose tracks ice cream and a chick flick.

i decided that i need to be more healthy, but sometimes it's not fun. or is it? can healthy food be yummy? is exercising fun?

running is my exercise of choice. the hardest part is getting out the door. this week i went running with my roommate Amanda. EPIC. i really loved it! i forget how much i love running! i'm looking forward to future awesome runs with A Garlock. (i also pushed myself really hard in weight lifting and am sore, but stronger and more attractive.)

i am an ice cream addict. my roommate even cut out all the Sammy's coupons for me because she knows how much i love it. i think i need to go to ICAA (ice cream addicts anonymous). recently i discovered an amazing food that satisfies my ice cream craving while keeping me healthy- yogurt.
and last night i rode a razor scooter to my new favorite place- earthfruits yogurt. i could eat there every day! their yogurt is all fruit (even the chocolate) and they have tons of really healthy toppings- fruit, nuts, granola, kashi. ahhhh it's heaven. if one day i randomly disappear, you can probably find me at the corner of university and bulldog, eating some earthfruits yogurt.

i am a firm believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. (my family laughs because i never ate breakfast in high school.) breakfast needs to be balanced- fiber, dairy, and sugar- to give you energy throughout the day. cold cereal is good- but it's gotta be the good stuff (none of that sugary, cavity yielding junk- although i secretly love it). this fall, however, i'm digging parfait. yes- vanilla yogurt, your fruit of choice (whatever is in season or some frozen stuff!), and grape nuts (or granola). delightful! you feel energy throughout the morning, and you don't feel like you just ate a piece of chocolate cake for breakfast. waaaay better than those nasty weight loss drinks, because this is real food.

a strawberry parfait is my breakfast of the champions. what is yours?

did i mention? only 14 days! (i.e. 2 weeks)

Three Wishes

What would I wish for if a genie appeared out of my water bottle right now and granted me three wishes?
Wish #1: I wish I was an althete. I have always admired athletes. In high school though everyone does some sort of sport though. And the athletes who are put in the spotlight always seems to think that they are God's gift to the school. But here at college it's different. I mean if you are an athlete you are dedicated. You put so much effort and time, sweat and blood into your "game." There is so much I see in athletes that I think is good. Self- discipline. Strength. Endurance. Life lessons. If I could go back and change something, I would find a sport that I love and was willing to work for and really work for it. I did have one chance that I wasn't able to really follow, partly because I didn't have much support from family and partly because I didn't have the means to do so. There is also something about knowing that you have a habit of health that you will probably keep for the rest of your life, while you can also focus on school and a career you love. I wish I was a swimmer.
Wish #2: I wish I could heal the world. Everyone is like "oh I want world peace" and I'm sure most of them really do. But do they want to work for it? Give me the means (knowledge, money, influence) and I will go to Africa, Asia, Central and South America to help those who need the medical knowledge that we have. There are so many sick, hurting people who will never get the chance that they deserve at having a marvelous life! Why would we be so selfish to keep this all to ourselves?
Wish #3: I wish I had a boy. Yeah, yeah, pretty shallow I know. But trust me there are times in your life you just really need someone like that. I love my roommates and I would never undermine how much they help me, but I just need someone right now. I have always had a best guy friend, and right now I feel like I don't. It's hard. I'm not whining. I hate HATE people who complain, but I mean a girl can't hold it in forever. I just want to know if he likes me for more than just a friend! I love being friends with boys, but hey, I think I'm old enough to handle more than that. Ha ha this probably doesn't make much sense. Sorry. It's hard to get my thoughts out into words. Most girls probably know what I mean. Someone who is there all the time. The Best Friend. He makes you laugh. He is so much like you. It seems like he came into your life at the perfect time. Will he see me? Will he see what he means to me? Do I mean the same to him? Guess I'll just have to wait for this wish.
There is no genie. So I guess I'll have to keep pulling wish bones and straw wrappers, wishing on the first star, and wishing at 11:11.