My Daily Fitness Journal – Day 1
By Jennifer Gendron, PTS/FIS
Well here we go with Day 1! One of the the most challenging things about healthy eating in our house is working around a very busy schedule! When I am lucky enough to have a Sunday afternoon at home (which I was yesterday!), I try to do some cooking so I have some things ready to go. I always try to make a big pot of quinoa with a variety of different things to have ready for easy breakfast throughout the week. This week, I decided to try the following yummy recipe from Jason’s Functional Fitness Studio:
Serves: 41 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
½ teaspoon apple pie spice
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 medium apples, shredded
100% pure maple syrup, optional topping*
1.Bring quinoa, almond milk, and applesauce to a boil in medium pot.
2.Reduce to simmer and continue to cook for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
3.Stir in apple pie spice, vanilla and salt.
4.Pour into bowls and top with shredded apples and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
I also like to make a good batch of soup when I can and often cook a roast, chicken or ham for Sunday supper so I can whip up a batch of soup to make quick lunches throughout the week. Some of my favorite additions to my soups are these great varieties from Blue Menu. The combination of barley, lentils and other grains make for a hearty soup to enjoy on chilly days! For some great healthy recipes, I love to pull out my “Eat-Clean” books by Tosca Reno. I highly recommend both of these great books for tips on healthy eating and super foods. I use them to help me prepare my grocery lists and prepare healthy meals although I have to admit, I often stray from recipes and throw in some of my own flair!
The last job of the evening is always making lunches and one of the bonuses with this week being March break means only one lunch to make – mine! Here’s today’s line up: a delicious spinach salad with chicken, egg and goat cheese with a variety of veggies and then some fruit, veggies and nuts/seeds to round out a healthy lunch!
Workouts today were made easy for me since I got to teach two classes! I love the days when I am lucky enough to have some exercise scheduled in to my day but unfortunately, that is not as often as I would like it to be these days as administrative duties take over more of my days. But my number one true love in the gym is still teaching classes! Watching the accomplishments of class participants and feeling the motivation that comes from classes is so rewarding. If you have not already tried group fitness, I highly recommend you get in to a class and give it a try! By taking part in classes, the guidance and motivation you receive will push you just that much harder than you might push yourself in your own workout. For me today, the day started off with a Cycle & Tone with eight awesome ladies and will end with filling in for Tammie’s evening Body Sculpt tonight. A great pairing!
Supper was prepared by my hubby tonight which is always a nice treat and was delicious baked salmon, steamed veggies and a delicious grain mix from Costco that is a great substitute for rice.
So far, Day 1 of clean eating has been a big success! Now to work on my next goal – increasing the number of hours of sleep I get – will see how that one goes . . . .