Hi Friends! It’s been a few weeks since I’ve shared a WIAW post. In fact, I believe the last time I shared one it was before I had finished the Whole 30. (Check this post to learn more about my experience) Since finishing the 30 day program, I’ve kept my diet pretty much the same, plus a few treats here and there.
In Jan/February I spent a lot of time focusing on my diet, on feeding myself with the most nutritionally dense foods, learning how my body reacted to taking certain foods out of my diet and focusing on being in “reset mode.” It was the right choice to make with how I was feeling, and I enjoyed what and how I ate, but I’m trying to take more time to focus on other aspects of my health outside just food and nutrition. On the heals of my Whole 30, I’m trying harder to managing my stress. Sometimes focusing so intensely on one aspect of your health can actually create an imbalance mentally. The strictness of the Whole 30 was good in many aspects, but I also felt it starting to trigger food anxieties I’ve worked way too hard on, to have resurface and disrupt my happiness.
I know that mindless snacking isn’t good for me, but having a snack if I’m hungry in the afternoon shouldn’t make me feel guilty or like I did something wrong. An occasional treat after dinner won’t derail my progress in the long run. Eating a fresh baked roll of bread with olive oil if I’m going out to a nice restaurant shouldn’t make me feel anxious. I know that how I feel about food often is so closely intertwined with my mental health, even when I don’t consciously notice it. So instead of trying to “perfect” my diet, I’m really trying to tune into how I’m feeling and reduce my stress in order to feel my best. Usually when I feel good I eat good and when I eat good I feel good. I’d hate for stress to derail that cycle.
Breakfast
Smoothie made with: Kefir, raspberries, cherries, frozen banana, kale, vega one vanilla & topped with berries, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds and a ‘lil drizzle of almond butter
Made my coffee with breakfast, and finished it at my desk – if you’re willing to splurge a little on your beans I absolutely love coffees from Ethiopia – Whole Food’s has an excellent selection of single origin beans
Lunch
Before & After being topped with berries – Chia pudding in an empty almond butter jar – made with cocoa powder, coconut milk, chocolate protein powder, coconut shavings, topped with granola, pecans and strawberries
A ‘lil pile of coconut chips – guys I’m cuckoo for coconut… cannot get enough.
I had 2 nut butter dates and 2 almond joy balls – adapted from The Healthy Maven’s recipe
After work I tried a new spin studio with my ClassPass. I couldn’t NOT go to a class called: KANYE, BEYONCE, TAYLOR – when I got home I was a.) covered in sweat b.) ravenous & channeling my inner Ron Swanson: “When I eat it is the food that is scared” – I was so excited to dive face first in a pile of zoodles. Ever since trying them for the first time last week I’ve been obsessed.
Dinner
Zoodles, Avocado & Pepitas – Acorn Squash & Sweet Potato Tuna Pattie – so many yummy tastes and textures #happybowl
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Your Turn
- Have you ever focused too much on one aspect of your health (to the detriment of other aspects)?
- Kanye, Beyonce or Taylor?
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As always, thank you so much to Jenn of Peas & Crayons for hosting WIAW every week.
Taylor for SURE…And right now I am trying to not focus too much on the “food” part of my life and really work on nourishing, fueling, and ENJOYING food more as I go through half marathon training. Working in the fitness industry can be stressful “food wise”, so I am trying to just do what works for ME right now. Going to check out your chia pudding recipe! 🙂
I can only imagine that working in the fitness industry can overwhelming when it comes to balance/body image/confidence – I hope people look for an appreciation of the balance and mental health aspects of fitness when they reach out to professionals! Hope your training is going well <3
“Sometimes focusing so intensely on one aspect of your health can actually create an imbalance mentally.” <— YES! Something I still struggle with. My stomach is super sensitive but often times when I think about it too much I create "phantom pains." Relaxing and not always focusing on food has helped so much. AH I can't decide….leaning toward Beyonce but I love Taylor too.
It’s funny, sometimes when I travel and I’m not focusing on food (until it’s in front of me) I’m most at peace and feel my best even though the food isn’t “perfect” – Just goes to show that your brain is a crazy powerful thing. The playlist was so on point – made the class zip by!
I’m with you 100% – I think as advocates for health, we put too much focus on the food sometimes. But you’re right, I couldn’t agree more with listening to how we’re feeling overall. I take a much more relaxed approach to eating these days – sometimes it’s good to just enjoy eating food to nourish rather to feel guilty about eating or not eating something we think our bodies need.
PS….that coconut chia pudding + coconut chips…brb just licking the screen.
Oh, and Beyonce is queen…except I’m all about that Taylor Swift sass!
It’s so nice to hear that from you May! Guilt is such a sneaky unproductive emotion, which is totally perpetuated and manipulated by the diet industry – lamesauce
Our instructor nailed the Kanye/Bey/Swift ratio and picked all the right songs #flawless
Oh my — I love zoodles and love that you paired them with all my favorite foods! Speaking of favorite foods – those coconut bites look so good! I’ve never tried them but love coconut and chocolate as well (I’m a sucker for samoa anything). Thanks for sharing your WIAW – it’s always so fun to se what others eat and share my own (though this week was somewhat boring with me being sick).
Lately I cannot get enough coconut! Samoa is the Beyonce of girl scout cookies. Thank you so much for stopping by, can’t wait to check out your blog.
I have been seeing zoodles everywhere lately, and am now craving making some! Love the name #happybowl haha
Some (if not all) of my favorite foods come in bowls!
All your food looks so good and so healthy! Thanks for sharing what you do in your smoothies…I’m always looking for something new!
Thanks Marissa – smoothies are my favorite (especially when they’re thick enough to eat with a spoon) – Can’t wait to check out your blog <3
love ur last what i ate wens post. i found myself wanting to know more about ur journey. i too lead an intuition led diet of what works. and have had to let go of this ideal i hold myself too. im gluten intolerant so that is tough but i was also trying raw vegan, then vegan, now pregnant im just like i need to eat real food and cheat a little. i also agree w ur philosophy on snacking. anyway i wanted u to know i totally identified w ur post and cant wait to read more! xoxo (not in a creepy way) trish
Thank you so much Trish! So glad you could relate – so many magazines and websites preach an all or nothing mentality or focus too heavily on diet and exercise and forget to talk about how important sleep, stress management and just living a little is! Whenever I notice myself making too many food “rules” I try to break them
I need that smoothie in my life!!! I have all of the ingredients and will definitely be making it ASAP.
Yes, I have had stretches of time where I emphasized exercise way too much (over training, working out at the expense of sleep…I cringe thinking of those times now), and times where I overanalyzed my diet too much. For me, finding a good balance has meant taking it day by day and remembering my life doesn’t revolve around diet and exercise – but is enhanced by them.
Such a great way to put it – I also find it helpful to spend time with people who aren’t as closely tied with diet and fitness – I love being able to go for walks with my sister and talk about meaningful topics not whether I had enough protein at lunch. Thanks for stopping by <3
Definitely NOT Kanye…I’d have to go with Taylor. And I love that Ron Swanson quote– it makes me laugh every time!
Smoothies with Kefir are the best!! Do you make your own?? I was obsessed with doing it at home with dairy, but then I finally got really lazy… Must start making it myself again! Damn you, laziness 🙂
I’ve never tried making my own, but that sounds like a great foodie adventure. I do love a good foodie DIY.