They were right-eating right and exercise is key

On Saturdays around lunch time I go to my favourite gym exercise class, it's a bootcamp where we do lots of tabata work with cardio and weights. That 1 hour class is a killer where I constantly give myself pep-talks along the lines of it's only an hour, you can do this for an hour, and you'll feel so good after this class is done, now keep moving. 

The instructor is this really really fit women whose life is about fitness and wellbeing. When I say fit I mean she has muscles that I didn't even know existed. She's great and I may have a little crush on her. 

She also says the best things at the right time, like when I was doing jump squats and she looked right at me and said 5 little words that meant so much to me those are great jump squats. I needed that little push because this class was kicking my tush. 

It feels really good to be pushing it really hard during my workouts. With the whole30 challenge and working hard at every class I'm really happy with my progress. 

Whole30 was great. Having my bestie Karen doing it along with me helped me so much to stay on the wagon. By help I mean make muffins and granola bars for each other to snack on. 

April 30th 2014-June 1st, 2014

April 30th, 2014-June 1st, 2014

I didn't lose any weight during this whole30 challenge but I did lose 3cm from my waist and 3.5 from hips. 

What's next now the "challenge" is over? Nothing. I plan on sticking to this type of eating. More whole foods, processed is out. Foods with ingredients I can pronounce is the main thing I focus on. Fresh foods. Not looking back now. 

Food blogger over here.

I had a really great-ish weekend. Summer like weather finally showed up so I wore some summer dresses and hosted a little BBQ with Alex with some friends too. Yummy burgers on the grill, cards against humanity, just really nice.

I also made lots of paleo friendly food, and didn't tell anyone *hehehe*

Lettece wrapped burgers, lots of veggies and Chocolate chip cook dough brownie for dessert. Oh yes, it was that good. 

I do admit I'm not the best baker..yet. These fell apart as soon as a finger touched them which made me so annoyed. Just gotta make them again right?!

Raw, No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie

Ingredients

Brownie:

• ⅓ cup raw pecans
• ½ cup almond flour
• 4 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 5 pitted medjool dates
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Cookie Dough:

• 6 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk, full fat
• 1½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1½ cups almond flour
• ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Brownie:

1. using a food processor or a blender grind the pecans into course meal and place it in medium bowl
2. remove pits from dates and process it into a creamy paste
3. using your hands, mix together the pecan meal with the almond flour, cacao powder, date paste, vanilla extract and coconut oil until all ingredients are combined
4. line a 7×5-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spread the mixture until evenly distributed

Cookie Dough:

1. in a large bowl, whisk together the coconut oil, coconut milk, vanilla extract and honey
2. add almond flour and mix just until all ingredients are combined. Do not over mix
3. gently fold in chocolate chips
4. spread the cookie dough mixture on top of the brownie and use a piece of parchment paper to smooth the top of the cookie dough
5. refrigerate until dough is firm, approximately one hour

Recipe serves 10+ people. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

~

Happy baking. How is it the end of may already? 

The down side of weight loss

It's no secret that in the past few months I've really gotten serious about my weight and what I'm doing to my body by feeding it poor food. I actually love going to my gym classes at 6:30am before the day begins and eating paleo. Both have done amazing things for my body and mind.

 I don't eat "special" or "always workout" because I want attention, I eat well and workout because it's a healthy activity to do, helps us live longer and makes me feel all good and happy after a good burn, blah blah blah. I think thats normal. 

What really bums me out is the comments/questions people actually say or ask me about my weight and clean eating.

I'll gladly explain what paleo stands for and what I do at the gym. If you're curious about why I do or don't do something, I'll happily chat away, but I never shove my feelings down your throat. This is something I'm passionate about and I want to share with everyone. 

Lately though I've been people are getting bold with the types of questions they ask me and their comments are the same. So, let's use our filter and not be like my examples below and make someone feel like they're only looked at for their weight. 

"You know Sarah, I didn't think I'd ever see the day you would became skinny."-My Gramma

 "so what size (jeans) are you now?"-co worker. 

As I'm exiting the bathroom, ready to go home from work.

"You're way to skinny"-Hairdresser. 

Ya. 

Would we ever say to an overly obese person that they're too big now. Or ask them what size they wear after noticing said person has gained some pounds? No way we wouldn't. The same should go for the person who takes care of their body. I'm at the healthy weight for my BMI, and actually shouldn't be losing much more, and I eat well.

I've realized as the song goes, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. *excuse my french*

Feelings on Breakfast and a recipe

Breakfast is hands down my favourite meal of the day. Nothing gets me more excited than sipping coffee (or chugging in Alex's eye's) and reading the paper in the morning while Breakfast Television is on in the background. 

So imagine my excitement when I made Stuffed Breakfast peppers for breaky yesterday. Amazingly yummy and even more amazingly healthy. You bet I sent a picture to my best friend as we're both always looking new recipes to try out on our whole30 challenge in may. 

Stuffed Breakfast Peppers

1 pepper

2 eggs

mushrooms (handful)

salt and pepper

cumin

hot pepper flakes

Cut open pepper, add all ingredients in bowl and mix. Add into peppers and bake at 375 for 35 minutes.  

Paleo 101

I've been getting lots of questions about my paleo experience, why I eat like this and what I eat. So here it is. 

~

There are many different definitions of paleo out there. I go by this one and this one.   

I started eating paleo in December of 2013 because I was down to my goal weight but wasn't feeling "good." I was waking up with a flat tummy in the morning and by the end of the day-was bloated, felt stuffed and big and I didn't like that. As well, am I concerned that because cancer is now in my family history, I need to be careful and aware of that. Around this time I started hearing about paleo along with the benefits and how I was harming my body. 

I really started eating paleo because I try and eat non-processed food like the obvious chips, cookies, package factory foods and was shocked to become aware that bread and milk is processed. I can go on and on about how milk is processed but I'll let you read it here .

 I did 14 days of paleo eating (with Whole30) and lost 3.2 pounds and 6 inches in my first week. Then Christmas hit and I sorta followed paleo that month. 

Now, my paleo eating is great throughout the week and I allow myself one meal, usually on the weekend of non-paleo foods. Pizza, fries etc. Some will say not to allow "cheat" meals as it causes your body to keep craving those foods and you will never truly stop craving them and others will say do it as it gives your body a taste of what bad food does to us. Believe me-when I eat non-paleo foods the next day I feel sick, tired and really really bloated. This only makes me realize how harmful foods can be to our bodies and insures I get back on the good eating wagon. 

What do I eat on a typical day?

A typical day for me is waking up at 5:45am to work out and then placement and off to work in the evening. 

On the bus-banana

After working out- a hardboiled egg and a handful of nuts and black coffee

Lunch-usually sweet potato, a vegetable and some fruit

Before work-glass of almond milk or Larabar

Dinner-two veggies and a protein ---easy!

If I'm waking up at a normal time I usually just have an egg and banana for breakfast. 

What are my favourite snacks?

I've learned the hard way that on you need to carry good foods with you or have them on hand. I can't tell you how many times I haven't been prepared and found myself eating some alphabets cereal. 

My favourite snacks are nuts, Larabars (especially the apple one) since they are totally natural. I just read the back of one of them- ingredients are dates, raisins, walnuts/almonds and dried apples.  

How do you eat out?

Easy-when I'm on a date night and want to eat paleo, my go to place is Chipotle. Just get the salad. Add in any meat they have, some salsa, guacamole, and veggies. No beans or dressing. It's amazing. 

This sounds hard. It must be?

Nope, eating like this is so simple. I thought dinner would be hard but instead of the typical protein, veggie, starch; now it's protein, veggie, veggie. So easy. 

The only thing I found hard was the first week. Its tough, I'll be honest. You crave everything and get moody. Some get headaches but it goes away. Its your body detoxing and not used to eating this way. Just keep with it and it gets better. 

What are your go-to recipes?

I like recipes that are easy to make, not a lot of ingredients or time in the kitchen. 

For breakfast when I don't want an egg, I'll have already made some paleo cereal. Add in some almond milk and it's 100% like cereal.  

For lunch, I love a big salad but this is an easy meal to make the night before and heat up the next day. 

Skinny Orange Chicken. 

Dinner-really is the easiest. Protein, veggie, veggie-for me. Sometimes when I want something "carby" I'll add in a sweet potato. 

This is easy too and doesn't take long. some ground beef, onions, mushrooms, in a bell pepper. 

My tips to you

-Planning is your friend. Do weekly grocery shopping based off what you'll eat that week. 

-Use google-I used to run to google when I had question. Just a simple search can clear anything up.

-Pinterest has thousands of meals. I have hundreds (follow: lifeofsarahh)

-Keep snacks handy so you're not tempted. 

-Do the whole30 challenge. See how foods really do affect us. You can do anything for 30 days. 

Don't worry about what people say. My Gramma thought I was starving myself and got very offended when I told her why I'm doing it. Now she is very interested in paleo. There ya go. 

It ain't easy

This past weekend I went to a surprise party Karen's mom. Tons of fun and a great time to catch up with lots of people I have't seen in a while. 

During the afternoon, I had about 6 different people come up to me and comment about how good I look/ or were astounded with my weight loss and wanted to know what I've been doing. 

So I say 'well, I eat paleo about 80% of the time (as I was eating cake) and I've found some really challenging but fun classes at the ymca. ...mostly bootcamp and weight lifting." 

I guess some people think I woke up 39 pounds lighter and 10 sizes smaller because during these talks on saturday mostly everyone said something along the lines of how hard working out is, or that they hate veggies or don't have time to join a gym. 

Yes, working out is hard. It's not supposed to be easy. I hate veggies too but I know they're good for my body and health so I eat them. And you don't need a gym- I lost most of my weight by eating smaller portions and running a few times of week. 

It takes work, folks. Losing weight and changing bad habits is not easy. (Or else everyone would do it)  Cutting grains from my diet was tough but after a few weeks my body didn't crave them anymore. Working out is not easy, my saturday bootcamp class is a killer but it's changed my body so I keep going back. 

I feel I'm being a tad harsh but it's in a loving way. 

If you want something bad enough, go get it. 

Eat better. Go exercise. Better yet-aim to walk 10,000 steps a day. Drink more water. Make one change a week and do that thing for 7 days. Then add in a new thing. 

It's hard at first but then it becomes your lifestyle. I used to dread hitting the gym but now I'm there at least 4-5x a week because it keeps the stress down and it's just part of my weekly schedule. 

~

As much as I feel I'm touting my own horn- I'm not. I eat junk food, I like cake for birthdays and have days where my makeup looks good and I really don't want to mess it up by sweating. I struggle too. 

But I treat myself. I allow myself a treat meal every few days and next weekend I'll probably have a green beer for st. paddy's day. 

My excitement about granola

Since adapting Paleo eating, the #1 thing I've really missed is granola. I used to love putting some on top of yogurt or just eat alone so when I learned regular granola is a no-no, you sure bet I missed it. 

But...yes it gets better. I can across this recipe last week and got a lump in my throat. Well maybe not like that but I sure was happy and excited to make some granola. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole or halved nuts of choice (I used walnuts and almonds)
• 1 cup slivered or sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup seeds of choice (I used sunflower)
• 1/2 cup almond meal
• 1/2 shredded coconut
• 1 handful cranberries
• 1-2 bananas
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tsp coconut oil
• 2 heaping tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. In a food processor (or blender), pulse the whole or halved nuts until they’re partially ground and partially still in small chunks.
3. Pour the nuts into a large mixing bowl, then stir in the slivered almonds, seeds, almond meal, coconut and cranberries.
4. Place the bananas, egg, vanilla, coconut oil, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt into the food processor and process for about 10-15 seconds until all the ingredients are puréed.
5. Pour the banana mixture into the dry mixture and stir until well coated.
6. Pour the nut mixture onto a parchment paper–lined baking sheet.
7. Bake in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes, checking every 10 minutes and turning the chunks of granola with a large spoon to break up the very large pieces.
8. Remove from the oven and let cool, uncovered.
9. Store in the refrigerator.

I added a few handfuls to some almond milk for breakfast this weekend and 100% satisfied my craving for cereal-y foods. Perfect. 

Dinner tonight

It's starting (dare I say...) warming up a bit around here. I *hope* spring is on it's way sooner than later. This winter is one that'll go down in the books, ice storms and power failures for hours. 

During our Monday evening ritual, (dinner and watching the bachelor)  Alex and I made this stuffed pepper for dinner. It was really tasty and best of all, so easy to make. My kind of dinner. 

Just need a whole pepper, cut the top off and clean insides

cut up some garlic/onion and mushroom, saute for a few minutes and stuff in the peppers. 

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes and you've got a great yummy dinner just in time for Juan. 

New Year resolution so far.

We're 4 weeks into the New Year, that's all? Feels longer. 

Anyways, 4 weeks into 2014 and hows your New Years resolutions going? Mine for 2014 wasn't anything specific but along the lines of keep eating paleo 80% of the time and working out 4-5x a week. 

Oh, hi muscles. 

Aside from a little back injury (was doing a HIIT workout earlier this week and pulled a muscle doing a front squat) and not able to go to the gym, I'm doing well. Upping my weight during bodypump and loving bootcamp, so much

Eating paleo is amazingly yummy and makes me feel awesome! My Gramma even texted me this weekend asking about Paleo and if I could share some info about it. I love her and she and my Grandpa need to change their diet. Your only veggie for the day can't be iceberg lettuce.

 This. Flavour country. This filled me up for a good 3ish hours. Avocado, egg and bacon. Bake at 185 till egg is at your liking.

Can't contain my excitement for my new heart rate monitor. I neeed something to track my calorie burn at the gym.

As much as I love paleo, I do eat cake and pizza (just not at the same time). Remember, I do have a boyfriend who is not paleo (does enjoy it) and loves his carbs. Everything in moderation and treating myself on the weekend seems to be keeping me on track. No harm. 

Skinny Orange Chicken

Instead of spending moola on eating out all the time (like we used to) mine and Alex's new thing is cooking dinner together.  A Paleo dinner together---he's so good to me.

I don't like the recipes that take hours to make or use thousands of ingredients that I usually can't fine in the grocery stores so when I came across this (simple) Orange Chicken dinner, I knew it would become a favourite. 

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• ½ cup chicken stock
• ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• ¼ cup coconut aminos
• 1½ teaspoons Sriracha sauce
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish, optional
• Broccoli recipe

Instructions

1. Melt coconut oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Add in chicken pieces and cook until cooked through and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. While chicken is cooking, stir together chicken stock, honey or maple syrup, garlic, orange zest, orange juice, coconut aminos, Sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes. Pour into heated skillet once chicken has been removed and reduce to low heat. Cook, stirring often, until sauce has been reduced and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and pour over chicken.
3. To serve, spoon chicken over a bed of broccoli and then spoon on additional sauce. Top with sesame seeds, if desired.

Thanks to Add a Pinch. 

See ya, 2013.

End of the year post and reviews are my favourite posts to read. They never get old and I lurve looking back on everyone's year and remembering when such and such happened. 

For me and my family, 2013 was much better than 2012. I hope it continues that way. 

In January, my mom started radiation for her breast cancer. We were glad Chemo was over but nervous what radiation would do. Alex and I celebrated 6 months of dating. It's amazing-we thought we had our relationship at that time down pat, and really knew each other---growing is good. 

February, with it being cold was tough. This is when my Grandpa Hannon's health went down hill. Just couldn't kick a bacterial infection and he was in and out of the hospital for a good 3 months. Add in thinking he was going to go, the second month of 2013 wasn't good to us.  I also ran my 2nd half marathon in 2:07! 

In March, I turned 21 which felt great. And the weather turned nice--finally! I hit another running rut (again) (they happen) 

April was amazing--month of vacations  Karen and I went to Punta Cana for a week and Alex and I went away to Niagara Falls on our first trip away together. And I finished my 2nd year of school. 2 down 2 together. 

The year of weddings started in May, my brother childhood best friend and his girlfriend of 6 years got married. That was sweet. After looking at vacation pictures I got depressed with how I let my body and weight get.  I also got into golf during May---thanks to Alex. 

In June-we thought we were going to lose Grandpa Hannon. I was called home from school to say my good bye's, thankfully he made it and hasn't been in the hospital since. In the middle of the month, cancer had been around for a year. To make June happier, I did Colour Me Rad run (everyone should do it!) 

Best part of July was celebrating 1 year with Alex! 

August taught me life lessons about true friendships. I realized who was true and who is fake around me and people who bring toxins into my life. 

Summer was over and 3rd year started in September. It was also the time I shared my own fears about my mom heading back to work and the cancer.  Best part-Karen got engaged! 

October was a fun month, pumpkin patches and a 1:57 half marathon and joining the YMCA.

November was stressful! School was no joke and I felt that I had way to much on my hands/on the go. 

Lastly, December brought food changes as I joined the Paleo diet and started cooking more healthy meals.

I can't wait for 2014. So excited for things that are coming up and things we don't know about at this moment. 

Coconut Macaroon with Raspberry Chia seed jam {cookies}

I have the yummiest {healthiest} cookie recipe for you to bake. Mmm I want some now.

Before I start, I need some prayers and positive thinking. Alex is applying for a job within this field and this would be the start of an amazing opportunity for him and us. It's a step up and a much deserved promotion. 

Okay, the recipe. I made these paleo cookies for Alex's family last weekend when we met for Christmas, they were gone fast and they didn't know the cookies were paleo! Score. 

Coconut Macaroon's with Raspberry Chia seed jam

Yield: 10 macaroons

For the macaroons:

1.5 cups unsweetened flaked coconut

1 cup almond flour (or almond meal)

scant 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 cup coconut butter, softened (no subs- this binds the cookies together)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the chia seed jam (makes about 1 cup)

3 cups frozen raspberries

1/4 cup pure maple syrup, or to taste

2 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. For the chia seed jam: Add frozen raspberries and maple syrup into a medium pot and bring to a simmer. After 5 minutes or so, stir in the chia seeds. Continue to cook down the mixture for about 15 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Chill in the fridge for a couple hours to thicken it up even more.

2. Preheat oven to 275F and line a baking sheet with a non-stick mat or parchment paper. If you have a non-stick mat, use it because it will help prevent browning on the bottom.

3. In a large bowl, combine the coconut, almond flour (or meal), and salt.

4. Melt the coconut butter over a very low heat. I suggest using a double boiler so it doesn’t burn.

5. Add the maple syrup, softened coconut butter, and vanilla into the dry mixture and stir very well until combined. The dough will be very wet and sticky, but this is normal.

6. Grab a couple tablespoons of dough at a time with your hands and drop it onto the baking sheet. With a wet finger, press a well into the middle and lightly shape the outsides if necessary. Repeat for the rest. Fill each well with jam. The macaroons don’t spread out so there’s no need to space them far apart.

7. Bake at 275F for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 10-20 minutes (I baked for 40 mins. total – but you may need less depending on your oven) until the bottoms are lightly golden and browned, but not burned. If you have a hot oven, I suggest watching it closely or even reducing the heat to 250F. Place pan on a cooling rack for 5-10 minutes and then transfer each macaroon onto the cooling rack until completely cool. The macaroons will be very soft at first, but will firm as they cool. I enjoy them the most chilled, straight from the fridge.

http://ohsheglows.com/2013/03/25/coconut-macaroon-thumbprints-with-raspberry-chia-seed-jam-vegan-gf/

And for your viewing pleasure...taken from Monday's Christmas party