3-Day Smoothie Challenge

So I have decided that I am going to do my own challenge.  3 days of smoothies.  If I can go 3, why not 7?  They say that the first 3 days are the hardest, so if I can make it through the 3, I am going to go for 7.  I will be sure to keep everyone posted on my progress!

I have been fighting inner demons again lately...seems to be something I am incapable of fighting on my own.  Fitness and healthy eating are the key...and that is part of the reason I am going to do this 3 day challenge.  I need to know that I can do it...it is more mental than physical, I think.

 I have two real passions in life: fitness/health, and photography. I am going to school for photography, and plan to pursue a career in the field once I graduate.  I am not a people person, really, so I prefer to shoot nature and landscapes. Or food. :)  I love shooting food.  #TeamEatFoodGetFit was started because I know that people don't need to DIET, they just need to eat real food. REAL food is the key to maintaining as well as losing weight. But I am getting off topic.... :)

                                     Silver Lake,  © Kristy Olney, all rights reserved

                              Pint-Sized Buddy,  © Kristy Olney, all rights reserved

School, a full-time job where I weekly bring in over 40 hours can be mentally draining.  Fitness and photography have been my rock...even when I haven't worked out (being too depressed, which I know is a catch-22) I have stayed plugged in with my world-wide Fitstar friends. Being a part of something that spans the globe and brings so many people from so many different lifestyles and cultures together is very humbling. I am beyond grateful for them. :)

Has anyone else done a smoothie detox or short-term diet?                          I am curious to hear about what others have done, and what has worked for them.  I will be using leafy greens from my garden, as well as some store-bought stuff I have in the fridge right now.  I am also going to use flax seeds. It should be interesting.

Again, I will keep everyone updated on my progress.  I will post again after day 3. :)

Wilson and Leo, © Kristy Olney, all rights reserved

Chicken Cabbage Stew!!!! :)

 People wanted to know how many calories are in this dish.  About 180. =) I personally don't count calories, so that info is only there for those who want to know. =)
You will need:

• 2 five-piece packs of chicken thighs (organic)
• 4 large stalks of celery (organic)
• 4 large carrots (organic)
• 1/2 head of cabbage (organic)
• 4" stick of fresh rosemary (or to taste) organic
• 5 large leaves of fresh sage (or to taste) organic
• fresh parsley (to taste) organic
• Crock-Pot, or other cooking mechanism (not organic haha)
• 4-5 cloves fresh garlic (organic, and these were store-bought)

Start by:

Chop the celery and carrots into large pieces. Or smaller if you like. :)  We like a chunky stew.  Place the chicken in the pot along with the vegetables. We leave the bones in. Sounds crazy I am sure, but that is how we do it.  I think it contributes to the flavor of the broth. 

Pour in enough water to thoroughly cover the meat and veggies. Cook for three hours. 

Three hours later, chop your cabbage and throw it in there. Or place it in there...it's entirely up to you. :) You will also be throwing in your herbs at this time.  Matthew planted herbs and vegetables this year, so all the herbs used in this recipe came from our garden.  The other ingredients didn't, however they are all organic.  If you can't buy organic, don't beat yourself up!  If you are just starting to eat healthy, do the best you can, and be proud that you have come this far! We all start somewhere, and heck, I'm just starting over. :)

About three hours later was when we ate, for an approximate total of 6 hours cooking time. I seasoned my bowl with salt and pepper. =)

I didn't suspect I'd be that good at typing up recipes.  And I wish I had been able to photograph my dearly beloved prepping this and throwing it together.  Next time I will be sure to get step-by-step photos.  This wasn't bad for a first time, writing up a recipe, if I do say so myself. :)

Until next time, love yourself, because I love you too. XOXO

Slacker.....

So, I began "slipping" so to speak. So strange, because I began seeing results, and immediately self-sabotaged...that is old behavior, and definitely not acceptable. I can however, treat it as an experiment and present my findings. :-)

It began with my diet. 

After two years eating gluten free, we decided to have pizza. Then, we tried fast food. Then we had pizza again. Before I knew it, at least once a week we were eating junk. :-( My face began breaking out like it used to, and I began feeling like CRAP. 

Progressed into my work out regimen. 

It got to where I couldn't get up to work out in the morning. At first I thought I was just being lazy, but I could barely get up to go to work, let alone work out. I was so tired during the day! Oh my goodness. Exhausted. I thought my thyroid levels were off (I am hypothyroid).

Went and got my blood work done, and what do you know, my thyroid levels are perfect. So....

That led me back to the beginning with my diet.  Putting two and two together, I was able to determine that this was of my own making, and that I would have to start over. 

Paleo YAY!!!

So,why not go all out? Seriously, why not? No more grains, potatoes, ice cream, processed food. None. Today is day two, and I already feel better.

Hubby made an organic, Paleo chicken cabbage stew for dinner. It is one of my favorite dishes EVER. I'm going to post the recipe later. :) 

Don't worry.  This setback has simply prepared me for a COMEBACK! And comeback I will. :)

Until next time, love yourself, because I love you too. XOXO