If you read my last post then you already know that three weeks ago, I committed to a 21 Day Accountability group in an attempt to get motivated and back on track with my health and fitness. What I didn’t … Continue reading
There are two words we all hate to utter… “Pinterest Fail.” I’m sure you’ve been there. You found something online, followed the directions exactly and somehow ended up with a disappointing finished product. So now you have a clear picture of how I spent my Friday afternoon. I finally got around to making, what looked like, some really yummy muffins that I’d saved a few weeks back. While they were quite pretty when they came out of the oven, they were really heavy and rather bland.
I see what they were going for with the recipe. It seems that they wanted to keep the recipe relatively healthy and without added sugar. The intention was good. The muffin was not. And so, I tried a couple more batches with some of my own tweaks. I increased the amount of banana and decreased the amount of oats. I soaked the oats for an extended period of time to soften them a bit. Their texture was off before. I also mixed the “topping” from the recipe into the entire muffin for flavor. I tried some dairy-free replacements too! Ultimately, I ended the evening with some solid Banana Oat Muffins that are still healthy, but far more enjoyable. If you have time, they go great with a quiet house and a cup of coffee. More realistically, they’re a great on-the-go snack for you and your family!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Serves 12
Ingredients
3 bananas
2 eggs
⅓ cup maple syrup
¼ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 cup Greek yogurt (I tried substituting Silk’s almond yogurt for my lactose intolerant husband. It worked like a charm!)
1 1/2 cups oats
1 cup whole milk (I also used Lactaid milk.)
Optional but recommended: Dried cranberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, or nuts
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350˚
2. Combine oats and milk in bowl and set aside
3. In a medium bowl, mash bananas. Mix eggs, maple syrup, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and Greek yogurt
3. Stir oat/milk mixture in with other ingredients. Let stand for a five minutes.
4. Fold optional ingredient of your choice to mixture.
5. Line muffin tins with muffin liners. Pour the mixture into each muffin cup about ¾ full.
6. Bake for 40 minutes.
7. Let cool for 5 minutes before eating.
Let me know how you like them!
(Here is the original recipe I’d found.)
I know I’m not alone when I say that finding a delicious meal that is actually easy is like hitting the jackpot. I found this recipe on Pinterest and tried it for dinner this week. It was incredibly easy and … Continue reading
Baby B is one lucky little boy. We kicked off the celebration of his pending arrival with our first of three baby showers. Sunday’s shower was thrown by my aunts and mom, at my parents’ new house. I first have … Continue reading
It’s been just over 4 months since my last “work out.” The last time I went for a run was during my first couple of weeks of pregnancy. I got extremely sick afterwards, having no idea what my body was up to. Don’t get me wrong, my husband and I go on hikes through our property every week but I haven’t worked up a real sweat in far too long.
Finally feeling more like my old self these days, I was ready to get back on the horse. This morning I made it outside for a good run (okay, the dog would tell you it as a light jog) and finished up with some weights. It was after all of this that I was reminded of some very good and very bad news about your first workout back. As it turns out, it’s one piece of news that swings both ways.
Your first workout is always the hardest. We’ve all been there. It takes everything in you to get into those workout clothes and even more out of you to actually get out there and do it. You feel like total garbage during and after your workout. That’s the bad news. The good news is that it can only get better and easier from there. That first hurdle is the worst. Before you know it, the motivation seems to come easier and your body grows stronger and more capable.
And so, let this post serve as a reminder that the first day is a tough one, but you are tougher! Once you get back on the horse, the rest of the ride will get easier, I promise.
At Snickled Pink, you ask and I deliver. Over the past couple of days, I’ve had quite a few people reach out with questions about what this “Whole30” mumbo jumbo is all about. In all honesty, this is my first time going through the program, so I am still learning. I’ve done a good deal of reading however, and with just 2 days under my belt, already have some insight to share.
The Whole30 program is based on an idea similar to “you are what you eat.” If you remember back to my post about fueling your machine, I spoke about this a bit there. Created in 2009, the Whole30 program operates around the idea that certain food groups may be adversely effecting our bodies and minds. There are a wide range of symptoms to consider, including poor energy levels, skin or digestive issues, body pain, etc. The list goes on. If in fact one of these symptoms is a result of diet, then the only way to truly find out is to eliminate certain foods and see if a difference is noticed. When you commit to the Whole30, you are committing to 30 days of focusing on real food and removing those that are potentially harmful.
Here are the DO NOT rules:
Do not consume added sugar of any kind, real or artificial.
Do not consume alcohol in any form, not even for cooking.
Do not eat grains.
Do not eat legumes.
Do not eat dairy.
Do not consume carrageenan, MSG or sulfites.
Do not try to re-create baked goods, junk foods, or treats* with “approved” ingredients.
Day 2, I walked in to work and the first thing that I said to my coworker was, “This Whole30 thing is really hard.” Truth be told, I didn’t think it was going to be. I cook a lot at home and feel like my meals are generally pretty healthy. When I went to prepare food for day 1, looking through our pantry and refrigerator, I realized that a lot of what we eat is not on the approved list. Pasta sauce has added sugar. So does almond milk. Nearly everything does. Cheese is a staple in our house and that’s now out. I absolutely love salad, so I figured I could just eat those. Well, if you want dressing, you’re going to have to make it because there is sugar in it otherwise. I’ve now been to the grocery store 5 times in 2 days. I’ve spent, what feels like, more money than I usually do and am doing way more work!
If it sounds like I’m whining, I am. Well, I’m not anymore, but this was basically what I described that morning at the office. Then I began writing this post and read something on the Whole30’s website that I’d like to share with you, because it’s so true: “It is not hard. Don’t you dare tell us this is hard. Beating cancer is hard. Birthing a baby is hard. Losing a parent is hard. Drinking your coffee black. Is. Not. Hard. You’ve done harder things than this, and you have no excuse not to complete the program as written. It’s only thirty days, and it’s for the most important health cause on earth – the only physical body you will ever have in this lifetime.”
It was at this point that my post originally concluded. I would, however, like to share with you an anecdote that occurred between writing and editing. I planned a Whole30 taco dinner for my husband and I to enjoy last night. I had to run out on my lunch break to get the appropriate seasoning packet and a different store on my way home from work for another ingredient. After getting out of work late, I got home and began preparing dinner. I was beyond hungry. An hour later, I took the beef out of the oven and set it on the counter. Now, when I say “counter,” I need you to imagine a counter covered in boxes and giant tubes of construction glue. (We’re still unpacking and getting settled in our new house.) It was a balancing act to say the least. Just as I went to plate our meal, the bowl of beef went crashing to the ground. Glass was everywhere. All I could do was stand in silence staring at my meat on the ground, as my husband came running from upstairs. Thinking about all of the planning, and trips to the store, and time spent preparing, I nearly melted down. After a visit to the fridge and some not-so-careful consideration, we were off to our local Mexican restaurant.
And so, today is my second Day 2 of the Whole30 this year. I told you that I would be 100% honest with you form the beginning and so here is my not-so-pretty truth. I worked my butt off, struggled, and failed. These things happen. The only thing that we can do is pick ourselves back up and try again. I’m proud to say that I have. I hope that you find success in your eating, be it through the Whole30 or something else. I know with great certainty that you can do it.
For more information, visit http://www.thewhole30.com.
This year, my husband and I hosted our first Thanksgiving dinner. Growing up watching my mom host amazing gatherings with fabulous food, I found myself trying to create a unique menu that would stand out from the rest. I experimented with recipes from Pinterest, weeded out the failures, and ended up with a few really yummy dishes. Some of them were so yummy, in fact, that they’ve been requested as my contribution to our Christmas family potluck!
Whether you’re looking for a stand-out appetizer, side dish, or dessert, I’ve got a fantastic recipe for you. I’ve made each of these dishes more than once and have had success each time. Trust me, your friends and family will gobble these up and you’ll have a new, festive recipe to add to your repertoire!
Appetizer
Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Bites
with Cabernet Cranberry and Blueberry Sauce
Side Dish
Dessert
**Please note: While the photos are mine, the recipes are not. They were simply so delicious that I needed to share!
I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving was the start of a very sweet few weeks for me. Between the holiday treats at the office and at home, I’m finding myself eating lots of sugar and craving even more than that!
I felt like I needed a little reminder of what exactly sugar does to your body, so that I can make logical decisions and healthy choices. While my initial reaction to detox was for fear of the potential consequences, I realized during my research that I am already experiencing some of them. Sugar is addictive. In fact, many people say that it’s the most addictive thing that you can give your body. The more you eat it, the more you want it. Cravings? Check. Sugar confuses your body into thinking it needs to produce more insulin, ultimately resulting in weight gain. I haven’t been on the scale recently, but by the way that I feel, I’d check that off on my list of symptoms too. Sugar makes you feel sluggish and moody. Tired? Check. Moody? Hubby is too sweet to say yes, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t think it. BIG check. (I’m now picturing that scene from Knocked Up at the doctor’s office. “You know, I know this isn’t you talking, it’s your hormones. But I would just like to say, f-you, hormones! You are a crazy b****, hormones. Not Allison! Hormones!” Just replace “hormones” with “sugar” and you’ve got a slightly exaggerated picture of how I’ve been feeling.)
When I told my friends that I was going to begin a 21 Day Sugar Detox, the reaction was the same from everyone. “Right now?” “During Christmas?!” Yes. Definitely. Purposely. As I explained to them, at the rate that I’m going, it’ll take more than 21 days to turn things around if I wait. Plus, who doesn’t want to look and feel good in their New Year’s outfit? I want to sparkle from the inside out.
I’ve found programs online that will help you detox, but I’m not interested in paying someone to tell me what I already know that I need to do. I just need to commit and do it! After doing some reading, I’ve learned that women should consume no more than 24 grams of sugar each day. Think about that. A single can of pop would put you over that limit! Not to mention all of the foods that you don’t think of as being sugary, like bread, corn, or ketchup. I found this chart of foods that should be eaten, avoided, and enjoyed in moderation. Some of them really surprised me.
My plan is to remain within that 24 gram limit, but shoot for less. I’ll need to be diligent in actually tracking my sugar intake, as that’s not something I usually do. I will be sure to stay hydrated so that I don’t experience artificial hunger. I will stay busy so that my idle hands don’t reach for something sweet. I will be sure to exercise and take care of my body. I will listen to it and what it needs.
I’ll keep you in the loop about what ends up working for me and what does not. If you feel up for the challenge, please join me! There is strength in numbers. In the mean time, catch you later, Sugar.
“You can’t out-exercise a bad diet.” How many times have we heard this? Countless, I’m sure. So it should come as no surprise that when I began my journey to a healthier me, my starting line was in the kitchen. … Continue reading
Snickled Pink 