On the Road to Healthy

We’re getting healthy in 2014, this is our goal, so I thought I’d share some tips on what we’re doing to lose weight, have more energy and feel great.

Chia_Seed_puddingI shared with you that my word for 2014 is balance.  Since I wrote that post, I’ve been trying to lead a more balanced life; taking time to breath, to be present in each moment as best I can.  I’ve also been trying to make time for my family and for living in a healthier way.  Luke has too!

With the move last year, painting rooms and furniture, well, I wouldn’t plan ahead for dinner and then we’d end up eating frozen pizza or pasta for three nights in a row.  Can you relate?  I also wasn’t making time to exercise – I could always come up with reasons I couldn’t go to yoga or pilates because I was just too busy.

Now I’m realizing – it is about balancing my time, my energies, planning ahead and making the right choices.  It is about making time to take my Poppy girl for walks.  Luke has joined Planet Fitness as they were doing a deal – a year membership for $99 – and I’ve been going to yoga / balance barre a few times a week and walking the dog daily.  I’m so much happier for it!  Poppy is happier too!

PoppyFor Christmas Luke gave me Giada’s new book, Giada’s Feel Good Food.  It is wonderful and I’m not just saying that, no one is paying me to tell you how wonderful it is.  Her book is about moderation, it is about trying some new ingredients and eating in a “cleaner” way.  It is not a diet.  It is a way to change how you eat.  This book has been a tool to help me plan meals ahead of time, many of the meals my kids love.  She even has a month of meals planned in the front!

Conor loves the Chia Seed Pudding.  He had two servings with berries the other morning and we’re having it for breakfast again today.  I’d never even heard of Chia Seeds before this year.  It kind of tastes like tapioca pudding.  Giada also has an orange and almond muffin recipe that the kids love.  They aren’t huge fans of sliced almonds so I just put the almond meal in.

We’ve been enjoying fennel and pea soup, smoothies, oh, and these cute mini lentil burgers with vegan basil mayo:

lentil_burgers

The basil mayo is so delicious and it tastes so fresh paired with the Boston lettuce.  The book includes savory oatmeal, lovely fish dishes and a cumin chicken that is delicious.  I also love the Spanish Potato Omelet.

spanish_omelet

Doesn’t that look de-li-cious?!?  We had this for brunch one Sunday.  It reminded me of when we lived in London.  There was a wonderful cafe that we could walk to from our house on Brackenbury Road.  It was just up the road in Shepherds Bush – a great, bohemian cafe.   I’d always get the Spanish omelet with mixed salads.  Eating this reminded me of those wonderful lazy weekend mornings in London.

Healthy Tips

  • Plan ahead – that goes for exercise, cooking, family time.  If you have a plan your more apt to stick to it.
  • Move your body whether it is walking your dog, running with your kids or bike riding.
  • Portion Control – Portions should NOT be super size me! (a mistake we were making)
  • Beauty sleep – we all need our rest, it really is so important for our stress levels and our beauty!
  • It’s okay to have some chocolate or some sweet treats or snacks.
  • Eat more nuts – nuts are in a lot of the recipes I’m making and I LOVE them.
  • Don’t just eat boring salad, make meals that have texture, different flavors and spices in them.  It won’t feel like a chore to eat but a pleasure.

I’ve lost four pounds since Christmastime.  I would like to lose 8 more.  I feel like I have so much more energy and I’m not feeling overwhelmed.  Oh, and my taste buds are changing.  I’m not craving salty snacks or even sugar in my coffee.  Fresh fruit over plain Greek yogurt tastes so sweet to me.

spanish_potato_omelet

We’re on the road to healthy. Will you join us?!?

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Wendy
10 years ago

Hi Danielle,
This is a wonderful post, I too have been letting things get a little out of control and recently decided to get my family back to a healthier lifestyle. I am going to pick up that cook book this weekend, it sounds like a grey start for me. Thanks for such a lovely blog post, and yay you for getting healthy! Wendy xx

Jenn
Jenn
10 years ago

I have been making a breakfast that really fills me up and is healthy and tasty: mash one banana, add 1/2 cup quick cooking oats, a sprinkle of cinnamon to your taste, mix together and then fold in 1/4 cup or more of blueberries. Cook for 4 minutes in the microwave–tastes like a coffee cake!

Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home

So glad you mentioned this post, somehow I missed it! My mom just got that book too and made the chia pudding when we were down over Christmas. So delicious. I’m just getting into almond meal – will have to check out those muffins!

Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

Don’t you just love it that your taste buds are craving fresh fruit, Danielle? I’ve often suggested to people that if they just removed junk food and processed food from their diet for 2 weeks, they would feel so much better that they would never go back. You said it beautifully! Love it!
btw – you’ll notice when you’re shopping that everything you want is along the on the perimeters of the store – fish, fruits and veggies, etc. It’s when you venture down those aisles that the process monster tries to gobble you up, lol.

Cynthia
10 years ago

That looks so good and I am a huge Giada fan and have many of her cookbooks. I even have one signed by her. Potion control and exercise is the key. I am huge with both and am trying to bet the hubby to realize that is why his weight goes through big swings. Maybe he will listen to me soon he is starting now but I want him to live his life like this for good. I worry about his health.

Cynthia

Robyn @ simply fresh dinners

Hi Danielle,
I had to link and run this morning – crazy, busy Sunday! I’m back and wanted to say that those dishes you prepared are gorgeous looking! Loving you features too! Hope you’re having a great weekend.

Lauren
10 years ago

Great plan for the year ahead, Danielle – not that you look like you need to be any healthier. We’ve started a little office ‘Fat Club’ at Distinctive Chesterfields – a weekly weigh in to spur us all on. Roll on my holiday in June, hopefully I’ll be looking a little more toned then.

Always nice to find time for family and dog walking and things too, you must love taking Poppy out.

xx