How I Deal with Anxiety Disorder

I was preparing to lead my yoga group next week and it really hit me. This is why I love yoga. This is why I think self-care is so important.

I have anxiety. Not just a little here and there, but Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I don't like to talk about it, because people think it's weird. They think it means I'm weak, or crazy, or just lack self-control. If you've never experienced this kind of anxiety, you wouldn't get it because it doesn't make sense.

But if you have, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You know what it's like to have a constant feeling that something bad is going to happen. Like you're so worried you're physically ill, but you honestly don't even know what you're worried about. It will consume your life if you let it. 

Thankfully, I've learned how to control my anxiety. I've learned that keeping myself healthy, body, mind and soul, will keep all that worry away. But when I start to slip I can feel it, and I've been feeling it. So it's time to start getting back to myself, my healthy self.

These are the things I've found help me the most: I eat for nutrition. I eat to nourish my body. The better I eat, the better I feel, and when I start to slack I notice it emotionally. I exercise. I've found yoga to be the absolute BEST way for me to relax and become centered. But whether it's yoga, or an intense cardio or weight routine, I find time to work fitness into my life. It keeps me balanced and is amazing for stress relief. And I read. Every day I read something that speaks to me, something that keeps me in the right mindset and helps fight off whatever negative thoughts I might have. Reading is truly a lifesaver for me when it comes to anxiety.

I know so many of you mommies have a hard time taking care of yourselves because you're so busy taking care of everyone else. But self-care is NOT selfish, it's necessary. After all, our littles deserve to have us at our best. Whatever you need to do to take care of your body, mind and soul, please, take a minute and do it. When we strive to become better, everything around us becomes better too. 💜💜💜

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Healthy Banana Lactation Muffins

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3  cup pure maple syrup or honey 
• 2 eggs, preferably at room temperature
• 1 cup packed mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (I used almond milk)
• 2 tbsp ground flax seed
• 2 tbsp brewer's yeast (optional, but great for milk supply)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups oat flour (blend oats in blender of food processor)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the coconut oil and maple syrup or honey together with a whisk. Add eggs and beat well. Mix in the mashed bananas and milk, followed by the baking soda, flax seed, brewer's yeast, vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon.
3. Add the oat flour to the bowl and mix with a large spoon, just until combined. If you’d like to add any additional mix-ins, like nuts, chocolate or dried fruit, fold them in now.
4. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups, filling each cup about two-thirds full. Bake muffins for 23 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
5. Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack to cool. Enjoy muffins as is or with a spread of nut butter or regular butter.

*Recipe adapted from cookieandkate.com

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Mustard Chicken

This recipe is a winner in my house!! My son loves it, my husband loves it, I love it, and it's so easy!! I make it in large batches to freeze for super simple weeknight dinners. Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

½ cup Dijon mustard

¼ cup pure maple syrup

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 tsp rosemary 

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper 

Materials

2 gallon-sized plastic freezer bags

Prep

1. Label your freezer bag with the name of the meal, cooking instructions, and “use

by" date (three months from the prep day).

2. Add all ingredients to bag.

3. Remove as much air from bag as possible, seal, double bag, and lay flat in your freezer.

Cook

1. The night before cooking, move freezer bag to your refrigerator to thaw.

2. Add the contents of the bag to a foil lined glass pan. Cook at 450 until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees (approximately 20-40 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken).

3. Serve over brown rice or quinoa with a green salad or roasted vegetables.

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Meal Prep 101

Eating healthy can seem like a daunting task.  Meal planning and prepping are arguably the most important factors in maintaining a healthy diet, but the process can be overwhelming at first.

I've put together a few of my top tips for basic meal planning. First and foremost, don't try to change everything at once! Small, consistent changes are what will eventually lead to a sustainable, healthier lifestyle. Here are my tips for those of you who are just starting out:

1. The most important tip – plan and schedule your meals before you start!! If you are only prepping for dinners, at least have a dinner schedule. I usually make about 3 dinners each week and eat leftovers the other nights.

2. Choose your recipes, then make a grocery list. If you really love to save time like I do, choose a grocery service that allows you to order online and either pick it up or have it delivered!

3. Prepare as much as possible on Sunday (or whatever day you choose to prep). Examples include:

                - grill chicken breasts for salads

                - wash and chop all fruits and veggies

                - steam or roast vegetables for side dishes

                - prepare a batch of rice, quinoa, lentils, sweet potatoes, or other starch of your choice

                - hard boil some eggs

                - prepare easy quick breakfast foods like an egg bake or overnight oats

                - wash lettuce for salads

                - make salad dressing for the week

 4. At least once per month, I set aside several hours to do a huge prep and freeze session. I make several large batches of meals that will freeze well, and then I have a freezer stocked with ready-to-go meals! If you would rather, you can choose at least one meal that will freeze well and make extra during your weekly meal prep. Examples include chili, turkey meatballs, enchiladas, crockpot meals, etc. If I know we’re going to have a busy week, I include some frozen meals in our schedule so even on nights I cook, there is virtually no prep time. 

5. Mix it up!! Although I tend to eat a lot of the same foods in any given week (I'm all about leftovers!) I make sure to change it up the next week so I don't get bored with the same foods. 

Proper nutrition is vital not only for weight loss, but for long term health. If you get these steps down, you'll be off to a good start! It might seem a little tedious in the beginning, but with practice it will become second nature. Believe me, it's worth the effort to create a system because it will save you tons of time in the long run!

Interested in giving these tips a shot?? Submit this form to receive my free 7-Day Meal Plan, including schedule, recipes, grocery list and prepping guide!

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Are You Eating Enough?

Are you eating enough? If not, you may be sabotaging your weight loss efforts and your health and fitness goals. Many people assume that consuming fewer calories is always a good thing, but that’s just not the case! Your body needs to be properly fueled in order to run smoothly. If you are only focusing on cutting calories, there’s a good chance you are depriving your body of necessary nutrients. This can actually backfire by causing your body to go into starvation mode which will lower your metabolism. So what’s a better option?

Forget the diet and focus on nutrient density! Make sure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs by eating the right portions of the right foods. Diets usually leave people feeling hungry, tired, irritable and deprived. That’s why they fail! And it’s nearly impossible to keep the weight off after a diet, because there hasn’t been a permanent change. In order to be successful and maintain your weight loss, a lifestyle change is necessary. I use these foolproof color-coded containers to make sure I’m eating enough of the right foods. And I eat 5-6 times per day!

If you feel hungry, tired and grouchy while you’re trying to lose weight, you’re not doing it right!! Find healthy foods you enjoy eating. Try new things. Focus on cutting out processed, unhealthy foods a little at a time. Make sure you eat every 3-4 hours. There’s no need to deprive yourself, just fuel your body!!

If you'd like more information on choosing nutrient dense foods, or you'd like to learn more about the nutritional system I use, please email me or submit this form and I will contact you!

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Quinoa with Caramelized Butternut Squash and Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry quinoa
9oz brussels sprouts, halved
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
Dash of garlic salt & pepper
2 TBSP coconut oil
2 cups butternut squash (about 1 medium squash), cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1­ 1/2 TBSP pure maple syrup
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup pepitas

 Directions:
1. Prepare quinoa according to package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees then line a baking sheet with foil. Add brussels sprouts, oil, garlic salt, and pepper to baking sheet then toss to evenly coat. Roast for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Melt coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-­high heat. Add maple syrup and butternut squash then saute, stirring occasionally,­ about 15 minutes or until squash is tender. 
4. Combine quinoa, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, parmesan cheese, and pepitas in a large bowl then toss and serve with extra parmesan cheese, if desired.
Makes 4 servings

*Recipe adapted from iowagirleats.com

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No Bake Shakeology Bites

Try these out for an easy, healthy and delicious snack!

Ingredients:
● 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
● 1 scoop or package of Chocolate or Vanilla Shakeology
● 1/4 tsp cinnamon
● 1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter (or any nut butter)
● 2 Tbsp raw honey
● 1 tsp vanilla extract
● 2­-4 Tbsp almond milk

Add oats, Shakeology, and cinnamon to a large bowl.

Add in peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

Slowly add in liquid 1 tablespoon at a time and combine until it comes
together in a sticky ball that holds together. If mixture is too dry, add in more liquid but not so much that it won't hold shape.

Place in a container to set in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.

Store in fridge until ready to eat.

*Recipe adapted from The Healthy Maven

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