Surviving the holidays

Its that time of year! Next week begins the festivities of the season and with that comes, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, pies, cookies, breads...AHHHHH! Sweet symphonies of delicious comfort food! But wait! What does that mean for the waistline?

Over the past year, I've learned to regulate myself and watch my portions and also watch what I eat and when. Even with clean eating, we allow ourselves one cheat a week and I'll be sure and savour that Thanksgiving meal, and not feel like I'm punishing myself at all the other holiday functions and parties. The important thing is that I put myself back in check and not allow those occasional meals to reset the pattern. I'll need to make sure that the following days, my carbs are lower and that I don't allow myself to store the extra sugar and fats.

Things I remind myself of to help me get through the season are:

1. Exercise! Don't let it slip!
2. Watch portions.
3. If you crave it, eat it. Just don't binge. I take "nibbles" to satisfy the craving and then remind myself that its not worth it...
4. Reset by having two days of low carbs following a large cheat meal.
5. I am not resisting food to punish myself. I resist it because I choose to be healthy and strong. I deserve to be fit and healthy. Its the BEST thing I can do for myself.

Celebrate the season, but don't finish off the year wishing for a new body...start the new year fit and healthy with the best gift you can give yourself!

Tinola!

I think that this is my favorite healthy fall dish! Its so easy to make and it is absolutely guilt free!

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 onion diced
garlic clove diced
2 Tbsp ginger sliced
pepper (whatever your prefer)
3 chicken breasts cut into 1 in. pieces
2 Chayote squash peeled and sliced
1 C. water
2 C. fresh baby spinach


In a wok, saute onion, garlic and ginger with coconut oil. Add chicken and brown. Add chayote and water and simmer until squash is tender. Add spinach until wilted. Serve over rice.

I an generous with the garlic and ginger and pepper. I like a lot of flavor! Sometimes, I'll add a little soy sauce with the rice. You can also substitute the chicken with mussels. My kids love this and I feel really great about serving it!

Setting a goal!

We leave for Los Cabos, Mexico in three weeks! I'm getting back to pre-competition diet for the next three weeks to make sure I'm lean and mean for our trip! Bikini Body...here I come!

Keep it up!

Photos from a girls' night were posted yesterday on Facebook and my immediate thought, was "Wow! I really need to make sure I keep working out!" This photo was taken about a week before my competition and it made me remember that I can do this! I can keep it up! The hard core working out and the meal planning is a small price to pay!

For the first time in my life, I feel good in my skin, I feel confident and I feel secure. That's a lot to be said for a mom of two! I'm so thankful for my health and the ability to take care of my body. We only have ONE body, so we need to treat it right!

Thanks, girls for the fabulous evening out and thank you for posting the pictures to remind me to keep myself healthy and strong and looking my best!