Tag Archives: Healthy Meals

3 Basic Habits

I have 3 basic health & fitness needs in my life. I’m not going to lie and say I’ve been on track all year as I’ve let things slide due to work, friends, insomnia stress and so on.

So as everyone is refocusing in January on resolutions, goals, etc. I’m focusing my first week back at work on my 3 basics habits to have more energy and therefore feel better. I have a crazy week of workouts planned but if I can at least stick to my 3 basics I will have succeeded.

1. I need at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night. I sleep with my iPhone under my pillow or on the bedside table because sometimes I use it to play nature sounds to go to sleep and of course I use the alarm function. I’m going to see if taking it out of the bedroom or maybe placing it on the other side of the room and just using a good ol’ alarm clock will help me get a full rest. I’m also a tv junkie. I’m going to really re-assess what I’m watching and cut out those shows I’m just watching but not really enjoying anymore.

I love sleep

2. I need at least 4L of water a day when I’m in fitness competition prep mode. I’ve seen some awesome Pinterest ideas to keep on track. See image below. Over the past year I have a large jug with a glass on my desk but haven’t seemed to be able to stay on track. I’m going to try the water bottle trick below and add 1L for my morning workout and 1L for my evening workout.

Drink More Water

3. I need to eat at least 5 meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner & 2 snacks). I saw two awesome ideas for menu planning boards on Pinterest. Can you tell I spend way too much time on the website? Click here or here to go to the blog explaining how they made theirs. I need to figure out how to adapt for eating 5 meals a day. It might mean a lot of clothes hangers or clips lol. I’ll post pics when I make my own.

Menu Board

Menu Planning

 

Do you have any tips on how you keep these three basics on track?

Great Side Dish – One Pot Sweet Potato Couscous

I have a subscription to Best Health magazine. There are usually some great recipes within the pages of the magazine. I decided to try the Quick Fixes recipe for One-Pot Sweet-Potato Couscous for New Years Eve dinner from the January/February 2010 issue.

I toasted 1/3 cup of pecans instead of walnuts in a non-stick pot over medium heat for 5 mins. Set them aside and added some coconut oil to the pot before adding 1/2 of an onion, diced w/ enough cinnamon to substitue for a cinnamon stick. I stired for 2 mins then added 2 sweet potatoes that were peeled and cubed. Then I added 2 cups of organic chicken broth and brought to a boil. I covered, reduced heat to simmer and waited 8-10 mins before checking the sweet potatoes w/ a fork to see if they were tender. Returned to boil and added  a handful of green beans that were cut in thirds. 5 mins later I stired in a box of couscous and 1/3 cup of raisins. Took the pot off the heat and let sit for 5 mins. Sprinkled the pecans on top and served w/ lamb shanks!

I didn’t use feta cheese as part of the recipe because I have to limit my dairy intake.

It turned out so well and I have lots of leftovers for the rest of the week. It’s supposed to serve 6!