Lent

Growing up I had several Catholic friends who would give something up for lent. We were Lutheran, so my parents never asked us to go without.

However, for the past few years I have considered giving something up for Lent, but never made the pledge to follow through. However, now that we have a baby, I feel like it would be a good lesson to instill in our youngling.

But the real question is WHAT should I give up? I figured that because I am a foodie and value eating, the item in question should be food-related. However, I want it to have a deep emotional connection, something that is a fair representation of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us on the cross - something that I would truly miss. In addition, it would be nice if by omitting this item from my diet I would actually be improving my health. Here are some of the options that I considered:

• Chocolate - eh... an easy choice, as I have been known to regularly indulge in my beloved Green and Black's organic 85% dark chocolate
• Wine - I am still breast feeding, so I have not been enjoying wine regularly
• Sugar - a definite contender... however, we will be in NYC for another week and I really can't control the exact ingredients in everything that I will be eating, so this might be difficult
• Coffee - I only enjoy a single Americano each morning, so it's not a significant sacrifice

After much deliberation, I decided to give up all simple sugars and refined flours completely. I do strive to keep most sugar and white flour out of my diet; however, out of convenience they have started to creep in... mostly because I have not been making the time to cook and bake items myself.

But all of that stops when we get back home from NYC. Until then, I will ensure that I am making conscious food choices at every meal - asking questions, making special requests, etc.

I am back down to my pre-pregnancy weight; however, I am not as lean as I was pre-pregnancy and I know it is because I have not been completely dedicated to my workouts and eats. Today I rededicate myself and would love to see you do the same.

"Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?" Luke 9:25

Did you give something up for Lent? If so, what was the most difficult thing that you have ever gone without?

Cold Busting Smoothie

Monday morning Matt woke up with his very first cold and fever. I also woke up feeling under the weather. We toughed it out at daycare and work yesterday, but are laying low at home today. For second breakfast I made the following Cold and Fat Busting smoothie...

In the VitaMix went 1 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1/2 banana, a handful of strawberries, spinach, 1/2 an avocado, an orange, water and ice.

This meal in a cup is filled with Vitamin C, natural decongestants, flavonoids, enzymes, and essential minerals to not only ward off my sniffly nose but also help me in my pursuit to loose the baby weight.

In addition to eating lots of fruits and veggies, I have been loading up on clear fluids, especially water, Acai Pomegranate Coconut Water, Tazo Zen Green Tea and Traditional Medicinals Mother's Milk Tea.

Matt has been taking lots of naps with his frog cool mist humidifier, cuddling, feeding frequently to keep his fluids up and using saline nasal drops along with a bulb aspirator.

Growing up I always loved Dole Pine-Orange Banana juice. Later today I plan on making a batch of protein popsicles that are a throwback to my summer days of childhood spent sipping that beloved juice. However, my version will soothe my sore throat while being figure friendly and loaded with Vitamin C and protein.

Must-Read Article for any Clean Eater

My friend, Laura, forwarded me the following article entitled This Common Food Ingredient Can Really Mess Up Your Metabolism written by Dr. Mercola. This article solidifies one of the main Clean Eating stances... limit your sugar intake, because it will do nothing positive for your health.

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

Thanks, Laura!

Getting Real About the High Price of Real Food

I have to say that I absolutely LOVED this article! I felt that it embodied the point of sustainable, organic, CLEAN eating. Please take a moment to read Getting Real About the High Price of Real Food by Brian Walsh and let me know your thoughts.

Q&A - Fat Loss

Recently I was asked the following question by a fellow forum member and thought that the question and my response may be helpful to some of you. If you ever have any questions or want something that I say clarified DO NOT hesitate to just ask! I am here to help you out in any way that I can!!!

Question:
Hi! I didn't know how to find your posts so I thought I would send my question here. I love your blog and the before/after pics. I am well over 200 lbs and basically just getting started on losing - we've been doing weights for about 3 weeks now 3x a week. My question is what all did you do to get your boobs to be smaller? I'm quite large due to childbirth and so far I'm losing in my butt and my legs but not my boobs and very little in my arms (another large area).

Answer:
Thanks for the kind words. I am very happy with where I have come in such a short amount of time. It's really nice to hear that my story inspires other women because that is the reason that I started my blog in the first place!

To answer your question, my breasts slowly but surely reduced in size and there did not seem to be anything specific that really helped to get them to be smaller - it was simply a reduction in body fat percentage by eating clean, lifting weights and interval running.

My arms and breasts were the places that really held on to the fat the longest, whereas my back, butt/hips, and midsection shed fat the fastest. Everyone's body is different and it is almost impossible to "spot reduce" fat on your body. I have read that the place(s) that you gain fat the first are the last to loose the fat and that was definitely the case with my weight loss.

Try to be patient and remember that it takes just as long (or longer) to loose fat as it did to put it on. Try to keep your weight loss slow and steady (1-2 lbs per week) and you will have the most success with keeping it off long term because you will be building good habits to last you a lifetime.

When weight lifting I used the book New Rules of Lifting for Women and really loved it. I know that there are several other women on the forum that have used the same book with great success. You might consider checking it out because it was a great resource not only for weight lifting routines, but also on the science of fat loss. Be aware that not all of their menus are completely clean and you will want to follow clean eating instead of their meal plans, but other than that, the book is very informative.

Good luck on your weight loss journey and let me know if there is anything else that I can do to help you out!

Your sister in iron,
Maria