The last few weeks I have felt absolutely blob like.. I just cannot seem to get out of this funk. I want to eat every carbohydrate that's bad in sight.. I do not want to get going in the morning and definitely struggling to work out! I love to work out so I haven't missed many work outs and have kept my eating in check.. However I know that the stress of the winter has taken my body's ability to lose weight at the moment which is definitely depressing in itself.
I read up on Canadian Mental Health Association on the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :
SAD can be difficult to diagnose, since many of the symptoms are similar to those of other types of depression or bipolar disorder. Even physical conditions, such as thyroid problems, can look like depression. Generally, symptoms that recur for at least 2 consecutive winters, without any other explanation for the changes in mood and behaviour, indicate the presence of SAD. They may include:
change in appetite, in particular a craving for sweet or starchy foods
weight gain
decreased energy
fatigue
tendency to oversleep
difficulty concentrating
irritability
avoidance of social situations
feelings of anxiety and despair
The symptoms of SAD generally disappear when spring arrives. For some people, this happens suddenly with a short time of heightened activity. For others, the effects of SAD gradually dissipate.
(http://www.cmha.ca/mental_health/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/#.UQfUo3y9KSM)
Ok well looking at those symptoms and the gross winter we have had.. I am definitely suffering
from this disorder this winter.
I know that dependent on the weather I usually feel a few of these symptoms..
However this winter I have dealt with them ALL! I know that it is just a winter issue however I
feel really lost and not functioning well.
I cannot wait to get my EnergyBits in the mail! I love how much energy they give me and I feel like a completely
different person. I also am going to check into getting a Vitamin D supplement and see how that assists
my moods. I want to feel lively, be on the go and have people want to be around me ( I know they want to but
I feel to crappy to want to be around them to often. )
Off to the pharmacy I go after one more cup of coffee!! Blinds are open , lights are all on and I am hoping I can
get in some Vitamin D through the clouds.. HA HA or any natural light that comes in!
SAD is not something to be ashamed of, you definitely are NOT alone in this. CMHA states 2-3% of the population suffers from SAD to an extent that is disabling, and that most of the population suffers from symptoms they are able to cope with. Mental Health issues are very common and are definitely a silent disease.. or a disease people refuse to discuss. Some mental illnesses are as deathly as cancer and some are easier to live within. Thankfully SAD is treated with very accessible and cost effective measures and often doesn't need medication. Please understand I am not making light of the disorder but acknowledging that it exists, I am suffering from it ( as I did with Post Partum Depression) and will do what I can to beat it.
Please feel free to talk to me about this.. Sometimes its hard to discuss such issues with friends and family.
Take care!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
EnergyBits - Giveaway!!
I grew up on a farm in Rural Saskatchewan.. so lifestyles that include lots of running, gym workouts and "supplements" as some would use is not what I grew up with. However, this is a lifestyle I want to have, am working to having and am mentoring my children to engage as well.
I am learning what is best to eat for my body, not just for weight loss but for fuelling an active body. I have learnt to think that food is more than just to taste well ( even if I still have the occasional Sausage and Egger.. what can I say?!!) I have seen a lot of people on twitter talking about EnergyBits.. how they are fuelled with EnergyBits, how they rely on them for a natural source of energy to get through their day and their work outs. I struggle with energy and usually chalk it up to not having motivation. I then just make myself conquer it, but this is a tiring way to live most days!
With careers, children, being a wife and trying to be active and work into a new body composition... Energy is Lacking!! I am a late night gal and hate early mornings.. Thanks to some twitter conversations with Dawn (@inkdgirl55) I learnt that I have a way of kicking this issue! She herself is a professional mom and has went through a lifestyle change that includes very high athleticism. So she definitely knows what it takes from being overweight to being an athlete. Dawn linked me into EnergyBits through Twitter and Jonathan was kind enough to send me a sample of their product.
So I got my sample filled with information! There is nothing better than a company who provides detailed information about all of the products they sell. The tin held 3.5 or so days of algae bits. I got the EnergyBits product ( there is 4 types EnergyBits, RecoveryBits, VitalityBits, SkinnyBits)
Now I once again am a carnivore trying to find more plant based foods to increase my diet.. and Algae definitely is a stretch for me. The information recommended to take 20-30 bits a day minimum and it is to increase your energy, make you feel full longer and generally make you feel better. ( this is just a minor glimpse of the benefits of EnergyBits please find more here www.energybits.com) Well I opened up the tin.. and thought instantly.. what the heck am I doing! These algae bits have a slight smell.. so I thought ok.. Ill pop one in my mouth and chew away. ( READ INSTRUCTIONS!! Its best to swallow these little guys.. ) Yes chewing this algae bit was definitely not the best moment of the day. So I read a little more.. and I am to swallow them because they do have a distinct taste. ( I learnt the hard way)
So 20 bits in.. its about 4 pm and I should have had a snack by now.. But I'm full. I just took 20 calories of algae that hosts 60% ( give or take) protein. I have filled myself up on 20 calories.. AMAZING! I hit the gym that night and was able to get through my whole workout without dropping the kettle bell at the end in my swings. ( by this time of my work out I have lifted so much weight I want to sleep not swing more!) I was up till 1130 pm that night not an ounce of exhaustion!
In 3 days, yes only 3 days.. I found my increased energy had me going going going! I could get up refreshed in the morning, didn't need pots of coffee! Made it through workouts harder than the week before with less exhaustion and when I slept.. I was rested! I also didn't over eat... in fact I had to make myself eat my fuel to get to my caloric intake!
I was very skeptical about eating algae.. However, I feel like a blob now that my sample has been ingested and am patiently ( not at all actually) waiting for my EnergyBits to arrive!
Jonathan and EnergyBits were so kind to give me a sample and we would like to share such a great product with someone else! If anyone was a skeptic it was me.. and now I sit at my desk with my 3rd cup of coffee.. out of EnergyBits and jonesing for them!
All you have to do to enter into this giveaway is to follow @Energybits and myself (@adenium11) on twitter and tweet us! Send us a tweet saying you are interested in the giveaway and I will randomly draw someone. You MUST be from North America.
Winner will be announced on Twitter January 31st!
I am learning what is best to eat for my body, not just for weight loss but for fuelling an active body. I have learnt to think that food is more than just to taste well ( even if I still have the occasional Sausage and Egger.. what can I say?!!) I have seen a lot of people on twitter talking about EnergyBits.. how they are fuelled with EnergyBits, how they rely on them for a natural source of energy to get through their day and their work outs. I struggle with energy and usually chalk it up to not having motivation. I then just make myself conquer it, but this is a tiring way to live most days!
With careers, children, being a wife and trying to be active and work into a new body composition... Energy is Lacking!! I am a late night gal and hate early mornings.. Thanks to some twitter conversations with Dawn (@inkdgirl55) I learnt that I have a way of kicking this issue! She herself is a professional mom and has went through a lifestyle change that includes very high athleticism. So she definitely knows what it takes from being overweight to being an athlete. Dawn linked me into EnergyBits through Twitter and Jonathan was kind enough to send me a sample of their product.
So I got my sample filled with information! There is nothing better than a company who provides detailed information about all of the products they sell. The tin held 3.5 or so days of algae bits. I got the EnergyBits product ( there is 4 types EnergyBits, RecoveryBits, VitalityBits, SkinnyBits)
Now I once again am a carnivore trying to find more plant based foods to increase my diet.. and Algae definitely is a stretch for me. The information recommended to take 20-30 bits a day minimum and it is to increase your energy, make you feel full longer and generally make you feel better. ( this is just a minor glimpse of the benefits of EnergyBits please find more here www.energybits.com) Well I opened up the tin.. and thought instantly.. what the heck am I doing! These algae bits have a slight smell.. so I thought ok.. Ill pop one in my mouth and chew away. ( READ INSTRUCTIONS!! Its best to swallow these little guys.. ) Yes chewing this algae bit was definitely not the best moment of the day. So I read a little more.. and I am to swallow them because they do have a distinct taste. ( I learnt the hard way)
So 20 bits in.. its about 4 pm and I should have had a snack by now.. But I'm full. I just took 20 calories of algae that hosts 60% ( give or take) protein. I have filled myself up on 20 calories.. AMAZING! I hit the gym that night and was able to get through my whole workout without dropping the kettle bell at the end in my swings. ( by this time of my work out I have lifted so much weight I want to sleep not swing more!) I was up till 1130 pm that night not an ounce of exhaustion!
In 3 days, yes only 3 days.. I found my increased energy had me going going going! I could get up refreshed in the morning, didn't need pots of coffee! Made it through workouts harder than the week before with less exhaustion and when I slept.. I was rested! I also didn't over eat... in fact I had to make myself eat my fuel to get to my caloric intake!
I was very skeptical about eating algae.. However, I feel like a blob now that my sample has been ingested and am patiently ( not at all actually) waiting for my EnergyBits to arrive!
Jonathan and EnergyBits were so kind to give me a sample and we would like to share such a great product with someone else! If anyone was a skeptic it was me.. and now I sit at my desk with my 3rd cup of coffee.. out of EnergyBits and jonesing for them!
All you have to do to enter into this giveaway is to follow @Energybits and myself (@adenium11) on twitter and tweet us! Send us a tweet saying you are interested in the giveaway and I will randomly draw someone. You MUST be from North America.
Winner will be announced on Twitter January 31st!
Friday, January 11, 2013
1st Ever Vegetarian Meal
I have decided that with my change in lifestyle sometimes we need to change more then just our food and diet.. Our thinking! SURPRISE! I read the book "Skinny Bitch" by Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin (http://www.skinnybitch.net/) and started to rethink some of the foods we put into our bodies.
As I grew up on a farm I knew where the beef were raised, how we fed them, what we vaccinated them with and how they were slaughtered. We don't have those options anymore and being ignorant to all of the chemicals and hormones put into stockyards isn't good for our bodies nor our children's! This goes with milk, chicken, eggs and pork. We need to be more aware of the environments our foods being grown and produced in.
I have decided that I am going to cut back on my dairy and meat intake, and start purchasing local farm raised cuts of meat as well. I have also decided to cut out any type of pop and really pay attention to the sugars I put into my body ( as I sit here drinking my favorite Tim Horton's coffee with half hot chocolate... its a vice I cant give it all up ;) )
Last night I made a Meatless Taco salad ( inspired by @inkdgirl55 on twitter and you can find her blog here http://shrinkinginkdgirl.com/ - she's living in a plant based very athletic lifestyle after a struggle with her weight)
So here is the very first Veggie Ground Round I have ever eaten...
As I grew up on a farm I knew where the beef were raised, how we fed them, what we vaccinated them with and how they were slaughtered. We don't have those options anymore and being ignorant to all of the chemicals and hormones put into stockyards isn't good for our bodies nor our children's! This goes with milk, chicken, eggs and pork. We need to be more aware of the environments our foods being grown and produced in.
I have decided that I am going to cut back on my dairy and meat intake, and start purchasing local farm raised cuts of meat as well. I have also decided to cut out any type of pop and really pay attention to the sugars I put into my body ( as I sit here drinking my favorite Tim Horton's coffee with half hot chocolate... its a vice I cant give it all up ;) )
Last night I made a Meatless Taco salad ( inspired by @inkdgirl55 on twitter and you can find her blog here http://shrinkinginkdgirl.com/ - she's living in a plant based very athletic lifestyle after a struggle with her weight)
So here is the very first Veggie Ground Round I have ever eaten...
I sauteed up some onions and green peppers along with some garlic to add into the ground.
Once the veggies were soft I added 1/2 of the veggie ground and 3 tsps of taco spices. It cooks up really quick which is great for a quick salad when you are short on time but want to eat healthy.
The choices at Safeway for All Natural or organic salad dressing is quite slim. I used to eat all the "low fat - no sugar" types but once I realized what aspartame did to a body... That's no longer something I would enjoy putting into my mouth. This dressing was quite tangy but very full of flavour which when eating such types of food... I know we assume it won't taste like anything.
FINISHED MEAL
I threw on some yellow corn taco chips along with some cheddar cheese. Topped with some dressing and meal was complete!
All in all the taste was good.. texture wasn't to different from ground beef itself. There is a bit of a "beany" taste to the ground, obviously its from soy beans but you do notice it. I think when I use the rest of the product I will put it in a dish that simmers longer.
I would give this taco salad a 7 out of 10. I LOVE Taco Salads and I could eat this more often than I did before. I think next time I will marinate the Veggie ground with the spices longer and add some flavoured taco chips or pita chips like Stacy's!
Hope the New Year is so far wonderful for you !
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