Eating clean for a week

One of the to do’s on my 101 in 1001 list, is to eat clean for a week.

According to my googling that means high vegetables, ultra lean protein, low carb and no booze (or caffeine). Well I finally did it and so did boyfriend (in what he now says was an unfortunate show of solidarity).

We did it in the last week of May (or what I am now referring to as the longest week of my life). Hindsight being 20/20, I probably could have guessed I wouldn’t feel amazing two days after turning my entire diet upside down. And with that tiny bit of knowledge I probably wouldn’t have picked the biggest week of meetings that I have in a year at work – that culminates in a massive two-day workshop that goes into the weekend.

However I had best case scenario in mind and started with high hopes as I roasted chicken, steamed kale, cooked quinoa and prepped overnight oats with yogurt and chia. By day five I was a little tired, by day 7, I was borderline cranky.

Day 8 (or the last day of the workshop), I snapped and drank half a bottle of red wine before going out for steak, fried mushrooms and garlic mashed potatoes.

Now before you all think what a waste, it was actually really good. I do have an appreciate for kale now, and I’m looking to less carb and more veggies in my diet – keeping in mind less carb doesn’t mean low or no carb, I’m part Italian, that just doesn’t work. The carbs are whole grains and nutrient rich.

It was a good kick off to healthier, cleaner eating overall.

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Running restarts: The ice bath

I’m sorry I’ve been so absent.

I decided to pick a up couple of courses to do in my spare time (which I didn’t really have to being with), so every spare second is spent studying.

But I thought I would quickly pop on to celebrate my first post-run ice bath of the season. I survived. Tip: ice baths are not for the faint of heart.

My toes are cold.

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Point and lift: two words from barre class

I survived another barre class, this makes two full classes since I tried the sample class a few weeks ago.

Seriously I now know why ballerinas are skinny and toned. I run, I walk, I have a personal trainer so I lift weights, I row, swim, play basketball, attend Zumba and none of it, I mean none of it makes me feel like I do at the end of the barre class. It so royally kicks my ass, that I gulp my water and sit in my car waiting for my legs to stop trembling so I can drive home. How long can one girl point her toe while lifting and bending on her other leg?

The exercises and the repetitiveness of them reach and work some of the tiniest muscle groups in my arms, legs, core and hips.

This last week I was doing so badly that I kept dropping the ball we were holding between our knees. I couldn’t even hold it there and I was not alone. But while tiring it also feels great, and even better when I’m finally done.

I think I am a little addicted. It makes me want to eat better and sleep more, so I can handle more classes! But healthy eating will start Monday after my first weight in; I don’t want to lose anything before the Biggest Loser challenge starts.

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Grilled mushrooms

Grilled mushrooms.

How have I not known about the high level of awesome of these?

Since I was given a George Foreman Grill (which is the most amazing appliance) I’ve been trying out all sorts of vegetables on it – peppers, zucchini … and today I threw on a couple of mushrooms just to try.

It’s a really easy recipe: clean mushrooms, cut of stems, place on grill, wait five minutes.

So flipping delicious. I thought I got and did enough for two meals, right, it was one snack. The best part, they are super filling.

That’s all I have to say for now. Work is crazy. I’m exhausted, but aiming to get up for a bosu class tomorrow.

Trust me on the grilled mushrooms.

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