almond date bites and why I love running

emc

I did it! I signed up for a half marathon!!! The Zooma Cape Cod half marathon on September 28th, which leaves me 6.5 weeks to train…gulp!

I used to run a lot…hours on end. It’s my moving meditation. Running clears my head, gives me energy, grounds me and helps me to remember how lucky I am.

I was born with a congenital dislocation of my right hip. My hip-joint was deformed leaving my thighbone to “slip” out of the socket. When I took my first steps as a baby my mom knew something was wrong. It took years of doctor’s visits, traction, hospitalization and multiple surgeries to repair my hip-joint and return the bone to the socket. My worried mom asked the surgeon if I would be able to walk without a limp. He assured her I would, but stated “she won’t be a marathon runner.” Kids are put on this planet to prove adults wrong and I did just that! In 2005 I ran my first marathon, the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon. I didn’t break any records, but I finished and that was good enough for me! Since then I was hooked. Every time I start out for a run I remember how lucky I was to be born in a time of modern medicine and in a place where healthcare was accessible. If I didn’t, my life would be very, very different then it is now.

My love for running started as a teenager. In high school I was on the field hockey team. I was ~~bad~~ downright horrible! I was granted the “best team spirit” award each year which translates into “the coach feels bad she never played you and needs to give you some kind of award to make up for it.” I didn’t care that I didn’t play. My best memories are from the friendships I made (and still have!) from that field hockey team!

Since field hockey wasn’t my thing, I tried cheerleading. Big mistake. I knew I wasn’t athletic, but I soon found out that I sure as hell was not coordinated! (thank you to my friends and family who supported me in that endeavor! I know it was painful to watch!) Simply put, I can’t dance. My best and only dance move, the chicken dance comes out at weddings after one too many drinks (ok, it only takes one drink). It’s ugly.

I knew I couldn’t play sports and couldn’t dance, but I could run! One foot in front of the other and you’re doing it Peter! I’m not fast, I’m not graceful, but my two feet can cover some miles! Since becoming a mom, it’s hard to find time to run. I haven’t clocked many miles since before I was pregnant….I miss it. Some days I’m too worn out from chasing Noah around to even think about going for a run! But, when I do, I feel great! That’s why I signed up for the half marathon. I’m setting a goal for myself, leaving no excuses as to why I can’t go running.

I’m super excited for this event! I have my “crunch-time” training schedule all planned out and I checked a 7 mile run off the list this past monday…it feels good to be back! The Zooma event benefits a charity called “every mother counts” which was started by Christy Turlington. Maternal wellness is something that I am very passionate about. Proceeds of the event will help mothers around the world get the care they need for a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Every two minutes, a woman around the world dies from complications due to pregnancy or childbirth, creating a rippling effect that devastates children, families, and communities. But 90% of those deaths are preventable.

I’m not one to ask for donations, but if you have a little extra to spare you can donate here

And, if you don’t have money to donate download this app and get moving to raise money for a charity of your choice! For my training, I will be running for every mother counts!

Ok…enough about running! Here is a recipe for almond date bites! The combination of carbs and protein make them a perfect pre-run snack!

almond date bites ~raw, vegan, gluten free~

Almond Date Bites

6 dates, pitted

dash cinnamon

12 raw almonds

dried shredded coconut

-Place pitted dates and cinnamon in a food processor and pulse until a paste is formed.

almond date bites ~raw, vegan, gluten free~

-Use your hands to cover an almond with a small spoonful of paste, mold into a ball.

almond date bites ~raw, vegan, gluten free~

-Roll in shredded coconut and store in the refrigerator.

almond date bites ~raw, vegan, gluten free~

-Enjoy!

www.beginwithinnutrition.com

change your thoughts, change your health

Western medicine is slowly catching up to the notion of the Mind-Body Connection thanks to scientific research. Healing the body of disease, aches/pains, fatigue and even weight loss is all dependent on the health of the mind. You can follow a diet plan to the T but your body won’t let you lose weight…how can this be?

Toxic Thoughts = Toxic Body

The “energy” associated with toxic thoughts build up in the body over time, throwing the body out of balance. Stress, anxiety, negative emotions actually have the ability to change the biochemistry of our cells.

I know this sounds a little wacky but hang in there with me….

When our biochemistry has gone awry, our hormones such as cortisol and serotonin can’t do their job properly which leads to unhealthy eating patterns, sleep disturbances and a highly acidic body…none of which aid in the body’s natural ability to heal and repair. All of these are actually proven to cause inflammation, weight gain and ultimately disease in the body.

So…how do we fix this?

Start with the mind.

Create an awareness:

-How many times a day do you complain?

(About anything such as the weather , about those around us, about ourselves.)

-How many times do you judge yourself against others? How many times do you wish you had a different body, different job, different life?

Just notice how many times these “toxic” thoughts enter your mind, be aware of them and then “crowd them out” with positive thoughts. Instead, think of someone you love, something you that makes you happy or simply be thankful you have air in your lungs!

Now, I know it would be a lot easier if we all lived in a Zen retreat but, we don’t! We live in a fast-paced, plugged in world that doesn’t allow us the chance to stop and just be. It takes years of mastery and meditation to silence the mind. I’m not asking you to do that (more power to you if you do!)…I’m just asking you to notice these thoughts and make a conscious effort to push them out of your mind and replace them with positive ones. With practice, you will do it naturally and negative emotions won’t hinder your mind and your body.

I challenge you to for one day, even for just one hour…stop complaining, stop the constant “mind-chatter,” stop the self hate and give yourself a little more credit, a little more appreciation, a little more thanks for what IS going right.

By freeing up the mind, the “happy” hormones will be able to do their job better, your energy levels will improve, you’ll make healthier decisions for your body to rest and repair!

“Whatever we put our attention on will grow stronger in our life.” – Maharishi Mahesh

listen to your body

love this!

How come your best friend thrives off of eating a raw, vegan diet that leaves you feeling cranky, drained and constantly craving good old cooked food? Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size fits all approach to healthy eating.

What works for some may not work for others.

So where does that leave you, how do you know what foods to eat? Use your body as a laboratory! Listen to it and learn what fuels you best. Experiment and keep a food journal to connect the dots. For example, start off each morning with a different breakfast. One morning eat a grain-based meal, the next morning have a breakfast high in protein, then the next morning have a light breakfast of fruit. Monitor and record how you feel 1-2 hours after eating. Maybe you will discover you feel sluggish and reaching for sugary snacks when you started the day off with a bowl of oatmeal. Use this information to create a “diet” that is unique to your needs!

Take the time, experiment, and listen to what your body is telling you!

The more you listen, the more you will learn!

Check out this story of how a devout vegan started eating meat to cure her chronic illness.

Need help?

Contact me at www.beginwithinnutrition.com