Tag: healthy eating

Monday Motivation**July 30, 2018

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, training

The Kind Diet another cookbook I LOVE! Yes it is also vegan and but there are some delicious recipes in here! There are a handful I make over and over and over that I just love!!!

Leftover chili with bread for lunch today. So delicious!

One of the residents where I work had their freezer break and thaw out so they needed to use up the meat that was in there ASAP, lucky for me they aren’t eating red meat right now so tonight Brandon and I will be BBqing a new York stead with grilled zucchini and mashed potatoes! And we will have lamb burgers tomorrow…..I’ve never had a lamb burger so we will see but I want gonna say no to free food!!!

It turned out soooooo good!!!!

I got the hw that is due tonight all done and worked ahead on tomorrow’s HW. I’m one day ahead now, I wish I was more ahead though. I will need to work on that for next quarter.

Stats for this week:

Cant wait to see what next week holds!!!

Not included in those stats:

My first tempo run tonight!!!!

It was only 1 mile but I didn’t walk at all and was under the pace I wanted so yay!!!

I am going to train properly for this half marathon……did I mention Brandon and I signed up for a half marathon the first weekend in October?

Monday Motivation**May 28, 2018

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, training

If you are looking for a healthy cookbook Skinny Bitch is it! So far I love every recipe I have tried out of it. It is vegan but don’t let that scare you, the food is GOOD!!!! It is totally for the masses not just for Vegans.

It’s been another great workout week for me! I took last Sunday off then did a workout everyday Monday-Thursday. Friday we went camping so I got a little bit of a workout setting up camp which was about 1/3 of a mile from our car and we hiked it a few times on trails.

Saturday was great and we did a little hiking then the day took a terrible turn when my dog ran away (more to come in another post) and we spent hours looking for her. Thankfully it turned out ok in the end.

Sunday- we Did a little walking around and broke down camp and the evening was spent relaxing after an extremely emotional and exhausting ordeal.

Let’s talk about food!!

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, Uncategorized

Oh my gosh how I love having a kitchen again!!!! I am loving cooking!!!

Salads are making a come back in my life.

A little veggie stir fry using yakisoba noodles from the grocery store (teriyaki flavor) then added any veggies I had in the fridge that needed to be used up.

Homemade guacamole!!! This will be happening a lot this summer I think.

Beef straight from the farm!!!!

Another meal kit I will be cooking up this week.

Brandon made breakfast for me this weekend. I cook most of the time but when he does he blows me away! This was so good and had amazing flavor! I think he used pepper and garlic salt and who knows what else. And on rosemary bread, oh yea!

Someone gave me a donut at work last week, YUM

Last weeks dish! I may have had it for a few meals cause it was delicious.

 

Monday Motivation **February 26, 2018

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, House/dating/life, training

(Image from google)

Week 3 marathon training…………well as the picture above says the only bad workout is the one that didn’t happen, so all my workouts this week were bad, because they didn’t happen lol. However I did help move a tub back and forth about 6 times while Brandon measured and measured and measured and cut the floor around the tub before we finally got it mortared in, so that kind of counts as a workout right?

And I scrubbed the top kitchen cabinets and scrapped out the 3 layers of decorative wall paper/contact paper out of one of the bottom cupboards then painted the inside of it as well as clean out the fridge (we got it free from his parents because they replaced theirs).

That all counts as at least 1 arm workout right? Cause my arms were sore at the end of the day that is for sure!

And we managed a little bit of healthy eating! I had already packed my magic bullet and brought it to the new house and saw that Brandon had brought bananas so I ran to target right around the corner and grabbed some frozen strawberries and made us smoothies for breakfast. Then we had chips, salsa and guacamole for lunch/snack. And for dinner I made us homemade pizzas on naan bread. I would say that is pretty good. Finally having the fridge in the house is going to make such a big difference in our eating now!!!

Though we still don’t have the water turned on since he is working in the bathroom so I can’t really wash dishes which means it is still pretty quick, easy, semi-processed meals but I can control it much better than in a restaurant and I know it is a fraction of the calories, no matter what it is lol!

 

Back home

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, training

I had an amazing time, obviously hahaha, but it is so good to be home. But I am not going to lie it took a few weeks for me to get back into my normal rhythm. Even now I am just starting to get a running regimen back down. And even with taking melatonin and not sleeping on the flight back, it took a good week to get back to a normal sleep pattern.

I am taking all the puppy cuddles I can get. I missed my little girl so much but she did pretty good which is awesome.

I am taking all the cuddles and fun I can get from my man as well. I missed him a lot. I can’t wait to travel with him.

We had a fun fall day of taking a country drive, picked out pumpkins, ate some caramel corn, and carved pumpkins while watching “Pet Cemetery”. Oh and the boyfriend made an AMAZING roast that I have been living on for the past week. Finally finished the last bit for lunch today.

He makes me pretty happy.

Trying to get back to smoothies or juice for breakfast. Been using the bits and pieces that I have to make it all though, I need to get a good grocery shopping trip in soon.

Got my run on. The days right now are pretty nice. I anticipate another run tomorrow.

Using C25k (couch to 5k) to get my butt moving and in the groove again. Fun fact: this is how I started running in the first place! It is a free app, you should try it!!! Thankfully it isn’t as hard this time as it was my first time hahahaha, but now instead of struggling to finish 60 seconds of jogging I am struggling by making myself run a few minutes faster than I normally would so I am still winded by the 3rd interval hahaha and never quite recover completely until the end.

Enjoying the foliage here in Oregon………or should I say the death of the trees. It’s so pretty!!!!!

And yes, I am enjoying my fair share of pumpkin spice coffee!!!!!

What’s been going on over here

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, school/studying, training, travel

I have been on a serious sweet tooth kick over here. Made my coffee a mocha.

Always fun to study something that no one knows what it does

Salad and something with cheese has been a big lunch time ritual for me lately.

pork roast with veggies and rice. I love using the slow cooker

Artemis and I enjoyed the eclipse by going for a run. It was pretty eerie. People looking at the sun with glasses while it got dark then as a group would turn and look at us run by, very pod people-esque. I kept waiting for zombies to jump out at us.

Smoothies are still a big thing over here.

More salad and cheese.

Mmmmm breakfast sandwich from the coffee shop near work.

Life has been food, running, work and starting to freak out about Europe hahaha. Talk to you soon!!!!!

Ariana’s travel tips

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle, training, travel

 

  1. plan, plan, plan- I know some people like to fly by the seat of their pants and that is great but in some cases you need to plan. If you are not on a budget then you might have a little more room to play with this but if you are on a budget, as I always am, planning is your best friend. Also if you only have a limited amount of time planning ahead can save you hours of wasted time standing in line.
  2. research- Groupon is international if you didn’t know. For most places if you do a little research you can find inexpensive skip the line passes, semi-guided tours, activities and so much more at reduced costs and it definitely saves you on those hours in line.
    1. planning and research also help you squeeze in as much as possible in a short time period. For example we are packing Venice into a day and a half then on our last day in Venice which would have been a 3/4 day anyways we are instead taking the train and spending a few hours each in Verona, Florence and Pisa before laying our heads down in our AirBnB accommodations in Rome.
  3. Think outside the box when it comes to lodging- you don’t have to stay in a nice hotel to feel luxurious when traveling. If you once again research you can find nice places for a lot less expensive. I have stayed in some seriously nice hostels and and used AirBnB several times when I have travelled. If you are traveling with friends AirBnB is a great choice. We have accommodations in the heart of Venice, Rome and Barcelona through AirBnB that are less than $150/night,  whole apartment in each place, split the cost between everyone and you are looking at $20-30/night for each person in a nice place. and having and entire apartment means you have a kitchen so you can hit the market and make a few meals to save some money. You are still eating locally!!!
  4. Do a few things that aren’t overrun by tourists- on my first morning in Venice after some coffee and a pastry I plan on walking the opposite direction of the crowds and will continue to do this. That is how I will explore Venice, going the opposite direction of the crowds (obviously do a little research on places you should avoid and use common sense, if you turn down a street and it feels sketchy, backtrack quickly).
  5. Safety!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!- Be safe, research the places you are going, know the areas to avoid, know the laws and customs. Pay attention to the dress code. If something or someone doesn’t feel right get out of that situation and place ASAP. Think before you act. If you are alone, don’t get so drunk that you are impaired. That movie TAKEN with Liam Neeson is a fun thriller but it is also real, people are kidnapped and murdered every day, enjoy your vacation but be smart and be aware.
  6. common sense should see you through-if you wouldn’t do it at home don’t do it abroad. Again take 10 minutes and learn about the place that your are going, I would sunbath topless in Ibiza, I would cover all tattoos and most skin in the middle east, different place different experience.
  7. Check in. Give someone at least a vague itinerary of where you will be and when you will be there and when you will be home so someone will know if you don’t arrive. Try and check in at least ever 72 hours (I tend to check in at least once every 24 hours) you can find a free or very cheap internet café almost anywhere. And most cell phones have international coverage if you check. It will cost me $.55 every day to send 1 text message to my mom and get one back from her both acknowledging we know I am alive. $.55/day is not much to ensure piece of mind.
  8. Be a dork. Take selfies and make stupid faces and journal and take videos. Who cares what the people around you think, in 5, 10, 15 years you are going to be so glad you can look back on those memories.
  9. Be respectful. It may not be your culture, religion or favorite food but it is theirs. You wouldn’t want someone to bad mouth your way of life so don’t do that to anyone else. You don’t have to believe in it or even accept it but don’t be mean about it. Step to the side, quietly leave the church, discreetly bow out of the ceremony, say thank you and try the tiniest bite you can manage.
  10. lastly HAVE FUN!!!!! You may never be back, you may never experience something like this again so drink it all in. Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way and truly live this experience.

Day on the farm!

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle

Brandon and I headed out to his grandparents small farm in northern Oregon to hang out for half a day and had such a great time! It was so relaxing and wonderful.

From the moment we got there Brandon was in front of the blueberry bushes snacking away while we talked to his grandfather. Artemis enjoyed the flavor of the pigs trough water hahahaha. This is the only pig they have left and it is much more of a pet than something intended for a meal. It is getting old and grumpy though. It likes having its belly rubbed hahahaha!!!!! It was a little wary of Artemis but surprisingly she was not afraid of it!

I spent some time talking to his grandfather about their Israel trip which sounded amazing. Then we all went out to lunch and a teriyaki burger hit the spot.

When we got back from lunch Brandon, Artemis, the grandparents dog and I all set off to explore the property. 1/4 of their property is basically a little forest area that is super beautiful, the cows graze down there in the heat and there are blackberry bushes going wild. We wandered down there and explored and snacked on blackberries hahaha. Definitely getting our fruit quota for the day. Have you ever had a yellow raspberry? Now I have! they are pretty amazing right off the vine and according to his grandfather that is how you have to eat them because by the time you have them in the house they are starting to go bad.



At this point we were both super hot as it was the hottest part of the day so we headed back instead to talk some more and look at pictures and cool down.

Around 5:30-6 as the sun was starting to move toward the horizon and a lovely breeze started we headed out to feed the cows!! Got some hay from the barn and some treats for the cows and they slowly wandered over. We fed them some treats as well, their tounge feels like sandpaper like a cat! Again it took a minute but Artemis wasn’t afraid! Though they were a little wary of her hahaha.




Once the cows were chomping away happily we headed back down to the wood area and spent about an hour picking blackberries! 



We went home with probably a good 8lbs of blackberries! I am so making a blackberry balsamic reduction to freeze to put on some amazing stuff this winter (that post to come). At that point the temperature was perfect, I could have stayed out there for hours, and the space and joy of the country was just everything. It was such a great peaceful day. I can’t wait to go back!

In a month or 2 their trees will be hanging low with Apples!!! Can’t wait to make some apple desserts and some great slow cooker meals with apples!

Day 13-15 of 28 day cleanse

by Ariana Peters, posted in Uncategorized

Day 13 was pretty normal and chill

Day 14 i woke up to the worst muscle cramp in my right leg. Cramps usually come from an imbalance of sodium, potassium and water so i added some stuff into my diet for the 14th and 15th

I got free leftover pizza from the pizza place next to work and i wasn’t turning down free food. 

I immediately regreted the pizza, i felt horrible. The maple bar on day 14 pretty much totally fine, the pizza, nope. So excited for a yummy, healthy smoothie in the AM. 

I’ve increased my sodium intake and my fluids and so far the cramps have gone away. 

Its been 2 weeks and i am down about 5lbs. I am feeling better overall I’m craving better food. I am loving smoothies/juice in the AM and a big salad as part of a late lunch then eating a real dinner. And as you’ve seen i can have off day or throw in extra good food if i am going to workout. 

I think this may go from a cleanse to a lifestyle change. 

Though now I’m reconsidering my cheap pizza after the half marathon…….hmmm what else would i want???? 

I’ll keep you updated!

Day 3 of 28 day cleanse

by Ariana Peters, posted in food, healthy lifestyle

Today was a smoothie day instead of juicing and I got in just over 3 miles on the treadmill.

I am still so excited for dinner though!!!! It is amazing how excited about food I am. Dinner is the same as the last two days but tomorrow starts 4 days of just trying to do healthy non-processed food and I cannot wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am already salivating over dinner tomorrow night and Thursday night. I am feeling good though, there is still some bloat but overall I am starting to feel much better. Can’t wait to see how this keeps going!

Talk to you tomorrow!