Enjoy Each & Every Bite

While I have so enjoyed the extended weekend, I've been racing against the clock all week attempting to play catch up.  Late nights, early mornings, and that dang clock is still winning! In times like this, I am tempted to cut corners when it comes to eating five to six clean meals throughout the day.  I'm sure you all can relate; hence why "fast food" is the industry that it is.  Just the other day I overheard on the Today Show that people eat fast food 10 times a month - what gives!! 

I am proud to write that I have successfully resisted taking short cuts and/or skipping meals...but it hasn't been easy.  I consistently had to have my mind in tune to my body and remind myself (several times) that the pay off is worth it!  Eating clean has so many benefits not only to your health and your physical appearance, but also, and sometimes most importantly, to your overall mental clarity.  

When crazy times arise in our schedules, it's easy to start thinking of food as a means to end; in other words, as fuel.  You start to feel like you don't really need it until you are starving.  Trust me friends, playing that game is like playing with fire and the results will put your body in all sorts of commotion.  Not worth it, no matter how busy you are.

While this week brought nothing but madness as it relates to schedules, I still made time for meal planning and EATING.  With that being said, I had simplicity in the forefront of my meals. Even when it was the last thing I wanted to do, I made sure to take time to enjoy each and every bite of my creation. No TV, no phone, just me and my food (Mr. was out of town).  I promise it won't set you back; it'll give you just the break you need to forge forward with the never ending to-do list.

Here's my latest concoction - took a whole 15 minutes from beginning to end :)

Layered to perfection.  Added chicken for protein!

Keep it Clean & Enjoy the Ride,
Mrs. Skinny Fat

My Breakfast Staple: Glorified Oats & Egg Whites

It wasn't until recently that I connected the dots of how important it is to combine the complex carb with the lean protein (in this case, rolled oats and egg whites).  Mind you, I have read dozens of books and magazines that listed it as a bullet point time and time again -- but I think I just subconsciously ignored it because maybe it seemed like "more work" to me to not only think about clean foods but also combining the right foods.  

I use to just eat the oatmeal or just the eggs for breakfast but never together...that is until the dots finally connected. It was my chiropractor (you never know who is going to inspire you!) who finally drilled it in my brain when he asked me how much protein I was getting a day.  I didn't have a clue how to answer.  Then he said, "You are already doing the work...eating clean, working out - now you need to rely on science to take you to the next level.  What if you could double your success by just combining the right foods?"  It was a total "Ah HA" moment for me!  By combining lean protein and complex carbs at each meal, it helps you slow down the carb-to-fat conversion in your body - in other words, it keeps you feeling full and satisfied between meals.  But also for me, it helps ensure I am getting enough protein throughout the day when I am intentionally making it a part of every meal.   

Now I tend to rely on my oats and egg whites for breakfast the majority of the time.  What I love about both is - in my opinion - you can't mess them up!  I will make a large pot of oatmeal at the beginning of the week so it's ready to go each morning by simply heating it up (sometimes I even like it cold!).  I just take rolled oats (buy it in bulk at the health food store), add water (sometimes I will do half water and half soy milk), add some ground cinnamon, handful of organic raisins,  handful of slivered raw almonds, throw in the chia seeds and wheat germ, cook it on the stove top for 3 to 5  minutes depending on how much I am making and I am good to go for the week.  Sometimes instead of raisins I will do chopped apples...or  I might leave out the fruit while cooking and instead add it on top before serving - such as a handful of fresh berries or half of a peach.  I also now love the combination of the oats and egg whites mixed together...is that weird? 

Pot of Glorified Oatmeal Made & Ready for the Week

The Secret to Successful Clean Eating is Making Sure You Combine
Your Oatmeal (Complex Carb) with the Egg Whites (Lean Protein).