I learned something this week, it's something that I have always known, but this past weekend I really learned it. Health does not take a back seat to appearance. Lately I have received a lot of comments about how well I've done, how I must be so happy, and when I think about it, I really am proud of myself. However, I am not done, I still have my goals in mind, and I have not reached them yet. Although I am proud of myself for how far I have come physically, I am more proud of my progress mentally.
I just finished reading back through the few posts I have on here, and even though there aren't a lot of them, each of them are better than the last. This doesn't mean I never had set-backs, or never struggled, believe me when I say there has been no cake along this walk, and I'm still truckin' along.
You know those posts on Pinterest and other sites that say, "Don't put off starting because of how long it will take you, the time will pass anyway?" Let me tell you how true this is. Look at the title of this post, 1 year 4 months, 24 days. I have been working extremely hard to live as healthy as possible for almost 17 months now, and I still have a ways to go, but if I would have thrown up my hands and given up before starting, simply because it was going to take too long, it would not have stopped me from reaching November 24, 2013, but it would have stopped me reaching it in the health I am in now.
Here is the lesson to take away from this: every little change, no matter how small will make you healthier tomorrow than you were today, and those little changes will add up to a better you in the future. Do not compare yourself to the people around you, or even to who you want to become. Compare yourself to the person you were yesterday, and compete with that person to make yourself just a little bit healthier.
Alright, Thanksgiving is coming up. Your friend this time of year is going to be Quinoa. Trust me. Quinoa is actually a seed, although it is labeled a lot of times as a grain. The difference is extremely subtle, but the point is it doesn't turn to pure sugar in your body. Also, it's packed full of protein, so it keeps you nice and full, and it absorbs surrounding flavors. I have a breakfast quinoa recipe below, and quinoa when mixed with veggies and sugar/yeast free broth also makes a great stuffing substitute. :)
Magical Quinoa Breakfast:
Ingredients:
1/4 c quinoa
1 tsp cinnamon (I love cinnamon, so I double this for my own)
1/2 tsp stevia
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
Bring 1/4 cup quinoa to a boil, lower heat and let summer for about 15 minutes, or until the small spirals start to detach from body of the seed.
Drain well.
Stir in cinnamon and stevia, add milk, and enjoy as a warm breakfast cereal!
I also love to add boiled Granny Smith apples to the mix when I have a little more time.
Happy health!
