Food for Fuel

I've been thinking a lot about food lately.

Wait, that's not that unusual...

But here's the difference. I've been really mindful of what I'm feeding my body and how it KEEPS ME GOING!

My body could definitely feel drained right now. I'm teaching about 6 Zumba classes a week (plus or minus 1 or 2 if I cancel or sub other classes.) That includes 2 classes on Wednesdays and 2 classes on Thursdays. Occasionally I get scheduled for 3 in one day. Add that to my full-time work schedule, plus everything else (ya know...life) and I could very easily break down. Emotionally, sure that happens from time to time. But I'm talking a physical break down.

I need fuel. Clean, healthy, good-for-you fuel. I've been focusing on making sure I eat vegetables, fruits, carbs when I need energy, protein when I need to rebuild, multivitamins, and lots of water. I've been listening to my body. Friends often make fun of me when I make food choices accompanied by a phrase like "I can tell my body needs some good protein right now."

I'm not dieting. But I'm also not really eating much sugar, fast food, random treats, and other heavy foods. And I feel better for it. People seem to have a negative association with anything that even remotely seems like restriction. The push for healthier lifestyles across the country helps with this, but those thoughts still exist.

After I finished my classes yesterday and was driving home, I passed a newly remodeled Wendy's. Part of me thought it would be fun to check out the new set up. (I'm weird like that where new things really intrigue me. I know it's just Wendy's. Haha.) But then I thought about how I'd feel if I did order a small hamburger. I thought of that heavy pit I'd have in my stomach. Eeeks, no thank you. Even though I was done for my classes that day, I knew my body would be recovering Friday and preparing for my Saturday morning class and everything else I need to do. With no further thought about it (really Wendy's was a passing 5-sec thought), I drove home and prepared myself a delicious peanut butter protein shake and a small turkey/cheese wrap. I still thoroughly enjoyed my little meal, felt full and replenished, AND knew my choice was the best for my body right then.

UPDATE: Random, but Cassey over at Blogilates.com posted today about this same concept as well. Food is fuel and when you have the wrong approach to food, you feel like you are a prisoner to a diet and ultimately fill yourself with disappointment and unrealistic expectations. When we change our perspective and focus on using food to help us FEEL GOOD and as FUEL to embrace our lives and lifestyles, THAT's when we'll be successful (and HAPPY) in and about making good food choices.

Check out her post: "Feeling So Guilty About Food."

My life in Instagrams

Believe it or not, I've been thinking about this blog A LOT lately. I have dozens of pictures to share, articles to write, ideas to develop, and projects to unveil. Today, however, someone (ahem, my sister Christiane who mostly shares her awesomeness at keepthejuicesflowing.blogspot.com) asked if she had been missing my feed. Because she hadn't seen anything from me in AGES.

I suppose that was motivation enough. To get back into my blogging grove, I'm using an idea from Life By Lex called My Week Recent Life in Instagrams.

Though I haven't been blogging much, I do share an occasional picture. Check out what I've been up to! (Oh, and definitely follow me on Instagram.)

Back in February, I traveled to Los Angeles for my first Zumba Fitness Instructor Conference. It was pretty awesome. I started a blog post or two about that but never finished. :P 

I was inspired by Zupas BBQ Chicken to start making a FANTASTIC salad at home. All. the. time. Seriously, people, I ate this twice a day for a like week. I'm currently out of some of the ingredients, so I've taken a break. Oh, and don't forget a good protein shake!

I drive a manual. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. On this particular day I was in a hurry and parked to run into the library to pick up some items on hold. I came out to find this! Yikes! Luckily there was no damage...the situation could have been a LOT worse.

I went out for Chinese food with some friends and of course we had fortune cookies. Oh hey, my next business venture will be very profitable. I gotta remember that. More to come on this later. 

Tracking stuff is awesome. I've been wanting to track how many calories I burn in my Zumba class and spent a few weeks researching heart rate monitors. I ended up with a Polar FT4. I'm still working out some issues, but I'm loving this watch! (Last week, the monitor strap that goes around my waist fell off during my warmup. Today I accidentally stopped tracking the workout 20 minutes in. Oops!)

I currently teach six Zumba classes a week. I teach back-to-back classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays. By the end of Thursday, I am POOPED! Sometimes these type of pictures find their existence late at night. 

If you know me, you know I love Hungry Girl. This is one of my go-to recipes: Crispy white chicken pizza. (You can see a previous mention of this yummy delight here.) Yum, yum, yum. 

It's SPRING! And that means some spring cleaning. This is the result from my first round through my closet. (Click the picture to see exactly what I have piled here.) Next I'm hitting my craft supplies! (I'm planning to sell a lot.) I'm moving in a month and definitely want to get rid of stuff.