Feasibly Fit Mom

Party Girl: Project Procrastinator's Party, that is

I'm not much of a procrastinator. And, truth be told, I'm not much of a decorator, either. I'm usually one of the first to leave a party...So why am I making over my pantry as part of The Inspired Room's Project Procrastinator's Party?

'Cause it'll be fun! My "pantry" doesn't exactly count as a room nor a decorating challenge, but this chrome tower houses many of the goodies I use to make our family's healthy meals. So please, moderators and party-people over at Project Headquarters, can I do a pantry "decorating" makeover? 

It's exposed metal shelving, which would be beautiful and all "Italian-grocery" if it were organized and maintained. Plus, I wouldn't be buying a cup of wild rice each week at the co-op. 

My goals for this party: Storage and order. Storder. 

Budget: $40 (New containers?)

Here are my pics of BEFORE:

The Tower of Power...and stale bread and 

expired coconut milk and old cereal.

Like one big Eye Spy shelf. Ugh.

Bonus: Canister of random legumes and beans. 

Why do I have 6 bags of 1/2 cup of lentils?

Check back in 2 weeks -- yep, that's the deadline -- for my After photos. Got a project that's got you procrastinating? It's not too late to join!

Workout motivation and updates

Be sure to check out my guest post: "8 Ways to Motivate: Get Your Workout Done!" over at Workout Mommy's blog. And welcome, Workout Mommy readers! 

We're plugging away at life in our Feasibly Fit home. I recently committed to doing the bike portion of a triathlon team (what was I thinking?), so look for some bike workouts here soon. I find Spinning workouts more motivating, but nothing like getting on the bike trainer in the garage. Gah. 

So far, no B*O*B...FitBoy is slowly becoming more open-minded about the stroller, but only for 15-20 minute stretches. We're working on it. We squeeze in small walks around the neighborhood when we can, but when it comes to my workout, it's got to be on my own for now. Last weekend, I took off for a 25 minute run and I'm going to get through a full-body weight workout tonight if I have to stay up 'til midnight to do it!

I'd love to hear from you in comments. What kind of workout do you like to do when you have just 20 minutes? (or less!)

(Photo: ! ramblinworker)

Edit, Add, Appreciate Today

I'm a little late to the party, but over at Graceful Creative, it's the weekly "Edit, Add, Appreciate," which she explains beautifully on her blog.

My own 10-day "Project Renew" is finished, and I'm on a self-improvement roll...

Edit: Go through baby clothes in the dresser and pack the clothes that FitBoy's outgrown. He, like me, wears the same clothes frequently because they are comfy and fit...no need to squeeze into size NB clothes that don't fit right. (thanks, Being More Through Having Less for the idea!)

Add: A healthy snack before bed. Lately, I've been going to bed grumpy and/or waking up hungry. I had to do this when I had hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) during pregnancy, and nursing requires even more calories. Whole grain crackers or bread and a bit of goat milk gouda or nut butter is perfect.

Appreciate: Every single moment I have with FitBoy. Instead of merely focusing on keeping him safe or occupied, pay attention our subtle exchanges: loving and learning.

Thanks, kirwin, for the opportunity to reflect and improve!

Project Renew: 10-Day Summary and Review

(Photo: Kelly Sue)

As you may have gathered, my 10-day experiment designed to reduce stress, and thereby relieve adrenal fatigue, was a success. Here are some of the data points for each of the 5 components I did for 10 days. I'm awarding "partial credit" for tasks that were partially completed.

The report card:

1. Affirmations (2 affirmations, 5x daily): 9 days / 10 days
2. Meditation (5 minutes daily): 8 days / 10 days
3. Evening gratitudes (5 daily shared with FitDad): 10 days/ 10 days
4. Avoid refined sugar: 4.5 days/10 days
5. Moderate exercise: 8 days / 10 days

The Good:
I'm especially pleased with the affirmations and evening gratitudes. I feel like those have made a difference in my attitude and life, with very minimal effort. Also surprising to me, was how well I did with the exercise. 

The Bad:
Meditation was a challenge, one I didn't particularly enjoy, which I suppose is the point. It was the one thing at the end of the day I always had to talk myself into squeezing in. I'd rather be "doing" almost anything than just sitting.

If there was any half-hearted effort, meditation was it. I couldn't fully embrace the sitting, focusing on a flame, or my breath, or any one thing for more than 30 seconds, to be honest. This is one of those things that I'm going to need to practice. 

Any ideas?

The Cupcake:
Not at all surprising, but still disappointing, was my effort to avoid refined sugar (including alcohol). I did make strides, though. Since having FitBoy, my sugar cravings have increased, probably because my metabolism is a little bit haywire and I'm not doing a great job of keeping energy (via calorie consumption) at a constant. I did turn down offers of sugar and candy that I normally would have eaten. 

On Fridays, I meet friends and their babies for a coffee date; a coffee date where there are cupcakes -- fresh, amazing cupcakes (chocolate chip and cream cheese chocolate frosting, anyone?) -- and I look forward to it all week. I don't drink flavored coffee during the week, so I do like an occasional flavored latte on the weekends. Or a glass of wine. Sure, these all add-up, but for me, it is about moderation, enjoyment and savoring the experience.

How do I feel?

Overall, I feel much better. Better = well-rested, at peace with unchanged situations, more grateful and healthier. More in control of my situation. I drink more water. And I've lost almost 4 pounds since the beginning of the experiment due to more balanced meals and less sugar, without compromising my milk supply.

Where do I go from here?

The cool thing about this project is that even though it had components of a self-help retreat, fitness bender and crash diet, is that it wasn't as extreme. I don't feel like I need a "cheat day" or a week to recover. In fact, one of my goals was to start some good habits. 

I'll definitely be keeping up on my evening gratitudes (or "My 5 Thankfuls," as FitDad and I have come to call them), along with the affirmations, and I may add one or two affirmations to the mix. Exercise is definitely staying, as is avoiding refined sugar. Meditation is, begrudgingly, still invited to the party. As my favorite yoga guru, says "Do your practice; all is coming." Indeed.

* * *

Read more about Project Renew.

Meal Plan Report Week 7 & Menu Week 8

(Photo: vanhookc)

Report on Week 7: 

We really stuck with the program this week, using up most of our grains from the co-op last week and trekking to two farm stands: one on Monday and another on Tuesday. In season in our neck of the woods:

• 2 bags of snap peas
• 1 Haas avocado
• 1 head lettuce
• 1 bag spinach
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1 bunch mint
• 2 bunches asparagus

Our meals revolved around most of these ingredients, with a bonus on Friday. Once again FitSis made dinner (love that!): Chickpea flour "burgers" on ciabatta. Next time, we decided we could do it a little differently: Use the patties as the "bread," add cucumbers, chutney and/or red pepper jelly. She thought roasted squash might be nice, too. I'll try to find the recipe. (Update: Recipe is here -- thanks, FitSis!)

Here's what we ate:

• Brown rice with Asparagus Stir Fry
• Pan-fried Chickpea Salad 
• Quick and easy brown rice bowl with marinated tofu, chard (from our garden), peas, asparagus, carrots and lentils

All three meals were incredible; we did leftovers one of the nights, though I have to say, there sure weren't many! FitDad was in heaven. No Pepita Salad last week, need to get lentils for it this week.

* * *

Week 8 Meal Plan:

In the spirit of awesome produce (gotta love Spring in California!), we're planning a similar, easy menu. All recipes via 101cookbooks.com. We're going a little lentil-crazy this week:

• Pepita Salad
• Spring Wild Rice Salad - we'll add some beets and fennel if they're at the farm stand
• Edamame Soup served room-temperature with romaine salad
• Curried Bean Salad

We're stepping it up and participating in *two* Menu Plan Blog Rolls. First is the famous Organizing Junkie's Menu Plan Monday. And once again we're submitting our menu to Chive Talkin's Menu Plan Blog Roll again. Have a blog and want to post your menu? Just go to the websites and enter your name and blog.

Trend: Meetings on the Move. Walk it out.

(Photo: llawliet)

Most of us have a creative space -- not necessarily where we actually do our craft or hobby or writing, but where the inspiration takes place. For some it's the shower, a special chair, a coffee shop or the garden. Or maybe it's an activity: running, weeding or cooking. It's whenever or wherever you get new ideas for your next blog post, sewing pattern or photography shot.

Lately, I've been doing a lot of creative collaboration on the move. A couple weeks ago I went on a power walk with a consulting client to brainstorm some marketing ideas, today I hiked with a fellow fitness and wellness professional in a collaborative meeting of the minds and next week, I'll hopefully be doing a getting-to-know-you walk with a new fitness client as we discuss goals and commitments.

Why meeting on the move works:

1. Exercise has been shown (in rats) to increase learning, along with improving mood and treating moderate depression in humans. So when collaborating with a client or colleague, put your happiest and smartest foot forward by walking and talking during your meeting.
2. When discussing a potentially volatile or sensitive subject, sometimes a side-by-side walk is less threatening than sitting across from each other, especially with a partner or spouse. You can also try this with kids, employees and in tougher, emotionally loaded negotiations.  
3. It solidifies your shared belief in a common bond and goal. Golfing executives have been doing this for years, so much so that golf has become a required class for business majors at several colleges. We listen to and buy more from people who we perceive to be like us, so when we're hiking together towards the top of the same peak, we have rapport and a connection before we even start talking business. 
4. As a culture obsessed with multi-tasking, think of it this way: You can get a moderate workout done and scratch another meeting off your agenda. Sound good?

 What are some of your favorite creative spaces or activities? 

Project Renew: Day 10

5 Steps in 10 Days - Day 10

1) Affirmations - repeated (out loud) 5x daily - DONE. 

1. My body is healthy and strong. (this one got me through a marathon, surgery and unmedicated childbirth)
2. I rest when I am tired, eat nutritiously when I am hungry and operate at my highest function.

2) Meditation - 5 minutes daily. DONE

3) Evening gratitudes - DONE

4) Avoid refined sugar - DONE

5) Moderate exercise - NOPE. No excuse today. Just didn't make the time, what with FitSis' birthday celebrations, and all.

* * *

I'm a day late posting this report on my 10th and final day of this Project Renew. Tomorrow I'll be posting a round-up and update on my takeaways and leave-behinds from this project. All in all, it's changed my life for the better, and what's not to like about a little extra energy each day?

* * *

Read more about Project Renew.

Birthday Tribute: FitSis

Happy Birthday, FitSis! Today's your day; and I love you.

You're a wonderful, caring, conscientious mother to your son. You make your husband a content and happy man.

I love exercising with you. You make me do more push-ups than I would alone.

We make-up excruciating songs, with terrible lyrics, and sound even worse singing them.

I've never known another sister, never loved another sister, but if I did, it'd be hard to love her as much as I love you.

Thanks for everything you've been to me; thanks for everything you are.

xo

(Photo: Crystl)