I have taken a huge break from blogging, but I AM here, and I AM alive. HA! My focus switched from blogging to family and friends. I am very happy with this change, and will continue to make this my focus, but I might occasionally feel the need to check in and share some things that have meaning, or that I love, with you.
During my break many things happened. I was fortunate enough to be accepted to run the 2015 Boston Marathon. I wasn’t sure if I should run, but I think it’s what I need right now to find some meaning and purpose in my life outside of my family.
During my absence, I have been running here and there (maybe 15-20 miles a week) and let’s just say that my eating has been as relaxed as my running. To put it bluntly, I gained 10 pounds. These 10 lbs. were a lot of junk and way too many calories. I was feeling awful, tired, migraines, not seeping well, bloated, achey joints, my head in a fog– basically, like crap.
I kept blaming it on my age and lack of running, but the reality is I needed to make some radical life changes. I was using food to comfort myself, my clothes were slowing getting tighter, and I was becoming pretty unhappy with the whole situation. One week ago, my friends Allison and Jennie challenged me to 30 days of clean eating, and just like that I got on the band wagon, and I am SO so happy that I made that choice.
The first week was horrible, migraines and overall sluggishness, but on day 6 I woke up 4lbs. lighter and feeling better than I have in many years. Full of energy and clear minded.
So, what I am doing? I have eliminated all gluten, all GMO’s, alcohol, dairy, all caffeine (except organic green tea), and processed sugars. You may be saying, “that sounds awful” but it really isn’t. I didn’t know how good I could feel after just one week. I didn’t know that I had this much energy or clarity of mind. I walked around for many years feeling tired and sluggish, like I needed a cup of coffee all of the time. I thought I was tired because I am getting up there in age and because I was running between 25-60 miles a week, or that it was just normal to feel this way. I was wrong. I was eating healthy, just too much of it, and to many of the wrong things. My need to feel good far outweighs my need to eat the wrong foods.
So here I am on day 7, but I am missing my beloved cookies. First, let me say that I am still trying to look within and discover why I “need” certain foods. Food should be fuel and to nourish, but I still go back to my old ways of wanting a “treat.” I am work in progress. Let me repeat… work in progress. In the meantime, I’m still human and pretty sure I will never be anything other than that. I don’t believe in deprivation and if I want a cookie, then darn it, I’m going to have a cookie! But, now I choose to make them with ingredients that make me feel good.
I adapted this recipe from Elana’s Pantry Chocolate Chip Cookies— I like mine a little less sweet and with a little more texture. Plus, I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips which are dairy free, soy free, gluten free, and non-gmo (I bought mine at Target– also available on Amazon or direct). I served this with a big icy glass of Silk Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk.
I hope you enjoy these– please feel to leave me feed back.
- 1 Cup of Blanched Almond Flour
- 1 Cup of Almond Meal
- 1/2 Cup of Golden Flax Meal
- 1/2 t. Sea Salt
- 1/4 t. Aluminum free Baking Soda
- 1/4 t. Aluminum free Baking Powder
- 1/4 t. Cream of Tarter
- 1 T. of Organic Vanilla extract
- 1/4 Cup of Organic Agave Syrup
- 1/2 Cup of Grapeseed Oil
- 1/2 Cup of Enjoy Life Chocolate Chip pieces
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Add, oil, vanilla, Agave, Grapeseed Oil, and Chips. Mix well until a batter forms.
- Line baking sheet with parchment. Form and flatten balls of dough on the sheet.
- Bake for 7- 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet (these will crumble if you pick them up before they cool).
- I store mine in the freezer– I like the chips to have some crunch.
This challenge has completely knocked me off my feet. I no longer consider this a challenge, but a way of life. I may not be so strict in my future, but I assure you I will always be mindful of what I put in body. I am so curious to see how this changes my running– who knows, maybe Boston 2015 will be my best race ever!
Have you ever participated in a challenge that totally changed your way of thinking?