Being Healthy. It's a complicated matter.... (For me anyway). I have never been any good at those "diets" where you are completely withholding all the foods you like from yourself. It is unrealistic to me, and very difficult. I have struggled over the past 5 years with the extra mommy-lbs. I have super rough pregnancies, and health problems that make seriously vigorous exercise a battle to the death (or to the next injury). I go through swings of trying really hard, and giving up completely. It's real life. It's tough. It all comes down to what matters most to you.
Right now, getting stronger and more healthy matters A LOT. It is making it's way right to the top of my life's totem pole. I am decided. I am going to take CONTROL of what I put into this body of mine, and I am going to find some way to make this body STRONG. That's all I want. I know I can do it, and I am going to make it happen.
How am I going to accomplish this? Well, I'm still figuring out all the details, and making plans, but for now my plan is to live by these 5 guidelines:
1. Sweat Every Day. I am going to make a concerted effort to perform some kind of physical exercise every day. This will be quite the task what with my busy schedule, but it is possible. I know this, because I have done it before. It's all a matter of priorities. :)
2. Cut The Carbs. If I am not watching myself, the little devil in me will aimlessly devour WAY too many bread products every day. It's the nature of life. Bread is accessible, its fast, and it fills you up. When you are a mom, sometimes that seems like the best option. Well, for me at the moment, breads (however lovely they are) are killing me!! I am going to attempt to eat no more than 1 bread serving a day, 2 if Im desperate.
3. Stop Beating Yourself Up. I know that it is not possible to be perfect at these goals. When I have messed up with my eating goals, or gotten sick and stopped exercising I have let that get me down. Well, life isn't perfect!! Neither am I for that matter, so why should I hold myself to that kind of ridiculously unattainable standard. If things get messed up somehow, I am allowing myself to brush it off and start again fresh tomorrow. It's the only way to live in my opinion.
4. Drink Water & Take Vitamins. Force myself to drink enough WATER if I have to. It's most of what our bodies are made of, so I best be drinking some!!! Unlike many people would like you to believe, Diet Coke isn't a substitute for water. I know days have gone by where I haven't even had a sip of water, and looking back I probably drank way too much pop. I get carried away sometimes, so I am saying STOP!! Have a coke if you want, but don't forget your main source of liquid... Water. I am also going to do my best to take a mulit-vitamin every day. It's just a good idea. :) I am gonna do it!
5. Track Calorie Intake. Now, I am not going to be obsessive about this, but I think being aware of your caloric intake is key to being accountable for you eating. I am using an app called My Fitness Pal. It is free, comprehensive and easy to use. It has a barcode scanner just like Weight Watchers apps do, and I love it! I am going to push veggies and fruits and reduce breads and I believe that will significantly improve the way I feel, how much energy I have, and help me lose weight. It can be done. I am gonna do it!!!
Anyone dare to take on these 5 guidelines to a healthier life? I would love some company!
To help myself out on this new challenge, I am spending quite a bit more effort on prepping my fruits and veggies in an organized manner. I am attempting to make sure that I have a Salad Of The Week prepped and available for healthy, quick lunches. This week I also made a batch of {My Zero Soup) made up of a healthy, low calorie broth with grundles of fresh veggies! I tried to calculate what the calories were per cup and I came out with 39 calories per cup! Thats pretty amazing considering how hearty and filling this soup is! Not only is it very low calorie, it is Delicious!! I like to think of myself as a bit of a soup connousour, and I wouldn't eat a yucky soup just for the health benefits. I just wont. This soup is very flavorful, and good for you so its a win win. This soup is my savior for the first few weeks of beginning a new exercise regimen. You know that RAVENOUS hunger that seems to accompany new levels of exercise? Will I do, all too well. This soup is the energy boost you need, without the calories after a good workout. I love that it is something hot to eat that is healthy too. That doesn't seem to be very easy to find these days....
So here it is, my healthy, delicious Harvest Vegetable Soup, or {Laura's Zero Soup}. I am happy to share this with all of you in hopes that it will help you on your way to a healthier life too!
I served this soup with the wonderful Costco Pretzel Rolls. (Everything can't be home made all the time, ya know...) They are dang good too. So there. They are 200 calories per roll, but considering the fact that this was the only bread I ate all day I feel like that is ok. :)
Prep all your veggies. Slice 1/2 head of savoy cabbage thinly and chop it up. Peel and chop 2 large carrots. Dice 1 red onion. Cut the kernels off of 1 ear of corn. Chop 2 cups of baby kale leaves. Wash and dice 2 medium sized zucchini squash. Have 4 teaspoons of minced garlic ready. It is a little bit of prep, but it is so worth it!
In a large stock pot, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Heat over medium-high. Add onions, carrots, garlic and corn. Saute for 5 minutes. Add 6 cups chicken broth, cabbage, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 cup tomato sauce, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, a dash of cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste. (This soup takes quite a bit of salt so add more if it isn't savory enough yet!) Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Once the flavor tastes good to you, add in zucchini and kale, and cook until zucchini is tender. Remove from heat and serve hot!
CLICK ON RECIPE TO VIEW AN ENLARGED PRINTABLE JPG
I hope you all enjoy soups, because I sure do love making them! Hooray for soup season! If you have any other go-to healthy soups I would love to hear about them! Shoot me a comment and lets cook healthy together! :)
x0
Laura
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