Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise (formerly Fat Butt Friday)

New year, new name for what was formerly Fat Butt Friday. I wanted to do this name change because I felt like my journey wasn't so much about losing weight now, but more about maintaining the weight I am at now. I still have a little bit of weight I want to lose, but after losing over 50 lbs. in 2013, I wanted to put my focus more on life now after the weight loss. Food is my addiction, so I believe I will always struggle with learning to block out that voice inside my head that tries to convince me that food is the answer to all my problems. I am such an emotional eater! 

I want this series to be a place for others to share their weight loss journey's as well. A community where we share our stories, recipes, successes, and struggles without judgement. Let's come together and encourage one another! However, always remember that being over weight, never devalues anyone. We are all equally important in this world and should love and accept ourselves no matter what size we are at. 

 

Oops! Yep, that's a cookie in my hand!

I am not by any means an expert in health and fitness, but plain and simple, weight loss is definitely about a balance of routine exercise and high quality foods. Of course, we can't live a life without indulging every now and then, but I don't believe a healthy and successful weight loss excludes one or the other. Therefor, those are the guidelines I stand by here. Those are the guidelines that worked for me when none of the other ones did. I have tried all of the fad diets and weight loss programs like Weight Watchers, and honestly, the best program is to just stop eating the junk and to get up off the couch and move! 

In 2014, my goals for health and fitness are to continue to educate myself more about clean eating and to run more. I would love to participate in my first 5k and perhaps even find some other ways of exercising that I love just as much as running. 

If you are interested in sharing your story and being a guest for Healthy, Wealthy, & Wise, I would love to hear from you. Be sure to send me an email at sixcherriesontop(at)gmail(dot)com and we can talk. I also encourage you to email me if you have any questions or would like to talk one on one about something you don't feel comfortable sharing in the comments. I would love to be part of your buddy system to help encourage you to lose weight and challenge yourself this year.

Leave a comment below telling me some of your health and fitness goals for 2014.

                    

Fat Butt Friday | A List of Foods I Always Keep on Hand

I'm here to admit that I successfully made it through October and Halloween week. I didn't fall victim to all the candy eating like I feared, however, I did find that we were relying on unhealthy processed quick foods to get us through all the busy times. Although, I didn't gain any weight during this time, I did come out on the other side feeling sick and miserable and eager to get back to eating clean and healthy.

November is like the eye of the storm because I tend to ease up on all the baking during this month but as soon as December moves in, it will all start up again. If I can make it through December then I am in the clear! Even though Thanksgiving is a nothing more than a day to eat your heart out, the meals my step mom prepares are not only amazing, they are actually pretty healthy. I almost never feel guilty for over indulging in the food she makes each year.

But in the meantime, I am jumping back on track after I went crazy in the kitchen with all of my baking projects. After my first real trip post Halloween, I discovered that I pretty much grab the same foods to keep in my fridge and pantry at all times.


Here are some foods that I always keep on hand in my kitchen: 

• Carrots
• Bananas
• Black Olives
• Eggs
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenderloins
• Tomatoes
• Avocado
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Cucumbers
• Tortillas
• Black Beans
• Honey Mustard
• Taco Seasoning
• Unsweetened Almond Milk
• Spinach
• Raw Almonds

I love almost all foods but I always seem to keep these around at all times. I definitely can't live without some of these. I can make a week's worth of delicious meals and an assortment of yummy snacks with just these few items. I do eat more than this, but I want you to see how easy it can be to enjoy healthy foods without having to spend a fortune.

So, what can I make with these items, you ask?


Here is a list of foods I usually prepare with some of these items:

• Salad with veggies and honey mustard dressing
• Smoothie using bananas, avocado, spinach, raw almonds, and almond milk
• Chicken taco salad (or tacos using the tortillas) using chicken, taco seasoning, lettuce, tomatoes, moz. cheese, and black olives
• Black bean salad (or tacos using the tortillas) using black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and moz. cheese. 
• Omelets using eggs, spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, avocado, and moz. cheese
• Carrot fries (sliced like a french fry and baked in the oven on low until slightly crispy)
• Banana chips
• Mock guacamole with baked tortillas 
• Chicken quesadillas using chicken, tortillas, and moz. cheese
• Baked chicken with steamed carrots

Not all of my meals are 100% clean, but eating as clean as possible is my goal and I always feel so much better when I do.


What are some of the foods you must keep on hand in your kitchen?

It's NaBloPoMo, which means I will be blogging every day in November. I do hope you will follow along here. 

 

                    

Fat Butt Friday | There Will Come a Time When You Just Have to Eat a Brownie

Regardless of what you eat or don't eat, whether its eating clean, or you are a vegan or vegetarian, there are foods that are still considered junk foods or unhealthy foods that most people try to avoid while losing weight. Personally, I must avoid all junk foods for a period of time in order to jump start any kind of weight management. Sugar is my enemy! I have literally been addicted to sugar so bad that I craved it, got headaches when I couldn't eat it, and felt physically sick if I didn't have it. However, if we are all being honest with ourselves, there is just no way we can avoid those junk foods or sweet treats for the rest of our lives. That's just not realistic and no way to live!

You can make some pretty amazing sweets that still fit within your dietary guidelines of clean eating or veganism, but you still have to monitor the amount you eat or you will gain weight. I try to eat clean simply because it's what my body responds best to when it comes to losing weight. The weight literally fell off of me simply by eating clean. But of course, there are birthdays to attend and holidays to celebrate, and what would a birthday be without cake?

So far I have lost over 50 lbs. and there have been a few times where I have given in to the temptations and enjoyed a piece of cake here, a cookie there, and a few other things. We all just have to learn how to eat those things in moderation. Of course, losing weight is a big challenge, but I think the bigger challenge is learning to eat "normally" and keeping the weight off.


I think we all beat ourselves up so badly when we "mess up", that we automatically throw in the towel. Move past the moment and get back on track! Instead of telling yourself that you will get back on track on Monday, get back on track RIGHT NOW!


There will come a time when you just have to eat a brownie, but don't beat yourself up about it! 

Homemade brownies made by my daughter, Mackenzie. And YES, I ate one!


                    

Fat Butt Friday | October Measurements

These last couple of months, I have continued to lose weight, but definitely at a slower pace. I am currently only 5 lbs. from my goal so I am doing great, but I have been a little slack when it comes to working out. Getting out there for a run has been pretty sporadic since school has started back and Jason was away for 2 months (I didn't have my workout partner! *sad face*)

Not only have I continued to lose weight, I have continued to lose inches too. I am so excited about! Sadly, even though I joke about it though, I have absolutely NO butt now! Yes, I have a Miley Cyrus back there and squats are not my friend! Here are my most recent measurements:

With Fall here and Winter on the horizon, my biggest fear is gaining some of the weight back. I have such a hard time staying committed to working out and eating healthy during the colder months and during the times when all those holiday meals and treats are so tempting!

What is your biggest temptation during the holidays? Mine is red velvet cake covered in crushed candy canes!

And indoor workouts... oh my goodness, I CAN NOT listen to Jillian Michael's through one more video! I don't actually remember the last time I had to go through the holiday season that I wasn't either pregnant or way overweight! This will be the first year in many! Someone hold me, I'm scared! 


                    

Fat Butt Friday | Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

To convince you how easy it can be to enjoy good healthy food, I decided to share a few of the recipes I use over the next few weeks...healthier alternatives to some of my favorite foods. This week, I thought I would start out with a simple recipe for a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have seen this recipe in so many versions, but have yet to find one the way I prepare it.

I would love to know what some of your favorite foods are that you would like to see a healthier version of as well, so be sure to let me know in the comments below.   

Here is my recipe for Pumpkin Spice Lattes that you can enjoy at home!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte

 You will need:

• 1 cup (8 oz.) brewed Pumpkin Spice Coffee (or regular coffee)
• 2 Tbsp. Canned Pumpkin Puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1/2 Tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 cup (8 oz.) Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
• 20-30 drops Liquid Vanilla Stevia (I prefer NuNaturals liquid stevia best)
• 1/4 Tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

In a saucepan, heat 1 cup of  unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, and 20-30 drops of liquid vanilla stevia until steaming, but not boiling. Stirring occasionally with a whisk. Remove from heat once milk begins to steam and add vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice, and whisk together until slightly frothy. Brew coffee in your mug and add the frothy pumpkin/milk mixture on top and stir. Enjoy!

The amount of coffee to "creamer" can always be adjusted to your liking!

I never count calories because that just isn't a convenient way to live for me, but I can promise you that you can enjoy this coffee drink without the fear of "drinking your calories" and at half the price of those drinks at the coffee shop... even though I have to admit, they are my favorite! 

I would love to hear if you try this recipe and what you think, so be sure to stop back by if you do!

*Don't forget to enter the Diamond Candles giveaway HERE, still going on. Just a few more days left! 



                    

Fat Butt Friday | What I Eat & Don't Eat

I have had so many people contact me asking me for advice about how I have long my weight and what types of foods I eat. I have done a post similar to this in the past but I thought I would go more into detail what I eat and do to lose weight and keep the weight off.

I will say this before anything... I am not a nutritionist, nor am I a fitness guru, nor am I a doctor. These are things that work for me and don't necessarily work for everyone. Talk to a professional if you are seeking professional information and advice.

The first thing I always tell people is to start taking a multivitamin and drinking nothing but water, coffee, and tea. Coffee and tea, only sweetened with stevia, an all natural, plant based sweetener, and if you must have "cream", use unsweetened almond milk. You just wouldn't believe the difference that one change will make for you. Drinking diet sodas or anything with artificial sweeteners are doing damage to your body. Artificial sweeteners also make you more hungry, kind of the opposite of what we are going for here. I also say to try to establish that one goal before you try to move on to other goals in your weight loss journey. Your goal should be to drink at least half of your body weight in water a day. That seems like a lot but it's what your body needs.

A lot of people assume that to lose weight, they must go on a diet. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to stop going on diets and change the way you eat forever. This is a life long commitment, not a short term journey with an end date. You also need to know that no amount of exercise is going to make up for your poor eating habits. There is just no way you can work out enough to keep off the calories of all the junk and processed foods you consume.

Slowly adding in new goals will help you stay motivated rather than jumping into this blindly and trying to accomplish everything at once. You will burn out and give up and if you are an emotional eater, you will naturally use food to medicate your feelings of failure. Believe me, I know this, because it is exactly what I have done all my life. Even now that I am more aware of my body, I find myself more hungry when I am stressed. It is something you have to learn to recognize and respond to differently. Instead of heading to the kitchen when you are stressed, throw on your shoes and go for a run.

You won't find many people who truly enjoy working out. If we all could stay fit and healthy without working out, I am sure many of us wouldn't do it. I know I probably wouldn't (just being honest). However, I do enjoy running best when it comes to exercise for my body. I don't have a gym membership and I loathe workout videos even though I have done them many times, but I do love throwing on my running shoes and going for a long run. Find a workout that you enjoy most. Don't force yourself to do something day after day if you don't love it. You will get sick of it and you will give up!

Ok, so, the biggest question I get is "what do you eat?". I have people email me on a daily basis asking me this question. People I don't know and have never met want to know. I love getting to know these new friends and never mind giving my advice and words of encouragement. I often wished I had more people standing behind me along the way. I always tell people that I try to maintain a clean eating lifestyle, but often times, those people don't really know what eating clean means. Basically, I just try to eat all foods in their most natural state. That means, lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats.

Here is a detailed list of the most common foods that I typically eat (if it's not on the list, I probably don't eat it, but feel free to contact me if you have questions). I also make many of the foods I eat homemade which is always the healthiest option for you. Some things that I wouldn't typically purchase and eat can be homemade in a healthy version that I will eat.

• ALL fresh fruits and vegetables
• Canned unsalted/unsweetened veggies - I try to stay fresh as much as possible but some items I use often are canned pumpkin, canned diced tomatoes, olives, black beans.   
• Salmon, shrimp, tuna, scallops
• Fresh or ground turkey and chicken
• Black olives and avocado
• Unsweetened almond milk
• Raw nuts and seeds (sunflower, almonds, pumpkin, etc.)
• Bread - unrefined whole grain and in small quantities (1 serving a day)
• Brown rice - small quantities (1-2 servings a week)
• Olive oil and coconut oil
• Cheese - small quantities and preferably mozzarella, goat, and parmesan (2-3 servings a week)
• Quinoa
• PB2
• Unbleached whole wheat flour
• Mustard and honey mustard - great for salads (honey mustard found in the mustard section, NOT honey mustard salad dressing)
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda and Powder
• Unsweetened Cocoa 
• Black Beans
• Popcorn - made in a air popper or in a oil popper using olive or coconut oil (NOT the prepackaged bags)
• Stevia - preferably liquid stevia
• All herbs and spices - with the limitation of salt
• Eggs

This doesn't seem like a huge list of foods, but remember, I said that there are things I make homemade using the ingredients in this list. I am never hungry and I eat all throughout the day. Many people assume that to lose weight, they have to cut back on the amount they eat. In actuality, not eating is causing your body to starve and hang onto the extra fat in foods because it thinks it is starving. Eat! Eat lots! But eat lots of healthy choices. I make the BEST homemade pizza, and we eat it at least once a week (but also in moderation. moderation to me is usually 2 slices)! Use Pinterest to find meals you love that are clean or tweak those recipes that aren't to make them that way.

Remember, this is a lifestyle you must learn to live with, not a diet that has a stopping point. Once you commit to eating this way, regardless of weight loss, you will notice a difference in the way you feel because your body won't be filled with all the toxic chemicals that are often hiding in processed and boxed foods.

Are you trying to lose weight? What has been the biggest challenge/struggle for you?