It All Adds Up
Posted: December 28, 2010 at 1:55 pmThis is a compensated review by BlogHer and Jimmy Dean, however the opinions and feelings expressed here are my own.
2011. A new year. Normally I do not buy into the “resolution craze”, but 2011 will certainly include changes and growth for me. A new baby will fill my year, as well as working towards getting back into my “best-shape” self, where I feel physically strong and emotionally well. In order to do that, I will have to commit myself to taking the necessary steps to care for myself.
I will need workouts. Not only will workouts improve my endurance and strength (and the look of my backside – just saying), but they will also give me a mental break and time to de-stress. That’s pretty important for this momma.
I will need to provide for my personal needs. For me, that includes many things. Prayer and quiet reflection, because you don’t want to know me without them. Activities and hobbies I feel passionate about, like this blog, because they provide an outlet. A focus on sleep and rest, because its an important part of health. Hey, that goal will help the prayer too. I know I’ll be praying for sleep with a new baby!
I will need quality eating habits. I did my best while pregnant, but a pregnant body wants what a pregnant body wants. Those hormones are crazy. Even I don’t want to step in my own way of getting whatever it is I may crave.
Spending a good chunk of the year watching my typical nutritious noshing slip little by little, I know I need to refocus my healthy eating practices the most. How? The KISS method – Keep It Simple Stupid. Yes, it would be stupid of me to make things more difficult than necessary and place rules and restrictions on myself. I only want to have to defeat binge eating once, ya know.
- “The balanced diet”. I want to be sure I eat adequate protein, enough quality carbohydrates, and plenty of healthy fats. Getting enough of each will surely leave me satisfied and help provide for my body’s needs – from breastfeeding to workouts.
Carbohydrates provide a top notch energy source; fiber aids digestion and helps keep blood sugar levels stable, etc.
Healthy fats help the brain’s functioning, the production of cell membranes, the heart’s health, the absorption of nutrients, and much more.
Protein is vital to help build and repair tissues, bones, muscles, cartilage, etc. through the essential amino acids found in protein sources. It also is another viable source of energy for our bodies. Visit http://jimmydean.com/proteinbenefits/ to learn more about the benefits of protein at breakfast.
I don’t feel the need to meticulously track these components like in the past, thank goodness. How boring! I simply plan to include a form of each, in a reasonable portion, at most meals.
- Whole foods. The best place to find those essential macronutrients of carbs, fats, and proteins is within the natural foods of the earth. I want to focus on incorporating such foods, in as wide a variety as possible, into my regular eating again.
- Don’t fret food choices. As much as I want to focus on choosing whole foods, I also won’t stress myself over needing to turn to easier options at times. Let’s face it. Some days it will be tough. Sometimes I may need to reach in the freezer for something like a Jimmy Dean D-Light breakfast sandwich in the morning, when I’m rushing around to get out the door with two kids. It won’t be a go-to daily meal choice, but I do think its important for me to realize options like that are okay too. Plus, they clock in with under 300 calories and a good balance of protein (15-23 grams), carbohydrates (around 30 grams), and fat (around 7 grams). When paired quickly with some fruit or a green monster (spinach/banana/milk smoothie), I still focus on getting in those wholesome foods as well. Visit the official site for more info on the Jimmy Dean D-Lights.
It’s most important for me to still get in a balanced breakfast, rather than end up starving and reaching for tons of cookies and chocolate in the afternoon. Some, okay. Just not tons. We all know life is no fun without a little chocolate.
It’s the overall balance of things and doing what works for me and my lifestyle that matters most. In all ways, doing what suits my best interests and making choices I can live with happily and healthfully on the whole will bring me to my best-self again. A better you comes in knowing yourself and being confident in the decisions you make that keep you feeling good on all levels. So, cheers! To a year of improvement…and only you can determine what will get you there.
What decisions do you plan to make for a better you in 2011? Or how important is a good breakfast to you in a balanced diet? Comment below for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Giveaway Entry Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. Giveaway dates are 12/28/2010 – 1/30/2011. Visit the exclusive offers section for more chances to win!
Tags: breakfast, giveaway, healthy habits
I will be saying Goodbye to my favorite soda and making water my beverage of choice.
Great Blog
Thanks for the easy to use Reply form to enter the Sweepstakes.
gotta cut out the sweeteners! Thanks for the great giveaway! I will start with a breakfast that has a good mix of protein, fat, and carbs 🙂 (yogurt, pb, and cereal makes me a happy girl!)
no more pizza cravings late at night
I can’t wait to try the breakfast sandwich. Part of the New Year for me is to get more variety in my diet. I tend to eat the same foods daily for breakfast and lunch for months on end.
I’m making a conscious decision to stop picking at my face. No more “just this once”s or “only whiteheads”. (tmi? maybe.) IM GOING COLD TURKEY! lol.
Count me in again please 🙂
I plan to drink more water and eat less sweets. I’m pregnant, so totally get the eating while pregnant thing.
I’ve always eaten wrecklessly, but 2010 was a rough year health wise for my family and closest friends. It truly opened my eyes as to how effected your body is by the things you put into.
In 2011 I resolve to eat better. It’s not necessary a resolution, but a choice to push towards eating out less, to eat a proper breakfast every morning even if I am too busy. I am learning that a good breakfast doesn’t necessarily mean time consuming.
Thank you for the inspiring post and of course the opportunity. xoxo
So important to focus on health! Thanks for such a thoughtful comment 🙂
Eat better.
breakfast is my favorite meal!
I’m going to eat a healthier breakfast every morning to keep me full until lunchtime.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/livelovelynn/status/26519318015516672
So far in 2011, I have replaced high saturated fat with healthy fats that are found in fish and nuts. We also are eating more fresh organic fruits and vegetables
bukaeyes at aol dot com
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/bukaeyes/status/26677357645402112
I need to stop eating when I’m full. I’ve grown into some person who keeps eating just because it tastes good. Smart, huh?
I have definitely been there before! It’s hard when things are yummy. You can do it, though!
I tweeted;
http://twitter.com/?status=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FgHLmtw#!/tammigirl/status/26712779960360960
I find that eating a good breakfast keeps me from snacking at work before lunch, and I feel more alert.
Tweet.
http://twitter.com/#!/mgoss123/status/26760552084672513
I plan to eat less sweets, drink more water, and get back into a consistent exercise routine.
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/busiemommie/status/26796997679783936
I want to improve my mental health by meditating more and get more restful sleep.
i want to walk on my treadmill regularly and make healthier meal choices for my family
i tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/bellows22/status/26837392006586369
I usually have a smoothie for breakfast. I swim 3 times a week and try to walk as much as possible.
Thanks for the contest.
blogged:
http://slehan.blogspot.com/2010/12/win-100-from-blogher-and-jimmy-dean.html
In the past breakfast was never important to me. Unfortunately that lead to me being ravenous by lunch. I would overeat and then be lethargic for the rest of the day. Now a breakfast high in protein and fiber helps keep my appetite under control and gives me a boost I need to get through the day. I never skip breakfast now, and don’t know how I lived back then.
Tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/HeartnSoulmom/status/26861980857929728
I plan on eating breakfast each day, and eating helathier meals at home. I also plan to get more excercise.
Tweeted
http://twitter.com/Sarafan2/status/26893325248241664
I have started to eat breakfast every morning. This is the first time since I was a kid that Ive eaten breakfast. Im now seeing why it is so important. Thanks for the great blog.
[email protected]
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Jessyca81/status/26896336943054849
[email protected]
I need to drink a lot more water. I also need to start exercising again. I cook a lot for the family but I could make healthier menus and use healthier ingredients. A good breakfast that keeps you going all morning is key to curbing cravings for me!
I’m trying to eat protein at breakfast. That seems to give me more energy.
I plan to bike more!
I am hoping to walk more this year on the treadmill.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/27560265310543872
I’m going eat a healthier bedtime snack when I have one, maybe a few almonds instead of chips or sweets.
At the start of 2011 I promised myself I would aim for better balance. It is so easy to loose myself in days that last 11+ hours between work and school. Meal planning, semi-regular exercise, and meditation to rest my eyes. $100 for kombucha never hurt either. 😉
Eating breakfast is the best thing I ever started in my ‘diet.’ eating eggs or oatmeal keeps me full and ready to go until lunch. 🙂
Breakfast is an important part of my day. I eat practically the same thing everyday. Oatmeal, flax seed meal, pb flour, and chocolate. Yes, chocolate! I have found by adding a little chocolate to my oatmeal I crave it less during the day.
I love the stability of my breakfast. It is comforting, I can make it half asleep, but always am ready to start my day when I am done.
Breakfast is truly my favorite meal of the day!
I want to eat more “natural” foods, with less artificial sweetners, and try to refrain from drinking diet pop and more water! I’m such a breakfast person, and have a hard time going without it.
I’d like to focus on eating more healthfully and conscientiously this year. I want to work on incorporating whole foods into my diet because that is definitely when my body feels properly fueled!
I want to focus on less sitting on the couch and more on waking up and working out first thing in the morning!
2011 = more saving money, less spending, more paying off debt! that will make me balanced!
Just found your blog! Love your positive attitude towards getting back into shape in the new year post-baby. 🙂
My new year’s resolution is similar to your “provide for my personal needs,” but it is more like a mantra. Take care of others by taking care of yourself first.
I want to be healthier than I’ve been the past so I’ve been eating more “whole foods” and veggies. I was always so lazy to make a good breakfast in the morning, but it really does make a difference!! This past year oats have become my new best friend!!
Trying to “five ingredient” grocery shop…read labels and know what It is I’m really eating!
Congrats again on baby B…he is adorable! For 2011, I am planning to bring faith back into my life. I was raised Catholic but throughout the years have become those people that only go to church on Holidays. I do stay my prayers but I need to reconnect with my faith again. I also plan to eat healthier which has been happening and watch the sugar intake (a piece a chocolate at either lunch time or dinner time).
I enjoy breakfast SO much…my favorite meal of the day! So having a balanced breakfast is very big to me. I hope you have a wonderful day!!
To get back to the excersize that I enjoy so it doesn’t feel like work. And to eat breakfast everyday and not consider my coffee a well rounded meal!
I can’t function without a good breakfast of carbs, protein and fat. It helps my brain to get out of first gear!