I strive to make a concentrated effort to eat as healthfully as possible. That decision has little to do with weight or how others perceive my eating habits. I simply know that eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, lean proteins, etc helps me feel better and live a higher quality life.

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In the past, I certainly found myself caring less about where my food came from just as long as it helped me reach my daily caloric intake goals. Even when I focused on eating enough calories to fuel my body, the calorie count still reigned supreme. I didn’t consider reading the ingredients of nutrition labels over the other statistics. I didn’t think about where my food came from. I didn’t determine a food’s worth based on its wholesomeness – an apple or a 100 calorie pack at lunch were interchangeable.

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I had already given up those food rules of things being “good” or “bad” but the calories still defined how they fit into my eating habits. After my fitness competition, when I could freely give up calorie counting (and coincidentally a bit later picked up reading blogs), I began to change how I viewed food. Not only did I want to fuel my body with enough food, but also with valuable energy.

I knew my body deserved respect. I wanted to care for the body God had given me. It could do so much for me by surviving years of binging, enduring months of brutal competition prep workouts, carrying a child, and beyond. Why should I not give it my best? And wouldn’t it make sense that the best I could give my body came in the form of the foods God gave us?

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That was how I personally become to understand the importance of giving my body the best quality and choosing the apple over the 100 calorie pack every time. Only I have the choice on what my body receives nutritionally. I still don’t view things as “good” or “bad”. I still will have processed items without any guilt. Now, however, I desire the wholesome foods because of how they support my body, instead of how they support my personal goals or body image. I am still a work in progress and have a lot to learn. Nevertheless, I also know that I will make that progress and continue to honor my body with natural, wholesome foods. Because it deserves it.

• Have you experienced any shifts in how you view food?
• What are the biggest influences in your food choices? Without getting preachy, my personal reason lies in trusting God. He gives me so much…including my body’s wellness. To keep that wellness it only makes sense to me to trust God’s food to feed it as well. Just as His word feeds my spirit and joy in life.

I knew I had a reason to feel happy for Friday yesterday. I ended up having a great afternoon. During the kids’ naptime, I snuck in a yoga session. Using the for unlimited classes through Teach Street, I stretched myself out nicely. I completed one of the Athlete Recovery classes and it felt fabulous.

Then, the afternoon continued to go well with a visit to the park in the beautiful weather.

Spending time outdoors always makes me happy. We really need to find the time for a hike sometime soon! Hmmm…don’t think we have anything going on yet next Saturday. Although it shall be interesting to see how my body would handle a hike, albeit easy with the kids, after long runs.

I love starting my weekend off with a long run. Getting out and moving my body first thing sets the positive tone for the weekend. Nothing beats a runner’s high, after all! This morning I set out for my long run and finished 7.02 miles. I did the same path as my last long run, but did try one thing new. I fueled with an Espresso Love Gu packet.

I had a small squeeze of it about 15-20 minutes before my run – mainly to make sure the flavor and texture wouldn’t make me gag. I’m a huge texture eater and didn’t want to end up out on my run wanting to upchuck. That wouldn’t be attractive. I then had another squeeze at mile 4 into my run and again at mile 6. I loved how easily I could consume this and it didn’t bother my stomach at all. As for the energy aspect? Let’s just say Gu is my new best friend. Check out my splits!

• Mile 1 = 9:12
• Mile 2 = 9:23
• Mile 3 = 9:12
• Mile 4 = 9:21
• Mile 5 = 8:52
• Mile 6 = 8:37
• Mile 7 = 8:35
• Average = 9:02

My only complaint was that the Gu is mighty sticky. That could just be a personal problem though, as I somehow got it all over my hands with my specialness. 😉

Once I finished my run I came home to eat. I needed something to hold me over until a special lunch date with Lee, so I gobbled up a mango coconut muffin and a green smoothie.

I even carried the mango goodness over into the smoothie by using almond milk, banana, frozen mango chunks, and (of course) spinach. I always crave green smoothies after my long runs and this one satisfied my hankering quite nicely. The mango, I tell ya. I just can’t get enough! And drinking a green smoothie out of a tropical beach cup that originally held a margarita is tres normal. Because I said so.

Now, I will leave you all with the FFF Features of the week! Happy weekend!

Featured Moment: Date Night 

Featured Post: My Blogging Realizations

Featured Meal: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Featured Workout: Two Great Weights Workouts
You all know how much I love weights. I certainly challenged myself this week. The following two workouts (one push and one pull) balanced out for some great overall training this week. Please note – these are two separate workouts for two non-consecutive days.

Featured Cuteness: Unpublished Easter Shot

B loving on his cousin, Enzo. Check out the cheeks on my boy. Love!

Featured Reading: Three New Blogs to Check Out

Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing

Her recent post about breaking points was exceptionally inspiring! Just like everything she writes. She knows how to keep a good perspective.

Erika @ The Teenage Taste

Young, but a genius in the kitchen already. And gorgeous photography to boot! Can we say Nutella Banana Bread, Oreo Muffins, & Spinach Artichoke Hummus? That’s all in the past week!

Lori @ What Runs Lori

This chick is inspirational! GREAT workouts, motivational topics, delicious food ideas, and a fun personality.