slow and steady

It’s a new year. Again. Does anyone else feel like they should stay the same age this year’s birthday? Can I turn 26 again in 2021? 2020 was a limbo year. When 2021 hit, like most others, I set some new year intentions. Also like most others, one of those intentions is to lose some weight and gain some strength. Ground-breaking, right? This time felt and is different though. I didn’t set a date that revolved around me being in a swim suit. I didn’t start January off with a Whole30 or cut out sugar, although I almost started a Whole30. So what’s changed? Why is this time different? Why is this year, really the year I get healthier again?

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new year the whole30 way | day one

I am doing the January Whole30 reset.  Two years ago, I did a Paleo Challenge that sort of morphed into a Whole30.  I didn’t do my research.  I was new to it all.  I begun with paleo and as I did more research, I stumbled upon the Whole30 and began following the program then.  I slipped a few times, I cut it a day short, I didn’t scrutinize labels… It wasn’t really a Whole30 at all, which brings me to now.

everything-but-the-bagel avo toast

Need a quick, easy and healthy breakfast or snack idea?

Jump on the avocado toast train.

I just toasted two pieces of my favorite gluten-free bread, mashed half an avocado and spread it on the toast, and finished it all off with some red pepper flakes and Trader Joe’s Everything-but-the-Bagel Sesame seasoning.

cinco de mayo shrimp tacos

In case you missed it last night on my snapchat (@emvalerioti), I made my first video recipe: Shrimp Tacos for Cinco de Mayo!  It’s definitely janky being my first video, and it was recorded on my snap and not a high end camera… BUT it was über fun to make!  I enjoyed it and I got fabulous feedback from everyone, so thanks y’all!  Here are the snips compiled together with the recipe below!  

crunching numbers

This is a post that needed to happen, ASAP. I have a list of posts that need to happen, eventually, but this is a pressing matter and I have to get it out of my head.  After completing my Whole30 in January (check out my Whole30 diary here), I adopted a food log back into my life.  I hadn’t weighed or logged my food in, well, almost a year, so why did I pick it back up?  I was beginning a new fitness program that included nutrition and diet advice to assist me in leaning out and it was highly recommended that I measure and log everything that went into my mouth.  I didn’t moan or groan about this because this is what I used to do, for years and years of my life.  Not a morsel went into my mouth without me logging it.  It was religious.

day twenty-seven, -eight & -nine | fueled up

Happy Friday everyone!  Boy, was it a good great week!  The final week of my Whole30 and I honestly feel on top of the world.  My food has been in control.  I have learned what works for me.  I have my “sugar dragon” under control.  It is pretty amazing, but I will go into further detail in my final Whole30 summary post this weekend—so stay tuned.  As for this week, I’m focusing on my meals, workouts, and recovery sessions.

day twenty-six | foodie flow

Just four more days!  Four.  That’s it!  I keep saying that this whole Whole30/Paleo thing is just natural to me now.  I guess that’s why it’s more of a lifestyle than a diet.  It just flows well, I have never been hungry, my sleep has improved drastically, my energy levels (did I also mention that this month I cut coffee???)…

day twenty-four & -five | food glorious food

The days are just flying by now.  I honestly cannot keep up!  Yesterday was meal prep day, whoop!  The usual.  I cooked and caught up on household chores, homework, and studying.  Oh—and watched the Broncos lead the way into the Superbowl (while working on mobility, course)!  Pictured above was my Sunday, yumday breakfast which consisted of 

day eighteen | tgfmp (thank goodness for meal prep)

TGFMP.  That’s about all I have to say.  Okay.  I lied.  I have more to say.  But really, with classes picking up tomorrow, I was running around all day with training, errands, work, last minute school stuff, etc., I was so thankful that yesterday I prepped a big batch for my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for the week.  I will be sharing these recipes later this week, so stay tuned!  

day seventeen | inner strength

Strength has always been something of value to me.  Strength of the body was always a given, it wasn’t until last year that I really was able to develop strength of the mind.  I have such an appreciation for a strong mind.  It has surely improved my life—in every aspect there is.  The Whole30 definitely challenges and strengthens the mind.  Day seventeen and I feel so powerful and finally in control of my food choices and eating habits.