Aaarrrrr, matey!
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Did you know that yesterday was International Talk Like a Pirate Day? Seriously, who comes up with these random holidays?! Give me a shout out if you channeled your inner Johnny Depp. 
My mind has been buzzing all week, and I have lots to share, so let’s get started with another round of Thursday Thoughts!
1. Tomorrow afternoon I leave for the Big Apple, where I plan to embark on a nosh fest that likely won’t include many foods like apples.
On the list: Ice cream from a Van Leeuwen ice cream truck!
In addition to this NYC bucket list, I also have plans to meet Julie for lunch at Bareburger. I’ve already scoured the menu and seriously want to order one of everything. Well, almost. Wild boar might be a few steps outside my comfort zone.
2. Even though I appreciate a good organic bison burger, I’ve actually been more mindful about my meat consumption since reading this study a few weeks ago (thanks for the link, Heather!).
Latest salad obsession: crispy tofu, mixed greens, olive oil, lemon and Parmesan.
According to researchers, if we continue consuming meat at the current rate, the world will be forced to adopt a vegetarian diet by 2050. Industrialized nations currently get on average 20 percent of calories from animal protein (meat plus other products like milk and eggs). To produce the grain necessary to maintain that level and take it worldwide by 2050, farmers would need more usable water than the planet is capable of providing. Crazy, huh? If that doesn’t make you want to give tofu a big hug, I’m not sure what will.
And that brings me to my next thought…
3. I can’t imagine a more fun meatless meal than these “protein fries.”
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Crispy Baked Tofu Fries with Sriracha are certainly a healthier alternative to the fries I ate last weekend!.
4. When Blake Lively tied the knot with my dream man a few days ago, I realized that this is me.
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5. Starbucks has once again succeeded in tempting me with a pumpkin cream cheese muffin every time I walk in the door.
But I’m fighting back.
Yesterday I made a dozen Paleo Pumpkin Muffins, and glammed them up with shiny silver wrappers and coconut butter.
A little breakfast treat. Eaten with an omelet made with one egg + 2 egg whites, spinach and goat cheese
6. I want to slather sweet potatoes (and the aforementioned muffins) in this.
Heck, I’ll take it by the spoonful.
7. I am in love with this tea…especially when drunk out of this mug.
It’s not too soon to begin celebrating, is it?
8. The USDA thinks I eat too many vegetables. And too much protein. And not enough grains. And too much fat.
But I don’t care. 
This week I’m required to track my meals for my Nutrition Education Methods class, and then assess the results and the “usability” of the website. Three days of tracking has reinforced the fact that my approach to nutrition is much different than the the USDA’s approach. Grains? Not necessary (but totally okay!) if you’re filling up on potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and other complex carbohydrates. Fat? Bring. It. On. I feel my best when I eat a diet rich in oils, avocado, nut butters and coconut butter.
And that, once again, brings me to my last thought…Are you ready for a soul chat?
9. It took me a long time to become comfortable with the fact that I will never have a “perfect” diet, nor does a perfect diet exist. Even if it did, I wouldn’t want one. I admire fitness competitors and those who stick to a strict clean eating regimen, but for me food is both nourishment and joy. Healthy food makes me happy, but so does ice cream. I feel completely at peace with the balance I’ve incorporated into my life, and love the fact that I can now enjoy chocolate hazelnut frozen yogurt and French fries just as much as kale and whey protein shakes—without guilt. However my forced rest period over the past two weeks made me realize that that the sense of balance I feel towards food, does not hold true for fitness. While I was resting, I grew uncomfortable with the fact that I wasn’t going balls to the walls in the gym; that I wasn’t following my strength-training regimen; that, heaven forbid, maybe I was being a tad bit lazy.
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These Pinterest “motivational” messages do nothing but instill guilt and perpetuate the idea that we’re lazy if we’re not sweating.
Of course the rational part of me knew that this thought process was hogwash; of course my body needed rest to recover from a strained muscle and virus. That’s simple science. But because I wasn’t recovering as quickly as I usually do, I was thrown for a loop. I realized that I, despite my hopes for the contrary, am not Superwoman. My body has a breaking point. And I had simply being going going going without allowing enough time for rest and recovery. I was following a program rather than following my internal cues.
I feel blessed that this happened though, because it proved to me that no message, no rhetoric, no image is more important—or accurate—than those originating from within. Of course there are instances when the mind over matter mindset needs to be adopted to plow through fitness plateaus, but even in those cases, I think we really know when we can safely push, and when we’ve pushed past safety.
Whew! Thanks for letting me get that off my chest! I plan on continuing with a fitness program—in fact, I’m starting a new one next week—however, from here on out my focus will not be about following it to a ‘T’; rather exercising in a way that improves my strength and my health, and makes me feel my best! I never ever want exercise to be chore, and firmly believe that fitness is one of life’s most enjoyable activities if it’s approached in a way that’s in sync with YOUR body.
And on that note, I plan on enjoying fun fitness this weekend—walks in Central Park? Yes please! Bring on those J’adore la vie moments! The weights can wait till I get home.
I’ll try to pop in on Sunday, but if you don’t hear from me, I’ll be back with a full recap Monday or Tuesday!
HUGS!
Do you make a conscious effort to incorporate meatless meals into your diet? What’s your favorite go-to meatless meal?
When you commit to an exercise program, do you feel pressured to complete every workout, even if your body is tired? Where do you draw the line between “pushing through” (mind over matter) and listening to internal cues?
Do you have a favorite holiday tea and/or mug?
I love my pumpkin mug, but I think my favorite is Santa.
Any last minute “must-do” suggestions for NYC?!
The post Thursday Thoughts: I Am Not Superwoman appeared first on Nourish and Flourish.