Don't worry, you're not a cheater.

/

Good morning! I'm venting today. I have been noticing a common trend amongst online publications and that trend is the labeling of certain foods as "cheat meals". I know this is not anything that is new, but, it's really something that's been bugging me lately. Perhaps it's because I hoped we were past that. I at least hoped that fitness/health professionals and fitness/health writers were past that.

First, let's review the definition of CHEAT:

cheat: verb \ˈchΔ“t\
: to break a rule or law usually to gain an advantage at something
: to take something from (someone) by lying or breaking a rule
: to prevent (someone) from having something that he or she deserves or was expecting to get

Before I go off on my venting session, I would like to say that I understand that sometimes it's easy to get caught up with common words or phrases and there isn't a whole lot of thought put behind saying "I cheated, I had pizza for lunch". HOWEVER, maybe it's something that we should put some thought into. Being a cheat is a really bad thing (see definitions above). Aren't you better than that? Do you need to feel bad about yourself because you ate a damn slice of pizza? No. You made a conscious decision to consume something that you craved and it probably tasted pretty fantastic. You did not cheat. You are not a cheater. Stop bullying yourself.

I've seen a handful of articles and blog posts lately that are headlined with titles such as:  "When To Eat A Cheat Meal" "Cheat Meals from the Weekend". Most of these articles talk about when it's "OK" to eat "cheat foods" and how to counteract said "cheat foods" with exercise. "I ran 10 miles so I didn't feel so bad about eating a donut". Oh dear. Please, no. I hope that running 10 miles was fueled by the desire to be fit and lead a generally healthy lifestyle, not because a donut might be in the future. 

There are two main reasons that I get frustrated with these articles:
1. Calling yourself a cheat is disrespectful to yourself. You deserve better than that.
2. Other people are reading these articles and thinking that they too, are cheaters because they ate a donut. Then, they feel especially bad because they didn't work out that day to counteract said donut.

It's not right. There's enough pressure out there to stay fit and slim. Stop calling yourself a cheat. The happiest, fittest, healthiest humans that I know eat healthy most of the time and have some unhealthy foods 20% of the time. It doesn't mean that 20% of the time, they are "cheating". It means they are just enjoying life. Donuts, and all.

I hope you all have a spectacular week! xo

Friday Favs

/

Happiest of Fridays to you my friends! Another August week has flown by and I'm looking forward to the opportunity of s l o w i n g   i t  d o w n   next week with a little staycation.  I like to take about a week off every August to reset my batteries, enjoy local travel, and get organized. This week, I am getting a small procedure done on Monday then I plan to hit the beach, relax, and finally complete the week with Mark & Kristen's wedding - YAY! I hope whatever you have planned for the weekend, it's awesome! 

Here are my favs of the week:

image.jpg

{Olive oil ice cream from Babbo. So different and so good.}

image.jpg

[Random rainbow over Duxbury.}

image.jpg

{Fresh parsley from my garden.}

{Morning summer sky.}

image.jpg

{How I plan to spend some days over the next week.}

xo

Bits & Bites #8

/

Hello and happy, happy Wednesday to you!
Hmm... it has been a long while since I wrote a "Bits & Bites" update. Perhaps because in the summer I stick to the two main food groups: leftovers made into tacos and zoodles. I kid, I kid... sometimes I still switch it up ;). Here's a glimpse into my little food world.

Dinner: Lettuce from my garden with roasted potatoes and some sort of protein.

Dinner: (This was so good, I need to remember to make this)... Chopped kale salad with homemade dressing and two fried egg tacos on organic corn tortillas.

Dinner: Ground organic turkey tacos with all the health fixins! (notice no cheese or sour cream)

Lunch: On one of the 90+ degree days, I was so hot that the only thing I craved was a smoothie (I usually NEVER drink my meals) so I got one at my fav, b.good.

Weekend breakfast: half of a Stone & Kettle whole wheat english muffin with a fried egg and slices strawberries/peaches. (YUM)

Breakfast: If you follow me on Insta, you already know I'm currently obsessed with acai bowls.

Lunch: Leftover ground organic taco chicken over a bed of garden lettuce and a side of skinny pop.

Random dinner: Lettuce from my garden, grilled buffalo chicken, and leftover protein-plus pasta salad.

Day off lunch: LOBSTA ROLL.

Dinner: Grilled burgundy steak tips and pesto pasta. The pesto was made from the basil in my garden and the steak tips are from K & 8th in Southie. This was a tasty Friday night din even though it doesn't look like anything special.

Lunch: Lately, I've been loving the caesar salad from b.good!

Dinner: Celebratory tacos with with organic ground pork!

It's kind of fun/interesting to go back and look at old "bits & bites" posts. I am definitely rather habitual when it comes to eating... I have been since I was little. Phases can last a couple weeks, months, or years. Ex: I ate a version of the same lunch for 2-3 years straight. Now, I mix up lunch daily. That being said, I currently have an affinity for acia bowls, tacos, and fried eggs. Can anyone else relate to this? I swear it's a seasonal thing. 

Anyway, as always I hope these posts give you a glimpse into my 80/20 world. 80 percent of my food choices are very healthy, 20% of the time, it's not so perfect. This is simply what works for me to keep me on track!

Questions for you!
What are you go-to foods/meals?
Do you follow an 80/20 diet/lifestyle?

Have a great week!
xo

Β