From the category archives:

Healthy Living

Healthy Eating: Paying Attention to What I Eat

by Megan on June 30, 2010

Ever since returning from Asheville, I’ve been in the mood for fresh, local foods. Asheville began to turn me into a food snob, I suppose, because everything there was fresh, healthy, locally grown, and/or organic. I felt great after every meal I ate, rather than feeling sluggish and unsatisfied.

I’ve never been much of a junk food person. I’ve always enjoyed my vegetables, and I hardly ever ate candy as a kid. Even now, you’ll rarely find junk food in our pantry. Husband hasn’t had caffeine in nearly a year, and I stopped drinking sodas over two months ago, so we mostly have water and juice in our fridge. We have been looking at the labels lately as well, and we’re trying to stay away from high fructose corn syrup. Honestly, anytime I get anything, if I see high fructose corn syrup as an ingredient, I’m immediately turned off. Just the sound of it is bleh to me now.

I’m not a vegetarian, nor do I have any intentions of becoming one anytime soon; however, I’m cutting red meat out of my diet for now–I’ve never been a fan of it, anyway. Mostly, the only meat I’m eating is chicken and seafood (tilapia and shrimp, mainly), and even chicken grosses me out at times. I’ve always thought of a meal as meat being the main ingredient and veggies being the “side dishes.” Now, I’m seeing it the other way around. In reality, meat isn’t something I’m requiring in a meal anymore.

I’m still learning to look at labels on everything. I want to make sure I have enough protein if I don’t eat meat for every meal. (If you have suggestions for cooking tofu, send them my way!) I’m also buying fresh produce locally (it’s cheaper, closer, tastes much better, and it isn’t mass-produced) when I can and when it’s available.

Even though we’ve only been home from Asheville for a little over a week, I’ve felt healthier. I’ve had more energy, and I’ve been craving fruits and salads and homegrown vegetables (which should be ready soon)! It’s a nice feeling.

Ingredients in the salad above: Spring mix, chopped apple, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, snack mix (whole almonds, raisins, cashews, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds), fresh tomato, fresh cucumber, cheddar cheese, and poppyseed dressing. I also had a slice of bread with almond butter.

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In Bullet Fashion

by Megan on April 5, 2010

What I’ve been up to since my absence from the blog:

  • I made an A+ on the paper I wrote for Dante’s Inferno.
  • I’ve been spending two evenings a week at my brother-in-law’s track meets. They last around four hours, but we were at Thursday’s meet for over six hours!
  • I am now a contributor over at In It To Gym It. It’s helping me get my butt in shape and on track with a healthier lifestyle. You can read my introduction post here.
  • I took Friday as a paid day off from work. It was greatly needed, and I enjoyed it. I spent the day eating lunch with Husband and Brother-in-law and then going on a hike with Husband.
  • Saturday was spent doing the 30-day shred, wii fit workouts, and going on a bike ride at the park with Husband. After that, we took a trip to the creek to relax and listen to the water.
  • Sunday was a day of Easter celebration (and waking up at 5:45 a.m. for Sunrise service).
  • I made a smoothie for the first time. A handful of strawberries, a banana, a couple splashes of 2% milk, a few spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt, and some honey. It was delicious! (I’d love any recipe suggestions you might have!)
  • I’m dealing with a ridiculously uncomfortable sun rash that popped up after hiking on Friday. It will go away after being inside for a few hours, but just a few minutes after stepping into the sun, it flares up again. Luckily, it’s on my arms and chest/neck, and not on my face. (I’m trying to look at the bright side.)
  • I registered for two classes in the fall so far–Intro to Abnormal Psychology and Religions of the World. I’m still debating on what other classes I’d like to take.
  • I woke up to find that I’m featured on IndieInk today! IndieInk has been on a brief hiatus, and today is the first day back online, so go check it out and submit!

What have you been up to since I’ve been gone?

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This and That

by Megan on March 23, 2010

I can’t believe I really only have five or six weeks left of homework before I’m free of my spring semester of classes. Last week, I was stressing again, ready to completely give up. Then I wrote an 850-word essay on Dante’s Inferno, and wrote on a discussion topic about same-sex marriage in my women’s studies class, and I felt so much better. It’s amazing how two seemingly small assignments can really put a weight on your shoulders. For the next two or three weeks, things will be smooth-sailing right before it’s time to hunker down again and study for finals. I’m welcoming the breath of fresh air, though, and I’m almost looking forward to finals … because finals mean SUMMER BREAK. (And I say “summer break” loosely because I’ll still be working a full time job all summer.)

Husband and I may be getting another kitten in the near future. My in-law’s cat had babies, so we may be taking one, if Loki will stand for it. They’re tiny and grey right now, and I’d really like a girl. We’re thinking of the name “Eris,” which I believe is the name of the Greek goddess of chaos/strife. (If you remember, Loki is named after the Norse god of mischief, and he fully lives up to his name!) If we do happen to get a kitten, I believe this will be our last one. Two is enough. Right? (I told Husband to be careful, though. After the kittens are grown, I’ll be ready for babies. Hah!)

Husband and I are thinking of doing a “No Meat Monday” every week, as well as a meatless dinner another day of the week. While we’re dipping our feet into consuming less meat, we’d still like to eat nutritiously. Any ideas on healthy, vegetarian dishes that we could try? I’m not a HUGE fan of cheese, but I’ll try anything. I really don’t like soy chicken, either, so no fake meats, if possible. If you have any suggestions for vegetarian cookbooks and/or blogs, send them my way!

Happy Tuesday, everyone! May this week be filled with sunshine and blooming flowers.

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Artificial Fragrances, No More

by Megan on December 3, 2009

Yesterday, I posted my resolutions as a 21-year-old. Well, I have another to add to the list. Stop using artificially scented products. Or at least cut back on them as much as possible.

Did you know that artificial fragrances can store themselves in your body and have been linked to cancer? Not only that, but musks don’t biodegrade. I found all of this information through Body & Soul magazine in this article:

Synthetic musks, for instance — widely used in perfumes, deodorants, and detergents — have been linked to cancer. They can bioaccumulate, or store themselves in the body, and have been found in breast milk, which means that nursing infants ingest them. Research indicates that these musks don’t biodegrade; they’ve been found polluting watersheds and the plants and animals that live there. Another worrisome class of chemicals, phthalates, are often used in fragrance because they allow the smell to last longer. They have been linked to changes in the reproductive and endocrine systems as well as in the liver, kidneys, and adrenal glands. (via)

What’s even scarier is the fact that, while cosmetics must have ingredients listed, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies aren’t required to list their ingredients. You know, the laundry detergent that you use to wash your clothes, which you wear all day? Yeah, your body is ingesting those harmful chemicals. Even air fresheners, though you don’t spray them on yourselves, can cause damage because you’re still breathing in the chemicals.

What can you do? Stop using scented products, unless they are naturally scented (with essential oils and such). Look at the ingredients of everything you put on our body. If ingredients aren’t listed, find a similar product that does list their ingredients. There are so many “green” products out today, and they aren’t that expensive. Even if they are a few pennies extra, wouldn’t you rather be paying that now than paying for it later on down the line (in terms of medical problems)?

Where can you buy “safe” products?*

  • This article has many suggestions from laundry detergent to lip balm to soap.
  • Etsy. There are so many shops that make their products from natural ingredients … because they don’t have to mass-produce. They spend time on each individual product to create something safe for you. (Some shops to check out: Pink Parchment Soaps and Mad Hatter Soap Co.)
  • Seventh Generation. A natural line of cleaning products from laundry to feminine care.

So, this is where I’m starting. I’m not promising to wipe out these things entirely–not immediately, anyway. It could take some time … But I’d like to get there eventually!

*If you can think of other green products, link to them in the comments!

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