This past year I have pushed myself to maintain a healthier lifestyle by finding a new love and appreciation for running. In the past, I would often exercise to feel physically satisfied and then quit; bouncing back to my original state. It made me frustrated with myself and unhappy with my routine. By no means am I calling myself fat, but maintaining a healthier lifestyle this past year has made me an overall happier person. If I could give anyone some advice, start with a race. Sign up for a 5k or 10k and begin to train. It gives you no excuse to slack off. If I could do it, so can you! Before running my first 10k this year, I estimated 20 minutes at MOST without taking a break. I was not in good physical shape at all. I ran my first Half Marathon this past October and loved every minute of it.
Starting in January, my New Years resolution is to take a month to continue to exercise and eat clean.This will also include not drinking alcohol that month (excluding one wedding weekend).
Clean eating - "clean eating is NOT a diet – it is a lifestyle choice. Clean eating is not a new concept, as a matter of fact clean eating has been around for quite some time. Those involved with health, fitness or nutrition from competitors to personal trainers and health conscious individuals have been practicing "clean eating" for years." Article
here.
One with many benefits that include
- Fat Loss
- Weight Loss
- Increased Energy
- Clearer Skin
- Shinier Hair
- Better Sleep
- Increased mental well -being
I have no idea whether it will continue after January, but I am optimistic in the fact that I am already loving it. I began clean eating for the past two weeks now, giving myself room for mistakes and learning before the month of January begins.
One of my beginning steps to eating clean was substituting my everyday food with clean options (example: milk with almond milk, peanut butter with almond butter or all natural pb, etc.)
Almond Butter can run you around $6-13 at the markets, so I researched how to make your own and it probably was one of the most simple step recipes I have ever made. All you need is one ingredient and a food processor. I read that purchasing roasted almonds verses raw will make the process go by a lot quicker.
Ingredients
Roasted Almonds
Tools
Food processor
Directions
Add a few cups of almonds to the food processor, I only used half the can for a trial run. Do not include any type of liquid. This recipe needs your patience. Grind the almonds together until they are chopped up in small pieces, continue to grind until the mixture starts to become smooth. You may need to stop the processor and push the almonds back down off the sides if they begin to splatter high. Keep grinding until the almond forms a butter. It’s that simple! Preserve in a jar and store in your refrigerator.
I can not wait to make more!
What is your New Years Resolution?!
Nice Almond Butter