Oh wait.
I have two toddlers.
Right.
:) ...and I wouldn't have it any other way!
Seriously though, this work week has been a killer! Mentally and emotionally challenging, and packed with lots of good old fashioned stress. I LOVE my job, but there are many days in which I look at my workload or at an expectation and wonder... not if I can do it necessarily... but if it is actually possible. Now, let me make it clear here that I am not complaining. It should be said that I am not happy in life without a little more than my fair share of seemingly insurmountable obstacles in front of me. I thrive on the feeling of achievement. The harder it is to get, the better the pay off. I'm sure there is a diagnosis for it... but I like to think of it as ambition and a zest for life. I'm hoping that through this challenge, I'll come to look at fitness the same way.
All that being said, we all know that stress is stress. Our bodies and nervous systems cannot differentiate good vs bad. My stress manifests itself in a number of ways. Sometimes it causes me to have trouble sleeping, get dry skin... or less attractive things like picking at my cuticles absentmindedly. Typically, by Friday of a week like this one, I'd have to submerge my fingers in Neosporin and mummy-wrap them in bandaids. Right now I'm looking at owie-free hands. THAT my friends, is a Barre3 miracle. This movement that feels so good to my body is also helping me channel stress in a new way. Not too shabby.
So last night, I ended up working late and scrambling to get the boys ready to go to the Auto Show by the time my hubby got home from work. I had every intention of making a fabulous dinner. I found a great recipe for Barre3 worthy sweet potato fries and put them in the oven. By the time I got the boys fed though, I was out of time. So, for dinner I had some sweet potato fries and a handful of almonds on my way out the door. I'll share the recipe though. It's by Paula Deen. (Not butter & gravy Paula Deen, new and improved healthy Paula Deen). Here you go:
Ingredients
- Olive Oil, for tossing
- 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch long slices, then 1/4-wide inch strips, using a crinkle cut knife
- 1 tablespoon House Seasoning (recipe follows)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Sprinkle with House Seasoning and paprika. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Per Serving (based on 3 servings): Calories: 273; Fat: 9.5g (Saturated Fat: 1g); Protein: 4g; Carbohydrates: 44g; Sugar: 9g; Fiber 7g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 1,670mg
House Seasoning:
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup black pepper
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
For the House Seasoning:
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
I just used a regular knife and upgraded the recipe by using sea salt rather than table salt... and not much of it.
Sooooo yummy. I highly recommend them. Then we took the boys to the Auto Show which was actually really fun. I was shopping for my dream car in the "luxury loft" while the twins drove their little matchbox cars all over the stroller shouting "beeeeep beeeeep!"
Also, with all that extra walking, I KILLED my Nike Fuel goal for the day by nearly 1,000 points!
My best Thursday so far! Woo hoo!
Then today I had yogurt with berries and walnuts for breakfast and launched in to a super hectic work day. I did Ballet Sculpt with Candace in chunks between calls this morning and did not get a lunch break. I had a hard boiled egg and a Lara bar. In the afternoon I snacked on cashews and dried cranberries.
For dinner though, I'm going to actually make chicken and broccoli. Sounds good!
I also just did the 10 minute Ski Conditioning workout video that just went up on the Barre3 site taught by my fabulous Junior League pal Regan Nelson! For some reason, I just didn't feel the burn as much doing my workout in pieces today, so I wanted to do a little bonus one. Regan just kicked my butt in 10 minutes! Awesome workout!
Lastly, I want to thank those of you that are leaving comments on the blog and sticking with me. I'm so inspired by each of you. Truly madly deeply, thank you!
Tonight, I'm going to relax. Ahhhhhh
xo
Jenn
you are doing awesome Jenn! One day at a time my friend. And, I think with all that you do, in your work and with your twins that you are already pretty great. You don't need 28 days to get there, as you already are. That said, glad you are getting results and I know your grammy self will be not just great but spectacular!
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