Finding Strategies to Stay Healthy

When life gets a little (or a lot) crazy, I find it so easy to just let my focus on my health slip away.  I am attempting to change this habit this summer.  This past Monday, I began teaching a class that involves long days, nights, and weekends working and prepping (good thing I love topics I am teaching!).  This class only lasts 4 weeks and my students this semester are awesome but I'm only five days in and already very tired.

I had written last week that I was going to work out 6 days a week during this class.  All I can say is...HA!  Yeah right!  I ran on Sunday morning and worked out at 5am on Monday and have not had any opportunity to anything since then (I will get to it yet today!).  This isn't a motivation problem, this is a lack of time in the day problem!  I actually want to work out! 

The good thing is that teaching and running labs allows me to move around.  A lot!  Out of curiosity, I wore my pedometer Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (the day it died!).  All three days, I was well over 15,000 steps (7.5-8 miles)!  It's recommended to try to make it to 10,000/day.  So, not too shabby.  I also like to do about 15-25 minutes of pushups, crunches, squats, lunges, and free weights before I get ready for bed.  This helps me at least feel strong at the end of the day.

So, okay, still working on getting workouts in.  I am still going to aim for 5am on days I teach.  I think when my body gets more used to the schedule, it will get easier to get up. 

Food wise, I did fairly well this week.  Breakfast is always egg whites and fruit or gluten-free oatmeal with fruit (and lots of coffee!).  I prepare healthy lunches on the weekends so it's one less thing I have to do in the morning since I run late no matter what time I get up.  Okay, good.

Supper is where it all usually falls apart!  I prepare all this stuff for lunch and breakfast on the weekends but seem to forget about supper or think that I will actually have time to cook at night.  Again...HA!  Sometimes I'll make a healthy version of a taco salad, or turkey burgers, but more often then not, I'll eat rice pasta with a raw tomato sauce.  It's delicious, feeds my carb craving at the end of a long day, and can be made in 15 minutes.  So, I'm adding the recipe below for everyone else who is looking for a quick summer meal.  I usually only make one serving because I'm not a leftover person, so if you are cooking for more than just yourself, just multiply each ingredient by the number of people you are serving to make enough for everyone.

If you have any strategies for staying healthy when life gets crazy, leave a comment - I could always use suggestions!

Pasta with Raw Tomato Sauce
Serves 1
Ingredients:
1 serving brown rice pasta (2 oz dry; I like Tinkyada brand and usually use the shell shape but you can switch out and use whole wheat and any shape you like)
2 large roma tomatoes, cut a into 1/4 inch dice
1/4 tsp. garlic powder -or- 1 clove fresh garlic finely chopped
1 tsp. dried basil -or- 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
1 tsp good quality olive oil (I use the Oilerie's Garlic Olive Oil, but regular works well too).

Cook the pasta and drain.  If using rice pasta, it's helpful to rinse quickly in hot water after the pasta is finished cooking.  While the pasta is cooking, combine the tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.  Combine the tomato mixture with the pasta and enjoy!

Add ins if you have extra time or want more protein:  sliced chicken, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, turkey sausage, bell pepper, parm cheese

Note:  the tomato sauce is really great on good-quality toasted bread for bruschetta. Combine all the ingredients for the tomato mixture and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.