Tropical breakfast

When I was in Hawaii for my brother's wedding we ate pineapple and papayas every morning. I'm sure Hawaii helped, but the fruit increased dopamine levels or something. I told you that citrus is a natural anti-depressant, and I believe all or most fruits can elevate your mood. I keep making Tosca Reno's Take Me On Vacation Oatmeal because it just makes me feel so good!

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 mango, peeled and diced (sometimes I use pineapple)
1 tsp flaxseed
2 tbsp chopped cashews (sometimes I use slivered almonds)
1 tbsp flaked coconut
1 cup almond milk (sometimes I use coconut water)
1/4 cup protein powder (optional)
1/2 oat bran (I use buckwheat instead)
A pinch of sea salt
(and I added dried cranberries and pomegranate seeds my mom gave me from Trader Joe's. I have tons!)

Reno cooks the oats, oat bran, and salt first, but I just throw everything together raw. Unless there is some scientific evidence that you have to cook oats or it's more nutritional, I find that they soften up and taste just as good in cold liquid. I discovered this when my father would squish a peach over raw oats and eat that. I want to remind you that I lose more weight quicker by eating oats too. Plus it's cancer-fighting, lowers bad cholesterol, and has vitamin E and magnesium. Speaking of vacation, the butterflies are getting bigger!

I have to thank a good friend for asking me if I wanted to come to a free outdoor yoga class up in Deer Valley yesterday. It was the perfect setting for a class. Talk about elevating! Afterwards we had a nice dinner and I met some really cool girls as well as seeing someone I knew from a long time ago. It was a really nice time. I'm teaching that 6am class tomorrow so it was good to get a challenging workout in right before. I'm in a good mind-set. Plus this group mainly wants to do light stretches so it will be nice and relaxing.

So, my arms are looking better! This weight lifting thing and no processed foods/sugar/heavy sodium dealy-bob seems to be working. I have had the occasional bread slices but I have cut down a lot and my new love is marinara over brown rice instead of pasta. I could have been more of a nazi last night and ate hummus with a fork instead of eating 2 pita bread triangles. And I had 2 toast points with mussels. The pita eating was an excuse because everyone else was digging in (oh the peer pressure! ;) and I was just starving in general after that good workout. Plus I have been so or more than good on Reno's diet, and I ate the bread in moderation EVEN THOUGH YES, THE GOAL WAS TO FOLLOW THIS DIET TO A T. Whoops caps. Well there's a statement. This is a good example of depriving yourself then giving in. Extreme diets do not work. But Reno eats hearty and healthier breads, it's not something you would find in a restaurant. That's why she eats almost everything at home. I do feel fine with it because I'm at a great weight and I know how to eat occasionally and in moderation when it comes to processed and baked goods now. Long-term foods will show up in your body, and I eat mostly water-based fibrous foods to look and feel good. So change of plans, I'll eat at home as much as I can to save and eat clean, but if I'm invited out again I won't say no, order smartly, and have a taste of a treat if I'm offered. Portion size. Or as I like to say, "Portia size". Ha ha.

I find what tones my middle the most is dance (like the Zumba classes). And power yoga tones under my armpits and back, as well as strengthens my thighs, helps me reach the top shelf, pick things off the floor, keeps me flexible, calms my mind, etc. (you know I adore yoga already). However for my arms the resistance training is definitely working. I keep a kettle bell in the living room to swing around too. If things are in my view I am more likely to use them. Shoot, now I better put my rebounder (mini-tramp) back in the living room. Okay done. :)

Smobergirl
Day 389