5 Smoothie Combinations To Fuel Your Day

I tend to be a creature of habit when it comes to week day routines. I wasn't always this way, I believe having children has created this person. From work to house cleaning, running and what I eat, I tend to stick to a routine. Most mornings between 9 and 10 you will find me in my kitchen making my morning smoothie.

I look forward making a new "concoctions" and seeing what flavors I can make by combining different clean foods. I pack it with a combination of fruits and veggies to fuel me. The hard part is mixing it up and coming up with new combinations that I like. I enjoy this part of my day and do not want to get sick of doing this. Even better is how I feel after I have had my morning smoothie. My body is pretty happy afterwards.

For Christmas last year my parents gave me my new best friend: The NutriBullet. Prior to my new love affair I had used a blender and even a hand held blender to make my smoothies. The first time I used my NutriBullet I was in awe of how great this product was. Not only were my smoothies actually smooth yet I was able to add more ingredients. There are different models and though mine is only a 600 watt this has worked well for me and I have no complaints.

This is not about the Bullet though, even though I do have to rave about it! This is about putting good, whole foods in your body. Today I thought I would share 5 different combinations that I have tried. I find that mixing things up is not only fun (it's like an experiment) but a great way to get different nutrients in your body. Here are five variations of smoothies for you to try. Enjoy!

1- Spinach                                                         
    Kale                                                               
    Blueberries                                                    
    Grapes                                                           
    Pineapple                                                        
    Chia Seeds                                                      
    Protein Powder                                               
    Water                                                             
    Coconut Milk                                                 

 

2- Kale
    Spinach
    Pineapple
    Banana
    Chia Seeds
    Coconut Flakes
    Protein Powder
    Water
    Coconut Milk

3- Kale                                                            
    Cucumber                                                      
    Blueberries                                                    
    Strawberries                                                  
    Flax Hemp Seed Blend                                  
    Protein Powder                                               
    Water                                                              
    Coconut Milk 

4- Spinach
    Blueberries
    Blackberries
    2 Clementines
    Large Spoonful Of Plain Greek Yogurt
    Chia Seeds
    Protein Powder   
    Water

5- Kale
    Spinach
    Flax Hemp Seed Blend
    Mango
    Blueberries
    Protein Powder
    Water
    Coconut Milk


Those are just a few of the combinations I have been doing lately. It depends on what I am craving while other times it depends on what I have in my fridge. Using cherries in my smoothies has been a new favorite but the price isn't always favoring for them to come home with me. Coconut oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and other nuts (pick your favorite, mix it up!) are also great adds to a smoothie.

As for which protein powder to use it is a personal choice. There are several great products on the market. Check out a few, read on them and find what works for you. Certain flavors blend better of coarse. I am currently using a Whey Protein in Vanilla flavor that mixes well with most of my combinations and the vanilla becomes subtle allowing the other ingredients to create flavor. 

Another added bonus: They are a great hang over remedy! Not that I would know anything about that...(Insert Sarcasm) 

Do you make smoothies or juice daily? What things do you like to put in your smoothies?


Other Posts From Discovering Me In Them:

Stronger with Every Mile
Our No Bake Energy Balls
Box Brownies: I Say Never Again 


Disclaimer: All content provided by Discovering Me In Them blog is for informational purposes only. All opinions shared regarding products or websites are mine.




    
   

The Haunting Cries Of Night Terrors

There is something haunting about hearing your child cry out your name in the middle of the night. The sound of his voice pleads desperation and panic. You rush to his side as he is screaming "Mommy". You sit down and hold his hands telling him you are there. You are trying your best to be calm for him, to soothe him and calm him. He doesn't hear you though. His eyes are filled with fear and he is looking all around while flailing his hands. You have never felt more invisible than you do at this very moment.

At least once a week lately my four year old son, Chase, will wake up having a nightmare. Or as they refer to it today, a "Night Terror".  These moments send chills up and down my body. I have gone to his side to be overcome with this overwhelming feeling of helplessness. I have been brought to tears as I have grabbed him out of bed to try to hold him as close as possible hoping that I could hug the moment away. I vividly hold a memory in my head of one of these moments three weeks ago where I just held him, crying with him. He didn't know I was crying, most likely he didn't know I was even holding him while he was yelling and flailing. He does not have any memory of it in the morning nor does he worry about going to sleep for fear that he will have another night terror. The only person who seems to have that fear is me.

This past weekend Chase had a nightmare and woke up delirious while screaming my name. Once in the room and realizing that once again he had no idea I was there, he went on to say his brothers name. He kept saying (yelling) Wesley over and over. I finally asked him if he wanted to go see Wesley and he said Yes. I scooped him lout of his bed and went into our room where Wesley was asleep in the toddler bed. Chase was still in hysterics until I placed him next to his brother and suddenly he was quiet. He cuddled right in close, the tears and yelling stopped, and he fell back to sleep. Looking down on him and his brother it was as though they had been sleeping like this for hours. Spooning one another and wrapped in the comfort of one the others skin. 

I know that children having night terrors is normal. I am aware that it is common for this age. I do realize that my son will be okay. Yet there is something blood-curdling about your child not knowing you are there when you are sitting directly in front of them. There is something heart wrenching about hearing your child's voice in decibels that send goose bumps up and down your spine. The worst part, is that there is not a damn thing you can do to make it stop.

There are certain websites and health affiliates that give "suggestions" on how to help prevent night terrors. Reality is that in most cases there is nothing that can be done. Most children out grow them by the time they are teenagers. That may seem like an eternity to those of us who have children that are experiencing these.

I have read a few articles that say waking your child 15 minutes prior to an episode, get them out of bed for 5 minutes (or until fully awake) then put them back to bed could help with breaking the pattern if repeated for several days. I choose not to do this since it is weekly and not nightly. I feel this would cause disrupt for him and be unproductive in my house.

So what do I do? I will continue to go to him to help him through these moments. I will do my best to be as calm as I can be. I am thankful that this is not a nightly occurrence for us as it is for many parents. The once a week episode is enough to hurt my heart. It's these moments that we don't sign up for when we become parents. One day this will all be a blurry memory and it will be some other wearisome thing that will keep me up at night. It's just a phase, a small part of our world, a road bump along the way to teach us and make us stronger. Someday this will all just be a memory and the haunting cries will seem like eternities ago; fragments of time like shattered glass.



Other Posts From Discovering Me In Them:

The "Fine Line" Between Help And Push

Being A Stay At Home "Mom-Ster"

Being The Other Woman

I Am Not a Superhero

Being a SAHM and working part-time doesn’t allow much time to myself. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining about this. I love being with my children. Even on the days that are not so graceful. (There are plenty of those around here!) This is what I have always wanted, to be home with my children and watch them grow.

I do enjoy some alone time though. It’s important and absolutely essential to any mother. This is where I run. Some runs are long, others are just to help maintain my sanity. Then it begins. As I run, I think up all those crazy thoughts that you had no idea you could even think up. I am a pretty optimistic person. I am not one who carries a lot of anxiety. Yet when I separate myself from my children my head becomes this place filled with chaos.

I typically use my thinking time when I am running for constructive things. I think about the day – how things have gone, and how can I make them better. I think about what I want for myself, for my family, and I wonder where life will take us. I use this time to reflect on mistakes I have made. Parenting fails and bumps in the road I may have hit along the way. It’s my time to release, heal and aspire for more.

Then it happens – I hear sirens. I see a cop car. A fire truck goes by with all of its flashing lights. I suddenly lose all rationality.

I begin to wonder if something has happened at the house…

Did one of the kids get hurt? Did my oldest run outside and get hit by a car? Is there a fire? Did the baby fall and get hurt? Did one of the kids break something?

These are just some of the ridiculous things that go through my head. Others are just too embarrassing to share.

Truth be told, I get a little nervous not being around my kids. Okay, so more than a little. I get this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something is going to happen to them if I am not there. I trust my partner; it has nothing to do with him. I trust my folks, who are the only other people I leave my kids with. So what is wrong with me?!

It’s simple – I am a mother. These are my children who grew inside me and I want to always protect them. I know very well that they could be with me and break a bone or fall off the couch just as easily as if they were with their father. I am not a superhero who can protect my children from all the bad things I fear. I just want to be there for them, ease any pain, and try my best to let them know I will do whatever it takes to keep them safe.

Can I shut my mind off? Will this get easier? Probably not. I am sure there will be countless more runs filled with crazy thoughts and unrealistic scenarios. I don’t have a cape hanging in my closet. There will be different ages and stages to challenge me. I just have to remember to breathe, be thankful, and never take a moment for granted.



What do you do for "ME" time away from your children? Are you able to be in the moment or do you struggle with "crazy" thoughts too?  


Other Posts From DISCOVERING ME IN THEM:

What I Fear The Most 
The Day I Hurt My Sons Feelings

 

 

5 Things I Do Before A Race

It is Race day! You sign up months prior to this day...Or maybe you just decided on a whim that you wanted to do this race. The time has come and now you are crossing the days off the calender and counting down to your race. There are ways to be sure that your body and mind are ready. This may be different for every runner. Toady I share with you how I prepare for my races.

1- Stay Hydrated: I typically drink a lot of water without needing any push to do so. The week of a race it is important to be sure you have a sufficient water intake. Water helps to maintain fluid balance, keep you hydrated and aid in muscle recovery. Water acts as a lubricant and cushion for your joints; as a runner this is vital. Here's another fun fact for you: Since your brain is mostly water, drinking it helps you focus, think and concentrate better and be more alert. Because of this your energy levels are also boosted!

2- Food For Fuel: The week before a race I am more careful than usual in what I choose to put in my body. I also try to increase my carbohydrates. It is not just the night before pasta dinner that fuels your run but the carbs you load your body with in the week to days prior to your long run. You need to build your carb supply to store for energy.  As noted by RunnersConnect : "The greater the amount of stored muscle glycogen, the greater the endurance potential of the body."

3- Staying Sober: You might think this one is obvious but I have known other runners who like to have a few beers on the weekend. Okay, so truth be told is that I like to have a few drinks on the weekend. I tend to stay clear of alcohol all week and when the weekend comes around I enjoy a drink or five two. The night before a big race I stay sober. I may allow myself one drink yet I limit what goes in my body. Let's go back to hydration shall we. Alcohol, as we all know, does the opposite of hydrate us. When I run in a race I want to have a clear head, feel strong, and be able to focus on what my goal is for that day. As much as I like a good buzz, I also love a new PR.

4- Shower: Some may think this is silly since you are going to be sweating and need to shower afterwards. Showering after a race is also good for your body and muscles to aid in recovery. Some even like an ice bath. (Me, I would rather have the hot water on me!) When I get up on a race morning it is typically early. I take this time to wake up and have some quiet time. First things first, I need to wake up. I want to feel revitalized and ready for my run. I start the coffee, jump in the shower and then I can have breakfast.

5- Breakfast: Now we are at the most important part: Fueling your body before a race. Breakfast is important to give me the necessary energy I need to start my race. I never go on a run before having breakfast or a snack. I might have granola and fruit, oatmeal, or eggs and wheat toast. Along with it I drink my protein mixed with coconut milk. Remember, you want to give your body nutrients that will fuel you. You want your body to be primed and ready for the challenge ahead of you. Eat one to three hours before your race and be sure to fuel during your long run.

There you have it my friends, this is how  I prepare for my races. Don't forget to stretch before and after you run!!

Just two more things I want to add:

"Always Believe You Can"
              And
     Happy Running


Do you have a routine before you races? Is there something that you always eat? 


Related Posts:

Stronger With Every Mile

How I Learned To Love My Body 

The "Fine Line" Between Help And Push

We had just reached the top of the trail that we had been hiking. It was just under a mile up hill. My son,Chase, practically sprinted to the top. The minute this kid walked he wanted to run; he has always been steady on his feet. We have hiked this trail several times. I remember wearing him for the first couple of years in these same woods. Around two and a half he declared he didn't want to be worn anymore and wanted to do it on his own. Fair enough, I was pregnant with my second son and there was no reason he couldn't try to maneuver himself around these woods with my help. Here we were about to descend down on the trail, when he asked for my hand and said: "Mama help me".

I took hold of his tiny hand in mine savoring the moment. It is not often he asks for help on these hikes. If I offer my hand he usually shrugs it away or says: "I got it". He is independent, stubborn, and every bit of me. I look down at him and smile. He has no idea how I am elated with love at this moment. He does not know my heart aches knowing that this is one of those moments which will be gone soon. The sweet young boy I first fell in love with four years ago will someday grow up.

I believe that teaching independence is important. I feel that it is vital to push your children to learn how to believe in themselves. To teach our children to be brave and make good choices on their own. I want him to be able to try things first before asking for help. I want him to be courageous and fierce.

I want him to learn that sometimes you fall down, get bruised up a bit, but you always get back up and try again.

I sometimes find myself struggling which way I want to guide him. I try not to be too quick to say: "Try" or better yet...to say "No".

There are also times when parenting that I have stood back and listened to him make a plea with his father for something I know he knows how to do. I will admit I have cringed in several of those and tried my best to stay away. Then there are other times that I have come forward and strategically suggested maybe Chase do whatever it is, on his own.

As we kept walking that day and I looked down at our hands laced together, I vowed not to take my hand away from his. I prayed the moment would last just a bit longer. A promise I made to myself awhile ago was that no matter what I would always allow my children to be the ones to pull away. He has to be the first one to unfold from a hug, pull back from a kiss, and to let go of my hand. I want him to know that I am there for him. I am there to hold him, to love him, to guide him, and to always help him. I want my hands, my arms, and my love to always be felt as a safe place. I want him to know that with me he can always find home.

I do not want my children to ever be afraid to come to me and ask for help. I want them to always be able to ask. My answer may not always be what they hope it to be, but I will be there to give them an answer. I will be there to nudge them in the right direction and support them in the choices they make. This is their story to write, I am just along for the ride to narrate it.



Other Posts By Discovering Me In Them:

Learning to Say "Yes" When I Really Want To Say "NO"!

My Son Is A Thief

What I Fear The Most