The Monday Morning Move: Eat Well!

The Monday Morning Move is back! Where did the last 7 days go? This week, I decided to continue on the health and wellness kick and tackle another one of my bad habits – skipping breakfast. I have never been a big breakfast person mainly because I’m rarely hungry first thing in the morning, and I’d rather use that time doing something else…like getting a few extra minutes of sleep. During my entire college career, I made it to the cafeteria before my first class probably three times. It just isn’t my thing. But, we all know how important the first meal of the day is. And I know I can’t keep up these workouts without it.

I chose to go with a smoothie, given its health benefits. Of course there are tons of different smoothie recipes out there, but the right one can 1. ensure you’re properly hydrated at the beginning of the day; 2. give you a number of nature’s bio-available vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants; 3. give you plenty of natural fiber; and 4. boost your immune system. This morning, I tried an oats smoothie (thanks for the recipe, Mom!). Once again, my prep started on Sunday. I was out of town this weekend. So, I focused on my MMM later than I would have liked. After fighting traffic for four hours, I had to pick up ingredients in the evening. THREE stores later (note to self: just go straight to Whole Foods for specialty items), I had everything I needed. Despite getting home later than expected, I still managed to get to bed by 10:00. Too bad I didn’t fall asleep for 90 minutes. And once again, I woke up 4 hours later. Ugh. On a positive note, I did manage to go back to sleep at some point.

This morning, I was a tad bit groggy and probably would have skipped the MMM if I didn’t have to write about it on the site. But I managed to drag myself to the kitchen and get it done. Success. I’ve been sipping this smoothie as I write this post. It seems like a chore, considering that I’m STILL not hungry…but I think I’ll stick with it. Clarity of mind and peak productivity both require a healthy lifestyle, which includes three balanced meals per day. Let’s see if I can keep it up.

If you’re interested, here’s the recipe I used:

• 1 cup of steel cut oats (rich in B-vitamins, protein, calcium and fiber; low in sodium; helps eliminate fat from the body)
• 1/2 cup of organic milk (contains higher concentrations of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants)
• 1 tablespoon of hemp seeds (too many to list – contain all 9 essential amino acids, high amounts of fatty acids and fiber; help lower cholesterol and blood pressure)
• 1 banana (great source of vitamin B6, potasssium, and  fiber; prevents cancer; improves digestive health)
• A few berries (I chose strawberries, which are high in vitamin C; also contain antioxidants; prevent cancer; reduce inflammation)
• A few nuts (Almonds for me – reduce heart attack risk; lower cholesterol; protect artery walls from damage; provide good brain function; alkalize the body)

*Even though the recipe didn’t call for it, I added a tablespoon of honey…because who doesn’t love honey? Plus, this natural sweetener prevents cancer, reduces ulcers and gastrointestinal disorders, kills bacteria, and regulates blood sugar. These are just a few of  its many benefits. Google it! 

A working breakfast…and yes, I’m drinking a smoothie out of a wine glass. Who says breakfast can’t be fancy?

In terms of taste, this smoothie is a win! The consistency left a a lot to be desired. I’m pretty sure a smoothie should actually be smooth. The culprit – steel cut oats…which I learned after the fact do not blend so well. Next time, I’ll try to process them ahead of time.

Don’t forget to tell me about your own Monday Monday Move in the comments section. Here’s to a purposeful week!