There are things that being a mom has taught me. Things that I wouldn't have learned otherwise, I feel.
These are 5 things out of many I have learned.
1. Enjoy the moment
My head is always in the future. Whatever I am doing in the present is for the future. I hardly just "live" in the moment. My downtime is watching things on Netflix while daydreaming about the future or falling asleep.
But whether I am out dancing or staying in with my little girls, it's important to take a breath and enjoy what I am doing.
If you aren't enjoying the present, then how could you possibly enjoy the future? It's the journey, the process, the things you love doing, the people you love that makes it all worth it and I have to constantly remind myself of this.
So, enjoy the moment.
2. Smile and laugh
Whether things are tough or going great, I have learned to always smile. Fake it til' you make it!
Even when I am upset, sometimes, I find myself laughing- perhaps because the situation is so ludicrous, but whatever the case, it makes me feel better.
Not only does it make me feel better, but I want to be able to show my kids that, even when things are tough, it doesn't have to mean your attitude has to be synonymous to the situation.
3. Plan ahead!
I'm going to have to thank my 8th grade AVID teacher for this. I forgot her name or what AVID even stands for anymore, but I learned how to be organized and manage my time wisely in that class. She wasn't joking when she said we would be able to use this stuff in college or as an adult.
But I love planning and organizing my life. Everything has a set schedule and I get through my things to do list 90% of the time. I set aside time for working out, dancing, cooking, errands, "educational" time with the kids, working, even naps! (No joke)
It helps me sleep at night, knowing exactly what I'm going to do tomorrow and I wake up looking forward to the things I need to get done... is that weird? haha
I never really used it outside of school. But now as a mom, it's something I do once a week.
4. Dream big, Go hard
Growing up, I think I was one of those people that were scared to set goals because I didn't want to be disappointed when I didn't achieve them. But here I am, dreaming big and doing what I can to make it happen.
I have a few set backs (something I plan on sharing with you all once I get the problems fixed), but I really know what I want for myself and for my kids (hopefully for the better).
It's a little tough sometimes- Working hard means sacrificing time with friends, putting money into a savings account instead of spending it, or even missing out on family get togethers on occasions.
But that's what it takes to train hard, work hard, study hard all the while being a mom and a wife.
In the end, real friends and family will be there when I reach my goals.. and keep pursuing goals.
5. Give
I always remind myself that my life isn't all that tough.
I have a body I can dance with, I have kids and a husband to share my heart with, I have my faith in Christ, I have a place to call home... you get the idea.
When I say give, I don't mean just in a monetary sense, but a piece of yourself, whether it's knowledge, philosophy, time, patience, wisdom.
I love sharing what I know about fitness. I'm at a novice level, but there are people who are unsure and have questions and I love sharing with them the knowledge that I know. I'm even considering taking it to the next level and become a personal trainer..but one thing at a time! I need to get my master's degree first :P
I learned that giving is more rewarding than simply taking. Sharing what you know about the world, sharing your happiness, sharing a piece of knowledge your are passionate about, is much more valuable than taking. Yes, be a student, because you can't not stop learning and continue your growth, but share as you carry on your journey- it's more memorable that way :)
These are the things I live to on a daily basis. These are the things that being a mom has taught me- what Jade and Melody has taught me<3
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Grocery Shopping Do's and Don'ts
So, I feel like many of my friends would already know what I'm about to post.
But I have been in the dark about eating healthy for such a long time, I thought it would be nice to share what I have learned just in case ;)
My whole entire life, I have always eaten unhealthy food.
My mom cooked healthy food, of course, pertaining to our Korean culture: Rice and multiple side dishes ranging from various vegetables prepared differently, different sources of protein and sometimes soup.
Out of all my options, what did I eat? Rice and whatever meat I liked. Sometimes, I only ate my bowl of rice because I didn't like anything she made (I know, I was so ungrateful >.<)
I was very picky and never liked vegetables... I still don't.
I ate junkie snacks like Hot Cheetos and Pringles all the time, too.
In Middle School all the way through high school, it was pizza for lunch all day, everyday, 2-3 slices or the occasional fast food run when I got my car.
Yuck.
So, when I had kids, my world was filled with questions:
How do I protect them? When can I enroll them in extracurricular activities? How many diapers am I supposed to change a day?
WHAT DO I FEED THEM?!
Over the last few years, I have learned a few tricks.
Here are the 5 tips I use every time I go grocery shopping.
1. Avoid advertisements that read: LOW FAT! Reduced SUGAR! 100% NATURAL!
Chances are, there are other "hidden" processed ingredients to make up for it or to sell the product.
And yes, even the 100% Natural advertisements are probably not so natural.
Not healthy.
To see if it's natural, check the ingredient label, which leads me to number two.
2. Ingredients to look out for:
I'm not a nutritionist and nor am I a die hard eat clean guru.
But through my journey of eating healthy, I have learned to avoid certain foods that contain these ingredients:
High Fructose Corn Syrup (any type of added fructose, actually)
Maltodextrin
Dextrose
Dextrin
Enriched bleached flour
Aspartame
Sucrose
artificial flavoring/sweeteners
a note that says "used as preservative"
dyes for food coloring
I tried to think up as many as I can ^^"
When I looked at the food in my pantry and fridge, I was shocked to see so many of these ingredients in the food I eat daily.
Needless to say, I tried to finish whatever was in my fridge so I can buy cleaner versions of them (because we don't waste food here! Haha).
Definitely a little more expensive, but my body...our bodies, deserve the best!
3. An ingredient list tidbit:
a. When looking at the list of ingredients, if it is filled with words you're not sure of, stay clear!
I mean, referring to my number two, what is maltodextrin? What in the world is aspartame?
Yeah... No thanks (for the record, in simple terms, they are man made form of sugar and your body doesn't need that much sugar.. that's why sweets are at the top of the pyramid!)
b. When an ingredient list is long, avoid it. It is probably filled with unnecessary, processed things.
A general rule of thumb I use is, if it has more than 5 ingredients, don't use it.
BUT, there are healthy, packaged foods out there that have more than five.
I was looking up a recipe, and the author posted a picture of the ingredients label of a pasta sauce she was using. It was fairly long, perhaps 10 were listed, but they were all words and foods I knew.
It contained things like... I don't know.. pureed tomatoes, pureed garlic, salt, pepper...you get the idea.
All real ingredients.
4. Shop on the OUTSIDE edge of the grocery store
You have your produce, meat, dairy, and grains like bread (sometimes) on the edges of the store.
Have you ever walked inside a grocery store and have the vegetables and fruits in the center of the store?
I haven't...
But whatever the case, the realest, cleanest foods are on the outside.
Packaged, processed foods are on the inside on shelves.
5. When buying grain/pasta, opt for whole grain:
I personally do not think there is anything "bad" about white grains/wheat/pasta/whatever.. haha
My opinion on white grains is that it isn't bad but it's hardly nutritional. Whole wheat on the other hand, is nutritional.
Now, I don't know if the number of calories are the same between white and brown rice/wheat/grain, but let's say a cup of each is both 50 calories. Wouldn't you eat the same amount of calories with more nutritional value than the one without? I sure would. But I love my white rice, I don't eat rice that often, but when I do, you can bet it's white.
Eating clean was a difficult transition for me.
When I was doing my research, I was bombarded with information and I didn't know what to do with all of it.
I like to keep things simple and I took bit and pieces of information that I believed I can do and have written it down.
As I have started this journey, I have learned to remember which brands of snacks, meats like bacon, pasta, etc, I liked and which to avoid, and some, I'm still exploring and learning.
I hope this was helpful!
Remember to take it one step at a time and be patient!
Exercising is important but fueling and nourishing your body with good, healthy food is even more important!
As always, thanks for reading!! Keep warm! Here in CO, there's snow!
Yeon :)
P.S. How is everyone doing on the ab and thigh challenges!! I have definitely missed a few days, I'm human too and mess up! But it's ok! I just gotta keep going! :)
But I have been in the dark about eating healthy for such a long time, I thought it would be nice to share what I have learned just in case ;)
My whole entire life, I have always eaten unhealthy food.
My mom cooked healthy food, of course, pertaining to our Korean culture: Rice and multiple side dishes ranging from various vegetables prepared differently, different sources of protein and sometimes soup.
Out of all my options, what did I eat? Rice and whatever meat I liked. Sometimes, I only ate my bowl of rice because I didn't like anything she made (I know, I was so ungrateful >.<)
I was very picky and never liked vegetables... I still don't.
I ate junkie snacks like Hot Cheetos and Pringles all the time, too.
In Middle School all the way through high school, it was pizza for lunch all day, everyday, 2-3 slices or the occasional fast food run when I got my car.
Yuck.
So, when I had kids, my world was filled with questions:
How do I protect them? When can I enroll them in extracurricular activities? How many diapers am I supposed to change a day?
WHAT DO I FEED THEM?!
Over the last few years, I have learned a few tricks.
Here are the 5 tips I use every time I go grocery shopping.
1. Avoid advertisements that read: LOW FAT! Reduced SUGAR! 100% NATURAL!
Chances are, there are other "hidden" processed ingredients to make up for it or to sell the product.
And yes, even the 100% Natural advertisements are probably not so natural.
Not healthy.
To see if it's natural, check the ingredient label, which leads me to number two.
2. Ingredients to look out for:
I'm not a nutritionist and nor am I a die hard eat clean guru.
But through my journey of eating healthy, I have learned to avoid certain foods that contain these ingredients:
High Fructose Corn Syrup (any type of added fructose, actually)
Maltodextrin
Dextrose
Dextrin
Enriched bleached flour
Aspartame
Sucrose
artificial flavoring/sweeteners
a note that says "used as preservative"
dyes for food coloring
I tried to think up as many as I can ^^"
When I looked at the food in my pantry and fridge, I was shocked to see so many of these ingredients in the food I eat daily.
Needless to say, I tried to finish whatever was in my fridge so I can buy cleaner versions of them (because we don't waste food here! Haha).
Definitely a little more expensive, but my body...our bodies, deserve the best!
3. An ingredient list tidbit:
a. When looking at the list of ingredients, if it is filled with words you're not sure of, stay clear!
I mean, referring to my number two, what is maltodextrin? What in the world is aspartame?
Yeah... No thanks (for the record, in simple terms, they are man made form of sugar and your body doesn't need that much sugar.. that's why sweets are at the top of the pyramid!)
b. When an ingredient list is long, avoid it. It is probably filled with unnecessary, processed things.
A general rule of thumb I use is, if it has more than 5 ingredients, don't use it.
BUT, there are healthy, packaged foods out there that have more than five.
I was looking up a recipe, and the author posted a picture of the ingredients label of a pasta sauce she was using. It was fairly long, perhaps 10 were listed, but they were all words and foods I knew.
It contained things like... I don't know.. pureed tomatoes, pureed garlic, salt, pepper...you get the idea.
All real ingredients.
4. Shop on the OUTSIDE edge of the grocery store
You have your produce, meat, dairy, and grains like bread (sometimes) on the edges of the store.
Have you ever walked inside a grocery store and have the vegetables and fruits in the center of the store?
I haven't...
But whatever the case, the realest, cleanest foods are on the outside.
Packaged, processed foods are on the inside on shelves.
5. When buying grain/pasta, opt for whole grain:
I personally do not think there is anything "bad" about white grains/wheat/pasta/whatever.. haha
My opinion on white grains is that it isn't bad but it's hardly nutritional. Whole wheat on the other hand, is nutritional.
Now, I don't know if the number of calories are the same between white and brown rice/wheat/grain, but let's say a cup of each is both 50 calories. Wouldn't you eat the same amount of calories with more nutritional value than the one without? I sure would. But I love my white rice, I don't eat rice that often, but when I do, you can bet it's white.
Eating clean was a difficult transition for me.
When I was doing my research, I was bombarded with information and I didn't know what to do with all of it.
I like to keep things simple and I took bit and pieces of information that I believed I can do and have written it down.
As I have started this journey, I have learned to remember which brands of snacks, meats like bacon, pasta, etc, I liked and which to avoid, and some, I'm still exploring and learning.
I hope this was helpful!
Remember to take it one step at a time and be patient!
Exercising is important but fueling and nourishing your body with good, healthy food is even more important!
As always, thanks for reading!! Keep warm! Here in CO, there's snow!
Yeon :)
P.S. How is everyone doing on the ab and thigh challenges!! I have definitely missed a few days, I'm human too and mess up! But it's ok! I just gotta keep going! :)
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