Blogger Spotlight: Andrea @ Thin Thighs & Sweet Potato Fries [Part 2]

Part 2 of my interview with Andrea 

 of Thin Thighs & Sweet Potato Fries!

Q. What are your top 3 fitness tips/advice?

1. Count calories-Counting calories gets such a bad rap and I will never understand why. In fact, maybe I should reword it as “pay attention to calories.” Then maybe it will be better received. J This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to keep a food journal or pull out a calculator and track every morsel of food you eat (although, I’m not gonna lie, I’ve done it at times), but if you simply make a point of at least reading food labels or looking up the calories in what you eat, you will be amazed at some of the calorie bombs in your life you didn’t even know were there! Then by slowly eliminating these foods I promise you, you will start to see changes, even if you never set foot in a gym. But you can’t eliminate high-calorie foods if you don’t know how many calories you’re eating in the first place. So pay attention to it.

2. Do a pantry/fridge makeover-You can’t eat what you don’t have! This might sound rudimentary, but it works. Try replacing junk food in your pantry with healthier foods. I’m not saying you have to go from donuts to apples in one fell swoop, but there are healthier
3. Exercise in groups (and if you can’t find one… create it!)-This was key for me. I got over my intimidation and fell in love with running by running with a group of ladies I work with. We got together three mornings a week, running at our own individual paces, but just making sure to stay within sight of each other, and it worked out beautifully. There are typically running groups in every city that anyone can join and they can usually be found with a simple Google search. If running isn’t your thing, start a DVD exercise group. Get a group of friends or coworkers together, find a gym or even a basement, and pick a day of the week to do a DVD program like P90X or Insanity together. It’s like being in a fitness class and it creates an instant network of people to keep each other accountable. Plus, it’s much more fun than doing it by yourself, which means you’ll stick with it longer. If you live in Charlotte, ask me about NC Fit Club! **end shameless plug** J alternatives for everything. Once you get in the habit of not keeping bad food in your house, eventually you don’t even miss it.

Q. How do you maintain a healthy diet and consistent exercise regimen?

I say this all the time, but maintaining a healthy diet is a proactive process. Since day 1 of my weight loss journey until now, I always pack my breakfast, lunch, and all snacks and take them with me to work. This way I’m in control of what I eat and there are no last minute fast food lunches or 3pm trips to the vending machine when I’m suddenly craving a snack. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely have my slip-up days, but as long as the majority of what I’m eating is good for me, slip-ups aren’t as big of a deal.

As far as fitness, while I don’t belong to a gym, I am lucky in that I have a fitness center right onsite at my job and am able to take classes during my lunch hour each day. This has been a HUGE benefit to maintaining a workout routine! I also live in an apartment complex with a fitness center that I take full advantage of. I realize, not everyone has these resources though. I also simply try new things because more than anything, it’s important to keep it fun, otherwise you won’t stick with it long. So as I mentioned, I tried out and discovered a love for running, I do workout DVDs, I’ve taken dance classes, and I even recently went on a nature hike which I loved! It’s all about getting creative and finding what works for you.

Q. What advice do you give to busy moms on the go related to healthy eating and exercise?

As far as fitness, “get it in, where you can fit it in!” Maybe you don’t have an onsite fitness center at work, but you can go for a walk or run during your lunch hour. Or look into fitness classes offered at community centers and churches. Often times, these classes allow you to bring your children with you. I went to a Cardio Funk class at a local church recently and it was filled with moms, dads, kids, grandparents...you name it!

As far as healthy eating, there are so many quick and simple ways to provide your kids with healthy foods. When it comes to healthy and quick, I love Dr. Praeger’s veggie burgers, brown rice or whole wheat pasta dishes are also quick and easy to make. For breakfast, I love Hodgson Mill whole wheat pancakes and use Quick Whites for a simple egg white omelet.  One of my faves for dinner on a busy night is a baked sweet potato. To prepare it,  pop a sweet potato in the oven on 425 degrees for 30 mins (or nuke in the microwave for 6 minutes), then add a little cinnamon, a dollop of healthy butter spread, and a tablespoon of brown sugar. It’s delicious. The majority of the meals I make take 30 mins or less. I also love Trader Joe’s frozen foods section. You can get lots of quick, healthy finds there.

Q. Healthy eating is expensive, what tips can you give to help people stay within their budget but also eat well?

A. Healthy eating can be expensive, but it doesn’t always have to be. What primarily makes healthy eating so expensive, in my opinion, is the fact that fresh and/or natural products tend to spoil faster so you find yourself at the grocery store more often. That’s why my freezer has become my best friend! I load up on frozen veggies from Wal-Mart for about $1.99 a bag and use them frequently in stir fries, sandwiches, or with a little low fat cheese as a side dish. I also freeze my whole wheat breads, and even fruits that I’ll later use in smoothies.  I always keep frozen chicken breast tenderloins and frozen shrimp on deck as well for when a dish might need a little added protein. Again, I also recommend keeping cheap staples like instant brown rice and whole wheat pastas in the house. I stock up on sauces and marinades from Trader Joe’s (which are also quite inexpensive) and I experiment with ways to create something new.

Q. What is your all time favorite healthy recipe?

This is probably a silly choice, but if I had to choose, I would have to say banana oatmeal. I learned this recipe from a fellow healthy living blogger (though I’ve added my own spin on it over time) and I have been eating it for breakfast nearly every day since. You simply prepare a bowl of plain oatmeal, then cut half of a banana into the bowl and mush it into the oatmeal until creamy (the riper the banana, the better this will taste!).Then slice the other half of the banana on top. I like to add fresh blueberries and sprinkle a little cinnamon as well, but this is not necessary. That’s it. You get a yummy, all naturally-sweetened bowl of oats!

Q. What is you all time favorite exercise?

A. While running is of course a close second, I have to say ZUMBA! I’m addicted! Sometimes when I’m doing it, I forget I’m exercising!

THANK YOU Andrea for taking the time to answer these questions! You've given me alot of great tips on how to live a healthier lifestyle!

You can reach Andrea by visiting Thin Thighs & Sweet Potato Fries and/or by emailing her: Andrea at thin-and-sweet dot com

Ready for some Mamavation!!

Huh mamavation? Yes – mamavation! I believe I’ve stumbled upon a gold mine! Mamavation is a “Mamavation™ is an online docudrama and weight loss support group for moms in social media.” It’s a word I’ve added to my dictionary, and a word I suggest adding to yours!

I’m pledging my dedication to this wonderful movement by posting my first Monday mamavation post! Woo-Hoo. I’m excited about this journey and even more excited to connect with other moms who are dedicated to losing weight and getting healthy! There is strength in numbers!

Why weight loss? Why now? Well, I’m tired of putting it off, tried of coming up with excuses, and tired of being unhappy with my body appearance. The last 2 years have been tough for me mentally, emotionally, and physically. Many factors have lead to putting on a couple pounds, but the major ones being a lack of sleep and severe stress and anxiety. I learned a couple years back that I had sleep apnea, and was floored, because at that time I was thinner than what I am now and thought that only older obese people were to get it. But I was wrong. I have a mild (which feels like severe) case of sleep apnea, and I never sleep through the night. Stinks!!!! So a major part of jumping on the mamavation boat is to drop some lbs and kick this sleep apnea to the curb because it has severely ruined my life!! In addition I’m a full time working mom, full time student, and single mom! I hardly have a minute to sit down and breathe! My days are long and rushed and stressed, and eating healthy most of the time is not on my list of priorities. Which has caused me to go to the most convenient food..which is almost always the unhealthiest.

So, here I come mamavation! Looking forward to losing weight, getting healthy, and becoming more active!! I’m not going to reveal how much I weigh...yet, but will keep you updated on my progress. There is no better time than the present and I’m looking forward to recommitting to my health and wellness!

Weekly Goals:

My goals this week, just starting out, is to exercise at least twice for 30 minutes. On top of that I am going to try to eat healthier snacks and DRINK MORE WATER!

Are you also on a weight loss journey? Share your story! Also if you have any tips or yummy healthy recipes, send them my way!!

Tweet me: YoungFabMama ... I'm forever tweeting about mamavation!!

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In part 1 of IMAGE-IMAGE-IMAGE I used the term everyday woman freely  without describing what my definition is.

An everyday woman is:

·         Of any race, ethnicity, or culture

·         Working, underpaid, unemployed

·         A mother, aunt, or daughter

·         Not necessarily content with her body image

·         Self-conscious

·         On average about 140 pounds

Where did our negative body image come from? Our mothers? Our friends? Media? While media takes the cake with persuading American women that beauty means to be thin, your culture also plays a part. Latin women are known to be curvaceous as well as confident. Latin men love their full figured Latino women. So, should all American’s relocate to Latin communities or countries? I think not.

Like the new Lifetime show,  How to Look Good Naked, we as a society need to redefine what beauty truly is and remember that true beauty comes from within. We need to teach ourselves to self-love rather than self-loathe. While bypass surgery and crash diets may seem appealing, it won’t change your mind or your heart.

American women, what is so wrong with accepting your bodies?

I challenge you. Whether you are 15 or 55, black, yellow, or pea green. I challenge you to love every part of yourself. If you wake up in the morning and don’t like what you see in the morning like me, change what you see. Take out that red lipstick you were always too shy to wear and use it for once. Write on your mirror ‘I AM BEAUTIFUL!’ Yes, women for once, do something for you. And post this saying all around your house. If your husband asks what you’re doing, tell him, I’m beautiful and clearly you don’t tell me enough! And if you’re single like me, it’ll be that added umph you need when you’re feeling down. 

Research what works well with your body type. Don’t know your body type? Do a little google search and I think you’ll be able too. Find out if darker jeans work best or a wrap dress. Trust me, when you find something that works with what you’re working with, it’s magic and it’ll boost that inner self-confidence. Once you’ve found that perfect outfit, go get your hair down, nothing crazy though. And when you get back in that mirror, get out that lipstick and write on the mirror then put a little on.

And when life has you down remember the following:

LAUGH! Hahaha. Remembering you have a sense of humor is important.

Eat healthier. Yes, fast food seems oh so convenient, but it also isn’t the best for your health. Snack smart and sensibly. Throw a bag of mixed nuts in your purse or snag a few of those cheerios!

Get Moving! Yes exercise people! Instead of driving, walk to where you have to go. Take the stairs instead of elevator. Trust me; your thighs will thank me.

Express Yourself. Bottling up your emotions is a no-no. Let it out. Not comfortable talking to someone? Start a journal, or draw what you’re feeling.

Think Positive. If you think today’s going to be a good day and it’ll be a good day. Think it’s going to be a bad day and it’ll be a bad thing. The mind is a powerful thing.

It’s crazy how small changes can make you feel so much better.

So, self-conscious American women, up for the challenge?

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PART ONE:

Weight + Image:

America’s fall into the world of all this

Superficial + Unhealthy

America, home of the thin and superficial

America, home of the super-thin and materialistic

Amerca, home of the obese and extremely self-conscious

Sooo, whats up with American women feeling like they don’t measure up when it comes to weight and image? Could it be because the average American woman is 5’4’’ and weighs 140 pounds? It could be. It could also be because plastered on billboards, in magazines, and on TV are super-thin and mostly Caucasian women who look nothing like the everyday woman. Could it be because the average American model is 5’11’’ and weighs 117 pounds? Could be.

In the movie Shallow Hal, the main character, Jack Black, views overweight women as beautiful and thin. He views their “inner beauty”. He is deemed an outcast by his friends and thought to be crazy to be attracted to a woman who wasn’t 110lbs.

Society urges women to try this diet pill and try that. From hip-hop abs to nutrisystem, it seems like society cannot get away from the thin-craze. In one magazine I was reading I found 6 ads for ‘magic’ diet pills. And even saw an ad for plastic surgery. Clearly these ads wouldn’t have been created if there weren’t overweight people. Knowing that is that case, why feature stick then makeup packed women who look nothing like the everyday women?

 The Dove Campaign for real beauty caused a lot of outrage worldwide. Why are those kind of women now on billboards? They’re not attractive, they’re not pretty! News flash: those women dressed in white bras and panties, well they’re you’re wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters.

Dove began the campaign because they like many women in society felt that beauty had a narrow and unchanged view. Their goal was to redefine what beauty is so it accepts all women and challenges them to accept and love every inch, roll, and curve.

Another organization encouraging women to accept who they are is the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA). Started in 1969 the NAAFA strives to banish discrimination based solely on body size. The NAAFA seeks to empower women through membership, education, and advocacy. It’s important to state that their goal isn’t to necessarily lose weight, but to get to a point where you are healthy and feel good about yourself.

When did image start becoming survival of the thinnest?

In a culture built on fast cars and sex appeal where does the average women fit in?

does this diaper make my butt look big??

Artist P. Byrnes featured a cartoon in the March 2000 issue of the New Yorker. The cartoon is of a baby looking into a mirror thinking ‘this diaper makes my butt look big…’ Hmm, does this innocent child truly feel his butt looks big? Did someone tell him his butt looked big? Maybe I'm overreacting, but I was really taken back by the image, and I got pissed.

Now that I am a mother, image has been something that I am concerned about for my daughter. It started before she was born. I ensured I got the best stroller, diaper bag, crib, and diapers. Then when she was born, I only dressed her in brand name clothes and made sure everything matched and her hair was done. I raised my nose at those who bought store named diapers and clothes. Why? Because I am conceited? No, but because I feel that how she looks is a reflection of the type of person I am and is a reflection of me. Making sure she is put together in public shows that I have the time to dress her and do her hair, a reflection that I am a good mom. Right? 

Am I that concerned with what other people think? 

Kids & Image

From babies to kids, there are tons and tons of toys for kids nowadays. From talking Dora dolls to Bratz dolls. What are Bratz dolls? Let me paint a picture: a little shorter than a Barbie, a face overtaken with large lips and eyes. Lips gleaming with pink lipstick and eyes drunken with eye shadow, eyeliner, fake eyelashes, and mascara. Bleach blonde hair all the way down their back. A tight fitting neon strapless dress with a belt at the waist and stiletto heels...maybe Jimmy Choo? Are you kidding me? These nasty lil dolls are NOT allowed in my home. Period.

Parents purchase these ridiculous dolls without knowing the underlying results behind it. Girls who own these dolls often want to be like them. What image are the manufactures sending with dressing these dolls in these provocative get-ups? What are parents telling their children when they want a ‘sexy’ dress and hair extensions and makeup? Where is the line drawn? And when did growing up stop being fun and start being scary?

Ask young girls who their role models are and I doubt they’ll say Harriet Tubman or Joan of Arc. Instead they’ll say they want to grow up to be Britney Spears. The Britney Spears who dresses provocatively and grinds left and right? 
Why has society accepted these rump-shaking girls as role models?