What Are Your 2014 GOALS?

Hello there Clean Eaters and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I am READY for 2014. The past year has brought many wonderful things...

First and foremost...
I Picked Back Up On My Blog!!

I started Clean Eating Teen back in August of 2012. I didn't post much, but this past summer I became super motivated again and really brought this blog back to life. I am so grateful for this, because I have made wonderful memories through writing here and have found an amazing community unlike any other. 

Working Out With Friends, Teachers and Family

I guess I have made something of a name for myself as the "healthy hippie chick." During the summer, my best friend Taylor and I hosted a boot camp open to anyone. Only one of my teachers (and her husband, at one point!) came, but it was still TONS of fun! 

I have worked out with her after school this year too. I also have worked out with some other family and friends (I got my momma to do a Bob Harper DVD with me once!)

New Gym Membership
Though I have improved my fitness and made progress working out at home all these years, I have been ready for a while to step it up and be able to access heavier weights at a real gym. I am SO HAPPY this finally happened this past month!! 

Now me and Taylor can take as many selfies as we desire. 

New Friends

I am so happy to have met Abby from Yes to Yummy. She is a fellow teenager who eats and cooks healthy, and is SO adorable, and sweet. I hope we can get to know each other better come 2014.

School Spirit 

I didn't do much for Homecoming my freshmen year. This year, I really went all out! This picture, my friend and I dressed up from the 50's for Throwback Thursday. 


I went to the dance this year, too. 

New Workouts 

Thank the heavens for Bob Harper. I love this man. 

I also love Tatianna from Loving Fit. This girl knows how to kick my butt. 

Crow Pose (well, a few seconds of it!)

Some days are better than others. At least I know I can do it without -always- falling on my face!

An Undying Love for MUSTARD

Lay it all on me. 

After all the fun of 2013, what could I be hoping for come the new year?

Well, I have a few goals. I will list them below in no particular order.

1) Stress LESS! 
Thank you Abby for reminding me of this! I am always SO hard on myself. With grades, my training, food... I never seem to be able to just be happy. Sometimes being a perfectionist can come in handy. But other times, it just drives me crazy.

This year, I want to be able to feel comfortable in my own skin, and accept my body, my grades, and myself! I always do the best that I can, and sometimes, that is all that is needed (instead of 'perfection', per say).

2) Gain MUSCLE!
Now that I have a gym membership, I am READY to gain MUSCLE! I hope to start a training program from Krissy Mae Cagney, a super fit, super certified, super awesome trainer that I admire and trust to know her stuff!

3) Heal My GUT! 
I haven't really discussed this much, but my stomach is in need of some repair.

I have always had a really sensitive tummy. I cut out red meat in 4th grade and that seemed to help. However, flash forward 6 years... I still don't eat red meat, yet my stomach seems to still bother me.

(TMI ALERT!) I get bloated. I feel gross. I can't exactly go to the bathroom in an easy manner... sigh. Perhaps I need to cut out grains? Gluten?

Or maybe... rethink my eating all together? I tend to not eat much meat. But I think honestly, my body might react more positively to meat than I have previously thought.

In any case, this year I plan on healing my tummy. I am tired of feeling... tired! ;)

4) Get my DRIVERS LICENCE!
This one is pretty self explanatory! I have finished my class times. Now to tackle those nasty drive times!

I will be blogging all year long, and as I try to complete these goals, I will update you. 

What did you accomplish in 2013?
What are your 2014 GOALS?

Natalie 

Gym Membership+ A Gym Goer Back Workout

As you guys may know, I am not only the "Clean Eating Teen"... I am also the clean eating Yogi and Strength Trainer.


A recent picture I posted on Instagram. 

Of course, I say the latter with caution, because it sure doesn't seem like it by just looking at me.

If you didn't know me, you'd think I'd never lifted a dumbbell in my life. Quiet the contrary: I have been an avid strength trainer just as long as I have been practicing yoga.

Due to young age and limited budget, I never have had the opportunity to get a gym membership. One summer a few years ago I had one at my local rec center, but I didn't use it to it's full potential and it's equipment was limited.

Instead, I have utilized resistance in the form of body weight, a few pairs of home dumbbells, a kettle bell and a resistance band. And I HAVE gained strength- I can now do REAL pushups people! This wasn't even in my horizon back three years ago! Maybe not significant size has been gained, but my stamina, endurance, and strength have improved in these past years, all in the comfort of my own home.


Look what we have here! I got my sister to do Insanity with me!! 

This is something I am SUPER proud of, yes. But in the past year or so, my REAL goal has been to gain muscle. Especially when I have a best friend who can leg press 400 lbs at her gym!!

It has been frustrating, and I have expressed my desire to finally go to a real gym with my family. So, this past holiday... guess what?

I GOT A GYM MEMBERSHIP!!


Image via Google Images

I am SO excited to say that I now can join my best friend Taylor whenever she goes to our local Anytime Fitness! 

I really love Anytime Fitness, not only because I can go any time of the day, but also because I can easily use any facility no matter where I am at. This really came in handy during the holidays at my grandmothers... she has an Anytime Fitness right by her house!

Usually, when I went out of town, a would bring a few pieces of equipment and workout on site, like with this workout here. But now I don't have to anymore! It's such an awesome feeling :)

I'm not gonna lie, the gym is pretty intimidating. There are a lot of things I need to get used to... I want to learn proper form for barbell movements such as squats and deadlifts. Plus, the machines and cables can also be confusing with the many seating adjustments and different handles.

The gym is also very humbling. Taylor (and a few other nice people at the gym) have been helping me learn new moves. It is really embarrassing, having to ask for help. It is also embarrassing to not be able to lift as much as the girl or guy next to me. But you know what? I am NOT ashamed. I am excited to embark on this new journey, and I know that any other dedicated lifter would be proud of a newbie like me, and surely wouldn't laugh.



 Okay, they might laugh when I take pictures like this. But going to the gym doesn't count unless you take a selfie. Just sayin. 

Here is a back workout that I did recently. I felt the burn DAYS afterwards... I was planning on doing biceps too but they were already burning after this was over with.

I am by no means a professional, but I got the thumbs up from one of the coaches at my gym after showing them this workout. So hopefully you will like it too!

Try it out, and tell me if you feel the burn!

Do you go to a gym, or workout at home?
Were you intimidated by the gym at first?
What are you favorite gym workouts?

Natalie

Jojo and Paul's Hummus RECIPE + A Late Thanksgiving Recap

A picture of the recipe!! 

Hey there Clean Eaters!!

I know it is already past November (but not to late to participate in the challenge!), but I still feel the need to recap my awesome Turkey Day!!

I also am including an awesome recipe from my cousins, Jojo and Paul!

Thursday:

We woke up that morning, and I did an awesome leg workout to start the day off right. We headed out to my grandmother's house, about an hours drive away, in East Texas. We were going to be staying until Saturday, because there was another family get together that day that we all were going to.

Because the Saturday get together was going to be bigger, we decided to not do much for Thursday. It was going to just be my mom, sister, uncle, grandmother and I on Thanksgiving day, so there really was no need to do anything special food wise when Saturday would make up for it!

Anyways, I made a dish for myself (and the others, if they wanted it!) while everyone else had squash and broccoli casserole, some quick make stuffing, and mashed potatoes. My grandmother ordered half a smoked turkey from a local barbecue shop (SO DELICIOUS!). Dessert was some Mary Calender pie.

Like I wrote about in my "Healthy Thanksgiving" guide, many home made dishes are indeed, not so "home made". All these items had such processed, pre-made, and canned ingredients (trust me, I helped my grandmother make them). I was more than happy to make some separate, whole food items for myself and anyone else who wanted it.

My dinner was half an acorn squash stuffed with a raisin-pecan stuffing, and some turkey! 

Saturday:

That morning, I woke up and did a shoulder and cardio workout before heading out to the get together.

My breakfast was simple, lettuce wraps with some egg and leftover turkey. 

I was SUPER excited to get to see all the family and friends at the party! I knew at least some dishes I could enjoy, because my whole-food enthusiast cousins, Jojo and Paul, always bring healthy stuff.

Seriously... these guys are AMAZING. Paul used to be a chef, for one thing! They also make their own jams and hot sauces, pictured above (from the fruit off their own fruit trees, and the vegetables from their own garden!!).

They are on a new kick, involving sprouts. They brought in a giant sprout salad made of tons of sprout varieties... they even had broccoli sprouts! The dressing was wonderful, a blend of tomatoes and basil with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. They also brought some goat cheese spreads, which I sampled (I don't think my stomach liked it too much after the fact. Darn lactose intolerance!)

Oh, did I mention they pickle their vegetables too?

My plate ended up looking like this: A leg from the turkey (I actually ended up eating both...), some sprout salad, pickled veggies and hummus, and some goat cheese topped with some of my cousin's home made jam!

AWFUL picture. I know.

I also decided to treat myself. Paul made a coconut cake... an incredibly non-healthy one at that. He used sugar, regular butter, and other milk products... things I ALWAYS steer clear away from.

However, I eat 100% clean and healthy 365 days a year. You know my feelings towards the 80/20 rule, and how "moderation" doesn't work for me. So if I ever crave a sweet, I make my own healthy version... but, this cake was not processed. Sure, he used sugar... but it wasn't the fake, harmful kind. Yes it had other ingredients I didn't agree with, but you know what? It was anything BUT something that I could buy from the store, full of chemicals.

So... I had some! Boy, was it yummy. However, my stomach SERIOUSLY didn't agree. I actually woke up the next day vomiting (sorry for TMI, but I speak the truth here on Clean Eating Teen!)

Kinda just goes to show that your body KNOWS what is good for it, and what isn't, huh? ;)

Now, on to the recipe I promised!! This is the recipe for the hummus Jojo and Paul brought.

Jojo and Paul's Hummus

4 cloves garlic
1 tsp sea salt
process first in food processor to chop garlic fine.

2 15 oz cans garbanzo beans (good store brand or Progresso) drained but reserve liquid.
1/4 cup tahini (important do not leave out)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground cayenne pepper
juice of 1 lemon

Process with garlic in food processor until smooth adding reserved garbanzo liquid as needed to get desired consistency.

And there you have it folks!! A recap of my awesome Thanksgiving, plus a super yummy recipe that I suggest trying NOW. It is so much cheaper, and tastier, than buying store bought. It is even better than my past hummus recipes! 

How was your Thanksgiving? What did you eat?

Have you ever made your own hummus?

Natalie 

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Elf For Health 2013!

Hey there Clean Eaters!

Way back when (well, a year ago!), I wrote a post about my participation with an event called Elf For Health Holiday Challenge.


(Image via The Lean Green Bean's blog)

The event is a large, online support system created my Lindsay from The Lean Green Bean and Elle from Nutritionella.

A bit more information on the event...

It is a challenge that runs through late November to late December. You have daily "challenges" to help keep you on track during the holidays . These challenges fall into four categories: "Food, Fitness, For You, and For Others."

Over the course of the challenge, you are assigned an "elf"... aka a buddy that you email and support daily, that helps you with personal goals as well as the Elf Challenges.

Not to mention, weekly there are prizes for best Elf! Some of the awesome sponsors include Manitoba Harvest, Nature Box, Nutzo and more!!

How awesome does this sound? I am totally ECSTATIC to get to participate again this year. I did decently last year, but REALLY want to kick things up a notch this year. My elf and I are totally going to dominate! :)

(See, I even grabbed a blogging button! Check out the side bar for a peek. If you are also a blogger, you can get it too on Lindsays or Elles blogs!)

Speaking of my "elf"... LAST year I had the awesome opportunity to be partnered with Kristen, a fellow blogger. She was an amazing person to get to know and we had lots of fun with emailing eachother and doing the daily activities.

This year, I am blessed with being introduced to a wonderful girl named Megan. We have emailed eachother a few times, and already I can tell we will become fast friends :) We both love to workout, eat healthy, and heck... we both even like romantic movies! ;)

The challenges have JUST began... so I am sure I will fallow up this post with some info on how things are going!

I also will be updating on my Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram on our progress.

Also, the deadline for this first round (two weeks) of Elf For Health is at a close. But you can still hook up on the Facebook page, participate in Twitter, and sign up for the next round in December!

So... are you participating in any holiday challenges, such as Elf For Health or Clean Eating Teen's "No Excuse November Challenge" ?

Happy holidays!

Natalie