Some thoughts and discussions from me.
A Perfect Day of Eating + Ridiculously Easy Homemade Sauerkraut
I did it again…
I went running! I don’t know where this is coming from, but after months and months of not running at all, I’ve gone for two runs this week so far. I don’t know who I am. Actually, I went in to the gym to hang out and meet members, and just hopped on the treadmill because I was there. I did a walk/run (run 3 mins, walk 1 min) combo for about 30 minutes before stretching it out. I also tried out the new Koss for Women headphones:
But more on that later. Let’s back up a bit. Yesterday morning I found myself awake at 4:57 a.m. for no good reason at all. After unsuccessfully trying to will myself to go back to sleep for a good 20 minutes, I peeled myself from the sheets and then found myself frying bacon at 5:30 a.m.
What? It sounded good. Plus, Shane, who left for work 15 minutes later much appreciated a couple strips on his way out the door. I also had some cold leftover sweet potato fries that I’d made the day before. Breakfast of champions, my friends.
Because I was already up and at ‘em, I walked to my yoga studio for the 6:30 a.m. hot class. The 60 minutes flew by and before I knew it I was in shavasana planning out the rest of my day. Hey, they can’t all be focused, zen, mind-clearing sessions, right?
Namaste. The instructor always says this to close class, but I’m a rebel and never say it back. I’m just never ready for it! Plus, this.
I took my first shower of the day, and then walked over to my gym to talk to the owner, the members, and get in aforementioned run. (I think this was the last time I ran on the treadmill!) The rest of the afternoon, I got a bunch of odds and ends done, cleaned a bit, and made some sauerkraut.
So, my version of making sauerkraut is really, really, really ridiculously good looking easy. I’m pretty sure I used this recipe the first time I made it, and then each time since that first time I’ve eliminated one or two steps. Now there’s basically 2 steps.
Ridiculously Easy Homemade Sauerkraut
1 head of cabbage
2 tbsp. sea salt
Slices the head of cabbage into chin strips, and then chop into pieces. Take 1/4 of it and place it in a big bowl. Sprinkle on about 1/4 tsp. or so of the salt. Massage massage massage! Massage until your forearm aches. Massage until water starts to leak out of the cabbage. Then pour the contents of the bowl into a large mason jar, pressing down firmly. Repeat until all of the cabbage is used. For one head of cabbage, I needed 1.5 mason jars. Put the jars in your pantry, and every few days, open the lid and take a peak – and a whiff – to make sure it looks and smells sauerkraut-y.
Good, legit sauerkraut is SO good for you because it, and other fermented foods, offers millions of good, probiotic bacteria. Also, cabbage itself is super rich in vitamins A and C. Super duper healthy, and I love including it in my daily eats when I have it on hand.
Speaking of daily eats, yesterday I was reading articles on ACEfitness.org, and one in particular caught my eye to share with ya’ll.
Now, let it be known that I really don’t believe there’s any such thing as a perfect day’s meals. But here’s what the “Nutrition Twins” have to say on it:
Breakfast – oatmeal and berries+ an egg white veggie omelet
Lunch – grilled chicken salad w/ almond + raisin quinoa
Snack- nonfat yogurt w/ pistachios and green tea
Dinner – salmon, roasted veggies, baked sweet potato
Dessert – dark chocolate w/ nonfat vanilla yogurt
I was actually quite surprised at how balanced it was! Whenever you read something with a catchy title like The Perfect Day’s Meals! ya kinda roll your eyes. Or at least I do. I think this day’s eats looks pretty sound for the average client who is looking to lose weight. For someone who’s not looking to lose weight, I don’t think it has enough healthy fats, and for someone who’s pretty active, I don’t think it’s enough food. It’s definitely not enough food for me.
And with that, it’s time to head into the gym. I’m starting my day with teaching a core class, and then training a client right after. Yay 
What do you think about their “perfect day of eats?”
I agree with your thoughts on the “perfect day of eats!” I know I eat way more than that. At the very least I would need an additional snack somewhere!
Also, I never say, “Namaste” back at the end of yoga either 😀
Catherine @ A Two Storey Home recently posted…30 Days (Almost) Dairy-Free
Agreed – I think I would just need more food at each meal.
Every time I see meal plans like that they just make me kind of sad. As many times as I’ve tried, I’ve never been able to follow diet plans that lay out my meals for me like that. It’s just not my jam. I like to try to eat healthy and when I’m really trying to lose weight (which I never really do successfully) I’ll go back to basics and limit sugar, refined carbs, saturated fat but I still do it in versions of food I like. I guess a major problems is not liking chicken or salmon, which are always major parts of “perfect eating plans”.
I agree with your thoughts though, for someone who is good at following plans, it looks pretty balanced and like it wouldn’t totally starve you – if you weren’t too active, like you said.
Kacy recently posted…Just a reason to eat and drink
Sounds like a perfect day of eats to me! My boys would love it if I woke up that early and got the urge to cook bacon. 🙂
Exercise if funny how it takes you through cycles. I love that you’re enjoying running this week! I hope you’re having perfect weather there to enjoy more outside time!
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Inspiration Versus Motivation…
The perfect day of eats doesn’t look that far off from the way I eat now (although I do eat a little more!). Unfortunately, those kinds of eating plans never work for me because they always include salmon and I just can’t make myself like it!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…WIAW And A Point To Ponder
Mmmm…sauerkraut. There’s a really awesome brand I get at whole foods that doesn’t different flavors that I love – I have a jalapeno version in my fridge right now. 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…One Word Wednesday: May
Is it Zuke’s? That’s my favorite!
I looked at the brand this morning & it’s not Zuke’s, but now I can’t remember what it was. 🙂
Heather @ Better With Veggies recently posted…Tempeh Protein Muffins
That perfect day of eats is actually really interesting! It doesn’t look too bad at all really, like you said, very well balanced! Except where’s the peanut butter? Haha..I’d add that to my oats for sure, and probably the yogurt too…
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…Thursday Thoughts 5/9/13
I would agree with your thoughts on this – it seems great, tasty and balanced, but probably not enough for someone whose really active or is hoping to maintain their weight, as opposed to losing it. It might be enough food for me, but it would depend on the serving sizes! I think it’s probably a good example, but eating is so personal that it’s hard to generalize that as ‘the perfect day of eating’ to everyone in existence.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…The Month Without a Plan.
okay, i must learn. the kraut. yes, i want. actually i want to visit you first, go hiking, yoga, then you make me this.
cottercrunch recently posted…Thursday Thoughts: #IWill
I eat way more than that on my perfect day of eats and I’m 5’1″! I would be hangry! lol
I’m going to hot yoga for the first time ever tomorrow and I’ll be thinking of you!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…What’s Beautiful: Yes I Can!
I’ve been running a lot (well, once a week haha) lately too! There must be something in the air 😉
Thanks for sharing your sauerkraut recipe – I always thought it would be ridiculously difficult to make, but I’m glad that’s not the case!
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted…A health update
A little late on this post but Namaste is NOT religious. It’s spiritual. Big difference. What it means is the the light within me honors the light within you. Or we are the same, we are one. I repect you, you respect me.
I don’t understand why something so good for the soul and body has to become questionable in the name of religion. That’s not what yoga is about. I can’t tell you what to do what can reitierate to you it’s not about religion. Just like if someone of another faith said God bless you to me, I wouldn’t take offense or feel like I was “cheating” on my own faith practice (for the record I’m spiritual not religious).
How long does your sauerkraut last in the fridge/and out of the fridge?
I let it ferment for 10-14 days in the pantry, and then it keeps in the fridge for at least a month!