Being Your Best You: Energy

Wake up! Wake up! I need you to get excited with me for just a few minutes. 

I know that's a lot to ask considering that it's Thursday and we are already looking forward to no morning alarm on Saturday morning, but I have another important topic in this month's July challenge. 

To me, energy is like currency. You can earn it the same way that you can spend it.

At the end of the day your energy is something that you can manage if you want to, and something that you can then choose to spend whichever way you'd like to as well.

"Earning" energy is different for everyone and I truly believe that it comes down to your personality type. Introverts recharge through alone and quiet time. Extroverts recharge in the loud and obnoxious company of others. Many of you have never met me, but I'm an introvert through and through so I'm going to share the ways that I, as an introvert, earn energy and refill my tank. 

:: Rest

Seriously, sleep. Get the sleep that you deserve each and every night and get the non-sleep rest too. Netflix binges count.

:: Say "No"

This goes back to our balance conversation that we had last week. The more you say "no" to things you're not 100% wanting to do, the more time and 'energy' you get to put back into your life and the things you find to be the most important and meaningful to you. 

:: Nourish your body with clean and healthy foods

I've never finished a bag of potato chips and thought "Wow, I have so much energy now."

You can avoid that gross-all-the-time feeling by sticking to healthier foods like vegetables and good proteins while avoiding empty calories and "bad foods" that we all know aren't good for us. For me, meal prep is the key ingredient to this effort - but that's something we can talk about a different day!

:: Work out

Okay so I know this sounds like it's a way to spend energy - but it's also a way to get the blood flowing and to "get the fuzz out". If you sit around all day, chances are you're going to feel a little lethargic. Try moving your stuff for at least 30 minutes a day and see what it does for your energy levels and overall outlook on life!

Then from there, spend your energy however you choose! Whether that's being social with friends, going out dancing, putting in a little extra effort at work or going hard on reading blogs!

Chelsea, Rebecca and I would love to hear how you energize yourself in the comments and on your own blog in the July Challenge link-up!

Don't forget, there's more opportunities to join the link-up each Thursday in July!

July 24: Strength

This week is all about health and fitness. Share your favorite workouts, tips, tricks, and ways to reach your peak strength. 

July 31: Total Package 

With this being the end of the month and the last day of the link-up, share with us how you define being the BEST version of you. Get creative; anything is fair game here! 

Meat Tornado

I had such a fun time last month with the May favorite workouts link-up and I almost didn't know what to write about today for Tough it Out Tuesday.

You know I like lifting, you know I like squatting, you know I like sweating.

But did you also know that I LOVE eating? Like, really love. 

I've never got to the point here where I share my grocery list because I fear you'd all say I was pretty boring. Paleo can be very diverse for some people, but I'm perfectly happy with eating the same thing over and over if I love it enough. 

My first line of defense for hunger pangs and snack-time?

Meat. 

Get it in my mouth. 

Chicken, beef, turkey, sausage, bacon - I don't discriminate. I love it all. 

Meat tornado. 

I always have to have some type of meat prepped in my house because it makes snack time a no brainer. It also makes meal time a no brainer. 

Meat is my lifeblood because it's protein and there's endless ways to flavor, spice and dress it up. Plus it makes me feel good and it helps my muscles grow.

Meat is my first line of defense because as long as I have meat and a skillet - I can make a pretty great meal (for my single-self, not for a dinner party).  I have meat for most every meal and if you're a guy you'd be pretty upset that you'd have to compete with me for the beef. I keep flirting with the idea of buying half of a cow, but might need to share it. Brooke, you guys need a re-stock?

Oh hey, I know it's not Wednesday yet but sometimes you also have to treat yo'self.

#NotPaleo #TacoBell

Paleo Recipe: Coconut Whipped Cream

So you're on a mission to be Paleo (or you're just cutting out dairy) but you still want an alternative for whipped cream?

Well I've got you covered!

Boosting off of my Trader Joe's confessions, I wanted to show you how to use two easy ingredients to make an amazing summertime topping.

What you'll need:

1 can Extra Thick & Rich Coconut Cream (14oz)

1 can light coconut milk (or regular coconut milk, or almond milk!) (14oz)

Empty the contents into a food processor, blender or a bowl and begin to stir until all the thick cream has mixed with the liquid for an even consistency. 

One blended, pour into a container and cover, then place in the fridge overnight.

You can also place your blend into the freezer for about an hour for a similar right-now-have-to-have-it result. 

How have I been using it? On my morning protein shake of course!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

Weekend Challenge - Clean out the Junk

Alright, the same rules from Easter weekend apply - I want you to have a few mimosas this weekend with your family for mother's day (or while you're skyping with mom from afar).

Onto business...and your weekend challenge!

When I talk to people about what their goals are and what they're doing to help clean up their act, many people refer to three main things getting in their way:

- Grazing, snacking, boredom/emotional eating

- Not having a grip on portion control

- Not LOVING their workout (aka you haven't yet found your soulmate)

This weekend I'm going to give you an assignment that won't CURE #1, but will really help out with the way that you handle grazing, snacking, boredom and emotional eating. 

You and/or your roommate, significant other, alter ego will hate me for this but my challenge to you is to TOSS OUT all of the crap that's in your pantry. 

You know what the junk is. 

The wheat thins, the potato chips, the tortilla chips, the sugar, the ice cream, the oreo's, the nonsense. 

I did this activity when I started paleo. While it wasn't easy to dump out all of my comfort snacks, it really helped when feeding time came along because I didn't have the same usual suspects lying around begging to be eaten. You know, the treats that know how to immediately stick to your hips and thighs while simultaneously making you regret the binge and lower your self worth. Bite by bite. 

When you do your big clean this weekend, tag me on instagram (@Jessifitpdx) with all the junk you're tossing out! 

There'll be a surprise in it for you! 

(okay since you're just starting out you can keep the Trader Joe's PB cups, but put them in the freezer!)

Best of luck! 

Paleo Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In years past, tonight has meant a feast of tacos, margaritas and all the tortillas, guacamole and salsa I can fit into my mouth. Same for you guys?

Well not this year. 

Now that I'm Paleo, I have zero desire for any of it. I never thought I'd say I don't feel like tortilla chips and salsa but here I am - not planning on having any tortilla chips or sugary margaritas this evening. I minored in Spanish just for the margaritas so now I feel like it was a waste of money (only kind of kidding).

While I don't want to say "skip the holiday", I do want to offer some healthier options for you to still celebrate in a sombrero and not sacrifice the hard work you've been putting in to change your lifestyle and health. 

Quick and easy tips:

- Stay away from tortilla chips - if you're at a restaurant as for them to hold the chips till the entree.

- If you can't hold the chips, put your portion on a plate and avoid grazing. 

- If you must have a margarita, drink 2 glasses of water for every one margarita.

- Try to substitute lettuce for your taco shells.

- Use greek yogurt rather than sour cream.

- Skip anything fried.

If you're staying in, here are some amazing paleo recipes for you to try tonight!

Good luck and let me know your Cinco de Mayo plans!

Water Drinking Tips from the Pros

Two weeks ago I asked for your help on how to drink more water throughout the day and you had suggestions!

Here are your tips and tricks that I've been sampling to see what works for me:

:: Use self-challenges. For example, "finish this bottle before my coworker comes back from a meeting" or "Have 3 bottles before lunch". Also - I hate cold water, give me all the tap water. - Kristen

:: For me, drinking out of a bottle makes a huge difference. I have one of those Contigo Waterbottles with the straw and now I finish three of those bottles before I leave work! - Jen

:: I try to swap Cold and Hot water choices. I'll have 16 oz of Ice cold Water.. then next is Decaf Green Tea.... It makes me want to drink the next 16 ounces of Cold water. So, usually 10 ounces of Green tea.. I do this 2 or 3 times a day.... It works for me. - Kateri

:: Put aminos in your water every other time you fill up. Healthy delicious juice basically. Makes drinking water way easier. - Sarah

:: Fruit in yo water! Lemon slices all day! Apple slices! Orange slices! Grapefruit! - Marisa

:: What helps me is I have a bubba 32oz mug that has a straw. You can change the straw out to fun color. - Amy

:: I bring a fun tumbler cup from home and keep that thing full of water. I try to make it a point to get up once an hour or hour and a half and use the restroom and refill my water. By doing that, I get my recommended daily amount in basically at work. - Nadine

:: I aim for half a gallon by noon-1PM and then I have the rest of the afternoon/evening to get in the other half. I've found it's easier if I knock out the first half earlier in the day. I feel less pressured in the evening. - Jordan

:: Get an ulcer (she didn't really say this, but kind of.) - Amanda

THE single most helpful thing that came out of this post was finding a community full of awesome bloggers / instagrammers and snapchatters who keep me accountable daily on my 80-100 ounces goal.

Every single day I have ladies who are telling me how they're doing on their water that day, racing me and being honest that they're slacking. I've noticed being more mindful of my water intake and really owe it all to you guys. Comment below if you want in on the fun!

Although, if you've seen my sweaty selfies you know that I should probably add another 20oz. to my day because I drip sweat.

My face sweats, my arms sweat, my shins sweat. My eyeballs sweat.

It's beautiful.

Paleo Cooking Confessions

Are you here for some quality humpday confessions?

Good - because I'm about to share some pretty good ones about my paleo lifestyle and my prowess (or lack thereof) in the kitchen!

Me in the kitchen in one word: disaster. 

I'm great at following directions but I'm pretty bad at caring enough to follow them. 

One of the main things that I love about Paleo is that it's pretty hard to mess up meats and vegetables. I don't buy much variety so I don't have to learn how to prepare all the different kinds of dishes with dozens of ingredients to keep on hand.

My real only focus while cooking is looking cute.

And if I can't look cute, it's important that what I've got cooking looks cute.

Just kidding, I'd never do that!

To be honest I'm pretty boring with the range of foods that I eat. I get asked all the time if I get tired of the same lunch or the same dinner options. Truth talk? No! I love the way I feel when I'm getting my meats and vegetables and it really takes all of the decision making out of my hands because I only know how to prepare a few things anyway.

(this gif has nothing to do with anything... except for everything.)

The foods I eat make me happy and I know what I'm putting into my body at any given time - so no label checking in my world!

Just don't judge me for my smoke detector -

Or the silly dance I do while I wait for my meatloaf.

What are some of your cooking confessions??? I'm sure you have some good ones! 

Linking up with amazing Kathy!

Paleo Things I Ate this Week

Now that you've read the cute version of what Paleo is, how about I show you what it means to me? 

In this case, consider "me" to be you - a busy full-time working girl who eats meals at her desk and demands more time back in her day to do the things she enjoys. Sounds like you right? Good Let's try to change all of that over time, but for today I'll ask you this:

Want to have your mind blown?

Besides the smoothie you see below that I have every morning for breakfast - there's only SIX different foods in this diagram made up of my favorite lunches and dinners this week.

:: Organic Romaine Lettuce
:: Vegetable Medley (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, etc)
:: Grilled Chicken
:: Chicken Jalapeno Sausage
:: Eggs
:: Sun-dried Tomatoes

Oops, seven - you see all the sriracha don't you? #noshame

Now I'm not saying this is ALL I ate this week. 

I had almonds, banana chips, almond milk, carrots, other fruits - I even had a ring pop (you remember those things?)

What I'm showing you is that it's easy to plan healthy meals all week without getting crazy-fancy about it. 

Want some homework?

This weekend during your grocery trip try to buy the following:

:: Romaine Lettuce

:: Choice vegetable (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, brussel sprouts!)

:: Chicken (your choice - anything but "fried" or "breaded")

:: Eggs

Pair these main foundation prep items with other ingredients that sound good to you and show me what you make! 

Pro Tip: Cook your meats for the entire week and put it into tupperware. Probably by Wednesday you'll thank me. 

Comment below with questions if you want some inspiration other than what's above. 

Happy eating!

Wait, What Do I Eat?

Hello and welcome to Not the Average Bear if this is your first visit!

If this isn't your first visit, it means you're savvy and you won the game this week by paying close attention to my power moves in the beautiful world of the internet.

Once again, I have to assume there's only a few reasons you came to this sparkly, shiny and new (read: baby blog) corner of the internet. 

1. You're my dad (hi dad!)

2. You like fitness.

3. You like eating clean.

4. You like eating Paleo.

5. You want to learn more about fitness.

6. You want to learn how to eat clean or what the heck paleo is (?!?!).

7. You hopped over after the official reveal from my Lifestyle blog (thanks!)

Yesterday we discussed the foundation of what I'm going to be bringing you when it comes to fitness.

Today, we're going to cover the basics of #3 and #4.

My approach to nutrition has changed significantly in the past year and it always leaves people asking me "so, what do you eat?". It also has them saying, "wow! What is that, it looks so fresh, healthy and wonderful!" I like that question better.

Starting weight lifting made me want to give my body the best shot possible to grow those healthy lean muscles. To me, that meant cutting the dairy, cutting the grains and cutting the sugars that only boosted my cravings in my past-life. It meant sticking to clean vegetables, healthy meats and the biggest secret of all:

All the water I can drink.

Simply, I try to follow paleo in all areas possible - with the occasional let-loose-and-live cheese + alcohol allowances.

Why paleo? Because I've seen results in myself and others!

Since starting Paleo:

+ I've lost 15 pounds
+ Dropped a pant size
+ Can show off my arms for the first time in years
+ Am confident beyond belief
+ Don't miss bread, pasta, pizza or milk for a minute.

Expect to see beautiful creations like this and more on this page, with recipes, how-to's and substitutions for some of your favorite foods that you're not ready to give up on.

You should read my absolute favorite explanation of the paleolithic diet to understand what it is that "we" eat.

From there you can follow along and ask me all the questions you want!

Until next time!