Secret Confession Of A Health And Food Blogger

November 16, 2015November 16, 2015 / ktbuchs87

Friday night. The weekend is finally here and I’ve finished dinner and I’m vegging on the couch watching Netflix. I know, I’m pretty much a wild and crazy party animal. I’m not quite ready to go to bed yet, I stay up like an hour past my bedtime on the weekends which is usually 9:30. Again, party animal.

And it happens.

That little nagging voice in the back of my head. You want to eat something, Katie. You want to munch on something salty, crunchy, sweet, whatever you can get your hands on. You want to keep reaching your hand into the bowl or bag or whatever large vessel you can fill. You want to keep eating even though you’re not really hungry, you’re just bored.

Every weekend is the same routine. I know it’s coming. I know exactly what will happen. I’ll pretend like I can’t hear that annoying little voice, but I know I will eventually give in. Because I don’t have any control over this situation. I have no power here. I’m stuck and always will be.

Right?

Nope. That is so not true. I’ve tricked myself into thinking that I can’t beat this habit. That it is somehow a part of my being, the way I am put together, and there is no fighting it. It is so much easier to stay stuck and feign that I’m weak against that little voice. That voice that is really just me.

I’ve gotten into the habit of telling others that they have the motivation and willpower they need to overcome situations like this when it comes to their health. But I’ve somehow convinced myself it doesn’t apply to me. Pot calling the kettle black much?

I can say no. I have total control over my own thoughts and feelings and emotions. I know this because I have done it before. There are days when I lack the motivation to go for a run or workout just because I’m lazy. But I’m able to power through those roadblocks and do what I know is best for me. So I know this isn’t a problem of not being able to exert control over my bad habits.

It’s me being a whiny baby and not WANTING to change. Some weird part of me finds comfort in those late night binges. It’s a way to be that person I was so many years ago when my whole day was a binge of unhealthy food.

I’ve talked before about how change is scary and hard for me, but it’s something I should embrace. I’ve talked about how motivation is something that has to be renewed every day. Well, it’s time to stop just talking about it and actually do it. Because I’m tired of letting a little voice control a part of me. A bad habit doesn’t get to dictate what I do.

So there it is out in the open. My little secret, my stuck-in-a-rut problem for everyone to see. Sure, it’s a little nerve-wracking to share it with the whole internet, but I know I’m not the only one who struggles with things like this. I’m human and even though health and food and all that is “my thing” I still have setbacks and things to work on. I probably always will, but it’s better to face them with the help and support of others rather than alone late at night.

Maybe this post can spark something in one of you. Maybe it can help change the habit you know is a problem that you’ve told yourself you can’t fix.

You can. Of course you can. I can too.

Ready?

Birthday Recap and Some Thoughts

November 9, 2015November 9, 2015 / ktbuchs87 / 3 Comments

Happy Monday everyone! I hope that you had an awesome weekend and are enjoying your fall thus far!

I thought I would do a little recap of my birthday last weekend because it was actually really awesome and I could not have asked for a better day. The one thing I told Adam that I wanted was for him to plan the day. I didn’t want to make any decisions or schedule anything, I wanted it done for me. It’s nice every once in awhile to have someone do all the decision making for you.

So Halloween morning after we both woke up and did a quick Fitness Blender workout, we headed out to breakfast. I had been wanting to try a place called Yolk for awhile so that’s where we went. It was delicious! They had amazing coffee that tasted almost like chocolate and the food was great. Adam decided to try a little bit of everything and I had an awesome California omelet complete with avocado.

After breakfast, we headed to the farmers market because it was the last day that it was going to be outdoors. It was kind of pouring rain right when we got there, so we only did a quick lap through, got Adam a donut, and then moved on. From there, Adam took me downtown and told me that we were going to go clothes shopping for me. I have been needing new fall/winter clothes for a long time, so this was a really nice surprise. Plus, how many husbands take their wife out on a shopping spree?!

Birthday Recap and Some Thoughts | Life Healthfully Lived

Almond Milk Latte of my dreams…

We hit up a few stores on State Street where I bought all the flannel and found some awesome new boots. You can never have too many boots, right? After a few hours of shopping both our energies were dropping so we decided to take a break and get some coffee. We found a Peet’s Coffee around the corner and I decided to try an almond milk latte because my sister is always raving about them. Good choice because it was awesome. After we were caffeinated we shopped for a little longer and then decided to head home and chill for the rest of the day.

These tacos were amazing… still working on that tortilla recipe, so look for that soon!

Once we took the world’s longest bus ride home (rain and Halloween apparently make for lots of traffic) we hung out, watched some movies, and ate homemade tacos. It was pretty much the best way to end my birthday. Oh, and I decided to be “crazy” and dyed my hair a reddish-brownish-slightly purplish color. It’s awesome and I love it.

During…

After!

As I was looking back over my birthday extravaganza, I realized I was really happy. Not because I had an awesome day or got cool clothes and shoes or ate delicious food but because I was really and truly happy. I am content with where I am in life and confident in the things I am doing to go the places I want in the future. I want for nothing, I have an amazing support system in my family and my husband, and I am blessed beyond belief.

Birthday kisses from Dot

Maybe it was turning 28 or maybe it was knowing that things change and I don’t have to feel stuck or down in whatever situation I face. Either way, I’m in a very good place both physically and mentally and I am going to enjoy it!

Things That Are Making Me Happy Right Now

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 / ktbuchs87 / 2 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I had a pretty great weekend. It was filled with family, laughs, and covered bridges. Adam and I spent the weekend in Brazil, Indiana and I got to experience the covered bridge festival for the first time.

Yes, there was a covered bridge. There was also a ton of food, crafty things, and pretty much anything else you could think of. I had a good time and was glad for the time to relax.

So while covered bridges have made me happy, I thought I would share a few other things that are making me happy right now.

Changing Leaves

It felt like fall would never really come this year. For most of October, our neighborhood has been surrounded by green leaves and summertime vibes. Just in the past week or so we have finally had leaves falling and changing color. I love how pretty this city gets in the fall!

Fall Running Pace

I love the beginning of fall and the cooler temps because it means I run even faster than normal. I can’t seem to slow down for the first few weeks of fall running and that’s just fine with me. I love feeling like I’m flying down the Lake Shore Trail.

New Quilted Sheet Set

This is how I know that I’m an adult. I am super excited about a brand sheet set. This was a covered bridge find and an early birthday present (12 days and counting). I have been wanting to change up our bedspread for awhile now to something more bright and cheery. I love the grey and yellow together and I think that Dot approves as well.

All The Baking

Now that it isn’t torture to turn on the oven, baking all the things can commence. I am not a strong baker, so I am always trying to improve. I gave you some carrot cake cookies last week and I’m working on a fall banana bread for you guys this week. You can also check out my cranberry coffee cake over on Girlish. Yay baked goods!

Kuri Squash

I am all about fall/winter squash and I’m always excited to try new to me varieties. I found this one at Whole Foods the other day and figured I would give it a go. Whelp, now I’m obsessed with it. I love that you don’t have to peel it, just scoop out the seeds, cut into chunks, and roast it at 425 with a little oil and your favorite seasonings. It’s creamy and a little sweet like butternut squash. I bet it would be great in soup or my gnocchi.

The Cubs

I was born a Cubs fan and have always hoped that maybe next year would be their year. It’s looking like 2015 could be it… I will be cautiously optimistic and just keep rooting for my Cubbies.

I don’t know why but turning 28 is sounding pretty good to me. I think there are some good things in store for my 28th year on this big blue marble we call Earth. Can’t wait to see what they are…

5 Things I Do When I’m Struggling With Bad Body Image

August 31, 2015August 31, 2015 / ktbuchs87

For some reason this weekend, I was having a tough time with my body. Every piece of clothing I put on felt awkward, I didn’t like the way I looked, and I felt like everyone was just staring at all of my flaws. It was not a very fun weekend to say the least.

As much as I would love to always be proud of my body and never struggle with these insecurities, I know that I will probably always have to work on body image. When I was younger, I would let these negative thoughts consume me. I literally thought that my body was ugly and all the problems I saw in the mirror were the only things that other people could see. These thoughts would rule my day, my mood, and how I viewed my worth. They dictated what I would say and think, whether I would speak up in class or if I would volunteer for something where people had to look at me. It was rough and I never thought much of myself. I just wanted to fade in the background and for the most part, I did.

With a lot of time and work, I have pushed past that younger version of myself. No one gets to determine my worth based on my looks, not even myself. I understand so much more about my body and know that just because I see something in the mirror doesn’t mean it’s true in real life.

But there are still days when the struggle is real. Days when I want to go back to hiding in my shell. Days when no matter what, the reflection I see does not match what is actually there. I’m sure every once in awhile, you have those days too. Days when you doubt whether you are beautiful, capable, or even worthy. What you do on those days can make you stronger or keep tearing you down. So here are five things I do when I struggle with bad body image. Hopefully, these can help you or give you some motivation to find ways to move past the lies you might be telling yourself about your own body.

1. I realize they are lies

Most often, the reason I have a “bad body” day is that I feel like I have gained a ridiculous amount of weight. The logical part of my brain knows this isn’t true. There is no way that one meal can make you gain 10 pounds and you don’t wake up one day suddenly overweight. But the logical part of my brain doesn’t always rule my day. While I might feel overweight and insecure, I tell myself that it is a lie. What I see in the mirror isn’t true. My habits are overall healthy and I won’t suddenly just backslide. I might not believe this at first, but actually physically telling myself that it is a lie helps to get me back on track.

2. I try something new

This might sound weird, but trying something new really helps me get out of my funk. Usually, I try a new yoga pose that I haven’t been able to do before or an exercise that I struggle with. By doing something new, I get my mind off the woe is me/I’m ugly mentality. Many times I end up surprising myself by doing something that I didn’t think I could do. Even if I can’t get into a new pose or still struggle with that tough exercise, the fact that I tried and tried to improve myself helps me feel more confident with my body.

3. Look at where I started

I have come a long way from Jr. high/high school Katie. Looking back at that time, I realize that I am a completely different and better person. On the days when it feels like I am right back where I started, just taking out pictures from that time proves me completely wrong. I know I have done a lot of work to get to this point and reminding myself of that helps me see how strong and capable I have become.

4. I talk about it

I am a private person and I tend to keep things bottled up inside. I let my negative thoughts eat away at me and they never fail to bring me down. While it’s still hard for me to open up and share, talking about it helps let that negativity out. Sharing things with someone you trust gets things off your chest and shows you that some of those things just aren’t true. Even writing this post helps me push past my doubt and uncertainty and stops negative talk in it’s tracks.

5. I understand it will pass

I won’t let my negative thoughts persist anymore. They might have ruled my life before, but I refuse to let that happen again. I know that this bad day is one day and it will pass. There will be good days again, days where I see how strong I am, how capable I have become, and how beautiful I truly am. I can’t dwell on these insecure thoughts or else they will take over. I acknowledge that I have had a bad day and now it is over and I will do my best to move on. It isn’t always easy, but I know I can do it.

Next time you are faced with body image issues, try a few of these things. Or find something that works for you. The most important advice I can give you is to not let these issues consume you. Don’t let them take over. You are better and stronger than they are and you can and will get to a place where you see your beauty and worth!

5 Reasons I Don’t Miss Processed Food

August 17, 2015August 17, 2015 / ktbuchs87

When people hear the way I eat, they usually ask, “But don’t you miss such and such food?” Such and such food most often being some type of processed/junk/convenience food.

In the beginning, I would say yes. I did miss the ease of ready to go foods. I missed the taste of the sugar and salt and fat of those foods. I missed what I thought was the cheaper option of food at the grocery store. Overall, I missed the comfort of what had been my eating habits for the majority of my life.

Now, I don’t miss it at all. I don’t even think about the food I’m not eating because I’m too busy enjoying all the food I am eating. Here are the reasons that I don’t miss processed food anymore.

1. Real food tastes better

“But Katie, have you tasted a Reeses/Twinkie/Doritos/whatever lately? They are delicious!” To be honest I haven’t tasted any one of those things in a very long time, but that is a good thing. It has allowed my tastes buds to realize how good real food tastes. Processed food is chemically altered to make it tastes as appealing as possible, real food just grows that way. It doesn’t need anything added to make it better. I like that. It does take some time for your tastes to adjust, so if you have been living primarily on processed food you’re probably raising an eyebrow right now. There is no way that a piece of broccoli tastes better than a candy bar. Give your taste buds and your brain a chance to adjust and you’ll realize real food is pretty delicious!

2. I’ve learned to cook

I’ve known how to cook for awhile, but I really grew confident and adventurous in the kitchen when I stopped using processed food. Rather than boiling some pasta and throwing a store-bought jar of sauce on top, I now had all these ingredients that had to turn into a meal. There was a learning curve, but I got the hang of it and now I come up with my own meals and recipes and enjoy the whole cooking experience. I wonder how certain foods would taste together, or if one technique would work better in a certain dish, and I can test all those things out. I never did that with boxed or packaged food. I like the creativity real food lets me have.

3. I’ve become more aware

I never used to wonder what happened to create the package of food I bought in the store. It tasted fine and I didn’t need to worry about that. Now I am a firm believer in reading all labels and really understanding what is in the food you eat. There are certain ingredients that we don’t need to put in our bodies and the more we are aware of these things, the better off we’ll be.

4. I feel better

After I’m done eating, I don’t feel the need to take a nap (fact: I’m always ready for a nap). But seriously, food doesn’t make me feel like I need to slip into a coma after I’ve eaten it. I don’t feel sluggish, my stomach doesn’t hurt as much, my skin has gotten clearer, and I have more energy to do the things that I like doing. Now some of that is the result of living a healthier lifestyle overall, but a lot of it is the food I choose to eat. Food plays such an important part of your daily functioning and you should choose it with care.

5. I have never felt restricted

When I first started, I worried that there would be nothing left for me to eat but salads and celery. I would never really enjoy food again, it would just be something to fuel my body and move on. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I love food and savor every bite. I never feel like I’m missing out on something and I love finding a healthier way to enjoy old favorites. So much of our culture is centered around food and we forget to enjoy the experiences going on away from the table. It’s nice to place the emphasis on people and making memories rather than worrying about what I’m going to eat.

Do I think that all packaged and processed food is the devil? No. There are many things that I still buy myself and use in my kitchen. I’m just more conscious of my decisions and do my best to choose things that are as close to their natural state as possible. If you’re trying to step away from a highly processed diet, do it slowly. Take baby steps towards eliminating old foods and introducing new ones. You’ll start to see the positive effects in your life and you’ll wonder why you haven’t switched sooner!