Breakfast Hacks

I’m notorious for skipping breakfast but feeling guilty about it later. I was stressing about what to eat and forgot to eat. Then I realized, i need a simple no-fail solution. Here’s my breakfast solution, and yes they’re all oatmeal.

• When I’m running late I’ll have a Bob’s Red Mill instant oatmeal in a cup. $1.59
• If I feel like meal prepping I’ll do a couple of oatmeal in a jar with apricots, dates, nuts and other dried fruits. $0.75
• Sometimes I’ll splurge and get a fresh blueberry oatmeal from Starbucks. $3.75

The bottom line is to create healthy habits. Stick to a simple no fail breakfast menu and vary your options. You’ll prevent boredom and promote balance. (Ex: different types of oatmeal.)

The number one reason I enjoy oatmeal is because of its fiber content. After all fiber scrubs the colon and we all want our colon to be clean. (Right) There’s other benefits but being fibrous is a highlight.

I’m focusing on breakfast because our country, USA, has a backward view of a 1st meal. If you think about it, everything we consume has a lot of sugar or even worse… fake sugar.

• Muffin = Cupcake
• Pancake = Cake
• Cereal = Similar to “Sprinkles” on a Cake
• Instant Cocoa = Milk Chocolate
• Chocolate Milk = Creamy Milk Chocolate

Prevent boredom and promote balance.

By Ho’omālamalama

The goal is to hack-away at what doesn’t work and find what does. Because a hack isn’t just a shortcut, it’s also a better way of doing something. The best way to adapt *clean eating habits is to update one meal per week, then one week of meals. My hack was breakfast. What’s yours?

*Clean Eating (my definition): non-GMO, low to zero sugar, no preservatives or additives.

Now this discipline does not include cheat-days 🙂

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Cooking with co-workers.

We’ll I didn’t cook, this time, but I had the opportunity to taste it! Pickles and energy bites came from Carl’s class at the high school.

Elderberry oxymel made with elderberries, herbs, honey and apple cider vinegar. It’s a delicious tonic that my friend, Davina, has perfected over time.

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Classic Treat

I enjoy eating Red Vines licorice but not all the additives and preservatives. Luckily there’s an alternative and it’s called Classic Red.

Just don’t eat the whole bag in one sitting. Check the bag for recommended daily servings per person. However if you’re like me that won’t work. So I typically share it and take a few pieces.

Oh, and it’s vegan.

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March’s Fitness

When covid19 shut down the school I started online fitness for teachers. It was amazing and inspirational. The best part is that we still workout. In fact March 13th will mark our one year anniversary. Here’s this months schedule:

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Don’t YUCK my YUM

I didn’t create the title, it was something a friend of mine shared. You see my business is in the wellness and fitness realm but from 8am – 4pm I’m an educator at a local school. My department is in cultural education specifically Native American’s of the Pacific Northwest.

Since returning I purposed to incorporate holistic lifestyle and social emotional well-being through traditional teachings. The best part is that I’m not alone.

Made by a fellow teacher Davina, it’s nettle soup with squash, organic potato and corn. Learn about nettles. She made this while our students were watching virtually.

Nettle is part of the traditional foods of the PNW and is high in vitamins and minerals. There’s an old teaching that if you eat the food from your region it will give you what is needed for that climate.

I’m in the Superman beanie on my friends property, Payette, who is talking to Davina. Meanwhile our other coworker, Carl, is preparing his bag for nettles.

Most people mow down this lovely delicacy and consider it a pest. They don’t realize that under all of the sting is a nutritious gift from Mother Nature.

When the shoots are young we’ll gather 1/3 from the area, leaving the rest to mature. Young shoots are delicious but you have to cook it first to remove the sting.

My goal is

To share wellness through holistic teachings just like that old saying, “You are what you eat.” If I can help one student embrace plants like nettles then I’ve succeeded.

I’ve noticed how the students have visibly suffered health wise during covid19. Lack of motivation, not playing outdoors with friends, instant breakfast and lunches are the perfect storm for obesity and learning difficulties connected to nutrient deficiencies.

A solution

Is to host virtual cooking sessions where we incorporate traditional foods of the PNW tribes with other local products.

Carl showed his class how to cook salmon.

Added simple herbs.

Incorporated more veggies.

Made it look pretty.

Fit Foodie

Is recognizing that what we consume is just as important as a workout… probably more so. Food should grown in good soil or roam in an organic environment, not processed in a lab. (Labs create a majority of our food supply, yikes.)

I’m not hating on labs, they serve a purpose. Which is to supply a large quantity of people at an affordable price. However if more people read labels and shopped accordingly it would force our food source to reconsider how they grow and feed us.

Here’s previous post I made titled…

If I workout do I need to eat healthy?

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PEACE In The Journey, Ho’omālamalama

Fitness for Paddlers & New Planner

Aloha 🧜🏽‍♀️

In May we started a special session for the Nisqually Canoe Family who are getting ready for the PADDLE TO LUMMI.

I’m doing a combination of Strong By Zumba™️ & holistic lifestyle coaching in preparation for the journey.

It’s a start & I’m excited to be working with Janel Blacketer of the Nisqually Gardens on some post-workout smoothies, yummy 😋.

Paddle to LUMMI is from July 15-28th. They’re starting from Squaxin Island Tribe & paddling their way to Lummi. Watch the training here.

MY NEW PLANNER

https://youtu.be/BRFIi5c-gMA

SUMMER READING

Meal Prep vs Kawaii, Bento

Meal prep is when you line up a bunch of containers in a sort of assembly line process. Bento box lunches are the exact opposite, especially in Kawaii style. The idea behind it is taking your time to plate a beautiful and appealing meal. Kawaii uses dainty objects for sauces and special tools to cut designs into veggies. And they’ll often create cute characters. 🍱

What’s the point?

The point is value. How we in America value meals compared to other countries, like Japan, where food is a ritual to lift the Soul by nourishing the body.

Find Balance

So I find a happy balance between the two. I’ll usually prep a base, like cooking a batch of quinoa, and accessorize them in Bento fashion. Each time appealing to my senses & visually showing self-love. Loving myself enough to nourish my body in a holistic way. Below are some of my creations. For Ingredients and closer pics visit Instagram, it has each Bento with fit-foodie details.

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It all boils down to perception, how one perceives their body. I teach my fitness ladies to enjoy the food process. Eating is the single thing that we do for ourselves, daily. So why not make it lovely.

On the WholelisticFit blog I wrote and article about choosing a fitness routine/style that will meet the needs of your mind, body and Soul. It’s a private blog for Mermaids so make sure to use your password. Or… become a Mermaid using the link in the sidebar. See you in Instagram.

I’m back… Paleo inspired lunch.

It’s Valentines Day in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and it will be tomorrow here in the USA. This is a beef inspired dish plated with a lovely organic tomato for all of you fit-foodies. Showing love ❤️ to your body by taking time to eat beautifully. I read a post by Dr. Mark Hyman, “You are what your food ate.”

I’m not a regular beef connoisseur but when I do eat it I prefer locally raised & grass fed. Since my last post I’ve been in training and the extra workout has me eating more protein.

DETAILS: Fit-Foodie Inspiration: Bulgogi beef cuts with shredded ginger, carrots & purple cabbage. On a spinach nest topped with a juicy tomato. Seasoned with crushed pepper & Yakima smoked salt. [My fave sea salt smoked with apple wood.] Beef 🥩 is grass feed organic & my butcher knows how to make bulgogi slices.

More fit-foodie inspiration & smoothies on my Instagram.

WholelisticFit Blog: “The art of self-care.” I started writing more holistic lifestyle post on a Members only blog, but don’t worry it’s easy to join. In fact it’s free. I’ll post the link below.

The goal is to live in BALANCE while getting fit. Paying attention to the mind, body & Soul. If you’re already a Mermaid then use this link to read the post.

To join the Mermaid pod click here, it’s free and you get access to the WholelisticFit blog, monthly newsletter & occasional printable.

Calendula salve I made & wrote about on the holistic blog. What’s your self care routine?

Don’t forget to spoil yourself.

Beautiful Body – Day 11 & 12

 

I’m sure there’s nothing I can say or write that would convince you to believe my examples over your personal experiences. In other words if I said, “A rainbow is one color” you would probably argue with me. (Why?) Because your observation has taught you something else.

When it comes to food your experience is separate from mine. Maybe you react differently to food or are triggered into a memory because of a certain scent. Take a few minutes to answer the questions in the picture above. Is there a connection or contrast in what you consume when you’re happy or sad?

We often dive into diets when we should dive into our food connection.

Five HEALTHY FOOD tips to get you looking at food in a whole new way.

1. Acknowledge the type of foods that you rely on to get you through your day.
2. Decided if it brings life or death? In other words after you consume the product will your organs thank you with energy & vitality or feel sluggish & irritated.
3. Make space for a few substitutions to jump-start healthier choices. (For me it was trading in mashed potatoes for Okinawa sweet-potatoes.) Change one thing at a time.
4. Don’t force your new eating habits on others. aka: Don’t act weird at a gatherings where everyone is eating fried foods and cinnamon rolls. When I started I would eat before an event, just in case. That way I wouldn’t give into the cinnamon roll. (Okay, I did pick pieces off my daughters plate.)
5. Tweak as you go! (I said tweak not twerk) Nothing is set in stone so reevaluate often and when in doubt ask yourself question #2 and decide from there.

Above is an example of a family gathering where I substituted the romaine lettuce instead of rice. Simple solutions.

Foodie Fit: Pressure cooker Japanese curry. (I just bought a new pressure cooker that can do rice, quinoa, yogurt & now I’m going to try this.)

Taste the freshness, that’s the flavor of life.

I really hope you’re enjoying the BEAUTIFUL BODY challenge because I am. I’m more conscious about my organs & bowel movements, Lol. 😂 Fitness for the digestive system may prevent disease. It doesn’t hurt to eat right.

Dance Fit: Don’t forget to move daily. You’re fitness routine should be 4-5 time a week with variations. Here’s some inspiration from our Party In Pink movement.

Why not start your own movement? All you need are 3 participants: me, myself & I.

One of my most favorite quotes in the world of famous quotes. I’m learning to live by this ancient wisdom everyday.

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Beautiful Body – Day 9 & 10

https://manawahinefitness.wordpress.com/2016/04/11/beautiful-body-day-9-10/

As you’re living through this challenge you might notice two things.

1. First of all your personal life and BEAUTIFUL BODY challenge might collide. Making time to self-care, eat whole or workout daily can cause scheduling conflicts.
2. Secondly, the honeymoon feeling and excitement of doing something new might have worn out and you may consider cutting corners.

Clutter, in the world of Feng Shui, represents a blockage of chi (qi) or energy flow. And almost everyone in the physiological world agrees that a untidy lifestyle  represents a busy busy mind.

Earlier I listed the names of two de-clutter gurus that I admire and follow Peter Walsh & Marie Knodo. Creating an atmosphere of success takes time because it causes you to address every area of your life. (Which I am still working on.)

My household is full of children (7 all mine) a husband (mine too) and I can’t handle a pet, yet. There’s schedules for every person and always a mountain of laundry but these de-clutter specialist are a wonderful  resource for me.

Foodie Fit: fresh farm to table.

Quality living takes time to develop but once you’ve achieved it guard it violently 🙂 Namaste

Dance Fit: my fave dance crew of all time. Motivation.

Everyday is a brilliant creation & every breath is a miracle.

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Beautiful Mind – Day 22

  
Tiding up that busy mind takes practice but with this simple exercise you’ll make it happen. You can do this on a regular basis to help you plan out your activities from most important to least. You can post your feedback in the comments.

1. This is also known as a brain dump and the idea is to make a list of everything that you need to do.
2. Then grab a marker for each category and circle the word that corresponds.
3. Finally, rewrite that list but in columns: Self-care, Family, Work, Fun, Give.
4. If there are words left without a category you can decide to trash it (because that thought doesn’t serve you) or release it (there might be things on your list that isn’t your responsibility.
5. What category has the most? Least? Which one would you like to do more in? Least? Are you surprised by your list?

From the new list, step 3, you can create a schedule around that things that matter most. However, be careful of the rabbit holes or the thoughts that take you away from your purpose. I truly hope that fitness is on your list.

Foodie Fit: oh yum it’s curry!

Dance Fit: one of our fave Zumba educators. Follow him on Instagram and see the world.

Become a catalyst for positive change.

As always I hope you like, subscribe & share this months BEAITIFUL MIND challenge. PEACE be the Journey.

Sharing something I did with a few friends this weekend.

Beautiful Mind – Day 15

  
Family plays a major role and in some cases their schedule runs our lives but let’s consider what’s best. For instance when I come across a mom who has zero energy for her self-care I know what she’s going through. I hear words like, “When they get older.” Trust me I’ve been there and in some ways still there. 

Let’s build some affirmations to spark a bit of healthy energy throughout your home life. What would you like to see & what are you willing to make time for? Now create those affirmations. If you need help refer to DAY 14 of the BEAUTIFUL MIND challenge.

Foodie Fit: smoothie ideas.

Dance Fit: always a Zumba favorite.

  

Hope Floats

See you on Instagram and please make sure to like, subscribe & share. PEACE be the journey.

Beautiful Mind – Day 8

I remember watching Harry Potter thinking, “Every incantation is just words mentioned in the right order to make something happen.” I’m sure you were pondering the same thing too. The power of words.

When I moved to the states as a child I use to hear sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me yah right! That was a messed up statement because words have power especially if you align it with intention.

In Hawaii we have our own saying: I ka ‘ōlelo no ke ola, I ka ‘ōlelo nō ka make. Basically stating that in your word there is life & death.  In fact we had such a sacredness of spoken words that in old tradition a man would court a woman using the nose flute because breath from the nose was considered un-polluted. The mouth can be used to mention negative or positive things, therefore it’s not dependable. (Okay, enough culture class.)

 One of my favorite words would have to be aloha because it has kauna (hidden  meaning). Maybe you should choose several words or one for every day of the week. Just keep in mind that these are your MANA or power words so it should spark vibrancy. And as always you can post it to the blog for some universal accountability. Making your intentions known.

Foodie Fit: Jamie Oliver is a household favorite.

Dance Fit: fun from the Philippines