Some Really Inspiring Stuff: My Blogging Goals Reincarnated

Hey readers,

When I get really excited about something, I also get impulsive. So, today isn't about me. Today I'm going to share two blogs with you that I follow and really love. They speak to me, (this is not just a figure of speech people) and I can really relate to them.

The following blogs are doing what I ultimately want to do. When I came across them, I was inspired and enlightened. 

Here's the story for blog 1. 

I was flipping through Health Magazine a few months ago when I came across the first blog. The magazine read,

"After learning to appreciate her strong yet feminine body, curves and all, personal trainer Jessi Kneeland of Remodel Fitness is on a mission to "save women from their own negative body image." You'll love her thought-provoking posts about the body-positivite movement and how to build self-esteem as a grown ass adult."

Remodel Fitness resonates with me because Jessi Kneeland writes very personal information about herself while aiming to help others in the process. Her posts are testimonies to her struggles with body image, her bad breakups, her diet, and her workout regime. 

She lays it all out there for us. The good, bad, and the ugly. I love how personal and deep she goes. I hope to eventually write in this way. I recently read the post, The Real Reason I’m Losing Fat (The Answer Might Surprise You!). My eyes lit up when I read this because, as a dancer, I am always trying to stay toned and look my best. 

According to her the post, the reason why she was losing fat was because she had less emotional baggage and "chaos" than she had before. Here's the take away for me, "The real reason I lost weight is that I tapped back into my “light.” When I’m light on the inside, I’m light on the outside." I just love you Terri, thank you for the extremely helpful words! 

Okay, now for the next blog. It's called Healthy Ballerina and was created by a ballet dancer named Alexandra Pullen. 

I actually used to dance with her with many moons ago and have been following her on social media ever since we had the same part in the La Sylphide when we were 10 years old. I found out she had a healthy food blog from her Instagram and became hooked. 

She posts really yummy looking recipes that are very health conscious. She mainly cooks with super food ingredients, which I love because I am constantly on the hunt for inventive ways of getting superfoods into my diet. 

I love how I used to be friends with Alex. This is honestly a big reason why I love her blog. I knew her as a person, and now I get to see how she has blossomed and into a committed healthy food blogger. Again, she is doing what I hope to do one day. 

Check ou these blogs, and have a great rest of your week! All for now.

The Dancer Diet Revisited: My New Favorite Eats

Hi readers,

Today we are going back to my love for food. A few weeks ago I posted about a sample dancer diet in my post, The Dancer Diet: Not Tutu Thin.

Today, I wanted to continue talking about what a dancer diet consists of. I couldn't wait to do this post because I'm obsessed with these items and am currently incorporating them into my diet. 

Best new way to start the day: 

• Kombucha Tea. This ginger flavor makes me and my stomach feel so amazing. Try it out!
  
• The Acai Primo Bowl from Jamba Juice. I know that Jamba Juice is very mainstreamed and that some of their smoothies are overly sugary. However, this bowl is so much more affordable than your average ace bowl, and is not too sweet. 

My sandwich secrets will keep you satisfied but not stuffed: 

• Sara Lee Sandwich Thins. These things are whole wheat and only 100 calories. They allow you to have an awesomely large sandwich without the extra calories of regular sandwich bread. 

• Classic French's Yellow Mustard. This stuff is ZERO calories and adds so much flavor. If you want to lose a few pounds but don't want to sacrifice taste, learn to like mustard. It's my go to condiment for sure. 

• Bread and Butter pickles. I am picky about pickles and I have found my absolute favorite. These are so fresh and balanced in flavor. They transform any sandwich. 

Dip into your sweet spot before bed:

• Mixed fruit with yogurt dip. I have been eating this treat for the past few nights and it is so light, sweet, and fun to eat. I honestly didn't mean for that to rhyme but, oh well! My favorite fruits right now are apples, strawberries, blackberries, and cherries. I just open up what ever yogurt cup is in the fridge and dunk my fruit in it. It's so good! Try it out.

Have a great rest of your week everyone. Try and incorporate some of these ideas into your diet. You may not transform into a dancer, but you will feel nourished, satisfied, and energized. 

The Dancer Diet, Not Tutu Thin

Hey readers!

I am super excited about today's post! Today is all about food! I am going to explain what a professional dancer diet looks like. We eat healthy but equally satisfying foods that help maintain a lean, strong, and energized physique.

Below is a sample diet. I would eat this way on a day with lots of physical activity. I would have ballet class in the morning, rehearsal most of the day and Pilates class in the evening. 

Meal 1. Dancers must eat breakfast. It is crucial to get your energy up before class. Start the day with foods dense in vitamins and nutrients. 

• Green Juice: I always have a 1915 Bolthouse Farms cold pressed juice. I like the apple, romaine, cucumber, spinach, kale, and lemon flavor. It is refreshing and slightly sweet.
• Banana and PB: I love bananas and peanut butter together. I like the Jif-To-Go packages of peanut butter. These prevent that occasional peanut butter binge. All you need is a knife to spread a little peanut butter onto your perfectly ripe banana. Dancers love bananas because of the potassium. It soothes and relaxes sore muscles. Peanut butter is great too because its packed with protein and healthy fat. 
• Coffee: Coffee equals energy. Peet's House Blend is my go to roast. I combine unsweetened almond milk with my coffee because its low calorie and tastes just as good as dairy milk to me. Never forget the Splenda (it is bad for you but I'm hooked). Truvia and/or Stevia are healthier alternatives. 

Meal 2. Dancers' lunch breaks are pretty short so you have to get something quick but filling. 

• Superfood salad: Kale salad with chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, quinoa, cranberries, feta, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin seeds. This is one of my favorite combinations. This salad has so many textures and flavors. Not to mention all of the nutrients, carbs, proteins, and fats that I need. When in NYC I order from Just Salad, or Sweet Green. When I'm really in a hurry I make my own at Whole Foods. 
• Le Croix Sparkling Water: Sparkling, flavored water mimics soda. It is super refreshing and flavorful. You can also drink as many as you want! I have two to three per day. The best flavors are lemon and grapefruit. 
• Side of fruit: I like to finish lunch with something sweet. I pack a nectarine sometimes. They are refreshing and delicious. Cherries are another favorite. They are tart and have tons of fiber.

Snacks are dancers' best friends. I need snacks in between rehearsals and before performances. Here are some snack options. 

• 1 cup or so of blueberries will give you a boost of antioxidants. They are the most nutritious berry in the family. 
• A few cups of popcorn is a yummy and crunchy form of carbs to give you some energy.
• 1/4 cup of roasted, unsalted almonds is an anti-inflammatory option with healthy fat and protein. 
• 1 apple a day keeps the doctor away. Honey crisp apples are the absolute best!
• Veggies and hummus are guilt free and satisfying. Mini bell peppers dipped in Sabra Roasted Pine Nut Hummus fit my snack bill.
• If your going to eat a bar stick with a really natural brand like Larabars or Kind bars. Some protein bars on the market are super processed and are justified candy bars. Save your calories for desert, which comes a little later.

Well deserved dinner. There is nothing better than getting home and eating a great dinner with your feet up. 

• Pan seared Salmon: I sauté pre-marinated salmon in a non-stick pan with olive oil. Salmon is high in protein and in amino fatty acids. These acids are great for your skin and hair.
• Over roasted veggies: Bake chunks of broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, and butternut quash in a 450 degree oven. I put salt, pepper, and olive oil on them and cook them for about half an hour. These are so good, I could eat the whole sheet pan. 
• Bedtime tea: Decaffeinated tea gets me relaxed and ready for bed. Its a really healthy ritual to get in the habit of because it acts as a cleanse and keeps you hydrated during the night. Any decaf Yogi Tea is wonderful.

Dancers eat desert. When choosing to eat desert its always a little hard because you know you shouldn't. However, you must treat your self for all of the work that you have done that day. Life is too short to avoid desert. Here are some dancer diet friendly options.

• Frozen yogurt: Self serve fro yo is nice because you can choose exactly how much you want. Just be wise and practice moderation. 
• Dark chocolate: Practice moderation here as well. One of my favorite treats are Justine's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. A few Toberlone Triangles are amazing too.
• JUST one of something "bad". One Hostess cupcake, not three. One cookie, or half a cookie if your buying one thats bigger than your face. One small cup of regular ice cream. I am Ben and Jerry's lover. The most important thing is to just practice moderation.

Some dancers (ballet dancers specifically) don't eat enough and are too thin. I do not want to be like these dancers. I want and need to be thin, thats the reality of the business, but I also need to fuel my instrument and be healthy. 

I hope this dancer friendly diet was interesting and even helpful for you. I also hope that the diet showed you that not all dancers are worried about looking like a tooth pick. We eat well and are more normal than you'd think.