FUCK YOU. I'M REAL TOO.

    I feel like I am being bombarded with messages about healthy body image lately.  I 100% agree that healthy body image is critical to overall health and well-being.  I also 100% agree that the media should be burned at the stake for what they have done to contribute to how women and men see the “ideal” human form.  I know that as a growing young woman I was severely impacted by too much attention focused on my body, and the bodies of those around me.  I agree with all of that. Somehow though, I am starting to feel attacked.  

    It is important to me to be in shape.  Does this mean that I am somehow a bad person, who is acting against the efforts of the people working to bring awareness to body image issues?   The idea that because I have a body close to the “ideal” portrayed by magazines, that I am somehow not portraying “realness” and cannot relate a “real” message is not fair.

     The message I send to every client, friend, family member or co-worker, is that it feels great to feel your best.  I don’t give a shit what your best looks like, but I do know that when you find it – YOU will know it.  I believe that choices contribute to where you end up.  Millions and millions of tiny little choices, that you make day-after-day, shape every aspect of your life.  

     I share my real journey with those I cross paths with.  I am not ashamed of what brought me here, and I would not change any of it.  I really like me, and all my crazy flaws.  I love chocolate.  I’ll eat every last brownie in the pan if someone does not intervene.  I love to work out because it contributes to my health and makes me strong.   I had to get rid of many pairs of jeans because my butt and my thighs got bigger and stronger.   I have a huge ribcage.  I have small boobs.  I am a bitch when I am hungry.  I get severe PMS, that is lessened when I am exercising and eating well.   I’ve had multiple eating disorders throughout my life.  I work to overcome my own vanity daily.  I get scared when I feel the world pulling me toward my destiny – scared I will mess it up.  I’ve dealt with severe acne as an adult and I still struggle with it daily. I keep my hair long because it helps hide my face on days I am not feeling my best.  I have no idea what it actually feels like to be overweight, but I do know exactly what it feels like to hate my body, in little parts, or as a whole.  I know exactly what it feels like to be stared at, made fun of, or judged because my outward appearance is not “ideal” in one way or another.  I have two amazing boys.  I was pregnant and unmarried twice by two different men.  I am divorced.   I’ve been fired.  I am a nicer adult than I was a child.  I fuck up all the time.  I am wrong all the time.  I know how to say I am sorry and I know how to forgive.  I evolve and learn every day.  

     I am real, and I take much offense at the idea that the way I look, the size I am, and the muscles I’ve worked for, make me less real than anyone else. 

AVOCADO AND CUCUMBER SOUP - CHILLED

 Ingredients:

• 1 Cucumber
• 1 Avocado
• 1 Lime
• 1 Red onion
• Cilantro
• Sea salt

Put cucumber and avocado in blender or food processor

Blend until smooth and add water until desired consistency

Add in lime juice and salt to flavor (go slow - the first time I added too much lime)

Chill in fridge for about an hour

Serve with chopped red onion and cilantro

*With the leftovers, I added cold chicken and black beans to the soup and it was delicious. 

Thank you for sharing this recipe with me, Karin.

STUFFED PEPPERS - ON THE GRILL

It's like summer on a plate

Ingredients:

If you prefer vegetarian, these are also delicious without the sausage

• 2 C cooked long grain brown rice
• 1 diced red onion
• 1 diced clove garlic
• 3-4 chopped medium mushrooms
• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 diced jalepeno (or other spicy pepper)
• 1 small cucumber
• 1 avocado
• 1 tomato
• Chicken sausage (I used Open Nature brand from Von's)- they are good without sausage too
• 4-6 peppers for stuffing 
• Olive oil
• Sea salt
• Fresh ground black pepper
• Balsamic vinegar
• Aluminum Foil 

1. Saute 3/4 of the red onion, garlic, mushroom, red pepper, sausage and jalapeno in a little olive oil.  
2. Once ingredients soften, add in rice and stir together
3. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and pepper (optional)
4. Turn off burner and set aside
5. Prepare your peppers for stuffing (remove tops and try to remove seeds)
6. Use a small teaspoon to scoop rice mixture into peppers (stuff it down to tip if possible)
7. Rub olive oil on outside of peppers, lightly
8. Wrap peppers in aluminum foil (I did each individually)
9. Place on pre-heated grill set at medium and cook 10 minutes.
10. Prepare side salad with tomato, remaining onion, and cucumber
11. Turn off grill and let them sit for another 5 (not sure this is necessary, but it's what I did :)
12. Place peppers on plate with salad and sprinkle everything lightly with *balsamic vinegar

*I am a huge fan of quality balsamic vinegar.  I buy mine at the farmers market and it is $18 for a smallish bottle.  I never use my big Costco jug anymore.  My favorite is the Classic Balsamic from San Felipe Olive Company.  It makes a simple plate of tomatoes and avocados taste like a gourmet meal.


The little green thing on the plate is okra.  I'd never tried it before.  I cooked it the same way as the peppers (no stuffing though) and it was yummy - reminded me of tater-tots :)