7/21/14

achievements + eating cleaner


Happy Monday! I am feeling SO good lately. All of it is mostly due to an almost unnaturally consistent workout/cleanse I've been kind of sort of doing. Over the last week, I magically gained some miraculous ability to practice hardcore discipline and self-control: I've ran and actually pushed myself every day of the week, and since I did that and felt so good about it, eating healthier and cleaner kind of came naturally. I don't know what has come over me, or who knocked some sense into my head, because I was never this motivated. But I am loving it. This week will be a little harder, because the temps are going to soar and I am sure running will be brutal; on top of GRE practice, this is the week to see if I really have the discipline. 

I keep in mind a little axiom that haunts me whenever I open the pantry doors: getting in shape is 20% exercise and 70% what you eat. Hmmmpf. While Doritos would be an excellent, almost barbaric gratification after a hard exercise, I have learned to restrain. Why undo all of that misery hard work? So, I made myself a salad. My little indulgence is the pecorino cheese. That in and of itself is the most precious reward. If you have never tried it, stop right now, book a trip to Florence. Sign yourself up for a wine/cheese tasting in the ancient hills of Montepulciano. The spicy sharp fresh pecorino cheese - oh my word. Fireworks, jubilation, ecstasy. 

Ok...back to what I was talking about...the salad!

Ingredients:
- baby kale mix
- grilled chicken (seasoned with sea salt, pepper)
- sliced almonds
- grated pecorino cheese
- raspberry vinaigrette dressing 

If you really want to be clean, you might choose to opt out of the dressing. In retrospect, I may switch out the raspberry vinaigrette for a poppyseed dressing or even some classic balsamic. The sweet flavors do a nice job of balancing the bitter kale.

Happy clean eating, and enjoy your week!
ciao, xo

7 comments:

  1. Good for you for being so disciplined! It's not easy. Your salad looks delicious! I love raspberry vinaigrette.

    I remember studying for the GREs. It wasn't fun, but it was worth it in the end!

    Ps: There's a giveaway going on over on my blog right now. We're giving away 2 $25 vouchers for a pair of black framed eye glasses from Firmoo. Check it out: http://www.love-laurie.com/2014/07/a-giveaway-with-firmoocom.html

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  2. Looks delicious! I applaud you for you discipline. I have been running and working out. Still trying to work on my eating habits. They've definitely improved though there are quite a few indulgences. I can never get rid of chocolate...

    Ashley
    All That Glitters

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  3. Way to go, Taylor! I firmly believe that self-discipline is like a muscle. You definitely have to exercise it to make it stronger.

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  4. yum this salad looks delish!!

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  5. Congratulations for the motivation! Sometimes i think i have to start to run, but after 2 days I quit... I know I should to try it harder but i don´t really like practice sport, so... I have to focus my mind! By the way, the salad looks really tasty

    xx,
    ohparisisburning.blogspot.com.es

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  6. This looks delicious! People often think that eating healthy is boring and tasteless but it doesn't have to be. I'm all for lovely summer salads like this one :) xx

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  7. Great job Taylor! It seems like the more active I am, the more easily healthy eating comes to me. After I do a Bikram class or run, I want to eat the right things, because my body is screaming for healthy food. I pretty much stopped eating processed foods (except the occasional comfort food here or there), back in the summer of 2008, and once I realized all of the chemicals going into that food, it wasn't a difficult life change. We make pretty much everything from scratch now, including Oswin's food. Oh, and you can keep the dressing, just start making your own! A little EVO, a little red wine vinegar, a little dijon mustard, salt and pepper, stir it up to combine and BOOM! Absolutely no guilt and deliciously tangy dijon dressing!

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