Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Chickpeas & Changes

Hello Friends! 

Wheww... It's been quite a couple of weeks for me.  I FINALLY finished the CPA exam process, celebrated that, started my career as an auditor, got the 72 hour stomach flu (on my first day of work- horrible timing), and I spent this past weekend recovering.  So needless to say, my life has kind of turned upside down as I adjust to the working world after being in school for the past 18 years of my life (I'm starting that 18 year count at kindergarten).  And the other half of my family.... Well, Sam is crazy busy with his second year of law school, and Major has a new dog walker to let him out during the day.... So talk about Changes!

I also have a newfound chickpea recipe to share with you that I absolutely love because it's so delicious and easy.

Soooo considering all of that, I just had to title this post... "Chickpeas & Changes."

So now that I am a part of the corporate world working in an office and being surrounded by free donuts on Fridays (I have a huge sweet tooth by the way) and team lunches, I know it's going to be much more difficult to keep it healthy. So here some of my thoughts on how I'm going to keep it healthy...

1.  Work out in the mornings.  That means I'm at the gym around 5am.  If you do it in the morning, then you don't even give yourself a chance to make up an excuse not to do it after work.  Plus, you are more awake and more productive during the day, AND you make better food choices.

2.  Continue having my Vega Sport Performance Protein and Boku Superfood smoothie for breakfast.  I like the Vega Vanilla Protein with almond milk, frozen blueberries and goji berries, half a banana, and a handful of ice. I love the Vega Protein Powder because  it has 5,000 mg of BCAA's (branch chain amino acids) and glutamine which support muscle cell repair, exercise performance, reduces soreness, and more.  It also has digestive enzymes which aid in digestion. And I talked about why I loved the Boku Superfood in this post.

The smoothie is green because of the superfood and it 
didn't have blueberries, otherwise it's a more purple color.  Go frogs! 


3.  Make and take healthy snacks to work.  This way you are not tempted by the unhealthy snacks lingering around the office. I will probably take fruit and snacks from my list of Traveling Snacks, and I hope to make some healthy snacks like the granola that I've talked about and maybe some healthy cookies too!

4.  Take my lunch and NOT eat out every day.  I love eating out because it gives you a chance to get out of the office and get to know your co-workers a little better, BUT it can do a number on your health and bank account.  But you can still make your lunch and find a place outside or go to a Barnes & Noble that  has a Starbucks and pick up a magazine and enjoy your lunch that you made.  I like being in control of what goes into my meals and the only way you can do this is if you make your own lunch.  I usually put my snacks and lunch together the night before so if I'm running late in the morning, I still have a healthy lunch.   And this is where my new favorite chickpea recipe comes in!!




Chickpea "Chicken" Salad

1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)



2 celery stocks
2 scallions (green onions)
2 Tbsp Veganaise (or Mayo)
1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard 
Salt and Pepper
1/2 tsp - 1 tsp white vinegar (optional)
Dash Paprika (optional, but it's yummy)

Directions: Roughly chop the celery and scallions.  Put everything in a food processor or blender and process until it becomes the consistency of chicken salad.

You can put the chickpea salad on a sandwich (with Ezekiel bread) or in a wrap (I like spelt tortillas) with avocado, tomato, and lettuce, or enjoy on top of a bed of greens with salad dressing (I prefer Amy's Honey Mustard Lite Dressing.)  By the way, spelt is better for those who have a gluten intolerance.  I don't have one, but sometimes I just want something a little lighter than whole wheat.  This is a great lunch idea! If you decide to take the salad, just put the dressing in another smaller tupperware and add it on right before you enjoy so the salad greens don't get soggy.

5.  Force myself to take time to unwind.  I'm not the best at slowing down.  If I have things to do, I want to get them done right then.  My body does not like stress and if I get too stressed or if I overwork myself without giving myself time to relax, my health takes a hit.  Which is why I think I got the stomach flu.  I had been stressed all summer about the CPA and I finally finished that, and then a few days later, I started the new job. All of that added up and just hit my body... in a bad way... at a bad time.  So I learned the hard way that sometimes you just have to STOP.  Your "to-do" list will still be there when you get back.  My "me time" is usually during my workout, but I also need to give myself more relaxing "me time."

Speaking of unwinding, I took this peaceful picture while I was in my car the other day.  
Not the safest thing in the world, but, I will say, my car was stopped while I took the pic.  
Makes me happy.


These are just a few thoughts that I have for keeping it healthy in the corporate world, but I'm sure I will have many more to come.  And as I find things that work for me, I will be sure to let you know.

On another note, I'm sad to say that my post frequency is going to take a hit, which makes me so sad!!  I'm probably looking at once every week and a half or two weeks.  I'm working at a computer all day so it's tough to come home and look at a computer.  My eyes just crave a break.  BUT I want you to know that I still am thinking about you, and I still want to share all my healthy and happy tips with you.  When I think of things that I want to blog about, I write them down.  I keep a list.  And I'm still going to share everything that I write on this list with you...just less frequently.  SO to sum it up, you will still get all of the info that I want to share, it will just come over a longer period of time.  Yes, this makes me sad because if I could blog to you every day, I would. :)

Well, that is it for me.  I hope everyone is enjoying this amazing fall weather.  Perfect weather for getting outside and getting active! I plan on making this recipe for pumpkin cookies that I recently found.  If they are a success, I will definitely share the recipe with you.  Until next time... Have a great week!

With Love, Health, and Happiness,
Cami

Question of the Day: How do you stay healthy in the working world? 



8 comments:

JenATX said...

Staying healthy during work/school for me definitely involves bringing healthy snacks. I don't necessarily eat them every day but its good to have them there if I need them!
Law school basically equals free food so instead of passing up the Einstein's bagels, I just split one w/ a friend and pass up the schmear for pb w/ banana or hummus & avocado.
For me the biggest challenge is finding a way to de-stress w/out food or alcohol. Yoga has been helpful but sometimes I just need to get out of the house and most of my friends don't take "healthy" study breaks haha. Austin is such an active city, so I know I can find a group of people who enjoy doing active things. It will just take some time to research/getting out of my comfort zone & meeting new people.
On a side note, I will miss your blog updates but the Tweets are definitely a good substitute! I've already found so many new people to follow/good info as a result of your tweets :)

Nicole said...

I found the BEST healthy cookie recipe! Eggless, flourless, AND sugarless!!!!! Delicious but filling- http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html

I used only 1 cup mashed bananas and added a 1/2 cup pumpkin. I also used dark chocolate chips. YUM. and lf olive oil because I didn't have coconut oil on hand. These are so good. I eat them for breakfast!! :) Can't wait to try the chickpea recipe!

Anonymous said...

Congats on getting the CPA exam out of the way before you even started working! I too am a CPA enjoying a healthy lifestyle! I hope you will share your scores when you get them : )

Cami said...

Hey Jen!! I loved reading your comment! I definitely know what you mean getting out of your comfort zone to meet new (healthy!) people. Lululemon offers lots of complimentary events, and it makes a for a great way to work out and meet new people! Just look on their website and find your location to see the calendar of events. Also, finding a yoga studio that you love is helpful too.

The bagel with hummus and avocado sounds delicious! I never thought of that. Now that I'm at a desk for 8 hrs a day, I'm getting back into my yoga classes (heat yoga), and that is becoming my new way to de-stress. Also, a good Crossfit workout to start your day just makes you feel like you can conquer anything... starts the day off on a positive and strong note.

Glad you like the tweets! I know they aren't as frequent anymore, but better than nothing! I love reading yours too!

Cami said...

Hi Nicole! OMG that cookie recipe sounds DELISH!! I must put that on my to-do list to try. Keep them coming! :)

Hey HealthinRealLife! I'm so glad you commented! It is always nice to talk to people who are trying to stay healthy in the working world (especially during "busy season" which is coming up). I love your blog! I will definitely keep you updated on the CPA scores. I have passed 3 so far, and I am anxiously waiting to find out my last score for FAR. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Michelle said...

Hey girl just wanted to let you know I made the chickpea "chicken" salad tonight and it is sooo tasty!!

Simply Life said...

Congrats on finishing the exam process!

Cami said...

Thanks for the congrats Simply Life!!

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