First off, the Winner of my Chia Seed Giveaway:
Emily of Nutritious is Delicious.
Congrats Emily! Please email me with your address, and your chia seeds are on their way.
May was a busy month. Along with Nieves, I kicked my Coffee-Mate coffee habit. With Katie’s challenge, I tried a new food every week. Every Wednesday was filled with raw foods, and I even figured out how to simplify my life a bit.
Now it’s June, and frankly, I’m bored. 
Enter Maggie’s Whole Life Challenge.
I actually started the Challenge about a week ago, incorporating some of my own goals into Maggie’s suggested list:
- Yoga 6 days a week with a mix of Vinyasa flow, Anusara, and Yin Yoga classes + one day of rest.
- Walking every day (at least 10 minutes).
- New meals each week (at least 1 *new* recipe each week – can be for lunch or dinner; this can be a recipe that you make, or a meal that you eat out that you’ve never had before; preferably more than 1 each week!).
- Eat exactly what I want for dinner.
- Incorporate more vegetables into my diet, both raw and cooked.
- Eat or drink a nourishing green meal everyday.
- Read a chapter from Psalms everyday along with Polly.
Y’all know I love a good challenge, and I’m really enjoying Maggie’s thus far. My type-A personality is totally loving having a to-do list to keep me accountable as there is nothing better than checking off a completed task!
Yoga has been going really well, although I’m slowing things down a bit this week after realizing I’d done seven 90 minute Vinyasa classes over 9 days. I’m doing a bit more Yin yoga this week, and my body is happy.
Walking everyday? Not a problem as I love being out in the sunshine, and having two very energetic dogs that love their leashes helps get me out the door as well.
New meals? Check.
Raw Goodness
OK, so this wasn’t a totally new dish as I recently ate something similar at a restaurant, but it’s the first time I’ve ever used daikon radish in my own kitchen. After spiralizing my radish, I mixed it with some pureed raw veggies (spinach, bell peppers, grape tomatoes) and tons of Gena’s guacamole. All raw and all delicious!
Eat what I want for dinner, incorporate more veggies, and eat one green blended meal everyday? Roger that.
Inspired by Hangry Heath and Polly, I finally made homemade pecan butter, and I’ve been eating a lot of the following as a dessert or snack:
Roasted butternut or steamed kabocha squash with pecan butter. Amazing!
Sometimes, all I want for dinner are my green oats or some roasted squash, but I always feel the pressure to eat a meal including both veggies & some form of protein before eating what I really want. However, as long as I’m getting enough protein in my diet during the day, I’m not going to worry about dinner. If I want nothing but spinach oats, then that is exactly what I’ll eat!
Spinach chia oat bran with almond butter.
Psalms? Um, I’m already behind on that one. I will catch up today.
How about you? How are you challenging yourself this month?
{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }
Man, you are the Challenge QUEEN!
(Not to mention “Queen of Green Oats”…
I promise, that title is a compliment, no matter how strange it sounds!)
I definitely agree that if you want green oats for dinner, go for it!! I know what you mean about feeling compelled to eat a balanced, “typical” or “normal” dinner though. (But breakfast for dinner is just so much more delicious!)
Great job challenging yourself in a new way this month!! I’ll have to take a page from your book and think up a challenge for myself too.
NICE job
This month I’m adding de-cluttering to my challenges. Always a struggle. Especially for Bobby.
Your dinners are wonderful. That’s the part I struggle the most with, but I think I’m doing better.
I kind of want to start this raw thing more… We’ll see.
Great challenge! I think I need to get on the green meal and the new recipe parts
I get stuck cooking the same things every week because I’m comfortable with them. I also looooove sweet potatoes with almond butter and a bit of cinnaman for dessert! The best 
lovely eats, Heather
I’m doing the Psalms in June, too, and have another challenge going on but I haven’t said what it is yet – it’s going well, though!
your pecan butter looks like a heart
I am going to think deeply about this challenge. I feel the need to commit to something right now…
Love the June challenge Heather! Everything looks so yummy.
I’m so jealous you are practicing Yin! I guess I could do it on my own but I think a group yin yoga class is just so beautiful. It does a body and mind good!
I hear ya about the dinner thing…veggies and protein. But sometimes I just don’t want that either! It’s okay, life is too short to NOT eat what you want! And if that means squash and spinach oat bran, I say go for it.
Much love to ya, H!
I love the challenge idea Heather! I may adopt a couple of the things, but for right now, all of them are a bit overwhelming!
I love Maggie’s challenge. And love your eat-what-you-want-for-dinner addition! I often just want oats for dinner . . .
LOVE you, Heabs. Love all the challenges, especially the eat what you want for dinner (since we both love a fancy shmancy bowl of green oats over a filet mignon and baked tater ol’ day) and reading Psalms! Love to simplify and more raw goodness is wonderful, too.
Each day you inspire all of us, Heather. Really, with a heart as big as a watermelon… you are spittin’ seeds of joy all over the blog world.
Massive hugs,
Pol
This is awesome!
Ya know, maybe I need to take up the “eat whatever you want for dinner” challenge. I struggle with this myself! Although, I think if that was the case… I’d eat pizza every night and a big ol bowl of ice cream! Eek… scary!
A friend of mine told me about a yoga studio in east nashville that is doing a back to basics workshop that started last week… i’m very tempted to go! But big time fear is holding me back there! Maybe another challenge for me?
Hey, if you ever need a walking buddy… I’m here! you know we don’t work far from each other! I only have 30 minutes for lunch.. but love taking walks during that time and eating at my desk instead… i’m always up for it!
I’m doing the challenge too. I started simple – one new recipe every week (this is week 2 for me). My own JUne challenge is to do situps & pushups everyday (at night).
i finished 2 challenges and i am bored now too! maybe i will go check that one out. i made a personal goal to drink a gallon of water a day from here on out, something i used to do but have been failing at since the tonsillectomy. and i also have decided to do the shred for the 30 days in june in addition to my regular exercise. that raw goodness looks bangin!
I’m doing Mizfit’s clutter challenge! Everyday I’m getting rid of a piece of junk I no longer need, or doing something to de-clutter my living space. I’m a bit of a pack rat, and now that I’m moving soon I need to start organizing my things!!
I’ve gotten into the habit of eating whatever I want. Usually it’s a pita and carrot sticks. I could eat that everyday and be a happy gal!
Love your roasted bnut squash with nut butter – it sounds like an awesome combo!
The pecan butter looks excellent. Thanks for the mention!!!
The Whole Life Challenge sounds so fun!
Love the challenge! I wish I had more Vinyasa Yoga available to me – I work full days so I can only take class Tuesday night and Saturday morning. I don’t know why, but I feel like the All Levels class won’t really give me what I want … and for $15/class I think I deserve to be picky.
I am going to challenge myself by trying to get more green smoothies in, and I’ve gotta try to branch out with some new recipes, too!
You are inspiring!
I’m also doing a great Bible study: “Lord I Want to Know You” by Kay Arthur. It’s about the different names of God and what they all mean. Very cool.
And you know I am working on the fruit thing among a few others
I’m rooting for you!!
I love this challenge! I’m definitely trying to make one-two new recipes a week, and yoga is becoming more and more regular.
You know, I REALLY struggle with #4 because a. I’m SUCH a planner when it comes to my meals, and b. I do have to plan ahead because I generally get home from work late and am starvin’, Marvin! But I really am trying to focus on eating what “sounds good.” (Should be easier!)
And can I just say I LOVE the picture of you and Justine’s little one! You truly seem like one the “cool adults” who can hang with the kids just fine. I hope I’m one of those, too.
Eating exactly what I want for dinner is a challenge for me too, especially on days when I don’t feel like I got in enough veggies and protein. But, trust your body, right?
Oh, and oats and spinach BOTH have protein in them; oats actually have 17 grams in only 3 1/2 ounces. Don’t forget about those little bits from odd sources – it all adds up!
What a great challenge! I have the same problem of thinking I need certain things for dinner when I really want something else. I will have to try this challenge!
I am challenging myself with “Radventures” right now! This is a challenge of my own design and it’s pretty open to interpretation, but I wrote all about what it means to me last night. It’s not all that distant from the challenge you’re currently on, though it isn’t itemized. That’s actually kind of surprising since I make lists for just about everything else! I guess for this challenge of cleaning up my act for good is more of a gradual change that will hopefully take shape un-drastically and therefore permanently. However, I will say that Gena’s guacamole is on the non-to-do list! Looks like you are rockin it so far. I so covet appliances right now…spiralizer, juicer…sigh…
Yeaaaaaaah Emily
Congrats!!!
I love love love Maggie’s challenges…
I’ve added my new “run” challenge and I am going to organize my closet. I am “high raw” and some days are HIGH and some ….not so much! (workin’ on that)
“eat what I want for dinner” used to equate to “coldstone” but… but you should really eat what your body is asking for… and if that is green oats…than OATS it IS
So much good stuff, Heather!
I never tire of looking at green oats. I’m not sure why, but I just think they are gorgeous. I’m also enamored with making them. I keep telling my family to just avert their eyes as to what I put in the blender
Your June challenge sounds wonderful…I adore checklists too. I think it might be fun to outline my own.
Also, I had the running itch the other day, and shortly thereafter discovered how horrendously painful raining is to my muscles. My back is a big knot! Yoga is definitely the choice for me these days.
Heather,
Your green oat bran always looks delicious! I can’t wait to give it a try. Just need to do a quick run to the store in a few hours first. ;P I’m out of oat bran again… already. wow that was fast.
My challenge for June is out with the diet coke and less salt. They’re my last vices and I just can’t seem to give them up…
Have a wonderful Humpday!
With Love,
Emily
Way to go with the challenge so far!! I love your new meal – it looks really good! I like that the challenge says eat what you want for dinner because there are times that I crave something totally random but then talk myself out of it because it’s not a “dinner” food. I should just say screw it next time and eat what I really, really want (like the Spice Girls
).
By the way, I am SO doing the PB2 dipping sauce for the Cheetahs next time I have it! That sounds like an awesome idea!
Hey girl
Happy Wednesday night! We’re almost there!! Lovin the new challenge- especially the eating what you WANT for dinner! That raw dish looks seriously incredible- I need to get a spiralizer ASAP! Hope you have a good night
ive been doing maggies challenge, too. although sometimes im having a hard time with a few of them. ive already given up on the post diner no snacking policy, bc frankly thats just no fun…i love dessert, so why deprive myself…otherwise, ive been trying to try to tackle the to-do list (i heart lists, too!)
i think its great that you have what you want for dinner, who cares that its green mash, haha. i have a feeling you are similar to me, in that you go through food phases and stick with things for a while when they are what you crave. i often get in food ruts for weeks (or months) at a time…whatevs, if it aint broke…
LOVE the new challenges. Some of my new ones are the same =)
Heather, I got my Sexy Hot samples today. Thank you so much!!! I like your challenge and wish you well. Mine is pretty similar — eat what I want (hopefully I won’t want nothing but french fries) and stop feeling like I need to eat certain things just because I have to, more green smoothies and salads, embracing simplicity with my meals, and moving my body every day. Since I started working out with my trainer, I am feeling stronger than ever (and it’s only been 4 sessions!) so I want to continue to push myself through the month. Oh, and more yoga.
Now I’m debating how to use Mr. Jay Robb – oats or smoothie, the eternal dilemma?
That’s the good thing about Psalms. I busted out 5 chapters yesterday like it was nothin. I figured if I have time to read blogs, I have time to read psalms.
I ate some squash last night WITHOUT ketchup (I know!) and was delighted by the flavor. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be with the nut butter!
great challenges!! I’m continually trying to eat more intuitively, exercise more intuitively and try new foods and recipes! The last one is the most fun
Those green oats do look delicious especially with the dollop of almond love in the center. Psalms has been an easy read for me – unlike most chapters. I hope you had a lovely day Miss Heather.
sounds like a great plan, heather! i really need to step back and make sure i listen to myself with my eating
consider me inspired 
Heather, It burns!!!!! haha Pecan butter? YUM! It looks heart shaped on your squash. I want you to make me a raw meal! Question, do you sweeten your oats with anything?
Loves,
Justine
This sounds like a balanced and perfect challenge, Heather! Rock on!
YOU GO GIRL! If your body is cravin’ spinach oats, the go for it
That is quite a challenge. good luck! My own challenge this month is to simply blog! Writing things down is good for me, but I’m just so lazy about it!
Challenge? Well, the past 2 weeks have been a challenge. I’m trying to eat more veggies for sure and I’m trying new workouts! Thanks for the fabulous massage this week and all of your advice on…well…you know.
That’s an awesome challenge! I know you will do great..you always do! Those are soem really great thigns to be doing for yourself.
yes, June is a challenge month!! check out my blog with details!
Love your green bowl! I still need to buy chia seeds!
I am really really challenging myself this month.
On the blog sure but in life as well.
Im praying for changes that will reverberate and spread out though all aspect of my life.
Carla
This is such a great challenge! I definitely need to incorporate more walking into my lifestyle…since we live in the country we tend to have to drive everywhere!
YAY! HOW exciting is that! Thank you so much!
Now I need the recipe for that delicious looking spinach chia oat bran with almond butter.
This challenge is great! I may have to look into it!
The challenge looks awesome! I’m thinking of doing something really similar. Thank you!
<3 jess
i’m always intrigued by your eats. oh so creative girl~
i’m a huge fan of daikon. i find the texture comparable to jicama. while jicama is sweeter in taste, i sometimes enjoy the bite of daikons. daikons are known to aid in digestion.
I’ve gotten inspired by you and Maggie and plan to start my own Whole Life Challenge.
Metta
love this challenge girl!!! I NEED TO READ the PSALMS more!!!!
you have the BEST food. love the homemade pecan butter. too bad mine came out wayyyyyy thick! i may try to make some more tomorrow though, now that I’m home and with access to a food processor!!!
OK, I MUST try the butternut squash and the pecan butter!!!
That sounds DIVINE!!! I wish I had a vitamix to make the pecan butter myself!
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