Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Health Benefits of Green Smoothies


I put together this fun little collage naming just a few of the reasons green smoothies are health beneficial. Tell me your reasons for drinking them! 

Tomorrow I will be linking to all of you brave challengers that are doing blog posts on your GSC experiences! E-mail me those links to realfoodrunner@gmail.com and I'll feature you. :)


I put strawberries and banana slices in my green smoothie for the day! What ingredients are going into your's? :) 

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Green Smoothie Challenge: Day1! {Amazing Meal Giveaway}


Happy New Year, to all! As I wrote in my journal this morning it was super exciting to write a new date: Jan 1, 2013! 


Congrats to everyone who signed-up for the 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge! It's the first step to finishing the challenge. :) You guys produced a great turn out which is so inspiring. If you haven't sign-up yet and want to participate - just comment on this post telling me you're in and I'll add you to the list!

The rules are simple. :) Just add 1 delicious green smoothie to your daily eats for the next 7 days!

Here are all the current participants: (I have a feeling there will be a few more who will want to jump in by the end of the day. :) 
  1. Katherine - Real Food Runner
  2. Andrea - Go Feast Yourself
  3. Michelle (& husband) Eat Move Balance
  4. Keyona - Skinny & Delicious 
  5. Steff - Sequin Remendy
  6. Addy - Six-Kick Switch
  7. Sherri
  8. Kels - K&K Test Kitchen
  9. Kayleigh - A Million Little Somethings
  10. Kat - Kat's Health Corner
  11. Abby - Seaweed and Sassafras
  12. Sara - You and Me Are We
  13. Ash - Southern Yankee Candle
  14. Katheryn - The Baker's Sheet
  15. Stephanie - McMania: Our Life As We Know It
  16. Sarah - (no) plain Vanilla Kitchen
  17. Andrea - Glam Hungry Mom
  18. Carmen
  19. Sarah - Forever God's Princess
  20. Laura 
  21. Sally - Forward From the Heart
  22. Katherine - Green Thickies
  23. Sadie - My Thoughts
  24. Bethann
  25. Christie 
  26. Katrina (+ husband and kids)
  27. Mariel - Mariel Moves
  28. Kristen - Change of Pace

This is my green smoothie for the day! Yummy, yum, yum! If you're looking for green smoothie recipes, I'd recommend one of these:


We're also kicking off this challenge with a fantastic giveaway sponsored by Amazing Grass. This company is graciously offering to 2 (30 serving) Amazing Meal green superfood - a $70 value each!!! There will be 2 winners & I'll announce them on Friday! Have at it. :)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 31, 2012

Green Smoothie Challenge


Tomorrow, we're kicking off 2013 with some delicious nutrition. :) Healthy habits are the way to make it through this upcoming year! 

You don't need to feel alone in your health goals. There are other people out there - just like you. That's why this challenge is so awesome. We get to help each other! Support system at it's best. :)

Really I'd say that's what this challenge is all about: connection. And, making the right "little" choices. Baby steps. One at a time. The kind of habits that you might not notice tomorrow but you'll thank yourself for in 10 yrs.

Keep your eyes open! All participants are encouraged to blog about their experiences through this green smoothie challenge so you'll hear feedback on what real people are feelings. 

In fact, comment on my blog or send your link directly to me at realfoodeats@gmail.com so I can share it with the other readers. Who knows - your story may be the defining factor in motivating the person behind you to start taking responsibility for their health habits. 

I headed now for my last run of 2013!!! And . . . a few other things so tomorrow I can say "I did that last year" and it's in the past . . . lol!

Enjoy your last day of 2012!!! I have to be honest. It's been a fantastic year, for me! I feel blessed beyond measure. What about you?

How are you kicking off 2013? Are friends, family & food apart of the picture? :) 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Thoughts for the New Year

{Party last night with friends} 

Do you make New Year resolutions? I was recently listening to an online success coach and heard the crazy statistic that most people break their "resolutions" by January 15th! {Aaah, that is scaaarry . . .  can you believe it?}

T.R. says to stop focusing on change (it will happen, nothing stays the same!) and instead start focusing on progress (moving forward). I have to say I like this perspective so much better because it's an action step versus a vague goal.

He also pointed out that we act in a manner consistent with how we see ourselves which is one reason why there are way too many broken "resolutions". Our standards aren't high enough!

Instead of pushing ourselves with "willpower" we need to "pull" ourselves by raising our standards - what's the end goal? what are we pursuing? why does it matter?

For example, if you see yourself as a loser, you'll act like one. But, if you see yourself as a winner you'll act like one. (to paraphrase/quote one of my favorite women speakers :) {Thank you, Terri so much for your inspiration!}

So, what's the answer? Change how you think. How do you do that? Get filled up on God's Word. It's the answer. {Proverbs 23:7 - "you are what you think about"}

I feel like I'm at a point in my life where I'm questioning everything. My beliefs. My actions. {Which I guess is something we should always be doing, but something I've been doing more intensely the past 6 months than ever before. What would you say if I told you i've experienced panic attacks in recent months? I could say I don't care what other people think but that sounds so hard shell -  it's where i am, though, and i'm blessed it's getting better}

Why do I do things the way I do them? For what reason & for what purpose? Sometimes I feel like I'm just waking up. There is so much life to be had and so much "outside the box", for lack of a better term.

What would life look like in a year if we could just forget the pressure (perceived or real) and just go for our dreams? What would it be like? :-)

Since this is a healthy lifestyle blog, let's relate it back. Do you have a specific health goal? Then you need to see yourself in the end result and get excited about it. Start saying things like "I love fresh fruits & veggies", "I stop  eating when I'm full", "exercise makes me feel strong & energetic".

Or, if it's a life goal- like mine! Apply the same principles. :)

Need to loose weight? Then STOP saying you're fat {death & life are in the power of the tongue - Proverbs 18:21}. Start speaking life over your future! Watch the people who are skinny and eat like they do.

In a sense, it's really simple - in theory. On the other hand -- it's a whole lot harder to live!

I'm excited for 2013 and believe it will be the best year, yet! Whatever you're going through, embrace the difficulty - it's what makes us the people we are.


It's been a rather lazy day, for me. :) I went for a short workout this morning that I hope will give me that awesome sore feeling tomorrow!

Chicken soup for the soul. {Organic & homemade by mom = perfect lunch for a rainy day}

I'm off to dinner with friends now. Happy new year, dear blog readers! Here's to ya - live life large with gratitude for today. :)

I'll be back on early next week with more details on the green smoothie challenge!

What are some of your goals for 2013?

Friday, December 28, 2012

Fresh Friday (wk 8)



I can't believe it's Friday! I think celebrating Christmas on Monday & Tuesday threw my internal clock off. :P

Here are my top 3 for Fresh Friday:

#1 - the gift of family
#2 - fresh veggies (especially after all the amazing holiday goodies!)
#3 - the blessing of giving & receiving

What are your's?


Thursday, December 27, 2012

Easy Green Smoothie Challenge


To join, simply leave a comment telling me you're in!

For more information, click here:
New Year 2013 7-Day Green Smoothie Challenge

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas :)


Today was a fantastic day! In fact, I'd go so far as to label this holiday season as the best - ever! 

What makes it so great? 

Honestly- for me, it's not the presents or the food or any "thing" -- it's the people. Taking the focus of myself, inhaling deep breaths full of gratitude and praising God for His goodness results in an awesome feeling!


In my family, we treat Christmas Eve like most people treat Christmas Day. We spend the 24th together as a family, exchange gifts, and then visit the extended (grandparents, cousins, friends . . . ) on the 25th.


A short, energizing workout this morning before a hearty breakfast. :P 


Dad & Mary cooking us up the traditional breakfast we have every year!


There's just somethin' about an orange that makes it feel like Christmas to me.


The spread! Eggs & bacon, grits, orange slices & this to-die-for amazing coffee cake.


Sister love. :)


The little guys' excitement before the gift exchange is contagious! 


For as long as I can remember this has been a Christmas tradition from my parents to each of us kids - an orange, nuts & chocolate. :) 


It's totally awesome to have brothers that are so decisively manly. {Not that hunting makes you manly --if that were the case i'd be one . . .  lol!}

Bobby (right) took me deer hunting on the 26th last year and we had so much fun we're goin' again this year! 


I love kids because they remind me to be thankful for the simple things in life. 


"Do you like my hat?" 


So thankful this amazing woman is my mom! 


Yoga mat for Christmas, anyone?


Tradition, tradition! Homemade Italian sausage soup for lunch. If you want the recipe, shoot me an e-mail - I'm happy to share. :) 


This soup is delicious! But, then you know those things that are good simply because of the incredible memories attached? 


I had a little salad along side lunch, too. 


Makin' fudge this afternoon. :) Let me just recommend - if you don't have evaporated milk don't try subbing . . . lol!!!! 


My plate piled high for Christmas Eve dinner! {Can I hold all of this???}


A sentimental journey - eating off my great-grandmother Nana's silverware. These are her engraved initials. Isn't this so lovely? 


Chit-chatting with the cousins after the meal this evening. And, with that - I'll call it a night! Every blessing to you and yours this holiday season. More pics to come . . . :)