Get fit to 40 – 24 months to go

I just turned 38. I thought I would freak out. I wanted to freak out. The drama would be enough to demand a change, my mind rationalized. But I didn’t.  Thirty-eight seemed more mid-life than young anymore suddenly. It became clearer to me, than ever before, that trying to get fit and staying that way had to become my way of life. Not a temporary, short term goal.

My 30’s was a great decade. I changed a lot of things about myself – some I had to and some I wanted to. And I like the person I am today. I hope my forties will help me refine that person further.

In the last 2 years I have been wont for inspiration. Nothing seems to challenge me. What does, I ignore. It’s been a new life for me. One I took longer to accept and assimilate into. In the last few weeks I have felt that proverbial pull. Something inside me pulling at leaving my insides, and becoming something on the outside. It’s still taking form and am determined to be that vessel to creativity. But, in the meanwhile, I also realized that I wanted to get better – in health, in wealth, in creative output, in just a state of being.

I want to move out of existing and find a way to get to living my life the way I want to envision. Trying something new. To jog my motivation. Get me moving – physically, metaphorically, in any way possible. To document. To make me accountable. To nobody but the big, bad Internet.

I have quite a few hurdles to overcome.

I am a diabetic with sugar that refuses to stay in range (Wait! That completely absolves me). Let me rephrase that.  I am a diabetic with uncontrolled high sugar. I weight over 190 pounds. These are the physical manifestations of my unhappiness.

Then there is that somewhat toxic relationship with food . I say somewhat (in order to be completely honest) because while there are days when I still hoard food and eat secretly,  there are days when I am good eater. There are still days when am not completely honest about what I consume, in the apps meant to record such information. But there are also days when I crave good food like a delicious protein smoothie or the lovely oat blueberry muffins posted here. Crunch is my friend. Fiber is my friend. Sugar is a long lost acquaintance who I am not ready to become friends with again. But, in the spirit of reducing toxicity, I do not want to call sugar my enemy.

Let the journey begin!

Blueberry Oats Low Sugar* Muffins

Makes 15
Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup rolled oats 
1/2 cup maple syrup
3/4 raw sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sour cream
1.5 cups fresh blueberries

Method:

Mix all wet ingredients, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla and salt. 
Add the flours. Mix till combined. 
Gently fold in the blueberries. 
Bake in a preheated 350 F over for about 20-22 minutes.

Adapted from this recipe.

* Low sugar is based only on taste and not verified nutritionally.

Polenta

is the answer for sweet porridge that you must have turned your nose up, if your tastes are anything like mine.

This is the way to make it.

Being single is a great thing.

The biggest problem about cooking, as I constantly hear, is cooking for a single person. It is difficult and almost impossible to to eyeball a recipe.

I have always take the coward’s way out. Made enough to last me (and my family members) for a few meals. But often, as good as the cake or curry is, it isn’t always enjoyed meal after meal. Some where along the way, when I realised I love cooking, I made my peace with eating a dish repeatedly but never thought I could actually search for recipes catering to “1”.

Then I discovered the blog world where I discovered cake for one, cheesecake for one, an entire recipe book for one and finally today, the (quickest) pancake for one.

It brought me back here , albeit with a very bad picture. But it is a great recipe for a pancake and though prescribed for one, it would do  you good to share it.

MEC: Breezy Breakfasts: The healthy option

To make up for the guilt of even suggesting a (albeit slightly healthy) chocolate cake for breakfast, I had to make a wholesome choice too.

The plus is it’s so quick and tasty that if there is any guilt over indulging in chocolate cake for Sunday brunch, it will completely disappear.

As you eat this tangy sprouted moong chat, spoonful by spoonful, you will feel goodness spread through your veins, in sheer bountiful bliss.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp sprouted moong

1/2 apple, chopped

1 tomato, chopped

1 tbsp alfafa sprouts (optional)

Chaat masala,  to taste.

1. Start by microwaving the sprouted moong. I cooked it for 2 minutes on Medium but it is entirely dependent on how cooked do you need the sprouts and how strong is the microwave.

2. Once it has cooked, cool it down slightly. The add the apple, tomatoes and alfafa sprouts.

3. Sprinkle chaat masala, stir and enjoy.

4. It could even do with some lemon and crushed roasted peanuts. But first thing in the morning, I wasn’t sure I wanted so much happening in my breakfast.*

* I just want to add here that as I discover my love for food and, even more, for ingredients, I realise that often I don’t want too many flavours melding in my food. I need a few flavours but need them to shine and help the other ingredients play their best part. So no lemon or peanuts for me, just yet .

This recipe is also my entry for Breezy Breakfasts.

MEC: Breezy Breakfasts: The quickest chocolate cake ever!

One of the best pick-me-ups is chocolate cake. But since it is a cake, it still needs planning. Basic ingredients – check. Oven out – check. Temperature and inclination after all preparations – check. .But there are days when you want some chocolate cake instantly. And I mean I.N.S.T.A.N.T.L.Y.

Then I chanced on this announcement for a breezy microwave breakfast and the idea came to me like bolt from the blue. This recipe that I saw in passing and remembering that I had felt a strong yen to try it.

Albeit not the most healthy dish for a breakfast, it certainly more than satisfies the craving for a quick chocolate cake and can be eaten with a variety of toppings including ice cream, creamy dahi, tart fruits or stewed dried fruits or more chocolate. Also, what better way to begin a lazy Sunday breakfast?

To make up for the sheer decadence of the chocolate cake, I used whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose four. That meant a little more baking powder but felt good while eating. Made it a little more wholesome by topping it with quick-cooking oats.

Another tweak I did was added a chopped mini bar of Mars (there were no chocolate chips at hand).

To make up for this sheer bliss, I do plan to make a healthier breakfast. But till then, start a new love affair with your microwave.