Healthy Tipping Point

The tagline of Healthy Tipping Point is “When everyday decisions add up to something amazing.”  For years, I struggled with being healthy because I thought healthy = perfection.  If I wasn’t perfect (um, and who is?), I had “blown it.”  And then all hell broke loose.

Now, I realize that being healthy is about making small steps towards a larger healthy goal.  Each little step forward counts, and when you manage to make healthy choices a habit, you achieve something amazing.

It’s helped me so much over the years to just look at each day, each meal, each snack and think, “What healthy choices can I make RIGHT NOW?”  It motivates me to go for a run, add a vegetable to my plate, or take a few minutes to meditate.  I never feel overwhelmed.    And when I do engage in not-so-healthy behaviors, it’s easier to get back on track because I don’t demand perfection – all I have to do is make one more healthy decision.

To inspire and motivate others, I encourage you to leave a comment describing ONE healthy decision you made yesterday or today.  How are you improving your life?  What are you doing to make your mind, emotions, and body feel good?

This post originally appeared in 2010 but I thought it was worth republishing for readers who had never seen it.  To see more than 200 suggestions on healthy choices, check out the original comments section!

Good morning!

Today’s goal is to organize my bedroom so it doesn’t look like a baby bomb went off.  I think if I just corral the dirty clothes, I’ll be light years ahead of the game…

I need to pull things together because my mom is leaving in the next few days – I am truly so sad just thinking about it!  She’s been here for a little over two weeks and has been the HUGEST help.  She’s really, really assisted us with the adjustment period by doing a lot of Henry’s care, a ton of cleaning and cooking, and just providing general support.  Also – she’s been on multiple wine runs.  Hah. 

I wish she lived in town! We have been so blessed to have her help.

I’ve been stocking the fridge in preparation of her departure.  I didn’t do “freezer meals” before Claire’s birth, but I’m trying to do it now. 

I used the Santa Fe Casserole recipe to make a delicious one-handed meal.

I did some modifications, though:  I skipped the addition of milk (to firm them up), used leftover Chinese white rice instead of brown ice, and nixed the beans, onions, and peppers for shredded carrots, frozen peas, and frozen corn.  The recipe itself is an awesome base (who doesn’t like rice and cheese?!) and the modifications are endless.

Another one-handed snack/pseudo-meal:  a calorie-packed spinach, berry, banana smoothie with tons (and I mean TONS) of peanut butter. 

Okay – gonna try to organize myself for mom’s eventual exit.  Although I am planning on hiding her car keys to delay her departure…

Over the weekend, I hit the stir-crazy point. I was SO sick of being in the house and on the couch – since leaving the hospital, I’ve only really left the house to drive Henry to school and take Claire to the doctor’s.  I truly thought I was going to lose my mind if I didn’t go do something else!

So over the weekend, I went to the grocery store AND took Henry to the playground while the Husband stayed behind with Claire (and a bottle, of course).  IT FELT SO GOOD.  Freeeeeeeeeeedom!  The produce section was never so exciting.  Hah.

I also started making an effort to exercise everyday.  Here’s my workouts so far:

9 Days Post-Partum: Walked 0.25 mile

10 Days PP: Walked 0.50 mile

11 Days PP: Went on two walks for a total of 1.0 mile

12 Days PP: Went on two walks for a total of 2.0 miles

13 Days PP: Went on one 1.5 mile walk wearing Claire in the Ergo AND pushing Henry in the stroller <—oof!

For the first few walks, I walked until my stitches started to feel funny, and then I turned around.  But by 11 days post-partum, I could walk a whole mile without any discomfort at all, and now I’m only really limited by what Henry or Claire will put up with.  My ‘plan’ is to go on at least one walk a day, everyday, until I’m cleared for more challenging workouts at my next doctor’s appointment. 

I don’t really care how far I walk; it’s more important to me to just get out there regularly. I would love to do a morning and evening walk, but that may be hard to swing with the winter weather!  Regardless, it feels super good for the body + soul to get outside and smell the fresh air.  

This is pretty much the technique that I used to get back into running shape post-Henry – I walked until I was cleared to run, and then I used the Couch to 5K App (<—there’s my review of the app) to work my way up to jogging and running.

Some related content on WALKING <3 <3 <3

Six Ways to Embrace the Walking Break

Creating a Walking Habit

How to Walk a Half Marathon <—harder than it sounds!!

Walk Harder – How to Make Your Walk More Challenging (plus a really yummy recipe)

Reader Q&A: Do Real Runners Walk?

Walk the Dog Workout <— a walking workout to do with your pup

The quest for healthy post-partum eats continues!  I don’t know how we’ve managed to swing it, but I swear that we’ve all been eating better in the two weeks since Claire was born than in the months before.  Too bad I can’t say the same for sleep…  One battle at a time, right?

Over the weekend, DadHTP stopped by just as I was pulling this dish out of the oven.  Served with a simple salad, this was the perfect lunch for the whole family.

This reminds me of Quiche Cornbread (still one of my favorite all-time crowd-pleasing recipes – but the grand prize goes to Santa Fe Casserole). Instead of a cornbread base, this recipe features roasted potatoes.  If you make the potatoes ahead of time for another meal, this dish is super fast and easy to prepare.  We *always* have leftover potatoes in the fridge, so it came together in no time!

Alternatively, you could use a frozen potato, like this kind from Alexa.  Just bake the tots for 15 minutes or so before adding the other ingredients.

I used a tablespoon of onion dip mix for flavoring, but if onion isn’t your thing, you should skip the spice entirely (it would still be good!) or try a touch of cayenne pepper.

Cheesy Potato Frittata

Ingredients (for about three – four servings, depending on your slices):

• 1 and 1/2 cup pre-roasted Russet potatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 and 1/2 cup raw baby spinach, shredded into small pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Optional: 1 tablespoon onion dip mix
• 6 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 and grease a cast-iron baking dish (or a glass pie dish).
• Spread out chopped potatoes on the bottom of the baking dish.
• On the stovetop on medium, quickly wilt the spinach with the olive oil and spices.
• In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs, milk, and spinach.  Pour over the potatoes.
• Top with shredded cheese.
• Bake for 35 minutes or until golden on top.
• Serve and enjoy!

This would be an awesome holiday buffet dish.  It would pair reaaaaally well with a warm cinnamon bun (but wouldn’t everything?).

Hope you had a fabulous and healthy weekend, too!