What's Guiding You?

As stated previously, maternity leave and the transition to spending more time as a mom means that I have lots of blog post ideas, yet don't get around to writing often. I can't complain though, I am really enjoying my time away from technology and screens to watch my little one grow! I do spend time on social media for work (and pleasure) so it's a bit of an internal struggle for me and I continue to work on not comparing myself to the assumptions I have of others based on their social media presence. I am in my 30s and still trying to figure out my priorities and how to live my best life.

I love quotes and find solace and inspiration in them. A few that have hit home for me recently are below:

(*see more on my Pinterest board)

With hiah chat I hope to provide insight to encourage you along your wellness journey. I find that it's great to know how others can succeed and the challenges they face. In the Craving Change program that I facilitate there are lots of examples called "you are not alone" and it's a great way to gain some perspective. I am a busy-body and have a hard time relaxing, yet I look at others online at times and feel that I'm not doing enough - I'm not working out enough or eating healthily enough, etc. but I have a great husband that helps to ground me and remind me of what is important - thus my continued journey to find balance so that I can enjoy lazy evenings with him and cuddles with my daughter without guilt (this may be a lifelong struggle for me!).

I plan to write my guiding principles or personal manifesto as I figure it out as well as writing about the pieces that make up health. I also hope to start some discussion around eating principles as sometimes we have developed rules that may be sabotaging our efforts and other times they may help keep us on track. I'm not one for diets, as the term diet to me just means a way of eating. I don't feel the need to associate with a specific way of eating (be that vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.) and am fortunate enough to not have allergies, intolerances, or medical reasons that I have to - the world of food is open and available to me and I explore it fully. I hope my blog continue to evolve as I do, and as I learn from others and from science.

Do you have 'rules' that you follow on your path to health and wellness?

Feel free to comment below...
Happy Sunday and have a great week!

Steph Langdon, RD
www.nutrishus.com

hiah chat - Michyla Kielo

Bio of Michyla Kielo: I am a Registered Massage Therapist, and teach infant massage classes to new parents.  I am also a farm wife and full time Mom to Alyssa (7), Evan (5) and Riley (5). My husband Brett and I operate a grain and beef farm which is still growing and keeps us very busy! I also run 10K’s and half marathons, ride horses and barrel race.

Blog: www.runmommyrun3.wordpress.com

Twitter: @RunMommyRun3

Website: www.kielomassagetherapy.com

1. What does healthy mean to you?

To me, healthy means balance. Eating well, being active, and making time to do the things that make you happy are all important to me. I think it’s very easy for moms especially to put themselves last, but we need to have something in our lives for ourselves too. 

2. Do you feel you live a healthy life? How? (Or what would you change?)

I do feel I live a healthy life. We try to eat healthy, though there are days when I admit that doesn’t happen! One of the great things about being on a farm is that our children can play outside and ride their bikes all day, and it makes me happy to see them enjoy being active. 

3. What is a healthy meal you often eat?

I love stir fry. If some vegetables get forgotten in the back of the fridge it’s a great way to use them up. My kids aren’t fans though, so I save them some raw veggies and take their chicken out of the mix before I put the sauce on. We eat a lot of apples and bananas for snacks and have a large garden in the summer which is very helpful when I’m cooking for 9-10 people during harvest time on the farm!

4. How do you stay healthy when life gets hectic?

I pack my kids’ school lunches the night before so I’m not as rushed in the mornings. When we go to the city for errands and groceries I pack snacks and water bottles for everyone, and often pack lunches as well. I’d rather take a half hour break for them to eat a picnic and run around a park than go to a drive thru. When we travel to horse events we always pack our own food as well, so the kids know they can just go get snacks out of the cooler instead of asking for money to buy the unhealthy concession options.

5. What is one of your challenges or struggles when it comes to leading a healthy life?

We live 45 minutes away from the nearest grocery store, so I only go to the city and get groceries once per week. With five people in the house I find it challenging to be able to get enough fresh produce to last a week. This results in me buying larger quantities, but then we struggle to eat it before it goes bad! Either way, it just doesn’t seem to last a week and by days six and seven I’m  struggling to find healthy options for school lunches and snacks.  I’m also bad for not getting enough sleep!

6. Are you currently working towards a goal?

My current goal is to run a personal best time at the Saskatchewan Marathon on May 31 in Saskatoon. My current PB is 1:56:26, set at this race in 2013. I am confident I will be able to take a couple minutes off. 

7. What motivates you to be healthy?

I’ve always been active, but only in the past eight years or so have I worried much about eating healthy. I feel much better now and have more energy than I did in my twenties. Seeing  my kids making healthy food choices is a good motivator too.

8. What is a treat or indulgence that you enjoy?

Cookies.  I love cookies. And wine! 

9. Any inspiring words or comments that you’d like to share with our readers?

I stuck a sign on my treadmill this winter that says “just when you are about to give up is when a breakthrough is about to happen.” This got me through a lot of boring runs this winter when it was too cold or dark to go outside.

Good luck on the 31st Michyla!

hiah chat - Brian Breit

Bio of Brian Breit:
I am self employed. I am a runner (I run everyday), I swim, go to the gym. I guess you could say I am an endurance athlete. I was born and raised in Saskatoon. I don't know if you want to call it a hobby, but I like to learn as much about the sports that I do and how to live healthy, so I am always reading about them. 

Facebook: Brian Breit
Twitter: @run_brian
Instagram: brun5150


 




Questions:
1.    What does being healthy mean to you? 
Healthy to me means feeling good about myself, having energy to tackle the day ahead and/or a workout.
 
2.    Do you feel that you lead a healthy life? How? (or what would you change?) Yes, now I do. I eat clean and healthy meals, no junk food. I start my day with a little workout, plus I run everyday and most days I either go swimming or to the gym, throw in the odd yoga class. I also don't drink.

3.    What is a healthy meal that you often eat? 
Make up something with egg whites, porridge with yogurt.
 
4.    How do you stay healthy when life gets hectic? I always have apples and bananas handy and usually a granola type bar.
 
5.    What is one of your challenges or struggles when it comes to leading a healthy life? 
Probably getting enough rest time and sleep.
 
6.    Are you currently working towards a goal or starting/stopping a habit? What? 
I just want to keep getting better at what I am doing and staying positive.
 
7.    What motivates you to be healthy? 
Feeling good. Being able to reach various goals and succeeding at them
 
8.    What is a treat or indulgence that you enjoy? 
Black Bean Brownie
 
9.    Any inspiring words or comments that you’d like to share with our readers? Always do your best and never give up.

Thanks Brian, we look forward to seeing you on the trails!

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hiah chat - Kelly Glassford

Kelly is currently an instructor at Lead Pilates after having worked in retail at Lululemon Athletica in Saskatoon, starting a business with her sister and working in HR after completing her BComm from the University of Saskatchewan. She was born and raised in Rosetown, SK, and now calls Saskatoon home. Her passion for Pilates and teaching is expressed on the Lead website: "Pilates was a way for me to understand my own body and gave me the knowledge to understand why I had been experiencing pain in my low back. I wanted to share my knowledge show others how it could change your quality of life. Teaching became my passion; the connection you make with each client & the ability to change the way they move to help achieve their goals is the best reward!"

1. What does being healthy mean to you?
To me being healthy means taking care of my body.   Choosing positive fitness, nutrition, and everyday goals that help me be my best self.  Goals that allow me to feel strong and take part in all the different daily activities I love to do.

2. Do you feel that you lead a healthy life? How? (or what would you change?).

I do feel as if I lead a healthy lifestyle.  I teach Pilates which allows me to take care of my body working to increase stretch and strength to help me move through my daily activities of living with ease.  I take time to de-stress and spend time doing activities I love (sharing time with friends and family).  I try to make the best nutrition choices I can, although I would say this is also an ongoing area of improvement for me.

3. What is a healthy meal that you often eat?  

I don't even know.  We like to switch up our meals in my house as cooking is something we can do together for fun and experimenting with different meals is a great way to spend time together (*such as the Ginger-Lime Kale with Squash & Chickpeas that she recently tried from CleanEating)

4. How do you stay healthy when life gets hectic?  

This is still a work in progress, but I take it one week at a time.  I make weekly goals for myself to help ensure I stay on track.  I make sure I don't miss my workout.  Doing Pilates grounds me and helps to alleviate stress which becomes even more important during busy times.

5. What is one of your challenges or struggles when it comes to leading a healthy life?

Maintaining a balanced meal plan.  It is difficult during hectic times to ensure I leave time to cook so I do my best to stock up on fruits and veggies for easy snacking.  I am gluten free (gluten sensitivity) so convenient on the go meals are hard. I try to spend one day a week to plan out what I will need to prepare in advance to get me through any busy times.

6. Are you currently working towards a goal or starting/stopping a habit? What? I've had a goal to work towards running a 1/2 marathon.  I ran a 10k last year and would love to do the half. Staying motivated to run through the winter months is more difficult as I prefer to run outside, but it's an ongoing work in progress.  All I can do is take it one day at a time.

7. What motivates you to be healthy?  

How I feel.  When I am practicing Pilates and eating well I feel great.  I have more energy, my body can move well without feeling stiff or sore.  When I stop I know, so it keeps me on track.

8. What is a treat or indulgence that you enjoy?

I LOVE chocolate! Really anything chocolate :)

9. Any inspiring words or comments that you’d like to share with our readers?  Go one day at a time.  All you can do is make an effort to eat well and exercise.  Some  days may not go as your planned, let it go and start again tomorrow.

Thanks Kelly!

Steph Langdon, RD

something nutrishus counselling & coaching

www.nutrishus.com

hiah chat - Leia Bridge

Born and raised in Saskatoon, Leia feels most at home on the prairies.  A love of learning and travel has sparked many adventures and opportunities, but family and friends keep calling her back home. Leia is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, where she studied French, Spanish and Linguistics, but she currently studies the movement of the body, big sweaty smiles and the life-changing effects of the Moksha Yoga series at her studio Moksha Hot Yoga, which she co-owns with friend Ashleigh Ireland, right here in Saskatoon. Leia is passionate about building community and creating a welcoming space for her yoga students; but when she's not in the hot room, Leia can be found jogging through the river valley, taking in the sights and sounds of Downtown and Broadway, or enjoying home life with her fiancé and her little black cat, named Pootie Tat.

Twitter: @mokshayogasask
Facebook: Moksha Yoga Saskatoon
Website: www.mokshayogasaskatoon.com

1. What does being healthy mean to you?

Being healthy means waking up in the morning and feeling really good inside my body and ready to tackle the day with a positive attitude.

2. Do you feel that you lead a healthy life? How? (or what would you change?)

I lead a fairly healthy lifestyle.  I do Moksha Yoga, I run, I enjoy Crossfit, and I try my best to eat healthy meals and drink in moderation.  I am a lover of wine, and I enjoy a small glass of wine almost every night with my supper.  A girl has to have some indulgences in life, but if I had to change something, I would try to not eat supper so late some nights!

3. What is a healthy meal that you often eat?

My current favorite quick-fix is a tomato and avocado sandwich on 12 grain bread. Sometimes I add spinach if I'm feeling fancy. The creamy texture of the avocado means no mayo or other condiments are required.  A little salt and pepper, and voila! - quick lunch!

4. How do you stay healthy when life gets hectic?

I tend to gravitate towards a diet of granola bars, fruit and whatever else I can get my hands on quickly when I am busy.  This is not the most balanced diet! I've been making an effort lately to prepare my meals the night before and pack a lunch and/or supper when I am not at home so I will have better choices on hand.  It takes some pre-planning, but leftovers from supper or a quick salad with protein are my most common meals.

5. What is one of your challenges or struggles when it comes to leading a healthy life?

It's definitely having food with me when I am busy.  I often leave the house early in the morning and don't come home till after midnight.  Those pre-packed lunches and dinners are my saving grace. And If I don't have them, that's when I struggle.

6. Are you currently working towards a goal or starting/stopping a habit? What?

I am trying to get more fibre into my diet and also increase my vegetables. I think the increase in vegetables will help with the fibre :)

7. What motivates you to be healthy?

The way I feel in the morning motivates me to be healthy. I dislike waking up feeling groggy, or with a tummy ache and I know from experience that eating healthy keeps me from feeling that way.

8. What is a treat or indulgence that you enjoy?

Red wine, cheese, coffee hahah!!

9. Any inspiring words or comments that you'd like to share with our readers?

Life is your life, your one and only life. chose wisely, but don't let fear of the unknown hold you back. It's the things that you were too scared to try that you will likely regret more than the mistakes that you've made along the way.....

Thanks Leia!

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