MORNING
My mornings usually consist of early gym workouts (really early! - like 4:30 / 5:00am) for about an hour. A mix of low impact cardio such as the stair-master or hill climbing on the treadmill and weight training. I love weights! In fact, weight training is a cardio workout in and of itself and it's sculpted my body like no other...not to mention it's revved up my metabolism to the max. However, not all mornings start with a workout and if I wake up and feel my body needs to rest, I rest. I don't ever plan on "rest days" but usually take them 2-3 times a week. Something many people fail to realize is that our bodies are broken down in the gym and build when we are in recovery mode (AKA: resting).
I normally don't eat anything before a workout since it makes my stomach cramp, but I do however consume a tsp of bee pollen - full of B vitamins for energy - and a spoon of raw coconut butter (also filled with healthy fats and immediate energy). I also prepare a large bottle filled with approximately 2 Tbsp of Fire Cider and the rest with room temperature water. I take that with me and have it waiting for me for when I finish my workout.
Coming home from the gym I take my dog Lucy out for a walk while I catch up on my emails, Instagram comments and DMs, etc. I know I should be enjoying the outdoors but there's just not enough time in the day to get everything done and keep up with what I have on my plate...one day I want to break that habit (hey, I'm not perfect!).
Once home, I eat some pureed meat (great for digestion and wonderful after a workout) and make some ghee and gelatin frothy coffee (a staple in my house) or matcha latte. Then again, trying to catch up on comments/DMs, emails all while meal prepping for the days ahead which varies depending on what I am "low on". My 1-ingredient coconut milk is usually on repeat as I try and make everything from scratch. There's nothing better than knowing what goes in your food and most importantly, what doesn't!
Mid morning I usually grab a snack like cultured cottage cheese and fruit, oatmeal (yes, that's a snack!), or a nutrition bar like the ones from Evo Hemp which I always have on hand - they're clean, pure, contain no junk whatsoever, and help with inflammation. If I am recipe testing that day, I usually "skip" my snack and just eat what I'm testing out.
AFTERNOON
Come the afternoon, I'm lucky if I have already showered! Thankfully I work from home so if I'm in my jams all day it's not an issue...running errands with knotted hair and PJs is becoming more popular and I like to think I had a part of that *wink. I try and tidy up the house and do the small, every day things that need to be done.
Smoothies are a staple in my days and I usually don't go a day without one! Sweet potato and cauliflower smoothies (yes, you heard me) have become an all time favorite and my Instagram followers have shown me their version so I know I'm not the only one who thinks these weird smoothies are flippin' bomb!
Afternoons also include another quick walk with Lucy, just to get out, move, and break up the day....then back to work.
EVENING
For dinner it can be anything from leftovers of what I created earlier that day, to a simple pasta, chicken, or my favorite air fried fries with my veggie avocado dip (so good!). And of course...tea! The Food Network is usually my "go-to" and sometimes just on in the background while I catch up on emails, social media, and go over the photos I photographed that day (I use a professional Nikon to take my pictures) while editing.
What products are my favorite? I have only a handful since I am VERY picky about what I put into my own body as well as recommend to others. There's so much crap put into "health foods" these days, that only a few items I have come across fit the bill. I have an entire page on my blog dedicated to all the top food products and kitchen gadgets I use and consume almost daily.
I'm always working, 7 days a week, 12-13 hours every day....but I love it! Yes, I get exhausted every day, but I feel so blessed to be able to share with others and help those in need with the information I put out and pass on. It gives me joy knowing that people are benefiting....from me! I would have never guessed that this would be my calling.
For more information about Bethany and her blog on healthy recipes designed for digestive health, visit lilsipper.com and follow her on Instagram.