Skinny Struggles

I'm asked a lot about how I can eat so many desserts and indulgent food and stay so skinny.

First you should know that I SERIOUSLY don't feel "so skinny" lots of the time. Most of the time... ever. Imagine that!

Second you should know that I work very hard to balance my diet not just to maintain a certain weight, but to maintain a certain level of HEALTH. I 100% believe that you are what you eat. The fuel you put IN your body has the biggest impact on what you get out of it. If you feed yourself crap, that's how you're going to feel.

What many people don't understand is that it's not one piece of cake or an order of fries that will ruin you. It's all about your lifestyle.

I have a ravenous sweet tooth that seriously CANNOT be satiated by one freaking square of dark chocolate, nor by a splurge once a week. In fact, I fundamentally disagree with a planned weekly splurge meal. I think the psychology behind that is so skewed. You're depriving yourself fun experiences and making yourself miserable during the week so you are ravenously craving something good by the time it rolls around. So you indulge. Hard. You eat WAY more than you are even comfortable digesting, let alone discussing, and then you are overstuffed and have a mega food hangover the next day. Then comes the weekly detox of lemon and cayenne and maple syrup (gag) and the cycle resumes.

Splurge meals don't work for me. Never have, never will.

You know what does? Finding healthful alternatives to sweet treats and adapting my taste preferences. Sure, my healthy desserts won't taste exactly like a Cinnabon or a cheesecake brownie or my beloved red velvet birthday cake. There are differences in taste... but there are also differences in how you feel after.

I don't believe in eliminating food groups, following fads, or buying into all the zillions of blogs that claim coconut oil is a miracle food that you can drink by the cup and lose weight.... but I'll save that rant for another post ;)

Anyway. Maybe there are some people who can eat six poptarts and a pizza and deep fried cheese on the daily and always look great naked. I don't know anyone who's like that and I'm certainly not one of them... and truthfully? I'm so glad. I taught myself how to fuel my body properly and I can share what I've learned with others :)

Healthy food is beautiful food. Take care of your body. It's one of the most wonderful gifts God has given you. Treasure and protect it. Use it how it is meant to be used.

 xo

Annie

Back By (popular?) Demand!

Well hello beautifuls <3

Ew. It's seriously been forever. Whyyyyyy?.....

Here's why. I finished school (yay!). I started working (also yay!). I decided to apply to BYU (wha..?) and move to Utah. So now I'm a 20-something freshman working towards my B.Sc. with an alphabet of letters already attached to my name*.... What on EARTH Annie? For real.

In a nutshell. I love my job. It's so great. But I love learning a lot too... and I wasn't done. I want to SEE more. DO more. BE more!! It didn't make perfect sense when I was applying for school and studying for the ACT at the same time as studying for my graduate tests and two sets of boards exams  either.... and to be honest I'm still stumbling around in the dark a little bit!

Here's what I do know: I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm learning. I'm starting fresh.

I'm happier than I have been since I can even remember. I feel so much like myself it's scary!

I'm running a lot now that ballet is (seriously) over. It's REALLY hard, and I still cry when I hear my old music. I know I would have loved just one more year... but really it would never be "time" for me to quit. I could dance until I literally fell apart. And even then I'd still try and pick up the pieces.

I'm so wrapped up in this new life and I got sick of just blogging about cake. As awesome as it is.... there's gotta be something else yo ;) AND THERE IS! There's so many wonderful and beautiful things in this life to share and to experience!

Don't worry. Cake will still come. There will always be cake. Speaking of which... want some? In about 5 minutes flat? I got your back.

*Cake in the Microwave*
Attempted by many, perfected by few. This cake is actually HEALTHY and is easily transformed into any variation of your favourite. I've been asked way too many times how I make this so here's the recipe!

2 TBSP Coconut Flour (if you use regular, I'd increase to about 3 TBSP)
1 TBSP Your favorite protein powder (optional, I like Cellucor!)
1 tsp baking powder
Dash of Salt
Sweetener to taste (sugar, splenda, stevia, coconut sugar... whatever you're into)
1 egg or 2 egg whites
Splash of vanilla
2-3 TBSP milk
1/2 TBSP applesauce
Add ins: chocolate chips, coconut shreds, crumbled oreos, canned pumpkin, streusel topping.. anything you're feelin.

Add everything together and whisk until smooth. Pour into a ramekin or mug sprayed with nonstick spray. Microwave for about 1:30-2 mins, just until done. Try not to overbake.

Pop your little beauty out and let it cool. I stick it in the freezer for super fast chilling. Then top it with whatever you like! Frosting, peanut butter, melted chocolate, greek yogurt, honey and butter.... Serious options people.

Here's some ideas to get you started...

 

Top Row: 1. Basic cake stuffed with nutella and topped with nutella sauce. 2. Peanut butter cake with chocolate chips, chocolate frosting and peanut butter swirl. 3. Cookies and Cream cake with peanut butter greek yogurt frosting and a crumbled oreo on top.
Bottom Row: 4. Funfetti cake with chocolate chips, chocolate frosting in the middle, and ice cream and a red velvet oreo on top. 5. Cinnamon streusel cake with honey and butter on top.

So there you have it. Healthy cake in a ramekin just for you in 5 minutes flat. Life is so sweet, right?

XOXO

Annie

*All those letters? Two sets of full ultrasound credentials. Kind of weird. Kind of awesome. #imanadult