More of a Good Thing

on July 4, 2012
in All Posts

This morning, I was thinking a lot about the concept of reinforcing behaviors. I touched on this in my How to Tame a Sweet Tooth post; basically, if we listen to our bodies, we’ll notice that healthy actions make us feel good and unhealthy actions kind of make us feel like poop.  Too much sugar = crappy sugar coma.  Early morning sweat session with Henry and James = energized and alive.  We’re up to 35 minutes now!

photo

It’s interesting how we tend to ignore or push aside our inner voice when it comes to health, isn’t it?  I guess that’s because so many of the more unhealthy actions feel and taste so damn good (at least at first).  But the benefits of being healthy feel and taste so damn good, too!  It’s just more subtle initially – and actually requires effort.  Gotta put something in to get something out.  But what you get out is so much better in the long-term!

 

Ironically, I was ruminating on this concept while drinking my morning cup of coffee…

photo2

And then this infographic came through my email.  A bit of coffee is a good thing; but too much coffee… not so much.

 health_effects_of_caffeine_infographic_2092_x

(Source)

Now you know not to drink 97 cups of brewed coffee in one sitting.  Learn something every day!

 

Lunch:

IMG_0875

If this looks familiar, that’s because it’s similar to the Pumped-Up Mac and Cheese that I had yesterday, but instead of white kidney beans, I added in two scrambled eggs.  Amazing.  I think this might become a new go-to meal.

IMG_0871

I’m off to play with Henry…

 

I hope everyone has a fabulous and safe Fourth of July!  Unfortunately – yet again – the Husband and I failed to make plans; we are the worst at organizing ourselves for holidays.  No special plans over here… just more episodes of Mad Men (I’m finally on Season 2).

IMG_0880

Happy Birthday, America!

{ 34 comments }

 

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 4, 2012, 1:51 pm

    I think that study on caffeine is extraordinarily interesting. It’s good to know that everyone metabolizes things differently too, so knowing how foods effect you is important. I know 3 cups of coffee is a limit for me or I’m a shaky mess that day. Great info Caitlin! Enjoy your day!

  • Sara July 4, 2012, 1:54 pm

    That sounds like my day – I totally forgot to make plans for today, but I’m very much okay with spending the day with myself. I already got my run in and I’m planning to have myself a Weeds marathon. Enjoy the holiday with your two guys and your Mad Men!

  • Sana July 4, 2012, 1:55 pm

    I love that baby Henry is checking out the sights on his morning walk!

  • Kailey July 4, 2012, 1:55 pm

    Congrats on getting up to 35 minutes – thats awesome 😀 I am so happy to hear all these new articles stating that coffee won’t kill you and, in fact, it has many health benefits 😀
    What mac & cheese do you buy or is it homemade because this dish is totally calling my name!

  • Mary July 4, 2012, 2:10 pm

    I always wonder what they mean by “cups”? Do they mean the little measurements on the side of the coffee pot? Or a normal sized coffee “cup” that you would drink out of? Or an actual “cup” that you measure with a liquid measuring cup?

    • Caitlin July 4, 2012, 2:24 pm

      I think they mean actual cups. I have a lot of mugs that are 3 – 4 cups!!!

  • Sam July 4, 2012, 2:11 pm

    My favorite new caffeine study finding is that moderate consumption of caffeine can significantly reduce the chance of getting the most common types of skin cancer. I’ve already had one bout with basal cell, so for me this is a MAJOR reason to keep having my daily cup o’coffee!

  • Andrea July 4, 2012, 2:11 pm

    I am so happy that you are liking Mad Men!!! I started watching shortly before season 4 premiered. It’s such a great show! Enjoy the holiday!

    • Kate July 4, 2012, 6:53 pm

      I was so excited to read you were into Madmen too! My fave show ever!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 4, 2012, 2:12 pm

    I love infographics, and this one is great!! I am no longer a coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a lot of tea (not just green – herbal, oolong, white, etc). I was told a few times that green tea contains just as much caffeine as brewed coffee, but according to the infographic that doesn’t appear to be true.

    As far as healthy habits and feeling good goes, I often think about people who don’t follow very healthy eating plans or live healthy lifestyles. On days that I don’t feel so great, I have to wonder what they must feel like on a regular basis!

  • emily July 4, 2012, 2:12 pm

    Happy Independence Day 🙂

    I totally agree about how it takes a little more effort at first, but it feels better to be healthy. One reason I think we make less than stellar choices is because the way they’re marketed – as fun, or must haves – when really they’re (mostly!) just excess. I see it as the same as exercise. Initially it can take effort to get going, but after a while you know that it’s imperative to feeling good.

  • Rachel July 4, 2012, 2:15 pm

    Very good point about the walking and how it can turn your whole day around! I did NOT want to get myself out of bed for a walk with my dog this morning, but, just like you said, it has made the whole day so much better.

    I’m curious, what stroller did you guys end up getting for Henry? I’m due in October and starting to feel anxious about all the “stuff” that this baby is going to need!

    Happy 4th 🙂

    • Caitlin July 4, 2012, 2:24 pm

      City Mini 2012 and we love it!!!

  • Regina July 4, 2012, 2:59 pm

    First holiday with the little man. Sounds like a great way to spend a holiday to me 🙂

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles July 4, 2012, 3:05 pm

    The coffee thing isn’t really an issue with me, I can’t stand the stuff! It’s an acquired taste that I just can’t get into (unless, it is in my dessert or in a mudslide, of course).

  • Michelle McIsaac July 4, 2012, 3:10 pm

    Hey Caitlin!

    It’s funny, left over mac n cheese is always so dry and nasty, and would always end up getting thrown out when I was a kid. That is, until my dad started frying it with curry, pepper and a scrambled egg. Throw some veggies on top and it is SO Delicious! What a strange combination, but it turns out fantastic and always reminds me of my dad and my childhood!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats July 4, 2012, 3:20 pm

    That Mac n cheese really does look so good!! And good thing I only drink one cup of coffee a day!

  • Lauren J @ The Barn July 4, 2012, 4:10 pm

    I was struggling yesterday finding the motivation to work out. It had been a long weekend, I skipped Monday due to women issues, and the rest was feeling so so good. But I’ve been following the Jamie Eason LiveFit program and with only 5 more weeks to go I couldn’t let myself give up. So i drug my bloated, irritable self to the gym and I pushed hard. Really hard. Like the hardest I have in weeks. AND I ran three miles, on the track, something I haven’t done in a very long time.

    Today I woke up feeling fit, the bloat was gone, and I was inspired to make this 4th a healthy one. As I type I’m downing the last of my protein shake, I’m still sweating and my legs are noodles from the workout I just completed, and I’ll be honest. I’m proud of myself. Every workout is a good reminder why you keep going and keep pushing. You feel like a rockstar when you are done!

  • Alison (Fueling for Fitness) July 4, 2012, 5:47 pm

    Your posts are making nothing I eat satisfying… all I want is mac and cheese. Thanks, Caitlin. 😉

  • Lea July 4, 2012, 5:51 pm

    Your plans sound like mine, all my friends are either working, on vacation or out of town, and my family’s not big into 4th of July celebrations. But I can’t complain about a relaxing evening at home.

  • Julia H. @ Going Gulia July 4, 2012, 8:11 pm

    Somehow I never fell into the caffeine habit growing up. I hate the taste of coffee (love the smell, though!) and while I do like tea, I have it just every now & then, more for the taste/soothing purposes…not for a kick of energy! I guess I’m of the mindset that if I’m tired, I should sleep…not guzzle drinks 🙂

  • BroccoliHut July 4, 2012, 8:56 pm

    Fun coffee fact from the dietitian: you can consume up to 6mg caffeine per kilogram of body weight before affecting hydration status. Just a good rule of thumb to keep in mind!

  • Amanda @ Hungry Vegan Traveler July 4, 2012, 9:42 pm

    I recently started Season 4 of Mad Men! LOVE IT!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit July 4, 2012, 10:08 pm

    Really interesting post! I just started a job where I have to be up at 5, at work by 6am so my coffee intake as increased a bit, as you can imagine. I think it’s important to note what exactly a “cup” is. I assume the info you posted was referring to 8 oz. as one cup. My daily cup is 12 oz, and I’d be that a lot of people drink 12-16 oz. “cups” of coffee, if not larger ones.

  • Molly July 5, 2012, 12:01 am

    On the subject of coffee, did you know that Starbucks has twice as much caffeine in their drinks as normal coffee does? So a tall brewed coffee has nearly 300 mg of caffeine in it. That’s the reason people crave Starbucks. It’s scary to think that a tall coffee is my limit for the day.

  • Laura @ She Eats Well July 5, 2012, 12:07 am

    America! Happy Fourth!

    Also, I must say…I work in advertising and am starting on Mad Men Season 1. I am so excited to watch!

  • jessie July 5, 2012, 4:56 am

    Who needs plans? As long as you have your family, that’s all that matters.. and in your case Man Men as well!

    ps. that mac and cheese looks so good 🙂

  • Meredith July 5, 2012, 7:09 am

    This is kind of irrelevant to this post, but I was at the bookstore yesterday (in Halifax, NS) and I saw your book! I got so excited – I think I’m going back today to buy it :).

  • HTPDad July 5, 2012, 7:51 am

    I love coffee.

  • Sara @my less serious life July 5, 2012, 7:52 am

    i love your pumped up mac and cheese! what a great idea! doing it soon!

  • Sneakers2Sandals July 5, 2012, 8:09 am

    This is why I love blogging/bloggers…
    I’ve been feeling that while I make mostly healthy choices I’ve been doing things that have made me feel like poop lately but I do because it seems like a good idea in the moment (ie. eating too much sugar and drinking too much wine).

    Next time I start eating too much sugar or go for a glass of wine I’m going to think about this post 🙂

  • Dominique July 5, 2012, 11:04 am

    Hope you had a good fourth of July! I drink a cup of instant coffee in the morning and that’s about it. I drink it to decrease my chances of a migraine, something I stumbled upon earlier in the year, so before that, I had never been a coffee drinker. I like it but it’s not something I crave, probably because I only have one a morning.

  • Anne July 6, 2012, 8:17 pm

    The way you phrased out impulse to choose the unhealthy option was so simple and straight forward, I absolutely loved it!

  • Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See July 7, 2012, 10:10 pm

    Whoa super interesting! Since starting to work at a coffee shop, I have definitely been worse about this.

Previous post:

Next post:

Search The Blog

Read by Month:

Read by Topic:

Healthy Tipping Point