So, I haven’t mentioned this yet, but in February, I JOINED A NEW GYM! Thank goodness. Earlier this year, I was really complaining about my old gym. I was a little scrooge-like. My gym class challenge was fun, but I still wasn’t happy at the gym or feeling like I could zone out.

My new gym is pretty great. And the best part is…….

wait for it….

They have a POOL!

Whew, I can’t even tell you how nice it is to be able to swim again. Swimming is that one exercise for me that lets me zone out and completely lose myself. I work out all my problems while I’m swimming. I leave the pool feeling so relaxed and my whole body feels so stretch out.

I know some peopel feel like that from running, but swimming is my happy exericse. I try to get in at least one, hopefully two swims a week.

So the new gym has been nice. What’s your happy exercise? Best part of your gym?

Okay and now for an Operation Superfoods update.

I didn’t do as well this week and should have more checked off. Plus, I was away Thurs-Mon, so wasn’t able to find Superfoods.

Here are the ones I checked off this week:

• Acai
• Amaranth
• Apricots
• Artichoke
• Barley
• Beef, Lean
• Broccoli
• Buckwheat
• Cantaloupe
• Cardamom
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Cherries
• Cilantro/Coriander
• Cloves
• Cod
• Corn
• Cranberries

Barley, Crandberry, Red Onion and Kale salad. That’s w hole lotta superfoods in one!

• Cumin
• Currants
• Eggplant
• Elderberries
• Fennel
• Figs
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Goji Berries or Wolfberries
• Grapes
• Guava
• Halibut
• Hazelnuts
• Limes
• Maple Syrup
• Millet
• Mint
• Molasses, Blackstrap
• Olives & Olive Oil
• Passionfruit
• Pecans
• Pepper, Cayenne
• Pepper, Chili
• Persimmon
• Pineapple
• Pistachios
• Pomegranates
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Quinoa
• Romaine Lettuce
• Rosemary
• Rye
• Sardines
• Sesame
• Shrimp
• Spelt
• Strawberries

• Sunflower Seeds
• Swiss chard
• Tumeric
• Tuna
• Watermelon
• Whey protein

QUESTIONS:
–Where do I get Elderberries?
–Anyone cook with Amaranth? Recipes?
–What your favorite workout or the best part of your gym?

Work is so crazy this week. We’re moving offices and launching a “spring campaign” and it’s been go-go-go. It’s also been pouring rain pretty much non-stop, so it’s all quite a combo. Luckily, I’ve managed to do well on the exercise front and have def felt better because of it (sneaking in early morning and late night workouts to keep me sane).

Anyways, Happy What-I-Ate-Wednesday and Thanks for letting me be a part of it, Jenn!

7:30AM- Breakfast. Apple, HB egg, and Tall Sbucks Coffee with soy.

11:30AM- A very green Lunch. A salad with romaine, parsely, cilantro, and a pear on the side. I kept lunch light on purpose.

2pm: Snack. I had BIG plans to go to the brand new Yogurtland (we don’t have any nearby) for a giant snack this afternoon. But then the weirdest thing happened. I really didn’t feel hungry for yogurt at all. I felt like eating fats and something savory. Who am I? That never happens to me.

So, instead of my yogurt plans, I went with a nut mix and an iced coffee. This nut mix was great because I am still trying to check off my Operation SuperFoods List and so I made a combo of all the ones I’ve been missing. Hazelnuts and Pecans (which I don’t normally like much), Almonds (i can’t make s nut mix without them), Goji Berries (superfood), Currants (Superfood), and Carob chips (superfood too!). I also got an iced coffee with Hemp Milk.

Interesting fact too- see the table in the above photo? It was made out of recycled milk cartons. Neat! Recycle, people!

6pm: Dinner- A red quinoa and edamame salad that I picked up at the same store. It was really good.

Not the most photogenic and certainly not very exciting eats this week, but oh well.

And because I can never resist, a photo of my favorite furball chillin’ with his new toy, Barney.

Hope your day is going well!

- Has work been busy or slow this week?
- What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen made out of recylced materials?
- You recycle, RIGHT?
- Do you like Goji Berries? I wasn’t as big of a fan as I thought I’d be.

Surprise, surprise (ok, no surprise at all), I have a new favorite Green Smoothie combo!

In my effort to check all the 111 foods off my superfoods list, I bought frozen pineapple at Trader Joes this past weekend. And holy moly, I have been making the most delicious pineapple smoothies.

New favorite Pinapple-tastic Smoothie:

Frozen Spinach
Frozen Banana
Frozen Cut-Up Pineapple
Vanilla
Water
And…..
Blend away!! ***The pineapple took a little more blending time than some other fruits, fyi.

At work the other day, we were talking about smoothies and debating straw vs spoon. I’m DEFINITELY a straw girl. You?

Breakfast of champions. Notice how the pineapple makes the smoothie a pretty, bright green color!

I haven’t had pineapple since we were in Hawaii in December and I ate the entire thing by myself in 3 days. Frozen pineapple is my favorite TJ’s product of the week (though I could really just buy a fresh one, cut it up and freeze it myself- ha lazy girl).

Truth though– I’m not a fan of pineapple juice. You?

So just like my mango smoothie post, there are a lot of reasons why pineapple is a superfood that you should add into your smoothie. Fittingly, it’s also the start of pineapple season (March-June….so eat one this week!)

Pineapple display at the grocery store today!

Here are some fun pineapple facts:
from source and source

• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation. ***worm infestation? ewww
• Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and beta-carotene. So eat up and to fight off winter colds.
• It’s rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium.
• Speaking of magnese…..a cup of pineapple chunks contains 76 percent of your daily need for manganese, an essential mineral required for the synthesis of healthy bone and cartilage.
• The pineapple, native to Brazil, was taken to Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1493 after he found it on the island of Guadaloupe.

Okay, this is really random, but did anyone else take French in Middle School or High School and watch Telefrancias with the puppet character, Anana?? I had totally forgotten about it until I googled “pineapple” this morning. Loved that show!

So, you tell me:
– Smoothies with a straw or a spoon?
– What’s your favorite thing to put pineapple in? Pizza? Fried Rice?
– Do you already add pineapple to your smoothies?
– What language did you take in High School?

So, I have to be honest.  I’ve been in a bit….okay MORE than a bit…of a food rut lately.   I eat the same things over and over.  Salad.  Green Smoothie with Spinach and Blueberries.  Sweet Potatoes.  Almonds.

Sure, they’re healthy things, but I’m missing out on other important, vital nutrients.  Where’s the Kiwi?  The Pumpkin Seeds?  The And it’s just time to get out of the rut…spring is here afterall!  That’s as good as excuse as any.

So, to counter my rut, I’m on Operation Superfood.  I will eat as many superfoods in each meal as I can…..and not just the same superfoods over and over again, a variety of every kind there are.

What’s a Superfood?  I’m sure you all hear it tossed around, but to be brief, a superfood is a whole food that is loaded with extremely high nutritional values, and some of their chemicals have been found to reduce the effect of certain disease processes.

Yes, blueberries are a superfood.  You get a lot of bang for your buck in one of those little guys!

Last week's blueberry raspberry smoothie.

I got a Superfood list off the internet the other day.  It’s a list of 111 “Superfoods” (some which I was surprised at and not sure I believe– Cheese?  A superfood?), but regardless, have been on a quest to cross them all off the list.

The Superfoods List is really long, so I put it at the end of the post (but I thought that it was better to have it all in one place).

So to start Operation Superfood:  When I was at the grocery store Wednesday night, I searched through the veggie aisle and only picked things I HADN’T eaten in the past few days (it’s been a long time since Swiss Chard HASN’T been in my cart, but time to move on to Mustard Greens, I guess).

And so far, so good. My days have been Superfood variety heavy.  And there’s nothing about Operation Superfood that could possible be bad for me…..so here we go.

Case in point– Dinner the other night:

Beets, Sweet Potato, Kale, and Asparagus....Superfoods galore

The Superfoods List is really long, so I put it at the end of the post (but I thought that it was better to have it all in one place).

I put a “X” next to the ones I’ve eated this week.  Please ignore the weird numbering system…..it just autonumbered after each pic and I couldn’t fix it.

1. Acai (antioxidants, omega-9 fats)
2. Almonds X (protein and fiber)
3. Amaranth      (highest protein in any grain)
4. Apples   X   (vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients)
5. Apricots      (vitamin A and beta-carotene)
6. Artichoke      (vitamin C, fiber, minerals, silymarin, 7^th out of top 100      antioxidant foods)
7. Asparagus  X    (C and B vitamins, antioxidants)
8. Avocados  X    (monounsaturated fat & other nutrients)
9. Bananas X (vitamins C & B6, fiber, potassium)
10. Barley      (fiber, vitamins & minerals)
11. Basil     X  (antioxidants)

Basil & Grapefruit.....two superfoods that I rarely ever eat entered my cart (and my belly) this week!

1. Beans  X    (protein and fiber)
2. Beef, Lean      (protein, B vitamins, selenium and zinc)
3. Beets     X  (phytonutrients, carotenoids)
4. Blackberries   X   (antioxidants, vitamin C, phytochemicals)
5. Blueberries X (antioxidants, phytochemicals)
6. Broccoli      (vitamin and beta-carotene, cancer-fighting compounds)
7. Buckwheat      (fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, manganese)
8. Cabbage  X    (vitamin C, fiber)
9. Cantaloupe      (beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, fiber)

Purple cabbage....why don't I eat this more often? sooo good! With leeks and yes, a sweet potato

1. Cardamom      (antioxidants, fights H. pylori bacteria)
2. Carob    X  (fiber, protein, minerals, antioxidants)
3. Carrots   X   (carotene, fiber, vitamins & minerals)
4. Cauliflower      (fiber, vitamin C, biotin, folate, phytochemical)
5. Celery      (vitamin A, minerals)
6. Cheese, low-fat   X   (calcium, protein)
7. Cherries      (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals)
8. Cilantro/Coriander      (phytonutrients, minerals)
9. Cinnamon X     (antioxidants, minerals)
10. Cloves      (vitamins C & K, minerals, fiber, eugenol)
11. Cod      (protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins)
12. Collard greens   X   (antioxidants, vitamin C, beta-carotene, minerals)
13. Corn      (fiber, vitamins, phytochemicals)
14. Cranberries      (vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients)
15. Cumin      (iron, lowers blood-glucose)
16. Currants      (vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants)
17. Eggplant      (minerals, fiber, flavonoids)
18. Eggs X (high protein vitamins B and D)
19. Elderberries      (high vitamin C, flavonoids, antioxidants)
20. Fennel      (fiber, potassium, vitamin C, phytochemicals)
21. Figs      (high fiber, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidents)
22. Flaxseeds  X    (omega-3 fats, fiber, lignans)
23. Garlic      (phytochemicals)
24. Ginger      (antioxidants)
25. Goji Berries or Wolfberries (beta-carotene and zeaxanthin)
26. Grapefruit  X    (vitamin C minerals, phytonutrients)
27. Grapes      (vitamin C, potassium, resveratrol)
28. Guava      (vitamins C & A, fiber potassium, phytochemicals)
29. Halibut      (protein, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids)
30. Hazelnuts (protein, fiber, antioxidants, folate)
31. Honey  X (trace enzymes, minerals, amino acids, flavonoids,      antioxidants, prebiotic)
32. Kale    X  (nutrient dense, vitamins, minerals, folate, phytochemicals, lutein)
33. Kiwi    X  (nutrient dense vitamin C, lutein)
34. Lemons  X    (vitamin C, limonene and other flavonoids)
35. Limes      (powerful phytochemicals, antioxidants)
36. Mangoes X  (vitamins A, C and K, potassium, carotenes)
37. Maple Syrup      (manganese, zinc)
38. Millet      (fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids)
39. Mint      (antioxidants, vitamins, minerals)
40. Molasses, Blackstrap      (calcium, iron and other minerals)
41. Mushrooms  X     (selenium, B vitamins, potassium vitamin D)
42. Oats X (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, fiber)
43. Olives & Olive Oil (monounsaturated fat, polyphenols are antioxidants)
44. Onions    X  (flavonoids quercetin is antioxidant, other phytochemicals)
45. Oranges  X    (potassium, vitamin C, folate, phytochemicals)
46. Oregano  X    (strong antioxidants carotenoids)
47. Papaya      (vitamins C &A, carotenoids)
48. Parsley      (vitamin C, iodine, iron, phytochemicals)
49. Passionfruit      (vitamin A & C, potassium, calcium, iron, phytochemicals)
50. Peanuts  X     (resveratol and other antioxidants)
51. Pears    X  (vitamin C, potassium, fiber antioxidants)
52. Pecans   (thiamine, magnesium, protein, fiber, antioxidants, oleic acid)
53. Pepper, Black  X    (improves digestion, antioxidant, antibacterial)
54. Pepper, Cayenne      (capsaicin, beta-carotene, thermogenesis)
55. Pepper, Chili      (vitamins A & C, potassium, iron, capsaicin)
56. Peppers   X   (vitamin C, beat-carotene & B vitamins flavonoids, capsaicinoids)
57. Persimmon      (vitamin A, C, and fiber, antioxidants, minerals)
58. Pineapple      (vitamins C & B6, manganese,, copper, anti-inflammatory bromelain)
59. Pistachios      (fiber, protein, potassium, phytosterols)
60. Plums/Prunes  X    (fiber, potassium, vitamin K, iron, antioxidants)
61. Pomegranates      (vitamin C, antioxidants, polyphenol)
62. Potatoes      (vitamin C, potassium, antioxidants)
63. Poultry, Chicken & Turkey  X (protein, niacin, selenium)
64. Pumpkin (fiber, potassium, vitamin A, beta-carotenes)
65. Pumpkin seeds    X  (omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols)

Goodby almonds-- I ate pumpkin seeds for a workday snack this week

1. Quinoa      (more protein than any other grain, iron, vitamins)
2. Raisins     X  (phytonutrients, boron)
3. Raspberries  X    (fiber, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin C, antioxidants)
4. Rice, Brown    X  (antioxidants, vitamins, minerals)
5. Romaine Lettuce      (vitamins A & C folic acid, minerals)
6. Rosemary      (antioxidants)
7. Rye      (fiber, lignans, vitamins and minerals)
8. Salmon X (omega-3 fatty acids)
9. Sardines      (omega-3 fatty acids, calcium)
10. Sesame      (lignans, phytosterols)
11. Shrimp      (protein, selenium, vitamins D and B12, omega-3 fatty acids)
12. Spelt      (B vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein)
13. Spinach  X    (fiber, folate, vitamin K, minerals)
14. Strawberries      (vitamin C, folate, potassium, fiber, antioxidants)
15. Sunflower Seeds      (Vitamin E, folate, minerals, phytosterols)
16. Sweet Potatoes   X   (Vitamin A and beta-carotene, minerals, fiber)
17. Swiss chard      (fiber, vitamins A, C & K)
18. Tea    X  (flavonoids)
19. Tomatoes X (vitamin C, potassium phytosterols, beta-carotene      lycopene)
20. Tumeric      (vitamins, minerals, antioxidant curcumin)
21. Tuna      (protein, minerals, vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids)
22. Walnuts  X (omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, minerals)
23. Watermelon      (lycopene)
24. Whole Wheat    X  (antioxidants, vitamins)
25. Whey protein      (amino acids)
26. Yogurt    X  (calcium, probiotic)

So, I’m up to 46 this week!  And the list will help me figure out which ones to buy next week.  I’m hoping to get to all 111 by the end of the first week of April….and then I guess I’ll start the list all over again!

How about YOU?  How many have you had in the past week?  Which ones do you eat really often?  Which ones do you never eat?