A Hike Through the Forest

On Mondays it is my light cardio day. I have taken to getting outdoors on this day to be with nature, it is a way to connect with my spirituality. My husband and I bought our home in a woodland filled with big old tall trees nestled along the Credit River. We are able to leave our front door and in 2 minutes be surrounded by nature much like it was hundreds of years ago. We like to bring our young bull terrier pup, Declan on our hikes. He is beginning to build his stamina, he is our 3rd bull terrier to join us on our discovery hikes.

Today, I layered up do to milder weather conditions, put on my running shoes good for mud and poor terrain and off we went for our discovery adventure. Today we were off to cross over the river to the other side and onto another trail that would lead us to the remains of a Bird Sanctuary. Known as the Birdman of Mississauga, Roy Ivor cared for birds in the Credit Valley long before we became residents. http://cawthra-bush.org/THE_PLAYERS/Roy_Ivor_-_Bernice_Inman-Emery_Mississauga.htm#more_complete_history My husband and I love history and are eager to learn of the history in our new home of Erindale. 

It took us close to an hour and a half to find the bird sanctuary site. It is unmarked however there is the original fire place from the cottage still standing to some degree. You can see the footprint of the cottage. As I walked around I found a dead raccoon that had come to the tree by were the cottage had been. It was said the Roy Ivor's had some 20 raccoons who would come visit him at the sanctuary. I suppose the raccoon knew where to come for its final breath. A few steps from the cottage where there would have been grass at some point there were little white crocus patches coming up. A nice sign of new life and spring.

I love hiking because you are free to choose where you wish to hike. You can choose to go up large steep hills, old paths that haven't been well traveled for years or stick to the well traveled paths if you prefer. My husband and I are adventurers, almost always finding a new path or trail each hike. 3 hours later we were on our street again ready to have a healthy lunch and a nice glass of water. What a wonderful way to spend the first day of March Break and get my exercise in too.

1 Week Under My Feet

The feeling of holding an olympic barbell in hand is like no other. This past week I dove into my training. Regaining form, muscles, movement, energy, strength and along with many other benefits. Most of the week was spent with sore and aching muscles as I forced them to wake up from an unexpected sleep. I did however regain my momentum and my muscle soreness is settling down now as they are remembering what they are meant to do.

I developed a remedy for my muscle soreness which has worked quite well. First of all you need to warm up your muscles before exercise for 7 to 10 minutes. A dynamic warmup or treadmill walking will do a good job. You also need to stretch out the muscles you used for your various exercises for 20 seconds after your workout. Consider this part of your training. 

What I did this week to help with soreness was make sure I drank a great deal of water or green tea daily. At any point where I was sitting in the house I made sure to have a warm blanket over the sore muscle areas. I also made sure I was in bed before 10 p.m. even though my energy was much greater this week. My bedtime routine is key to my muscle soreness remedy. I took a cal/mag supplement before bed, made sure I had warm bed clothes on, when aching was at its worst I rubbed on Tiger balm and I went to bed with a heating pad on the sorest muscles for 1 hour. 

I also am enjoying my recovery time, having a nice bubble bath with eucalyptus epsom salts on Sunday afternoon does wonders for the muscles. I love my muscles and soreness is letting me know that I doing good by them right now. I am off for my bubble bath now. I hope you take some time for yourself today.

Be STRONG

Miss Jane

Jane Trains Home Gym

I have had a few people ask me what type of exercise I do, therefore I decided to share my home gym with you. When Brandon my husband and I bought our first house (this house) I stood in the basement with a grey concrete floor, white painted cinder block walls and high ceilings. I was dumbfounded, I new upon my first step that this was where our home gym would be. Brandon was calling me from probably the kitchen (his favourite room) and I couldn't move as I had just found the perfect place for our home gym. My dream was coming true, a home gym to keep healthy, fit and strong.

 This is where Jane Trains. 

 

Brandon and I love our power rack. We knew that we would get good use out of it and how to use it, it was our main purchase when setting up our home gym. We also purchased an Olympic barbell and weights to go with our power rack. This was so exciting for us. I get excited just writing about it as I remember the feeling all too well.

We had our Sole treadmill in our living room in our rental flat from a few years back when Brandon was trying to heal after a car accident. If you buy any equipment for your home gym make sure you WILL use it and that it is of good QUALITY. Go to a reputable fitness supply store. In Ontario, Canada we use The Treadmill Factory often as it is just around the corner from our house and we have had good customer service from their staff.  

When we first began training we used free weights, changing the plates to accommodate different weights for different exercises. We lived in a rental flat and did our training in our living room, this worked well for the space. Free weights are good for many exercises when strengthening training. However, once I had the olympic barbell in my possession I wanted it in my hands when I was training, it just feels so good.

My training involves a lot of heavy lifting and conditioning. It is training that gets results, empowers me and gives me strength. Most of all I love it! I am so excited to get back on track to meet my bench press goals and dead lifting goals once again. I am inching to outdo my personal bests. It is important to have long term goals when training so you always have something to work towards, a focus and maybe even a dream. I am planning in the next while to get using my pink 25 lb kettlebells in my training also. I will share my goals with you over the next few weeks, I expect that I will be blown away by my results as I get back into training.

Before setting up a home gym you need to know what YOU want from it. What is YOUR favourite type of exercise ? How much space do you have ? Luckily we knew exactly what we wanted in our home gym, we had the space for what we wanted and we were able to buy it for our new home. Now all I need to do is getting training again and "BE STRONG".

The Day I Have Been Waiting For

There were many times over the past year that I had a talk with myself, wondering when I would be able to get back training again. I knew that I would because I am a positive and determined person. The real question became WHEN ???? Thankfully I have a great deal of patience because I needed it. Today marks the end of my long patient wait, today is the WHEN day!

After some serious thought into how I would begin my journey back to fitness I came to some conclusions. 

1. I have to manage stress as I continue to heal and get well.


2. I must slowly get back into training.

3. I needed a professional to guide me through this journey.


What does this mean? Managing stress means I need to train from my awesome home gym and not be running around trying to make it to appointments. Slowly getting back into training means I needed to find someone who understood that I was still getting well as I work with my Naturopathic Doctor.  A professional meant I needed a trainer to guide me in this journey who could train me online to get me to where I want to be in the next few months. 


When I began training a few years ago I watched a video of an awesome young woman working out. I told myself and everyone around me at the time that I wanted to be like her ! I met her on several occasions and was so envious that she was able to train with the strongmen doing implement training. We connected online and have stayed in touch. Throughout my long months of illness I found her to be a great support from her posted videos of her and her clients pulling trucks and heavy lifting. Thankfully I could live through watching others do what I longed to do. She too has had her own issues with food intolerance and allergies. We seem to be the perfect match as I begin my new chapter of my life. 

Today I am having her over to look at our home gym, talk about my goals and begin to write up a program for me to follow. My husband Brandon has generously offered to make us a super healthy gluten and allergy free meal for all of us. Until then I would like to introduce to you Jennifer Mulhall, personal trainer who will be doing distance coaching with me.

Soon this will be a video of me, although I will need a little more patience for that. I will be posting today's events to mark this exciting day. Until then "Be Strong".

Miss Jane Meets The Gluten Gorilla

For years, I have been wondering what was going on inside of my body. I ate extremely well, used good quality supplements, followed a great training program and there was something that had a hold inside of me that I couldn't put my finger on.

It would show up occasionally over the years in the form of flu like systems, although I usually never had vomiting or diarrhea. I would usually describe it as fighting a bug in my system, I must have the flu! What was odd about this is I only ever used to get sick from my allergies and that was it. This type of flu bug seemed to be changing that. For the last 9 months or longer, I have been walking around feeling like I am fighting a flu bug and it continually worsened.

I learned that I had a Gluten Gorilla inside of me. He was very strong and powerful. My ND concluded that it is her belief that I have a SEVERE gluten intolerance. I now have a reason for what what happening inside my body and it is remedied by cutting out all gluten from my lifestyle. I am back in control again, no more trying to figure out what is wrong. See below a diagram of what was really going on inside my stomach as well as the 2nd diagram of what my stomach looks like now after only 4 weeks of living a gluten free lifestyle.

The top diagram shows gluten in the stomach and this is what it looks like. Imagine how it feels. The bottom diagram shows a normal digestive system gluten free or a person who tolerates gluten.

Many people out there are trying to get stronger, healthier, leaner. If you have a digestion problem no matter how positive your attitude, clean your eating, good your supplements are you might not be getting the results you are looking for. I suggest finding a Naturopath who specializes in Food Sensitivities and begin finding out what could be holding you back. Once you have the answer, you  can take your health back. Perserverence, determination, intuitiveness and strength will free you like it did me, to conquer all your goals.

Find out what Miss Jane does to tame The Gluten Gorilla inside of her. And so begin the adventures of Miss Jane versus The Gluten Gorilla. Please join me at my new blog The Gluten Gorilla. http://theglutengorilla.blogspot.com/

My Christmas present to myself was getting my health back . My husband Brandon Steen's Christmas present to me was my very own painting of Miss Jane vs The Gluten Gorilla. http://www.brandonsteenart.com/

 

With my health in control who knows what I will conquer as I create new goals and continue my pursuit to "Be Strong" on Jane Trains in 2012.

Is that light I see?

As I sit here now with my body aching and throbbing from head to toe, severely exhausted with zero energy, a foggy unclear head, and an extremely over reactive stomach. I reflect on this last year of poor health. It might be hard to believe but I can finally see the light at the other side of this horrible health roller coaster I have been riding on for almost a year now. 

What exactly have I been feeling like that has kept me from my life in 2011. Here it is:

Bloating, gas and/or abdominal pain  

Failure to thrive

Fatigue or general weakness

Flatulence

Fluid retention

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Headaches and migraines
Heartburn

Irritability or behavior changes  

Itchy skin rash         
Joint pain  

Keratosis Pilaris     
Muscle weakness

Nausea

No obvious physical symptoms (just fatigue, overall not feeling well)

Pallor (unhealthy pale appearance)

PMS

Vertigo

Voracious appetite

Weight gain

As I read my fitness journal from March 5th, 2011. I wrote, " I have been exhausted for the past 2 months and have not been able to put my mind to anything." Which has now turned into almost 12 months. People don't understand what is wrong with a person suffering like this because they can't see your symptoms. It gets to the point where you don't even talk about it and most people around you don't even know your not feeling well. Those that are close to you can see it because the time you spend with them is usually compromised by having to lie down or sharing time with the zombie form of what used to be their loved one. My supporting husband Brandon Steen can attest to this.

In May 2011, I asked my doctor for one final blood test to see if I had a gluten allergy. One of the other blood tests my doctor had me do was a condition that fed off gluten. I stopped consuming gluten and began to feel somewhat better. However, the test was negative and the $75.00 I had to pay for the test was gone. Seeing as I supposedly wasn't allergic to gluten I continued to consume various whole grains as part of my healthy diet.

Here I am months later with the same issues, trying to experience what little of life that I can. In my first meeting with my new Naturopath, Jen Newell ND http://newellnd.ca/ we discussed gluten allergies and celiac disease. A week later which is this Thursday I will be tested for celiac disease, begin a detox and be treated with accupuncture. I believe greatly in preventative medicine because treating the symptoms will begin to heal the whole body.

It should be noted I stopped mindfully eating gluten for 6 meals and I felt significantly better. However, to accurately test for celiac I must have gluten in my system. When I began eating gluten on Saturday night, I began to ache immediately, developed mucus, joints became sore, eyes got blurry, energy drained, exhaustion set in. I spent the next day and a half in bed. I had taken 2 days off work to try to gain enough energy to make it through the rest of the week teaching. The truth is I am so irritable from the constant discomfort I can't even begin to think of tolerating children and other adults around me. If I sat at a desk job it would be better but I am certain I would fall asleep.

I have accepted that no matter what my results to my test, I will not eat gluten probably for the rest of my life. This is a whole other blog which I am sure I will write about one day. Being Gluten Free can make it very difficult to socialize with people and eat out at restaurants, however it is a small price to pay to have my life back.

Some of you may wonder why I share this on Jane Trains. The answer is simple. If you don't have your health you don't have life. Most people don't understand what it is like to try to find enough energy and willpower to make it through a day of work, just to go home in utter exhaustion. Someone might say to me I should exercise and it will give you energy. The simple truth is I don't have the energy to exercise. I barely have the energy to stand up out of bed in the morning, walking like an 80 year old woman with my plantar faciitis and force myself to go to a job that requires my constant attention.

I write this to all those who want to exercise daily in the worst possible way. You know how great it makes you feel and look but simply don't have the health to do it. Make sure you take care of your health first, once you have your health then your can have your exercise too. I will share my results with you and my journey back to health in the next coming days all with the hope that I will be sharing training tips with you again soon.

I suppose in reflection "Be Strong" had a significantly different meaning for 2011 than what I had planned for it to mean.

It's a Newell day for Jane

For months I have been focused on trying to feel just well enough so that I can get some training back into my life. Last weekend I woke up and my focus changed. My perspective was altered and I decided I needed to get my health back, period.

How do I get my health back? Simple answer, I found a new Naturopathic Doctor. My former ND moved out of province and I moved to the city of Mississauga, leaving me without my most valuable health care provider. Since moving, finding a new ND has been on my list of things to do. Last week I decided I had to finalize my decision and I did that by settling on the ND who knows food sensitivities best! 

Jen Newell ND, was chosen to be my new most valuable health care provider. http://newellnd.ca/ Thursday of this week I met with my new ND, who will be working with me to regain my health. If you have never been to an Naturopathic Doctor, it is like nothing you have ever experienced. Your first visit is at least 1 and 1/2 hours. Prior to your visit you will fill out an extremely detailed questionnaire focusing on your whole medical history. Seeing as I am so in tune with my body I was able to connect with my ND prior to our initial consult to let her know my symptoms as well as shedding some light on who I am with my blog. 

The more in touch you are with your body the better as you will give greater insight into what is really going on inside your body. It has come to be my belief that people need to learn how to read their bodies. Too many people go to their family doctor, come away with little to no answers and simply accept what the doctor says.

After countless trips to my family doctor this past spring, 5 blood tests later and no clear diagnosis of what was wrong with me, my doctor said he was "stumped". He didn't know what was wrong with me and there was no more that he could do for me and  9 months later I am still unwell.

If I chose to ignore what I was feeling or if I was simply not in touch with my own body to realize that there was something wrong, I believe this could have turned into a disease that could possibly become terminal if left diagnosed or untreated. It is my belief that most people end up going to the doctor to late when the health issue is at its worst as opposed to early on when the health issue is in the initial stages and highly treatable. When my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer he was already at stage four and it had gone into his bones, it was believed he had probably had his cancer for several years. He was not in touch with his body like I am and didn't go to see his doctor until he was really feeling unwell. Unfortunately he lost his fight with cancer in March 2011.

By being preventative with our health and in touch with our bodies you can catch a health issue before it becomes more serious and potently fatal. My health issue is now being treated and I will restore my body to its strong balanced state in a matter of time. I truly recommend that if you are unwell you should find a local Naturopathic Doctor to assist you in your journey to better health. 

Once my health is strong I will be back on the Jane Train. I look forward to sharing that journey with you as we go into the New Year.

Back On Track Again With A Weekend Detox

 

 
Day 1

On Waking
One cup of warm lemon or lime water (we use a delicious Italian organic variety in a bottle)
One cup of flax seed broth
(Boil water and pour over 2 tbsp. of flax seeds the night before your detox)

Why? These drinks clear out your bowels and digestive system. Be prepared you may need to run to the washroom.

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk. (You can have your kids or pets along on this one)

Why? To get your metabolism fires burning. Just like a car on a cold winters morning, you need to get yourself going.

Breakfast
Large Fruit Salad Berry Compote

1/2 small tub of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries Why? Berries are good for your liver. Nourishing the liver is key for detoxification.

Large Fruit Salad Berry Compote

1 cup of Nettle tea

Why? Nettle tea is an astringent, expectorant, anti-inflammatory tonic and diuretic. To find more out about this tea check out this link.  

http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/nettle.html

Mid-Morning
Fruit Juice
1/2 a pineapple or more passed through a juicer
If you don’t have a juicer you can buy juice but make sure it is pure pineapple juice. Brandon uses a Vitamix, the same kind the juicing bars use, it's powerful and with a little added water it will give you a pulpy juice.

http://www.vitamix.com/

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk.

Lunch
Warm Detox Broth

Warm Detox Broth

6 carrots
2 large white potatoes
4 radishes
2 turnips
1 cup parsley
4 celery stocks
1 clove garlic

Add 2.5 litres of water and let simmer for 2 hours. Try and use organic ingredients if you can. Only drink the broth. You will need some for dinner on Day 1 and  2.

Why? The broth is easy for digestion.

Detox Sprout Salad

100 g of organic mung bean sprouts
40g celery finely sliced
40g of cabbage, shredded
Squeeze of lemon juice
herbs to season

Detox Sprout Salad

Mid-Afternoon
Vegetable Juice

6 carrots
1 cucumber
2 celery stalks
1/4 onion

We blend this in our Vitamix and add ice.

1 cup of Nettle tea

Dinner
Detox Broth (see lunch) with Raw Paté with Sprouts 

Serves 2

2 tbsp of torn fresh basil
6 tbsp roughly chopped sprouts
200g whole almonds, soaked
1 tbsp. chopped coriander
75g pine nuts
2 tbsp of lemon juice
1 garlic clove

1. Place ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Roll around into balls, then pat them down into sprouts outside.

 
Before Bed 
soak flaxseeds in hot water overnight

1 cup of warm water with lemon



Day 2

On Waking
One cup of warm lemon or lime water
One cup of flax seed broth

Warm Lemon Water

Exercise
Take a 2o minute brisk walk.

Breakfast

1 cup of Nettle Tea
 
Fruit Smoothie
2 peaches
2 plums
2 pears
1 scoop protein powder
with water mixed in our Vitamix

Juicy Detox Smoothie

Lunch

Juicy Detox Smoothie
6 carrots
1 celery
1 ripe avocado
1 apple
squeeze of lemon or lime
8 basil leaves


All placed in the Vita Mix and it will do the rest.

Dinner
Detox Broth with Detox Sprout Salad (see Day 1)
We prefer to change this soup and salad up and make it different because we are used to a lot of variety in our meals and food.


Before Bed
Drink a cup of warm water with lemon and enjoy the benefits of the weekend.

This detox is based on one we have been doing for years by an British woman, Gillian McKeith. We are very pleased with the results we get when using her detox and clean eating program. 


http://www.gillianmckeith.info/ 

Detox Results
I am feel free of aches and pains, no lies. My mind is clear and as free as the big blue sky. Best of all my energy levels gradually improved throughout the weekend. I am all ready to conquer a good week of training and start to see some awesome results. Most of all I look forward to a great sleep tonight and some solid food tomorrow. We are having oatmeal in the morning, oh how I will enjoy that first meal of the day. 

Can I hear a Yee-haw? I know I have inspired two of my girlfriends to detox, I hope I inspire you too. Please share your experiences, I love hearing other peoples stories.


Until next time "Be Strong",

Miss Jane

Twinkle Toes

Today I went for an Active Recovery workout by the Credit River with my handsome Brandon and big boy puppy Declan. As we were walking I realized that my training shoes needed to be replaced. My shoes no longer supported my feet properly and I was unable to walk without pronating in my trainers.

I the past year and a half I developed a very painful and uncomfortable condition known as Plantar Fasciitis. It is a foot condition which makes daily life very painful when you are on feet most of the day as a Kindergarten Teacher. The tissues on the bottom of the feet are stretched and pulled. As a result the heel feels sharp shard like pains when you stand on your feet and walk around, much like nails being driven up your heel as you step down. It is particularly difficult in the morning when first walking on your feet. Your feet don't stretch or move properly as a result.

see Pronation diagram

I made an appointment with my local Podiatrist Jessica who assessed my feet and made me orthotics to correct my pronation on a negative angle. After a few weeks of trying the new orthotics in my shoes, I went back and Jessica covered them for me. Look how awesome they are! I use them in shoes that don't give me proper support. At other times I wear very good footwear such as Birkenstocks, Clarks and Doc Martens. I was very pleased when Jessica informed me that my orthotics were needed to conitnue wearing my colourful collection of Converse that I love so much. It is very important that I support my feet at all times to lesson discomfort in my feet. When I am at home I wear a pair of Birkenstocks at all times in the house, in fact I put them on immediately when I get up from bed after doing some foot exercises.

Miss Jane's orthotics

If you are starting a training program I recommend getting yourself a new pair of shoes that support your feet well. Today I went to an Adidas Outlet store and got 2 pairs of shoes for less than the price of one. If your not into trends and having the most recent fad this is a great way to save money on footwear. Foot discomfort is not your friend, I suggest you visit your local Podiatrist and get your feet looked after if you are experiencing problems with your feet. I am so happy to have my foot problem under control so I can get back training again. Check out my new training gear. Can I hear a Yee-haw?

My new matching tanks to train in, Walmart rocks for training gear.

Treat your body well and "Be Strong",

Miss Jane

The Jane Train Derailed

What happened? The answer is life. 

My father lost his 3 year fight with prostate cancer, my dog developed a brain tumor and we had to say goodbye to him, my step father in law passed away and my step grandmother passed away all in a 2 month period of time. During the same time as my father’s death I was ill but cared for my father in the hospital during his last few days.

I have suffered from allergies my whole life. However in the past few years I have begun to suffer from food allergies. In March, the week before my father went into the hospital for the last time, my digestive system became overstressed and took a turn for the worse. At the same time I contracted a virus that gave me a bacteria in my stomach that would not leave. I never knew the stomach could bloat so much and be so uncomfortable. This derailed the Jane Train for weeks that turned into months.

The gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) has its own nervous system which when compromised causes many symptoms and ailments. Altogether these symptoms shut down your body making daily life a struggle and you become exhausted just trying to make it through a normal day of work. Unfortunately, blood tests don’t give you the answers you are looking for when you are suffering through this problem. In fact, 4 blood tests later and too many doctor’s appointments to remember, my doctor was stumped. His only option left was to send me to a Gastrointestinal specialist. I was too exhausted to go down this route at this time. 

I once again took the most natural route to solve my problem and began to work on an elimination diet and implemented supplements to support the stomach and digestion. It has led me down the path of very strict eating being mindful of many of the foods that irritate the digestive symptoms such as wheat, corn, soy, dairy. This is not new for me but this time I know exactly what I need to do, why I need to do it and what I will gain from this over the next few months.

I have been suffering from tension headaches for a few weeks and have just come through a few days of bad headaches. I believe it was the last few toxins leaving my body. In the past I have used acupuncture and massage to assist in ridding myself from toxins, this time I tried to manage it on my own.

What you learn from these experiences in life is to accept “limitations”. Limitations mean taking out many of the things in life you enjoy because you simply can’t do them. It means you basically put life on hold until you can get yourself back to the point where you can start it up again.

I have finally after 7 months got to the point where I can start it up again. My body has been under a great deal of stress over these past months as this is one of the ways the GI tract reacts to bacteria and sensitivities the digestive system. Stress is dreadful for the body.

Over the next few months I will share with you some of the things I am doing to get myself back on the Jane Train. I will have to make some new goals as I won’t have the right amount of time to train before the new year. What I will need to put in these next few months is hardcore training and clean eating to start to see the results I am looking for. The commitment, determination and focus needed to accomplish these results will put all those limitations well behind me.

I have begun a 6 day a week training routine, 4 days of strength training with a fat burning focus, 2 days of cardio training. With an extremely clean eating meal plan this will begin to develop into some results I will be happy to see. Tomorrows workout is hill sprints with cardio focus at the toboggan hill. We have some good fall weather to keep me feeling refreshed during my workout. I am glad to have my training buddy with me the famous Brandon Steen. He is in charge of our eating plan and makes all our meals and snacks for us. This weekend is a detox, just to get rid of those last few nasty toxins. Thankfully Brandon will take care of our detox weekend meals.

Look for some of my training routines, clean eating recipes and lots of good inspiration to come in the next few weeks.

Jane Trains 10 Clean Eating Tips

I have been practicing the clean eating principles for a few years now. If you put effort into exercising then you need to put effort into eating clean. It helps greatly that I have a wonderful person Brandon Steen who loves to cook and prepare meals for me. However, he follows the clean eating principles too. Some of my clean eating principles are due to food allergies but many people without food allergies follow the same principles. What does clean eating mean to me? 

Jane Trains 10 Clean Eating Tips

1. My morning starts with warm water and lemon. My grandfather practiced this and I have adopted it. Cleans out the system!

2. Eat a good balanced breakfast such a protein shake with homemade almond milk (we have a Vita Mix so we use filtered water and raw almonds and blend it as we make the smoothie), Vega protein powder (made from peas and hemp), cod liver oil (lemon flavour), frozen fruit, spinach or sprouts. I take my protein shake with me to work and drink it while I am getting ready for a busy day in a kindergarten classroom. On the weekend we often have fresh fruit, eggs, oatmeal or a whole grain toast with some organic all natural nut butter.
Jane Trains tip: I NEVER EVER miss a breakfast, it is the only way to start to a good day.

Fresh summer salad with mint from our garden

3. I enjoy my green tea in the morning sipping it on my way to work as I drive the highway into Toronto and then finishing it calmly as my kindergarten students are quietly reading on the carpet at the beginning of the day.

I love my teas!

4. Snacks between meals are very important to keep the metabolism going. They are also important to teach young children the principles of healthy eating, when my students have snack I sit down and have snack. This is one of the only times you will see this kindergarten teacher sitting during the day. My morning snack is usually fruit with cheese or sunflower seed butter (no nuts at school is really hard for my healthy eating plan). My afternoon snack is often vegetables with homemade bean dip. 
Jane Trains tip: I always pack at least 2 snacks, you never know when you many need one.

4. Eat a good size lunch as you still have most of the day to use all the nutrients. My lunch always is a large salad full of a variety of vegetables with homemade oil and vinegar dressing (I keep a bottle of salad dressing at work), and a serving size of a lean protein source (chicken, fish or eggs) and occasionally a healthy grain such as brown rice, spelt pasta or quinoa. I try to save my carb intake for after a strength training workout and that usually is after I get home from work. Jane Trains tip: I always bring my lunch to work, I never go out for lunch, pick up lunch or skip lunch.

One of Brandon's awesome salads with fresh figs

This was my birthday salad and it was delicious.

5. Everyday I take a extra large reusable bottle of water (40 0z), you can tell it is used daily from the dents and scratches on my bottle. It is harder in the winter to drink as much water. On warm days in the early summer at work when the classroom is a steam bath I take 2 extra large bottles and have to slow down at the end of the day to make sure I don't run out of water before home time. Sometimes when I am at home on the weekends, I will fill my water bottle making sure I drink it all if I think I may not be getting my daily consumption of water.
Jane Trains tip: I never leave home without my water bottle filled.

6. Dinner is always awesome as it is created with love by non other than Brandon Steen. Always consisting of a protein source with another good size salad and sometimes a healthy grain. This meal often becomes my lunch for the next day. I usually end my day with an herbal tea after dinner. My favourite herbal tea is peppermint, it is a nice way to soothe the stomach and relax at the end of a long day.
Jane Trains tip: I try not to eat after 7 p.m.

A healthy dinner of fresh Ontario yellow beans, simple salad and organic meat with blueberry compote

7. I don't consume: processed or prepared foods, fast food of any kind, junk food, white flour and most wheat flours (allergic to wheat), sugar or any sugary drinks including most juice (allergic to sugar), dairy (except for goat milk and cheese as I am allergic to dairy), soy products (allergic to soy), caffeine (exceptions can be made), more then one alcoholic drink a week (and it is usually one a month)


8. I always make sure that our fridge and cupboards are full of good healthy foods from our awesome grocery store Michael-Angelos. Remember to buy your foods along the outer walls of the grocery store (fruits and veggies) and less on the inner shelves (this is where the processed foods are housed). We always have something healthy we can eat that is made by us and we know exactly what we are putting into our bodies. We aren't consuming chemicals and preservatives, I won't eat something that has words I can't pronounce. 
Jane Trains tip: The money you spend to go out to restaurants can give you a nicely stocked kitchen from your favourite grocery store or health food shop.

Brandon always has it stocked.

9. I only eat organic meats and have for many many years. I was a vegetarian over 15 years ago but that didn't work well for me health wise. When I began eating meat again I only ate organics and have never gone back. There is a huge difference in the taste and texture and the life experience of the animal that you are consuming. I don't eat meat outside of my home and I am happy to have had amazing butchers in the cities I have lived in. I recommend you find a local butcher and begin buying meat from the butcher shop.  
Jane Trains tip: Protein is important to the body especially for muscle growth, eat organic meat.

Organic meat prepared for dinner with fresh herbs for seasoning.

10. You are probably asking if I ever have anything as a treat? I learned an awesome tip from my trainer. I picked a day which is Friday for me and I have a treat. Nothing too big just sometimes I like a small bowl of potato chips (simple chips made with potato, canola oil and some salt) or a nice piece of dark chocolate, sometimes a beer or red wine. I follow this like my religion and if I need to plan for an event then I alter my treat day. 
Jane Trains tip: Pick a day of the week and make it your day for a treat day. Don't consume treats on the other days of the week. You may be surprised how often your having treats!

Last weeks treat was a divine birthday cake topped with berries. The cake was wheat free, egg free, dairy free and had no cholesterol. Homemade by Brandon Steen.

You may be wondering why I am eating so much food? If you want to be healthy and keep your metabolism going you must eat food. In fact you must eat food every few hours which is why snacks are so important. People think they need to starve themselves to loose weight. You can starve yourself and loose weight but you will not be healthy. If you want to be healthy than you must eat food at least 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. 

This is not a diet, this is a way of life. Diets don't work. Diets set you up to fail. You don't eat this way to reach a goal and then stop. You must be consistent and make this your way of healthy eating for life if you wish to be healthy and fit. 


Later in my journey of healthy eating I was informed of this awesome woman, Tosca Reno and began reading her articles, books and online websites. She was on the cover of a fitness magazine at 50 in a bikini and follows many of the same exercise and eating practices as I do. If you would like to read more about Tosca here are her links:

http://www.eatcleandiet.com/ and http://www.toscareno.com/

I was lucky to meet Tosca this past fall in Mississauga at one of her book signings and learned that she is also very personable giving Brandon and I many awesome compliments. She signed my book "To your best body now. Eat Clean." She is an amazing woman and is a great inspiration to me on my "Be Strong" journey. I leave you today with the picture I had taken with her.

Brandon Steen, Tosca Reno and Miss Jane Fall 2010

Be Strong and Eat Clean!