Yesterday, while getting back into a routine with an early evening yoga download, [...]]]> Over the weekend, circumstances didn’t allow me to think, focus on, or even really care about exercise.  There are times when life and family are a priority.  I knew that, and I knew that exercise was a few rungs down on the ladder.

Yesterday, while getting back into a routine with an early evening yoga download, I realized how much my perspective has changed, how much I’ve stabilized and matured in my relationship to exercise.

natural energy on-the-go: pure bars and larabars

A year ago – even a few months ago – a weekend without a calorie burn would be cause for panic.  It would affect how I ate, what I ate, how I felt I should eat.  It would involve planning and calculating, and it would take up unnecessary space in a brain that could, and should, be doing more important things. 

The general philosophy that I experienced in the mainstream, usually female community seemed to be that exercise was an excuse to eat.  Forty minutes on the elliptical was payment for eating a brownie.  In the health arena, perhaps the gym session canceled out some oats and almond butter.  Whatever the food selection might be, if the time wasn’t devoted, a decent amount of food didn’t belong.

energy spike: fresh figs + nut butter (equally delicious with dates)

While propelling myself through my vinyasa series yesterday, I felt strong, present, and awake.  The extra days of rest were apparent in the additional energy I felt I had.  The result was a fulfilling practice and a great sweat.

I began to wonder:  why did I spend so much of my past exercising simply to justify eating a normal amount of food?  Especially now, I’m certainly not trying to lose weight; I simply want to be healthy.  I’ve found the exercise that I enjoy, that I crave, that clears my mind, and that is correct for my body.  By no means am I doing it to counteract calories; in fact, I think I’m doing the opposite, as without food, I’d have no fuel to exercise at all.

classic natural fuel: peanut butter (last remaining jar), banana, and jam.  enjoyable on its own, in a sandwich, or in a bowl of oats.

So I don’t spend ninety minutes on my yoga mat as a means to feast afterward.  I don’t do it because I ate an extra banana, or because I wanted a snack before bed.  I do, however, eat well and eat often, day in and day out.  And as a result, I can achieve strong, powerful sessions of exercise, whatever the form, as the sweetest reward. 

Where do you stand?  Eat to exercise or exercise to eat?  Both?  Or neither?

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pecan cashew butter [1 c raw pecans, 1 c raw cashews]

Sure, there are some fine seeds out there to fill the void.  I enjoy pumpkin seeds, and I do love some tahini.  I’ve tried sunflower seed butter, and it [...]]]> My best friend is allergic to nuts.  Honestly, I have to mourn her empty life.

pecan cashew butter [1 c raw pecans, 1 c raw cashews]

Sure, there are some fine seeds out there to fill the void.  I enjoy pumpkin seeds, and I do love some tahini.  I’ve tried sunflower seed butter, and it wasn’t bad.  But a life without cashews?  Hazelnuts?  Walnut pesto?  Almond butter?  Sad.

banana cashew butter, panini-style [1/2 c raw cashews, 1/2 ripe banana]

I remember when my friend was only allergic to peanut butter.  I brought a peanut butter sandwich (jelly-free; preserves bore far too much resemblance to fruit) for lunch every day from the ages of 9 to 11.  And yet, she stuck by me as her allergic list and stash of medications in the school nurse’s office multiplied.

roasted cinnamon pecan butter, on oatmeal [2 c dry toasted pecans, 1-2 T cinnamon]

In high school, the allergies took on a bit more purpose.  ”Mr. Smith, Mallory might-maybe-possibly be breaking out in hives.  She might-maybe-possibly need an escort to the nurse.”  Being excellent and dedicated students, we were easily excused.

tamari almond butter, as a vegetable dip [2 c tamari almonds]

As my health habits developed, I’ve often wondered how I’d live this life if nuts were a danger.  Sure, there would be avocados, olive oil, coconuts, and seeds to fulfill my healthy fat requirements.  But the variety and the possibility would be vastly depleted.

agave brazil nut butter, with banana and cinnamon [2 c dry toasted brazil nuts, 2 T agave, 1-2 T canola oil]

Thankfully, I am lucky to be excluded from the one percent of our population who can’t expose themselves to a whiff of nutty aroma.  I suppose I can assume the responsibility of consuming nut butters for both myself and to make up for Mallory’s loss.

It’s a tough job, but I think I’m up to the task.

What’s your favorite way to eat nut butter?

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