Guest Series: A Life Changing Experience {Lee Currie}

Welcome to my special guest series, Fitness Health and Happiness! Over the years I have developed relationships with some amazing amazing women who have stories to share, joys to celebrate, knowledge to enlighten, accomplishments to brag about, lessons learned and an overall passion for life. I have invited these ladies (and maybe a gentleman or 2) to share with you their stories, experiences, knowledge and joy in the hopes that with what is shared in this series you will find a new or continued passion for fitness, health and happiness. Today, please welcome Lee Currie, author of Embrace Life.

I am thrilled Jill – my friend, my inspiration and overall good influence for my creativity, health and spirit - asked me to contribute here about my recent experience at Canyon Ranch. I had written about it originally on my blog and am happy for further reflection.

LASTING EFFECTS

“When it comes to nutrition aim to be healthier, not perfect. Healthy changes take time to implement but they have lasting effects.” – Canyon Ranch, Facebook Page

When I read that phrase the other day, I realized that not just nutrition, but every aspect of my own personal health, has to be approached from a place of do, not a place of perfect. After all, do is attainable and sustainable, perfect is not.

My own personal health journey of the last while has been one of frustration as my implementation – my “do” – wasn’t enough. I swung from hyper-vigilant amping up to the perfect program (I thought) for myself and kept a food and exercise journal. I was consuming about 1500 calories a day, walking at least 6Km a day, and GAINING WEIGHT, and if not gaining, I certainly was not losing any! Then swung back to frustration as my weight stayed the same – it was a lot of effort for zero return on the emotional and physical investment. 

I went to my doctor repeatedly over the last couple of years asking why it was I was gaining weight when my eating and exercising habits were exemplary – and becoming even moreso every day. He told me I must not be doing my numbers right (translation: lying or fooling myself) and to eat less and move more. So I did. I kept eating less and moving more. 

Eventually, I got frustrated and quit. I was totally deflated and sad. I found other distractions to keep me from finding a formula that would work.

Early in the New Year, my younger sister called and announced that I was going to join her at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona in April. She gave me the dates and told me to book a flight. No “ifs” “ands” or “buts” about it! Well, alrighty then, I did as I was told. Little sisters can be very bossy.

In a phrase, the experience was LIFE CHANGING.

Not only did I participate in the Executive Medical Program where I was poked, prodded, pinched, and measured, which resulted in the knowledge that I have Thyroid Disease; my breathing was measured, my bones analyzed, my heart and lungs tested. I learned to eat better food in proper – as in larger - proportions and then spent some time learning yoga, breathing techniques and a brief attempt (my kids would say, “epic fail”) at a Zumba class. Between exercise physiologists, nutritionists, a brilliant acupuncturist, therapists and fellow participants, I arrived home with a whole new lease on life. 

I left Tucson, two short months ago, and implemented more than a few major – and, so far, sustainable – lifestyle changes in my home:

I’ve cleared out my kitchen cupboards and refrigerator and filled them with products that have ingredients I can pronounce

We are enjoying a ton of new tasty-and-healthy recipes and I’m cooking as much as I can from scratch and my kids are eating and enjoying it

I continue to try new foods and certainly new combinations keeping my gluten and dairy intake low and my vegetable and complex carb intake high.

I was never a fan of anything pre-prepared or processed, but now there is none in my house that I eat. My sons still demand the occasional hot dog, ugh.

I invested in a pair of really good Asics running shoes – though I use them to walk – and I lace them up at least once every day.

I’ve started a new exercise program which includes walking 5Km each morning – at the mall in bad weather and outside during good – a minimum of 4 days each week. I need to get into a pool as it is, for me, the most enjoyable form of exertion.

I’m taking medication every morning – and I haven’t missed a dose of the little yellow pill called Eltroxin.

I’ve taken charge of my stress and my situation and I’m no longer willing to have my life happen around me, I am now a full participant (I think this is a direct result of the meds – it’s like a cloud has lifted and I see things clearly)

My house is going up for sale now that all of the outstanding projects have been completed and a more suitable home has been found. The best part of moving – the purge. Anything I don’t need, don’t want and don’t love is gone. Ah, cathartic!

While I look for a new family doctor, one who won’t dismiss my concerns as all in my head, more effort has been made to take better care of me. I see my naturopath regularly and take my supplements; and, my chiropractor is kept busy putting me and my kids back together again on a regular basis.

Over the course of the last two months, I’ve made easy and hard choices all of which should make me, and my children, happier and healthier as we move forward together.

I feel better. I look better. It’s a good start.

I still have a long way to go, but now I have a plan. A well-considered, expert designed, plan to live my life to it’s full potential. For the better, not for the perfect, my life has changed. I have taken charge – with a much appreciated push from a bossy sister – and I will never turn back!

I’ll finish off with a new family favourite recipe that uses current never-outs: spinach, feta and chicken! It is quick and tasty and served with a side of sliced tomatoes and brown rice and beans it is delicious!

SPINACH CHICKEN WITH FETA

Recipe found on Canyon Ranch site

4 4-ounce boneless skinless chicken breast* halves
2 cups washed baby spinach
4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Artichoke Caper Sauce:

2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts
1/4 cup capers
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chicken stock

 *I substitute thighs for the white meat – more flavour and healthy fats

Instructions

1. Pound chicken breasts into medallions with meat mallet between two pieces of waxed paper, to 1/4-inch thick. Set aside.
2.   In a medium skillet, sauté spinach until wilted. Remove from pan and put in refrigerator to cool.
3. Once spinach has cooled, divide into four equal amounts.  Place 1/4 of the spinach and 1 tablespoon of feta cheese on each chicken breast, and roll chicken tightly.
4. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, place chicken seam side down in the pan and sear for one minute on each side. Finish cooking in a 400 degree oven for 18-22 minutes.
5. In a medium skillet, sauté garlic, artichokes, and capers in olive oil. Add chicken stock and lemon juice and simmer for 3-5 minutes.
6. Serve each stuffed chicken breast topped with 1/4 cup of Artichoke Caper Sauce.

Serving Information
Makes 4 servings, each containing approximately:
195 calories
6 gm. carbohydrate
5 gm. fat
81 mg. cholesterol
30 gm. protein
545 mg. sodium
2 gm. fiber

Thank you, Jill for inviting me to participate in your new endeavour. You have been an inspiration to me for ages, and I know you can only be a positive influence on anyone you come into contact with – on and off line!

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One final note. Lee is hosting a free e-book giveaway! Check it out here Ella Publishing Company - Win A Free E-Book

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Tina]

What an inspiration post Lee (as always), I love how your taking on all these challenges and making them positive changes! Its amazing the difference we feel with just the right attitude, right food and some exercise! Can't wait to try that recipe... yum!

[Damaris]

New follower via Lucky Wednesday Blog Hop :)

[Damaris]

^Sorry, I typed in my url wrong in my last comment. Its http://lifeaccordingtodamaris.blogspot.com :)

[Monika Wright]

Always an inspiration to see someone, even better if it's a friend, take control and make thier life better! Congrats, Lee, on so many things but mostly for being courageous.

[jillconyers]

Well said Monika! Lee is an inspiration and a good friend.

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault

[Theresa]

This recipe looks yummy and simple. Thanks for the inspiration!