Lemony Green Beans

So today I was cruising around Beachbody getting some ideas for Thanksgiving dishes I can eat that are on the more healthy side of dishes. Living here int he South sometimes the stuff that tastes just "Oh SO GOOD" isn't oh so good for me and I end up regretting it later.

I do love green beans though and I am always looking for a way to mix them up besides a quick sauté with minced garlic (MY FAVE). 

I have never though to try it with lemon though. Adding this one to my Thanksgiving eating menu!

Replace the fried onions, cream, flour, and butter of a green bean casserole with more refreshing fare. Lemon and thyme pair beautifully with green beans.

Total Time: 14 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 9 min.
Yield: 12 servings, ¾ cup each

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2½ lbs. green beans, trimmed (about 10 cups)
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ cup water
1 tsp. finely chopped lemon peel
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
¼ cup chopped fresh thyme

Preparation:
1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add green beans and garlic. Season with salt; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes.
3. Add water; cook, covered, for 2 minutes.
4. Remove lid; cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until water evaporates.
5. Add lemon peel, lemon juice, and thyme. Serve immediately.

Oatmeal

Okay I love oatmeal. When you think about it, I grew up on it because it was cheap and you only use the oats, water, and a few spices, and a little bit of sugar. So realistically we grew up on it because it was fast and cheap. Now as an adult I think I eat it almost every morning hot or cold. I love oatmeal especially when I add spices and fruits to it. It leaves me feeling full and not too mention it is such a great source of nutrition. I know some people just cannot get with it, but hey more for me right?

Do you love steel-cut oatmeal, but not how long it takes to cook? This recipes makes it quick!

Total Time: 8 hrs. 11 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 6 min.
Yield: 4 servings, about ½ cup each

Ingredients:
4 cups water
¼ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
1 cup steel-cut oats
¼ cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened almond milk, or soy milk)

Preparation:
1. Bring water and salt to a boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Add oats; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand overnight.
3. The next morning, heat over medium heat. Add milk; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until hot.

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Detox Salad

Detox Salad Fuel your body with this salad packed with broccoli, kale, and other nutrient-rich foods. Total Time: 10 min. Prep Time: 10 min. Cooking Time: None Yield: 1 serving Ingredients: 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. unfiltered raw cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. pure maple syrup 2 tsp. grated fresh ginger 1 pinch Himalayan salt (or sea salt) 2 cups chopped kale ½ cup chopped cauliflower ½ cup chopped broccoli ½ cup chopped cabbage ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro Preparation: 1. Combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, maple syrup, ginger, and salt in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside. 2. Combine kale, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and cilantro in a large bowl; mix well. 3. Drizzle cabbage mixture with dressing; toss gently to blend. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING FIT AND GETTING HEALTHY AND DOING YOUR BEST Click here and sign up for a FREE Team Beach Body Account You get free tips and find recipes of all type.

5 Ways to Fight Fatigue

 I was recently reading on the Beachbody Blog and came across this article. I thought it was awesome and decided to share it here on my blog. 

5 Ways to Fight Fatigue

By Zack Zeigler

If you're lucky enough to have a job, odds are you're overworked. A survey conducted by Good Technology found that 80% of participants fielded calls, answered emails, and did other miscellaneous work-type stuff at home after leaving the office. All of that "bonus" time added up to roughly seven extra hours per week—or 30 hours a month.1,2 Go ahead and cry. We did.

Factor in other stresses like relationship squabbles and money woes, and it's no surprise why you're too emotionally and physically drained to exercise.

And since you're unlikely to take a vacation to recharge—an estimated 577,212,000 available vacation days went unused nationwide last year3—you're going to need to rethink other areas in your life to find the energy to train. Here are four ways you can do that.

#1. Eat More, More Often

Fueling up on caffeine and Tic Tacs may give you the stamina to power through the workday with mocha-colored teeth and minty fresh breath, but you'll need to feast on more than that to keep your engine running efficiently.

"You'll run out of steam when you run out of fuel," says Dr. Felicia Stoler, DCN, MS, RD, FACSM, the author of Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great. "Eating three meals and three snacks can help you maintain blood sugar levels that prevent huge ups and downs in energy levels."

Many of us aren't following that advice. Data from 2011 compiled by Right Management noted that one in three U.S. employees worked through lunch, while 65% took their lunch "break" at their desks. Last year, CareerBuilder polled 3,600 workers and found that 8% dined on delicious and not-so-nutritious food from their company's vending machine at lunchtime.4

Point is, as busy as you might be, you need to make time to eat well to improve energy levels. If you need a reminder, the technology you use to work all of that unpaid OT can also be programmed to alert you when it's time for a snack.

#2. Carb Up

Despite what you've heard, carbohydrates are not hellish calorie ghouls responsible for turning skinny people fat and fat people into morbidly obese planets. In fact, they're a necessity.

"Our brains rely on carbs, and they're a major element to maintaining blood sugar levels," Dr. Stoler says. "Eating only fats and protein won't make you feel more energetic. A basic rule of thumb is to eat carbs with some protein and fat."

Consuming too many simple carbs—foods high on the Glycemic Index (GI)—can cause blood sugar levels to spike, which can lead to additional body fat storage, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Fiber-rich whole foods—veggies, whole grains, and fruit—metabolize slower to provide you with lasting energy

According to Dr. Stoler (and depending on what your goals are), you're looking to eat about 50% carbs, 20% protein, and between 25–30% fat per day. And for crying out loud, listen to Mom and eat more fruits and veggies. They're packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytonutrients.

#3. Stay Hydrated

Caffeine is a diuretic. In more scientific terms, it makes you go potty more often. So if that's all you're drinking from 9 to 5, you're going to get dehydrated. Along with impeding metabolism and making you feel sluggish,5 dehydration can also go all Criss Angel on your brain and trick it into feeling hungry when it's really not.

Adequate hydration benefits you in a whole host of ways, including lubricating joints, regulating body temperature, assisting the body with excreting waste, and keeping your immune system strong.6

#4. De-Stress

The old standbys to shaking off tension are to meditate and become one with your body. If that doesn't work for you, find a different healthy distraction to pull your brain away from what's stressing you out. If it slows your heart rate and reduces tension, you're golden. If your schedule is too packed to take a walk, read for pleasure, or binge watch season two of House of Cards, give yourself a couple minutes to brew a cup of herbal tea.

The great thing about this option is that you get the benefits of the herb you're brewing in addition to the ritual of slowing down and enjoying a hot drink. Three herbs backed by years of scientific and/or anecdotal evidence are chamomile, kava, and valerian root—but be careful with those last two because they can make you drowsy.

Which leads us to…

#5. Snooze More

An ideal target is seven to nine hours of sleep per night. But most of us aren't getting that, and it's negatively affecting our performance everywhere.7 Lack of sleep can also do a number on your innards.

"Not getting a good night's sleep impacts things like heart health and metabolism," Dr. Stoler says. "It's important to adopt good sleep hygiene and make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep."

That includes powering down smartphones and shutting off the TV. The blue light those devices emit can mess with melatonin levels, and those late night texts are interfering with your REM cycles. Seriously. A 2011 survey from the National Sleep Foundation found that 20% of people ages 19–29 get woken up multiple times a week by calls, texts, or emails.

Sources:

1. 80 Percent of Americans Work After Hours Equaling An Extra Day of Work Per Week
2. 80 Percent of Americans Spend an Extra Day a Week Working After Hours
3. Vacation Deprivation: Americans Have Twice as Many Unused Days Off As Last Year
4. How About Lunch? Consequences of the Meal Context on Cognition and Emotion
5. How Does Hydration Affect Metabolism?
6. Water Induces Thermogenesis Through Osmosensitive Mechanisms
7. Vital Signs – New Study Finds Many Americans Say They're Too Tired for Sex

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Simple Tips for Going Vegan

First off let me just say did I end October with a bang or what???? I lost another 4 pounds. I am so excited. And yes I had some Halloween candy and YES I had a cupcake from my daughter's birthday party from her class and YES I had a tiny slice of cake from her real birthday party.

Don't forget just because you are making lifestyle changes doesn't mean that you have to always give up everything ALL the time. I love sweets and once a month will treat myself! Thanksgiving will be a little tricky though because my son is turning 2 and then there is Thanksgiving!!! I know I will be digging into some apple pie! I cannot wait!

Well a lot of people are trying new things, like going vegan. There was recently an article on the Beachbody Blog that gave these awesome tips. Check the article out here.  So do your research and make sure it is the right choice for you to dive into.

Books
Becoming Vegan: The Complete Guide to Adopting a Healthy Plant-Based Diet by Brenda Davis, R.D. and Vesanto Melina, M.S., R.D.
Even if you’re not giving up flesh, this book is incredibly informative. It covers every aspect of vegan nutrition, from the history of veganism to how the macronutrients—protein, carbs, and fat—work for vegans. It also discusses how to get the right vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. The last half of the book is devoted to special diets, including those for the elderly, the overweight, the underweight, and athletes. Becoming Vegan is a road map for anyone adopting this lifestyle.

Veganomicon: The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.
Veganomicon takes less of a scientific approach and more of a culinary one. It’s a cookbook, but in a Joy of Cooking sort of way. Not only are there great recipes here, but the first 44 pages introduce the reader to the vegan kitchen—from corn starch to veggie peelers—including information on various cooking methods, ingredients, and tools. There’s a whole chapter devoted to low-fat cooking and another chapter that’ll show every possible variation on preparing a vegetable. Once you get to the recipes, you’ll find a great international selection ranging from spicy tempeh nori rolls to soft poppy-seed polenta.

The recipes in Veganomicon are largely derived from whole, real food sources, unlike another popular vegan cookbook out now called Skinny Bitch in the Kitch. Don’t waste your time with this one. The nutritional information in the introduction isn’t accurate, and the recipes are littered with faddish ingredients like coconut oil (loaded with saturated fat) and meat substitutes, such as vegan bacon and vegan chicken strips. If you’re embracing veganism from a health perspective, these artificial meats are nothing but sodium and chemicals. You might as well pick up a copy of any Betty Crocker cookbook and substitute fake meat for the real deal.

Websites
The Internet holds a vast amount of great information about veganism. Unfortunately, it also holds a vast amount of loony information, so it’s important to be discerning when surfing the web. Here are a few good websites to try.

VegCooking.com
This website isn’t strictly vegan, but it’s an excellent source of practical information. You’ll find articles on vegan and veggie products available at your local grocery store as well as what you can order at various restaurant chains.

FatfreeVegan.com
You’d think that vegan recipes would be uniformly healthy, but oftentimes, meat-free chefs will try to make up for taste with salt and fat. You won’t find that here. There’s also a great section here that divides the recipes by region, which works for those planning their big vegan Ethiopian, Vietnamese, or Caribbean dinner parties.

Vegan.org
This site may be a little too activist for some, but the Vegan Action website is a great resource for people looking to bring their veganism to the next level. The site includes links to vegan clothes and cruelty-free products.

VegWeb.com
VegWeb.com is a vegan community offering recipes, articles, and coupons. As is often the case when the general public contributes to a site, the recipes can be a little dodgy, but you’ll get plenty of variety and some interesting ideas.

VeganChef.com
This site is actually a promotional site for Chef Beverly Lynn Bennett’s vegan cookbooks, but she offers several great free recipes here.

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5 Ways to Speed Up Your Six-Pack

No matter what your age, body type, or fitness level, we’re pretty sure one of your main workout goals is to improve your abs. And why not? A flat midsection, with or without a visible six-pack, is the ultimate symbol of being fit and lean. (And yes, it looks great at the beach.) But it’s not just a matter of vanity—a strong core helps stabilize your entire body. That’s why every Beachbody workout program includes a variety of ab-tightening exercises.

Still, whatever you’re doing to get fit, there’s always room for improvement where the core is concerned. Here are five tips to help you to get those great abs faster than ever:

1. Work your entire core. 
our “core” (the trunk muscles of your abdomen, lower back, and pelvis) is a whole system that supports your body as you stand up straight, perform everyday activities, and work out. And it’s important to strengthen all these muscles, not just the rectus abdominis (the main “six-pack” muscles targeted by crunches). At the very least, you should strengthen the spinal erectors of the lower back to balance out your abs, which will help your posture and reduce the risk of back pain. Think of total-core training as increasing your functional fitness—meaning you won’t just look better, but you’ll also be able to do things better. (P90X‘s Core Synergistics workout and ChaLEAN Extreme‘s Extreme Abs workout are great examples of complete core workouts.)

2. Take it slow.
When you’re doing crunches or other ab-focused exercises, it’s easy to speed up and lose proper form, especially when you start to get tired. Either you let momentum carry you through much of the movement or you pull yourself up with your back and shoulders. But you’ll get the most benefit (and the least chance of injury) from your workout if you concentrate on measured, controlled movements. And keep the abdominals contracted the entire time. After all, they’re the ones that should be doing the work. (Doing some Pilates-style movements—like ChaLEAN Extreme’s Pilates Roll-Up, in which you lift your upper body to a count of 8—is a good way to train yourself to slow it down.) When you can’t do any more reps with the proper form, it’s time to stop.

3. Don’t overdo it.
If you really want great abs, you may be tempted to grind out crunch after crunch to the exclusion of other exercises, or to do more ab-centered workouts than your fitness program recommends. But directly working your abs too often can do more harm than good. Like any muscle, the abdominals need to recover between workouts. If you find you aren’t improving the number of reps you can do or the amount of weight you can handle, that’s a sign that you’re overtraining, and you need to cut back.

4. Don’t neglect the rest of your body.
The more you work your entire body, the better it is for your abs. In fact, just about any full-body or compound movement, from push-ups to squats to deadlifts, takes a lot of ab effort. (That’s the whole point behind programs like Hip Hop Abs, which give you great core results without focusing on crunches.) What’s more, working your full body will burn many more calories and raise your metabolism, which is important, because you also need to…

5. Lose the fat to make your abs flat.
No matter how much you strengthen your abdominal muscles, the only way to get a flat midsection is to lose body fat. That’s going to require a diet that’s high in protein and fiber, low in simple carbs, and full of bulky, nutrient-dense foods that keep you full with fewer calories—and of course, plenty of water. If you’re on a meal plan associated with a particular workout, make sure you’re really following it and not fudging here and there. (Keeping a food diary can help.) When you combine an effective full-body workout with a proper diet, getting the flat abs you’ve always wanted is just a matter of time.

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Chicken Tacos

Do you love tacos? I do I remember where I use to live getting fabulous tacos was easy. However, some of us don't have that luxury to just get in and go get tacos. So here is a awesome quick and simple way to make them at home. 

Even though these simple chicken tacos taste like delicious comfort food, they have only 248 calories and 6 grams of fat per serving.

Total Time: 18 min.

Prep Time: 10 min.

Cooking Time: 8 min.

Yield: 4 servings, 2 tacos each

Ingredients:

1 tsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. raw chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

½ tsp. ground cumin

Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)

8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, warm

¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add onion and chicken; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent and chicken is no longer pink.

3. Add garlic and cumin; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well blended.

4. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

5. Top tortillas evenly with chicken mixture; garnish with cilantro.

6. Serve immediately.

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5 Tips to Avoid Muscle Soreness

Today I want to share an article for those who are just starting out. I know a lot of us start out and the next day we think OMG I AM SO SORE!!!!

Well remember you have to start slow, build up intensity, build up strength, and take it easy. 

You have to stretch and build it all up. You can't just go at it like a pro or like you have been doing this all your life. 

So check out this awesome article about 

5 Tips to Avoid Muscle Soreness

Let me know what you think.

Don't forget you can join me HERE for free tips and recipes! 

Banana Apple Muffins

It is that time of year for Fall favorites, apples, pumpkins, and delicious yummy sweet treats. 

If you are like me, you want to eat it all. I have giant sweet tooth that I have learned to control through 21 Day Fix and with the options to have sweet treats, well don't mind if I do!

Autumn Calabrese, creator of 21 Day Fix, shared a recent recipe on how to make these delicious muffins!!! Yes MUFFINS AKA Get Your Morning Sweet Fix!

I am a big muffin person and I love icing on top too. My kids love everything baked and I know will enjoy these yummy treats. Best thing is you can bake them and refrigerate them for a grab and go morning!

Banana Apple Muffins

Check it out let me know what you think and share your opinions with me. I want to know how you loved them!!!

Finished Round 2 of 21 Day Fix

Hey everyone. I am thrilled to share my newest results with you. 

I lost another 5 lbs and 2 more inches off my waist as well as a half inch here and a 1/4 inch there!

I am beyond thrilled and excited to see my results continue. My transformation is just a start and a lifelong journey. I have to take care of my body if I want it to take care of me. 

Now this round I was already ready to go with my meals and my shakes. I knew exactly what was going on and what to eat. I was use to the workouts and even bumped up my weight for some of the workouts. Oh yeah and I can do some push ups now too! 

I have stuck with the 21 Day Fix program but now I am adding to it. I decided to take a leap and do P90. Yep 90 days of Tony Horton getting me in better shape. This program is built for anyone. It is not extreme and yes there are modifications to the workout.

So let the fun continue. 

I also have decided to continue holding some 21 Day challenges for anyone wanting simple eating and simple workouts to get fast results. 

 If you would love to get tips on fitness and recipes for meals 

JOIN HERE FOR FREE

New Beachbody Workouts!!!

First off let me say I am living 21 Day Fix. Since I have started my weightloss journey with Beachbody products as a coach I have lost 15 pounds and quite a few inches. 

With that being said I will be so excited to take my fitness to the next level. 

21 Day Fix Extreme:  Coming February 2015

It’s time to get seriously shredded! Celebrity trainer and national bikini competitor Autumn Calabrese has combined simple eating with extreme fitness to help people shred up and shed off those final pounds with 21 Day Fix EXTREME.  Here is what I know about 21 Day Fix Extreme:

• Release date set for February 2nd
• 21 Day Countdown to Competition menu plan included
• 7 workouts to keep different muscle groups guessing
• Workouts are 30 minutes in length
• All of the 21 Day Fix Extreme workouts include weights
• Takes the workouts of the original 21 Day Fix to the next level

The containers are the same as in the original 21 Day Fix but in different amounts designed for EXTREME results. There are 2 different meal plans: One is the bikini competition diet and the other is more strict than the original 21 Day Fix menu plan.

Sign up for a free Team Beachbody Account so you will be notified as soon as it comes out!  I will certainly being doing some challenge groups using this amazing program and hope you will join me. 

Another amazing product coming out for those of you who love to workout!!!!

This challenging 60-day workout program is specifically designed to push you to your MAX. Literally, it’s so hard, it’s so sweaty, and it’s more insane than ever, mostly because it’s only 30 minutes. With more than 150 new moves and new sequences –even Shaun T was scared to do some of them at first — you will be tested like you’ve never been tested before. I can’t wait to see the success stories that come in with this one!

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Coming December 2014

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Share these images below to get the word out aboutInsanity MAX: 30.

Also if you didn't already know 

GET GREAT RESULTS

whatever your fitness level.

P90 is simple fitness for everyone, developed by Tony Horton, creator of some of America's most popular fitness programs—P90X®, P90X2®, 10-Minute Trainer®, and P90X3® —selling a combined 6.5 million copies to date.

Before P90X®, there was a revolutionary weight loss and body transformation program that started it all—Power 90®. Now featuring redesigned, cutting-edge routines, welcome to Power 90 reimagined . . . the NEW P90® workout.

"Here's something you thought I'd never say . . .

Hardcore workouts aren't for everybody. I mean, what if you just want to lose 20 pounds? Or get back some of the muscle tone you had in college. Maybe you just want to get out of bed in the morning without a backache. For that all you need is something straightforward. Fundamental. Doable.

That's why I created the NEW P90 workout.

Whether you used to be in shape and feel fitness has now passed you by, or you've never worked out a day in your life, my P90 workout is your easy-to-follow way to lose substantial weight, have the energy to run and play with your kids, and feel better in everything you do—without the agony of high-intensity exercise.

P90 is the result of everything I've learned in 20 years.

Here's the key . . . In as little as 25 minutes a day, P90 will help you completely change your body—not by working you harder—but by keeping it simple. Simple cardio. Simple resistance training. A simple approach to portion control. I won't say these new workouts are easy . . . but they're a whole lot easier to get done now. And that's how P90 will help you finally get the body you want."

—Tony Horton

Creator of P90X®, P90X2®, and P90X3®

now brings you the NEW P90® workout.

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Week 2 Down Starting Week 3!!!

Yes yes yes. This girl finished her second week up. 

The eating I have noticed is a little harder. By harder I mean so much food! 

I so far in one month of trying to lose weight and get fit.

So I did 2 weeks of clean eating challenges lost 10 lbs in those two weeks 180lbs -170lbs. I lost a whole jean size. 

Then My first week of 21 Day Fix I lost 4 lbs and 2 inches. YES!!!! 

Here is after 1st week.

I lost some of the muffin top and that roll up under my bra line right there by my arm has shrank a little too. You can also notice the top of my abs have started to come back close to my body where they belong.  Due to female problems during my second week I don't feel my results are as good as they would have been if I didn't have those problems lol. 

This is week 2!!!! 

So I lost a little more. I will take measurements tomorrow. I am down a pound this week. 

Also that side muffin line is almost gone. Maybe week 3 will get it gone gone :)

On to week 3 right!!!! 

If you want to join me in your own journey.  

Click here!!!!!

First Week of 21 Day Fix

Well I am super excited to share with you.... I have lost 2 pounds in my first week. YAY.

The eating has been super easy minus battling my sweet tooth cravings. I still have those but omg I am loving my Shakeology. I got the chocolate flavor and I love adding bananas and I really love adding peanut butter. Using coffee with vanilla extract is even yummier. 

As far as the workouts, some are tougher than others, but you have to work at it right?

So if your interested in following me along on my journey I have a Facebook Page just for this. 

Follow Here

If your interested in following along or jointing a challenge check out the tabs above. 

A New Step in a AMAZING Direction!

Okay everyone. I have been eating healthy 

like this

pineapple juice as soon as I get up

a healthy breakfast (egg scramble, or oatmeal)

drink a half of cup of coffee (or no coffee)

DRINK LOTS OF WATER all day!!!!

Lunch ( small thin sliced chicken breast on mixed greens a sprinkle of feta and a drizzle of balsamic viniagrette dressing and a couple croutons - I am still trying to jump back on the gluten free wagon- or a wrap. MMMM I just wrap a salad up literally. 

DRINK MORE WATER

Dinner... another salad or protein with a little serving of quinoa and lots of veggies.

SO FAR I HAVE LOST....

....

....

6 pounds baby. Yes. Yes. and YES...

Healthy eating and organic eating and portion control.

Which brings me to my next big exciting thing...

I signed up to be a Beachbody Fitness Coach.

I will be starting a new challenge on Facebook soon using the 21Day Fix and Shakeology powered together to help me reach my goals. Guess what you can order a challenge pack too and workout right along side of me to reach your own personal or health goals.   

Want to be a coach as well???

Click here for more information!

New Beginnings

I am finally home and adjusted somewhat back to our home environment. Lots had to be done when we got back home and let me tell you I didn't have jet lag but crap a 6 hour drive home and then loads and loads of laundry, gardening, shopping, repairing, cleaning, more repairing, more cleaning...etc.

Let me tell you this mom is tired. Well I need to snap out of my funk and get with the groove. 

My daughter will be starting school soon and I need to start getting up cooking and leaving. I have got to get my diet right and portion control. I really need to work oh my water intake. 

So my first problem... soda... I was drinking a soda a day or two last month.... big large fat no no. But I go through these spells where I am craving the carbonation and the flavor. I actually tried to drink one last night and after a few sips I felt like I wasted the soda. So it took me forever to drink it because I wasn't craving it. 

Next problem... I started drinking beer Redd's Apple Ale to be exact. I was also drinking the bloating drink Mike's Hard Lemonades and The Harder ones too. Well I use to be a glass of wine every other night or on the weekends... I would rather that then drinking beers or alcohol's that make you feel fat!

SO NO MORE SODA and NO BEER'S.

I am also cutting pasta. People have said do whole grain pasta. SERIOUSLY it takes like crap. SO DOES GLUTEN FREE PASTA. I am just being honest. I would rather cut something out then eat something trying to taste like something delicious. 

Breads.... I love bread... zucchini bread, banana bread, TEXAS ROADHOUSE DINNER ROLLS, biscuits, pancakes, crepes, cornbread, hush puppies..... I am telling you I can eat!  Well I am going back to sprouted bread, flat outs, or no bread at all. 

Sprouted bread or Ezekial Bread is the best if you must eat bread. It is actually dense and filling. It does take a little time to get use to but in the end it is good for you!!

Now of course some people might read this and I am not nutrionist or health advisor. I am not a doctor and I am not a specialist. This is just what I am doing for myself to be health and happy with myself. Putting good things into to fuel my body for a healthy lifestyle is all I am doing and sharing. Of course I already know I may try and cheat but I am going to do my best to not!

I am also going back to the gym this week Thursday and Friday. Got to get back into Spin class and Body Pump. 

Hoping to have a better report for you next week and then maybe have some starting measurements for you! Maybe some before photos. 

Wishing you all healthy habits. 

To Start Off

I am completely thrilled and excited to start a blog specifically about my not so crafty life. This is the very first post which will give you an intro into why I am in the place I am at now. So SORRY this is a little bit long winded!!!

I must say I wanted to stat this blog to hold me accountable to a healthy habitual lifestyle. I have jumped on the wagon and off and on and off. So it is time for me to jump back on!

Those who personally know me from my past and my present would know two completely different people. Now I am wanting to tie them both together in a healthy manner.

For those who know the present me, let me give a little insight.

After high school, I was in great shape, worked 2-3 jobs at a time, and went to college full time. My mother use to say I would burn myself out and guess what Mother knows best! I was able to push from 2004 all the way through to 2007 in this manner while adding in time for the spa days, beaches, parties, and clubbing. I loved to dance and could dance the night away. I could eat and drink and nothing effected me. I didn't care about how much sleep I was able to get as long as I had a good time and made it to the beach a few times a week I was happy. 

With that being said, at this stage in life all I cared about was finishing school so I could get a great job to have great things. I had had a serious relationship in high school which of course did not work out and then another serious relationship after that. I realized I just wanted to have fun and focus on me. Still not taking into account what I was doing to myself and thinking of the future.

Well in 2007 I had graduated with a few degrees and was ready for the next step of education but I fell in love and followed him across the US. A few months later of no school, no working, no dancing, no friends, and no family I started to notice a difference in myself. I started to become unhappy and started to feel something was wrong. Unhappy, I went back home to California only to truly have my world turned upside down.

I am only 22 and the hormonal changes I would undergo changed my life forever.  I finally started working again and got back into school working towards my Bachelors but I would get really sick. So of course it gets bad enough I go to the doctor. My hormones were so jacked up I stopped my birth control as they thought maybe that was the problem. They swore up and down I was pregnant as I had stopped having a cycle, but this was not the case. You have to have sex to get pregnant and well this girl was not having any action at the time. So for a few more weeks, the appointments kept on, I felt crappy and the doctor finally sent me to a specialist. The specialist would then tell me I have growths on my thyroid and that my thyroid levels are low, which would account for my weight gain, appetite loss, and tiredness!  

So starts all the chaos creating the future I am in now! After several appointments for ultrasounds, blood work, and biopsies, I would learn that I am at risk for cancer and that I have to do this system of testing yearly! At 22 I am at risk for cancer...this can't be. I am not sure if it is good or bad but the biopsy came  up with no results as not enough cells were pulled from the growth. At this time there were only 2. 

Well shortly after all this, not thinking clearly my fiance and I would get pregnant (I didn't think I could without a cycle). So would start the next chapter of excitement and craziness. I did great though the pregnancy minus the risk of cervical cancer that I would find out later was incorrectly diagnosed. I had my daughter and shortly after I actually started to feel like my old self. I stayed in school and worked through the whole pregnancy almost up until the end. Then I started to feel bad all over again.

My thyroid levels were low again, the doctors didn't tell me, but now I also had high cholesterol and another nodule (lump) had grown on my thyroid. Yay. So trying a different contraceptive my body would still not act right and I would start the fight of losing weight from having my daughter.

Well I started to feel bad again this time my cholesterol is still high but now add in the basically high risk of diabetes type 2. My doctor then would say I know your only 24 but your showing signs of a 70 year old woman. Seriously....did some old spirit jump in my body and take over? Not joking I seriously thought this because my life literally was forever changed, personality and all.

So no on heart medicine, and some vitamins for my cholesterol and weight, I hit a plateau with my eating organic and healthy while working out was not enough to kick the diabetes. I had decided on getting a nutritionist. I learned how to eat a little healthier than I was and even kicked in the gluten free. Yay!!!!!! I was down to pre pregnancy weight and was out of the woods for diabetes. I still had the cholesterol problems and had to take the heart medicine until......

I got pregnant again! Had to stop the medicine and boy did this baby do a number on me. First 4 months were hell. I was sick literally with the turn of my head. I threw up on average 11 times a day and ended up taking more pills just to keep down fluids. I was lucky though finally back to my organic healthy eating and the move to my mother's place in Vegas I started to feel better. I was gaining practically no weight they treated me like a diabetic and by 6 months I had only gained 10 pounds. It was a tough pregnancy and he is still a tough little cookie. But I was lucky and only gained 40 pounds total. However, there was a downfall with this pregnancy.... He grew really low and already int he dropped down position which gave me the pregnancy complications! So more stretch marks (rightfully earned) but now shamefully I have a gut.

Well the doctor said things would go back down and well once again I was lied too. I have always been that girl who loved to look good in everything. Best part was I never had to do anything to look good. Well now I think I am being punished for that mentality as I have a "apron" or "pannus" as the doctors call it. Plain and simple I am fat and have a tire roll for a midsection.

Since having my son I can't take the medicines I need to because the kid won't stop the breastfeeding. I tried early on to kick the habit and how I went right with my daughter and wrong with my son makes no sense to me. But he is a bedtime boobie monster! Trust me....I have tried all methods of breaking the habit, from pacifier, to screaming for hours crying for several nights on end. Finally I choose to end the battle. I have accepted that my son is special and will drink from sippies but that his momma is his special comfort!

So now where we are today!
I still have to go back for my annual series of tests since I haven't in two years! I have no clue where I stand with my thyroid, my risk of cancer, or my cholesterol. I have however, started juicing, and working out again. YAY me.

But now more than ever I really want to buckle down and kick my butt in gear and get back that girl I use to be with the mom I am now. I want my confidence back, and that means I have to maintain it.

Therefore I will be sharing more personal failures and triumphs with those who would love to follow along and even try to make some better habits in life themselves!

So starting up soon I will start posting about my measurements and my trials and my errors of meals and workouts I try. I will also share some of my favorite beauty tips and tries.

This girl is ready to own my lifestyle by trial and error as trying is the only way to succeed!