Why I'm Doing the 3 Day Refresh

When Beachbody released the 3 Day Refresh in 2014, I will be totally honest and admit that I was skeptical.

I love Beachbody. I mean, I'm a coach and I will sing the praises of Beachbody programs and products forever and ever. Beachbody programs have made fitness a way of life for me in a way that I never imagined.

But...I'm not a big fan of cleanses. Or detoxes. Or whatever you want to call them. They just scream "quick fix" or "gimmick" to me. They aren't sustainable. I am a firm believer in eating right and moving your body is what gets results, not starving yourself or restricting. Heck, I like to CHEW food.

But I am still going to do the 3 Day Refresh. Starting January 7 (as long as it gets here by then!).

Why?

I am coming off a month of deeply stressful personal issues that have taught me two things:

1.) I stress eat.

2.) I stress eat A LOT.

And the result of that? Well, I couldn't tell you in numbers because I absolutely refuse to step foot on a scale right now, but I will say this: my jeans are tighter, my face is rounder, and I feel just....blah.

Blah is never good, friends. After all that work I was putting in with Focus: T25 and seeing results (!!!) I let it all go to crap. Bummer.

What is making me reconsider my stance on the 3 Day Refresh are the following points:

• I can still EAT during the Refresh
• I am going to need a little help re-establishing my old healthy eating habits after a solid month of eating everything and anything I wanted.
• I'm going in knowing full well that the 3 Day Refresh is NOT sustainable, nor is it meant to be--but it will get me started on the right foot again..
• I trust Beachbody and stand behind their products.
• People have been asking me about it, and I am unable to give a fair assessment of the quality/value of the program.

So, what exactly is the 3 Day Refresh?

Simply put, it's a scientifically designed program that helps you fast-track weight loss, kick-start healthy eating, and get a clean break from bad nutrition habits. 

I know, it sounds like a lot of shiny buzzwords--but I am going to give it a whirl and come out on the other side of 72 hours hopefully feeling rejuvenated, motivated, and feeling less blah.

January is going to be a big transition month for me. I am blessed and grateful for fresh starts and second chances going into 2016, and this is just going to be a part of that.

I'll be checking in each day of the 3 Day Refresh here, on Facebook and Instagram if you'd like to follow along!

Happy New Year!

Your Thanksgiving Day Game Plan

Here we are: it's Thanksgiving week!

I am well into Week 6 and Beta Phase of Focus T25, and so far I'm down almost 7.5 pounds! This week is going to prove tricky because I want to keep up the momentum, not fall behind.

I've been putting a lot of thought into Thanksgiving, namely all the food that comes with the holiday. I could see myself getting derailed fast and I don't want to undo all that discipline and hard work I've been putting in.

So, I put together a game plan for myself to enjoy the holiday, but not stuff myself like a turkey.

First thing's first:

I'm going to wake up and WORK OUT. I am going to set my intention for the day and get started on the right foot. I've got Dynamic Core on the schedule, so I'll knock that out first thing that morning.

Shakeology for breakfast:

Not only will this fill me up, but it helps reduce my cravings for sweet treat.

Stay hydrated:

I'll be sure to drink my 100 oz. of water that I drink daily throughout the day, including before each meal.

Moderation, moderation, moderation:

Can I just tell you that I love carbs? I could honestly eat an entire plate of stuffing and mashed potatoes and call it a day. But I won't--instead I will practice a serious case of moderation, keep proper portion sizes in mind, and ENJOY the meal. I will take my time, chew, and savor each bite. Food is good, yes, but I need to remember I am also fueling my body. I don't want to eat until I feel sick and sluggish. I've done that before, and it's never fun.

Prepare, prepare, prepare:

We have a couple stops to make on Thanksgiving Day. I have already told myself that dinner is my "cheat meal," but what about all those other stops? I will be sure to eat a small, healthy meal before I leave. This way I won't be starving when I show up and I'll be less likely to go overboard with my food choices. Another tip is to offer to bring a dish--and make it a healthy one. That way at least you'll know that there is an option that is healthy.

Don't drink my calories:

Wine and alcoholic beverages are plenty on Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, those drinks also carry a lot of added sugar and calories. I don't know about you, but I'd rather eat my calories than drink them. I've set a three, reasonably-sized, drink maximum for the entire day and will be sure to drink lots of water in between.

One big splurge:

Let's face it; I'm having some pumpkin pie. But only one slice. A small slice. No extra fixings.

Long story short, I am going to ENJOY my holiday, yes, but I am NOT going to derail all this hard work! I am determined to get that head start on everyone else when it comes to New Years resolutions and it starts now.

Cheers to a no-gain holiday season!

Friday Faves: Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Friday, friends!

Here are my five faves from around the internet this week--with a little Thanksgiving flair. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, so I hope you enjoy these faves as much as I do.

The little one woke up with a fever this morning, so I am hoping and praying whatever it is passes quickly and we are well-rested and healthy for Thanksgiving week.

I hope you have an excellent weekend. Cheers to my last workout doubles of T25 Alpha Phase and progress photos and stats on Sunday :)

Fave #1
These cloth napkins from Urban Bird & Co. on Etsy. Perfect for Thanksgiving festivities.

Fave #2
Gilt Gold Pumpkin Shaped Candle from Pottery Barn. Is it no secret that I love all things gold and glam?

Fave #3
'Thankful' Placemats. I love all things Target and their Threshold brand is hands-down my fave. It's a nice touch of rustic and glam with the cotton materials and the gold foil print.

Fave #4
This Thanksgiving tablescape from StoneGable. I love her style and this table is drop-dead gorgeous! I love the colors and the natural elements. And the mercury glass candlestick holders? LOVE.

Fave #5
These hand-painted wooden signs I made a couple years ago for the first Thanksgiving I hosted in our home. I made them after a pretty down and out time in my life, and I liked them so much I decided to keep them up year round. What a perfect reminder that we need to be thankful for all blessings, and approach all things with gratitude. Also, there may be a rogue decoration from Peyton's birthday party (in June) still hanging around.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. - Psalm 138:1-3 (NIV)

Here's to an excellent Thanksgiving week!

Spicy Garlic Roasted Chickpeas {Whip It Up Wednesday}

Happy Wednesday, loves!

This week's recipe makes a great snack that is--wait for it--also 21 Day Fix approved. Can I get a heck yes?!

Chickpeas are awesome because they are a great source of protein, fiber, and healthy carbs. When you roast them, you get a snack with a satisfying crunch that can be customized to fit your preferences--savory or sweet.

I'm sure like a lot of people, I LOVE garlic. The more the merrier in my opinion! So for this recipe I used a combination of garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne to get that garlicky goodness with a bit of a zing--and they came out PERFECTLY! You could also try maple syrup and cinnamon for a sweeter version.

The trick is to make sure the chickpeas are as dry as you can get them so that they roast nicely and give you that crunch without the burned taste.

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) (note: try to look for organic beans with no added salt. You could also buy dry beans and cook them before roasting)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper


Steps:

Preheat over to 425 degrees.
Rinse and pat the chickpeas dry with a paper towel, getting them as dry as you can.
Pour chickpeas onto a cookie sheet and spread them out so they are nicely spaced.
Roast in oven for 30 minutes, shaking them around a little bit halfway through.
Remove from oven, pour into bowl, and toss with olive oil and spices.
Spread chickpeas back over the cookie sheet, return to oven, and bake for another 15-20 minutes.
Allow to cool, and store in an airtight container.


For 21 Day Fixers: count 'em as 1 yellow if you eat meat; count 'em as 1 red if you are vegan or vegetarian.

Enjoy!

Currently {5 Things}

As I sit here in the dark in my living room, while everyone else is still asleep:

I love: my meal plan for this week. No, seriously. Mama did gooooooood this week.

I want: the end of the week to arrive so I can officially say I am not working a full 5-day work week until 2016.

My favorite outfit: my weekend attire--leggings, tunics, and Uggs.

How I'm wearing my hair: messy bun.

My philosophy on work: if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.

Music: I've got some Bethel Music playing in the background this morning.

Fitness Friday {Accountability}

Happy Friday, friends!

Reporting from the trenches this week--I am finding myself at the end of Week 4 of Focus: T25. This means I've got one more week of Alpha phase and am looking at a week of three, THREE, Total Body Circuits. My body is already crying.

But in all seriousness, this week I am focusing on non-scale victories because last Saturday's STATurday wasn't all that encouraging, and after a weekend-long pity party I rearranged my attitude to focus on the things that did go right:

• My jeans are fitting better.
• I am able to do all push ups on my toes instead of dropping to my knees halfway through.
• I am sleeping better.
• My nutrition has been on point this week.
• I have developed a nice rhythm to my day and schedule.

When I jumped on the scale last weekend, I was disappointed to see the scale move in the direction I did NOT want it to move.

The week before?

You see the dilemma here.

I know, I know, it wasn't even a whole pound, but still. I had to face the fact that cheating during the weekends all day every day is NOT going to help me get to where I want to be; it's only going to make the work week an uphill battle trying to undo all the damage I've done throughout the weekend.

Regardless, I am still down almost six and a half pounds and five and a half inches. I quit throwing myself a pity party and realized that a.) I can still show up every day and focus on baby steps toward progress and b.) I need to practice what I preach that the scale is not the be-all, end-all.

That's the reason I started this post with a list of the positives. I still want to be honest and transparent during my journey because it certainly is not all rainbows and daisies, but at the same time I want to be constantly celebrating that I am making small strides every day toward reaching my goal.

Crockpot Chicken Fajita Bowls {Whip It Up Wednesday}

Happy Wednesday, darlings!

This week's Whip It Up Wednesday--Crockpot Chicken Fajita Bowls--is a meal that can be prepped in the morning, left to cook throughout the day in the crockpot, and then all you have to do when you get home from work is make some brown rice or warm some tortillas--it is THAT easy. I always keep a container of  pre-made 21 Day Fix Southwestern Seasoning in my pantry, so I was able to throw this together in about five minutes and I let my crockpot do the rest of the work.

This is great for dinner, or for lunch. I made enough to have for lunch this week PLUS I froze a few extra servings to use in a pinch.

This week's recipe also begs the question: why do all my crockpot meals come out looking like a mishmash of stuff (hint: because it IS a mishmash of stuff)? I feel like there is no taking a pretty picture of meals that come out of a crockpot. But it sure does taste good!

One of these days I'll actually time my recipe photos to take place during the day when the sun is out..
But for now, enjoy this photo from 5:00 AM in my dark kitchen!

Ingredients:

3 lb. chicken breasts
1 green pepper, sliced
1 red pepper, sliced
1 yellow pepper, sliced
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 cup salsa
Juice from one lime
2 tbsp. 21 Day Fix Southwest Seasoning (1 tbsp. chili powder, 2 tsp. ground cumin, 1 tsp. coriander, 1/2 tsp. onion powder, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 1/2 tsp. paprika, 1 tsp. sea salt)
Whole grain tortillas or brown rice
Optional garnishes: lettuce, diced tomato, diced red onion, jalapenos, avocado slices, shredded cheese, plan nonfat greek yogurt

Pour half the can of diced tomatoes with green chiles over the bottom of your crockpot.
Add half of the pepper and onion slices. Squeeze half the lime over the veggies.
Layer your chicken over the peppers and onion. Season with Southwest Seasoning.
Spread salsa over chicken breasts.
Top with remaining peppers, onions, diced tomatoes, and squeeze the other half of the lime over everything.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. Shred chicken with a fork.
Serve over a bed of brown rice or a whole grain tortilla with your choice of garnish.

Enoy!

A Vocabulary of Gratitude of the Busy Mom

I am spending quite a bit of time this month reflecting on gratitude and what it means to truly be appreciative of all of my blessings (like 99% of the rest of the United States, according to my social media accounts).

The biggest challenge I am finding in discovering gratitude lies in the mundane-ness of daily life. Routine. Our schedule. The Monday through Friday grind.

The weekends are full of moments that take my breath away and draw out genuine gratitude, but during the week it's hard. I am focused more on the grind and less on the joy. That quick snuggle in those 20 minutes between getting home from work and starting dinner is going unrecognized because I'm SO focused on the fact that I can only spare 20 minutes. The early mornings spent hastily packing lunches, bumping into one another in the kitchen, and rushing out the door to school and work pushes any thought of the sleepy smiles I got just an hour earlier out of my head. Rushing from school to home for a quick dinner to church on Thursday nights for Bible Study leaves me frazzled, but less-than-cognizant of the blessing that Peyton is absolutely thrilled to be at church on a Thursday night.

An exercise I've been working on personally is all about vocabulary. Changing the way we think and talk about those mundane or less-than-fun aspects of life. The weekends are all fun and laughter and awareness, but I am intently focused on the small moments of gratitude and joy on the days that aren't Saturday and Sunday.

I am making the conscious decision to posture myself to be receptive of daily blessings, because they are there. I just haven't been paying attention.

Work
I don't HAVE to go to work every day. I CAN go to work. 

I am blessed with a job that comes with great benefits, pay, and hours. I don't have to work weekends. They are flexible in understanding that sometimes I need to take a half a day because Peyton has a school event in the morning. I can work from home on days that Peyton is sick if I need to. Instead of waking up every morning groaning and moaning about having a "day job", I am choosing to celebrate the fact that I have a job I can go to each day.

I CAN contribute significantly to my family's financial wellbeing.

I CAN empower my daughter to know that she can successfully balance family and career.

Activities
The activities don't add HASSLE to my life. They add WORTH. 

Dance class is technically on Saturday mornings, but wrestling Peyton into tights, arguing over which tutu is the fluffiest, and the resulting pout needs to stop setting the tone but the morning, because by the time we get to the studio she and I are both flustered and grouchy. But the pure joy on Peyton's face once she gets there is WORTH it. Less focus on the aggravation, more focus on the resulting joy.

That Thursday night Bible Study I mentioned? It genuinely makes me happy that I am able to bring her to church where I can spend time in fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ and Peyton is comfortable enough to be EXCITED to spend time there with her friends. Yeah, Thursday nights are crazy and some nights I don't eat dinner until 10:00 PM, but it's WORTH it.

Volunteering
I don't HAVE to assume volunteer positions. I WANT to.
I've been a volunteer all my life. From Girl Scouts to youth sports organization coaching, I have spent more than half my life in a volunteer role of some sort. Having a child, I wondered if could manage to balance family, work, and volunteer roles, and it took a while to figure out, but I think I have it down now. I don't volunteer because I feel like I HAVE to. I do it because I WANT to and want to be able to make a difference in my community--and I GET to (hopefully!) instill the same desire in my daughter.

Money.
I don't HAVE to pay the bills. I am ABLE to pay the bills.
Once a month a big chunk of my bank account is eaten by Peyton's preschool tuition. One minute money is there, but then on tuition day it's not there anymore. But I should instead be focusing on the fact that we don't HAVE to pay it, but we are ABLE to pay it every month. We both work hard so that we can ensure that our daughter is getting a quality early childhood education that follows sound principles in a school where the staff is friendly, the families are connected, and the schedule fits our working parent lifestyle. Peyton is thriving, and that's really all that matters.

Health
I don't HAVE to spend 30 minutes every day working out. I CHOOSE to.
Choice is the ultimate empowerment. When you are actively making a choice, you are empowering yourself to take matters into your own hands. I could be satisfied with the progress I've made so far, but the truth is that I am still not as fit or as healthy as I should be, and making the choice to pursue a healthy lifestyle is all the empowerment I need.

What it all boils down to? Life is a series of choices.

We can either choose to posture ourselves in a way to allows joy and gratitude into our lives, or we can choose to ignore the blessings we are granted each day, even in the seemingly mundane corners of our every day lives.

Curious: where can you inject a little more gratitude and joy into your life? Is there something you're overlooking?

Friday Faves {Stitch Fix Edition}

**Referral Links in this post--if you sign up for Stitch Fix with my links I will earn a small credit toward future Fixes, 

but once you sign up you can share get your own referral link to share!**

Happy Friday!

It's time for Friday Faves, and this week we are jumping back into Stitch Fix mode!

If you aren't familiar with Stitch Fix, it's a personal styling service that puts the clothing selections in the hands of a personal stylist, with some help from you. When you sign up, you fill out a style profile, link your Pinterest board, and tell your stylist about you, and that's it! You can leave notes for your stylist as you think of special requests, and now with the Stitch Fix app you can even send photos. You schedule how often you'd like to receive boxes, and pay a $20 styling fee per box. Your stylist will refer to your provided info, choose five pieces that they think will suit you best, and send it to your doorstep!

You have three business days to try everything on in the comfort of your own home and send what you don't like back in a pre-paid envelope. The rest you pay for and keep--and here's the best part--that $20 styling fee gets applied to whatever you hang onto. Even better: keep all five pieces and get 25% off.

One of my most popular posts is Why Stitch Fix is a Busy Mom's Best Friend and I still stand by that. Nothing beats someone else doing your clothes shopping for you and getting to try stuff on at home!

I postponed my boxes for a time while I worked on a personal budget, so I was super excited to schedule a box for October. Most of my Fall clothes are OLD--as in pre-Peyton old--so getting some new seasonally-appropriate stuff to add to my closet was a priority for this box. I requested jeans, something burgundy to wear at Thanksgiving, a sweater, or Fall staples in general. And my stylist did not disappoint!

(I hope you are ready for photos taken in Peyton's windowless bathroom because I ran out of time to take photos of the actual clothing while it was still daylight. One of these days I will invest in a nice floor mirror and manage my time better and all will be right with the world.)

Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater {$58}

All bathroom photos will include Peyton's Minnie Mouse bathrobe.
You're welcome.

This sweater was soft, perfect for layering and had elbow patches--LACE elbow patches. Sold, even though the price was a little higher than I would have liked. I convinced myself that the application of the styling fee would lessen the sting and make it worth it--and I don't regret it one bit.


Mira Skinny Jean {$78}

I wanted to like these jeans--as a matter of fact, I DID like them. They were soft. They were pull-on. They were forgiving. I specifically requested jeans in this Fix, and my stylist listened. But they were just on the verge of being too big at the waist and a little baggier at the ankle than I like my skinny jeans. I considered the price tag, the fit right now, and the fact that I was still losing weight and decided to send them back. Sad face.

Tina Checkered Infinity Scarf {$34} & Rowca Scoop Neck Pull Over Sweater {$68}

I asked for a sweater, and this one was so soft and cozy and really just perfect and I could have styled it with so many things in my closet already, but I had already decided that the elbow patch sweater was my soulmate sweater for this Fix and there was no room in the budget for a $70 sweater. So I pouted, folded it up, and put it in the "return" pile.

The scarf on the other hand--KEEPER! It is so soft, I love the plaid and the neutral color so I can wear it with a ton of stuff I already have. Except it's been 70 degrees since I got this and haven't been able to wear it. Boo. Come on, Fall, get your act together.

Dolly Zipper Back Top {$58}

This was my burgundy piece I asked for and was so excited about it when I pulled it out of the box. The color was exactly what I had pictured; it would have gone perfectly with a pair of skinny jeans and booties, and I LOOOOOVED the zipper detail in the back. On the hanger it looked nice and drapey, but on me it ws a fail. It fit strangely around the bust and thus it just laid funny. This one got away, but I have hopes I'll find one similar one day!

If the stars aligned and all the pieces fell into place just so, I would have totally kept everything in this box. My stylist was completely on point and picked things out that were on-trend, my style, and seasonally appropriate. I wound up keeping 2 of the 5 pieces, and I am so looking forward to my next box in December!

If you haven't yet, sign up to get your first box here!

Whip It Up Wednesday {Lunchbox Edition #1: Homemade Pizza Lunchables}

Woot woot!

Welcome to the first ever LUNCHBOX EDITION of Whip It Up Wednesday! This is where I'll share healthy(ier) peanut- and tree nut-free lunchbox ideas for your littles.

Peyton does not have a peanut or tree nut allergy, but I know a lot of schools enforce a peanut- and tree nut-free zone because of children who do. I take these allergies very seriously because they can be deadly, so I have been brainstorming ideas for Peyton beyond the basic sunbutter and jelly sandwiches (full disclosure: Peyton does NOT like sunbutter--but I do!).

Lately Peyton has been asking about Lunchables, and I'm not a fan. So I plotted a way to get her her very own "lunchable" without the fake cheese and meat and sodium and grossness.

I present to you: the pizza "lunchable":

Ideally, I'd like to make my own pizza dough, but in a pinch this is perfect!

The pizza is one half of a sandwich thin (you could pack both halves, but Peyton doesn't eat that much), red sauce (read the labels and avoid added sugar!), and mozzarella cheese. I pack a spoon for her to spread the sauce over the sandwich thin and she can make her pizza herself.

The containers with the pink lids are from the Spencer Clear Food Storage Set from Pottery Barn Kids (utensil set can be found here), and I ordered the Silicone Baking Cups from Amazon. The silicone cups are the perfect size to create a bento-box type feel with this particular food storage set.

The pizza Lunchables come with a piece of candy and juice, but instead I chose to include red seedless grapes, sliced cucumber with ranch dressing, and an organic applesauce cup. And Peyton brings her water bottle into school with her every day, not pictured here.

Overall, this has been a hit! Peyton took this for lunch every day last week, and I rotated carrots in place of the cucumber, and yogurt in place of the applesauce to keep things interesting. I was worried that it would be messy, but the kid is determined to make her own pizza without making a mess in the process, and it's teaching her how to prepare her food--so this is a multi-tasking lunch for the win.

You could clean this up even more by swapping the ranch dressing for hummus, making your own pizza dough, and swapping the applesauce for a piece of whole fruit...but I am grateful that Peyton will eat this and I am choosing my battles.

Kids are picky, I get it. But we can get creative in the kitchen to provide lunches for our children that foster healthy habits, teach independence, and introduce better food choices.

Happy Wednesday!

November Goals

Happy November!

I can't believe there are only TWO months left in the year! It blows my mind every year that passes that it just goes so quickly.

This time of the year is my absolute favorite, though, so I'm very excited for what the next two months has to bring. 

Let's take a quick look at October's goals and see how I did--I am feeling VERY good about October, because I spent a lot of time on some serious introspection and it brought clarity and direction to the rest of this year.

October's Goals

Reconstruct my WHY to give me a clear drive for reaching my goals and to help me grow.
I spent a lot of time thinking about my WHY for continuing on my health & fitness journey and some serious time considering my WHY for the coaching end of things. I always encourage my boot campers to develop solid WHY's for their goals, and mine had gotten a little murky. I found myself going through the motions with no real thought and direction because I felt like I HAD to--and that's not the way to go at all. My results suffered, and my motivation suffered.

I am recommitted to my health & fitness journey because I want to feel like the best version of myself. I want to look in the mirror and feel confident in my own skin. I want to teach my daughter that we can love our bodies by treating them well. I want to wear a bikini next summer, stretch marks and all.

I am recommitted to my coaching business because I know how it feels to be stuck. I know how it feels to be directionless. BUT I want to show people that there are tools and possibilities available to them that can help propel them forward toward their goals of self-love, confidence, and wellness--as well as financially should they wish to join me.


Begin writing an eBook.
The idea is in place and the outline is very, very rough. But it exists, and that is enough for me.

Prioritize.
If it didn't move me forward in any of these areas: spiritual growth, family growth, physical growth and health, or mental growth, it didn't happen. I said no to a lot of things this month which was hard because I like to say "yes" to all the things, but saying no was for the right reasons. This is something I plan to carry on with throughout the next two months.

Convert our third bedroom into an office space.
This is being tabled until 2016. The bones are there, but with the holidays coming up I don't have the time to focus on it. I am looking forward to making this one of my big 2016 goals, though!

Cook with pumpkin once a week.
Close! I made my Pumpkin Spice Latte Shakeology and my Baked Apple Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal weekly, but didn't have the opportunity to experiment much beyond that.

Start Christmas shopping.
I started my shopping during the last week of October. It feels good to be sticking to a budget, well ahead of time, and making this a debt-free Christmas season.

And now for some November goals.

Come up with ways to health-ify some of my favorite Thanksgiving sides and share here.

Real talk: my favorite Thanksgiving side is stuffing. Stuffing does not help me reach my goals, but I am determined to come up with some quality alternatives that won't make me miss the real thing this year.

A Month of Gratitude

Have you joined up with the Month of Gratitude Photo Challenge yet? Today is Day 2 and I am looking forward to finding joy and gratitude in daily life--even on the seemingly craptastic days. Use the hashtag #grabgratitude so I can keep up with you!

Write first draft of e-Book.

I mentioned that the outline is finished, but now it's time to start fleshing it out a little bit more. I am not expecting a masterpiece this go-around, but the goal is to mold it into something I am proud of for a 2016 launch.

Shakeology every day.

It's the holidays and I am already down almost 7 pounds thanks to my Holiday Hustle {60 Days to Thrive} Boot Camp, but zoning in on nutrition is going to be so key for me for staying on track--not only to keep me in line with my goals, but also to keep my energy levels up as we are constantly on the go.

Begin brainstorming ideas for 2016 Q1 free challenges and Elite Boot Camps.

I already know January's Boot Camp is going to be epic for my New Year's Resolution-makers since we'll be diving into a fitness component AND exploring goal-setting in-depth, but I am looking forward to offering even MORE free challenges in addition to the clean eating challenges.  I'd like to have the free challenges picked and the boot camps decided on for January, February, and March by the end of the month so I will be ahead of the game in December.

Get comfortable investing more money in my business.

Mostly on advertising my free challenges and reach a bigger audience. This will correlate with my WHY of reaching more people to help them learn healthy habits and develop stronger levels of self-confidence. I would also like to beging budgeting new coach gifts and rank advancement recognition now so that once my dream team is in place I am ready for them. 

Fitness Friday {Accountability}

Welcome to Fitness Friday! Every so often, I am going to take some time on Fridays to post here to keep myself accountable, track progress, and share some of my thoughts on how it's going as I work to reach my goals.

Today marks the end of Week 2 of Focus: T25. This is not the first time I've done this program as T25 was the first Beachbody program I ever bought back in February 2014 and finally worked up the courage to push play in March 2014. This is, admittedly, my soul mate workout--I love everything about it.. 25 minutes a day, get-in-and-get-out--everything about it just works for me.

If you aren't familiar with Focus: T25, it's a 10-week program consisting of 5 days on, one day off, and one active recovery/stretch day. The workouts are 25 minutes a day (plus 2-3 minutes of cool down) with the exception of the fifth day (in my case, Friday) on which you do two workouts. You do have the option of splitting them up between Friday and Saturday, but this go-around I have decided to do one in the early AM on Friday and the second in the evenings. Saturdays are for taking weight and measurements to track progress, and on Sunday you can complete a stretch workout.

This schedule works perfectly for me and my lifestyle, and with the holidays coming up it seemed like a no-brainer to tackle T25 again. The best part is that I am stronger and have MUCH more stamina than I did in March 2014, so it's been challenging and fun pushing myself just a little more.

I won't have my Week 2 stats until tomorrow morning, but here's how I did with Week 1:

Before photo:

Day 0
Next photo will be Day 35.

3.6 pounds down in my first six days.

And my measurements
October 18 (Day 0) :
Right Calf - 16.5
Left Calf - 16
Right Thigh - 25.5
Left Thigh - 25.5
Hips - 43.75
Waist - 36.75
Bust - 42.75
Right Arm - 13
Left Arm - 13

October 24 (Day 6):
Right Calf - 16
Left Calf - 16
Right Thigh - 25.25
Left Thigh - 25.5
Hips - 42.5
Waist - 35.75
Bust - 42.5
Right Arm - 12.75
Left Arm - 12.75

Total inches lost: 3.75.

Two weeks in and I am already starting to feel and see changes, which is only fueling the fire to keep pushing forward. Add in the fact that I am.working alongside my Holiday Hustle Boot Campers and I am feeling pretty darn confident that I'll be able to stay consistent through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the weeks leading up the Christmas.

Eight more weeks to go!

Whip It Up Wednesday {Avocado Toast with Tomato & Fried Egg}

Happy Hump Day!

This week's Whip It Up Wednesday is a quick meal I made over the weekend that was filling, healthy, and tasty! I don't know about you, but I love love LOVE avocado...I could put it on everything and be quite happy with that.

This would be great to make at any time of the day! It's definitely a weekend staple at my house.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 slice whole grain bread
1 egg
2 slices tomato
1/4 avocado, mashed
1 tbsp. diced red onion
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
Salt & pepper (to taste)
Hot sauce (optional)

Toast your bread.
Fry your egg.
Mix together mashed avocado, garlic, and onion.
Layer on bread: avocado, tomato slices, egg.
Add salt and pepper as desired.
Optional: drizzle with your favorite hot sauce.

November {Month of Gratitude Challenge}

Gratitude

n.
the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

syn.
gratefulness, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness, recognition, acknowledgement, credit


Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)


November is next week. Can you believe it?!

You know what comes at the end of November.

Thanksgiving.

A day reserved for giving thanks for our blessings.

But I often wonder how much time we spend daily actually dwelling on gratitude, and if it even crosses most minds on Thanksgiving at all.

Enter the 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge. A challenge that I hope will push you to find ways to seek out and practice gratitude daily--even beyond November and into your life always.

How does it work?

Here are the prompts for the month of November.

The challenge is to snap a photo representing the day's prompt and sharing it via social media. I'll be over on Instagram--you can find me @thismisfitmama--but feel free to share on Facebook or your platform of choice. Use the hashtag #grabgratitude so I can find you and share in the joy of spreading gratitude!

Think of this as a month-long visual journaling exercise. Let's dig into the gritty details of our daily lives and coming out finding appreciation for all things we have been blessed with. I hope that this will be an exercise you can carry on for the rest of your lives, looking into what appears to be the mundane depths and finding bits of blessings and goodness.

We start November 1.

Let's do this!

#grabgratitude

Friday Faves {Fitness Must-Haves}

It's Friday! So that means another round of Friday Faves! And this week...it's my fitness must-haves!

These are the things near and dear to my heart when it comes to my health and fitness journey. I'd love to hear about your faves in the comments!

1 - Yoga Mat 

 

Not JUST for yoga! I use my mat as as means to protect my knees on my hardwood floors if I need to modify my push-ups, and give my wrists a little more cushion for floor work.

2 - Shakeology 

I wouldn't know what to do without this superfood-packed nutrition supplement. It curbs my cravings, it fills in any nutritional gaps I might have each day, and it makes me feel like superwoman. You can read more about Shakeology in this post.

3 - Personal Development

Kindle included because I've got even more books loaded onto it.

Some people roll their eyes and think "ugh, self-help", but personal development is so much more than that. I have read books on goal-setting, habit-forming, vulnerability, wholeheartedness, and other topics that have not only helped me with understanding how to properly set and reach a goal, but have touched other facets of my life as well.

We can always work on ways to better ourselves, and I'm a firm believer that feeling good on the inside will manifest on the outside.

4 - A sweet workout tank

I've already showed you my five favorites from around the internet, but I found this one at Target last week and it had to be mine. It's seasonally appropriate and so fun.

5 - A plan

I'm not going to lie--having it all laid out, step-by-step for you, makes all the difference in the world when it comes to reaching new health & fitness goals. I've tried the gym and wandering around the cardio equipment aimlessly because I'm too intimidated to even take a look at the free weights and machines, and personal training isn't in the budget, nor is there any serious time for it. I am eternally grateful for my rock-bottom moment during the winter of 2014 because it brought me to Beachbody and all of the solutions it offers. I am grateful for programs that come with calendars, nutrition guides, and modifiers so I can pick the plan that works best for me at the stage I'm at. AND I can do it all from the comfort of my own home. Workout plan, meal plan, you name it--the success comes with the plan, and I have it all in one place.

Whip It Up Wednesday {Baked Apple Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal for Cozy Fall Mornings}

Lately I have been on a crazy baked oatmeal kick. It's easy to make-ahead on my meal prep days and is great to have on hand for busy mornings.

I've been sticking with a plain pumpkin spice version for the last few weeks, but this past weekend I had a bunch of apples I needed to use ASAP. I also had a bit of pumpkin puree left that I need to use--and I HATE throwing away food. I added the apples into my go-to pumpkin spice oatmeal base mixture, and I wound up with an oatmeal packed full of fall flavor.

Reheated with a splash of almond milk and a drizzle of maple syrup, this is a breakfast that is stick-to-your-ribs good--and you can feel good about the ingredients as this oatmeal bake is sweetened with maple syrup instead of white or brown sugar or other faux-sweeteners.

Ingredients:
3 cups oats
3 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)
3/4 cup almond milk, room temp
2 eggs, room temp
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3 apples, chopped into small pieces

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a square baking dish (mine is 9x9).

Mix first 5 ingredients (dry ingredients) in a bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. (Note: the milk and eggs need to be at room temperature to keep the coconut oil from solidifying again)
Combine the dry and wet ingredients and mix well.
Fold in the chopped apples. Combine well.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down into the dish.
Bake for 35 minutes, or until set.

After cooling, I slice into bars and store in the fridge to grab and add into my lunch bag each day. You can reheat in the microwave, add a splash of almond milk and a drizzle of maple syrup, or eat them plain.

Enjoy!

Fitness Friday {Accountability}...on a Tuesday

Today is the official day one of my Holiday Hustle Boot Camp, and I've got a bunch that are ready and committed to rock these next 60 days. I have officially recommitted to Focus: T25 because I always tell my boot campers that I match the energy they give me, so if they are solidly with me, it's only fair that I match their level of commitment.  I shared with them last week that I so desperately needed this group myself because I have been in a funk that has been manifesting itself emotionally, mentally, and, as it turns out--physically. 

I took my starting measurements yesterday, and what I found was disheartening. Real talk: I had gain ten--TEN!--pounds since July. All of my hard work, totally blown.  My goal to lose ONLY three pounds a month? That happened in reverse. I had been feeling fluffy, but not ten pounds fluffier.

I could feel the icky feelings of inadequacy creeping in, and they stuck with me for pretty much the entire day. How could I do this? What kind of support system am I? What kind of example am I setting? I felt sorry for myself. I felt like a let-down.

So I sat, I prayed a lot, I thought a little. I wrote, just letting all those nasty thoughts fall out onto paper. I took that paper, tore it up, and threw it out.

I woke up this morning--Monday--day one.

I can fix this. I'll take ownership and personal responsibility. I am not a product of my environment; I am fully capable of making the correct choices. I am a product of my CHOICES. If anything, this gut-check has only served to remind me that this fight is the good fight. I deserve better. My boot campers deserve better.

I CAN be the example. I WILL be the example.

Please forgive the grainy photo.
I decided spare you the sight of my unmanicured toes and crop them out.

Anyway, I was supposed to post this on Friday, but I jumped on my scale on Friday morning and the battery was dead. Obviously the scale was trying to tell me something.

So here is what I'm working with as far as starting stats. I still haven't had the opporunity to take a before photo yet but I will be sure to take it this week and include it with future accountability posts.


Weight/Measurements
Starting Weight: 196.4
Right Arm: 13
Left Arm: 13
Bust: 42.75
Waist: 36.75
Hips: 43.75
Right Thigh: 25.5
Left Thigh 25.5
Right Calf: 16.5
Left Calf: 16

Meal Plan

I am not too keen on the meal plan that comes with T25 as I don't think it's enough food for me, so I am loosely following my recommended 21 Day Fix guidelines for this program and I'll adjust as necessary.

Also, I plan on following a 90%-10% rule.

90% of the time I will focus on fresh, clean, whole foods. The other 10% of the time I will allow myself that treat. I need that little bit of moderation in my life because I find restricting too much makes me WAY more likely to go off the deep end.

And after all, a major mantra of this Boot Camp is to THRIVE during the holidays, not be a miserable sack of poo because I'm torturing myself during the most wonderful time of the year. Grace and patience people, that's the name of my game.

When I completed T25 for the first time in 2014, I hadn't been incorporating Shakeology into my diet yet, so I am looking forward to seeing what making that a constant fixture in my meal plan will do for my results. I am looking forward to reporting on that when this is over!

I am also focusing on maintaining a decent water intake. I am grateful for the Aquatober Challenge starting on October 26 to get me started on a high note! Goal: 100 oz. daily.

Starting Thoughts:
I am feeling really confident and happy with my decision to re-commit to a program in its entirety--and T25 is really the perfect fit because of the time commitment during an otherwise crazy time of the year (25 minutes a day), and the sense of comfort it brings me since it's the very FIRST program I ever completed. I am looking forward to pushing myself further and working harder as I grow along with this committed bunch I have!

Whip It Up Wednesday: Pomegranate Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Today's Whip It Up Wednesday recipes is pretty, simple, and packed with not one--but TWO superfoods: pomegranates and chia seeds.

Since I started educating myself on healthy eating, I have become a big breakfast person. I love me some eggs with veggies, hearty oatmeal dishes, incorporating whole grains like quinoa into breakfast dishes...and this recipe is no different. I think originally intended for healthy dessert options, I LOVE having this in the mornings or as a pick me up snack in the afternoon.

Chia seeds are packed with nutritional value--fiber, antioxidants, protein, calcium, omega-3's, minerals--this little seed has it all! They're pretty fun, too, because when you add liquid to them, they turn into a gel-like consistency that makes a great base for add-ins like fruit and nuts.

Adding in the pomegranate seeds (called arils--those pretty little jewel-toned globes inside the fruit) brings sweetness and additional nutritional benefit: vitamins C & K, fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and more. AAAAAND--Fall is pomegranate season, so it's easy to stock up since your local grocery store will most likely have them available much cheaper than at other times of the year. Gotta love seasonal produce!

Paired together with a little vanilla coconut almond milk, chopped almonds, and unsweetened shredded coconut, this is a satisfying healthy snack that comes with a TON of health benefits. It's easy to prepare ahead--perfect for grab-and-go convenience!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. chia seeds
3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla coconut almond milk
1 tsp. honey
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
Unsweetened coconut flakes & chopped almonds for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

In a bowl, thoroughly mix chia seeds, almond milk, and honey. Allow the mixture to sit overnight in the fridge, until the seeds have soaked up the milk and swelled.

Top with pomegranate seeds and garnish with shredded coconut & almonds, if desired. Enjoy!

Linked up with:
The Blissful Bee

September Book Club Book Review {Reconstructing Amelia}

I know.

We are well into October and I am just now getting around to reviewing our September This Misfit Mama Book Club pick, Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight. I just wanted to give enough of a safe zone after our live meet up for anyone still reading to finish.

And now that October is halfway over and we are onto our next book, I feel like it's safe to post my review. And "wow", is all I have to say about this book.

I started reading it on September 13 and read about 12% of the way through. The next night, I found myself completely unable to put the book down, staying up until 2:00 AM to finish it. That is 2:00 AM Tuesday morning. When my alarm goes off at 5:30 AM. I was TIRED the next day, but it was completely and totally worth it lack of sleep.

A brief breakdown:

Kate Baron is a successful lawyer and a single mom to Amelia, a sophomore at an exclusive private school. Kate gets a phone call during an important meeting that Amelia, a well-behaved, by-the-rules teenager, has been suspended for cheating and she needs to be picked up immediately. By the time Kate gets to the school, the worst has happened. Amelia has jumped off the roof of the school, which the police and school have deemed "impulsive suicide."

As Kate grapples with the grief of losing her only child, she one day receives a text message informing her that Amelia did not jump. And thus this text message sets off a series of events in which Kate must thread together strands of her daughter's life--the daughter she thought she knew so well--to find out what ultimately happened to her.

You guys. This book was NUTS. In a completely good, can't-put-down, can't-turn-the-pages-fast-enough kind of way. Kimberly McCreight does an excellent job (in my opinion) of bringing across Kate's grief and desperation for the truth, Amelia's vulberability, inter-weaving storylines, characters, and backstories, and jumps back and forth between different points of view at the perfect times.

Yes, we get Kate's point of view from the day Amelia dies and on, and Amelia's point of view in the weeks leading up to her death. Intermixed are snippets of text messages, Facebook posts, blogs and emails. At first I thought this format would be way too choppy and kind of overdone, but I found it really added an element to this book that really drove home just how twisty and turny this story is ("twisty" and "turny"...you are welcome for the made up words).

The burn is slow, and the gut checks still hurt even if you could guess they were coming.

The only downside I'll give this book is that some of the events throughout the plot left me scratching my head a little bit, even in the name of suspending belief for the sake of a really good story.

Ultimately, it's a story of a mother who did as much as she could and felt it was still not enough, with some secrets of her own. The lonely, confused teenager and her yearning to find a sense of belonging and acceptance from her peers. A story about the troubles that teenagers these days face--bullying, the dangers of social media, the "mean girls."

And it's all wrapped up in this endeavor to discover Amelia, with an ending I knew would probably be predictable, but was still not at all what I was expecting.

As a mom, I could feel Kate's pain. I could not imagine losing my daughter, ever. My heart broke for her throughout the book. And to be honest, it aboslutely scared the crap out of me when it came to downright horrible teenage girls can be--and my daughter is only in Pre-K. Especially with their evil teengae girl shenanigans powered by the excess of social media. I thank my lucky stars that Facebook was NOT a thing when I was in high school, and I pray my own daughter never ever experiences such horror at the hands of a peer.

I can see this novel being a catalyst for discussion between parents and teens on the more mature end to handle the storyline about the dangers of social media, harrassment, and bullying.

Overall rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

In October we are taking on Brene Brown's "Daring Greatly", which is proving to be quite an enlightening and eye opening read. It's not too late to join us! We'll be reading throughout the rest of the month with a Google Hangout discussion on Monday, November 9. It's a great way to discuss some thought-provoking stuff, meet new faces, and join up a great community from the comfort of your own home with a glass a wine. Click here for more info and to sign up!