Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my experiences with food, fitness, and life. I love to motivate and encourage, and will offer tips, but keep in mind when it comes to your health and fitness, do your research.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Cookies and Cream, Chocolate, Banana, Coconut Protein Pancakes!

Boy oh boy do I have a recipe to share with all of you!! I'm officially 12 weeks out from Atlantic City and I'm really trying to not deprive myself this time around and get a lot more creative in the kitchen to satisfy some of those cravings! Competition prep should be a wild, fun ride that's hard but not torturous!! 

Cookies and Cream, Banana, Coconut Protein Pancakes.....well, that's a mouthful!! 

1/2 Scoop Cookies and Cream Whey Protein Powder
1/2 Scoop Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
2 egg whites
1 TBSP Coconut Flour 
1 TBSP Ground Flax seed Meal
1 tsp Baking powder
1/4 Cup Oats 
1/4 c water 

Add all ingredients to blender and mix well, until a pancake batter consistency. It should be thick but if it is too thick add a small amount of water and blend until it is a good smooth thick texture.

Cook on pan or griddle, just as you would any other pancake batter! Then top with sliced bananas and coconut oil! Perfection!

Follow me on Instagram @FitMomDiaries and tag me in your photos after you make these yummies!! 
xox




Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Why I decided to become an ACE Certified Personal Trainer.




When people would ask me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I always said a lawyer. I loved to talk, I loved to argue, prove a point, and I loved to help people. However, when I learned the amount of time and school work required, I decided a job where I could help people in another way would be better for me. Sitting at a desk all day writing papers was not exactly for me. I didn't know what I would do, and how I would help them, but I knew I wanted to be a part of peoples lives, and make a positive influence on it.  I was overweight, couldn't run a mile, was intimidated by the gym, and had no idea what eating healthy was. If someone told me then, my way of helping people, would be through fitness and nutrition, I would have laughed. Fast forward, a decade or so later, and here I am, living a life promoting the value of exercise and proper nutrition. The thought of others gaining confidence, inner and outer strength, and a healthy body and mind, gives me so much joy. The fitness world has introduced me to people who are kind hearted, supportive, and like a second family. The people I have met through my journey to better health have become some of my best friends, my motivation, and my biggest supporters. It took me years of crash dieting, over exercising, bad trainers, and self doubt to finally find the right people in Fitness Community to properly guide me to this lifestyle! I finally learned it wasn't about getting skinny or to a certain number on the scale. It was about getting strong, physically and mentally. Believing in myself, and my self worth, not for the size of my jeans, but the size of my heart. I am forever grateful and indebted to them. 
My passion for everyone to experience a lifestyle of better health is what led me to deciding to become a personal trainer. I want everyone to understand that they can live a healthy lifestyle no matter what their current situation is. Is just takes the commitment, and decision to say "yes, I can do this." 
There is no better feeling in this world than seeing other succeed.  I feel as though I have been given the knowledge and resources to pass on to others, to live a healthier, more fulfilling life. Meeting my own goals and dreams, gives me an incredible feeling of accomplishment, but o inspire someone, and watch them meet and surpass their own goals truly makes my heart happy ! 
I am so excited to start helping others set their own fitness goals, meet those goals, surpass them, and give them the opportunity to inspire someone else! 
xox

Sunday, February 17, 2013

What do you do on a snowed in Sunday in February?

You online shop for spring inspired motivation of course!! Bright colored sneakers, a Michael Kors spring purse,  bright, fun, playful bikinis, and new workout tanks, oh my! I am in shopping heaven over here! It may be cold, windy and snowy outside, but in my house we are thinking Spring! Honestly, its the only way to get me through the New England winters! 

Some of my favorites right now....This gorgeous Michael Kors! 
Bright, fun, new sneakers by Asics!











This stunning new bikini in Coral from Victorias Secret!


 

and how flippin cute is this tank top from an etsy shop Ruffles with love??  

I don't know about you guys but new workout gear motivates me more than anything else. I may be a little crazy but when I get a new pair of shoes or a new gym outfit, I can not wait to get to the gym and rock it! 

Lets not forget about the spring selection of clothing for the kids right now! Um, has anyone seen the new gymboree spring lines? I want  need it all! I always have to head on over to the Gap, and honestly, toddler colorpop denim.... need I say more? I am dying from the cuteness! Evn though we have quite some time before we'll be hitting the beach, I'm pretty sure this beauty needs to be ordered and stored away for a vacation or sunny day! 

Other than hours of unnecessary online shopping I plan to do a bit of food prepping, including trying out a new spaghetti squash recipe I found! If it turns out good, I will share it with you all! My house smells of garlic and mustard. It must be getting closer to showtime! 9 weeks out, and things are getting strict. I have noticed a change in my physique by looking back on some check in pictures. It gets really tough to see changes when you don't notice the number on the scale going down, which is why progress pictures are so important. Small efforts every single day will bring you huge long term results! 
Thanks again for following along on my journey to The Fitness Universe Stage in April! It means the world to me! 
Stay healthy and fabulous! Enjoy your Sunday! 
xox 

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Pure gratitude

Yesterday I received an email from a Magazine that I had submitted my transformation pictures to in November! The email said that they would love to use my story in their issue coming out in March! I read the email from Inside Fitness Magazine over and over before I eagerly told my husband! I couldn't believe that I was going to be in a magazine. I have no idea if it's going to be a 2x2 picture, or a page, and honestly I don't care! How cool is it that my picture will be in a Fitness Magazine! I immediately emailed my coach Jules, called my Mom, texted a few friends, and then spread the word on facebook. I couldn't keep this kind of excitement to myself! I worked hard to get to where I am, and I am so grateful to every person that helped and supported me every step of the way. I spent most of yesterday on a natural high, and woke up this morning feeling pure gratitude. I eagerly hopped out of bed and headed to Yoga at my favorite studio, The Yoga Tree. I had a great class, and used that time to reflect on how happy it made me feel to reach another one of my goals, to be in a Fitness Magazine! 
After yoga, I hurried home because I had a date with two of my favorite people! Adam, Olivia and I were going out for our breakfast splurge meal! We went to Jimmy k's restaurant in Georgetown! I ordered the short stack of Chocolate Chip pancakes with walnuts. They we incredible!! After breakfast we headed home so Adam could get ready for work. 
Olivia and I are just hanging out and relaxing today since I have a busy day of Competition training tomorrow at the Body Ambition Strut and Sweat Seminar! I am excited to learn some new things, get my suit order finalized, meet new people, and sweat! 
Since today is a lazy day, I plan on experimenting a bit in the kitchen, so hopefully I will have a new recipe to share later on! 
I would also like to welcome all the new followers of the blog! I can't even begin to tell you how much it excites me to know people actually read my blog. I often feel like I am talking to myself, which is ok, it's a great stress reliever for me to write, and an awesome way for me to remember the little moments, but my greatest goal is to help inspire everyone to follow their dreams! 
xox

Friday, January 11, 2013

Holy Yummy Protein Balls!

Oh boy, I am so excited to share this recipe with you all!! I spent my Friday night in the kitchen testing out protein bars, and this is this best one I have ever tasted! It's more of a Protein Ball, but it is chewy, sweet, yummy, and I felt like I was eating raw cookie dough!! 
I based it off this recipe from The Gracious Pantry but made some changes to it! 

Cinnamon protein balls
2 cups of old fashioned oats
8 vanilla whey protein
3 TBSP all natural peanut butter 
1/2 c Honey
1/2 c applesauce 
1TBSP Cinnamon
2 TBSP Chia seeds
1 smashed banana 


Roast the 2 cups of oats in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Take then out of the oven and mix into bowl with all other ingredients. Lay flat into a baking pan and bake for about 10 minutes. Take out of oven let cool a little then roll into 12 golf sized balls. Let cool. Enjoy!! Holy yummy! You can add chocolate chips for sure I just didn't have any left!
These come in at about 240 cals 5g fat 32g carbs and 20g protein!


Enjoy!! 

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Shopping Lists!

The grocery store can be an overwhelming place without a list. Try to stay around the perimeter of the store where most the clean foods are! 

Just remember ERF-- Eat Real Foods!! 


Grocery Shopping list:
Eggs/egg whites 
Hummus (I prefer Sabra Garlic) 
Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk
Nonfat Plain Greek Yogurt
Thin n Trim Chicken Sausages (Apples and Cinnamon is my fav) 
Chicken Breasts 
Lean Ground Turkey
Lean Ground Chicken
Salmon
Haddock
Tilapia
Swordfish
Tuna Steaks
Canned Tuna
Salsa
Mustard
Coconut Oil
Walnut Oil
All Natural Peanut Butter
All Natural Almond butter
Old Fashioned Quaker Oats 
Whole wheat Pasta
Brown Rice
Quinoa
Rice cakes 
Eziekiel Bread
Frozen Veggies (I love broccoli, brussel spouts, peppers and onion, don't be afraid to try new things!!) 
Sweet Potatoes 
Baby Spinach
Romaine Lettuce
Asparagus 
Bananas 
Apples 
Oranges
Blueberries 
Strawberries
Dry Spices- Garlic, pepper, basil (Choose flavors you enjoy)