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.

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)