Instagram Official

Not sure what took me so long, but I officially have an Instagram account for my blog!

 

This will be more of daily updates (as opposed to my blog posts that aren't daily) and ideas, quotes or whatever else is going on in my life. It's a great way to stay in touch during day to day life and inspiring each other.  I will also post on Instagram when a new blog is up so keep on the look out for those as well.
 

Follow me & join me on my journey.

 

www.instagram.com/passionnbeauty

 

  

Positive vibes,

Jenn

New Loves

Well, I decided it was time to spruce up the blog a bit and made a few changes. Wanted it to be a little lighter, brighter and a place for me to go to write more often then just recipes. I have had an online blog of some sort for many many years. Livejournal and Free Open Diary were once my bff's as kid. I want this bff back again. Here goes...

I have realized recently that I am in major need of some stress relief in my life. Who am I kidding, I have always needed that in my life since I struggle with very bad OCD, anxiety and a super stressful job. But at least now I am finally doing something to control it.

Meditation was something I thought I could never do. When I used to take pilates or yoga at the gym (before I got married, had a kid and actually had time to), meditation at the end of the classes I always struggled with. I couldn't get out of my head and would become restless. Because of that I thought it just wasn't for me and it wouldn't work. I decided to give it another try within this past week, I needed SOMETHING and getting out of my head was necessary for me to have some peace in my mind. I realized after downloading a few apps and listening to these women's soothing voices and what they were saying that it was OK to be distracted and it happens to everyone. I just needed to continue and concentrate to the best of my ability. It wasn't something you had to be perfect at the first time or even the tenth time. You need to practice it like anything in order to be successful at it. So right now, I am practicing and learning. While my meditation isn't perfect, it does ease my body and mind. After doing it I do feel more at peace. Also, for me personally my OCD after is less and that is HUGE. My OCD is the life altering kind, not the clean house kind. Any less repetitive actions or any less chaos in my head means a lot to me.

I have thought recently about trying medication for my OCD and anxiety but the thought of that gave me more anxiety because I have had a bad reaction to medicine for this when I was younger. Sometimes being on medicine for this or other type of disorders is necessary but I wanted to try anything so I didn't need to go that route and it looks like meditation is the new medication for me. Knowing the small changes meditation has done for me in just a few sessions gives me true hope that this could be a life changing practice and that makes me happy. It's a new love of mine and I'm excited for my journey ahead with it.

Another new love of mine has been reading. I don't like to sit and read for hours and hours, nor do I have the time but sitting for a short time has been another stress reliever for me. I lean more towards "self help", self love and awareness books but am also enjoying fiction books as well. Fiction gets me out of my head and deep thinking. So it depends on my mood and how tired I am but a little break from reality, work, tv, etc. is nice sometimes. I am not a reader by any means but I have enjoyed this new love of mine.

Find things you love. You deserve to explore that and do something for you. I have always struggled with doing things for me because of the guilt but I know now it's necessary.


Positive vibes,

Jenn

I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again

Sometimes you get to a point where you've gained too much weight or got too out of shape that you think you could never turn it all around. I've been there. A million times. It's OK. You CAN still lose the weight and get back in shape. 

I was at that point. Even my mental health was getting to a very unhealthy point. But then on Monday I started a new challenge group and workout program. After even the first workout I felt better and knew I was on the right path again. The endorphins kicked in, depression left my head and I felt better about myself. 

To think something so little as a 30 minute workout can completely change how you feel and alter the chemicals in your brain to feel happiness again is truly amazing. 

Yes, the workout is hard. Yes, you will struggle. Yes, you will curse out the trainer on the tv. Yes, you will drip sweat all over including on your toddler under your feet. And YES, you will be sore the next day and days to follow. 

But also, YES it will all be worth it and YES you WILL feel good in the end. I realized no matter how hard or how much weight I put on, getting back on track is one step and day at a time. You have to start somewhere. 

Also, YES you will mess up, have a bad cheat meal or day. It's reality and human nature. But don't let that mess up your week or your mind set. Have it end then and there and move on to healthier decisions. 

Think ahead, to the next workout or next healthy meal and how you will feel after. I actually love feeling sore. It shows I did something. I did something that is good for my body and what I did is working. 

Chug that water, press play and change you! You won't be sorry. 

One day at a time, one healthy choice at a time. That's enough.

I received this email over the weekend from Beachbody about my weekly workouts I did. I REALLY needed this!

Positive vibes,
Jenn

Meal Delivery Services

So I know these meal deliveries companies have been around for awhile. Hello Fresh, Blue Apron, Purple Carrot, etc. but we never tried them before. They are a bit pricey and out of our weekly budget for the regular price of the service, but with coupons they are very affordable. I always seem to see $30 off coupons, but after doing some googling I was able to find $40 off coupons. By using this coupon, 3 meals for 2 people each is only $20. This is so much cheaper than if all the supplies were purchased at a grocery store. The regular price is completely worth it also for the convenience and quality of food, but it's just not something we can afford. Finding a way around paying full price has been great because we are really enjoying the meals.

 

We have tried one week of Hello Fresh and one week of Blue Apron so far and are pleasantly surprised with the meals. My husband also loves cooking the meals and learning new recipes we can use in the future and small things you wouldn't think to do or mix together but works and tastes delicious. Plus it's a win win for me because I don't have to cook. Another plus is having my husband see that healthier options can taste good too and to broaden the types of food he eats. Who knew he liked radishes and cabbage?! :)

 

The meals only take about 30 minutes with prep and cooking which is not bad at all. They are full of flavor, there's a good variety of meals to choose from each week and are good portions. Portion size is one thing my husband was worried about. When we received the first box and saw all the supplies it didn't seem like enough for us, but once the meals were cooked and plated it was plenty. The only downfall is there isn't enough for leftovers for lunch the next day. We like leftovers but at the same time they seem to go to waste a lot too.

 

I have heard Hello Fresh is better than Blue Apron but from our experience they are equally as good.  We are excited to try more companies and more meals. Here are a few of our meals we've made so far, we as in my husband haha:

 

 

If anyone is thinking about trying one of these services I highly recommend it. If you need help finding a coupon to use let me know!

Postive vibes,
Jenn

Light is the New Black

Starbucks is so much more than coffee. It's a special world. A different vibe. I look around and see all these unique human beings as they read, write, talk and create. It's really a special thing and a warm place to be especially when sitting on their patio, taking in all the sunshine. Light, it's the new black after all. More of that below. ;-)

It's been a very rainy gloomy week, BUT on Wednesday it was beautiful out so I went to Starbucks on my lunch break to read a new book I just started. I got a peppermint mocha. It's not just a holiday drink, it's a feel good drink. For me anyways...cheers!

The new book I started is called Light is the New Black. I am not even half way in, but it's already been a life changing book for me. I know this will be one I go to from time to time to read certain pages or chapters depending on what's going on in my life at the time. I highly recommend it and that is saying a lot from someone who isn't a big reader. I am ready to shine my light in this world.

Here is a link to a video of the author and a look into what this book is all about.

https://youtu.be/X7GVU-S7LgM


Postive vibes,
Jenn

Product of the Week

These are like a treat, but healthy! I really was surprised how much I liked them because they are "crunchy" and not chewy which I usually prefer. But they aren't really that hard compared to other granola bars I have had that aren't chewy.

The serving size is two bar for only 180 calories, 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber.

Perfect snack or an addition to a breakfast or lunch. It is a good option for someone craving chocolate too!

Check them out!

Squat Challenge

Sometimes you fall off the wagon and sometimes you fall WAY off. I don’t recognize myself lately and it’s not a good feeling. I needed to do something about it and waiting for “the new year” wasn’t going to work for me.

Trust me when I say that my last post “Feel Good Food” is a real thing and I need to keep reminding myself of that. What you put into your body really does change you in one way or another.

Yesterday I started a one week challenge with five other ladies doing squats. You have to start somewhere and this is where I am starting to get back on track. It helps to have other motivating you too. Additional to that I am really concentrating on water intake this week in order to get rid of bloat, to feel more awake and energized and to keep me full so I don’t over eat. I kept it pretty light yesterday with food for the first day and was really hungry at night so made some healthy quinoa porridge to fill me up. I also did some grocery shopping for the week to make better decisions.

Squat Challenge Day 1:

 

Ø  12:30am – 25 squats

Ø  6:30am – 25 squats

Ø  10:30am – 25 squats

Total: 75 squats

 

My goal for the 7 days is to complete 1,000 squats! It’s a good goal and doable if I push myself. I wasn’t feeling too great last night so I didn’t do any so that is why yesterday’s number is lower than I wanted. But today, I will do better.

Whose's with me?

 

 

Feel Good Food

This is always something “people” say. People say a lot of things and you can’t always believe it all, but this you can. There have been times I totally blew that little saying “feel good food” off and thought it’s all BS. Then I would continue to eat whatever crappy food I was eating and the end result was not great.  Ding! Ding! Ding! There’s a reason why. Feel good food is a real thing. There’s so much truth in it. Eating that type of food DOES make you feel good, more energized, awake, less bloated and happier. I’ve experienced it a million times over. I eat bad food and feel depressed, fat and blah. I eat good food and feel good about myself and more alive.  I do more and accomplish more when I have whole grains, healthy fats and food in my body. When I eat bad I become lazy and sad.

Granted, I can treat myself to something “bad” and still feel good too, but it’s more so when the “bad” food consumes you and your entire day that you feel different.  One meal, one snack or something won’t make you feel crappy, it’s when over indulging happens and a whole day of bad choices go by. I personally like to enjoy food, good and bad but moderation is key.

Today I started my day with a big superfood, shakeology and packed a healthy protein filled lunch to fill me up until dinner tonight which is a healthy pizza option. Still gotta have my pizza! J Finding healthy alternatives to your favorite foods helps me a lot. I still have regular pizza on occasion of course but I like to have pizza quite often so having . A plan is good to have for the day or week because this will prevent eating out, bad choices and binge eating which we are all guilty of. Not everyone has time to work out or even cook so prep and a plan helps the week go more smooth.

 

 

Good vibes,

 

Jenn

Success!

 

Well, day 2 of the group I have completed what I needed. I feel even more motivated now. Yesterday's workout was AWESOME. Country Heat is better than I thought it would be and a true workout. I sweat just as much as I do with any other workouts. I felt like I really accomplished something and felt good about that and myself. Parker joined in a little here and there, he loved the music and had to put his cowboy boots on for it. Too cute!

 

This program I prefer over Cize which is surprising to me because my dream for many years growing up was to be a hip hop dancer so you would think Cize would be my absolute favorite. Cize is very fun, but it's 15 minutes longer than Country Heat and that 15 minutes is a long time with you have a toddler hanging on your leg or wanting something or bored or thirsty, etc. Cize also repeats a lot throughout the workout. When a new move is introduced, you practice it and then you have to start the routine over and put it all together and this continues to the end with the last move. Country Heat has about 20 or so different moves just like Cize but once you do one or two, you move onto other moves and don't have to repeat the previous ones. I am new to country music, my son likes it. Usually I would say I would prefer hip hop, but that has now changed. Country music really is so fun! The music really kept me interested and excited. Country Heat is something I could see myself doing daily so it was well worth the purchase. Can't wait to do a different routine after work!

 

After a CRAZY day at work, a hardcore workout, making a healthy dinner for the family, prepping my sons lunch for the next day, hanging a stuffed animal hammock and other stuff around the house...

 

I DESERVED THIS! :)

 

Simple, quick and delicious!

 

apple slices

vanilla almond butter

mini chocolate chips

 

 

So good! This or something similar to it will become one of my new favorite snacks.

 



Just checking in...

How's everyone doing this week so far? It's only Tuesday, but we have to make the best of each day we are given. My plan after work is to try the Country Heat Beachbody workout dvd with my son. I think he will enjoy it. I hope at least so it will be easier for me to get a workout in while he's still awake. Once 8pm bedtime comes around I am so tired and it's harder for me to workout at that time. After I get him from school, I will prep the turkey meatloaf I am making for dinner and while it's in the oven dance to some good ole country music. :)

Yesterday started a new Beachbody group with my coach Valerie. I haven't been in a group for a couple months. It was so important to join the October group. The timing couldn't be more perfect. I need this now more than ever. I have done good in some of the past groups and I plan to have another one just like those. With the holidays coming up, I want to enjoy them without the stressing of "dieting". This isn't a diet which is what is great about it. It's a lifestyle and with that lifestyle I always feel better and look better. The people in the group are all so motivating and inspiring that it makes every day a little easier. Getting into a regular routine again will help me feel good, be happier and feel less guilty when I want to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner and all the Christmas festivities.

My grocery shopping over the weekend was a good start to getting on track and ready for the next 28 days with the group. I didn't get a workout in or drink shakeology on day 1 but day 2 is different. First thing this morning after I showered I blended up my latte shakeology.  Here are the ingredients:

1 scoop latte shakeology
1 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1/2 frozen banana
1 tbs vanilla protein powder

YUM! I am ready for what today brings. Love my superfood shake!

Water, water, water...I usually thrive at this but lately with being so busy at work and LIFE that this has been slacking. Some days an entire day at work can go by and I have only drank coffee, not okay! Today, I will be back on track with this as well. Skipped my regular coffee order this morning since I made latte shakeo and I am working on water bottle number one now. I see a jug challenge in my future this week!

I brought leftovers from a healthy dinner over the weekend for lunch today, Lasagna Stuffed Peppers. Click the link to check out the recipe! It's a winner.

That's all I have for now. More recipes to come!


good vibes,

Jenn

Monday Motivation

After an amazing fall weekend away and a couple months of major slacking compared to how I was prior to vacation...it's time to get back into the full swing of things.

No one can nor has to eat extremely healthy every meal of every day. It's a balancing act. I firmly believe that. For the most part when I'm on track I can balance this very well. The one part I seem to lack when it comes to the daily grind of it all is the exercise. I know I can do it. I have, a million times over. There was a time in my life I went to the gym every day and loved it. I don't have time, the money or the babysitter to do this now though so adjustments need to be made to still get what I need daily within my means.

I have the discipline, the desire and the motivation. In the summer I worked out 21 straight days in a row. This is something I have never done before in my life and I did this at my heaviest weight. I don't believe it's necessary to do it without any rest days or breaks but proving to myself I can made me proud.

Next week I start a group with my beach body coach, so this week I am preparing for that. I want to get into the groove of it all again which includes protein shakes/shakeology, working out, drinking enough water, food prep/meal planning and healthy grocery shopping.

I got a free 3 day pass to the gym by my work and I will be going there today through Wednesday. This is jump start my motivation for exercise. I made a protein shake for my breakfast today. I will concentrate on my water intake and make a point to drink even when I am busy at work. The next few dinners are planned for my family. I am ready!

I figured I would do a variety of exercises this week. The gym during my lunch break is one, some lifting at home and walking with Parker after school since it should be nice outside. I will be getting a new beach body workout dvd in the mail later this week called Country Heat. I like to have a good variety of workout dvds so I don't get bored and a plus is Parker should like this one since he loves dancing and country music. It can sometimes be hard being home with him and trying to get a good workout in. He loves to be on top of me, such a mama's boy, which I am not complaining about. This dvd should keep us both moving while also having fun.

Time to fall back in love with myself because I deserve to. Whose with me?

Keep a look out for some healthy recipes...


good vibes,

Jenn

Challenge Yourself

My best friend is running a series of work out challenges to get your body summer ready. The first one was all about the lower body and consisted of squats, squats and more squats. I did a total of 2,405 squats in 29 days. That challenge made me a lover of squats. I truly didn't think this was possible, but it happened! I now do them every day, multiple times a day and with ease. I not only feel a difference but I actually see a difference. My legs and butt have definitely transformed into something I am proud of and all it took was a month. Can't beat results like that! I will still work my glutes and quads but I am happy with what I accomplished in the challenge. 

Today started the second challenge which is all about abs. I'm excited! We have such a great group of motivational supportive women. I am glad this one has begun! There are rest days and the first one is on Saturday. I will rest my abs like I need to but I still wanted to challenge myself in some way. I have decided to do a water challenge.

1 gallon of water drank in one day!

Goodbye toxins!

Who wants in?

If you are interested in joining my friends challenge groups, they are all happening on Instagram. 

Follow: @barbells_babymonitors

Realization...

I am slowly realizing, it’s not all about the number on the scale.  I have always had that number define my entire day.  I am still one of those people who get on the scale every single morning and if I forget I get upset.  I am fully aware that the scale fluctuates, that not drinking enough water one day could affect it in a negative way or that you may just need to go to the bathroom.  But for some reason it has always made me either very happy or very sad.  Every.  Single.  Day.  For as long as I can remember that is what I did every morning.  Something I want to work on along with everything else I am working on is only getting on the scale once a week.  This will be a personal challenge of mine.  Doing something for years on end isn’t something easy to stop.  It’s a habit.  A bad habit though and one I will learn to break.

I have lost 11 pounds.  I want to lose more, gain more muscle and I have a ways to go but I won’t let that put down all I have done.  My mind, body and soul have truly changed and I know that means something.  That loss was SOMETHING.  I earned it.  I worked for it.  I am going to feel good about that instead of only concentrating on all the weight I have left to lose.

The number on the scale doesn’t change how I feel.  I need to tell myself that and keep on trucking along with my journey.  It’s been a great one.

This goes for sizes of clothes too.  If a shirt or pair of pants fit great on me, looked good, but were a certain size I couldn’t even purchase it.  My mother knows more than anybody that clothes shopping with me has never been fun.  I have always been insecure of my body even when there was no reason to be.  I don’t feel as insecure now than I used to.  That’s crazy to think about because now is when I weigh the most.  But again, that just shows that numbers don’t mean a thing.  It’s all about how you feel and loving yourself, however that may be. 

Now as a 30 year old woman I am realizing, “Why should I be insecure?” this is YOU.  Be proud of you.  You had a baby, you gained weight, you have stretch marks…who cares!  Just work on changing what you don’t like and be happy.  So that’s where I am at.  Being happy…

Whether it’s something as small as a number to negative people in your life, it’s all unnecessary.  Remove it!  It will be liberating.  Trust me.


Good vibes,

Jenn

Balance, Portions & Movement

It's near impossible to not treat yourself, go out to eat or have a piece of chocolate. Right?

It's all about balance. 

I used to have a cheat day. An entire day every week to eat whatever I wanted. That was my first mistake. It caused me to get off track, go overboard and in all honesty just feel like complete crap. I now let myself one cheat meal a week. Without this I know I would feel deprived and all of the above things would happen. Allowing myself one meal won't kill me, it won't ruin all my hard work the rest of the week or be terrible for me. The one meal could be a date night out, pizza night with my family or a day at a bbq. Even with having that one meal to cheat though doesn't mean I need to go crazy or even have to in order to enjoy what I am eating. So for example, last night was pizza night in my house. Instead of getting the typical pizzeria pizza we decided to get pizza to go at my husbands restaurant job. This pizza has less carbs because it's flat bread, they are smaller and I got the margarita pizza so less cheese/oil. I could've easily eaten the whole pie, like I said it wasn't very big. My husband finished his. Instead though I got a big side salad to fill me up. Got my vegetable portion in and ate less pizza. Win win! There isn't anything wrong with getting pizzeria pizza from time to time though. It's a must in most people's lives. It's delicious afterall. With that though I would again accompany it with a big salad and eat one slice but cut it into two so it feels like I'm eating more.

This is called balance. 

Now portions, the amount of pizza I ate was a good portion. Making a cheat meal a whole pie or having pizza and a bowl of ice cream isn't just one meal. Pick what you really crave that day, one or the other. 

Another thing that is great for your body is smaller portions spread throughout the day. It speeds your metabolism up, keeps you full so your body doesn't starve and you cave and eat poorly. Eating throughout the day helps me also stay hydrated too and get my daily water amount in each day. This also helps me stay full longer.

The second mistake I used to make was skip breakfast and have just coffee. Not good. One, skipping breakfast is a big no no and two coffee will just dehydrate me so that solely as my breakfast isn't helping my body. I now have breakfast every single day. A good portion size breakfast, nothing crazy big, but something to get my metabolism going. Portions is important. And with smaller portions I get to eat more through out the day which makes me happy because I love food. Too big of portions of bad food puts you in a food coma. If you feel like your always in a food coma you're probably eating too much and too much of the wrong foods. I love quinoa, whole grains, etc. They fill me up and also fuels me for the day instead of being in a food coma. 

Pick good foods, with better portions. Doing this will change how you feel. Trust me. 

Lastly with no explanation needed just move MORE. Get off the couch and do more. Whether it be a short workout, a walk or running after your kids. Don't just sit on the side lines. You will miss out on having the body and life you want. I finally took control of my body after having my son and it's been great.

Good vibes,

Jenn

Start Each Day With Gratitude

5 things to think about each morning...

1.) Smile, because you're alive and living is what you are meant to do.

2.) Begin your routine. Routines aren't boring, they keep you organized and sane. Follow your morning routine daily. It will make all the difference in your week. It will make you feel productive, keep you on time and keep stress away. Everyone's routine is different but everyone needs that structure if you have a busy life or family. One thing I am trying to add to my routine is emptying the dish washer. It's helpful to have that done already when I get home from a long day. Have a night time routine too that you follow daily. Pick up the toys in the living room, prep lunches, pick out clothes for the next day, etc.  

3.) Keep the tv off. Tv is simply a distraction, unnecessary and will get you out of your routine in the morning. Instead turn on some tunes to get you moving! If you don't want to wake the kids, just enjoy the silence. Collect your thoughts. 

4.) Again, get moving! If your time is limited then dance to those tunes or better yet wake up a little earlier so exercise can happen. You may not think it but exercise gives you more energy. During that chug some water. It will awaken you! 

5.) Enjoy something every morning before starting your busy work day or hectic mom life at home. It could be a cup of coffee with an adult coloring book, putting smiles on your kids face by making a yummy breakfast for them or  listen to an old cd while reminiscing in traffic. Not everyone has a lot of time before heading out for the day so this enjoyment for YOU could also be done on your lunch break or during nap time.

Another week at work, for most of us, completed now it's time to enjoy the weekend. I was off the past two days with my sick son so needless to say I am exhausted. Looking forward to the next two days!

Good vibes,

Jenn

Wake up call

I feel so tired this morning and I got more sleep than normal. How could this be possible?

Surprisingly I feel more awake after a good workout. Did I workout this morning? No. Did I last night? No. That is why I'm so tired. I plan to tonight but just missing yesterday got me like 😔💤

That is my wake up call, no slacking because this feeling right now sucks. I don't want to feel tired at 8am. I have work to do, a toddler to run after, dinner to make, bath to give and prep for the next day. There's no time to be tired. 

Drank my shake this morning and plan to chug some water when I get into work. I have to wake this body up!

I need to remember this!

Good vibes,

Jenn

Clean Eating Baked Ziti

 

This dinner was a hit with this kid. :)  It's a 21 day fix approved recipe, Baked Ziti with ground turkey. YUM!

The recipe calls for:
1 pound ground turkey
1 pound whole wheat penne pasta
1 medium size part-skim ricotta cheese
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
2 cups organic/natural pasta sauce
1 tbs honey
1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese
1tbs of each of these spices: garlic powder, italian seasoning, oregano, parsley, basil, black pepper

-- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-- Cook the pasta al-dente.  While cooking, brown up the ground turkey in a pan. Drain any fat from the pan.
-- Mix in a large bowl all ingredients except the pasta and mozzarella cheese.  Combine the mixture with the pasta and put in a baking dish.
-- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, a little more italian seasoning and parsley on top of the ziti.
-- Bake for 20 minutes.

Some Healthy Food/Recipes

I don't get to do food shopping often because I can't bring my son Parker into stores yet, but on Friday I had a chance to go. I love food shopping. I wish I had more advance notice that I was able to go, I would've had a better list put together, but I got a lot of healthy food and organic food for my son.

 

flax/chia seed blend, ground chicken, organic quinoa, frozen veggies/steamables, organic bananas, organic green beans, frozen fruit, greek yogurts, organic apples, mushrooms, black bean organic pasta, zucchini & weight watchers string cheese

 

 

Here are some QUICK & healthy meals I made this week:

 



whole wheat penne with an avocado sauce I made which
was avocado, a little parm cheese, olive oil & pepper.

mushroom/spinach omelette with one ww string cheese
inspiration by a readers dinner the other night.







Another recipe was something my mom made in the crock pot. I wasn't feeeling well on Saturday and my parents came over so they brought dinner. It is a 3 point Weight Watcher chicken recipe.

See link for recipe!

This was breakfast this morning. A blueberry, strawberry smoothie. It was a bit sweet for my taste, but it was still good. I am going to try another kind tomorrow!

 

 

The recipe calls for:

1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup frozen strawberries
1 tbs chia/flax seed blend
1/2 cup 1% milk
5.3oz fat-free blueberry greek yogurt

Total: 290 calories

Next time I am not going to use a flavored yogurt and try water, not milk. This should help make it less sweet and not as thick. To cut more calories use fat-free milk instead. I would've but I didn't have it on hand. The non-flavored greek yogurt is also less calories. Banana smoothie is next!

Turkey Salad

The recipe calls for:

half of an avocado

white turkey meat

olive oil

-- Shred the turkey, splash a dash of olive oil and mash the avocado.  Mix together!

Simple and only 3 ingredients!  I had a side of cut up tomatoes with a little part-skim shredded mozzarella on top.

Post Workout Meal

Leftover quinoa with a scrambled egg as my post workout breakfast/lunch. SO DELICIOUS! 

Say goodbye to the holiday food!

Get motivated!

Be healthier!
Healthy can taste good too!