MOMS Challenge and MY Time

This morning I woke up extra early to fit in a double workout before both my boys were up and at it for the day.  After Finn was born I would feel so guilty working out, so I would leave the house every morning at 5:30 to head to the gym for boot camp while he was still sleeping.  I would then rush home after my class so Chris could leave for work.  Though I thoroughly enjoyed boot camp, I found it even harder to get out of the house so early in the morning after Gavin was born.  One of the boys always seemed to be awake, or I seemed to just be dozing off!  This is when I started running and doing Beachbody workouts, Insanity and more recently, the 21 Day Fix.

Working out in the morning is serenity for me, and I now call it “MY" time.  It is MY time to clear my head, better myself, and focus on the positive in my life.  After all, THINK POSITIVE is my husband’s motto, and has become a common household saying.  I have also learned to turn my once guilty feelings into confidence. I am confident that I am a better mom, wife, and friend because I have made a commitment to being healthy. 

After successfully kicking off two challenge groups, I thought what a better time to start a MOMS challenge group than NOW, as Mother's Day is right around the corner! It was a spur of the moment thought this morning! I was honestly not looking to add a third challenge until my other challenges were complete, but I really want other moms to have the opportunity to join this wonderful workout program to get strong, healthy, and energized like we all deserve.  

We all deserve to have our own MY time!  We often give so much to others, doing very little for ourselves.  This is your time to think positive and give yourself results you deserve!  This will be a 30 day challenge for MOMS starting May 19th!  Pre-Challenge will start May 12th so treat yourself and message me for details! 

Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Grilling is one of our favorite ways to cook.  This is a super easy side dish that goes great with anything on the grill, especially BBQ!


3 sweet potatoes
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. organic coconut sugar
1 tbsp. olive oil


Peel and wash sweet potatoes.  Cut them into cubes.  I usually cut them in half and then quarter them.  Toss them in olive oil and seasonings and bake for about 30 minutes at 350 or until tender. 

21 Day Fix Banana Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. sea salt
2 ripe medium bananas, mashed
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped raw walnuts (I often replace these with dark chocolate chips per my boys request)
Nonstick cooking spray


-Preheat oven to 350
-Lightly coat baking sheet with spray
-Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl, mix well
-Add bananas, raisins, walnuts or chocolate chips, and mix well
-Drop Tbsp of mixture on prepared baking sheet, and flatten cookie with spatula
-Bake for 14 to 15 minutes or until firm


Enjoy!

The SUNSHINE State, Challenges & Results!

Today is a great day, the sun is shining and the weather is finally beautiful!  I went for a morning run with Chris while Grandma Kathy and Papa Johnny watched the boys. This was a huge treat and a nice break from the treadmill! Running outside with Chris brought back so many wonderful memories of morning runs down to the beach when we lived in Florida.  We would often run before we headed off to work, and yes, before childrenJ  I am so excited to pack our bags this week and head back to this place we were blessed to call home for a few years.  We moved there shortly after we were married and before we had any children for Chris’ job.  It was a place that Chris and I shared so many firsts.  First home, first baby, first grade teacher, and many first hellos that blossomed into wonderful friendships, that I just couldn’t imagine life without.  

  

As we are getting out the summer clothes for our vacation, I have to say this is the first time I am not dreading getting into my summer wardrobe!  I have had awesome results on the 21 Day Fix and I am happy to say the girls in my current challenge are sharing the same trend! A few of the girls checked in this morning with their progress!  Wow, what awesome results in just 1 week! One of our current challengers lost 5lbs in 6 days! Amazing! I am SO happy for these girls for their hard work and dedication to getting healthy. They are getting the results we all deserve!

I will be starting another challenge on May 5^th, so if you are ready to get in the best shape of your life and feel the best you have ever felt, come on and join our challenge!  This really is a fun and effective way to getting fit and guaranteed happiness!  It is a great way to hold yourself accountable with the privacy of a closed and supportive Facebook group. Message me for details so we can get you started and I will help you every step of the wayJ

Chicken "Bobs"

Every week when we head to the grocery store my three year old Finn asks me if we can make “Chicken Bobs.”   Now that we are finally seeing sunnier days, Chicken Kabobs will definitely be a staple at the dinner table.  This recipe is for you Finny! 

 

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in cubes

1 red, orange or yellow pepper

1 green pepper

2 zucchinis

1 fresh pineapple cut in cubes

1 red onion

1 pint cherry tomatoes

1 package portabella mushrooms

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Marinade chicken in fresh orange juice, balsamic vinaigrette, and a splash of low sodium soy sauce for a couple hours.  Wash and cut vegetables.  Skew chicken and vegetables, season with sea salt and pepper, and grill.  I usually serve over wild rice or brown rice.  Enjoy!  

Weeknight Family Dinner, Chicken Meatballs, Chaos, and Wine!

We like to eat dinner as a family especially on the weekends, but some weeknights I end up feeding our boys a little earlier than Chris gets home, because they act like they are starved!  Give them a healthy snack to hold them over and forget it, everything is YUCKY at dinner.  Tonight, I said family night!  Courageous, yes!  My brilliant idea quickly turned chaotic, and by the end of holding them off, I was wishing for a glass of wine!  It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, at least that’s what my husband would tell me!  Dad finally made it home, we all made it to the table and it was quite tasty so I thought I’d share J

Chicken Meatballs & Spaghetti Squash

1lb organic ground chicken

½ diced onion

1 teaspoon sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1-2tablespoons whole grain bread crumbs

1 egg (optional)

2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 28 ounce can organic crushed tomatoes with basil

1 spaghetti squash

Mix chicken, onion, bread crumbs, egg, cheese and seasonings in a mixer.  Form into large meatballs.  1 lb makes approximately 8 meatballs.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.  Put in crockpot and  pour crushed tomatoes over meatballs.  Bake on low for 5-6 hours. 

Wash and slice spaghetti squash lengthwise.  Scoop out seeds.  Cover baking dish with shallow layer of water and place squash face down.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes , or until you can easily pierce with a fork. 

Corn Avocado & Tomato Salad

Spring is in the air and I have to give my neighbor credit for this delicious and refreshing salad!   We have made this salad on a few occasions at our house and it is always a big hit! It is a great dish to bring to a spring/summer party or pair with anything on the grill.

2 T olive oil
2 T fresh lime juice
1/4 c fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 1/2 c fresh corn kernels or frozen corn
1 1/2 c diced avocado
1/2 c finely diced red onion
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 can black beans, rinsed

In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper.  Add corn, avocado, tomatoes, onions and black beans.  Toss to mix.  Before mixing in the avocado, squeeze the juice of another lime over the avocado to keep it from turning brown.