A Few of My Favorite Things

I am so ready for warmer Spring weather. Cold makes me grumpy so, I like to remind myself of the countless reasons I have to be happy. In that spirit, here a few things that I'm totally into right now :)

1. This stage

I love that he looks like "Elf" crammed in that little ride

The happiest little boy I know

This is what I get when I say "smile!"

2. Mally Makeup

Particularly her Volumizing Mascara and Evercolor Starlight Eyeliner. They stay on all day long - even through really tough workouts.

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3. Naptime

Need I say more...

4. CrossFit

Seriously. If you haven't tried it. Please. Find your local box and go try it. It will change your life - or at least your body. 

5. Yoga

Yoga is such a necessity for me. You can do it anywhere (thank you Yoga Paws). It brings me back to center and calms my soul. It gives me a stronger mind and body.

6. Viva La Lovely

Josie is the most ah-maaaazing designer. Her style is impeccable. I recommend her for any design work you need (invitations, printables, etc.) Here is her Etsy shop. She's done several things for me but, here are just a couple of examples:

7. The Color Navy 

Period. Anyone else totally crushing on this color? I have always loved navy. It's so preppy and 'American'. A little tidbit of trivia about me:: I had an accent wall that was a Tommy Hilfiger logo when I was in high school. Yes, and ENTIRE wall. I'm sure the people that bought our house just loved painting over that.

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8. Black Front Doors

So classic.

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9. The Clymb

A fitness gear sale site that has a great yoga and shoe department. All kinds of great deals to be found. I just bought a pair of Inov-8 shoes for $32...super pumped about that buy.

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Those are just a handful of mine. What are some of your favorite things?

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{Recipe} Knock-off Super Food Salad

Schnuck's (on First Avenue, if you're an Evansville native) has this delightful little "Super Food" salad at their deli - I'm pretty sure they knocked it off from Trader Joes. Apparently 'knocking off' is the new thing. Any ways, as much as I eat it and at $4.99 a pound (on sale), I knew I could do better. Plus, I can almost 100% guarantee they don't use organic kale. In bad blogger fashion, I have no clue how much this thing costs but, I'm pretty sure it's cheaper than $4.99/lb and quite frankly, as much as I eat it, I don't really care - I just want the organic kale. I'm also pretty sure this isn't totally kosher-paleo (that's a new term I just made up) because of the edamame, but I guess if you left it out it would be...I'm sure someone will let me know if that's an incorrect assumption. Anyways, tweak as necessary and enjoy.

Ingredients: again, in bad blogger fashion, I just eyeball stuff and throw it in. Don't really know exact amounts.

Salad:

1 bunch or so organic kale (found mine at Fresh Market) (chiffonade)
Organic blueberries
Dried cranberries or cherries (I slightly rehydrated by throwing in some boiling water)
Shredded carrots
Shelled, thawed edamame
Sunflower seeds
Slivered almonds
Cherry tomatoes (halved)
Red onion
Basil (chiffonade)

Dressing:

Lemon juice (I just squeeze 2 or 3)
EVOO
Kosher Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
I feel like I put a little parsley in there too, but can't remember. I'm sure it would be totally yum.

Note: I gave it all a good massage after I threw the dressing on. I think that softens the kale a little bit and gives it a better flavor.

I have this in the fridge at all times. It's an awesome snack or side dish to just about anything.

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A Heavy Heart...

Well, I had every intention of sharing how I managed to finally organize 5 years of paperwork in 3 hours last week, but I just can't. I have no words. My heart hurts and I don't feel merry or ecstatic like I was when I completed my project last Thursday.

I'm not sure why this photo, but seeing it somehow made me realize how real this unspeakable tragedy is.

Even posting it is making me cry. I just don't understand. How could there be that kind of evil? I think that the scariest thing is is that you promise to protect your children with the fierceness of tiger and then something like this happens and you realize that maybe you can't. It makes me want to cling to them and never let them out of my sight. I know that's not healthy, but what's a mom to do? 

I pray so hard for all the families affected. Now, and in the future. I want our world to not be this kind of a place, but the reality is...that it is. 

I know that there's good in the world too and I'm trying to focus on that and teach my children that there's always good guys and to be the change you want to see in the world - it's just so hard when I don't even want to let them out of the house. 

I'm sorry, I'm a rambling mess, I just can't seem to write the words that are in my heart.

I make a conscious effort each morning and night to spend time thanking God for the things I'm most thankful for (my health, family, so so many things) and this tragedy has just flooded me with so many emotions, thankfulness, sorrow, utter disbelief and so many more that I can't even express.

No matter what your life is like right now, I assure you it's better than the families in CT and what they're going through right now. Be thankful for every second you have with the ones you love. Never take them for granted. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

Your in my prayers, Sandy Hook.

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Fitness Binder

This binder has been 98% of what has helped me stay on track with my workouts. Studies have shown that you lose more weight if you write down what you eat, so maybe this is also true for workouts!

I'm currently a little over halfway through week 7 and have only missed one day due to a horrid cold. I can definitely tell a difference in my strength, tone and definition. I haven't lost weight, but I'm definitely getting a better shape - although, the bar was set low, let's be honest.

So, here's my binder. I leave it in my locker at the gym and take the pages out and with me while I work out. Forgive my photography. My camera is rebelling against me right now.

Cover: An ad I ripped out of Yoga Journal. It's totally my inspiration. 

I hate that you can't see it very well, but I have 4 tabs (one of which - recipes - I don't use)

1. Phase 1

2. Phase 2

3. Phase 3 

Here's a shot of what each day looks like. 

I really like this program because it tells me exactly what to do each day - everything is all planned out. Also, if you don't know what a particular exercise is, you just go to that day in the trainer, scroll down to the exercises and click on the one you don't know and a video will pop up and show you how to do it. Definitely needed a few times!

This binder was a labor of love - the only thing I hate about this program, is how long it took me to download each of the days. You have to go to each separate day to download the PDF. te-di-ous.

Lucky for you guys, I've done all the hard work and put them in one place for you to download.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r1qnbwdpb951eg6/Wr6UTRA2JY

Comment if you have any questions!

Good luck and happy workouts :)

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{Recipe} Chocolate Protein Bars

In bad blogger fashion, I totally forgot to take pictures of these, but just know that they. are. delicious.

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I was definitely skeptical after reading the ingredients, but these turned out to be seriously so good. They are a wonderful little treat and will cure the inevitable chocolate craving. Sometimes you just need a lil' somethin' sweet, ya know?

Ok, so here it is.

Adapted from Bodybuilding.com

Per Serving: Serving Size 2 bars

Calories:  96

Fat:  1.4 grams

Carbs:  12 grams

Protein: 10 grams

Ingredients:

1 cup Oat Flour (I just put old fashioned oats in the food processor)

4 Egg Whites

2 scoops Vanilla Whey Protein Powder (I use this one, but any will do)

½ cup Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal (I have used Ideal and Splenda. I like Ideal better because it feels more like sugar. Splenda bakes up differently - I don't care what the package says, but it's a little pricey so, I'm opting for Splenda right now)

½ tsp Baking Soda

¼ tsp Salt

8oz Berry flavored Baby Food 

3 tbsp Baking Cocoa (I like Hershey's Special Dark)

1/2 c. Water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients (oat flour, vanilla whey protein, baking soda, salt, baking cocoa) together in a large bowl.

Mix wet ingredients (egg whites, Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal, Berry flavored Baby Food,Water) together in a medium sized bowl.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together.

Spray cooking dish with a non stick butter spray and add batter to dish.

Bake 20-30 minutes in oven.

Makes 16 squares, serving size=2 bars. 

Enjoy!

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Blog Binder

I think I have just as much a problem with binders as I do with challenges (I'll be posting my fitness binder soon).

So, staying in line with my love of binders, the blog planner was next. I found the printables for this little gem at IHeart Orgainzing's Etsy shop. I printed off the insides and then took them to Staples and had the front and back laminated, the tabs inserted and spiral bound. It cost me a grand total of $6. There are a few sections in there that aren't really applicable to me (brand & client wish list, website enhancements, and shop ideas and wishlist) but, I may find a use for them someday. I do love the majority of it, however. The calendar is my favorite.

I actually use it for more than just blog stuff. I just started using it so, I haven't had a chance to see if it needs tweaking just yet, but if you're looking for a great little planner, this one is compact, simple and pretty :) Head on over to Jen's shop and check it out!

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*All these are separate sections if you order them. They're just shown all together here to show you all the sections

Oh and if you mozy on into Staples, here is a 50% off Martha Stewart coupon for you to print off and use as many times as you'd like! You'd probably have to do separate transactions, but who cares if you're 'that lady/guy holding up the line'. For 50% off Martha Stewart, it's totally worth it.

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{Book Review} Let Go of What Holds You Back

I've just finished this book up as a recommendation from my girl Danielle over at Butler, Party of 2. I'm no literary critic so, this definitely won't be anything like that. I just want to share the books I have enjoyed (and those I haven't) and what I've gleaned from them. 

So, here are some of my favorite lines from this book (sorry, there's a lot!):

• Momentum - a great word for a powerful life. I believe without a doubt that God's will for you is momentum. He wants you to let go of whatever holds you back. His best is for you and me to grow, increase, and be more than what we are today.
• Lord, give me the determination and tenacity of a weed.
• "Somebody is sitting in the shade today because someone long ago planted a tree" (Warren Buffett)
• You'll be judged by what you finish, not by what you start.
• Nearly all failures result from people quitting too soon.
• "And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't get discouraged and give up" (Galatians 6:9)
• Impatience is costly. Your greatest mistakes will happen because of impatience. Most people fail simply because they're impatient and they cannot join the beginning with the end.
• When you're trying to be like someone else, the best you can ever be is number two
• "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well" (Romans 12:6)
• You must be uncommon to be a champion. Your responsibility is not to remake yourself but to make the absolute best of what God made. 
• People say they want riches when what they need is fulfillment of a purpose
• When you discover your mission, you will feel its demand. It will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.
• Your outlook determines your outcome
• Talk with people smarter than you. Listen to those more spiritual than you. Ask questions of those more successful than you. Lend a hand to those less fortunate than you. Don't stay where you are.
• Don't make such thorough plans for rainy days that you don't enjoy today's sunshine.
• Don't let the future be a time when you wish you'd done what you aren't doing now.
• Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.
• Do the thing you have to do when it ought to be done whether you like it or not.
• Write it on your heart: EVERY DAY IS THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR.
• If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done.
• "Keep on sowing your seed, for you never know which will grow-perhaps it all will" (Ecclesiastes 11:4,6)
• "Never complain about what you permit" (Mike Murdock) 
• What you commit yourself to be will change you from what you are into what you can be.
• What you see depends mainly on what you look for.
• "Any fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure" (Norman Vincent Peale)
• You'll often find that life responds to your outlook.
• "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for power equal to your tasks" (Phillip Brooks)
• Even a coward can praise Christ, but it takes a person of courage to follow Him.
• Both enthusiasm and pessimism are contagious. How much of each do you spread?
• Ten years from today, what will you wish you had done right now?
• You can't pray and stay the same.
• If you can stand firm and and when to bend, you've got it made.
• Be passionate about your life, and act from your passion.
• God has put you in this world to pour your heart into something.
• You will only be remembered in life for your passions. Find something that consumes you.
• Learn to be comfortable being enthusiastic. 
• "Perhaps the greatest discovery of this century is that if you change your attitude, you can change your life" (William James)
• People judge you by your actions, not your intentions. You may have a heart of gold, but so does a hard-boiled egg.
• All significant battles are waged within one's self.
• When you compare yourself to others, you'll become either bitter or vain.
• Nothing great is created suddenly. Nothing can be done except little by little.
• Continually compare what you want with what you have and you'll be unhappy. Instead, compare what you deserve with what you have and you'll be happy.
• If something is beneficial for you, God will put it within your reach.
• Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don't forget to thank Him for his answers.
• The highest purpose of faith or prayer is not to change your circumstances but to change you.
• The more you do - the more you can do.

I really loved this book and it was such a shot of motivation. I highly recommend it - it's a quick read.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :)

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