How to Fight Those Holiday Cravings!

Love me some Christmastime but man can it do a number on the ol' scale if I'm not careful! I've learned over the years how to avoid the dreaded gain and wanted to share some tips with ya'll.

We're gonna go to functions and who wants to be the weird one eating rice cakes out of their purse? It's not a good look. Trust. 

So here are some helpful tips!

1. Don't go hungry! 

Never show up starving. I always eat before I go! Then that allows me to have a LITTLE of whatever is being served and enjoy it and the company I'm eating with. I've heard people say that they're not going to have lunch because they're having dinner somewhere. Bad. Bad. Bad idea! It might *seem* smart to 'save your calories' you're really just setting yourself up for a binge session and metabolic shutdown. It's not healthy, my friends! 

2. Avoid/limit alcohol. 

I might have one glass of wine if it's good but, usually not. It's empty calories and I typically feel horrible about .6 seconds after consuming it. 

3. Take in good nutrition.

It's the MOST important time to get in good nutrition. I've heard people say, "well, I'm not eating clean so I'm not going to take my supplements." 

That's like saying, "well, I dropped my phone. Now I'm gonna run it over with my car and totally demolish it." No bueno. Here are my favorites. 

Basically what you see here is energy, nutrition and a little buffer for those holiday treats. 

4. Be prepared.

I'm always packin'! You never know when you're gonna get stuck somewhere with no food! Here are some of my favorites.

That little gem there in the bottom left is a VO2 Prime Bar with natural peanut butter. The most amazing protein packed PB&J that you'll ever have. You can bet on that!

The holidays can feel like one long to-do list. During this season of giving, don’t forget to take care of yourself and your body. The best gift you can give yourself is your health and happiness. And a personal assistant. I mean does anyone else feel like that Elf is like having another child?! I'm about 8 shades of over it. ;) Merry Christmas, everyone! Remember what this season is truly about. You are loved! 

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{Recipe} The Best Chocolate Protein Bars. Ever.

Happy Monday, friends! 

As it turns out, a newborn, a "spirited" 2.5 year old, a 4 year and moving can be semi-difficult. I've definitely not been as good on this challenge as I have been on ones in the past but, it's about progress, not perfection so, I'm still pluggin' along! I'll be back tomorrow with more daily eats - I'm going to condense days - I fell like I'm wearin' ya'll out doing one post for each day :)

Moving on to the goods. Go ahead and plan on puttin' the ingredients on your grocery list 'cause you're gonna wanna make these on the super fly. 

Ingredients: 

2 cups Oat Flour (I just put old fashioned oats in the food processor and blend until fine)

8 Egg Whites (I've been using a 16oz carton of Egg Beaters - I hate wasting the yolks)

4 scoops Vanilla Muscle Gain

3/4 cup Truvia

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

2 cups Unsweetened Applesauce

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

1/2 cup Water (only use if the batter needs to be thinned out a little)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients (oat flour, Muscle Gain, baking soda, salt, baking cocoa) together in a large bowl.

Mix wet ingredients (egg whites/beaters, Truvia, applesauce and water) together in a separate medium sized bowl.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together.

Spray a 9x13 glass pan with a non stick spray and add batter to dish.

Bake 25-30 minutes or until done (I stick a toothpick in the middle and when it comes out clean, it's done!). 

Note: I like to undercook mine just a little bit :)

I hope you enjoy these as much as our family does! They are perfect little treats when you're wanting something sweet or just a mid afternoon or evening snack.

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{Recipe} Clean Turkey & Spinach Burgers :: 2 Ways

This recipe is a little spin off of my Clean Turkey Meatballs. The thing I like most about both of these recipes is

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24 Day Challenge Series :: Day 3 & Meal Prep

Let me start by saying that I spent the entire day meal prepping. You would think that I prepped enough for the Zombie Apocalypse but, sadly no, just enough to get us through a few days

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He's Finally Here!

Our little guy has finally arrived! 

And he is pure perfection. He is definitely his father's son! 

I apologize up front for the lack of typical hospital pictures but, is it me or, is there seriously someone in your hospital room 24/7? I felt like every time I tried to call someone or do well, anything, in would pop someone else. 

Nurse: "Oh, hi. I'm here to draw your blood." 

Me: "Oh, hello. Did you see what I just went through to avoid the epidural needle?! I'll spare you the details but, yeah, I don't think that's gonna happen."

Nurse: *crickets*

Bless their hearts for putting up with me. 

Charlie has been with the grandparent's for going on almost a week now (there is going to be some serious grandparent detoxing happening next week #imafraid) but, I managed to snag a couple of Breaker and "My baby". 

I mean. #idie right? Such an incredible feeling of grateful heartedness when I look at this. 

Then fast forward to our first night at home annnnnnd we're back. Ace, we're gonna have to toughen you up quick, kid if there's a hope of you standing a chance. 

I'm basically obsessed with taking pictures of everything these days so make sure to follow me on the greatest thing ever.

And in other news, this should surprise no one, but I'm on Day 1 of my first 24 Day Challenge in a hot minute and I'll be blogging about each day - food, workouts, progress, etc. so make sure to follow along. Today was Day 1 and whew, I picked up a lot of bad habits over the past 10 months!

Big news in the moving situation and on the blog homefront too, so stay tuned for all that awesomeness!

Be back Monday with Day 1 of my 24 Day Challenge!

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Master Bed & Bath {Before & After} You HAVE to see the before...

I apologize for being MIA but, lot's goin' on ova heah.

1. We have a pending offer on the house!!! Happy, sad, nervous and excited! 
2. AdvoCare is in massive action. The hubs has recently caught the vision. We're now helping change people's lives TOGETHER. A long-time prayer answered. 
3. Oh, yeah. And having our third little angel literally ANY day now! So excited to meet the little guy! 

I was really hesitant to post this because the before's are so insanely horrendous. Like, I can't...seriously but, I was super happy with the after's that I've gotten over it. Kind of.

Things didn't go exactly like my original design board but, I got close and am super happy with the finished room. So, come back with me, if you will, to this hot mess...

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Boys' Bedroom {Before & After}

I promise, I'm not as horrible at life as I am at keeping a blogging schedule. Well, maybe a little right now. There's been five swimming lessons and we have yet to make it to one, I still haven't gotten the newborn clothes out of storage (16 days to due date...)and ate hard boiled eggs for lunch...and dinner.
Either way, I'm still a firm believer in the saying "You'll never have more time than you do today" so, trying to suck it up :)

On to the fun stuff - before and afters!

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