My new favorite cooking accessory!

One of my good friends recently became a Pampered Chef Consultant. I've always been a fan of Pampered Chef stuff but never really had that much of their stuff. At her first official party a couple of weeks ago she made chicken in this baker in the microwave in just a few minutes...and it was juicy and delicious!  As a mom I am always needing quick easy healthy meals and this baker is saving my life. The other night I had leftover green beans and oven roasted potatoes that a friend brought over for dinner but all of the main course (meat) was gone. I had a few chicken breasts in the fridge (who doesn't) so I threw them in the baker with a little seasoning and in 8 minutes I had juicy delicious chicken to go with my leftovers. I used it again today at lunch and then cut up the chicken and threw it on some spinach with a little feta and balsamic vinaigrette and had a great salad.  It's not a cheap investment but I guarantee you will love it as much as I do. Apparently there are recipes to put in this baker all over Pinterest.  Enjoy!

What kind of mom are you?

I was scrolling through Facebook yesterday and came across this amazing photo series about different types of moms. You can check it out here. Before I became a mom I never really thought about the different ways that moms and dads raised their kids and the choices they made.  I knew the way that my parents raised me and always assumed that their way was correct. Come to find out...there are many ways to raise your kids. Also, people will not agree with the way you raise your kids...and that is OK!

Once I became a mom I too quickly fell into the judgey mom category. I started thinking thoughts like "why don't you tell your kid no" or "why are you letting your kid eat that" and the list goes on and on.  It is so difficult for so many of us to keep our opinions to ourselves. I think with so many reality shows these days that show women bad mouthing each other and just speaking their minds it makes us think that is OK and normal...and it isn't!  Everyone chooses to parent different ways, feed their kids different things, etc. and we should not be judging them. If you want to do something for your kids, by all means go for it...but don't think that you have the right to force that same opinion on others. I am going to focus on doing a better job of this and only worrying about how I raise my kids and I encourage you to do the same. Let's stick together moms!!!

Matthew 7:1-5

Morning Person?

If someone asked me if I was a morning person or a night owl I would definitely say morning person, although you wouldn’t have guessed that over the past year.  Prior to having my son last year I was up working out most mornings.  Something about being done with my workout and ready to take on the day by 6:45 a.m. is extremely exciting to me.  For me if I wait until after a day of working, grocery shopping, paying bills, phone calls, cooking, running after a toddler etc. etc. I can easily talk myself out of working out.  I quickly got out of this routine after my son was born because as any new parent would tell you, you must cherish every second of sleep you can get.  I was lucky to get in a few runs each week between feeding sessions in addition to teaching my spin and kickboxing class each week...and working a full time job!

Even when I was a regular morning workout person I will admit that I never heard that alarm and jumped out of bed smiling ready to take on a workout.  I would hit the snooze, moan and groan and think of excuses to go back to sleep.  When I would finally roll out of bed (except the times I went back to sleep) and get my workout in I started to feel better and better.  It would take until the workout was done to be fully awake and realize how incredible it felt to start my day out on the right track.  I don’t think there has ever been a time that I thought what I was about to do was a good idea when the alarm went off.  In contrast I also don’t think there has ever been a time that I regretted the workout once it was over.

As I write this post I have already taken a 5:30 a.m. spin class, had coffee, showered, fed the dogs, packed my sons bag for daycare and turned on the news…and it’s only 7:05 a.m.! I feel empowered to take on the day and know that I will accomplish so much today because of it.  Although I don’t think I will ever get to the point where I wake up smiling and laughing I will continue to workout in the mornings as much as possible so I have no excuses!  I encourage you to try the same thing for one week.  Take at least three days during a week and wake up 45 minutes to an hour before you normally would and get some sort of workout in.  Go to a class as your gym, do a home workout dvd, go for a run, etc.  You won’t regret it!

7 Day Clean Eating Challenge: Results

I successfully finished my 7 day clean eating challenge and I am thrilled with my results.  Here is a breakdown:

Lost 2 pounds
Lost 1.8% body fat
Lost 1 inch off of EACH arm
Lost 1 inch off waist
Lost 1 inch off hips

Hello, how amazing is that! It is important to not only take your weight into account but also your inches and body fat. These two things are what really make a difference in how your clothes fit and how you feel. The number on the dreaded scale won't always move but your body is changing. I also suggest taking pictures!

I will note that in addition to my clean eating I went to bootcamp for 6 of the 7 days. I will also note that I was going to bootcamp consistently prior to my clean eating challenge and that the clean eating is in fact what made all the difference!  I encourage you to give it just 7 days to see what a great jump start it can give you.

Thanks for following my journey!

7 Day Clean Eating Challenge: Day 7

Day7
Wow I can't believe today completed the challenge. I am feeling great and so much leaner. I feel awesome in my clothes and I don't have caffeine withdrawal headaches or sugar withdrawal headaches, etc. I just feel good! Don't get me wrong I definitely still would love some bad food but I'm focused and know that this is just the kick start I needed to get my eating on track. Here is a breakdown of my meals along with pictures:

Breakfast: Homemade egg cups (egg, egg whites, ham, feta) 260 calories and 32g protein for 4 egg cups!!! They were delicious.

Snack: 1/2 banana with 1.5 tsp almond butter and an almond milk latte (I wasn't planning on having a latte today but my best friend called and offered to bring me a coffee to work...I couldn't resist!)

Lunch: Ground turkey with black beans and avocado (leftover from yesterday)

Snack: Natures Path gluten Free apple oatmeal (craving something sweet!)

Snack: Homemade chicken salad (greek yogurt, grapes, almonds) on 1/2 slice Ezekiel toast

Dinner: Talapia fillet with leftover mixed veggies and 1/2 homemade peanut butter cup



According to my Lose It app I had 1422 calories for the day! I had an amazing upper body workout this morning. My arms are getting so lean and fit just in time for swimsuit and tank top season. The end! But is really is just the beginning of a new way of eating!

7 Day Clean Eating Challenge: Day 6

Day 6
I already feel thinner and like my clothes are fitting better which is the most important thing to me! Today was a relatively lazy day. We went to church, got groceries, went to the pool, watched tv, etc. I definitely had a sweet tooth today so I make some delicious homemade peanut butter cups. Recipe will come on the blog soon! Here is a breakdown of my meals along with pictures:

Breakfast: Ezekiel Cinnamon Raisin Bread french toast with scrambled eggs and egg whites (no syrup.)

Snack:Almond Milk Latte

Lunch: Ground turkey with black beans and avocado

Snack: Carrots with homemade hummus

Snack: Homemade peanut butter cup (organic peanut butter, coconut oil, unsweetened cocoa powder and stevia) SOO good!

Dinner: Grilled chicken, grilled pineapple and mixed veggies

Snack: 2 Tbsp organic dark chocolate chips


According to my Lose It app I had calories 1348 calories for the day!Sunday is my only rest day from exercising and it's amazing how much I miss working out in just one day. I can't wait for boot camp in the morning! On to Day 7!!

7 Day Clean Eating Challenge: Day 5

Day 5
Today was my first weekend day so it is definitely tougher to stay on track. I had a good friend hosting a pampered chef party from 11-1 so I knew there would be food that likely would be "clean." I decided I would have a protein shake to have on my way so I would be full and not have to worry about being tempted. There were of course some s'more pie dessert and a salad with ranch dressing as well as crackers and dip. I only let myself have the chicken (just baked with spices) and then when I got back home I had a salad. It is all about preparing so you aren't forced or tempted to eat bad food. It will never be easy but you can do it! Here is a breakdown of my meals along with pictures:

Breakfast: Two eggs scrambled + 6 Tbsp egg whites, ezekiel cinnamon raisin toast with 1 tsp almond butter, 1 kiwi and almond milk latte.

Snack: Chocolate protein shake with almond milk.

Lunch:Salad with strawberries, grapes, apples and 1 Tbsp organic balsamic vinaigrette. I had baked chicken as well at the pampered chef party but that isn't pictured!

Snack: Greek yogurt with organic granola and 1 tsp organic raw honey and an almond milk latte (yes these lattes are becoming an obsession but oh so good!)


Dinner: Salad with grilled chicken and organic balsamic vinaigrette (grabbed dinner from a restaurant on the way home because we were at the pool all afternoon and exhausted! My husband got wings and I resisted!)


Snack: Green apples sauteed in 1 tsp butter, 1 stevia and cinnamon


According to my Lose It app I had 1375 calories for the day! I'm really starting to get the hang of this and eating better is getting easier and easier.  On to Day 6!!