Amy’s Most Recent Blog
RECIPE: Gluten Free Chocolate Strawberry Shakeology Pancakes
I don't think there is a day that goes by that my kids don't ask me to make them pancakes for breakfast. I mean EVERYDAY! And they don't just want regular ole pancakes... nope. They want chocolate chip pancakes! Well, as any healthy eating mom knows, you really can't (or shouldn't) give them pancakes everyday, right? I am one of those moms that likes to create food. Many times, I will experiment with food and see what "works" and what doesn't. My goals is to make something healthier, more flavorful, and better than the original. I may not technically know what I am doing (spoiler alert... I'm not a chef), but sometimes I hit a home-run :) So, I was experimenting with my own creation of how to make a TO DIE FOR gluten free, tasty and "healthier" pancake for my kids one morning and as I looked to my right, the answer was staring back at … [Read More...]
#FitGearFriday 2/22/13 – BULA Hat and My New Myers Cross Training Tank
#FitGearFriday 2/22/13 Today I am looking out the window at HUGE snowflakes falling down and thinking about what I would like to feature as my pick for #fitgearfriday. Well, one of my FAVORITE items to run/ski/snowmobile in during the cold weather is my BULA hat. It has a slot inside the hat to put headphones (it actually came with headphones) and it keeps my head SO warm when I run in really cold weather. It is so comfy and the material is soft and washes really well too. The other nice feature of this hat is that it just looks cool. Don't ya think? LOL Make sure to check it out at BULABULA.com I am also SUPER excited because my new Myers Cross Training Tank came in the mail today! It has one of my favorite verses on the front of it. I love the way the material feels... so soft and breathable. I can't wait to workout in it... so stay tuned for a full review of it next week! What fitness gear do you like to use in the colder weather? Have you ever … [Read More...]
#FitGearFriday 2/15/13
I LOVE Fitness Gear Friday What fitness gear did I find, hear about or use this week that I am recommending to you? Well, I am in LOVE with these handheld water bottles for my short runs. They are by Nathan Sports. This is the handiest little water bottle and it fits really snug on my hand while I'm running. It carries just enough water for my 3-4 mile runs. Nathan QuickShot Moisture-wicking, adjustable Wall Mesh hand strap Unique, adjustable hand strap eliminates the need to grip the Flask and offers alternative hand positions 10 oz. (300 mL) Flask with Race Cap Power Stretch Mesh pocket with Velcro® closure Incorporated, waterproof I.D./medical emergency card Race Cap with high-flow, one-way valve opens and closes automatically and offers a quick burst of fluid Wide collar allows for easy flask removal and replacement for cleaning Reflective detail Weight: 1.6 oz. What is really cool (and something that I just discovered recently) is that you can get a … [Read More...]
#FitGearFriday 2/8/13
#FitGearFriday This week, I am starting a new # on Twitter called #FitGearFriday Each Friday, I will post new fitness gear that I have either used, I am thinking of buying (and need your opinion) or fit gear that I have found a good deal online and I want to pass along to you. This week, I have ordered and I am excited to get my new Myers Cross Training Tank If you are not familiar with Myers Cross Training, you need to go to the website RIGHT AWAY! Michelle is AMAZING! I love that it has Proverbs 31 on the front...especially since I am a Thirty-One consultant! Anyway, this is the LAST DAY to pre-order your tank! So make sure to order yours today! A couple of weeks ago, I was sent some workout clothes (aka... fit gear) from PVBody.com. They sent me a running shirt and a pair of pants. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shirt! It is absolutely one of the most comfy workout shirts I own! It is made by a company called 15 LOVE. It has thumb holes, a little money pocket … [Read More...]
What I Discovered After Taking a Bexlife Gym Diet
A couple of months ago, I read a post by Rebekah at BEXLIFE.com about taking a Gym Diet. She is a fellow blogger and FitFluential Ambassador. I started to think about this gym diet idea and after completing my first Triathlon in August and a Dirty Girl run in September I was feeling run-down, tired, possibly overtraining and family/work wise, I found that I was getting REALLY busy! So... I took a GYM DIET!! I TOOK A BREAK! Can you guess what happened from me taking my gym diet? First thing I noticed was that I lost weight! Yup, being 5'8", I like to keep my (goal) weight between 130-135 lbs My weight does fluctuate daily but as you can see, I am within my goal. I should be happy right? Well, losing weight is great and all, BUT, how do I feel? What do I look like? Do my clothes fit better or worse? Do I still have the same strength and muscles? What's the good, the bad and the ugly of taking a Gym Diet? What did I discover … [Read More...]
Motivation Monday, Insanity Day 1 Fit Test and a BIG Confession!
~ Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied ~ Proverbs 13:4 This was a verse that I read this morning when I was tired, the house was quiet after the kids left for school and I decided I wanted to lay back down for a couple minutes (yeah right... more like 35!) I had 0% energy. But, I did make time to read God's word and yeah, He was speaking DIRECTLY to me through the verse above. I read it and heard, "Get your lazy rear-end up and get moving!" I am a planner. For the past week I have been planning to start my new workout program, INSANITY, today and boom... yup, I was "tired." You see, there are 2 things that really get on my nerves 1) Laziness 2) Whining And for the past couple of months, guess what... (Confession time) I have been REALLY LAZY about working out! Yes, I have been busy just like everyone else and probably a LOT burnt out... But, ENOUGH EXCUSES! Life doesn't wait until your "ready" I … [Read More...]
A Simply Snackin Review: A Convenient and Tasty Snack
After being away this weekend, I came home to a lovely surprise from a company called Simply Snackin. They sent me a variety pack of their "on-the-go protein snacks" in 6 different flavors. So, what exactly is Simply Snackin? Well, their tag line is... WORLD'S BEST 60 CALORIE ON-THE-GO PROTEIN SNACK Here... Let me tell you about it instead :) http://youtu.be/H79VZ6aeWeo So, Simply Snackin is... Simple Convenient Nutritious Delicious Unique High in protein Low in fat, sugar and carbs Gluten free Did I mention, tasty? Through January, if you go to simplysnackin.com and enter SSjan2013 , you will get 10% off the purchase price.:) Yay! Disclaimer: Simply Snackin sent me the samples to do a review for them but... (As it has ALWAYS been and ALWAYS will be) ALL of the opinions are my own. … [Read More...]
Live Each Day as a Gift
Just like so many other parents in our country today, I was a bit afraid of sending my children off to school. The events of the past few months and especially the events on Friday have changed my life and the lives of SO many people and my heart cries for peace... especially at Christmas time. As a mom, I understand the unbearable and horrific pain of losing a child. It is something that I cannot begin to explain OR try to comprehend. But, without my Faith in God and his everlasting love, I know I would not have ever made it though the pain. So, I hope and pray that each of the families in Newtown, Aurora and Portland can feel God's loving arms wrapped around them in their time of despair and suffering. And I pray that these horrific "events" will NEVER happen again so we don't have to live in fear each day. ALWAYS remember to LIVE EACH DAY AS A GIFT … [Read More...]
What was I for Halloween? A Black Sheep!
So, if you are anything like me - a mom who eats healthy and loves her kids a LOT - You will probably relate to what I am about to say. Halloween is one of my most UNFAVORITE days of the year! Why? 1. I am the BLACK SHEEP in my family. No, make that BOTH families - BOTH my own family AND my husbands family. I have succumbed to this fact long ago. Now, I don't think I go around preaching from a soapbox about how you should eat this and shouldn't eat that. At least I don't think I do. What I don't do is buy junk food or bring it in our house. I educate my children about nutrition and allow them to make their own decisions... to a point anyway. They say that when I give them "the look" that they know they have had enough. LOL (I didn't know I gave a "look") 2. Being a Christian, I think you can understand that I do not agree with the meaning behind Halloween. 3. My children and my own life mean more to me than junk food. I think that goes … [Read More...]
18 Reasons to Label GMOs and Say YesOn37
What if the food you are eating is making you sick? What if the government, the FDA and the Food Companies all KNOW that this is happening but they don't want to do anything about it? What if 61 other countries around the world already label their food if it contains GMO's but the USA doesn't? Do you know that they take spider genes and put them into goats with the hope that the goat will produce milk with spider web qualities so they can make bullet proof vests! Would that make you upset? Do you want the right to decide? On the ballet in California on November 6th it will be put to a vote. Say YES on Proposition 37 and make a difference in your life and the lives of your children and loved ones. Watch this video and you will hear some very interesting and scary facts about the health of our country. http://youtu.be/Ao_Hs2nNQDA Below are some interesting facts from tweets during a twitter chat hosted by Leah Segedie @bookieboo on labeling … [Read More...]
Delicious Gluten Free Pumpkin Apple Quinoa Chocolate Chip Muffins
I don't know about you but... I LOVE FALL!!! It is my most favorite season of the year. I love to snuggle in a sweat shirt, run in the cold, see the beautiful autumn colors and yes, eat the flavors of the season... like pumpkin, apple and cinnamon. And, like many of you, I also love to search on Pinterest. I find many great recipes, funny stories, creative ideas and of course, awesome workouts. During one of my many many searches, I found a recipe that sounded SOOOO GOOOOOD! It was for Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Quinoa Muffins by Lisa @ Onceamonthmom.com (follow the link to the original recipe I followed and re-designed below) It sounds SOOOOO yummy, right??? It also sounded like the perfect recipe to try and make for an open house I was having to launch my NEW Thirty-One Business. (If you are not familiar with (or if you LOVE) Thirty-One, check out my website and catalog) So I printed out the recipe and after making a few changes to … [Read More...]
Get Rid of Pesky Fruit Flies FOREVER
Like many of you, I LOVE fruit. But sometimes I don't eat the fruit fast enough. That creates a BIG problem. Fruit Flies!!! Those little buggers drive me crazy! So, I found a simple 3 step solution that will hopefully help you get rid of your fruit flies, too. 1. Throw out old fruit Go through all of your fruit and see if there are any pieces that have gone bad. Throw out that bad fruit. Don't put it in your inside trash can. Make sure to take it to an outdoor trash or compost. 2. Put your good fruit into the fridge This will contain all of the fruit temptations from those little pesky flies. They will have NO choice but to opt for #3 3. Contain and Destroy Release Take a small container and put a single piece of the bad fruit into it. Place a piece of saran wrap over the top opening of the container. Make sure it is TIGHT. Take a toothpick and poke about 5-6 holes into the saran wrap. Set it on your counter and watch the magic happen. It took me … [Read More...]
To Be or Not To Be… Gluten Free
What would you do if you were Gluten Free (by choice) and your doctor asked you to do this? … [Read More...]
How to Find 5 Positives on a Crummy Day
Do you find it hard to find the silver lining sometimes? I know, it can be especially tough on a rainy day. Hear my 5 positives on my crummy day and tips to help you find yours, too. … [Read More...]
A Newbie Triathlete Experience from Start to Finish
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" by Friedrich Nietzsche I am a TRIATHLETE!! Have you ever challenged yourself to try something new, something so mentally and physically challenging that you kept on questioning why am I doing this to myself? Maybe it's a new ski run down a big mountain or sky diving out of a perfectly good airplane??? Do you get excited? Or does it make you completely bonkers? Some of you know what I am talking about, right? Well, I am NOT one of those people who gets excited!! LOL Last summer, I went to watch my friend compete in her first triathlon. It was SO cool and looked like a LOT of fun! I thought to myself, "Okay, I can do this. It will be a lot of fun and such a great physical challenge." Somehow I never thought about the mental part of it. Stupid Silly me! All spring I have been training in the pool and the lake, on the bike and of course, running. As it is with most newbie triathletes, the swim is usually the most feared. I … [Read More...]
My Scary Solo Run and 5 Safety Tips to Remember When Running Alone
Imagine this: it is late morning and you are out for a nice long run in your hometown. This is the town you grew up in and you have always felt safe. There are a lot of people and houses around so you don't think twice about going for a run by yourself. But, now you are being followed and stalked by a truck with 3-4 men and you start to feel nervous and scared. What should you do? Well, here is what happened to me this week while I was out for long run in my suburban hometown. First, please understand that I wasn't running in the country with very few houses and people. On the route that I was running there are a lot of cars, houses and people outside at all times. It is a place that I have ran the roads MANY times before without any issues or bad experiences. Until this particular day. I was visiting my family and staying at my sisters house. It was a beautiful morning and I NEEDED wanted to go for a run. After telling my sister the route I was going to take, I left … [Read More...]
Is ACTION the First Step to Success?
The path to success is to take massive, determined action. Tony Robbins Happy Wellness Wednesday!! Yesterday I spent the day at a Get Motivated Seminar. Have you ever been to one? In my opinion, it is amazing. For only $1.95, you get a ticket to hear some of the most influential speakers and celebrities you can think of. A few that I had the privaledge of hearing yesterday were Bill Cosby, Steve Forbes, Joe Montana, and Steve Wozniak. Last year when I went, I heard Rudy Giuliani, General Colin Powell, Terry Bradshaw and Dick Vitale, (plus a few others) speak about their paths to success. So, what was the common theme that I heard throughout the day? No matter what your goal is, you need to take ACTION to make it happen. It is funny because when I got married, my initials changed to ACT. I have always believed that God has put me, just like all of you, on this Earth to do something wonderful and make a difference. So, with my initials now ACT, combined with a passion … [Read More...]
5 Methods That Can Help You Stop the Childhood Obesity Monster from Invading Your Household
Hi guys! Happy Monday :) I hope you all had a fantastic weekend like I did. My family and I spent time at our cottage on the lake. We cleaned, cleaned, mowed the lawn and cleaned some more getting it ready for summer. There are only 9 days left of school and the kids are beyond excited. Actually, I am really excited, too! It is going to be a fun filled summer! Every summer, we spend a lot of time at our cottage. We wakeboard, we swim (the kids will play in the water from sun up to sun down. They literally LIVE in a bathing suit the entire summer) and we do get to relax. I love that my family and especially my kids, are active. Because, another common event that also happens at the cottage is…we eat out…a LOT! My view at our cottage. It is Heaven on Earth! This is me attempting my first try at Stand Up PaddleBoarding. I am HOOKED! Usually on Saturday nights, we will take the boat to a restaurant for dinner. Then, on Sunday morning, we go to our favorite diner for … [Read More...]
Three Essential Elements to Finding a Healthy Balance
Do you remember being 5? 8? 10? 15? And there was only 2 weeks left of school? Yup… “summeritis” has hit my family and my kids are going crazy. They are so excited to go on field trips, have field days and end of the year parties, not to mention that in a couple weeks there won’t be any more homework, it has been hard to contain their excitement and get them to go to bed at night. Well, this past week has been eye opening for me. This is the first year that I am making a calendar for our summer events, etc…. I started making this calendar last week and it is CRAZY! As my kids are getting older, I find we are SO stinking busy! Summer camps, our cottage, OBX vacation and of course, my triathlon and Dirty Girl run, too! It is all good stuff so I am excited! But, life shouldn’t be about schedules and putting appointments on a calendar, right? It is about finding (a healthy) balance for everyone involved. Hmmm….. Balance?? BAL·ANCE Noun, verb, … [Read More...]
What do kids, boxing and eating carrot cake have in common?
Yup… we are building an ark. LOL. It has rained here for the past 3 days. And it has been so dark that we have had to use the lights in our house ALL day. Crazy, I know! Man, I hope it stops soon. But, at least the flowers have water, right??? (That is my lame attempt at a silver lining… Ha! Please, sunshine... come back!!) Well, today I am writing my first post as a Mamavation Sista & Cheerleader! I am SO excited!! I look forward to being part of this community as a source of fitness and healthy eating tips for moms that are trying to lose weight and get their family living a healthy lifestyle. So, for more information, check out Mamavation and see what the Sistahood is all about. Okay, so here goes. My name is Amy and I am a 39 years old. Holy Poop. Did I just say that out loud? When did I turn 39? No, really, my age doesn’t bother me. It is just a number right? It isn’t how I FEEL. Heck, I feel better now than I did when I was 25. … [Read More...]
Favorites Friday: Phillip Phillips, Frozen Yogurt Bites and a Chobani Giveaway!
Hi Guys, Happy June 1st AND Happy Friday! I am SO looking forward to this weekend... especially after I was sick last week, my son was sick earlier this week and my husband is sick now. Uggg! It has been a rough 2 weeks! Any-who! Today is FAVORITES FRIDAY!! MUSIC First and foremost, did you watch this seasons American Idol? Well, last week I watched one of the MOST talented young singers I have ever heard win the title of American Idol. At least since Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. This guy is the ENTIRE package. The unique voice, the charm, the smile, the GOOD looks, etc., etc., etc..... Well, in-case you missed it, take a look for yourself. I will be buying his album ASAP. :) Okay, so NEXT! FOOD Well, sometimes while I am reading fellow bloggers posts or tweets or searching pinterest, etc.... (the list goes on and on ;) ) I come across a recipe that sounds like it will be a homerun for my family. For a recipe to be a homerun in my … [Read More...]
How to set SMART goals and a Tabata Thursday Boxing Workout for extra BURN
When I was in the grocery store the other day, I overheard a lady saying, "It doesn't matter if it is Atkins or South Beach, I just want to do whatever works to lose the weight FAST." Now, this isn't the first time that I have heard someone say this. We all want to lose the weight fast right? But... it should be our ultimate goal to create a healthy LIFESTYLE so we can lose the weight safely and effectively. It is important to remember that to lose weight, you need to incorporate 3 basic things into your life: Cardio Strength training Healthy nutrition (clean eating is the best) at EVERY meal So, you can start by making small changes to your daily routine OR, if you are the type of person that has to jump in feet first (and you are healthy enough to do this), you can do a complete overhaul right away. It is important to find whatever works for you. You should realize that the first month can be the toughest but once you get started, you will feel that sense of … [Read More...]
8 Ways to Help You Stop Late Night Snacking
I have a confession to make. I am a… LATE NIGHT SNACKER :( You see, every day after I wake up, I get the kids on the bus, workout, eat breakfast and go about the rest of my daily schedule. Later in the afternoon, I get the kids off the bus, shuffle them from here to there, help with homework, make dinner and finally, get the kids into bed. If I am lucky, I have time to do a few more chores, maybe sit down with my husband to watch one of our favorite shows (like Modern Family) and finally, read a few pages of my current book and get some good sleep. Usually, that is how my "routine" goes. I eat healthy and I know what I should and shouldn't eat. I am also a creature of habit. So, I tend to eat the same thing for breakfast and lunch EVERYDAY. Wake up: Hot Lemon Water (check out BradGouthroFitness.com for more info) Pre-workout banana Post Workout: Protein Shake (Almond+ milk, Unsweetened Choco Almond Milk, Sun Warrior Vanilla Protein Powder, Psyllium … [Read More...]
Happy Mother’s Day!!
Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. Elizabeth Stone WOW! That is SO true! If you are a mom out there... Happy Mother's Day to you :) It is a day to celebrate being a mom. It doesn't matter if you gave birth to your child adopted a child, you are a foster mom, or a mom by marriage... You are special and God Bless you for doing the hardest job on earth! I had a FANTASTIC day and I hope you did, too. My kids (and husband) made me feel SO special today. Here is a little vlog about my day and the gifts I received. I am very blessed to have my two beautiful children to raise and call me mom. They always make me laugh and bring me LOTS of joy. But, on Mother's Day I also cherish my baby boy Chickpea who is in Heaven. I remember his little face and think of him and miss him everyday. Keatonprints.com We may not always understand why God does what he does, but I have … [Read More...]
These Should Make You Laugh! Fitness Friday Funnies
Happy Friday! As I was reading my internet goodies this morning (Twitter, Facebook, BlogFrog and MamaKatsLosinIt.com) I came across a post by MamaKat titled A Day at the Office. If you are not familiar with MamaKat, she is REALLY funny. She has one of the best blogs out there. And, she always makes me laugh. There are a couple of really funny videos in the post that made me laugh... HARD! So, I decided to do a little post of my own to help kick-start your Friday and hopefully make you laugh, too. I am calling it Fitness Friday Funnies! These guys are RIDICULOUSLY funny. I am sure you have seen or heard a couple of these people at your gym, right? Do you remember feeling like this when you first started? And, who doesn't love Jim Carrey. HAVE A FUN(NY) FRIDAY!! … [Read More...]
Tri-Training Week 3 and A Cinco de Mayo Salsa Recipe
Happy Cinco de Mayo! I cannot believe it is already May 5th! 2012 is FLYING by!! I am not sure if there is a full moon or not this weekend but my kids have been acting VERY squirrelly! They are ready for some weekend fun and it is gorgeous out today so... :) This was my 3rd week of training for my first triathlon It has gone really well and I created a vlog to give you a little recap MONDAY: Swimming For my swimming workout, I am still trying to work on my breathing As I have said before, I still have a hard time going from exhaling to inhaling Without getting a gallon of water up my nose BUT, it went really well I found a couple of websites that gave me some great tips and drills to try The first website, swimsmooth.com, had a lot of great tips about breathing into The “pocket” and other terminology I wasn’t aware of. At swimming.about.com, there are a lot of drills I could try to help improve my balance and breathing. I started off using flippers And … [Read More...]
A Few of My Goals as a Newbie Blogger
Every morning I have a routine Get the kids up to get ready for school Pack their lunches (sneek a peek at my Twitter account) Get them on the bus (check my FaceBook account) Workout (if I haven't done this BEFORE getting the kids up) Check my Twitter and FaceBook accounts Shower Make the beds (after checking my Twitter account again) Empty/load the dishwasher And finally... check my FaceBbook and Twitter accounts...again To be honest, sometimes I check twitter before i get the kids up Okay, now I am starting to sound a little addicted Blogging and tweeting has definitely become part of my daily routine I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to blog, vlog and tweet! I am hooked!! When I first started to tweet and blog more regularly a few months ago, I had a couple of "simple" goals in mind: 1) Educate Myself: Learn from others by reading their blogs and attending conferences 2) Communicate: Start blogging/vlogging/tweeting more consistently 3) Make Meaningful Connections: … [Read More...]
How do you stay Positive?
We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life or you can focus on what’s right. – Marianne Williamson Did you know that it takes 5 positives to negate 1 negative? I don't know about you but sometimes when I am having a difficult day finding only 1 positive can be TOO difficult. But, here are a few ways to help you stay positive during your day. 1) Smile It is really hard to be negative and unhappy when you are smiling I like to smile at random people when I am walking by them. The other day, I was picking out a bunch of bananas and an elderly man was doing the same thing next to me. I looked at him, smiled and said, "Hello sir. How are you today?" We struck up a nice little conversation and it made my day. 2) Find Your Happy Place This can be either mentally or physically I have a few different happy places... snuggling with my kids, hugging my husband, going on a hike with Cooper, sweating it out … [Read More...]
My Feet are Happy! A NB Minimus Review
Have you ever tried on a pair of shoes and thought, "wow, my feet are SO happy!" :) That exact experience happened to me yesterday when I tried on a pair of New Balance WT10 Minimus trail runner These are THE most comfortable shoes I have EVER tried on. They are perfectly snug on my instep and heel. The toe box was wide enough that my toes can splay out and not feel constricted. They are super light, and... unbelievably flexible. I was surprised just how confortable they are AND how great they look, too. In my mind... They are a fitness shoe home-run! I am going to order a pair today and I will do a follow up post as soon as I receive them and get to try them out on the trails. But first, I need your help deciding. I can't choose between the black with blue, the gray (both pictured above) or the black and pink (below) UPDATE (4/30/12) Okay, so I have had these trainers for almost a week now and I am IN LOVE! When you put these on, they … [Read More...]
Have you Tried…???
Have you Tried...??? Many times, we get caught up in doing the same daily routine over and over again. Our comfort zone is, well... comfortable. But, sometimes change is good... especially when it comes to exercise. It is good to make your body wonder what is coming next. That is one of the reasons why HIIT training is so beneficial. So, since summer is almost here, I have added a couple of different ideas and ways you can get out there and get your fit on!! Stand-Up Paddle-boarding!! Wow! It was so much fun gliding through the water so quiet and peaceful. I could see all the way to the bottom of the lake. Also, it is a great core workout... especially when a boat goes by and you have big waves coming at you ;) Balance...balance...balance (PS... Yes, I am using a windsurfing board! Two uses for one board :) ) Wake Boarding!! This particular day I had swam for a couple of laps and went up to our cottage to get into some dry clothes. My (7 year old) son had … [Read More...]
Ta-Da!
Yesterday was an eye opening, Ah-HA kind of day for me. As I was reading through my tweets and checking out the different posts of the bloggers I follow, I came across one that made a significant impact on my life. It was a post by @MizFitOnline called Exercise is Not My Passion. As I read the post, it gave me goosebumps. You see, for as long as I can remember, I have been "into" fitness and healthy nutrition. It IS my Passion. If I could live in a gym, I would. If I could exercise all day/every day, I would. I read about it, I watch videos about it, I train others how to do it and 99.9% of the time, it comes up in conversations I have with just about ANYONE... from the pastor at my church to the secretary at my kids school. But, after I read that post (Exercise is Not My Passion by @MizFitOnline), I stopped and thought about how true her words were and how they gave clarity to my daily actions and career choices. See, I am a type-A, Gen x, multi-tasking, … [Read More...]
Yay! It’s Official!
YAY! Well, its official. Thanks to @FitFluential and @GotChocoMilk, I won a scholarship to the Fitness and Health Bloggers Conference this June in Denver! Yay! It is amazing how fast your dreams can happen when you reach out to others, listen to advice and jump into the action. I can't wait to meet the other fantastic bloggers at the conference and learn all I can about making this website, my blog and my wellness business bigger and better than ever before. FitNutTip of the day.... Don't forget to Refuel with Chocolate Milk after your workouts! I do!! … [Read More...]
How Will You Follow Your Dreams?
This is me on The Roseman Bridge in Madison County, Iowa in 2001. It was always a dream of mine to visit here and I was SO happy on this day. "The old dreams were good dreams; they didn't work out, but I'm glad I had them." Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid in Bridges of Madison County This is one of my favorite quotes (and movies) of all time. It is in a frame in my office and I read it often. Especially today. Today was a very hard day. It is the day that one of my dreams, the dream of owning my own fitness facility, is coming to an end. But, I am SO glad I had the dream, I followed my dream and I don't have any regrets about it at all. Plus, I had a lot of fun doing it, too. So, does this mean that I am going to sit like a lump on a log. Of course NOT! My new plan is to continue to motivate, educate and train others in my community and online. As anyone in my family can attest to, I have a LOT of dreams and ideas. Sometimes I probably drive them crazy. It isn't that … [Read More...]
Can you believe it?
WOW! Is today really March 1st? Already? On January 6th, I turned 39. Yes, it is my last year in my thirties and I now realize that I only have 10 months and 5 days until I turn the BIG 4-0!! But, I embrace my age (even if it does come with "issues") and try to live each day to the fullest. New experiences are exciting to me and as usual, I will step out of my comfort zone to keep trying new things. So, one of my favorite physical activities to "do" in the winter months (actually, I love it all year but winter is the best time) is to go for a morning run. In the cold. The colder the better. I know, I'm not in the majority here but... I was just thinking about my run yesterday. I completed a 3 mile run with 10 rounds of (HIIT) sprints and man, it felt SO good. I try to do these runs about 2 times per week. I love doing any type of HIIT workout because I am a work at home, mom of 2, super multi-tasker and even though I love … [Read More...]
iEatGFree – Questions answered
On November 1st, after listening to a very complelling and convincing interview with cardiologist William Davis, MD, and reading his book Wheat Belly, I decided to try a new approach to my daily nutrition by eliminating gluten and wheat from my diet. 4 weeks in and... I feel GREAT!! Many of the questions I have been asked over the past four weeks are: Why did you decide to eat a gluten free diet? How do you feel? Have you noticed any weight loss? Is it hard? What do you eat? Well, you can read my first blog post, Is Gluten Free for ME? to better understand WHY I decided to start eating a gluten free diet. Lets just say, with a family history of ciliac disease AND many convincing reasons (both scientific and clinical) I have heard and read about, my "gut" feeling was I needed to take gluten out of my diet to SEE if I could FEEL better. So, how I am feeling? I do feel different, and in a good way. I have noticed that I get better quality … [Read More...]
iEatGFree – Turkey BUTT…
I don't know about you but.... I LOVE THANKSGIVING DINNER!! Over the past week, many of you have asked me how I plan to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for 13 people and still eat gluten free. Well, I have found some creative, healthy(er) and gluten free ways to make a few of our favorite Thanksgiving dinner staples and surprisingly, it won't be that hard to manage. Mashed Potatoes - This is by far one of my FAVORITE foods. However, it is not normally a "healthy" side dish, so I try not to eat it very often. You probably already know that one of the most nutritious parts of a potato is the skin. One little trick to make our MP's quick and easy is I use the little red potatoes, skin on, and boil them whole. By using the little red potatoes, not only do I eliminate the need to peel the spuds - which my family will not let me do because I am terrible at it - but all of the nutrients are kept in tact. Another little trick I use to add flavor and healthy protein is by mixing in … [Read More...]
Is Gluten Free for ME?
A couple of weeks ago while researching nutrition and fitness "stuff", I came across a podcast, The Paleo Solution, Episode 95, that I found very interesting. Robb Wolf, the author of The Paleo Solution, was interviewing Dr. William Davis (a Cardiologist) who wrote the book Wheat Belly. Okay, so what were they talking about? To put it simply, Dr. Davis was talking about the negative health effects from eating wheat (and gluten) and how eating a gluten free diet can change your life. I was amazed at some of the incredible examples and science based reasons of why we should NOT EAT WHEAT!! But, I know what you are thinking. The FDA says we should eat whole wheat, whole grain foods... and what about the food pyramid or I mean, food plate... yada, yada, yada. I was eating the same "healthy" diet and had all of the same questions too until I listened to the podcast interview. It has changed my way of thinking. Now, I don't have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity. I … [Read More...]
Is there a positive to having a big butt?
Well, after a long and busy summer, fall has finally arrived. I struggle with this season every year. Fall has always been my favorite season because of the cool, crisp air, the changing of the foliage and last but not least, I don't have to worry about wearing a bathing suit for another 9 months or so. Do you feel this way too? Does wearing a bathing suit stress you out? … [Read More...]
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