Fall 2014 Style

Hat:
Jacket:
Jeans:
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It's getting cooler out, time to pull out our fall trends.  Keep watching!

1st Full Dentist Visit!

Awesome dentist visit! Even MJ and I enjoyed the free arcade games in the waiting room. E x-rays,  fluoride treatment, flossing and cleaning and he handled it all like a pro.

DAY 1

 

You get what you work for. 

Motivation Level: High - I even did yoga with the boys this morning

Workout: T25 ALPHA Cardio

Water Consumption: 64 oz 

Favorite Meal: Cottage cheese and peaches

 

Why I Chose Shakeology

There are a dizzying number of meal replacement and protein shakes on the market and I have researched and tried my fair share of them over the years.

Shakeology is a meal replacement shake, not a protein shake. Simply put, a protein shake is supplement that increases your daily intake of protein, where as, a meal replacement shake is designed for whole nutrition. Protein shakes are jam packed with protein and little else, meal replacement shakes provide all of your required nutrients including protein.

I personally chose Shakeology because I needed a meal replacement shake to supplement what I am not eating throughout the day. As I mentioned before I easily forget to eat then quickly reach for the fastest thing in my kitchen (which is usually the unhealthiest). I have tried protein shakes to supplement workouts but I found that I did not like the bulk that protein shakes added to my 4'10" frame.

In taste comparison to other shakes, Vanilla Shakeology (which is the only flavor that I drink) has one of the best consistencies and overall tastes. I personally have never ever liked any chocolate shake that I have tried. Vanilla really can be transformed into any flavor you desire, chocolate, tropical, strawberry, banana. Being a creature of habit, I tend to stick to the same mix-ins for my shakes. My recipe: Vanilla Shakeology, 1/2 of a banana, Almond Breeze Almond Coconut Milk Unsweetened and mixed frozen fruit (usually whatever I find at Costco or whatever is on sale).

Shakeology is one of the more expensive shakes that I have purchased, at around $4.40 per day or $132 per month (I have quit Starbucks and limited my eating out), HOWEVER it is well worth the purchase for the nutritional value, the taste and the convenience of helping me stick to a better eating regimen.

There is absolutely nothing that could replace the nutritional value of eating an actual well balanced meal and fruits, veggies and protein. However, if you find that you are unable to eat well and balanced throughout the day I would highly recommend Shakeology. 

T25 + Shakeology

T25 + Shakeology has finally arrived! My goal is to lose around 25 lbs, however my main focus will be on tightening and toning (inches). It wasn't until this point in my life that I realized how much I loved my 29 year old body (before babies). At 29 I ran, I ate healthy,  I had a beauty regime and I got lots of rest.

At 33, I eat whatever I have time to put in my mouth (when I remember to eat), which can be anything from 2-3 handfuls of Cheez-its and a bag of fruit snacks to a Hawaiian roll and a juice box. My beauty regime consists of showering and brushing my teeth.  My exercise routine involves chasing my little ones daily and I average about 3-5 hours of sleep a night. Since our cross country relocation  boys sleep schedule is awful.

This will absolutely be a journey but 25 min a day, 5 days a week PLUS one meal a day already covered (my vanilla Shakeology smoothie) is a huge leap in the right direction.

MISSION: Reconstruct the BRICKHOUSE (34-28-36)

METHOD: FOCUS T25

I'm excited to blog about my fitness journey... I'll keep you posted!

*UPDATE 9/30/14: Ok, I am one month in and to say that my workouts have been sporadic is an understatement. I mean,  I have worked out but def not daily nor on any particular schedule.  I'm thinking that the problem is I burned myself out in the very beginning. I started T25 + Bikram Yoga the same week!  My Groupon for Bikram Yoga Avondale was about to expire and T25 had arrived.  I figured a 530 am yoga class would be a perfect compliment. Well after 1 week,  3 yoga class and 4 days of T25, I could not walk....literally. It's October 1st, I'm starting over!

The Beautiful Pain of Bikram Yoga

I just had my very first bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga Avondale (BYA) and I think that they may have been trying to kill me. I came across their awesome Living Social deal about a month ago for 3 months of unlimited yoga classes and I am only now finding the courage to stick these thighs into some skin tight shorts and walk out the front door of my house (plus the added motivation of my Living Social voucher about to expire). For starters, the room felt like it was 1000 degrees, my legs shook, my arches ached, my back hurt, I kept tipping over,  my boobs got in the way,  my nose wouldn't touch my knee and sweat was pouring out of my body by the gallon...BUT I loved all 5400 seconds of it. After the class my skin looked amazing and I felt calm and relaxed. I'm still not sure if they were trying to kill me but...see ya tomorrow BYA, you definitely made the Hit List!

Oven roasted brussel sprouts

This is by far one of my simplest and tastiest side dishes that everyone in my house actually eats! It is an ideal quick go to side.

Ingredients 
1-2 bags of fresh or frozen brussel sprouts (I prefer frozen because they cook faster and turn out soft for my little ones)
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic Salt
Crushed Garlic
1-2 Tbs Olive oil

1. Pre-heat oven to 375
2. Rinse brussel sprouts under cool water, then place in oven safe dish
3. Drizzle with olive oil
4. Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt and crushed garlic
5. Place in oven for 15-25 min or until softened and browning 
NOTE: Frozen brussel sprouts will cool slightly faster then fresh

This is a great base recipe with so many tasty options, like, pesto sprouts, balsamic sprouts and Parmesan sprouts....ENJOY!

REVERSE by Rodan + Fields

I suffer from issues with hyper-pigmentation around my chin and upper lip area, as well as, over all discoloration in various areas. With my 18 month old and 3 year old little boys to chase after and entertain I have very little time for myself. Anything that simplifies my life and daily routines is a must have for this busy mom.  One of the newest additions to my daily routine is the REVERSE regimen from Rodan + Fields and thus far my results have been awesome!

R + F REVERSE regimen is simple and convenient with everything that you need in one system. REVERSE is a skin care regimen for brown spots, dullness and uneven skin tone. A 60-day supply of the REVERSE Regimen includes a Deep Exfoliating Wash, Intensive Brightening Toner, Dual Active Brightening Complex and Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen. You get a ton of product for about $2.98 per day. Having been been featured in Oprah Magazine, Allure, New Beauty and Vogue, Rodan + Fields was developed by the renowned dermatologists that also developed Proactiv.

Up close and personal pictures coming soon!