Happy Weekend

This weekend the Mr. and I are headed back home to Dallas to spend the three day weekend with family and friends! We could not be more excited about our little weekend getaway! We have birthdays to celebrate, babies to meet and shopping to do!

Enjoy the last official weekend of summer everyone!

{Image Credit: Made By Girl}

Sick Day

I very rarely get sick but this was my lucky week, I must have picked up the nasty cold my husband had last week. Needless to say, I've spent the majority of the last few days laying on the couch, catching up on blogs and drinking lots of water and snuggling with my puppy. I hope to be back at it again soon.

{Image Credit: Jadore Tumblr}

Five Things...

Here are five things that I have absolutely been loving lately! Actually, by looking at these you'd think it's already fall, but I promise it's not...maybe I'm just ready?

Essie - Mochacino {image via Essie}

Chai Tea Lattes {image via Starbucks}

Sugar Fresh Lip Treatment SPF 15 {image via Sephora}

Stress Relief - Eucalyptus Spearmint {image via Bath & Body Works}

Comforts from the Cross by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick {image via Amazon}

Tuesday {In the Kitchen}

Not a food image, but I love a farmers market! And this awesome blogger does CrossFit and eats clean, check her out!

I have had an incredible journey the last year and a half, one where I have truly learned how take care of my body, from simple things like what to eat as well as how to exercise in order to keep it strong.

I have been eating pseudo-Paleo and gluten-free for about a year and a half now. It has been a truly eye-opening experience and I can honestly say my body has never felt better. 

I say I eat "pseudo" Paleo because while my husband is more strict about his diet, I don't eat as strict as he does. But eating a clean and balanced diet has become an incredibly important part of our lives.

The easiest way I can explain the Paleo diet is this - first of all, it's not a diet in the traditional sense, but rather a lifestyle, with all fresh, no pre-packaged, manufactured foods.

Most people think C and I are just picky, or maybe crazy, but when you feel as good as we do physically, you won't regret it. And no you won't miss the heavy grains and breads that leave you feeling weighty and bloated. In fact, after a few weeks you'll view breads and pastas very differently.

This week for the {In the Kitchen} feature, I decided to share what our typical weekly grocery list consists of.

If you are interested in learning more about the Paleo lifestyle check out this site. 

Our Weekly Grocery List

Fruits

Bananas - we eat them every morning before our workout

Grapes

Mangos

Apples

Avocados

Lemons

Limes

Vegetables

Lettuce

Broccoli Slaw

Red and Green Peppers

Sweet Peppers

Onions

Fresh Garlic

Asparagus

Sweet Potatoes (lots!)

Broccoli

Squash

Tomatoes

Green Onions

Spaghetti Squash

Meat

Pork Chops

Chicken Breasts

Steak

Fish

Eggs (lots!)

Other Staples - (most aren't Paleo, but are what we eat on "cheat days" when we aren't eating strict Paleo)

Coconut Flour (Paleo and Gluten-Free)

Gluten Free Bisquik (not paleo but good for those necessary "cheat" days)

Rice Chex Cereal (again for "cheat" days, Gluten-Free and comes in several flavors)

Milk (not Paleo, but I still have use it to mix with protein powder or with cereal on cheat days)

Greek Yogurt (not Paleo, but I still eat it)

Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches (obviously for cheat days!)

Almonds (can be put in a food processor to create homemade almond flour, or almond butter, both are fantastic when made at home and much cheaper)

Think Think Protein Bars - here (Gluten-Free)

Assorted Spices

Fresh Herbs

These are just some of the regular items we purchase, I'm sure I am missing a few, but if you have questions just leave me a comment. Be sure to check out this post for a few of my favorite websites and blogs that have amazing Paleo recipes or Gluten-Free recipes!

{Image Credit: Sterling Style}

A New Week...

Here are we are again loves, another Monday! Time to get back in to the work week. I hope you all had a great weekend! Mr. started coming down with a cold last week, so we made sure to keep our weekend low key and catch up some much needed rest.

Thankfully our home wasn't all too messy, it rained quite a bit (for Albuquerque), and we had several DVDs from Netflix arrive so we were set for a weekend at home! It was perfect!

As I get older I realize more and more just how important it is to take at least one day a week off, to have no true plans, sleep in, not workout, not put make up on (yes...I said no makeup, and yes, it's okay), make good homemade food and just chill.

I hope you all had some time to do the same! Have a great week everyone!

{Image Credit: image via pinterest}

Weekend Recap

This weekend the Mr. and I took part in the Bugaboo WOD with our CrossFit community. The workout was open to the public and all the CF gyms in area came together to participate. It was incredible to see how such a vast group of different people and backgrounds can come together to workout hard, encourage one another and ultimately raise over $10,000 to benefit Families of SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).

 The WOD consisted of 200 Thrusters for time! It was crazy insane! But thinking of all the little kids that are born with this disease and endure pain for long periods of time and still wear a smile on their face, it was so worth the work. Check out this site to learn more about SMA.

My Week in Instagram

Happy Friday loves!

I hope you all had a fabulous week! This week has definitely been a stressful one, but I'm hoping this weekend is a little more relaxing.

Tomorrow, the Mr. and I are heading to participate in the Bugaboo WOD, benefitting families with children who have SMA! It should be a good, but tough workout!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Just got my first pair of J Brand Jeans via Threadflip! They are awesome!

 

A little coffee and professional development at work this week.

  

Getting my workout on.

 

Working on deadlifts this week!

Fitness: CrossFit

 {Image Credit: Pinterest via Kettlebell Girl Tumblr}

Many people wonder why I decided to start strength training and doing CrossFit, so I've decided to share a little bit of my journey.

To be honest, none of it was my idea, instead it was the gentle nudge of my husband that really got me started. Before we got married, he had expressed a deep desire to be able to work out with his future wife, living a healthy lifestyle was incredibly important to him. So when we got married I knew I was going to have to start getting back into the gym, which honestly wasn't a big deal, until I realized he wanted me to literally work out with him. So my journey to strength began. Needless to say, I wasn't really too thrilled about this endeavor, but I obliged nonetheless.

Looking back, I can honestly say it's one of the best decisions I have made in my life and it's something I plan to continue as I get older. The incredible results I've seen since I've cleaned up my diet and begun strength training and olympic lifting have been truly amazing. But, honestly what is most remarkable is how much better I've felt both physically and mentally.

{Image Credit: CrossFit South Bay}

Ladies, I hear you, you're thinking strength training means "bulking up," but I've got some serious news for you and yes, I too believed the lie, but it's just that a lie - women can't get bulky like men. It's just physically not possible unless you are taking medications for that purpose. When I began strength based workout a year and a half ago I weighed right at 100 lbs and my heavy deadlifts started with just a 25 lb. barbell. Today, I am roughly 108 lbs. and deadlift 175 lbs. I've gained a heck of a lot more muscle but I didn't bulk up, in fact I'm pretty much still the same size in clothes the only difference is I have a lot more tone and definition in my arms and legs than I ever had before.

Don't believe me, check out this article by Cody Rice from CrossFit South Bay. The article truly helped me re-evaluate my attitude towards doing any kind of heavy strength based workout.

I want to continue to grow stronger each and every day. In the future I desire to be able to carry and play with my kids without getting tired. I want to be able to rearrange furniture in my house if I decide to do so. I want to be mentally strong as well, when someone tells me I can't, I want to prove that I can. And when I grow old I want to be active and strong despite my age. I don't want my body to hold me back from experiencing all life has to offer.

Tuesday {In the Kitchen}

Yesterday, my handsome hubby made the most amazing snack/appetizer. I'm telling you these are incredible and I just had to share them with you.

C recently found this recipe on Health-Bent. You must try it! I promise you won't regret it. We only altered the recipe slightly in the way that we make our homemade guacomole, so I have to give all credit to Megan Keatley who writes the Health-Bent website. If you haven't checked out this site, you should! They have fabulous paleo recipes! We've tried a number of them and a few remain our staple recipes to this day, including this new one. I highly encourage you to browse their page, especially if you are looking for some great healthy recipes!

Recipe adapted from Health-Bent:

• 1 lb sweet baby peppers
• 2 ripe Haas avocados
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 handful cilantro, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• salt, to taste
• 2 or 3 slices of bacon, chopped and crisped
• 1 Tablespoon diced red onion
• 1 diced roma tomato

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

First you will need to wash the peppers. Then cut off the stems, slice them in half lengthwise and remove the inside portion and seeds. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until tender, about 10 minutes. 

While peppers are baking, use a fork to mash together the avocados, lime juice, cilantro, onion, garlic, tomato and a good pinch of salt.

Remove the peppers from the oven, then using a small spoon to fill the peppers with guacamole. Top with bacon crumbles.

{Image Credit: Health-Bent}

Hello Monday

Happy Monday loves! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

This weekend I...
-slept in - it was glorious!
-had lunch on Saturday and Sunday with two great friends! There is absolutely nothing like spending the afternoon enjoying lunch and a nice cold iced tea with friends on the patio!
-cooked some fantastic meals with my handsome husband!
-took naps with my sweet puppy

What did you do this weekend?

{Image Credit: Atlantic-Pacific}

Arm Candy

I have been loving my gold watch that I recently scored from Target. I've definitely been eyeing the Michael Kors one, but I wasn't sure how often I'd actually wear it so I decided to settle on a similar cheaper one until I could decide. The verdict - I wear it everyday! The watch goes with everything and makes me feel super girly! I didn't think I'd ever be a gold lover, but ahh, I've been converted.

I love being able to wear my watch alone for a simple, casual look but I also love that I can dress it up with a few cute bracelets, whether its one bracelet or layered bracelets.

Here is the latest arm candy on my wish list:

JCrew Pave Link Bracelet

JCrew Classic Medium Bangle

The Limited Snake-Textured Skinny Hinged Bracelet

Coach Leather Double Wrap Turnlock Bracelet

Tuesday {In the Kitchen}

{Image Credit: Crate and Barrel}

I love love love white dishes! They are perfect! You absolutely can't go wrong with a simple set of white dishes or china. They are incredibly versatile, they can be combined with bright colored or patterned table linens or paired with neutral ones for a simple clean look. And they can be used any time of the year for any kind of occasion from elegant and formal to simple everyday use.

I also love how white dishes look on display. When we first moved in we installed (by we I mean my sweet hubby) a few open shelves in our kitchen not only because they look great but they also help us with our storage problem, lucky for me I love the look of stacked white dishes on our shelves!

What is your favorite dinnerware?

{Image Credit: Pottery Barn, Pinterest}

Something to Get Excited About...

Hi loves! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! I'm sure you all have been hearing a little stir about a new consignment style website where you can buy and sell, new and gently used clothes!

While my man spent a week in Brazil, I decided to take the opportunity to do a little spring, or summer, cleaning in our closet and decided to give Threadflip a try. I downloaded the app to my iPhone and the rest was history! I was able to take photos, upload and post my items instantly.

This is also a great place to look for new and gently used pieces to enhance your own wardrobe on a budget. I have been dying to get my hands on a pair of J.Brand Jeans, but at $180, and the fact I'm in desperate need of a good sturdy new pair of jeans, I decided to take a look on Threadflip and lo and behold I found some! For about 75% off! Now that is my kind of shopping!

Happy Monday loves!