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!