Category: Me

Categories
Me

Going Back to School

gosh i’m a dork…those insta filters though! ha! anyone else in LOVE with instagram stories? SERIOUSLY. I swear the pictures I can take for those are SO MUCH clearer! As you can see I’m still loving my outdoor early morning driveway workouts! And now I’m doing something ELSE I swear I would NEVER do..

I’m going back to school.

Going Back to School

Well – I’m taking myself BACK to school for my own personal reasons. Meal Prep 101. By me. in MY kitchen. And I’m taking any of your takers along for the ride! No I’m not meal prepping because I”m doing a fitness comp (that #tupplifetho haha) and I’m not meal prepping because I have kids at home that are going back to school soon. 
You see my parents are needing some meals as my mom doesn’t cook anymore. So – why NOT take this opportunity to learn MORE about preparing healthyish, meals that can be pulled out of the freezer, made in the crockpot or have them all portioned out so they are EASY for my dad to throw together! (aka toss in the microwave) BOOM. Learn the SKILLS now because I’m ALWAYS going to need to eat and life ain’t slowing down anytime soon y’all! AANNDD I’m inviting you to join me!!! I will show you recipes, behind the scenes tips of how I’m prepping and what I’m making. I’ll provide grocery lists and pictures too! We will work on it TOGETHER so that WHATEVER your situation is you will have some meals ready to go for you and your family! Keep in mind the meals have to feed ME (mostly dairy and gluten free), my FARMER papa, my mama, and my boyfriend who isn’t picky but not TOTALLY into the whole healthy eating thing. That’s a lot of ground to cover y’all!

ALSO besides the food prep school info I’ll throw in a workout plan, nutritional superfoods and some more jazz. – HELLO lifestyle changes before back to school! ANNNDD scoring some new kitchen skills –

Just last weekend here is a preview of what I’ve been prepping for y’all! (well actually for us.) 🙂

meal in ONE pot! Dump it all in and it’s ready by supper! Stew with summer fresh veggies from the farmers market and baby potatoes too!
Whipping up some protein pancakes – just THREE main ingredients! (more if you had flavorings and get real fancy) – low carb. full of superfoods. and freaking delish.
all the chicken! Baked up a big package of chicken to be used in three different recipes this week!
Thai peanut sauce, Asian fried cauliflower rice and Chicken salad with apples! Plus I’m sure there will be plenty for salads and wraps too!

Here are some teasers of me putting it all together…

Thai Peanut Chicken
Freezer Breakfast Burritos
Riced Veggie bowls with Blackened Shrimp and Chicken
Healthy Chicken Salad with Cashews and Apples
Venison Crockpot Roast with Potatoes and Veggies
Roasted Butternut Squash
Protein Pancakes

These are just a FEW of what will be available to you in Prep School!

Interested in learning more and what it takes to join?
Simply fill out THIS SURVEY (click on the link) – I want to learn more about YOU and YOUR goals!
Now it’s YOUR turn!
Do you food prep each week?
Is it something you are trying to get better at?
Which recipe above looks the best to you?
​Do you have picky eaters at your house?
Categories
Food Me

Broken Oven Makes Meal Prep…Interesting?

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Just had to prove that sometimes I wear some make up and some real clothes…aka not workout clothes or sweatpants or scrubs!

This weekend involved some meal prepping! I was on call without an oven so why the heck not right? IMPROVISE and i’m pumped to show you all the goodness that went down in my kitchen!

Broken Oven Makes Meal Prep…Interesting?

so last week my oven pooped out! It hadn’t been working right…like it wouldn’t hold a temp at all OR it would get super freaking hot and NOT shut off! Then one day it was beeping with the message F1 ERROR reading on the screen. I googled and found out it is most likely the function temp panel (or something like that!) and in a nut shell just NOT worth fixing! We have been in our house about 3 years and I’m sure the oven is at least 10 years old? SOOOO off to the oven store this weekend and a new one will be here Wednesday… yay! – i made some amazing cookies before it totally malfunctioned…
right? yuuummm… and then the last batch that after a five minutes nearly went up in flames (parchment paper and all)
I have a feeling you would prefer the first TWO of the three batches…am I right? What are your favorite cookies? I think I would choose GIANT chocolate chip cookies…with lots of dark chocolate…and sea salt on top…and browned butter for the win….(drooling over here…) oh and topped with VANILLA BEAN ICE CREAM

Ok … so where was I… meal prep! oh yeah!

Today since I was stoveless I got out my electric wok, my griddler and my crockpot! What is YOUR favorite appliance? Just curious! I have been wanting to try an air fryer! Any input??

Cauliflower fried rice! And I plan on mixing in some regular rice too – This can be used in so many ways throughout the week! Stuffed peppers, stir fry, taco salad, burrito bowls, or just a simple side! I added in some chopped peppers, onions and cilantro. Quick tip! Buy the frozen cauliflower rice (I used green giant brand) and the pre-chopped veggies – DONE in under ten minutes!
YOU GUYS – this “trick is killer!” – 2 egg whites + 1 egg yolk and whisk. Microwave with a cover for about 90 seconds and be sure and check every 15-30 seconds until its done! Making them in these pyrex dishes make them PERFECTLY round. Be sure and let them completely cool on parchment paper before storing in the fridge. They make a great breakfast prep and I’m thinking also would be perfect on english muffins  breakfast sandwiches – which could also be prepped and frozen in advance.
more breakfast prep! Protein Pancakes! By using my USUAL Shakeology pancake recipe I just tripled it. I got out three small bowls and made all three at the same time. Three small pancakes = one serving/batch. Using my griddle I made the cakes and then let them cool on parchment paper before storing them in the fridge. One serving with an egg round and almond butter is going to be delish!
Cleaned three small zucchinis that I bought at a local farmer’s market and spiralized them!  Can’t wait to make more zoodles this week! I have a SIMPLE spiralizer as pictured below!
I bought a big bag of these small potatoes at Costco! I LOVE them on the grill or roasted in the oven, but since the OVEN is currently out of service – I thought I would try out the crock pot! I cleaned and chopped each small potato in half.  Spray the crockpot with pam and add your potatoes! Drizzle on 1-2 T olive oil, butter, coconut oil or whatever you prefer. Sprinkle on sea salt, pepper, minced garlic and onion powder and cook on high for 2 hours – PERFECTION you guys! Have you ever tried this?
Since it worked so well I decided to do the same thing with squash! I chose butternut squash and kobacha squash! If you can buy PRE CUT! It’ll save you from nearly chopping off your fingers! haha –
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I also picked up a couple yellow zucchini at the farmer’s market! aka summer squash. I peeled and chopped it and sauteed it up in seasonings! Going to be an amazing side for the week!
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Grilled chicken perfection! I used my “griddler” Highly recommend this! – It can be used for a grill, griddler and I even has the waffle plates for it too! The plates are interchangeable and dishwasher safe and easy to change. Preheat the grill closed on high and cook the chicken for seven minutes and DONE.
I also got out my electric wok! I have had it since college and I believe that I got it from my sister who ALSO used it in college! It worked AWESOME for the cauliflower fried rice, browning burger and also sauteeing the zucchini! This isn’t the EXACT one I have but a similar model.
Your turn! What are you eating this week?
Do you food prep?
What is your favorite kitchen appliance when you CAN’T use an oven?

Want in on recipes and prep tips? Just fill out this quick survey HERE

Categories
Lifestyle Me Self Impovement

Five Quick Tips to get Over Fear of the Gym

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So this morning as I’m working out in the gym – in fact showcasing moves and creating videos for my instagram story – I had to laugh. There were like five people nearby who I’m sure knew that I was making a video. And I do believe the 4/5 of them were guys. Years ago you would not catch me DEAD doing this. How embarrassing right? So how have I gotten over it? How did I even know where to START in the weight room? How have I figured out how to get in an efficient and most importantly SAFE workout?

Five Quick Tips to get Over Fear of the Gym

Let’s be honest. I’m a runner at heart. Jumping on the treadmill and just GOING is “easy.” Ok…so it’s not always easy…but you know what I mean! So looking back how did I figure out how to add strength training to my routine? Strength training is soooo important to help prevent injury..and I was ALWAYS injured when I first started running! Stress fracture..after stress fracture. And FINALLY after like my UMTEENTH stress fracture…something had to change!
1. Get help. You don’t have to know it all! You aren’t expected to! Find someone to help you with form. Find someone to show you the basics of lifting. Help you find your baseline. Someone that can set up a plan for you to follow. This could be a trainer at your gym, following an online workout with a trainer that does an excellent explanation or hey shoot me an email and I would LOVE to help you! Don’t try to go for it and just get help! When I was injured I really wanted a change. I sought out a trainer who helped me START.  The hardest part..is just starting. There is NOTHING wrong with asking for help.
2, Find somewhere you feel comfortable. Its going to feel somewhat uncomfortable at first… ANY change does. But find somewhere you feel safe  and comfortable overall. This could be a gym, this could be a space at home or a gym where a friend goes so you can see a familiar face
3. Find a community to support you and/or a workout partner/buddy! Whether it’s someone that texts you or calls you for a wake up call in the morning, a virtual workout partner through a supportive community or someone that physically MEETS UP WITH YOU for a workout! Or it could be a mix of all of them. Find what works for you. Support is everything.
 4. Remember that seriously no one is paying attention to you but you. Seriously stop being so self conscious. No one cares what you look like and I promise no one is watching you. JUST you!
5. Be consistent and STICK WITH IT. Changes and confidence don’t grow overnight. But putting in the time and effort day after day WILL pay off. I promise! It doesn’t get easier…you just get stronger!
Do you work out at home or at the gym?
How did you get used to it?
​What are your tips to share?
Categories
Food Health Lifestyle Me

I Didn’t Start Eating Cheerios

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When I was 21 I was applying for a certain type of insurance…which required some lab tests – one of those including a lipid panel…ALSO known as testing your cholesterol. Heart disease and high cholesterol run in my family. My grandpa passed away due to heart disease complications, my dad has had open heart surgery, my sister and niece have both had procedures to correct a heart arrhythmia and I myself was born with a heart defect called a Ventricular Septal Defect. Both of my parents have been on cholesterol medication as long as I can recall. I shouldn’t have been surprised that when I got my blood test results that I had high cholesterol too.

But I was TWENTY ONE. I was training for a marathon, my diet consisted of plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and everything else that qualifies as a “heart healthy diet” as promoted by the American Heart Association. I wasn’t by any means overweight either. It just goes to show that family history has a LOT to do with it!

So what did my primary care doctor say when she saw the results? “We will keep our eye on it and recheck yearly. Please ensure you are eating a heart healthy diet and exercise also.” Hmm….well I THINK marathon training counts as exercise…and like I said my eating was in check too…

I Didn’t Start Eating Cheerios

As a nurse I know the dangers of having high cholesterol. Having excess cholesterol build up can lead to waxy deposits in your arteries – narrowing the vessels – and can eventually lead to a hardening of the vessels. The narrowing of the vessels makes it harder for blood to flow to your heart, brain and the rest of your body. Also – a piece of the plaque could dislodge and cause a clot in your brain (a stroke) or to your heart (heart attack) Your body NEEDS cholesterol to some extent and it is produced by your body on it’s own. Cholesterol gets around within your body with certain types of proteins: Low Density Lipoproteins (known as LDLs) and High Density Lipoproteins (known as HDLs) The Cleveland Clinic website has a good way to remember which one is good and which one is bad:

Think of HDLs as the “garbage trucks” that haul away excess cholesterol to the liver. The LDLs are the “delivery trucks” that pick up the cholesterol from the liver and bring it to the cells.

So why do we need it? Cholesterol helps your body produce hormones, vitamin D and helps you digest food too! (so really..it’s not completely evil!)

You might find this infographic helpful – resource found HERE

So what is recommended for lowering cholesterol?

1. Adding heart healthy foods to your diet:
​ex: healthy omega-3 fats, whole grains, avoid trans-fats, increasing fiber intake, lean meats
2. quit smoking
3. increase physical activity
4. be at a “healthy” weight
5. alcohol in moderation

hmmm…well I already do all these things and was doing them at age 21 also…so what has changed?

First lets look at my results! (C’mon Marti, get to the juicy stuff!)

So as you can see
my total cholesterol is 211 – borderline high –

HDL (the good cholesterol) is 103 – this is high but that is OK – this means it is COMPENSATING and picking up the extra junk (remember the garbage trucks)

Triglycerides are within normal range

LDL (the BAD cholesterol is also at a good level!
so you might be thinking..ok what is the big deal? Let’s compare to results in the past!

Here are the numbers over the past four years of being checked! I started at 242…This year I’m at 211! And holy cow..look at the improvement in the LDLs too! (142 vs 97??) If I total everything up from the panel I have made a dramatic change of 99 point difference in my overall panel – and MORE if you count the improvement in the HDLs too!
So what is different THEN vs. NOW?

1. I’m not training for a marathon – so maybe some decreased stress on my body? Yes I work out most days and I also have an active job as a nurse. I strive for a balance of workout types: strength training and weight lifting, running, MMA style workouts, HIIT style training and I utilize working out at home AND at the gym. Oh and I’m taking days off too! (usually about two days a week)

2. I use Shakeology every day. Most of the time at work just in a shaker cup with water and ice! Otherwise I blend up a delish smoothie for dessert OR make an awesome pancake in 10 minutes. Shakeology is not just a protein shake. Yes it has protein. BUT it’s focus is on SUPERFOODS (70 of them in fact) Phytonutrients like MORINGA, kale, spiniach, spirulina that prolong life and preserve the good cells. Prebiotics and probiotics for digestion and healing your gut. ANTIOXIDANTS like Goji berry, green tea, camu-camu, blueberries, aceola that FIGHT DISEASE AND INFLAMMATION. Adaptogens (aka STRESS FIGHTERS) as in ashwaganda, maca, reishi mushrooms, chaga mushrooms. Digestive enzymes to help us break down our nutrition properly so that it actually gets utilized. It also has VITAMINS, MINERALS and many of those that are difficult to get in with just eating clean foods. (Sadly so much of what we think we are eating…we actually aren’t)

3. I still eat a “heart healthy diet” – oh – and treats too of course!

4. I follow up yearly with my primary physician and also keep an eye on my vital signs – such as my blood pressure (which is always LOW)

5. I have maintained my weight (of course it does fluctuate..but that is just a fact of life I’m learning!)

So the advice I give you is this.

Focus on the risk factors you CAN control! Like your nutrition, exercise, blood pressure, stress levels and worry less about the things you can’t – like your race and family history. Make small changes EVERY day because they will add up to big ones in the long run!

And FIND OUT YOUR RISK. Ask your family about their levels, find out about any relatives with heart disease and get yourself checked out! Get your lipid panel drawn, get your blood pressure checked, get your blood glucose level checked too. Find out where you are at so that you can IMPROVE.

Invest in yourself. Paying $4 a day for Shakeology is much better than already having to pay for CHOLESTEROL MEDICATIONS FOR LIFE.

1. Does heart disease and high cholesterol run in your family?

2. Do you know your numbers?

3. What changes are you making to improve?

4. To join me in the fight against cholesterol and find out more about Shakeology – email me HERE subject title FIGHTER

Categories
Me

Currently – Drinks, Burnt Cookies and Naps

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What I’m currently into this week in all aspects of life.

Currently – Drinks, Burnt Cookies and Naps

Reading Loveable by Kelly Flanagan – A dad writing letters to his daughter and all the things he wants her and you to know. You are worthy of so much more. You are loveable. I do indeed love all the valuable insight that he shares and highly recommend it! You can get yours by clicking on the smaller image below.
procrastination – seriously. laundry. anyone else HATE doing it? Sorting it…Folding it…Putting it away…carrying it up the stairs. Ok. I know I’m pathetic… what is your least favorite around the house “chore”?
 workouts – still doing mostly early morning workouts from my driveway! The workout I have been doing on my beachbody on demand is called The Shift Shop! Lots of speed and agility drills – I thought I would hate it…and it’s actually pretty addicting. This week looked like this:

Monday: Speed 45 (Shift Shop) – early morning outside! This one is TOUGH! It goes through THREE circuits made up of four moves each. You go through the four moves for a minute, then for 45 seconds then for 30 seconds before moving on to the next round! Follow me on instagram in my stories to see some of the moves.
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Tuesday: Strength 35 – again I took my weights outside! This one is fun too. You do (I would guess 10) moves using weights for one minute. THEN you repeat the round but this time you go for 45 seconds and the moves are AMPED up to make them more challenging! Challenging yes, but DEFINITELY doable!

Wednesday: Speed 35 – You guessed it! FROM HOME and in the driveway! Told you I was loving it… This one has two rounds -about 6 moves each round. You do each more for a minute and then repeat the move for 30 seconds! And there are two rounds. Its a good burner!

Thursday: Rest day. because I was pooped! And a body has to rest to grow 🙂

Friday: Wanted to challenge myself and I did just that! I conquered an AFTERNOON workout! That is TOTALLY hard for me for some reason to get in the mindset in the afternoon to push play. But I did it and totally blasted it with Speed 45 again!

Saturday: went to the gym for the first time all week! – Went for a half hour jog on the treadmill – about 3.5 miles and then did the Shift Shop 12 minute Core workout. My back has been sore and I think it’s from jumping and NOT doing my usual core workouts!

beauty product – I am totally in love with this mascara! I used to ALWAYS use voluminous by Loreal – I had tried SOOOOO many but always went back to it! I got this as a free sample from Ulta and ended up LOVING it! You can try it out here:
food -all the food prep right now and having fun with it! A few favorite have been… roasted buttercup squash (seriously the best dipped in ketchup!
zucchini noodles! – SO EASY and with all the zucchini this time of year…
blackened shrimp – OMG YUM! ever made it?
cauliflower fried rice –
joseph’s pitas stuffed with all the things… LOVE these things!
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spicy doritos will forever have my heart.

Check out this post HERE to see all the recipes I have b​een making and sharing with my challengers

If you want to join my prep school for all the complete recipes, grocery lists AND workouts too – fill out this quick form HERE
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 oh sh*t factor – so our oven has been acting up …and well let’s just say it finally gave up… RIP oven! My poor last batch of cookies. They were in there for 5 minutes at 325 when the oven turned itself to 600 – and well…here is what happened…
drink – moscow mules have my heart – and here is my favorite way to make them!
Diet Cock and Bull Ginger Beer
1 shot vodka – Titos is my fav!
juice of one fresh lime
​ice!
feels. i feel like napping… sounds like a great idea actually. we will chat later!

Your turn! What are some of YOUR favorites this week?

Categories
Me

Blogger’s Block, Beating Overwelm, Breaking your Mold

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Couldn’t decide where to start today – so I’m just going to start. –

Blogger’s Block, Beating Overwelm, Breaking your Mold

I went on Facebook Live this past week sharing about being overwhelmed and how I try to manage it – I HATE that feeling – I get so many things running through my head, I feel like my head is spinning and then I just find myself with little ping-pong balls in my head and I FREEZE. “What do I do?” “Where do I start?” So I don’t start anything. I don’t do anything. I just sit there. And do nothing. How effective is that? Well…it’s NOT!

My three tips to overcoming the overwhelm…

1. Clean up your space. Clutter makes my overwhelm worse! So I go to town … Put things back in their spots, wipe down your kitchen cupboards, throw out old foods from the fridge, wipe down the table, wipe down your work space – ETC! Just clear it out and it’ll help clear your mind too. (It works for me anyway!)

2. Take a half hour to do something that brings you joy. Don’t have a half hour? Ok. Take 15 minutes. Pour yourself a glass of wine, take a bath, read a devotional, go for a walk – whatever! Just do it. You are worth that time and it is well spent when it helps clear your head!

3. Do a Brain Dump! I grab my planner and just start writing. Grab a notebook or whatever you prefer! I fill in my schedule with work shifts, events and upcoming “must-dos” and then I grab some post its and jot down my lists – “around the house” “for the lake” “for work” – feel free to label them according to your own needs!

At least those are things that help me! What do you do to overcome overwhelm? Or maybe you NEVER get overwhelmed…if that is the case will you teach me THAT?

Been suffering from some crazy writer’s block lately and trying to find my rhythm. I have so many things I want to say to you guys some days, but having issues organizing it in my brain and spitting it out. Does that even make any sense? I guess it’s probably my perfectionist tendencies coming out – I should JUST START typing and just do it already right? You ever have these issues?
Listening to our National Team Call for coaches this week was awesome. One of the guest speakers was a fellow coach who used to be an Anesthesiologist. In case you DON’T know what that means – they are the doctors that see all the patient’s undergoing surgeries and other procedures that need the sleepy medicine. They are in charge of keeping you sleeping and comfortable during surgery! (so in a nutshell you better be nice to them. haha!)

She had always been into helping others not only through her Anesthesia occupation, but she also is really into fitness and taught classes and would educate others (even unknowingly) about nutrition. Every day she said she treated COUNTLESS patients that were very overweight and had other health issues stemming from poor nutrition and lack of activity. “If only I could have gotten to them years ago…” was a frequent thought in her mind. She started coaching because she loved passing along her love of health and since she had been using Beachbody programs and products for years it was a no-brainer to get the discount too! Her passion has grown for it SO MUCH that she is now doing it full time.

Can you IMAGINE what she has faced? What others have said to her? “You mean you AREN’T being a doctor any more? You are doing that silly coaching thing?” “You are turning away a six figure income you have worked so hard to get to build a business on your own?”

But when you feel called to do something you have to do it. She stated, “You wouldn’t just walk by someone that was on fire would you? – You would help them.” and that is EXACTLY how she feels about the health crisis in the United States with over 2/3 of Americans being obese! Talk about a woman on a mission.

So why do we look down on people like this? NO ONE should feel ashamed about pursuing their passion. It is scary to pursue something that you love when you feel like others are going to shame you for “wasting a degree.”

Can I be transparent for a minute? I think about this a lot. I love being creative. I love creating. I love reading blogs, writing on my blog, creating posts, editing pictures. Coaching has been my side hustle for nearly three years now. Would I work this full time and completely give up nursing? No. So what is my goal? What is my purpose? After all, doesn’t your purpose and destination have to be PERFECTLY CRYSTAL CLEAR?

My purpose and goals continue to evolve.  And I’m ok with it. But one thing has remained the same. I continue to work on ME – mindset, body and soul. That search of balance in an unbalanced world – determined to quit caring about perfect. Continuing to serve others in their health goals. Working on building a life where I design my day. Dropping down to a .5 in nursing and working more on creating.

Are you actually working in the field that you went to school for? Would you ever dare to do something new? Or would you fear others’ wrath of “wasting talent” or feeling shamed?

Categories
Me

Trader Joes Finds, Meeting Shaun T and a Big Life

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Life has been a whirl wind lately! but mostly in a good way… so let’s get to it!

Trader Joes Finds, Meeting Shaun T and a Big Life Confession

ast weekend I attended our quarterly coaching event down in Minneapolis, MN – and guess who was there SHAUN T! I’m sure you recognize him from the workout programs Insanity, Insanity Max 30, CIZE and T25. He has a new book coming out in November! (you can pre-order it by clicking on the link below) I have done Insanity Max 30 program in entirely and also the Shaun week workouts on Beachbody on Demand. I’m terrible at CIZE – let’s just say hip hop makes me even MORE uncoordinated. But Shaun had a great message and it awesome to hear his story.
Of course when we were in the cities we had to shop till we dropped and this included a Trader Joe’s stop of course! Can you believe the closest one to me is about 3.5 hours away? Check out my video HERE to see what I all picked up!
Finally made this spaghetti squash pizza casserole from paleomg! I have had it pinned forever and finally got to making it. It’s something I would definitely eat again! Find the recipe HERE
Also made this recipe from the Shift Shop nutrition guide! SO delish! I modified it a bit using what I had on hand! – chicken jalapeno sausage, shrimp, leftover grilled chicken, broccoli, onion and zucchini! It was done in under 20 minutes too!! If you want to find out more about recipes like this that I share with my clients…feel free to fill out the form quick HERE
Alright – so why all the beverages…I’m about to get a bit deep here!

For as long as I can remember I have always had “gut issues.” But for the last year it has gotten worse. After trying sooooo many different things on my own: fiber gummies, probiotic, no dairy, cutting gluten at times, miralax, etc – It’s time to get to the bottom of the issue. I saw a specialist on Monday and in order to rule out IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) she is going to perform an EGD and a colonoscopy. This way she can take a biopsy from my small intestine to test for Celiac’s Disease and also check out to see if there are any signs of what may be causing all my pain and issues. So while I’m not particularly PUMPED UP about it .. I’m trying to embrace it! It’s time for answers and I know I’m in good hands with my coworkers that will be taking care of me!

In order to prepare for the procedure you have to be completely empty…if you catch my drift. In order to do that it involves lots of liquids, laxatives etc for about three days. So while I’m on all clear liquids I decided to grab a bunch of random drinks and I can do a review on them on the blog! If that is something you would like to see? A positive: I can have coffee! yay! And as long as the drink is clear and not purple or red I can have it.

I grabbed quite a few things and I kind of doubt I’ll drink them all in the three days! haha I got bai sparkling and regular drinks, a couple monster ultras for a jolt (not sure if I will be able to tolerate these and if not I’ll save them or later!), a la croix, a steaz arnold parmer, bone broth and ramen! (don’t use the noodles part)

Has anyone else been through this?

​Any tips?

Categories
Me Self Impovement

Facing Fears

So many people this week have told you – “You are so brave for traveling on your own. I could NEVER do that!” Which is so funny to me because I NEVER used to travel and the thought of airplanes, airports and going it alone was TERRIFYING to me. Yes…here I am.

But I have to confess. I’m really not that brave.

Facing Fears

Being in New Orleans this week for the Team Beachbody Summit event really has my mind going. And this ONE topic really stood out to me … I kept HEARING and SEEING it over and over…

Limiting beliefs. What are they? They are things that you believe about yourself that hold you back from realizing and going for your goals and full potential. Most often times you don’t realize they are even there. It comes out when you think about a big dream and then hesitate to admit it or say it out  loud…because YOU could NEVER do that… Am I right?

SO while a lot of days I put on a brave face I’m really not that brave most times underneath it all. And I’m going to admit it today. Face your fears. Jump. What is the worst that could happen?

Example number one: I was homesick when I first got here. I wanted to turn right around and come back home. That uneasy feeling where you feel like you aren’t where you need to be….you should just go home. I cried. LOTS. Silly right? But I’m supposed to be brave…and here I was having an anxiety attack.

Today is day five. I’m on the original flight I set up. I’m ready to dig deeper and look at my fears and anxieties and GROW from it. After all… what if something even MORE amazing happened because of it?

Do you struggle with anxiety?
What have you done to overcome it?
Have you ever been homesick?
Categories
Me

10 facts you might not know about me…part one!

I’ve seen quite a few of these posted on instagram so I thought I would bring it to the blog! Maybe some of you already know these things about me…but I guess we will find out!

10 Facts About Me Part One!

1. Did you know that I was a “whoops” baby? Well…I have heard only like half of pregnancies are planned..but for real though I don’t think my mom was anticipating getting pregnant at the age of 42! (yes you read that correctly!) – I just like to say that they kept trying until they got perfection .. ha! So yes! I have two older sisters that are 15 and 20 years older than me! (I won’t disclose my age so you can do the math ;)) I even became an aunt at the age of five! So I have four nieces and one nephew! So much fun being an auntie..and the youngest has grown way too fast!
2. I graduated from a class of 34! Yup. Small town kid. We had a pretty tight knit group – the boys in my class seemed more like brothers than anything and for the most part all of us got along really well and we hung out with the classes that were older and younger that us.I went to one of those schools who pretty much everyone was in all sports, was in band and choir – etc because if we weren’t we wouldn’t have enough to participate! My hometown doesn’t even have a stop light (and still doesn’t) but we do have a bar, three churches, a school, (sometimes a restaurant and bowling ally), a hardware store, beauty salon and a few other things!
3. Do you know the reason why this blog is called Fit with Heart? Well…I will share a part of the reason… I was born with a congenital heart defect called a Ventricular Septal Defect aka VSD – this means that I was born with a really small hole between the lower chambers of my heart. I have a heart murmur SUPER loud that I’ve been told it sounds like a “washing machine” when you take a listen with a stethoscope. Some people with a VSD are unable to do physical activity because simply they get very short of breath and can’t tolerate it. I’m SOOO BLESSED that (knock on wood) I have always been able to be active, never had any restrictions and just have to get it checked out every so often to make sure there are no changes. At this point I do not need to have the procedure to get it closed.
4. My boyfriend and I have been dating for nearly seven years! Yes. You read that correctly. And to be honest..he is the first “real” boyfriend I have ever had 🙂 We met during college (I was 20 at the time) – we both went to the same college and both worked at Olive Garden! Him a busser and me a server – we rarely ever worked the same shifts, but when we did we ALWAYS ended up talking. With all of our mutual friends we eventually ended up hanging out together and even going on a first official date! Well – the rest is history and here we are today! He’s my best friend. My roommate. My number one. And I really can’t imagine life any other way – so I’m praying that I get the blessing to spend the rest of it with him!
5. I am a nurse and while so many people ask me “why I chose” that profession I really can’t really give you a direct answer! I was a nurses aid as a high school student and worked at a nursing home from the age of 16 through my first summer after my freshman year of college. I was one of those weirdos that went to college and knew that I wanted to be a nurse. Worked my patootie off to get a 4.0…got into the program at the school of my choice and graduated in four years… got my job of choice even prior to graduation my career in nursing starting off in Cardiac ICU! Nothing like jumping in head first…but I learned soooo much…
OK – that is enough for today! More to come on my fitness journey…health struggles and other good stuff (well I hope anyway) – Now I want to know – What are some facts about YOU? Share some below!
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A WEDDING IN FOUR MONTHS? ARE YOU CRAZY?

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maybe a little bit but aren’t we all??? I have been asked so many times how we have planned our wedding in such a short engagement period. Most people are engaged for a year – when we got engaged in May I couldn’t imagine waiting over a year for a wedding! We have been together over eight years…I couldn’t wait to be able to call B my husband… and with hunting season coming up in September we chose the only date that in the month that didn’t involve another friends’ wedding OR impede on bird/bow hunting season… September 15th, 2018 – We got engaged May 11th – so we had about 4 months to plan! Bring it on.

A Wedding in Four Months? Are you Crazy?

First things first I dove right into research and nailing down the main things. We had a venue we have had our eye on for a while a new place – so I contacted him so that we could come see it! I reached out to photographers, a dj and pastors in the area as well as the one back home.

After visiting the venue we sat down and had a big conversation about the benefits and negatives of the place…and we decided to put a big YES on it. We set up a meeting with the caterer we work with.

Another big thing? (no pun intended … ) BUDGET. Google docs has a premade template we used for wedding planning. We sat down and created an estimated budget. I had to have a cold one or two while we did this… we wanted to make it nice, make it fun but make it reasonable and nothing outrageous!

One of the other first things? Creating a guest list. We did this in the google doc – starting with closest family…and working our way outward to friends. Also having to figure out our wedding party was so hard! I knew a few of my friends wouldn’t be able to be a part of it due to other commitments on the day of or before our wedding. Decided on our people and I sent out some cute invites for them! They already knew anyway…because I did ask per phone 🙂 When you don’t have much time to work with you have you don’t mess around!

I asked B what he wanted to be a part of intimately when planning and what things he did’t mind me just going for – I didn’t want to just start doing things because we are a team! But I also know him and know he doesn’t want me to ask about every specific detail.

Two rules we and I have had.

1. He told me “You aren’t allowed to pull the panic button unless someone is actively dying.” Noted babe.

2. Make a decision and go with it. Something I told myself from the beginning because we BOTH have a tendency to hmmmmm and haawwwww over things.

Start scheduling things and making decisions.
Schedule engagement photos – get them back – make the invites – get them and SEND THEM.
Created a wedding website for RSVPs and wedding details.
Make a hotel block – research what i the best deal in the area.
Decide on cake and food.
I kept it simple and let the bridesmaids get their own dresses – just told them the color.
Found a dress at the first place in 45 minutes and bought it off the rack.

Stay organized throughout the process.. I have an ongoing list that I check things off as I do them each day – If somethings takes like a half hour to do – DO IT NOW and don’t just wait until the week of! Need bride make up? Go buy it now. Need to wrap bridal party gifts? Perfect go do it now. Need to pack the decor in totes? Great do it. Oh and amazon prime and etsy are amazing.

Hope this helps you all get an idea of how we have been going about it, not stressing too much and just enjoying it. Something I remind myself EVERY day is how pumped I am for our MARRIAGE – the wedding is just one day! 🙂

How long was your engagement?

Anything surprise you after reading this?