Advocare Cleanse Day 1, Fitness & Faith

Hey Monday!

Today I am finishing up my 10th day of antibiotics and starting my 10 day cleanse.  I haaaaate antibiotics and am so grateful for them healing me, but now get that bad bacteria out of my gut. Puhlease!  I should probably wait until tomorrow to start, but timing wise, this is what needs to happen, mmm k?

It's been a hot minute (90 days) since my last cleanse and I found myself picking off the kids plates just a wee too much.  You know what I'm talking about mama, I know you do.  "Just one bite," turns into "just one cookie" or "'I'll eat clean tomorrow" or "Well, I ate like crap all weekend so what's the point of it starting to eat clean now?"

Well the point is that you will feel a million times better and will thank yourself if you stick to and get back into a healthy regime.  If I use the word "diet" I refer to what I am eating.  I am never ON a diet, I will never be on a diet. I like to think of the 80/20 rule because back when my girl Nikki told me about that, my world was changed forever.

I always struggled with eating healthy or staying fit.  I usually carried an extra 10-15 pounds and would not have considered myself fat, but I was never really comfortable.  Unless I starved myself from carbs and worked out like a maniac, it was a challenge.

Enter in Advocare

Finding my groove back in 2013 was crucial.  After having Brooke and having A LOT of extra weight to lose, I was seriously ready for something.

I had no idea how much Advocare would teach me, the friends I'd gain along with the confidence that it brought me.

I am still a MUCH better person today thanks to Nikki for reaching out a hand, and Danielle showing her the way.

While I may not be building a business with it, I certainly fuel my body a lot better because of it.  (And still enjoy my 40% discount FOR LIFE)

At 36 I want to be in fantastic shape to run and keep up with my kiddos.

I want to feel the best in my own skin and treat my body well.

I want to be as hot and sexy as I can for my main man!!

It's true.

So you just gotta find what works for you.


Today I did legs and it felt oh so good.

I started with the probiotics, followed by the peach fiber (YUM) and then I was kind of mad at myself for, A.) Not eating enough breakfast and B.) Not taking a photo!

I had 2 eggs w/ spinach and one pc of dry wheat toast.  I needed more...

Meal 2 was one small chicken breast, a veggie & some brown rice at 10:45 haha.

Then I had to go stage one of our homes & knew I needed some energy to do it...

After my leg workout I hit up the vegan chocolate shake.

I'm not sure if I'll do chicken or fish tonight, but I made sure hubby grilled up chicken and venison yesterday so I will NOT be short in the protein department.

I'm starting to look into the whole Macros thing..still super confusing and do I really need a food scale?!

I also have a new girl crush...I don't watch TV really, but I tend to get sucked into You Tube and following people that I admire.  When I was pregnant, my feed was flooded with other prego mamas. Now I feel like I need to be surrounded by healthy, fit and inspiring ladies! She is hysterical and real.  I love her easy recipes and her dog is adorable too!

I must say that although getting sick kind of made me down in the dumps, now that I'm doing much better, I feel so much more focused and energized than before.

I attribute it to really starting to walk further along in my faith.  With some very knowledgable and intelligent ladies in my life, I feel as though I am starting to reach a place of such peace and serenity.

True alignment with oneself happens when you can pull apart all of the layers of and see the very core, meaning of life.  I will continue to work super hard at this level because I have never felt so good mind, body and soul.  Am I perfect? No.  Am I exactly where I want to be? Yes and No.  But I know I am on my way to getting there.  Slow and steady.

Enjoy your day friends!

WILW

Super busy and trying to get healthy {who else is over cold/flu season?!}

Loving this girl on You Tube.  

She is so positive, uplifting and someone I'll put on and listen/watch while I cut out 36 preschool crafts... good times~

I'm not much a of a TV person, so I always turn to You Tube.

What are you loving this Wednesday?  Leave your favorite upbeat You Tubers below!


Have a fabulous day. xox

Inspiration

I think that inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere.  I can literally feel myself sliding down a little slope and when that happens, I quickly look for what I need to be lifted up, or inspired. I can't say that just one person will do it for me, so I tend to have a big old toolbox that I pull from.

Workout Inspiration-  Lindsay 

Home/Cleaning Inspiration: How Jen Does it

Belief/Faith: Terri Savelle Foy

Momma pick me up: Amanda Muse

Beauty Tips: Glamor by Elizabeth



Those are the ones that come to the top of my head.  Sometimes I inspire myself.  I also turn to...

...outdoors. Walking in the fresh air really lifts my spirits.

...taking a social media break.

...getting lost in a good book

...my husband. He works so hard I can't sit on my ass and do nothing while he works so much!

...my kids. I want to be the best mommy for them!

...a good movie.

...sitting alone, quietly, thinking.

...watching the Cooking channel.

I don't know if I'll ever be bored again.  There is always so much that I want to do and so little time!

What inspires you?  

What's in my Bag?

What do you carry in your bag?

Books

I have been a little bookworm lately!! I cannot stress how much better I feel when I am reading/listening to books.  I definitely have a wide variety I enjoy, and some I've enjoyed more than others.

My top 3 ways to read:

1.) Audiobook
2.) Kindle fire
3.) Actual book

Here is a look at my audible app:  I am really enjoying 10x rule and I did like the Miracle Morning as far as personal development goes.  I'm still working on Eat that Frog and I still listen to, How to Win Friends and Influence People.

The Girls is moving kind of slow for me.

I REALLY like the Behind Closed Doors!

I can't get into Rich and Pretty...I'll keep trying though

This book is on my Kindle Fire and I read it to go to sleep at night.

If you're looking for a who done it/what the heck happened type of book, this is your best bet! It's a super fast read and I liked it a lot.  (took me a weekend!)

I ramble a little, but here's a little you tube video on "books".

What are you reading lately?

{love the crazy look; I need to learn how to make a thumbnail ahhh! LOL}

Happy reading!

Playlist

I'm a little under the weather, but I still wanted to post!  I don't listen to music as much as I used to.  When I was single, teaching, driving a heck of a commute, I would listen to so many songs on repeat.  Now it's here or there and mostly pandora!

The kids love these songs (clearly I play edited versions, but for the sake of time, I'll just plug in some youtube videos.

I love Luke Bryan songs

We always bump this tune this time of year-

And there are more but I am just not feeling well today.

What are your go-to jams?

Day 7: Finish Something!

I DID IT!! 

Today concludes my 7 day video challenge.  I am so excited I could hardly contain myself.

Day 7?  FINISH SOMETHING.

All too often we get caught up in 500 different things, going 300 different directions. 

That. Drives. ME. Crazy.

I have noticed however, when I make a real effort to complete a task, I feel SO awesome!

Finish a book.

Finish a to do list. (We did this yesterday and literally high fived each other!!)

Complete a workout schedule.

Sell that certain amount of product (jewelry, in my case!)

Make a new meal, (plan, shop, prep, cook, eat!) 

Choose something applicable to your life and follow through.

Whatever it is, enjoy what you've chosen through the process and feel the incredible energy after you've finished.  You'll be flying high my friends!

Happy Saturday!

xo

Day 6: Dance

Sometimes ya just need to move and groove.  Pull up your favorite song and just start dancing around.  Dance like no one is watching, or record yourself so someone is!

It's no shock that I love to dance.  Anyone who knows me, knows it's probably my favorite thing to do!  While I am struggling to get into an adult class (that whole selfish/me time!) I can dance any time or anywhere, especially while I am home!

My favorite thing is when we'll be eating dinner all together, listening to Sinatra, and Joe will pull me up out of my chair.  It instantly lifts my soul and we have a great time twirling around the kitchen. 

I know that when the kids get a little grumpy or seem like we need a mood change, this is exactly what we do.  Joe will play videos and I'll throw on Pandora.  We love Kidz Bop music channel or even the top hits (I censor them).

The kids requested Rio (it's their favorite movie right now! We have seen it a million times!) So here ya go. Perfect for Friday.

Dance away my friends, dance away!

Day 5: Be Selfish

Sometimes we put ourselves on the back burner.  We don't take time to pamper ourselves, read a good book, sit down and eat a healthy meal. 

I'm telling you it's OK to be selfish! If you take some time to fill yourself up, you will have more to give to others. It's really just a matter of making ourselves a priority from time to time.  

If you feel like you're just empty, it's time to be selfish.  (maybe only an hour or two of time by yourself is what you'll need!)

What's your favorite way to be selfish?

Day 4: Wake up Grateful

It's not always the easiest thing to do, or remember to do...but when I do, I feel so much better!

As soon as you get up in the morning, (you can even keep your eyes closed!) think of at least ONE thing you are grateful for in your life.

Today I was grateful for a healthy 3.5 strong willed curly haired little girl who crawls into my bed at 6:15.  What a beautiful little face to wake up to.

What are you grateful for?

7 Day Video Challenge...

Happy Sunday sweet souls!  I am in need of pushing myself out of my comfort zone and so I decided to mimic Veronica's You Tube and do my own 7 Day challenge...

I have chosen 7 little tips to share this week and they all deal with bettering oneself; you can call in motivation, self-improvement or even raising you vibrations.

Clearly I am on my own path, but I feel compelled to share my heart in hopes of inspiring someone else.  I take this journey lightly and am always aware of how much room I have to grow, learn, and become my best self.

If you think you are at your best, perhaps you should look a little deeper and start improving some area in your life.  We should never settle and have so much to work on, so that we can be who we are meant to be

I'm not sure if I'll post every day on my blog, but feel free to check up on my YouTube channel this week.

I'll change up topics and do something else in the future, but for now this is what I felt I was called to share this week.

Today's tip: Be Present

With these videos the point is to record and upload--no editing allowed! I was just about finished with this first video and ran out of space---oops! Real life.

Either way...enjoy!

April Reads

I didn't do too much reading, but here are some books that I picked up and my thoughts on them.  I'm really excited to share my May readings, as I'm halfway through 2 books and it's only May 3!

What have you been reading? I'm always looking for a new good read!

15 Weird Questions Tag

I saw this on You Tube and thought it'd be fun to share.  

Tag yourself and join in!

1. A nickname that you get called.

Fur-fur & Rabbit.

2. A weird habit.

I'm just weird overall!! haha my daily 2pm shower probably...

3. A weird phobia.

Break-ins.

4. A song you are ashamed to like so you blast it in private.

Anything pop.

5. A pet peeve.

Bad drivers (texting/talking on the phone etc)

6. A nervous habit.

Cracking my knuckles.

7. What side of the bed do you sleep on?

Right, by the window.

8. The name of your first stuffed animal.

Leo the Lion.

9. What do you buy at starbucks?

Venti Soy Green Tea latte!

10. Beauty rule.

Take your makeup off at night!

11. Which way do you face in the shower?

Mainly away from the shower head, but I start by washing my face, so I face the water.

12. A weird body skill.

Cracking bones--knuckles, feet, neck...

13. Comfort food.

Pasta.  It's soothing to the soul.

14. A word or phrase that you say all the time. 

Wow!

15. What do you sleep in?

:)

WILW

Happy Hump Day!

I was up at 5 since hubby had an early morning training.

It's only 8:30 and it feels like 11:30!

For real though. 

LOL

I love have this "healing soup" that I keep making, 

since someone is usually not feeling well.  

-homemade chicken stock

-mushrooms

-extra virgin olive oil

-rosemary

-thyme

-tumeric

-ginger

-carrots

-celery

It's so good! 

You could strain it out and simply drink the broth or eat all of the goodness!

How adorable is this new coffee anchor cozie from Three Sheep Shack?

I need it on a venti matcha latte stat!

love love love

Brooke and I love our green juice! {some still on my lip!}

And our robe time.

I love me a good flash sale!! 

Shop today!

I'm loving that the new Summer Keep launches Tuesday for all of you!

I'm loving Veronica's Treasure Tuesdays. 

She lifts me up; I think you would enjoy her too.

What are you loving Wednesday?

Motivational Tip

Happy Hump Day!! 

Lots to say, but alas...I have not sat down to type. 

I did, however, make a *quick* video. 

Chatty vlog, but I try to make a point.

I'm trying something new.  Sharing some tip that helps me stay on track with,

life.

Do this every. Single. Day. 

Feed your brain.

Stay beautiful. xox

Vlogging Again

Chatty Vlog-

I busted out my new phone and shot a little video while the kids were napping yesterday!  I ramble a bit, but I want to start vlogging more, for real!!  I was playing around with iMovie and I would really like to start making more videos, so that we can look back as a family and see what was going on.

Topics discussed in my random vlog-

• Life updates
• Halloween costumes
• Budget (saving $)
• My hair cut
• Staying positive with difficult situations

Feel free to subscribe to my YouTube channel, for more updates!

Stay beautiful xo

Our Weekend Fun

Hello!  I hope everyone is doing well.  We had a great little weekend, but I am not sure if allergies have started or if I have a bit of a little cold?!  March always seems to get me!  It was this time last year I had a terrible cold and then my tinnitus began….crazy what a year brought! Anyway, I hope that if it is a small bug that Miss B doesn't get it. We were in some pretty germy environments, but we have cabin fever and must venture out from time to time!

Friday we were going to visit my sister and play at her gym {she coaches gymnastics} but I messed up the times. We got there at 10 and it started at noon. Oops.  So we went to Bounce it Out instead.  It was days like this I was so glad my husband has Fridays off. The place was virtually empty and we had a ball.  On a side note, hubby lost his FitBit in one of the blown up bounce things, and I had to go back Saturday to get it---OH MY WORD.  I was terrified at how many people and children were all in there at once!! haha

Anyway, I'm not sure who had more fun, Joe or Brooke?!

After our adventures there, Brooke napped while Joe got his haircut and then we went out to lunch.

Saturday I took Brooke to the mall and we did a little Spring shopping. [more for her than for me, in true mom fashion!] and she played at Barnes and Noble a little bit.  I picked up a new book that I am LOVING, but that's for an entirely different post.

Crazy 8 had this super cute romper. Can you stand it?!

Old Navy won me over as well.

Crazy 8 had this!

Sunday brought my father in law's birthday. We went over to their house for Sunday Sauce {Italian style, you know} and of course some Rum Cake. ---Thank you carb ease.

Grandma brought out some toys to play with...

And they even found this little rocking chair that was my husband's! How cute?!

After we left their house we took a small drive, as Brooke fell asleep and I hate to wake her.  We always like looking at the gorgeous mansions on the lake.  Daydreaming at its finest!

One day…one day.

I have my girls' night tonight and we are actually going OUT to grab a bite to eat. It will be nice to see them and have no distractions; as much as I love my little, I enjoy some adult conversations without having to multi-task.

Happy Tuesday dolls!!

Getting Ready to Feel Awesome

So, our big plans this weekend fell through.

Sad face.

But, that is ok because now I can focus on ME!  I have been pretty good eating well, trying to workout more and such, but I love to cook. I love food. I love to eat food. Sometimes I get a little, let's say, not so aware of what and how much I am eating.

Enter in:

The 24 day challenge!

I no longer diet.  I just reset and reboot. 

BOOM!

So I made a little video about how I'm feeling.   Oh and I mention that even my dog is on Probiotics! ha

Feel free to watch, share and comment!  

Stay happy and healthy friends.

{awesome screen shot as always}

This is my 3rd 24 day challenge. Feel free to check out these links from my previous ones!

Clean recipes

Before and After

First 24 Day Challenge Results   {{Wow I have come a long way!}}

Quick Hello!

We're baaaaaaaaaaack!! 

The three of us had a ball on our first little "family vacation."  We ventured up to Lake George and its surrounding areas.  I'll re-cap our week, but I just wanted to share a quick video on one of our road trips and a few cute pics.

First Nigh at  Dinner

Traveling with a 4 month old certainly makes for a different style vacation.  Little miss was awesome in the car and only got a tad cranky here and there.  Overall we'd say that it was a HUGE success!

The views were spectacular and it was so nice to get out of town and take in such beauty in nature.

Lake George: on the boardwalk

And one of our many silly little videos we took to capture our first vacation, as a family.

We still have the next three days as a family, so we are going to soak up as much family time as possible. Happy weekend!!

Baby Brooke Buys

Happy Tuesday!!

---Side note---I did my first TIU workout! {found here} I did the bikini beach ball workout 3x and that's all I had time for yesterday.....OH...MY...GOSH!!  My abs are killing me! I love love love it! I don't remember the last time my core burned like this. I can't wait to workout again today.  Thank you for your encouragement and sweet comments yesterday. I think I'll start every week off like that! I'm just sorry I didn't start this TIU sooner!  It's great to be able to pull it up on the laptop and stop/start as needed with the baby.  21 minutes total. So awesome.

Onto today's post::
I hadn't made a video in awhile, so I figured I'd do a quick one on our recent baby girl clothing finds.  I'm hoping the weather heats up and she can get into them soon!  I apologize in advance, I didn't know a friend stopped by, and that was why the dogs were going nuts...but I had already attempted this video a few times, so I was not re-doing it again. 

There is shot of "little" miss at the very end in a ruffle pink dress, legwarmers....

Happy viewing!!

 awesome screen shot

Gap
Target
Marshall's/T.J. Max

I know you can't always scour the stores on your own;  if you're expecting a baby girl or know someone who is, maybe you'll find an outfit in this video you really love!! I'm noticing a weekend trend with 30% off lately at Gap; not sure if it's all the time, but keep those eyes peeled for sales. I didn't show them, but I bought an awesome pair of green broken in straight-leg khakis, ohmageeeeeeerd, love em!!

Have you found any super cute deals lately!?