Extra Shredded Coconut Laying Around?

Make some easy, no bake energy balls! SO I didn’t actually use the unsweetened kind because that is not what was in my pantry, but they still can’t be horrible for me 🙂

1 cup quick cooking oats
½ cup creamy all natural peanut butter
⅓ cup honey
1 cup coconut flakes
½ cup ground flaxseed
1 tsp vanilla
1-2 tbsp. Cocoa

In a medium sized bowl mix together all of the ingredients until well  combined. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Roll into balls.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

These are good to just pop in a couple for a quick breakfast or 1 for a sweet, chocolaty snack! 🙂

(Im not sure who took this picture, but it wasnt me!)

My other snack obsession? Oh just Oikos Toasted Coconut Vanilla Greek Yogurt. De-Lish!!!

 

Dinner Idea!!!! Asian Glazed Chicken from SkinnyTaste

Asian Glazed Drumsticks
Calories: 213 • Fat: 4.7 g • Protein: 27.5 g • Carb: 12.7 g • Fiber: 0.4 g  

Ingredients:

• 8 medium chicken drumsticks, skin removed
• olive oil spray (I used my Misto)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp Sriracha hot sauce (more or less to taste)
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar)
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp chives or scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp sesame seeds

Directions:

In a heavy large saucepan, brown chicken on high for 3-4 minutes with a little spray oil. Add water, balsamic, soy sauce, agave, garlic, ginger, hot sauce and cook on high until liquid comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered for about 20 minutes. Remove cover and bring heat to high, allowing sauce to reduce down, about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes thick, turning chicken occasionally. (Keep an eye on glaze, you don’t want it to burn when it start becoming thick) Transfer chicken to a platter and pour sauce on top. Top with chives and sesame seeds and serve.

 

I didn’t have drummies, just chicken breast so I used that instead.  Turned out pretty yummy and it was nice I had everything I needed without having to run to the store 🙂

Let’s Find Those Abs!

A long long time ago I once did have abs.  I thought I didn’t, but looking back I did. It’s like this e-card 🙂

So instead of sitting here and fretting about it, I turned to one of my circuit workouts I used to do.  It is way too hot to do anything outside, in the 90’s today!  So I stayed inside and when Cheyanne was taking a nap I busted this out. I used to this one 2-3 times in a row for almost a full hour of circuit training. Now today I just about died.  There is still currently sweat dripping down my forearm from my elbow crease.  Sexy, I know….eventually it will be though 😉 I did it ONE whole time and had to break the planks into two 30 second circuits.  I turned up some Beyonce ‘Who Run the World’ and never let myself stop, no matter how slow I did my pathetic burpees.  I feel good about myself though, after walking it off and lots of stretching and lots of water-ing.  This was my first non-run workout and first actual ‘strength’ workout and as awful it was, it made me remember how it felt to be fit, and got me excited to be in my happy place again.  For some reason if I just think about Chey, I can keep on going through the burn. Whatever motivates you!!

Of course right after my workout was done, Matthew called and asked if I wanted to go to Doyle’s Dogs for lunch….how can I say no to that? I guess I’ll settle for only one 🙂

For dinner? I am thinking some plain old Salmon on the grill and a sweet potato.

I am thinking of hitting up the paleo diet. It makes a heck of alot of sense…our bodies aren’t made to eat all the processed and refined foods available to us.  Our bodies are meant to eat what God provided for us on this earth.  You’re not supposed to eat dairy, I could NEVER not drink milk or eat cheese…so I may adapt a paleo-ish diet.  Eating foods in their natural form with as little salt as possible, but still indulging here and there 🙂 Life would be no fun if you didn’t indulge, especially since there happens to be a Qauker Steak & Lube opening up in Janesville soon.  But I have noticed that I get a belly ache or get bloated after I eat some meals.  I think it may be wheat.  I do not believe I am a celiac as I do not have any other problems, but I know wheat is an inflammatory food.  SO I am just going to try to find recipes that contain small amounts of salt, processed ingredients and wheat.  Hopefully I will feel more energized and healthy!

Here is a little post about the Paleo Diet that makes it obvious why you should try it!

Paleo Simplified

A little motivation for your Friday!

Yes, sir! 🙂

OH and officially 12 pounds to lose before I am at pre-baby weight!

Update

I am now running 2 miles every couple days WITHOUT STOPPING! Big accomplishment 🙂 Crazy how fast a person can get out of shape, I was walking a good hour a day up until Chey was born, but that c-section put me outta commission and I felt super weak during my runs for a while. My core isn’t what it used to be!

Starting to be less ‘squishy’ I guess, but boy is it hard to find time to workout! Everything has to be perfect…boobs must be empty, baby must be fed, can’t be too hot, can’t be too cold….omg! So I enjoy when Matt will watch Chey and I can just go run with Sierra. It is so relaxing and I don’t have to worry about my baby being comfortable, she’s in great hands. This is a pic of one of our nighttime runs on the bike trail. SO gorgeous!

We have Matt’s mom’s wedding on Saturday and then our family pictures on Sunday, so I needed a pick me up… my hair was grown out and my eyebrows outta control. It was TIME and I feel so much better about myself…amazing what wax and dye can do for a woman’s self esteem hey?

What have I been eating? I have been trying the minimalistic approach. For example….

chicken and asparagus stir fry with a little sesame oil, honey, soy sauce and sesame seeds

chopped salad with chicken, strawberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges, blueberries and poppy seed dressing

salmon with sesame seeds, ginger, soy sauce and honey with broccoli

a good one I tried was chicken dredged in a flour, curry and cayenne pepper mixture, then dip it in egg, then dip it in sweetened shredded coconut and bake for 20-30 minutes, it was pretty delicious and had a cool texture

Things with fresh and minimal ingredients. But I am pretty obsessed with salads that have fruit in them right now….. peaches, apples and feta cheese next?

Now of course I am far from a perfect eater, I eat way too much ice cream and I know it, but it is good for my mind! 🙂

I might start up my circuit training soon to help build those muscles and I will definitely post those on here. But for now I am just running 2-3 times a week, whenever I can!

Fitness Survey

Baby is napping, clothes are clean, dishes done, I am not tired, so I am doing this survey….because  I am in fact one of those dorky people who loves surveys 🙂

1. What did you eat for breakfast?

My grandma brought over some banana bread filled with mini chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips and good ol’ fashioned grandma love 🙂 I quickly scarfed down a piece while Cheyanne’s bottle was warming up.

2. How much water do you drink a day?

I’m not really sure…but I know it is a lot! Making milk for my baby is a good motivator to drink plenty of water…now if only it would stop me from eating ice cream, my arch enemy and inhibitor to losing the stubborn belly flab.

3. What is your current favorite workout?

Running! I have missed it so much and have been going a couple times a week. I am sure this excitement will soon wear off and I will have to resort to the fast paced circuit training I used to love, but until then, run on!

4. How many calories do you eat a day?

I have no idea. Some days are way more than others lol…. I try though!

5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?

I am a big snacker! My favorites right now are strawberries (since we have a bumper crop!), peanut butter energy balls, toasted coconut vanilla greek yogurt (Oikos, my favorite) and almonds.

6. What do you usually eat for lunch?

I have been really into fruity salads lately.  My favorite is my imitation of Panera’s Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad.  Chop up some Romaine, slice up some strawberries, add mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, blueberries, walnuts, sliced chicken breast and drizzle with poppy seed dressing. I loved it and hubby loved it too! I am a fan of simple romaine, strawberries, feta and balsamic as well.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?

My thighs, because they need it and I LOVE the burn you feel when you’re doing squats.  Makes you feel like you’re getting sh*t done.

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?

Abs, mostly because mine are gone-zo after they were cut in half, and they are SO out of shape and it is kind of frustrating. But I have a beautiful baby, so it could be worse!

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?

Ice cream. Love-hate relationship.

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?

I am still taking the Women’s One a Day prenatal vitamins.

11. How often do you eat out?

Usually just on Friday night or if we are out running errands and know we will be way too lazy to cook something at home.

12. Do you eat fast food?

Try not to, but when time is limited, we usually choose Jimmy Johns.

13. Who is your biggest supporter?

Matthew, he supports every decision I make… without question!

14. Do you have a gym membership?

Used to, but never went so not anymore. Ill probably regret that when winter rolls around. Happens every year haha.

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?

HAH! Usually 5 straight hours, then another 2 or 3.  Try to sneak in a nap during the day as well.

16. Do you have a “cheat” day?

I cheat every day.  I want to stay sane. I don’t set limits for myself, I just try to make healthy decisions or exercise portion control.  If you limit yourself, you will crave the foods you are trying to hard to avoid.  That is my theory.

17. Do you drink alcohol?

Yep. But when I do, it has to be worth it, don’t want to pump and dump for nothing!

18. Do you have a workout buddy?

Does Sierra count?

She’s my favorite running buddy! Now Cheyanne comes with us too, does she count? Sometimes I talk to her to try to motivate myself, but she doesn’t give me any feedback…. 😛

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?

I have someone I have to stay healthy and young for, my daughter! She is the biggest motivator to stay fit and active.  In no time she will be running circles around me and I will have to catch up.

I am excited about fitness, that feeling of air going deep in your lungs and feeling exhausted on a long run, the feeling of your leg muscles burning or your arms giving out after a million pushups. It excites me!

20. What was the last healthy thing you did?

Went for a run in the evening when it finally cooled off a bit, a whole mile and a half with no stopping! Nothing compared to my long runs of my past, but hey I am starting over and you gotta start somewhere!

All Clear!

Well it has been 5 weeks and I am feeling back to normal, here is my daily routine! I got the all clear from my OB to go back to my normal life 🙂 Meaning I am going to start running this week and will end up awfully sore I am sure haha

• Drink lots of water all day long!
• Oatmeal for either breakfast or lunch with 2 tbls brown sugar, splash of milk and a big spoonful of flax seed
• A green smoothie at some point in the day consisting of spinach, granny smith apples, strawberries, bananas and ice cubes (sometimes I add OJ too) – just whatever I feel like or have on hand really
• If I don’t have oatmeal I have a Shaklee shake with vanilla powder, OJ, milk, frozen berries and a Chobani yogurt
• Lots of snacks! Chobani is my favorite, protein bars, any kind of fruit, PB on whole wheat toast
• My favorite lunch is a grilled sandwich on sourdough bread…just meat and cheese and I love Campbells Natural Tomato & Basil soup
• Going to try THIS healthy Chicken Salad as another lunch option
• Usually whatever I want for dinner, we have been grilling out a lot, Matt usually makes me a chicken breast and we have some baked beans and I throw one of those steamer bags of veggies in
• In the middle of the night, which has been about 3:30 usually, I eat a bowl of cereal and a glass of Ovaltine while Cheyanne is nursing…this takes some talent and a couple pillows people haha
• If it is nice outside, grab the carrier or the stroller and go for a nice long walk!

I had my doctor appointment this week and I have lost 20 pounds so far. 18 more to go 😛 but I feel great so that’s what matters! We are planting our garden this week! Lots of things I can puree for Little Miss this fall – carrots, beans, squash etc… 🙂 So looking forward to just being outside!

A Start

A start.  My start was having Cheyanne. BOOM there goes 10-ish pounds plus who knows how much water weight.  As you may have read on my other blog I had anything from the ideal delivery.  Here I was thinking I would have our baby, rest for a week or so then start being active again.  Then a c-section happened and there I was on the couch for 2 weeks.

Before getting pregnant I was in pretty good shape, I was happy with myself.  I would run regularily and I had just started a circuit training routine that I was loving.  I tried running throughout the pregnancy, but I got to about 20 weeks and I just couldn’t.  My ankles and hips were achy and I had to pee every 5 minutes as it was, let alone having Chey bounce around on my bladder. I still walked alot, don’t get me wrong.  I have a psycho dog that would NOT let me not walk.

Here is a picture of my hubby and I at Jason Aldean literally RIGHT BEFORE, or quite possibly the day of getting pregnant 😛

Alright 8.5 months later I had gained 38 pounds! I always ate healthy food, just large amounts of it 🙂

Here I am, I believe this was 1 week after, ab muscles first stretched beyond belief and then cut wide open! This could take a while to get back, but it was alllllll worth it for our beautiful baby 🙂

And here I am today, 3.5 weeks post pardum

So I am using this here blog as a way to kind of track this body after baby adventure.  I am exclusively breastfeeding, which helps and burns alot of calories but may hamper my diet and exercise.  It burns about 600 calories a day, meaning I still have to eat extra, so starting a calorie cutting diet is not really an option.  An option is choosing only the healthiest foods and filling up on those.  I have started walking again this week (week 3), about 30-45 minutes a day.  I cannot believe how much muscle I lost! My butt was achy after our first walk, and it was on very flat ground.  I take little Chey in the carrier which adds some extra weight too.  I can’t wait until I can break out the jogging stroller and use it for what it was made for, but I have to get the OK at my 6 week appointment.  I also can’t wait to do some planks and push-ups….is that wierd?

I do not own a scale, so I am pretty much just going by how I feel and how my clothes fit.  I can fit into my pre-preggo jeans, but I fit in them my whole pregnancy since little missy was so high in my rib cage 🙂 I have what I lovingly call my pudge in my belly and some extra weight in my thighs and rear that I cannot wait to tone up again.

SO I will post updates here and there, I can’t promise how often, let’s not forget I have a newborn baby! But I will post healthy recipes that I try and like, little tips I find here and there, exercises and my weight loss/muscle gain 🙂