Pure Fit Pure Food 10 Week Challenge

I love a good challenge, a goal to work towards, something tangible. I find it keeps me motivated, driven, and overall a happier person. So after completing our half marathon I wanted a new challenge! But something different! I feel that I have come to a plateau with my postpartum weight loss, and although 40 pounds is a big accomplishment I still have more to go to reach what I know is healthiest for my body. 

I knew I wanted to do a food challenge, but it took me a while to figure out how exactly I wanted to go about it.  If you know me, or my philosophy on food/body image you know that there are a few words I find very toxic, especially for  myself.  One of them is the word "diet" in the popular culture sense our world uses it today. I do not agree with depriving oneself of calories or nutrients that the body needs. I don't believe in cutting out entire food groups or labeling foods "good" and "bad". I don't believe in juice cleanses . I hate the word "skinny" and find it to be a toxic and superficial way to express the worth of self or someone else. How many times when a girl posts a cute picture on social media are her friends quick to say "You look so skinny!!" as if that is the ultimate compliment? How about, healthy, strong, or happy? HEALTH is what is important not thinness. 

 I do however believe that we have all of the food groups for a reason, they each play a vital role in how we fuel our bodies.  I believe that sometimes we need to reset and figure out how to best fuel our bodies with the food we consume.  I believe that we should take care of our bodies and fuel them with healthy options when it comes to food.  I believe exercise is extremely important but not something to be obsessive about (something I've struggled with in the past). I believe our bodies are a gift and we should treat them as such, not pick them apart, not practice self-loathing every time we decide to indulge and have a treat. 

SO with that being said I researched, and researched, and researched.  And I came across a plan, and a couple of girls whose philosophy spoke to me on a deeper level .  The girls over at Pure Fit Pure Food have it going on. They are moms (that was a big one for me, I want someone who gets me on that level), registered nutritionist/dietician, certified personal trainer/group fitness instructor, and overall realists (I need that too).  

This is a 10-Week program and Logan and I are currently on week 3. It is a nutrition and exercise program with specific instructions of what to eat/do each day which I love. What I like MOST about this plan so far is the education I am receiving. The meal plan is broken up in to proteins, carbs, and fats and really teaches you what food falls in to what category, and why it is important to include all of those categories. Also, we eat everything: Meat, dairy, veggies, fruit, whole grains, fats, and even some yummy treats.  6 days a week are structured with a complete meal plan (and shopping list, love that) and 1 day is a relaxed day where we get to splurge within reason.  Pizza has been my splurge both weeks so far :) 

We have been really dedicated to the program but our little family did get the stomach flu this past weekend which threw off our meal plan a bit (although we weren't really eating much of anything so it was really fine) .  

We weighed (and measured) ourselves at the beginning and are supposed to weigh in again at the end of this week.  I'll be honest and say I weighed myself a couple of times each week so far (too addicted to that scale people, I'm working on it) and I am soooooo happy to say the scale is moving, it's been stuck at this one number for a while now and to see it moving again is the best motivator in the world.

Logan and I have really been enjoying the program and we love to ask "How are you feeling?" before and after we eat things so we can really discuss how certain foods, levels of hunger, etc. make us feel.  Logan is OBSESSED with the plan, I post the weeks layout on our fridge and he is always referring to it. For work he has to eat out a lot so he will text me saying whats on the plan, so he can order something similar wherever it is he has to eat at.   

Below are some of the foods we have eaten with the plan, I have to say most of the recipes/food choices have been not just good, they've been AMAZING.  One thing I can't get myself to love, turkey, it's weird I know but I've never liked it, and I still don't like it.  I sub for chicken and feel happier about life :)

I'll post again at 6 weeks for another update !

xoxo

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've said it time and again. I am not a big baker. I just don't have the patience or precision that it takes to be a good baker. I like that with cooking I don't have to follow a recipe exactly to get a great end result. BUT I do have a few killer baking recipes in my back pocket and this is one of them. This is my mom's recipe and is well loved in our family. Anytime my brothers are in town these usually get made at some point. And they are EASY so that is a big plus.

Ingredients: 

3/4 cup of softened butter

1 cup of sugar

1 egg

1 cup of mashed overly ripe bananas (I usually do 3-4 bananas)

1 1/2 cups of flour

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1 3/4 cups of rolled oats

chocolate chips 

Directions:

1. Cream together butter and sugar

2. Beat the egg and then add it to the butter/sugar mixture

3. Add mashed bananas

4. Add flour

5. Add salt, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon

6. Add oats

7. Add chocolate chips (more or less depending on your preference)

8. REFRIGERATE for 30 minutes before scooping cookies and baking. This is very important! It creates the correct consistency before baking. 

9. Bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes and then allow to cool for a few minutes

ENJOY!! XX

Half Marathon

I still can't really believe that I am saying this but I ran a half marathon! I did it! And I didn't have to walk or stop! Boy this day had a bit of anxiety tied to it as it approached but I am so proud of myself.  I wanted a clear cut work out goal after baby.  Between not working out while I was pregnant, and knowing the weight wasn't going to magically disappear with breastfeeding (that's an annoying myth that only happens for some people) I just wanted to work towards something.  Saying I'm going to "eat healthy" and "go to the gym" were far too vague for me so my husband and I signed up for the half marathon.  We started very slowly, 1.5 miles to be exact.  And I remember thinking I was going to die during those 1.5 miles. But before I knew it we were running 5, 6, 7 miles at a time with no problem.  Then we ran a 9 miler! And a 10! And before I knew it the day had come. I am so lucky to have so many friends and family who watched Gray on those long run days when we couldn't take him with us.   On the shorter ones we took the jogging stroller but boy was it nice to just be alone sometimes on those long run days. Just myself, and my thoughts as I pushed myself mentally and physically. Along with the physical training Logan and I really changed our eating habits quite drastically.  We really haven't had fast food except maybe once after Gray was born, and when we are in the mood for something quick we opt for sandwich shops instead. We don't drink soda anymore (5 months clean for me now!).  We try to go low or no carb at dinner time. And we don't keep too many unhealthy foods in the house anymore.  Don't get me wrong we are still foodies through and through and there is nothing I appreciate more than a good steak or burger but we've definitely made some really healthy steps and are continuing to do so.  I am really grateful to have parents (and in-laws) who are healthy and active and can enjoy all kinds of activities with their children! I want to be this way for Gray and that has been a big motivating factor for me.
The day of the marathon my Sister-In-Law Bethany got Gray all ready to go in the morning (my brother-in-law, Logan, and I, had to be at the buses at 5 a.m.) and my father and mother in law, and my brother all came to greet us at the finish line.  They timed it perfectly so that I could breastfeed Gray as soon as I finished! I have to say I felt like SUPER MOM running a half and then feeding my kid right after. It was so nice to have so much support on our big day!
Here are some pics!!






I'm sure some of you are wondering about my weight loss journey since having Gray. I am about to get really real and really personal.  When I had Gray at 40 weeks I weighted 209 pounds (oh. my. gosh.) I have officially lost a little more than 40 pounds and still would like to loose another 15.  These last 15 are being extra stubborn and according to my doctor might not go anywhere until I am done nursing. But besides the actual weight I have toned up A LOT, and just feel really really good. I feel happy, I have so much more energy, and feel like a good wife and mom which is most important to me.  Below is a progress pic so far. I posted one a couple of years ago after I did Insanity so I thought why not again. Stretch marks and all people. I'm a work in progress but aren't we all?

The Photo On The Left: 38 weeks pregnant
Middle Photo: 12 Weeks PP (1 month of working out)
Photo On The Right: 16 Weeks PP (2 Months of Working Out)

*I am now at 22 Weeks PP so I should take some more photos soon*

Eggs, Eggs, and More Eggs Ya'll

I had a few friends text me last week about a little snapchat video I did on some soft-boiled eggs I made for dinner. Like i've said before I eat steel-cut oatmeal almost every morning for breakfast (I know so boring but it helps me with breastfeeding). BUT that often leads me CRAVING some kind of meat/protein come lunch time, so a lot of times I have eggs for lunch, which means I have 2 breakfasts each day OOPS.  Eggs may seem intimating if you've never prepared them before but trust me they are SO easy and a good thing to have in your cooking repertoire. Below is a little rundown of a few of the ways I like to cook my eggs! 

1. Scrambled--easy enough right?? Let me give you a few pointers.  First, I always add about a tablespoon of milk to each egg that I scramble. I know I know, some people say if you are using good, farm-fresh eggs you don't need to add anything to your eggs, but I'm a normal person, who buys my eggs from the grocery store so I find that a little splash of milk makes my eggs creamier. Second, cook your eggs on medium heat, if you cook them too high, and too fast they will be over-cooked and rubbery.  Which brings me to my next point... DON'T OVER COOK EGGS. There is nothing that makes me sadder in this whole world than overcooked eggs. Okay, that was dramatic, but nothing is worse than dry scrambled eggs, or when I go to bite in to a delicious burger with a fried egg on top and the egg yolk doesn't run all over...such a disappointment. In my world I'd rather have an undercooked egg than an overcooked one...just sayin'.  Lastly, salt those babies! Salt brings out the natural taste of eggs in the best friggen way possible, so if someone gives me a plate of eggs that hasn't been properly seasoned? You bet I am reaching for the salt shaker. But as with all food it's better to salt them while you are cooking them as opposed to after. 

2. Soft-Boiled eggs--a personal fav. Don't let these scare you, I've got it down to a science.  First bring your pot of water to a boil, then turn down the heat so the water is at a rapid simmer. Add 2-3 eggs. Set your timer for 5 minutes EXACTLY.   After five minutes remove the eggs and rinse under cold water until they can be handled.  Then peel them. This is the hardest part but with a little practice you'll be a pro. I use a spoon to crack the shell horizontally in a circle and then run my spoon between the egg and the shell to remove the shell.  They should look like this:

And then they should do this:

3. Fried Eggs. YUM. Melt a tiny bit of butter in a non-stock pan over medium heat (remember never too hot for eggs!) and crack your eggs in to the pan.  Wait until the egg white turns from an opaque color to a more set white (about 4 minutes) and then gently, but quickly flip them over. I like my eggs over easy so I literally cook them for like 30 seconds to a minute on the second side and then they are ready. 

4. Poached. The trickiest of the egg preparations.  But if I'm being honest I have an egg poaching pan. Fill the pan with 1/2 inch water, set over medium heat and bring the water to a simmer. Lightly oil the poaching cups and warm the cups in the pan. Crack an egg into each cup, cover the pan and cook about 2-3 minutes. 

5. Lastly are hard boiled eggs, and again, I cheat. I buy the pre-made ones from Coscto. They are awesome for a quick snack but also for making a big bowl of egg-salad! YUM. 

Some More Favorite Products

Our half marathon is only a few weeks away (oh my!) 

I can't even believe it. I'm excited and a little nervous but training has been going really well.

As Logan and I have been trying to eat healthier we've come across some more really great products out there to help us in our quest. Now don't get me wrong, we were never crap eaters, but we've particularly been trying to cut down on our carb intake (especially at night!) Anyways, here are some products that have become staples for us! 

1. Sweet Potato Ribbons (Trader Joe's) 

Trader Joe's is my main grocery store, that and Costco.  I find shopping at a smaller store with less options helps me to not over shop. I was throwing away a lot of food and buying too much pre-packaged junk. Trader's isn't the perfect store you can still find unhealthy stuff (HELLO MINI PEANUT BUTTER CUPS... SO GOOD)  but it has some really good healthy products that we've come to love. 

Logan and I both never really grew up eating sweet potatoes. But they are SO good and SO good for you so they have definitely been added to our rotation. I chop them up all the time myself but it's really nice to have these on hand just to be able to throw in the oven without any prep, i'm all about easy these days. 

I couldn't find a photo of the ribbons I buy but they look a lot like this:

2. Chicken and Basil Meatballs (Costco)

These are fabulous on pizzas, pasta, salad, or even for breakfast with some eggs. And a plus...they are organic! 

3. Oven Roasted Turkey Breast (Trader Joe's, Columbus Brand)

I am not a big fan of deli meat (kinda grosses me out) but this looks and tastes like real turkey (ya know it's not slimy and smooth like that prepackaged stuff?) I know I'm crazy, but textures of food can really throw me off.  My mom actually turned me on to this turkey and I remember when she brought it to the hospital after I had Gray and thinking this is SO good! 

4. Filet Mignon (Costco) 

I am SUPER picky when it comes to steak. Mainly because it is one of my favorite foods, but I have the cooking it down to a science (I'll blog about that later) but the process means nothing if your cut is sub-par. I ALWAYS buy our filet's from Costco. Yes they are pricy, but not really considering how much you would pay in a restaurant (about $8 per steak).  I remember a few months ago I didn't want to brave the Costco crowd so I picked up some steaks from our grocery store by our house. Well long story short we ended up throwing them away because they tasted so bad.  Anyways they come in packages of four so we freeze them in twos so they are ready for whenever we want steak. 

5. Grass Fed Angus Beef Burgers (Trader Joe's) 

Again, I'm picky about my meat, but these burgers are so good! They come pre-packaged frozen raw in twos and they are so good in a lettuce wrap, or on top of some veggies, or of course on a regular bun (because ya know, sometimes you want a legit. burger) 

6. Cauliflower Rice (Trader Joe's) 

We recently added this to our diet as a substitute for regular rice and we REALLY enjoy it.  It's not the same texture but its a good texture non the less. And it's like 150 calories for the whole dang bag of cauliflower rice. I just steam it covered in a sautee pan with a tiny bit of EVOO and some salt and pepper. Also when they run out at Trader's i've just made it myself by grating a head of cauliflower with a box grater (EASY). 

Well there it is for now ! Can you tell protein is on my mind ?? Ha I just can't get enough of it between the running and the breastfeeding.  I would love to hear some of YOUR favorite products! 

xoxo

It Takes A Village.

Working in social work I came to believe in this saying whole heartedly. It truly does take a village to raise a child. Unfortunately our society is becoming increasingly and increasingly self-centered making this an un-fulfilled need in so many cases! It definitely wasn't until I became a mom myself that I realized just how important my village really is! 

I'll never forget the day I came home from the hospital with Logan and our sweet boy in tow.  We walked in to our little house and it was like pure heaven. REALLY I swear that is what heaven will be like. My mother had deep cleaned the entire house, like seriously, she even cleaned the inside of my oven (it was gross), stocked me up on recovery supplies, gotten some hygiene products for baby Gray, taken all of our flowers/balloons home from the hospital and displayed them around the house, and my kitchen was full steam ahead with freshly baked bread, rolls, cinnamon rolls, and soup. I remember walking upstairs to my clean house and just crying a little and being so so grateful for my sweet mother.  

From that moment forward my village would only grow.  My dad, brother, and sister in law all came in to town to meet their new family member. And after my mom went home, my mother in law came to town.  She made sure to give Logan and I lots of opportunity to rest and have extra naps, she was on top of the food game making sure I never had to even think about what to make for dinner, and spoiled baby rotten buying him lots of baby clothes! (we thought we had what we needed but turns out he never even fit in to newborn clothes so we were kind of lacking on the 0-3 month stuff). 

Women/friends from my church provided the most delicious meals and treats in the coming weeks that Logan and I lived off of for weeks to come. I will never forget this time because we felt so very loved by all of our friends.

When you don't have family who live nearby your friends truly become family and this is definitely how we have felt living in Las Vegas.

As the newborn stage wore off and the holidays were over it was back to "real life".  But amazingly enough the help didn't stop coming.  Looking back it is SO important to accept help where it is offered or even just to plain ask for help! I have never been in a position in my life where I needed help in this magnitude before, but when people offer I really try my hardest to take them up on it, because people truly want to help! 

Logan and I have been able to our long runs on Saturdays while friends watch Gray for an hour or two. We've had friends come to the house to watch Gray while we go out for date nights. We've had friends help with our doggy Sundance (who is my other child for sure). And I even had to call a friend to drop Gray off at her house last minute to have a root canal. 

Could I do it all? Probably. Granted that would probably mean no running, no date nights, and just being with my baby 24/7 which don't get me wrong I love being with him. But I also love my me time still! 

My village is truly something I am beyond grateful for. Gray has so many people who love and care for him and that is the greatest feeling in the world.  So I guess the moral of the story is whatever stage of life you are in cultivate your village, be a part of someone else's, because no one was meant to go through this life alone, we are a gift to each other when we serve and allow to be served.

xoxo

Blackened Mahi Bowl

I've been messing around with some different "bowl" recipes the past few weeks and finally perfected it.  Log and I pretty much inhaled these last night after a run and both agreed we want these on the weekly. I was MAJORLY sick last week, sinus/ear infection so I wasn't able to run hardly at all and my nutrition took a major hit. But the antibiotics are starting to kick in and my appetite has returned so so has my cooking. Hope you enjoy!

Blackened Mahi Bowls (Serves 2)

Ingredients:

2 mahi mahi filet's (I buy the frozen pre-packaged ones from Costco)

1 lime

seafood seasoning (any brand will do)

1 bag of cauliflower rice (Trader Joe's)

2 small-medium sized zucchini's

1 sweet potato 

1 red pepper (or any pepper)

EVOO

Directions:

1. To start dice all of your veggies to desired size (keep diced sweet potatoes separate)

1. Place sweet potato on a baking sheet and coat with a couple of Tbsp. of EVOO salt/pepper, garlic powder, and season salt.  Bake in oven at 375 for about 15-20 minutes. 

2. After the sweet potatoes have been baking for 15-20 minutes add your zucchini and peppers and stir all together on the baking sheet, return to the oven for additional 10-15 minutes. I add these veggies after because the sweet potatoes take longer to cook and I don't want my zucchini and peppers to be soggy. 

3. While your veggies are baking cook your cauliflower rice. I cook the cauliflower in a sauté pan with a little bit of EVOO and salt and pepper and cover it with a lid until tender.

4. While everything else is cooking away prepare the fish.  Salt and pepper your filets (both sides) then squeeze the lime all over the filets. Then coat both sides with seafood seasoning (I have also used Mccormick's mojito lime seasoning packet which is great for seafood). You want the fish to be completely coated. 

5. Heat some EVOO in a grill pan (or just grill outside) and cook fish over medium/high heat, 5 minutes each side (approximately or until fish is cooked through but not dry!) 

6. Assemble your bowls!! We added a little bit of avocado on the side for some extra healthy fat! 

Enjoy!! 

xoxo 

p.s. If you wanted to mix up the flavor profile you could do a teriyaki bowl, or sweet chili sauce bowl!  Also use any of your favorite veggies! Endless possibilities for this healthy dinner.