Good Intentions

" Life is not always the way we want it to be. What matter is we live with good intentions and give happiness to those we meet along the way." - Unknown 

Have you ever set off to do something for others with nothing but good intentions in your heart, for it to be seen less than good? I have never experienced this until lately, on a few different issues. I have cried for people I don't know very well, and I have lost sleep trying to think of way I could help, worried that I have not done my part. My intentions were always pure of heart, and I am not going to lie, it hurts my feelings that they were not received that way. However, I know what is my heart, and I know my heart was in the right place, and it is okay that others did not see it that way. I will learn from this and in the future I will not wear my heart on my sleeve and I will not be so anxious to jump in head first with my "good intentions."  

Caffeine....in a healthy way

The hardest thing for me to give up during my fitness journey is caffeine. My morning coffee with loads creamer and sugar, what helped me get out of bed in the morning. A nice cold Dr.Pepper was heaven when in the afternoon for a quick pick me up, or if I didn't feel good. When I decided to take my health seriously I knew I had to give up my 2 fave things. HOWEVER, I have found the best replacements. I still let myself have a coffee twice a week. I generally chose Saturdays and Mondays. I love to awake up and chill out in my chair with a nice cup of coffee on a Saturday morning, and I don't know about 
y'all but I have a bad case of the Monday's...EVERY Monday, so I allow myself a cup. Instead of using creamer I use unsweetened almond milk, and two packets of Truvia, instead of sugar. It is just as good, and way better for you.  Here is an awesome blog post from one of my fave bloggers Taralynn. She explains the benefits of coffee! 

http://simplytaralynn.com/2014/05/06/benefits-of-coffee-by-running-blogger-courtney-brown/

There really isn't a substitute that compares to my beloved Dr. Pepper...even though I know how awful it is, it will always have a place in my heart. :) I have been trying to drink tea instead. I am one of those weird southerns that HATES sweet tea, so I usually just drink unsweetened. On the days that I do not have coffee, I warm up a nice cup of green tea. Its so soothing and relaxing. And helps you feel better If you are feeling under the weather. I decided to do a little research on the health benefits of Green tea and thought I would share. 

• Weight Loss- The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.
• Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.
• Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.
• Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.
• Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.
• Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.
• Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.
• Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage

Life update

I have been one busy little momma! I have started working a new department at work and working a new shift, started anew bi-term of college courses, trying to live a healthier life style with the 21 day fix, and of course taking care of my sweet little man! All changes in my life seem simple and they are positive changes, but with any kind of change comes stress, and I have been feeling the stress this week ya'll. I have to just remind myself that these changes may be stressful now but in the long run the benefits will worth the stress. Every long, stressful day I go through is Gabe. Everything I do is for him. One thing that I NEED to get in control is my organization. With everything I have going, I feel like my life is chaotic and disorganized. My mission the next few weeks is to de-clutter and reorganize my home, work, hopefully in doing that it will reorganize my mind and how I handle things.

On another amazing note, my fitness journey is going great with a handful of challenges, but if getting fit was easy....we would all look amazing right? I do good during the week. I have a routine, and it works. Then comes the weekend and I am slammed with things that I NEED to do ( ie: clean my house, laundry, homework, church, grocery shop, meal prep), then there are the planned things such as
(parties, get together, holidays, weddings). It is so easy to slip on the weekends and I have been struggling with this. I am not giving up though. Having my shakeology had helped so much.. It taste so good that it feels like I am cheating, but I'm not. I can't explain how thankful I am to have found the beachbody products!!

 So I thought I would share a few pics of what has been going the past few months! We ( University of Kentucky fan... here) run in March Madness!! It was definitely madness in the state of Kentucky.

This is my gang at work!! Love these people! They make going to work bearable! 

Getting ready for the big UofL vs. Kentucky game! Red Vs Blue

We also went to a George Straight Concert!! It...Was...AMAZING in about every way you could think of.

My Man! 

My work also did a Charity fund raiser " Bowl for Kids Sake" . It was a good time for a good cause!

We made shirts

The best part of the last few month is that I became an Aunt!! My sweet niece lives in Kansas with my sister and family, so I haven't been able to afford a trip out there yet. I hate that I haven't been able to hold her yet, but thank God for facebook. At least I can look at her beautiful pictures!! :)

Paleo Spicy Chicken Stir Fry

Paleo Spicy Chicken Stir Fry 

Spice Ingredients:

2 1/2 Tbsp Paprika

2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

1 Tbsp Sea Salt

1 Tbsp Black Pepper

1 Tbsp Onion Powder

1 Tbsp Cayenne Powder

1 Tbsp Dried Oregano

1 Tbsp Dried Thyme

Stir-Fry ingredients:

2-3 cooked chicken breast

1 diced red pepper
1 diced green pepper

1/2 diced red onion

1 bag of frozen chopped broccoli

Olive Oil

Spice mix

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large skillet.

Add all diced veggies & let cook for a few minutes while stirring.

Add diced chicken.

Sprinkle mix with more olive oil & then generously sprinkle with spice mix.

Zucchini and Squash Lasagna

Zucchini and Squash Lasagna 

1 pound ground 99% fat free turkey breast 

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 large zucchini

1 large squash

1 8 oz bag moz cheese

1 pound ground turkey browned and drained. Then I added one jar of spaghetti sauce.  Then I sliced 1 large zucchini and 1 large squash. I placed a small amount of sauce on the bottom of the pan so the veggies would not stick. I started with a layer of squash. I made these overlay to prevent hole between the laid out veggies. Then I spooned the meat sauce over the squash and added a layer of moz. Cheese. Then, layered the zucchini, layer of meat sauce and final layer of cheese and baked at 375 for 45 min.

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

So I am momma always on the go and on a budget!
I have started a late shift at work, with working and going to school, finding time to cook is hard! But, I have come so far to start back on old habits ( pizza, drive thru, hamburger help *tear*)  So most of my recipes are going to be quick and easy, and easy on the pocket book.

Salsa Chicken

In the mood for Mexican?  Oh do I have a easy treat for you!!

What you need:

• Crock pot
• 4 chicken breast
• jar of salsa

What you need to do:

• place the chicken in the crock pot
• pour the salsa (whole jar) over the chicken
• set the crock pot temp on low and the time 8 hours
• before serving shred the chicken
• add cheese if you like, but I have cut out cheese.

TIP: I top mine with brown rice and the warmed up salsa. It is amazing!! And Super EASY!! 

Why I eat clean!

I love all the foods that I should hate: pizza, fried chicken, cookies, any kind of bread and cheese., cake etc. Unfortunately, for me, when it comes to getting in shape and losing weight these food are on the " DON'T DO IT" list.  Eating clean is the way to go...and I have learned this the hard way. I was a tad bit skeptical at first but decided to give it a whirl. I have been doing the clean eating "thing" for about 4 months now with a relapse here and there. When I am eating right and and then sneak a cookie or a slice of pizza in, I call it a relapse. It may sound extreme but it is technically a relapse...I eat that slice of pizza and instantly feel bad, knowing that I am doing something bad for me. After the deed has been done I am in pain and sick. Taking that first bite of pizza is a-mazing, but then my stomach pays the price for it and I am feeling awful the rest of the day. With that being said here are some additional reason why I have decided to eat strictly a clean diet.

1) Energy, Energy, Energy!!! 

I am not a doctor so please verify this info with a professional...but from my research eating a clean diet boost your iron and vitamin B complex, which regulates your blood sugar. Eating processed carbohydrates ups your blood sugar which makes you feel tired and yucky! 

2)Less sick days!!! woot woot 

Veggies are loaded with vitamins!! Vitamin A is a nice vitamin that keeps your vision and immunity healthy!

3) Kicks the monster cancers BUTT! 

According to a study by Colorado State University Extension, the enemy (saturated fat...ew!) such as processed meat and fried foods increase cancer risk!! Luckily a clean diet full of fruits and veggies, boosts your intake of phytonutrients and antioxidants, which..... fight cancer growth WOO HOO!!!

Clean Eating Basics 

• Limit Processed foods
• Eat your fruits and vegetables 
• Say good bye to:
• saturated fats: butter, cheese, fatty meats
• alcohol
• white sugar and flour
• refined grains
• less sugar ( bye bye Dr. Pepper and sweet tea)
• Say hello to:
• Good Fats:olive oil, fish
• whole grains

Welcome

Welcome everyone!! I started this blog to track my by body transformation as I try to get FIT. I have lost myself in work, school, parenthood. I am unhealthy physically and on the path of transforming my mind and body. Exciting and scary. My first step was ordering a Beach Body Challenge!