Happy Birthday Box

I've found that creativity is a must when your husband is 7,000 miles away. I decided to make a fun "Birthday Box" for Jason. I forgot to take a picture of all the goodies, but I had a cookie cake made that said "Happy Birthday Jason" along with a few of his favorite snacks.

Reality Check of Being Without Your Spouse

Before I start my "reality check" story, I want to preface the story by stating that I have always prided myself on being very independent. I have always been one to prove that I can make it on my own...a.k.a. stubborn. Ask my husband or my parents :)

As a lay in bed on day 4 of the flu, I feel like I had several "welcome to reality" moments this weekend. I won't get into details on my sickness, but I will say this has been the most difficult sickness I've had since...well, I can remember. The first two days were by far the worst in regards to having a fever and no strength. On Friday I had a breakdown - because I wasn't able to get my step-son and do all the fun activities I had planned, I couldn't go to my boot camp that night, and I was going to miss several important appointments at work. I quickly realized this wasn't going away anytime soon. My parents who live 4 hours away had to work, and would have come down if I would have let them; I didn't want anyone else getting the flu.

I was texting my mom and my Uncle; telling them my symptoms. I was able to get a prescription called into my pharmacy, which was a huge relief...and then I realized I had no strength to even drive the 5 miles to my pharmacy. I remember thinking to myself, I don't want to be a burden to anyone else. This is my fault I didn't get a flu shot so I need to figure out how to get to the pharmacy. I thought maybe if I slept a little longer then I could muster up the strength to get in the car and drive to get my prescription. This was reality check #1 - I don't have any supplies, medication, and I'm alone. My mom graciously talked to my Aunt and Uncle who live here and by surprise they brought flu medicine, lots of soups, crackers, goodies, and sprite. I was so humbled that they went out of their way to help me. I have since then eaten and drank 90% of what they brought me. I literally had nothing but apples, bananas, and almond milk.

So I thought things would have to get better...reality check #2 - my husband does more for me than I could have ever imagined. It's the little things when you are alone that start to make a big difference. Starting from feeding the dogs, letting them outside every few hours, taking a shower and getting dressed (very difficult when you have no strength), taking the trash out for trash day, making soup and standing over the stove for 5 minutes...small tasks seemed so difficult when you have a fever of 102 and can barely move. My next breakdown was when I was trying to open a bottle of water. Who knew such a small task would be so hard? I tried for about 5 minutes to open a bottle of water and then sobbed. I looked around and no one was here to help. I was completely by myself.

Today I went to Urgent Care to get cough relief and come to find that my doctor had just returned from his deployment in December. He asked how I was doing, and I once again started crying. I told him moments like this make you very thankful for your spouse. Reality check #3 - I'm not really alone...although they say only a small % of the population goes through a deployment, I just happened to cross paths with one today.  I truly believe people are placed in your life for a purpose. I feel like God had brought this doctor to me at this moment for a reason - to assure and comfort me after a very tough weekend. Before he left, he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "I want to thank you for all of your selfless acts and for supporting your husband. Not everyone can do what you have to do, but I appreciate your sacrifice."

The reason I tell this story is not to throw myself a pity party or ask others for sympathy...instead for me this was a time to understand the reality of how I am living for the next 7 1/2 months. But to also, let my guard down and ask for help. I know there are so many people who say, "don't hesitate, call us anytime"; but I don't want to be a burden on someone else's life because I chose to marry a man who has a career in the military. So my struggle over the next months is to try and figure out new things that I wouldn't have done before like change the windshield wiper fluid (I did that last week) or to keep the outside mowed. But in turn, calling my friends, family, or neighbors when I need help. And they won't help me because they "feel bad" for me, but because they want to help.

Turkey Chili with Black-Eyed Peas

This is such a hearty and healthy chili recipe for those cold nights we've been having in the Midwest! This is a forgiving recipe, so you can add more veggies or take out some that you may not like. 

I have found it to be much easier when I buy all of my groceries for the week and prep in one day. So for the Turkey Chili with Black-Eyed Peas recipe I cut up all the veggies on Sunday and thawed out my ground turkey. It just makes it so much easier the day of to throw it in the crockpot.

Ingredients: 

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 large carrot, diced
1/2 large onion, diced
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced (substitute green chili's)
2 cloves of garlic
2 Cans of Black-Eyed Peas (rinsed and drained)
2 28oz cans no-salt added crushed tomatoes
1 red pepper, seeded and diced
1 yellow pepper - seeded and diced
2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp ground cumin
1 small can of tomato sauce
2 cups water
Salt and pepper to taste
Chipotle Tabasco Sauce(optional)

Serves: 4-6

Directions:
In a large pan, heat half the olive oil over medium heat. Add turkey and cook through. Place turkey in crockpot. Add remaining oil; sautee' carrots, onion, jalapenos, garlic, peppers, chili powder, fennel, Tabasco, and cumin for about 10 minutes or until vegetables soften.

Place vegetables and spices into crockpot. Put the rest of the ingredients into crockpot - black-eyed peas, water, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

 

Preparation is Key

I have found that if I prepare my meals either the morning or the week of, I tend to make much better choices. I always keep bottled water in the trunk of my car and an apple in my car. Today I am babysitting for a friend and won't have access to my usual meals. So I'm packing a quick lunch. 

Organic Carrots with 2 tablespoons of Hummus

Canteloupe, honeydew, and blueberries

Peanut butter with a banana

1 Liter of Water 

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad

 

When I say easiest recipe ever, I mean it! I don't get home from Crossfit until 8pm, so in order to make good choices I need to have easy recipes.

 

Hawaiian Grilled Chicken Salad

 

 

Ingredients:

 

Organic Chicken Breast

Fresh Pineapple

Green Mixture - I used a Spinach and Spring Mix

Newman's Own - Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing

Optional: Hawaiian Marinade (leave out if you want it more Paleo)

Salt and Pepper

Trader Joe's Everyday Season

 

Directions:

 

I chose to marinade my chicken breasts for about 3 hours. The longer you marinade the more flavorful your chicken will be. If you want this meal to be more paleo friendly, do not use the marinade. It tastes just as good!

 

Slice your fresh pineapple and grill. If you do this first, then keep the juices in your pan for the chicken. It adds lots of yummy flavors!

 

Season your chicken breasts and grill until fully cooked. Since my griller (my husband) is overseas, I have a Calphalon Stove Top Griller that I used and it was perfect.

 

Put your greens on a plate, top with chicken and pineapple and I added 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing.



Working Lady to Workout Phenom

I've had several people ask me where I get my workout gear and I will start out by saying I have NEVER paid full price for any of my Under Armour or Nike gear. We have an Under Armour Outlet in a nearby city, Branson where I get most of my gear 1) because it's at a discount price 2) on top of the already reduced prices, they give a military discount 3) they also have an online outlet store! TJ Maxx and Marshall's are also great stores to get name brands for more than half price. And from my luck, it seems like everything eventually goes on sale at those stores so wait a few weeks before you decide to buy.

Working professional during the day...

And workout phenom at night.

(Minus the boots: it was a cold day so I changed into my tennis shoes at the gym)

Under Armour Yoga Capris (outlet)- $10

Under Armour Tank Top (online) - $8

Under Armour Jacket (Marshall's) - $10 

 

Where do you find your workout steals?!

Paleo-ish Pot Roast

I have never made a pot roast before because my husband isn't really a huge fan, so I decided this would be a great Paleo-ish Friendly Recipe that I can eat for several meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 (2 1/2-3 lb) beef roast, cut to fit pot or crock pot (chuck, shoulder or round)
• 2 tablespoons oil
• salt and pepper , to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 teaspoon basil crushed
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 1/2 bag baby carrots
• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 2 celery stalks, bias-cut in 1-inch pieces (I didn’t have any)
• 1/2 cup red wine or 1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup water

 Carrots, potatoes, celery and onions in the bottom of the crock pot.

 

Trim some fat from meat. Salt and pepper both sides liberally. I also used Trader Joe's Everyday Seasoning. Brown meat on all sides in hot oil in a skillet. Drain fat. Place meat on top of the veggies in the crock pot.

Make Sauce. Mix 3/4 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, red wine or stock, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over roast.

Cook pot roast, covered on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours.

 

I had a 3 pound Pot Roast and cooked it on high for 4.5 hours and I used only a fork to cut it. It was perfectly tender and delicious!

Food Journal

Today's Food Journal

Part of my Boot Camp challenge is to keep a daily food journal. Today was Day 1 that I gladly accepted the challenge! Our first challenge is to eliminate sugars! Who knew a banana had so much sugar?! I'm not perfect and indulged in some hot chocolate, but that's part of the learning curve. Finding replacements for the chocolate craving.

Since my husband has been gone for exactly 2 months tomorrow, I have adapted to cooking for one. Which  means, I tend to eat the same things several nights a week! One of my favorite snacks is Edamame! I buy frozen Organic Edamame at Sam's Club and it lasts for weeks. I also love the Morning Star Chipotle Black Bean Burger. They have so much flavor and you just bake for 10 minutes. It may have more preservatives than if I were to make my own, but if you need a quick healthier option this is my "go-to" dinner.

Be Happy Be Bright Be You

I found this workout shirt a few weeks ago and thought it was a good reminder to always "Be Happy Be Bright Be You!" Even though today was one of those days, I wanted to anything BUT go to the gym, I made it and DON'T regret it.

I started a Crossfit Boot Camp on Monday. We meet 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), plus we get nutritional guidance. Today was Day 2 of the Boot Camp - it was killer but I feel so great now. Here was our workout:

:20-seconds with a :10-second break for 8 rounds
Sit ups
Squats
Push ups
Mountain Climbers
Kettle Bell Swings
Lunges

You may think that sounds easy, but my entire body was done by the end of the workout. I am so glad I have an awesome trainer at Crossfit that pushes me just when I want to quit. She is tough, but so motivating and knows when to tell me to give her "3 more".

Tomorrow we start a journal of everything we eat and I am really excited to hold myself accountable. If anyone has any journaling methods they like to use, I would love to hear about it!

Motivation Wall

Everyone gets motivated in their own way - I thrive on positivity! So this weekend, I decided to make a motivation wall and put notes around my house to remind me of things that can easily get forgotten!

  I have a love-hate relationship with my full length mirror. So why not put some words of inspiration? I will continue to add to my "Motivation Wall" as I find quotes or pictures that will give me that extra boost.

Snacking when I'm bored can be my worst enemy. Sometimes when your stomach thinks you are hungry, you are actually thirsty! Always try and drink water first.

 

 Right next to the dog leashes I need to remind myself, that walking is just as good for the dogs as it is for me!

Meat and Sweet Potato Paleo Recipe

Sunday is my prep day for the week and this is a recipe I got from one of my Paleo friends. I've had several friends and family members ask for the recipe so here it is! It is VERY easy and so delicious.

I make enough for 2 people that should last around 5-6 days. This recipe is easy, but can be time consuming so allow at least 2 hours to cook. Just think, after you are done you have lunch and dinner for the next week!

Ingredients:
2 pounds of lean ground turkey
2 pounds of chicken breast
2 pounds of bacon - NOT turkey bacon
5 pound bag of sweet potatoes - I use all but 3-4 potatoes
Grapeseed Oil
Salt and Pepper

You can make this recipe in one large pan or you can cook the bacon in a pan like the picture below. I like doing it this way because it tends to cook faster! Whatever you do, DO NOT toss the bacon grease.

 

Once your 2 pounds of bacon is fully cooked, put on a paper plate with paper towels to get rid of extra grease. Then crumple bacon into a large dish and set aside.

 

Scoop about 1/2 cup of bacon grease into your sauce pan to cook your lean ground turkey. You will cook all 2 pounds of your lean ground turkey; add salt and pepper to taste. Then place cooked turkey in a large bowl or dish and set aside with the bacon.

 

Next put your chicken breasts into your large stove top pan; add salt and pepper. You can shred or dice the chicken. If you need to add more bacon grease, do so to keep the chicken tender and full of flavor. Once the chicken is cooked and either shredded or diced, place in the large dish set aside with the cooked bacon and cooked ground turkey.

 Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Cover a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Dice sweet potatoes and add to pan with salt and pepper and about 2 tablespoons of Grapeseed oil. Cook in the oven for about 30 minutes. You will need to make two batches.

Once your sweet potatoes are cooked, place in dish with all the cooked meats. See finished product below.

 

I portion 1 cup per serving. Place in air tight containers and store in the fridge, you can heat in the microwave throughout the week.

By the end of the week if you find yourself needing a change, you can add 2 tablespoons of salsa!

Welcome!

Thank you for checking out  my blog! I am starting this journey to number one, hold myself accountable. I am just like you - I go through phases of motivation. I will be on a workout kick for several months and then fall off. Well this year, I am not going on a fad diet or signing up for a gym membership I won't use; I didn't even make a New Years Resolution. I am looking for a lifestyle change!

So in a nutshell here is a little bit about me: I graduated college with a degree in Marketing and got an awesome job in Sales at a local radio station here in Missouri. I have a great job and work with amazing people, but the hours can be long and the stress can be high. I married my best friend and now husband, Jason this past May in Florida. I have a very active 6 year-old step-son and I have two fur babies, Gracie and Rusty. My husband recently deployed overseas in November so I thought what a perfect time to save money, get my butt into gear, and start this amazing lifestyle change.

I hope you will join me in motivating myself and others!