Easter Surprises

We spent Easter with Bryson's family in Ballinger this year. Violet and Parker love playing with their cousins!! The older cousins are so good with the little ones that we barely see them while we visit because they play so well together (most of the time!). We all went to church together Sunday morning. The kids loved watching Nana play in the praise band. 

The Owen Family

Owen Cousins 

It has rained Easter morning so we had the egg hunt up at the band hall. And Parker dominated opening the eggs and eating all the candy! It was so funny to watch! 

He loves the m&ms! 

This past month two of my best friends turned 30! A few weeks ago Kimmy and I planned to surprise Kim at St. Arnold's for lunch. It was so funny to see Kim's reaction when she saw us! She was very caught off guard and surprised! We enjoyed the yummy lunch and cold beer It was so fun to celebrate Kim! Love you!! 

Happy Birthday Kim!! 

Next surprise was yesterday in Austin! Grace was my old college roommate and is the queen of celebrating others. It was her 30th Golden birthday! This took a lot of emails and careful planning with her husband. But we managed to pull it off!! She was out on a family walk and came home to a house full of food and friends!! We had a relaxed time hanging out and laughing! 

Happy Birthday Grace!! 

We have a busy month of May ahead...I'll try to keep y'all posted! 

T25 Day 90

I did it!! Wow!! I can't believe I COMPLETED the 90 day challenge group! Seriously I am so shocked, proud, motivated and inspired!! 

It was SO fun to be part of a challenge group all via Facebook. Everyone in the group was so honest and encouraging! Our coach was great too!! There were days I did not want to exercise! Or I would sleep in and not be able to exercise until after the kids went to bed. I would post "I will work out tonight!" And it would help me stay accountable. People would ask if I worked out! And then I would! 

Final workout! 

As a stay at home mom I do a lot of little tasks all day. Some get finished, some get started, some are sorta started or almost done. I wanted to complete T25 to be healthier, to maybe lose a few pounds or inches. I wanted to accomplish finishing something all the way through. 

Through the 90 days I realized I love to workout! It makes me much more productive, I'm a nicer person, and I sleep better!! I also realized I have a weakness: I love food!  I love the way food taste! And it is SO hard to not eat more of something that taste so good. I don't care if I'm full, if it tasted really good, I want just a few more bites. For me, portion control is very mental and a lesson in self control! So I learned I can workout everyday and eat mostly healthy, but my portions are off. 

Flexing really hard! Haha

I can tell my legs are more toned, my tummy is a flatter, my clothes are looser and fit better, I can do most of the workouts full out, and I am stronger. I definitely still room for improvements! But I am shocked and happy with the results from staying committed for 90 days to a challenge group. 

Left: Day 1, Right: Day 90

I've been measuring and taking pictures every 30 days to record my progress. Its true the scale isn't the best factor when getting in shape! While you may not be able to tell a big difference from above, I can definitely feel the difference! I'm not trying to get six-pack abs or huge ripped arms. I want to make healthy food choices and be in the best shape I can be for me and my family! 

Final results: I've dropped 3lbs and lost over 10 inches!! 

Thanks T25 (and Shaun T) you are an amazing program! I will continue to use your effective 25 min workouts! If you are looking for a challenge group or interested in T25 I would love to help you! Let me know! I have a T25 challenge group starting in May and would love to have you in it!

T25 for-eva! 

T25 day 60

I seriously can't believe we have hit the 60 day mark!! Only 30 days left!

I definitely have slacked in eating healthy the past 30 days. I really need to making healthier choices. It really is a process. I've realized I do mostly eat healthy but sometimes my portions are way to big. I love to eat and I love the way it tastes! 

Also beta isn't as cardio as alpha was. So I have added in a couple double workouts a week with cardio. I do like the added strength training beta has included. 

My 60 day results are.... A total of 8.5 inches lost since starting the T25 program! 

My clothes feel great and not tight like they use too! I can tell my legs have toned up and my arms have slimmed! 

Looking forward to the next 30 days! 

T25

I started the second phase of T25, beta, last week. Just like the first phase, beta is 5 weeks long with 25 minute workouts! 

It is a lot faster and challenging! I felt like I was finally getting down the moves and doing the workouts really good in Alpha and then it was time to change! Change is a good thing! It keeps your muscles guessing and confuses them to work better! 

I've had Bryson snap a fee pics of me the other night while I did "dynamic core"

"Hammer kicks"

"Sprint and balance" (I can't remember what Shaun T calls this one) 

I'm glad he took these bc I know in the balance pic I can stretch more to be more horizontal to the ground. 

So far beta is more about focusing on your core. You still are doing cardio and speed, but we use weights or resistance bands probably 2-3 times a week. I really like adding weights and can tell it gets my heartrate going! I do miss more of the cardio and hope to add in alpha cardio or Turbo jam/fire a few times a week. 

I did "core cardio" yesterday and my legs felt like jello! I had sweat dripping off my face! It was a GREAT workout! 

This is what I looked like after the workout:

A hot sweaty mess! 

I have about 3.5 weeks to go! Woohoo!! 

Focus T25

I've been meaning to blog about this... (is how most of my blogs seem to start lately)

Five weeks ago I started an at home workout program by BeachBody called Focus T25. Since becoming a beachbody coach a few months ago I really wanted to start AND complete a workout program. T25 was created by mastermind ShaunT, creator of "Hip hop Abs", "insanity", "aslyum" etc! 

So I was a bit nervous....until I actually pressed play...

T25 is set up into two 5 week programs, Alpha and Beta. Each workout is ONLY 25mins! (This is my favorite part!) You are given a calendar that tells you exactly what workout to do on what day (5 days a week, 25 minutes) and you are given recipes and meal plans to follow! The Beachbody company makes easy to exercise and be healthy. 

Alpha Day 1

The workouts: I looooove them! Since having kids it has been very hard for me to make time to workout! I'll plan on a walk or run and end up having to stop 250 times bc kids are crazy! So far Alpha T25 workouts are a mix of cardio, strength, stretching, abs, jumping,  agility and speed. It's sorta a mini boot camp but in the comfort of your own home, and no one is yelling at you. and There is a modifier in every workout! (Tania is my best friend :)   

I've made a hard effort to try to go to bed earlier and wake up around 5:30am to workout before anyone wakes up. My only reason for an early workout is bc then it's over and I'm done! 

Some times Violet wakes up early and gets a workout too! 

The workouts push you and make you stronger. BUT you can always modify if you need/want to! I can't believe I have competed 4 weeks already and am actually excited about the next 6 weeks to complete the T25 program. It has been fun to post about it on social media and read encouragement and receive messages about the program and my progress! It definitely has helped keep me going!   

Along with T25 I've been drinking shakeology every day! This shake is literally pumping the best nutrients, all my daily vitamins, superfoods into my body! It has certainly helped my body recover and have energy! 

T25 + shakeology = does a body good! 

Results: To keep motivated and accountable to completeing T25, I have joined an amazing 90 day challenge group on facebook led by a fellow Beachbody coach ("Hi Roxanne!" If you are reading...) It is a group with about 6 other people doing beachbody programs. So we encourage each other to exercise, eat healthy and check in every day.

 On day 1: Roxanne made us take measurements and pictures of ourselves and send them. This was really hard to do!!  but since I decided to commit to this program I did it and email them to her. 

Day 30: We took pics and measurements again...And to my huge surprise and shock I have lost a total of 5.75 inches in 4 weeks!! Y'all this is amazing! I mean I'm trying to eat healthier but still have had indulgences, I've have been working out 5 days a week! I just have never had results like this!! I'm super happy and excited to keep going! Stay tuned for the next update! 

The best workout and fastest results I've ever had!

Rewards

I've been walking 3 miles twice a week. Sometimes I jog, but because my family has a long history of bad knees, I walk most of the time. 

I go on days V is at school, so it's just me and Parker getting some fresh air. He's usually pretty good, some days we have to stop a lot and I have to find something to entertain him. Other days he takes a little nap.  

I like listening to the cars go by, talking to Parker about what we see, people talking as we pass one another, actually getting a moment to  think/dream to myself, or making the time to pray. 

Just recently I started bringing my ear buds to listen to music or my fav radio show, the bobby bones show. But those darn ear buds that came with my iPhone never stay in my ears. They never have! Does this happen to everyone else? Do I have abnormally large ear holes? I mean everyone wears them while working out. On occasion when I do run, I'm constantly adjusting the ear buds to "fit" snug back in my ear holes! It's rather annoying! 

I decided to reward myself for walking every week and to motivate myself to continue walking! 

So instead of constantly adjusting the normal ear buds I bought a sporty wrap around earphones!

 

And they are Pink!!

Sony Active Sport Headphones only 19.99!! These are so awesome! I wore them today and didn't have to adjust at all. The sound is perfect. It also comes with a little clip to clip to your shirt. 

This post is not endorsed by Sony (but I wouldn't mind if it was!) I just really like these headphones ...and if you have been working out reward yourself! Buy new headphones, a pedometer, a new water bottle, yoga pants, new shoes etc! Continue your exercise and choose to be healthy for life.   

Favorite Friday

I know what you are thinking...."where is foodie Friday?" Well this gal needs a change every once in a while and motivation to blog too! 

Thanks to Kimmy at TheNewmanWay blog, every now and again Id like to do a Favorite Friday. This weeks favorite is: Memorial Park! 

After living in Austin, Tx for two years I grew very fond of walking Town Lake a few times a week. It was centrally located, great trails and pretty views. I have always missed this about Austin. Buy Houston does have trails you just have to look a little harder. Memorial Park is central and only 15 mins from my house. The trail is 3 miles and is great for people watching. While the view isn't as pretty as Austin, it still is a great place to exercise. 

Now that the weather is a little cooler, I've been trying to get outside more. And I've been lacking in the exercise department.  So this week I made a point to exercise!  Our first trip we met up with our good friends Allison and Madeline. Violet and Madeline had so much fun riding together. We let them walk/run a few times which was pretty hilarious! They were all over the track and would scream everytime someone came running towards them! They were greatly rewarded for their good behavior by getting to play at the park afterwards!

Violet and Madeline 

Parker and I went two more times this week. He napped while I walked...oh to be a baby! When he was awake he waves at everyone that walked by and said "dog" to every dog! 

Me and P

If you didn't know I tan very very easily! Also meaning I get the most random tan lines...And walking outside 3 times this week hasn't helped. 

Excuse the crazy look but check out thr tan lines after day 2....day 3 was worse. Ha! 

I hope to make walking memorial a habit, especially with nicer weather approaching! 

Shakeology: Day 1

Today I'm starting Shakeology for 30 days. A lot of you have heard me talk about it and I'm really excited to start the program!

What is Shakeology?
"A daily nutritional shake that helps your body gently eliminate toxins more efficiently while allowing for better absorption of the essential nutrients you need."
"Its a nutritional protein shake that provides a wide spectrum of healthy nutrients in a low-calorie formula. Whether you use it as a meal replacement for weight loss or simply to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs for optimal health, Shakeology takes the guesswork out of nutrition." 

 

A friend of mine is a BeachBody coach (the company that aslo created P90X, Insanity and my personal favorite Turbo Jam!) and was advertising about shakeology on facebook. After asking her a lot of questions, checking out the website, she mailed me a sample to try.  Oh My Goodness! It was delicious! And after talking it over with Bryson, we decided I would order one bag (30 day supply) and see if it was worth it.

Today I had a Mint Chocolate Chip Shakeology for lunch. It was so chocolately and filling! I loved the refreshing taste of mint in the summer! I'm actually really excited to try different recipes using shakeology (a 30 day recipe card is sent with each purchase and more recipes online too)

Day One: Mint Chocolate Chip
1 scoop chocolate shakeology
1 cup milk
 1/8 tsp peppermint extract
 ice

 Goals:

1. Conscious Eating- It is really hard for me most days to figure out what to eat for breakfast and sometimes lunch with two children running around, trying to feed one, nurse the other and then get them ready for naps! Whew! I get so hangry in between all of this!  I will be drinking Shakeology for breakfast or lunch.  This also allows me to think ahead of what else I will be eating for the day.

2. Claim- Part of me wants to see if shakeology is all it's claiming to be: lose weight, feel engergized and improve digestion. 

3. Lose weight- I gained 50lbs during both my pregnancies. After Violet I did get back to pre-pregnancy weight in about a year and was back in the most of my clothes.  Currently I have 18 lbs to lose to get back to pre-pregnacy weight. (I'm not trying to lose it all in 30 days, but seeing if it helps)

4. Exercise- I have a couple really great workout videos that I'm trying to do 2-4x a week. Since this Texas heat has me hibernating mostly indoors, its hard to get outside with two kids during the summer. So most evenings after babies are asleep Bryson and I are workin' on our fitness.


Be on the lookout, I'll be updating throughout the next 30 days how I'm doing with my goals and how shakeology is treating me.  

Green Mocha Smoothie

Santa gave us a new blender for Christmas!

Kitchen Aid awesome blender

We are soooo excited about this blender! Our old blender broke about a month ago and I've been craving a smoothie! So this morning I whipped together a new smoothie recipe I've been wanting to try: (measurements are not precise...sorry!)

• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 handful (or 1 cup) of spinach
• 1 packet of instant coffee (i'm sure brewed coffee would work too)
• 1 spoonful cocoa powder
• 1 spoonful sugar
• 1 spoonful peanut butter
• a large handful of ice cubes

Mocha Smoothie

This was different from my usual Green Monster smoothie I make, but still very good!!  I liked that there was a lot of flavor! I could taste the peanut butter, banana and a hint of the coffee. Violet liked it too!  It was very yummy and I'm glad I got a helping of veggies without even trying.  Definetly making this again soon!

Green Monster

I'd like to dedicate this blog post to my admiring reader, friend since we were 12 years old, and fellow baby momma,  Kim Smullen for her inspiring words last night, "Um you haven't blogged lately", to get back into the swing of things :) 

A couple of months ago my Sister  posted about making a green smoothie.  I was instantly intrigued and a little grossed out. Who wants to taste spinach in a smoothie?  After reading a few more other blogs about green smoothies I thought I would give it a try myself.  Worst case scenario, I could throw it in the sink and go pick up a jamba juice or something.  Well it was better than expected and didn't even taste spinach!  I've made two this week already. You can add whatever fruit you desire, but make sure you add the spinach, trust me, it's good for you!

1 cup packed spinach
1 cup ice
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp yogurt
1/2 cup sliced cantaloupe
1/2 cup grapes

1. Start with the spinach first and put everything in a blender

2. Blend well

3. Pour into cup and enjoy!

Yoga

Need a quick but powerful yoga class? Look no further:

This DVD is fantastic! I'm a huge fan of yoga and just love how it stretches my muscles, but also gives you an intense workout.  While it's not feasible to take a yoga class everyday like I'd wish I could, I instead do the Jillian Michael's Yoga Meltdown DVD.  It has two levels to choose from and its only 30 minutes long.  Try it, your body will thank you!

Chia Seeds

Remember chia pets? I had this exact one when in jr. high!

Well apparently the little seeds are really really good for you. And I mean really good! I've come across them in a couple of healthy recipes, so I thought I'd look into buying some. Last weekend before I made a breakfast casserole I headed over to our local Whole Foods in search of these little seeds. They weren't as expensive as I thought and are so tiny they must go a long way.  After I came home I looked up more info about them and was shocked how nutritious they are!! I literally have been sprinkling them on everything I eat. Ask Bryson, he'll tell you! I'll put them on my yogurt, salad, sandwich, rice, mac n' cheese, ice cream and veggies! They have a little crunch to them, but no taste.  

Here are a few health benefits I discovered:

1. Antioxidants. Chia seeds are an excellent source of antioxidants containing even more antioxidants than fresh blueberries. The high amounts of antioxidants in Chia seeds also keeps the oils from going rancid - contributing to a long shelf life.


2. Water loving. The seed can soak up ten times its weight in water. When inside your body, the seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain electrolytes in your bodily fluids.


3. Endurance enhancing. Chia seeds are known as the "Indian Running Food". The ancient Aztec warriors would only eat chia seed during their conquests.


4. Omega-3. Chia is the richest plant-source of this healthy oil. By weight, chia contains more omega 3 than salmon, and it still tastes like whatever you want! Omega 3 oil is important in heart and cholesterol health. It’s also recently been targeted as a weight-loss helper. USA Weekend magazine also reports on a study where overweight dieters who included omega 3s in their eating plan lost 2 more pounds monthly than the control group, who did not.


5. Weight-loss. The essential fatty acids contained in Chia seeds helps to boost metabolism and promote lean muscle mass. The seeds are sometimes added to food to provide bulk and nutrients while adding very few calories. For these reasons, many people have found Chia quite useful in weight loss and weight maintenance.


These are just a few facts, read more about them here and here. Why wouldn't you want to eat these?!


Enjoy!

smile

Yes, these are my actual teeth! And yes that's my nose ring at the top of the screen :) Today I finally went to the dentist after a 2 year hiatus! We didn't have dental insurance until a few months ago and I finally got around to making an appointment. So glad I did! I haven't been having any problems, but I knew it was time for a cleaning. I got a little more than a cleaning...I got 3 fillings! THREE!!! I've gone 26 years with no cavities, ever, and today was my day! I was a little shocked! The dentist said she caught them in the very early stages and so they were small but still needed to be filled. The dentist said its very common after pregnancy and nursing. Your body is just out of whack! Before the dentist go to work, I told her I was nervous! She talked/walked me through every step and was so sweet. I was glad when the drilling was over...it was just uncomfortable. I'm thankful for insurance and new smile!