Caffeine and Chaos

I did my last long run for before the half yesterday, and have to admit I am super thankful for mental strength.  Sometimes physically we feel that we can’t do things, but often times it’s really those negative thoughts holding us back. I finally ended up going to the doctor last week for my “head cold” that I’d been fighting for weeks.  Turns out it had become bronchitis.  I left the doctor wanting to cry.  Not only did I want to cry because I felt horrible, but because I don’t have time to be sick.  I did listen for like two days and took it easy.  My google history consisted of searches like “how long should you wait to run with bronchitis”, “will lifting weights make it worse”, “is it very contagious”, “does being out in the cold make it worse”.  Truth.  On top of that, Brody had an ear infection (like the 193,384 one) and had an allergic reaction to his meds (again). All.in.the.same.day.  I seriously just wanted to throw in the towel and lay in bed forever…well for a minute at least.  Luckily, within two days I was actually feeling SO MUCH BETTER and Brody was better the next day.  #caffeineandchaos

I’ve worked really hard to get ready for this half marathon and I don’t want to quit now.  I’m not saying don’t listen to your body, but a lot of times our challenges are mental.  We are capable of so much more than we think if we just think we can and not that we can’t.  So yesterday, with a super sore body and lungs that aren’t at full capacity, I ran 10 miles and feel 100% ready for the half.  Mind over matter.  If you keep pushing for your goals, you have a much better chance of reaching them than if you quit.  😁

Here’s another new receipe.  I shared the super easy go to eggs I make for breakfast a while back.  Well, here’s a little twist to those.  Ahhhhmazing!

In a skillet sautée half a cup of red pepper and half a cup of onion.

Stir in 9 eggs in a large mixing bowl

Line the muffin pan with turkey bacon

Pour egg mixture into muffin pan and bake on 375 for 15ish minutes.

Enjoy!  Seriously, these are so so good and also very easy! 

Cheers!

I’ve totally not kept up with this blog like I intended the past several weeks.  Life’s been crazy.  I was thinking about it on my long run today, and the best description I could come up with is, I’ve felt like I’ve been wearing floaties, dog paddling, and just barely staying above water.  Hopefully, I’ve done a good job of hiding this because that’s what I try and do.  The truth is though that as much I want to portray all is perfect, and I’ve got it all together every. single. day.  I don’t!  I know I’m not alone here.  Life’s hard and it’s crazy, and we all put so much pressure on ourself, along with society that sometimes it truly is like dog paddling just to stay afloat!  I made myself go run today because I haven’t done a long run in three weeks and I’m training for a half.  I’m not a quitter, so I refuse to not do it.  Even though it was cold and snowing, I’m so glad I made myself go.  Along with the craziness the past several weeks, I’ve not been consistent in my workouts, and I’ve stress eaten (because chocolate and Starbucks solves everything, right?!).  And it shows.  Mostly in my attitude.  The long, cold, 8 mile run today completely rejuvenated me.  I feel the best I’ve felt in a few weeks (despite my legs being shot, and this horrible cold I’ve been fighting).  I’m sharing all of this because I don’t always have it all together and that’s okay.  I know I’m not alone.  I started this blog to just give advice on things that have worked for me the past year as I’ve gotten my pre-baby self back. I’m still learning and still have a long way to go, but if I can motivate or help anyone else then that’s what I want to do.  So here’s to hitting reset.  A normal girl, with little time, getting back on track, and being more consistent to hold myself accountable.   #caffeineandchaos
Here’s a new recipe bc it’s been a while.
Almond crusted chicken.

1lb chicken tenders

1 cup unsalted almonds

Olive oil

-put the almonds in a food processor and process until crumbles.

-spray chicken tenders with olive oil (can also use coconut oil)

-Cover chicken tenders with almond crumbles

-bake for 30 min on 375

This is a good replacement for chicken tenders…even my boys love them!
Cheers!

I remember it like it was yesterday, and can’t believe it’s been four years.  I’ll never forget the text from my brother (one I’ll always save for you) I got the day before you were born.  Not that I needed the reminder, but it’s what I prayed for you that day, every day since, and will continue to everyday.  

We headed to Parkwest around 5am to be induced at 7.  Everyone told me it’d take forever, maybe even go into the next day. I was so so excited, nervous, and anxious. I definitely wasn’t looking forward to this taking forever, but I was so ready to meet you.  In typical Luke fashion, we met you at 1:28pm, and you’ve not slowed down since!  The moment I held you and locked eyes with you, I knew what my purpose was in this life.  I changed for the better that day.  I’ve learned what unconditional love is.  

You are so loving, so smart, so strong, so energetic, so funny, so independent, and march to the beat of your own drum.  Don’t ever change.  

You already care so much about others You want to pray for family and friends if they’re sick, keep doing this.  Always put the Lord first.  Be kind to everyone you meet, this will get you further in life than anything. 

Don’t ever get to old to play with my hair or call me momma.  Always be sweet to your brother and stick up for him.  Keep asking daddy to play ball and “watch this”. Most importantly, keep being you.  You’re all boy and I LOVE it.  Never stop having fun (but you can be a little more careful)!  

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I still can’t believe you’re already four!  I wish time would slow down, but it won’t. I look forward to all the memories we will continue to make and to watching you grow (but not too quickly please).  I’ll always be here for you and you’ll always be my baby boy.  I love you more Luke Major, and I win this one.  Sorry!

Ps…our deal was that when you turned four (tomorrow) you’d start sleeping in your bed, but you don’t have to.  You can sleep in ours as long as you want sweet boy.

Thank you for making me a better person, for challenging me, and for loving me.  There’s no greater reward than being your mom.  I don’t remember what we did with our time before you and Brody and I never want to.  😘😘

How true is this?!  Every time I see it, it hits home.  It’s so easy to get comfortable in our lives and everyday routine that we really just get complacent.  Go through the motions day in and out.  About 6 month ago..I decided to get out of my fitness comfort zone.  Some friends of mine had been talking to me for a while about Crossfit.  I always blew it off.  I was never much of a weightlifter, always been a runner.  I could literally run for miles and miles and miles, but ask me to lift 20 lbs and it wasn’t happening.  I was SO scared the first time I went.  I don’t know what any of this stuff is, they’ll laugh at me, I have zero strength.  Whew, I’ll never forget it.

So, I got this email a few weeks ago, and couldn’t believe it’s been six months since I started!  Time flies when you’re having fun.  The changes in my body the last 6 months have been so rewarding, but what’s even better than that is the boost in my confidence.  I’ve always been super hard on myself, a perfectionist, and if I’m not really good at something I hate it.  Well I’m not really good at crossfit.  I’m just okay at best.  However, I’ve done some things that mentally I never thought I could do.  I’ve overcame that voice in my head telling me I couldn’t do something.  You know that feeling you get when you have proven a point?  That’s how I feel almost every time I leave because I do more weight or a movement I never thought I’d do.  

I say all this not to say you should try crossfit (but you should) but to say that you should try something that may not be what you’re comfortable with.  If you aren’t happy with yourself, do something to change it.  Get out of your comfort zone…you might love the changes that happen with your body, but I’d bet even more that you’ll love what happens mentally!  Don’t know until you try.

Make time, not excuses.

Cheers!

Have you ever thought about how there’s a reason for everything you do?  Literally think about every action you make and there’s a reason.  Seems silly, but I’d imagine that it’s often not thought about.   I think a lot of times we do things for other people, which is great!  Especially with all the evil in today’s World.  However, when it comes to health and taking care of yourself I think you should be your why!  Stay with me here before you think that sounds selfish. Most of the time doing whatever we want for ourselves is perceived as selfish.  I personally think that if I’m selfish because I take time to workout, meal prep, and do things for my health (and really my sanity) that it allows me to be selfless!  Think about it…working out releases endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy (ever heard of runner’s high)?!  When you are happy don’t you want to do more for others?  It also gives you more energy, which again allows you to do more.  The better you feel, the more you are able to do.  I used to feel guilty.  I thought if I’m cooking, go to run, to the gym that it’s taking away from my family.  The reality of it is, it’s giving back to my family.  It allows me to give them the absolute best of me!  The happiest me (right, Kurt?).  So for all of you who feel like it’s taking time away…try it.  I guarantee your family will thank you!  Do it for you!  When you feel better, you are better for everyone.  No one can do it for you. You’ve got to do it for yourself…and then share the best version of you everyone else! 

Meal prep this week was super simple because we went to Nashville.  Ps..if you like country music, go see Dierks Bently…ahhhhmazing!!!  

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Grilled chicken, rice, and broccoli.  Seriously, the easiest thing ever.  The containers are from amazon and perfect for packing lunches! 
 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0140ZN2EQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_TEQHybXFVYA96

Cheers!

Sorry y’all….I’m not a snow girl.  I prefer sunny and 75…year round.  My dream.  It did, however, provide a reason to stay inside and meal prep when I truthfully just wanted to lay in bed and do NOTHING.  Completely unlike me…I blame the snow.  Before I share the recipes, I don’t want to sound like a total grinch about the snow.  I absolutely LOVED seeing Luke’s face when he saw that it had snowed Saturday morning (even though it was 5:18AM when he whispered in my ear that we had snow).  There is NOTHING better than an excited kid (did I mention it was 5:18AM?!?).  😴😴 #caffeineandchaos

Brody was not impressed!

So pretty, but so are spring flowers. 😁

So, I tried two new recipes today!
Teriyaki Salmon.

4 salmon filets

1/2 cup Gluten Free Teriyaki Sauce

Lime juice

Parsley 

Put the salmon in alumni foil for easier clean up.  Pour Teriyaki sauce over salmon and squeeze lime juice over it.  Top with the parsley and bake on 400 for 30 min.  Yup, that simple.  I weighed out 4 oz pieces and will use that for lunches this week along with 4 ounces of sweet potatoes and something green (I’ve cut up some veggies to add).

Second meal was my favorite!  I like a little bit of spiciness to my food and this had it!

1lb chicken cut into bite size pieces 

1 sweet potato peeled and diced

1 lb asparagus broken into bite size pieces 

Put the chicken in a wok with two tbsp of coconut oil, cook about 5-7 minutes

Add sweet potato and half a cup of water. Cook another 5-7 minutes.

Add asparagus, 1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp of pink salt, 1/4 tsp of pepper and a little bit of garlic powder.  Cook another 5-7 min.

AMAZING!

It’s. This. Easy.  

Enjoy!!

And one last snow pic because the kids loved it!  Now, how much longer until spring?! 

That’s right….my first blog!  I’ve been saying I’d like to start blogging for a little while now.  I knew what I’d like to blog about, but just wasn’t sure if I had the time.  The more I thought about that…the more I realized I had/needed to do this.  See, what I want to start blogging about was being a working mom, living a life of chaos (because let’s be honest…raising kids is chaotic) , while making the TIME to still take care of myself. So, if I can make time for myself, I want to make time to help others.  When asked for advice, normally others respond with “I don’t have time”.  Join the club!  Me either…you have to make it!  I slack, it’s not perfect (especially as of recent), but the more I take care of myself, the better Christian, mom, wife, friend, daughter, sister, and employee I am.   I’ve got goals in 2017 and the best way to reach goals is to tell someone about them.  So here’s where I’ll be sharing and hopefully helping.  We get one body, one self, and one shot at this life.  In the words of Eminem (guilty 🙋🏻) …”If you had one shot, or one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, In one moment would you capture it, Or just let it slip?”

It’s yours to control!  Cheers!

You’ve heard it your whole life…breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  For me, this is especially true because I wake up HANGRY.  You know what I mean?  Like don’t talk to me until I eat…but then be ready because I’m a morning person!  The easiest way to make sure you eat a decent breakfast?  Prep it!!!  I’m a creature of habit …so this is typically my go to.

Two eggs like this:

And steel cut oats:

Easy peasy!

Put the eggs in an oiled muffin pan, put a little bit of pepper on them for taste if you’d like.  Bake for 15 min on 375…seriously, that’s it.  Put in fridge and eat two each morning.

Oats…2 cups of oats, 8 cups of water, in crockpot for 7 hours.  Done!  For flavor I add some PB2, fruit, and a little agave.  I eat a half a cup with my eggs.    

You only need maybe 5 minutes for a decent breakfast if it’s already made…no excuses!