Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day

So today is Foodie Pen Pal Reveal Day (and I bet you would have never guessed that from the title!)

Thanks to Lindsay at The Lean Green Bean for hosting!

I got another AMAZING box, this time from Trina! If you're reading this: THANK YOU AGAIN!!

Now for the contents!

Excitement!

Full box of goodies!!

Sweet note!

I love Clif Bars and I had actually never tried either of those! They were so yummy!!

Trail Mix Bar? That sounds like HEAVEN!!

This was a perfect snack to bring when I went to Pro Se Day in the Delta- and I was nice, I even shared it with a few friends!

Gotta love some protein from jerky!

This bag was broken into as soon as I opened it and snapped a picture! Opening packages is hard work! ;)

Roxy LOVES these protein shakes! ;) JK!

Yummy protein shakes! Great for when you're in a hurry!!

I've already drank these, and bought some more to share with a friend!

Leo loved his treat! 

Now I'm going to include a couple photos of my box since I don't know if the person who received my box has a blog!

Inside: A bag full of goodies (things like candy, cheddar bunnies, tea, and almond butter packs), local honey, grits, a couple servings of my homemade trail mix, Special K Brownie Bites, and a Go Picnic meal!

I hope she enjoyed everything! :)

I seriously enjoy coming up with ideas of things to put in the box for my penpal! I always end up putting things that I love- things that I consume in vast amounts in a bag and then at least one whole package of a new product I discovered, and at least one or two local things!

Insatiable Saturday

I don't know what it its about today but I have been STARVING since I woke up. I ate my usual meal and ten minutes after that I was starving again! Frustration.

I just ate lunch and am about to inhale some h2o to see if that helps! If not I may be fixing myself a third snack of the day, and there's nothing wrong with that (haha!)

Today is a yucky rainy day. I still managed to get out of the house and go to the gym (points for me!) and then go to walmart to pick up some weights and a folder. 60 dollars later I'm back at home and ready to go take a quick shower and then get everything ready to babysit tonight.

Treat my nanny family gave me! Love them so much!! :)

So lastly, I wanted to state my frustration about my weight. I know that there are people who would roll their eyes at my 'bitching' but it just seems frustrating that I just seem stuck at this number. AND then I get frustrated at myself for being so focused on this stupid 'number.' I also recognize it could get dangerous, because of my perfectionist Type A personality, so I'm going to stop freaking out about it so much. Enjoy the number that I'm at: 133 (I'm only 5'4) and not be so stressed out about it! 

AND enjoy the box of goodies my mom is sending to me next week haha!

Happy Easter to you all if I don't have another topic to blog about before tomorrow!!

Fitness Friday!

Sooo what have I been up to workout wise this week?

Cardio, more cardio, and a little more cardio! I've been doing some intense walking/running intervals on the treadmill at my gym. I also have done the Jillian Michaels DVD No More Trouble Zones when I can't make it to the gym! Love that video!

I can't wait to get back to doing some weight lifting, but I've been so busy this week that today is the first time I'll be doing it for the week (minus the NMTZ video has some).

Today I have just a partial day of babysitting (mother had surgery- everything went great but the grandmother is in town!) so I'll have plenty of time to get some cardio and weights in today!

:)

I have some super exciting news: My paper got selected for publication! I cannot believe it and I'm so honored! Me? Published! WOW!!

Anything exciting happening in your life?
Whats the greatest academic achievement you've ever had?

What IS Healthy?

What it means to be healthy is something I feel a constant struggle with. Although the word healthy is in my blog title, I do not think I am by any means the epitome of health. I do not think I always 100% of the time make healthy choices.

Yesterday a friend said to me "I think you're the healthiest person I know." To which I replied "No, I'm not that healthy!" And another friend replied "Yes, we ate ICE CREAM Sunday the real stuff! Not just froyo. Ben and Jerrys!" The first friend replied "Oh!"

IMAGE

It seemed to me that she seemed relieved to hear that I make unhealthy choices. I do try to have a vegetable at every single meal. I try to choose fruit over carb heavy snack packs. BUT I'm not perfect. Sometimes a 100 calorie pack of cheetos is more satisfying to me then a pear. And sometimes full fat ice cream (caramel chocolate chunk and chocolate brownie for anyone wondering) is what a person needs.

To fully force healthy foods on yourself every single day. Every single meal. Is not healthy to me. I think the body needs indulgences. I think a person deserves to eat a treat every once in a while. That is healthy to me.

Now I want to confess something. I fell off the Jamie Eason Live Fit Bandwagon. I loved it. I felt a difference in my body and I felt stronger. But its a tough program to follow everyday. And I'm just a law student. How people with children do it I'll never know!! I will probably try it again! I will probably fail again (haha) but right now I'm trying to focus on finishing up a paper and losing those last couple of pounds. 3 more. Then toning by using some of the tricks I learned in her program!

Seriously that girl knows what she is doing. Head over to Jamie Eason's Live Fit Program to look at it for yourself. And if you try it out I'd love to hear about your results!

Now off to finish my paper!

What does healthy mean to you?
Are indulgences part of a healthy lifestyle?

What I Ate Wednesday III

These are my 'eats' over the past couple of weeks (when I remember to take pictures- as you can see I tend to remember in the mornings but then forget by lunch! haha)

LINK

Breakfasts:

Lots of yogurt bowls. With some sort of greek yogurt + cereal + banana combo.

Lots of ezekial or light wheat bread toast. Eggs and spinach and bananas. Sometimes an apple instead.

Snacks:

Lots of protein bars, carrot muffins, pumpkin muffins and fruit.

For my reviews of the bar see the Product Reviews on the top of the page!

Lunches:

Chicken with sweet potatoes.

Tuna packets (sometimes canned chicken) with light mayo + mustard + relish. Carb of light tortilla and veggies!

Dinners:

Salads with sandwiches have been a staple. (Sandwich of grilled cheese or sliced chicken)

Veggies and pasta- ground turkey +tomato sauce + sliced cherry tomatoes + spinach + whole grain penne.

DELICIOUS!

What are your go to eats?

Do you meal plan in order to keep your healthy eating goals?

Tuesday Back In Reality

After such a relaxing and fun week last week today it really hit me that I'm back and need to get into the swing of things again.

Today I had planned on waking up and going to the gym. Well I did wakeup and get a workout in, it was not in the gym as I had planned. It was cold! Yesterday was such a nice warm day I was not expecting to wake up and it be 29 degrees. So a workout at my house was definitely preferred!


Instead I did this workout again:

And again, it was a tough one! I really like it though! I'm thinking of investing in another video of hers. Anyone have any suggestions?

Usually Tuesdays are my rest days, but since tomorrow I have to be at the law school at 6:00 a.m. to leave for Pro Se Day in Greenville I figured tomorrow I would switch to my rest day. We're supposed to be back around 5:00 p.m. so perhaps after dinner tomorrow I can do a yoga video. My body feels really tight so I would love to get some good stretching in to help me feel better! I could really use a massage, anyone have 80 bucks I could borrow (KIDDING! ;) )

Pro Se Day is a day that students are paired up with lawyers in areas that are poverty stricken to help them settle legal matters for free. I'm excited to get to help out some people and get some experience under my belt. :) 

I also plan on getting to bed super early tonight so I can get some sleep in. I slept well last night BUT I still think my body is recovering from late nights and early mornings last week! I need my sleep!!

How many hours of sleep a night do you prefer? For me its 8-10 hours. I do NOT understand how people can function with less, I feel groggy all day long if I get under 8. 

What are your favorite DVD workouts?

Back to Healthy

So this past week I had a blast. I got to see my cousin dance in a dance competition.

Morgan's Dance

I got to eat some of my favorite foods from my favorite recipes. Eds (a local burger place); Cornerstone (a local restaurant); New York Style Pizza; Donuts from the best bakery ever (Anderson's). I had a great time watching my cousin Adrianna.

I had an interview for an internship for a month this summer. And. I. Got. It! :) 

I was able to find Diet Barqs (soooooo addicting!)

I made my dad a sweet potato pie that was delicious!

I did a little shopping. I saw most of my family.

I did not eat well. But I had a great time, so I have no regrets!!

I'm getting back to healthy mindful eating. Not beginning tomorrow but today! :)

This week is crazy busy so while I will be hitting the gym as much as possible I'm going to restart the last two weeks of the Jamie Eason program next week. When things are a little more normal!

What are your favorite local eateries?
Are there places you have to eat at when you return to a place?

Hiatus!

Sorry guys!

I've been home and super busy. Yesterday I went to an interview for a federal judge on the coast and I got an internship for the summer! Super excited. It's for four weeks, and I'm hoping to work at a law firm for another four weeks, but it should be great! 

I have not been eating so well! I've been so busy going to the interview and meeting with family, but I think its ok! I think you have to stop being so picky about things and just eat and live! One week of bad food won't kill me. 

I'm trying to get some work done on a paper today, but as my sister is babysitting my little cousin who is peering over my shoulder asking me to watch the Lorax with her I don't know how much luck I'll have! :) I think that's ok!

I love my family. I love my friends. I am so blessed.

What are you thankful for today?

Live Fit: Phase 1 Day 26

So yesterday I headed to the gym after a day of classes and filling out applications (keep your fingers crossed I get into the Child Advocacy Clinic at the school!). I was doing my very first move after a quick warm up on the treadmill when one of the trainers came over and corrected my form.

I was extremely embarrassed mainly because here I am trying to copy a move that I usually do on one of those handy idiot proof machines, that was currently being used by someone. But then I got over myself. Smiled listened to him, I still didn't get what he said, so he showed me... OOOOHHHH. I get it now. He then smiled and offered to give me a free session. Thank. You. Sign me up! :)

I am slightly embarrassed when I go into the weight room and try these moves from the Jamie Eason Live Fit Program. I watch the videos that show the moves about a hundred times, but sometimes I forget and I'm sure that everyone is watching and knows that I have no clue what I'm doing. BUT I really appreciate that he helped me and offered me more help! I really am trying and I think thats the important thing!

I know the embarrassment mainly came from being completely hormonal (sorry TMI) but again I'm not perfect, and I have to let myself be NOT perfect without freaking out about it! Thats hard for me (perfectionist!).

So here's the plan for today after babysitting:

Have you ever been helped at the gym?

Do you have a trainer?

Live Fit: Phase 1 Day 25

Babysitting yesterday went great! The littlest baby girl last night was not so pleased to see me (I always feel so guilty when they cry) but her big sister was a big help and she ended up going to sleep pretty quickly!

Finally back in the gym after class today after two days off in a row! I'm excited about it. I like Back and Biceps day! :) I'm also excited to get home afterwards and pack up clothes, get some housework done, and hopefully spend some quality time with Leo. I've been so busy lately!

How do you normally schedule your breaks? I try to have one on Tuesday then Saturday or Sunday. I like having a few days in a row of working out but then a rest.

What I Ate Wednesday III

What I Ate Wednesday Link

SNACKS:

Peanut Butter Fudge Protein Crunch Bar- Review under Product Review Page

Balance Bar- Mint Chocolate Cookie- Review under Product Review Page

Lunches:

Grilled Chicken, Veggies, Brown rice with salsa

Grilled Chicken Strips and Sweet Potatoes

Dinners:

Turkey Meatloaf, Mashed Cauliflower, Green Beans 

Grilled Porkchops with Salt-Free Italian Seasoning, Small Red Potato

Breakfasts:

Whole Grain Toast with Grape Jelly, Banana and Eggs with spinach and peppers

Same as above but with an apple!

Because I prep large amounts of food on Sunday and its just me eating it there are lots of repeat meals. Also lots of salads and vegetables! Yummy and filling! :)