Continuing on!

So I just got back from an amazing vacation!  And for once in my life I'm not looking back at the pictures and wishing I had done more before I went on vacation.  I look at them and I am so incredibly proud of how far I have come!  During my vacation I enjoyed life, food, and everything in between!!  Now I'm in a food coma haha.  It's funny how I could not wait to get back to my clean, healthy life style.  I was sick right after the challenge up until the vacation, so I've essentially had the past 3 week "off" from healthy.  It has not been as rewarding as I would have thought!  My body rejected the food for the most part, and really did not like any of it.  Some of it did taste amazing, such as the pumpkin seed cheese rolls....yes I"m still dreaming of them....but all the desserts were not that enjoyable!  I ate about half of my order with each of them, except the key lime pie...that's my down fall haha. Maybe I'll work on finding a healthier alternative....

I have to add that I am so proud of my husband Josh.  I thought that he would only eat junk food while I was away, but he ate healthy!  He learned how to cook fish on his own :-)  I'll have to make him cook one of these evenings haha.  He also has really committed to his work out routine that him and his trainer have worked out for him!  I cannot be more proud :-)  He helps inspire me everyday. He deserves a wife that is willing to work just as hard as him towards our health.

Tomorrow I start back up with my workout routine, and healthy eating.  My goal for this week is to hit the gym at least 3 times....then slowly work my way up to 5 days a week by the end of the month.  I'm going to go back to drinking 2 shakes a day, but I'm keeping dairy in my diet.  I also will keep a little gluten as well, maybe a sandwich here and there.  I am also going to work on upping the amount of veggies I have a day, and cut down on fruit.  I relied on fruit a little too much during my last detox to get me through, and I believe in turn I got a little too much sugar.

The next 30 day clean eating challenge begins May 2nd and I would love to help you out during it!!  Please comment below if your interested in joining in!! Let me help you, and in turn you will be helping continue to inspire me!  That's why I began this blog in the first place...to help keep my self accountable, and to help inspire others!

While on vacation I also continued to read my book "The Slight Edge" which I mentioned in an earlier post.  It inspires me every day more and more to work towards what I want in life.  It has made me realize that Josh and I can no longer just sit around and wait for life to happen, but that we need to go out and get it!  There's little things we can do every day to make our dreams come true, and we need to make sure we are always doing it.  I do not want to go into much detail right now what exactly I'm talking about for our lives until things start falling into place, but I have great hope in all of it!

Keep reaching for those dreams everyone, whether it's a health journey, work, or life in general! Keep checking back for more posts!

After the cleanse...

Sorry I haven't been on here over the past week and a half!!  I actually ended up sick right after the challenge ended!  How crazy is that?!  When I'm sick my body rejects pretty much any food haha.  I have to eat whatever I can get down so I don't become too weak. So my diet for a few days was a milk shake, some fries, and a couple smoothies.  That was it!! I know bad Michele, sugar, and dairy and fried foods, but that's all that I could even stand to think about eating! Even today all I could eat really was some chicken at lunch, and fries for dinner.  So horrible for me! But if that is what it takes for me to eat right now, that's what I eat! (I have though lost another 1/2 inch around my belly! haha)

I haven't even gotten to work out since the end of the cleanse!  I've done some home stuff, but not a whole lot.  It's been a lot of sleeping for me.  So yeah that's fun!  I have to get better before my trip that I leave for on Friday!  I'm starting to feel much better, so hopefully it just keeps going!  I'm planning on making a shake tomorrow morning before work and seeing how that works for me!

I've already decided that when I get back from my trip that I will be keeping my diet pretty much the same as the cleanse...2 shakes a day, and a clean meal, along with 2 snacks.  I'm going to do a little dairy, but not a whole lot.  Also trying to intensify my work out!  We're trying to work up towards being able to climb a 14er this year, so I have a lot of work ahead of me!  But since the weather is just getting nicer each week, hopefully we'll be able to get out there and start hiking more!

For Josh we reintroduced dairy back, his trainer said that he really needed those healthy fats.  He's still going strong with working out, and I could not be more proud of him!  I can't wait to take another pic of him towards the end of the month to see even more results with him!  You can tell that he just has more and more energy everyday!  He is by far the healthiest he has ever been in his life!

I do have some exciting news though!  I have decided to become a rep for Arbonne!!  It has made such a difference in our lives, that I want to be able to help others out there as well reach their goals!! Not only does Arbonne have some amazing products for nutrition, but they have amazing all natural skin and hair care lines!  Please message me if you want to know more!

Well that's all for tonight, I just wanted to give a quick update to what's been going on, and why I haven't been on here!  I'll be gone on vacation, so my next post will be after I get back!!

Keep pushing for those dreams and goals!

Final Cleanse Weigh In!!

Yesterday was our final day of the Arbonne Clean Eating Challenge!!!  And I cannot express how happy I am with the results! This past month was an emotional roller coaster with this!  Like I've said before, detox is so much for than just cutting food out!  It's about will power!  I've also been working towards making smarter decisions in my life and learning to love my life!  This detox has given me so much more energy!  I feel amazing, I'm able to push my self harder, and I cannot wait to keep going!

So my final weight after the cleanse.......170!!!!! DOWN 7 lbs in a month!!  That is not the most amazing part though!! I'm down 7 inches! And that's just measuring around my bust, waist, and hips! I know that I've gone done all around as well!

Now comes the next step...reintroducing some food items back into our diets.  We're going to still eat healthy and make healthy decisions for our selves, but not be so restrictive.  Our first thing we're going to reintroduce is milk and dairy.  Instead of buying whole milk like I normally would, I got 2%! I also got us some cheese for snacks.  I'm going to have to monitor very closely the calorie and fat content I'm taking in, so that way nothing is sneaking up on me!!  We're going to continue with making our morning shakes, and eating 3 meals and 2 snacks a day.

I know this is a short post, but unfortunately I've gotten sick.  Go figure right after the cleanse haha.  So that's all I'm going to write for tonight.  I have an awesome recipe to share with you all, hopefully tomorrow!

Weight = 170
Bust =  37 inches
Wait = 35 inches
Hips = 41 inches

Keep pushing, and keep going, reach those dreams!

Cleanse friendly Shepherd's Pie

So on Wednesday here in Colorado we had a really nasty Blizzard!  So much so that both of us got stuck at home for the day.  I wanted something really warm and hearty to make, so I came up with this little gem!

Shepherd's pie is one of my favorite comfort foods!  Just thinking of the potatoes, the cheese, the beer stout sauce...mmmmmmmm.. OK enough dreaming!  I had to think of a way to make this friendly for the cleanse!  Then it dawned on me...mashed cauliflower in place of the potatoes...and no cheese.  Then came the thought of the missing beer..what to do there? Well just a basic "gravy" I guess could work.  I knew that I needed to pack it full of flavor in order to make this work, that's why I added the mushrooms!

It definitely hit the spot, and was very comforting for a cold day like it was!  We ended up with a little over a foot of snow, which is crazy!!  Just walking and playing in the snow was a work out in it's self!! And we did just that! Ok ok, enough blabbing! Here's the recipe for ya! (sorry the pic isn't the best, totally forgot to take a picture before diving into it!)

Cauliflower Shepherd's Pie

1 lb grass feed beef

bag of frozen carrots and peas

2 cups diced mushrooms

2 T oil of choice

2 celery stalks

2 cloves garlic diced

1 yellow onion

1 head cauliflower

1 cup beef broth

1 T worcestershire sauce

2 T gluten free flour

1/4 C coconut milk

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a saucepan heat up oil over medium high heat.  Saute onion, celery, and mushrooms until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook until it becomes fragrant. Set aside.

In same pan brown ground beef until done.  Add flour to beef stirring well, and cook for additional 2 minutes.  Stir back in onion, mushroom, celery mix, along with frozen carrots and peas.  Whisk in beef broth, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer.  Simmer for about 5 minutes, until gravy becomes thick.  

Meanwhile take head of cauliflower and break down.  Place in a microwave safe bowl, and just cover with water.  Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 5 minutes.  Let sit an additional 5 minutes.  (test the cauliflower with a fork to make sure it is tender.  If not microwave until it is)

After cauliflower is super tender, drain off water and blend cauliflower with coconut milk until light and fluffy.  If you need to add more milk you can, but be careful to not make too soupy. Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Layer the beef mixture in the bottom of a casserole dish then top with the mashed cauliflower.  Spray the top of the cauliflower with cooking spray (I have just canola oil spray) and place in oven.

Bake for 30 minutes.  If top of cauliflower is not browned you can turn the oven to broil for 5 minutes.  Mine personally did not want to brown.

Enjoy!

Josh's results!

So my husband Josh decided to take an "after" picture yesterday!  He did not take one at the beginning of the month, but had one on his phone from September, which was his "after" picture from the first cleanse we did! And all I can say is WOW!  What a difference!!  He is down 35 lbs since September, and several inches! I do not know the exact amount!  He now has enough energy to workout and start building some muscle.  His headaches have gotten better, and he just over all feels really healthy!!

I will take my after photo at the end of this week, along with posting all my final stats from the cleanse!  But that does not mean that it ends there! NO WAY! This is a fresh start to our new life styles!!  2016 is the year of us!! We're becoming healthier, gaining new habbits, and hopefully will be purchasing our first house! So excited!!

I'll post later today with a new recipe :-)

Weigh in day 3 / Final Stretch!!!

So today was weigh in day!! And I"m happy to announce I am down 2 more lbs and 1 1/2 more inches!!! This past week was an interesting week.  I really focused this past week on how much I was eating by keeping track of my calories.  This cleanse is not about counting carbs, but it is good to know where you stand.  And it turns out, I was not eating enough!  No wonder I was having the headaches!!!  I was actually working out almost too much for the amount of food I was eating!  So I cut back on working out for the week to focus on my food side of things.  I think I finally got it down on how much I need to be eating every day when I do not work out!  So my challenge for my self this week is to re introduce working out, but to make sure I'm amping up my food intake to go along with it!!

When loosing weight, at least for women, you should be having a net balance of 1200 calories. It does not mean eat 1200 calories, burn off 300 working out and you will loose more weight! NO WAY!! 1200-300 = only 900 calories for the day.  Your body will go into starvation mode at this point!  When starvation mode happens your body may convert any food it gets into fat to store!  It's thinking that it needs to build up in order to survive.  Please do not do this to your body!  Make sure you eat enough!

Now this does not give you a free for all!  Still make sure the foods you are eating are pure clean healthy foods. Just up the healthy fats some if you are struggling to hit your calorie goal!  That means more flax seeds, chia seeds, coconut oil, etc.  Avocado is a great source of healthy fats if you are not allergic like me haha.  Same with nuts!  We love cashews!  And Josh also loves pistachios!

Another great thing we were able to this week was finally get Josh's diet under control! He did not loose anything this week and gained an inch across his chest!! He met up with a personal trainer this past week and is going to sign up for 5 sessions to get a great work out down to help him start bulking up!  He's never been more excited!!  I'm excited for him!  He's going to also help me out by showing me some of the stuff he learns!

So I have about 3 weeks until my cruise!! If I keep up the weight loss I've been going at, with 2 lbs a week, I'll be down 12 lbs in time for the cruise! Down to the weight I was at before my latest accident!!!  I am so excited!  I feel so good, and feel more and more healthy every day!  It's defiantly a struggle and true testament to my will power, but I'm proud of my self!  As you should be of your self! Even if it's just drinking water instead of soda one day.  Celebrate that accomplishment!!

I'm going to leave you today with a fun Sponge Bob meme about working out haha.  This one always cracks me up!!

Weight = 171
Bust = 38
Waist = 35
Hips = 41

It's not easy!

If anyone ever tells you weight loss is easy....run...it is not easy!  There is no miracle pill, or no miracle drink out there.  Those are all great for quick fixes, but not a lifestyle change!  That is what Josh and I are focusing on.  A lifestyle change!  One step at a time.  There are defiantly moments of weakness, but it is all about over coming them.  And then if you do give into that weakness, forgive your self and move on.  Do not give up! Keep pushing through!

The other night we both just had the urge to go to Old Chicago, have some appetizers and drinks.  It took every ounce of will power we had to not go.  We're dedicated to this cleanse and cannot let our weakness show!  Now after our cleanse we can do that once in a while, in moderation.  That's the key..moderation.  We do not want to completely undo our progress!  Once again, it's all about life style change.  Being healthy beyond doing the cleanse!

Speaking of the cleanse, the past few days have been our days we drink the detox drink portion of all this.  It really helps cleanse out the system, and boy does it!  My energy levels have been a little lower from it, and with the weather change my back has not been happy.  I haven't been able to go to the gym as much as liked this week, but I have to listen to what my body says :-)

My best friend visited the other night, and I needed to do something in a hurry for dinner.  I was really craving breakfast!  So I cam up with this recipe :-) I also did a little side salad with it, and it was pretty darn good if I say so my self!! Also it was super easy!!  Let me know what you think!

Eggs and Sweet Potato

2 sweet potatoes

4 eggs

2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary

1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1/4 cup soft herbed goat cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Arugula, about 2 cups

Dressing for Salad

1 Tablespoon dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon agave syrup or honey

1/4 cup oil (I use canola, but you can use olive oil)

salt and pepper to taste

Turn oven onto broil

Shred sweet potatoes.  Heat up oil in skillet and cook sweet potatoes until tender, about 8-10 minutes.  Add rosemary salt and pepper.  Make 4 divots in sweet potato hash.  Crack eggs into divots and cook for a few minutes until whites are partially set.  Sprinkle the top with goat cheese. 

Place skillet in oven for about 5 minutes, until egg are cooked to desired doneness.

In the mean time whisk all ingredients together for dressing. Toss arugula in dressing

Serves 2

See I told you it was easy!! Once again, let me know what you think of it!!