The Healthy Happy Girl

16/06/2015

Summa time salads! So refreshing. Love incorporating fresh seasonal produce into a tasty salad for lunch.
Salad ingredients:
Chopped spinach and romaine
Sliced strawberries
Sliced
Diced chicken breast (or chopped bacon)
Dressing:
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
4 tbsp coconut sugar
S&P to taste
Recipe modified from Laurenslatest.com

15/06/2015

Progress update!
Top: 2 weeks pp
Middle: 11 weeks pp
Bottom: 18 weeks pp
What a journey it's been so far. Mentally way more challenging than physically. I've had my ups and downs. The high of starting out, ready to rock my transformation, the excitement of getting back into my fitness groove and feeling somewhat normal after months of nausea and heartburn. The challenge of adjusting to motherhood in general, lack of sleep, stress, digestive issues (turns out due to stress, not a food allergy), trying to do too much too soon, wanting to be supermom, which led me taking about a week hiatus in the middle of it all.
What have I learned? To LOVE yourself, to LOVE your body and be GRATEFUL for your health. I stopped looking at what needed to change and started looking at what a beautiful beings we are. This body is what gave me my beautiful baby, how could I not treat it anything less that what I would want for her. When you start loving your body, not nitpicking it, you'll be amazed how much it can change physically.
Takeaways:
1. Look in the mirror every morning and be grateful for your health. Tell yourself, I AM BEAUTIFUL! I AM WORTH IT! I AM LOVE! Creates a shift in mindset that is so empowering.
2. Stay consistent. Every workout, every meal adds up and makes a difference. Even through trying times (which most the time are mental), don't give up or give in to those negative thoughts.
3. You create your happy! When you wake up each morning YOU decide how the day will go. YOU are the one in control of how you respond to situations.
4. We put enough pressure on ourselves as moms, learn to let s**t go!
Recently joined our adult fitness groups and started meditating (as often as possible) and both have made a HUGE difference, not only physically but mentally! Stress seems in control and digestive issues have subsided. Praise God

14/06/2015

Do you ever have those mornings when you find yourself dreaming of breakfast? Lol Could not stop thinking about bacon, eggs and pancakes so this is what we ended up with. Finally figured out how to poach eggs (my favorite). If at first you don't succeed try try again.
Sprouted whole grain toast
Grass-fed butter
Spinach (or arugula would be tasty)
Bacon
Poached eggs
Basil

11/06/2015

DEVOURED! Felt like a ravenous animal that hadn't eaten in days! So delicious! Another Not a strict follower but definitely want to get my hands on the recipe book. Satisfyingly full for hours!
Slightly modified recipe: Curry Chicken Salad
Chopped chicken
Green apple
Celery
Green onion
Cucumber
Green grapes
Spinach
Sliced almonds
Dressing: mayo, garlic powder, sea salt, pepper, curry powder, parsley

09/06/2015

What does your soul need? Forget about outside influence and listen to what YOU truly want! When you live your life based on what you think others want for you, you're surrendering your happiness and suffocating your unique gift to the world. Be you, Do you. Authentic and Real in every way.

05/06/2015

This has been speaking to me a lot lately! Too often do we anticipate the future, the next stage or live in the past, the shoulda coulda wouldas. Maybe I'm finally understanding the importance now that I have a daughter and time seems to flying by. We are here now, in this moment. It's amazing how much happier you are when you are absorbed in the present. It truly is the only moment that matters.

05/06/2015

Must head to Trader Joes and buy this salad if you haven't discovered this amazingness already! So good! Remember it's all about , and while remaining . As much as we like the idea of chopping and preparing all of these fresh veggies, let's be real, mommas sometimes barely get the chance to even eat. I believe this was only $3.99 too. Way cheaper than eating out for lunch, and most likely healthier. Great option to take with you to work.

03/06/2015

My message this morning during my mediation - Stop fighting the old, focus on building the new. Let go, forgive yourself and surrender.

29/05/2015

Delicious decaf almond milk latte from the lovelies
After ⭕️ hours of sleep, the real stuff would be quite nice lol but baby girl and caffeine don't do well together and princess needs her beauty sleep! BTW LoVe this message

29/05/2015

TGIF is a mindset that can lead to a lot distraction and temptation. The time to "let loose" after a busy work week, but don't "lose yourself" in the midst of it all. Keep your goals in site and do NOT rely on willpower, you'll lose every time. Stay prepared and carry your healthy lifestyle with you through the weekend. You can still have fun and be healthy!

28/05/2015

Rest week for this mama! Backed off the weights and enjoying more cardio based activity...hiking, walking, rowing. Feeling more rested (even through sleepless nights which seems to be a lot lately). Listening to what my body needs and feeling very grateful for my health! Love that this picture captures us mamas in the moment talking to our babies. My WHY and reason I strive to be the healthiest and happiest version of myself!

28/05/2015

Shrimp tacos!! Deliciousness! Recipe by in their newest book "Lose Weight Here." Eating healthy doesn't have to be boring. Spice it up!

25/05/2015

This week has been extremely challenging mentally. Checked out for 3 days - no workouts, wine every night. By the 4th day I had to snap out of my funk, it was really starting to bother me and each day that passed was making me feel worse. I think I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to get back the body I had before baby and subconsciously it has been wearing on me. Your body and mind have a way of telling you what it needs, you just need to listen. A break was probably necessary to slow down and realize this process isn't a race. 4 months post-partum and this month will be dedicated to honoring my body and mind and being grateful for this journey.

25/05/2015

Yesterday's workout - intervals on the rower. Holy smokes, legs and ass on fire. 20 sec of sprinting, 40 sec cruising repeat for 20 minutes. Quick workout but gets your heart pumpin.

21/05/2015

Peek into today's breakfast. My motto: SIMPLE, EASY, CONVENIENT, HEALTHY
❇️Bed of spinach
✳️Lean ground turkey (seasoned with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning) ❇️2 eggs (over medium - the running yolk makes for a delicious dressing)
✳️1/2 avocado
Pack your breakfast full of protein so you can be a fat burning machine all day!

20/05/2015

This is happening.

16/05/2015

Sometimes you just wanna be a kid again and eat some chicken nuggets. But rather stopping by McY Ds, you make your own in the comfort of your home in minutes. Your little chickens will love it cuz they can help too.

Recipe share:
1 packet organic free range chicken breast tenders (can find at Trader Joes)
1 egg
Panko bread crumbs
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Sea salt
Evoo

Whisk egg in one bowl. In a separate bowl combine the bread crumbs, garlic and onion powders and salt and mix well. Drizzle Evoo in heated frying pan. Take chicken strips and soak in egg. Transfer to bread crumb mixture and thoroughly coat both sides. Place in plan and cook for about 6-7 min on each side. Cut in little chunks and serve.
Simple as that. Cheaper and healthier alternative to that processed poo poo.

15/05/2015

You can if you say you can! Two months of progress and +30kgs later. Left was taken March 11th - the bar is 20kgs (actually started with just my body weight in the beginning to ease back into training) and right only yesterday - 50kgs (110lbs). Coming up on 15 weeks postpartum.
Recently stepped on the scale for the first time in probably a month, more curious than anything (I am not a scale person) and not much has changed in terms of lbs lost. However, I can tell you my body composition is changing and I'm getting a hell of a lot stronger, more energetic, and more confident in my post baby body!

Two things I attribute this success to:
1⃣ Commitment - I decided and made a commitment that training 3x/week was non-negotiable. I made exercise a priority.
2⃣ Consistency - I may not be able to train the same time or sane days of the week, but I consistently put in a minimum of 3 training sessions per week. Some sessions are interrupted or cut short with a new born but I show up and do the best I can.

My daily reminders:
**something is always better than nothing
**progress over perfection
**little by little, a little becomes a lot

12/05/2015

I have been missing out...someone should have told me about using collard greens as wraps way sooner! Randomly thought I would give this combo a try and it's a WINNER!

Crockpot Sesame Honey Chicken over collard greens! Hardier and holds up way better than a tortilla or lettuce wrap, also gives some extra texture with a nice crunch! Yummo

12/05/2015

This made me laugh today because it's so true! I cringe at the word DIET! Ew! Have fun with food. Stop restricting yourself. A diet may get you great results the first week or two then what happens??? You REBOUND because it's stressful, overly complicated, and restrictive. Stick to eating healthy, minimally processed, whole foods 85% of the time and see what kind of results you get. You may be surprised to find its a lot easier and SUSTAINABLE, something that you can enjoy and stick to LONG TERM!

09/05/2015

Embracing a health & fitness lifestyle can sometimes be overwhelming. You start one diet for a week, get off tack for a day, take the rest of the week off to start back on Monday, but oh wait a friend is starting something different and you want to join in on the fun....which in a very short period of time doesn't become fun anymore and you wonder why you aren't getting results. Diets that don't allow you to eat certain foods on certain days?! REALLY!! Or how about scare tactics in media that say one certain ingredient is going to wreck havoc on your health and to avoid at all cost. oh yea I have fallen victim to that one. Shoot you didn't have 5-6 meals a day or your 36 grams of protein at lunch? Aye ya ya! So much to think about. Yo-yo dieting and restrictions are NOT making your life any easier. It is NOT sustainable. If a "diet" cannot be sustained, how can you remain consistent? How can it become a lifestyle? It won't!
Let go of perfection and embrace eating for YOUR lifestyle. Every body is unique, every lifestyle is different. What may work for one person may not work for another. Find what works best for you.
Thank you!

09/05/2015

ZOODLES!! Couldn't tell you the last time I had real pasta noodles because substituting with zucchini noodles is so much tastier. This zucchini shrimp scampi recipe is DELICIOUS! and wwaayyyy easy to make. I'm all about these 5 minute meals...what mom has hours of time to spend in the kitchen preparing and cooking dinner! No thanks. Find me some QUICK, EASY, HEALTHY recipes and I'm one happy mama. This is a must try!
http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/24/zucchini-shrimp-scampi/
Find more tastiness here

08/05/2015

{salsa verde chicken soup} 3rd meal using the SAME recipe (salsa verde crockpot chicken~check out my previous post)! It's all about making it easy and convenient for us mommas! I wasn't kidding about repurposing recipes. May seem like you're eating a lot of chicken! Who cares! It's super healthy and IT WORKS for those living the fitmom life! It's so versatile and everything tastes damn delicious. Soup recipe can be found on

07/05/2015

Who loves 5 minute meals, raise your hand ! Another recipe repurposed. Take your salsa verde crockpot chicken (re-heat if refrigerated, I like mine warmed) and place over a bed of greens, top with sliced avocado and plain Greek yogurt! The juice from the chicken makes a delicious dressing.

07/05/2015

Yesterday was one of those days! Baby girl's nap times were completely thrown off, didn't eat breakfast until 2pm and dinner wasn't able to get prepared. Mama was exhausted and had a long afternoon slumber with baby and woke up wanting a burger and fries. It happens! Did it taste glorious??! Absolutely! Did I feel a little guilty after eating it? Maybe a little but you have to pick and choose your battles. Forgive yourself for the things that don't go as planned. Don't just throw in the towel and give up after one or 2 slip ups. Make the next decision a better one. Forgive. Move on.

04/05/2015

This week is all about repurposing meals! Take the protein bites recipe from my previous post and make into a granola. Use that as a delicious topping to greek yogurt and raspberries (or mixed berries) Another protein pack snack easy for mommies!

30/04/2015

Are you munching on candy calories or kale calories? Not all calories are created equal. By no means are we calorie counting here. So not fun! But it's important to pay attention to the QUALITY of the calories you're eating. Could explain why you seem hungry yet never satiated, lethargic and feeling like poo poo. I notice when I seem to have low energy I have to ask myself if I am eating enough of the right foods (minimally processed, healthy, whole, and nutrient dense) and drinking enough water. Game changer!

23/04/2015

to when I was 38 weeks pregnant! And to think I nearly went another 4 weeks longer Not sure how that was physically possible.

23/04/2015

Stuffed bell peppers! Whip these up in a jiffy. Quick, easy, healthy, delicious - the healthy happy girl way to eat.
▪️1lb lean ground beef or turkey
▪️1 can black beans (drained + rinsed)
▪️1 can corn (drained + rinsed)
▪️1 can tomatoes w/ green chiles
▪️4-6 bell peppers
▪️Seasoning (cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt)
▪️Shredded Mexican cheese

Combine beef, beans, corn, tomatoes, seasoning and sauté in pan. Cut off tops of bell peppers, stuff with mix, top with cheese and bake in oven at 350 for 15-20 min.

22/04/2015

K.I.S.S. success
(keep it simple silly)

One secret to success in body transformation is keeping it simple. Thinking less. Making fewer decisions. And letting your environment do much of the work for you. Enter the food ritual.