Striving to Live a Life of Adventure, Excellence, and Faith.

New Morning Routine

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I love routines.  I believe they help us establish rhythms in our lives that lead us to be more successful and more productive. And, that is why I decided that this month would be the time that I would evaluate several daily routines in my life and begin addressing reach area one at a time.  

The four routines I am looking at are:  

- Morning Routine 
- Work Start Up Routine
- Work Wind Down Routine
- Bedtime Routine  

For this post, I am going to focus on updating my Morning Routine.  Why?  Well lately I have found myself sliding back into old habits of sleeping in as long as I can, then rushing to get ready, running out the door and only arriving to work a couple of minutes before I needed to be there.  The problem is that with my bad habits I don't have time to do my morning bible study and devotion, workout, pack my lunch, or leave in time to make it to work 15-30 minutes early to get a good start to my day.   

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So, I decided enough was enough.  I really want to be more productive in the mornings, and set myself up for success.   Below is a little snap shot into my goals for a great morning routine. 

4:45 a.m.  Alarm Goes Off, Get Up, Wash Face, Change into Workout Clothes, Grab Cold Water Bottle from Fridge, and head downstairs to workout. 

5:00 a.m.   Workout 


5:40 a.m.   Head upstairs, Grab Banana, and start bible study and devotion 

6:15 a.m.   Head to shower

6:30 a.m.  Dry Hair and Hot Rollers (Yes, I still use these)

6:45 a.m.  Makeup

7:00 a.m.  Get Dressed 

7:10 a.m.  Eat Breakfast and Finish Packing Lunch 

7:20 a.m.  Work (Listen to News and 1 Chapter of Business Audio Book on my Drive)

It seems simple.  An easy to follow checklist to make my morning very productive, and full of spiritual and health habits that will improve my life from the inside out.
What is your morning routine?  Would love to hear all about it.  

Kim

Lets Get Healthy - Meal Planning and Prep



For the last 10 weeks I have been meal planning, and to say its one of the biggest reasons I've been successful in my weight loss journey is an understatement.  Every Friday night or Saturday morning, I sit down and plan out the next 7 days worth of meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and 2 snacks.  I make my grocery list, head to the store to pick up all the yummy foods for the week ahead, and then head home to prepare our food for the next day and off we go.


This has been working great, until the holidays hit.  I got to the point, that I felt every night I was spending 2-3 hours in the kitchen making dinner, cleaning up from dinner, and then preparing lunches for the next day.  By the time we had dinner and I prepped for the next day, it was time to go to bed.  LOL!

So this past weekend, I decided to do something different.  I decided to meal prep ALL my food for Monday - Friday.  This meant spending 2 hours in the kitchen cooking ALL my food at once, and can I say that my life has been changed.   I felt that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders when I got up on Monday morning and everything was done! 

Pic of all my meals for the week! 

Now all I have to do is get up in the morning, and all my food is ready to go.  It makes staying on this clean eating lifestyle plan sooooo much easier. 

So what is my advice at Meal Planning.  Here are 4 easy steps:

1) Get good containers.  
I am still in the process of getting 2 and 3 divider containers, but I do love my MealPrep containers. These cost a little more than Ziploc containers, but are sooo worth it.  Amazon has a great selection, and Santa put these fun containers in my stocking this Christmas. 

2) Make a good menu and keep it simple. 
Don't try to go too crazy and be too fancy.  Just keep it simple and maybe repeat breakfast and lunch on Mondays/Wednesdays AND on Tuesdays/Thursdays to keep the menu simple. Also, check out sites like Pinterest or event Instagram (searching hashtag #mealprep) to find ideas on what to fix.

3)  Buy only whats on your list.
When you go to the grocery store, only buy the food on your list.  Stay away from junk food that you know will trip you up.  And, if your like me, whose husband likes to have a snack or two around the house, just buy cookies and chips that you do not like.  That way you will not be tempted to eat it. 

4) Make a list
Make a list of ALL the fun things you can do now that you are not in the kitchen every night worried about planning and fixing your meals for the next day.  Once dinner is over, you can go and relax, because tomorrow is already planned. 

Woohoo!!  

And, here was my food on Monday.  I am participating in a 21 Day Healthy Eating Challenge so I took a pic of all the food I ate that day.  All this delicious, super healthy food is less than 1,500 calories and had me full all day.

How about you?  Do you meal plan or meal prep?

Would love to know your tips.  Or, if you have any questions about how to get started eating clean and healthy, let me know.

Be Blessed My Friends! 


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End of the Year Resolutions............

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Never in my life had I ever thought of writing End of the Year Resolutions; however, when I heard this phrase a few weeks ago I knew it was something I had to do. Being able to end the year stronger than I began it really intrigued me, and I knew if I ended 2015 strong that 2016 would kick off with lots of momentum and success.

So what are my End of the Year Resolutions?  They are simple, and they are helping me make BIG changes in my life.

#1 - Continue to eat a clean (no processed foods or soda) 
Its been 8 weeks since I've kicked off my clean eating lifestyle and to say I feel amazing is an understatement.  I am meal planning every weekend to ensure I have a plan for every meal throughout the week, and I'm even cooking at home almost (if not every) night of the week.  The bonus to this new lifestyle, I've lost over 20lbs and feeling amazing.

#2 - Workout 5 Days a Week
Over the last 8 weeks I've been working out 3-5 days a week, and I can begin to tell a difference in my body. With the holidays and a very hectic schedule, I've committed to ending 2015 by upping my workouts to a solid 5 days a week.  The workouts I do are from the 21 Day Fix program, and are so rewarding when I complete them each day. 

#3 - Get More Sleep
Yes, you read that right.  My End of the Year Resolution is to commit to getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night.  I was beginning to feel extremely wore out, and knew it was my lack of sleep that was kicking my booty.  I've moved my workouts to the evenings on some nights, just so I can sleep in an extra hour or two before starting my day.

 #4 - Stopping to Enjoy the Season
Its so easy to forget to stop and enjoy the Christmas season.  Matt and I are spending a lot of time together watching Christmas movies each night, and we even have plans to see the lights in our area, spend time with friends and family, and just enjoy this time of year.

I know these resolutions may seem simple, but I love to keep them on the top of my mind so I end the year stronger and more focused.

So what are your End of Year Resolutions?   

Be Blessed! 

*Photo Credit by Laura at Happy Fitness
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Eating Clean - .2 New Recipes



Its been a little over five (5) weeks since I started cleaning up my diet and living a healthier lifestyle. I am feeling so much better and have more energy than I have in years.  And, even though I feel better, that is not the only thing that has changed, I am also cooking A LOT more, and truly making this change a complete lifestyle change.

Over the past week weeks, I have come across a few recipes that I have LOVED.  And, I thought it would be fun to start a few blog series and share a few recipes from time to time, and share some of the things I am LOVING lately. 

Today's recipes are two sides that go great with several meals, and the best part, they are really healthy for you.

Recipe #1 - Sweet Potato Fries  


(Photo by Recipes(dot)com)


Ingredients
  • 1-2 sweet potatoes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (3tsp)
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation 

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Halve the sweet potato length wise and cut each half into however many fries you would like! Place them on a sheet pan and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Mix all the dry ingredients together except the basil and pour over the sweet potatoes. Bake for 15 minutes and then turn with a spatula (keep your eyes on them cause every oven is different). Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. 

Recipe #2 - Chicken Slaw


(Photo by Taste of Home)
 

Note: Remove the Chicken to make a side or include the chicken for a healthy lunch.


Ingredients
  • 6 1/2 ounces chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cooked
  • 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups cabbage, shredded
  • 1/2 cup carrot, grated
  • 1/2 cup apples, tart, peeled, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons golden raisins
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, low-fat
  • 1 tablespoon low-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon white-rice vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Preparation
  • Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized chunks. Slice green onion.
  • In a bowl, toss the chicken, onion, cabbage, carrot, apple, pecans and raisins.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice, honey and pepper. Pour over chicken and cabbage mixture. Mix gently.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Enjoy with a calorie free beverage.

What do you think?  Are these sides you may incorporate into your meals?
 

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Lifestyle Change

I have been hesitant to share something very important about me on this blog, because I guess I was afraid I would mess up or fail, and then I have to tell you that it didn't work.  However, after a lot of thought, I decided to share this journey of changing our lifestyle and ultimately changing our lives. 

Several months ago, I came to a point where I was tired of feeling bad all time.  Now, please note that I am typically always in a good mood; however, my body just had no energy and I was just felt blah all the time.  I scheduled a few doctor appointments, and began researching ways to clean up our diet (for good) and get started on an exercise program.  I look at joining a gym or doing Weight Watchers, but I didn't feel right about those options.  

Then one day, I was talking to be best friend, Tiffany, and she mentioned she was doing a program called the 21 Day Fix.  I didn't think much of it, and we kept talking about everything else going on.  Then, after a few weeks went by, she mentioned it again, and said she had lost some weight.  This time when we talked about, I became intrigued and began asking her more about it.  She then referred me to her coach, and I should say the rest is (making) history.

Her coach Laura, who is simply amazing, contacted me and let em know all about the program.  After reading about it and with Laura's encouragement I decided to jump in.  I ordered the program, and Laura let me know that a 21-Day Challenge was starting the Monday I got back from vacay.  This was perfect timing.  

I spent a good amount of time on vacation, researching meal plans and food options, and by the time I got home from the beach, I hit the store and stocked up on a lot of delicious clean foods. 

And, on Monday (Oct. 26) I began.  I sat my alarm at 5:15 a.m. and when it went off I hit the ground running.  I start each day by grabbing a huge cup of ice water and heading to our media room.  Next, I spend about 30-45 minutes with the Lord studying the Word.  I believe that where the mind goes, the man will follow. So, I purposely began reading Joyce Meyer's new Mind Connection Book.  I read one chapter each morning, followed by some time in the Word and prayer. This is truly the cornerstone of my journey. 

Next, around 6:00 a.m.  I work out to one of the 21 Day Fix workouts.  These workouts take place 7 days a week, and they are 30 minute sessions.  During the first round of the 21 Day Fix, I focused on more on doing as many of the workout moves as I could and making this a habit, than I did really pushing myself to exhaustion.  The workouts are done around 6:30 a.m. and I head to the kitchen to make some breakfast.  I usually eat some carbs, lots of protein, and a piece of fruit. 

By 7:00 a.m. I am in the shower and ready to start the rest of my day. 

On the way to work I drink a health drink called Shakeology, which is delish, and by the time I arrive to work I am ready for the day. Lunch rolls around I eat a protein, veggies, protein, and healthy fat.  Snack is usually a piece of fruit or veggies.  Dinner is protein and veggies.

Here are a few pics from my first 21 days on the program.




  
So is this new lifestyle change working............YES!!  I've successfully lost 15lbs in 21 days, and would like to lose another 15 pounds by January 1st.  I have six (6) weeks to make that happen. and feel confident that I can make that happen. 

I feel so great, and have more energy than I have in years. I have already started Round 2 and plan to lose 8-10 lbs during this phase.

Will be back in a couple of weeks with an update. 

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Let's Get Heathly - Lunch

A few weeks ago, I wrote a post on making breakfast a little more healthier.  Well today, I wanted to share some ideas on making lunch a little more healthier too. Here are some favorites I am planning to coordinate into my diet soon.

Let's Get Healthy - Lunch Ideas 

 Teriyaki Chicken, Brown Rice, and Edamane

 Steak Salad 

 BBQ Chicken, Green Beans, and Couscous

Grilled Chicken and a Salad

 Grilled Chicken, Strawberry, Blueberry, and Walnut Salad


 Chicken Salad and Grapes 

Chicken Ceaser Wrap

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Lets Get Healthly - Breakfast



Okay, its time.  Its time to get serious about my diet and eating habits.  Living at the Davis B & B is awesome, but all this home cooked food is killing the little bit of diet I had in me.  LOL!  So to get back in the right direction, I am going to focus on one meal at a time and slowly get my habits into shape.  

This week, lets focus on Breakfast.  Here are some healthy choices:

 Starbucks - Reduced-fat turkey bacon and reduced-fat white cheddar cheese on an organic wheat English muffin.  Add a Skinny Carmel Latte and I have a 400 calorie breakfast!
 Breakfast Mix with Cereal and Dried Fruit 
Calories: 250 - 300

 English Muffin, Banana, and Blueberries
Calories: 200-250

 Breakfast Sandwich and an Orange
Calories: 350
 Yogurt Parfait from McDonalds - These are the best!!
Calories: 200
 Cheerios and Fruit 
Calories: 350

Bagel, cream cheese, and a tomato 
Calories: 450

What about you - what are your breakfast go to meals to stay healthy???


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