Couples Guide to the Whole 30

I am assuming you are reading this because you are going/ want to do the Whole 30!

I have already done 2 rounds of Whole 30, but I want to take you guys on the journey with me! 

I work full time, taking 6 online classes, and have to cook for both Nick AND I.. so I'm busy ya'll! 

I also love to cook, which makes the Whole30 super fun for me. 

Here are a few "need to know" about the Whole30:

• YOU HAVE TO PLAN - I would buy an organic rotisserie chicken to keep at the house at all times. Sometimes hunger strikes and you are just miserable.

• If possible, find a buddy! 

• People will not understand why you are doing the Whole 30.. Sometimes you won't either

• Pinterest and Google will be very helpful for finding recipes

• Read the book: If you understand the WHY, it will be easier to follow

This time around, I will be doing it with my boyfriend! I plan on doing the Whole 30 for 8 weeks: A.) because that will put me right at my birthday and B.) I want to follow the Tone it Up Bikini Series!! 

The Whole30 is such a great lifestyle change. The basic of Whole 30 is to remove all of the inflammation in your body. 

I will do my best to post a couple times a week. I'm thinking I will post recipes, inspiration, workouts, and meal plans.. Follow me on Insta for daily #whole30 info.

APRIL 25th- Mark your calendar!!

This is going to be fun! Do it with me!! PLEASE!

21-Day Purification Program Start Here!!

Hi bloggers!  

My supplements came in, so now I am ready to start my cleanse!!!!

I'm super excited and I bought all the groceries to go along with it..

Isn't that soo pretty! 

For the first 10 days, you can not eat meat. Your diet will consist of fruit and veggies, wild rice, quinoa, and the SP Complete Shake.

Also, you should aim to eat twice as many veggies as you do fruit.

Since this is my first time trying this cleanse, I am going to post my recipes as I go. 

You may want to wait to follow along until I'm half way done.

I am doing the SP Complete Cleanse as recommended by Dr. Nick. 

I am on it because I have some issues with my small intestine and I also have a caffeine problem (whoops)

There are many health benefits and you can find them all on their website. 

And here is a link to the cleanse pamphlet

I started by cutting a little fruit.

I hope you enjoy reading and following along with me! 

If you are in the Houston area; you can visit Dr. Nick Chretien at Energee Spine Care

He is amazing and does great soft tissue work.

You can also purchase the products there from him.

Also, for daily recipes, inspiration, and workouts; you can follow me on Instagram!

And of course, if you have any questions, feel free to email me or leave a comment!!

Coq A Reisling

SO here the story:

After bootcamp, I went to the grocery store to do a bit of shopping.

On my way home, Nick calls and tells me the power is out at the whole complex..

SOooo change of plans, we went and got crawfish and went to a pool hall! 

I would have had photos, but we were reserving the battery on our phones.. 

Have you ever had to put groceries away by candlelight? ha 

Here is the dish I made the next day. 

I adapted this recipe from http://simply-delicious-food.com/2013/06/26/nigel-slaters-coq-au-riesling/ 

Ingredients

• 1/2 stick of butter
• splash of olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• i package of bacon/pancetta, sliced into thin strips
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 8 chicken pieces on the bone 
• i package portabella mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups Riesling (or dry white wine of your choice)
• 1 cup cream
• 2 tbs corn starch
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

Melt the butter and oil together in a large pan.

Brown the chicken pieces all over and remove from the pan.

Add the onions and bacon and allow to fry until the onions are soft and translucent and the bacon has rendered it’s fat.

Add the garlic and allow to saute for another 30 seconds before removing the mixture from the pan (leaving the fat behind).

Add the mushrooms and allow to fry for 5 minutes.

Add the onion and bacon mixture along with the browned chicken back to the pan.

Pour in the wine and allow to come up to a boil. Turn down the heat and cover. Allow to simmer for 15-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Uncover, turn up the heat and add the cream. Allow to cook for another 10 minutes.

If the you would like thicker sauce, mix in 2 tbs of cornstarch.

Season to taste.

Serve with rice or bread; or both! 

Spring is HERE!

Hey blogger! 

Happy Spring!!  We have been having great, bright weather in Houston! 

I have already been to the pool 3 times this week. 

I started my 4 week boot camp on Monday and I love it! 

I have never been so sore, but your workout is def what you make it. 

I purchased my bootcamp on Groupon. There were about 5 to choose from.

I love that Groupon has so much on it and the prices are about 50% off!

I am doing Texas FIT Chicks! 

I will post my before and after pictures when my 4 weeks is over. 

Heres a little inspiration to jump start your bikini body!!

Love your life and love each other!! 

Meal Prep!

Hey bloggers!  

I hope all of your new years resolutions and goals are going well! 

If not, don't lose hope!  There is always today! 

One of my goals was to do more meal prepping.

I actually love it! 

It is saving me a ton of money, cause I actually cook up the food the day I buy it!  

Here is what was on the menu for last week..

Ground Turkey

Sauteed Collard Greens

Sweet Potato

Grilled Chicken

Salad

Steamed Green Beans

Quino

For snacks, I made containers with turkey meat, hummus, and veggies.

I also cut up fruit!

I made a snack draw filled with organic cereal bars, yogurt, and string cheese as well.  

It is easy for me since I work nights.  

I will be doing my meal prep for this week tomorrow so stay posted!!  Heres the grocery list if you are interested in joining me! 

Broccoli

Spinach

Mushrooms

Brussel Sprouts

Eggplant

Lime

Onion

Sweet Potato

Fruit
Rosemary

35 oz can San Marzo Tomatoes

Garlic

Eggs

Chicken Thighs

Ground Turkey

Water

Brown Rice

Quino

Weekend Juice Detox

Hi Bloggers! 

Did you know that Dr. Oz is coming out with a magazine!  

Of course, I pre-subscribed to that shizz!

I am obsessed with Dr. Oz!!

I truly believe food heals.  Commercial medicine is abused and over prescribed!

I watched this great documentary, and it really put things into perspective for me.

I juice often, but after this movie, I decided to try Dr. Oz's 3 day cleanse.

I'm sure you've all see the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

If not, heres your opportunity to watch it now!

 If you decide to do the detox, make sure you post on instagram! 

#RGF3daycleanse

Here is the cleanse

The "shopping list" is for one day.

Dinner can consist of fruits or veggies. 

Cheers bloggers! 

See you on instagram

Hi bloggers!

Happy New Year!  

I am really looking forward to 2014!  

Nick and I are training for a half marathon. 

We are running the Messina Hof Half in Bryan, Tx

You can register here.

http://www.texaswineseries.com/winehome.asp

This is my first half, but I am really excited about it!  

We are already in week 2 of training!

I will post more about that as the time goes by. 

I just wanted to check in and wish everyone a happy new year!  

Follow me on instagram for lot of fitness inspiration!  

Have ya'll checked out Muffin Topless?

http://www.muffin-topless.com/

I am going to begin her Fit Body Program Monday!  

I will be posting daily workouts, recipes, and inspiration!
Please do it with me!!  

It cost about $10 and I would love to hear from ya'll and see all of your great results!  

Choose Today people!

Follow me on Instagram!!

Maine!

Hello bloggers!

Just getting back from my trip to Maine!  

The beaches are beautiful; although Florida will always be my number one.. 

I had more lobster then I have had in my whole life! 

I prefer the claws to the tail.. call me crazy! 

I also ate clams for the first time and LOVED THEM!!

I'd even say I liked them more than lobster..

I was able to meet all of Nick's family.  I loved them all and can't wait to call them family!! 

We took a day trip to Mt. Washington!  

So pretty..

Had a famous Georges Italian on the beach everyday for lunch..

 There's Nick "doing work" on his father.. 

.. and yes I am wearing a jacket on the beach cause I'm from Texas and it was cold.. 

It was a great trip, and I can't wait to go back!! 

I love traveling no matter where I go.  

Nick and I especially love the outdoors..

We like to explore... 

Thanks for stopping by!!  

Workout of the day!

Hi Bloggers!  

Boot Camp is in full swing over here!  

I am running a 3 week trial before I release it to the public!
I am super excited about it and I have a lot of great intense workouts/ recipes/ and healthy events planned! 

I will be @ Clear Lake Shores farmers market this Saturday handing out waters and signing people of to change their life!

I rode my bike to the park Monday morning (about 1 mile there) and did this workout via toneitup.com

 Followed by a little core workout 

https://www.mcssl.com/content/155119/Fitness_Programs/itty-bitty-bikini.pdf

The girls at toneitup.com are such an inspiration.  Follow them and ME on instagram and have acces thousands on inspirational photos per day! 

Toodles! 

Rugby Banquet

Hi bloggers!

Recovering from a busy weekend!
Is anyone else doing the bikini challenge from Tone It Up?  http://toneitup.com/
I am, although I am a week behind.. so I am doing Biker Babe tonight..

I do this workout a little different because I do it at the gym on a stationary bike..

Great program and lots of followers on all of the social medias!
Check it out and lets do it together!!
This weekend we went on a boat ride for the rugby banquet.. 

This is the Kemah Boardwalk,

Looks so pretty on the sunset...

Keep following the blog!  I am getting my PT and will be posting workouts, recipes, and fun events I am doing around the city!!

Lent

Hi Bloggers! 

SOooo Lets talk LENT..

I am not Catholic, but I LOVE participating in LENT

It is fun to experience something for 40 days straight!!

So Nick and I decided we would try and JUICE every day for 40 days! 

We actually started Tuesday...

All that fruit was staring at us.. We couldn't resist..

So far so good!  Day two our stomachs were a little upset, but I think they were just shocked!

Here's one of the juices I had Thursday

1 Beet

2 Carrots

3 Apples

1 Orange

Half a stock of celery

Half a thing of coconut water

(This made 4 juices actually)

What did ya'll give up (or promise to do) for Lent?

Along with this, I've been doing the protein shake for breakfast.  

It gets me out of bed and fuels my workouts. 

My favorite (I've already had 3 times this week) is a 

Mocha Banana Protein Shake! 

Here's what you need 

1 banana

1/2 Starbucks mocha Frappe

chocolate protein (I do a scoop and a half)

and some ice

Throw it all in the blender and enjoy!!

30 before 30

Hi Bloggers!  

I stumbled on this great list on 

http://eatsweatsing.wordpress.com/30-before-30/

It inspired to fill out my 30 before 30 list! 

30 Before 30

Start date: Feb 6, 2013

End Date: June 21, 2020

1. Complete Insanity

2. Run a half marathon

3.  Climb  Mt Raines

4. Do a triathlon

5.  Sky Dive

6.  Learn to play piano WELL

7.  Try out for big brother

8.  Compete in a fitness bikini contest

9.  Finish nursing school

10.  Buy a house

11.  White water river rafting

12.  Bike to Austin (or any weekend bike trip)

13.  Run a Disney race

14.  Do monthly acts of kindness

15.  Become a Certified Personal Trainer

16.  Become a Mommy!

17. Marry Nick Chretien :)

18.  Start my own buisness

19.  Take my whole family on a trip to South Padre

20.  Take road trip

21.  See Macy's parade

22.  Watch the ball drop on New Years Eve

23.  Go on a Mission Trip

Lets be honesty... I'm still working on this!  

I'll keep ya posted ;)

Colorado Trip!

Hi Ya'll! 

Just getting back from my Colorado trip!  

Oh what fun!!!!

I'm not going to lie.... my first type down the slope took over an hour..

... and about 45 falls.. 

Nick wanted to make sure he got a pic BEFORE I started skiing.. good idea!!

Look how puffy! 

Its hard to tell peoples weight out there with all those layers! 

The food was GREAT!!

and the people were all so nice! 

We stayed in Copper Mountain.. which is in Summit County

Everything was so beautiful!!!! 

The third day Nick and I went tubing!  

so much fun, but a workout let me tell ya.. 

Coming back to Houston was kind of depressing.. and humid and HOT! 

So another bucket list item crossed off! 

Go snow skiing

yayyy!

Our next trip: Rugby game is Oklahoma City!

I'm hoping this will inspire some of you to get out there and travel somewhere you've always dreamed up!  

Running by the water

Hello Bloggers! 

It's been pretty wet over here in Houston.  

I got a good 3 mile run in before the rain came! 

Nick and I like to run around the water..  

Here are a few snaps of the sunset we caught! 

 Lucky us..

I use a website, mapmyrun.com to find runs, or even measure runs! 

Its great! 

My projected half marathon is in March

I am well on my way!  

Eating is a very important component in your training! 

Keep your diet high in protein, grains, fruit, and veggies!  

And NO soda :)

Until next time!  Just keep running! 

New Years Resolutions

Hi friends!  

Its that time of year again... NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!  

I really have had such a blessed year even with all of the crazy things God has put in front of us to deal with

You have to count your blessing and I can honestly say I have never had a bad year!  (lucky me)

The ONLY 2 things I would like to improve on this year is my blog..
I feel like I've let ya'll down, but I am still kicking and promise to share so many things with ya'll this year!
ANnnddd #2, RUN A HALF MARATHON!

Thanks to Nicks Dad, I have these nice shiny new running shoes!  

I can't tell ya'll how serious about this I am!
I am signing up for the half in Seabrook (my home town)

It's in March, and I have already started training.

Some of my friends have also started training for various running events.  

 I love and follow this route pretty closely...

I'm on week 2 with this

I do my running Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

On my off days Nick and I like to play tennis, hit the gym, or swim.

 To help kick off this nifty new project.....

I made these yummy high energy cookies! 

Here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats (NOT instant- use the whole oats!)
• 2/3 cup flour (or any type of flour)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup mix-ins (I used raisins, craisins, chocolate chips, and nuts.  I basically use whatever is in the pantry)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup (I used warm honey)
• 3 tablespoons nut butter 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons canola oil (melted coconut oil works too, but again, it changes the taste and texture a bit)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, sea salt, cinnamon, coconut and mix-ins with a fork.
3. In a separate smaller bowl, mix the flax, maple syrup, nut butter, vanilla and oil until all the chunks of nut butter are gone.
4. Pour the wet mixture into the dry, and stir well until everything is well combined and no dry patches remain.
5. Use a tablespoon (for small cookies) or a 1/4 measuring cup (for large cookies) to drop the cookies onto the baking sheet. They can be rather close, since the cookies don’t spread much.
6. Bake for exactly 13 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a minute before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

**Adapted from http://www.une-vie-saine.com/

Changed it around a little

There really easy to make and helps my sweet obsession, cause they're pretty healthy!  

What are some of your New Years Resolutions?  

Hump Day

Day 2 of Project Booty!! 

SO far so good!  I def. feel the burn!  

Let me say that this soccer season \has really improved my quads!  

I love finding workouts in fun outdoor activities, so whenever I can play soccer, tennis, run a 10K, etc I'm all for it!

I've been doing my butt workouts at the apartment gym.  

Instead of the bench, I use the stepper with 6 blocks on both sides. 

Life is good over here!  Its our last soccer game until the Fall season. 

I'm super excited about fall, cause our games will be saturday mornings! 

It really brings me back to childhood...

I have a lot of extra energy from these vitamins, so I summer cleaned the apartment. 

I'm not big into cleaning.. 

cooking yes, but I love to eat!  

I feel so domesticated.. phew.  

Nick and I have a problem letting the garbage pile up, which leaves the apartment smelling naassttyy.

I found this fabulous smelling air freshener thingy...
I've used this twice and I LOVE IT!  

Seriously Nick just sits over the stove inhaling this stuff. 

I slice up 1 lemon

3-5 sprigs of rosemary

1 TBS vanilla 

fill with water 

let simmer! 

Be careful to monitor the water level...

I've let it simmer a little too long and burn the lemons to the bottom of the pan!  

Opps.. 

Alright Happy Wednesday!