Zucchini Crisps (Just delightful!)

I like to experiment with different types of vegetable chips because I LOVE to snack and I love chips.

These are a great way to control my intake.

They are SO easy. I get a serving of vegetables and I still get to snack!

I decided to try zucchini this time around because that's what was left in my fridge before going home for Thanksgiving!

Ingredients

Zucchini

Light Olive Oil

Salt

Italian Herb Spices

STEP 1 :: Turn over on to bake at 350 degrees

STEP 2 :: Cut zucchini into thin slices

STEP 3 :: Place thin slices on a baking sheet so they aren't touching

STEP 4 :: Lightly sprinkle with light olive oil, salt, and italian herb spices.

STEP 5 :: Place in oven for 15 minutes

STEP 6 :: Remove baking sheet from oven and let cool. 

VOILA! Perfect movie snack :)

W.O.W. (Workout of the Week)

I used to do Pure Barre all the time in college and loved it! My mom got me hooked. I felt lean, toned and graceful. But as most "boutique" workouts, keeping up became too expensive for me and I hadn't attended a class in over a year. I have a couple of the videos but its not the same energy that being in a class gives you. 

But this past weekend, while visiting my aunt who is an avid barre girl, I joined her for a class. I knew when I agreed that this was going to be a terrible idea. 

Because I remembered how much I LOVE PURE BARRE. But even getting so excited about it, I can't justify the cost on top of my gym membership and yoga classes. I wish they would realize how much some people (me) want to continue to be a part of the barre family and can't!

For now, I'll just have to try the videos again and hopefully get the same energy!  The soreness I felt in my triceps, abs, gluteus, and thighs was just confirmation of how much I need some Pure Barre in my life again. It would be investing in my health and wellness but… 

I'm going to have to survive without the classes for now!

The moment you've all been waiting for...

What is my next challenge? I really want to keep it health and wellness related so I think I have a plan. This challenge is going to go until the new year. Here it is.

1. Try one new recipe every week

2. Try one new restaurant every week (really going to start exploring my city!)

3. I've been talking about this one already but in addition to my yoga practice, I am going to  incorporate 2 strength training workouts weekly and I'll share a "move of the week" to hold me accountable

4. No cow dairy

5. 8,000 steps on my fitbit everyday

I had to add a couple more goals for myself. I knew that I would have to write it down for myself or I wouldn't feel as accountable for it. Funny how that works… better charge my fitbit tonight!

So get ready for a plenty more posts from me from now into the new year!

#Iliketoplan

Any body else do this?

I have the rest of November and part of December planned out in terms of my workouts. Some people may think its a little overboard but it helps me take the unmotivated feelings out of the picture. I know what I'm doing each day. This is not a concrete plan by any means! If I feel like doing yoga on a day that I have strength training scheduled, I'm open to swapping some days! As long as I am getting out and moving around. I'm really excited to see how my body will be changing by adding strength training to my routine. I have heard that it gives more permanent results whereas before I was just doing cardio. I've never been very good at motivating myself for that but what better time than now to start? 

I have to say the two things I have missed the most on my cleanse are chocolate and coffee. I really thought one of those was going to be cheese! But my cravings for that have been surprisingly non-existent. I am going to try my best to stay away from it for a while because I have realized that it really effects me in a negative way and I have to say I am loving the way I have been feeling recently! 

I know I say that in just about every post, but its so true. And when you think about it, 21 days is not long at all! I've already developed so many healthy habits that I will take through life and I'm not even finished with my second challenge! 

Which brings me to my last point of this post… My 21 day cleanse from Citron Nutrition will be over this coming week. Let me know what you guys think I should do next!

Health Shaming?

Seriously, its a thing and it needs to stop. It may not be an official definition but to me it means guilting others for making healthy decisions. Now, I couldn't tell you why this is a thing but no one should feel bad for bettering themselves! 

This is a surprising challenge that I have come across during my cleanse. I am making a decision to better my health and wellness and that's not acceptable? Like I said in a previous post, I don't need to drink to have a good time. It doesn't mean I'm not going to want to go out and have fun. I don't need to order the most buttery, cheesiest, most sugar filled item on the menu. It doesn't mean I don't want to try a new restaurant. 

Really my decision to do this is for myself and no one else. I have about a week left of my cleanse and I feel amazing. I will most likely continue to eat this way long after the 21 days are up. 

Today, I tried a new place called Roots Pressed Juices (they have smoothies too). It was the cutest little store right next to Lululemon and the Lenox mall. Since I had run out of almond milk this morning, I had a rice cake with sun butter for breakfast. Missing my daily smoothie, I thought, "there's still lunch!" So I chose this place over Smoothie King and boy, am I happy I did! I enjoyed the most delicious raw cocoa and avocado smoothie and I will definitely be going back!

And if anyone is wondering how the 21 day yoga challenge has since effected my life… I continue to do it 4-5 times a week and am starting to take my poses further and see a change in my practice. Starting this blog has literally been one of the best things I've done for myself!

A Halloween without Candy (Yes, I'm serious…)

Is that even possible? Turns out, it is! I was just as shocked as you. But, I honestly couldn't feel better going into November! 

Just because I am on a cleanse (finished week 1 FYI), doesn't mean I can't have fun! I was still able to go out with my friends and dress up. I used some serious willpower to turn down all the candy and food at the bar crawl though! Being able to say no to those things that are truly bad for you body is extremely empowering. For me, seeing how far I've come and how great I feel gives me more motivation than anything! 

Three things that have gotten me through the cleanse :

1. Sun Butter (like peanut butter but with sunflower seeds, not peanuts)

2. Avocados (because who doesn't love avocados)

3. Vegetable Broth (fills you up when you feel like snacking!)

In addition to my cleanse, I was able to welcome November in a wonderful way with aerial yoga. It's really been a fun way to bring yoga into my weekend and switch up my practice. I've just started beginner level classes so I am hoping soon to move into the mixed level classes. 

Yoga is such a great way for my to quiet my mind, tone my muscles, and be in the present moment.