Rainy days, and yummy hot cocoa

 Who else wakes up on a rainy, gloomy day and wants nothing else than to snuggle up on the couch with a yummy cup of hot cocoa?  It is one of my favorite drinks, but I rarely drink it since it is so full of sugar. Then  this idea hit me, make your morning protein shake hot and ta da you have hot cocoa.

Here is how it works.

put 2/3 of your milk in the  microwave for 2 minutes

place 1/3 of your milk in a shaker bottle, and add your scoop (or two, I won't tell) in it, and give it a good shake. 

when your milk is done in the microwave , stir in the protein & milk mixture

And there it is, some of the best hot cocoa I've ever had. I've been using Muscle Milk protein powder, what kind do you guys like?

                                                      

workout tip #1

Well guys, the holidays are over and its time to get back at it. When it comes to working out I hate routine. Let me say that again I HATE routine. I have a hard time following programs of any sort. I prefer mixing my workouts up everyday.

                 Here is a great idea ,especially  if you workout from home. Write down on popsicle sticks workouts that you know how to do.  ( tip: don't eat a whole box of popsicles just for this :) , pick out 5 sticks and do 5 rounds of 25 each. This is an easy way to get a quick workout in without any equipment, however it does eliminate your excuse to not workout because you don't have a home gym.

sweets and treats

Today I was craving a Whoopi pie in the worst way. My favorite allergy friendly bakery that makes them is 45 minutes away. What does that lead to, you may wonder? Me, in my kitchen, attempting to recreate something so wonderful. They did not turn out like I thought, however I was pretty pleased, and they will hold me over until I make it Sweet Freedom, for one of theirs.

Chocolate Oatmeal Raisin Cookie with Peanut butter cream cheese filling.

  

Its only impossible if you believe it is

Hey there everyone !
               
                       I am so excited to announce that the first person I have helped with eating healthy and working out is now only ten pounds away from her goal weight. Through much hard work and dedication she has lost 52 pounds. I am so proud of her.

                   So many people have been inquiring about how she did it. Her response? Eating healthy and working out 5 days a week. Can you believe its not rocket science?!? Hard work really pays off.

               Any one else want help losing those extra pounds? I am more than happy to help, and until I'm certified there would be no charge, except a lot of sweat ;)

♥LIVELIFEHAPPYANDHEALTHY♥

I am extremely excited to announce, that today I am starting a course to become a certified personal trainer. It's something I have given a lot of thought and it truly is what I want to do. I can not wait to help other people, live life to the fullest, by living a healthy, active lifestyle. In the weeks to come I plan to start writing up workouts on here !

♥livelifehappyandhealthy♥

As I laid in bed this morning I was thinking of everything I wanted to accomplish today. This silly blog popped in my head, and I realized I haven't posted in a long time. Life has been very busy, and this just got pushed aside.

I was planning on writing up some of the recipes I have been creating, however coming up May 30th I will be taking part of creatingkilter's meal plan monday's and giving her recipes to post. You can find it on creatingkilter.wordpress.com.

So here is just a little thought to leave you with, and I will be back shortly to update you on all the exciting things keeping me busy!

Healthy Cheese and Turkey Wrap

1 whole grain wrap( I use gluten free brown rice wraps)

2 Tbsp. Roasted Red Pepper hummus

5 slices of cucumber

1 slice of provolone cheese

slices of red onion to taste

handful of spinach

3 thinly sliced pieces of turkey.

Place it in the wrap and enjoy!

Side Note:    I also turned them into pinwheels for a cute lunch idea at work. Either way you put it, it is simply delicious.

Second side note:  If you are looking to stay low carb, these are just as yummy with or without the wrap, just use the turkey as a wrap!

Disclaimer : These will be addicting, I suggest consulting myfitnesspal  before inhaling 5 of these to avoid over consumption.


  ♥ Live life happy and healthy ♥

Quote of the Day

Just a Little food for thought.

               Whenever I hear ladies say they don't feel pretty, or they don't like themselves for other reasons, it breaks my heart. If I'm honest, it just hits to close to home.....

               The way I use to view myself was horrible and I never wish to relive those days where I believed the world that I just wasn't good or pretty enough. When I see girls that are hurting from living in the lie that they are imperfect, it instantly brings me back to how I felt when I thought the same way. I wish so bad that I could help them see their strength and beauty, but it truly is something you have to believe for yourself.

                To  all the ladies out there that don't feel good enough, just remember you are. You were fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving God, that wants nothing more than to see you stop believing the lies of this world. I know its easier said than done, but it can be done. Unplug from social media for a bit, take a look on the inside and discover the beautiful person God has made you to be. It might be a long journey you have to take, but I promise its worth it.


Ps. It is hard to hate your body when your taking great care of it.( emotionally, physically, or mentally)  just remember that.

 

              


          

                                                   This quote is one of my favorites 

  ♥Live Life Happy And Healthy ♥

almost like my dad's chicken noodle soup

So yesterday I broke out my crock pot , something I don't do quite enough. However, I am always impressed with how my food taste so good when it cooks in there for just a few hours.
 
  Since I have gotten married, I have been trying to copy my dad's chicken noodle soup recipe. Beings he just throws things in a pot its been hard! However after a few attempts I think I have come pretty close.

                       Almost like my dad's
                      Chicken Noodle Soup

2 quarts plus 2 cups of chicken stock

3 sticks of celery chopped fine

1/2 of one large yellow or sweet onion diced

2.5 cups Gluten free brown rice noodles ( you can use regular as well)

1 tsp. of the following : Garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. ( you can adjust this to taste )

4 Chicken thighs.

1 medium size bag of frozen corn

Place everything in your crockpot except the noodles. I cooked mine on high for 3 hours because of time, however you could also put it on low for a little longer.

Cook the noodles in a separate pan, just until they are al dente. Then add the noodles and the water they are cooking in to the crock pot. If you drain them first they will absorb too much of the chicken stock, which will result with having less broth.

Serve hot and enjoy ! 


♥LiveLifeHappyAndHealthy♥

real life and salad dressing ;)

So I absolutely hate when people start "dieting" and say things like well I guess I am going to have to eat this salad dry, or I won't be able to eat anything good anymore. just as an example.

           Believe it or not when you switch to healthier lifestyle if you look hard enough you will find an alternative for just about anything!  Salad dressing is something most dieters look at as evil, but as I've learned more and more about food I've realized you can have your cake and eat it too!

simple tips -
 #1 -  steer clear of any dressing with more than 9 grams of fat. that's still pretty high but beware of the double digit zone !
 
#2. look for dressings that naturally help you take in more vitamins from the veggies.

#3. Every time I buy a creamy dressing the first thing I do when I open it, is poor about an inch of water in it. I swear they are made so thick just so you over eat it and buy more sooner. the water does not change the taste but makes the dressing go farther ! ( less calories in the end)

#3 don't be fooled that vinaigrettes  are ALWAYS healthier. you have to be careful because some brands pack so much sugar in them you might as well as had your favorite creamy dressing !

                 
             ♥ Live Life Happy and Healthy ♥

simple ways to get healthy

So after not blogging for about a month I decided its time to get back at it.


I love being able to make small changes daily that are so rewarding for my body, and drinking lemon water(honestly hot or cold) can benefit your body in so many ways !

 

It's June !!!!!

I can't believe it's June already! So since it's the start of a new month I've decided to set up some new goals for myself.  I've been reading a lot of things on healthy eating and I've decided  I eat to much sugar. I did not think I did since I don't eat sweets a lot. However the amount of sugar poured in to everything else is unreal. So for the month of June I'm going to stick to 5 ingredient foods so I can keep an eye on my actual sugar intake vs what I think I eat. I absolutely love chocolate, and I know it's not bad to have some once in awhile, but if your already eating sugar at every meal without knowing it plus having a treat, you will most like hit a plateau like I have. So here we go !


  🍦live a happy and healthy life 🍩

homemade pizza

So today I tried making home made pizza. I wanted it to be gluten free, so I used millet flour. it was quite possibly the worst thing I have ever tasted. So my new goal is to come up with a pizza crust that is gluten free, egg free, and delicious!
 
 On  another note, my workouts have been kicking my butt lately ( literally). I've been working on butt and leg exercises a lot lately and boy can I feel it. The best butt exercise I have found for me (besides your typical squats and lunges) is doing a bridge with a weighted ball. I cant believe how much this works! Also doing donkey kicks is a great leg and butt toner!

 



♥ live life happy and healthy ♥

just a little silliness

Today, I honestly didn't think I was going to get my workout in. I am fighting a cold, and it seems everything in our house wants to break all at once. However, with the motivation from my sisters and friend, I pushed through and got it done. It wasn't my best workout but I gave it everything I had left in me, so I feel pretty accomplished.
 
            *On a side note, tomorrow I am going to the circus .*

So this weekend I am making a mint truffle dessert for a memorial day picnic. It wont be healthy but it will be delicious. I will post the recipe on here, it will be gluten free and hopefully egg free if I can make it work. I haven't had much luck baking without eggs, but I am determined to find a way.


                       ♥live life happy and healthy ♥

It's the little things❤️

Today was just a great day ! It started out by me and my husband curt confirming that we won a trip to peurto Rico , followed by shopping and a little family time.

        It was a great day, but it was also a rest day for me.  Normally I struggle with eating healthy on days I don't workout , however today  was different. My day was so filled that we also had to eat dinner way to late, and despite how bad I just wanted to order pizza with curt, I opted for a side salad with tuna.  It's the little choices we make everyday that will get people where they wanna be.

 So many people think two incorrect thoughts
#1 that becoming the best version of you happens over night
         It doesn't, it's the choice you make daily that shape you and your life. There's no quick gimmick that can get you where you wanna be. It's hard work and dedication to having a happy healthy life.

#2. That dieting actually works.
     I know I'm only 22 but I have yet to meet someone who has dieted and actually kept the weight off. If it isn't a lifestyle chances are it will be gone by the time the holidays role around and you haven't actually learned how to enjoy treats here and there, so you just give up.


I know I didn't give in and have pizza but even if I had it wouldn't have been the end of the world. That's the best part about eating clean. You can have a treat here and there because afterwards you go right back to your life of eating healthy foods.

All in all today was great, and I'm so thankful for the days I get to spend with my husband !

                 ❤️  Live life happy and healthy. ❤️

Never give up

I didn't get a chance to workout today, except for a short walk with my pup. But I stayed on track with eating healthy and am looking forward to a great workout tomorrow. If there is one thing I learned it's not to get down if you miss a day here and there. Sometime life gets in the way of things and throws some curve balls. You might get knocked down here and there which is great. It helps motivate me to get back up and keep going !
    Eating healthy and working out isn't a temporary thing, it needs to be a way of life

                  ❤️    Live a happy and healthy life ❤️

     

a yummy snack , without the guilt !

♥ Recipe for raw peanut butter and chocolate cookie dough bites ♥

 2 tbsp.  peanut butter

 1 tbsp. Justins hazelnut chocolate butter
 1 tbsp. reduced fat milk
 1 tbsp. agave nectar.
 1 cup oatmeal(ground) or oat flour.




Mix all together in a hand mixer , roll into small balls and enjoy!




Makes 8