Valentines Dates at home! - free workout included

Valentines Day is rapidly approaching and while I know for my husband, that means he will stress about what to get me, if we're even exchanging gifts and what I got him. But Valentines Day doesn't have to break the bank.  I want to give you 5 ways to celebrate at-home and on a budget!

1.  Rent a movie and pop popcorn - If you have kids, do you even watch movies anymore?? We don't!  So renting a movie and popping some popcorn can recreate the movie-date scene in your own home without spending over $10/person at the theater.  

2.  Cook a meal together - We love making up meals of our favorites at restaurants.  Decide to plan the  menu together and cook it over some wine!  Our personal fav is buffalo chicken horseshoes over sweet potato fries.

3.  Play a game - ask each other questions or play a board game.  When is the last time you did that?!  We've even had a nerf gun fight!  Do something out of the ordinary.  I printed off these questions for a date night and they would be perfect to read and reconnect at home with on Valentines Day - Questions for Date night

4.  Workout!  - Those who sweat together, stay together, right?!

Here’s your “Cupid’s workout” or perform with a friend!

2 sets/14 reps with or without a partner!  Complete 1 set of each exercise then start again for the second set!

Pushups

Squats

Mt. Climbers

Plank jacks

Burpees

High knees

Tricep dips

Ab crunches

5.  Involve the family - You might have 4 little ones so the above are not possible.  Get together as a family and make your own tradition!  Get ice cream or watch a family movie.  Learn how to cook a new dish or do a family Valentines craft.  You can get super creative here!

I hope you have a great day with those you love and you can create a new tradition with some of the above!

Post 4 of 4: Meal Prep

Here is my last post on how I budget, meal plan and grocery shop and now prep.  This step can be the most time consuming, but if you are organized, you can do it right and still have the rest of your day.

Steps:
1. Pick a day to prep: My day is usually Saturday or Sunday b/c those are the days of the week I am most likely to be home and have at least 2 hours.

2. Look at your menu for the up-coming week and decide what you can make ahead of time that won't spoil and will still taste the same =)

3. Block off time - you may not know how long it will take you the first go-round.  I usually plan on 2 hours or less.  And this can be intermittent.  I personally like to knock it all out at once, but that doesn't always work for people.  

4.  Multitask - Look at your meals...can you pre-cook your pasta for a dish?  Can you slice up green peppers for salads for the coming week while the pasta is cooking?  What can be done in the oven?

5. Package and prepare - put meals or food in containers that are easy to grab for lunches or on the go leftovers.

Tips:  I love to make an easy breakfast for Nathan to have for Liam for the week.  Part of my meal prep involves making a bunch of pancakes and egg and spinach muffin bites. 

I also make sweet potato fries because we will inevitably have burgers and fries sometime through the week so I don't have to wait on fries when that time comes.  

Most of my prepping involves slicing vegetables and there is almost always something in the oven.  Another great idea is if you can make a crockpot meal for the week.  It can sit all day, then be put in containers for the week ahead and you have just cut down on your meal prep.  This definitely doesn't happen every week for me.  If I have a free hour on a Tuesday, I may do pancakes then or Paleo dessert balls.  I love looking around our house and creating a new dish.  Just this week, I had frozen chicken breasts and pesto sauce so I cooked it up with some gluten free noodles and 1 yellow and 1 green pepper.  Perfect lunch on the go or dinner if we've been out and running around.  It's all about trial and error and spending a short amount of time that will save you tons later!  It took me about 3-4 months to get my system really perfected where I felt like I still had most of my day to relax.  Don't give up and get your spouse to help!  It can be a family event!

Good luck!  What tips do you have on meal prep?

February Cardio Fitness Challenge

February is Heart Health month so what better way to celebrate then to do a cardio circuit throughout the month.  I chose 3 exercises to get your heart pumping: jumping jacks, mt. climbers, and burpees.  I love them b/c they each work a different plane of your body.  Jacks are standing cardio, mt. climbers are on the floor and burpees combines the very best of both!

More women die from heart disease than any other diseases....combined.  I would love to see this stat go away in my lifetime.  We have to change our mentality.  We have to change how we eat and what we do in our free time.  We have to CHANGE OUR LIVES.  Let's decide to be PRO-active with our health and get moving now.  These moves are tough but can all be modified to be more intense or for beginner exercises.

To increase intensity:
Jumping jacks - hold light weights
Mt. Climbers - do double the amount listed for the day.
Burpees - add push-ups and a star jump at the end

Beginner version (work your way up):
Jumping Jacks - stay stationary and step out right foot with right arm going up in a jack, step foot back in to the center then repeat with the left foot out and left arm out.
Mt. Climbers - step foot in to tap slowly instead of fast feet.
Burpees - squat, step feet back in push up, step forward, and stand.

Get that heart pumping!

Printable Version 

5 Winter Workouts

Thank goodness this winter wasn't like the last one.  I spent most of my time on a treadmill 1 year ago, waiting for the feet of snow to melt outside.  Lately, I've been staying in by choice to switch up my routine.  I still love to run outside, but circuits inside are sometimes all I can fit in with Liam!  Some of these involve weights, some don't and some use your own furniture or favorite television show!

Some of my favorite moves can include soup cans, paper plates and dishtowels!  Be creative with your fitness!

Enjoy!

5 At home workouts

Post 3 of 4: Grocery Shopping

In my 4 part series, this one can often be the one that takes the least amount of time (other than making the trip there).  Luckily for me, I live about 5 min from our Aldi, Schnucks and Target so all my bases are covered.  Here are my tips on making grocery shopping effortless, affordable and fun!

1.  Write out your list as you plan your meals - Remember your calendar?  I like to shop 1x a week if possible so make your list with the ingredients you need for your up-coming week's dinners. I make my list on a dry erase board b/c I'm OCD and don't like a list I might have to cross off or change.  Then, when it's time to go to the store, I take a photo of it with my phone.  That way, I'm not wasting paper!  

2.  Arrange your list based on your go-to store's layout.  If produce is first, write those items down first so you aren't scrambling all over the store.  This is a HUGE time saver.

3.  Go to the store - haha, this one is seriously a step b/c I really only have time for 1 store.  Most of what I need can be found at Aldi or if they don't have it, I'll swing by Schnucks.  But since I have become very familiar with their inventory, I will likely only make meals with items I can get there.  Or pick them up at Target b/c all my other shopping needs seem to be met there =)

4.  Stick to the list!  (sort of) - 90% of the time, I stick to my list and do not sway from it.  This saves me time, money, and from buying junk or something that "looks good".  Here's my exception for the other 10% - when they have seasonal items on sale (like .99 pineapple or .99 strawberries) or a buy in bulk item that won't go bad (like sweet potatoes or onions).  Nobody wants to go to the store 2x a week because you forgot onions=(  I recently went and Aldi had grass-fed beef for $3.49/pound.  This is the cheapest I would find grass fed beef so I bought like 15 of them.  So my budgeting may have been off for the month, but over the course of 2 months, that would even out.

5. Buy what you NEED for that week - We do prioritize some food items organic, so our bill can be expensive.  It's been through trial and error that I have figured out about how much we spend.  It can get easy for me to stock up on TONS of items that I really don't need b/c they are seasonal, etc.  If pineapple is on sale but you don't have any ideas for it, nor know how to cut it, then don't buy it!  Even if spinach is on sale, I can't really stock up b/c we can only go through 2 containers a week.  The rest of it will get wilty and I hate throwing away spoiled food!  

6.  Look for substitutes - Sometimes, my store of choice is missing 1 thing off my list.  I will not drive to another store for 1 thing.  I have before and I end up with a cart-full (hopefully you feel me on that one!).  So I will look around for an alternative.  Maybe brussel sprouts as my side instead of asparagus or using almond milk instead of whole milk.  This doesn't work 100% of the time, but it gives you some ideas. 

I hope I gave you some tips for how to navigate your store of choice and plan out your trip. I seriously love grocery shopping now b/c I have made it not so daunting.  Let me know if you have any tips to share!

How to make the most of your dinner time

I recently read someone else's blog post on how their family dinner's go and how they invest in one another and spend that quality time.  We are one of those families who isn't always together for a formal, sit down dinner each night.  Nathan is typically home between 6 and 7pm most nights, except Wednesdays and Sundays.  I now lead a bootcamp workout for a local business from 5-6 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays so Liam has dinner with a babysitter those nights unless Nathan is home.  My struggle was always, "How do we have family time when we aren't ever together?"  I have always had big dreams for what I wanted our time to look like - Liam loves and eats everything we fix.  The table is always set and uncluttered.  The 3 of us are together at least 6 nights a week.  We share about our days or read a devotional. We say a prayer before we eat.  

I think none of this has actually happened for 1 full week.  I finally realized that is no excuse for me to not set up some traditions and make something work for our family.  Really, we aren't that abnormal.  I'm sure if you're reading this, you don't always sit down with everyone in your family every single night. And if you do, more power to you.  Here's my tips for making the most of those precious times together and what has worked for our family of 3.

1. Put the phones away...but keep them handy - Nathan and I are making it priority to really listen to one another and not have our heads on our phones during dinner or after for family time.  But, there are always those funny Liam moments that I want to be able to capture.  So I keep my phone on the ledge leading into the other room.  It takes some effort to get it and it's not at my fingertips but is there if I want to take a picture.

2.  Read The Bible to your kids - We love the Jesus Storybook Bible.  Liam doesn't really care for it before bed because it's a bit too long for his age and over his head.  But I desperately want to pour these stories into my son.  At dinner, he's locked in (literally) and will actually pay attention.  During mealtime is when I taught him who Jesus was and where God is (points to the sky).  

3.  Connect with your spouse - Nathan and I will share our days with one another but if it's a Saturday and we've been together all day, there isn't much sharing to be done so I printed off some relationship questions to read to one another to answer.  Some are funny (favorite ice cream flavor or childhood memory) and some are serious (Do I need to seek forgiveness for anything?).  So be prepared and feel free to skip if you're just not feeling it.  We also take them on longer car rides =)

Here's the link to what I printed:Date Night Questions

4.  Turn the TV off - We recently cut cable and that has changed our family dynamic.  We used to always sit in front of it for dinner.  We'd feed Liam then go sit in front while he played.  While we still do it occasionally if we want to watch a show or it's the weekend and Liam is in bed, but I am thankful we aren't setting this example for him.  And I love TV, so this is hard for me, but I've gotten so much of my day back by leaving it off.  

Hope this helps you develop a better dinner time routine and don't get stressed by having an unconventional schedule.  I feel like we all do these days.  Decide what will work for your family and try it out.  Come up with your own tradition!

That one piece of advice from my parents that always sticks with me

Both of my parents have given me great advice through the years.  Of course there was always the "Because I'm the parent" moments and "You'll understand when you're older."  Those, I could do without.  My mom is an abundance of knowledge, wisdom and faith.  I look at her whole life and know that I can glean so much from it.  How she forgives, how she loves, how she speaks in love...she gives great advice, but her life speaks through her.   But the advice that I'm thinking of in this post came from my dad.  He was a man of few words, but when he spoke or wrote, you knew it meant something.  He spoke from experience and all the times he felt he missed an opportunity or he messed up.  He wasn't perfect, nor claimed to be, but continue to try and try again. 

One thing he told me in a letter as I was going to college was this: "You have been given so much and those who are given much, are asked much."  

To me, this is a life verse.  My dad was big on making a contribution to society.  Making a difference to the least of these.  To be a blessing to others whenever possible.  My dad didn't have much growing up, but he made the most of it and gave of himself to his family and his friends.  

Sometimes I HATE that I have to help.  I want to lay around and maybe complain about my circumstances, often forgetting how blessed I am.  I'd rather see the negative.  But dad's words remind me to go out and help someone else with all that I have been given.  Sort of like, God has entrusted me with much and it's my job to share and give that others.  This could be monetarily or through service or going out of my way for someone who give you nothing in return.  Have you given this week or this month out of the abundance of what you have?  If you don't know where to start, ask God to reveal those opportunities to you.  Believe me, he will.  Just be ready to act and give!

Part 2 of 4: Meal Planning

Last week, we learned about budgeting.  I cannot stress enough the importance of finding an app or program that works for you and your family.  If you are a pen and paper kind of gal/guy, then go that route.  Do not become overwhelmed or overcome by "the right way to do things".  I always tell my students that I can help get them organized, but if it only makes sense to me, they won't stay organized.  Do it your way!

Part 2's blog post in this series is on meal planning.  This part stresses me out the least of all 4 of these.  For me, it is fun finding new recipes and getting ideas.  Here's my process:

1.  Print off blank calendar - Blank Calendar Template
       (actually, print of 2-3 calendars so you can plan ahead)
2.  Write days of the month in (make note of holidays, days gone, etc)

This is just a sample of my December calendar.  And don't be afraid to cross off and rearrange when necessary.

3.  Do Inventory - look through your fridge, pantry, cabinets for things that you already have and plan 2-3 meals for the first week of the month.  I love to do this b/c inevitably I will not be able to go grocery shopping when I had planned so I need to have a meal I can just throw together.  One thing I come back to time and time again is either a chicken fajita mix over spinach or quinoa or making taco salads.  At our house, we always have peppers, chicken, ground beef and spinach.  ALWAYS.  So these are often my "go-to's."  Right now, think of what you always have on hand.  Can you make a meal out of it?  Can you substitute an ingredient if you can't make it to the store?  

4.  Schedule - figure out what days are busy days each week for your family and schedule those "leftovers night".  I plan 2-3 days of leftovers per week. Nathan has late rehearsal every Wednesday and I often sing those days as well.  So I know I won't be making meals most Wednesdays.  

5.  Plan - Aim to make 2-3 family staples (see #3) each week and 2-3 new(er) recipes.  At most, you are making 6 meals a week and at least, 4.  I usually hover around 4-5.  When I pick newer recipes here is my criteria:  
a. Short ingredient list
b. No more than 3 new ingredients (so I don't have a random spice leftover for years)
c. Good flavors
I will usually try to find a new recipe that involves what we always have on hand like ground beef, sweet potatoes, peppers, or spinach.

My favorite cookbooks

6.  Look for new recipes - this is the fun part!  I peruse Pinterest, Taste of Home, my Paleo cookbooks, and recently, Instagram for my new recipes.  And most of them do not disappoint.  Again, I don't pick random stuff that is supposed to be good for me.  I go for flavors and ingredients we love, but using them in a whole new way.   

7.  Fill in your calendar!

I feel I have mastered this process so now, it takes about 30 minutes each Sunday.  And it's always fun when those "newer" recipes become our family staples.  Don't be afraid to try new things in new ways!  We've been experimenting with a variety of spices and love what we've found!  They last forever and can really add to a dish.  Coriander and Turmeric are our favs! 

***One note to tie in budgeting.  I am very mindful that if we want tuna steaks and they are pricey, I will plan the rest of that week around cheaper meals like chicken and sweet potato fries.  It's all about balance.  

Next week, we will tackle grocery shopping!

For Two Fitness Giveaway!

Let me just tell you that I love exercise and I loved being pregnant!  If you want to have a chance at the ultimate hook-up for exercise and pregnancy, head on over to For Two Fitness and click on their Blog.  You have until Friday, January 16th....here's their link - For Two Fitness These products are just what you need to stay active during pregnancy!

Here are the Grand Prize giveaways:

• • The New BOB Revolution FLEX single stroller
  • For Two Fitness maternity athletic outfit (top and bottom of winner’s choice)
  • Ergo 360 Baby Carrier furnished by Maison Drake baby boutique
  • Asics Running Shoes (1 pair of the winner’s choice)
  
  
  
  Also, be sure to follow @fortwofitness momslrb @run4margaritas @britaxus @maisondrakebaby @ergobaby and @asics on Instagram.  They have awesome workouts and info to share with all of you fit moms!  
  
  
  I may just get pregnant again if win these.  Well, maybe not...well....
  
  
  
  
  
   

Motivation at home - goal setting and accomplishing

It's so hard to get motivated to do anything, much less, workout when we're in the comfort of our homes. We have television, laundry to do, meals to make, places to take our kids, cleaning, playing with our kids!  And let's not forget about relaxing.  How do we get motivated to workout when so many things are pulling for our attention???

I know what works for me and I will gladly share that, however, you will need to find your WHY.  Why is health important enough to prioritize it above other things?  Why is getting in a workout a must for you?  What's in it for you?  What do you have to gain or lose?  

Here are some tools to help you in determining your 'why'.  Through these steps, you should be able to pinpoint why health and fitness need to be a priority in your life, set a goal (or several!) and achieve it!  

Step 1: Make a list of your top 10 roles - are you a mother/father, house keeper for your family, what's your occupation, sister, choir singer?  What are the demands placed on you?

Step 2: Pick the 5 that are most important. Which ones do you want to invest in becoming better at?  A better mom?  A better cook?  A better athlete?  Star the 5 that you want/can invest time in.

Step 3: Out of those 5, which role, if you become better at it, will take care of the other ones?  For example, if I wanted to be a better mom and a better cook, by spending time planning my meals ahead of time and prepping food, I free up time for my kids and thus, become a better mom!  All by working on 1 area!

Step 4: Set a goal associated with that role.  Example: To make 5 meals ahead of time for the week.  

Step 5: Surround yourself with self motivation in accomplishing that goal!  For example, recipe books, Pin 5 ingredient meals, work with your kids in planning a menu.  

What works for me is: writing out and posting my goals, having an area in my house where I can visually see these goals (posters, pictures), and proper planning.

My current goal: To complete my 20th half marathon in the next 2 years.  I have an area of my office where my medals hang, an inspirational sign, and an email from my dad before my 1st marathon about running the race set out for me by Jesus.  I also make a running schedule, I set out my running clothes the night before my runs.  I plan and prepare.  I focus and visualize.  

But none of this is my 'why.'  My why is my son.  I want to be around for his life, to show him how to live an active lifestyle.  So through my goals of running a fitness business, being a better cook/chef, keeping a clean house, HE is my why.  By running, planning healthy meals, and taking care of our home, I doing it so he can have a life surround by positive influences and mom who worked, worked hard for her goals.  Yours may be your kids as well, but you have to make that link to your health.  If you don't, you will always be sidelined to the relaxing couch, watching Project Runway and folding laundry for the billionth time.  


Sometimes our biggest problem in achieving our goals is we haven't physically written them down on paper (not on your phone!) and put the right inspiration in our way.  Get out of your own way, stay focused and stay driven.  It matters to you.  You can achieve it and you should.  Try these 5 steps and work towards your goal today!

Here's some of my inspiration:

Part 1 of 4: Budgeting

This is the first of 3 posts I am doing on budgeting, meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal prep.  Part 1: Budgeting!

Honestly, It took me a few years to figure out how to plan our families meals, budget for them, grocery shop, and not get so overwhelmed that I don't have a life.  Trust me, there are people out there who write blog upon blog about this stuff, and they're talented, sure, but I don't know how they have a life.  One lady I watched a YouTube video on described every receipt, coupon that must be logged by hand each day.  There were folders and calculators and a check book ledger.  I was so stressed out watching her video that I pretty much gave up then.  

We've always wanted to do a budget, but didn't know how to realistically do it.  I can't work Excel to save my life and my husband, God bless him, didn't always remember where he spent money or where his receipts would go.  We each had a way in our minds of doing it, but it just never hit the paper. 

This summer, I was determined to figure it all out.  I had "pinned" a bunch of budgeting stuff on Pinterest, because, really that's the first step in everything these days.;)  I found everything from that said woman in the above story, to Dave Ramsey, to SAHM's who made up their own.  I printed off a ton of budget spreadsheets and narrowed it down to the few I thought would work for us.  

Next, I got writing out each of our income for the month plus our expenses. It got tricky with things we only pay 1x a year like property taxes, our chiro bill, or a random trip to the doctor.  I didn't know what to do with these items.  MINT to the rescue.

We have had a MINT account online for a few years, but I just never really played around with it to see if it would work for us.  Plus, it never synced all of our accounts and I would always get too frustrated with my computer to figure it out.  Well, Nathan quickly figured that out and we got our account up and running.  Mint is an online budget tool that can link to all of your accounts (checking, savings, online savings/checking, etc, mortgage, etc) and then you can set up custom budgets for your money.  You can even set up goals and a way to track if you're saving enough for a vacation.  It sends you emails if you are over your set budget or near it.  

My absolute favorite thing about Mint is that it has an app where I can easily add purchases I make with cash.  I can even tell it what category to pull from.  Neither one of us likes to carry cash or envelopes (which is why Dave Ramsey wasn't going to work for us) but I wrote in a budget for each of us to have "fun money" each month.  When we purchase from that with either cash or our acct, I can tell it to pull from "Kelli cash", etc.  That way, I'm not buying things for myself from Target each month and saying, "Oh, it's all apart of the Target budget."  

At the end of the month, I get an email with where my money went in some sort of graph.  I can rework the budgets if I find we are not using our fast food budget, but going over in restaurant spending each month.  I haven't figured out a penalty for us by going over a budget yet though.  Right now, I just look at it and think, "well, shoot!"  But overall, I have found it holds me accountable.  I check Mint daily and if I make a cash purchase, I put it in immediately.  For example, I love iced coffee.  I would buy it everyday from Bread Co. if I could but at $2.10 that adds up.  So whenever I get it, which is now only about 1x a week, if that, I keep my receipt until I open the Mint app and plug it in.  If I use cash, I put in what I bought, how much, that it was cash, and I tag it to "Kelli cash".  That way, it comes out of that fun money budget.  Otherwise, I would just put it in fast food or restaurants, but that didn't seem 100% right to me.  It needed to pain me a little so I wouldn't just buy one every day.  

Each month, I can go into Mint and see if we ended in the red or black and what our past months look like.  I love that I can go in this month and add a Christmas spending budget.  That way, I will spend less in other areas to make up for that one.  My goal is to eventually print off  each month's ending graphs and compare to prepare for the coming year.  I haven't fully utilized the goal setting part yet, but plan to so we can go on vacation.  I think too many people rely on just coming up with the money without really haven't a budget of where it will come from.  

Keeping receipts wasn't going to work for us and seriously, who has time to write stuff down daily?  I needed something that would work in the background daily for us and where I could also check in with the app and add cash expenses.  I am also committed to looking at it every Sunday to see where we are at.  

Budgeting this way has worked well for us, but if you don't like it, use the pen and paper method!  That is truly my crutch but the meal planning and grocery shopping was already hand written so I gave up trying to do the budget that way.  



Oh and did I mention Mint is FREE!  Here's the link: Mint website

Super food - how to cut Pomegranates!

Pomegranates are the ultimate super-food, but don't let them intimidate you!  I spent years avoiding certain fruits because I didn't want to cut them or learn. There is literally too much to lose by not eating pomegranate seeds. 

Here are just a few benefits:
Benefits of Poms

• Most powerful anti-oxidant of all fruits
• Potent anti-cancer and immune supporting effects
• Inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that could cause heart attacks, strokes and embolic disease
• Lowers cholesterol and other cardiac risk factors
• Lowers blood pressure
• Shown to promote reversal of atherosclerotic plaque in human studies
• May have benefits to relieve or protect against depression and osteoporosis 

Here's an easy way to cut:

Here are the tools needed to cut and de-seed

The top of the pom (the stem) should be facing you...so flip this picture so it's  facing you.

Cut in half

Fill bowl with water, tap outside of shell with a wooden spoon (fairly hard) and work the seeds out with your other hand.

The white pulp will float to the top.  Scoop out with a spoon.

Strain the remaining and you are left with glorious seeds! 

Here's a link to some ways to eat pomegranates: Ways to eat Poms

My favorite way is to make a Pomegranate smoothie and add them as crunch on top.  Try adding them to your salads with a balsamic vinaigrette or with almond butter toast.  Yum!

My books to read in 2015

My books to read in 2015  - first of all, I love how this rhymes...I'm such a nerd!  I love to read.  I'm reading 5-6 books right now.  Don't be impressed.  I finish one about every month and then take on another so I'm always 30 pages into 5 or 6 books.  I love a reading a variety of topics: professional development, raising children, fiction, non-fiction, exercise/fitness, etc.

Here's my to-read list for 2015 (btw, I keep track of them with an app called Good Reads.  It's great as I always forget what I want to read next)

1. The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy - professional development book on getting success in life and in your business

2.  Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed- heard this non-fiction book was great.

3.  Forks Over Knives: The Plant-Based Way to Health by Gene Stone- interested in all things health!

4.  Derrick Storm novels by Richard Castle - We love the show Castle.  It's sort of an obsession.  These books are based on the show's main character being a novelist and the books he writes.

5.  Any James Patterson - he is one of my favorite fiction suspense writers.  His books are quick, easy reads

6.  Death by Food Pyramid by Denise Minger - All about sketchy politics and what the government tells us to eat!

7.  Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure - I loved her other book on exercise and health and have been on a wait list with our library for awhile for this one.

8.  Manna for Moms: God's Provision for Your Hair-Raising, Miracle-Filled Mothering Adventure by Megan Breedlove - a book for moms who struggle to find time to spend with God amidst all their other duties

9.  Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal by Eric Schlosser - this title pretty much says it all

10.  The Bible - this should really be #1.  I don't want to read the Bible app.  I don't want a devotional.  I want to open the pages of my huge, clunky decade old Bible with high-lighted margins and torn pages.  I want to go back to my 1st love and remember that all things come from God.  There is so much wisdom to gain and a relationship to tend to.  

Those are my books for 2015.  Got any you can recommend?


**two other write-ins that I found I still need to read: Start by Jon Acuff and Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money by Dave Ramsey

Fitness & Nutrition - Something you love, don’t do, or try to do? - ***Free workout included***

January is all about (that bass?...ya right) fitness and all things to lose the holiday weight.  I, myself, am no exception to this.  I need motivation at times. As much as fitness is my life, my passion, my motivation, even I get into slumps and need to jazz it up a bit.  Here's what I have come to love, don't do and want to try for the coming year...

Love - I'm loving creating my own workouts at home or in the gym.  The possibilities are endless and it's so fun for me to mix it up, while still making gain in my strength and cardio.  Here's a quick workout to try at home:

Tabata Workout 20/10 -

20 seconds on, 10 seconds off, repeat each move 4x for a total of 2 min

Burpees

Bicep curl

Jumping jacks

Push-ups

Rest 1 min

Alternating Reverse Lunges

Lateral shoulder raise

Crunches
Mt. Climbers

Don't do: Count calories.  I just don't.  I know a lot of people who have success with apps like My Fitness Pal and I think those are phenomenal for motivation, accountability and staying on track.  Personally, I spent years writing down and slaving over how to lose weight and obsessing over it.  I used to be confined to a number on the scale.  Now while I don't like it when that numbers escalates 5-10lbs, I will not let it define me anymore. So, for me, I concentrate on vegetables, lean meats and small splurges like bite-sized candy and know that when tight jeans get too tight, I need to eat a little better. 

Something to try:  Barre Class.  I love all things fitness and would love an "outside the box" workout.  I am definitely a runner and bootcamp girl at heart but this sounds fun and challenging.  Might even help me become a better runner!  My aunt does the class and really likes it. I'm hoping to try this soon! Here's a link to what it entails: Pure Barre class

What do you want to try this year and what are you loving in regards to fitness?