July Birtchbox

I always love checking my mail when I know my Birchbox is going to be there. Other than that it is always just bills. Blah. So yesterday when I went to check my mail I was super excited to see what I got this month. This might be one of my favorite boxes that I have gotten so far because every item I will use. So of course I wanted to share them with you. If you want to sign up just let me know. It is so worth the $10 a month.

• 100% Pure Nourishing Body Cream: Think green juice: This organic formula is full of anti-aging ingredients and concentrated moisture.
• Benefit Cosmetics. Girl Meets Pearl: This is easy-to-apply highlighter gives skin a radiant finish
• Number 4. Super Comb Prep & Protect: A sulfate-free leave in conditioner that safeguards color and protects against UV rays.
• Benta Berry. G-1 moisturizing Face Cream: A French best- seller, this cream both hydrates and purifies, thanks to blueberry and dead nettle.
• Birchbox Bobby Pins: Designed by Birtchbox to add style to summer hair with minimal effort.

 

 

Fabulous right?

 

I also wanted to share a new snack that I found while looking for some new shorts at Marshall's (all my clothes are getting too big. SUCH a wonderful feeling).

This Naked Popcorn is gluten and nut free. Only 140 calories for 3 cups. So for this whole bag it is only 280 calories.

 

 

 

 

Day 156:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with hot sauce and 25 almonds

Lunch: Turkey Sausage, Broccoli, Quinoa Casserole

Snack: 1 small peach and naked popcorn

Dinner: Thai (chicken and veggies)

 

105 days no diet mountain dew- 59 days no soda

 

31 days final goal

 

58 days 1st 5k



 





Turkey Sausage, Broccoli, Quinoa Casserole

At the beginning of the week I shared that this is the week out of the month that I am on an extreme budget. So I have been making things that arn't expensive and don't take a lot of ingredients. So at the beginning of the week I of course made my Skinny Spaghetti with spaghetti squash, low sugar marinara and learn (94%) ground beef. But I can't eat that for every meal everyday of the week. So last night I came up with something that I have never cooked before so I am  pretty excited about sharing this today. Great thing is everything cost a whooping $ 12

 

What you will need

turkey sausage

2 eggs

1 package of broccoli florets

veggie quinoa

reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese

minced onion

garlic salt

 

Preheat your oven to 350'

 

Start by cooking your turkey sausage, quinoa and broccoli.

Mix all ingredients together.

All turkey sausage, quinoa, 2 eggs, minced onion, 1 package of steamed broccoli, 3/4 cup of reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tbsp of garlic salt.

 

Pour into cooking dish.

Cook in oven for about 20 minutes.

 

Then sprinkle reduced fat cheddar cheese on top. Cook for another 5ish minutes.

Once fully cooked (stick a fork in the middle to check)

 

Then enjoy your Turkey Sausage, Broccoli, Quinoa Casserole. This is great because it is so inexpensive, healthy, low carb, and makes several servings.

 

 

Week 7 Workout 3

 

1.25 mile: 0 incline- went between 5.5 to 6.0 mph

 

full arm weights (15 minutes)

 

elliptical on interval training for 15 minutes

 

3 times 15 incline sit ups

 

3 time 15 reverse sit ups

 

 

Day 155:

Post workout smoothie: 1 cup of strawberries, almond milk and 2 ice cubes

Breakfast: 2 eggs with almonds (25)

Lunch: Turkey Sausage, Broccoli, Quinoa Casserole

Snack: 2 small peaches

Dinner: I went on a double date with the bf and his sister and husband to a restaurant that I had never been to called the Back Porch. It was absolutely amazing and so so clean. I loved it. I had a grilled chicken salad with strawberries, pecans, crumbled blue cheese with romaine lettuce and raspberry vinaigrette. If you are in the area check it out. You will be glad you did.

http://backporchspartanburg.com/

 

104 days no diet mountain dew- 58 days no soda

 

32 days final goal

 

59 days 1st 5k





Sweet Potato Fries

I mentioned yesterday that I was doing my first Body Pump class. I absolutely loved it. It literally worked every part of your body. I was pretty excited because I was the only beginner/ first timer in the class and I kept up with everyone and used the same amount of weights (as some of the people). Now I am not going to lie, when I got out of bed this morning to go to the gym I could feel it. I love that feeling because you know that you actually worked it.I want to try to at least do the class once a week but I need to continue doing my 5k training since it is getting so close. But if you have never done a Body Pump class I would definitely suggest it. You will be happy you do.

 

Now on the way home I stopped by the store to pick up some fresh produce for dinner. When I got home I made me a quick salad to hold me over while I made me some sweet potato fries.

 

(romaine lettuce, broccoli, parm cheese, low fat yogurt dressing and sriracha hot sauce)

Yeap you heard me right sweet potato fries. I can't wait to tell my mom I ate sweet potatoes. I remember when I was younger the thought of a sweet potato made me gag. I was a pure potato gal. But I read how healthy they are for you and decided to give them a try. I mean my taste buds have change since I was a kid. So I began by chopping up the potato and preheating my oven to 400'

 

 

I then put the fries in a large bowl

 

and added 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

garlic salt

and minced onion.

 

Then popped in the oven and let cook until they were crunchy (about 20 to 30 minutes)

 

Then enjoyed with 2 tablespoons of ketchup!

 

I absolutely was shocked how good they were. It just goes to show that your taste buds do change. So it is always a good idea to try that one veggie that you hated growing up.

 

 

Week 7 Workout 2

 

Since I did a lot of weights and circuit training yesterday and my body probably couldn't have handled another squat or lunge today I decided to keep it straight cardio.

 

With my 5k training I had to add .25 mile to my run this morning

 

Treadmill 20 minutes:

1.25 mile- incline 0- 6.0 mph

finished with incline 15- 4.0 mph

 

Bike level 4 -10 minutes

 

Day 154:

Post workout smoothie: 1 cup of peaches, 1 cup of strawberries, 2tbsp flax seed, light soy milk and 2 ice cubes

Breakfast: 2 large eggs

Snack:: almonds

Lunch: spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara, very little lean ground beef (94%) and grilled chicken with veggies.

Snack: small peach with blueberries and strawberries

Dinner:

 

103 days no diet mountain dew- 57 days no soda

 

33 days final goal

 

60 days first 5k



 



Body Pump!!

Last night after a very long Monday I was ready to have a little me time. I bet you can guess what I cooked...........

You got it! Spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara sauce with lean (94%) ground beef. (Don't judge I used a styrofoam plate ha)

 

I haven't really been eating any red meat lately but this was on sale and too good of a price to pass up. This is the one week of the month that I am on an extreme budget. Ugh welcome to the real world Mel :) Regardless you can still eat wonderful healthy meals on a budget and that is what I will prove this week. Well I don't really have a choice. ha :)

 

I didn't go to the gym this morning because this evening after work I am trying a body pump class which I am pretty pumped :) about! Watch the video below if you have never been to a class before. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aCdcEkt7kH8

 

 

Now I have never been to this type of class so I am not really sure how I will feel afterwards. But I do need to continue my training  routine for my 5k so if I am not dieing afterwards I will run on the treadmill. I'll let you know how it all went tomorrow!

My Pre-Workout Snack

 

 

Day 153:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with hot sauce

Snack: 15 almonds, 3 tiny (& I mean tiny) squares of dark chocolate and 3 yogurt covered peanuts

Lunch: spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara sauce and 94% lean ground beef

Snack: 1 piece of white corn (plain)

Pre-Workout Snack: ThinkThin Bar
Dinner: romaine lettuce, broccoli, parm cheese, low fat yogurt dressing and sriracha hot sauce and sweet potato fries (check out step by step recipe tomorrow)

 

102 days no diet mountain dew- 56 days no soda

 

34 days final goal

 

61 days 1st 5k

 

 



Girl Time

This past weekend I went to Charlotte to visit some of my best friends. One has been my best friend since college and we are still just as crazy and loud when we get around each other. The other I haven't know as long but we have become pretty close. Here are just some of the pictures from the weekend. But I don't think they can show the amount of laughter, love and fun I had.

 

My "Wifey" and her adorable daughter. Love them both

 

She is getting so big... did you notice her bib... I love my Aunt (yeah that's me)

'

 

We are going to have to give her posing lessons.

 

So sweet

 

Ohhh the stories I have for you about your mommy and me

 

Auntie Wifey

 

Best Friends for 8 years and many more to come

 

That night my other friend and I got a little country and went to a Lynard Skynard concert. It was actually a blast because it rained (not too hard) and it just got to the point where we didn't care about getting wet. We just laughed our little hearts off and played in the mud. I sure was happy to wash my feet when I got back though.

 

This was such a great weekend. Nothing really beats having girl time with some of your besties. I can't wait to see the little one grow up and be around for each step of the way.

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

 

Day 150:

Breakfast: non fat greek yogurt

Lunch: Cheesecake factory: we started with mexican lettuce wraps and I ended with a turkey burger with no bun and a side salad with low fat dressing

Dinner: skipped was so full from lunch and ate pretty late.

 

 

Day 151:

CHEAT DAY!

 

 

Day 152:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with hot sauce

Snack: 2 tbsps of pb

Lunch: grilled chicken salad

Snack: trail mix

Dinner: spaghetti squash with marinara sauce (low sugar) and ground beef (94% lean) (must remind myself I like turkey WAY better but this was on sale) and a side ceasar salad (low fat yogurt dressing)

 

 

101 days no diet mountain dew- 55 days no soda

 

 

35 days till final goal

 

 

62 days first 5k