Wedding Wednesday - Feeling Good

I've felt it and I know you all have too.  While that cupcake, glass of wine, and extra handful of chips tastes so good, it leaves you feeling a little, well, blah later.  I've felt that blah feeling for way too long, despite my regular workout routine.  I seem to always forget the saying, "Abs are made in the kitchen!"  To try to put an end to that feeling, I've been eating better to get ready for the wedding.  Although I haven't seen much movement on the scale, I feel so much better.  My head is clearer and I just feel lighter.

Here are some of the steps I take to "feel good."

For breakfast, I would LOVE to have a couple cinnamon rolls -and yes, on the weekends I will splurge a little and have some.  But, having fresh juice is the perfect way for me to start my day.  My favorite juice combination has been a green apple, a handful of carrots, a tiny sliver of ginger, a handful or two of spinach, and maybe a few strawberries if I have them on hand.  Yesterday, I had an orange, some cucumber, spinach, and a banana.  Yes, I've been told that juicing a banana doesn't work... but it does in my cheapo juicer.  And it's good. 

For lunch, I try to stay away from anything that has an abundance of carbs and sodium.  Turkey sandwiches with a side of baked chips is perfection.  Sometimes I'll opt for a salad.  Sometimes it's leftovers from dinner the night before.  I try to keep it light.  For dinner, I may not eat quite as clean, but my portions are small.  Which brings me to my next point... I snack.  A lot.  I watch the clock and make sure to eat something every three hours (Fiber One bars, rice cakes, and organic granola are some recent favorites).  

I try to work out five times a week.  My recent obsession has been pilates.  Wow, the transformation is amazing -my core is so much stronger.  No, I'm not showing a six pack, but I can hold my planks longer, do more sit ups, and my posture is better.  I try to combine my pilates with enough cardio.  My schedule usually looks something like this: 

Monday- Pilates with Ball

Tuesday- 30 minutes Zumba, 20 minutes of walking/running combo on treadmill, 10 minutes stretching

Wednesday- Either Pilates Mat or Tae-bo

Thursday- 20 minutes treadmill, 10 minutes elliptical, 25 minutes free weights, 5 minutes stretching

Friday- Pilates Foam Roller (all time favorite)

 On top of that, I move whenever possible.  I try not to look at running errands around our hospital's campus as a chore, but as an excuse to move and soak up some vitamin D.  I don't waste time searching for a parking spot near the door of the grocery store ...I park near the back and walk.  I take the stairs.  

 Aside from eating right and exercising, there are a few other things I have been doing lately to feel good.  I've been drinking tea.  I used to HATE tea, but crave it now.  I drink a chamomile tea at night before bed and add a few drops of lemon juice.  I drink a detoxifying tea during the day.  First thing in the mornings, I'll sometimes drink a mixture of warm water and lemon juice -- this is incredibly simple and cleansing.  

Also, I've started taking baths with Epsom salt.  I found this one at Harris Teeter for five dollars.  It smells like a spa and I'm obsessed.  Epsom salt helps to draw impurities and toxins out of your body.  It's incredibly relaxing... but then again, when is a hot bath not?

Finally, SLEEP.

I could stay up all night.  I get a second wind around 11pm, but I know how important it is to get at least eight hours every night.  My goal has been to be ready for bed at 10pm each night.  By doing this, I'm usually in bed with my eyes closed by 11pm.  This is a huge accomplishment since I used to go to sleep around 1am.  The extra two hours have made a tremendous difference in my clarity, mood, and overall health. 

What do YOU do to feel good? 

By the way, I had my bridal portraits yesterday!  It was cold and overcast, but I think they are going to be amazing.  My photographer is the absolute best and I LOVED my hair and makeup (huge surprise because I'm super picky).  My photog shot all in film and I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait to see the photos.

Here's the venue where we did the portraits (Lowndes Grove):

 Happy Humpday, Loves!

Friday Five {workout gear}

{1}

GapFit

Side note... I have a confession.  I'm afraid to try on Lululemon.  I've walked in the store and perused their website a handful of times, but I forbid myself from trying anything on or placing an order.  I've admired from afar, but will I try those pants on?  Heck no.  I know myself too well and when I like something, I get it.  Well, when it comes to clothes at least (within reason, of course).  I just can't justify the price for workout gear.  I work out five times a week, but I only wear the pants for a little over an hour each day.  Props to all of you ladies out there who are rocking your Lulu.  I've found some amazing alternates and I'm here to share.  

Gap has created a new line of compression active-wear called GapFit.  Y'all, it really, well... compresses.  I caught a major sale in our local store and racked up big time.  I'm obsessed with these two pants.  Comfy and slimming ...and wait for it... I got mine for $16 a piece.  Take that, Lululemon.

GapFit gFast Pants

GapFit gFast Leggings

Another item I just can't get over is their Full Zip Jacket.  The thumb holes sold me, what can I say?

{2}

Moving away a little from clothes, I have another love... Nike Stability Shoes.

Last spring, I went on a quest to find the perfect workout shoe.  I ran on a treadmill at a shoe store and was tested to see which shoe was best for my foot and stride.  The shoe below (on sale!) was recommended to me, along with the Zoom Structures.  I LOVE them.  Most comfortable workout shoes I've ever owned.

{3}

C9 Champion

Target did something right in a major way when they introduced the C9 Champion line to their stores.  I'm obsessed with their sports bras.  They are only about $15 and hold their shape for a long time.

Seamless Racer Bra

{4}

Murad Hydrating Toner

I usually am able to escape from the office to work out on my lunch break (gym is, lucky for me, across the street!).  Although I can rinse off in the shower after a workout, I don't have the time to remove my makeup and wash my face.  I improvise by using oil absorbing sheets to remove excess oil, but then I'm left with uncomfortable, tight skin.  This is where the Murad toner comes into play.  It calms my skin after a workout and refreshes my skin, leaving it soft and comfortable.  This stuff is also good for a midday pick-me-up after being stuck in yucky office air all day! 

{5}

Under Armour ColdGear

I definitely wouldn't say I live in a frigid climate -even in the winter, but I'm still thanking my lucky stars for these compression leggings.  They have the softest lining and really help to keep you warm when exercising outdoors.  Or, for going to the grocery store or mail box.  I have been living in these this winter.  

Under Armour ColdGear Compression Leggings

So there you have it.  My workout essentials.  

Happy, happy weekend!

Thursday Mixed Bag

I've been juicing with my Big Boss Juicer every morning this week.  I thought I could drink a juice in lieu of eating breakfast, but I am just too hungry for that.  So, I'll have a fresh juice first thing and a breakfast "snack" about two hours later.  My juices this week have all had the same common ingredients, but I've tried to switch things up a little each day. 

 My favorite combination has been one green apple, 1/4 cucumber, a handful of baby carrots, a handful of spinach/kale mix, and a sliver of ginger.  Pretty darn good, but looks gross.

 

I don't know if it's my frantic facial masks and peels that I've done this past week or if it's the juice, or maybe both... but I have noticed that my skin is looking much more clear, even, and balanced.  Another thing that could have influenced this change is that I switched up my evening moisturizer and am now using Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair.

 

Here's what the website says:

It's a new era in anti-aging. Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night Moisturizer contains Accelerated Retinol SA, the fastest retinol formula available. Accelerated Retinol SA combines the highest concentration of Neutrogena's Retinol SA with glucose complex, an exclusive booster that delivers pure stabilized retinol into the skin's surface quickly and effectively, leaving skin feeling smoother and younger-looking. Rapid Wrinkle Repair Night is so effective, 100% of women had noticeable results in just one week. It's clinically proven to help fade the look of stubborn deep wrinkles, including crow's feet, forehead, and cheek wrinkles; brighten skin's tone; and smooth fine lines and texture.

 

After a facial at Urban Nirvana, my esthetician recommended I start using a retinol cream.  I just couldn't justify $100 for the cream she wanted me to purchase, so I did some research and found that this Neutrogena product has received much applause for it's retinol properties.  I've only been using this for three nights, so I'll keep you updated.

 

Last weekend, my mom and I went to a little antique store that was going out of business.  I scored these gorgeous chairs and am in the works of recovering the cushions and putting a thin layer of stain on them.

I also got three of these little trinket bowls from the same store.  The store owner gave me the chairs and the bowls for $50!  The fourth bowl -the pink one on the bottom right- belonged to my great great grandmother.  I plan on using these in my vanity to store lipsticks and maybe some pieces of jewelry.

 

Ok, one last thing.  I rarely post about recipes and food I make on here, but I made a chicken recipe the other night that was so good.  I hesitated putting up a picture of my meal because I am not a food photographer by any means, but here it is.  Cheesy potatoes au gratin, roasted broccoli, and jalepeno popper chicken.

Brandon and I love jalapenos, so when I saw this recipe, I knew I needed to try it.  Oh, and it's easy.

 

...and wait for it, this is how it's SUPPOSED to look:

For the recipe, click here.  Trust me, you want to make this.  Side note, I didn't exactly follow the recipe very well.  Instead of putting 2 tsp of taco seasoning in the panko crust mixture, I put the whole packet of seasoning in.  Oops!  It turned out awesome though and when I make this again, I will put the whole packet in again for the extra flavor it provided.

 

oh, ps!  My Stella and Dot Trunk Show did NOT end yesterday.  Oops again. 

Here's the link.  Place an order by tonight for your chance at winning a Julep Bangle.  They have some amazing spring/summer items that are brand new. 



ready to juice

I've been wanting to try a three-day juice cleanse for a while now, but always seem to make an excuse as to why I shouldn't.  They're expensive.  I'll be hungry.  I have an event or dinner planned mid-week.  Not good for my metabolism.  Some say it isn't healthy. The list goes on. 

Then I went home to see my parents one weekend and saw a huge box had been delivered to their doorstep.  It was a juicer.  Throughout the weekend, I saw my dad juice carrots, celery, wheat grass, brussel sprouts, cabbage, ginger root, apples, spinach, kale, cranberries, cucumbers, and a ton of other good-for-you-foods.  He put all of those together into one juice.  

Well, I'm not that extreme, but it did inspire me to start juicing myself.  I learned in my nutrition classes in college that juicing is the absolute BEST way to get nutrition from a fruit or vegetable because the juice of the plant is so rich in nutrients. By drinking it, your body is immediately absorbing these nutrients into the bloodstream for quick utilization by the body.

I am no nutritionist by any means, but here are some things I've learned by doing a little research:

- By eating fruits and veggies, we absorb 30% of the nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, enzymes, and phytochemicals).  By juicing, we absorb 90%.

- Fruit and vegetable juice contains enzymes that are important for your digestion.  These enzymes are destroyed by cooking fruits and veggies.  

- Juicing is a GREAT at detoxifying your body because the antioxidants will help carry the toxins that come from the fat cells that have been broken down.

- Nutrients from raw juices have the ability to correct imbalances in the body's cells that come from eating unhealthy and unnatural foods.

- Since fruit and vegetable juice is easy to digest, it leaves more energy for the body to fight off diseases and heal itself.  (Many doctors recommend it for those fighting cancer and other diseases.)

For anyone interested in purchasing a juicing machine, I found a Living Social deal this morning for a $130 juicer...on sale for $59!  I watched video reviews and it seems to do the job just as well as the more expensive ones.

Happy Juicing!

...and on a more exciting note, HAPPY FRIDAY!