Pizza Lovers!!

Where my pizza lovers at?  Friday night just screams pizza and a movie right?? Well check it-

If you’re anything like me you have your hands raised!! One of my favorite things to eat is pizza.  Realistically it’s not something I can indulge in every day.  Although I sure wish it was! Did you know that one slice of pepperoni pizza has 254 calories! In one slice! I said ONE TINSY little slice! And let’s just be totally honest if we are eating pizza are we really only going to eat one slice? No!  My FAV is supreme!  But don’t think because they throw veggies on it that it’s better for you.  One slice of supreme has 257 calories.  That’s 3 more than peperoni! I’m dying a little on the inside.  

I see absolutely nothing wrong with having one cheat meal a week.  One cheat meal a week keeps us sane right?  Let’s just not make it a cheat day though.  A cheat day would be 3 sinful meals that could throw an entire week’s worth of hard work to a sketching halt.

All that being said, I have an alternative for ya! Takes basically no effort and it’s oh so good and healthy!! How about pizza with a spinach and cauliflower crust?? SCORE!

Here's what you will need:

· 1/3 Can Muir Glen Organic Pizza Sauce (Any organic, low sodium sauce will work)

· 2 Cups Kraft Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese

· 3 Cups Fresh Spinach

· 6 Cups Chopped Cauliflower

· 2 Large Egg Whites

· 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder

· 1/2 Cup Diced Bell Pepper

· 1/2 Cup Sliced Red Onion

Now-

Heat your oven to 425

Microwave Cauliflower in a microwave safe bowl for 4 minutes. Add to mixer and mix for 4 minutes on medium.

Chop Spinach and add to mixer with cauliflower. Add egg whites, garlic and 1 cup of cheese to mixer. Keep mixing on medium until a foamy texture appears. 

Like so,

Spread the mixture onto a greased baking sheet with a spatula and flatten it out until there are no holes.  Bake for 10-15 minutes. 

Add 1 cup of cheese, bell peppers, sauce and onions on top of crust cook for another 10- 13 minutes until crust is lightly brown and toppings are cooked

And BAM! Healthy pizza it is!

Cut into 6 slices.

Calories: 80, Carbs 10g, Fiber 4g, Sugar 1.2g, Protein 6g, Fat .05g

Eye Opener!

My IRLF Kayla introduced me to the The Honest Company by Jessica Alba.  Kayla knows I love to practice clean eating and exercise.  She recommended I read Jessica Alba's book The Honest Life.  Since I changed my life style I have been curious about changing to chemical free foods and products.  But like most I never did the research.  I purchased The Honest Life last week.  And although I have not finished the booked I am stunned at the chemicals we use in our everyday products.  Seriously EW! 

This book is FULL of shocking information!!

 Did you know that there are over 80,000 chemicals on the market that have not been studied to see if they are toxic to our health?  This is 30% more than was in our laundry detergent and other consumer goods in 1976.

That bag of apples you purchased yesterday.  Yea it’s been sprayed with synthetic pesticides.  This is among the top 10 chemicals associated with an increased risk for autism and learning disabilities.  What's even worse is chicken!  They are pumping the chicken we eat every day with antibiotics.  These antibiotics are making the chickens grow super-fast!  Great for the farmer! But what about what it is doing to our bodies?  It’s contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria.  Do you want to go to the doctor and realize the medication he is giving you to treat your illness are void to you? What we need to look for is Certified Organic or CHRH labels.  This nonprofit Humane Farm Animal Care is making sure we aren’t pumping our own bodies with unwanted antibiotics.

I could go on and on about the things I have found out about beef and seafood and other everyday foods.  But that would take days of blog post!

As you know we do not have a baby yet.  But we do plan for one in the future.  I want to be prepared and make sure my baby is getting all natural and chemical free foods and products!  I found a piece of information about baby’s laundry detergent that set this new journey in stone for me.  Did you know that the hottest children’s laundry detergent on the market contains chemicals called propylene glycol and synthetic fragrances.  Both causing allergic reactions and skin rashes.  If that’s not bad enough!  It also contains diethylene glycol which is a known neurotoxin.  This means it can mess with their neurological system and cause learning delays and even brain damage. 

What I have compiled in this blog post is only with in the first few pages on this book.  As I find more information I will keep you updated.  From this point forward, no more chemicals that can harm our bodies will be found in my house! I ordered a truck load on The Honest Company products and I fully intend to change to all natural foods!

If you haven’t picked up the book The Honest Life by Jessica Alba, you should!  Join in this journey with us!  And if you aren’t sold on switching your house hold products, try the free trail of The Honest Company products and see what you think! The Honest Company

One last thing.  I read this statement and it makes total sense!  People constantly say "But I grew up with that and I'm just fine!"  Fact is those same products you used your whole life aren't necessarily the same as when we were kids!  They are in fact far from it!

I need a break!

What an extremely busy last few days we have had! Sorry for the lack of post but it has been full blast since Tuesday of last week.  So let’s catch up!

Tuesday night of last week I made a cake for my cousin’s sweet baby boys 1^st birthday! The cake was super cute!  But if you have ever worked with fondant you know you can count on a huge mess! I typically cover the whole kitchen in powder sugar! J

 Wednesday I hit the nail salon for a mani/pedi in prep for the wedding we were in on Saturday.  Then a little shopping and dinner with a friend.

Thursday I started making Spiderman Cupcakes for a friend’s little boys 6^th birthday party.  I got all 50 cupcakes made and shaped like Spidy and BAM the power goes out.  To make it even worse it was right in the middle of Grey’s.  Thanks Mother Nature for getting all cranky on Grey’s night.  We thank ya. Not.  So the cupcakes had to wait until Friday morning for final touch ups.

I slept in Friday morning.  And it was so nice! We visited with my grandparents that afternoon and headed off to rehearsal dinner.  Oh course on the way it started hailing.  Because only in Arkansas can the sunshine and 5 minutes later it’s hailing.  Luckily everything cleared up and the weather was perfect the rest of the weekend. 

My sweet husband went to the grocery store and picked up everything on my list for Mother’s Day lunch while us girls were getting gorg for the wedding Saturday morning.

Sunday morning I set my alarm for 7AM!  I jumped up and started cooking!  Bran peeled and sliced apples for my apple pie while I started on a Strawberry Lemonade Cake.  I only had until 9:15 to grab a quick shower and be out the door and to church to sing in choir with my grandmother by 10:20.  After church we had lunch with my fam.  The hubs and I didn’t eat.  We were off to a cook out with his fam at 2!

There was not one crumb left from either one of my desserts! :)

Not to brag but both my apple pie and strawberry lemonade cake was delish! And no there was nothing healthy about them!  It’s totally fine to splurge just not every day!  We grilled burgers and hot dogs and of course all of the trimmings to go with.  So you can imagine how hard I have hit the exercise routine and clean eating this week!  Vacay is getting so close!  There’s no time for mishaps!

This week has been just as busy as last week.  So if I haven’t responded to emails and text like normal just know I have been on the go and getting home late every night.  Mostly last minute things for our trip and possibly a little shopping last night.  I scored two free beach towels with my purchase from Victoria Secret!! And 60% off of a matching carry on for my new coral Jessica Simpson luggage.  I’m still looking for fab passport book covers if anyone has seen any!

I also discovered this yummy new Long Island spinach smoothie from Tropical Smoothie that is the bomb!  Yall know I love a great healthy smoothie! J

I hope you all have a fab weekend! We are off to another wedding Saturday! Love is in the air! J

PS: Day 17 of the Squat Challenge, 150 squats.  GET IT! I’ve read that air squats do nothing unless you add weight.  Well my theory is 150 air squats is doing more for our rears than keeping them parked on the couch right?  Thought so.

His & Hers

Keeping up with a healthy life style can be challenging.  Especially if you’re the only one in your home that doesn’t eat crap.  For example my hubby has great intentions to eat healthy.  But to be honest when it comes to food he isn’t very open minded.  I’m not ok with this.  But I love him anyways.   Regardless of whether or not his food choices are healthy he still has to eat.  And sham on me for cooking whatever he asks for on a daily basis.  He is so SPOILED.  And my IRL friends know this to be very true!

I cook a meal for him and a meal for myself.  This may take a little extra effort but the outcome is worth it.  He is happy and so am I.  The point is this.  Even if you’re the only one eating healthy you can still make it work.  Don’t give in just because it’s going to take you an extra 5 minutes.  This goes back to being prepared.  Cook your healthy eats in advance! 

Here are some of the his and hers meals that are happening in our house!

 Breakfast for her: Eggs, fruit and coffee

Breakfast for him: Chocolate Gravy and Biscuits

Dinner For Her: 2 Ruby Sensation Poatoes-50 Cal, cooked spinach 20 cal, grilled chicken and steak 120 cal with spinach salad.

 

Dinner for him: Fried Deer Steak, Mashed potatoes, Mac n Cheese, corn and biscuits. Carb over load!

PS:

This does not mean that I don't have a cheat meal because I do!  We all know this Sunday is Mothers Day.  We will be having lunch with both of our moms.  And I plan to make some amaz desserts! 

  But I also enjoying eating healthy and exercising on the reg.  It becomes a lifestyle not just a diet.

PSS:

In the last 48 hours I have gotten a fill on my nails, a pedi, a lash fill and a spray tan.  Now if I could find time for a trip to Massage Envy I'd be feeling pretty good! :)

Have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Spaghetti Squash

 Spaghetti Squash

Ever heard of it?  Well it’s delish.  And a great noodle replacement.  On top of super easy to make!

One cup of spaghetti squash only has 60 calories!  Compared to your regular white noodle that contains 210 calories for 2 ounces! And just to throw this out there-one cup is equal to 8ounces.  You do the math.

I LOVE spaghetti, truly love it! But it’s not realistic for me to eat weekly.  So this is a great alternative.  It’s great with ground turkey, grilled chicken or fish. 

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350. 
2. Slice the squash in half.
3. Scoop out the seeds just like you would do to a pumpkin or melon.
4. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
5. Place the squash halves seed side down.
6. Bake for 50-65 minutes or until soft.
7. Hold the squash with an oven mitt and scrape the insides with a fork over a bowl. 
8. I added 2 tbsp. of low sodium spaghetti sauce. 

Check out this YouTube video for a better visual.

I have gotten so many email asking for easy and healthy recipes! I am working on responding to each of you!  From now on I will post a new recipe each week!

Work Out Wednesday!

UPDATE PLEASE!

How is everyone doing with the squat challenge?  It is now day 8.  Which is rest day.  I have not been taking a rest day.  On rest day I’m adding 5 to the previous day’s squat number.  

For those of you just reading.  Join in on our squat challenge!

I have gotten lots of response on this!  And if you think you’re the only one that has legs that are giving out when you try to sit on the toilet your wrong!

Beast mode people, this is crunch time!  It’s summer.  Even though this is Arkansas and tomorrow could mean a snow storm. No seriously.  But regardless the calendar isn’t lying to us.  And neither is our bum! So get with it!

I’m hitting the gym at lunch for spin!  Spin is actually my fav! Burning up to 900 calroies in 45 mins.  On top of being up beat and fun!  I love fitting in gym time on my lunch break.  And I could care less what I look like when I arrive back to the office. J  Because I’m getting it done! One work out off my list before I head home for Insanity with Shawn T, squats and weights!

Don’t have time to fit in a work out? Multitask!  Last night I did my squats while I cooked dinner.  No excuses. 

Meal Plan

I’m so excited! 9 posts in and the numbers show 1,241 page views! This number is small compared to most blogs.  But I’m a newbie! J  And this means you’re reading!!

I’ve had a few people asking for meal plans and easy dinner ideas.  First and foremost I am no nutritionist.  But I do know what has worked for me.  And that is hard work!  I still have a ways to go.  

It’s 70% what you eat and the other 30% is exercise.  Diet pills will work.  BUT they are a quick fix and short term.  You will not maintain your weight once you get off of them.  Plus it’s not healthy!  Makes me sound like a hypocrite right?  I’ve tried them all! But no more!  How far I’ve come isn’t because of anything but living healthy.

Here’s the same word over again-PREPARE!!  When you hit the grocery store you have two choices.  Fresh or frozen.  Honestly it doesn’t matter.  (Unless you’re buying frozen dinners.  Check out the sodium! YIKES!)  I buy the frozen ready in 5, steamable veggies and keep them in the freezer.  No I do not have kids but we have busy lives and I don’t always stand in the kitchen for hours over a meal.

I can walk in the house, open the frig and grab a hand full of things and be eating in 10 minutes.  So many things are microwavable now.  Like sweet potatoes! It’s as easy as rinse, wrap and microwave for 5 minutes. 

Last night I was later getting home than usual.  So I grabbed a broccoli steamables and grilled chicken and popped it in the microwave.  Put the chicken on a 90 calorie flat wrap (in the deli section) with sliced avocado, hummus and salsa.  Easy right?

If you need easy breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack ideas email me!  I'll send you a few more helpful hints!

mrsrushing1429@gmail.com



Blondes Day Out

5 Blondes, 1 SUV and a few credit cards and us girls were happy as could be!

We had the best day!! We started out with lunch at Red Lobster.  Memes fav place. I chose from the lighter choice menu. I ordered a half portion of Tailapia with steamed veggies and I added a shrimp skewer.  And I still left food on my plate. Which gave me a few extra calories for the Bahama Momma I had. 

Total was 360 calories.  Yumo.

This Amber-Isn’t she gorg? She’s the newest member to the fam!

From the left-Me. Cindy (MIL), Meme, Aunt Gayla and pretty Amber.

Once we fueled up for the day we were off to spend a little money!  We shopped till we dropped and laughed until tears ran down our faces! Literally people starred. Think we care? No.

I scored a great sale on Jessica Simpson luggage for our vacay! I got Brandon black Calvin Klein.  He won't be carrying around coral JS luggage I can assure you. 

Amber and I were hungry again so we talked them into hitting up Orange Leaf. Now this is my fav! I don’t eat regular ice cream.  But frozen yogurt is a different story!

I had chocolate and vanilla sugar free yogurt, topped with granola and strawberries. I cheated and got a waffle cone.  This was 150 calories and gluten free! Get in my belly! No photo, I devoured it before I could think to snap a shot of that heavenly little bowl. :) 

We did however talk the man behind the counter into taking a few pictures of us.

 Your welcome Orange Leaf!

Beginning prepared for a day of eating out can save you 1000s of calories!  You can treat you’re self.  Just know what you’re eating.  I looked up the nutritional facts the day before.  So I knew exactly what I was going to order when we arrived at Red Lobster and Orange Leaf.  In return I wasn’t tempted to just order anything.  My bikini will thank me later and so will yours!



Fashion Friday:

Can we say TGIF? Waking up knowing its Friday makes a 5AM alarm clock sound a lot better!

Lauren C today's post is for you!!

With the weekends festivities coming up I want to talk SHOPPING!

I may or may not shop online more than I hit the stores?  Now don't worry I still shop it local.  Dillard's gets plenty of my husband’s money.  So don’t fret that your local businesses aren’t getting their fair share.

 Maybe he feels like this guy? Kidding! Seriouly he would never complain.  He appreciates a well dressed woman.

Correct me if I’m wrong but these cute little boutiques basically throw the latest styles in our face! And no I’m not complaining.  Every day when I check Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, BAM new arrivals at my fav places.  I’m guilty of having shopping accounts so all I have to do is comment Run Ship & Size on the FB picture. Yes this mean you don’t even have to call or go over to the website!  In a couple days my happy UPS man brings me a package. We are on a first name basis.  I blame Amber over at -Living in the Moment-. She started it!

Have a fab weekend!  I'm spending Saturday shopping with my MIL, Aunt G, Amber, Sissy and Meme. These women are the core of my inlaws. :) Im lucky!  Check back Monday.  Things should get interesting!  If anyones in LR join us for lunch!

Here are a couple of my fav places to order from.  They never disappoint!

Hope's Always free shipping!

Impressions

The Blue Door Boutique

The Rage

Recap:

Friday Eve, my fav day of the week.  And one of the only nights I sit down in front of a TV and enjoy a few shows! Keep calm its Greys night right?

And I mean seriously? Would your Thursday be the same with out these 3? TVD.

On to healthier things than doctors and sexy vampires!

So I’ve had quite a few people asking for the recipe for my smoothies.  And I’m so glad you did! There are SO many ways to create a great smoothie.  I typically just use whatever fruit I have in the frig.

Examples for single serving blenders-

Spinach Smoothie:

Half glass crushed ice

Hand full of spinach

Couple small strawberries and half of a banana

2 spoon fulls of Greek yogurt.  (I buy Chobani)

Optional- Scoop of protein powder

Milk- you will need just enough to help it blend.  If it doesn’t blend well you need more milk.

Chocolate Protein Shake-

Half glass crushed ice

One scoop chocolate protein powder

2 spoon fulls Chobani Greek yogurt

One banana

Milk

Optional- One packet Truvia

For the coffee drinker- Replace your milk with a strong coffee for a protein packed iced mocha!

Wednesday on the go!

Yesterday I was on the go all day! I spent my Wednesday shopping and getting a much needed base break, highlight and Kerstase treatment from my girl Sunnie @Joel’s Salon.  

Who says lunch on the go can’t be healthy?

Once I made it to Little Rock I hit Staples, Target and Victoria Secret!  Picked up a few pretties and headed to the salon.  Joel’s is such a fun environment! And if you must take your man, they serve beer and wine! ;) No mine would probably never go!

As soon as I left the salon I went straight to Whole Foods and picked up some PB2 and something to cook for dinner.

What’s PB2? The best invention yet! Its powder PB that’s only 45 calories for 2 tbsp. Compared to 1 tbsp. of Jiffy for 190! 

Don’t have any? Get some! FYI Wal-Mart doesn’t carry it.

And lastly here’s our dinner.  I pickup a black pepper marinated chicken breast.  These were perfect.  All I had to do was throw them in the oven.  I also picked up some California Quinoa for myself and Veggie Fried Rice for the hubs. He says Quinoa looks like fish eggs. Whatev.

May Challenge!

I seriously cannot grasp that May is already here!!  Summer times a comin! And I couldn’t be more EXCITED!!!

Our vacation is getting so close I can almost feel the warm sun and sand beneath my toes.  Key West and Bahamas where ya at?  Anyways, what’s more motivating than an upcoming vacation?  Especially a beach vacay!

Since it’s the May 1^st, I want to start a challenge!  Familiar with the Kardashian’s?  (Yes I’m a fan. Get over it!) Well Khloe posted this on Instagram and I’m totally up for the challenge.  I mean if all I have to do is squat it out for 30 days for a bum like this, sign me up!

For the next 30 days let’s eat healthy, exercise daily and squat it out!  We wana be beach bums!  Or have nice beach bums? ;)

Are you up for the challenge?  

Spinach Smoothies!

I love a good smoothie in the AM.  So quick and easy.  And let’s not forget super healthy! This morning I put together a strawberry & banana smoothie.  With added spinach of course! Before you say "EW I WOULD NEVER" hear me out.  First of all you CAN NOT taste the spinach.  Yes it gives your smoothie a green tint.  But that’s it.  No leafy spinach taste.

Spinach can provided so much more nutrients than other foods, when compared

calorie for calorie. Its low in calories and yet so high with vitamins and minerals.  Spinach is a great source of vitamin K, A, C, B2 and the list could go on forever! Loaded with antioxidants and acting as an anti-cancer substance.  Working out regularly?  It has also been identified as an anti-inflammatory!

Now that I’ve given you a science lesson on spinach. :) Throw a hand full of raw spinach into your next smoothie.  No added flavor! Just a little boost to your daily vitamin intake!

PS: Add a scoop or two of Chobain Greek Yogurt for added protein.  Or a scoop of you fav protein powder!

PSS: If you do not own a single serving blender I suggest you get one!  It's to much trouble to get out a big blender for one smoothie.  I got mine from Wal-Mart!

Monday All Over Again:

Here we are faced with another Monday.  Blessed to see another one, yet aren’t we all dreading the week long wait for the weekend?  I know I am.  I get up at 5AM Monday-Friday.  This is fine because I am a morning person.  BUT 5AM, five days in a row calls for a break.  I can appreciate the sound of silence on a Saturday morning.

When Sunday rolls around I prep for the coming week.  And by prep I mean I get everything ready for another week of work and work outs.  I DO NOT LIKE TO BE RUSHED.  Being rushed results in being late and there isn’t anything more annoying than that. Yes it’s a pet peeve of mine!

A typical Sunday for me consist of hitting the grocery store, laundry, meal prep and packing a gym bag.  When 5AM rolls around I like to be able to grab some coffee and get ready for work.  By 6:15 I grab my gym bag and food for the day and I’m out the door.  It’s that easy.  I can’t imagine getting up and rushing around, throwing everything together. This would result in having 50% of what I actually needed for the day.  This in turn could throw off healthy eating and a gym routine.  And no, that is not an excuse.

Taking a few minutes extra the Sunday or even the night before can make a healthy life style so much easier!  Trust me!  How many of you would actually have time to get yourself ready, your kids ready, along with 2 meals and a gym bag?  Would you be out the door for work and school on time? Nope!

The last thing I do is decide on my exercise schedule for the week.  Check out what I have going this week below!

Mon-12PM RPM / 4:30PM Insanity

Tues- 12PM Elliptical / 4:30PM Insanity

Wed- 12PM RPM / 4:30PM Insanity

Thur- 12PM Elliptical + Weights / 4:30PM Insanity

Fri- 12PM 30MIN Run + Weights / Insanity (Optional)

Sat- Insanity

Sun Insanity

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Luscious Lashes:

Let’s talk lashes.  Yesterday I got my first set of semi-permanent lashes and I'm in LOVE!  They are fab if do say so myself.  I have been buying Revlon-self-adhesive lashes.  Only $7 at Wal-Mart.  BUT they are a onetime wear.  Once you take them off they are done.  Or as Mrs. Kay would say THEY GONE! After buying numerous packaged sets I went with a friend to a lady that promised luscious lashes for $20.  OMG never again.  She used hair glue to set them.  This glue was so thick when it dried it was stabbing me in the eye.  I lost most of my real lashes.  Epic fail people! So I visited Stephanie at WINK!  She is awesome and does an amaz spray tan.  The lashes are $125 for a full set.  They are totes worth it!  I mean who can put a price on beauty?  When I got home my hubby said and I quote "can you keep those all the time?" And the answer is yes love I can and I will. I was already booked for a spray tan in two weeks so I added a refill for these babies to my appointment.  Check out of Stephanie’s services at WINK! You won’t be sorry! Here is a link to her website WINK! 

                                                                       Before & After

Fast Food Do's!

Healthy living in a small southern town can be difficult.  But you can’t let a limited selection of fast food places consume you.  Been there done that! If fast food is your only option try to make the better choice.  It isn’t easy to say no to the double cheese burger and large Coke.  But is it easy to look at the scale afterwards? Nope! At least you have the choice to order a large drink. The New York City mayor has taken large drinks off all menus. I find that funny.  Oh if only we lived in the perfect world. Right? Point is you should always know what you’re eating. Check out the nutritional fact links below for some of the local common fast food joints.  I think you'll be surprised.

If you must:
Subway
Taco Bell
KFC
Pizza Hut
Wendy's
Arby's
Quizno's
Hardee's
Burger King
McDonald's
Popeyes