Put Down the Peanut Butter!!

Finally April is tomorrow. Hurry up April has become a theme between my friend Marissa and me. Why you ask, because since the year has started it has been non-stop craziness. Projects and deadlines at work seemed never ending. Usually I don't mind, but when one starts before another one or two ends it does become a bit much. However, I was trusted with some really important and wonderful jobs, for that I am thankful. I was given a chance to learn and grow and see what I am made of. I made some big belly flops along the way but I never gave up. I received the most incredible amount of support from my boss. When I doubted myself, he never did, and always encouraged me to keep trying. This week closed out one of the bigger projects. This was almost 6 months in the making, but really picked up speed back in January. As of today I can officially say that project is closed and was a huge success!!

I was given a mission and with a team of other amazing people we made it happen!

Now on the home front...I miss my couch. I have been working late and trying to catch up with friends that I am feeling a little sleepy these days. I did manage to keep up with my 5 am 21 Day Fix workouts!  I feel like that really helps jump start my day.  BUT I must confess, I haven't been 100% with my eating. More like 80%. I've noticed by the end of the week I am tired and reach for the bad foods, for me, bad eating involves a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. GUILTY! Actually right before I wrote this I was sitting on the couch with a jar of peanut butter and a spoon. The good news is I didn't finish the jar, the bad news is I ate half before I went WTF are you doing!! The peanut butter jar is now safely behind pantry doors. I am back in touch with myself and confessing my food sins to all of you.

I was tired, so tired and victory of the week,
and the peanut butter called me from the pantry!

I workout every day, do I qualify for this...

Sometimes it amazes me how strong I am at work and never give up, but when it comes to eating better and being consistent all it takes is a sleepy night and a jar of peanut butter to get me off my track. I'm pretty sure I consumed 1200 calories alone with the peanut butter tonight, that's a lot of workouts to burn it off...sigh...back to the drawing board.

Well this seems fitting for tonight...good reminder.
I still feel bad, but tomorrow is a new day!

Meal Prepping for Me!

I used to think meal prepping was only for hardcore workout people. Silly I know, but true. I pictured chicken breast and veggies day in and day out. Then I started noticing more people posting pictures of their meal prep on Instagram and realized how very wrong I was and it got me thinking about my weeks. Sure I eat healthy and cook majority of my meals but I felt like I was constantly unorganized and running to the grocery store; and then there were other weeks when I would cook too much and end up having to throw away food or freeze it if I could.  

So I decided to give meal prepping a try. I wrote down the meals I wanted to eat for the week. Went food shopping. Spent the next day cooking and sorting the foods. I learned a very valuable lesson that first week...make sure to switch up the dishes. Pork shoulder was on sale so I got myself a giant one and based dinner and lunch around it. BIG mistake!! I was so over pork by the end of week I ran to Shoprite and picked up a rotisserie chicken to avoid eating my meal prep. The good news is I learn quickly. After that week I had a better understanding of what I needed and how much I would need for the week.

It was delicious,
but there is just so much pulled pork you can eat in one week

I tend to food shop Friday after work or Saturday mornings, or if I am really tight on time I order my groceries to be delivered. Sunday for the most part is my cooking day. I actually really enjoy it. It's what I call cooking therapy.

Some weeks there are not enough hours in the day, spent not at work.
Peapod delivery to the rescue. 

I absolutely love knowing that at least the food portion of my week is taken care of, one less thing I have to worry about. The weeks are busy enough, if there is a way to make it even just a little less stressful you can bet I will figure out a way! Also, a huge added bonus is how much MONEY I am saving. I am buying what I need. I try and plan my meals around what proteins are on sale so that helps, and way less food gets thrown away at the end of the week due to spoilage.

I highly recommend giving meal prepping a try!  Save on time, money, stress, and even just having less extra food in the house to munch on has helped.

Here are some of the meals I have made...

Trader Joe's Chili Lime Burger, caulirice and broccoli

Same as above just separated

One of my favorites...
baked salmon and asparagus with caulirice

All done. Meals for lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks.
Not pictures is my breakfast shake and apple

I just put everything in my cooler bag before work and off I go.
So easy!!

Mini paleo meatloaf (recipe to come), sweet potato, and mixed veggies

Crockpot chicken thighs with string beans

21 Day Fix...Week 1 Done

I am very excited to announce I finished my first week of 21 Day Fix. What is 21 Day Fix you ask... It is a Beachbody home workout program.  Over the last few months I have been trying to get back into working out. As you know from past posts I used to go to the gym and also loved walking outside. I didn't really go to the gym at all last year. I tried to go back to it, I really did, but when I started driving there one day after work I got halfway there and made a turn and went home instead. As for walking outside, well since being bit by a dog in the park (Time to Heal), walking outside doesn't really appeal to me. I needed to find a routine that would work.

Yup that sounds about right for me

I love naps...maybe I should start scheduling them too

I also discovered that unless I get up at 5:00 a.m. to workout it most likely isn't going to happen. I tried a couple of home DVDs that were good, but just not giving me the results I wanted. I had purchased and started...well barely started...21 Day Fix last year and decided to give it another shot.

Every day is a new workout and new muscles get called into action

Last Monday was my first workout (Total Body Cardio), I hated it and loved it at the same time! My muscles were screaming, sweat was dripping off me, and I knew come Tuesday I was going to be sore. I was not wrong, I was so sore but in a good way.

After my first workout, do you see the sweat!
I don't usually sweat, especially working out at home.
Such a good workout!

If I didn't have a meeting Tuesday,
I would have put my hair in a bun and called it a day.

21 Day Fix is a set of workouts that are 30 minutes long. Each day is a different workout and each workout brings new muscles into play. I love that every workout offers modifications, this allows me to go at my own pace and grow. It also allows me to not jump and hop around too much. I live on the second floor of a condo building. I don't think my downstairs neighbors would appreciate me doing jumping jacks at 5 am. Speaking of condo living, I don't have a lot of space to workout, these workouts don't need a lot of space, it's perfect!

Condo living doesn't offer a lot of workout space, but ...

 when I move the coffee table I have just enough for a good workout!

I am so excited to keep you all updated of my progress during the next 21 Days. There is a link on the side my blog if you want to check it out. If I have to wake up at 5 am to workout I might as well enjoy it and know I am going to get results.

Beginning Stats:

Chest: 33"
R. Arm: 12"
L. Arm: 11"
Waist: 28"
Hips: 36"
R. Thigh: 21"
L. Thigh: 22"
R. Calf: 13"
L. Calf: 13"

Weight: 128"
Total Inches: 18

Next measurement update in 21 Days!

Party, Pants, and Friendship

I got home not too long ago from my best friend Debbie's birthday party. It was so much fun. I got to ride to the party with her and hang out with her family and meet all of her friends. I met so many wonderful people who I have heard about for years, but can now put a face to the names.

The moments leading up to the party were a bit more challenging....what to wear?? I had one outfit in mind...but you know how that goes; once you try it on you decide maybe not.

This was my original outfit, but I wasn't feeling it and
the shoes weren't that comfortable

The weather can't seem to decide from one minute to the next if it is winter still or spring so that never helps, okay it will be inside that helps. The hardest part came when it was time to choose pants. Usually I would have worn jeans, but the truth is jeans just aren't that comfortable on me. Tight in some areas super loose in others. So frustrating! When I was sick last year I lost a ton of weight, now that I can eat again I managed to put some back on. Not a lot, but enough that my jeans notice the difference. So I tried on about 5 outfits with jeans and 5 outfits with leggings. Feeling completely frustrated and unsure what to wear.  I finally decided to go with leggings and be comfortable and just have a great time. I paired my leggings with some cute heals to lick the outfit up a notch and ended up receiving so many compliments!  Wardrobe crisis no more!

Tada!  This is what I wore to the party and I am so glad I did!
I felt totally comfortable and was able to have more fun because of that

The hardest part about parties for me, is usually before I get there wondering what I will be able to eat. I didn't have to worry about that this time, Debbie told me a few weeks ago she ordered a carving station with roast beef for me (other guests were allowed to eat it as well, haha I share). She knew I could eat plain meat and wanted to make sure I was covered. She then proceeded to surprise me and told me she got me a cake. I said to her you got me a cake for your birthday party? She said absolutely! She wanted me to be able to have dessert and cake with everyone else and that is what you do for people you love, you make sure they have fun too. I was shocked. I actually started to cry a little. I am so lucky to have her in my life and be able to call her my best friend.

I had broccoli and roast beef.
So delicious!

I am sitting here now, still a little amazed at the trouble she went through to make sure I had a good time and food to eat. I know I have done something right to have a person like that in my life and I will never forget the love she showed me today. To some it might just seem like meat and cake, but to me, it made my heart happy and the food was good too.

Gluten free, dairy free, coconut flour cake
I still can't believe she got me a cake.
It was really fun being able to have dessert with everyone

Have a great Saturday everyone and if you have a friend like mine remember to be thankful for having them in your life and maybe even give them an extra hug when you can!

Pucker Up

I'm pretty sure I could go an entire day without drinking water. There were times I would realize in the afternoon I maybe had a sip from my water bottle. That's not good. I know water is good for me, I know staying hydrated is important, but I still wasn't drinking enough. I was telling my friend Jen one day that I had to drink more, but just wasn't and she suggested I try adding lemon, limes, and mint to my water. I didn't have limes or mint, but I did have lemon. I used to drink lemon water, why did I ever stop.  Thank you Jen for the reminder. Now I stock up on lemons and make sure to include them in my daily water routine.

I love my 32 oz water bottle. Really helps me get in my daily water.
And I love the color, I have in pink too

Now my problem is I drink so much water I am constantly going to the bathroom! Big difference. I love lemon water, I still want to try with mint and lime but I seem to always forget when I got food shopping.

I've also noticed my skin loves that I am drinking more water. Drink up (lemon water that is)!

Happy Skin = Happy Cindy

Some interesting facts about drinking lemon water:

And here I just liked the taste of it

Pulled Pork Deliciousness

Playing in the kitchen has really become fun for me. I used to be so afraid. What if something comes out bad? What I have learned is sometimes things come out bad and that's not fun, but then you try again and make adjustments and it could turn out to be your favorite meal!

My mom recently cleaned out her extra freezer and had some pork shoulder she wasn't going to make, she donated it to the feed the Cindy fund and I happily cooked it up. I did some research first online..the usual places..google and pinterest. I wasn't really sure what to do, but the crockpot seemed like the best option. I found a couple of different recipes, took what I liked about each one and made my own recipe hoping for success. I can tell you I was not disappointed! Hello melt in my mouth and happy belly food pork shoulder.

Recipe time...

This is just one of many many ways to cook the pork shoulder

** I forgot to add 1/2 cup of water to the above recipe. **

Done and shredded. Ready to be eaten!

I couldn't believe how juicy and tender it was when it was cooked and the flavor blew me away. I made that! And my condo smelled delicious for days.

In the past I didn't really share my cooked food, especially if I made up the recipe. I was afraid no one else would like it, but then I realized I wanted to know. I wanted other people's opinions and I wanted to know if there are tweaks I could make to make it even better.  Thankfully my dad and a few coworkers are brave and have been my go to testers. They all approved and asked for this dish again!

Happy dad, happy daughter!
He loved it and trust me he is not an easy sell.

I had plenty for the week and loved mixing it up with different sides.

Broccoli and zucchini 

String beans and caulirice,
I also added a little balsamic dressing to this dish

Enjoy!  If you make it I would love to hear your thoughts.

Out of Balance

The last few weeks have been non-stop. It hasn't been bad things just non-stop. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I was coming or going. Work took top priority, second place went to working out and weight loss, everything else came after that. 

This is how I feel my calendar looks

I had made plans for every night after work last week, I thought I got this...nope. By mid to end of last week I noticed my patience was really thin. Things that normally wouldn't bother me, really did! I was sleeping, but going to bed way too late and waking up already cranky and not even wanting to workout, which I have really been enjoying. I was having really bad food cravings at night and wanting to mindless eat. I was struggling to focus because my mind was already on the next thing. 

There is a light at the end of the tunnel... 

My weekly plans also included to get pedicures with my friend/co-worker Marissa. The pedicures hit the spot!! Marissa and I never get time to just hang out and relax. We both work really hard and decided to start treating ourselves by having an after workday date once a month. While we were sitting there completely getting pampered I realized how lacking I have been in taking care of myself. Sure I eat healthy and workout but what about relaxing, what about all the stress...it has to go somewhere. We walked out of the pedicure place feeling fantastic! That will be on April calendar as well! 

I am making time to pamper myself!

 

Also set for Friday was plans with my friend Jay. During the week Jay said we should try something new after dinner and go to this place called the Amazing Escape Room. He said it's a neat mystery/puzzle where you get locked in rooms and have to find clues throughout the room to find keys and escape. Heck yeah count me in! It was a late night, but I have to tell you I had more fun that night than I had in ages!!! While we were at dinner, some bag pipers came in the restaurant for a little day after St. Patty Day music, we got to sit and talk, and then walked to the Escape Room. We got hooked up to work with this larger group of people and they turned out to be so fun to work with. We all hit it off. And yes we did escape in time!!  They even told us we had the best time escaping from all the teams that night. Walking back to the car it hit me, I had fun. I laughed. I relaxed. I wasn't worried about anything. I wasn't 2 steps ahead of myself. I just had FUN!  

Jay and I after the escape!
Such a fun time 

So now I realize I need to find a better balance between work, health, relaxing, and fun. I took this weekend and relaxed. I slept late since I was able to. I played in the kitchen. I am now sharing my story with all of you and soon I will be watching The Walking Dead. Tomorrow is a new day and week, I plan on keeping time open to relax and have fun!  I don't want to get out of balance again, being cranky and tired is absolutely no fun at all! 

PB2 Woohoo!

Happy Tuesday! How is everyone doing adjusting to daylight savings?...Except those who are in states that don't have to adjust, I am jealous of you guys. 

I really miss that hour

I had a few minutes this morning before work and had to share my favorite snack find. Let me start off by saying I love peanut butter. I like almond butter, but I LOVE peanut butter. As you know peanut butter also comes with a lot of calories, not the best to devour while trying to shed a few pounds (just ask my scale). And sure you can have a serving size, but who really has a serving size of the deliciousness. Then some genius came out with PB2. 

Looks so simple,
yet so much deliciousness in a powder and less calories!

PB2 is powdered peanut butter and according to the label 85% less fat and calories than traditional peanut butter. You just mix the powder with liquid and voila peanut butter. Okay, sure it's not exactly like eating from a jar of the real deal, but it definitely helps to satisfy my peanut butter craving. I have also started using it in my morning shakes...chocolate, banana, and PB2...hello happy taste buds!!! 

I know there are lots of brands out there now, but I noticed some other brands have added "stuff" to them. No thank you. I love having a little bowl at night while watching tv or during the day with a cut up apple. 

Apples and PB2
Low carb, low calorie, super filling

Just a bowl of PB2 to watch some TV
I usually try to make it thicker but this was still delicious 

Hmm I wonder if I can bake with it...might have to play with that idea.

Have you tried it before? Do you mix it in shakes or eat it alone?  

Have a great day everyone. I am off to work!

It's a great day to have a great day!

Tea Time

When I found out I had to cut out some foods/drinks in order to help my body heal I was on board. Whatever it would take to get better. No gluten, no problem. No wheat, okay sure. No rice and potatoes, sure whatever I don't eat them that much any way. Cut back on sugar, eh who shouldn't cut back really. No dairy, umm that's no fun, but if that's what it takes. No coffee...wait what?!?! No COFFEE!!  That's it, I can't survive, life can't go on. How will I function, how will I still have friends and a job without coffee....

Yup, this is how I felt
(photo credit: http://explodingdog.tumblr.com/)

So there I was, faced with the option. Challenge the results and continue to drink my coffee, hoping that by eliminating the other foods it would help enough to heal or take the plunge and cut it out. I decided coffee wasn't worth my health suffering even just a little. On the way home I picked up some tea so I wouldn't have bad caffeine withdrawal and mentally prepared myself for starting my next morning without coffee.

By mid-week, I wanted to curl up under my desk I missed coffee so much and it was a hellish week. Thankfully my coworkers are amazing, especially my friend/coworker Marissa. She let me try lots of different ones she had stashed at her desk, Mary talked my out from under my desk, and at the end of week one I was feeling pretty darn proud of myself. I even noticed I wasn't having afternoon crashes as much...interesting. I started googling and found out that tea is actually very beneficial for your health.

So many wonderful reasons to drink tea, even if you can drink coffee

The following week I was off from work, it was close to the holidays and I had time to spare. I made plans to go out with my friend T (Theresa). She told me to meet at her place and then she was kidnapping me. Wouldn't tell me where we were going or doing. Ooh exciting! I followed orders and hopped in. We ended up in the mall parking lot. I thought okay, not so much exciting but still fun. She handed me an envelope, said happy holidays and enjoy! Her and her husband surprised me with a gift card to Teavana. She said they were so proud of me for giving up coffee and still smiling. If you haven't heard of Teavana it's a store (online as well) that sells all different types of loose tea. Different blends and types and tea accessories. We walked into the store and I was absolutely in tea heaven. So many flavors to choose from!! I picked up a few bags of different flavors, I went over my gift card limit but it was worth it.

JavaVana Mate...has a very similar flavor to coffee.
Highly recommend for my fellow coffee lovers

My favorite is one called JavaVana Mate...why you ask, because it has a very similar taste as coffee!! Some people just enjoy coffee because of the caffeine. They add sugar and milk and stuff..not me I always just loved the pure taste of coffee black. Lately I have craving that taste big time and went back to restock my Java finally and so glad I did!! I am enjoying a cup right now, even as I type this post.

My setup right now with my BIG mug of tea.
I also have a mug obsession. They are all so cute

I still miss coffee, but I am enjoying this fun and tasty new world of tea!  Do you have a favorite brand or flavor?  I would love to know.

Don't Let Candida Win

In my last post I quickly mentioned candida and oral thrush. If you are like me you have never heard of it before or have a clue what it is. First, let me remind you I am not a doctor or any type of medical professional. I am just a girl who went through it and knows how very unpleasant it can be.

Here we go...

I love this description by the MindBodyGreen website (http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-8376/10-signs-you-have-candida-overgrowth-what-to-do-about-it.html): Candida is a fungus, which is a form of yeast, and a very small amount of it lives in your mouth and intestines. Its main job? Helping out with digestion and nutrient absorption. 

Great Website for Health Information

The real problem develops when there is an overproduction of candida. Candida can break down the wall of the intestine and penetrate the bloodstream — releasing toxic by-products into your body and causing leaky gut. This can lead to many different health problems, from digestive issues to depression.

You get the idea, this is no joke and no fun!

Candida overgrowth can present itself in many different forms..for me it chose to present itself in my mouth. The infection had taken over. Ew. My tongue developed this horrible white coating, I developed canker sores, and it was so swollen and painful. My primary care doctor told me I had strep and gave me the normal prescriptions for treating strep, in addition I was given an oral lidocaine swish to help with the pain.  By the next day I was still in so much pain, even worse, and I could barely talk. I definitely couldn't eat and even drinking was painful. My mom did some googling and discovered a diagnosis called oral thrush. I found a local ENT (ear, nose, throat) Dr. who took my insurance and was able to get in that day. He put a camera down my nose, checked my mouth, and finally I had a proper diagnosis. He confirmed I did indeed have a really bad case of oral thrush. He put me on a different swish and stopped the other medicines which were actually causing the thrush to get worse! Once home I started looking into more options to help the healing process along. A friend of mine suggested I check out a site, earthclinic.com.  What an awesome site. It gave me lots of natural suggestions to help with the healing process; such as baking soda peroxide switches, turmeric for the swelling, apple cider vinegar to help with healing my digestive tract. These are just a few that I tried.

Lots of natural healing ideas for all sorts of problems

So now what...first thing, you have to change your diet. There are lots of different books and diets out there find one that works for you. Low sugar is most important! Candida feeds off sugar, don't feed the bad stuff. Small meals help your poor digestive tract that is already working overtime. I also found a Holistic Treatment Practice that had history in dealing with oral thrush and candida. They put together a very specific supplement regiment for me to take. I won't share what it is because everyone's body and diagnosis is different and I don't want you to try something without the proper understanding of the product. I will tell you that a probiotic and prebiotic are very important!!  Also switch up your foods and the pre and pro biotics every couple of weeks. Candida is sneaky and they have a way of adapting to their surroundings!  So what once helped, no longer will. 

I stayed home a lot that summer. People would ask me what happened and I felt so embarrassed to tell them. I didn't want to go out and see people. My tongue was in pain and I could barely speak and yeah I felt yucky. I mean come on who wants to talk about everything I just told you. While everyone was enjoying their summer, I turned to online blogs and social media to do research and also not feel so alone. That is why I have decided to share my story today. You are not alone ever. There is probably someone out there going through something similar. Feeling like I had support, even just in my online friends world helped me cope. 

Well this quote fits perfectly!!

Present day... I still have my struggles, but slowly I am healing up. My stomach is still sensitive to certain foods and drinks. I still have to eat small meals or it takes down my digestive system. Sugar is my ultimate kryptonite! I keep it as low and as natural as possible. I buy mostly organic foods, because who wants to fill their body with bad stuff now that you are cleaning it up. 

Keep away!!
Sugar for me is from fruits and occasionally honey or agave to bake 

I learned a lot about myself going through this, mostly I learned I am actually pretty bada**.  It was not fun, but I fought back and still fight back every day and I want you to fight back too. Don't get me wrong I had and still have plenty of boohoo me days, but I try to not let them bring me down too long. Sometimes I wish I could eat regular like everyone else, but wishing and feeling bad doesn't change the fact that I can't. 

I love this quote,
 because it is the truth!

Most important please BE PATIENT with yourself!!  Depending on how severe the case it could take a very long time to heal. Look at me going on 6 almost 7 months and I am still healing!!! Don't let the candida bring you down, you need to beat it down!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post about something that is very personal to me and had such a huge impact on my life.

Here I Am

I'm back in the blogging world. For those of you that have not forgotten about me I thank you, and for those of you just tuning in, welcome to my life!

2015 was a crazy year for me...let's start with being bit by a dog in the park. Not so fun. Then I developed a case of oral thrush (candida overgrowth)..this was horrible! I will explain that more in another post. I dated a guy that taught me a lot of life lessons, but was in no way the man for me. In fact my best friend Debbie still wants to beat him up. What are friends for...love you Debbie!

Who knew a Great Dane would think I looked like his breakfast.
Yes I still have a scar. 

I also discovered that gluten, wheat, rice, soy, coffee, sugar, and potatoes are not my friends. Yes I said coffee, it's been since December that I gave it up and while I notice a difference in my body I still miss it every day. On the plus side I have discovered a love for tea. The first week I was off coffee my coworkers all brought me in different teas to try. I love yogi teas and the little inspirational messages on the string are fun to read.

My tea cabinet..Just a few of my favorites.
I have yet to try one I didn't like

So while 2015 was not the funnest of years for me, I am thankful for it. Without going through all of that I wouldn't be who I am today. I love who I am today and I love the path that I am on. Somewhere along the way I forgot how to dream and have faith that things do have a way of working out. I hope you enjoy going on this journey with me.  I am going to use this blog to share my highs and lows with you and I hope that you will share yours with me. One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2015 is I am not alone and with the support of friends (yes, even internet blogger friends) it can make a huge difference in your life.

Thank you for reading and please come back soon!

This is me, Cindy
And can't forget the cute furbaby on the floor, Abby