workout wednesday ...

  they say you are what you eat.  so, what are you?  are you a lean, mean, fighting machine? or are you full of garbage?

  there's no better time than now to start eating healthy.  start small.  it's all about little baby steps forward.  swap out the soda and juice drinks for fruit infused water or sparkling water. throw out the processed foods (chips, crackers, cookies, etc.) and replace them with fruits and vegetables.  eat clean.  eliminate sugar.  it is the devil!  a cold, hard fact.  the more sugar you eat, the more you crave it.  i can personally attest to this.  i stopped buying the chocolate covered pretzels (my weakness!) and eating ice cream every night (i'm not kidding when i say this…i was eating ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate chips every.single.night.) because i realized around 8pm i had to have my "fix."  it became a sugar addiction.  i ended up quitting cold turkey, but that doesn't have to be the case for you.  and yes, i still have some "sweet treats" here and there (hello christmas cookies!), but now i'm aware that after i eat them, i want more.  without fail.

  so when i'm trying to detox from my sugar craving, i stock up on fruit.  i juice.  i "eat" my greens.  i drink water!  speaking of water, have you heard about the waterlogged app ?!  friends of mine shared it with me and with my monthly goal being to drink more water, i checked it out immediately.  it was designed to help chart and remind you how much water you've had and should be drinking.  genius. why did i not think of this?!

if you're looking for a super sweaty fix to kickstart your healthy butt into gear, try this one. the beauty of this workout is it can be done anywhere. no gym necessary! perfect for those snowy days when you're stuck inside! 

note:  i am not a doctor nor am i able to give/prescribe medical advice. as always, consult with a physician before starting an exercise routine and nutrition plan.

photo credit:  image source: @detoxtips via instagram

friday five ...

'tis the season for detoxing!  after a few too many cookies and glasses of wine, my body has been left feeling sluggish and blah. yuck.  i'm in desperate need of a fresh start and am strongly considering this 3 day cleanse.  a  cleansing sweet green smoothie or this 'green lemonade' recipe is perfect for busy mornings.  simply whip up and drink while on-the-go.  if you've ever wondered the difference between juicing vs smoothies, here's a great infographic that sums it all up.  this shredded kale & brussels sprout green salad via just a taste also looks quick and easy to prepare and would be a great kickstart to healthy eating in the new year!  i also discovered this recipe for green smoothie detox ice pops.  at first look, they seemed like a great idea. until all the snow arrived…suffice to say i'm no longer into the freezing cold ice pop idea, but it could be fun!  most likely though, i'll end up making this detox soup. a much better fit for the weather!

pizza. a friday night staple.  so easy to place an order and either pick up and/or have it delivered. and, now, you can find just about any type of pizza anywhere:  plain, pepperoni, vegetable, organic, vegan, gluten-free.  but, here you find a grain-free pizza made with a winter squash crust.  now, if only i could get my homemade pizzas to look as pretty as this.  

no, it's not swimsuit season.  but, it is swim lesson season in our household.  my littles are both starting swim lessons this upcoming weekend, and all this talk of detoxing comes at a perfect time.  but, what kind of cruel world do i live in where i thought it would be a really great idea to put a bathing suit on in the dead of winter with no tan after all the holiday eating?  pure torture.  needless to say, i've been browsing swimsuits.  nothing fancy because it is only for swim lessons, after all.  this plain, black, slimming suit should do the trick.  here's another plain black option while this colorful red suit would work too.  i do love this bathing suit, but let's be realistic. i'm not spending that much money on a suit to enter a chlorine pool for thirty minute sessions.  alright, alright, if i'm getting a two piece, this one seems like it'll be a perfect fit.  and, i'd definitely wear it in the summer. when i'm good and ready and tan!

good manners never go out of style.   say 'thank you' with these super stylish thank you notes and you'll be right on trend.  and, if you're a bride-to-be, enter to win this adorable Sugar Paper for J.Crew giveaway!  it consists of 13 pieces of social stationary essentials and will certainly help to keep you organized in style.  just lovely!

enough said.  but, in the event you need some monthly motivation (if you recall: i don't do resolutions!), here's a great & totally achievable list!  speaking of, how are those monthly goals coming?!  be sure to share & tell me all about it!

happy weekend!  enjoy the snow!
be sure to check out these other fabulous blogs...

photo credit:  @detoxtips via instagram // wholehearted eats // jcrew // ashley ella design

happy 2014!

ahhhhhhh…january first.  a time for new year's resolutions.  we all make them. and then, we all break them.  i'm the first to admit that i usually tell myself " this year, i'm going to do more of this and i'm going to do more of that, blah, blah, blah."  and, of course, i become frustrated when it all falls apart.  i've come to the conclusion that it's much more manageable to make monthly goals rather than LONG yearly goals!  it's easily attainable!  i can hold myself accountable for a month.  i mean, what's 30 days.  we can all do that!  365…complete different story.  so rather than beat myself up for the next few months, i don't make resolutions.  i just don't do it.  i'd rather set a goal.  because we can all set goals and accomplish them.  and what better feeling do you get from achieving your goal?!

if i share my goal for the month of january, will you share yours?  let's hold each other accountable to active that goal!  one monthly goal of mine is to drink more water.  i'm sooo sooo sooo bad at it.  in addition to hydrating with more water, i'm hoping to focus on drinking lemon water.  there are numerous health benefits to drinking lemon water.  just look at them all!  or this recipe for sassy water via a sweet simple life.  don't you just want to try a drink with a title like that?  and, i'm pretty certain if i had one of these pretty water bottles, then i'd definitely be inclined to drink more!

so, tell me, what is yours?




ps…as i sit here putting the final touches on this post, i have a mug of lemon water right next to me :)  day 1 = done!