DJ & The Bald Eagle

I can't believe we didn't post or share anything about our fantastic and motivating trip to the lovely Dallas, Texas, home of cowboys, fried food and beer. 

Miss Jamie and I went with Roxy and Roxy Jr to the Turning Point Buffini Event. It was such a great and eye-opening experience for both of us.

It not only showed us what we can be and what we want to be, but what we don't want to be, as well. :) We'll have to elaborate more on that...but the rest of this post is going to be strictly pictures..of us and of the NON healthy food we ate. Y.O.L.O, right?

GOODNESS, I love this girl. XO!!!

Can a girl get some delicious pumpkin spice fro-yo around here?!?!

Encouragement Corner

Wow, time sure does fly by when you're having fun! I just got back from Las Vegas RAGNAR Relay, what an adventure. (i missed my jellyfish!)

It was a great accomplishment and such an amazing experience. Thanks, Gummy, for being a part of Natural Born Killers team with me!!

me and gummy at the finish line

me and my bottle-opener medals :)

When I got back to work this morning, I opened up my e-mail and got the best message...I just know it was speaking directly to me!! I sure do love this time of year. I wish I was better at remembering how blessed I am and being grateful for everything I have.

ENCOURAGEMENT CORNER...

Here are 15 doable suggestions for those who want to break free from the mold and truly live more a more inspired and happy life.

1. Appreciate the great people and things in your life. - Sometimes we don't notice the things others do for us until they stop doing them.  Don't be like that.  Be grateful for what you have, who loves you, and who cares for you.  You'll never know how much they mean to you until the day they're no longer beside you.  Truly appreciate those around you, and you'll soon find many others around you.  Truly appreciate life, and you'll find that you have more of it to live.
2. Ignore other people's negativity. - If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance and in the negative before you know it.  Ignore nonconstructive, hurtful commentary.  No one has the right to judge you.  They may have heard your stories, but they didn't feel what you were going through.  You do not have control over what others say; but you do have control over whether or not you allow them to say these things to you.
3. Forgive those who have hurt you. - I forgive people, but that doesn't mean I trust them.  I just don't have time to hate people who hurt me, because I'm too busy loving people who love me.  The first to apologize is the bravest.  The first to forgive is the strongest.  The first to move forward is the happiest.  Be brave.  Be strong.  Be happy.  Be free.
4. Be who you really are. - If you're lucky enough to have something that makes you different from everybody else, don't change.  Uniqueness is priceless.  In this crazy world that's trying to make you like everyone else, find the courage to keep being your awesome self.  And when they laugh at you for being different, laugh back at them for being the same.  It takes a lot of courage to stand alone, but it's worth it.  Being YOU is worth it!
5. Choose to listen to your inner voice. - Life is a courageous journey or nothing at all.  We cannot become who we want to be by continuing to do exactly what we've been doing.  Choose to listen to your inner voice, not the jumbled opinions of everyone else.  Do what you know in your heart is right for YOU.  It's your road, and yours alone.  Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.  And be sure to appreciate every day of your life.  Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, and the worst days give you the best lessons.
6. Embrace change and enjoy your life as it unfolds. - The hardest part about growing is letting go of what you were used to, and moving on with something you're not.  Sometimes you have to stop worrying, wondering, and doubting, and have faith that things will work out.  Laugh at the confusion, live consciously in the moment, and enjoy your life as it unfolds.  You might not end up exactly where you intended to go, but eventually you will arrive precisely where you need to be.
7. Choose your relationships wisely. - The best relationships are not just about the good times you share, they're also about the obstacles you go through together.  And loving someone isn't just about saying it every day, it's showing it every day in every way.  Relationships must be chosen wisely.  Don't rush love.  Wait until you truly find it.  Don't let loneliness drive you back into the arms of someone you know you don't belong with.  Fall in love when you're ready, not when you're lonely.  A great relationship is worth waiting for.
8. Recognize those who love you. - The most memorable people in your life will be the ones who loved you when you weren't very lovable.  Pay attention to who these people are in your life, and love them back, even when they aren't acting lovable.
9. Love yourself too. - If you can love children, in spite of the messes they make; your mother, in spite of her tendency to nag; your father, even though he's too opinionated; your sibling, even though she's always late; your friend, even though he often forgets to return what he borrows, then you know how to love imperfect people, and can surely love yourself.
10. Do things your future self will thank you for. - What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while.  What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.  Make sure it's worthwhile.
11. Be thankful for all the troubles you don't have. - There are two ways of being rich: One is to have all you want, the other is to be satisfied with what you have.  Accept and appreciate things now, and you'll find more happiness in every moment you live.  Happiness comes when we stop complaining about the troubles we have and offer thanks for all the troubles we don't have.  And remember, you have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life.
12. Leave enough time for fun. - Sometimes you need to take a few steps back to see things clearly.  Never let your life become so filled with work, your mind become so crammed with worry, or your heart become so jammed with old hurts or anger, that there's no room left in them for fun, for awe, or for joy.
13. Enjoy the little things in life. - The best things in life are free.  There is absolute joy and wonder to be had in the simplest of moments.  Watching the sunset over the horizon or spending time with a family member. Enjoy the little things, because one day you may look back and discover they were the big things.
14. Accept the fact that the past is not today. - Don't let the past steal your present and future from you.  You might not be proud of all the things you've done in the past, but that's okay.  The past is not today.  The past cannot be changed, forgotten, or erased.  It can only be accepted.  We all make mistakes, have struggles, and even regret things in our past.  But you are not your mistakes, you are not your struggles, and you are here NOW with the power to shape your day and your future.
15. Let go when you must. - It's not always about trying to fix something that's broken.  Some relationships and situations just can't be fixed.  If you try to force them back together, things will only get worse.  Sometimes it's about starting over and creating something better.  Strength shows not only in the ability to persist, but in the ability to start over again with a smile on your face and passion in your heart.

With this post behind me, I'm glad that me and Jamie are back at blogging!! There is a gluten-free recipe I found last week that I will be trying in the next couple of days. Can't wait to report on how it turns out..

I hope that this Encouragement Corner post has something that will speak to you like it did to me.

XOXO, Ali

Missing my jellyfish....

Good luck with RAGNAR Ali!!!  You are going to do amazing!  Love you!

6 AM Shred Fest!

My jellyfish and I had a very successful leg day at the gym this morning.  I NEVER thought I would see the gym at 6:30 in the morning but I did and I actually kind of loved it!  We both have a busy day today...me with work, my sMom's real daughter's wedding, some more work, and then I'm headed to St. George for my annual girls weekend with my real Mom and all my girl cousins and Aunts - I can't wait!  :)  My jelly has a busy day at work and tonight is her pumpkin patch client appreciation party, I'm super bummed I am missing it!

I can tell my priorities have changes for the better.  The old Jamie would turn her alarm off at 6 am and go back to bed.  The new and improved Jamie jumped up and met my jelly at the gym with a smile on my face :)  This morning was amazing.  After the gym I got ready for work at Ali's house and made us some DELICIOUS pumpkin oatmeal - my favorite morning meal.  Thank you Ali for being an amazing friend and keeping me motivated!


If you're curious about my supplements they are as follows:

Pre Workout - Protein Shake with 2 BCAA pills

Post Workout - Protein Shake with 2 BCAA pills

Multivitamin - with breakfast and dinner

Fish Oil - with lunch


When you go to hit that snooze button, ask yourself what is more important.  Would you rather be healthy and fit or get an extra hour of sleep??  The first option will leave you feeling better!

Thin-spiration -for my jelly

Prepare to be annoyed:) I know these sayings are cheesy but sometimes they're just what you need!

Chocolate Tootsie Pops

We were having technical difficulties this weekend...that's the excuse for no posts.

For what it's worth, we had a great weekend! I'm not sure about Jamie, but hands down, my favorite season is fall. We started the weekend out right with a kickboxing class (best class ever!) taught by the green machine. Then a healthy, homecooked, crockpot lunch followed by a bike ride and a mudslide coffee. YUM!

Saturday was a success!

I'm not going to blog for J and her sunday hiking adventure with wutang, but I giver her props for going on a 4 hour hike...get it girl. Skinny Minnie.

As for me and "fright-beers" (that means lagoon's Frightmares + beer), the gum and I had a good, sober time. :)

Reasons Why I Love Fall:

• Leaves changing colors in the mountains
• Sweaters, boots, scarves, beanies....fall clothes
• Pumpkin EVERYTHING
• Candy corn
• Family time!
• Hot cocoa/Coffee
• Holidays

Muffintop Non Lover...

I am feeling discouraged today.  And I need to remind myself that it's okay to feel this way!  Go through the motions and move forward.  A drastic transformation is not going to happen overnight so continue to put in the HARD work and it will pay off!

Getting healthy and adopting a clean eating lifestyle can be overwhelming at times but I wouldn't change it for the world!  My body is starting to change, I have more energy, and I am honestly borderline becoming obsessed with researching and learning new tips!

As my jellyfish has informed you, I love Jamie Eason.  Jamie has created a DELICIOUS pumpkin protein bar recipe that I just tried for the first time.  Whenever I am craving a treat these are amazing to have on hand and they contain NO SUGAR, BUTTER, OR OIL!

Here are all the ingredients I used.  Eason's recipe calls for Xylitol as a sweetener but I used Stevia instead.  I used 1/3 cup and would probably decrease it to 1/4 cup next time.

 

Before being placed in the oven.

 

Fresh out of the oven - YUM!  I baked mine at 27 minutes instead of the full 30.

 

Approx. Nutrition Facts:

Nutrition (without walnuts): 1 square = 47 calories, .7 g fat, 8 g carbs, 3.7 g protein

Nutrition (with walnuts): 1 square = 63 calories, 2.3 g fat, 8 g carbs, 4 g protein

Ingredients:

• ½ C Xylitol Brown Sugar Blend  (I will be using 1/4 C Stevia)
• 1 - 4 oz. jar baby food applesauce  (because there are no additives)
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground clove
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 - 15 oz. can of raw pumpkin
• 2 C oat flour
• 2 scoops vanilla whey protein
• ½ cup almond milk
• ½ C chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350.
2. Spray a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish with non-stick spray.
3. Combine first 11 ingredients and mix well.
4. Add the final 3 ingredients (4, if adding walnuts), and mix until incorporated. Spread batter into the Pyrex dish and bake for 30 min.
5. Makes 24 squares.

Click here to watch Jamie Eason make these!


Remember being prepared is the key to succeeding!  If you keep a baggy of these delicious bars on hand there is no reason to reach for a candy bar, candy corn (if you are my jellyfish), or even the prepackaged protein bars available everywhere!  These are FULL of sugar, preservatives, and crap!

Always read labels!  If you can't pronounce it, you probably shouldn't be eating it :)