#GetFit2014 - Breakfast + Lunch

I have always thought of myself as a “Healthy Person” but in all true honest, I wasn’t. I really didn’t exercise like I should have and I didn’t eat the very best. I could see how it started to affect my life when I started working two jobs. I was really weighed down and tired all the time. I felt like I was lugging from no energy and honestly, that was at like 3 o’clock in the afternoon. Not a good sign in my book. I got this bug in March that just hit me, I jumped at it and reinstated my gym membership, bought a new pair of running shoes (I seriously needed a pair), and decided to make a plan to eat better. I knew that I was going to be eating out of the house a lot and with hardly any time to prep food. I needed easy simple things that I could follow. So, I started with breakfast and lunch. That was easy to start with.

Since most morning I am out the door at 6am, I need something that I can eat either on the way or a little later while I am at work.

My favorite breakfasts are: 

• Yogurt, Berries, Granola
• Oatmeal, Apples/Cranberries, and Nuts
• Breakfast Burrito; Eggs, Veggies, Fresh Salsa

 

I also don’t have much time to prepare a full pretty meal for lunch and I also, don’t get to leave work for my lunch break. I like to eat a good portion of protein at lunch, since my workouts fall right between my two jobs. It gives me the nourishment that my body and muscles need to push through a really good workout in a short amount of time. (See, time crunch here with two jobs most days.) I like to follow this guideline for lunches, it makes it simple and easy to get everything I need for the middle of the day.

 My favorite lunches are:

• Turkey Pita Sandwich with lots of Veggies
• Chicken, Rice, and Beans
• Peppered Chicken and Rice
• Chicken Strawberry Salad

After my workout I drink a protein shake and usually have a small snack; nuts, fruit, veggies, or a peanut butter and banana roll-up.

That is where I have started so far. I really have enjoyed eating healthier and being more active. I actually have real energy, not stuff supplied from a bottle. I have been searching Pinterest, Google, and Instagram non-stop for healthy dinner options that I can make an abundance of different meals with a lot of the same items. Well, Ladies and Gentleman, low and behold, I found a bunch. I can’t wait to start sharing them with you. Of course, I am going to make sure that they actually live up to the ratings and my personal likes before I share them with you. I am sure they will be wonderful though, cause they are look and sound absolutely delicious. Who can go wrong with Tai Chicken Tacos, Sesame Chicken, Chili Lime Tuna Cakes, and Creamy Greek Yogurt Mac & Cheese. I don't think anyone can!

Lavender Bath Salt

I have always been one that has a, what I call, weird sleeping schedule. There are nights where I get amazing sleep, I fall asleep fast and sleep solid throughout the entire night. Then there are those other nights, I toss and turn, lay awake for hours, and for the life of me can’t get a single hour of restful sleep. I have always hated that I go back and forth.

Also, I am not one for wanting to take medication for me to sleep. It scared me to think of the possibility of sleeping through my alarm and waking up when I am already suppose to be at work. Yeah that is just not something that I could handle to do.  So, over the years I have tried multiple things in attempt to have peaceful night’s sleep continually throughout the week.

Well, Ladies and Gentleman.. Let me tell you about something that I have found and I love it! One word; Lavender. I have used doTERRA Lavender Oil multiple ways to continually get peaceful night’s sleep. When I am struggling to fall asleep, I just lather some on my chest and/or feet. If I have had a long day and I need some relaxation right before bed, I get into a lavender salted bath. These are just a few of the many ways that I have incorporated Lavender into my life.

So, I thought I would share with you not only the Lavender I used, but the actual Salt Scrub that I have come to love! Hope you love it as much as I do! Mine isn’t in a cute jar like this, but this picture is from the site I found this wonderful Lavender Bath Salt.

via

Ingredients:

2 cups Epsom Salt

1 ½ tbsp Lavender Oil

1 ½ tbsp Oil (I used Coconut)

A few springs of Lavender Flowers and/or Leaves

Couple of drops of natural food coloring (optional)

Directions:

Add salts to a seal-able glass container and stir in oil with a metal spoon. Add a couple drops of food coloring and stir through evenly. Rub the lavender leaves between your fingers to release the oils/fragrances and place on top of the salts for storage.

Add a single cup of salt into warm bath water and let dissolve before relaxing in the bath – the lavender leaves are there for fragrance, not for use in the bathwater. You will need to stir before use, as the oils tend to settle down in the base of the jar after a while.

Relax and Enjoy!

Five on Friday - Fitness + New Glasses + Bucket List

I am back for my usual Friday Link Ups this week 

and I am combining two of my favorites. 

Five on Friday and ConfessionalFriday.

1 – I may or may not have walked into Victoria Secret on Wednesday with the intention of paying on my card and possibly walked out with these workout pants, this workout bra, and these adorable tribal printed swimsuitbottoms. The only bad thing about it is that I already purchased the swim top below in this Purple color and another in Teal, I should be receiving them in the mail any day now.

2 – I activated my gym membership this past Monday and I have faithfully gone to the gym and pushed myself every day since. I think I deserve to take the next two days off from going and enjoy my weekend. Although, I will get a nice workout on Saturday with my usual weekend hiking adventure. Hmmm,, where shall I go this weekend?

3 – I got new glasses this week and I love them.! I also had the Lipiflow procedure done for my dry eyes. Tune in next week to hear all about the awesome adventure that was. 

please don't pay attention to my nasty eyebrows, this was taken the day before they were cleaned up.

4 – I don’t know how many of you drink Protein Shakes after your workouts, but I started after my friends told me the benefits of them. Anyways, I have always loved Emerald City Smoothie here in St. George. I really love their Lean Body shake after a workout, it may be the reason I push myself so hard. I have mine made with chocolate protein powder, soy milk, peanut butter, and bananas. Super yummy and totally helps after a workout.

5 – I am going to check off one of my Bucket List items this weekend; camping with friends. Super excited ya’ll!

Spoiled Rotten

 

I have this little story that happened to me on Tuesday while I was working. Mind you, this happened while working at my full time job. (If you are new to Life in the Sunshine, I manage my family’s owned Dry Cleaning business) Anyway, I am a little 50/50 with my feelings toward it. I want to be a little upset with what was said, and yet, I find it kind of comical at the same time. So, here it is:

A guy walked into my establishment to pick up his order, after a little chit chat, he asked if the other Dry Cleaners up the road was less expensive then we are. I told him that I believe we were a little higher priced. When he asked why we aren’t competitive with our pricing, I told him exactly what I tell each of our customers, which by the way is the truth. “We buy the best quality supplies; we don’t cheat out on buying cheap hangers and cleaning products. We supply our customers with the very best, because we believe in giving the best quality work.” Then, here is the kicker.. He had the audacity to say this back in reply to me, “I heard it because the owner has a spoiled daughter.”

I looked at him, partially laughed. He says “I am guessing that is you, by the redness in your face” (which I wasn’t embarrassed one single bit. I actually have rosy checks naturally). Feeling like I had to defend myself to this guy, who I have never met in my entire life, who supposedly knows all about my life... I said back, “Yes, I am the owner’s daughter. I am far from being spoiled. I have worked my entire life for what I have. I work hard for everything that I own. I have bought my own cars, paid all my own bills, and been employed since the day I was 15. Thank you.” Kind of taken back from it, he says “That is just what I was told, those exact words, spoiled.”  Yeah dude, I am spoiled, by myself.

Well long story short, I was extremely taken back by the fact that this guy, whom I have never met in my entire life, told me that we run our business because my father has to spoil me. That is what has me upset over this entire situation. Then again, I have to laugh, because who ever told him this, obviously doesn’t know me.

My parents have worked hard their entire lives to be where they are. They have built a legacy from the ground up that supported my entire family, throughout my childhood. I was very blessed to have been raised by such amazing parents, to say the least. They have always found it important, that each of their children, know the meaning of hard work. They raised us with the knowledge that to get where we want in life, we have to work extremely hard to get there. Not a day in my life, have I ever thought of myself as spoiled. Yes, I was very blessed and fortunate to have been able to travel all over as a child and see so many wonderful things. We had purpose though, my parents always believe in giving service to those who are in need. So many, many, many of those trip growing up, were actually service based trips. I was blessed that my parents were able to provide us with nice belongs growing up, but from the moment that we could work, we did. I am extremely grateful for that, I wouldn’t be where I am in my life without the foundation of a hard work ethic. For that, I am blessed.

p.s. and with all the hard work I do day-in and day-out, yes, I do like to spoil myself. So, thank you for noticing.