Howdy!

Happy first full week of 2015! I hope this year has been treating you well so far. Yesterday, I told you about my New Year's resolutions for a stronger Mind, Body, and Soul. Today, I thought I would give you a peak at a few of the EASY recipes I am using to work towards my goal of a stronger body through less sugar and processed foods. Additionally, my good friends over at Spartan, are keeping me motivated to work towards my stronger body with a ton of exciting new events for 2015. They have even been generous enough to offer all Fun, Fit, and Fabulous readers a discount on any race in the continental U.S. and one lucky reader will win a 100 % FREE RACE ENTRY!

So let's start where all healthy days start..... with breakfast! As you guys know, I am a HUGE oatmeal fan. I would eat it every day if I could, and not that there is anything wrong with oatmeal, but I have been trying to increase my protein intake in the mornings. I get tired of scrambled eggs pretty quickly, so I am always looking for ways to jazz them up. After my noodle arm making workout (full post on that tomorrow) yesterday, I whipped up an easy breakfast scramble. I had left over sweet potato fries from Sunday night and some delicious turkey sausage begging to be used in the fridge.

To make this scramble, I chopped up roughly 1/2 a cup of left over sweet potato fries and 2 small links of breakfast turkey sausage. Next, I heated up a non-stick skillet with 1 tsp of coconut oil and tossed in my sausage and sweet potatoes (remember the sweet potatoes were already cooked). After I felt like they were warm, I added three eggs (pre whisked). Mix until the eggs are completely cooked and voila!

Next up, is my new favorite lunch - Avocado Tuna Salad (zero mayonnaise to be found here). All I did was combine 1/2 a ripe avocado with 1 can of chunk white tuna in water, 1 tbs lemon juice, and a dash of salt and pepper to taste. I am really not a huge tuna fan, but I know how good it is for you so I try to incorporate it into my diet whenever possible. Now that I have found this combination, I will be eating it A LOT more often. I think avocados just make everything better! Yes, those green apple slices are gigantic!!



Last but not least, we have yesterday's dinner. This recipe comes to you compliments of Pinterest and You Hunt I Gather. We all know E is just an overgrown (a very intelligent one of course) 12 year old, and he definitely has the taste buds to go with it. When I saw this recipe for Almond Crusted Chicken Tenders, I knew I had to give it a try! They were so easy to make and delicious. Since I baked them instead of frying them, there was no messy grease to deal with. I will definitely be making these babies again very soon!



My second New Year's resolution for a strong body was to focus on increasing my strength in 2015. I specifically set the goal of increasing the number of pull-ups I can do throughout the year. I am definitely going to need that strength to conquer in a Spartan Race! I'm hoping to compete in one of the races when Spartan comes to Austin in May!!

The goal of the Spartan Race team is to bring the excitement of obstacle racing to spectators and athletes (even if you don't consider yourself an athlete) alike! With course lengths of 3+ miles (sprint), 8+ miles (super), and 12+ miles (beast), each course is filled with mud, water, and signature obstacles designed to help you discover your inner Spartan. Athletes of all fitness levels can participate and enjoy these challenging and invigorating obstacle courses! Spartan Race even has events for kids! They believe that fitness and adventure should involve the whole family. Now, that is something I can get excited about!

They have some exciting new things coming out in 2015! The new 2015 Spartan season pass has just been released with tons of great perks such as unlimited racing, special travel discounts, free bag check, and much more. The 2015 World Championship Spartan Race is also moving to Lake Tahoe California (somewhere on the top of my list of places to visit)! For all my podcast lovers (I love to listen to them when I'm walking or running), Joe Desena's "Spartan Up!" podcast is launching soon. Last but not least, the first ever Spartan Cruise is happening in March. Talk about not letting your workouts slide during vacation!

If that's not exciting enough, the Spartan Race team wants to offer all Fun, Fit, and Fabulous readers 10% off any race. Simply use the code SPARTANBLOGGER at checkout! They are also going to be giving one lucky reader a FREE RACE ENTRY into any race in the continental U.S.! Enter below for your chance to win!


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Happy Monday!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We actually got to stay here and relax this weekend! It was wonderful.

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Happy Friday Everyone!



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I hope you are all having a great Friday so far. My morning started bright and early for no reason at all. :) Little Miss woke me up kicking at 5 AM, and I couldn't go back to sleep. I read up on some baby articles, caught up on the news, and then got ready for my 8:15 AM meeting at the studio. After my meeting, it was time to get my sweat on. I stuck with the cardio and strength interval theme that I shared yesterday. Today, I used the TRX, kettlebell, and treadmill, but you could definitely sub your favorite cardio for the time on the treadmill. Here is what the workout looked like.


The TRX is a great tool for prenatal workouts because you have complete control over your level of resistance by how you position your body. It is also a great way to strengthen your core without lying on your back. As always, be sure to check with your physician before doing this or any workout while pregnant.

After my sweat session, I headed to meet my friend, Whitney, for lunch at a cool salad joint called Leaf. You can build your own salad with all the healthy and delicious toppings of your choosing. The two glowing white orbs are boiled eggs.


This morning, I noticed that I had some pretty ripe bananas hanging out in the fruit stand so I figured I better use them. I have been wanting to try out a Paleo banana bread recipe I found!


I actually had all of the ingredients on hand minus carob chips so I ran into Whole Foods and grabbed some on my way to lunch. The banana bread is currently in the oven and smells delicious! If it turns out yummy, I will be sure to share the recipe with you.



I hope you have a great rest of your Friday!!

What do you like to make with your over ripe  bananas?

In health,

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Happy Monday Friends!!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Still no baby girl around these parts, but we did get to enjoy a nice relaxing weekend (hopefully our last one or two). My wonderful in-laws came into town to celebrate a belated Father's Day. We spent some time puttering around Austin, shopping, and just catching up. The highlight of the weekend was when we drove down to Lockhart to take Eric's parents to the BBQ capital of Texas. I had to keep my meal pretty tiny so I didn't upset Miss Annabelle, but it was still delicious and so fun! It was there first time in Lockhart and they loved the BBQ.

Now it's Monday, and the start of a new week! I'm excited to kick this week off with yet another awesome giveaway courtesy of the wonderful people over at Pure Via. They sent me their Pure Via Summer Fit Kit to review and are going to be giving away a second kit to one lucky reader!

I have been using the Pure Via packets for about a year and a half now, and was a huge fan so needless to say, I was extremely excited to try their liquid stevia drops and other products!

The liquid stevia drops are naturally sweetened and are wonderful in either hot or cold beverages. I love to use the vanilla stevia drops in my coffee for a little hint of vanilla. They are absolutely perfect to throw in your purse or gym bag for use on the go as well. I hate it when I'm at a restaurant and want to add a little extra sweetness to my tea or coffee and my only choices are sugar or aspartame filled sweet-n-low. These tiny bottles are the perfect answer.

The Pure Via non-GMO packets are a staple in my pantry. I use them in my coffee, tea, lemonade, and cooking! They offer a much healthier alternative to traditional sugar.

Did you know June is National Iced Tea month? Being from Texas, I am a huge iced tea fan and this Lipton iced tea is perfect when your craving something refreshing! Getting to mix it up in my cute new Pure Via glass was an extra bonus.

When I went to the grocery store this morning, strawberries were on sale 2 cartons for $3, so of course I had to load up. I purchased 3 cartons! Inspired by my delicious in season strawberries and new Pure Via goodies, I decided to make a fun and fruity glass of iced tea.



I combined 2 tbsp of Lipton Unsweetened Iced Tea with 12oz or water, a handful of ice, 2 sliced strawberries, and 4 drops of Pure Via liquid stevia. I topped it off with an extra strawberry for garnish. It was absolutely delicious and extremely refreshing with just the right amount of sweet.



I also received a handy pedometer and some delicious tasting chap stick in my Fit Kit! Pretty sweet goody box if I do say so my self! Now, it's time for one of you guys to win a Summer Fit Kit for yourself. The giveaway will close on Sunday, June 29th and midnight and I will announce the winner on Monday. Good luck!

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I hope you have an amazing week!

In health,

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Happy Thursday Friends,

I hope you are having a wonderful day so far! Like most days, mine started out with an early morning workout. I had a great group of clients in the 7 AM class this morning and they rocked it as usual! :) One of the amazing things about teaching early morning classes is seeing the sun rise. The clouds were a gorgeous shade of pink this morning when I arrived at the studio.

Last night, Roger, Todd, and some of the wonderful ladies from the studio through Eric and I a baby shower at Water 2 Wine. It was so much fun to get to socialize with everyone outside of class and E, Annabelle, and I felt so loved. The studio is my home away from home, and I feel so blessed to have such an amazing second family here in Austin. I don't have any of the pictures yet, but I will share those with you as soon as I get them. I did manage to snap a quick picture of the cookie cake they had made for us. They knew it was E's favorite! They also got me gluten free vanilla cupcakes from my favorite bakery!


I can't believe Annabelle could be here in 3 short week or less! Yikes! To prepare for her arrival, I have been experimenting with recipes I can make ahead of time and freeze. On Sunday, I tried out a new blueberry muffin recipe using almond meal and flax seeds. I also tried to add a little extra protein with Greek yogurt. I was totally flying by the seat of my pants, but I was so excited with how it turned out. They even froze well! I have been eating on them all week. The best way to reheat them is to turn the oven on at 350 F, put the muffins in cold, and leave them in there for 15 minutes. They taste like they are fresh out of the oven every time.



I was a little weary about using almond meal because it tends to dry things out. However, these muffins were extremely moist and had a delightful nutty flavor. Let me know if you give them a try!

It's time for a little cardio via the treadmill for me and miss Annabelle. I hope you have a great rest of your Thursday.


In health,

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Howdy Friends,

I hope you are having a fabulous Tuesday. Mine has been pretty good so far. It started bright and early with a 7 AM Pilates class at the studio. After I got my blood flowing, I did a little work at the studio and then headed to the chiropractor for an adjustment. Going regularly helps keep my hips somewhat in alignment which slightly eases my lower back pain. I'll take any little bit of help I can get.

I'm sticking with liquids before noon until this weird nausea thing goes away. This morning, I tried out a new tropical inspired smoothie!

Strawberry, Papaya, and Mango Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 2 large handfuls of spinach
• 1 cup mixed frozen fruit (strawberries, papaya, and mango)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1/2 cup water
• handful of ice
• 2 packets of stevia (optional)

Blend and enjoy! It was refreshing and reminded me of something I would drink while lying on the beach! I will definitely be making it again soon.

Yesterday morning, I whipped out the TRX and medicine ball for a quick strength workout. I am really trying to hold on to as much muscle mass as possible during my last few weeks of pregnancy so I hope to squeeze in a few more strength workouts each week. It's so sad watching your muscle dissapear week after week even while working out. :(



This workout took me about 30 minutes with minimal rest inbetween rounds. It's perfect to do on its own when you are short on time or before or after a cardio session. For my fellow soon to be mommies, feel free to do the plank with your knees on the floor instead of in the TRX handles if it puts too much pressure on your lower back. Let me know if you give it a try!

How did you get your sweat on yesterday?

In health,

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Happy Hump Day!

I hope your hump day is rolling along nicely so far! Mine started off with a kick butt 6 AM Barre class at ToddPilates. I am always so impressed by all the people who get up bright and early to work out week after week. They never cease to amaze me.

After class, I headed home and tried to wake the beast (E is not a morning person). As I sat down to enjoy a cup of hot water with lemon, I saw one of the books I am currently reading sitting on the coffee table and thought I would share. I am actually reading three different great books right now on various subjects. I am usually not a person that reads multiple books at one time, but these three were just too good to wait on.

First up, is Chia Vitality by Janie Hoffman. I was sent this book by the wonderful people over at Mamma Chia. In Chia Vitality, the author, Janie Hoffman, describes her struggles with an autoimmune disease and how incorporating chia seeds into her life helped her overcome it. She discusses in detail how chia seeds can help boost your stamina, help you lose weight, and feel more alive. It is also packed with delicious healthy recipes. I just started reading yesterday, so I promise to report back with a full review and GIVEAWAY soon!

Next up on my reading (well, really listening) list is The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.

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I actually downloaded this book using Audible so I could listen to it while I drove to and from Houston this weekend. If you have never listened to a book on tape while driving, I would highly suggest it. Having something interesting to listen to made the trip fly by. I've also been listening to it while taking my daily walks which is nice as well. Plus, I am in love with this book!



This is so not your typical self help book. The story begins with Gretchen riding a bus and thinking about why she isn't happier with her life. She has a loving marriage, two great kiddos, she loves her job, lives in New York City, and just generally has a wonderful life. She decides that there is so much in her life to be thankful for and happy about that it's a shame to let all of that go to waste. As a writer and avid reader, she sets out on a quest to read as much about happiness as she possibly can.

After gathering all of her resources and information, she decides to dedicate a year to finding more happiness in her already great life. Each month she focuses on a different area such as her marriage, parenting, or her job, and sets resolutions to work on for the month. The book tells the story of this year from her point of view. Gretchen actually reads the book herself and her sarcastic, witty personality makes it all that much more entertaining.

I consider myself, like Gretchen, to be blessed with a wonderful life; however, I all to often dwell on what I could be doing better or worry about things that are out of my control. I am only to the month of May in her journey, but I have definitely had a couple of revelations so far and picked up many helpful tips to help me keep in perspective what truly is important. I would highly suggest this book to everyone!

Now what kind of pregnant lady would I be if I wasn't reading some kind of baby book right? Well have no fear! Book #3 on my reading list is The Happiest Baby On The Block by Dr. Harvey Karp, M.D
This book discusses how the 5 S's can help your baby sleep better, be happier, and avoid colic. It actually goes into a lot of great detail on what different doctors theorize cause colic and why they are incorrect. Additionally, it discusses how other cultures have soothed their babies for centuries and why westerners may be missing the mark when it comes to helping our little ones find comfort.

The overall premise of the books is that babies need 5 things to be comforted when they are first born.....
1) Swaddling - They need to be swaddled to feel safe and protected.
2) Side/Stomach Position - They prefer to be on their side or stomach which can aid in digestion.
3) Shushing - A shushing sound imitates what they were used to hearing in the womb and is therefor very comforting.
4) Swinging - Babies are used to constant motion when they are in their mothers womb, so a swinging motion helps to soothe them.
5) Sucking - Sucking actually triggers the calming reflex in babies.

Dr. Harvey Karp describes in detail how each one of these helps to soothe babies in it's own way, but also why doing them all together is the most important (and often most missed) step. It is totally worth the read if you are a mommy-to-be or have a fussy baby at home. Of course, I haven't actually put any of this to use on Annabelle yet, but it's fascinating none the less!

So there you have, the three books that are currently occupying my brain space! Now, it's time for some breakfast.

What are you currently reading?

In health,

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Howdy!

I hope your Thursday treated you well and you are gearing up for Friday! :) I am extra excited about this particular Friday because it means we are finally leaving for San Francisco for our Babymoon! We fly out tomorrow evening and will be there through next Wednesday. I have never been to San Fran before, so I am beyond excited. Plus, five quality day with the hubs is pretty much my version of Heaven on earth. :) It's been a crazy busy week at the studio, so I've been prepping for the trip in between running around for work. Ready or not, we are leaving tomorrow and it's going to be great!

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In true pregnant lady style, I had a massive craving for watermelon yesterday. I headed straight to the grocery store and purchased a huge juicy melon. With less than 72 hours to finish the watermelon before we head to San Fran (it's a crime to waste watermelon), I got right to work on it yesterday. I am happy to report that I am definitely on pace to finish the entire thing before we leave tomorrow night! Mission accomplished!



While I am training for competetive watermelon eating, some of you may have other fitness goals in mind. If you are gearing up for a Spring race and need a few tips on how to add yoga to your running program, head over to PrettyMuddy.com and check out the guest post I did for them on "Yoga Poses For Runners!" It's the follow up for the article I wrote on the "Benefits Of Yoga For Runners" a few weeks ago.

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To finish up this extremely random post, let's talk about music. You all know I am a huge fan of making fun playlists for my Pilates and Barre classes. I must say I am particularly in love with my Barre playlist right now so I thought I would share it with you guys.




What are your favorite workout songs to jam to currently? Any suggestions on what I should add to my playlist next?

I am off to whip up some dinner before tackling a little pre trip laundry. I hope you have a great rest of your evening.

In health,

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Happy Hump Day!

I hope your week is treating you well so far! Mine has been busy but it's flying by. I started my day off with a nice at home strength workout using all of my favorite toys. I'm working on a post about building your own home gym and how to utilize what you have to create great at home workouts. Stay tuned! After my workout, I whipped up a huge bowl of oats with blueberries and almond butter. I was so hungry I felt like I could have eaten two bowls, but I resisted. :)

Now on to the topic of the day. Many people think that they simply cannot afford to eat healthy or that, at the very least, it is going to cause a huge dent in their pocket book. To be honest, I completely understand where these people are coming from. It's really hard to convince someone to go to the store and spend $15-$30 on ingredients to create a healthy meal when the dollar menu is right around the corner. Do I think the dollar menu is the right answer? Heck no, but I'm just saying I understand how it is easy to think eating healthy is expensive.

Like many things, I think it is all about perspective. The slightly extra price for healthier ingredients far out weighs the hefty price your body pays when you eat junk food. Katherine, over at Real Food Runner, posted a great YouTube video yesterday about the real cost of healthy food. When you think of the cost of food in this way, healthy eating wins out by far!




Ok, so now we feel a little bit better about splurging on healthy ingredients, but we still have a budget to stick to right? E and I are definitely budget people. He's an accountant for goodness sake, so there is a spreadsheet for everything including our groceries. We have a certain amount budgeted each week that we "try" to stick to. I admit, sometimes it's hard, but I do my best. Here are some of my favorite tips for keeping your grocery budget in check while still feeding your family nutritious and delicious meals.

• Make the bulk section your new best friend. If you're not shopping in the bulk section at your grocery store, you are missing out! You can often get things for much cheaper then the boxed version. Plus, you can purchase exactly how much you need and nothing more. Some of my favorite bulk food staples are nuts, protein powder, nutritional yeast, quinoa, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, granola (be careful if you are gluten sensitive), trail mix, coconut flour, almond flour, almond butter, honey, and so much more.
• Bulk section part II - Check out your stores bulk spice section. When I discovered the bulk spice section at our local Central Market, it literally changed my life. How many times have you looked at a recipe that calls for 6 different spices and thought no way am I spending $3-$10 on each bottle? With the bulk spice section, this is no longer a problem. You can get almost any spice (depending on which store your shop at) in just the quantity you need. I often spend less than 25 cents on each spice. Talk about a money saver.
• Buy produce in season. Out of season fruits and vegetables have to be flown in from other places so they are going to be more expensive. Save yourself money and enjoy the most delicious fruit by purchasing what is in season. I've been enjoying the most amazing citrus fruit lately at rock bottom prices. Whenever possible, shopping at local farmers markets can be an even better option!
• Go with frozen fruits and vegetables whenever they are not in season. Whenever fruits and vegetables are out of season, I try to purchase them frozen instead. They often taste fresher and are way less expensive. I usually only use these for cooking since they don't taste quite as good as fresh ones. For example, I use frozen fruit in my oatmeal and frozen vegetables in all of my stir frys.
• Splurge on organic fruits and vegetables in the dirty dozen and save on those in the clean fifteen. Not ready to go completely organic? I understand. Splurge smartly by purchasing organic fruits and vegetables that fall under the "Dirty Dozen" category. It will help diminish your pesticide intake without breaking your bank. 

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• Utilize your leftovers in creative ways. Leftovers never go to waste in my house. Just because you have leftovers from the day before doesn't mean you have to eat the exact same thing the next day. If I have leftover meat from dinner, I usually throw it on my salad the next day. Leftovers also make great omelet mix-ins. We had leftover turkey sausage and potatoes from our dinner Monday night, so I threw them in my omelet the next day for lunch. It made my omelet more filling and flavorful for no extra cost. 
• Have a few staple breakfast and lunch dishes and enjoy them all week. To keep my ingredients list to a minimum, I try to pick two healthy breakfasts (for example, oatmeal and green smoothies) and a lunch selection for the week. I usually have big salads for lunch or enjoy leftovers from the night before. This keeps the amount of money I have to spend on those two meals down and keeps my prep time to a minimum as well.
• Make your own goodies when possible. Store bought protein and granola bars can get expensive quickly. Try making your own at home. They are super easy, delicious, and you can control exactly what goes in them. One of my favorite go to protein snacks are almond chia power balls!
• Get creative with your protein sources! A piece of meat doesn't always have to be your protein source in every meal. Liz, from Swim, Bike, Run, Check the Weather and Repeat, suggests using alternative protein sources from time to time. She loves to combine black beans, brown rice, avocado, and salsa to create an inexpensive and protein packed meal. 
• Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Alison, from Fearlessly Fierce, suggests sticking to the outside of the grocery store while shopping. All of the fresh produce, meat, and dairy are located around the perimeter of the store. If you avoid the middle aisles, you can prevent spending your money on overly processed, less nutritious food. Thanks Alison!
•  Meal plan on Sunday night so you can choose meals that share ingredients. This also allows you to see what is on sale that week and plan accordingly. I always try to pick meals that share ingredients especially protein so I can purchase it in larger quantities. Crock pot meals are also amazing for busy nights! Here are some of my favorite healthy and affordable meals.
• Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
• Citrus Veggie and Quinoa Salad - This is the perfect dish to make on Sunday and eat on for lunch all week.
• Gluten Free Veggie Pizza
• Pumpkin Coconut Mug Muffin
• Sage Pork Tenderloin and New Potatoes
 

There you have it! My favorite tips for eating healthy on a budget. I hope this helps you eat healthier and save a little green at the grocery store.

What are your favorite money saving tips at the grocery store?

In health,

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Howdy!

How are you this wonderful Tuesday morning? I told you guys yesterday about our amazing hike to Pedernales Falls and the new strength workout I did Sunday morning. Let me just tell you..... my cupcakes (aka booty) was extremely sore Monday morning. Sweet success!

To try to expedite the recovery process, I had a big bowl of steel cut oats with antioxidant filled blueberries, cinnamon, chia seeds, and topped off with fresh almond butter.

I promised y'all I would share the workout I tried out Sunday morning so here it is. I combined traditional TRX strength moves with two Tabata segments. During the Tabata segments, I tried to do compound moves that worked both the upper and lower body at the same time for maximum effectiveness.

All you need for this workout is a TRX with a little bit of room to move around and a kettlebell. You want to pick a pretty challenging kettlebell weight since you will be doing 20 second sets inside of your Tabata.



Get ready for your booty to burn! :) Always feel free to shoot me an email at funfitandfabulouswithlauren@gmail.com with any workout questions or comments. I love to hear from you guys! Let me know if you give it a try!

I'm off to do a little work before heading back to the studio to teach my last Barre class of the day.

Happy Tuesday!

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Howdy!

Is it really Monday again already? I can't believe it! This weekend, we headed down to College Station to watch the Aggies play UTEP. It was a 8:00pm kick off and it was COLD. We beat them pretty handily, but it was still fun to get to spend time with friends and family.

I'm a creature of habit when it comes to food, and the chia pudding recipe I shared with you guys last week has happened almost every other day since I first discovered it! Why mess with a good thing right?

I also enjoyed numerous gigantic salads for lunch last week. This one starred romaine lettuce, carrots, mushrooms, sliced avocado, and nutritional yeast.



On Thursday, I mixed things up a little bit when I went out to lunch with my little sis. We went to Galaxy Cafe which is a cute little restaurant on the West side of Austin. I had a turkey and brie sandwich on gluten free rice bread with a side of sweet potato fries. The sandwich was really good but the sweet potato fries were AMAZING!



I know fries are not technically a vegetable, but these bad boys are totally worth the splurge. I made up for the extra calories with a fun TRX and kettlebell workout!



This morning's workout was simple, but it definitely did the trick. I started out with a 3 mile run, then finished up with 50 walking lunges, 50 push-ups, and 2, 1 minute planks. Check out the sky that greeted me when I headed out for my run!

I also have 1 Pilates class and 1 Barre class on the agenda for today. Right now, it's time to work on some stuff for MyGroupFit.com before my next class. I hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

In health,

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