GIVEAWAY reminder!

Hope you all had a fab SUNDAY!! We took family pictures today.. so I'm excited to show you a few when we get them back!!
I also just want to remind you all to enter the giveaway!

4 Winners will be announced tomorrow night! 

Good luck!

Pumpkin Pancakes!!

Good morning Everyone! Hope your having a nice and relaxed Sunday!!
                                          I celebrated the end of the week & rest day with

*PROTEIN PUMPKIN PANCAKES*

Ingredients you need.. 

1.5 scoops of vanilla protein (I would of used Elite but I was out of nilla)

2 egg whites

1/4 C. almond milk

2 TBSP of oat flour (or any kind of whole grain flour)

1/2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 TBS  1 TBSP of Cinnamon

1/2 tsp of nutmeg

1 tsp of vanilla

1/2 cup of pumpkin

1 TBSP of agave nectar

ps.. I made this up..as I went.. But I scribbled down my ingredients feel free to add or alter as your little heart desires :)

I mixed all dry ingredients in one bowl.. & all wet in another.. Then combined them

Heat skillet on the stove about at a medium heat.. or less depending on your stove

Collect your toppings!

I went with

& 1/2 of a bananer..with about a tbsp of almond butter.

SOOO delish.. The cook kind of darker.. but they taste like pie :) 

I ate like 2   4 !!

Enjoy!!!

Yesterday.. I have to mention my fabulous lunch..

Simple Turkey & spinach wrap.

Using..

awesome wraps! only 60 calories

only half of it made it to the wrap..the other half I gobbled while making the wrap..

So I made another.. haha!

Turkey

tomato 

fat free mozzarella 

spinach

mustard

hummus

It was the perfect lunch for the busy day..

Off I went to a shower for this beautiful lady.

This is my little sister!! She is getting hitched next month!!

She got so much wonderful kitchen gadgets.. I was a little jealous of the pyrex glass bowls that came with glass lids and Plastic lids for easy travel ;)

We enjoyed an array of GOURMET desserts!

I spy the bride and the lovely chef.. both gorgeous yeah?

 Lemon cupcakes.. they were filled with a lemon center... oh my foodgasm..

Chocolate mousse

(fuzzy) Creme Brulee.. 

Other treats included

Mexican wedding cookies 

chocolate cupcakes 

cashews

and 

homemade butter mints!!

It was definitely worth the splurge ;)

after all.. you do deserve it every now and then.

I did however share half of the brulee with my sister and had a handful of cashews!
& had a side of T's Squishy feet..

It was a perfect shower!! Her fiance's family sure does know how to throw a party :)

Q&A
 {source}

I got a few emails asking why I don't really focus on the scale...
So YOU kick your butt at the gym.. you are eating right.. WHY? is that number on the scale NOT going DOWN???

Your weight goes up and it goes down.. or maybe it just stay the same? Either way you are frustrated by the what your crummy scale tells you.. Well, just quit it already.

I know.. "What the heck..?" This is something that I firmly believe and follow. Don't feel bad.. We have ALL done it before.. I used to weigh myself daily.. until I learned the facts.

You probably hear so many different things.. So how do you actually get started?

Well, the first thing I want you to do is to get on the scale.. yes.. I just told you not to... and now I'm saying yes.. But just this one last time.. cool? Your just getting started...This first step is for reference only.. and it is definitely is something to pay attention to..at first. 

I'm not saying get rid of your scale.. but if it becomes addicting and that number results in how you feel or depends if you going to have a happy day or not. 

Its just a number.. a number that can turn to control your life if you focus to much on it.

Now if your healthy and happy.. and you do weigh yourself everyday.. go for it. I just don't see the purpose.. 

The number to be more concerned about is your percentage of body fat.

{FAT VS MUSCLE }

So lets change our mind cool.?

Every day I hear people I know complain about their weight and are frustrated that they cannot lose weight. They are working out hard, eating right and still just don't see any change.. (from the scale that is) Little do you know.. It is paying off..  When you factor in things like water retention, glycogen storage and changes in lean body mass, fluctuations in your body weight is normal. You cannot battle everyday with the scale.. I will repeat.. Fluctuations of your body weight is acceptable!! 

*  Muscle weighs more than fat!! So when your body weight goes down.. the scale has no way of telling you what you’ve lost (or gained). Muscle is a metabolically active tissue. The more muscle you have the more calories your body burns during activity and rest

• Water makes up about 60% of total body mass.  Two factors influencing water retention are water consumption and salt intake. Strange as it sounds, the less water you drink, the more of it your body retains. If you are even slightly dehydrated your body will hang onto it’s water supplies with a vengeance, possibly causing the number on the scale to inch upward. That is why one of my Top ten weight loss tips is to DRINK WATER!!!! 
• LOVE SALT?? Well.. hello.. this plays a HUGE role in water retention!!! That hamburger you just ate may of contained over 2,000 mg of sodium!  We should aim to only eat between 1,000 and 3,000 mg of sodium a day, so it’s easy to go overboard, nowadays with all the processed food, fast food and chips and treats we have available..   I advise you to just go with the "clean" foods.. fruits, veggies, lean meat, beans and grains.
• Your a Woman.. we have are lovely monthly visit from Aunt Flo, this plays into that scale jumping up a few pounds before you menastrate.  
•  Glycogen. It is a fuel tank full of stored carbohydrate. Glycogen is stored in the liver and some is stored in your muscles. This energy reserve weighs more than a pound and it’s packaged with 3-4 pounds of water when it’s stored. Your glycogen supply will shrink during the day if you fail to take in enough carbohydrates. As the glycogen supply shrinks you will experience a small imperceptible increase in appetite and your body will restore this fuel reserve along with it’s associated water. It’s normal to experience glycogen and water weight shifts of up to 2 pounds per day even with no changes in your calorie intake or activity level. 
• Do you weigh yourself in the morning or night? So when the scale goes up 3 or 4 pounds overnight, rest easy, it’s likely to be water, glycogen, and the weight of your dinner.  To lose one pound of fat you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in. Realistically it’s only possible to lose 1-2 pounds of fat per week. So you hear the stories of the people who do crazy cleanses & diets.. and lose 10 pds in a week.. ? Even if your on a low carb diet or eating very little (HCG) What you’re really losing is water, glycogen, and muscle? You feel weaker.. and lets face it your starvin marvin..no bueno folks.. you will gain it back and more guaranteed.
• Muscle weighs more than fat!! So when your body weight goes down.. the scale has no way of telling you what you’ve lost (or gained). Muscle is a metabolically active tissue. The more muscle you have the more calories your body burns during activity and rest. 

Ask yourself:

Do you see changes in the mirror?

Do your clothes fit looser? and more comfortable?Do you drink enough water?

Do you practice portion control? Eat a clean diet and avoid excess sodium?

Can you lift more then you could when your first started training? 

Do you able to push yourself to run a little bit longer then you used to?

Measure yourself and aim to lose inches around your waist thighs, arms etc. Is that number decreasing?Do you have more definition?

Do these few things and then you will know for sure that your hard work is paying off :)

 

Finally FRIDAY!!

Okay, so I realize yesterday I didn't do even one food post! My apologies.. it was a whirlwind of a day.. but I didn't make anything out of the ordinary.. so you didn't miss much :) due to the fact we were super low on groceries.. but I went this morning post workout.. so I'm back in the game!

Although I am still out of vanilla protein.. seriously what is a girl to do?!!!

Have chocolate!!?

Peanut butter Cup oats!!

1/2 C of old fashioned oats

1/2 scoop of chocolate whey gourmet by ELITE

1 tbs of cocoa

1tbs or so of freshly ground P.B

sprinkled with carob chips.. (although I thought about that 1/2 way through.so not pictured)

yep.. its what I had for breakfast and I enjoyed every heaping spoonful :)

OH and yes.. I FINALLY got my new KICKS yesterday!!

Long overdue!! Seriously I think it has been about a year since I bought new Running shoes!! Because of my pregnancy I wasn't putting enough miles on my old shoes.. but they are now retired.. 

They are the K-Swiss kona's

 Fancy schmancy eh?

I was so excited I strapped them on and the babies and I went for a 5 mile run..

Do you like them??

They are super comfy and my feet felt fab during the run!! I could of run for 100 miles...5 more miles ;) 

p.s the weather outside is my favorite this time of the year!!

I love love love all the red!! the iphone of course doesn't do this ANY justice..but the colors were so rich.. FALL is definantly in the air!

We even saw a few familiar friends along the way.. can you see all 3?

and of course had to stop and say happy birthday to my mom..

(a little sweat apparently got on the lens of the iphone..)

So remember this favorite baby product?

I ordered one more.. and got a few extra.. 

SO ITS 

time for a 

GIVEAWAY!!

{this is my first giveaway so I'm super stoked. Here is how you can enter to win.. 3 entries }

1. Post comment on my blog of your fav. baby product and why. (if you don't have a gmail acct. just email me, thebodyofamother@gmail

2. Become a fan on facebook & post a comment there :)

3. Make a link on your blog to mine and just let me know you did it 

..READY GO!..

Winner will be randomly selected and then I will just mail you your prize :) with a few extra goodies.. ;)

& their will be 4 WINNERS!!
{Winners announced Monday!}

& no stress if you dont have a baby..there will be some extra swag in there:)

GOOD LUCK!!

DOUBLE BIRTHDAY!!

Today is my sisters Birthday and MY Mothers birthday!!

Here is my beautiful mother. For those of you who don't know she passed away 5 years ago unexpectedly. She was 44 years old and today she would of been 49. Don't you worry.. we will still be having a PARTAY for her big 5-0!!  My mom was the most self-less, humble, nicest woman I knew. She would of done anything for anyone. She always made sure her girls were happy.
I miss her more than anything and not one day goes by that I don't think about her. She is my angel.

Dear mom- I love you so much and I hope you are having a wonderful day! Today is your birthday and your 49! geez. mom... don't worry I'll still tell everyone 29.. okay? I'm sure that today you look more beautiful than ever. I hope you got your nails done today, cause you know that's what we would have done if you could be here with me. I have a big smile on my face right now just for you, because I know that is all you would really want for a gift. Thank you for always watching over me and my family. Thank you for taking care of & playing with my babies before they got here on earth. They are such happy & healthy babies, they smile and giggle so much now and I understand why it was so important to you for us to always be happy. I still wish you could of been here with me to meet them here on earth. But now your our angel and are with us wherever we go. I miss you mom and I love you to the moon & back. Happy Birthday!!

Also today is My little Sister's birthday!!

She is my bestest friend, I love her SO much!! How cool would that be to share a Birthday with your mom!? or to actually have your baby on your birthday!!? I just think that would be the bomb diggity.. and best birthday present EVER!

My sister turns 22 today.. I swear I'm still 22.. but whatever.. I guess that's why mom always demanded she was 29.. ? Anyway, 

Dear sister, Happy Happy Birthday shout hooray!! I'm so glad today is your special day! You are such a great sister and friend. I am so thankful for you in my life. You are so nice all the time.. unless I steal, I mean borrow your clothes. I actually really miss living under the same roof with you.. I'm so glad that we are so close and can always laugh and giggle to ourselves over the dumb things that only we find funny.. You are so beautiful and talented, & never forget it!  I'm so happy that we both share such a happy & healthy lifestyle. You are one of my best friends and I'm thankful that we are sisters! ps.. I'm making you your favorite cake & bringing it into work for you! love ya! see you soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!♥

(she totally didn't get the kissy face memo)

&

my babies are 3 months old today!!!

Why does it just go by so fast.. I miss this.. they were only 3 weeks in this picture! I'll post another one today so you guys can see how much they have changed! Its crazy I tell you..
here it is..

I'll be back later tonight.. but for now I got to go celebrate some birthdays!

who says you can't workout at home?

Breakfast.. a little different.. OAT mixer..

{Chocolate Raspberry delight}

1/2 C. of Oats 

1/2 Scoop of Chocolate Protein

a few  frozen raspberries

with a chocolate bomber on the rocks

{chocolate bomber}

1 scoop of whey gourmet

1 cup of unsweetened almond milk 

1 tbs of cocoa 

ice.

..Lunch..

1 slice of Ezekiel bread

smear of light mayo

chicken breast 

topped with a beefsteak  tomato 

and a handful

of almonds and of course some of these

{DINNER}

Prepared by the Mr. Tonight!

(We are running out of groceries so we had to use up everything we had left in the fridge!)

Eggs

yellow & red peppers

sweet onion

avocado

feta cheese

mixer up.. 

ya got an omelet..sprinkled with Mrs. DASH

Breakfast for dinner! My FAVORITE!!

As promised..

FINALLY.. a at

  home sweat sesh ♥

10 Burpees
10 tricep pushups
20 Jumping Jacks
15 chair dips
30 cinderellas: In a push up position place a dish towel under each of your toes and your going to take your knee to chest. fast! alternating legs. Right then left.- that is one. continue to 30
2 minute chair sit- Place your back against a wall and shimmy down the wall until you look like your sitting in a chair, legs at 90 degrees and belly sucked into your spine. Place hands against wall.
10 chest pushups
20 squats Get low, get low. & almost touch your booty to the floor! &
10 tuck jumps
plank hold 2 minutes

me with no makeup.. but you gotta love the glisten

Do this 4 times! if your feeling good.. just keep going. This will get your heart rate up and will burn major calories! I love this workout cause its quick & you don't need any equipment!
You will most def. break a sweat..

{My Top Ten TIPS to lose the weight}

10. Just be active. Take one hour a day and make it just for you. It doesn't even have to be a whole hour. But  make sure you get time to get your sweat on.

9. LIFT HEAVY.. whoever said lifting heavy will make you big is a liar pants.. In no way will it make you big It will make you burn fat and tone your sexy arms. I get girls that think those 5lb dumbells are going to "tone" if they do a thousand reps.. pshh. that won't do snap crack. Lift like a man. and be a sexy mama ;)

8.PROTEIN: Protein is essential to your diet. Your body needs protein to build muscle and tone your body, and the antibodies that build up help you fight and resist diseases.  Anyway you can get it. Supplement (Protein shakes) Chicken Breast, Tuna, Salmon, greek yogurt, cheese or egg whites are always my protein of choice.

7. SLEEP.. sleep is SO important. I know for new moms this one is a bit rough.. but make sure you get your naps in.. When we are SOOO tired and we can't sleep.. what do you reach for? carbs..& fast carbs your mind is tricking you into thinking your hungry and need more food to fuel your day when really all you need is a nap. But if you get enough sleep you will maintain a healthy lifestyle.

6.EAT fresh fruit and Veggies, & eat often. Eating 5-6 meals a day keeps your blood sugar low and you will find that you will actually eat less throughout the day if you eat smaller meals more frequently.

5.CONSUME FAT.. no, not a big fat big mac.. eat HEALTHY fats at every meal! for example: Olive oil, avocado, almonds, PB. Keep in mind your portion size.. healthy fats tend to be calorie punchers.. But you need the fat to fuel and actually burn fat!

4.SODA: Nix the soda.. There is SOOO much sugar in soda.. just don't drink it.. All those unwanted calories are not needed and of course have ZERO value to you (besides maybe your insanity). Even diet drinks. But.. I'll save that for a different day.

3.AVOID alcohol. A night out on the town.. why not just a few drinks??.. well, those fancy cocktail drinks can hold ALOT of calories!

2.AVOID refined sugar- white bread, white rice,(yes, it all breaks down into sugar) candy bars, suckers etc. You don't need them and they don't have any nutritional value for you. Stick with Natural Sugar from fruit and eat whole grains, WHOLE wheat bread & brown rice. The more fiber it has the fuller you will be:)

1. DRINK WATER!! & lots of it. I try to drink a GALLON of water a day! Its not as hard as you think. Everywhere you go just make sure you tote around your water bottle. I actually keep a pack of water bottles in my car so I always have water where ever I go. Also, nursing mothers you need as much water as you can get to help with your milk supply.

New FAVE MUST HAVE!!

Yes, I have lost SO many binkies already and there is nothing more frustrating then having a baby crying and not being able to find the plug.. so this way I'll be able to find it quick if its stuck to them right....

 here is hoping so!

Have a great night!! 

Let me know if you try the workout! 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder..

Hey Everybody! Your going to have to excuse my absence for the last uh.. 4 days! We had quite a busy weekend and there was just no time to blog. But I have decided that I will be taking more of these little breaks. I love to blog but there are SO many other things I love to do as well. So I'm going to be blogging less.. but not to less.. just not everyday. So still stalk the blog from time to time :)

{Quick Weekend Recap}

My two little babies were blessed!! So Beautiful and just perfect!!

We had two breakfast casseroles- with potatoes (hashbrown style) and sausage & another one with bacon.

Prepared by Grandma.. 

Muffins

Danishes

Fruit

& of course Muddy Buddies! 

okay.. not so much on the healthy side but I made the best, and filled up on fruit.. with half of a quarter of a choc. muffin.. and I couldn't pass on a handful of muddy buddies!

..my cute little family..

This Weekend we also celebrated this guy..

This is my uncle.. he turned the BIG 5-0 so a SURPRISE party was in order..

& that we did! He had no IDEA! I have never seen his face SO red! It was grand :)

We served Salad with EVERY topping imaginable..

Along with 

Rolls and fruit

 ..for dessert..

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies 

&

Chocolate COVERED STRAWBERRIES!

This were DeLIcIouS!! I had one.. but I could of eaten the WHOLE plate..

Happy Birthday UNCLE!

New favorite Baby NEED!!!

Every mom needs one of these.. in my case two.. but get it..

But the BUMBO is amazing.. My babies are going to be 3 months old this week and they can sit up in it! They are loving it! T especially cause he gets frustrated laying flat all the time.. he loves to sit up and see all the action.

Okay, Quick recap done.. I'll be back later for some actual advice and healthy food love :)

oh good heavens.. if you have a minute.. WATCH THIS.

Seriously.. does anyone else feel like that sometimes.. 

happy friday!

Happy Friday Y'all!!
To start off.. here was lunch! I brought back the little shrimp guy.. for a shrimp BEAST

2 Cups of Spinach

1/4 of a Avocado

baby tomatoes

8 Shrimp or more.. only 8 made it into the beast.. the rest got attacked by the mouth of the mama beast;)

and a little cup of butternut soup.. (mine is better)

PB cookies

SO EASY!!

1 cup of agave nectar

1 cup of PB

1 Egg

Oat flour to thicken

Mix all the ingredients together and add oat flour until the dough is well doughy..

Bake in oven at 350 for 10 minutes

(Still working on getting that manicure! )

Have a happy & healthy friday!!

loves xoxo