currently

http://practicalmadness.wordpress.com/2014/09/06/currently/

moving along....

hi friends!

Haven't blogged in over a month because I have been busy LITERALLY every single second!

Anywho, I'm currently moving my blog over to a new domain: http://practicalmadness.wordpress.com/

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go check it out :]

I'll be posting my goals for September and a little catching up on life!

discovering the beauty of dates

Medjool dates, that is.

We've always bought containers of them but I never ventured so far as to even opening said container.

& then beauty happened.

I randomly tasted one and thought: "This would just be fabulous in a shake -- so thick! so creamy!"

& boy was I correct!

I introduce, the Secretly Healthy Chocolate Debloating Protein Milkshake

Ingredients:
- 1/2 frozen banana
- 2 Medjool dates
- 1/2 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1/3 cup of plain, Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup of almond milk
- dash of cinnamon

& then BLEND BABY BLEND

topped mine with a little cinnamon chex cause I like DA CRUNCH

NUTRITION (sans toppings):

Calories: 230

Fat: 3 grams

Carbs: 33 grams

Fiber: 4 grams

Protein: 22 grams

August Goals//Jump Start Cleanse

HAPPY AUGUST EVERYONE! Wait, August?!

The month of August always makes me a little sad because it means the end of summer is near and school is about to be in full swing. I'm all nervous/excited/scared/looking forward to it all. 

I mean, I should have all these mixed feelings, seeing as August will be filled with sorority rush + moving to a new apartment + living in a new city + meeting new people + new classes + FOOTBALL + so much more!

As usual, I wanted to start this month with my goals:

1. Continue to take [and enjoy!!] one to two rest days each week.
2. Continue to be with friends and family even as school starts.
• Though it may get hectic, I want to continue to grow these relationships. 
3. Go to [almost] all the LSU football games....cause FUN.
• Not too much beats a Saturday in Death Valley, amIright?
4. Go to mass every Sunday.
• I sorta missed a couple weeks this summer, and tend to miss once school starts but I'm determined to not. It makes me feel so empty when I miss. 
5. Try 3 new workouts each week
• This will almost be mandatory, seeing as I'm moving to a new city, therefore a new gym/routine. 
6. LOVE MYSELF
7. Read 1 chapter of a new book each night until I finally [if ever] finish the growing pile on my nightstand. 
8. BLOG MORE!

I'm also printing and hanging these goals on my mirror to keep me accountable! 

After indulging in too many treats while in New York and then lots&lots of dessert last night.... I decided to kick August off with a "cleanse" (it's really just whole nutrition, nothing close to starving myself!)

What it looks like:

Breakfast: 

• Shake - 
• 1/2 teaspoon almond or peanut butter
• 2/3 cup raspberries
• 1 spoonful of oats
• handful of spinach
• 1/2 teaspoon of flax seed
• 1/2 frozen banana
• lemon juice
• 1/4 scoop of protein powder
• I topped mine with a little granola and shredded coconut too :]
• + 1/2 a grapefruit

Snack 1:

• 1/2 peach
• 1/2 Greek yogurt

Lunch:

• Shake - 
• 1/2 cup milk 
• 1/2 cut up cucumber
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil
• lime juice
• 1 stalk of celery
• 1 cup of kale
• 1/2 cup pineapple 
• 1/4 apple, chopped
• 1/4 scoop protein powder
• 1 cup of steamed broccoli 

Snack 2: 

• Protein smoothie - 
• 1 cup of any fruit
• 1/2 scoop of protein powder
• 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder
• water till the right consistency 

Dinner:

• Shake - 
• shake of cayenne pepper
• flax seed
• 2 T of avocado 
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• lemon juice
• 1/2 cup mango
• 1/2 cup kale
• 1 cup coconut water
• vegetables/healthy carbs on the side

There you have it....not an intense cleanse, but makes you feel great and a good fresh start to the month!

Let's attack August!! 

Goals recap

Here's to a little look back and recap on how I did on July's goals!

1. Take at least ONE rest day each week. 

• Somewhat accomplished. I sort of did this but only cause I was on vacation and super busy but still, at least I rested! 

2. Spend more time with friends and be carefree. 

• Accomplished. Considering I went to the beach and then to New York, I'd say I'm enjoying life. 

3. Accept lazy days

• Accomplished. I've accepted this, especially today cause I barely slept last night. With about a week left of summer, I'm truly enjoying my days of nothing. 

4. Try 3 new recipes each week

• Somewhat accomplished. Sorta did that....probably about 2 each week!

5. Try 3 new workouts each week

• Not really accomplished. Well, my week at the beach consisted of running on the beach which is definitely different! Other than that, I haven't varied from my normal routine too much. But since I'm about to leave my gym for college, things will be switching up enough. 

6. Love myself

• Yeah, still not accomplished with this goal but at least I'm working on it, right?

7. Finish a book

• Accomplished. Even better, I've started a new one. If you're looking for a good read, try "The Longest Ride" by Nicholas Sparks. 

8. Blog MORE!

• Not accomplished.... sorry ya'll

Can't wait to refocus and create my August goals tomorrow!

Happy Friday Eve everyone :]]

NEW YORRRRKKKKKK!! [image me singing this while I skip]

Cause that's exactly how New York makes me feel - like singing and skipping and smiling.

This past week, I was fortunate enough to spend 5 days in NYC with my cousin, who is interning there for the summer. Because she's living there, I truly felt like I was a resident of the upper east side. I did some tourists things but mostly lived like the locals do, which was super cool!

Some highlights in scenes:

Ground Zero Memorial

Running in Central Park

Kings of Leon on GMA!

Brooklyn Bridge

Times Square!

Breakfast at Tiffany's?!

& definitely some delicious food....

New York style pizza...yum!

Cookie Dough Godiva truffle....whaaaat?!

Shack shack ice cream with a view

got free coffee from a local stand, delicious!

first time having chicken & waffles

all in all, had the best time and can't wait to go back (& possibly intern there as well!!)

NYC, you have my <3

beachin'

This past week, I went to Navarre Beach in Florida with my family!

Here's a look at how the beginning of the week went....

using a GoPro camera for the first time...they are awesome!

After buying new running shoes in Fort Walton, my mom, sister, & I stopped at a cute little coffee shop where I got an iced coffee with a splash of cream, sugar, and chocolate sauce. Mmmm!

& then my 3 best friends and sorority sister came for the rest of the week!

My Chi O sista, Claire!

My 3 amigos, Neil, Lauren, and Phil!

My former roomie and bestest friend, Lauren!

SISTA SISTAS playing in the crystal clear water

Da crew bike riding/running in the rain on our last day

Even the ride home was a blast!

I had such an amazing week and feel truly blessed to have these amazing people in my life!