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!

3 New Workouts in One!

Though I haven't been nailing my month resolution of blogging more, I am in incorporating 3 new workouts each week into my normal routine! Whoop whoop, small successes! 

This week, I tackled all 3 of these new workouts in ONE DAY. A very tiring day, if I do say so myself. 

My friend and I decided to skip our normal gym and get a free day pass to another gym, Physiques, to try some new classes. 

Physiques is an all-women gym that is pretty small and kind of feels like one big family. One reason I fell in love with it was that they are serious about promoting self-love and being healthy to live longer. Like underneath their weekend schedule, there was a drawing of a heart and "Love Yourself" written in big pink letters. 

UM HELLO, YESSSS!

Well, we couldn't decide on which class to take so we chose three. 

1. Funkie Fusion

• Funkie Fusion is a new class that was actually born at this little gym (in Lafayette?!). It's a dance and aerobics class, incorporating squats, lunges, LOTS of jumping, and good music, all with no weights! Seriously, I've tried Zumba and wasn't a big fan of it, but I had so much fun in this class (as long as I didn't look at myself dancing in the mirror) and was drenched in sweat and out of breath after just 50 minutes! Definitely will be going back!

2. Ballet Booty

• Okay, this was probs my favorite of all 3 classes. I'm usually not a big fan of low impact because I like to keep the heart rate pumping to burn the most calories but OH MY GOODNESS THIS BURNED. It's called Ballet Booty but really it works the entire body with little to no weight. We started doing arm exercises and I grabbed the 5 pound dumbbells, thinking that wouldn't be hard enough and had to put them down halfway through....my arms hurt so bad I thought I was going to yell expletives at the instructor. Needless to say, I couldn't walk the next day. But I will also go back for more. Pain is beauty right?

3. Cardio Kick

• Again, super challenging and my heart rate was kept real high. We basically did punches/jumping jacks/jump squats/kicks/jump rope nonstop for an HOUR. My calves were screaming. This was so different from any kickboxing class I've been to because we had no bag and actually jumped more than we punched, which was extra challenging!

All in all, I had a day filled with fun and very different workouts and I truly felt that my body was challenged (felt it the next morning too)!

Though I can never leave Red's gym (it's one of the best in the nation), Physiques was pretty cool and I'll consider going back!

Red&White&Blue

had one of the best fourth of July's this year with great friends and great family!

and of course, great food :]

Hanging out with friends at a pool  party on the fourth!

And then Saturday, a group of friends and I drove out and spent the whole day canoeing!

Right before I left for a day filled with canoeing, I made a red/white/blue parfait for breakfast! I was still feeling pretty patriotic and it definitely held me over till lunchtime. 

Ingredients:

1/2 container of blueberry yogurt (I used a chobani flip)

1/2 container of plain Greek yogurt

Cereal or granola (I used Special K chocolate because chocolate.)

Few sliced strawberries

Few raspberries

Walnuts/chia seeds for the topping (totally optional! I used the topping that came in the Chobani flip)

Directions:

1. Get a tallish glass or just a big bowl!

2. Put half of the desired blueberry yogurt on the bottom of the dish

3. Then put a few slices of strawberries

4. Put half of the desired plain Greek yogurt

5. Put a few raspberries

6. Sprinkle a little granola

7. Repeat those steps until you are out of ingredients

8. Top with walnuts and chia seeds and eat up!

Spent the rest of the afternoon/night with some relatives from out of town and a lil barbecue! If that weekend doesn't scream 'MERICA I don't know what does!

Greens on Greens on Greens

Starting strong on completing one of my July Goals - making 3 new recipes each week. 

This morning, I made a delicious coconut/spinach/banana/oatmeal smoothie! Yes, cooked oatmeal. Just go with me on this one....cause it was DELICIOUS.

Ingredients:

• Half banana
• 1 teaspoon of almond or peanut butter
• 1/2 cup of spinach or kale
• half scoop of vanilla protein powder
• half cup of cooked oatmeal (I used a cinnamon flavor but anything, even plain, would work!)
• 1 spoonful of Greek yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 1/2 cup of coconut water
• 1/4 teaspoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of coconut flour

Throw it all in a blender and mix it on up -- doesn't get much easier than that!

I ended up topping mine with a handful of granola and about a tablespoon of coconut shavings!

Nutrition:

Calories: 270 ~ Fat: 7 grams ~ Carbs: 35 grams ~ Fiber: 8 grams ~ Protein: 20 grams

July Already?!

Seems like lately my health and fitness desires are lacking in motivation. I'm kind of just eating to eat and not truly enjoying it and working out is getting monotonous. 

I also feel unorganized in what I want to accomplish in regards to life/fitness/health/the future, etc.

So I decided to begin each month with a list of goals -- a few things I want to become habits!

So, drum roll.... (okay, I guess it's not THAT exciting)

JULY GOALS:

1. Take at least ONE rest day each week. 
• This is definitely a struggle for me because I'm not doing much this summer and getting bored comes easily. Going to the gym gives me something to do. I also have a mindset that if I don't workout one day, everything I've done so far was a waste. I know, that doesn't make sense at all. However, I think one reason I'm not seeing results from my workouts is because I'm not letting my muscles recover. I want to work on my mindset of "rest" so that I'm truly taking care of myself. Okay, rant over ya'll. 
2. Spend more time with friends and be carefree. 
• Even though I don't do anything during the summer, I'm not really hanging out with friends. And even when I do, I don't truly enjoy myself. It's something in the back of my mind I guess so I want to work on having fun....sounds like a pretty good goal!
3. Accept lazy days
• Pretty much every day this summer has looked like this: wake up, workout, run a few errands, then lie on the couch. & sometimes I'll do stuff at night if anything's going on. It's hard for me sometimes to simply be lazy and binge watch Friday Night Lights but I know that once school starts, laziness will be a thing of the past and something I will long for so I need to love it while it lasts!
4. Try 3 new recipes each week
• I literally have hundreds of recipes I've been dying to try so look forward to that :)
5. Try 3 new workouts each week
• Along with hundreds of recipes, I also have HUNDREDS of workouts I want to try. I think picking 3 each week will really challenge my body and keep my gym-seshes exciting! 
6. Love myself
• I've struggled with self confidence the past 5 years or so and honestly, it's getting SUPER OLD. This month, I want to begin revamping my brain into accepting and loving who I am. No pressure, right?
7. Finish a book
• I've already started one and, seeing as I'm going to the beach soon, this goal shouldn't be very difficult!
8. Blog MORE!
• I've gotten a little lazy on this so it is a must!

Whoooo that was an earful (or eyeful since you're reading this?)

8 goals seems like an overwhelming amount but they're all pretty small and simple things!

Make your own list of goals and share it before you knock em out this month :]

Happy July!

My obsession with avocados continues

Like I've mentioned before, I am OBSESSED with avocados.... they are just so darn delicious.
You know that Subway commercial with the two women arguing over how much they love avocados? Yeah, that's basically my life.

Another food I really like is tuna. And I know I just got gag-like responses from some of ya'll, but keep reading.

I used to only like tuna if it was in steak form or in sushi. However, both can be a little pricey and more difficult to prepare.

CUE: canned tuna

I randomly decided to give canned tuna a whirl after hearing about all it's health benefits and believe it or not, I LOVED IT

I never thought I'd thoroughly enjoy something that smells like cat food. (I promise it doesn't taste like cat food).

I'm also a huge fan of tuna salad, but that is usually laden with lots & lots of fat + calories. No Thanks.

Therefore, I concocted my own sort of tuna salad using, you guessed it, AVOCADO! Not only is this recipe delicious, it's also so simple, a baby could make it.

Okay, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration, but this recipe only contains two ingredients. I repeat: TWO INGREDIENTS. And it doesn't require any cooking....can ya get any better than that?! I think not.

Ingredients: Serves 2

- 1 can of low-sodium tuna in water

- 1 100-calorie packet of Wholly Guacamole minis

And fear not tuna-haters, for this recipe can be subbed with 1/3 cup of canned (or shredded) chicken.

Empty both containers fully into a Tupperware large enough. Mix evenly.

& that's it folks!

Pretty? No. 

Delicious + simple? Abso-freakin'-lutely. 

But this recipe is also extremely good for you, low in calories, and protein-packed! 

It's basically a TRIFECTA of a lunch. 

Nutrition (per serving):

Calories: 130

Fat: 4 grams

Carbs: 3 grams

Fiber: 1 gram

Protein: 16 grams

Need I say more?!

I can't wait to make this again and again and serve it in a wrap, with apples + crackers, or just a fork :]

CHICAGO CHICAGO CHICAGO

such a fantastic place/trip, it deserved to be said three times!

this was my first time ever experiencing Chicago and I absolutely LOVED it!

I'm actually so obsessed that I'm considering living there after I finish school...it is just so great!

If you get the chance, GO GO GO! We drove (a 15 hour drive FYI) and yeah that part kinda sucked, but it was so worth it!

A few trip highlights included

visiting the Bean monument in downtown Millennium Park

Seeing the "American Gothic" painting in the Chicago Art Institute

Seeing Lake Michigan from Navy Pier

                                        

Running along the Chicago River!

going to Lake Michigan beaches!

and best of all - meeting up with a Chi Omega sister from Chicago!

Now, more importantly (at least to me) the FOOD. Pretty much everything we ate was out-of-this-world-delicious!

Every morning, we were given a complimentary breakfast buffet which features a make-your-own omelet bar, tons of fresh fruit, yogurt & granola, oatmeal, and tons of other breakfast things + Starbucks coffee! Needless to say, I was in heaven!  

Pretty much my breakfast every morning - egg white omelet (with spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and broccoli) + sausage or bacon + yogurt/fruit + a little bit of everything else they offered (right here, that's frittata and BREAD PUDDING). I looked forward to waking up for this every morning! 

This DELICIOUS salad from a local pub called Elephant & Castle. The salad had citrus chicken, mandarin oranges, raw onions, and salted cashews atop a bed of mixed greens. It was one of the best salads I've ever had!

Ghirardelli ice cream shop.... need I say more?!

The most adorable local tea/coffee company, Argo Tea! I got an espresso cappuccino and my sister got an apple cider hot tea - both were AWESOME! 

Cupcakes from the famous Sprinkles Cupcake Factory. I got a mini red velvet, my sister got a mini lemon, and my mom got a dark chocolate - all three tasted so fresh and I could've stayed in the cute little cafe and eaten more cupcakes for the rest of the day!

& last but definitely not least - Chicago style pizza! JUST LOOK AT THAT CRUST! so thick. so bready. so mouth-watering!! Hands down, best pizza I've ever consumed. 

Chicago is a fantastic city & I can't wait to visit again! The food, people, sights, and culture were so inviting and I instantly felt at home. 

Chicago, you have my heart :]