WIAW #17

Good evening! Its another WIAW post and I'm going to continue posting like I have the last few weeks. Instead of posting everything I had in one day, I'm posting all the things I ate this week that caught my eye! This girl likes variety! 

----What WIAW isn't about----

Comparison - Judgement - Restriction - Guilt

----What WIAW is about----

Celebrating one of the glorious things we all have in common: We all eat!

WIAW is about food and fun! It's about making new friends, breaking out of a food rut, noting changes in your diet/lifestyle, inspiring yourself & others, embracing fruit & vegetables, nourishing your body with the foods that work for you, finding new ways to eat your favorite foods, and so much more <3

-peas & crayons

BBQ chicken (finger licking goodness) with roasted garden veggies, green beans and broccoli and cauliflower! 

Friday went to the store for the hubby and I to grill outside!

And this was the awesome outcome! Steak pinwheels stuffed with parmesan and spinach, roasted cauliflower and grilled mushrooms! Initiate face plant.

Sunday we grilled flank steak (can you tell I love steak?) and asparagus and roasted and mashed cauliflower!

For lunches this week I whipped up a batch of Skinny Taste's Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup for the hubby and I!

Monday nights I have Tax Accounting night class so salads are usually on the menu! Roasted shrimp, avocado, broccoli, feta.... Happiness!

PIZZZZZZA! My kryptonite! I did an extra workout so I could exhale this! (and two more pieces heehee) 

My sister made these bad boys.... And I was the official taste tester and photographer (which is just as important - right?). Skinny Taste Flourless Brownies! DE-FREAKING-LICIOUS!

On a side note a suggestion I'd make - double the almond milk and instead of half a teaspoon of oil use a full tablespoon!

And now I'm hungry... 

Again.

As usual.

Question: What neat new recipe did you try? Or did you make? Link up if you want!

Eat clean, train mean, && inspire others!

-Jaren 

Kiwi Cravings

Good evening all my favorite people! The weekend is almost upon us so hang in there!

I have decided to start a new segment called "Kiwi Cravings..." to share with you all new gadgets, recipes, treats, clothes, ect that I may be crushing on! Hopefully you will find something you like or what to try and if you have something you want to share for me to try or check out be sure to add it in the comments below!

First off: Pure Protein Bars

These things are straight dangerous! Taste almost like a snickers bar but have 200 cal, 20g of protein, 16g of carbs (1 from fiber and 2 from sugar), and 6g of fat! Not saying eat these bad boys all day every day but this is definitely my favorite bar I've found so far! DROOL.

Skinny Taste Black Bean Flour-less Brownies

{photo credit: Skinny Taste}

Holy wow, don't they look delicious?! My sister pointed me in the direction of this recipe and I am definitely making these this weekend! Brownies are a point of weakness for me so I would feel less terrible about eating the whole pan (just kidding) if they were healthy! I'll let you know how they turn out!

Wonder Woman Wrist Wraps

Say that 5 times fast! Whew! Found these on Etsy and they are soooooo cute! I think I NEED these. Being fashionable in the gym is important right? I bet I'll hit a PR with those babies!

Wod Gear Crops

Look at the color of these crops!!! Be still my heart! I have a pair of their running crops and I LOVE THEM. LOVE LOVE LOVE. They are thick, comfortable and stay in place while running and during wods! And their customer service is amazing! I must say I even like these more than my Lululemons!

Working on my weaknesses

I can only speak for myself but I know when I'm not good at something I tend to avoid it so I don't get discouraged. That is changing. I am dead set on mastering my pull-ups, pistols and toes to bar... I've been spending a lot of time lately building on those without beating myself up about it. Everyone grows at their own pace, slow and steady wins the race my friends.

On a bad ass note - I am happy to announce that I have been chosen to be a Fitfluential Ambassador! FitFluential is a nationwide network of fitness enthusiasts sharing their journey both online and offline through multiple social media platforms. I am honored and excited to be apart of such a fun and encouraging community!! Check out their website and sign up to become a member!

What are somethings you are loving right now? Please share!

Eat clean, train mean, & inspire others!
-Jaren

Crossfit Open 2014

So ladies and gents, lets be real...

We have roughly 3 days until the Crossfit Games Open begins and the first workout is posted. I know a lot of people are still debating if they should put themselves out there and register or not. Last year I didn't register because I was new and super intimidated. I was thinking - "No way I can do this", "People are going to think I'm weak", and lastly "I don't want to kill myself."

A lot has changed since then... I'm stronger, more confident, and this year I'm looking forward to getting my ass kicked in the Open. I still can barely do a pull up, my double unders aren't consistent, and burpees still make me want to puke sometimes... But that doesn't matter. 

The Open isn't just for those hardcore Crossfitters hoping for a spot at Regionals, or those headed straight for the Games. The Open is for EVERYONE.

You heard me, EVERYONE.

It doesn't matter if you just started Crossfit or if you've been at it for years. It doesn't matter if you can't lift as much as you want, or you don't finish wods as fast as others.

What matters is you. This is your time to see what you are really made of! 

The Open is a way to push yourself and test your limits. To see what you can and can't do. Its a way to benchmark yourself - you can compare your performance against other years that you have registered. 

If you do one more rep than you anticipated - you come out a winner. If you happen to PR a lift in the middle of the Open - you come out a winner. If you finally get that pull up or double under - you come out a winner. If you have a blast and become closer with your box buds - you come out a winner.

You aren't competing against everyone.... As always, you are competing against you. Don't worry about who is watching you, what others are doing, or what others may think. They don't matter. This is your journey... Focus on you. Focus on doing your best. 

If you do good and get into Regionals, SWEET. But that isn't what really matters... Just go out there, have fun, push yourself, do your best and you will come out on top!

You still have time to sign up. Just do it.

Question:
What is your favorite protein bar?
Are you registered for the Open?

Eat clean, train mean, && inspire others!
-Jaren

Roses are red, violets are blue...

Wall balls always suck, and sled drags do too!

Unfortunately for my husband my birthday and Valentines fall in the same week. But yay for me and the shower of presents that ensue. Lucky for him though, if its Crossfit or fitness related, I want it. So this week I received lots of new toys to motivate and thoroughly kick my rear into shape.



From my hubby I got a Fitbit Force for my birthday and a 14lb wall ball for Valentines day. Nothing says I love you like a wall ball. Here go do Karen, hope you can walk tomorrow. The Fitbit Force is AWESOME though. Hubby got one for me and one for himself. He runs way more than I do so his steps are like twice mine (my inner competitive side is not pleased with this) but I love being able to see how active I am throughout the day. The only thing is I still have to wear my Polar FT40 for Crossfit to track my activity but you can't win them all.



From the parentals, for my birthday, I got a Rogue Fitness Fatboy Sled and a Wod Love tank! Can't wait to drag this thing around the neighborhood, maybe I can make a dent in the Fitbit steps that the hubby is ahead of me. And these shoulders and legs are about to be in trouble!



My brother and law also shares a birthday around Valentines so this year we celebrated our birthdays together. Well Hubby didn't check with the parents on who was getting what and also bought me a sled, so Dino got extra presents! But actually it benefits me because now I have a sled to drag around when I head up to Oklahoma to hang out! Win for the both of us!

Can you tell I'm a happy girl?

Sparkly things and roses... Who needs them. Give me Rogue gear and workout clothes and I'm set!!! (Okay roses would have been awesome too but who am I to complain?!)

I also wanted to share with you a new tape I bought, Jillian Michael's Yoga Inferno. Did you know Jillian said in one of her recent podcasts that she won't even do her own dvd's because they are hard? For some reason that just cracks me up! Anyways, it tough and fun. I didn't think it was going to be tough but I was wrong. Workout two literally killed the back of my legs for two days. So try it out! You can find it at Target for $9! Definitely worth it!



Also got some yummy goodness in the mail this week! When these bad boys showed up on my doorstep I was ecstatic! Heat them up for 15 seconds in the microwave.... Heaven. Definitely a must try.



Last but not least I wanted to share a little wisdom. Recently I have seen a lot of people pointing fingers ad criticizing others because their fit lifestyle doesn't match their own. Lets remember everyone's fitness journey is different. We all have different goals, plans, and triumphs. Some may want to be able to keep up with their kids, some to just be healthy, some to look good, and others to compete. Don't look down on someone else's journey just because it doesn't look the same as yours or they aren't doing the same as you. Be kind, inspiring, uplifting and helpful - and we can all help each other accomplish our dreams.

Well I'm off to go drag heavy things around the neighborhood! Wish me and my legs luck!

Question:
What did you get for Valentines day?
What are your fit goals?

Eat clean, train mean, && inspire others!
-Jaren

Also a huge thanks to Real Fit Girls on Instagram for the shoutout! Check them out for motivation from Instagram's finest Real Fit Girls - @real_fit_girls!

New Gear and Goals!

Hello my lovelies! Oh how I have missed you.

All is swell here: lots of work, school, and crossfit. It’s a never ending cycle. (PS. Managerial economics BLOWS)

Anyways onto the fun stuff.

Spent my weekend in Oklahoma visiting my sister and her family! It was such a great weekend, the weather was awesome, and it was nice to just hang out and relax!

My little sister Logann and I drove up Thursday and didn’t get there till after midnight, it was a long drive in the Camaro but we passed it by listening to lots of Muse, Glee, and Mumford & Sons. We had to stop in Denton at Chipotle on the way up, duh!

Friday we went to the outlet mall, had lunch at Smashburger, picked my nephew up from school, and bought a fire pit for Candace’s back porch. Then I managed to get a wod in there home garage! Candace’s hubby made a sled with a tire and that thing is no joke.

Then I ran around the yard and chased the kids for hours which is tons of fun and a great way to stay in shape fo sho. 

After that I worked on my handstand while Candace made Chicken and dumplings aka Awesomesauce. The rest of the night was filled with time around the fire making s'mores. No better way to spend the evening for sure.

Saturday, the Hubby (who arrived at 2am Saturday morning) and I went to Dick’s in search of Reebok gear. Our Academy’s back home don’t carry Reebok. This girl loaded up.

I also got a pair of red shorts, not pictured. Those shorts are probably the best pair of shorts I've ever bought. They are a smidge short but if you are used to Lululemon's run speedy's then they won't bother you. I also think they are more comfortable then my Lulu's, the waist band is think and soft so no uncomfortable muffin top. The sports top is super comfy, maybe not good for running or box jumps, but great for everything else.

After fajitas at their local Mexican restaurant we spent the rest of the evening with my niece and nephew making more s'mores and carving pumpkins. Texans represent!

I was super bummed with the weekend ended.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my short term and long term fitness goals so I thought I would share them here.

Short term:
Back squat 200lbs (I’m at 185 right now)
Do an unassisted pull up
Be able to clean my body weight
Eat less starchy carbs
Run more
Continue to work on my 100 burpees for time (epic suckage)
Drink more water

Long term: (1-5yrs)
Get the nerve to compete in my first crossfit competition
Get my NASM
Get my Crossfit Level 1

Tonight the hubby cooked Skinny Taste's Shrimp Cobb Salad and Creamy Cilantro Dressing while I worked on my quiz. Now just relaxing with a Purple Haze (first beer I've had in AGES), carving MORE pumpkins and watching the Conjuring. SCARIEST MOVIE EVER.

Can you believe that tomorrow is Halloween already? We don’t get many trick or treaters out here in the woods but we did buy one bag of candy. And so I wouldn’t touch that candy I bought myself a Justin’s dark chocolate peanut butter cup! NOM.

Questions:

Do you have any long term or short term goals?
What do you plan to be for Halloween?

WIAW #16

Good evening! Its another WIAW post and I'm going to continue posting like I have the last few weeks. Instead of posting everything I had in one day, I'm posting all the things I ate this week that caught my eye! This girl likes variety! 

----What WIAW isn't about----

Comparison - Judgement - Restriction - Guilt

----What WIAW is about----

Celebrating one of the glorious things we all have in common: We all eat!

WIAW is about food and fun! It's about making new friends, breaking out of a food rut, noting changes in your diet/lifestyle, inspiring yourself & others, embracing fruit & vegetables, nourishing your body with the foods that work for you, finding new ways to eat your favorite foods, and so much more <3

-peas & crayons

Steak, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, and salad greens!

Paleo sloppy joes over a sweet potato and kale!

Fajita salad - chicken, avocado, greens, corn, black beans... Put salsa and sriracha as the dressing, someone neglected to tell me that it was ghost pepper salsa, and I couldn't feel my face for two hours after finishing my bowl.

Skinny Taste Turkey taco chili soup!

Thursday went by Starbucks for a treat, passion tea unsweet!

Friday we had a cold front come through and the rain was INSANE! But the hubby and I still braved it for some Zoe's Kitchen - steak rollups, hummus, and a greek salad.

And since we were already out braving the weather, we sprang for some Chiller Bee Froyo!

Egg whites, ham, and mushrooms with a sliced green apple!

Panko crusted salmon, honey carrots and garlic spinach.

Spent yesterday afternoon prepping lunches! Chipotle chicken breasts!

Chipotle chicken, sweet potato fries, and a side salad with avocado. Someone is always near by waiting to get some scraps!

My go to breakfast at work: ezekiel bread with 1/2 an avocado with sriracha, boiled egg, sliced ham, and grapes!

Workouts for the week!

Sprints and jogging while watching the North and South marathon on Encore Western! Was one happy lady!

My favorite yoga DVD!

2.8 miles of springs, jogging and hills! Been battling compartment syndrome so my time on the treadmill is limited before my legs cramp up but with lots of stretching and foam rolling I am determined to stick with it!

Question: What PR did you reach this week?
What new recipe did you try?

Eat clean, train mean, && inspire others!
-Jaren