Marvelous in My Monday #4

Marvelous in My Monday is a link up party started by the wonderful Katie over at Healthy Diva Eats. You just post about marvelous things that have happened to you over the week. 

What a busy weekend! Aren't weekends supposed to be refreshing? I'm ready to crawl in bed and sleep for a few days! Too much fun for one weekend, and with the Fourth of July right around the corner, looks like this week will be interesting! Lets talk about the many MARVELOUS things went on in my world this past weekend, shall we?

KICK BUTT WORKOUTS: Saturday Morning I woke up early and took both of my sisters to the gym with me! We all live healthy lifestyles and enjoy our own kinds of workouts, but sometimes its just nice to go together! I did 30 minutes of interval training adapted from this post, 10 minutes of rowing, 75 second plank and then walked another 10 minutes on the treadmill while stretching.  

GAVE COFFEE ANOTHER SHOT: After Logann and I dropped Candace off at her house, we stopped by Starbucks for a post workout treat! Iced Skinny Carmel Macchiato. I generally hate any mixture of coffee but it was love at first sip! Maybe reading about all these Starbucks obsessed bloggers has rewired my brain.

RECIPES: I spent most of my Saturday evening making salsa for a pre-birthday dinner snack for my Dad! Also borrowed some of Logann's fabric to take some pretty cool pictures. You can find those recipes here. I got ahead on my blogging, for once, and spent some of my evening blogging in my own little world.

 

SISTERS: Logann came into town from Austin for Dad's birthday and wanted Candace's help in making some pillows. Candace needed some pictures to use for her blog so since I'm the go to camera girl in the family I helped out. Anytime the three of us are involved with a camera it turns into a giggle fest. You can read Candace's weekend post, Sister Sewing 101, here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD: We celebrated Dad's birthday with a home cooked {healthier} southern meal! BBQ'd chicken, cole slaw, asparagus, mashed sweet potatoes, black baked beans, and of course - ice cream and cake! My Dad is addicted to music, he looks like something right out of Lonesome Dove and yet on any given day his iPod will shuffle between old ranch music like R.W. Hampton to Green Day to Muse to French Techno to Miranda Lambert to Ray Lamontagne to Garbage and then to surf music. Complex man. So my gift of iTunes is always a hit with him!

CARS && COFFEE: The first Sunday of every month my local car club gets together for a Cars & Coffee. I started the morning with Jamba Juice then went back for Starbucks. Afterwards we had a surprise birthday party for a camaro friend, so hours of fun with friends was had!




NAIL POLISH ADDICT: When I came home I found this waiting on me courtesy of my mother. Essie Borrowed & Blue! I {LOVE} IT! Think I found my wedding color!

Commercial Break Workout: While watching Extreme Makeover Weight Loss addition, I thought I would do my Biggest Loser tradition with this show too - commercial break workouts. This is the one I came up with last night. I repeated it every commercial break and by the end I was definitely feeling it and struggling!

GIVEAWAYS: Last night I found out I won a give away from Anna at Fit From the Inside out! Check out her blog, she is very sweet! I'll definitely post up when I get my goodies!


YOGA {AGAIN}: I ended Sunday night with some Bob Harper Yoga; like i said, it's growing on me. I put my mat down and put the DVD in. When I turned around I found that the kitties had taken over my mat. I think I need to buy another.

Question:
What marvelous thing happened to you this weekend?
What are your Fourth of July plans?


Eat clean, Train hard, & Inspire others!
-Kiwi and Me

You're stressing me out...

Stress. This seems to be my middle name this month. I just seem to have a lot going on between finals, meeting my fitness goals but the deadlines I’ve set for myself, and getting KFB going in the direction that I want. By nature I’m a worry wart. I will pick anything, break it down and make myself crazy stressing about it. Even though I think what stress is capable of inflicting on the body.

Stress can give you tension headaches, which not only are miserable and can last for days, they can also put a damper on your workout schedule.

Stress can cause your body to retain extra water fluid. It can also lead to restlessness or a lack of sleep that also causes your body to retain water. Water retention can add a pound or two on the scale.

Stress can cause nausea which can make you not want to eat. Or it can cause you to binge eat in which you might eat too much.

So what to do about stress? If something is stressing you out stop and think of what the worst case scenario and the best case is. Make a game plan on what you will do if the worst cast happens and a game plan to help you achieve the best case. Always have a plan of attack. My mother is always telling me when I’m stressed, “Why are you stressing? What’s the worst that can happen?”  If it’s a test, make a studying strategy, if its  weight loss plan your workouts and your meals a head of time. Planning ahead can really help eliminate useless stress.

As for workouts, here is a quick superset that you can add to your arsenal. Just do thirty to forty-five minutes of your favorite cardio and then add this on top! Complete the three sets three times and you're done! You’ll feel great, though worn out, after!

And lastly, PHOTO A DAY! I know I missed yesterday, I told you I may be a little slow this week until finals are over on Thursday. Have a really cool post coming up tomorrow that I think you will all enjoy!

May 7^th: Someone that inspires you.

This man right here. First I’d have picked my family but they are anti-pictures via social media so I’ll go to the next best thing. The fiancé. He has overcome some pretty steep odds to get where he is today. He is two months from graduating and trying out for the State Troopers academy! He always supports me in everything I do, even though he knows he is going to get pulled into it. He knows exactly what to say to keep me motivated, and he doesn’t let me slack off even when I’d like to. He is awesome. And cute.

May 8^th: A smell you adore.

Lavender. My mother always buys us these wonderful homemade sachets packed full of lavender. When my head hits the pillow at night, I get a big whiff of amazing! She actually had to buy the fiancé one because he kept stealing mine. And lavender bath salts in the tub, best relaxation ever.

Well I hope everyone has a wonderful evening and remember, if something is worrying you or stressing you out – determine the best and worst case scenario and make a game plan! It will make you feel much better!

And I thought I would show you guys this. This is the mass kitty treat round up we have every night! Little stinkers. Kiwi will steal Pookey and Jaspers treats, no shame in her game. Brat.

Live, Love, and Lift!

-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

Photo A Day & A Little About LIfe

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO! I am all tuckered out this evening. The fiance and I went to a car show in Kemah Texas this morning and had a great time with friends! Had lots of fun, got some sun, and since it was my cheat day I split some AWESOME beef fajitas with the fiance at lunch. Spent the whole day on my feet, so by five pm I had some really sore legs. (Disclaimer: All thanks goes to the fiance for cleaning Ms. Daisy for the show since I had to work. He is too awesome - hence why I am marrying him.)

On another note, Jasper is much better. Apparently one of my mother's bamboo plants is slightly toxic to animals and since it was in the sink for watering, he thought he would eat it. So I put the plant out and didn't go to bed until he ate something. Today he is much much better. We also recently acquired three new additions this week here at the ranch. A young bull to breed the cows with, as well as two new horses, Sailor and Trapper. Trapper, the palomino, is like a dog. He follows you everywhere and constantly made me laugh the whole time I spent getting to know him. He needs a little TLC but I think he will be right at home here pretty soon.


And lastly... Photo A Day - Bird

Since my favorite bird is not around until the sun goes down, I took a picture of the next best thing, my favorite pot that looks like one. Owls are the coolest birds, we have several different kinds out here in the country. Trust me, first time you hear a screech owl you will think someone is being killed. Freaked me out so bad one night then my Dad pointed the flashlight on this TINNNNNY little owl, the source of the sound. When several of the larger owls get to talking at night, its such a cool sound. Okay, I'm a nerd but oh well. They are neat, I can't help it.

I'd also like to report that Twitters @BPLMetrodome tweeted Kiwi Fit Blog as one of their blogs of the week! How awesome is that? So honored!

If you haven't noticed, I've started to blog a little more about me, mostly because I don't want my readers to think of me as a stranger at some desk in their basement, but as a human going through the same stuff everyone else experiences. Hopefully you guys are enjoying it. If you have any feed back be sure to share.

Things are really starting to come together here at KFB, lots of new things coming that I'm really excited to share... Just can't yet. Soon, my precious, soon. Before I go I wanted to post this legs and butt workout I found months ago that I use as a superset in addition to days I do interval training on the treadmill. I didn't come up with this, I found it on Pinterest, I am just the messenger. Enjoy.

Live, Love, and Lift!

-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

Photo A Day - May 4th and PIZZA

PIZZZZZZA! Don't lie, you love it too! But when you trying to eat healthy its hard to waste six hundred plus calories on two pieces of pizza. So here is my family's pizza recipe. When we have time we make our own crust but to keep this simple we just bought pre-made crust from the store! This is my first time sharing a recipe so bare with me please!

Kiwi Fit Blog Family Recipe Pizza


Ingredients


Pre-made wheat crust (the brand I found was 120 cal for 1/6 of the crust)
1 can of tomato sauce
1/2 a sm. can of tomato paste
3 cloves of garlic chopped
1/2 cup of onion cut small
2 cups chopped of broccoli heads
2 cups of chopped mushrooms
4 tbsp of green olives
Canadian Bacon chopped (the brand I found was 80 cal for 22 slices, so I used 11 and chopped them up so 40 cal total)
3/4 a cup of Mozzarella shredded
1/4 a cup of Feta


For the sauce: Combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and garlic in a bowl and mix. I also add garlic pepper and Italian herbs, but feel free to season how ever you would like.


Preheat the oven to 425 F.


Place your crust (720 cal) on a pan sprayed with non-stick spray. Add one cup of the sauce (90 cal) and spread evenly around the crust. Sprinkle the pizza with the chopped onion (32 cal), chopped broccoli (54 cal), chopped mushroom (30 cal), sliced green olives (40 cal), and the chopped Canadian bacon (40 cal).


Top with mozzarella (240 cal) and feta (60 cal). I sprinkle the top of mine with more garlic pepper, some times Italian herbs, so add desired seasoning to the top.


Cook for 20 minutes, or until done! Remove from the oven and cut into eight slices.


Total calories 1306. Calories per slice 163.


On to Photo A Day - Fun!


You know that mundane hour drive home from work that you dread? I don't. Cause I have this.

My 2010 Camaro, Daisy, will all kinds of neat little modifications that I have added over the last two years. I look forward to driving, in fact it's probably my favorite pass time. And because of Ms. Daisy I have met lots of cool people all over the United State though the Camaro5 community, and our local chapter the H-Town Camaro Club. A fitness addict and a gear head? Yup, that is me!

Well on a sad Fur-baby update: Jasper has an infection, and since he has feline leukemia he can't fight it adequately. So the fiance is taking him to the vet first thing in the morning. He isn't eating and since eating is his favorite thing, we know something is wrong. So pray for my chunky monkey.

Lastly, I'm attaching a video I got in my inbox today that just floored me. It truly shows the power of exercise and makes you realize how much you take for granted. 

-Live, Love, and Lift!

Kiwi, Sick Jasper, and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

It's Friday! Friday!

Good Lord will that song ever stop popping in my head?! It's embedded in my brain forever! Most. Stop. It.

Anyways, it's Furry Friday! Heck its just Friday in general! This girl is ready for the weekend! Then again, who isn't? Tonight we have Insanity Power and Resistance, and Homemade Veggie Pizzas! We usually make our own crust but in the sake of saving time since we are prepping for a car show tomorrow I'll post the recipe using store bought wheat crust. I'll be posting my easy quick recipe for low calorie pizza later tonight! So stay tuned! Photo A Day coming later as well. And now I present to you the fur babies!

Kiwi and Pookey. These two girls will literally tackle you to see what is on your plate. They love bread and pizza. Tonight, Pookey will be all over me trying to get a bite of my pizza crust. Random little weirdo's. They may be old and fragile but they'll go raptor-mode for their carbs! And next, my chunky monkey Jasper. Sleeping is what he does third best, eating and pouncing you when you least expect it are his favorite pass times. He also enjoys watching birds from the porch, fine wine and long walks on the beach. Kidding on the last two.

Be sure to check back later for my pizza recipe and the photo of the day!

Live, Love, and Lift!

-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

New additions

Whew, I have been a busy girl with this blog today. I've added all kinds of goodies on the side of the page that you guys can check out if you want.


1. I updated my about me. I thought to myself new visitors won't know my name unless they go to the first post, and I'm the kind of girl where I like to know peoples names so it feels more personable.


2. I added a button so that if you use Bloglovin you can follow Kiwi Fit from there!


3. I added my twitter feed so you can see what I'm posting about! If you want to follow me on Twitter, search @KiwiFitBunny!


4. Next, I added a blog list that I will be adding to slowly. My newest blog addiction is The Lean Green Bean! She is studying to become a registered dietitian and she loves kittys. Lots of recipes and workout tips! Check her out!


5. And lastly, I'm changing the font from Arial to Georgia. Its just... cuter. 


6. I added a Follow Me on Pinterest button!! 


I would like to point out about the picture of Kiwi and I, that out of the 20 pictures I snapped with my computer, that was the only one were she looked either semi happy or even looked at the camera. As soon as she heard the camera start beeping she would turn away. Can we say DIVA?


Live, Love, and Lift!


-Kiwi and Me


For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your weight loss pictures and story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

Furry Friday

IT'S FRIDAY! And since it is Furry Friday, I though today I would share with you all a picture of my chunkster Jasper that I took of him earlier this week when I was studying my butt off. Why is it kitty's always come around when you're studying?


Live, Love, and Lift!


-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

Furry Friday!

Get up and move your tush, the master Kiwi has declared it! Obey my cat!


Live, Love, and Lift!


-Kiwi and Me

For tips, suggestions, questions, or if you just want to share your story - email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

National Walking Day

Good evening! Today is the American Heart Association's  National Walking Day! Seriously. Some businesses even allowed their employees to wear tennis shoes to work for the first time EVER. And while the day is almost over, there is still time to move it! So lace up those shoes and get to moving my friends! It's not too late.


On the topic of walking. I know we all want to jump into the hard core workouts and instantly run five miles but for some that just isn't the case. Not everyone is in shape enough to walk into a gym and just blast it out. Some of us have to take baby sets to reach our goal, and when you're starting out, or have a lot of weight to lose, walking is great! Go for as long as you can, and the next day try to increase your distance by ten percent. After a while mix it up with intervals; 2 minutes moderate, 2 minutes brisk, repeat. You can find all kinds of walking exercises online. Grab a light pair of weights and bring them along to shape your arms. Just move. Do your best and forget the rest, as Tony Horton says!



As for me, I've just been trucking along! 1490 calories a day, working out 5 days a week! Still doing a mix of P90X, Insanity and Gilad. I through the occasional Bob Harper DVD in there to switch things up! Seven weeks till this girl is laying on the beach! MUST LOSE THIGHS! I kid, kind of. I am very happy with the changes I have made, and i know its not overnight. I can't complain!  As for my fluffy evil counterpart, she is still a stinker! Had lots of bad weather here in Texas last night and she was attached like glue. Who knew the devil was afraid of lightening? 


Live, Love, and Lift!


-Kiwi and Me


For tips and suggestions, or if you just have a questions, email me at: kiwiandmefit@gmail.com

Jillian Michaels

Let's talk about only one of the most iconic trainers in the world... Ms. Jillian Michaels. If we all had her as our personal trainer, well, we'd all be RIPPED. Best known for her time spent kicking butt and taking names on Biggest Loser, she has since moved on to work on her personal life and other projects. I miss seeing her every Tuesday, but she is still around if you know where to look for her. 


And look no further than iTunes! The Jillian Michaels Show has dozens of FREE podcasts for your listening pleasure that you can download and play on the go. You can listen to them at the gym, in the car, while you're cooking... Her podcasts cover plateaus, workouts, gym shoes, nutrition, obesity in children, and lots of other topics that can be beneficial to those seeking to better their health! Just beware she does use cuss words here and there, so if you have young ears around you may want to wait to listen to them on your own. Biggest Loser trainer Bob Harper drops in from time to time on her podcasts to throw in his two cents as well. I really enjoy listening to her podcasts, and she makes good points on how to stay motivated. 


So your homework, download one of her podcasts and see what you think. If you're not really into her, how can you not be, try finding a fitness podcast that you like.


As for Ms. Kiwi, I saw this comic this morning and busted out laughing because it totally reminded me of her. My little ball of evil. Feeling better today, so I'm going back to my workouts tomorrow even though I'm still experiencing some congestion. I really hate missing a workout, so these last few days have been pretty tough for me to be low key (even though I've snuck in some squats and weights in here and there). 


Live, Love, and Lift!


-Kiwi and Me

For questions, tips, or blog suggestions please email me at kiwiandmefit@gmail.com.