Simple Swaps

At request of one of my best friends, and younger sisters – (this is for you Carey), I have made a list of the everyday “simple swaps” with food that I did to lose over 50 pounds and that I still do so that I stay fit and healthy during pregnancy! I’ll deem this post *Sister’s Simple Swaps* . 

Before I go on, I do want to let all who are reading this know that I am by no means a fitness expert! I will never claim this, or lead you to believe that I know everything there is to know. I will just document what I did that worked for me! I did take classes in college for weight lifting, fitness and nutrition (which is what ultimately lead me to being focused on getting healthy and losing weight), but again – that does not make me an expert. WITH THAT BEING SAID if you need the extra push and motivation, feel free to read this and get it. I do know that working together as a community can help a lot. If you need more than that I do highly recommend seeking a personal trainer! When I was taking the weight lifting class in college, getting those one on one personal training sessions and nutrition advice definitely helped! You never know if your form is off, or if you think you’re eating something that’s better for you but is actually hurting you. If you’re in Charleston, SC- I know quite a few trainers that I would recommend, feel free to comment or email me from my contact page if you’d like their names. If you would feel more comfortable working out at home, I would definitely recommend talking to someone via internet and phone- such as a friend of mine named Amanda Horton! She is fantastic at in home workouts that require no gym time. Her direct email is: amandahortonfit@gmail.com, she would be more than delighted to help!

I will go on now with my *Sister’s Simple Swaps* 

 

Everyday swaps for those of us in a hurry, not, or just dining out with friends… no excuses!

Breakfast Swaps:

• Grande Latte—> Grande Americano with non-fat or almond milk
• Sausage, egg and cheese croissant—> oatmeal/steel cut oats with non-fat milk or almond milk, topped with FRESH fruit.
• Three meat omelet, breakfast potatoes and toast —> Spinach, Bacon & Cheddar egg white omelet with fresh fruit.
• Yogurt Parfait topped with granola—> low-fat yogurt topped with fresh fruit
• White toast with butter/ Bagel with cream cheese—> Wheat toast with avocado and pepper.

Lunch/dinner Swaps:

• Cheeseburger and french fries—> Lettuce wrapped or no bun burger/turkey burger with seasonal veggies or fresh fruit.
• Seasoned steak with mashed potatoes and gravy—> Grilled fish with seasonal veggies and sweet potatoes.
• Club sandwich and french fries—> Grilled chicken with spinach wrap and fruit.
• Crispy chicken sandwich and waffle fries—> Grilled Chicken sandwich with kale/side salad or Grilled Chicken wrap with a kale/side salad.
• Loaded House Salad with croutons, cheese and dressing —> House salad skip the croutons, light cheese and vinegar and oil instead of dressing.
• Spaghetti with meatballs—> Spaghetti squash “pasta” with light tomato sauce.

Snack Swaps: 

• Chips—> Almonds, unsalted peanuts, pistachios, trail mix.
• Pita and hummus—> Fresh veggies and hummus.
• Chips and Guacamole—> Guacamole and fresh broccoli/carrots/pretzels/red pepper/ shrimp.
• Milkshakes—> Fresh fruit and greens smoothies! Replace the ice with frozen fruits and add a little non fat yogurt!
• Ice Cream—> Frozen blended bananas and peanut butter- SOOOO GOOD and smooth.
• Cookies—> Protein bars/ kind bars.
• Buttery Movie Popcorn—> Air popped popcorn sprinkled with nutritional yeast and sea salt (I learned this one from my friend Maggie).
• Candy —> baked strawberries, I just learned this. They turn into a strawberry gummy!
• Soda—> Flavored sparkling water.
• Juice—> Iced water with fresh fruit infused in it! If you leave it in the fridge over night, it’s yummy! I love cucumber strawberry and cucumber lemon!
• Any kind of fruit is good to grab on the run! The good news is that most gas stations and restaurants offer them now- so it’s easy when you’re on a road trip!

 

-These are just a few that I was asked about and that I personally used. They work better thank you think! It’s a mindset, too. If you get into a routine of eating them, it will eventually just be second nature.

 

#MyHealthMyWealth

 

 

 

Avo-yummo! Baked avocado fries.

Considering I’m always hungry and have outrageous cravings to break, I needed to find a healthy side dish that touched on my need for tastiness! This is my first try at baked avocado fries, and I have to say- it was a delicious success!! One of the big hints was that Josh loved it, and he’s not a veggie man! Here’s the recipe:

1/4 cup Organic Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 cup Original Panko Bread Crumbs

A bit of squeezed lime juice (to keep them from browning oddly)

Salt & Pepper to Taste

2 Eggs (lightly beaten)

Olive or Coconut Oil

2 Avocados

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat the cookie sheet with your choice of oil. Cut the avocado into small slices. Squeeze lime juice over the avocado slices, then lightly season with salt and pepper. Coat with flour, then egg, then heavily coat in panko bread crumbs. Line the sheet, then sprinkle with more oil. Put in the oven for 20 minutes, or until their brown to your liking. Halfway through them baking, add more oil on top for extra crispiness! Viola! #myhealthmywealth

Wandering the West

-I’ve decided to not let pregnancy be an excuse to stop seeing the beauty the world has to offer! Since both Josh and I have a bite from the wanderlust bug, we are making the most of traveling pregnant! Before we even knew I was pregnant (I was about 2 months along), we were still hiking the falls and exploring the coast. I firmly believe that staying positive and doing what you love during pregnancy helps steer away from the negative that can be thrown at you. These past 4 days, we’ve been exploring and camping in the Cascades! In the pictures you will see some of what we saw : South Sisters Mountain, Broken Top Mountain, Mount Bachelor, Lava Rocks mountain that was formed from a volcanic eruption. I will admit, doing things pregnant is different then when you’re not carrying a large fruit in your belly who sucks up half of your energy. So here are a few things that I, personally, will not forget while traveling:

• Pack snacks: When baby growls- you feed baby!!! I brought protein bars that were portable and quick, also a few apples and we got trail mix when we stopped.
•  Be ready to tinkle in weird spots: When you’re pregnant, you have to pee a lot, it’s the reality. If you enjoy being outdoors and your travels will involve this, be ready to tinkle outside.
• Pack/wear comfy clothes: Don’t worry about looking like the girl in the Pinterest post, all cute and perfectly put together.  By the end of this weekend I was lacking a shower, I smelled like a weird vegetable and my curls started to dread. It’s the realities of traveling (pregnant or not).

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MOMMY MYTHS: some of the weird things that first timers are told.

Ohhhh baby…being a first time mom-to-be, I’ve encountered sooo many horror stories, and things that I’m “not allowed” to do, see, eat, touch, etc. I’ve heard them from others, and I’ve read them myself. You tend to get google happy when you’re pregnant, in hopes that you won’t give birth to a self created alien baby. Just for a few giggles, I’ve decided to list a few things that have presented themselves to me…in some form or another!

• You can’t eat salmon: but… but… I love smoked salmon- and my other half catches it fresh! This myth is FALSE. You can eat salmon, but only once or twice a week.
• If you raise your hands over your head, you’ll choke the baby with the umbilical cord: IM GONNA KILL MY BABY!? …. no, no you won’t. This is %100 FALSE.
• You cannot sit in a hot bath or hot tub or you’ll cook your baby: A WELL DONE BABY!? Now this one I personally believed, until I talked to my doctor. You can enjoy a hot bath or hot tub just as much as the next person… Just don’t sit in it if you’re overheating (like a normal person.)
• If you deny your food craving, your baby will come out looking like that food: MY BABY IS GONNA LOOK LIKE A CUP OF PICKLE JUICE?!?! How is that even possible? As delicious as it sounds, this is FALSE.
• You’re going to resemble the person you dislike during pregnancy: If this were true, I would personally announce my dislike for Jessica Alba. Do I resemble her yet? FALSE.
• If you’re pregnant, you’re definitely going to crave pickles and ice cream: Well, does pickle juice from a wine glass count? This is circumstantial which makes it FALSE.
• If you eat too many oranges, your baby will be orange: WOAH! I mean, a citrusy sunset colored baby seems pretty fun to look at, but I’m calling this one a big ol’ FALSE. What you eat will NOT determine your child’s coloring. This is a big disappointment for Clemson fans everywhere.
• If you have heartburn/eat spicy foods during pregnancy, you’re going to have a little hellion: Well then my Josh’s momma must have had alotta hot peppers during her pregnancy, and my momma- too. But I know for a fact that my mother’s cravings consisted of tacos and watermelon… so I’m calling FALSE on this. (I’m also hoping real hard that it’s false, because I’m lovin’ me some hot sauce these days!)
• Thunder storms can induce early labor: Well it’s a good thing I live in the PNW now, and not in the south. All of you southern momma’s who are pregnant during the summer better watch out!!! Especially because this is…FALSE! They have no idea the exact cause of labor- words from my doctor. They do have ways that they believe help scurry it along.
• If you don’t drink lots of water when you’re pregnant, your baby will come out dirty: What kind of dirty? Like gone muddin’ dirty, or like “you stop thinkin’ like that, or I’ll wash your mouth out with soap” kind of dirty?! Either way- this is FALSE! I’ve yet to encounter a muddy, foul mouthed new born!
• If you swim while you’re pregnant, you could drown your baby: eerrrmmm… I feel as though this myth is drowning with holes- see what I did there? FALSE.
• If you deny a pregnant woman her craving, you will get a stye in your eye: GIVE ME ALL OF THE BEAN AND CHEESE BURRITOS OR ELSE!!! As much as I would love to agree with this one for the sake of my tummy, it is false.

 

..Okay so I’ll stop here for now, but PLEASE comment with what you’ve heard, too. I could always use a good laugh.

Vlog Follow up up up

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#myhealthmywealth

“Welcome VLOG”.. oh how formal of me!

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South Carolina to Oregon.. HEY Y’ALL!

..This is a little background of how the baby-to-be came about- for those who may or may not be curious. (Admit it.. you’re a littttttleeeee curious!)

Over a year ago I was in my hometown of Charleston, SC (well the suburb Summerville, but y’all would have NO idea where that is unless y’all are from there.) I was feeling the itch. Y’all know the one. The wanderlust itch. The itch to see somewhere I’ve never seen and be somewhere that was 110% unfamiliar to me. Of course my family, friends, and I had been to a ton of states up and down the East Coast- but I wanted more! Somewhere where nobody knew my name!

After a series of unfortunate events… which I’m sure y’all are all very familiar with, the ones that make you angry, sad, feeling hopeless and out of place and a little over the edge… yeah those unfortunate events. WELLLLL I had mine and that was the last of it. I needed an adventure! MY own adventure. One that was just for me. So it was decided. I was going somewhere- but where? Well, somewhere in the US that was far and that I’d never, ever been to. One of my best friends told me about Oregon – she loved PSU and said I would adore it. Oregon was almost 3,000 miles away! “LET’S DO IT!!!!” <—- that was my brain making the decision. So I bought the ticket, left whatever I wanted to keep at my parent’s house, and left 3 days later with a backpack and suitcase for a 4 month adventure….that turned into not coming back. (Aside from visits, because I am a southern girl who is very close to her momma and family, so of course I wouldn’t just forget about her!)

For a few months I explored Oregon by myself, with friends I’d met randomly, and friends I knew. I was blessed with meeting people that graced me with free tickets to do some very cool things: box seats at a Timbers Game, Portland rooftop private parties, 1940’s themed museum parties, real speak easies… the works! I had a blast doing something that was all for me…and loving it!

*This is where prince charming in work boots and a pickup truck swoops in* Timing aligned, and everything worked out as it should- this is when I met Josh. It was like our first date was perfectly planned so that there would be no doubt there was supposed to be a second (thank God!) We met up at a Western Saloon, watched a bit of a football game, loaded down the jukebox with all of our favorite songs, played pool and then low and behold – the establishment was having a private party with a photo booth!! WOOT WOOT! Of course we got in on that! We got some free stuff, and a photo flip book that documented our very first date! ***OH MY STARSSSS.*** After that the dates to follow seemed to be pointing us in the direction of being together…Josh was gifted free club seat tickets to a Blazers game- the game that they happened to be playing MY NBA team the Pistons- completely unplanned by him, mind you ( oh, and the Pistons won, too- woot woot). … Josh’s work gave him a bonus which lead to our fancy “surprise” date at the tallest restaurant in Portland…Then the fondue and “The Shining” date at Timberline Lodge- where it snowed on the mountain for the first time that year, and we got to see it!!! Everything was looking positive for us… oh and the bonus- he was a man who loved GOD- swoooooon!!!! So… needless to say- we decided it was a match.

….First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby. Well… that’s what we would have PLANNED for it to be. Much like our story and us, baby definitely wanted in on all of the action, she/he does did NOT want to be excluded! AND SO IT IS, we are expecting BABY C – we call it that because boy or girl both names begin with a C. DUE: November 1, 2016, if it comes as planned- which knowing how our story is lining up, baby will come when it wants in on the action!

There you have it! The cliff notes version of how baby came about. Now, if y’all aren’t bored and are still ‘on board’ you’ll get to see all of the craziness that is the life of a wanderlust filled, high strung family-to-be in their adventure that is BABY.. and other stuff that’s not as cool.

xo.

 

First image, Joshua. Then the bottom from Left to Right. The club seat Blazers VS. Pistons game; a clip from our first date photo flip book; our Timberline Lodge “The Shining” fondue snow date.

and here…we…GO!

Welcome, it’s time to explore-blog your little hearts out! Get ready to dive into the adventures and misadventures of an eccentric, bubbly “first mom to be!” You’ll get the insight into the craziness that is unexpected pregnancy, and going from lipstick…to lullabies!

xo.