Grocery Shopping Tips

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Going grocery shopping? Just a reminder to prepare fruits and veggies ahead of time. Wash and cut them as soon as you get home so they’re handy for salads, wraps, egg whites, shakes, on-the-go snacks, etc. Don’t buy the processed chips, cereals, pretzels, granola bars and microwaveable meals or anything you KNOW throws you off.

Pre-portion anything that comes in a bag or container with multiple servings (like nuts!). Start gradually transitioning the whole family. Believe me, I know it’s tough with young picky eaters. But don’t give up and be creative to make it work! It makes SUCH a difference to start eating cleaner–not just for abs and building muscle but also to avoid deficiencies, illnesses, aid digestion, skin, hair, and ENERGY … Just to name a few 😉

It’s just you against you

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Are you your own best cheerleader or your worst critic? You need discipline and self-respect to succeed in ANYTHING. I love to get inspiration from others, but I’m only really comparing me to me and competing with myself.

By the way, it’s SO much more fun to track progress in strength and performance than to obsess over the scale or looking a certain way;) p.s. my 2nd attempt at this pose! Got arms straight, head thru and a tiny bit more arch

Powdered Peanut Butter

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Have you tried this yet? I’ve been using it. “Just Great Stuff” (peanuts crushed into powder) in my Shakeology for the last several months. It’s organic and seems to have cleaner ingredients than PB2. You can get it at some grocery stores or BettyLousInc.com and it comes in Chocolate too. I think it’s pricier on Amazon.

It’s not for everyone. PB has nutritional value, no one would argue that. But if you have a PB ADDICTION (3 tablespoons is a TEASE to me yet it’s 300 calories and that’s almost = to 1 of my small meals by itself) then this might be worth trying. My hubby is 6’6″ and works out like CRAZY; he can have his PB daily (Jealous!).

But this is great on Ezekiel toast and also for your post-lifting protein shake where you need to avoid PB as the fat content slows the protein delivery to your muscles. It only has 45 calories and 2g sugar per serving. Has 4g less protein than natural PB, but I can get that in 1 extra bite of turkey or chicken 🙂

Grilling Out

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This was straight money $$$! It was the perfect night and weather to grill out:) This is grilled Mahi Mahi, grilled asparagus and the salad has pears,raspberries and reduced fat feta on spinach and spring mix. I used a little oil and vinegar for dressing. Props to the grillmaster! (My husband)

Amazing Race 2012

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This is last years’ Amazing Race in Maui! This year was a little different …Chalene Johnson and Chuck Gray didn’t win!

This year was 3/4mile run to BlackRock, swim out to black rock, climb it, jump off and swim back to shore. Then both partners run to next clue at shopping Center but must eat and fully swallow 4 Easter Peeps before getting the clue. Run to a store and buy something that will total $4.16. Run to a nearby hotel and jump in (shoes and all) and make 2 baskets in their pool basketball hoop, run another 3/4 mile to a free putt putt at another hotel and make 2 putts into the hole;each person, run to beach & swim out and back, return back and solve a numbers game/plastic puzzle thing!

Matt and I were SO close until the stupid numbers game!

Date Night

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How often do you schedule a date night?? We honestly do a date DAY more often. But this was 1 of many date nights in Maui! We had so much fun!! Still working off a few skinny margaritas and sushi overload though 😉

Ezekiel Wraps

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Have you found Ezekiel wraps in your grocery store freezer section yet? Wheat makes me bloated and I don’t do white bread, so I love these!  I didn’t have chicken already cooked up and I like it to be high protein, so I quickly scrambled 100% liquid egg whites (5 servings, 125 calories and 25g protein) to use as the base with spinach mixed in, then topped with cherry tomatoes, olives, salsa, and Reduced Fat sharp cheddar. It’s all on an Ezekiel wrap which I made a little crunchy by putting it on stove with cooking spray for a few minutes first. It’s 400 calories and 35g protein.

Lifting is for Life

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Have you bought more weight for your barbell yet?? Don’t stop lifting just because you finished Pump or CLX! Lifting is for LIFE 🙂

Favorite Shoes

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What are your favorite shoes for Turbo or Insanity type workouts? These are Nike FlyKnits- so far they’re GREAT for running but they wouldn’t be enough support for Turbo or ANY of my workouts involving jumps and lateral movements. Lately I’ve been liking Nike LunarGlide 4’s for Turbo.

BUT, everyone is so different based on foot shape and issues. And remember…ANY shoe that is too broken down could cause your joints discomfort and/or injury–especially if you’re jumping on a hard cement surface with no jump mat.

Invest in your relationships

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Tip: Invest more in your relationships and your home gym than you do in shoes and clothes 🙂 And find friends who want to workout together rather than just always eating and drinking 🙂