5 WAYS TO SPRING CLEAN YOUR LIFE!

by with No Comment healthhome decorinspirationlifestylepersonalwellness

Spring has S P R U N G! Have you heard?! Everyone I talk to is all buzzing about Spring time, the change in season, the change in weather, and the change they’re feeling internally. What is it about a new season that makes us feel the need to turn a new leaf? Pun intended.

So June 20th will mark mid Spring- like we’ll officially be in the middle of the season! I said June… can you believe we’re talking about JUNE?! So I thought instead of freaking out over how FAST this year is flying by, I’d chill out and share with you the top 5 ways to spring clean your life. Hey, if I have to deal with the crazy so do you 😉


FRESH FLOWERS – this is a good one. Not even gonna lie, spending the $3 at Trader Joe’s for some fresh flowers is totally worth having fresh flowers every week. Can’t put a price on attitude amirite? There’s something about the presence of flowers (like real ones) that makes a difference in your space. The color, the movement, the smell. Yes, stop and smell your flowers. Did I mention they’re only $3!

CANDLES – this is a real one. All the candles, light them. Every time you light a candle a Fragile Rock finds its way home … or something like that but it works. Use it for meditation. And to rid your space of that bad bad ju ju.

MEDITATION – this is a big one. Which moves me into the next tip which is to actually meditate. I personally don’t know how to be still and appreciate it so I’m still working on it. But even if it means you close your eyes for 10 mins and be still, practice yoga, read a book, or take some time in the car to just breathe, it all helps. Everything helps when everything hurts. Okay now I’m just being dramatic. Taking some time to regroup will allow your mind the ability to focus on the purge to come. *being super extra now

ACTUALLY SPING CLEAN – this is a literal one. Yes clean, clean your closet out, clean out your fridge, get rid of the 347 mugs you’ll never use but that you’re waiting to Insta-Story because they say things like, “Go the extra mile, it’s never crowded”. Get. it. together. Oh, no pressure I know! I hear people talk about Spring cleaning and my eyes glaze over. The last thing I want to do on a chill Saturday morning is go through all of my things and organize. But we gotta do it! We’re adulting. It’s also okay if now’s the time you purge toxic people from your life. Just blame it on cleaning out your closet.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR GOALS – this is my favorite one. It may be time to revisit your vision board, does anything need to be added or removed? Is it in a place you can see every day and not shoved behind the dresser? Does it reflect your current goals? It’s normal to look at your vision board and go “pffftttt!” LOL because where you were 6 months ago may  not be where you’re at today and that’s okay. Jot down your current feels, be realistic, and remember to think big – like still aim for those stars baby!

And that’s it! Those FIVE super simple steps to Spring cleaning your life. Mostly this is for me too because I’m stuck somewhere between learning to be still and actually cleaning 😀

 

When you Spring clean what’s the first thing you go through? Your car? Your home? Your mind space? Have you glazed over yet? 

 

 

 

 

 

MY GYM BAG ESSENTIALS!!!

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As I currently find myself in the middle of holiday season ‘feast mode’, I also find myself in the middle of “tis the season-full blown- freak-out-mode”! Anyone else find it difficult to say no to all the holiday food and NOT partake in all the merriment? Seriously, my body doesn’t know what to do with all the extra egg nog and yule log calories that I HAVE to indulge in because, Scrooge.

During this time of year I try to balance out all the holiday feasting with extra strength training and doubling up on HIIT workouts. So here is my number one tip to maintaining your waistline this season … get up and get moving! That’s right, gym time baby! Where’s the motivation you say?!

Well just like when we were younger and the new school year would begin, you’d have a new backpack full of shiny new school supplies, welcome to the adult version of that! Meet your new backpack … Lil Ms. (or Mr.) Totebag! Being fully prepped to hit up a sweat session will have you prepped to hit up the food table for seconds! Here is what’s in my gym bag!

1. The tote – this sleek lil baby will carry your gym essentials in style! It’s the perfect size, not crazy bulky like a duffel, yet spacious enough to hold all of these items AND a change of clothes!

2. A sweatband – oh that sweet sweat, it doesn’t stand a chance with this nylon sweat band. Ladies and long haired gents, you’ll be happy to hear that this also doubles as a hair tie!

3. Headphones – not just any headphones, these are blue tooth ear buds that allow you to lunge and lift without the annoyance of cords. Don’t you just hate that!

4. The kicks – my most recent obsession, these tennis shoes! Like with hand bags, shoes also set the tempo, literally. These are comfortable and classic, and will get you excited to pump some iron!

5. Recovery – this is important if you’re ripping and tearing through your workouts, AND your muscles. These are BCAA’s- branched-chain amino acids, which help to repair and build your muscles. I like this blueberry flavor, it’s like a sports drink meets koolaid! I habitually add this to my water bottle and drink it up during my workout. I’ll also reach for some coconut water during my more intense workouts, which replenish lost electrolytes and aid in hydration.

6. Protein – this is key to building lean muscle and fueling your muscle growth. Remember to have your protein shake or protein + carbohydrate packed meal within 30 minutes after completing your workout. You want to send protein to your muscles as quickly as possible so your body doesn’t eat away at the muscle you just worked so hard for! I love this Perfect Fit Protein because it’s a plant based protein powder that is especially good to bake with, ummm can you say protein waffles every day all day?!

7. Sweat be gone – I love this micro fibre towel because it’s made from a quick dry, anti-bacterial material, and has a grip covered underside. So no matter how crazy I get with my burpees and jumping lunges, this towel stays in place!

8. Hydration –  hydration, hydration, hydration!!! It’s crazy to think that we should be drinking half of our body weight in water! Sounds daunting but it can easily be done if you infuse your water with some lemon wedges or some fruit pieces. Just a trick that makes your water delicious and extra beneficial! This water bottle is especially dear to me because proceeds from each water bottle sold goes to support clean water efforts in Africa. Also, it’s BPA-free, dishwasher-safe, reusable, and recyclable! I slip this into the side of my gym tote making it easily accessible, just refilling it at the water fountain. Ahem, Los Angeles tap water is OK to drink now haha!


There you have it! The only sure way to ensure that the only thing you’re spiking this holiday season is the eggnog and not your cholesterol! Share with me your gym and fitness essentials, and I hope you enjoyed this post!

This really is the time of year to indulge in all of your favorite holiday dishes with wild abandonment! No regrets! I’ll be doing the same, so just do it, and I’ll see you later this week with some festive side dish ideas! Yum!!!

 

HEALTHY LATE NIGHT SNACKS!!!

by with One Comment bakinghealthlifestylerecipeswellness

If this sounds like you raise your hand … Wakes up early to work out, has a protein shake, eats every few hours while making responsible meal choices, 9pm hits and BAM … eats something bad EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!

Sound familiar? Well that is another reason why I jump started #30dayswithJess 2.0! Here are my go-to snacks that are … wait for it … late night consumption APPROVED!

Craving something sweet and savory? Well I have your new favorite treat! Here’s the recipe for frozen yogurt-banana cream filled strawberries – topped with salted caramel dark chocolate pieces! I know, I know, you love me. I love you too!

  • 10-12 strawberries
  • 1 & 1/2 Tablespoons of Blue Diamond sliced almonds
  • 1/2 banana
  • 3 & 1/2 Tablespoons honey yogurt (or any greek yogurt)
  • dark chocolate of your choice (I used salted caramel dark chocolate)

Method:

  1. Smash the banana in a bowl with a fork and add the yogurt until mixed well
  2. Cut the centers out of each strawberry – very carefully, this was tricky for my uncoordinated self
  3. Fill each strawberry with the banana-yogurt cream and top with a sprinkle of sliced almonds.
  4. Place a chocolate piece on top of each strawberry and freeze over-night or until firm. Which ever you have time can wait for! They are messy, but sooo delicious!

  • For that chocolate pudding crave, try making some chocolate coconut chia seed pudding! It’s so much healthier for you and is packed full of omega 3’s and antioxidants! I topped mine with frozen mango chunks and pomegranate seeds *insert drool emoticon*!
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds (I used a chia seed, buck wheat, and hemp seed mix with cranberries and coconut flakes)
  • 1/2 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 cup coconut milk (almond milk works also)
  • fruit and unsweetened cocoa powder for toppings (I used pomegranate seeds, frozen mango chunks, and 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder)

Method:

  1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a mason jar with the exception of the toppings
  2. Shake well and refrigerate over night, giving the mason jar a good shake after about 30 minutes to an hour
  3. Once thickened, top with your favorite fruits and cocoa powder for a kick, and ENJOY!

I saved the best for last! When that ice cream craving hits mid-day, or mid-night, you’ll be able to indulge without the bulge. Wow look at my rhymes! Here’s your chocolate cherry ice cream recipe! This ‘ice cream’ is made with frozen bananas, cherries (yes cherries), and peanut butter. Yes you CAN nix the PB, but combining cherries and peanut butter WILL be your newest obsession!

  • 4 frozen bananas (this makes enough for our family of 3)
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons of peanut butter
  • 1 cup of frozen cherries
  • 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Method:

  1. Place the frozen bananas, peanut butter, and cherries into a food processor
  2. Blend well until smooth and creamy, like ice-cream. It will look like this!
  3. ENJOY!

I mean, how stinkin’ pretty is this home-made chocolate cherry ice-cream?! PS if you’re not a peanut butter fan, exclude this ingredient and add in some more frozen berries and you’re set! So delicious! Frozen fruit whipped up to make ice-cream … genius!

So there you have it! My current three most favorite, go-to treats! You can enjoy these any part of the day, but for me it’s all about settling those late night cravings.

I hope you’ve joined us for #30DaysWithJess 2.0, where we share our meal prep ideas, snack recipes, and workouts with each other! I love trying out your recipes too!

Have a wonderful weekend and remember, you can have anything you want! The key is: everything in moderation <3

Jess Lizama

this Monday's meal prep MVPs

MEAL PREP MONDAYS – PAY FIT FORWARD!!!

by with No Comment charityfitnessfoodhealthwellness

Burpees. Mountain climbers. Jump Squats … forget calorie counting! How about you tell me how many repetitions of these exercies I’d have to do if I had that ice cream cone, and I’ll decide if it’s worth it or not! Ha! This is me welcoming you to #30DaysWithJess 2.0!

My Hapa sister Nikki is holding me accountable for the next 8 weeks as we embark on a fitness journey together! We’re on a full blown lifestyle plan that consists of 30 minute workouts, meal prepping, and acronyms like HIIT and LISS! So today I’m sharing with you how I’ve been staying on track by meal prepping and how my new partner My Fit Foods has made that so easy. You can join too with their #PayFitForward initiative!

this Monday's meal prep MVPs
this Monday’s meal prep MVPs

This week with Joe coming back from Maryland, my schedule taking on two new projects, and Corrine starting a drivers ed program, I was pressed for time to cook and plan! So I prepared a few lunches and dinners here at home, and then I supplemented the other meals for the week with ready-to-go meals from my local My Fit Foods store. The beauty of ready-to-go meals like this is that it takes the guess work out of it for me. I don’t have to think about ingredients, measuring, or macros. I just pack and go- 6 meals a day, that’s a lot of meals.

Think of it this way, our metabolisms are like a beautiful camp fire, and you have to keep feeding the fire with slow burning wood so that it is fueled throughout the day. This is my attempt at giving you a fitting analogy. The fire is your metabolism and the slow burning wood is good, clean, whole foods.

On the go I'm packing MFF breakfast, a smoothie, and grab-and-go snacks
On the go I’m packing a MFF breakfast, a protein smoothie, and grab-and-go snacks

So about every 2 1/2- 3 hours you should be fueling your body with a serving from each of the food groups, and contrary to the no-carb fad I’ve seen, I am a HUGE fan of carbs! It’s our energy and our brain’s fuel! As you see in this week’s preparation photo, along side our MFF meals there is quinoa, sweet potatoes, and fruit. With each of my meals I try to also include a protein, a carb, a healthy fat, and some vegetables. MFF meals already incorporate the ingredients I prepare for myself, so it’s a no brainer to conveniently add them into our plan!

Corrine and I enjoying lunch at our local MFF
Corrine and I enjoying lunch at our local MFF

Preparing meals in advance can be a bit daunting, even if you’re only cooking for 3 days at a time like I do. So it makes my life a whole lot easier that My Fit Foods prepares each of their meals with a variety of options for each, even for Corrine! As the mother of a Vegetarian child, it can be difficult to find places that accommodate her, so it’s really nice to have a selection for her to choose from also!

Since our breakfasts were prepped with snack grabs, protein smoothies, and MFF veggie omelets, Corrine and I enjoyed our lunch at our MFF store while we stocked up on meals for the rest of the week. I knew we’d be on the road for the majority of the week, so I got 3 dinners for each of us, some more GF oat bars (also available at MFF woot!) for Corrine, and some peanut butter packets.

Plated up our MFF dinner and even lit some candles!
Plated up our MFF dinner and even lit some candles!

Dinner time is my favorite time of the day because it’s the one time we’re all at home and can sit down to enjoy a meal together. I plated up our MFF dinners and even added in some baby carrots and a side salad. I had the almond crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, while Corrine and Joe savored the shrimp tacos with guacamole. To enjoy some more crunch I tossed in some additional sliced almonds, and I completely recommend you do this and add your favorite ingredients with your next meal!

When we went into our local My Fit Foods store on Friday we were happy to learn that the meals we purchased were a part of the #PayFitForward initiative! Get excited because you too can try our their new dishes AND give back! 

Every Friday during the month of September when you purchase a meal from your local My Fit Foods, you’ll get a FREE meal to donate to a participating food bank, or to give to a friend! We volunteer with Earth Angels who participate in Meals On Wheels so we are beyond happy to #PayFitForward each week and spread the love! It’s not only promoting health and wellness, but giving back, and community.

It really does help to involve your family with your health and fitness goals so that you can all do it together. It also really really helps when a friend holds you accountable and checks in with you each week! So grab a friend and create a buddy system! Plus, you can treat them to a healthy meal with the MFF initiative as a thank you for keeping you on track! Win, win!

I hope you join us in #30DaysWithJess 2.0, you still have 3 weeks and if you get stuck on the whole meal planning thing, head on over to your local MFF store and stock up! It’s all about getting your body moving, choosing healthier meal options, and having fun while doing it!

Have a be-you-tiful week!

 

Jess Lizama

 

 

 

 
This post is in partnership with My Fit Foods and their #PayFitForward initiative. We’re proud to share this awesome philanthropic campaign!