Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen

Friday, October 7, 2016

8 Healthy Snack Ideas


When living a healthy lifestyle you want to aim to eat 5-6 meals a day to keep your blood sugar from dropping and to help keep your metabolism revved up and working! One of the hard things for me to get in sometimes are snacks. You wouldn't think they would be so hard, but sometimes my day just gets away from me and I just...miss it! Stop forgetting your snacks. They are too important. (This is what I tell myself all the time!)

PLAN YOUR SNACKS OUT FOR THE DAY AND PUT THEM WHERE YOU SEE THEM TO REMEMBER THEM!

Now as a exclusively nursing momma, I have to eat all the time because I AM STARVING ALL THE TIME! It is time to set myself up for success. In general I try to have 2 oz of protein with my snacks so if I am having a fruit for my snack I will often pair it with 2 oz of cooked chicken. Here are a few of my favorite healthy snacks to snack on during the day!

TAKE AND GO TRAIL MIX

Ingredients:
10 unsalted almonds
1 Tablespoon pumpkin seeds
1 Tablespoon dried unsweetened cranberries
(need chocolate? Add in 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips)

Directions:
Combine and store in snack size Ziploc bags for grab and go! 

When I make this trail mix I make 10-14 bags at a time. So that he can just reach in the pantry and pack it in his lunch! EASY and healthy!

LĂ„RABARS

I actually just started enjoying these bars. They are easy to carry in your purse or diaper bag for a quick snack on the go. They are gluten free, made from whole foods and have 9 ingredients or less.

APPLE AND PEANUT BUTTER
Simple and easy and old school.

FROZEN YOGURT FRUIT BARK
I saw this picture from Courtney's Sweets and fell in love with the idea!
Yum!!!

Ingredients:

1 large container of greek yogurt (2 cups)
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
2 cups chopped fruit
3 tablespoons honey
Optional-add chopped nuts (pistachio, walnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds)

Directions: 

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
Mix the yogurt with vanilla, honey and salt
Pour the yogurt onto the baking sheet and spread a little to even out
Sprinkle the chopped fruit and freeze for 3-4 hours until frozen solid
Slice or break and enjoy

FRUIT SKEWERS

Can't go wrong with fruit. On the 21 Day Fix nutrition program I have 4 purple containers of fruit so I try to get them in during my snacks.

SHAKEOLOGY


I am loving having this as my afternoon snack. The perfect pick me up before dinner and still have room for dinner! Throw in some kale or spinach to add more greens to my daily eating. Wanna get your hands on Shakeology? CLICK HERE! And if you are interested in getting a 25% discount every month on your shake, LET'S CHAT

VEGGIES AND HUMMUS

Can't go wrong with bell peppers and yummy hummus. It took me awhile to get into enjoying hummus but I do like it. I go through phases though.

ANTS ON A LOG

Going back to the kid in me, gotta love me some kiddo snacks. Plus I can share these with Mason and Collin. And when having pizza, well, it is a healthy side dish too!
Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Bump Update: 1 Week Postpartum

I am 1 week postpartum. I can't believe that I have a week old baby. I was so anxious to get her out and now she has been with us for 1 week. But on the other side of that, it feels like she has been with us forever. It is a very weird feeling since she hasn't been with us forever but she just fits right in. 
Transition to a family of 5 has been a little rough. Mason was scared at first of her, but quickly got over it. He is eager to help me and her. He loves her so very much. Collin on the other hand, he has turned into a little gremlin. He is not liking the attention being on someone else. So he has been acting out. But he also loves her so very much. He will give her kisses and hugs and asks to hold her all the time and will give the cutest little smile when he does but man, the other times, he says no to everything we ask him to do and he has just been a trouble maker! 

I am enjoying having a little girl. It has been fun to dress her up in very pretty things and the BOWS! I can't get enough of the bows. Yesterday we had our family and newborn photo session. Again, Mason was great, Collin was a pill and Elyse was AMAZING! She was quite the little model. She feel asleep for most of it and the photographer was very impressed! 

Recovery: Recovery has been pretty easy compared to my other 2. I didn't tear so I don't have any stitches to deal with so that has been nice. I finally started feeling better on Tuesday. My body ached less basically. My biceps and back were KILLING ME from the actual labor up until Tuesday. Plus I was having a hard time walking because my hip was out of alignment. I saw my chiropractor on Tuesday and since then, I have been SO MUCH BETTER! 

Weight: Pre-pregnancy weight:237.7. Weight morning of birth: 264.8. Current weight this morning: 251.6. I'm not concerned with weight. I am still very swollen right now. I actually swell more after labor than before. I know that I lose a chunk at first and then through good eating habits and exercise the rest will come off.

I won't be doing these every week. I am going to transition to every month after this post so that I can write about both Elyse and my postpartum journey. Which I will be sharing more of here! Be sure to check back often to keep up with everything that is going on! 

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Week By Week Pregnancy Progression


I have been collecting my weekly bump updates so I could make this great little video of my weekly bump progression! AND I AM SO EXCITED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU! Check how much my belly changed over the past 42 weeks!

My main goal during my pregnancy was to be as fit and healthy as possible. Exercising 5 days a week. Following my 21 Day Fix nutrition program. In the end I was on point about 85% of the time. Yes, I had some sweets and treats. Yes, I missed some days of working out but over all, I did very well. I gained a total of 26 pounds, hoping most is in my belly with the pregnancy and that over the next few weeks my body releases the excess weight. And once I get the all clear from my doc I will be back at my daily workouts and getting my body in even better shape than it was in. I am so proud of what I accomplished, living a healthy and fit plus size pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and these sound like some of the same goals you have, but don't know where to start, or want daily motivation, support and accountability, LET'S CHAT! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! I want to work with you. Support you and help you be as healthy as possible for both you and your baby! Send me an EMAIL or request to join my FREE GROUP (and get my free Clean Eating Guide!) and let's connect!


Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Monday, October 3, 2016

Hello October!

HELLO NEW MONTH! Who loves October? It is seriously one of my favorite months! The change in weather, the change in leaves. THE BEST! And as the weather is getting cooler, there is so much more opportunity for doing your exercise outside and enjoying some fresh air. Since it is the beginning of the month, don't forget.
1) GET YOUR MONTHLY WEIGHT IN: Take your beginning of the month weight TODAY, or tomorrow! BUT ASAP! Get those scales out of their hiding places and get your weight, then put them back away. Do not get in the habit of weighing yourself every day. The scale is a liar anyways and not what you want to be watching. Especially if you are doing a new workout that involves strength training. You might gain weight at first. So just weigh yourself once and be done for the month!

2) TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS: Take time to get your measurements done. THIS IS THE MONEY MAKER (as it were!) Because as women we actually will lose inches first over weight. And doesn't it feel great knowing that your tops are feeling looser for an actual reason. Seeing those numbers go down is so rewarding!
3) TAKE YOUR MONTHLY PICTURES: Set up those cameras or have your spouse or partner take them for you. This is where you are actually going to SEE the difference and seeing is believing right!?! Make sure you get those pictures taken, even if no one will ever see them. You will and they are great to compare from month to month to show, "HEY I really am losing weight!"

4) SET YOUR GOALS: the last thing you want to do, and it is a BIGGIE, is to decide what your daily, weekly and monthly goals are. Write them down and put them where you can see them everyday. Your mirror in your bathroom is a perfect place to remind you everyday to work hard to reach your goals so you don't give into those temptations around you.

You are worth all this hard work and I know that as you continue to trust your program. Follow the food and nutrition guide that you will get results. These programs really do work but it all has to be done together.

If you don't know where to start on your weight loss journey, I would love for you to join me. And since I have this postpartum weight to lose, we WILL be doing it together! Send me an EMAIL to chat and let's get you started today on your journey!

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Welcome Baby Elyse

Just wanted to give you all a little announcement! Elyse Cheyenne was born Thursday at 1:01pm. She is 7 pounds 5 ounces and 19.5 inches long. I had quite the birth experience which I will be sharing with you all very soon but wanted to give you an update! Welcome to the world little Elyse!




Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!

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