Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

A couple of weeks ago, one of the ladies in my Fit Pregnancy groups mentioned she had egg salad for lunch. Ever since I have been craving a yummy egg salad. For pregnancy reason I need it to be fresh because it contains mayo. And bad mayo and pregnancy. NO BUENO! Check out this awesome egg salad without mayo. Using an avocado as the "glue" that holds the sandwich together instead of the mayo. Plus you are getting a healthy fat so, WIN WIN!

Avocado Egg Salad Sandwich

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

8 large hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
1 ripe medium avocado, slightly mashed
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
4 slices low-sodium sprouted whole-grain bread, toasted
1 cup watercress (need your greesn!)
Pepper and paprika to taste

Preparation:

1. Combine eggs, avocado, lemon juice, and salt in a medium bowl; mix well.2. Spread ¼ of egg mixture onto each slice of toast.
3. Top evenly with watercress.
4. Sprinkle Fresh cracked pepper and paprika to taste on top.
5. Enjoy!

Serve with a side of fruit, and some carrots and sliced bell peppers.

How to boil the perfect eggs:

Ingredients:
8 eggs
Large saucepan
Water

Directions:
Place 8 eggs in the large saucepan.
Cover eggs with water, about 2 inches above.
Bring to a boil.
Once at a boil, cover and turn off heat. 
Set timer for 10-12 minutes. 
Drain hot water and cover with very cold water right away. (I use water and throw in some ice to stop the cooking process).
Let sit until the eggs chill enough to handle. 
Peel and they will be perfectly done, every time! 

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! 

Bump Update: 15 Weeks

This past week was amazing. I have passed the point of being scared and have started to really embrace this pregnancy. I am so happy! Besides the constant coughing I am doing if I talk too long (not good when you are a teacher) and the fact that it wakes me up in the middle of the night when I have a coughing attack. My morning sickness is gone and yesterday was the first day where I didn't feel like I had to take a nap to be able to survive the day. I had energy through the whole busy day. It was amazing! 

Yesterday I spent 3 hours looking for a black dress to wear in a photoshoot I have in my upcoming trip to Miami, thanks to Beachbody and me helping people everyday. I found an amazing dress, that was not maternity. It was a size 14. I tried it on because I just wanted to see what it was like. And it went on like a GLOVE! A 14! That is a size smaller than what I was wearing before I got pregnant. And to make sure that I wasn't losing my mind I went and got another size 14 dress by another brand (Jessica Simpson) and tried that on too, and it FIT! I was shocked. I did end up getting the first dress in a 16 though, for modesty reason I needed an extra inch on the bottom and the bigger size gave that to me but the fact that I fit in a 14 was amazing. Before that I was trying on dresses at Motherhood and I was fitting all the Large sizes and the XL was too big. CRAZY! I feel like I have a shrinking belly because I know it isn't as bloated as it was a few weeks ago but to be able to fit in a smaller size clothing was just astounding! Check out the pictures in the dressing room. Look at dem curves!!! VA-Va-VOOM! 

Total Weight Gain: 4.5 pounds

Symptoms: Morning sickness is gone! ENERGY is BACK! YAY! 

Baby’s Size: Orange

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops still good to go on regular shirts! I did buy a non maternity dress that was even a size smaller than what I was wearing prior to getting pregnant! Super excited about that!

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new.

Gender: ??? It was too hard to tell. Hoping at my next ultrasound we will be able to see! 

Sleep: I am only waking up once a night to go to the bathroom. I have had a nasty cough for the past 2 weeks and I wake up once or twice a night hacking my lungs out. 

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly! Sleeping through the night.

Cravings: Veggies, and last night Hawaiian Haystacks

Aversions: nothing yet

Excited About: Feeling the baby move a ton! My upcoming trip to Miami next week with Beachbody.

Workouts: Graduated to the 2nd trimester workouts with Fit for Two and the Active Maternity! Kicking my butt but loving it! I'm getting out of breath so easily and my cough does not help at all.

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! 

Hawaiian Haystacks

I was craving Hawaiian Haystacks like nobody's business. It hit me like a semi-truck and man, I HAD TO HAVE THEM! So I checked my pantry and used what I had! And I made my own homemade cream of chicken soup using homemade chicken stock. I knew EVERY SINGLE INGREDIENT that went into my meal. Now that is what I call CLEAN EATING!

I love this recipe by Six Sisters Stuff, but I modified my version so it is just a little different than theirs. You can't go wrong with these. Just use whatever you want. I went heavy on the veggies though. I used a whole bell pepper just for me, throw on some mushrooms that I still had. YUM!

Hawaiian Haystacks:

Ingredients:
4-6 cups rice, cooked
2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced, well seasoned with pepper and a little salt
1 can cream of chicken soup (see below for homemade recipe instead of canned)
1/4 cup milk

Toppings- Whatever you have in your fridge or pantry! 

Tomatoes
Olives
Chow Mein Noodles (omit for gluten free and use Halved Cashews for the crunch)
Cheese (omit for lactose free)
Green Peppers
Halved Cashews
Pineapple

Directions:

Mix cream of chicken soup and milk in a sauce pan until smooth. Add diced chicken and simmer for 5 minutes. Serve hot over rice, and top with your favorite toppings!

I didn't have any cream of chicken soup so I made my own by scratch! It was so easy. I went scouring on the internet and decided to do do the most basic and easiest one and it was super easy! 

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup
Ingredients: 
2½ cups chicken broth (I used homemade chicken stock) 
1½ cups milk
¾ cup flour
1 tablespoon seasoning mix (or on your own, ½ tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. salt, ½ tsp. parsley, etc)

Directions:

1. Combine the chicken broth and ½ cup of the milk in a large saucepan. Bring to a low boil.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the flour and seasonings into the remaining 1 cup milk until a smooth, thick mixture forms.
3. Pour the flour and milk mixture into the saucepan with the broth mixture over low heat and stir continuously, whisking as the mixture simmers. Continue to simmer and stir/whisk until the mixture is smooth and thick, 5-10 minutes. The mixture will thicken a bit as it cools. 

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! 

Failure Leads to Success

Failure. Such a scary word right?!? How many times have we "failed" at something. Failure is just another way to get you to try something different to reach the results you want. Like a little stumble in the road. You don't sit down and not get up, eventually you get up and keep going. No matter what.

So many times I have gone from being overweight, to losing weight, to over weight, to losing weight. A lot of people probably think I am a failure. But you know what. I'm not. I have done a lot of process and error. Learned what works and what doesn't. And this past year, I finally found something that WORKS! Easy 30 minute workouts, and eating whole foods and really eating the foods that my body needs not just the things that I want to eat.

Looking at all these pictures makes me a little sad knowing for years I felt stuck and out of control. I had to either starve myself and do excessive exercise (2 hours a day at the gym on the elliptical) or just give into my cravings and gain weight. 

Thanks to listening to one of my close friends who suggested that I try a new workout routine and my daily shake I have finally found the "goldilocks" middle ground to eating as healthy as I can and still having a little indulgence every now and then and it feels AMAZING! Are you feeling stuck? Please msg me. Let's talk.

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! 

Overindulge On Easter Candy?

Did you eat some candy yesterday? More than you thought, wanted or intended on eating? Don't worry. It is ok and it will not derail you and your journey. It is totally ok to have an indulgence every now and then. Like holidays. Those are perfect times. But it will take some time and strong willpower to cut back after the fact! Once that sugar hits your system, you are going to want more and more of it. 

Today and tomorrow, add in some extra water to help you flush out the candy. You can add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon wedges in it to help balance out your PH. 

Make sure to eat as clean as possible. Stick to the foods that you know work. Chicken, rice, oatmeal and lots and lots of veggies! The more you stick with healthy eating the less you will crave sugary treats! 

Also you might start to crave candy over the next week or so just know. But you are better than that. You are stronger than your cravings you can resist those temptations, it is going to be hard, but you can do it! Sugar in moderation is GREAT but everyday, not so much!

The number one thing to do is to BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! My #1 tip is not an exercise or nutrition tip. It's simply to believe in yourself and your ability to overcome whatever physical, mental, and emotional challenges you face. If you believe in yourself first, the rest will follow.

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! 

Everyday Superfoods

Happy Easter Weekend! Most Easter desserts involve sugary treats, and I'm not going to lie, I made cupcakes, but they just don't taste right too me. Too much sugar, too artificial with the candy on it. So today I want to talk to you guys about Superfoods! This is a special category of foods found in nature. They are low in calories and packed with amazing nutrients we cannot make ourselves.They are also superior sources of anti-oxidants!

Awesome superfoods you can eat everyday! 

Kale, Spinach

Berries

Eggs

Beans

Sweet Potatoes

Broccoli

Yogurt

Apples

Raw Almonds

Avocados

Coconut Oil

Organic Grass-Fed Butter

Below is a YUMMY slow cooker apple cinnamon dessert recipe 

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Apples are a powerful superfood and are a source of antioxidants, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. They are also full of fiber, potassium and low in calorie.

Here's something you might not know: It is important to eat the skin of an apple to obtain the full health benefits. The secret behind this SuperFood’s antioxidant capacity lies in its skin! The apple skin alone provides two to six times the antioxidant activity of the apple flesh alone. So don't peel your apple for the recipe!

Super Simple Cinnamon Apple Dessert:

Ingredients:

-1lb of Red Apples
-1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
-1 Teaspoon of Nutmeg
-1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
-1 Cup of Water

Directions:

1. Peel and core the apples
2. Place in the crockpot with the spices, extract, and water
3. Cook on high for about 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
4. Enjoy

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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Then vs Now

The picture on the left is me in 2008 before I decided I had enough and was ready to start to "get healthy" and change my life around. I hate this picture. I love the memory of it and going on a fabulous cruise with my husband and family but I DESPISE the picture. It was shortly after this picture I went to see the doc and they clocked my weight in at 240. That was THE heaviest I had ever been. I was embarrassed. I was mortified. I hurt. I didn't fit my clothing. I was in denial about the size jeans I had to wear and would squeeze into an 18 so that I wouldn't go into the size 20+ range. And at times, I thought I looked pretty dang good. But I had a lot of unhealthy habits. 

So the picture on the right is me in November. Just 3 pounds under the one on the left. But notice the difference there is between just out of shape, not caring to exercise every single day to be healthy and fit. I am a plus sized woman. And I will be for a while, (since I am now pregnant) But I will take the right sided Becky any day over the left side. 

What made the difference between the two pictures? Finally learning to take care of myself, and it did not happen over night. I started with getting my butt in the gym, working with a personal trainer, who I still am so thankful for, teaching me everything he did. I changed products I used to more organic products. I finally learned, after a lot of trial and error and working with professionals, what foods I needed to be putting in my body. And then I found the support system that has been amazing. I have learned to combine everything I know, to go into my current way of eating, exercising, and loving myself. I have a support network I talk to every single day cheering me on just as I am cheering them on. I am filling my body with great whole foods and vitamins and nutrients on a daily basis. I am trying to exercise daily. (getting back into it!) I might not be a size 2 but I am a plus sized health and fitness motivator, supporter and educator! AND I LOVE IT! Best thing I have ever done.

Plus size does not mean you can't exercise, modifications might be needed and that is ok, you are still burning calories and working. Plus size does not mean you can't change. Because you can. It just starts with 1 choice, to START! Are you ready? 

Bump Update: 14 Weeks

 (top by For Two Fitness!) 

This past week I have suffered from a cold/allergies or who knows. But I have had a nasty cough. Every time I cough I feel my round ligaments pull like crazy! OUCH! When I was pregnant with Collin I pulled my right round ligament during yoga. It is the first major pain I have had during this pregnancy and the coughing but the other side is starting to get strained too. So, trying to anchor my belly more and support it by just keeping my abs engaged more often during the day. I have been feeling pretty good until about 2pm, and then I just want to pass out for an hour or so. (Most days I do!) I am so glad that the morning sickness is gone! YAY! And I am feeling the baby move a lot more this week! 

Total Weight Gain: 4 pounds

Symptoms: Morning sickness is gone! I am getting some energy back but I am still exhausted by mid day and need to rest. 

Baby’s Size: Lemon

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops still good to go on regular shirts! 

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new.

Gender: ??? It was too hard to tell. Hoping at my next ultrasound we will be able to see! 

Sleep: I am only waking up once a night to go to the bathroom. I am having crazy vivid dreams. So I feel like I am watching a dream movie all night long instead of sleeping. 

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly! 

Cravings: not really craving anything right now.

Aversions: nothing yet

Excited About: Feeling the baby move a ton! Getting my hair cut and colored today, new for me! And finding out gender in 4 weeks! My Training For Two Top by For Two Fitness! Love wearing maternity workout clothing! 

Workouts: Graduated to the 2nd trimester workouts with Fit for Two and the Active Maternity! Kicking my butt but loving it! 

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! 

Meal Prep Tips

MEAL PREPPING! It is all the rage now! Seriously! Take just some time 1 day a week to plan and pre-cook some of your food to save you time during the week. It helps you stay on track with your goals too because when you have a plan you are more likely to stick to it! When you fail to plan you plan to fail! 

Here are some helpful tips to help you with your meal prep! 

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! 

Miscarriage: One Year Later

Well, I have made it one year since my placental abruption miscarriage. It has been such a emotional year. I had 6 months of weekly counseling to help me learn to cope with the miscarriage and everything I went through. Not to forget but to learn to cope. I still get flashes of what happened. I still have PTSD it is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. I just have learned to live with it now and not let the down moments or bad days affect me like they used to.

Also with this pregnancy, which has the exact same timeline and due date as last year's, I feel like I have been holding my breath up until this point. Today, this morning I finally felt like I could just take a deep breath and breath! (while hacking up a lung, stupid cold!) But I finally feel more at peace and comfortable with this pregnancy. I am putting my whole faith that we got pregnant again for a reason, and for it to be the same due date for a reason. It isn't easy but it will be worth it!

A few of things I have learned to help you cope:

~Reflection is a good thing. I still get flashbacks but dwelling on the sadness is never a good thing. Think about it. Process it. But then just realize it is done.

~Don't be afraid to move on. It is not bad to move forward. It is a good thing. Your experience will be part of you for life. Accept it.

~Get help. Find a counselor or therapist that you can talk to, to help you work through your thoughts, feelings and emotions.

~Share your story. With your spouse, family member or someone you are close to. Use them as your confidant when you need to talk. It's ok and a great thing to talk to someone who will be there to listen when you need them and you don't have access to your counselor.

Are you going through a miscarriage or have you? If you need help with learning to cope or just want someone to relate to you can read my story here:

Our Loss

Blessing in Disguise 

Make or Break You: Emotions of a Miscarriage

Building Red Blood Cells

You are so strong. As hard as a miscarriage is, you will learn to cope with it. Go on living your life. You will always think about the "what if" but over time each day will get easier!

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!