You ARE Worth It - Stop Doubting Yourself

Last night I was reading from one of my books. It talked about the phrase "I Am Worth It." And sometimes that phrase, on some days that might not be going the way they should be can turn back into, "Am I Worth It?" Some days this is going to happen. Trust me. On days that the kids are arguing with me, not listening, not following the things I am asking I start to question how good of a mom I am, or if I am even worth it. It is an awful feeling to deal with. It can quickly turn into a downward spiral and then all the good work you had been doing can just shatter.

Just know, there are going to be times that you are going to doubt yourself, but have a stronger conviction to not listen to those moments. Or at least don't dwell in them. You are so much stronger than you think you are. You are worth it.

Have you ever felt this way? That pesky, "Am I worth it" phrase come into your thinking???

Here is the thing. YOU ARE WORTH IT! NO matter what your brain or anyone else tells you. You are so worth every hard decision, workout, quiet time, me time, alone time, or anything else you can think about that can just get you down. You are worth it! Never ever forget it. You are worth anything! 

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2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon

Good luck to all the Princesses running in the 2016 Disney Princess Half Marathon today! It is a great course! Stay safe, hydrate and above all, HAVE FUN! Wish I was with you. One day I will be but until then, Have a great time!

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10 Tips to Cut Sugar Cravings

Wanna cut your sugar cravings for good? Follow these 10 tips to help you cut your cravings!

1) Fiber will keep you full and give you more energy without raising your blood sugar so there’s no [hangry] crash afterward. Choose fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

2) High-protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for longer.

3) Protein doesn't make your blood sugar spike the way sugars do. Pick proteins like nuts, or beans, or lean meats, yogurt or eggs.

4) Drink plenty of water. Sometimes sweets cravings, are actually a sign of dehydration. Before you go for the sweet snack, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes.

5) Fruit and sweet vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, turnips) are naturally sweet, have tons of nutrition, and are quite delicious. The more you eat, the less you crave sugar.

6) Spices can naturally sweeten your foods and reduce cravings. Coriander, cumin, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom will add flavor without calories.

7) Scout Out hidden sugar. Sugar can hide in foods where you least expect it. Although they don't seem sweet, ketchup, barbecue sauce, and pasta sauce have loads of sugar. So do reduced-fat salad dressings, bread, baked beans, and some flavored coffees. Get in the habit of reading labels. Filter out high-sugar foods before they hit your shopping cart.

8) Get physically active. Being active helps balance blood sugar levels, boosts energy, and reduces tension which will eliminate the need to self-medicate with sugar! Exercise can help wipe out those sugar cravings and change the way you eat in general. You will start to feel better and want healthier foods. Do what you like whether it’s walking, riding your bike, swimming or hitting the gym. Start out slow, and work toward at least 30 minutes at a time, 5 days a week.

9) Get more sleep, rest, and relaxation. Simple carbs such as sugar are the most readily usable forms of energy for an exhausted body and mind. If you are in chronic state of stress and/or sleep deprivation, your body will crave the quickest form of energy there is - sugar.

10) Slow down and find sweetness in non-food ways. Every craving is NOT a signal that your body biologically requires sugar. Cravings often have a psychological component. By identifying the causes of food cravings and substituting lifestyle and relationship adjustments accordingly, you can begin to find balance and take charge of your health.

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! 

5 Reason to Cook At Home

It can be very tempting to order out, head to a restaurant, or get frozen packaged food when you’re short on time. Trust me, even I fall prey to this sometimes. Because I just don't want to cook. Why bother? There are so many reasons! (being pregnant and having no energy is my current complaint!) 

But by making your own meals, you know exactly what you are putting into your body. That includes salt, and sugar. Which are used too much in fast foods, packaged frozen foods and even at restaurants. 

1. COST

For starters, cooking at home is way cheaper. If you find a few recipes that appeal to you, make a list, and buy only what you need, you can make a week's worth of dinners for about the same amount of money you'd spend in a mid-range restaurant for two or three meals. Check out a restaurant menu online and add up the costs: entree, drink, tip. Times two. See what I mean??

2. HEALTH
Another reason, it’s generally healthier. You can control the amounts of fat, sugar, sodium, and other ingredients. You can also control the portion size of your food. Portion control is as easy as deciding how much food to put on your plate, eliminating the temptation to eat all those fries that came with your restaurant burger. Or to chow down on that entire Chipotle burrito bowl!

3. LEFTOVERS
If planned right, you don’t need to cook every day. You can cook in large batches and have some food for the next day, making your life a little simpler. This is one of my favorite ways to “meal prep”. I cook extra on one night and heat it up (possibly add a few more ingredients) to eat the next night. Simple dinner on a busy weeknight! 

I know a lot of people do not like leftovers. But it is a great way to help save money and make your week of cooking a lot easier. I didn't like leftovers in the beginning either. It just isn't as good the second time around, but there are many dishes, like soups or stews that are much better after they sit for awhile. Start small. With one leftover a week and increase from there! 

4. FIT FAMILY
It can be a great way to get the family together to help! Getting your kids involved in the kitchen will teach them valuable life skills. Plus, you can pass on important nutritional information while making it fun. My boys LOVE to be my little helpers and they are more likely to eat healthy foods if they were involved in the preparation. Especially Mason. Now that he really wants to help! 

5. TIME
Finally, cooking at home can be faster than going out. Add up the time spent driving to a restaurant, waiting to be seated, waiting to be served, eating, paying, then driving home again. You could have fixed something simple and tasty much faster and been more comfortable in the process. You can cook and eat in your pajamas or workout clothes if you want to! 

BONUS: 

Cook for your taste buds- When you cook at home, you can control the amount of each flavor is in the food. Creating the perfect taste for you. I don't add salt to my foods and often when we eat out, most foods taste too salty to me. Or if I want to spice up my Mexican Foods, I can do that more easily in my own kitchen. 

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! 

Drawbacks To Eating Sugar During Pregnancy

(image: Shutterstock)

Ok mom's, who has thought this while you were/are pregnant? "YAY! I'm pregnant, I can finally eat whatever I want!" (raise hand here!) Honestly when I was first married, I started to eat whatever I wanted, and I started gaining weight because of it but my excuse was, "It doesn't matter. I'm just going to get pregnant and then breastfeeding will make me lose all the weight!" WRONG! Not only did it take us 9 years to get a baby, but Breastfeeding did not help me lose ANY WEIGHT! Not 1 single pound.

Being pregnant is the last reason to start gorging on foods, candies and sweets and treats. That is the time you want to buckle down and eat a good whole food diet filled with nutrients that will not only keep you healthy but help support the growth of the new life in your body. Too many times, pregnant mom's give in to cravings while pregnant. I will admit it first, that I did! I gained 55 pounds with Mason, the last 2 months I was drinking a super thick chocolate shake at least 3 times a week. With Collin it was Oreos for the last month. And I gained 20 pounds with him. But I probably could have saved myself 5 pounds if I didn't. This pregnancy I am determined to eat more healthy and not give into my sugar cravings. Thankfully so far the baby is craving VEGGIES! The last thing I thought I would ever crave. So.... Is it safe to eat sugar during pregnancy? 

Here are some drawbacks to eating sugar while pregnant. 

Make your pregnancy symptoms worse. 

Eating too much sugar can actually make your pregnancy symptoms worse. Add more heartburn, more sick to your stomach feel if you are eating too much sugar at once. And of course make you even more moody especially if you aren't getting the sugar that your body is demanding for!

Increases in Exhaustion

It is commonplace among pregnant women to feel lethargic and lack energy at all times. Eating too much sugar can only heighten this feeling. Sugary drinks and foods generally contain sucrose, which causes blood glucose level surge followed by a fall in energy. And it can also make you more susceptible to be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. 

It Can Make Baby Craving For Sugar:

Research has shown women who crave for sugary foods in pregnancy, have kids who grow up as sugar cravers too. This actually paves way for obesity and related ailments in the long run. And as we can see from all around us, there are too many obese children out there. And as a mother, that is the last thing that I want my children to deal with.

Weight Gain:

Eating sugar during pregnancy causes weight gain.While all women gain some amount of weight during pregnancy, those who intake, excess sugar put on more weight than usual. They also find it harder to shed the excess flab after childbirth. (um, yes!) 

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!