Buy One and Feed One

Recently I was given the opportunity to try Yumbutter's line of GO-Anywhere nut and seed butters.  I was sent the superfood peanut butter, almond butter and sunflower seed butter.   These are made with only a few, organic, pronounceable, ingredients.   They all include:  sunflower seeds, chia seeds, coconut palm sugar, hemp seeds, goji powder, lucuma, and love.  They only difference is the main nut/seed that they use.  (Almond butter contains almonds, peanut butter contains peanuts, etc.)   Chia, hemp, goji and lucuma are all superfoods.  Lucuma is a low-glycemic sweetener.  It contains beta-carotene, iron, zinc, B3, calcium and protein.  

"Yum" is definitely the word I would use to describe these.   They taste excellent.  I decided to do a taste test with my 3 girls.  Each one liked a different one. 

#1 -- Peanut Butter.  Tasted like your standard peanut butter.  The oil was a bit hard to knead in but, it was good.  This was Kaylee's favorite.

#2 -- Sunflower Seed Butter.  Sunny's and my favorite.  I loved how earthy it tasted.  

#3 -- Thanks YumButter!  You have made a nut butter that my "I hate all nut butters" daughter likes!  This was Mo's favorite.


Not only does YumButter taste good, they DO good.  Through the BuyOne:FeedOne™ campaign, Yumbutter provides holistic care to malnourished children and their mothers for every product purchased.  So every time you purchase on of their products you are helping people.  This is one of those times that it feels GOOD to spend money.  You can read more about their campaign HERE


Since I've told you our favorites you need to go get some and let me know yours!  They also have some other awesome flavors like Cran & Coco!

Remember, all nut butters are interchangeable.  If a recipe calls for peanut butter you can switch it with almond or sunflower seed.  Here's a few good peanut butter recipe roundups.
StockPiling Moms
Peanut Butter & Peppers
Peanut Butter Fingers
Cookies and Cups
Love From the Oven


Yumbutter Links
Website
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I received free samples of Yumbutter mentioned in this post.  I was not additionally compensated for my time.

I'm a Slacker

I think that everybody has one body part they don't work out as much as they should, or they completely ignore it.  For me, it's my abs.  I don't know if it's because I can technically work them out anywhere, or if it's because I'm lazy, I just don't know.

As you can see in the photo, your core is made up of 4 sets of muscles.  To alot of people, the only point of strong abs is so you look good.  There are actually more important reasons.  Your core is actually a very important part of your body.  According to Active.com here are 5 reasons to strengthen your core.

1. Pain reduction and prevention
2. Look taller and thinner
3. Delays aging
4. Improves mental function
5. Performance improvement

I've searched the web Pinterest and found my favorite ab workouts.  Try them out and tell me which one you liked the best, or which one gave you the best burn.

KamaFitness

30 Day Fitness Challenges

Ripped N Fit

There's a great roundup of ab workouts at FitFluential.


Check this one out!  4 minutes and brutal!

And lastly, this one, just because it's funny. Doesn't everyone want a Pokemon rubbing up against their abs?

If you want a great collection of workout videos check out FitnessBlender.com.  I love these guys.  They have a huge library of videos.  When I first started working out I actually used their videos.  

Starting Over(ish)

Today I seriously start my prep again.  I have 18 weeks to get ready.  I've got to crack down and get my ass in gear.  About a third of my prep will be done by myself.  Which means I really have to push myself.  

15 is one of my lucky numbers so, 2015 WILL be my year!  Remember #ConquerEverything  !!

(Don't mind the #200KTransform sign.  I'm also entering to win a Bodybuilding.com transformation contest)

Here are my starting measurements

Body Fat:  20%  

Weight:    137.8
Waist:     28.75
Hips:      36.25
Thigh:     21
Chest:     32.5
Shoulders: 40.50
Biceps:    10.75

Not going to lie.  I was kind of surprised by the numbers. But, that's what I get for slacking (and deciding to make Korean food for dinner.)

I'll keep y'all updated!

#ConquerEverything

The mind is an amazing thing.  It can turn on you so quick.  Something good can become bad, and something bad can become good in a flash.  

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain....

Photo Credit: Global News & Ted Morgan

I was in a really low place mentally for a few months.  It seemed like nothing was working out, nothing was going right, and honestly, I felt horrible about myself.  I was miserable.  

My husband was a real trooper through all of this and I love him for it.  He listened to my cry, whine, bitch, and complain.  I know (even though he won't admit it) that he thought I was miserable because of him, and because of the kids.  Do you know how hard it is to explain to someone that everything outside of your mind makes you happy but, YOU don't make you happy?  Birds made me happy, nature, tv, the girls, him, they all made me happy.  I was just unhappy with the person I was.  I kinda thought I was having a midlife crisis.  

One day he looked at me and said, "the problem is that you want to do it all."  Later on my way to the gym I passed a sign for the local watersports rental place.  I started thinking about how much I wanted to go SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding).  And in that split second everything cleared up for me.  I realized my husband was right.  I DID DO want to do it all.  I want to do it all because finally I'm fit enough to and I have the time to.  I'm not trying to find myself, I've FOUND myself.  I've found the new, healthy, brave, me.  After so many years lacking the confidence to do things, I finally have it and I'm ready to conquer everything.

Maybe I'll make that my hashtag for 2015.  #ConquerEverything  How does that sound?  

I'm not going to let anything stop me.  I've got things planned for 2015.  A bunch of different life paths I want to explore this year.  #CantStopMe (This hashtag thing is fun!)

Sometimes, all it takes is a mental flip.  Try to find the "glass half full" way to think about something. And I'll leave you with a few quotes.  This one is one of my personal favorites.

"Every storm runs, runs out of rain

Just like every dark night turns into day

Every heartache will fade away

Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain"

What happened to make you realize your potential?

2015 Plans

Today is the day when alot of people make their New Year's Resolution(s).  How many times have you heard yourself saying "This year I'm going to....."

• Lose weight?
• Exercise more?
• Eat healthier?
• Quit smoking?

These are actually some of the most common resolutions according to 5 News KSFM/KXNW and USA.gov (click the link to see their full lists.)

A few years ago I made a resolution to stop making resolutions.  I think that honestly, resolutions are meant to fail.  45% of Americans usually make resolutions.  Only 8% actaully achieve their resolution.  This is according to StatisticBrain.com and the University of Scranton. Journal of Clinical Psychology.  So many people fail at keeping their resolutions that they have named a day "Fail Friday", which is the day that most people give up.  

Instead of resolutions I set goals.  Here's my list of goals for 2015.

1.  Compete - Due to issues beyond my control, my hopes of competing in 2014 didn't happen.  But, this year I have a few competitions planned, the first one being in May.  
2. Do more yoga -- I miss yoga.  It seriously helps my mind and muscles.  
3. Get another certification -- I'm thinking either Holistic Nutrition, yoga, or a specialized training certification.
4. Go on more adventures -- Random day trips to the beach, or museums.  Maybe a weekend trip somewhere.
5. Give more memories instead of gifts -- This is alot like goal #5 but, it's more for special occasions and are planned.
6. Try new things -- Aerial yoga?  Pole fitness?  Scuba diving?  These are all on my list of things to try.  
7. Spend more time outside --   I feel like I'm not as in touch with nature as I used to be.  I don't spend enough time in the sunshine, enjoying the outdoors and I want to change that this year.

Goodbye 2014!

I'm not going to lie, I'm happy that 2014 is done.  The last 3 months I really haven't been in a very good place mentally.  

This year hasn't been all bad though.  I started this blog, we had a fun family vacation, I got to watch my girls compete, and they had a wonderful Christmas.  

I have some big plans {and possibly, changes} planned for 2015.  I have goals, hopes, and dreams that I plan on making happen.  {I think I say that every year though.}

So, I'm happy to say, "GOODBYE 2014!  HELLO 2015!"

Tomorrow I'll let you in on my goal list for 2015.

I'm a Ballerina!

Isn't Mo pretty?

Little known fact about me:  I'm dance obsessed.  I still have a tiny part {okay, a big part shoved into a tiny space}, that dreams of becoming a Rockette.

Honestly, I think we all have some "silly" dream that we envision coming true, even if we don't chase it.  For me, obviously, that dream is to dance.

I danced for almost 10 years when I was growing up.  I did ballet, tap, jazz, and acro.  I picked it back up when Kaylee was 4.  I did ballet, pointe, tap, and jazz.  

When one of the teachers at Sunny and Mo's dance studio told me that they were going to start an adult ballet class I jumped on it.  From 5:30-6:30 on Tuesdays you can no find me at the dance studio.  Ballet for adults is not as strict as ballet for the younger kids.  Leotards and tights are optional.  Instead, you are allowed to wear whatever you can move comfortably in.  I normally wear leggings and a tank top {even though, there's a small part of me that wouldn't mind slipping into the traditional ballerina uniform.}

You don't have to be dance obsessed, or have danced when you were a kid to enjoy the benefits of ballet, or any style of dance for that matter.  

Health benefits

• Boosts memory -- May help prevent you from developing dementia
• Improve flexibility
• Relieve stress
• Helps get rid of depression -- Studies have shown that it reduces depression and increases vitality
• Improves heart health
• Weight loss
• Better balance
• Improves  flexibility, balance, agility and coordination
• Strengthen and tone core muscles
• Engages all muscles of the lower body, abs, hips, quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves, and even your feet

The benefits for children aren't much different from adults.  I have listed them below.  

Benefits in younger children

• They learn to follow instructions;
• They gain a sense of discipline through learning new positions and steps;
• They learn co-ordination, balance and how to control their bodies in motion;
• They are active and getting daily exercise;
• They become comfortable performing before groups;

Benefits in older children

• They develop long, lean and strong muscles from the practice of ballet
• They gain a sense of self-confidence and pride in their bodies and what they can accomplish
• They learn how to work to get what they want out of their performance
• The skills learned in ballet are useful for other forms of dancing like tap or jazz if they want to take that up later
• They learn about proper nutrition to keep their bodies in shape so they can dance

Are you a dancer?  Did you dance in the past?  What is your "silly" dream?  Let me know!