Dressing the New Me

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Updated: April 24, 2017

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I remember when….. always dates you when you start off something like that, but I do; I remember when I was a self-proclaimed fashionista. I don’t know if I was stylish, but had a sense of style, and then I became a Mom. With each lil diva, I fell into a different sense of style.  It happens, you change, your lifestyle changes, your body changes and so does your wardrobe.

 

Getting Summer Ready

So, here I am looking at the summer fashions thinking I am finally smaller its what I have worked for; right? I’m going to go to the store grab an Easter dress and a few things that don’t come in Small, Medium or Large or my personal favorite One Size Fits all (which anyone who has been bigger girls it should be One Size Fits Most). You know the clothes you just pick your favorite color and put it on. The “oh so forgiving” stretchy material and go about your day.  Well, here I am again shopping for the summer season while currently in a new life season.

Misperceived “Small” Section

Although, last year when I was hoping to be thinner to shop in the “smaller” girl section this year it’s just overwhelming and I have no clue where to begin. I thought shopping for a smaller body in the smaller section with the old perception that the smaller clothes are better but guess what? Nope, there is not a new sense of satisfaction with the smaller section.

Mama was right, “I hate that!”

The fitting room mirrors are the same in the smaller sections as they are in the plus size section. Unforgiving, unflattering and self-esteem were demoting. So, does that mean that they reflection in the mirror doesn’t depend on a size but depends on a person in the clothes? Didn’t our Mama say that to us maybe once or twice before, I hate it when my Mama is right. In this case, though I wish she were wrong I wish that my outside reflection would silence my inner thoughts.

1 Peter 4:12 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Anxiety Robs Your Joy

I was diagnosed with anxietybdisorder when she was 25 I understand the demon that can turn good intentions into mental breakdowns. Anxiety disorder looks different on everyone and is handled differently by everyone. As of lately, my anxiety has been at all time high. I have a lot of things going on in this season of my life. I have also realized that although my faith has grown in many areas of my life trust, dependence, and reliance. Anxiety is where I allow the enemy to get to me. Especially, lately since recommitting myself to Christ until January.

I hadn’t had a panic attack in years (probably 3 or 4) and the in January before taking my NASM Certification I had a full out, time stopping panic attack before I left to take my test. It’s been a long while like I said since that has happened and I had forgotten how debilitation they can be it took days to get back to my positive mindset and ever since I have, to be honest, I have had a fear of my old friend anxiety creeping back in.

Growing through Disorder

I received two reminders; one, I realize how far I had grown in Christ because my instant reaction was unceasing prayers until the overwhelming feelings of fear, uncertainty, inadequacy and tears lots of tears went away. Second, it was a wake-up call on how I need to cling to God and get closer to Him.  The snooze button has been shortening my time more and more in the morning with God, and my life has continued to go nonstop meaning I probably should be waking up earlier instead of later to give me the peace, clarity, and direction I feel I receive from my morning studies.

John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Getting back to my Basic Needs

I am in the homestretch of finishing my associates in Fitness and Exercise Science. I have decided to continue to get a Bachelor’s Degree in the field. I am still training to compete in an NPC Figure Division Competiton in October. I will am teaching a few group fitness classes in the next few weeks, launched my soul project (I do believe it will change women’s lives) Bibles and Bootcamps and I am a mother of a 13,9 and two-year-old and wife of a teacher, basketball coach, and entrepreneur.

Let’s just say my anxious moments are more frequent and my time is more limited which is probably why something fun and exciting as clothes shopping is bringing overwhelming anxious feeling; because that’s what anxiety does, takes something meant to be harmless and makes it so much more. I was reminded that prioritizing my time with God is essential these days.)

 Finding Peace in Jesus

No matter what I put on if I don’t have peace on the inside then it is all meaningless.

That shopping trip was so discouraging. I got my Easter dress and decided to try again later. I spoke with a friend who encouraged me to give it another try to see myself through Jesus’ eyes. To find the joy in shopping again, trying on different options, having things fit. Now, I don’t believe I found a special pair of “Jesus glasses” the next time as I looked in the mirror but I do know that a different perspective some time with the Father and I found the joy in shopping again much to my husband’s dismay.

Colossians 1:10 “so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

Victory in the Fitting Room

I haven’t worn shorts in about three years; well guess what? I got two pairs. I usually buy very flowy tops because flowy hides muffin tops and is what I was used to and became accustomed to with the forgiveness of leggings and the miracle of compression I didn’t realize that I no longer have a muffin top to cover with flowy tanks. When you wear a uniform of workout gear or over sized shirts and leggings, it’s easy not to notice these things.

My anxiety has been a catalyst as well as a hindrance in the past decade of my life. But as I sit in the fitting room staring at the reflection of a girl who worked hard to get to the small section and realizing that the tag number doesn’t matter. Despite my size, if I don’t turn to Jesus to resolve my problematic thoughts I will never have peace.Regardless, of what I look like on the outside. My point is no matter the size you are now enjoying all the victories and don’t let the enemy steal joy from you that you deserve.

What mental roadblock have you had to overcome? What did you do differently to address them?

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Cranberry-Orange Yogurt Cookies

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Updated: March 27, 2017

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Cranberry-Orange (1)

Another, kitchen experiment from lack of ingredients and a little snowed in boredom.  My lil diva’s love to do craft, cook, play games. After a four day weekend all of those things were exhausted with the exception of baking.  We had almost made it through the entire weekend without indulging. Since, beginning this weight loss journey I have been making a lot of lifestyle changes.  Trying to be wheat and gluten free due to sensitivities, drastically reducing the amount of processed sugar my family and I consume and showing my girls that healthy eating does not mean lack of flavor and treats.  So, when I ran out of all other ideas I turned to my favorite cookbook, social media.  Beyond Fit Mom, is the workout plan that I use and she always has fat loss friendly recipes that actually taste good. Just because it’s good for you doesn’t mean it needs to lack in taste.  If that was the case I would not be able to have lost 45 pounds in 6 months because I love food and flavor way too much.

These “Cookies” are more like little cakes.  I actually gave my daughter one for breakfast this morning. She thought Mom had temporarily lost it giving out “cookies” for breakfast. But they are perfect for on-the-go breakfast, snack or after dinner treat.  You can use any fruit, Beyond Fit Mom used blueberries, which we were out of and you don’t go out in a snow storm for blueberries. We did have dried cranberries, which I hydrated in water, oranges, bananas, apples and pears.  I didn’t use every fruit in the house but I think all of these would be delicious substitutes for blueberries.  They don’t all have the same antioxidant qualities, which is why I went with the dried cranberries and the orange was because I personally love cranberry orange-ANYTHING! The combination with Almonds and Chai Spice made this an absolute delicious treat.  If you make them please let me know if you substituted the fruits for anything different I am all about experimentation.

has fat loss friendly recipes and

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Cranberry-Orange Yogurt Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Yield: 36

Serving Size: 2

Cranberry-Orange Yogurt Cookies

These "Cookies" are more like little cakes.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of stevia
  • 1 1/4 cup plain (no sugar added) greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp orange juice
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 1 tsp chai spice
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 2 cups gluten free oat flour
  • 1 tbsp. ground flax seed
  • 2 tsp of baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup of cranberries
  • 1/2 cup of sliced almonds
  • Chai Spice
  • 1 1/2 tsp of Ground Cardamom
  • 1 1/2 tsp of Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp of Ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp of Ground allspice
  • 1/4 tsp of Ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp of Ground nutmeg
  • Mix together in glass jar, air tight container or bag

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Grease several cookie sheets, or line with silicone baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together yogurt, stevia, egg, vanilla and almond extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together oat flour, baking powder, salt, chai spice.
  5. Then blend wet and dry ingredients. Gently fold in cranberries and almonds.
  6. Drop tablespoon of cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets leaving 2 inches in between.
  7. Bake for 10 minutes till barely brown around the edges.(These will not be crunchy cookies)
  8. Let cool on wire rack and enjoy!
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Teens and Money

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Updated: March 15, 2017

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Parenting is getting real, hard!

This school year has been a huge transition for the Bolton’ family. My husband and I are transitioning from parents of littles to parents of biggins and our roles as parents are expounding. We are no longer caring for our children’s safety and teaching them the laws of the land.  We now have to deal with another set of issues such as other children, social cues, independence, and responsibility.

It’s hard raising children in this world that are grateful and aren’t entitled.  I feel that children are handed a lot of things that we had to earn.  Tomorrow my in between diva will be nine and my twelve years old will be thirteen in April.  We are at a point especially with my twelve-year-old that we are asking to go beyond our at home playdates. We want to go places, do things and spend money.

Creating entitle diva’s

This is becoming a serious problem in my house, and I have complained about it before but like anything without consistency and follow through my best efforts have been without success. That just means I need a readjustment right? Well, I am starting to realize that as I affectionately call my daughters’ ill diva’s which I intend it to mean (Divine Inspired Virtuous and Anointed) sometimes they are actually what pop culture would refer to high maintenance lil women.  I have no one to blame but myself.  I have been a stay at home mom for going on 13 years. I have catered to the two of my girls every whim leaving them with little to no responsibilities. Although, I have taught them gratitude they often have to be reminded and can be entitled.

Since I was the one who created this poor work ethic and these little girls who “believing they are inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment” without any labor.  My aha moment as I was folding my nine-year-olds (who if I remember my childhood correctly was a skill I had mastered by this age). It dawned on me, these girls need more responsibilities and need to earn their keep. It was either a brilliant idea or my way of lessening my load, but I needed a better chore management system, maybe an app?

We need a solution

In a few weeks, I will have both a nine-year-old and thirteen-year-old. As we approach the lil diva’s Birthday’s, I am starting to see the need to give my girls more responsibility.  At this age, the focus is no longer taking as much care of these independent souls and more teaching them skills to use in life.

At least once a week my husband Ed and I admit we have no clue to what we are doing and this parenting thing has reached a climax. It’s gotten real hard now, the solutions to the problems are more thought provoking and creativity is a necessary.  I am not an expert parent, I know there are those who claim to be out there, and I am very grateful the next generation has a few experts raising them because I know I fail daily.

Benefits of Showing Kid’s Financial Responsibility

Last year, we explored a new app to make chores seem more enjoyable and easily monitored by me without nagging. Well, Homey App (Check out my Original review of Homey App) has revamped and given us parents, even more, option.

I know it’s been a year so let me give you a basic breakdown of what Homey App used to do and what they do now?|

 

Parents Capabilities:

  • Create a household name and password.
  • Invite your family members to join and set up an account with family members names, pictures/avatars, and passwords.
  • Once that is all setup then you (the parent) can start assigning chores and value.
  • You can take a picture of their messy room and create as detailed of a description of what you expect from them to complete the task.

How it works now?

I love the new upgrades that Homey App has made it now has:

  • An allowance management functions teaching children the value of labor and future life skills.
  • Create savings goals for your child whether they be a short term want like going skating or a long term goal an electronic or game.  It helps them see their effort and their money accumulating.
  • You can transfer money! Say what? I don’t even have to got to the ATM to remember allowance. I am an online shopper and use my debit card often. I have bank accounts set up for the girls (not Mimi yet which is a reminder poor third child) and the difference between paying them in cash and going directly to their bank.  They collect interest at the bank, and they will be more likely to use it wisely if it’s not in their hands.

Chore Management Upgrades

Some of the things I suggested before are now available, YAY!

  • I like the reward/deduction feature.
  • Skip chores
  •  undo completed tasks in case they weren’t done up to standards
  • can add or take away points and coins
  • add photos of the child’s rewards that they are seeking to earn
  • edit templates that Homey App has available for you and make them your customer chore pack
  • You can also change the family dynamics too. However, they fit your household for example Grandparents raising children or other family members that aren’t the child’s biological parents..


The free version of  Homey App is still available, but this new premium feature will have a subscription fee which covers the bank transfer fees and compliance to enhance your capabilities. You should give this a try for yourself.  We have been using it for a few weeks, and it has made the enthusiasm and reminder for my nine-year-old of her compensation for effort.  She gets points my oldest receives coins and now knows what she needs to do to go to special places with friends.  Now if I am consistent this just may be what the Bolton’s need.

Right now, if you register for Homey Premium, you get a complimentary trial of all the features.  This is a great trial to check out all the features and customize it to work for your family.  Creating an environment that not only encourages good work ethic but gives my lil diva’s some financial responsibility and management skills I think that’s a good thing. If you’re interested go visit my peeps at Homey App and find out more information.

What do you think?

 

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Mango Thai Chicken Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce

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Updated: March 14, 2017

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mango thai chicken salad

 

I used to be a plain salad, same salad kind of girl. I would get your standard mixed green or Ceasar Salad.  Then I began eating more protein and produce and before I found all that variety had to offer I got stuck in the same salad rut.  Funny enough my husband who is a same meal kind of guy. Like when I met him he would only eat “American” food defined by him as Hamburgers, Spaghetti (Technically not American) and Fried Chicken.  Anyways, he introduced me to adding fruit into my salad. He used to put strawberries, grapes, blackberries, apples and I thought “Eew, how gross” well you know the adage-Don’t knock it till you try it. Well I was pleasantly surprised. Now I am livening my salads up with different types of nuts, cheese, fruits, and dressings. I especially love homemade dressings I feel they have more flavor and can be fun and inspiring to make.  So, usually I make my own dressings.

Peanut Dressing

This weekend I was inspired by a salad I had picked up from Wawa. (Wawa is a NJ/East Coast convenient store chain that offers some made to order meals and express salads, etc.) We were busy, busy and the snacks I had brought were gone. We were still running errands and was starving.  I had my husband stop at Wawa and chose a not-great-for-you but better-than-a-fast-food-meal, salad.  It was pretty good but I knew I could do better and I did.  Got home, did some digging on Pinterest and found a good base for my Spicy Peanut Dressing. As with most recipes I find I reinvented it and made a much healthier option.  I wanted a dressing that was Sugar Free (of course) and I used Coconut Oil because it’s a healthier fat then most of the other dressing recipes I found.  I also kind of made up the salad as I went along because honestly anyone can throw a salad together. Grilled some chicken with my amazing 5-Spice Season and Ta-Da! This was one of those meals you kind of hum as you took each bite. Yes, that good! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did since I am a little bias.

Do you like fruit in your salad? What’s your favorite salad topping?

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Spicy Peanut Sauce

Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp Better Body Foods, PBFit
  • 3 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
  • 2 Tbsp Seasoned Rice Vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. Siracha Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp. Grated Ginger
  • 1 Lime Juiced
  • 2 Tbsp Melted Coconut Oil

Instructions

  1. Mix all the in till a smooth consistency and Serve

Notes

Mango Salad Suggestion

1 Head Red Leaf Lettuce torn into bite size pieces 1/2 Red Pepper, Julienne 1/2 Yellow Pepper, Julienne 1/2 Orange Pepper, Julienne 1 Carrot Grated or Shredded 1 Avocado Diced 1/4 c. Fresh Cilantro, chopped 1 mango, pitted and diced 1/4 c. Sunflower Seeds

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Meal Time Monday

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Workout Safety: The Importance of Warm Up and Cool Down

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Updated: March 8, 2017

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I never realized knew the difference and the benefits of a warm up and cooled down until I began school. All of my fitness has been Beach Body or Online Trainers. Unfortunately, I was never encouraged to do a Warm-Up or Cool Down nor do they usually program them in. That is why so many people are getting injured working out at home.

Just because you don’t have a treadmill at home doesn’t mean you shouldn’t warm-up. Despite if your workout has a warm-up programmed in I would encourage you to Warm-Up and Cool Down on your own. Unfortunately, a lot of online trainers are either not certified at all, expired certification or no continuing credits. It is critical that you do your due diligience when working with one and check their credentials for your personal safety. Regardless, Warm-Up and Cooldown has been a necessity in a proper workout for many years. Why is it not emphasized? It’s like Breakfast to me the most important “meal” of the day. If you are a highly paid athlete or women just looking to lose a few pounds. Warm-Up and Cool-Down are mandatory. So, take the precautions if you have no idea what to do you can use the Warm-Up/Cooldown workout below or find your own. Just do it anyways despite if your Online Trainer suggests it. I know for DVD Video and Live Streams this is usually included in the workout.

Most people don’t feel there is enough time to add 10-20 minutes to cool down and exercise, but I find that a poor excuse. If you just work out the 150 minutes that are suggested a week you are the only exercise for a little over 1% of the 160 hours that you get a week. You have time! Make it!

Reasons Why You Should Warm-Up

  1. Helps to increase blood flow to the muscles that are being worked as well as a rise in temperature for both your body and muscles.
  2. When your body temperature rises, it helps to produce energy more efficiently which helps you with your workout.
  3. Increases the body and muscle temperature which contributes to increasing the rate of energy production.
  4. Contraction and reflex times severe with higher muscle temperatures.
  5. Exercising without warming up places a potentially serious stress on the heart. Warming up reduces the stress on the heart.
  6. Soft tissue (tendons, ligaments, muscles) injuries are less likely.
  7. Mentally prepared to workout

Cool down

The Cooldown is equally important and as you get older something that you feel the immediate benefits. Despite your lack of time, you should make it a priority to bring your heart rate to a resting pace and prepare your body for the muscle building and repair it will do from your workout session. Proper cooldown is necessary to take care of your body. If you have been pushing hard and then just come to an abrupt stop, you know what that can do to your car brakes imagine your what it does to your body. We are adaptable creatures but like to take it step by step. Intense starts and stops and can be detrimental to your body. Cooling down is just not to gradually bring your body to a resting point it is also to prepare you for the next workout. The stretching done in your cool down is to lengthen, strengthen and prepare your muscles for the workouts to come. It is important to take this step and prioritize it in your workout schedule.

Five reasons cooling down is essential in your workout routine:

  1. Helps to regulate your breathing, body temperature and heart rate to your average pace slowly.
  2. During cool down, your blood is correctly distributed to the heart. The major organ helping keeps things going you don’t want to cause unnecessary stress from skipping your cool down.
  3. Blood redistribution during cool down also helps to get rid of the lactic acid that you have built up in your aerobic workout. Lactic acid can build up in your muscles which are what cause post workout muscle soreness. I don’t know about you, but I rather take a few minutes to cool down then spend the next two days struggling to sit down (and get back up.)
  4. Blood pooling is caused by abrupt stops during exercise. Consistent blood pooling can lead to blood clots, vascular deformations, and pelvic tumors.
  5. Blood pooling, abrupt stopping at the end of exercise can all lead to insufficient blood flow and oxygen which will result in you feeling dizzy, nauseous, and just fatigued or worn out.

Next time you work out whether prescribed to warmup or cooldown, just do it! Come 10-15 minutes early to your class or session to make sure you are properly warmed up. You can use the suggested Warm-Up cooldown below or foam roll, stretch and walk it out on the treadmill for 5-10 minutes just make sure that your body is prepared for the workout ahead. Then once you finished challenging yourself from an excellent workout take the time to cool down and bring your body back to a resting point gradually. Which will avoid some negative reactions, lengthen, strengthen, rebuild your body and prepare you for future workouts ahead? I used to not warmup/cooldown, and ever since I have added it to my workout routine, it has made a noticeable difference in my workout and the days afterward.

Do you warm up consistently or only when told? What about cool down?

A systematic review into the efficacy of static stretching as part of a warm-up for the prevention of exercise-related injury. (n.d.). Retrieved March 07, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18785063/

Clark, M., Sutton, B. G., & Lucett, S. (2014). NASM essentials of personal fitness training. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

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