I had a completely different plan for today’s blog post but once I saw this link up with Amber & Juliette I knew I had to hop on it. Health… such a crazy thing to try and accomplish, isn't it?

I always try and honor the Lord with my words here so I thought it would be best to start off with a verse that changed my life. I remember sitting in a room full of women at my church listening about our bodies. How God made us in His image. How He created us to be beautiful and desired, how we need to honor Him with that beauty. How my health is for His kingdom, not for my selfish need to be skinny or pretty. It was like all of the dots lined up for me in that moment. My body is His first, not mine or my husband’s, but His. What I choose to do with it reflects who I am through Him. That is a big deal.

So what do I do with that?
Do I try my best to stay active and eat well? Yes. Do I try my best to eat organic and take my vitamins? Yes. Do I want to take care of my body so I can have healthy children with my husband one day? Yes.

I want all of those things, and all of those desires are placed in my heart by the One who made me. I pray that I honor Him with every decision I make. I am His, and He is mine.

But being healthy isn't just about my physical appearance. It is also about my heart. A healthy heart gives and takes just like our bodies do, having good days and bad days, but in the end it is also His. All His. Anything that we take in our heart can be fixed by His goodness and grace. I find that so reassuring!

So yes, I try my best to always think about my health, body and heart, but not because of me. Because of my Savior. I want to be able to give Him my best because He gave up everything for me. He puts this breath in my lungs and pushes my body and soul. That is everything to me because He is everything to me.

I have loved reading all of the posts about health from this link up. It is inspiring to read the words from all these women and know that we can be kind to ourselves.

Total Truth // Health

{just for the record... the waffle above is my homemade-whole wheat waffles, full of super healthy things and organic strawberries with natural, organic syrup!}

Today's Total Truth Thursday is an open topic which means I can choose whatever I want to talk about. This one was a lot harder to decide than the last open topic (friendship), but with some help from the Husband, I decided to talk about Health. Health is something that is very important to me, although that was not always the case. I used to eat very bad food (aka, McDonalds or Taco Bell) and almost never exercised. This all began to change five years ago when I met Peter. I used to say he was a “food snob” and couldn’t believe that he had never (EVER) eaten at Taco Bell but then I started to realize that he had justified reasons for the things he would eat & the things he would not eat.

Fast forward to October 2012. I was almost engaged and pretty much blind to how overweight I was. It didn't really hit me until February 2013, while I was celebrating my 26th birthday. I then realized that I was extremely unhappy with my health. I had yo-yoed with my weight during the past few years and I was ready to finally make a change. I’ll be honest and admit that most of my drive to change came from my future wedding date. I wanted to look my best, but I also wanted to feel my best.

The picture above still shocks me. At the time when I started this new journey of a healthier lifestyle, I knew I needed to finally step on a scale and figure out what I needed to do. For my age and height I weighed 25 pounds over the TOP of the healthy limit. After losing that 25 pounds over the next seven months I felt like a new person. Today I still fluctuate between 25-30 pounds less than those early months in 2013. It is such a great accomplishment but I would still like to get down in the average healthy limit instead of hanging out at the top of it. I'd like to share the three things that I changed in my life to make this goal a lot easier, and what I plan to do to keep it up!  

1// find a workout that works best for you

When I first started on this journey I joined the BEACHBODY community and absolutely loved it! They have great workout videos, tasty Shakeology drinks, and amazing accountability groups. At the time I was working out almost every day with my mom and we would make sure we pushed each other which was very helpful. 

I’m so thankful for Beachbody and all the results that I received from those workouts but now that I am married I haven’t been able to keep up with them. For the past six months I have struggled with making time to workout. Recently, I realized that I needed to make time during my workday. Thankfully with the gym that we have in my office building I have that ability. I just recently signed up and will spend my lunch hour working out. I'm excited to see the changes in the next few months as I tone up and build my strength again.  

2// seriously consider everything you eat

My life changed drastically when I stopped thinking about my diet as a “diet” and started to see it as a life change. It is okay to splurge and enjoy a burger and fries from a great restaurant but 80% of the time I try my best to only eat healthy, clean foods. I can’t tell you the last time I pulled through a McDonalds or Taco Bell and I honestly like it that way. I like to fill my stomach with food that is going to give me energy and make me healthier, not something that will weigh me down and make me regret my decision. This does not mean that I don’t enjoy the foods I eat, I've just learned what is better for me, and I enjoy them even more now. Keeping healthy snacks near by are also a big change that I have made. I snack on a Larabar, a handful of raw almonds or a piece of fruit instead of snacks that are full of carbs and fat. 
But, seriously… I still need Mexican food at least once a week. That will never change! 

3// don't concentrate on the scale

When you are getting started on this journey you always look at the scale first. You have to so you can know your results, but once you achieve your goal weight it is no longer the biggest factor. Since my wedding day I have fluctuated around five pounds which I think is normal. You are never going to be the same weight every day. What I try and pay more attention to is my clothing and how they are fitting. I have my “skinny pants” that I was not able to wear for almost eight years but in the past year that has changed, they fit now! Whenever I put those pants on and they feel a little snug I know to reevaluate the situation and take a closer look at what I am doing to stay active and what I have been eating. Within a few days of being more careful about what I consume, things are back to normal and my pants are happy, which makes me happy. So, check the scale – but don’t let it determine everything. If your body is happy and you feel healthy then that number you see is usually going to line up with how you feel.   

Of course I am no expert. I am not a doctor. I can only speak from my own experiences and speak truthfully about how I perceive a healthy life. This post is not sponsored by any of the products I mentioned above BUT if you are interested I would gladly point you to my friend, Megan. She is a true inspiration and her passion in life is staying healthy for her family and herself which is my main goal as well.

Check out my past Total Truth posts below... 

Marriage // Fashion

Social Media // Friendship

Modesty // Parenting & Kids

Domestic

Super Quinoa Salad!

When I was thinking about my meal for this week’s recipe (after two weeks off, ooops) I knew I wanted to use quinoa in some way. At my shower over the weekend my cousin made an avocado salad that was so stinkin good and I knew I wanted to try and replicate that in some way. Her recipe had avocado, corn, tomatoes and cucumber in it but I’m not a fan of tomatoes and corn can hurt my stomach sometimes so I thought I would change it a little bit. I decided to mix the salad all together with a box of the sundried tomato quinoa to add that tomato flavor without the actual tomatoes.

Score! It was seriously so good!!!

First of all… let’s talk about Quinoa. I’m sure you have heard about it since it has become so popular lately. While I was at yoga last night I picked up some information about quinoa from the restaurant in the back of the yoga studio.

“Quinoa is often called the “Grain of the Gods” though it is actually a seed related to spinach, beets and swiss chard. It has a delicate taste and rich amounts of protein, iron, potassium and other vitamins and minerals. Quinoa is also a good source of dietary fiber and is easily digested.

A quinoa seed is flat and has a pointed oval shape. The seeds can be found in several different colors, including yellow, red, brown and black. When cooked, they expand to about three or four times their original size.

When preparing quinoa, rinse first to remove any powdery residue. For a roasted flavor, toast it in a dry skillet for about five minutes.”

So, there’s a little lesson on Quinoa thanks to the Sun Belly Cafe! :)

On to my recipe now… this was so easy and very healthy but also filling so I didn’t feel hungry after a small bowl.

Directions:

Cook the quinoa based on the instructions on the package.

While the quinoa is cooking slice all the veggies and avocado and place everything in a bowl.

{You can use anything you want to make this salad fit your liking}

Squeeze one lime over the top of the veggies and avocado.

Drizzle about a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of EVOO in the bowl.

Add a few grinds of salt and pepper.

Pour the cooked quinoa over the top and blend together evenly.

Enjoy!

Lately I haven’t been able to go a day without an avocado and if I do I seem to crave it. With the lime juice used in this salad your avocado won’t turn brown and you can have the leftovers for lunch. The flavors taste even better after the quinoa soaks up all the yummyness over night and I realized I liked it even more as a cold salad! Perfect lunch for those hot summer months. I think I might add some grilled chicken next time to add a little more texture but this easy vegetarian option is also delicious.

Mmmm, hope you enjoy this super simple and tasty recipe!

changes.

“We care more about what others think of us than what God thinks of us. We bow down to the image of this world when we continually measure ourselves by the world’s standards of success and beauty.”

-Regina Franklin

When I heard that quote a couple weeks ago at the Women’s Conference at my church I felt my thought process change instantly. Those words have haunted me since then. In the past two months I have changed my habits. I've changed the way I thought about my body and I've changed what I've decided to put into my body as well. My body is important and I want to live a full life. A life full of energy and strength and gratification. I want it to be filled to the brim with happiness. I want to feel light and free.

For a while now I did not feel this way. At the beginning of the New Year I realized I was not living a healthy lifestyle. I would make excuses for the disgusting food I would eat and then wonder why I had no energy to work out. I wasn't ready to make a change but after my 26th Birthday I knew it was time.

Twenty-six. That's young. Too young to feel tired and lazy. Too young to not care. Too young to stop trying. So I made a decision...

Change.

If I wanted to have change in my life I was going to need change my heart. I started to think about why I wanted to change. That's when I realized that this change wasn't just for me. It was for my future husband and family. It was to motivate others. I wanted change so I could do His work in a better way. The Lord gave me this body for a reason - to wake up every morning and live for Him in the best way I can. I decided to change.

Change for happiness inside and out.

Since the beginning of this journey I have lost 8-10 pounds depending on the day. I’ve also lost around 10 inches which means my clothes are fitting better and some are even too big now. I didn’t decide to make this change to become skinny. I want to be healthy so it is just the beginning of this journey for me. I am proud of myself for the pounds and inches lost but I am also proud that I want it. I want to stick with this change and make it a lifestyle instead of a race to fit in that white dress. It’s about so much more than that. It’s about a full life & a healthy life all to glorify Him so at the end of the day I can bow down to my Maker. Not myself, this world or the lies that fill it. To Him alone.

Soup to Salad!

A couple weeks back I shared my Fiesta Chicken Soup recipe for a cold night but now with the warmer weather on the way and the beautiful nights I’m not really craving a hot soup. Of course since I have a serious problem, I crave Mexican food every day… it can be a serious problem since most of the options aren't particularly healthy. After thinking about that delicious soup I thought it might be nice to have a summer twist to it and make it into a salad. I also love using the Crockpot to make meals which makes this recipe super easy!!

Directions:

pour enough salsa in the Crockpot to cover the bottom of the bowl

{I use the large jar of garlic lime salsa from Wal-Mart, super cheap and super yummy!}

put however many chicken breasts you will need in the Crockpot

add the rest of the salsa on top of the chicken

 turn on Crockpot to cook for 6-8 hours or the low setting if you are letting it cook all day

{I usually do this in the morning before I go to work so it will be ready when I get home}

after the cooking is completed the chicken will be tender and super tasty

take two forks and shred the chicken while stirring all of the salsa and chicken together

fill a bowl full of romaine lettuce
add ½ cup of drained and rinsed black beans
add ½ an avocado
add 1 teaspoon of jalapeños
{or tablespoon if you like it spicy like me!}
sprinkle ¼ cup of 2% fiesta blend cheese
place about a palm full of chicken on top of your salad
add 1 tablespoon of sour cream for the dressing
squeeze a lot of lime on top for an extra kick and enjoy

I love this healthy version of a taco salad! If you want to have a little more carbs you can always use brown rice instead of lettuce to have a tasty rice bowl. The rice bowl is also a great option to use the leftovers for lunch. I hope you all are having a wonderful week and hopefully you will love this Fiesta Chicken Salad as much as I do. I seriously wanted to lick my bowl when I was finished!! It would have been even better with a cold margarita but I'll save that for a weekend treat! ;)

pizza, pizza!

Sometimes you just need pizza… right? I know I do. My mom came up with this super easy and healthy recipe for a healthy pizza at home! Its really simple and you can change anything to match your taste and fix that craving you might have.

 

Directions:

cut the whole wheat pita pocket in half making two small pizza crusts

spread two table spoons of your favorite pizza sauce on the two crusts
{i used my favorite roasted red pepper pesto sauce instead}

layer all the toppings you desire

{i used some left over baked chicken, jalapeño and sweet peppers}

sprinkle a  1/4 cup of low-fat cheese on the two pizzas

place in a toaster oven at 400 degrees for 10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and bubbly

remove from oven and serve with a small salad and low-fat dressing

Toasty, crunchy and gooey yumminess that is also a healthy option! Hope you all have fun trying out different combinations and creations!! If you find one you love leave a comment and let me know so I can try it out also!!

I'm also thinking about making this a weekly occurance. A healthy recipe that is fast and yummy might be nice around here, ya know?

Happy Humpday Everyone!

Mmm, mmmm good!!!

Sometimes on a cold rainy day you just need some soup. Especially when this cold rainy day falls right in the middle of a beautiful spring week and for that reason my body needed some soup last Thursday. Over the past month I have been more careful about the food I eat and trying to stay more active. Thankfully I have had some great results and I’m sure I will be sharing more about that a little later down the road but for today I am going to share one of my most favorite soup recipes.  It always hits the spot and with my love of Mexican food it settles those cravings in a healthy way!

Directions//

Put the 10 oz can of chicken in a pot

Add 32 oz carton of 100% fat free, low sodium chicken broth

Add one can of Rotel

Stir and blend, place lid on pot

Wait for soup to boil

Add two handfuls of brown rice

Stir and blend, place lid on pot then remove from heat for 5-6 minutes or until rice is cooked

Squeeze juice from one lime and stir

Spoon soup into bowl

Add half of a sliced avocado

Sprinkle a small handful of low fat shredded cheese and as much cilantro as desired

Add one spoon of fat free sour cream

Now eat it all up and enjoy

This recipe makes two servings and for you calorie counting friends out there you will be happy to know that one bowl of this delicious soup is only 505 calories! Super easy, super yummy & super healthy! enjoy!! xo

Love/Hate relationships.

Tomorrow is Turkey Day… aka eat way too much food day!
Every year it happens. We spend time with family, make excuses for stuffing ourselves and we enjoy the day. But regret it the next day.

This year is a little different for me. I’m in pain. Like, actual physical pain…

Typing this post is actually hurting my arm muscles and crossing my legs right now is causing some pain also. There is only one answer for this feeling……. YOGA.

Yoga and I have a true love/hate relationship.

I get to class and stand on my mat and I feel in control. I feel connected to myself. Connected to my heart that is yearning for an hour of peace with my heavenly Father. Connected to my breath that I use to push through the moves and not give up when I feel pain. Connected to everyone in the room that are moving and breathing with me. That's the love part.

Then the hate shows up....

The thoughts like, “I’m never going to do this again!”

“UGGGHHHH, I HATE THIS!”

“Why do I ever want to come here!?!”

“Just think of that WHITE dress, Cassie!!!”

“How is the instructor not sweating their face off?!?”

But somehow at the end of the class the love starts creeping in again…

I feel powerful and connected again and one of the most exciting parts of every class lately is noticing how much love is overpowering the hate. Some nights I hardly feel any hate at all which makes me want to give hot yoga a big sweaty hug and a peck on the cheek.

So tomorrow, on Thanksgiving, I’m going to allow myself to indulge a bit and not feel that bad about it because this little relationship I have with Hot Yoga will make up for that delicious broccoli casserole.

And peanut butter pie.

Mmmm, hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Yoga and God...?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."Nelson Mandela

At the end of one of my yoga classes this week while lying down on my mat, soaking wet and with a cold lavender washcloth on my face the teacher read the quote above. I felt something move inside me. Something that wanted more. More of love, more of life, more giving for God and His people.

I’ve noticed that some people are a little negative about yoga because they believe it’s a type of religion. As far as I’m concerned I know where my heart is.

I begin each class with a silent prayer to God to put my heart in the right place. Using the hour I have in that class to grow closer to Him. Relying on His strength to push through the moves, using every breath that He has given me to inhale the love and exhale the bad.

When we are having the relaxation time at the end of class to meditate I spend that time lying on my back and talking to my Maker. Thanking Him for giving me a body that can endure the moves I have just completed. Giving me a heart that yearns to become closer to Him everyday.

For me yoga is more than just a workout. It is a spiritual experience however you want to use it. While I am in that HOT room I’m constantly working and talking to God so much that I feel like I am standing right in front of Him at times.

Once I FINALLY reach the end of the class and I lay down my body is so tired but I feel strength from inside. That quote truly hit me when I heard it. I’m so glad that I found this new love for Hot Yoga and I’m so excited about this new level of closeness to the Lord that I have also found… it’s such a blessing!! Now if I could talk the teachers into playing some Hillsong I would have an amazing experience! HA!

I truly hope everyone had an amazing week and hopefully you can make this Saturday beautiful!!!