I'm going to tell you something you have all heard before but it is so true and very important.

If you don't take care of yourself you cannot take care of anyone else.  

I am a single mom and my daughter is my first priority but I have learned if I don't make time for me I am no good to anyone else.
I work full time and still make sure I work out 6 days a week.  It can be done.  It's about prioritizing.  I SCHEDULE my workouts in my appointment book everyday and I don't break the appointment.  Lose the guilt of feeling like you should be doing something for someone else and schedule 1 hour a day for you!
Give it a try you will feel the difference.

How is everyone doing on their New Years Resolutions?  I am doing OK but still a work in progress with a lot of work to go.
My work outs are right on track.  I'm not blogging as much as I would like and I am not tracking my Macro Nutrients.
My goal this week was to track my macros everyday....I didn't!
I have started tracking them today and I will continue until my next contest in about 15 weeks!

I have kept my exercise interesting by adding activities other then the gym.  I went skiing last week and this week I tries Rock Climbing.  It was an absolute blast and a great workout.
I'm making sure to surround myself with people that support me, my goals and my life style.  If makes life a lot more FUN!

This week I think I will try CrossFit.  I'll let you know how it goes...

~eat well and keep moving~
xoxo jenn

How is everyone's New Year going?  Mine is going great!  I prepped all my food for the week today.  Something I was really slacking on through the holidays.
I have been journaling and keeping a food log to stay on track.  So far so good.
Here is one of the nutrition packed recipe's I have used for this week.  Hope you all enjoy and please share your resolutions and how they are going!
Headed to bed early tonight to make Savage Session in the AM.
Have a great Sunday!
~Eat well and keep moving~
xoxo jenn

Mediterranean Barley Salad With Chicken and Roasted Eggplant

Makes: 6 servings Prep 20 mins Cook 1 hr 15 mins 

INGREDIENTS

·         1cup  pearl barley

·         28 ounces  boneless, skinless chicken breasts

·         Nonstick cooking spray

·         1small eggplant, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

·         2cups  cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

·         1cup  packed mint leaves

·         4ounces  feta, crumbled (about 1 cup)

·         1/2small red onion, finely chopped

·         2tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil

·         2teaspoons  lemon zest

·         2tablespoons  freshly squeezed lemon juice

·         1/2teaspoon  kosher salt

·         1/2teaspoon  black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook barley according to package directions. Let cool completely.

2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees . Place chicken in a large straight-sided skillet or pot and cover with water by 1/2 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat; cover, reduce heat to medium low and cook 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees , 12 to 14 minutes. Remove chicken from water, let cool and shred.

3. Lightly coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and arrange eggplant in an even layer. Lightly coat eggplant with cooking spray and roast until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and let cool.

4. In a large bowl, toss together chicken, eggplant, barley, tomatoes, mint, feta, onion, oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!!!  I am so excited for the new beginnings in 2014 and all of my resolutions.
 My 2013 was to get into the best shape of my life.  I can honestly say at 35 years old I am physically in the best shape of my life.  However, I have realized through my journey that my physical fitness is only a small piece of the whole me.
In 2013 I spent much of my time taking care of others.  I worried a lot that I wasn't doing enough.  I spent much of my time doing things I really didn't particularly care to be doing....just to please others.
SO my 2014 New Years Resolution is to be the Happiest Healthiest version of ME!
2014 is all about ME ME ME!
I have started by ridding myself of all the negative people that were still in my circles.  There are people in my life that are not going to be happy with the new me.  These are the people that take and take and take and never give back.  More often then not there are conditions on our relationship.
Those people no longer have a place in my life.  I am making room for positive people who love me for who I am with no conditions.
This is only step one so check in often to follow my journey in becoming the best me I can be in 2014.