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.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

 I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday.  It can be hard to stick to the plan through the holiday season soooo prep prep prep!  

Schedule your workouts and DON'T break your appointment

Plan your meals and prep the ahead of time

Always have a healthy snack with you when your on the run

and remember to SLOW down and enjoy!  

When short on time try this handy work out!  

Happy Sunday.  Hope everyone is prepped for their week.  Today is my 35th Birthday!  I am actually very excited for my birthday this year.  I am in the best shape of my life.  I am with the love of my life and my daughter is the happiest, funniest kid I have ever known.
Things are changing everyday for me, I couldn't be happier.
It has been a very long road and things haven't always been good.  I truly believe everything happens for a reason even if we don't understand it at the time.
SO, Have Faith and if all else fails GO TO THE GYM!  

Definitely the most heart felt present I have received!  

xoxoxo

~eat well and keep moving~

I am SO SORRY!  I have been MIA for so long.  Unfortunately life was just getting in the way, BUT I am BACK and we are going to ROCK this fall and be HOTTER then ever for the HOLIDAYS!

Who has been sticking with their plan?  I was rolled off course by an elbow injury a month and a half ago!  I was thrown off a horse hurt my right elbow and have been unable to work or WORKOUT since September 8th!  AAAHHH for those of you that know me my workouts are my sanity.  It has been a rough month BUT I have had amazing friends and family to get me through.

Really in the big picture a month isn't so bad.  My cousin just went for her first run after tearing her Achilles 6 months ago!  I am so happy she is healing so well and she really has been such a trooper barely even complained.... (at least to me)

So anyway... I really want to be at the gym right now for a second workout on my first day back but I missed you guys and needed to get back to work.  So, when I am done here I am going to bang out this quick sprint workout on the treadmill.  Feel Free to join me!

5 minute warm up

30 second all out sprint 

30 second jog 

30 second all out Sprint 

30 second walk

x 4

45 second all out sprint incline 5%

30 second jog

45 Second all out sprint incline 5% 

30 second jog

45 second all out sprint incline 5%

30 second walk

5 minute fast walk 8% incline

3 minute cool out 

Stretch!  

Fuel up post workout with my favorite Fall Shake

2 scoops Vanilla IsaLean

1/4 cup pumpkin

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

sprinkle of cinnamon

Ice and Blend! 

I have been SLACKING these last few weeks of summer!  Anyone else?  Sometimes I just need a time out and that's whats been going on these last few weeks.  Those of you that know me personally know I have had a lot going on including a break up and some emotional cleansing we'll call it.
What has amazed me through this entire process is that every event that I perceived as a complete tragedy turned out to be the most amazing opportunity.  I am exactly where I want to be and I have never been so happy and content.
All that said fall is almost here and it is time to FOCUS!  I am so excited to get back to work and see some real changes in my mind and body over the next few months.
You are going to see more great workouts and recipes a lot more often on this blog so check back often and send your friends.
~eat well and keep moving~
xoxo jenn

I hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!  Mine has been rather up and down but as long as the sun is shining and warm I am a happy girl.  
All of us from time to time get bogged down with negativity.  It is important to take a step back during these times and reset.  This is exactly what I have been doing recently.  Realize there is always someone worse off then you, reach out to them try and help.  
For me it is super important to keep my workouts consistent and my eating clean.  The better I am to my body the clearer my mind is.  
When your feeling down, stressed or overwhelmed fight that urge to just lie around and eat til your hearts content....your hear will never be content with food.  
Pick yourself up and keep moving.  Just getting out and going for a walk can be a huge mood lifter.  Order a giant salad and eat the entire thing.  
Don't settle for where you are.  Make the changes you need to be happy.  You are the only person whom can make YOU happy!  
So if there are people in your life holding you back cut the ties.  Surround yourself with people that encourage you to be a better person and inspire you to live a better life.  
Everyday is a new day and TODAY looks like the perfect day to get to where you want to go!  

~eat well and keep moving~
xoxo jenn