Matcha Newbie In The House 

I am the queen of smoothies and all things health related so you might find it surprising when I tell you that I actually have never had a matcha drink. I have had things with matcha in it, but never by itself. As you all know I am a member of the Vital Proteins ambassador program so I get the opportunity to try new things each month. I decided to spring for the matcha peach collagen and see if I liked it. 

This smoothie that I put together was way easy and perfect for spring. I liked the strawberry addition and the peach that is already in it gives the drink a nice mellow healthy taste. 

Here is the simple recipe. If you don't already have the collagen you can get it thru the Vital Proteins website. Their shipping is insanely fast. 

Ingredients 

14 ounces of water 

8 ounces of ice 

6 large ripe strawberries 

1 packet of matcha peach collagen

Combine ingredients and blend. 

* Please keep in mind as a Vital Proteins brand ambassador I receive monthly product to review and share. I do not receive commission or pay based on any purchases. *

Beachbars - Coming Soon

WHY BUY BEACHBAR®?

• Protein-Dense Calories
  This crunchy, chewy snack bar has 10g of protein, 4g of fiber, just 150 calories, and only 5–6g of sugar.
  Calorie for calorie, BEACHBAR has a higher proportion of satisfying protein per calorie compared to four other leading snack bars.†
  
• Exceptional Protein-to-Sugar Ratio
  Both flavors of BEACHBAR are made with whey protein crisps, versus some other leading brands which are made with a fruit base. This means BEACHBAR delivers more satisfying, muscle-promoting protein (10g) than actual sugar (5–6g) per bar.
  
• Indulgent Ingredients for Great Taste
  Research shows taste is the #1 decision-making factor in choosing a bar and BEACHBAR delivers. Packed with nut pieces and nut butters, crunchy protein crisps, dried fruit,‡ and real chocolate chips, BEACHBAR will satisfy any sweet tooth.
  
• Flavors
  It comes in two delicious flavors, Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Cherry Almond.
  
• Not All the Bad Stuff
  Finally, both flavors are gluten-free, have 0g trans fats, and no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
  
• If you want the indulgence of a bar packed with nut pieces, nut butters, real chocolate chips, and 10g of protein with just 150 calories, your choice is BEACHBAR.
  

‡Chocolate Cherry Almond flavor only. 

WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN BEACHBAR?
BEACHBAR combines crunchy protein crisps with whole foods including fruit and nut pieces, real chocolate chips, and creamy nut butters to deliver delicious, satisfying goodness in every tasty bite.

Peanut and Almond Nut Butters
A source of protein and ber that adds a creamy texture. No one likes a dry, crumbly bar.

Dried Cherries
A flavorful source of beneficial dietary fiber and phytonutrients. Plus, they taste great.

Whey and Pea Protein Crisps
Whey protein delivers all nine of the essential amino acids. Pea protein is a plant-based protein source that also supplies key amino acids. And they’re satisfyingly crunchy 

Real Chocolate Chips
Derived from cocoa beans, which contain phytonutrients known as flavonoids. Rich and delicious, the way chocolate chips should be.

Diced Peanuts and Almonds
A source of beneficial monounsaturated fats (the good kind). They also provide protein and fiber and add a rich, nutty flavor.

Pomegranate Juice
A source of phytonutrients, and revered for centuries as a powerful fruit. It provides tart, fruity sweetness 

BEACHBAR is Low-Glycemic. The Glycemic Index (GI) measures the effect of a food on blood glucose.
Low-GI foods release their carbohydrates slowly, causing a lower blood glucose response. This helps avoid a large spike in blood sugar and the “crash,” or dip, in blood glucose that often follows and may cause you to feel sluggish. If this wasn’t benefit enough, low-GI products may also help with staying fuller longer.
That's why we designed BEACHBAR to be Low-Glycemic. In fact, BEACHBAR actually has less sugar than protein. 

Pricing

Retail $39.80
Coach $29.85 

Pricing

Retail $79.60
Coach $59.70 

Pricing 

Retail $119.40
Coach $89.55 

Why I Had To Quit 80 Day Obsession

At the beginning of January, I set out with one big goal and that was to FINISH the new 80 Day Obsession program from START to FINISH. I wanted to be able to say that I did the entire program and be able to share my awesome results. I went all in with my workouts and committed to the nutrition plan.

Phase one I was spot on. Didn't skip any workouts, ate according to the plan and totally nailed it. Then at some point during phase two I started to notice my thyroid was having a "storm" and things were off. I was having trouble staying warm and was cold all the time, yet I would wake up covered in sweat during the night. I was experiencing extreme fatigue and was having trouble keeping up. I would wake up each morning feeling exhausted even after hours and hours of sleep. Anxiety started to set in as well. When enough "sirens" went off I decided I better get some labs done and get back to the endocrinologist.

At the same time, I started to feel like my period was finally coming back. This was a big deal since technically with breastfeeding and being pregnant I hadn't had one in over two years. It never came, but I felt like it would. Once I got the lab work set up and an appointment booked with my endo I decided to take a pregnancy test just for the heck of it. Well, I made the mistake of taking an old one from when we tried for Gracie. I didn't have the box anymore or the instructions or know the brand. It left me with two pink lines, but I wasn't sure what those lines even meant. YES OR NO? I told my hubby the next day and I took a second test a few days later. This time I went with digital. IMMEDIATELY it said pregnant. I was shocked, but it also explained a lot.

I went to the doctor for the initial appointment and honestly, I went in rather cold. Since having walked the road before with a miscarriage you protect your heart and try to stay unattached. I requested we just cut to the chase and not do anything until I had an ultrasound. I needed to see a baby and a strong heartbeat before this could be real for me. That appointment was on a Thursday. My ultrasound was scheduled for the following Tuesday.

Before I could get to that appointment I wound up in the emergency room that Monday night with gallbladder pains. Stabbing pain was all thru my right side. Painful enough that I would have rather been giving birth. The hospital I was at was worried about possible complications with the baby. They didn't have a pelvic US machine at that hospital and were having trouble finding the baby. They were worried I had miscarried or that it was in distress.  They wanted to send me to a hospital where they could provide better care for both of us. That night I took a fast ride by ambulance. I was numb. Not just from pain meds, but because I knew what types of decisions I would be facing later if that baby had in fact already passed away.

When I got there I was given an ultrasound right away and got to see our sweet little baby. Strong and steady heartbeat and growing right on track with where it should be. That night I got a due date and pictures to take home to share.

Two days later I had my endo appointment and she really was tough on me. She gave me a hard time about how much stress my body was really under between the thyroid issues, the gallbladder stuff and trying to keep up with exclusively breastfeeding and trying to navigate the first trimester of pregnancy. When we talked about my current levels of exercise she was less than thrilled with my six hours a week commitment and the intensity. She said it was absolutely too much and it was a recipe for a miscarriage. She told me to think long and hard about where my priorities were.

That night I experienced a lot of bleeding and thought for sure I was miscarrying. The next morning I had another ultrasound and got to see the baby again. The heartbeat was even stronger and everything was just fine.  It was, however, an eye-opener and it meant I needed to come up with a new plan.

Sure I wanted to finish the 80-day program especially with less than 30 days to go, but I also want a healthy baby so this is me throwing in the towel. It is probably a good choice anyway because the program is NOT recommended for those who are pregnant. I will be picking up with 30 days of yoga for now to finish out the first trimester then will go from there as a move into the second and hopefully at that point am feeling a little less exhausted.

To those of you who were following along with my postpartum journey I just want to say thank you for all the love and support. Please feel free to fill out the application below if you would ever like to work with me in one of my challenge groups. I am always taking new clients.

Sometimes it's important for us to remember when things don't go according to the plan, simply make a new plan.

Lemon Poppyseed Baked Oatmeal

With spring right around the corner, I wanted to share with you a light and refreshing breakfast option that you might want to include in your weekly meal plans. We just recently started to make Lemon Poppyseed Baked Oatmeal and have fallen in love. I hope that you do too. Enjoy!!

Ingredients

2 c. rolled oats

1/3 c. sugar

zest of one lemon

1/2 tsp. Pink Himalayan salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 rounded tablespoon of poppy seeds

2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil

1 3/4 cup of vanilla almond milk

Juice of one lemon (approx 1/4 c.)

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with coconut oil spray. Combine sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Using fingers to rub zest into sugar to release lemon oil. Add rolled oats, salt, baking powder and poppy seeds to sugar and lemon mixture and stir with a spatula until combined. In a large measuring cup combine coconut oil, almond milk, lemon juice, egg and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth and combined. Add liquid mixture to dry mixture with a spatula and stir lightly until combined. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 40 minutes until oatmeal is set and a knife comes out clean.

Breastmilk Sugar Scrub

Breast Milk Sugar Scrub 

I call breast milk liquid gold as do a lot of other mommas. Not just because of how wonderful it is for the baby, but also because of all that it can do and cure aside from providing nutrition. In our house I joke that breast milk will cure everything. The other day my skin had been feeling rather dry from all of this cold winter weather we have been having. I decided to put the liquid gold to good use and make a sugar scrub that would give my skin a nice glow.

It was really simple to make and the recipe will leave you with plenty of leftovers for a few different uses.

Here is what you will need: 
1 cup of sugar
2 tsp of vanilla extract
3 ounces of breast milk
6 drops of lavender essential oil
1/4 of a cup melted coconut oil

Combine ingredients and in glass bowl and mix. Store in the refrigerator after each use.

Let me know what other liquid gold recipes that you enjoy using! I would love to try them out.