Get Healthy/Get Fit // Implementing Springpad Notebooks into my Daily Life

I've been doing some more exploring on Springpad. I love the notebooks you can create with this program. I've also been on a clean eating, get fit, get organized kick this Spring. Which I hope is starting to be ingrained in my routine. If you'd love to join me on my quest to be healthy start following this notebook. I'll post all kinds of tips and tricks I'm noticing work for myself! *Here's to keeping New Year's Resolutions.

{mommyhood} and living up to perfection - 40 days to Proverbs 31

Ever since Anna was born I've been wrestling with Proverbs 31.  I wrestle with it because I feel my world has been turned upside down.  I also don't feel like I have time for anything anymore.  Well I may have 5 minutes here or 5 minutes there but never a giant chunk of time to get anything seriously accomplished. Anyone else get where I'm coming from?  I'm reminded of Proverbs 31. You all know this story.  Its the complete guide on how to be super woman. All I can think is, how in the world can I manage this?

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies. 

 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value. 

 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life. 

 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands. 

 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar. 

She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants. 

She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 

She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks. 

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night. 

In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 

She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy. 

 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 

 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes. 

 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come. 

 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 

She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness. 

 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her: 

 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.” 

 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 

 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

-- Proverbs 31: 10-31

So basically ... the lady in Proverbs 31 is this lady.

and this is really how it is ...

I'm not asking to be super mom.  And I hate being crazy mom.  Can we find some sort of middle ground here?

So what is the action plan?  Well, this month I'm implementing a few things.  Baby steps I tell you ... baby steps.  Feel free to join me on this crazy adventure!

:: Real Simple daily house cleaning schedule for more detail
:: a clean house = less anxiety for me & a happy husband (he hates clutter)  if I see the entire kitchen trashed I get so overwhelmed I can't even tackle it.  (Maybe a later blog post will be on dealing with my anxiety, eh?)
:: this plan states it will get you a clean house in less than 30 minutes a day.  Clearly they haven't been to our house.

:: P90x  I've already started but am implementing into this challenge
:: I'm taking this post baby belly by the horns.  I'm headed to Vegas at the end of May and I'm going to feel so much happier and more confident if I like the way I look.
:: clean eating - meatless mondays, regular (healthy) smoothies, planned meals, plenty of water, less carbs, less sweets, more vegetables

:: recommit myself to the Bible in a Year (i'm two weeks behind)
:: regular writings in my prayer journal

:: actually spending time with him - actual conversation which means we may need to turn the TV off or sit down at the table for a family meal together
:: more date nights - even if this does mean we will have to spend a little money on a babysitter

:: spending quality time with her each day (this is the easiest task by far!)

:: yes, even pup needs love.  He has felt so neglected since Anna was born.  Just 10 minutes each day is what he needs for a good ear scratch or tossing his stuffed animal around.

:: carve out a small section of each day for me, my happiness, and my mental health (a bubble bath and a glass of wine is definitely calling my name!)

Please join me!  Would love to hear your goals in becoming a better you!  Stay tuned for my progress and follow me on twitter and instagram for more!

recipe of the week {on the go simple and healthy breakfast oatmeal}

Before I introduce this super easy take it and eat it on the way breakfast, I have to introduce you to this wonderful book I just read.  I did get the idea from Rachel's book!

I've just finished one of the best "diet" books I've ever read.  And believe me ... I've read my fair share!  I picked this gem up compliments of the TODAY show and Joy Bauer. They did a short review on the best diet books trending that REALLY WORK.  Of course I wrote them all down.

The first I read: Eat to Lose, Eat to Win by Rachel Beller

This book sums up the old saying "give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.  Teach the man to fish and he will never go hungry again."

This book tells you exactly why you should be eating what you should be eating.  Give up the points and counting calories.  I'm so tired of all of that (and I can't remember to do it everyday.)  Rachel has a very clear (and no brainer) way of getting you to eat healthy because its just, well... good for you to eat healthier!  Its not just about the pounds.  Its about fighting cancer, getting enough antioxidants, and living longer!  She takes you through the grocery and breaks down the ingredients labels for you.  I had no idea the bread I was buying actually contained very little whole grain!  I thought enriched wheat flour was good for you (turns out it isn't).  Rachel also backs all of her information with stats and studies and so much research it might make your head spin a little (in a good way).  However its just nice to finally know WHY I actually need to eat 30g of fiber everyday, etc.

So Rachel explains you don't need to slave away in the kitchen for hours for clean eating. AND there are no excuses why you can be a clean eater everywhere.  It just takes some planning and a prepared grocery list.  She shows several ways you can eat healthier on the go, at work, healthy and quick snacks, etc.  I don't have to head to the office everyday but I do eat like I'm on the run. I basically am now that Anna is getting mobile.

In a nutshell, you need to jumpstart your day with 10-15g of fiber.  Starting your day with fiber will get you on the right foot.  It'll actually help you stay fuller throughout the day (which ultimately means less snacking = goodbye weight) Steel cut oatmeal is amazing for fiber intake but it takes forever to cook. I don't have time to cook steelcut oatmeal in the morning...ever. Rachel says to cook a batch the night before (or on Sunday night like I did).  Then scoop into correctly proportioned freezer containers.  I added a little cinnamon and honey drizzled on top to sweeten it up.

The night before "work" take one out of the freezer and place it in the fridge.  Add some fruit (I love blueberries on mine) to your oatmeal or take some along with you when you head out the door.

Easy.  Done.  Delicious.  Give yourself a pat on the back for doing something right (and healthy) for yourself for once.

PS. Don't forget your spoon!

^ Gwyneth Paltrow's new book, Its All Good released April 2nd! Just started glancing through it.  I love her. ^

^ Can't wait to purchase Jessica Alba's The Honest Life on my kindle. ^

{all oatmeal pictures are by sixteen sunbuckles}