Marvelous in My Monday

Hello there! Happy Monday!!

It is time for Marvelous in My Monday as hosted by Katie at The Healthy Diva! I announced the other day that I would be having a giveaway announcement shortly and well... you will have to stay tuned just a tad bit longer ;-) I promise it is well worth it and super easy to enter. Stay tuned.

Marvelous... always my Starbucks iced green tea! Also, I gave the Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail polish strips a shot. I love them. I got some leopard strips for my camping trip next week. I used the pink glitter with skulls and cross bones this weekend. I love them. They are super easy to apply also.

A not so Marvelous. I posted this picture on Instagram (@annar31) for the Fitmixer Photo a Day August challenge... This is my workout location. I have to say, I used to LOVE La Fitness, but I can't say the same anymore. I have been on the hunt for a gym with better customer service and a friendly staff.

A relaxing Sunday. Nick had the evening off and we enjoyed the closing ceremonies of the Olympics with a drink... or two! =) I love this Angry Orchard Apple Cider. They have it at Target too... which is convenient. I know some of you will love that it is gluten free also.

This picture is of my MARVELOUS carbs! Yes, carbs!! I will be starting my carb cycle today and I am so excited. I am mainly looking forward to the results just before our camping trip. I will carb cycle with one day high carb, two days low, one high, and two low. I will take a before and after picture for you all to show the effectiveness.
Have you ever done a carb cycle? Were you happy with the results?

I hope you all have a Marvelous Monday! I will see you shortly for my GIVEAWAY post!!

~Favorites on Friday~

My Favorites on Friday is here... on a Friday =)

Mom got a new tattoo this week... Isn't it gorgeous! She now has more tattoos than me!!

Favorite Quote...
This quote from Marilyn Monroe is absolutely perfect. Who wants to be boring!? Not me!

Yes, I am posting this picture again. I am in love with Larabars. I passed these up in our local Sprouts Farmers Market many, many times. I have been missing out!! I am officially hooked!!

Iced green tea from Starbucks had my heart this week! I love it unsweetened with easy ice!

How do you drink your favorite tea?

Photo to share...
This picture was taken on Father's Day with the love of my life! We headed down to brunch over looking the ocean with my side of the family! I have a new found love for Nick in fancy polos! =) Such a gorgeous fella!

What are some of your favorites from this week??



What I Ate Wednesday- #1

What I Ate Wednesday is hosted by Peas and Crayons and I am very excited to participate in my very first...

What I Ate Wednesday

I start my day between 4:30AM and 5:00AM in order to get to the gym before work to get my workout in! I eat every three hours (usually) unless I start to get hungry... then I eat a snack or my next meal a little early.

Pre-workout- 100% whole wheat toast with a teaspoon of natural peanut butter.

I am also sharing my pre-workout I take. We get these green tea pills at Costco and I love them. I have used numerous pre-workouts that are advertised and the green tea pills are by far my favorite.

Post-workout- I usually have about 5-6 egg whites and a veggie or fruit.

This morning I added a handful of spinach and 1/4 zucchini to my egg whites. I also made a veggie smoothie- half a mango, 8 strawberries, 1/4 C. blueberries, 1/2 banana, handful of Kale & Spinach and a teaspoon of ground flax seed blended with cold water and 10 ice cubes.

10:30AM called for a tablespoon of this peanut butter (which I LOVE), 1/2 cup of oats and 1/2 a banana. I didn't take a picture of my oatmeal mix because well... It looks unappetizing, but it is so good!!

Lunch Time 1:30- I LOVE the Ziploc Steamer bags to cook my chicken and veggies. For lunch I cut up a whole sweet potato put in the steamer bag and put cinnamon and all spice. I microwaved at 3min 30sec. I removed the sweet potatoes and added a 1/4 zucchini and microwaved 3min.

4:30PM- My "wings" meal!

They had wings at work today and I was determined to kill my cravings with a clean version.

Here goes--- 3 chicken tenderloins in a Ziploc steamer for 6min 30sec. I seasoned them after they were cooked with paprika and pepper and added a tablespoon of Franks Red Hot Buffalo Sauce. The sauce is somewhat high in sodium so I am very careful to make sure I measure it. I cut up 3 full stalks of celery and made my own dipping sauce.

Tablespoon Greek Yogurt with pepper, Mrs. Dash Garlic & Herb, onion powder, Italian seasoning and dry mustard. I don't have an exact measurement I just put a dash of everything until it begins to taste like a sour cream dip.

7:30 DINNER TIME

Taco Beef Salad- plate of lettuce, sprinkle of fat free Mexican cheese, 5 grape tomatoes, 1 1/2 cup lean ground beef, 2 tablespoons salsa and a teaspoon of Greek Yogurt.

I made my dressing with a teaspoon of lime juice, tablespoon olive oil, tablespoon red wine vinegar, chili powder, pepper, onion powder, red pepper flake... all to taste!

I am loving peach iced tea right now. I don't drink any caffeine after 4PM so this caffeine free tea is perfect ice cold. I put a little hot water in the bottom of the cup with 1 tea bag. Let sit 2 min and then add cold water to fill.
And there you have it, my first What I Ate Wednesday!!
Comment and let me know your thoughts and if there is anything I can add to my weekly W.I.A.W.!!
I love hearing from you all!! Thank you for your kind words and support!
As always, thank you for listening!
*Keep up with me all day- Pinterest - Facebook - Instagram @anna0301

Xo
Anna

My Cup of Tea

It is Sunday and this is one of my FAVORITE days!
I love getting ready for the week. I grocery shop (usually) on Sunday and prep food for the week. My last post talked about Turkey Meatloaf Muffins. They don't last long in our home so I will be making more today! I plan to post my grocery list for you all soon too.
I started my morning by making a cup of green tea. This is part of my morning routine.

Tazo Teas- China Green Tips, Berryblossom White Tea, Zen, Green Ginger

Some of my favorite teas are from the Tazo Tea Company. The company has a sample pack that I originally picked up at Target. I sampled all of the different teas and found the ones I liked. I really like their black tea, Awake and their decaf Passion tea. The Passion Tea is great iced. Starbucks brews Tazo Teas for their tea drinks and I was first drawn to their Passion Iced Tea.

Tazo Tea Sample Pack

Green tea keeps me energized throughout the day. I drink it warm or iced depending on what my mood is. =)
Thank you for listening!
Xo
Anna