P90X3 Month 2 Complete

I can't believe it! My husband and I are officially done with Month 2 of P90X3. I am seriously in love with this workout program. Tony Horton keeps me laughing throughout every workout with his silly personality and each day is different than the last. I love the workouts where I record my reps/weights because then I can actually see how I'm improving and getting stronger.

Here's how Block 2 looked in P90X3. My favorites were MMX, Incinerator, and Triometrics. I'm very surprised that I actually like MMX. Back when I used to workout at LA Fitness I atteneded one Kickboxing class and hated it. I spent 90% of the class lost and looking like I had no coordination at all. Thankfully in MMX Tony Horton does a great job of showing the moves and making it super easy to follow. My least favorite was definitely Ecentric Lower. During the first week I was a DISASTER. I kept stumbling and messing up with my workouts. I felt like I barely got a workout even though I had a good calorie burn just because I was so frustrated. I have always had issues with balance, but it seems worse since I sprained my ankles. Thankfully though I noticed during weeks 2-3 I was getting better and better at the moves in Ecentric Lower.

As you can tell by my sheet where I record my reps and weights I was writing BAD and underlining it multiple times on the workouts that were straight up disasters during week 1. I loved seeing my improvements though as the weeks went on. I was also happy to see my progress pictures at the end of the month. I feel like I'm looking better and better!!

I feel like my stomach is looking smaller and my butt is looking more lifted. I still have a ways to go, but I am so happy with my progress. 

Are there others out there wishing they could loose just a few more pounds? Wishing they had someone out there to keep them accountable? Or just hoping to tone and tighten up their body? I'm here to help you! Contact me for information about joining my January Challenge Group! There's only a few week lefts to decided if you are going to make this New Year the one where you finally stick to your resolution. 

Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology

Today's shake was a Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology. It might even be better than a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Tree. It's definitely more filling than one of those tiny trees. It's also easy peasy to make. I love Shakeology because it makes it super easy to make breakfast on the go during busy mornings.

Ingredients

• 1 scoop of Vanilla Shakeology (you can also use Chocolate Shakeology)
• 1 tbsp of Cocoa Powder
• 2 tbsp of PB2
• 1 cup of Skim Milk
• 1 handful of Ice

Preparation

1. Place all ingredients in your blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. ENJOY!

A Peanut Butter Cup Shakeology is 100% better than Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Trees. It's much healthier, it reduces your cravings, and it has antioxidants to help prevent heart disease. Shakeology has 70 natural ingredients and includes your 23 vitamins and minerals. Plus it will help you get closer to your health and fitness goals. Basically, it's the healthiest meal of your day!!!!

Are you interested in trying Shakeology or getting more information?
Here are some ways you can go about doing that...

1. Message or email me at futuremrs007@gmail.com
2. Check out my Shakeology site: http://www.shakeology.com/kellybond007 (this is where it can be purchased as well)
3. Order either a 30 day supply bag (1 flavor of your choice), or a box of 24 individual packets in a variety of flavors. By choosing Home Direct (HD) option, you will not only receive discounted shipping, but it will automatically arrive at your doorstep each month!

One Pot Vegetarian Chili

There are some nights where all you want to do is cozy up to whoever is near you in front of a fireplace and watch TV. This was one of those nights. It's very chilly outside and it's been raining all day. Therefore, I thought why not make some Chili for the hubby and myself while we relax in our warm house. I found this great recipe for Vegetarian Habanero Chili on Beachbody's site. My hubby and I aren't huge fans of super spicy food so I decided to alter it just a little bit. It still came out great! This chili is wonderful for vegetarians and even the most avid meat eaters around. And it has 31 grams of protein in it!!!! That's amazing for a vegetarian meal. Plus it's healthy too.

Total Time: 35 min.
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cooking Time: 20 min.
Yield: 10 servings, about 1 cup each

Ingredients:

• 12 oz Meatless Crumbles
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 oz Green Chiles
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• ½ tsp. paprika
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 1 14.5 oz can black beans, do not drain
• 1 14.5 oz can kidney beans, do not drain
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped

I used a giant pot to avoid splashing while the food was bubbling. I probably could've used a skillet.

Preparation:

1. Heat large skillet, lightly coated with spray over medium-high heat.
2. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until translucent.
3. Add garlic, green chiles , and meatless crumbles; cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until meatless crumbles are fully brown.
4. Add chili powder, paprika, and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes.
5. Add black beans, kidney beans, and tomatoes; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes, or until mixture is heated through.

Tip: Any remaining chili can be frozen to be reheated at a later time.

Tip: If you like your Chili more spicy substitute with jalapeños or habaneros.

Caramel Apple Pie Sangria

My husband and I finally got the chance during Thanksgiving weekend to go hiking. The weather was finally warm enough and we were able to enjoy the crisp Autumn air and beautiful leaves during our hike. Ever since Autumn has started I've been obsessed with anything Caramel Apple. I even found a Caramel Apple Tea by Celestial Seasonings at Publix during a weekly grocery shopping trip. After sipping that tea I realized the same flavor would be amazing in an adult drink, aka one with alcohol. My husband and I decided to make a Caramel Apple Pie Sangria for Thanksgiving. It was a huge hit. The smell reminded me of Apple Jolly Ranchers. It was pretty easy to make as well. Here's the Recipe!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 bottles (larger size) White Wine of your choice (We used a box of Chardonnay because that's our favorite wine and it was the cheapest. If you want to make it less sweet, use Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay....If you want it sweeter, use Riesling or Moscato)
• 10 cups fresh Apple Cider
• 4 cups Club Soda
• 2 cups Caramel Apple Vodka
• 8 Gala Apples, chopped
• 6 Pears, chopped
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks

INSTRUCTIONS

• Cut the fruit and place in the bottom of your pitcher or jug

• Combine all of the ingredients except the cinnamon sticks and club soda

• Stir, stir, stir
• Let sit overnight (or at least a couple hours)
• About 4 hours before serving, throw in the cinnamon sticks and club soda

• Stir, stir, stir 

• Serve over ice
• Enjoy!

Beachbody 3-Day Refresh Prep

On Tuesday I will be starting the 3-Day Refresh by Beachbody. The 3-Day Refresh is great when you want a fast, clean break - to drop a few pounds in a hurry or break some bad habits. After this 4 day weekend and Thanksgiving holiday I'm not feeling my best. I tried really hard to be healthier than I normally am, but I'm not sure if I was 100% on track with my usual eating. Due to the change in my usual routine I'm feeling a bit more sluggish and my stomach isn't feeling too great. That is why I will be starting the 3-Day Refresh this week during my "rest" week in P90X3. 

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The 3-Day Refresh consists of 3 daily shakes, a fiber drink, plenty of filtered water, plus a wide array of fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats throughout the day to keep your energy and metabolism going. The meal plan that comes with the 3-Day Refresh is simple, but it offers many alternatives, including some creative ways to prepare your meals so that you can actually enjoy eating healthy food without having to season it in ways that can damage your health and undermine your weight-loss goals. This is also great because it's a cleanse without the starvation feeling you get with most of the other cleanses out there.

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I like to make sure I do things exactly right, so before starting out I decided to lay out my menu plan for the 3 days ahead. I also wanted to make sure that I'd have time to grocery shop and prep for the refresh. I work a full-time job away from home so I don't have the time to prep as I go. I want to be able to leave for work in the morning and have everything I need to stay on track with my refresh. I am also hoping that if I am fully sticking to the plan that I can get the optimum results. Below you can see how my 3 days will go according to my schedule of each day between waking and sleeping.

I finally got my groceries today so I just need to do a little bit of meal prep then I'll be all set for the next 3 days. It'll be easy peasy after the prepping!

Here's a short video that explains more about the 3-Day Refresh. If you're interested let me know and I can help you get started. Who wants to lose a few pounds in the next 3 days?

Cranberry-Pecan Pie Cookies

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend this past week. I spent a lot of it decorating and baking. One of my favorite things to do is bake, especially around the holidays. It's always fun to switch up recipes and make something new out of an old recipe. Recently I found this recipe on Pinterest for Cranberry-Pecan Pie Crust Leaves. The recipe was originally intended for pie crust leaves to be placed on top of an after Thanksgiving Pot Pie. However, I saw the recipe and was inspired to make cookies out of the same things with a few extra ingredients. Therefore, my Cranberry Pecan Pie Cookies were created. 

Ingredients

• 1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Nutmeg

Preparation

• Unfold each piecrust, and press out fold lines. 

• Sprinkle 1 piecrust with pecans, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; top with remaining piecrust. 

• Roll into a 14-inch circle, sealing together piecrusts. 
• Cut into desired shapes with a 2- to 3-inch cutter. Place pastry shapes on a lightly greased baking sheet. 

• Reroll any leftover scraps of dough, and repeat the procedure.
• Bake at 425° for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden.

DIY Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Now that I have a house it seems like my main obsession is decorating my house. I hate having empty rooms with no character. I want my house to look lived in, but still well organized at the same time. When you have a bare room with no art on the wall, no little cute touches, and not even a specific color on the wall other than the plain color that it was painted by the builders, then it's just a tad bit boring. That is why my main obsession since moving in has been to work on slowly decorating room by room. I get my source of inspiration (like many other people) from Pinterest. Obviously, before I even was in the market for a house I had an entire board dedicated to how my house would be decorated and built. Not unlike the many single people with boards full of baby stuff and wedding inspiration. I mean we all dream of our future, so why not create a Pinterest board for said future? Anyways, now that we are closing in our Christmas I'm searching my boards to decide just how to decorate our new house for our FIRST Christmas as a married couple. My husband and I don't always agree 100% on our vision for the decorations, but we did agree on this front porch.

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My husband and I love this front porch! It's whimsical, but still has all the typical colors of Christmas without being too cutsey. Sometimes when I decorate I like to sway from the traditional, but my husband was determined to go green and red for Christmas. Now it was time to search for the supplies to get our front porch to look exactly how we wanted it. I started off by looking for Topiaries for my front porch. I thought about buying trees to place in my front porch planters or buying a full set that comes in the planters. I wasn't finding a ton of options of trees to place in my planters, but I did find plenty of topiaries with planters. However, the ones I was finding were not at a price I was willing to pay. 

Even checking back today with Black Friday deals, there were still many topiaries coming in at more than $50 per tree. That's just not a price that we can easily afford as a young married couple. Therefore, I decided to make my own. I used: 2 X 3-feet tall tomato cages, 4 X 9-feet Unlit Pine Garlands, 2 X boxes of LED C3 Warm White Lights,  twist ties, heavy items (bricks), and my two planters. My total cost for the 2 topiaries was around $38. After gathering all my items I got to work. My husband being the super sweet guy he is helped me out with this project.

After filling the planters with bricks we gathered the random twist ties we have saved over the years and started tying the tomato cages to the bricks. I contemplated taping the tomato cages to the bricks, but with how cold it has been all of my tape would not stick for very long in the cold. I've noticed especially with masking tape that it starts to peel off as soon as you stick it in cold weather. 

After the cage was all tied down we could get to work twisting the garland around the tomato cage. We used a twist tie at the very bottom to attach the initial strand to the tomato cage. 

After finishing twisting all the 18ft of garland onto the tomato cages I went back and twist tied more sections to the tomato cage. I used mostly darker colored twist ties so that it wouldn't be visible while standing in front of it.

Based on how cold it was outside I decided to bring my work inside as I was finishing up winding the garland around and adding the lights. I figured this would also allow me to work on cooking dinner for my husband and I as we worked. Once we had all the garland on all that was left to do was to add the lights and place everything outside. I'm very happy with how it ended up!

We got our lighted gifts from Kirklands when they had a 20% off sale and we found the wreath at Michaels for $19. Now my husband and I are working on decorating our large outside tree and the inside tree. So far we have the lights on the outside tree. Now we just need to find affordable giant ornaments.

I just love decorating for Christmas. I'm curious to see how other people are decorating for the upcoming holidays.