How easy it is to grab that way too sugary protein bar pretending it is healthy because you are starving or want a snack? I have done this way too often because I'm famished and want something immediately. However, many quick snacks you nosh on are loaded with terrifyingly over processed ingredients. The worst part is telling yourself you're "being healthy."

The trick is to have actual healthy snacks on hand when you can't hold your snacking self away from the kitchen.

These 5 items should always be stocked in your kitchen. Trust me, if you have these 5 things to choose from, you will begin to see the results and feel better! Snacking will actually be helping you by boosting your metabolism rather than packing on pounds.

Hope everyone had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend, I know I did!

The weekend was spent at Grand Lake with my good friends and boyfriend. Sun bathing, swimming, delicious treats, and cold summer drinks. If there ever was such a place you could really throw your cares away, it would be the lake...

Having a lake house when I'm older is a dream I hope I can fulfill. How wickedly fun would it be to decorate a lake house? It could have such a playful different style then your usual house.

You know that turquoise paint or bright red chairs that you can't stop thinking about but isn't reasonable for your "normal" house?! It would be ideal for the lake house! I love this look and this look for a lake house/yard.

My friend's new lake house is the cutest(along with her pup!)

Lovely time, but definitely learned some lessons worth sharing...
We have probably all heard these lessons multiple times, but it seems some lessons need to be learned many times before they truly sink into thick skulls.

Lesson 1: Reapply Sunscreen!!
I wonder how many times I have to learn this lesson. As a firm believer in protecting skin, I don't know why I have yet to learn this but it seems to be erased often when I'm at the lake. Bought this and it has been successful in keeping my skin from peeling. Cross your fingers. Aubrey After Sun is organic with all-natural ingredients and helps to fight sun damage after the fact.

Lesson 2: Check for Ticks...
Unfortunately, I found a tick on myself after a lovely day spent outdoors. I, being the paranoid person that I am, believe I now have lyme disease. After some research I have thankfully found that swelling/itching is normal and have been unsuccessfully reassuring myself all day that I'm fine.

Lesson 3: Pack and Eat your lunch!
The last thing on your mind when enjoying the sun, friends and cold beverages isn't about lunch. However, when the sun is dehydrating you and you're drinking adult beverages for a longer span than normal it is necessary to have lunch! Regardless of the fact you're in a bikini or not, eat while on the boat!

What learned lessons would you add?

Ever catch a whiff of someone's perfume and have memories come crashing in? Smell is one of the senses that can bring me back in an instant. The power of smell is unbelievable.

Floral scents are my chosen poison. Too fruity of scents make my head hurt and the scent gets too sickly sweet for me throughout the day. Light florals are my favorite!

Think back on all those perfumes you have worn in your life. Trust me, it will take you for a wild ride...

My adventure in perfume started out at Bath and Body works. Juniper Breeze and I go way back to middle school. Juniper Breeze body wash and spray constantly followed me through the halls every day leaving a trail behind me. I'm sure all the teachers wanted to die each day after smelling it on the entire female population. Yes, we all smelled alike and loved it.

Then we all matured and took a leap of faith and switched to Hollister, all together. No one did any scents alone. This smell brings me back to awkward group dates, sweaty palms, and giggling whispers. Next, came Abercrombie and Fitch. Moving up in the world.

Finally, once I was brave enough to wear my own perfume (ha) I opted for Heavenly by Victoria Secret. When I smell this scent today, I don't gag over it like I would the others. I still do like this smell and will occasionally spray it on me when perusing VS and relive those high school days. :)

My mom always has the most beautiful smelling perfumes. I would always swoon over her perfume collection. I was elated whenever she gave me the French perfume "Quelques Fleurs." I still spray this on me every once in awhile and immediately feel comforted and beautiful. It's funny how a yummy smell can do that.

Next came Romance by Ralph Lauren. I wore this scent for a long time. It was just so fresh and my exact taste in a perfume.

Today, I am wearing Daisy Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs. I am adoring it!

Playfully Spirited
Charmingly Fun
A Bubbly
Floral Fruity
That Radiates a
Sunny and
Sparkling Energy

Helpful Tip: Just use 2 sprays, it's enough. No one wants to choke because you bathed your body in perfume! :)

What was your first perfume?

Each time that I cook a meal in my CrockPot, I remind myself to make more meals with my CrockPot. It's seriously the easiest, cheapest, speediest most delicious way to get healthy meals done for the week. It cooks while you're getting various daily tasks completed and then, you can come home kick your feet up and enjoy a meal straightaway. I'm all about getting things done simultaneously. Technically, I am cooking and working at the same time during the day! Genius. Plus coming home to a house filled with delicious food aromas can't be topped.

I made a Lemon Rosemary Chicken this week, and it's the most flavorful chicken with just the right amount of zest! Not to mention so moist, whenever I bake my chicken I end up disappointed because it always comes out slightly dry. But this chicken was filled with flavor!

Next time I create it I am going to add some red potatoes.

Ingredients:
3 Medium Boneless Chicken Breast
Fresh Rosemary
2 Heads of Broccoli
2 Garlic Cloves
3 Lemons
1/2 Onions
Salt & Pepper

Line the bottom of your CrockPot with lemons.

Add the sliced garlics, sliced onions, broccoli, and chicken into the CrockPot. Shake out the spices.

Bon Appetit!

What's the best crockpot meal you make?

Happy Monday night everyone!

I don't know about you but I am always so happy after Monday has come and gone. Every other week day and I are fine friends, besides that dreaded Monday. This morning as I woke up to begin the week and get in my morning workout my body/mind was less than excited and not cooperating. Disappointed to say, I was being less than positive climbing out of bed and flinging on my tennis shoes. But, after a great workout my cloudy outlook miraculously transformed and I had more energy to take on that challenging first day of the week. You will NEVER regret a good work out. The tough part is simply starting...so as Nike would say...Just Do It.

So here is the last week (woohoo) of the #LatteFit Challenge! Congratulations if you have been doing all the challenges with me from Week 1 to Week 6. It's almost Memorial Day, meaning it's time to pull out that bikini. Push yourself this week!

Turn on some fun music and get to work...
LatteFit Challenge Week 6 - Pure Cardio, or more like Pure Bliss ;)

I love this workout because it passes in a blur of sweat and hard work. Since it is pure cardio and it takes a lot of energy, be sure to take that rest for at least 30 seconds before starting the next round.

When it gets to the punching bags and jabs, imagine that problem that has been on your mind all day...then punch the heck out of it!! Take charge and feel the power of your body and dedication of your mind.

Now, don't you feel better??

With this new weather shining and tempting you to leave the office and go outdoors, I am more encouraged to get active outside. Getting outdoors and working out is so healthy for you, not only are you getting fit but you're also getting some time with nature. We are unquestionably nature deprived today and spend most of our time indoors bent over a computer screen. The only sign of outdoors is that fake plant collecting dust in the corner. Nope, that doesn't count as nature.

Combine your workout time and outdoor time and get combined happy results! Humans need time to breathe in the fresh air, smell the flowers, and feel the sunshine on their face. And whatever other cliches you can come up with.

I enjoyed a bike ride this past weekend. I had forgotten how amazing riding a bike is and will admit I was a little shaky on it for the first couple minutes. Where had my professional bike riding skills as a kid disappeared to? I mean, I was a pro. But after a few minutes I felt like a child again whooshing by pedestrians, shops, and trees. Look how fast I'm going!!! Definitely would recommend you to get outdoors and ride a bike, brings some glee!

Never underestimate how healthy a brisk walk is for your body. Walking is great because it is good for you and isn't harmful to your joints like running can be if your not taking the proper precautions. Take your loyal pup out for a walk, or if you don't have one ask a neighbor! Trust me, most dog owners would love their dog to get exercise when they aren't available.

Hike. I am desperately jealous of those people who don't live in the vertically challenged plains. If I lived in Colorado, I would be ridiculously fit... or so I tell myself. But I would be out hiking every day! However this hiking destination, Robbers Cave State Park, wasn't too bad. Way to go Oklahoma :)

What exercise do you enjoy outdoors?

Add healthy foods/habits to your diet! You can in quick simple ways without hardly noticing, until your skin is clearer, your pants fit better, and you're healthier! It just makes sense! Making those conscious choices to be healthier is extremely smart and necessary. Eating nutritious food brings so many benefits to your mental and physical health. Health diagnoses happen, but you can lessen your risks by making informed eating choices. Why not choose to add some more healthy goodness to something? I dare you.

For example, I have started to add flax seeds to my diet. This seed is amazing and has many benefits to prove itself. Flax contains alpha-linolenic acid that is beneficial to the heart, it also reduces cholesterol and contains many vitamins that your diet is probably lacking. Flax seed may decrease your chance of getting breast cancer too! On a lighter note, it does wonders for your skin! It has an anti-inflammatory property that really helps keep skin clear and soft! You can easily add it into smoothies, protein shakes, or even cookies. Why not? It doesn't have very much taste at all so you can hardly tell! Sprinkle, sprinkle!

Getting enough of that leafy green into your day can be a challenge. Spinach is the answer. Add spinach to anything and everything. Smoothies are easy ways to get added green in for the day. Blend some spinach, strawberries, and oranges together and you won't be disappointed! (Flax seed too if you're feeling crazy.)

Spice up your diet! Keep calm by adding hot peppers to your food, it boosts production of feel good hormones, like serotonin. They are also good for your metabolism! So why not add some red chili peppers ?!

Honey. Honey has so many health benefits and uses, such as clearing stubborn pimples, moisturizing your skin, or lightening your hair. Check more advantages out here.

And of course, take those vitamins everyday! Vitamins are very useful in getting all the necessary nutrients into your body. As much as I would like to be able to eat the right things to naturally give me all the correct nutrients, it's nearly impossible. Someday I would love to have a personal chef to bring me everything to eat that is healthy, and yummy and needed in my diet. Dream on. Future post on the multiple vitamins I take...

How do you add in healthy tricks to your diet?

Transverse abdominals, multifidus, diaphragm, pelvic floor...know what all of those muscles make? Your Core. You must work your back and stomach to create your strongest core.

The core is not a prime mover but helps the other muscles with overall balance. It is important to activate your core not only with crunches, but also by doing functional movements using your core (dead lifts, push ups, overhead press, etc). Higher core stability decreases your chance of injury.

I have become a huge huge fan of planks because my core is stronger than ever! I started off struggling to hold my plank for 30 seconds and now I can for 2.5 minutes. It takes dedication but can happen with hard work. If it were easy, everyone would be walking around with 6 packs instead of ... well you know. Most of us could afford to loose a little around the middle ;)

Time to get those abs and back working! Only 2 more weeks until you look sleek and sexy in your bathing suit!

LatteFit Challenge - Week 5 of 6

Not know what a "stomach thigh lift" is? Me either, it was the best name I could come up with ha. Basically lay on your stomach with your head down and lift your thighs as high off the ground then lower, repeat. Back killer!

I like to move it, move it!

After multiple unusual breakouts along my hair line I realized that something else had to be at play.

New skin makeup? No. New detergent? No. New face wash?No. So what was it?!

It took me awhile to realize it was my new expensive, amazing smelling shampoo and conditioner from Amika. I had heard such good things about the product so was quite disappointed. What a drag.

But it made perfect sense to why I was breaking out. Think about it, your shampoo rinses over your entire body and definitely around your hairline and neck. After thinking about this I did some additional research. It matters what chemicals and ingredients are in your shampoo. There are so many chemicals and allergens that can cause break outs, and I know I hadn't even thought about how it was affecting my body.

Here are 5 interesting findings:

• Peppermint really dries out your hair. It invigorates your scalp and should be used only about 1x a week.
• Cocamide is added to shampoo to add viscosity. This chemical agent has been known to cause rashes around the scalp, neck, and possibly your hands!
• Sodium Laureth Sulfate and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can break you out and is a known irritant. Yet, it is found in most hair products.
• Panthenol is good for your skin and used to fight off bacteria. It goes deep into your skin layers to moisturize from deep within your scalp.
• Use Paraben free products. Paraben has been found in breast cancer tumors and mimics estrogen in your body.

After this research, I did compare my shampoos and all of my hair products and found that many of my products had sodium laureth sulfate. I ended up purchasing some new natural hair shampoo and conditioners. I didn't enjoy throwing full products out but I'm happy to know I'm not putting bad chemicals on my body.



Recommended Products:

• Organix
  This product is gluten and paraben free. However, not entirely organic which you might assume given the title.
• Aveeno
  Good product free of many chemicals and natural ingredients.

  Think about all the ingredients that you choose to put on your body each day. Do you know what you're putting on? Doing some research first can naturally cure your body of acne, or other health problems.

If there ever was a time to put on an overly frilly dress it would be Mother's Day. Mother's Day is a great excuse to adorn yourself with the sweetest dress, beautiful spring colors and delicate pearls. This event calls for feminine touches like bows, ruffles, and florals.

Think - the dresses that your mother would make you wear as a child that you would itch at during church - except now you can't wait to wear it! Funny how things change... There is nothing I love more now than dressing up in an elegant dress and spending some quality time with my fab momma.

My top dresses for Mother's Day are from BCBG, Alice+Olivia, Old Navy, Michael Kors, and J Crew. Currently crushing on fun cuts, added embellishments and structure.

• The BCBG bright red dress is a knock out. I love this cut coming from the tiniest part of the waist and flaring out. This shape is flattering for curvy women with an hourglass figure. Calling out to those lucky teeny waists and volumptous curved ladies. 
• This blue dress says Summer has arrived. It is beautiful for those straight figures adding some curves with the cut. Pair it with some simple pearls and your set.
• Who doesn't love a beautiful maxi? The off the shoulder style and ruffles makes me want to book a cruise immediately. It can be super casual or dressed up. Every girl needs a versatile dress like this for Summer, whether your landlocked in an office or surrounded by water.
• Ooo La La. Gorgeous dress and blue shade. The image doesn't do this dress justice. The beaded neck halter is to die for, it's great for showing off toned shoulders. Plus a high - low. Swoon.
• Two words, Alice + Olivia. This playful dress makes me want to run around fields swooping up daisies. Yellow is my color so I adore this dress.

Shout out to my beautiful, talented sweet inspiring mother who has taught me so much. I was so lucky to learn from her fashion sense and her undeniable passion.

Mother walking the catwalk and being fabulous!

So many songs have inspired this body part..time to work that donk!

If you want that perfect "bubble butt" ladies, you must work for it. These muscles tend to take longer to tone, but is definitely worth it when bikini season arrives. No one wants a sad looking booty on the beach.

Over half way through the challenge now! Look at this challenge with pure determination because you can do it! Time to go with the LatteFit Challenge Week 4 : Booty

I used 8 pound weights with the squats, lunges, donkey kicks and dead lifts. Adding just a little weight can speed up the toning process. Make sure that if you use weights you aren't compromising form!

Hope that the people who are joining me are seeing results?!

Easy quick recipe. Dinner complete in 15 minutes.

The key to consistently make home cooked meals is not to get too caught up in creating a masterpiece. Make simple recipes that are easy enough for you to realistically cook dinner at least 4x a week. If you're making full blown creations that much, then good for you! But for me, I'm looking for speed! After a long day at work sometimes standing in the kitchen isn't appealing. However, if it only takes about 15 minutes then I can usually fight through since it is good for me and my wallet! Those quick "healthy" sandwiches subtract from your cash flow and add to your waist line quickly.

This meal probably cost a total of $8 or less and I had it 3x.

Quick Steps: Step 1: Brown the chicken - 5 min

Step 2: Add in onions,spinach,garlic - 3 min

Step 3: Stir in tomato paste,sauce - 3 min

Step 4: Add spices

Step 5: Sprinkle on some cheese...Enjoy

You can easily make this into a pasta sauce and add some whole wheat pasta to it if you're wanting a healthy pasta dish.

Now, this meal may not be the prettiest of prettiest meals ever, but that's not what I am going for when I'm just cooking for one. I want something healthy, quick and yummy... this is it!