real life.

Summer is all about fresh from the garden lettuce, veggies and fruit not to mention tan skin, swimming, boating and vacations!!! When lunch rolled around today a salad topped with grilled chicken, peppers and strawberries sounded perfect! My friend Judy from GPP gave me some lettuce from her garden!

 (Thanks JUDY!) All the veggies were grown in the backyards of my friends/family.. yes. I know I need my own garden so I stop mooching off my friends.. but lets be real. I don't think I have gardened a day in my life and assured everything would die. 

the lettuce of my life

I love all the colors and flavors of this salad. Each and every bite was so good, I literally inhaled it. I also had an apple with cinnamon after to hold me over till later. 

"from the top of 'o salad"

I could eat a garden everyday. That is for shizzle. 

So along with the combined birthday party a few weeks ago, we had an oppurtunity to be part of a new thing called "moving pictures" through Gallery Photography. Its a video combined with pictures of us just playing with our twins. Ever want to know what life is like with twins? Pure Bliss.

Okay, pure bliss yes, but you should of seen my sweaty pits by the end of this.. haha! Oh and don't worry, I did get my hair done finally yesterday. So ignore the 5 inch regrowth.. this is the real life. 

Q. Do you have a garden? Want to share?.. haha!

Q. Favorite "Summer" food?

PEACHES. love them. 

S.T.A.B

This morning started off quick! From the moment little B woke up at about 7 we got tanner and ate a little breakfast. Since I was going straight to my workout I didn't want anything big to be in my belly so I snacked on a handful of nuts

And half of a banana smothered with AB. 

 Today was one of my all time workouts!
S.T.A.B!!! Shoulders, triceps, abs and biceps! This workout is an amazing upper body shredder!! If you want nice toned, & leaned arms throw this into your workout schedule! Courtesy of GPP Fitness!

Shoulder Medley - 4 rounds

           20 front raises 15/20
           20 upright row 15/20
           20 OH press 15/20

Triceps Medley - 4 rounds

            10 narrow push-ups  BW
            20 skull crushers 15/20        
            20 OH French press 15/20

Ab Medley - 4 rounds

            20 situps
            20 R side ups
            20 L side ups         
            20 Superman back ext's 

Biceps 21’s - 4 rounds   (see demo)      

            7 bottom to half 15/20
            7 half to full 15/20
            7 full 15/20

The first number (15lb)  is the recommended weight for women and the 2nd is for the men. I used the #20 pounder for everything besides the overhead french presses.. and I used a 45lb bar for the biceps. Man, It burned.. I was rethinking my weight decision that 4th round.. But I got through it!

*If you are a beginner, don't be afraid to drop reps! Its painful, but completely worth it!

Post workout: 

I usually prefer a green monster post workout but I had a few errands to run after the workout and knew I wouldn't get home in time to get my protein in time post workout. Since I purchased these babies for Ragnar last week, I find them to be convienent and tasty! 

**You always want to be sure to get some sort of protein in your system post workout.. No longer then 30 minutes. At least 15g, no more then 30g. It assists with muscle recovery and will help you achieve your results faster. 

A few weeks ago we had a combined birthday party..

for them. 

Have you ever tried to take a picture of 12 one year olds at the same time? geez. I think every mom was sweating trying to get them to cooperate, look at the camera, smile, not crawl or walk away.. it was fabulous.

We got a few good pictures of T & B! 

{B}

{T}

I love these two SO much. They are my life and through the chaos, I always take a step back and realize how blessed I am to have them in my life. I think every mom understands the feeling. 

I can't believe my babies are almost one!! (July 14) That year flew by!

hang loose

Breakfast this morning was a recovery smoothie bowl

Its going to be a hot day and I'm already craving some ice cream.. The shake was perfect post workout treat.

Each and every bite! 

thicker the better. 

1.5 cup almond milk

1/2 frozen banana

4 frozen strawberries

pinch of xanthan/gaur gum

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

small handful of spinach (I finished off the bag)

5-6 ice cubes

1 tbs chia seeds

Last night we got to go play with some GPP crew and we went to the FLOW rider! I have always wanted to do it but never have had the opportunity till now. Its a bit pricey but with a big group you get a hefty discount Win-win!! I was a little worried at first because of my injury.. but I couldn't not do it.. 

{the girls}

I even tried standing up and surfing on the board.. 

Brent couldn't even get a picture before I was wiped out... maybe next time.. 

Today I kind of feel like I got rocked.. You know when you go tubing and the whiplash after effect.. yep. That's me. I must say it was worth it! It was so much fun and I'm glad I got the guts to do it! 

They have flow riders throughout the country and even on some cruise ships! I definitely want to do it again sometime. When you go to a flow rider be sure to wear board shorts, tight swimsuit, (no string bikinis! you'll for sure lose it. ;) & tight tank top. Mine was loose and was all over the place. If you ever get the chance. TAKE IT! It was super. 

Busy day ahead. Peace!

Q. Have you ever done flow rider?

pp cream.

I tried to think of a better name.. but it is what it is... or is it??
I have this thing. I like ice cream, but I'm intolerant. So I'm either hitting up red mango or making my own.
Stick with me here cause I'm about to throw you for a loop. If you thought putting spinach in your shakes was crazy you might just take me off your google reader for this one...

Don't scoff just yet...there is more..

okay, ice cream.. candice are you for real?

yes, yes I'am. 

Pistachio Protein Ice cream!! 

Old people like it and now you will to. Its a real thing, and its actually very sweet. Or maybe I just have the taste buds of the elderly.. either way its good. 

Put in your blender in this order

1/2 avocado

1 scoop vanilla protein

1/2 C. Pistachios

2 frozen bananas

splash of almond milk (if you add to much it will be more of a smoothie consistency)

1 tbs of agave (optional) I didn't use any and it was good. 

Place blender on medium speed and you may need to use the agitator (if you have a vitamix) or just use a spoon to get it going. Within a minute you'll have this.

I topped it with a few pistachios because I love texture and crunch in my cream;)

Pistachio Protein Ice Cream AKA.. PP cream. 

Creamy, nutty, healthy perfection. 

And your kids might laugh and eat it all if you tell them its called PP cream. 

just sayin'

RUN & CLIMB

A few weeks ago I did this amazingly sweaty workout at the gym and wanted to repeat it today but since my foot is injured I wasn't able to. But I'm going to share it with you, so maybe one of you will do it for me!! 

Start on the treadmill:

Run one mile AS FAST AS POSSIBLE (AFAP)

30 pushups

Run one mile

30 pushups

StarClimber till you burn 100 calories AFAP

30 pushups

Stair Climber to 100 calories

30 pushups

Run one more mile on the treadmill AFAP

30 pushups

You will be a sweaty hot mess. You may also do one more mile if you feel up to it! Let me know if you try it! This is a great workout for those like me have ADD when running on the treadmill.. I love this workout because you are jumping from one machine to the other to the floor and back again. The harder you push the faster you will get done, but also realize its YOUR workout, you can do it at your pace! 

Have fun!! 

Q. Whats your favorite flavor of Ice cream/Frozen yogurt

I'm an original kind of girl.. Red Mango Original tart with fruit and nuts is and will always be my #1

Q. Do you have Treadmill ADD ?

I can go for miles outside but for some reason the miles drag when I'm on the treadmill so I have to switch it up! 

Stretching woes

Good Morning!!

"if you think my bed head is crazy you should see my moms!"

Last night I went to bed with every intention to wake up at 5 and dive into the pool. Needless to say, The little  miss is teething and woke up twice last night so when my alarm went off I don't even remember turning it off.. Sometimes my early morning workouts don't always... work out. T slept soundly until 8am and B woke up shortly after. We ate our breakfast, they had yogurt and oatmeal and I whipped up a quick egg scramble

4 egg whites

1/2 avocado

1 c. broccoli 

1/2 tomato

and shot out the door to GPP for a strength training workout. Afterwards I headed over to the local gym to use my two new best friends...

source 

and

source

I will be the first to admit.. I DO NOT stretch.. well, I do a little when I teach, I always take the class through a quick stretch at the end of the workout out.. but that is what it is.. quick.. Not near the length of time that my body requires to compensate for the amount of training that I put my body through. 

Now my body is paying for it!! My tendons and muscles have fused in my hip causing pain in my IT band into my calf and down into my foot, which is causing the pain while I run...
I am not a yoga fan.. check out my workout log.. do you even see yoga? I have done it before, long long time ago...but truth be told.. I'd much rather run 20 miles then do a hour long yoga class. My mind races and I can't focus during yoga. I need to just do it. Not to mention yoga is hard.. yes, I'm going to admit it.. For me to hold certain positions, and breathe through stretches is HARD for me.. I blame my workout ADD..  After rolling for about 15 minutes I jumped on the stair climber for 30 minutes. After the climb I rolled out even more. This is injury recovery people. Taking it easy, slow and hopefully by next week I will be back to my crazy running self. Your body does need a break, with as hard as we train you need to give it what it deserves.. I big painful blue stick up the rear. A nice long stretch followed by a little foam roller action to push out lactic acid build up. I now have a new respect for the importance of stretching.. I knew it was important before to prevent injury, but never took it seriously.. NEVER again.
I had a protein shake post workout, ran a few errands and came home for a simple quick lunch.

Grilled chicken, green beans brussel sprouts with some avocado drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette 

Quick and easy, That's just how I roll today.

Q. Do you take time to stretch after your workouts?

Q. Am I the only person that has a hard time with yoga? How can I learn to enjoy it?!

Low- Carb waffle Sunday!

Happy Sunday!! Brent and I awoke a little later then usual because the babies were sound asleep till 8:45!! But once we rolled out of bed we both started brainstorming breakfast ideas.. First thing that came to mind was waffles! So I went with it.
I'm not a huge fan of floury sit in my gut waffles, that usually give me a food baby and make me regret each and every bite I just ate.. I wanted something that would keep me full but not drag me down. Lo and behold...

{Low-Carb Waffles}

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 C. almond milk unsweetened
• 1/2 C. coconut flour
• 1/4 tsp Baking soda
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tbsp almond meal
• 1/3 C. Elite Protein Vanilla Protein powder
• 2 packets Nu stevia Sweetner
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 C. Pumpkin Puree
• 3 egg whites
• 1 whole egg

Mix all ingredients together in bowl, consistency will be a little thick. 

Pour into hot waffle griddle

Done and done!

Top with fruit and agave

..Perfection..

each and every bite

So good! 

Birthday Party X3

Last night we headed down to provo to celebrate some birthdays!! A few of my friends from high school all share the same birthday week, so we get together every year for a party! We of course had a BBQ, cake and a little sand volleyball competition!
Last year for the party I was pregnant VERY pregnant and a few of our friends wives were also pregnant and this year there was babies galore! Its fun to see them play together, I think it will be fun once they can all walk and run around causing chaos where ever they turn..
We grilled up some turkey burgers and J-dawgs. I piled my plate full of fruit salad and a turkey burger- no bun.

Grilled pineapple is a summer party on my tastebuds!! I love it!!! The twinners even enjoyed a few bites!

"sorry mom, I'm busy eating so I'm not going to look at you"

And T was to busy playing on his friends bike to eat.. He was walking!! all over with this thing! He was in heaven. 

A quick playtime it was time to cut the cake!! 

Blow out the candles!!!!!

We played volleyball till the sun went down. We had a great time with our friends! We don't get together as much as we should so we look forward to our Birthday Bash once a year!

Good Night!