Week in Review + Clean Eating Chicken recipe

Good Monday Morning!  After a fun weekend in Chicago, post on that to follow, I am ready to get back to my workout and clean eating schedule.  I had a great week again, I took 2 rest days which felt awesome, and had a great workout on vacation.  My eating was actually not to bad over the weekend, but I am ready to get back to my usual clean eating ways.

Here is my week in review:
Monday: Chest & arms + cardio intervals
Tuesday: Jillian Michaels Extreme Shed & Shred 60 minute workout (killer workout)
Wednesday: Legs (my upper body was so sore, I decided to do legs instead of back & shoulders)
Thursday: Back & Shoulders + treadmill walk
Friday: Rest (left for Chicago.  We did a ton of walking though)
Saturday: Circuit workout in hotel gym see it here
Sunday: Rest (I got a massage at the hotel spa, it was awesome)
Total week calorie burn: 2338 in a total of 6 hours and 14 minutes of workouts

How was your week?  Did you get all your workouts in? What are your workout plans this week?

Original Recipe here

Here's whats on the menu for tonight's dinner!  I will add some quinoa and steamed broccoli too.
Thai Lime Chicken
Serves: 2
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
INGREDIENTS:

• 1/3 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts
• 1 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp ginger, ground
• 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 lime

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. In a mini food processor, grind peanuts until fine, but not to paste.
3. In a small bowl, combine peanuts, garlic powder and ginger.
4. Place chicken on a cookie sheet and squeeze juice from lime over top. Then roll chicken in peanut mixture until well coated.
5. Bake chicken in oven for 25 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

Nutrients per serving (4-oz lime chicken): Calories: 360, Total Fat: 16 g, Sat. Fat: 3 g, Carbs: 11 g, Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 3 g, Protein: 42 g, Sodium: 85 mg, Cholesterol: 95 mg

My Chicago Trip!

My hubby, Joe, and I in Chicago

As I told you last week my hubby and I took a trip to Chicago and it was the first time I have left my daughter overnight in the 19 months since she was born, attached I know.  I really did better than I thought.  I did miss her a ton, but we actually slept past 7am both days and that was awesome!  There was a complication with our flight home so we decided to rent a car and drive home so we could Ariana before bedtime.  I have to say the look on her face when she ran to me was priceless, I sure did miss her!
Okay, so more about the trip!  I had a plan for staying on track while on vacation and I did really well!

I packed some apples, a trail mix that had almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and some chocolate pieces,  and a few organic protein bars.  It was helpful to have these on hand in between meals and during our travels.  When we got there on Friday we had an awesome breakfast at the hotel restaurant, then we did some shopping, I'll just say I did some damage at Lululemon!  

Breakfast- ham, spinach & goat cheese omelet, whole grain toast, and fruit

Friday evening we met up with a friend from college and his wife for drinks and to check out some of the local bars, all in all a fun first day!  Saturday we woke up at 9:30 (amazing!) and then went to get some breakfast at a local place called Yolk.  I don't have a picture of that breakfast (I was too hungry and forgot), but it was an awesome veggie filled omelet with zucchini, spinach, tomatoes, avocado and mushrooms, I had an English muffin and fruit as well.  After breakfast we relaxed at the hotel before we went to workout!

I planned a circuit workout with timed intervals which I blew through in 45 minutes, after I did 3 sets of arms and shoulders then 3 sets of quads and hamstrings.  The whole workout took me an hour and I burned about 600 calories, not too shabby for a vacation workout!  They had an awesome gym, which helped make it easy to get my workout in.

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The W gym- I'm wearing a new Lulu tank

Saturday afternoon we went to the Shed aquarium which was cool, but would have been more fun with Ariana.  We did some more sightseeing and went up the Sears tower to check out the city from above.  Then we went and got ready for dinner and the Second City sketch and improv show "A Clown Car Named Desire", which was awesome!  If you are in Chicago you have to check it out.

Sunday afternoon I had a massage at the Bliss spa and it was wonderful!  Then we packed up and drove home.  We truly had a wonderful time, it was nice to have some alone time and get out to visit a new city!  I am happy with how I ate, I allowed myself to enjoy some good food, but I did get my workout in and walked a lot. 

Now, it's back to reality and back to my workout schedule!  I have some fun things planned this week.  Stay tuned.

How do you stay on track when you go on vacation?  Do you workout?

The sexy shoulders and bye bye back fat workout!

So, I am taking a little vacation with my hubby for the weekend and it will be my first time away from my little one overnight.  I hope that I do okay!  I know I am going to miss her like crazy, but I am looking forward to some time with my hubs!  I will let you know all about my trip when we get back.  I will say that I worked out extra hard this week because I know I will indulge a little this weekend, and I will be taking Friday and Sunday off.  My plan, as of now, is to workout Saturday morning in the gym at the hotel (they have a sweet one I checked) then enjoy a massage on Sunday morning!  As far as eating goes, I am going to pack some healthy snacks and eat salads when I can and then allow myself one really good dinner!  I know we are going to be doing a ton of walking so that will help burn some extra calories too!

Okay, its time for your sexy shoulders and bye bye back fat workout!  I did this one yesterday and let me say shoulder presses with 20 lb dumbbells are no joke!  I was able to get 12 in, but that was my max.  I love the progress I am making though and that is motivation to keep me going.  Try out this workout and let me know what you think!

Sexy Shoulders and bye bye back fat workout:

Circuit #1- repeat circuit 3x through before moving on to next circuit
Bent over wide dumbbell row- 10 lbs 15 reps
upright shoulder raises- 15 lbs 15 reps
db cross punches- 10 lbs 20 reps (10 each side)
bicycle crunches- 40 reps or until failure

Circuit #2- repeat circuit 3x through before moving on to next circuit
Plank with dumbbell row- 10 lbs 20 reps (10 each side)
standing shoulder presses- 20 lbs 12 reps
extended side plank with rotation- 10 each side
45 second jumping jacks

Circuit #3- repeat circuit 3x through before moving on to next circuit
Resistance band rows (or machine rows at gym)- 45 lbs 15 reps
Upright row- 20 lbs 12-15 reps
Front to lateral raises- 8 lbs 15 reps
scissor abs- 30 reps

Now that your shoulders and back are on fire go make a protein shake!
Happy Friday!!! Let me know what you think about this workout, I'd love to hear from you!

Liebster Award!!

I am so excited and honored to have been selected for a Liebster Award by my fellow blogger and Sweat Pink Ambassador sister Nicole at A Wild Hope.  A Liebster Award is something given by a fellow blogger to any new-ish blogger that he or she feels is worthy.  It is a way to let the world know about your favorite up and coming blogs, and because it is something that comes from within, it means so much to me!  Thanks Nicole and I am glad that you enjoy reading my blog!

As an award winner, my job is to complete the following tasks:

First I must tell you 11 random things about myself:

1. I don't like to go out in public without makeup, I feel naked without it!
2. I am a very quick learner and love learning new things.
3. I love workout clothes!  I could spend all day in them, and usually do!
4. I wish I could dance.
5. My biggest love is reading fiction novels, I don't find as much time now that I am a mom.
6. I'm really shy until you get to know me.
7. I married my college sweetheart and know we will be together forever.
8. Cats freak me out.
9. I wish I took a year off after college to travel.
10. I've always wanted my own cabin up north on the water somewhere.
11. I secretly hate running.  I am more of a weight lifter!

Next, you should know I am nominating these 11 bloggers for a Liebster Award

1. Run Jess Run
2. Get U moving fitness
3. This Mama Runs for Cupcakes
4. The Little Blog Dress
5.  Our Three Peas
6. Fruity n' nutty
7. The Fit Chronicles
8. Sparkles and Bugs
9. Lindsay Weighs In
10. Racing Bananas
11. Live, Love, Run

And, I have to answer these 11 questions created by Nicole:

1. If you could have lunch with any person in the world, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
I would have lunch with Jewel Kilcher, she was such an influence in my teenage years.  She made a name for herself and never gave up, even when she was living in her car.  Her songs, story, and poetry are beautiful and inspirational.  

2. Describe a turning point in your life,and how things changed after its occurrence.
The turning point in my life was when my best friend tragically took her own life.  It was a very hard time in my life, and I was really depressed.  I gained a ton of weight, but was able to get my life back through fitness and nutrition.  I truly learned the power of exercise.  When I am feeling down, a good workout always gets me through!

3.What is your mantra at the moment?
Do I have to choose 1?  I would say the one that has been with me the longest is "Victory comes from sweat, courage and preparation".  The one that I have been using recently is "There will always be an excuse, instead find a reason", which is one I came up with to get be out of bed every morning for my 6:30 am workout!

4. If you could build your dream home anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I would love to live in Italy.  I have been once and it was amazing.  Their way of living and outlook on life is so different from here.  Not to mention the wine and food is amazing!  As long as my hubby and daughter are with me, I am happy anywhere.

5. If you could only decorate your house in 1 color, which would you choose?
I would have to say orange/red...it is the color of fire!

6. Which element of nature (earth,wind,fire, water) do you find most calming?
Calming I would have to say water.  However, I chose On Fire Fitness because, I want to fire people up about fitness and healthy living!

7. Who is your favorite Disney character?
I don't know if a Pixar movie counts as Disney, but I would say Dori from finding Nemo, she is so positive and her mantra rocks- "Just keep swimming"

8. What is your favorite indulgence?
That's easy, red wine and dark chocolate.

9. What is one thing you would like to do in your lifetime that people wouldn't expect of you?
Sky dive...it would be conquering my fear of heights!

10. If you had to leave your home in the middle of the night and you knew you might not be able to come back, what three things would you take with you?
My wedding pictures, my wedding dress, and my family (does that count?)

11. If you were stranded on a deserted island, which book would you want to have with you?
I would have to say a book about survival on a deserted island!

Finally, here are 11 questions to be completed by the nominated bloggers:

1. If you could only do one workout for the rest of your life what would it be?
2. What is your greatest accomplishment?
3. What is the song that always gets you pumped up for your workouts?
4. Where is your favorite place you have traveled to?
5. Flats or heels?
6. What is your favorite body part and why?
7. Who is your biggest role model and why?
8. What is your favorite food?
9. What is the reason you started blogging?
10. If you could be anything what would you be?
11. What is your favorite movie?

To the nominated bloggers, here are the rules to follow:
   1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
   2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
   3. Answer 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
   4. Nominate 11 bloggers who have less than 200  followers(or are relatively new if you can't see their followers). They should be bloggers that you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love.
   5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers that you nominated to answer.
   6. Let all of the bloggers know that they've been nominated. You cannot nominate the blogger that nominated you.