Any guesses??

While I’m announcing life changes such as not competing in a figure competition ….

Have you noticed anything different about us lately??  Here’s some recent picture hints: Need more clues?? Any guesses??

Figure Competition Latest

Remember back in January when I said I wanted to do a figure competition?  And I started eating lots more food?  And I worked out hardcore all the time? 

And have you noticed how I haven’t been talking about working out much lately?  And how I haven’t said anything about a fitness competition in awhile? Ha.  I figured it was about time I give an update on all of that.It all started with a desire to push myself out of my comfort zone, to do something I NEVER thought I could or would ever do.  Erik and I had been lifting for awhile and I was discovering that I was stronger than I thought I could be and I could push myself harder than I thought I could, and I loved it. 

After announcing to the whole world in January via Lesley Lifting Life that I wanted to do this competition, I was very excited with full intentions of competing.  But from the beginning, it also just kind of felt off.  I pushed aside those feelings for quite some time because I thought I might just be scared of stepping out of my comfort zone, and also because I knew I had a lot of time to mull around with all of this before I could actually compete anyways.    A couple things happened in life that kind of made us take a break from lifting (example: moving to a different house and working to get our other house rented out!) and after taking a step back and getting a bird’s eye view of the situation I was able to question my motivations and realized something.  I was no longer doing this competition for me but for everyone else and for all the wrong reasons.  I no longer needed to prove to myself I was strong or that I could do anything I set my mind to, I already had.  After all, I went from benching the 45 lb bar to 135 lbs, what more proof did I need??

I guess the more I got into the whole competition phase, the more I didn’t feel true to who I strive to be.  The more I got into it, the more it became all about ME, the more I started comparing myself to everyone else, the more it became about physical appearance and vanity.  Thus, my decision to forget about the whole figure competition scene and move on to things I feel are more important. 

I definitely appreciate all the work those who do compete put into workouts and meals each and every day but it’s just not me.

I don’t workout nearly as often (in fact, confession, I haven’t even really “worked out” in at least two months), but of course I still love staying active and all things health and fitness : ]

Have you ever said you were going to do something that you decided not to go through with?

Veggie rolls, soon-to-be Aunt Lesley

Today Erik and I are in KC and we just got done eating some veggie sushi rolls from Stix.  See? They were pretty good, though I have yet to find a veggie sushi roll I absolutely love.  Any suggestions?

This weekend Erik and I were in Nebraska for my sister’s baby shower.  (She’s due in December).My lovely aunt and cousin picked out the cutest decorations, and everything looked really nice.And just for the record, Erik put together the fruit tray, slicing the pineapple and all ; )  I knew I married him for a reason.My sister, soon-to-be nephew, and me.   Some more family and friends …

Friend Danelle, cousin Ericka, and myself.Danelle is practically our other “sister”.Danelle, me, cousin Hilary, sister Karmon, and cousin Ericka.        
It was a lot of fun seeing everyone, and the next time I go back to Nebraska, I’ll be an official aunt!!

Veggies, Apple Butter & Fall

I’m so glad the weekend is practically here!  The week has actually flown by but the weekend just doesn’t ever get here too fast. 

Everyone may be sick of seeing a giant pile of produce on my kitchen counter by now, but here are some more! Ha.  I just love Door to Door Organics.  It’s made me very motivated to cook, and the quality of produce has yet to disappoint us.I don’t have an “official” list this week but here’s the gist of it:

• Lettuce
• 4 artichokes
• Sweet potatoes
• 1 cucumber
• 4 oranges
• 7 pears
• 6 apples
• Bananas
• Carrots
• Kale
• Onions
• Broccoli
• Green and purple bell peppers
• Tomatoes

We eat a lot.  But I guess if you’re going to eat a lot of something, produce is a good pick ; )

We picked up a few groceries tonight (not any fruits or veggies, mind you) and here’s a major highlight … apple butter!
Apples, squash, browns, oranges, golden yellows, warm tea, crunchy leaves, crisp mornings …. Fall.

Although I’m  tired of Larabars, I saw peanut butter chocolate chip and chocolate chip cookie dough and had to try them.  One thing about Larabars, they really do taste like what they say they will.  That means this baby is going to be a good one ----> 
And next up … our new favorite milk.  For awhile we’ve been stuck on almond milk but have lately made the switch back to good ole cow’s milk of the 1 or 2% version. 

Enter …. Shatto:
Shatto Milk Company is a local Kansas City area farm that sells cow’s milk with no growth hormones.  On top of that, they use glass bottles that can be returned and reused, and the milk tastes awesome! 

I find myself drinking milk with random things such as pasta and burritos and just for fun … and I love it!

Finally, dinner is served:
Crockpot veggie and bean stew

Mmm!  It was very simple really, throw these ingredients into a crockpot:

• Cubed sweet potatoes
• Broccoli, chopped
• Carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can garbanzo beans (suggested brand w/ BPA free can: Eden Organic) 
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 cup lentils
• 2 cups quinoa (dry)
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 to 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 TB minced garlic
• Chili powder, generous amount
• Garlic & herb seasoning
• Sea salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Water, filled to top of crock pot once veggies are in

Feel free to add any other random veggies in the mix, it’s hard to mess this one up! Cook in crockpot on high for 5 hours, or until ingredients tender (those darn sweet potatoes took forever to cook!) 

Eat and enjoy : )

Beets & Quinoa, Squash & Sushi

Hello to everyone reading!

Currently, the wind is blowing while dried up copper and amber-colored leaves are piling up on the ground.  Fall is here!  Ahhh … : )

This week, the Door to Door Organics produce we had to work with in the kitchen were just as great as always: Our mix included:

2 Local Asian Eggplant
1.5 lb Yams
1 Spinach bunch
1.5 Yukon Gold Potatoes
2 lb.Yellow Onions
1 Romaine Lettuce
2 Cucumber
3 Roma Tomatoes
1 Collards bunch
1 Cilantro bunch
1 Carrots bunch
1 Broccoli
3 Valencia Oranges
2 Mango (large)
2 Grapefruit
3 Honeycrisp Apples
2 Gala Apples
2 Bosc Pears
3 Bartlett Pears
2 AvocadoSince I have a bunch of pictures piled up on my camera, here’s a preview of some recent eats …

Beet and Quinoa Salad served with Sweet Potato Fries. Sweet potatoes never get old.  I’ve loved them since I was a little girl, and I think I always will!Butternut Squash Pasta

We found this while grocery shopping the other day, and for no other reason than its aesthetics, we had to try it. It was SO good.  We will definitely be eating this again. Stuffed Acorn Squash

The stuffing included: squash (duh), sautéed carrots, eggplant, onions, celery , and collards mixed in with sprouted brown rice The Mixx

Earlier this week, lunch was eaten at The Mixx.  My menu option of choice:
Overall, I thought this was a good choice.  I love mushrooms, after all, so my taste buds rarely reject anything they involve ; )  Not awesome, but not a disappointment by any means either.Kona Grill

And tonight, we stopped at Kona Grill for an early dinner.  On our menu … veggie rolls and roasted asparagus salad. Sometimes when we get this salad, it’s just okay and other times, it’s absolutely perfect.  Tonight, it was perfect! I love that grilled taste in the asparagus, tomatoes, and onions … mmmm!!Our newest bundle of produce comes tomorrow (Monday), so I’ll be looking forward to checking it all out when I get home from work tomorrow.

How was your weekend??

Juicing + Sloppy Lentils

This weekend I decided to utilize my crock pot.  Why don’t I use this genius invention more often?? It’s so easy to make something delicious with little to no effort.

Friday night while Erik and I were out, my crock pot made us sloppy lentils.  I saw this recipe, or something similar to it, floating around some blogs recently and bookmarked one of them for a time such as this.

I was really happy with the results.  I think next time I might sub half of the lentils for black beans, though. Lentils are so fiber packed it’s almost a little much in my opinion.  I adapted this recipe.

Sloppy Lentils

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
• 1 small chopped onion
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes (drained),
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 3 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 Tbsp white vinegar
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions:

• Throw all ingredients in a crock pot, cook on low for approximately five hours. Serve with bun and  side of choice.

And it made for awesome easy leftovers the next day:

“Truth without beauty can turn into arrogant condescension; goodness without beauty can turn into finger-wagging moralism. Beauty matters." –brian zahnd-