Excuses

This is awesome!!!!

No excuses! Get it done!!!

Mend

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.


Thomas Edison

 
It has been a long four days! The stomach flu hit our house- bad. Nothing makes you feel more like a single parent than being sick at the same time as your kids and no one is shoulder to shoulder in the trenches with you. We got through it, and it's opportunities like this that show me I'm stronger than I think am. It reminds me that everything is going to be okay.
 
There is something so sacred about holding a sick sleeping child in the middle of the night while the world sleeps- in the quiet, in the dark, feeling pain, feeling strength, feeling peace. God is there. Present through it all. I wouldn't trade those moments of stillness with my children for anything.
 
Today we are all on the mend- taking it easy and needing another day to get energy back- although my youngest seems to have enough for us all.
 
Workouts today:
Teach Zumba
 
My appetite hasn't fully returned, but I'll try to get consistent, clean meals in.
 
Four months until competition- gearing up to hit it hard in the gym.
 
xo, Dutchess
 

Girls Night

 

Girls night out- wine samplers, baked brie with carmel, apples, and onions- heaven!! Oh- and the best salted carmel cake I have EVER had. We ate it before I could take a picture..it was divine. Not pictured: baked goat cheese with truffle oil and mushrooms- also amazing.

It was a planned cheat night, but oh-so-good for the soul. I shared the food so not too bad.

I have a full weekend of workouts, including the three hour Zumba event that I'll be teaching a part of- SO excited!! :)

Happy Friday! xoxo
Dutchess

Crave

Mmm, chocolate chip pancakes- not for me, made these with the kids this morning and I had egg whites with kale and mushrooms and an apple. I'm finding that it helps to make the foods that I'm craving- weird I know, but if I make it for the kids, I don't want it so bad. Hey- whatever works.

I'm emotionally drained today and trying to get into the right frame of mind to teach Zumba tonight. Once I get there and see all the wonderful ladies in my class and blast some good music I'll snap out of this.

Zumba will be my only workout today. Almost the weekend! Final push- get it done!!
xo, Dutchess

Keep On

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.
 – Maya Angelou.


The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
- Amelia Earhart.

Two very inspirational ladies. <3

Dutchess

New Find

 

Have you ever tried Miracle Noodles? How have I gone without them all this time?! They are SO good, zero calories, zero carbs, and they just taste good. They don't smell great when you open the package- I almost couldn't do it, but you rinse them in cold water for a few minutes, dry them really well, and then add them to any dish at the last minute and they absorb all the flavor. Yum!

Today I had them with shrimp, kale, lots of garlic, and Bragg liquid aminos (zero cal, soy free, soy sauce) It was awesome! Next time I'll add hot chile peppers too. Definitely a great find! 

I am still SO sore from lifting with Kasey on Saturday- I've gotten some awesome workouts in over the past week and my old clothes are finally fitting!!

Workouts today:

Teach Zumba

Abs class

The sun is out and it's a beautiful Tuesday- what more could you ask for?

Get it done!!

xo Dutchess

Exciting!