WE'RE MOVING!!!

I AM MOVING THIS BLOG TO https://musclesandmakeupblog.wordpress.com/ PLEASE FOLLOW ME THERE! :) MAKE UP REVIEWS FITNESS TIPS, ADVICE, AND VIDEOS MY FEEBLE ATTEMPTS AT FASHION! :)

M&M or F&F?

It has been soooo long since I last wrote! Where to start... Well of course I have to start with the fitness side of things. The offseason has always proven to be a struggle for me. I can work out from sun up to sun down, but saying no to an Oreo when there isn't a show coming up is hard (honestly those things are like crack anyway). I'm not going to lie. I struggle like everyone. I LOVE TO EAT!!!! My weight has fluctuated somewhat and it kind of sucks because I have to fight that image issue almost every competitor develops when they are used to seeing themselves at a low body fat percentage. I also get to feeling guilty because here I am trying to help others make better choices and I can't say no to Dairy Queen. I guess it only proves I am human. 

Training is going well, just not as good as I want. I started a new job, which I totally love! However, it has caused me to really work on my time management skills because I now have to juggle a full timeline, 3 kids, household chores, out of the house errands, and football season (my husband is a college football coach so the fall is completely packs for us). I also have my online training clients to take care of and I put that as a priority because I don't want them to feel that they aren't getting the personal attention I pride myself on.

Now, into something new! I guess you noticed my title. No, it isn't candy selections . I am trying to decide on a new name for my blog because I want to combine my love of fitness, clothes and make up into one blog. Muscles and Make Up or Fitness and Fashion? Help me decide! Reviews, tips, advice and more! I'll be posting on all of it! It's something I am really excited about! 

Eating Clean on a Budget

I know it sounds impossible, but I can assure you it’s not! I agree that it is unfair that we have to pay more for healthy food than for junk, but that is something that we just have to grit our teeth and bear. Just the other day I found a 10 pack of little bear-shaped cookies for $1 but had to spend about $5 on a bag of little oranges for my kids. This is when we have to decide where our priorities are and how badly we really want to make a change in the way we eat. My husband and I don’t go out to eat that much because we chose to spend extra money for healthy groceries and therefore sacrifice a weekly dinner out. One meal for two people at a restaurant can easily cost $50. Think of how much that can buy at the store, definitely more than one meal. Even eating fast food can cost more than a homemade meal. We have three children and just to take them to a fast food restaurant is at least $20. For $20 at the store I can buy five pounds worth of chicken, a marinade, a two liter of sparkling water, a bag of steamable vegetables, and four sweet potatoes (and probably get change). Let’s say you have a $100 budget and need to buy groceries for a week for you and your significant other. Here is a sample meal plan and grocery list that will keep you under budget: Meal 1- 2 scrambled eggs, ½ cup oatmeal Meal 2- 1 can tuna, 2 rice cakes, 1 tbsp natural peanut butter Meal 3- 4-6 oz chicken breast, ½ cup cooked brown rice, 1 cup steamed veggies Meal 4- 1st Step Pro Wellness shake and 1 banana Meal 5- 4-6 oz marinated chicken breast, 1 small sweet potato, 1 cup veggies Meal 6- 10 almonds, 2 boiled eggs *7 lb of chicken (1.99/lb)= $14 *14 bananas= $2.50 *2 Large bags frozen veggies ($7.50 ea)= $15 *2 Bottles Marinade= $5 *Oatmeal= $3 *14 sweet potatoes= $7 *14 cans tuna ($.68 ea)= $9.52 *Bag of almonds= $8 *2 pkg Rice cakes= $4 *5 dozen eggs= $9 *Peanut butter= $3 *Bag of brown rice= $3 *1st Step Pro Wellness Protein Powder= $17 That makes a grand total of $100.02! Not too shabby. There is a good rule of thumb when purchasing food: fresh is better than frozen, and frozen is better than canned. Depending on what your budget is, we all understand that you just have to make the best decisions possible. Just remember, eating clean is essential to losing weight.