dumbbellsnotblonde

RP Fat Loss Cut 2022 Week by Week Review and Progress

2022-01-07T19:08:00.004-08:00

Hi family and friends! 👋🏻

Happy New Year! I hope everyone’s year is off to a great start. Mine started with a challenge with RP Strength (Renaissance Periodization), which I’m really excited to complete. I’ll be adding all of my weekly progress updates below, but if you want to follow along in real-time, you can follow my whole journey on Instagram: Instagram.com/dumbbellsnotblonde

Thanks for all of your support, and I can’t wait to share my full transformation with you all in March! 💪🏻

January 7th, 2022 #accountabilitypost 🎉

Happy Friday family and friends! 🥳

I’m sure you’ve seen already, but I decided to jump on the #rpstrength challenge this year for the FIRST time! Last year I had just completed my 2020 end of the year cut (so I was good to go at the beginning of the year), but 2021 had some hard moments and stress eating definitely got the best of me (especially not being able to work out during the holidays with my sciatic nerve pain). 😢

I’m now six days in to my challenge and one pound down. Mentally I’m doing good! My husbands birthday is in January and my daughters is in February, so “dieting” or doing some type of #newyearresolution this time of the year has always been tough, until now. To be transparent, I’m not going into this challenge thinking that I’ll have the best results of everyone in the end. I’m also not looking to do the challenge at 100% meal adherence like I did previously, which is my biggest struggle I’m looking to overcome. Yes, I’m going into the challenge with the plan to ENJOY my husband and daughters birthdays, and finish this #challenge with a “lower than perfect” check in goal (which will be lingering most of the challenge since one is in two days). 😂 I’m doing this challenge to learn that it’s okay to enjoy life, and to master picking right back up after going over. With not being able to workout much (not at all now the first month) and not being perfect throughout, it’s 100% mental for me this round, and I’m planning for it as such. In the process I hope to come out stronger, and have a healthier mindset when it comes to balance- truly living a healthy lifestyle! Of course, a few less pounds in the end would also be welcomed. 😉

January 14th, 2022 #accountabilitypost 🎉

Friday #accountabilitypost 🎉

I’ve made it through another week of my challenge, and even after thoroughly enjoying my husband’s birthday cake, the graph is headed in the right direction! Could it have been better? Eh, who knows! 😂 Again, my goal going into this one is to figure out balance, with the challenge reminding me to pick right back up versus falling off the rails. So far, so good!

Coming up, the festivities continue and I’m going to try my best to enjoy myself but also make #smarterchoices as well.

I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming holiday weekend! 🙌🏻

January 21st, 2022

Friday #accountabilitypost 🎉

I’m still trending down 1.8 pounds, does that count?! 🥴

Probably had a little too much fun enjoying my husbands birthday WEEKEND, but that’s okay. 🥳

I’m not planning any other fun meals until my daughters birthday in February, so we’ll see how it goes next week!

I think I’m scheduled around losing 10 pounds within the 12 weeks, so if I’m around three pounds down heading into February I’ll be happy. Still don’t feel deprived, still enjoying myself but jumping right back on track. That’s what this round is all about for me!

January 28th, 2022 Friday #accountabilitypost 🎉

Shark week is done, husband’s birthday fun is done and we’re heading back down in the right direction. 💪🏻

#marathonnotasprint

Mentally I’m doing good, even without the exercising aspect… although it would be nice to have both of course. 😂

Continuing to meet myself where I’m at and celebrate success, even if it’s just three pounds. 🥳

How’s everyone else doing? Would love to cheer you on as well!

#rpstrength #rplifestyle #rpdietapp #teamrpstrength #fitnessjourney #fitmom #momtrackingmacros #trackingmacros #dietcoach #healthylifestyle #transformationtuesday #fitnessgoals #crossfitmom #womeninspiringwellness #womensupportingwomen #healthycarbs #leanprotein #healthyfats #communityovercompetition #consistencyoverperfection #fitnessmotivation #momswholift #healthyeating #eatclean #weightlossjourney #strongnotskinny

Our Kitchen Remodel

2021-12-28T18:09:00.000-08:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

We are officially in Fall, and whew this year is FLYING BY! Lots of life is happening all around me, and I couldn't be more excited for another holiday season approaching! If Halloween was any indication of how the rest of the year will go, bring it on!

Before we get to Thanksgiving though, we decided to throw in a little home remodel of our... KITCHEN! Truthfully we started the process in the beginning of the year and it's just coming down to getting in the granite slabs in town and figuring out the last details, but we'll get to that soon. :)

In the beginning of the year we started looking at granite to redo our kitchen countertops. It's been on the agenda for awhile, but having such small children, we decided to wait a few years as we have with getting a new table and couch. It's just a whole different level of meeting them where they're at and letting them be kids. It's easier to upgrade when they are a bit older (and hopefully wiser). TBD if waiting until ages six and three was long enough!

Finding granite was nearly impossible this year, so drilling down to what we were looking for was actually harder than I thought it would be. We drove to other cities to view stock and see them in person, and eventually found our slabs to purchase. That's another thing, we ended up with slabs, so they have to be cut.

Granite Countertops

We decided to go with White Ice, which is a whiter granite mixed with gray and black tones, which matches the interior of our home. Heads up that the cut of this particular granite is starting to get some yellow in it. We ordered/shipped two that made it look like macaroni and cheese was spilt, and I didn't think I could handle it long-term. It would just always look dirty to me. However, if there was more strategically placed, it may not be as bad. Just something to note when you're looking. White Ice is beautiful, and I'm excited to see it in our home!

Backsplash

We decided to go with Stow tiles, the 4x8 option in Bianco Glossy White. I do love the marshmallow matte as well, but ultimately didn't want the grout to show and it's easier to hide with bright white. With marshmallow, the color is not a bright white, so matching grout and tile would just be a little harder and I couldn't visualize it as much as the perfect sample of the other in front of me. If you're in between the two, either would honestly be a great choice!

Natucer Stow Spanish Ceramic Tile | 4 x 8 | Bianco Glossy White

They came yesterday to tear out the old tile and backsplash, so we're currently sitting with some wood, no sink and no stove right now.

Here's how we prepped:

- Plastic Bowls

- Plastic Silverware

- Plastic Cups

- Meat Cooked at the Grocery Store

- BBQ

- Microwaveable Macaroni and Cheese Singles

- Yogurts

We're knee deep in the heart of it all, so I'll give everyone an update when it gets closer to completion (and a good before/after).

Excited to update you all soon!

____________________________

UPDATE: We're all done!

It's been quite a process, but I couldn't be happier with the outcome! We officially finished three days before Christmas with painting, and it turned out great! I'll share some photos with you below:

Don't forget to pin the after photo if you're looking for inspiration on your own home kitchen remodel!

So, what do you think? Would you take on a major project like this during the holidays? Share with me below!

Until next time,

Sweet and Simple Chicken Recipe

2021-12-13T11:43:00.007-08:00

Super Sweet and Simple Chicken Recipe

Hi friends! 👋

We're right smack dab in the middle of the Christmas season, and boy is it busy! This is when I tend to rely on cookies and healthier meal options to balance. 😂

The recipe I have for you today is a super simple and easy one to make, I call my super sweet and simple chicken recipe. I've made it every week so far this December, so you know it has to be easy! I actually saw something similar added to fish, and thought to myself.. I don't eat fish, but I bet this would be good on chicken! I played around with it quite a bit, and this is how I'm saving/making it from here on out. I hope you enjoy!

This specific chicken recipe is on the healthier side, made with raw honey and deli mustard. When you bit into it, you get a nice and moist chicken, with a sweet top and an added little kick from the mustard. As a healthier option, I recommend making two and meal prepping the second one for later!

Chicken Ingredients

Two Boneless Chicken Breasts
Raw Honey
Deli Mustard
(Optional Salt, Pepper, Garlic Salt)
Olive Oil

Ingredient Notes

I preheat my toaster oven to 375 degrees.

I initially add two tablespoons of honey and two tablespoons of deli mustard in a small ramekin. Mix it really good and set it aside.

I put the chicken on foil (with a little olive oil on the bottom so it won't stick) and sprinkle salt, pepper and garlic salt on top. Mine all comes as one, but you can do each individually as well.

Then I take half of the mixture and spread it on top, leaving some leftover for when the chicken comes out of the toaster oven.

I put it in for 40 minutes, making sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 when taking it out.

Once done, I add the additional mixture on top, cut and enjoy! Yes, it's really that simple!

Recipe Equipment

Small Ramekin
Aluminum Foil
Toaster Oven
Spoon

The equipment is simple for this recipe. Of course if you don't have a toaster oven, you can always use a convectional oven. Mine just heats up so much faster and always has the tray sitting inside waiting to be utilized, so I tend to cook with this option first if just for myself.

This recipe is for two pieces of boneless chicken
Store leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge

Save Me for Later

I hope you love this new chicken recipe! If you try it out, I'd love for you to comment below to let me know what you thought. You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook!

Two Ingredient Super Simple Sweet (with a little kick) Chicken Recipe

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Course: Lunch, Dinner

Cuisine: American

Macro Friendly: YES!

EQUIPMENT

Toaster Oven
Small Ramekin
Aluminum Foil
Spoon

INGREDIENTS

2 Tablespoons Raw Honey
2 Tablespoons Deli Mustard
Garlic Salt, Pepper, Salt (Optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the toaster oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Small hint of olive oil on the aluminum foil before adding the chicken.

3. Add chicken to the aluminum foil.

4. Sprinkle spices (salt, pepper, garlic salt).

5. Mix honey and deli mustard in small ramekin.

6. Add 50% on top of the chicken to cook, save the rest for after.

7. Cook the chicken for 40 minutes.

8. Check that internal temperature is 165 before adding to a serving plate.

9. Add the rest of the mixture on top of the chicken.

10. Enjoy!

The best compliment to say thank you for my post is to comment, share or pin. I appreciate you so much for stopping by!

Until next time!

Moms, We're All Just Doing the Best We Can

2021-10-03T12:24:00.000-07:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

We were at the pool the other day for an hour and a half with a mom and her daughter. As she was leaving, she made a comment about how we pretty much had the whole thing to ourselves today, followed by “you’re a really good mom and your kids are so well behaved”.

It made my whole freaking day!

What I see all day is her getting to spend 1:1 time, focused on one child’s attention, playing silly games with her. I admired how attentive she was and how well she conversed about all the rules she her daughter created on the fly. She was smiling, laughing and giggling having a good time the entire time. Me on the other hand, had three bathroom trips for the oldest, two for the youngest (so we all get out and go together each time), one kid in the deep end one in the shallow, one wanting the hot tub and one wanting to sit out, one in timeout for not listening. I spent half of the time out of the pool walking back and forth like a lifeguard so I could see both, throwing dive sticks, blowing up tubes, trying to get the kids to drink water, picking up toys. 😂

Not even sitting in a lawn chair cuddling my son for 10 minutes and watching my daughter in the kids hot tub did I think about how well I was doing. I was focused on what I couldn’t provide.. the individual attention for each child like she could.

Thankfully she saw the beauty in today’s chaos and what I was doing and let me know.

I hope I can relay the same message to another tired, yet doting toddler mom I meet who’s also doing the best she can. ❤️

Be kind to each other. We're all on the same team.

I hope you all have a fantastic week!

Want to read the whole blog? You can do so here.

What I Eat in a Day Tracking Macros

2021-09-05T19:38:00.009-07:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

I hope you all are having an amazing day and productive week. I recently had a day of downtime, where the kids and I stayed home, caught lizards, splashed in the hot tub and enjoyed all of those toys they only see every so often when we're not running to and from one place to the other. As stir crazy as I can go staying home, I'm currently sitting here listening to giggling at the table, watching out of the corner of my eye them eating their after dinner bowl of cereal, just because. Truthfully, they love it!

I know a lot of people ask what I eat in a day, so I want to try and document my meals every so often for you to get an idea of what my day look like when it comes to food. Today worked out for me to be home for all four meals, so I went for it!

First, lets go over what my macros are for the day!

Sleep: 7 hours, 30 minutes

Workout: 0

Meals: 4

Protein: 135g

Fat: 45g

Carbs: 20g

Meal One:

Cheese

Egg Whites

Eggs Whole

Avocados

Onions

Strawberries

Meal One

Meal Two:

Beef

Ketchup

Watermelon

Meal Two

Meal Three:

Protein Shake

Wheat Thins

Whey Protein

Almonds

Meal Three

Meal Four:

Chicken

Cheese

Onion

Cherry Tomatoes

Meal Four

Although I wouldn't say this is a typical day (Monday through Friday looks a lot different with workouts and a more routine day), it's good to get an idea of how simple and straight forward it really can be! If the numbers look a little overwhelming, check out the post on Why I Love the RP Diet App, as all of them are factored and edited throughout your journey. You just enter some information to start and each week, and the rest is really done for you. You enter what you want to eat and the app tells you how much (or reminds you just how many carbs are in that item you love). Truly the simplest way to hit your nutrition goals in my opinion.

Hope this helps! Feel free to comment, pin or share. Thanks for helping my website grow. 😁

Chat with you all soon!

How to Make a T-Shirt into a Women's Muscle Tank

2021-08-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

I was at the gym the other day, and I saw two friends with super cute muscle tanks.. that they both did themselves! So it got me thinking, how many shirts in my closet do I not wear because they are boring t-shirts? Which could I make into cute wearable muscle tanks? How the heck do I cut it so it's just as cute?

Muscle tanks have been around forever, however, they've definitely been seen a lot more recently as a cute cover up before workouts or to wear during your workout (me!). I recently purchased a women's muscle tank on Amazon to start wearing to the gym. What I love about it? The color and fabric. What I would change? Arm holes not going out so wide to show side boob and a shorter length. 😂

Because my side boob shows a different color sports bra (not in the cute way), I don't wear it unless to bed. BUT, I still want a cute one!

INITIAL SIDE CONVERSATIONS

First friend: "I did two inches at the top and then kind of winged it"

Second friend: "I did this so long ago"

Final thoughts: I can do it myself, but will have to do by trial and error

So I decided just to take a shirt out of my closet and practice!

Step 1: Grab your supplies

- Shirt
- Scissors
- Tape Measure
- Marker

Step 2: Decide the top width

I chose two inches and marked both sides. I also folded in half to make sure both sides were similar.

Step 3: Figure out how far down on the sides you want the arm holes to go

I wanted them a little bit higher, so I chose to go one inch down from the arm hole seam. I again folded in half to make sure both sides were similar.

Step 4: Start cutting, one side at a time!

I went down from the top, and then cut in an L shape to the second marker. Don't worry about them being 100% even, as you will also be stretching the arm holes after.

Step 5: After both sides are cut, stretch the armholes out, which causes the new cut to roll a bit.

Step 6: If you want a shorter length, cut the bottom.

(I skipped this step with my trial and error shirt, but will probably do this in the future.)

Step 7: Wear your new creation with pride!

DON'T FORGET TO PIN FOR LATER

Making a t-shirt into a women's muscle tank was actually easier than I initially thought. I hope you have a similar experience!

3 Tips for Visiting Legoland California

2021-08-09T13:57:00.011-07:00

* I'm not in anyway affiliated with Legoland and didn't get compensated for my trip. We just enjoyed our trip so much that I wanted to share it with friends and family. Information expressed and shared are all my own opinions. Enjoy!

We recently took a trip to Southern California to one of their newest most beloved amusement parks, Legoland! Legoland is a little chunk of kid paradise in the city of Carlsbad, California. Growing up going to theme parks in Southern California, I began to wonder why I've never been to this place. Well, it's because it opened when I was a teenager, which in my opinion, is a little out of age range unless you're going with younger children.

I would say Legoland California is perfect for ages 2-9 (we did have a nine year old with us and he did have fun), and offers the right amount of fun, rides and kid exploration for 2-3 days of fun. We bought the Legoland/Aquarium/Waterpark pass staying for three nights, playing two full days- and it was the perfect amount of time! We stayed at the Legoland Castle Resort, just steps from the main entrance of Legoland, California. We had such a great time, so much so that I'd love to share three tips with you if you plan to visit the park soon as well. 😊

Don't forget to pin for later!

1. Stay at the Legoland Resort

There's many times you plan a trip, and it's so much less to sleep a few miles away. I do this when I go to Disneyland, and I'm actually not going to do it the next time I visit. Here's why! The hotel is set up to be a secondary park in itself. We stayed at the Legoland Castle Hotel, and it had a million (okay, maybe a little less) things to do! There's a park that we visited morning, afternoon until well in the evening. They have magic shows, story time and entertainment going on throughout the day on a patch of grass. They have an outdoor movie theater and pool with pool Legos. Inside they have a slide, a throne, and little Lego people throughout. On top of the continental breakfast and on-going activities outdoors, you also get in an hour early into the park. Although not every ride is open right away (at least when we visited), you can start your plan of attack and be one of the first when they do open. We did this both days with Ninjago and rode both times with almost no wait.. like, it took longer to walk through the line than getting on the ride itself.

The room itself has a fun Lego experience and has the whole Lego theme as well. There's a bed for adults, and then bunk beds with a TV around the corner (although mine all piled into one). 😆

The buffet breakfast, amenities, early park access and how close the hotel is to the entrance is definitely worth it!

2. Visit in the Beginning of the Week

I'm sure you're thinking that summer is the worst time to travel to a California amusement park. If so, you're thinking the same as my husband was when I told him we were going mid-summer. Lol. His patience is very limited when it comes to waiting for rides! We actually planned this trip around family, as they were visiting the park at the end of July. Even though it could be hot and busy, we jumped on board and purchased tickets for the same days. I'm here to tell you, we didn't wait more than 15 minutes for any ride- most being around five minutes or less! We made sure to hit the most popular rides first thing, and then spent the afternoon visiting the little parks inside, eating and playing various games along the way. We honestly didn't have many issues visiting the main park on Tuesday, followed by the Waterpark on Wednesday. We did the aquarium in the evening on Tuesday, and that was easy (and so much fun) as well.

There wasn't a line when we arrived to check in, but there definitely was one when we were leaving, so my tip would be to time your trip for earlier in the week if possible.

3. Buy the Legoland/Water Park/Aquarium Pass

Most amusement parks are now starting to open a water park on top of the normal park, which in California I think is a great idea! We purchased one day at Legoland, one day at the Waterpark and an Aquarium pass. What I love about this is that you're not limited to just the Waterpark for the day! It's in the back corner of the park, and we were still able to ride a few rides we didn't get to the day before, and then get wet for the day. We visited the waterpark for a few hours, played a game or two on the way back to the hotel, slept and then went back out to the park for the last hour and rode five rides before closing! The aquarium itself was so fun, which I wasn't expecting much to be honest. They have little stamp books, so you could see how far you were into the adventure throughout. Each area was well done, and I honestly could have gone through again. This may seem like an add on, but it was actually one of my favorite moments from the trip. Make sure not to skip it!

OUR ITINERARY

Monday: Check In

(Enjoyed hotel amenitites- Pool, Park, Show)

Tuesday: Legoland Park, Sealife Aquarium

Wednesday: Legoland Park, Waterpark, Legoland Park

Thursday: Checked Out

(Hotel Amenities)

OUR FAVORITE RIDES

Ninjago

Deep Sea Adventure

Junior Driving School

Lost Kingdom Adventure

Sky Patrol

Funtown Police and Fire Academy

Beetle Bounce

(Parent's Break)

Hideaways Playground

Coast Cruise

OTHER PLACES WE VISITED

Hunter Steakhouse

Oceanside, CA

Islands Restaurant

Carlsbad, CA

Shoobie's Ice Cream

Carlsbad, CA

I can't wait for you to start planning a visit to this cute little amusement park for your kids in Southern California! Let me know if you have any questions! Or feel free to share some of your favorite tips, food and rides in the comments section below.

How to Have a Great Weekend in Lake Tahoe

2021-07-12T11:17:00.001-07:00

Hi family and friends! 👋🏻

I hope you all are enjoying your summer! I know we are over here. 😎

I recently got back from one of the places I love visiting every year, Lake Tahoe. Lake Tahoe is an absolutely beautiful lake, sitting between California and Nevada with more than enough to do for any traveling enthusiast. I've done ski trips, hiking trips, family and best friend trips. I've gone for a bachelorette party, a wedding and a crazy 4th of July boating holiday weekend. I've gone camping, stayed in cabins, hotels and resorts on the North and South shore. It's all breathtaking and worth the trip anytime of the year! Because I know this could be a place you plan to add to your bucket list, I wanted to put together a couple itineraries I've loved!

First, North and South shore Lake Tahoe are vastly different. For the most part, you'll find a lot more of the fun nightlife and casinos in the South shore, and the more laid back vibe in the North. However, it's easy to travel the lake, so find a spot that suits you and make sure you have a car!

My last trip was a girls trip where we stayed in a cabin in Truckee, California. Truckee is a beautiful little mountain town on the outskirts of Lake Tahoe. They have a cute little downtown and an easy way into the West side of Lake Tahoe. Truckee has cabins, but is also filled with lots of locals, boutique shops and restaurants. Truckee is more North West, so we ventured North clockwise around the lake in the morning down to South Shore our first day. The East side of the lake is more scenic, so it was a beautiful drive down to the casino area. First we did the Heavenly gondola, observation deck, hiking to the roller coaster and then shopping at the bottom. After a great morning, we headed to The Beacon Bar & Grill for a late lunch/dinner and some beach time. We found a frisbee and honestly enjoyed the water until the sun went down, driving the rest of the lake back (with a quick stop at Emerald Bay of course). It was a perfect relaxing girls weekend, and a good way to maximize the weekend in such a gorgeous area!

HERE'S SOME THINGS I LOVE TO DO THAT YOU MAY WANT TO EXPLORE ON YOUR UPCOMING TRIP TO LAKE TAHOE TOO:

SUMMER

- Staying in a cabin or resort

- Camping at Camp Richardson

- Driving all the way around the lake

- Hiking! (Maggie's Peak across from Emerald Bay is a great one if you have 1/2 of a day)

- Heavenly gondola, observation deck, hiking, roller coaster, zip line, tubing, food at the top

- Shopping/eating at the bottom of Heavenly

- The Beacon Bar & Grill, great beach, dock and beach dining

- Stand up paddle boarding and kayaking on the lake (they have clear kayaks you can rent too)

- Rent a boat for the day (Pontoon boats are very fun here as well as a ski boat)

- Sand Harbor (we did our engagement photos here, and it was beautiful)

WINTER

- Stay in a cabin

- Snowboarding at the resorts: Northstar, Heavenly, Kirkwood and Homewood are some of my favs!

- The shops at Heavenly

- Ice Skating and hot chocolate at Northstar Resort

OTHER IDEAS

- Gambling at a Casino

- Concert at Harvey's Outdoor Arena

- Golf at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course

- Mini Golf in Kings Beach

- Milkshake at the Char Pit

- Rent bikes (Incline Village on North Shore, Anderson Bikes on South Shore- 7 miles roundtrip to Baldwin Beach for a picnic

- Catch crawdads

- Emerald Bay by boat or hike

- Truckee Rafting

- Ropes Course (Treetop Adventures)

- Donner Train Tunnel hike

I hope this list helps! Don't forget to pin for later. 😍

Best of luck with your upcoming travels to beautiful Lake Tahoe!

10,000 Views!

2021-04-22T08:27:00.000-07:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

I can't believe it, but my little site just hit over 10,000 views!!! When I started this journey 16 weeks ago, I honestly didn't think 10,000 views was possible in the first year (even 100 people viewing it within the first year seemed like a lot). 😂

Thank you for supporting my journey, and for proving me wrong in the best possible way!

With lots of love, appreciation and excitement.

Five Spring/Summer Finds

2021-04-19T15:34:00.004-07:00

*This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate, if you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefited from personally, so I know you'll love the product(s). Full terms can be found here.

Hi family and friends! 👋

I've done some fun "getting ready for summer" purchases lately on Amazon, so I wanted to share them with you! Click on any of the photos below to read reviews and shop!

Crop Tank

I'm actually wearing this one today, and boy is it breezy! I got it in the light purple color, and let me tell you.. the online color doesn't do it justice. It's soft, sits perfectly to where my stomach isn't hanging out, but it also isn't super tight for afternoon runs or gym sessions. I purchased one to start, but plan to purchase black when it comes back in stock in my size. I wear a small, and I feel like it's true to size. Click the photo above to learn more.

Outdoor Chair

Another true favorite lately, as I'm spending more and more time outside at the kids' sporting events! I originally purchased a small chair that was incredibly hard to put together and take apart, so much so that I didn't- I just carried it a couple of weeks put together to and from the field. Let me tell you, this chair is the complete opposite! One, it rocks. Two, it has a movable cover to hide the sun from your face. Three, it folds so easily and four, the bag it comes in is oversized, so you're not trying to squeeze it in and out of the bag each time. Also, the blue is beautiful. I'd purchase this one over and over again. Click the photo above to add one to your shopping cart.

Burger Maker

Another easy thing that I'm just LOVING right now! I originally purchased this for my husband, but let's be honest, I'm the only one using it. It makes burgers the right thickness and perfectly portioned. It's the most simple contraption, but it works! Also, extremely easy to clean. I plan on using this all summer long! Click the photo to learn more.

Tanning Lotion

There are a plethora of tanning lotions out there, and I'm sure they all work well. However, this keeps being my go-to! I've tried the drops in regular lotion and have had streaks on my legs for a week. I've tried brands that turn me orange. This one is fool proof. It gives me a little shade (so it doesn't look like I work inside an office all day!) and never has given me anything other than a glow. And you can't beat the price! Click on the photo above to shop.

Bikini

Since my before and after photos with RP, this may be one of the questions I've received the most, "where did you purchase your purple bikini?" Who would have known that me pulling out the top swimsuit in my drawer for a photo 'for myself' to track progress would have gone viral. However, here it is, and it's under $25! Click the photo to purchase one of your own in a color you love!

What summer finds are you shopping for right now? Share with me in the comments below!

10 Simple Seasonings to Spice Up Any Meal

2021-04-09T14:13:00.001-07:00

*This post contains several affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you when you make a purchase through a link. Read my disclaimer here.

Hi family and friends! 👋

I hope you all are having a great week. This post is probably LONG overdue, as I get so many comments on Instagram asking how I spice up my meals, since you all know I tend to eat a lot of the same things over and over. This one is so important, as it keeps things interesting, but doesn't add extra calories to your meal so you stay on track. Although this list isn't the full list of what I use, it definitely includes the ones you see most often. Let's dig in!

Cinnamon Bun Seasoning

Greek Yogurt
English Muffin
Pita Bread

I eat Cinnamon Bun Flavoring on my Greek yogurt every single day! So much in fact, that I just ordered three at a time I go through it so quickly. However, I also use it on bread options as well. Generally I eat carbs with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray because I use my fats for other things, so adding some flavoring to a somewhat bland piece of bread really helps!

Chocolate Donut Seasoning

Greek Yogurt
Casein Shake
Whey Protein Shake

Like the Cinnamon Bun Flavoring, this one goes on my Greek yogurt most days as well. Again, it adds a little ump to a somewhat bland meal. Unlike Cinnamon Bun, I also use this in shakes, as most are chocolate, and it gives a little bit more to the overall taste!

Bacon Flavor Seasoning

Eggs

This is a specialty seasoning, and not something I use all that often. However, if you're a huge bacon lover, you may want to try it! I sometimes utilize it on my eggs to switch it up, and it works. I could also see this being used on hamburgers, pizza, etc. (because when is bacon ever a bad thing)?

Ranch Seasoning

Crockpot Crack Chicken Recipe

I make Crockpot crack chicken generally once a week, and it's always in my fridge. Because of this, I skip the cute little packets and purchased the big tub! As a main ingredient, I go through it often, so it's always good to have on hand. If you haven't tried this incredibly easy recipe, you can view it here.

Taco Seasoning

Crockpot Chicken Recipe

This is another seasoning that is never bad to have on hand. I generally use it for my Crockpot salsa chicken, so it's always good to have in a big tub! If you haven't tried making salsa chicken before, you can view how to make this super simple recipe here.

Garlic Salt

Homemade Pizza
Hamburger
Pita Bread

Garlic salt or powder adds so much flavor, especially to pizza or hamburger! Although these are the main ways I like to use it, I also use it every now and then on a piece of pita bread with some meals.

Salt & Pepper

Everything.. J/K
Eggs
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts

I feel like these are staples in everyone's home, but if you're not using them to spice up your foods- you're missing out! I would say out of every spice I own, these two are used the most.

Truffle Salt

Eggs

This is another specialty spice, and one I don't use as often (but man is it good)! If you're a fan of Tim Ferriss, he introduced me to this incredible spice on eggs years ago, and I'm so glad he did. If you eat a lot of eggs and egg whites like I do, check this one out!

Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

Eggs
Homemade bagels
Any type of bread
This is a very universal seasoning, and another one that I think is so great to have on hand. I like it for homemade bagels or bread primarily, but it really can be used on almost anything.

Cinnamon Seasoning

Pita Bread
Tortilla
English Muffin
Oatmeal
Yogurt
Pancake/Waffle mix
French Toast
Cinnamon is a wonderful staple to have on hand. I generally use it on bread, but it could be used for a variety of things, so definitely make sure you have this one!

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

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Five Favorite Items for Fat Loss

2021-04-02T14:18:00.008-07:00

Hi friends! 👋

This post is long overdue, as I have five foundational items that truly made me successful on my 100% compliant fat loss phase, and I'm eager to share them with you! I'm not saying that this is the end all list or that I know everything there is to know about a fat loss phase. I was just very successful and completed the entire 85 days on track, and this is my personal recommendations of what helped me to get there. Excited that you're here, let's dig in!

WHAT IS A FAT LOSS PHASE CUT?

If you're focused on body composition goals, there's three different phases to choose from: fat loss, maintenance and weight gain. You're either sticking to your current size, or you're going up or down in weight. Those are your options!

I wish the fat just melted off me (I can dream, right?) so I tend to go between maintenance and fat loss. I'm guessing that if you're reading this, you probably have dreamt about this too. The goal is to be in maintenance for the majority of your life, and to do a fat loss phase when needed. However, I know when I got started, I had my eye on the prize and already had it mapped out my maintenance, cut, maintenance, cut (which I'm currently on today). If you're doing it right, this is a slow process, so make sure you're enjoying the process of becoming the very best version of you at the same time.

WHERE TO START IF YOU'RE NEW

This is such a great question, and one I wish more would ask. If you're wanting to count macros (or calories), most already have a goal of losing or gaining weight. I know I did! I would be lying if I wasn't ready to get in and get going. But here's the thing, most aren't eating what they should be on maintenance. Meaning, your body needs a starting point. Especially if you're like someone like my husband who drinks an energy drink in the morning and can be fine without a meal until dinner. I personally can't function without food, but I know plenty of people who can. Yes, you're in a calorie deficit, however, you're fluctuating so much that there's no true base for your body to start with. Although hard, I always lean towards starting in maintenance. Get comfortable with the process of counting carbs, mixing different foods.. and yes, losing a bit of weight. Get comfortable with eating more, and feeling how your body responds when you're eating the right way. Let your body have a starting point, and then cut. This honestly is one of the hardest things for people to do when they are motivated and ready to lose weight, but I promise you it's the best thing you can do for your fat loss journey. I lost weight starting in maintenance, I could see my performance improving in the gym and it gave me that little boost of "this is working" that I needed in order to continue.

FIVE FOUNDATIONAL ITEMS FOR SUCCESS WITH A FAT LOSS PHASE

Here's the five (+ an optional bonus) items that contributed to my success. I needed them all, used them all, depended on them all and crushed my goals with them all.

1. Food Scale

If you're like me, eyeballing portions always come out a little on the "too much" side. Using a scale keeps me consistent and on track. I use this scale every single day and LOVE IT SO MUCH!

2. Meal Prep Containers

I have a million of these! Okay, maybe like 10-15. I have a variety of sizes (we bought the combo pack) and use them for everything. They work great!

3. Crockpot

I cook chicken in my crockpot weekly! It's easy, allows me to mix up the flavor and the chicken always comes out perfectly.

3A. Crockpot Liners (Optional: Makes clean-up incredibly easy)

Cleaning a Crockpot is daunting. So is leaving it on the counter with soap and water. I promise you, once you use a Crockpot liner there's no going back. They make the whole clean up process a breeze!

4. Bodyweight Scale

A body weight scale is needed on my program to check in a couple times a week so the algorithm can determine what my following week will look like. It's not the only way to track progress, but in my opinion one of the easiest.

5. Pocket Scale

My previous food scale died on me mid-fat loss cut. I was so thankful for my pocket scale that I was able to use in its place until my new one arrived. This is also good to have on hand for eating out or at someone else's home.

DO I NEED A SPECIFIC APP OR PLAN?

Another great question! There's a million options out there, and I believe as long as you are following their specific guidelines you'll probably be successful. I partnered with RP (Renaissance Periodization), because this is the best plan for me. Here's the gist of what the pocket diet coach can do:

Plans Your Meals

The RP Diet App tells you the macros for your upcoming week's meals and you get to choose your favorite foods that fit. You can also make meal prep easier with the auto-generated grocery list feature.

Keeps you Accountable with Alerts

There's notifications on what, how much and when to eat based on what you inputed. The app also reminds you to weigh-in so that the app and you can track and review your progress.

Adapts to Your Life and Goals

Every body is different, and what it needs throughout your specific fitness journey can change. This is why the app will review your progress every week and will give you the option to adjust your diet if you need to.

Gives You Total Control

The app guides you, but you actually have complete control- starting with your fitness goal to whether or not you want to tweak you diet based on their weekly recommendations.

CLICK HERE to try the app I use for 33% off for the first six months.

Code "JERICKA" works on their website as well for any ebooks, cookbooks, apparel and more!

I hope this post was helpful! The best compliment is to comment, shop, share and/or pin my posts. Thanks in advance for helping my website grow.

To read my top seven tips for completing your first fat loss phase (and to view pictures of my success), click here.

To read more about why I love the RP Diet App, click here.

Why I Love the RP Diet App

2021-03-26T14:40:00.008-07:00

*I'm an RP athlete, and an ambassador for Renaissance Periodization. At no additional cost to you (just savings!), I receive a small commission if anything is purchased. All comments are 100% my own, and I personally purchase this product on a monthly basis, so I know you're going to love it! For additional information, you can always read additional terms here.

Hi family and friends! 👋

I'm so excited to announce that I've joined Renaissance Periodization as one of their ambassadors, better known as RP! So many of you have followed my journey and recent success and have asked how I did it. I've pretty much been talking about RP non-stop since, so you can imagine this is truly a dream come true! I think there's so many individuals this system and lifestyle could work for, so I wanted to provide a high-level overview of what the pocket diet app can do incase you've been contemplating trying it too!

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I think it's so important to hear from a busy wife and toddler mom of two, one that does CrossFit on her lunch break, has a corporate career that keeps her busy and still has success with this program. Am I ripped like a lot of the RP individuals who live and breathe athletics and performance? No. I go to the gym for my own personal sanity, to stay fit, to build strength and better my performance. But I'm also guessing if you're reading this, you're probably more like me. Trying to get a work out in when you can, not sleeping as much as you'd like (because well, toddlers), stress over the meeting to come the following week... life is crazy, and that's why having one tool that adjusts your nutrients/macros based on your fitness goals, schedule, weigh-ins and lifestyle keeps me on track with taking care of myself (so I can take care of everyone else).

There's a million dieting options out there, and I believe as long as you are following their specific guidelines you'll probably be successful. I partnered with RP (Renaissance Periodization), because this is the best plan for me. When I decided to come back to RP from their template days (which are still available and widely used if this works better for you!), I did a few things. I read their latest digital eBook front to back to educate me on their scientific methods and strategies, and sat down and contemplated whether I needed a coach. Because a dedicated coach is expensive, I decided to drill down on the new app they created, as it was targeted as a "diet coach in your pocket." The promotion starting price to use the app was much more affordable, so I decided to try it for six months to see if it was something I could be successful using. My life has changed so much since, so I'm so glad that I did!

THE RP DIET APP

RP simplifies your diet, builds sustainable habits and constantly adapts to you and your lifestyle!

You pick the food, they tell you how much and when to eat. Compliance tracking and reminders are in place to hold you accountable. The advanced algorithms adjust to your metabolism and progress, as your body and lifestyle change. They make tracking the right macros and hitting goals so easy!

What the app can do:

Plans Your Meals

(I still eat what I want, and they portion it out appropriately based off my goals.)

Keeps you Accountable with Alerts

There's notifications on what, how much and when to eat based on what you inputed. The app also reminds you to weigh-in so that the app and you can track and review your progress.

(There's reminders for my meals and weigh ins so I never miss a check-in.)

Adapts to Your Life and Goals

(You can update if you don't work out for the day, body type changes, decide to move to maintenance early, etc.)

Gives You Total Control

The app guides you, but you actually have complete control- starting with your fitness goal to whether or not you want to tweak you diet based on their weekly recommendations.

(I always have the option to stay on track, or maybe if I was off for the week and want to try that week over again- it's completely up to me!)

The RP Diet App is the simplest most effective way to plan and track your food, so if you're at all interested, I encourage you to give it a try! You can't really tell just how amazing the app is until you test it out for a couple of weeks and see just how capable you are at losing stubborn body fat. I surprised myself and I'm sure you will too! 😀

To read my top seven tips for completing your first fat loss phase (and to view pictures of my success), click here.

HOW TO PURCHASE

I'm excited to provide you the same introductory price that I received when I first joined!

To give it a try, you can use the link below to get your first six months for $9.99 (going back to the regular price of $14.99 after the promotional period).

rp.app/code/jericka

To purchase eBooks, apparel, cookbooks and more on their website, use discount code JERICKA for 10% off at checkout!

If you're already using the app, make sure to add JERICKA in as a referral code to receive upcoming special discounts not available to non-referral code users.

I hope this post was helpful! Feel free to comment below if you have any questions and I'll get back to you as quick as I can.

Have a wonderful day!

3 Simple Tips to Help You Stay on Track with Your Eating

2021-02-26T16:36:00.003-08:00

Hi family and friends! 👋

I wanted to do a quick share on three of the simple tips I use to try and stay on track with my eating (two actual tips, one more of a splurge tip- all three good!). Although they seem small, these little habits put into a routine of practice do have a direct result on my overall goals. I'm sharing them with you today because it could either help you stay on track with your goals or inspire you to come up with your own.

1. Try to Use a Small Plate

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me share this recently. RP Strength reposted my post on their page too, so you may have seen it twice!

I generally always use a small plate and/or bowl for my meals. Yes, my food is falling off the sides and doesn't always fit well, but it makes my brain *think* that I'm eating more with a full plate. It's amazing what you can train your mind into thinking! I always feel like I'm having a lot, and 9/10 my food does all fit onto the smaller version. I track my food, but if I didn't, my portion size would be more exact with a small plate vs using a normal size plate, so there's not too many situations where I would need to adjust to a different size.

2. Salad Dressing on Your Fork, Not Your Food

I personally don't use dressing on a salad often, maybe blue cheese with a steak salad once or twice a year. I just prefer a lemon squeeze or avocado if I'm making my burrito bowl with lettuce. However, this could also be incorporated with pizza and other things you use dressing with (which is where I get on board most often!).

We can still be friends if you don't eat your pizza with a fork too, that's totally okay!

Steps:

Dip the fork into the dressing
Stab the fork into your food
Eat
Repeat

When you're finished, take a look at how much dressing is still in the ramekin. Then think about how all of that could be stuck to a lettuce leaf and consumed if you mixed it in. You still taste the dressing, but consume so much less! I highly encourage you to try this at least once. I bet it becomes one of your favorite tips moving forward as well.

3. Sugar Free Jello and Fat Free Whip

We all have cravings. You're human, and it's going to happen. I look at myself as a very disciplined individual, but even I give in at times. This is completely normal and should be 100% expected. If you're looking for a sweet treat that won't do damage to your bottom line, sugar free Jello and fat free whip is amazing!

Example:

(Servings per container is 8)

Amount Per Serving:

Calories 10

Protein 1g

Fat 0g

Carbs 0g

What I'm saying here is you could ultimately pig out on the entire bowl and be at 80 calories.. and you're going to feel like you ate a ton at the same time. For those moments and/or days this is truly needed, you're welcome for this one!

That's it for now! :)

I hope this post was helpful. The best way to say thank you is to share, comment or pin any of the photos in this post. I appreciate you all so much. Have a wonderful weekend!

Feel free to check out meal posts by clicking here

8 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Eat Casein

2021-02-19T14:04:00.001-08:00

*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure policy here.

I see a lot of people wanting to use casein protein powder as a late night meal option, but they aren't really sure the best way to prepare it. So, I did some research to find out why casein is so beneficial and put together some of the ways I'm seeing people rave about it!

WHAT IS CASEIN?

Casein is a type of protein, most often found in milk and is an essential ingredient in cheese.

WHY DO PEOPLE USE IT AT NIGHT?

Casein is slow digesting, so people often take it before bed to help with recovery and to reduce muscle breakdown while they sleep. A lot of times people view it as a way to gain muscle while you sleep.

I personally like casein because it's light and keeps me full throughout the night. I also use chocolate casein, so it helps with my sweet tooth and cravings. (My favorite casein recipe is listed below.)

CASEIN BENEFITS

Contributes to Muscle Growth and Retention
Aids in Recovery after exercise
Slow Digesting
Greater Fat Loss
Reduces Cravings
Improved Performance
Contains Essential Amino Acids

WHAT IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO DIGEST IT?

I've tried many casein recipes, and the simplest/most easiest way to consume casein is to make a shake!

Depending on my macros, here's how I make mine:

Casein Milkshake

Casein Protein
Vanilla Almond Milk
Peanut Butter (can do a chocolate/peanut butter casein if macros are tight)
Banana (generally only get a little, but it makes a big difference)
100% Cocoa Powder (for a little more chocolate)
(Have additional macros available? Try sugar free whip or sugar free chocolate sauce on top!)

I just throw it all in a blender, and wa-la! So simple, and incredibly delicious! I use chocolate casein, so this helps with my sweet tooth (and wanting to eat it ALL) at night.

WHAT ARE THE BEST CASEIN RECIPES?

Below are some of the creative ways I see others preparing casein outside the usual bedtime shake! Most of the casein is a full scoop, and water is just enough for consistency. The rest can really be altered to your macros allotted! Plug it into what you have available for proteins, fat and carbs to see if you can create your perfect combination. I'd love for you to share in the comments below or tag me on @dumbbellsnotblonde if you found the perfect casein recipe match.

Casein Waffle

Casein
Egg Whites
Water
Sprinkle Baking Powder
Peanut Butter
(Have extra macros available? Add sugar free pudding or syrup to the mix!)

Casein Ice Cream

Two bananas (cut in chunks/freeze)
Blend with 2 1/2 scoops casein
Add a little almond milk
(Extra macros available? Add sugar free pudding or syrup to the mix!)

Casein Mug Cake

Scoop of casein protein powder
Peanut Butter
1 whole egg
Water
Mix without water with a fork, add a little water and continue mixing until it's a sticky texture
Microwave for 90 seconds
(Have extra macros available? Add fat free whip cream on top!)

Casein Cookies

20g Casein
2 1/2 Peanut Butter or creamy honey almond butter type spread
1 tsp Baking Powder
1.25 tbs Water
Mix Casein and Baking Powder first
Add Butter
Add water and mix
Add chocolate chips
Roll into balls/press down a bit to make them more cookie like
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes

Casein Pancakes

Casein Protein Powder
Egg Whites
3 tbsp Water
Peanut Butter
Whisk eggs and water, then add powder and peanut butter. Medium heat on the pan, and flatten them down a bit. Flip when ready.
(Have extra macros available? Add fruit or your favorite fat free whip on top!)

Casein Brownie

1 Scoop Chocolate Casein
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
Add water until brownie batter consistency
Microwave 3-5 times in 30 second intervals
(Have extra macros? Top with Peanut Butter or your favorite sugar free whip on top!)

Casein Pumpkin Pie

Cinammon Bun Casein
Canned Pumpkin Cinnamon & Pumpkin Pie Spice
Add water to make like a thick pudding
Refrigerate for two hours
(Have extra macros? Add a little sugar free whip on top!)

I hope this helps with a general casein understanding and provides some inspiration for your first (or next!) bedtime meal. If you find just the right concoction, please share in the comments below or tag me on Instagram @dumbbellsnotblonde. I'd love to try your creation. :)

If you haven't tried casein just yet, are you going to be adding it into your bedtime routine? I want to know, so make sure to comment!

*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you). Read my full disclosure policy here.

The Best French Toast Recipe

2021-02-14T16:20:00.001-08:00

Hi friends!

I'm super excited to share this one with you today, as it's one of three recipes that I actually typed and printed for our kitchen. We make it every time someone comes to visit and spends the night at our house. Although not healthy, you'll definitely be thanking me for this one. It's SO GOOD!

THE BEST FRENCH TOAST RECIPE

RECIPE

4 Eggs

1 Cup Whipping Cream

2 Thick Slices of Bread, cut into 3 Strips

Powdered Sugar

Maple Syrup

NOTES

Step 1

Place a little oil in the skillet. Beat eggs, cream and pinch of salt. Dip bread into batter and allow batter to soak in. Fry bread in skillet until brown, turn and fry on the other side.

Step 2

Transfer to cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for about four minutes or until puffed.

Step 3

Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with maple syrup.

TIP: To make it healthier, you can use a low calorie bread and sugar free syrup!

PIN ME FOR LATER

I hope you love this French toast recipe as much as we do! When you try it out, I'd love for you to comment below to tell me what you thought. You can also tag me on Instagram @dumbbellsnotblonde.

The best compliment to say thank you for my post is to comment, share or pin! Thanks again for stopping by!

View more meals here.

How I Built a Compact Home Gym

2021-02-12T18:50:00.005-08:00

*This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. This means that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Read my full disclaimer here.

Have you ever wondered what goes into building a home gym?

The answer is ambiguous of course, but if you were like I was a little less than a year ago.. I knew some of the key pieces of equipment I wanted to have initially, but had no idea how the space was going to look and what my initial budget would actually cover. If you're sitting there scratching your head on where to start, I'd love to show you what I did below if you want to pull any ideas or inspiration from my recent experience!

Why I Built a Small Home Gym

I have always wanted a home gym for as long as I can remember! There's just those days that you can't make it across town, you have a sick child or other reasons where it's just nice to jump into the garage and get some movement in.

Now my dream gym is a full room with weightlifting and cardio equipment, motivational posters, big TV. My list could probably go on and on. However, that's not what I'm working with over here, so for now those dreams will live on Pinterest.

Let me walk you through my small yet functional home gym, as it's complete (for now). 😉

Assessing The Space

I'm going to be honest, I have a three car garage. We do have space. The left side of our garage is a DeWalt factory. Lol. We have a tool bench, other tables, tools, etc. We also have custom cabinets. That literally takes up a full car area. The middle of the garage is open, right now for the kids to run their bikes around, and where their bikes and wagons live. We also have a two person stroller that also takes up a ton of space. We put them all in the middle, and the kids make a track around them. Custom cabinets line the back of the garage. That leaves us with the right side! We used to have a standup bike rack, which was space saving but wasn't getting a lot of use. We also have ladders and storage on the right side. In such a huge space, this seemed like the best place to add my home gym. We put the bikes in the shed and started measuring.

Like I said, my dream setup against this wall would look something like a Bay Club or Equinox Gym in a smaller version, but I knew I didn't have space for that. So, I had to figure out two things: How to use the least amount of space but still have a fully functional home gym and figure out what equipment to purchase initially.

How to use the least amount of space but still have a fully functional home gym

I initially was looking at something that mounted to the wall. This would allow it to be pushed against the wall at any given time and would allow for both cars to fit in the garage if need be. Makes sense, but it didn't really allow for any progression or growth. If my goal is to do a muscle up, I'm going to eventually hit the wall with my feet if it's that close. My tip for you when accessing your space: make sure to plan for future goals and usage so you don't outgrow your space. For us, it was purchasing something like the wall unit, but could be placed farther from the wall if need be (and ours already is). My husband just got his first muscle up last week, so already we purchased the right equipment for our lifestyle and fitness goals.

Once I chose the space saving half rack, it was time to check the rest of the space to see how it would all fit. We put two horse stall mats right in the center and measured where the half rack would sit, which ended up on the right side and mat. Since it's been less than a year since purchasing it all, that's where we're still at today.

What equipment to purchase initially

Now for the fun stuff! I had a few lists going at first. I started with everything I initially wanted (it's fun to dream, right?), and then reviewed the basic pieces I would need initially. For me, my initial list I ended up purchasing was this:

- Floor Mats

- Half Rack (Rogue Fitness)

- Stainless Steel Bella Bar (Rogue Fitness)

- Barbell Collars (Magnetic Clips) (Rogue Fitness)

- Initial starting Bumper Plates (Rogue Fitness)

- Plate Storage (Rogue Fitness)

- Bar Storage (Rogue Fitness)

- Dumbbells (Rogue Fitness)

- Kettlebell (Rogue Fitness)

- Games Box (Rogue Fitness)

- Wall Ball (Rogue Fitness)

- Gymnastic Rings (Rogue Fitness)

- Monster Bands (Rogue Fitness)

- Hand Grips (Rogue Fitness)

- Dream Item: Echo GHD (Rogue Fitness) (Update: It's one of my most favorite gym purchases!)

I also knew I needed:

- Booty Bands

- Gym Chalk

- Squat Pad

What's nice about all of these items, is that most of them are compact and can be moved around easily. Since they all fit in the space well and can be moved/put away, I don't feel like it's too crowded at all. Of course, I have the middle of the garage to work with if need be, but generally I can do burpees under the rack, and box jumps on the side. I actually feel like the space works out really well. It feels good to have a small space that's still completely functional for fitness.

Is a home gym ever really complete?

If you've ever made a home gym because you're "trying to save money", you'll know that this doesn't work out. Eventually, you have to just stop. There's always something else you "need" for your home gym. In the future I would LOVE a rower, assault bike, additional weight, timer, whiteboard, etc. Like I said, there's always something. However, I'm really enjoying having a space along with the functionality we still have in the garage. So for now, all the cardio will have to be taken outside on the pavement (although I'm currently eyeing this option that would turn my bike into a machine: Sportneer Bike Trainer Stand).

Hopefully this helps if you're looking to build a similar small gym in an area of your own home. I can say that it was totally worth it, and I love that it's open 24/7- no excuses. Feel free to reach out or comment if I can help with any questions!

Be Game Day Ready with this Healthier Frozen Peanut Butter Bananas Recipe!

2021-02-05T15:39:00.001-08:00

*This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. You can read my full disclaimer here.

Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Game Day Bites

These Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Game Day Bites are a healthier take on a tasty little dessert! They are made with bananas, nuts'n more toffee crunch, thin chocolate coating and a dab of frosting. When you bite into them, you get the frozen banana taste with just a hint of the protein superfood and chocolate shell. The frosting on top is icing on the cake for an all-around bite sized dessert. Make sure to share or bag individually, as they are easy to keep eating!

Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Game Day Bites Recipe Inspiration

Who doesn't love frozen bananas with peanut butter and chocolate?! I will admit, this is a trio that I could eat every single day. (Chocolate Peanut Butter Casein with a banana thrown in is also my favorite bedtime shake, which is just a healthier liquid version.) Since game day usually requires an abundance of chips and dip, soda, pizza... and really anything else that you eat too much of, I decided to find a healthier alternative that still allowed me to participate in the food festivities. This one didn't disappoint, so I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Game Day Bites Ingredients

Ingredients Notes

For the peanut butter, I use a fun toffee crunch spread (they also have birthday cake, cocoa hazelnut, white chocolate, cookie dough, salted caramel peanut butter and more). Of course, regular peanut butter would also work well. For the chocolate dipping candy, I have the kind that hardens immediately, so it's very smooth and easy to create the footballs out of icing. I haven't tried regular chocolate, but I'm sure it could be a great substitute as well. The frosting is just a very small tube, but a larger one should work too. This is such a simple recipe that can be adjusted for macros and ingredients. Feel free to follow my exact recipe or create something similar on your own!

Recipe Equipment

The equipment is simple for this recipe. The only other thing you may want to prep is a place for the mini baking sheet in your freezer.

From here, you just slice the bananas, add peanut butter in the middle of two, dip and coat in chocolate and top with some frosting in a football design! See below for my exact process, as I freeze them two separate times.

Pin Me for Later!

I hope you love these easy to make game day bites! When you try them out, I'd love for you to comment below to let me know how you like them. You can also tag me on Instagram!

(DETAIL SUMMARY WITH INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW)

Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Game Day Bites

These Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Game Day Bites are a healthier take on a game day treat. They are made with bananas, peanut butter, milk chocolate and frosting. The center is just the right taste of banana and peanut butter with a chocolate shell.

EQUIPMENT

Parchment Paper
Mini 1.5 quart Crockpot
Spoon
Butter Knife
Small Baking Sheet
Toothpicks

INGREDIENTS

4 Bananas
Peanut Butter/Protein Superfood
Chocolate Dipping Candy
White Frosting

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Spread out the parchment paper

2. Cut the bananas into small pieces. The smaller you make them, the more bites you can make (although I make mine a little bit thicker).

3. Add peanut butter on top and make a sandwich with two banana slices as pictured

4. Freeze for one hour

5. Heat the chocolate in a Crockpot

6. Take a toothpick, and dip the frozen bananas and peanut butter pieces into the chocolate, covering as much as you can (the bottom usually has very little).

7. When finished, they should all be hardened, and you can top with a little frosting before putting them back into the freezer for an hour.

8. Serve, eat and enjoy!

NOTES

This recipe makes around 20 bites (more if you cut the banana pieces smaller
I left the pieces on the baking sheet open until I was ready to eat, but you could also bag them if needed. Keep in mind that the frosting on the top doesn't freeze, so be careful not to mess the football design up
Feel free to store for up to three months sealed, but they usually go pretty fast once you start eating them!

I'm usually pretty good at the macros, but I'm on maintenance and decided to make the healthiest treat possible for game day, but also give myself the day to relax a bit on the numbers. However, because there's only four ingredients, this should still be very easy to track if needed!

Thank you for stopping by!

The best compliment to say thank you for this recipe idea is to comment, share or pin. I appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you back for more next week!

*This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). Please read my full disclosure under terms of use for more information.

Feel free to click on the labels below for more relevant posts!

Happy One (full) Month to dumbbellsnotblonde!

2021-01-31T20:01:00.018-08:00

*This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you make a purchase through a link. Read my disclaimer here.

Hi friends! 👋

Happy New Year! I wanted to jump in and switch gears to give a quick recap on my first month going LIVE, what's been going on over here, my favorite January purchase (that I've bought multiple times!) and then wrap up with what to expect for next month.

HAPPY ONE MONTH TO DUMBBELLSNOTBLONDE!

I can't believe it, but dumbbellsnotblonde has now been up and running for a FULL month! What started as an idea for a place to help encourage and inspire others with their own health and fitness journeys, is now something I'm constantly thinking of new ideas for.. as there's so much more I want to share with you all! Don't forget to hit the subscribe button on the main page to follow along (it's always easy to unsubscribe at anytime). I'd love to have you!

I've had 2,881 views so far on my blog, with even more followers on multiple social platforms! You guys are seriously blowing me away with all the love!

Instagram Followers 845

Pinterest Followers 46 (and 4.6k monthly views!)

Twitter Followers 32

Facebook Followers 38

If you're one of the people who is already following along, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME! I want to know what YOU want to see moving forward, so feel free to send me a message on any platform with your ideas and suggestions! 😄

PERSONAL UPDATE

First things first, I received some great news on January 6th that my kidney disease (that I acquired via pregnancy) is now totally back to normal! I realize that this doesn't happen for everyone, and I feel extremely grateful that it reversed for me. Let me know in the comments if this is something you want a deep dive on, as it's a horrible outcome with a very positive ending. I want to encourage people who may be in the same boat to not give up hope, and some tips of what I did immediately and from that point on to do my best to help with recovery.

If you've been following me for sometime, you'll know that I have my husband's birthday on the second week of every new year, meaning that I never set a "diet/lifestyle" type goal on January 1st. Honestly, it's somewhat a blessing in disguise, as my goal is to consistently do what I always do (so there really shouldn't be anything "new"). Although, I'd love to participate in one of Renaissance Periodization's Transformation Challenges one year which always start on the 1st! We did a very simple date night at a new restaurant, followed by cake and presents with Grandma and the kids at home.

Happy Birthday to my handsome husband

I started Power Abs 2.0 last week, so I will be continuing that for another few weeks, so the first two weeks next month. Keep a look out for the results in February! I'm also having fun having my kids tag along on these (we do them in the evening together), so that's been really fun for us as well. I love that I'm leading by example when it comes to healthy fun habits. Thankfully it's only 10 minutes, because they make it through about the first two.

If you're curious about the program and the different offerings available, you can click here to view them all under my links & product recommendations. My full review of the programs can be found here. It's yours once you buy it, so don't worry about any subscription charges or hidden fees. You can do the program as many times as you'd like (and we all do)!

MY NEW FAVORITE PURCHASE

I just realized that I've purchased these leggings multiple times over the years, so I wanted to share them with you! They are super soft, affordable and versatile. They are literally the first thing I grab to wear while at home or running errands (and have even worn them to the gym a time or two!). I literally just got my latest shipment Monday so I have a pair for every day of the week. (Don't judge me.) 😂

What started as an "I don't want to pay a lot of money if I'm going to lose weight" legging, I've now owned multiple pairs as I continue to go down in size. I've also purchased them in crop and full length (I'm 5'2 for reference). I prefer the longer length, so that's all I'm personally purchasing today.

Bonus, they are less than $15. Yes, you heard that right! Super soft, versatile (with different color and cut options) for less than your lunch out. A serious no brainer! Buy a couple pairs of these VIV Collection leggings right now and thank me later. 👊

LOOKING INTO FEBRUARY

February is another busy month for this family of four! January is my husband's birthday (and his love language is gifts), but then we turn around and celebrate my sweet baby girl's birthday the first half of February! I can't believe my baby (who told me last night while going to bed that "she wasn't a baby anymore, she's a big girl"), is turning THREE! She's grown so much even in this past month, and I couldn't be prouder of the sweet and sassy little lady she's becoming. She's asked for a Blue's Clues party, so I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot of Blue and Magenta (those are the main characters in Blue's Clues) coming up here soon.

I will also be sharing what's on my plate for the Superbowl and Valentine's Day in February, so make sure to subscribe come back and visit!

The best compliment is to comment, shop, share and/or pin my posts. Thanks in advance for helping my little website grow.

With love and gratitude,

*This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase a product through one of them, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have personally used and benefited from personally, so I know you'll love the product(s).

Please read my full affiliate disclosure under terms of use for more information.

What it Looks Like When You're the Only One in Your Household Tracking Macros

2021-01-22T18:20:00.008-08:00

One of the questions I received quite a few times after my success is, what does it look like if I'm the only one eating macros in my household? And honestly, it's a great question to ask!

Doing this for quite a while now as the only one in my household, I can tell you that it's different, but 100% doable! Yes, I don't eat the exact same thing as my family. Yes, it takes a little bit of extra prep (since I work from home and don't do standard meal prepping). However I love it, and think this way of flexible dieting could definitely work for you too. Let's dig in!

What are Macros?

Macros is short for macronutrients. In a nutshell, it's broken down to tracking how you're consuming three things: protein, carbs and fat. Most people utilize this way of lifestyle in order to achieve a specific goal, such as gaining more muscle, losing fat or even maintaining a certain weight. People also use this way of eating to hit specific fitness goals, such as a bodybuilding competition or new personal record in the gym. I initially started tracking macros to lose fat and perform better with movements in the gym.

Why are they so important?

Macros are important because it's where you get most your energy from. It also helps you to understand exactly where those calories are coming from, as not all calories are created equal. Although they can help assist in meeting your goals, they can also help with the quality of your diet, as most tend to choose food quality versus calorie content while following this type of lifestyle. For me, I didn't realize until I started tracking how small of protein portions I was eating, and how much fat I was actually consuming per meal. My body needed so much more of one, and so much less of the other.. and I had no idea.

How does this change family mealtime?

In my experience, I've found that it changes everything for me, but not my family. Instead of preparing one course, I have the kids eating one thing and myself eating the other (and we'll get to my husband in a second).

Basically, it's a lot harder to calculate and track a casserole portion, or really anything shared. Since tracking macros, I tend to do something similar to what my family is eating, but not the same. An example is family pizza night. No way my numbers aren't going to be way out of whack eating a greasy, full of cheese (and amazing good!) pizza! So, they get the good stuff, and I make myself my version of pizza. A lot of times we'll eat together, but completely separate meals. My kids are also young (two and five at the time of writing this), so they're just happy for food at the table while Mickey Mouse is on in the background. 😂

What happened at my house!

I started dabbling into this way of eating quite a while ago, one small half of a pinky toe in. I would do it for one meal, maybe the second. I would start a fat loss phase, and then venture a lot on the weekends. Honestly, it was me just getting comfortable with the portions, what foods I should consume, etc. Even though I wanted to lose the weight, I wasn't disciplined enough to go through fully until last Summer when I completed a fat loss 85 day phase at 100% compliance.

At first, my husband was probably like, whatever. After all, I've done this before. I wouldn't blame him for thinking it was another ambitious attempt in his wife's book. It wasn't until I really started to make the changes and consistently work on achieving the end goal that he started to notice. He's competitive, so what happened in my house... is that he decided to firm up and lose a little bit of weight too! Although a totally different process from what I was doing, he was able to lose 10+ pounds (and gain his ego back). Lol. He looked good before, but now looks and feels good, and performs a ton better in the gym. Not that he bragged about finishing first in the workout today. 😉

So what I'm saying is, even if you're the only one doing it, people start to notice. You may start and your spouse jumps in. However, they may not, and that's totally okay. Bottom line, at the end of the day, you have to do this for YOU!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite reminders:

It takes four weeks for you to notice a change

It takes 8 weeks for your friends to notice.

It takes 12 weeks for the rest of the world to notice a change.

It takes one day to decide that you are enough.

Is day that day?

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments!

Links and Product Recommendations

2021-01-18T12:37:00.053-08:00

*This post may contain affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you make a purchase through a link. Read my disclaimer here.

Hi friends! 👋

I get asked a lot what programs I use, what products I recommend for a cut, what did I buy in my new gym, etc., so I wanted to put together a quick list of links and recommendations below:

RP Diet App

I use (and have had great success!) with the RP Diet App. In a nutshell, it adjusts your macros based on your fitness goals, schedule, weigh-ins, lifestyle and more. I can't recommend it enough, and know if you're serious about your fitness goals and/or weight loss, you'll love it too!

Benefits of the app:

Plans Your Meals
Keeps You Alert and Accountable
Adapts to your Life and Goals
Gives You Overall Control

Use my discount code JERICKA to save yourself some money!

Click here to join: rp.app/code/JERICKA

Bonus: You can also use my code for an eBook or new tank too! :)

*Purchasing Power Abs (50% OFF!)

I love the Power Abs programming! All are 30 days, require 0 equipment and can be done anywhere. They're also yours once you purchase (not subscription based), so you can do them again and again, or try different levels. Descriptions on each are listed below! If you're stuck deciding, I recommend Power Abs to start. You can't go wrong with any of them though!

Intro to Power Abs

Think push-ups on a couch, the most basic ab program for beginners

Power Abs
The original (and most popular!) program

Power Abs 2.0
Extension of the original Power Abs program

Power Abs for Moms
Postpartum program

Summer Power Abs
Specialty program

Extreme Power Abs
Advanced specialty program

Power Abs in the Kitchen (Cookbook)
The Cookbook that goes with it all

Power Glutes
Tighten, firm and lift your glutes

Power Legs

Tone, strengthen and define your legs

Power Stretching

A great addition to any of the Power Abs programs!

Power Abs with Patch

Get ready to take your abs to a whole new level with Patch!

Power Glutes Plus

Tighten, strengthen and define your legs using a band!

PHIIT

High intensity FULL BODY program, in just 10 minutes a day!

PHIIT Strength

Build strength and muscle, in just 10 minutes a day!

NEW! Low Impact PHIIT (Full body, no jumping)

NEW! Super PHIIT

NEW! Moms Bundle PowerAbs for Moms, PHIIT Mom and PowerAbs in the Kitchen

NEW! Best Sellers Bundle PowerAbs, PHIIT, PowerGlutes

NEW! Strength Builder Bundle PHIIT Strength, Summer PowerArms and PowerGlutes Plus

NEW! 21Strong 21 strong workouts (10 minute working on specific body part, one minute rest, followed by 10 minute high-intensity burn)

Click here to purchase: https://powerabs.shop/Jericka

Are you energetic, positive, driven and committed?

Click here to sign up to be a Power Abs Ambassador. Let them know Jericka sent you!

*My Personal Fat Loss Diet Phase and Maintenance Must Have's

The Food Scale I Use (Amazon)

The Pocket Food Scale I Use (Amazon)

The Updated Version of the Home Scale I Use (Amazon)

The Crockpot I Use (Amazon)

The Energy Drinks I Drink (Amazon)

The Sparkling Water I Drink (Amazon)

The Meal Prep Containers I Use (Amazon)

The Casein I Use (Amazon)

The Whey Protein I Use (Amazon)

The Cinnamon Bun Seasoning I Use (Amazon)

The Donut Seasoning I Use (Amazon)

The Italian Seasoning I Use (Amazon)

*Products I Have in My Home Gym

Rogue Fitness is where most of my items are from:

Stainless Steel Bella Bar (Rogue Fitness)

Half Rack (Rogue Fitness)

Dumbbells (Rogue Fitness)

Games Box (Rogue Fitness)

Echo GHD (Rogue Fitness)

Bumper Plates (Rogue Fitness)

Barbell Collars (Magnetic Clips) (Rogue Fitness)

Olympic Plates 10 lbs & 5 lbs (Rogue Fitness)

Items I also purchased from Amazon:

Squat Pad (Amazon)

Gym Chalk (Amazon)

Exercise Posters (Amazon)

Hand Grips (Amazon)

Gym Bag (Amazon)

Air Pods Pro (Amazon)

Theragun Elite (Amazon)

Wall Ball (Amazon)

Skip to a Specific Blog Post

Sweet and Simple Chicken Recipe

What I Eat in a Day Tracking Macros

How to Make a T-Shirt into a Women's Muscle Tank

3 Tips for Visiting Legoland

How to Have a Great Weekend in Lake Tahoe

Five Spring/Summer Finds

10 Simple Seasonings to Spice Up Any Meal

Five Favorite Items for Fat Loss

Why I Love the RP Diet App

8 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Eat Casein

My Top 7 Tips for Completing Your First Successful Fat Loss Phase!

Carrying Extra Weight? I Can Relate!

Be Game Day Ready with this Healthier Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Recipe

Happy One (full) Month to dumbbellsnotblonde!

Macro Egg Breakfast for One

Only Five Grams of Fat? No Problem.

Macro Pizza for One

Five Reasons You Need to Add Power Abs to Your Workout Routine

The Best French Toast Recipe

How I Built a Compact Home Gym

What It Looks Like When You're The Only One in the House Tracking Macros

Links and Product Recommendations

The Best Appetizer to Bring or Serve for Holiday Party Entertaining, That You Can Eat While Dieting Too!

Featured This Evening on Renaissance Periodization's RP Strength's MAIN Instagram Page!

Easy Post Workout Meal Idea!

The Best (and Easiest!) Place to Eat Out While Dieting

What I Eat and Drink Before I Workout

Featured This Morning on Renaissance Periodization's RP Transformations Instagram Page!

This Easy Trick Gets Me Through the Second Part of Every Day

My Two Favorite Chicken Recipes to Throw in the Crockpot

Connect with me to Never Miss a Discussion

Connect on Facebook
Connect on Instagram
Connect on Pinterest
Connect on Twitter

Join My Women's Accountability Group! (Not program specific, all are welcome!)

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions on any of the products I use and recommend above. I'd love to help!

*Disclaimer

This page contains several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and make a purchase through certain links on this site, at no additional cost to you, I may make a commission from that purchase. As always, all opinions are my own. Content remains the single most important aspect of this site, and affiliates are not given preferential treatment.

This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Please view my full disclaimer and terms of use for more information.

The BEST Appetizer to Bring or Serve for Holiday Party Entertaining, That You Can Eat Too While Dieting! (Fat Loss Diet Phase/Maintenance Phase)

2021-01-16T19:50:00.003-08:00

When I sat down to begin my fat loss phase of dieting, I knew I was picking a hard time of the year. I saw that it went through Halloween, Thanksgiving and a majority of Christmas. The fact of the matter was, that I was ready!

It all started with me laying on the bed and my five year old asking if I had a boy or a girl in my belly. 😳 Now, I didn't realize at this time that our nanny was pregnant, and she shared that she had a baby in her belly. He left this piece out. And honestly, my tummy didn't look super flabby in my laying down position (isn't that the position that always makes us look just a tad bit better?), but the fact that he thought I looked like I had a baby was all it took. I started my weight loss that following Monday and went 100%. And I didn't find out about her pregnancy until I was a week or two in.

Thinking about the holidays (and just normal life in general), I truly had to come up with a plan around these celebrations to make sure it didn't knock me off track. That's when I came across a very simple (and easy way to adjust macros) appetizer that I'm going to share with you!

How I Made My Cranberry & Cheese Bites

I'm a little crazy with my compliance on fat loss, so if you are too, you'll appreciate my diligence here.

I brought my food scale, cranberry sauce in a can, crescent rolls and chunk of brie cheese over to my Mom's house to prepare. I wasn't just having cranberry & cheese bites on Thanksgiving, so I had to figure out my macros and the amount I could have for my carbs/fats/protein for each meal. I took the max of those numbers with the rolls, cheese and sauce and created my bites based off what I was allotted. (The rest of my meal was mainly protein from turkey and a small bit of mashed potatoes, which I filled in around the bites for those wondering.)

If you're following, I broke down how much of the roll, cranberry sauce and cheese based off my macros, not a recipe. Because this appetizer is so easy, it's super flexible and can be altered pretty much any way with these three ingredients and still taste amazing!

Here's All You Need

Low Calorie Crescent Rolls
Brie
Cranberry Sauce

375 degrees for 15 minutes

These little prepped treats to myself were just what I needed to indulge but stay on track. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, Easter, Christmas or just want something different over the weekend, I hope you try this one too!

Cheers to your next event with this amazing (and incredibly easy) appetizer!

This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Featured This Evening on Renaissance Periodization's RP Strength's MAIN Instagram Page!

2021-01-12T18:21:00.008-08:00

Hi Friends and Family,

I wanted to pop in and post... because I JUST SAW THAT I'M ON RENAISSANCE PERIODIZATION'S RP STRENGTH'S MAIN INSTAGRAM PAGE! AHHH!! What a dream!

Courtesy of Renaissance Periodization's RP Strength Instagram App

It takes hard work, dedication, support, strength, and perseverance to do a full out 85 day cut 100%, and I feel honored to be one of the people placed on their site to say..

I DID IT!

Again, thank you all for supporting me throughout this journey. I can't wait for you to feel this good, and I'm ready to support you right back! 🙌

Ready for your turn?

rp.app/code/JERICKA (or code JERICKA on RP's website) will save you money on your upcoming RP journey!

I can't wait to see how much success you have too!

Easy Post Workout Meal Idea! (Fat Loss Diet Phase/Maintenance)

2021-01-12T13:25:00.001-08:00

www.dumbbellsnotblonde.com

It's no secret (especially if you're viewing my Instagram), that my absolute favorite post workout meal is Greek Yogurt. I look forward to it every single day! It started as the only meal that had the most protein/carbs/fats, and quickly became my go-to in order to keep myself on track. Bonus, I come home and go straight back to work, so this one is easy to make without any meal prep!

How I Make My Yogurt Bowl

I of course start with adding the yogurt to my bowl. Easy! Then I sprinkle my seasonings, usually Cinnabon Roll Seasoning (sometimes Chocolate Donut). 😋 Then goes on the honey, then Honey Oat Granola, followed by all the fruit toppings.

From here I really switch it up. Sometimes I'll do an English Muffin (with I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray and Cinnabon Roll Seasoning), sometimes I do this on half of a pita bread slice. Sometimes I pair it all with salty almonds. It really depends on the day and what I have in the kitchen.

What I Love About Greek Yogurt for my Post Workout Meal

Easy to make without meal prep
Easy for any macros
High protein
Allows for many different types of carb pairings

Go ahead and give this one a try and let me know what you think in the comments!

The Best (and Easiest!) Place To Eat Out While Dieting (Fat Loss Diet or Maintenance Phase)

2021-01-08T12:53:00.003-08:00

I remember being in the middle of my fat loss diet phase when my manager let me know that lunch for our end of the year meeting was on them. Hooray! Except, what could I eat? I was so diligent at home, and I was so nervous to branch out into the restaurant world in fear that I would go over. Remember, nothing was getting in my way of 100%. I sat and thought about what I would normally eat when splurging, and that an In and Out Burger and fries wasn't going to end well for me.. no matter what way I sliced and diced it. Ugh!

One of the places I have always loved (but haven't visited for sometime) is Chipotle! And while I've been known to pack a ton of goodness within their already oversized tortilla, they also have a healthier burrito bowl option available. Now, here's where my mom skills came into play (and they can come into play for you too)!

I ordered a burrito bowl IN A KIDS CONTAINER! Why? Because then I was able to take it back home, count my perfect portions for each and eat at 100%! I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was so incredibly excited about this new found freedom and didn't order it a few more times. I may actually have it again today. 😉

Let me break this down further for you if compartmentalizing your food is new (as it was for me).

This is What it Looks Like:

Here's Exactly What You Need To Do:

Ask for a burrito bowl in a kids container- that's it!

With my macros, I knew I couldn't eat all of the container most likely in one sitting (and my company was paying up to $20), so I asked for extra chicken and two sides of guacamole.

I was right! I ended up using the chicken for three meals (a homemade bowl below that I made twice, and then the rest on a homemade pizza instead of my usual chicken).

Here's What it Looks Like Put Together:

And that's it! Again, I'm all about super simple and easy.. and I feel like this option is just that! Also, now that I've had it a few times (that I will admit to), I can also now eyeball how much rice and beans I can have. This comes in handy if I wanted to go out to Chipotle and not break out my pocket scale.

Hopefully this helps if you're going out during your own weight loss, fat loss or dieting cut phase. Let me know if you end up trying it yourself!

dumbbellsnotblonde

RP Fat Loss Cut 2022 Week by Week Review and Progress

Our Kitchen Remodel

Granite Countertops

Backsplash

UPDATE: We're all done!

Sweet and Simple Chicken Recipe

Super Sweet and Simple Chicken Recipe

Chicken Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

Recipe Equipment

Save Me for Later

Two Ingredient Super Simple Sweet (with a little kick) Chicken Recipe

EQUIPMENT

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

Moms, We're All Just Doing the Best We Can

What I Eat in a Day Tracking Macros

Meal One:

Meal Two:

Meal Three:

Meal Four:

How to Make a T-Shirt into a Women's Muscle Tank

Step 1: Grab your supplies

Step 3: Figure out how far down on the sides you want the arm holes to go

Step 4: Start cutting, one side at a time!

Step 5: After both sides are cut, stretch the armholes out, which causes the new cut to roll a bit.

Step 6: If you want a shorter length, cut the bottom.

Step 7: Wear your new creation with pride!

3 Tips for Visiting Legoland California

Don't forget to pin for later!

1. Stay at the Legoland Resort

2. Visit in the Beginning of the Week

3. Buy the Legoland/Water Park/Aquarium Pass

OUR ITINERARY

OUR FAVORITE RIDES

OTHER PLACES WE VISITED

How to Have a Great Weekend in Lake Tahoe

HERE'S SOME THINGS I LOVE TO DO THAT YOU MAY WANT TO EXPLORE ON YOUR UPCOMING TRIP TO LAKE TAHOE TOO:

SUMMER

OTHER IDEAS

10,000 Views!

Five Spring/Summer Finds

Crop Tank

Outdoor Chair

Burger Maker

Tanning Lotion

Bikini

10 Simple Seasonings to Spice Up Any Meal

Cinnamon Bun Seasoning

Chocolate Donut Seasoning

Bacon Flavor Seasoning

Ranch Seasoning

Taco Seasoning

Garlic Salt

Salt & Pepper

Truffle Salt

Everything But The Bagel Seasoning

EggsHomemade bagelsAny type of breadThis is a very universal seasoning, and another one that I think is so great to have on hand. I like it for homemade bagels or bread primarily, but it really can be used on almost anything.

Cinnamon Seasoning

Pita BreadTortillaEnglish MuffinOatmealYogurtPancake/Waffle mixFrench ToastCinnamon is a wonderful staple to have on hand. I generally use it on bread, but it could be used for a variety of things, so definitely make sure you have this one!

Don't Forget to Pin for Later!

Five Favorite Items for Fat Loss

WHAT IS A FAT LOSS PHASE CUT?

WHERE TO START IF YOU'RE NEW

FIVE FOUNDATIONAL ITEMS FOR SUCCESS WITH A FAT LOSS PHASE

DO I NEED A SPECIFIC APP OR PLAN?

Why I Love the RP Diet App

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

THE RP DIET APP

What the app can do:

3 Simple Tips to Help You Stay on Track with Your Eating

1. Try to Use a Small Plate

2. Salad Dressing on Your Fork, Not Your Food

3. Sugar Free Jello and Fat Free Whip

8 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Eat Casein

WHAT IS CASEIN?

WHY DO PEOPLE USE IT AT NIGHT?

CASEIN BENEFITS

WHAT IS THE SIMPLEST WAY TO DIGEST IT?

Eggs
Homemade bagels
Any type of bread
This is a very universal seasoning, and another one that I think is so great to have on hand. I like it for homemade bagels or bread primarily, but it really can be used on almost anything.

Pita Bread
Tortilla
English Muffin
Oatmeal
Yogurt
Pancake/Waffle mix
French Toast
Cinnamon is a wonderful staple to have on hand. I generally use it on bread, but it could be used for a variety of things, so definitely make sure you have this one!