Tag Archives: Books

Read Books. Lift Weights

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Have you ever read something that struck a chord in you?

A quote, lyric, or sentence that you came across while your nose was deep within the pages of a book?

I did that today.

“You have the same rhythm. Click. You just know each other. All of a sudden, you see reading in bed and waffles on Sunday, and laughing at nothing, and his mouth on yours. And it’s so far beyond fine, that you know you can never go back to fine. That fast. You think: Oh, here the rest of my life. It’s finally arrived.” -Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

Perfectly expressed. You’ve met someone who changes your life in an instant, and what happens after that is all an untold story. I couldn’t have said I better myself.

This is why I love to read.

It takes you to a place outside of where you are. You create the character’s appearance, their hideaways and moments of despair. Your mind is the film roll in a camera, putting forth an image that can differ from one person to another.

Every sentence has a different meaning. A different chord struck.

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The world is better place with more books to read.

It’s exercise for the mind. The one part of our body that should never go to waste.

And it’s important to feed your brain and body with quality and nutritious food.

Breakfast

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cottage cheese, ground flaxseed, Kashi, banana, blueberries and cinnamon.

And a more savory option for lunch

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Brussels sprouts, grape tomatoes and baby carrots, served with 1/2 cup of egg whites, and leftover quinoa cooked in low sodium chicken broth.

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delicious.

The gym was packed this afternoon, which I love because it motivates me to push myself harder. However, trying to grab a bench in the weights section can be harder than finding a parking space at the Mall during Christmas break.

Sometimes, we just have to improvise.

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concentration curls in butterfly position on the floor.

Followed by triceps dips, walking planks, straight legged sit ups, and superman holds.

Make it work!

Feed your body. Strengthen your mind. Read more books. Lift more weights.

Love and be loved xoxo

i <3 iHerb

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Thank you, iHerb, for selling some of my favorite products for such low prices

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You’re a life saver. Smile

I put my chia seeds to use in this morning’s protein packed yogurt bowl.

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  • Fage 0%
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/2 sliced banana
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup Kashi GoLean!

I’m starting to add grains back into my diet, and I’ve noticed that my stomach issues are much more subtle when I do not eat them everyday. A few times a week, yes, but with a break in between. And those healthy fats are still present in every meal!

Pre-workout Rice Cake

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  • 1 unsalted, gluten free rice cake
  • 1 scoop vanilla Sunwarrior protein mixed with water
  • 1/2 T raw almond butter
  • sliced banana

I’ve had to take a break from INSANITY due to my feet and ankles becoming increasingly sore and cramping.

It’s not as a result of an unstable surface, bad posture or poor sneaker choice, but rather from repetitive pounding of my joints. Even at rest, I am experiencing pain that I did not have before, and it is starting to interfere with my day.

I have come across other INSANITY participants who have complained of the same issues as well, and it is just not worth it to me. So for now, I am going to let my lower half rest, and revisit some of my old routines at the gym!

Complete Set 1, then Set 2, and then break for 1 minute before starting again.

  • Set 1: 15 Push Ups
  • Set 2: 15 Bent Over Dumbbell Row

repeat 3x

  • Set 1: 12 Front Raise
  • Set 2: 12 Lateral Raise

repeat 3x

  1. Set 1: 12 Alternating Bicep Curl
  2. Set 2: 12 Tricep Kickbacks

repeat 3x

30 minute Elliptical

  • 5 minutes forwards at a moderate pace
  • 1 minute reverse at a fast pace.

Stretch

Post Workout spinach and coconut egg white scramble

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I placed 4 egg whites, a handful of spinach, 1 Tbsp oat bran and 1Tbsp coconut flour in a bowl with water. I microwaved it until the eggs fully cooked, and then scrambled the mixture with my spoon.

Deeeelicious

So after hearing some great reviews about this book, I’ve finally decided to read it.

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It’s comparable to The Hunger Games, very different from Fifty Shades of Grey, and I am loving it so far!

The second book just came out as well, and I’m hearing a movie may also be in the making.

Read about the story line here

Well I’m off to figure out my plans for the 4th!

Rain? No rain? Land or Sea?…Who knows!

Five Rules of Fifty

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So I just finished the Fifty Shades trilogy, and while it definitely sucked me in, (bad choice of words?),  I ended the series with the same feelings as I did after reading book one.

“While I agree that this book is extremely captivating, all of the hype surrounding the eroticism and fetishes involving the character’s relationship, seems a bit odd to me.

It’s 2012. Flip on your TV after 10pm and you’ll see borderline inappropriate scenes right in your living room.

Get over it.” – post from May 12, 2012

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As the book progressed, I felt that the storyline became more and more unrealistic, and my growing annoyance for Anastasia became more and more prominent.

I mean..who doesn’t know how to use a computer in the year 2011!?

Half of college curriculum had been computer based for at least a decade at this point, not the mention email, which she also failed at using. 

She did, however, know how to use a gun (how convenient), as well as her lower lip, which she continued to bite no matter what emotion she was feeling at any given time.

  • angry- bite my lip
  • sad- bite my lip
  • scared- bite my lip
  • frustrated- bite my lip

Put your damn lip away, inner goddess , you know what you’re doing

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All criticism aside, this book is filled with mystery, erotica, action, agony, and it is addicting in every way.

You won’t be able to put it down.

However, for those of you who have yet to nose dive into the kinky and twisted world of Christian Grey, I just want you to realize a few things before you do.

The Five Rules of Fifty

1. Your significant other will never be as obsessed with you, or richer, than the man in this book.

2. You will not be given a $100,000 car just for being pretty, nor will your closet become filled with clothes that magically fit your frame without ever trying them on

3. If your partner texts, calls, emails and stocks you throughout the day, or wants to spank you if you roll your eyes/disobey them…That does not mean protection and control.

It means RUN.

4. If an ex of your partner is standing in your kitchen with a gun, then drops to their knees and surrenders to the sight of your partner.. I’d say that you have a bad case of baggage on your hands.

An extra $50 baggage fee applies if your partner proceeds to give their ex a sponge bath before sending them off to rehab.

Just sayin’.

And without totally giving the book away… The most important thing to remember is this…

5. You will not convulse with pleasure every time you and your partner speak, kiss, graze arms, make eye contact, or stand alone in an elevator.

If you do..I think we’ve found the author of our next novel.

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