Super mom!

A few blogs back I wanted to share someone's personal success story.

I knew who I wanted to write about, but I want her to come to me ;)

Well she did.

She gave me the "ok" to share her story some time ago.

I have been busy and wanted to make sure I could really write something heart felt about this wonderful woman.

I met this heck of a mom, Shelby, a few years ago in college.

She is a military wife, accounting college grad, and the mother of two BEAUTIFUL children.

I just found out some news from Shelby yesterday, and I will talk about that in a few.

Here is what she sent me.

She is so humble so read what I have to say after what she wrote :)

. . . .

When I started my journey back in 06-07, I didn't know about Crossfit or Paleo. As a matter of fact, I didn't know a whole lot about eating right or exercise. I didn’t want to go to an actual gym because I was self-conscious. So I bought some regular gym equipment for my house. However, 3 years ago my husband stumbled upon Crossfit, got his level one cert and started slowly easing me into it. Then we found the zone diet and then moved on to Paleo. Paleo is easy because you know what you CAN'T eat. Paleo is difficult because of the things you can't eat. Preparation is key for successful Paleo. I still cheat, probably more then I should, but for the most part I stick to meat, veggies, fruit, seeds & nuts. Anyhow, when I started, I weighed 270lbs size 26 and now I am 160lbs size 10-12 at 38 years old. I feel better then I ever have. I still have my ups and downs of eating bad and some weeks I don't get workouts in like I should, but I'm an Air Force Wife of 17 years, and a working mom of two. Sometimes life just happens :) I will never go back to the way I was. If I can do this then anyone can do this…I promise!

                       

. . . .

Doesn't she look AMAZING!

Look at those arms!

Okay now I want to share a bit more about her, we all know how I LOVE to get sentimental : )

When I met Shelby, we were in Accounting 201, and then tried to take the same accounting courses together (and any other) each semester on.

Her husband is in the Air force and had to travel while she was still going to college and taking care of their kids.

Can you say super mom??!

She moved to Florida for her husband’s work, but she has a forever Vegas friend :)

Yesterday, I found out some devastating news.

Shelby has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

(I'm starting to get a lump in my throat)

What do you say to someone when you find something like that out?

Pray.

Pray.

Pray.

After seeing Shelby's amazing transformation, and being the super mom/wife that I know she is, I know she can get through this.

She has touched more lives than just the ones in her home.

Especially mine.

Knowing Shelby had a whole house hold to take care of and was still showing up to class every day, studied every night, and never missed a deadline, that taught me no excuses and pure dedication.

She always has a smile on her face, is hard working and is a fighter.

With that being said I KNOW she will beat this.

There is so much love for this women and I know everyone will come together for support and care for her and her family.

I know God will make sure this wonder mom and family will be taken care of.

We are all praying for you Shelby, you will beat this!

If you can get through McAllister's accounting course you can get through anything.

So much love headed your way friend.

May God bless you and your family.

Almond Flour Lemon Cup-ffins

I have a HUGE sweet tooth.

There is no reason to try and deny that!

The only Paleo or clean dessert I have attempted to make is my Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding :)

Which is amazing btw...

However, this weekend I felt wild and crazy and wanted to try and make something different!

So I attempted to make Paleo Cupcakes, which ended up coming out more like muffins, thus the Almond Flour Lemon Cup-ffins being born.

Even though I was trying to make something and it ended up coming out as something else...it totally worked in my favor!

Now I have an on the go breakfast!

Ingredients

3 cups  almond flour

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup  honey (I used local honey because my allergies have been horrible lately)

3 eggs

2 tbs. vanilla extract

2 tbs. lemon extract

2 tbs. lemon zest

1/2 tbs. salt

1/2 tbs. baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 325* and position a rack in the center. Line a cupcake pan with 10 cupcake liners.

2. In a large bowl, mix almond flour, salt and baking soda.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, lemon extract, and lemon zest until smooth.

4. Combine the Almond flour mix to eggs and honey mix and stir until ingredients form a batter (it will be thick).

5. Empty batter evenly into the lined cupcake tin.

6. Bake for 23-27min, until a toothpick comes out clean and they are golden brown on top.

Almond Flour Lemon CUP-FFINS!

Enjoy!

 If you make these please share feedback, opinion, recommendations...anything!

Bison Burgers

Ah, spring in Las Vegas...

Winds at 40 mph all day....in the desert, joy.

With that being said, I am cooped up inside.

Which I really won't complain about because my insanity work out has made it difficult to walk and sit.

You guessed it! I have TSS (toilet seat syndrome).

I know you other fitness junkies have been there.

Signs of a good work out!

. . . .

Anyways...

Bison meat. AMAZING! Can I give you a tip? Buy it from Costco! What you pay for one pack at your local grocery store you can get two at Costco!

When we do our burgers we normally wrap them in lettuce, but this time we changed it up by putting on it Paleo bread.

Yep, you read that right! Paleo. Bread.

                       

I don't have the best food picture taking skills.

Despite the lack of photogenically (word?) this burger was nothing short of delicious!

Ingredients

1 pkg. Bison meat (will make four burgers)

1 Tbs. Onion Powder

1 Tbs. Garlic Powder

1 Tbs. Almond Flower (helps hold the meat together)

1 Cup chopped Spinach

1/2 cup diced peppers

S&P

Toppings...

Lettuce

Tomatoes

Avocado

Paleo Almond Flour Bread

What to do

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, best to just use your hands! : )

2. Divide meat mixture into four sections, roll and flatten to make patties.

3. Throw on the grill (or on a skillet over the stove, whatever suites your fancy!)

4. Toast two pieces of the Paleo bread; add meat patty and whatever PALEO toppings you want! Mine are listed above.

Opinion on Paleo bread....

Has a bit of a funny smell, but it’s not bad! I am so happy Johnny found this for us because now I can make sandwiches for an easy lunch!

I'm finding less and less excuses to not get my diet in clean action!

Let me know how you like Bison meat! Trust me you will never buy ground beef again!

A new beginning...

Alright, I'm going to do it...

I will be posting before pics!

Not TOO stoked on the idea, buuuuut I want to influence people and inspire others, so how will I do that? By showing what a clean diet and exercise can do for you!

Since Matt is on strict bed rest for a few weeks, this is a PERFECT time for me to commit to myself, by myself!

Matt is obviously in good hands that he can let me step away for some cardio time : )

And when I say cardio I mean INSANITY.

Matt has been my gym buddy for the past couple months so I got so comfortable going with him that I don't want to go with out him.

So while he's resting and hopefully will make a speedy recovery I will be doing my 6 days a week video for at least one month. Insanity calls for two months but Matt isn't crazy about it so he'll want to get back in the gym ASAP!

Stay tuned for my post tonight! I will be showing my before from three weeks ago, will post what I look like now AND a bison PALEO recipe tonight! I am so excited because we are going to eat it on Paleo bread that my FAB friend Johnny gave to us. I seriously have some awesome people in my life.

We are about to get personal people.

Get ready for it!...

P.S. You readers out there (and I know of TWO (you know who you are)) you guys have before and after pics of what paleo and crossfit can do for you, I would LOVE a guest blogger to share your success story! even if I dont know you! send it to me and I will post it you will be a INSPIRATION to me and many others. You should want the world to know about how hard you worked (and continue to) to have reached your dream body!