Each morning I wake up to about 15 e-mails. I am constantly clearing my mailbox throughout the day so that small number is a pretty normal amount between my school account and my personal account. I always receive (and delete) 20% off TODAY ONLY from retail stores,a few updates from blogs that I subscribe to, junk mail, and a daily devotion from Girlfriends in God (link.)

Although I’d love to online shop for a living, or be as creative as the blogs I read each day, and be as witty as the spam taglines I read, there is nothing better than having a quite time and starting my day with motivation and encouragement from up above. It seems I am constantly amazed at the message I read each morning as it comes around at just the right time. 

I feel like I’m at the point of my life where I have to make some pretty big decisions. In between juggling academic classes, a part-time job (Crossfit), and a group fitness instructor position in the near future, my days are often a blur and I can get so caught up into focusing on the wrong things and doing what I love for the wrong reason. The decisions I speak of are things like, “Do I take this class at this hour and not be able to coach?” or “Do I completely focus on school and teach (fitness classes and Crossfit) after undergrad?” or “With the USDA guidelines I am being taught, do I really want to be in this ever-evolving controversial profession?”

Over the past couple of years, I’ve told myself to always be able to answer, “Why do you do what you do?” Such a simple question… but if you really sit down and think about it, do you know why you do what you do? For me personally, searching for that reason has resulted in deep thoughts, emotions, and self discovery. As I take on new roles and make new decisions that will affect my future (just typing that word gives me butterflies), I have to constantly remind myself, I do it for Him. No paycheck can satisfy as much as His eternal paycheck will.

An excerpt from the devotion I read this morning (4/15/2013) :

“….is finding a different occupation always the solution to job satisfaction, or could the key to successful work be discovering a new approach to the work we already do? Twice in Colossians 3, Paul used the phrase “whatever you do” as a call for wholehearted service to the Lord. A wholehearted effort is difficult when working for a critical, ungrateful boss. Minimum effort then becomes a response that certainly seems justified under the circumstances. However, when our work is done for Christ and we view Him as our supervisor, we will strive to do our best all of the time. The boss may sign the paycheck, but the Savior issues our reward. Obviously, it’s not wrong to seek work that fits our skills and interests, but it is pointless to move from one job to another without first settling the issue of who it is that we truly are serving in the workplace. Daily work takes on eternal significance when it is done for God.”

Have a great Monday! 

xoxo, Mindy 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (NIV). Jeremiah 29:11

What’s going on, people?!?!

I’ve missed this lil’ corner of the internets and decided to come back and bombard everyone with my recent eats and sweats. Cuz trust me… I’ve been eatin’ and sweatin’ alot!

If you follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, (#socialaddict) then I’m pretty sure you all know I am still obsessed with Crossfit. In fact, at the moment Crossfit is my only form of exercise these days. I typically go 4-6 days/week and I can’t seem to stay away AND I have also started to do a bit of coaching twice a week for 3 classes. I am currently considered an “intern” at my Crossfit box and I honestly learn something new everyday. It’s fun, exciting, rewarding, a lot of times smelly and hardly ever easy. I am loving it!

Have you heard of the Reebok Crossfit Open? Basically, any athlete is allowed to register to compete for 5 weeks. Every week a new workout is posted, resulting in 5 workouts total, and you have until the following Sunday to post your scores to the main site. The top 48 male and female of each region ( Crossfit Boro is in the South East region) advance to Regionals and the top 3 of each region advance to the Reebok Crossfit Games in California! 

Needless to say, about 50 something people at my box have signed up including myself. The first workout was released on March 6 and every Friday Crossfit Boro has held a big event where all of the competitive athletes come and complete the workout! As of today, we have completed three of the five workouts and only have two more to go. SO, if you my dear reader are a local/GSU student/Statesborinian BRING YOURSELF to CFB Friday night to cheer on my fellow Crossfitters and myself. It’s a good time… always a good time.

K, now on to what I’ve been stuffing my always hungry face with. 

Lettuce wraps with ground beef, sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, jalapenos, avocado, and salsa!

Veggies for breakfast! Fried eggs, jalapeno sausage, green beans.

Turkey and veggie omelette. Avocado, strawberries, and blueberries on the side.

“carb-loading” This was a house salad with red peppers, onions, cukes, and homemade croutons. In the far left corner was a chicken salad sandwich! The perfect treat

snacka-ttackin’. Banana with almond butter!

mid-morning pick me up. Apple with homemade sunflower seed butter and coffee drank!

Sweet potato with Kerrygold butter and half of an avocado. I could live off of these two alone and be perfectly ok.

And because everyone could use some sweetness in their life………

homemade strawberry cake. omg

my favorite dessert: chocolate chip nut butter spoon.

On a totally different note, GUESS WHAT?!?! I am going to be an Aunt to a beautiful little NIECE in August. Congrats to my big sister… I can’t wait

Of possible interest (links):

Cheap and Easy from Crossfit Obsess

White Lies We Should Stop Telling Each Other via Thought Catalog

Have a good one! 

A few pieces of 2012……

11 days later and I decide to say farewell to 2012 and bring in 2013. 

If by eating good, Crossfitting, and spending hours and hours watching videos (more than likely of a workout or a cooking lesson) is starting off the year right… then I’m doing prettay good. Note: I’m just telling you what I’ve been up to over Christmas break. Starting next week, life will be different. UGH spring semester 

I’m not really a resolution setter but I’ve had a few words that reflect what I want to do/be/accomplish this year.

Hydrate. Simplify. Focus.

I’m thirsty for lots of things… better grades, good performances in Crossfit, a kind heart, patience, appreciation… the list goes on. It never hurts to drink more water, either.

I want to pay close attention to the small and big things and simplify my life. Might not make sense to you, but somewhere in this tiny brain I can understand it. Oh and just because I don’t have the newest shoes or coolest watch, I will still be me. Simplify.

Focus on God, others, my grades, my workouts. Sometimes it’s easier for me to worry about a few things and brush off or forget about the rest. I hope to find a good balance where I will stay mentally driven in all aspects.

2013, Let’s do this. 

Let ya soul shine!! 

(via Instagram.)

Yo. 

It’s been a whillleeee since I’ve thought about my blog but I’ve kept busy with school, Crossfit and well, just life  

Here’s what’s been going on in this lil’ corner of mine:

cinnamon-apple pork chops with garlic butter asparagus

i ate leftover turkey for an entire week last week… this was a salad of spring mix, baked turkey, pears, red onions, and goat cheese. sweetest taters on the side!

roasted brussel sprouts, sweet potato, smoked sausage, and sweet mustard.. easy, healthy, and sooo delicious

…pumpkin pancake topped with a fried egg and BACON

salad bars are real fun until you get to the cash register…. and especially after the cashier makes a comment about your hugh jass salad

… I baked a pumpkin-pie layered toffee cheescake for Turkey Day

…. my treat to myself after my Crossfit certification!! I’m in love with all things Lululemon!!

…. Crossfit PR’s (although I’ve already improved a couple)

Besides eating and sweating (my two favorite things), I have been schooling it up and I am so excited to know that finals will be OVER next week and helloooo Christmas break. 

p.s. I FINALLY GOT MY KIPPING PULL-UPS TODAY!

 I had a video to share, but apparently I’m technologically challenged and only know how to upload (read: overshare my bizz nass) on Facebook and nowhere else. Oh well.

What have YOU been up to, friend?
xo.

Ellllloo people!

Can I just put in my two cents into everyone’s conversation and talk about how great this weather is?! With Fall comes three things. First, super comforting and warm meals. Second, it’s baking season!! and third, it’s all things pumpkin. Last night I inhaled a cup of pumpkin frozen yogurt with chopped cheesecake bites and I… want… it… every day all day.

SO, Happy Fall! It makes me happy and annoyingly cheer-y.

I’ve been doing a lot of this…..

(studying with a side of coffee)

And a little of this…

(loaf of real banana bread)

(butterfinger blizzard cupcake…. OMG!! I only had half of one for tasting purposes.. promise!)

(Paleo chocolate cake-in-a-mug…. keep it healthy!)

and trying to keep my meals as nutritious and filling as possible…..

(Grilled chicken lettuce wraps with avocado, red tomato, and red onion)

(Roasted sausage and shrimp, ground beef, roasted green beans)

(Sweet potato, sausage, and kale atop spaghetti squash <A keeper!>)

(Tuna cakes with avocado, kale salad, and yellow pepper)

and very much Fall-like….

(Paleo chili <AMAZEBALLS> with non-Paleo jalapeno-cheddar corn muffin and Oktoberfest)

One thing I haven’t mentioned to anyone (whoever reads my sporadic and random posts) is that I have somewhat adopted a Paleo-esque kind of diet. I was first introduced to Paleo about a year ago in one of my introduction Nutrition classes and after a group presentation on the Paleo lifestyle, my professor asked the class if we would eat Paleo and I responded yes. All of the other diets (read: Atkins, South Beach, Weight Watchers, etc.) was a definite “no” response but for some reason the information and philosophy of Paleo stuck with me. I never truly “began” it after the Paleo presentation but it was always in the back of my mind. Fast forward to May of 2012, when I first began Crossfit, Paleo was all I heard.

In the world of the Crossfit crazies, the Paleo diet is very popular. It is the diet of Crossfit. After doing my own research in books, journals, and blogs, and witnessing other’s bodies change right in front of my eyes, I definitely decided to incorporate more Paleo-type foods in my diet. Over the summer, a normal meal for me would be “Oatless oatmeal” for breakfast, A salad with protein (chicken, steak, hard-boiled egg) for lunch, and roasted vegetables with grilled meat (steak, chicken, pork-chop) for dinner. However, I still had a sandwich with wheat bread when I wanted, a english muffin with eggs for breakfast, or a roll with dinner.

Fast forward to August of 2012 and I began Crossfit at a new box after taking some time off and once again all I heard was Paleo. At this point, I was reading Paleo blogs everyday and casually buying new-to-me ingredients or “Paleo foods” each time I went grocery shopping. My Crossfit box started a Paleo challenge at the beginning of September so I unofficially started it at the same. (Read: I didn’t sign up with my box so this is more or so an individual challenge. (For example: the cornbread muffin in the chili picture and slices of banana bread. I allow myself frozen yogurt once a week, full-fat greek yogurt for a snack, and Starbucks as I please….. a.k.a. too much!!) So, my “rules” are far from what a real Paleo challenge rules would be , but I can honestly say I feel so much better. My goal when beginning this challenge was not to lose weight but to gain muscles so I can get stronger in Crossfit and keep a 80%/20% balance. I can without a doubt see the small changes in my body, probably a lot more than the outside world, but most importantly, I feel a lot stronger.

It would seem cutting out grains, sugar, all processed foods and most dairy would be super hard, but it really isn’t. A BLT without the bread and wrapped in a head of lettuce instead is really awesome!! Did you not see the lettuce wraps up there?! They are sooo delicious. There are also a ton of substitutions you can make as well if you are interested in a Paleo diet (Coconut milk or almond milk instead of regular milk, Flax seed meal and almond flour instead of regular or whole-wheat, Coconut oil or grass-fed butter for canola oil and cooking spray, almond butter instead of peanut butter and my absolute favorite swap is spaghetti squash instead of noodles…. just to name a few.) Once you get the groove in learning how to use certain ingredients and cook things properly, Paleo eating is not hard at all.

Anyhow, the point of me typing 4 paragraphs on Paleo and my experience, was to let you all know that it can be done! For those of you interested, I would suggest checking out Paleo books and cookbooks in the library, and reading informative blogs such as www.marksdailyapple.com and www.robbwolf.com and totally awesome cooking blogs such as www.paleomg.com and www.nomnompaleo.com. If you are not at all interested in the Paleo diet and have no idea what Paleo even is, that is cool too! There is something for everyone and each individual has their own specific goal. I am just here to tell you all my experience, how I feel, what I’ve been eating and honestly, procrastinate on my butt load of school work

If you have any questions, want some recipe suggestions, or just want to say what’s up, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at mindyleanna24@hotmail.com.

Disclaimer: I am not a registered dietitian or nutritionist and all opinions are my own. Before starting a new diet or eliminating certain food groups, consult a medical professional.

I’m off to gather some wild berries and hunt down a bison for dinner tonight. Jusssss kidding.

xo. Mindy

Happy Monday! As I scroll through my Twitter feed and Facebook feed I always see complaints about Monday. What is so bad about Mondays?! I feel like they are my “get your ish together today Mindy” and they always make me feel so productive.

After Chemistry and Anatomy this morning, I headed to Crossfit to get my WOD on. Our strength workout was 3 reps of dead lifts at 70%, 75%, 80%. The work out was 21-15-9 dead lifts, box jumps, and hand-release push ups! It was a fun one and as always, super intense. I am so, so glad I’ve been going to the 12:15pm class because it A.) allows me to go ahead and get my workout out of the way…( no excuses) and B.) sets the tone for the rest of the day! Good and hard workouts= happy Mindy

After Crossfit, I immediately inhaled this kale salad. It included baby kale mix (Earthbound Farms.. soo good!), sliced red onion, an artichoke heart, quartered cherry tomatoes, 2 pieces of crumbled bacon, and a fried egg. Best dressing in the world is a runny egg yolk!

As I am typing this, I am just finishing off a container of 2% Fage yogurt and almonds. I found Fage for 10/$10 and obviously I grabbed a few. Fage for a $1 is a steal.

All I’ve been wanting to do today are 1.) make some fall crafts… possibly paint some mini pumpkins white for my room and glitter some up for our porch and 2.) eat some dark chocolate!! Not sure why I’ve been craving dark chocolate lately but I think I’m going to have to find some soon.

I am looking forward to going home this Friday. I have stayed up here pretty much every weekend and I am ready to have a relaxing weekend and spend time with my favorites (a.k.a. my mama, mema, and sister!) Maybe check out some yard sales and farmers market! Speaking of farmers market, I went to the one downtown on Saturday morning. I bought a carton of local, free range eggs and sweet potatoes. It’s crazy how much taste difference in local eggs vs. conventional eggs.

Last Friday morning, I was feeling fancy and decided to cook breakfast for my roomates and me. I have seen lots of recipes with sweet potatoes and apples lately, so I put together an apple-bacon hash. It is so simple and very delicious.

Apple-Bacon Hash

• 1 red delicious apple, chopped
• ~1/4-1/2 onion, sliced
• 2-3 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 tbsp grass-fed butter (I used Kerrygold)
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Start by sauteing your sliced onion in one tablespoon of butter over medium heat. When onion starts to caramelize and brown, add in chopped apple and sprinkle with plenty of ground cinnamon. Meanwhile, quickly microwave bacon until brown. Stir apple+onion every so often and add bacon when it is finished cooking.  Cook mixture until the apples are crisp and brown.  Top with a generous dab of butter.

The “hash” was very good and served three hungry girls  

Sweat lots, eat well, and smile often today!

xoxoxo, Mindy

Always remember-09- never forget-11- remain grateful

Happy Tuesday, ya’ll! Today is my busy omgimrunningaroundlikeachickenwithitsheadcutoff day and I always pack a lunch. The lunch I packed today was so delicious I figured I would share with everyone. I didn’t take a picture because tuna salad isn’t very photogenic but anywho.

Tuna Salad for one

Great for those on-the-go and looking to have a healthy lunch. Serve with crackers (triscuits), on top of toasted bread, or on a salad!

• single serve tuna packet
• 1 tsp mayo made with olive oil
• heaping tablespoon of plain greek yogurt
• 2-3 tsp dijon  mustard
• 1/4 avocado, chopped
• 1/2 celery stalk, chopped
• 4-5 baby carrots, chopped
• squeeze of lemon
• salt and pepper
• Add-in suggestions: hummus, pickles

Deeee-lish.
I also bought probably the last pint of strawberries I will have for this year. I love me some berries but I  am more than happy for Fall to be here

I enjoyed some strawberries with chopped cantaloupe (sooo refreshing) and a banana+ almond butter quesadilla for breakfast. I can’t say enough about La Tortilla Factory wraps. The nutritional stats are pretty good and I love the taste of them!

And you know I had to add some more protein. Fried egg on the side.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’m a health freak/weirdo or what but I’ve been craving kale like crazy! Naturally, I grabbed some at the store on Sunday. I simply massaged the torn leaves with salt plus a little olive oil+vinegar for about 2 minutes and then topped with ~1/2 chopped apple, carrots, and tomatoes for lunch! Yum.

Smashed avocado on top of toast on the side. Besides eggs, smashed avocados+toasted bread are one of my favorite combinations!!

Hopefully all of this “brain food” will help me kick butt on my Chemistry exam tomorrow. Off to cram.

Laters!

1.) I haven’t been around these parts in quite some time. I’ve still been reading blogs like crazy….. you know, when I have an assignment due in 30 minutes but I just HAVE to read about what she ate and she worked out that day. I’m a lunatic.Blogs > academics. Kidding…. kinda.

2.) I’m so ridiculous excited for Fall. I wish I could get by with wearing boots everyday. And I wish I had the picture of me when I was 5 wearing an obnoxiously big bow, a cute handmade dress, and BOOTS. Brogans to be exact.. I was a cutie. My mom said the only thing I wanted to wear when I was younger was my baby-bop outfit and boots. Hot stuff

grilled steak, baked okra, red potatoes

3.) I’m currently taking Chemistry  and Anatomy along with each of their labs. I’m not saying this to have a pity party but really all it makes me want to do is eat a lot of chocolate chip cookies and drink too much wine.

coffee words

4.) Last post I told you all I wasn’t able to do Crossfit in Statesboro but I pulled through and I have been a member for 3 weeks. I feel like I get stronger each class… even though I am nowhere where I’d like to be. Never satisfied

crossfit hands.. yum!

5.) One thing I will never understand: why the microwave has been beeping for the last 20 minutes… maybe I should get up off the couch and do something about it.

(supa) broiled open-faced tuna melt, 2% cottage cheese, apple.

6.) My roomates asked me why I haven’t shared any pictures of the meals we’ve been cooking together. It’s not because they aren’t healthy meals but mostly I am so ridiculous hungry that the last thing on my mind is taking a pretty picture. Which reminds me, I am having a phone dilemma currently. How in the heck people live without cell phones will never know.

the last of the summer garden bounty from my Mema

laters, Mindy

p.s. healthy meals and pretty pictures soon. hold tight cowboys and girls! <3

p.p.s. the tree seems like a pretty wise guy!

This week has definitely been my “calm before the storm.” I start classes on Monday and I have a crazy busy schedule for this semester so I have had no problem with just chilling  out. The flowers in the above picture make me happy They were left over from a bridal shower my friend and I hosted for our friend, Kristin.

My New Room

I have had tons of fun decorating my new room and I don’t know what I would’ve done without my Mema, antique stores, Goodwill, all of my DIY crafts, and Pinterest. I took a few pictures yesterday to show everyone my home away from home. There are still things I need to arrange + add onto the wall but I feel like I am off to a good start. I <3 my new room!

I really wish I wouldn’t have taken my room pictures using Instagram because the colors in my room are so much more lighter and brighter. Hopefully Santa Clause will come around and buy me that Canon Rebel I have my eye on!

Crafting + Thrifting

I also did some crafting yesterday twith one of my friend’s deer antlers!

Ah! It turned out so well. I am no perfectionist by any means but I ending up loving it. It holds all of my rings and bracelets. I actually hope to saw the “head off and overlap the two “spurs.”

I casually went in to Goodwill and a local antique store today just to kill time. I ended up finding some goodies all for under $11!! I was proud of my thrifty ways. I plan to use the bowl as a fruit bowl, and display the two vases in our living room and my room!

Pancakes

My free time allowed me to experiment with a new recipe this morning! I always see protein packakes on different blogs and Pinterest and honestly, mine always fail. I found the secret to a perfectly cooked pancake is using a high quality cooking pan, coconut oil as your pan base and cooking over medium heat.

Vanilla Protein Pancakes

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 whole egg + 1 egg white
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a medium boil. Melt coconut oil over medium heat. Cook pancake , flipping to cook the other side after you hear it sizzling.

Ta Da! The heart that formed on my pancake was just what I needed to put a little pep in my step this morning. I can see myself making this breakfast again and again. As a matter of fact, I am looking forward  to having it again in the morning.

Have a great afternoon!

xo, Mindy

Holy guacamole! I’m not sure if it’s because of the very hot summer we have had or just because I loooovveee Mexican but I have been eating it at least three times a week. Out at a restaurant or making it at home.

I visited St. Simons Island last weekend and stopped at a Mexican/Southwestern restaurant and ordered the best salmon and goat cheese quesadilla! Mexican at the beach? I know, but at least it had seafood in it. I really wanted to try the pineapple and shrimp tacos and told myself that I would need to re-create them at home. Oh and the restaurant was Bubba Garcia’s. Go there.

Jessica from How Sweet It Is answered my mexican prayers and posted a recipe for pineapple and grilled chicken quesadillas with spicy strawberry salsa! I tried them out last night and they did not disappoint. If you feel like gettin’ fancy with your mexi, try this recipe. All of the ingredients were a little under $13 and I already had the chicken, so it made for a surprisingly inexpensive but flavor-bursting meal for two.

Other recent eats:

Steak taco carne asado from a mex rastaurant in my hometown. Topped with lime and salsa, mmmmm.

Toppings for grilled turkey burgers with my roomate. I put mine on top of a salad.

BLT salad! with dill pickles and a simple dressing of honey + yellow mustard and a splash of apple cider vinegar.

Barbecue from a hometown bbq joint. Whole-wheat buns and Alexia chipotle sweet potato fries. Slighty healthier, right?

A runny egg yolk and bacon with roasted kale chips. Please try roasted kale: torn kale leaves, S+P, olive oil at 400F for 8-10 mins. Rainier cherries for dessert!

pork chops, steamable sweet potato, crispy kale chips!

I’m not a snack bar person, but this was awesome! I found it at a Starbuck’s and looked for the packs at Wal-Mart and Target but can’t find this specific flavor. Any of you reading, if you see this flavor in stores pleeaaasseee let  me know. I mean, I even dreamed about these things. Ha

In other news:

I transferred schools. Lots of familiar faces, closer to home, nutrition program, well-known roomates . All good things! I did some crafty things for my new room and I hope to write a post about it soon, with pictures! I <3 decorating.

I stopped Crossfit, for now. I was Crossfitting in my hometown while I was home for the summer but since my move last week , I stopped going and I hope to start back once I get a J-O-B. I have visited the one where I am schooling at once before and I would really love to do it for the month of August but reality set in and it just. aint. happenin. I feel like I lost a loved one and I sure do miss Crossfit DGA!

Of possible interest:

Healthy Zucchini Brownies

A Thank You to Crossfit

Find Your Greatness Olympics commercial  (in case you live under a rock)

OH, and do this! I did and it was a sweeeaaatttyyy one. Whew.

Adios amigos!

xo, Mindy