When you need a little extra fiber....

Try these.

This recipe has become one of my favorites. I found it while searching for easy and healthy meals I could make during the week because one of the biggest struggles for me while working full time has been finding time to fit everything in, including meals that we could take for lunch or eat for dinner. But not just any meals. They had to be easy and healthy...which I always thought was a non existent combination. Well, turns out it's not impossible and there are some really good options out there!

When I first went to make this particular recipe I was a little skeptical....but I gave it a try and it obviously tasted great or else I wouldn't be sharing it here! The actual recipe is vegetarian but you can add chicken and its still just as tasty!! We have had it both ways and love it either way. (Although, I do think Anthony prefers the chicken version because he's a man and has to have his meat...)

I highly recommend these to everyone and I will be surprised if you try them and don't like them. That's how good they are....and bonus: I am usually good to go after eating three because they are filling (and good for you!!) so there are always leftovers.

Oh and before I forget, DON'T FORGET TO MAKE THE SAUCE TOO!!! It's a greek yogurt/avocado/lime dream combo. Seriously. It is so good. 

Please go try these and tell me what you think.....I need to know if you guys get as obsessed as I am...

Photo from I Heart Naptime

Mango Tango

I don't know about you, but I LOVE mangos. I'm pretty sure I've loved them for a very long time and I'm not really sure how anyone could NOT love them. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

I actually can't look at mangos or eat one anymore without thinking about a particular story and since I hate when people bring stuff up and then don't share, I'll share the story with you ;) cuz I'm nice like that.

Ok- so my family was in Cabo one summer, and I think we were driving home from probably the most depressing zoo of my life, when we saw a guy with big paper bags FULL of mangos for sale. My dad asked if anyone wanted to stop and buy some and of course my little mango loving self in the back seat shouted "YES!!" (Note: I'm not the only one who loves mangos, I'm pretty sure it's genetic and everyone in my family got the dominant mango loving gene) So we took a massive bag (of already RIPE mangos) back to our hotel and immediately started devouring them. I don't think my little heart could have been happier! Now, let's fast forward two days...surprise, surprise, we were all sick from eating so many mangos. And I mean sick...think 3 grams of fiber per mango..... it was a rough day or two after that binge and we still had at least half of the mangos left!!! That's how big that dang bag was. It literally felt like a never ending supply of mangos. Which would have made me happy, if I  hadn't just missed a day of swimming to sit on the toilet.... I believe we ended up giving or throwing away the remaining fruit since no one could handle any more mangos after that. Hahaha.

After that trip I was afraid the whole experience was going to make me never want to touch a mango again. But, surprisingly, I still loved them. I just learned to pace myself ;)


So now you all know what I think about when I eat or see mangos and hopefully you think about something a little more pleasant. I can laugh about the story now, but man, I'm not sure my body has ever hated me more than during that mango cleanse!!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Chia!

Ok, so I used to be the worlds pickiest eater. Don't believe me, just as my poor mother. I still am a bit picky but mostly when it comes to the texture of food. I can't do slimy. Unless I want to throw up, which I don't. Ever.

I feel like all of my siblings are pretty adventurous when it comes to food, and I am still over here figuring that out. Oh well, some of us take longer, right? ;)


Anyway, we went to Costco yesterday and decided to buy some chia seeds (along with the rest of our groceries obviously) so we could give them another chance. **Disclaimer: The only experience I have ever had with chia seeds was one of those Mama Chia (or whatever they are called) drinks and lets just say, it was slimy.... SO I was a little nervous today when I pulled them out to see how I could incorporate them into one of my meals/snacks. Long story short, I figured it out and do not regret my decision to buy them at all. Especially after reading about all the benefits of eating those little seeds! Lets just say, they are small, but are PACKED with goodness. A quick google search can give you all the information you've ever wanted about chia seeds.


I know you are all dying to know how I ate them, right? So here ya go:

1-1 1/2 cups of greek yogurt (plain is best- less sugar and easier to add any flavor too!)
A handful (or more!) of blueberries
1- 1 1/12 tablespoons of chia seeds
Honey to drizzle on top


I feel stupid for typing this out, but honestly, I am the kind of person that likes to see exactly how much of each ingredient I need to put in or else I end up messing it up. (I can't do the whole "I just threw this, this, and a little of that all together and Ta-Da!") So there you go, its a fast, easy, healthy snack with a nice portion of protein (22 g!), antioxidants, and fiber!!

***I know I am probably late to the game on this little snack and most of you already know how to eat chia seeds, but this was so good (and I was pleasantly surprised) I had to share anyway!!***

Patience

I usually hate sharing quotes because I think they are cheesy 99% of the time instead of inspiring...but I saw this one and I have to share because its short and simple (and I like short and simple)!

This pretty sums up my thought process every single day. I have really committed to losing weight and getting in shape and it can be really hard sometimes when you don't see results as quickly as you wish you would.... I have a bad habit of getting frustrated after one week of working out and eating clean because I feel like it's been a month already and there is nothing to show for it. I have to remind myself that A) it has been ONE WEEK, and B) it takes a lot more TIME and PATIENCE. So I kind of love this picture and I think I will make it my screensaver on my phone so I can be constantly be reminded to chill out and have patience. 

So there is my random little motivational post for this lovely Tuesday evening.

Now off to work on that patience while I run on the treadmill....

Utah!

We have been living here for a little while now but I still haven't blogged...I guess people should be used to this by now...


We moved up here right after Christmas (middle of winter..) and although it took some getting used to for me, I have grown to really enjoy it here. I got a job at SolarCity, so now Anthony and I get to work together (first time since our Kahuku Grill days!) and it's been a lot of fun so far. The pups love it up here, but I didn't think they wouldn't. I was surprised at how quickly I adjusted to living here but I do still get a little homesick for San Diego every once in awhile. Luckily I will be back soon :)


The weather is finally starting to warm up and we have LOVED going out and exploring with the dogs. I told Anthony this weekend that I really can't wait to go camping this summer, so we started planning our first camping trip right then and there! Should be a good time since I have literally been camping once or twice and never with dogs.... I will be sure to let you all know how it goes. ha!


Also, since I am trying to get better at taking photos of our life, here are some from our two recent adventures:

love this guy :)

So happy to have water!

Random picture from the apricot tree in the yard because its spring...

If you look closely, you can see me telling Anthony something.. "No, I am not going any further, I just want a photo!"

Awkwardly posed

I seriously cannot get enough of the sky!

I kind of love my little pack and am excited for this summer's adventures!

Throwback Thursday

Ever since "Throwback Thursday" became a thing, I've loved it. It's so fun/funny seeing what people dig up and share with the world. I know I have some gems of my husband from when he was younger that his mom so graciously shared with me when we were engaged. I warned him that those photos would be forever saved on my computer, I'm still not quite sure he really understood what that meant ;)


So, in honor of one of my favorite Instagram "traditions" (if we can call it that), I'm going to share some throwbacks every week. Consider yourself warned!

I want to say I was around 6 in this photo? At Ponto Beach in Carlsbad, CA?

I would say Anthony is around the same age? Obviously eager to eat that birthday cake ;)

I have one particular photo that I cannot wait to share one week.....though Anthony may forbid me from letting the internet see it!! hahahahaha

Safari Park

Every Monday and Thursday I get the privilege of babysitting for my sister while she goes to work, which means I get to do some pretty fun things with the boys! Since it is summer, Easton isn't in school so it's been fun having them both all day...even when it's also very tiring because two boys together is pretty much non. stop. action.


Today I took them to the San Diego Safari Park because I finally got my (very) expired zoo pass renewed. I absolutely love the zoo and safari park so I am pretty much ALWAYS up to go. I love that I have two little nuggets close by that love to go almost as much as I do.


Also, I finally broke out my fancy camera and tried to get some photos of the day. You're welcome.


Oh, and another note: I told you it's nonstop action with these two, so naturally they RAN through most of the park...and for those of you that have been to the safari park, you know its quite big and full of hills. Keeping up with them was a challenge sometimes!

It is really hard to get a clear picture of the two monkeys I brought with me.

Again....hard subject to get in focus. The lions in the back on the rock stayed still though ;)

This kid. He LOVES the camera!! Constantly saying "more, more" and posing/smiling when the camera is out. haha (*update: I didn't realize Easton was picking his nose in this picture until I posted it. It's such a cute pic of Jude though...)

Easton would not talk to me the whole tram ride. He didn't want his animal watching to be interrupted.

Like I said, this one is really camera shy...

Obligatory Safari (Wild Animal) Park photo.

I also got to go with Maren to Easton's swim lessons after she got home. Which meant more time to practice my photography on my favorite little subjects...and watch Easton pretend he's a fish.

When I asked for a picture, this is what I got.

It's funny how two little kids can make you so baby hungry one minute, and 30 seconds later have you saying "yeah, maybe not quite yet......." hahahaha! I love them to pieces though and am grateful to have been around for so many fun memories!