We will be heading to Newport, Rhode Island very shortly for my best friend’s wedding, but first I have a quick post of some things I am loving this week!

I am all about simplicity with my food lately. My life has changed with Ava around and I don’t have time to spend hours in the kitchen right now. This Upside Down Shepherd’s pie came out fabulous this week. (I made a few changes to the recipe, I used 4-5 tbsp of regular jarred pasta sauce instead of tomato paste, and I added fresh parsley.. it was GOOD!)

Even Ava loved it.

She was so kind to feed Cooper her leftovers too!

For the past couple of weeks I have been taking these BCAA’s before some of my intense workouts. If you don’t know what BCAA’s are they are Branch Chain Amino Acids that can be used to improve exercise performance and reduce muscle breakdown. For more information check out this Supplement Guide. I have definitely seen and improvement in my exercise endurance during my time taking them!

I am not a big clothing shopper believe it or not. I actually wish I was, but every time I go to the mall searching for specific things I NEVER find them So I have been doing some online shopping and surprisingly have been enjoying it. I love Old Navy’s new line of workout motivation gear and I find myself wanting to buy all their comfy workout tops! You should definitely check them out!

Plantains in any form! I like them roasted or pan fried

or of course in Chip form with avocado!

 Speaking of avocado. I made a cucumber, tomato, & avocado salad to toss on our turkey burgers the other night, it was pretty darn good. Marc was mad that we didn’t have more of it.

Last but not least… I am loving any pumpkin flavored treat I can get my hands on.

I made these 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. They are healthy and tasty!

Now we are off to Newport for a long weekend…. I can’t wait. I will be sure to have Marc take lots of pictures during the ceremony so you can see the beautiful bride and of course our bridesmaid dresses!!

I had to post this last picture (Cooper fell asleep with the ball in his mouth… no joke he slept like this for 20 minutes!!)

What is on your agenda this weekend?
Is there anything special you have been loving lately?

Do you love going to weddings? 

Boot camp last night was awesome, sweat was pouring off my face, we were all spent by the end of the workout! I wanted to snap a picture but my face was too red and my hair was a hot mess.

Now I would like to share with you some of the things I am Loving this week:

First up, a Happy Birthday to my best friend Shannon, she will be celebrating her last year in her twenties.

Clementines. They weren’t cheap but when you have a healthy craving it is okay! They are tiny so I eat 3 at a time, oops

Have you heard of or tried AMRAP bars? I won a box of them from Giselle’s giveaway and I have become a fan. This particular flavor is fig & cocoa and it has 270 calories & 15g of protein, they are definitely filling.

I have been mixing this bag of trail mix with these nuts and the combination is perfect. The trail mix has GOLDEN raisins which I pick out because I love them so much!

As a side dish last night for dinner I had some broccoli rabe and sweet potato pancakes. SO GOOD. Ava loved the sweet potato pancakes! I opted not to give her the broccoli rabe because it was a little bitter!

 Marc and I love this Rudi’s Gluten Free bread. We keep it in the freezer and pull it out as needed!

Last but not least, I love this devilish smile!

What have you been loving lately?

Do you have any fun weekend plans?

Anyways, lets talk about some of the things I am loving this week:

The Dolphin Hop exercise (in case you missed yesterdays post)… we practiced it again last night in Boot camp class. I know you all loved it!

I typically only drink water and a little coffee in the morning, however these POLAND SPRING SPARKLERS are pretty good. Sometimes you need a little flavor in your life.

Plus bubbles taste different.

I had a couple chocolate cravings this week, and this Dark Chocolate Nut & Sea Salt KIND Bar did the trick. The sprinkle of sea salt on the top adds a whole other element!

 I constantly have my clients ask me for Snack ideas. Yes, these are CHICKPEAS but they are coated with cinnamon and a tiny bit of sugar, so you get a delicious combo of sweet, salty & crunchy all in one…. you should try them! They also come in other flavors.

VITAMIN WATER.. I don’t drink these all the time but I do like them before and after workouts on occasion. Sometimes they are a little sweet so I will mix 1/2 of it with water to dilute it. This one is high in B-vitamins and I really like the fruit punch flavor.

I think these should make the post every week, but I love that Stop & Shop sells PLANTAIN CHIPS now.

Read the label closely…. at the top it says “Healthy Addiction.” That makes me laugh.

These should really come in a large bucket though, because honestly this container doesn’t last long!

annnddd last but not least this post wouldn’t be complete without this picture of Ava.

My girl climbs everything, literally everything! We are in trouble….

Happy Friday!!

Things I am loving this week

So Ava has a little cold and on top of that she is teething, lucky for us she surprised us with a 5am wakeup! (I didn’t love that, but it’s not much earlier then we normally get up)  I decided to make some Homemade Pumpkin Coffee to get me going! Shortly after I took Cooper for a nice early morning walk.

This coffee is my go to in the Fall.. it is so simple and tasty. I cannot get enough!!

Speaking of Fall my dad gave us a bunch of these JUMBO Apples. I am pretty sure it is one of the biggest apples I have ever seen and this picture does not capture the size. Maybe I should retake it and hold it up next to my head!

Ava gave me her first kiss this week, and it was on the lips. It was super wet, but it hands down made my week! (she kissed daddy & grandpa too) I am pretty sure they were just as excited.

I had this BBQ pulled Chicken Taco sandwich for lunch yesterday with a piece of pita bread as the taco shell.  I sure wish there was more. I love BBQ chicken and just because summer is over does not mean I am done with BBQ chicken!

I followed my own Tip from Tuesday and lifted a bit heavier this week. Man did I feel it. Thank goodness today is a rest day with no weights!

Have you tried the limited batch of  Pumpkin Chobani Yogurt??  It tastes just like Pumpkin Pie and for 130 Calories you can’t beat it!

I finally found these Mama Chia Pouches at Whole Foods. I have heard lots about them and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one. If you are like me and on the go, they might come in handy!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

What things have you been loving this week? 

Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend?

Here are some thing I have been loving this week:

I know fall doesn’t technically begin until Monday, but it sure felt like it this morning! I have no complaints because I really enjoyed a homemade HOT pumpkin spice coffee it warmed me right up!

It is so easy to make, you should try it

This week I got in a TON of great workouts and my legs are pretty much shot today. We are launching the new Group Power workout on less then 2 weeks so I am practicing with a co-worker later today.

I love this workout because it is an increased weight workout so you do less repetitions at higher weight!!

Since being off Paleo I have been loving having Peanut butter back in my life.. Doesn’t peanut butter make everything better?

My dad bought me this Rubbermaid lunch storage container. How great is this?

They snap together and the little containers are perfect portions for lunch side dishes!

Last night after a great boot camp workout, I enjoyed this high-protein oatmeal!

It had Oats, Protein powder, peanut butter, almond milk, & a few mini chocolate chips! yum.

I also tried these Sweet Cinnamon Chickpea bites..

If you are looking for something sweet they will satisfy your craving!

I hope you all have a lovely Friday!

What have you been loving lately??