goodies

so thankful for encouraging friends!got this in the mail today from a dear friend of mine and it was RIGHT on time. today is low carb day :lol: thanks, BM ;) love you, girl!

july was a BLUR. hey, august.

there are a bazillion products i cannot wait to try next month. next month...NEXT MONTH is my show!!!! burnout is not even the word these days. i have been trying to run outside more for my cardio cause even the smell of walking into my gym sometimes makes me sick to my stomach, sad, and a tired, defeated feeling comes over my entire body. yes, all that happens at once! nothing a rest day can't fix though...i'm definitely waving my white flag and in need of one. i am still learning to listen to my body and not overdo it. over time, i have learned to distinguish the 'crap i don't feel like going to the gym' feeling vs the 'i have absolutely no energy to lift a THING today' feeling. there is a huge difference. when the only thing i can take away from my workout is the fact that i can say i went, that's not good enough. i'm doing more harm than good by forcing my workout rather than just sitting down somewhere, resting, and hitting it hard the next day.i posted this earlier today on IG- another instagrammer mentioned how her abs stay flat even after a satisfying meal and i LOVE that and couldn't agree more. it's all from simply keeping your diet clean. before, i'd either be a bloated mess all over or mushy in my midsection from high sodium, sugar, and additives hiding in processed and restaurant foods. my tummy stays the same all day long- flat.

what's happening this week? finding a SUIT and themewear, that's what. i have been googling to the high heavens on what colors pop, what shade is best for my skin, etc., aaggggggghhhhhhh!!! my posing coach, Christine, simply said 'go with your first instinct.' simple as that. so, i will.

i visited a shop by referral from Christine, grabbed a handful of suits and tried them on. those things are pretty darn tiny. talk about 'barely there', my goodness! stepping outside my box, big time.

i am such a BOY with this kind of stuff. there is so much more to be done. hair, nails, waxing, tanning, etc,. this is a pretty darn expensive sport. and i didn't even mention my training yet! (workouts, meal plan, and FOOD). i discussed with Christine the best portion of the show for me to enter seeing as how i have about 5 weeks left. she advised me to stick with Bikini. so, Figure will just have to wait as i don't have enough time to put on THAT much muscle. so, if there's a next time, i'm comin for ya, Figure!!!

so i have said already how excited i am to get back in my kitchen and make and EAT up some stuff. i see new products every day on instagram, blogs, and foodie mags, and i went online and finally ordered a few that sparked my interest and my taste buds! i was supposed to stop looking at these sites before my comp, i know. anyway, i'll pass on bargain shopping for clothes, but not food! it really is cheaper to order some stuff online. and there are always coupon codes, free shipping, and other deals that help.

via IG (instagram), @powercakes gave out her coupon code for saving 5 dollars on your first www.IHERB.com purchase. SWEET DEAL! i just used mine AND got free shipping since my order was over 20 bucks. now, if September would just get here already i'll be one happy fit foodie. look what i got:

soups, stir-frys, and spring rolls OH MY!! these are kelp noodles. i loooove thai crystal noodle soup and pretty much all type of soup. and noodles. i have so many ideas for these puppies. and hello, 12 calories per serving! I KNOW!! kelp noodles are raw, gluten-free, fat-free, rice-free, low in carbs & calories, full of minerals and ready to eat. have you tried them?

been hearing SO much about this stuff. what sold me? 'tastes like cheese'. well we'll just have to see then, won't see. after reading reviews, customers raved how great this stuff is sprinkled on air popped popcorn, over soups and stews, and even encrusting proteins in it. i'll see what i can do.

so splenda's rep has gotten worse and worse over time. it's been known to cause/increase the risk of cancer, weight gain, bloating- man too many negative things to name. just red flags everywhere. i actually swore off the stuff a few months ago (Sonny chunked it. all of it.), but i walked past the above pic in HEB and the mocha part sucked me right back in. however Sonny threw it right back out.

then i heard/read about Stevia.

zero cals, non bitter, all natural. i bought the granules from HEB before i discovered there was a liquid form! so, i ordered some.

vanilla,

and

chocolate!

no sugar alcohols, bitter after-taste, and calorie free. stay tuuuuuuuned.

3 more things- look, i had a lot to say today.

1.) when i visit food blogs, i look for specific things. fantastic, enticing pics draw me in first and foremost, but what i always end up looking for and totally appreciate is nutritional stats!! people can say they don't count calories all day long...but come on..you have to have SOME kinda ball park figure to make sure you're staying on track, clean diet or not. SO, one thing i plan to execute after this show is including the nutritional stats to my recipes. sure, there are a crapload of web apps these days that you can just type the ingredients into yourself, but i dont want you to have to work so hard when you come visit me!

2.) although i have no plans to ever fully commit to a 100% paleo, vegan, vegetarian, or even clean diet (only 85% and i meant that), i can't get enough of their deserts! there are sooooo many ways you can 'indulge' and satisfy your sweet tooth without eating the full fat and calorie laden stuff. i am on a mission to create cleaner deserts as well as incorporate more natural, raw ingredients. working on cleaner pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, breads, and pudding recipes all day every day.

3.) i'd tell ya what i'm having for dinner but you already know. :roll: just got through putting some of my meals together for tomorrow .

i'll tell you anyway. marinated sirloin steak, french cut green beans, and brown rice. after i nuke one, i add low sodium worcestershire sauce or my mustard, and some fresh cilantro. yum!!

Chiso is keeping busy in the midst of all this madness.