#TransparencyThursday

i know #TransparencyTuesday sounds cooler but roll with me.

transparency inspires me...perfection does not. 

i just took down an IG photo that my husband did not agree with today.  he saw it when i posted it 2 days ago but didn't mention it until this morning.  had i known how he felt then, i would have removed it as quickly as i did earlier. 

you might have even seen it before i took it down if you follow me on IG; i was pretty proud of the fact that i had gotten a ton of stuff on my to-do list done and it was only 8am. as a girl who tries hard daily to kick my terrible procrastination habit, productivity makes me uber happy.  i had just jumped out of a 10 min steam room session but stopped in the mirror before heading to my locker. i had a towel wrapped around my body and one around my head/hair, and i took a selfie.  i planned to express and share my love for early morning workouts, productivity, and the steam room with my followers! i often make early motivational posts when i'm up at the crack of dawn and this was no different.  before i posted it, i did feel a little weird about it being too personal as a Christian, wife, mom, etc... and then i started comparing my pic to some of the crazy stuff i've seen not just across IG, but the WWW. i thought surely it was like comparing a kids cartoon to an X rated movie.  then i thought, "i could have a bathing suit on under this! people don't know." why make them wonder though...?  i then thought about girlfriends or couples at the spa, posting pics and sharing how much fun they're having in their robes and towel turbans, etc, etc, etc... WHOA.  does it really take all that? too much, too much! red flags were being thrown at me left and right but i chose to ignore them.  personal conviction was fighting its way through, but was i battling for or against it? are you completely ignoring that little voice and doing everything in your power to justify whatever it is you are on the fence about?  if you have to jump through a bajillion hoops just to convince yourself that whatever you're promoting or doing is not that bad... it prolly is (in my case).  it's just like wondering whether a dress is too short... you know the saying, "if you have to wonder...".  heck, God is still working on me in that area too!  i've had my issues with IG before; e.g., seeing half-naked amateur and professional "fitness" pics in my feed getting tons of love and Likes... and for a while it seemed like women were competing to see who could wear the least clothing without getting completely naked, my goodness.  i don't want to see that, and i don't and won't get down like that. for Likes?  would God himself Like it??  is a compromising picture ever worth ruining your witness? or, making your spouse or family uncomfortable or even upset? Sonny's words were, "well, it's a lil' much..." and they cut me like a knife; i immediately felt terrible.  terrible enough to write this post because 'little' things like that pic can cause more trouble than i ever intended it to both inside and outside of my home.  he concluded with, “...I get that it is harmless from your intended connotation and perspective though…if I thought it was bad I would have said something immediately...instead I see how it can be misconstrued as someone you've told me and your supporters you're not intending to be.” 

 i have to walk the walk if i'm talking the talk. after being on IG for a few years now,  Likes don't drive my posts anymore.  interacting, serving my audience, and making sure they are receptive to my topics is definitely important as a blogger/vlogger, but i've been asking God for quite some time to make my posts Spirit-led instead of being led by my flesh. literally. i don't want drama (i can actually count on one hand the number of weird/rude IG comments i've gotten over the years which is a blessing), i don't want the wrong kind of attention or comments to have to respond to (happily married, here), and i want to represent Him at all times.  this also means unfollowing people who  clearly don't share that same ultimate goal.  this (Christian) walk is not easy, but this walk is necessary.  He will shine through in every area of my life because my life belongs entirely to Him. 

 i have already apologized to Sonny, and now, i apologize to you.  

but did you die? + dairy-free banana fudge bomb pops

the first time i saw that meme on IG... instant tears. ooooh, spinning. the class i hate to love and love to hate.  i still remember taking my very first cycle class at 24HF years ago. i was drenched in sweat from head to toe like WHAT. JUST. HAPPENED.... *blank stare*.  i looked like i had just taken a dip in the pool, fully clothed.

Miko and i made it through again though!  i do believe the seat is more uncomfy the next few times after the initial time.  the 'it gets worse before it gets better.' phrase applies here.  wheeeeew, God bless spin instructors everywhere. i know you get used to it after a while but because i'm in the adjusting phase again it's definitely the discomfort talking. #seasonalcycler

  broken vajayjay.... but did you die? LOL #almost

colorful plates make my face and tummy HAPPY. i planned on baking meatballs this week but got lazy (hungry) and whipped up my lean apple-chicken  on Nature's Own Whole Wheat bread  with cheddar almond cheese instead. i still have Honey Crisp apples around from making homemade apple sauce, so i subbed one of those for the Red DelicicvVous apple my recipe calls for. i threw some steamed green beans, raw golden bell peppers w/ roasted red pepper hummus, and blackberries on the side.

 after making those chocolate coconut pb cups the other day, i got to thinking about other layered desserts and those classic banana fudge bomb pops came to mind. i used to LOVE getting them from the ice cream truck when i was a kid.  so i went for a healthier, dairy-free version!  Chiso gobbled his up, so i count it as a success!  I'd love them to be a little creamier, so i'm going to add some Skinny Tru Whip to the batters before freezing next time. make and try them with your kiddos!

Dairy-free Banana Fudge Bomb Pops

the stuff:

banana layer

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cashew milk

fudge layer

• 1/2 cup Enjoy Life Mega Chunks
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cashew milk

do this:

1. blend bananas and milk in blender until smooth
2. add chocolate chips and milk to a microwave safe bowl and nuke it for 15 seconds at a time until chunks are completely melted. incorporate this together until smooth.
3. add banana layer 1 to your popsicle trays filling them only 1/3 of the way full
4. freeze for 15 minutes
5. take out of freezer and add the chocolate layer, leaving room for banana layer 2 near the top
6. freeze for 15 minutes
7. take out of freezer and fill trays to the brim with banana layer 2. insert popsicle tops/sticks and put back into freezer for at least 1 hr or more.

* running hot water over the popsicle trays first helps them to pop out easier when you're ready to eat them by the way*

 feel free to make as many layers as you'd like!  more layers = more prep time though and your little one might keep asking 'is it ready yet!?'

the boys and i finally got to hang out with and take an #usie with this amazingly sweet woman this week!  Adaeze is a long-time blog follower of mine (like she has been there from THE jump), a former 6 Pack USA client, and a newlywed (woo hoo!). it was a true pleasure chatting with her!!! she has such a genuine, gentle spirit a big beautiful smile to go with it.  i'm grateful for all her support over the years <3

Q. what exercise do you HATE doing but feel so dang unstoppable when you finish?  

le

savory protein-packed albacore tuna cakes....and stuff

it is NOT tuesday already!!! seriously?  please, come back with me to the weekend for a sec.

it started with this awesome quote above by Jim Rohn. when a quote hits home and find myself reading it over and over again, i GOTTA share it.

if you're satisfied with being unsatisfied, stop complaining and UPROOT YOURSELF.   take comfort in knowing that you have the power to change your situation for the better, especially if you are unhappy  with the way things are.  less talking, more action!!

we met up with a few of our 6 Pack USA clients that morning for body fat testing and progress checks, then hit the gym, together! we make the effort to work out together at least once a week, minimum.  it's our kinda date.  this man pushes me like NO OTHER.  buttons and all :lol:  but it brings out the best in me as well as fantastic results.  i always see more progress in my body working out with Sonny vs. solo.  working out with a partner (or sig. other) provides:

*support

*encouragement

*partnership

*motivation

*accountability

*companionship

*friendly competition

choose a workout partner that truly pushes and inspires you to do better and go harder.  friends don't let friends SLACK!

also, being able to see Sonny across the (weight ) room  is....nice.  even if we are both doing our own thing on opposite ends of the gym, i take comfort in knowing he is simply there.

afterwards, we went on another date.

a lunch date.

to my fave Greek spot in Houston, Niko Nikos!  peak or off-peak hour, it don't matter.  they stay busy because the food is that good.

i started with the greek salad- it's automatic.  it was topped with a block of salty feta, calamata olives, tomato, red onion, peppers, and a splash of their famous vinaigrette dressing.  i usually get my dressing on the side, but they never load it on ridiculously and i have always appreciated that.  their salads are always cold, fresh, and crisp.

the salad was followed by a spinach & chicken pita loaded with lots of feta and melted mozzarella.

ok....as much as i LOVE me some cheese, it was too much.  i watch my sodium intake and because i had just murdered that block of feta on my salad, i was good in that department already.  soooo, i definitely took some off before i dove in.

this one's at the top of his list...the massive, impressive, Hercules Plate.

like mother like son! i'm always reaching over my own plate for Sonny's food too.

i sure wish i had read this statement straight from their menu while we were there:

'We challenge you to finish it: Gyros, Souvlaki, Chicken kebob served with tomato, cooked onions, bell pepper, mushrooms, tzatziki, yalandji dolma and two pita breads.'

cause Sonny KILLED IT.  maybe we could have gotten free dessert or something!? i'll ask next time.

after church and teaching my gym class on Sunday, we sped over to a kiddie b-day party for Titus, the Engineer!  he turned the ripe ol' ago of TWO. happy birthday big boy!

Chiso will be two in May, and i plan to do a similar type of party, meaning, somebody else will be doing all the work this time!  nothin like last year's 1st birthday party at all!

Chi chowing down on cheese pizza.

once home again, meal prep sunday was in full effect.

i did a combo of grilling and roasting for my vegetables this week.

even had some egg-plant up in the mix!

i also made egg-plant 'fries' by slicing the starchy veggie into fry sized stalks, seasoning them with Mrs. Dash no-salt garlic & herb, and placing them flat on a baking sheet, 7 minutes each side. different and tasty!

roasting and grilling over steaming, ANYDAY.  brussels sprouts, multi-color bell peppers, and egg-plant for the next few days.

last nights dinner:

savory, protein-packed albacore tuna cakes

the stuff:

• 2 cans albacore tuna, drained
• 2 egg whites
• 1 heaping tbsp 0% greek yogurt
• 1 heaping tbsp course ground mustard
• 2 tbsp red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp yellow, orange, or green bell pepper
• 1 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• juice of half a lemon
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash no-salt garlic & herb seasoning ( i like lots!)
• 1 tbsp green onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper

do this: * in a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix very well.

* coat a medium heated pan with no-stick cooking spray

* scoop out some of the mixture and place it in the hot pan, pressing it down flat, like a pancake.

*cook 4-5 minutes on each side or until done and cooked through!

that topping is just 0% greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and sriracha.  i didn't measure, but play around with these components to make a dipping sauce to your liking!

i made 8 cakes, and these are the stats for 1:

if you hadn't noticed yet, 

SO,  i started a new section up there titled FFL approved!  but you noticed already, right!  that page will be filled with all things health and fitness that i have either eaten, worn, or used myself!  e.g. good ol' PRODUCT REVIEWS!!!  i mean i've really been doing them all along, but this time the products will be mostly complimentary which i appreciate TREMENDOUSLY.  sooo, head on over there if you haven't already... there's more to come. way mo!

**p.s. if you make ANY of my recipes, i'd LOVE to see them! how? take a pic and post them to the Fit Foodie Le Facebook Fan Page, or Instagram it and tag me to it -----> #fitfoodiele. **

le