weekend eats & ootd

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it's happening again!  i have worn a size 10 shoe since i stopped growing.  for some strange reason my feet shrink when i get preggo.  seriously!  you would expect the opposite, right!?  i walked away from a successful shoe shopping trip with these adorable, peep-toe nine's and another 9.5 pair (both reduced waaaay low, woo hoo!), which worked in my favor because 10 wasn't available in either.  luckily these skinny jeans are super stretchy and can support my expanding bump a lil' while longer.  i am loving flounce tops like this one and the off-the-shoulder look is needed for this unforgiving Texas summer heat. whew.

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calling all Greek freaks and Niko Niko lovers!!! Niko Niko's new I-10 & Beltway 8 location is now open!  did you ever catch Niko Niko's on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with Guy Fieri on Food Network? well deserved appearance, no doubt. they were already on Houston's map though!Hubs and i didn't mind taking the drive into the city to the original Montrose location, but we're cool with them meeting us halfway :) . ironically, it's 30 seconds away from my gym. #uhohthey knew the crowd was on its way so they were well equipped with this huge, accommodating, dining room. nice. i wasn't too hungry but still wanted to enjoy an outing with my bears.  i stuck with their seafood soup + greek salad combo.  their greek salad has always been and will always be THE bomb!  also chose to go light because eating late always ends up being a terrible idea.  i wake up burping up the food i ate the night before because it hasn't finished digesting yet. ugh! all apart of the preggo process though. (remember, this helps with that!)

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everything on this plate is a fan favorite.  the seasoned, tender lamb, the soft, chewy pita bread, the crispy, non-oily fries, the buttery rice, and that one-of-a-kind tzatziki sauce. #herculesplate

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pita pizza (which i don't even think is on the menu but was customized for us)and pita chicken quesadillas for the boys.talents:  picking dessert.as i stood there dumbfounded, several people had the same idea and came up to snap pics of this massive, goodie filled dessert case. you can't help it!portion control on deck! 3 for 5 bucks. tiramisu, almond something, and chocolate something. lol. my sweet cravings are coming back unfortunately and fruit just ain't cuttin' it these days.  doing my best to lean on the 80/20 nutrition rule, move 5-6 times a week, and drink plenty of water. ya know, the usual!

Q: do you like Greek food?

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saturdate + 6 week pp fitness goals

Sonny and i attended a wedding late last night/morning, so the boys hung out with their grandparents overnight.  which also means i was confined to my breast pump every 4 hours or so.  i remember being away from Chiso overnight for the 1st time and fearing he would reject my breast cause of nipple confusion once we were reunited again. it drove me crazy, but i was also a first time mom. a lot of things drove me crazy then.  fortunately, both boys latched right back on like nothing ever happened. *although it is recommended to give newborns at least 3 solid weeks of breast only before introducing the bottle if you can help it*. after sleeping straight through the night i woke up full of liquid gold and leaking through my clothes and bed sheets. there's always a trade-off! was it worth a night of uninterrupted sleep?

heck yes.

 i headed to 'weigh-ins' with Sonny, as he calls them.  the 6 Pack USA  plan works for people inside and outside of Houston. 'weigh-ins'  is where we check our 6 Pack USA Houston clients' progress in person if they choose (body fat, weight, motivation levels) to ensure they are on track with their customized meal and workout plans. video links are provided for  those that prefer to have a family or friend measure them weekly.  i'm 5 weeks postpartum and currently pondering about my own fitness goals these days. here are a few i'd like to share with ya:

• naturally detox my body from processed foods (i'll still be eating whole wheat bread and tortillas, etc., but i'm referring to unnecessary things like cool whip)
• drink way more water (WHEN will i get it together in this department...i mean really.)  it will help keep my milk supply up, skin hydrated, and things moving along in my digestive system
• lift these glutes! i eat pancakes...i don't wear them. ready to squat heavy again and build my booty back up.
• strengthen my entire back - the weight of these boobs have my posture slipping big time. not cute. and i'm feeling quite unbalanced and shaped like a number 9 at that. gravity is just not my friend.  this is another job for heavy weight lifting.
• widdle down my waist - which will largely come from better nutrition, time, and patience.
• shooting for 13-14% body fat  (long as that comes with a normally functioning menstrual cycle. since i'm breastfeeding i don't have to worry about Aunt Flo for a while anyway, woo hoo)
• upper-body definition - i can only do a few push ups on my toes before modifying to my knees because my core is still pretty weak, but like anything else, the more i do them the stronger i'll get.
• start my own 6 Pack USA plan soon!

that's it for now;  just want to tighten a few things up. not ready to hit any stage anytime soon or anything though.

 the last piece of evidence to this pregnancy.... my linea negra and tummy discoloration. it stuck around for like 4-5 months after my first pregnancy, so it's not going anywhere anytime soon. no crop tops for me this summer though!

two dates in one weekend? don't mind if we do.  hubby and i don't work out together too often (we actually train at different gyms), but when we do it's always fun and special cause it's so rare. maybe once or twice a month at best.  it's one of those 'too much of a good thing' kinda idioms for us i guess.  

afterwards we had lunch at one of our fave Greek spots, Niko Nikos. they were on Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives a few years ago but they were already well-known in Houston long before then!  i would love to visit every place Guy has gone one day.  i already told Sonny if we ever visit a city with a restaurant that was featured on his show, we are going. it's mandatory.

what...?  #unphased #stillsnappingaway

i started out with one of their fresh greek salads with that signature block of salty feta cheese on top,

then our shared, 'appetizer', The Hercules Plate, came next. lol.

we hadn't been here in a while so we were surprised to see breakfast items on the menu! Sonny got a steak and egg gyro for himself that was really good.  the pita bread is always so soft, warm, and magical.

instead of ordering my usual grilled chicken and spinach pita, i got The Broiled Flounder Plate w/ half rice half lemon baked potatoes with tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

hey. just hiding my food baby.

  i REALLY wanted some greek donuts, but i went for some Arctic Zero, fat-free Redi Whip and sprinkles when we got home to kill my sweet craving.

  not sure who is harder to raise....  husbands or kids? i've been saying i have 3 babies lately, lol. ironically, i showed this to Sonny and he didn't even get it!!!

Q: have you ever eaten at a restaurant featured on Food Network?

le

sunday dinner

my 'rents came over to love on their grand baby this past weekend! so of course i whipped up a few things.

i started with a HUUUGE salad complete with romaine mix, fat-free feta, black olives, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots all drizzled with Braggs liquid aminos, Braggs apple cidar vinegar + a little agave nectar,

and i used up the rest of a papaya to make some papaya-lime salsa.

here's the original recipe again, but i added strawberries and avocado this time and it was SO much creamier.  i highly suggest adding them every time!

this stuff is fabulous paired with seafood!  and if you make enough of it, whip out some multi-grain chips or make your own by slicing up a whole wheat tortilla and baking it in the oven until crispy.

 roasted, whipped sweet potaters topped with pecans and cinnamon (recipe will be in the ebookie)

and finally, baked, garlic & herb tilapia.

family and food together makes me one happier woman!  i sincerely cherish being able to cook for my parents.

 then....

for dessert, cinnamon.... apple.... almond cake!  the stuff on top is apple whipped cream.  it's sugar-free, fat-free cool whip, diced red delicious apple, and greek yogurt) all blended into a sweet, light, heavenly topping.  oh AND, i grinded on some of Trader Joe's cinnamon sugar ;)

cinnamon apple almond cake

the stuff:

• 4 tbsp diced apple
• 3 tbsp whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp applesauce
• 1/2 tsp apple pie spice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 tsp coconut crystals

do this:

set 1 tbsp of the diced or sliced apples aside along with the coconut crystals, and set your oven to 325 degrees.

mix the wet with the wet and the dry with the dry, then combine.  (i made two cakes using my cupcake pan.)

distribute the coconut crystals evenly in the bottom of the two empty cupcake slots, as well as 2 tbsp of the diced/sliced apples (1 tbsp in each slot).

pour the batter on top!

cook for 12-15 minutes, but watch it closely.

take the cakes out, let them cool slightly, then flip them over onto a plate, pineapple upside down cake style.  yummmmmmmy!

top with the apple whip, or eat it plain.

2 'cup'cakes or 1 big one

**you DON'T have to use the coconut oil if you don't want to!**  i included the nutritional adjustments just in case you omit it, but it does enhance the flavor and texture of the cake a lil bit.  your call.

so i was thinking... you wont know what going on over here unless i tell you, duh! i'm working on two books right now which is what's taking so long. the first will be for our 6 Pack USA clients and is almost complete, then i can really focus on the Fit Foodie Le book!  both of them will be available for purchase- you don't have to be a 6 Pack USA client to access the book and get the recipes though.  the Fit Foodie Le book will be a combo of cleaner, healthier, classics like some of the recipes i've already shared with you, and tons of new recipes for snacks, dips, dressings, soups, stews, pastas, aaaaagggh!!!!!

i am TOO excited about it and i hope you are too! please be patient though and keep counting down with me.

before i let you go, pleeeease go check out my feature on Fitness, Food, and Style!! i met Dani via Instagram and she is one amazing woman, my goodness. i'm over here struggling to keep my blog alive with one kiddo and she has FOUR!!! what!? she was in the IT industry for a while and became a full-time SAHM (stay at home mom) after the birth of her second child.  her blog is super informative for mothers or for anyone striving to just living a healthier life overall.  show her some love, please!

BUCKLE UP!!!!!

le