Clean Eating Meal Prep

For me meal prep is the number one things for me to succeed! 

Each week on either Sunday or Monday evening I set aside a hour or so and prep my meals for the week. This has been a huge part of me sticking with it. 

I mainly just prep for breakfast and dinner since I am running out the door to work 

in the morning and need something to eat while there.

 Dinners are easier for me to prepare on the spot since I am home at night. 

First,  I start by making a large batch of uncut steel oats. 

In the morning all I have to do is a little almond milk,  raw honey or cinnamon 

and I like to add fruit to it as well.

 I portion this out into wide mouth pint jars so that i can just take it with me and eat it from the jar. 

1/2 Cup Uncut Steel oats cooked and ready to be reheated! 

Then I make a big batch of brown rice. I make enough to portion out for 6 days and have a little left over for home that I will have for dinner as well. I add about a 1/2 a cup  into my lunch container. 

I grill six chicken breast. I portion them out into my lunch and then it 

leaves me with some for at the house as well. 

 The ones I use are large so about half is good for my lunch! 

This is the chicken I use and I buy it frozen from Walmart

Then I steam 2 to 3 different veggies so I don't get burnt out eating the same thing. 

I put the brown rice on the bottom and chicken and veggies on top.

While prepping I also cut up veggies and fruit so that they are easy for me to grab. 

This way when I want a snack or for me to make a smoothie if I am in a hurry.

 I try not to let to long go in between meals and snacks or I start craving things I don't need! 

I also cut up veggies to throw into egg whites or in with the brown rice to make a veggie bowl. 

Cutting up fruits and veggies for the week!

Some of my go to meals are:

 Grilled Salmon with veggies.

Spinach Salad with veggies, fruit and an organic vinaigrette.

Veggie Brown rice bowls and I add chicken sometimes.

Grilled Chicken with veggies.

Veggies on the grill with grilled pineapple.

Rarely, but sometime Grilled Turkey Sausage.

Stuffed Bell peppers with brown rice and ground turkey.

Some Go To Snacks:

Greek Yogurt with fruit and healthy granola.

Apple with natural peanut butter.

Banana with raw honey. 

Smoothie if I am really hungry or to follow up a hard workout.

A cup of fruit with Almonds.

This is just some of what I do and I will be sharing some clean recipes and new things I try as well! 

Try to take the time to prepare your meals before hand. 

It helps me when I am in a hurry as well as with my mindset before the week has even begun. 

Oh and because I am SUPER EXCITED! I have lost 19.5 pounds!! Still a lot more to go, but I am looking forward to it and the Journey ahead of me. 

Shine on Lovelies,

Ashley M.

The day I turned down a candy bar...

Hi, my name is Ashley and I am addicted to food. If I have a stressful day and instead of making a drink or finding some other recreational substance to make me feel better I eat a cheeseburger. Or a candy bar. Or maybe even a whole thing of cookie dough. With many struggles mentally and physically I haven't turned to food in almost a month! Yesterday was a tough day for me. Dealing with tons of inward struggles and personal fights. I wanted a candy bar. I had one at home that was bought in a moment of weakness that I didn't eat. Being quickly reminded by a dear friend that eating the candy bar wouldn't help me feel better I put it down and went on to my workout. I worked out harder and pushed myself harder than I have in a long time! It felt great. I didn't eat that candy bar. It is still where it was before I wanted it. Hold on though the story gets better. Last night my hubby brought me one home when he got off work. He thought I may want it and normally I would have ate it in 2 seconds without thinking about it. However, that candy bar joined the other and is now on the shelf awaiting its fate that will come from someone other than me!! I am proud of this milestone and my strength. I know I can bet this and be a healthier me!

After I kicked my own butt during my workout! 

Shine on Lovelies,

Ashley 

I Don't Skinny Dip, I Chunky Dunk!

Big is Beautiful!

I truly believe that some of the most beautiful woman are full figured or shapely  woman.
Queen Latifa, Adele, Kim Kardashian, Marilyn Monroe and the list could go on and on.

One of my goals is to lose weight this year. Not because I want to fit into the mold of you have to be skinny to be beautiful. I want to be healthy and be able to play with and keep up with my son! I know that a big part of losing weight is eating healthy (which is also one of my goals), but it is also a lifestyle. It is so easy to eat unhealthy when we live in such a busy fast pace world. Grab McDonald's on the way to school for breakfast, lunch at your favorite local restaurant and Chinese on the way home for dinner after you pick up the kids, make it to practice, and get your shopping done.

Trust me I am so guilty of all of the above. So when I decided to "diet" if that is what you want to call it, I knew I had to make a change in my lifestyle.

Here is what I am doing:
No Salt
No Dairy
No Sugar
No Soda
No Fast Food
Limited Wheat and Bread

The Question I tend to get asked when I list all of these things is... "What are you eating then?"
 Meats, Veggies, some fruits (not all fruits are good fruits), nuts and tons and tons of water.
As well as working out 5 days a week. Mostly Cardio and some lifting for toning in my arms and legs.


I started this Three weeks ago on Wednesday and I have lost 12 pounds, 4 1/2 inches off my waist, 2 1/2 inches off my hips, and 1 1/2 inches of my legs!!!

I am pretty excited with my results so far and I feel healthier and have more energy! For anyone who has a 6 Month old we all know you need tons and tons of energy!
My goal when I started was to lose 60 pounds by my sons first birthday which is July 8th of this year.
That leaves me with 23 weeks left to lose 48 pounds.
Which means I just need to lose 2 pounds a week to make it to my goal...

I am super excited to make this journey happen and to see my transformation. Just to be able to keep up with my son when he is running around and wanting to play like children do will make it all worth it!
I am going to start taking pictures each week and will keep you guys posted on my Wednesday Weigh In.

Let me know what you all do keep healthy and feeling your best, any and all extra feed back and motivation is always appreciated!

Until Next Time,
<3 Ashley